A/N: This chapter has spoilers on Volume 7 of XXXHOLiC, so I hope you wouldn't mind it, or you should skip this chapter. This chapter also crosses over with Lawful Drug. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: XXXHOLiC will never be mine.

Chapter Three: An Eye For An Eye

"I told you not to get on anyone's bad side," Suzuki chided, eyes focused on Doumeki. The latter scowled and looked at Watanuki chatting cheerfully with Himawari, the former with an eyepatch over his right eye. "You should've been more specific then," Doumeki replied sullenly. He did not expect Watanuki to go and do something stupid like requesting Yuuko to move the spider's curse onto him.

Now instead of Doumeki, Watanuki was the one who lost his right eye. Watanuki thought it was absolutely reasonable because it was he that got his hand caught in the web first. "Kimi-chan is my master, but I'm not always able to protect him. I'm not destined to do so. But you are different, you are meant to protect him. That is why you both met; it's hitsuzen. Nothing in the world is coincidental, even this incident," Suzuki stated.

"Does this mean destiny is going to put us through this torture for a longer time? We were so close to finding the way to retrieve his eye and yet the book worm appeared and ate up the words. At this rate…Watanuki will stay with an eye blind forever," Doumeki muttered. When he mentioned book worm, he meant it literally. The worm made out of words jumped out of a book and started gobbling up the words on his grandfather's book, the one that stated the way to get back Watanuki's eye.

The book worm might have done something to his hand had not Watanuki pulled him back in time. Doumeki wanted to retrieve the book, but Watanuki quickly trapped the book and the worm in a bento box. He remembered about protesting to Watanuki the book was his only chance, but the bespectacled boy insisted that something bad might happen to him if he tried. During that moment, it was Watanuki who saved him for once. Yuuko had arrived just in time to destroy the worm. It was too late however; the page with the cure was completely empty save for the picture of the spider.

"This means you'll just need to find another way to do it. I never thought you'd give up so easily on repaying the debt, especially when the one who sacrificed his right eye…Is the one you care for the most," Suzuki added the teasing tone. Doumeki glared at him, possession written all over his face. Then Suzuki turned serious. "Be careful, your worst enemy may be closest to you. By the way, Yuu-chan wanted to see you and Kimi-chan at the park after school. See ya!"

"Why does Yuuko-san want to see us? Just when I could've gone home with Himawari-chan," Watanuki wailed. Doumeki was quiet. "…Why do you still feel alright?"

"Eh?"

"I asked you a question, idiot," Doumeki said.

"What do you mean?" Watanuki's face was scrunched up in confusion. "Your eye. Why do you insist that I give up looking for a cure?" Doumeki asked. Watanuki suddenly found the ground interesting. The situation felt so tense that a knife could cut through it.

"I already told you when I came over that time. Even if my eye stays blind, it's alright. It's obvious there are no answers among all the books at your home. I know you spent every day going straight back home to read through all those books looking for a way to get my eye back. I don't want you to waste time reading till midnight. At this rate you're going to pass out from exhaustion," Watanuki mumbled.

"You know it's going to be taxing my conscience," Doumeki replied.

"Why do you insist on taking responsibility? I'm the one who messed up the spider's web in the first place," Watanuki answered. 'Why does Doumeki care so much? He's always bugging me and ordering me around, so what's the excuse this time?'

"Because I'm the one who pissed you off," Doumeki confessed. Watanuki was caught by the blunt honesty of his words. "If I didn't make you angry, you wouldn't be flailing your arms around and getting it caught in the web."

"Doumeki, are you alright? You're not being the normal bastard I know," Watanuki noted, feeling more confused than before. Doumeki stared at Watanuki, eyes locked together. Another thing Doumeki liked of Watanuki was his midnight blue eyes. Silvery in its tones, it shone with some sort of untouchable grace, like a cat's eye. His inner admiration for Watanuki was rudely interrupted by Yuuko.

