Chapter Seven-

Weaker but Stronger

"Yue, quicken your pace!"

Yue flushed a deep red pigment, moments before Eriol whizzed passed him, barely catching his profound blush. It hadn't occurred to him that he was dragging his feet off the ground, until Eriol indicated it to him. If he wasn't bothered by Nakuru's words, then he swore he could concentrate, but her words filled him with utmost remorse for lashing out at her as if she was some kind of dirty creature unworthy of respect. When in actual reality, she could be the only person whoever loved him for being… Yue.

Yet, he couldn't compel himself to shed affection towards someone - in his situation, Nakuru - when there was nothing to begin with, no chemistry whatsoever. Besides, he loved Clow and perhaps Sakura too, probably in a more friendly term, since she was with that despicable Li character. Yue sulked, fiery sparks igniting from his eyes, undeniably disturbed at that thought, though never noting his envy he had for Syaoran.

'Focus now Yue. You are on a mission,' he repeated in his head over and over again.

"Yue, take off now!"

"Huh. Ah yes, right away." Yue shook from his reverie, somewhat dazed at first. After a minute or so, he nodded firmly, enough indication for Eriol to ready himself for airborne flight.

Yue let his wings glide outwards; flexing them at the same time to ease the aching muscles from their long unused period. His back arched forward, and in a split second, he was lifted into the nighttime sky already whisking passed many dreary landforms. His eyes drifted half close, gaping inquisitively as Eriol muttered something incoherent under his breath. Yue paid no heed to it until the young man disappeared midway to their destination. He grimaced, apparently puzzled.

Eriol's dark blue aura was so distinct that Yue knew he was still around. He searched for his keeper's aura, but with no luck, he couldn't locate him. "H-Hiiragizawa-san, where are you?" Yue hissed, anxiousness written over his smooth features.

"Doesn't matter," echoed a voice. "What matters is that it's up to you now."

"B-But I can't possibly…" murmured the guardian. The tension was rising, and he grew even more apprehensive.

"No buts. This was your purpose, not mine."

Yue furrowed his eyebrows, practically helpless. "And how do you suppose I fight this man? With my bare hands?"

"I honestly don't know. Though, I trust you can figure it out yourself." Eriol smiled to himself. 'Because you are stronger than you think you are.' With everything said, Eriol's aura started to fade. Yue was preoccupied being conscience-stricken to have realized Eriol's fading aura. Even more distraught, he looked around, his frantic motions futile. He groaned hoarsely and settled down, finally accepting that Eriol was gone.

After all, he was Moon Guardian, and his intentions as Moon Guardian were to protect the moon and defeat Shijin. Yue sighed wearily, shaking his head, followed by his silver-white hair cascading over his shoulders rather carelessly. He didn't want to do this. Eriol believed he could. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left him alone. But somehow, Yue doubted it.

He scowled. 'I cannot do this. What if I die?' The thought was erratic, and basically impossible. He was immortal. There was no way he could die. And if he were to get injured, he could easily heal himself. But Shijin was a sorcerer with unlimited, dark magic. He could do anything.

Anything…

Subconsciously, Yue faced upward, towards the white moon, a soft smile gracing his lips. 'I can do this. Give me strength.' He flew higher, his wings flapping twice as hard until he was centered far off from the moon, allowing its milky rays to soak into him. His arms were extended horizontally, feeling his new vigor and luminosity build up. His eyes began to take an unusual color, pure silver. And those orbs glowed like the moon itself.

"Shijin…" Yue murmured, his head tilting at an angle, catching eyesight of reddish eyes, like deep wine color. He narrowed his eyes, disliking the enemy instantly upon sight.

"And you are?" came the velvety tone, laced with evil and despair.

"I am simply Yue, here to protect the moon from the likes of you," Yue scoffed.

"If so, then come and get me, my naive little angel. Capture me and kill me before I destroy the moon!" The man sneered, a gloved hand pointing at Yue menacingly, ushering him forward. With his other hand, Shijin pulled a long staff from within his cloak. It was dark and metallic, emitting an evil aura from its skeleton head that was attached to the top of the staff.

