Due to popular demand, and great consideration on my part, here's the continuation of Shadow Play. It seems to be getting darker... hmm... I hope this isn't too disappointing. It's a little short, but with encouragement, I'll write more. I've been feeling crummy lately, because I think I'm a fairly good story writer, but I have so few reviews to show for it. This story has the most reviews out of all of them. Whatever.

2--Next to the Precipice

*That wasn't me.*

What had just happened was the hardest thing Eriol had ever had to do, likely in his entire life, and in his 'last' one. If only he didn't have to be the reincarnation of Clow.

The sun had risen, and nothing at all stirred. Birds slept in their nests, sitting on their eggs that would never hatch. The occasional person was lying in the street, and they, too, would sleep until they starved, and died. A terrible scene that would only get worse.

Eriol stood at the top of a concrete wall that overlooked the harbor, harsh grays and sharp edges falling sharply to meet the near-freezing surface of the sea. But that wasn't what he saw. He had imagined his end somewhat differently; cool grass beneath his feet rolling down until the slope was too steep to support living things in the soil, rich, dark earth contacting the deep blue ocean a thousand feet below, waves throwing themselves against it, gradually eroding the world away.

That was how he pictured it, but this would do.

He could do nothing to stop the world's slumber, now, especially now, without tapping into the magic within him that was Clow's, and doing that would result in his ideals changing again. He was all one person, no dual personalities or anything, but there was something in him that... clicked, and his mind set on other things. Before that happened, it had to be stopped. He didn't want anything more terrible to happen. No more click, no more Clow.

Even though he pictured the scene differently, he followed though on what else he had pictured. He closed his eyes, and saw his perfect view, turning his face towards the sun. Arms loose at his side, he stepped slowly forward until his toes came just over the edge. In his imagination, he was barefoot, wearing his favorite overcoat and satin pants; his evening wear. Instead, he wore the robes crafted for him by Clow before he died. Eriol would make do. He raised his arms slowly, deliberately, to the sides, welcoming the moment, though it was a sin.

And then he let the wind take him, pulling him forward even more until it was gravity that took him. For a moment, it felt like he was flying...

'MASTER!' Ruby Moon cried as she dove off after him, swooping and catching him mid-air with ease, as was part of her flight training. Though the extra weight was straining on her wings, she managed to carry Eriol back up to the top of the harbor wall. 'Master...'

Faint from the fall, he looked up at her blearily. 'I... I want to be me...'

Ruby was silent for a moment before she answered. 'I know, Eriol... I know.' She didn't know much about the Eriol that was not influenced by Clow's memories very well, but what she did know was that he really didn't want to have Clow's memories at all. He had so few that were his own, after all.

'Put me down, Ruby.' Eriol said calmly.

Ruby complied.

'Sorry about that,' He said, more amused than apologetic. 'I had a moment. Thank you for keeping an eye on me, and I ask that you do so in the future as well.' He smoothed the front of his robes, inhaled deeply, and strode off, hands behind his back.

'See, Spinel, now what did I tell you?'

The panther padded out of the shrubbery to Ruby's left. 'Yes, yes. Rather manic depressive.' Spinel shrugged. 'It's his way.'

'Yeah, well, it's your turn to watch him. He might go snake on Sakura again. I have to enjoy the empty skies. It's nice to be all by myself sometimes..' Ruby leapt into the air and glided out of sight soon after.

Spinel started off in the direction Eriol had gone. 'Master...' He said almost mournfully. 'Why do you do this to yourself?'