Yuuko grinned looking at the two boys as she called out to them. "Let's go. I have to run some errands today and I need you both to come with me." Watanuki scowled but Doumeki just followed noiselessly. After walking some distance, they arrive at a pharmacy. Watanuki recognized it as the shop from which he buys hangover medicine for Yuuko. There were the two usual workers he saw; Rikuou, he believed the dark-haired guy was called. Another blonde was with them, but the man was rather pretty and nearly looked like a girl.

"Kakei, it's good to see you. This kid is my worker, Watanuki Kimihiro. The taller one is his hitsuzen, Doumeki Shizuka," Yuuko introduced. The blonde beauty smiled, shaking Yuuko's hand. "It's good to see you too Yuuko. These two are my workers. The dark one is Himura Rikuou and the cuter one is his hitsuzen, Kudou Kazahaya," Kakei introduced. Kazahaya looked a bit confused. "What does hitsuzen mean?"

"Nothing in the world is coincidence. Everything happens for a reason, little one," Yuuko answered. "I'm not little!" Kazahaya puffed up defensively. "Sorry for that, Yuuko-san's got a sharp tongue and she just likes to make fun of people," Watanuki apologized on Yuuko's behalf, although grimacing from memories of Yuuko's teases and tortures. "You make me sound like a bad employer, Watanuki," Yuuko lamented falsely.

Watanuki growled, turning to Yuuko. Rikuou thought he saw the bespectacled boy had his hackles raised like a cat; and pretty much like Kazahaya. "Of course! After all the times I've worked in your shop you still haven't granted me my wish! I know you're just exploiting me for your own ends! Same goes for Doumeki! How long do I still have to make your bentos?"

"…I'd say until you stop working in her shop," Doumeki bluntly replied.

"Are you crazy! That'll be forever!" Watanuki yelled. "I understand how you feel," Kazahaya suddenly spoke up. "You do?" Watanuki blinked in surprise. "Yes! Rikuou is always picking on me! I understand how it must feel to be harassed by such people!" Kazahaya stated. "That's because you're just too dense, idiot," both Rikuou and Doumeki said in unison. Watanuki and Kazahaya stared at them and then yelled, "Who are you calling an idiot!"

"Calm down. Kudou, please touch Watanuki's eyepatch," Kakei told him. Kazahaya did so and he seemed to space out for a moment. Then, he stepped back and said, "I don't understand! I saw so many creatures and things that's just…simply not normal!" Watanuki stepped away from Kazahaya after hearing that. "Yuuko-san, what's with Kazahaya-kun?"

"Watanuki, tell me what you see from these two," Yuuko stated. Watanuki looked surprised, but obeyed. "I see this shadow of a girl wearing a kimono behind Kazahaya-kun and this woman with long dark hair behind Himura-san. They're not ghosts from what I sense but…more like a shadow of heavy emotions. Somehow, I feel that fate bonded these two together because I kind of sense a link between them," Watanuki stated. Mystified expressions were both on Kazahaya and Rikuou's face.

"Should we spill all secrets now?" Yuuko asked. Kakei nodded. "Gladly."

"I am Ichihara Yuuko, granter of wishes and of course much more. Among a few of my famous titles are the Fortune Teller and the Space-Time Witch. I can see the future and manipulate time. Watanuki, my worker is a boy who's incredibly good at housework and can see magical creatures and spirits. He's currently the master of a tengu living at my place. Doumeki-kun, the son of a shrine owner here is an excellent archer and possesses the power to purify, or should I say exorcise monsters as he has an unusual amount of pure chi."

Kazahaya gaped and even Rikuou looked surprised. "You can see ghosts?" Kazahaya asked. "Yes, but it's not a pretty sight. Yuuko-san promised to help me get rid of this ability in return that I have to work for her," Watanuki mumbled.

"Kudou has the special ability to see pasts from touching certain objects and through physical contact with another, is able to see through that person's eye. Rikuou seems to have a talent of future sighting which he has yet to tap into, but his current ability is by using a special energy, otherwise SP to destroy things, or barriers, obstacles and such," Kakei informed.

