Chapter Nine

'You've done it now,' Akuma taunted from up high in the trees. Yue's lips thinned as he heard those words. 'Haven't you got anything better to do,' he said coldly. Akuma laughed and dropped down to stand beside him. 'You know, I don't have to do anything, you're doing all the damage for me,' she remarked with a giggle.

Yue growled softly and moved away from Akuma. 'Go away,' he snarled. Akuma leaned forward and cupped his cheek in her hand. 'Is little Yue feeling sad?' she cooed. The star guardian's hand came up to grip hers. 'Little Yue is feeling annoyed and pissed since someone won't take the hint and go away,' he replied coldly. Red stared into purple.

With a contemptuous snort Yue threw Akuma away from him. The young woman stumbled then regained her balance remarkably quick. 'Keep up the good work and I'll make sure to say hello to Sakura for you,' she said with a laugh. Before Yue could say anything in reply she disappeared. The star guardian swore softly.

'She's right you know.'

Yue whirled around and saw Yukito standing behind him. He immediately schooled his face into impassivity. 'What do you want?' he asked with frigid politeness. Yukito shrugged.

'Just wanted to tell you how upset Sakura has been,' he said nicely. Yue's cats eyes narrowed. 'What do you want?' he repeated slowly. Yukito sighed with exasperation.

'Why don't you go apologise to her?' he suggested.

'And risk the wrath of her brother, Mizuki, Tsuki and Kero, not to mention Syaoron and her friends, no thank you,' Yue scoffed. Yukito shrugged again. 'It's your problem but my suggestion is to go and say sorry.'

'Why are you helping me? I thought you loved her as well,' Yue asked. 'As well?' Yukito asked lifting an eyebrow. Yue mentally slapped himself as he realised what he had said. 'You tell anyone and I will have to kill you,' Yue threatened. Yukito grinned.

'Don't worry I wouldn't tell Sakura. It'd sound much better if it came from you,' he replied. Yue glared at him. Yukito kept smiling.

'You haven't answered my question,' Yue said looking away.

'You mean why I'm helping you? Because it would make Sakura happy,' Yukito replied. Yue's head turned to look at him fully.

'You would give her up because it would make her happy?' he asked incredulously. Yukito considered then nodded decisively. 'Yes, whatever makes her happy makes me happy,' he answered.

'Why?'

'Why?' Yukito repeated with confusion.

'Why would you do this? I thought you'd fight for her,' Yue said bluntly.

'Simple, she doesn't love me.'

'And I suppose she loves me?' Yue asked cynically. A knowing look was all he got. 'Look at what's in front of your eyes, not what you want to see,' Yukito said cryptically. The two men stared at each other silently. Yukito's face broke into a smile. When Yue didn't say or do anything he walked away. He stopped a few steps later.

'Sakura is alone at home, except for Tsuki, but she's no trouble. You might want to visit her,' he said not looking back at Yue. When no answer was heard he continued to walk.

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Yukito walked along humming a song under his breath. He hadn't been lying to Yue. He truly wanted Sakura to be happy. And he was happy when Sakura was happy. However in a small corner of his heart he hoped that Sakura rejected Yue. But his mind and the rest of his heart knew she wouldn't.

He had come back to see if she still loved him. But the situation between her and the new boy made it painfully clear that she didn't need him anymore. In reality she didn't need anyone to lean on anymore. She had grown up into her powers. Her newfound maturity made sure that she used those powers wisely.

And as much as he hated to admit it, she didn't need him to lean on anymore. It hurt but Yukito knew that it was partly his fault as well. After all if he hadn't left maybe things would have been different. With a sigh he turned a corner...only to stop as he came face to face with Akuma.

'That was very good advice you gave Yue,' she told him. Yukito watched her with wary eyes. 'It's a pity isn't it that they're in love?' she chatted with a sly smile. Yukito stepped back automatically. Akuma watched the young man with avid eyes.

'I wonder if the Card Mistress will be upset if I hurt her ex,' Akuma wondered tossing a red ball of energy from one hand to the other. Red eyes stared the moving ball with fascination. Yukito stepped back again then stopped as he realised that there was no way he could escape from her unscathed. So he stood his ground instead.

'Why do you want Sakura?' he asked bravely. Akuma looked at him as if she was surprised to see him still standing there.