Yue studied the man who stood below him, unafraid at the moment. He had on a dusky cloak, made from an unfamiliar fabric. His facial features were hidden behind his hood, but his aura stunk of decomposed carcasses. To sum it all up, the man was very creepy.

Yue raised an arm high into the air, his sleeves dropping carelessly, exposing porcelain skin. He rested his palm upwards, facing the heavens, and that was when something bluish glowed from the palm of his hand. It was cloudy at first, stringing atoms after atoms of matter before it turned into a sharp, jagged ice shard.

It was powerful no doubt.

Yue could feel its radiance burning into his hand. And if he was well coordinated, he could easily kill Shijin by one puncture of the shard. With nothing to lose, he thrust the ice shard, surprised as more shot from his palm and toward Shijin. The dark sorcerer dodged expertly.

Shijin floated upwards, leveling himself with Yue's height. Yue froze in place as the man swirled around him in a wide arc, inspecting the guardian with a callous smirk. Yue followed his movement, not once breaking eye contact.

"Is that all you got?" Shijin hissed.

A muscle clenched in Yue's jaw. This man had no right to mock him. Yue gathered up all his rage and lifted his other palm, targeting it at Shijin. Ice shards shot out, and Shijin moved aside, letting them fly passed.

"Any more?" he continued.

Yue waved his hands out in front of him and slapped them together; sharpness clung to his eyes as he glared dangerously at Shijin's sorry face. Shards were hastily launched, propelling through the air, heading for Shijin, who casually waltzed away. Yue raised his brows, pondering. 'How?'

"Are you done yet?" Shijin growled; his hands swung to each hip, basically annoyed. "You are pathetic, such a weakling! Why am I bothering with you when I might as well walk around you and blast the bloody moon? And you wouldn't do anything about it because you couldn't!"

Yue's lips quivered a bit, and a slight coloring claimed his cheeks. He was ashamed, struck wordless as Shijin's remarks scarred his spirit. He ducked his head, and at this point, he was self absorbed in his own pity. He snarled. "I have failed –"

An excruciating pain jabbed at his chest, shattering his brief trance, and rendering him conscious to his environment. His eyes fluttered open, and just below his eyes, he saw something ink-like boring into the middle of his chest. The force had pushed him back, and he ended up colliding roughly into a tree.

He breathed in sharply upon collision. Small traces of blood began to trickle from the corner of his pursed lips. His eyes grew opaque, unforgiving. He watched silently as Shijin cackled bitterly, degrading him more with his impudence.

Yue could feel his pride snap in half. 'No…'

He panted softly, straining to remove himself from the stumpy tree in which he was slightly embedded into. Particles of bark clung to his broken wings. His robe had been inconceivably torn and scratched from the branches, and a black mark strewn his chest. Yue darted up into the air, ignoring the pain that seeped into his wings once he was free.

Shijin snickered, watching drearily as Yue wobbled towards him, like a swatted fly, at the verge of death, yet still trying to fly out the window. "What are you going to do now?" Shijin asked gruffly, expecting no answer. "You are drained, already tattered. You can't possibly do anything else."

Yue's mouth closed tightly. There was no need to respond to this imbecile. But surely he had no right to point out his disability, even if he was drained or tattered, but his spirit had yet to be broken.

"I have won. Oh joy, I have won," Shijin mused. He held his staff out with two hands, muttering some incantations as he gazed up at the moon.

'No…' Yue narrowed his eyes, his face distorting. "I WON'T LET YOU!" he gnashed, briskly coming up from behind Shijin. 'I won't…'

Shijin flipped around, aghast. "What the?" Shijin sighed, taking his staff in one hand, and pointing it at Yue threateningly. A black beam erupted from the staff, swiveling and forming a black ball. Each orb struck Yue, and he gasped, overwhelmed with agony. Unable to hold up his weight, he came plummeting down from the sky, landing in a heap of wild grass.