"And to retrieve Watanuki's eye, Kakei has volunteered to lend Kazahaya-kun and Rikuou-kun's services to us," Yuuko ended. "What!" Kazahaya and Watanuki yelled in unison. Neither one of the employers gave them time to complain. "Go home and pack clothes, Doumeki-kun has to get his bow, Kazahaya-kun should borrow some rope and climbing gears, Rikuou will need to bring medicine and Watanuki," Watanuki cringed when he saw the evil grin on Yuuko's face, "You have much to do. We'll go back to the shop and give you what you need."

They met at the pharmacy, each carrying a sort of backpack. Watanuki arrived latest, blushing very terribly as he followed behind the sinisterly smiling Yuuko. "Watanuki, put the vase down," Yuuko ordered. Watanuki obeyed miserably, hearing the water inside sloshing ominously. Yuuko dropped some crystals inside before turning to the three guys. "Okay, you three look inside," she stated nearly gleefully. Watanuki backed away. He hated this part the most.

"Hey, there's nothing in…" Kazahaya turned just to see Yuuko push all three of them. With a shocked yell, Doumeki, Rikuou and Kazahaya disappeared. Watanuki took a deep breath and flung himself at the jar. The next moment, he's gone as well. When Kazahaya woke up, the rest were scattered about him, all coming to. "Where…Where the hell are we!" Kazahaya yelled, looking around himself. It was a forest surrounding him, but he didn't know where in the world was he.

"Obviously a forest, idiot," Rikuou replied. "I know that! I just meant which forest!" Kazahaya yelled.

Watanuki cleared his throat, attracting everyone's attention. His really red face meant something is wrong. "You guys have to wear this," Watanuki stated, handing them each the cat ear-like communicator he used in a previous mission with Doumeki concerning the kokkuri board. Rikuou stared at it with incredulous eyes. "…What the hell is this?" Watanuki popped his on already; feeling very mortified and proceeded to explain, "This is a communicator in case we get lost from the rest."

"…I'm not wearing this stupid thing," Rikuou protested flatly. Doumeki however, put it on without another thought. "It's just a communicator, or are you afraid of being caught wearing…cute things, Rikuou? Of course, I have the looks to go with it," Kazahaya teased. This was one of the times he appreciated his beauty. "You're going to pull us down if you don't wear it," Doumeki added. With a grumble and glare at Kazahaya, Rikuou placed his communicator on his ears.

"Where are we going?" Kazahaya asked.

"Yuuko-san said we're supposed to head to a place called Kumo-no-Shirou. Suzuki-kun already gave me a map to the location, but…" Watanuki stared at the rolled parchment in his hands. Doumeki grabbed it from him and took a quick look. "…Looks like it's drawn by a three year old kid," Doumeki commented. Somewhere in Yuuko's shop, Suzuki sneezed.

"Anyway, we have to look for a waterfall first. Yuuko-san says this trip will take about three days and don't step on the flowers or insult them, they really bite," Watanuki warned, remembering his own experience of being nearly eaten by the daffodils when he got them mad. Thank goodness they were rooted to the ground. Kazahaya looked at the flowers warily before hurrying after the rest, who started to move. A few hours later however, the journey didn't seem any shorter. Fortunately, they heard the sound of running water and finally found the waterfall. There was just one problem.

"How are we going to get across?" The blonde wondered aloud. "You brought climbing gear, didn't you? We're gonna climb on that ledge behind the waterfall," Rikuou pointed at the narrow step leading across the waterfall. Kazahaya handed Rikuou the climbing gear from his bag and the latter tossed a set to Doumeki and Watanuki. After making sure everything was secured, Rikuou made the first step, followed by Kazahaya, Watanuki and finally Doumeki. "Are you sure this is safe? The road seems a bit…delicate," Watanuki noted as he noticed little stones crumbling down.