'Why do I want Sakura?' she repeated, 'that's a hard question. I can't tell you, after all you might go tell her...actually scratch that. I know you'll tell her. And it's not much fun when the prey knows how important she is,' Akuma said with a wide grin.

'......'

'As for you...a gift,' she continued throwing the ball of energy at him. Yukito flew backwards as the ball slammed into his body. A grunt escaped his lips as he fell on the ground. Pain radiated from his chest making him gasp as he tried to breath.

A flurry of wings made him look up. A tall white figure stood in front of him. It was Yue in his true form. Wings outstretched Yue was protecting him.

'You've grown to be too goody-goody,' Akuma complained with a pout. Yue smirked coldly.

'Thank you for that compliment,' he mocked. Akuma rolled her eyes and shook her head. She glared once at Yukito before turning back to Yue. 'Well love to stay and chat but my job is done here, so see ya,' she said blowing a kiss toward the two. Yue waited till she was completely gone before turning to Yukito.

'Are you all right?' he asked. Yukito nodded standing up slowly.

'Thank you for your help,' Yukito said softly. Yue stared at him then a small smile bloomed on his face. 'You are welcome. I know the Card Mistress would be upset if her ex got hurt,' he answered already fading from view. Yukito blinked. For a while he stood staring at the spot where Yue once stood. Then smiled.

It seems that Yue wasn't as cold hearted as he pretends to be.

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Yue stared at the door with apprehension. A feeling of deja vu swept over him. He was reminded of the first time he had come over to the house for the party. Taking a deep breath he brought up his hand and knocked on the door. Silence. He knocked again. And again.

His persistence paid off as the door opened a crack. Dark emerald eyes looked outside with anxiety and annoyance. They widened as they saw Yue. The door opened wider revealing Sakura.

'What are you doing here?' she asked surprised. Yue fidgeted uncomfortably.

'I just...' he trailed off. The teenage girl stared.

'I wanted to...' he began again. Sakura waited. Yue took a deep breath. This was harder than he thought it would be.

'Can I come in?' Yue asked finally. Sakura nodded silently and stepped aside. Yue smiled at her briefly and walked in. He stopped immediately as he came face to face with an extremely angry moon guardian.

'Why are you here?' she asked. The coldness of her voice would have done Kero proud. Before Yue could respond Sakura came to the rescue. 'It's all right Tsuki, I can look after myself.' Tsuki looked like she wanted to argue but Sakura's look made her rethink her response. With one last glare Tsuki left them alone.

Yue sighed with relief and sat down in a chair. Sakura sat opposite him. Both were silent, neither knowing what to do or say.

'Yue...'

'Sakura...'

Both lapsed into silence again. Yue cursed himself in his mind. Was he crazy? He knew he shouldn't have listened to Yukito. It was as uncomfortable as he had imagined it to be.

'I'm sorry Yue.' Sakura's softly spoken words made the star guardian look up. 'What?' he asked confusion swamping his mind.

'I'm sorry for intruding,' she clarified.

'What do you mean?' Yue asked.

'I know that you didn't like me. But I just wanted to be your friend,' she said helplessly. Yue could only stare at her. Sakura mistook his silence for anger.

'I-I'm sorry, I think I'll go prepare dinner now,' she said not looking at him. She stood up ready to leave but a hand at her wrist stopped her. She looked down and looked up to meet pleading lilac eyes.

'It's not your fault Sakura. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you,' Yue said shifting uncomfortably. He was unused to saying sorry for anything he had done. It was against his nature to apologise. When no words came he sneaked a peek up at the girl. And stared at Sakura with surprise.

'It's all right Yue,' Sakura said with a forgiving smile. Yue stared unable to comprehend that she had forgiven him. Sakura leaned down to hug him. 'I should have noticed that you didn't want to be touched,' she whispered into his ears.

Yue froze when her arms went around him. A part of his mind was screaming to be let go but it didn't stand a chance against the part that was saying relax and enjoy. Obeying his impulses he relaxed and hugged the girl back a moment after. 'Thank you for forgiving you,' he whispered back. Sakura squeezed him hard and let him go.

'Will you stay for dinner?' she asked tilting her head childishly.

'I don't think so. I'm not sure I want to end the night with a knife through my chest,' Yue said thinking of the glares Syaoron, Tomoyo and Meiling had given him. If they were angry he wasn't sure he wanted to find out how upset Touya and Kero were.

