title: Hiding His Scars
summary: Yuko must help a trusted friend.
disclaimer: I do not own xxxHOLIC or Tokyo Babylon.
spoilers: (Minimum Detail - Tokyo Babylon) Touches on the secret of Subaru's gloves.
AN: This story includes references to Tokyo Babylon. I might be wrong on some things, but..this is how I imagine things went.
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Yuko waited patiently for her next customer.
Her next customer was going to be very important. Both to her and in status. She could hardly wait to grant their wish and accept her payment. But she felt uneasy about the circumstances. If she was to grant their wish, it would effect the entire family...everyone. Nothing would be the same.
"Yuko-san!" An elderly voice exclaimed. The voice was weak, elderly, but loud, filled with much emotion. "Yuko-san!" It repeated.
The witch looked up, smiling at her customer. "Sumeragi-san." Yuko replied calmly. It was important for Yuko to remain calm when making her deals. If she were to let her buyers know she was worried, they wouldn't trust her as much. Now was, especially, important. She trusted in Yuko greatly, to have come for such an important wish. Something so very, very important.
She was an elderly lady, her hair was going gray with age, the stress she was going through wasn't helping much either. She wore an elegant kimono, today it was violet and gold. Majestic colors, worn by the nobles of the past. A look of despair was on her face. "Yuko-san...Its...Subaru-kun.."
For a brief..no...less then a millionenth of a second, Yuko frowned. But she remembered how she had to support her. "...What of Subaru-kun?" She asked, it pained her. She knew it all to well. Hitsuzen...She had prayed so hard, so very hard, that just once, Hitsuzen would be wrong. Just once...just once...
"Obaa-san?" A boy's voice asked from behind the elderly woman. "What's wrong...Obaa-san? Who is.."
Yuko's eyes grew wide, seeing the blood on his white robes. Where was it coming from? His the upper-parts of his garment were clean, or with minimum blood. But..going down wards, thin lines of scarlet were clearly visible. Coming from his hands...
Hitsuzen.A naturally foreordained event. A state in which other outcomes are impossible.
A result which can only be obtained by a single casualty
Yuko raised her hand, two black butterflies came to her. "Sumeragi-san, I will need your help." Yuko explained as an enchanted wind formed around the butterflies.
"You did nothing wrong, Subaru-kun...And this is...a trusted friend of Obaa-san's.." Sumeragi whispered to her grandchild, taking his innocent, blood stained hands in hers. She turned to Yuko. "I-I understand." She replied, a sense of relief in her voice.
The butterflies flew towards the boy, landing on both of his hands. The butterflies began to change shape, forming into a pitch black cloth around his hands. A pair of gloves.
The mark glowed dangerously, and Subaru seemed to be in pain. His grandmother began to chant words, then the mark glowed through the cloth, and gradually faded away.
"That should do...for now.." Yuko announced, her hand returning to her side.
"Thank you." Sumeragi exclaimed, her voice trembling with mixed emotions. The mark was still there...but at least now they would not be able to find Subaru for awhile. "And..and the price?" She asked.
"He must never remove these gloves. Never." She replied, taking several steps towards the boy and placing a slender, pale hand on the beautifully made gloves.
She nodded her head yes. It was easy enough. "And...is there any...advice?" She asked. Yuko never gave advice..not for free anyways.
Yuko's eyes flashed. "On the ninth day of every month, you will do a Fire Ceremony. On this day, you will ask for one person's fortune. Ask for only one. On the days where the cherry blossoms are ready to bloom, ask about Subaru. His fortune will be most accurate then. Ask about his sister as well."
"Hokuto-chan...as well?" She asked weakly. So now she was involved as well. If only she hadn't left him alone...if only...
Yuko only nodded her head yes. But she would not say any more on the matter.
"Thank you, Yuko-san." She whispered, bowing in respect. "We are in your debt. And as thanks...please except this bottle of wine. It is...one of the oldest and best, chosen especially for you." She knew how much Yuko enjoyed fine wine, it wasn't a secret after all.
"Thank you." Yuko replied, accepting the 'gift'.
Watching as the two walked off, Yuko frowned. Now she could act however she pleased...without Sumeragi lecturing her.
That night, Yuko drank heavily.
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AN: Alright. I DO NOT want any questions or reviews asking, 'where is clow?'. Uh. This is not a ClowxYuko 'fic, mmkay? mmkay. This is a story about the different people Yuko has met. Don't be upset, Some ClowxYuko chapters will be included. Expect Subaru and his grandmother to appear later on as well. What is the grandmother's name? If you know, please tell me.
notes:
Subaru: For those who haven't read Tokyo Babylon. Subaru is the hero of the story, and he wears a pair of black gloves to hide the 'mark' on his hands. I didn't give the shape, reason, or meaning of the mark.
Did reading this 'fic spoil anything? Uh...I doubt it. Well, I told you why Subaru has to wear his gloves, but I didn't get into detail about it. If you want to know more, I recommend reading the manga.
Gloves: In the story, it clearly says Subaru's grandmother put the seal on the gloves. Uh..I didn't have a good way to explain that part in this story. Let's just say...Yuko was being nice to her desperate friend and had her do it to reduce payment? -weak laugh-