His head began to spin, utterly staring through his bangs, and once again, Shijin had his staff closed securely within his fingers as he muttered his incantations, close to completion. Yue stretched out his hand, as if imagining Shijin laid inside, ready to be crushed. His fingers still pointed towards the sky, curling into his palm, piercing his flesh and drawing blood. He blinked hard, letting out an exasperated sigh. His delicate structure could take no more pain. 'But I must continue…'

His fingers began to tingle with a chilly sensation, and suddenly he felt an object formed in his hand. He jerked up, disbelief catching his eyes, a bow. Something formed in his other hand… an arrow. He stood up abruptly, twigs crunching beneath his bare feet; he had everything he needed. The arrow had a mystifying essence, its color a radiant blue.

Shijin laughed out loud, straightaway breaking Yue's concentration. He saw a reddish-orange ball shimmer at the tip of Shijin's skeleton staff. And Yue knew he had to configure a plan before time ran out. Hastily he picked up the bow and arrow, and positioned it at Shijin. Energy slowly withdrew from his body and entered the bow, making it gleam brighter, and Yue weaker. He pulled the arrow back.

'I won't let you win…'

He released his hold, and the arrow raced through his fingers. Shortly, he collapsed to the ground in a heavy thud. Shijin let out a howling cry as the arrow pierced from his backside, puncturing his heart. The staff had fallen from his hand, and he dropped like deadweight to the ground, immediately turning into dust.

Some times later, after the ordeal, Yue laid unmoving from the ground. The sun began to rise, stinging his pale skin with its warmth. He was slipping into unconsciousness, unaware of Nakuru's and Eriol's sudden arrival. He heard voices, but could barely understand them.

"It's all over. A job well done, Yue. I knew you could do it…" Eriol trailed off, arching a brow. "Yue?"

Yue only stared, emotionless and rigid.

"Are you okay?" Eriol asked.

He smiled faintly.

Nakuru gently lifted his frail form, cradling him in her arms, a petrified look plastered over her face as she studied his injuries. She looked back to Eriol, exceptionally worried. "Eriol-sama, his wounds haven't healed. He's bleeding quite profusely."

"Now that's impossible!" Eriol's lips parted, forming a grave expression. "He should have healed quickly by now." Yue squinted, the unbearable pain numbing his body. He could not stay conscious for long. He could see Eriol's mouth wide open, as if screaming, but Yue heard nothing. His young master's arms were waving all over the place, but he disregarded them.

"Yue, heal yourself! Heal yourself before you goddamn die!" Eriol yelled frantically.

Yue's lids grew heavy, and he closed them. Nakuru spun around to Eriol, tears fresh in her eyes. "Eriol-sama, h-his heart stopped beating."

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There's nobody here to talk to,

But your own broken image…

When you're lost in your phantom-like dreams,

You could only picture her face…

Yue looked around his surrounding, right away noticing the strange, fuzzy scenery in front of him. But he knew this was the Kinomoto Castle. He took one cautious step forward, and that was when he heard soft whimpering from another direction. His heart began to pound faster.

"Sakura-chan…" he murmured.

He began to walk faster, ignoring the cluster of women servants that blocked his path, wanting to talk to him, swoon and gawk. He pushed them aside, grunting in disapproval. But they grabbed his wrist, pulling him back.

"Yue-sama, please stay to chat," one of them piped.

"You have lovely eyes, Yue-sama," the other shrilled.

Yue growled, slapping their hands away. "I'm sorry. I must go," he told them, bitterness in his tone. They soon disappeared, and he resumed his trek. The cries became louder as he came closer. He found himself outside in the backyard garden. A ten-year-old Sakura was sitting up in the tree, fright in her eyes.

"Sakura," Yue cried. "What are you doing up there? Get down from there!"

Sakura looked up to him, emerald eyes stubborn and afraid. "I c-cant Yue-kun, I-I'm too high up," she squeaked, hugging the tree for dear life, causing green leaves to scatter the grounds. Yue ran up to the girl, gazing up as her legs dangled in his view. He was in his false form, so he couldn't fly up to her rescue. He looked around impatiently, trying to come up with an idea. Once he had one, he opened his arms and looked determinately at Sakura.