'Oh...all right. I'll see you tomorrow then?' Sakura said with a smile.

'Of course,' Yue promised heading for the door. Before he reached it, it opened.

Everything froze. Yue and Sakura stared at Kero, Touya and Kaho who had just come in. The first thing that came to Yue's mind was, I'm in trouble. Those words proved to be prophetic.

'LET ME KILL HIM!!!' Kero yelled changing into his larger and more powerful form. With a yelp Sakura called up her wand and used the Shield. Kero's fire came to a stop when they encountered the shield. Unfortunately the shield did nothing to stop Touya who stepped forward and pulled his clenched fist back.

Yue stumbled backward and fell on the ground as Touya's fist connected with his jaw. Kaho stepped forward and managed to stop her lover by force of will. Tuski heard the roar and came in to see what was going on.

Sakura knelt down beside Yue and helped him sit up. 'Are you all right?' she asked the star guardian worriedly. His hand went up to caress the bruised jaw. 'I think I'll be fine,' Yue said wincing as his words hurt his jaw. Satisfied that he was fine Sakura turned to her brother.

'Touya!' Sakura reprimanded. Her brother however glared undaunted by her glare. 'He deserved it,' he justified. While Yue agreed with him it still hurt.

'I say we roast him,' Kero growled.

'For once I agree with the stuff toy,' Touya said with a menacing glare. Tuski nodded wordlessly glaring at her older brother. Sakura rolled her eyes. 'I'm sorry,' she apologized to Yue.

'What're you saying sorry to him for?' Kero protested.

'Because someone hurt him,' Sakura said with a pointed look at Touya.

'So?' her brother challenged.

'So it's rude for my family to hurt one of my friends,' Sakura snapped back.

'Friend? After he hit you?' Kero said incredulously.

'I'd say it's my problem if I forgive him or not since I was the one who was hit,' Sakura pointed out.

'But-but,' Tsuki stumbled. Before another word could be said Sakura escorted Yue to the door. 'See you tomorrow,' she said with a smile. Yue smiled back and left without looking back thanking his lucky stars that he escaped without losing a limb. Sakura sighed and closed the door. She turned around and jumped as she saw her brother, Tsuki and Kero glaring at her. Kaho stood in the background barely able to hold in her laugh.

'I suppose you want an explanation?' she said nervously.

'And you supposed right,' Touya said with a pleasant smile. Sakura laughed nervously and prepared to be put to the third degree.

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Well finally the chapter is finished. Sorry for not updating sooner. I have too many stories up. I've got two going on fictionpress.net and I'll also be putting another story up on fanfiction.net. If you add it all together it's four stories going at the one time. So I have decided on a timetable/deadline. On the third weekend of the month 'Angelic Moon' will be updated. And on the fourth weekend of the month 'Moolit Reflections' will be updated.

'Moolit Reflections' is another CCS story. But it'll be focusing more on Yue and the relationship between Yue, Yukito and Touya. If I get good reviews for it I'll probably put another Touya/Yue/Yukito story up. There's also an X/1999 story in the making. I'm getting bogged down in stories here. The story probably won't come out until Angelic Moon is finished so I have some relaxation time. Unless, of course, I finish one of the stories on fictionpress.net first. Either way it'll be a long time in coming. 

But enough of my babble. I'd like to thank everyone who's reviewed this story and my other one-chapter stories. Believe me it's hard writing with no encouragements. And of course there're always the slave drivers holding the whip over my head. I'd like to say thanks to them too. And I'd welcome any constructive criticisms on how to improve my writing. In other words reviews like 'I hate your story, it sucks and your sense of timeline sucks' will not be welcome. In fact it'll probably ensure that I answer you with abusive comments. So try to make it worth something. But do please read and review.

Another thing is I'll be changing my pen name. I have an account at mediaminer.org and it gets to be a pain when I have to change the author's name when I put the story up on mediminer.org. Therefore I'll be changing my pen name to 'SYF'. There is a reason behind those acronyms but I'll probably leave you in the dark about it unless you ask nicely. If you have a problem with me changing my pen name send me an e-mail. If I have way too many protests I'll leave the name as it is.

So yeah, that's about it. I'll be seeing you soon.