"Quick Sakura, jump in my arms."

Sakura shook her head frantically. "No, I'm too scared," she bawled.

"Please, trust me. I can catch you."

Sakura bit her lips; struggling to jump or not. Finally having her mind made up and the courage, she nodded. "Okay Yue-kun, I'm gonna jump now!" She jumped, and Yue caught her, just like he said.

He smiled lazily, placing her down to the ground and patting her on the head. "Don't ever scare me like that ever again –" He paused, watching her curiously as she walked several yards away from him. When she turned around, she had developed into the ripe old age of sixteen. He gasped, awe-struck. She was full figured, with curves and a bosom. She was beautiful, and he was breathless. He blushed madly, turning away as the blush deepened. His eyes averted to the fountain, staring into the sparkling water, and he was surprised once he saw a reflection of himself. He was in true form. He looked back to Sakura, wondering if she recognized him with wings and long hair.

"Yue… you have returned." She smiled, welcoming him.

Yue grinned, wordless at the moment. 'S-She accepts me…'

Sakura sauntered towards him, eyes glimmering as bright as the sun. She embraced the rigid guardian, hands gliding around his waist and squeezing tightly. Her head leaned into the crook of his neck, and he could smell her heavenly scent of cherry blossoms, and he could feel her soft auburn hair tickling against his face. It's been awhile since he last felt the warmth of her hug. And gods how much he missed it.

Seconds later, Sakura pushed him harshly aside, startling him. "S-Sakura?" he asked.

"Why have you returned? You've been gone for too long that I don't want you back anymore."

"I-I'm sorry, Sakura," he said despairingly.

She had angry tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. He wanted to comfort her, but his feet were rooted to the ground, disabling him. He extended a hand out to her, in a means to stroke her face, but she abruptly jerked away.

"Don't you touch me! Don't you dare!" she shrieked, wiping the tears furiously from her eyes.

He dropped his hand, standing still as a statue with a blank expression. "Do you want me to leave?" Yue forced himself to say, no matter how much it hurt him.

"Yes," she cried, hate clouding in her eyes. "You are a stranger to me, and to my family. We don't want you back. I'm sorry, you shouldn't have come back."

Disbelieving, Yue reached a hand out towards her again, but his hand was slapped away, and he was pushed further. "Didn't you hear her?" said an annoyed tone, sounding very much like the Gaki. "The princess wants you to leave."

Yue looked up and snarled. 'Prince Syaoran-kun…' A sudden pain coursed throughout his body. He clutched his chest tightly, falling to his knees. The guardian moaned, heaving uncontrollably.

"Come Sakura, let's go back inside," Syaoran said, placing a hand gently on Sakura's lower back.

"Of course."

Yue lifted his hand, his other hand resting on his chest where his heart raced beneath, and he tried to grab Sakura's attention by a desperate wave of a hand, though she never once took one glance back. "N-No Sakura," Yue grinded through clenched teeth, trying to repress the stinging sensation that seared within his nerves and muscles. It was too unbearable.

What the hell was it? Yue screamed out for dear life, but more for the fact that Sakura was walking away from him, other than the pain itself.

"Don't leave me!"

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"SAKURA!"

Yue gasped loudly, breathing heavily as he tried to regain his composure. He was perspiring, and his disheveled hair clung to the side of his face. He panted some more, slowly realizing it was all a dream...

All a Dream?

But it felt so real.

Eyes shot open, tenderness vivid through silver-blue orbs. He coughed and heaved for air. Something was squeezing at his heart, and it felt eerily strange. His mouth hung open as he breathed deeply, warily sensing Eriol in the room. He looked up into soft blue eyes. The youth's expression was so unreadable it ached.

"H-Hiiragizawa-san…" Yue whispered faintly.

Eriol whispered something under his breath but Yue only heard the last word. 'Mortal…' His eyes widened in circles, wondering if he had misheard. Eriol now had a worrisome look, and he barely mustered a 'what' before succumbing to slumber.

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A/n: Wow, this chapter was action-packed and angst-filled. But YuexSakura will soon come… towards the end.