"If we slowly cross over, we will make it," Rikuou replied. "Make it? You sound like we're going to die," Watanuki mumbled, trying not to look down. "You don't want to try," Rikuou answered. Watanuki imagined what was at the bottom of the waterfall if he fell. Most probably sharp rocks. All of a sudden, Kazahaya stopped moving. "What's wrong?" Watanuki asked.

"…Can't move…"

"What?"

Kazahaya's fingers remain frozen on the wall. "I can't move," Kazahaya muttered, barely able to move his lips. "What are you; scared?" Rikuou taunted, but stopped when Kazahaya's eyes turns glassy. "He's been paralysed," a familiar female voice spoke through the communicator. "Yuuko-san, what should we do?" Watanuki asked. "You can just drop him," Yuuko answered.

"What! What are you saying!" Watanuki yelled.

"Don't worry, someone will be there to catch him," Yuuko assured. "Or are you afraid I'll let poor Kazahaya-kun fall to his untimely death?" She teased. "Do you like him?"

"What are you saying! He's a friend!" Watanuki rebutted fiercely. Laughter poured out from the communicator. "Oh, I forgot. You both are the uke type after all," Yuuko stated innocently. Watanuki growled and muttered incoherently under his breath.

"Is he always like this?" Rikuou asked.

"Only when he's pissed, which is quite often," Doumeki replied.

Watanuki slowly pushed the poor boy over the edge, praying desperately Yuuko wasn't kidding. Fortunately, he saw a shadow flitting past the curtain of water and catching the motionless body. "Kimi-chan, did you find my map useful?"

"Suzuki-kun! What are you doing here?" Watanuki asked.

The boyishly cute tengu grinned. "Although I gave you the map, I still felt worried that my adorable master will get lost, so under Yuuko-san's advice, I came here to guide you. I'll carry this kid over to the other side first. See you there, Kimi-chan!" Suzuki shouted over the water's din and took off. "Who the hell was that guy?" Rikuou asked.

"An annoying bastard," Doumeki replied sourly. No matter what, he was envious of the tengu. "You're more annoying than him," Watanuki replied scathingly and climbed past Rikuou to get ahead. "…You've got a tough case with you," Rikuou commented nonchalantly. "You have it hard too," Doumeki replied.

"At least he's not as stubborn as yours."

"I think we have an agreement there."

Both guys sighed. Having to take care of their little crushes are tough.

Finally reaching the other side, Watanuki set off to making camp and taking care of Kazahaya while Doumeki and Rikuou went to search for food. "Suzuki-kun, why was Kazahaya-kun paralysed?" Watanuki asked. Suzuki held out a purple spider in his hand. "I got this off the kid after we landed. This spider has paralysing poison and it's troublesome because only you can see this spider. It can't approach Doumeki because his pure chi is like pesticide to this thing. So all we have to worry about is the kid and the guy."

Watanuki frowned. "Does that mean I'll have to look out for these things?" "Yes, but let's get off the depressing topic! Can you help me clean my feathers? It's kinda hard for me to reach my back," Suzuki asked, placing a bucket of water down and handing Watanuki a cloth. "Um, sure," he replied, sitting behind the tengu. Suzuki took off his shirt before spreading his magnificent black wings. After soaking the cloth with water, Watanuki slowly dabbed at the ebony feathers, marvelling at the softness.

Suzuki let out a contented purr. "It's been a while since I've got such nice treatment for my feathers. I was afraid others will mess it up." "Then why aren't you afraid that I'd do the same?" Watanuki quipped. "Because Kimi-chan is so good with housework, you'd pull this off for sure! You have a pair of very gentle hands after all," Suzuki stated.

"Err, thanks."

They both spent some time in silence while Watanuki busied himself with his task of cleaning Suzuki's wings. Being someone quite obsessed with cleanliness and order, he made sure he wiped every feather thoroughly before moving on. Suzuki heard bushes rustling from a distance but it seems that Watanuki did not. The tengu grinned, a devious plan forming in his mind.

"Kimi-chan, do you know there are other ways to paralyse people?"

Watanuki looked at him from the wings. "Really?" Suzuki had to chuckle inwardly at his master's naivety. He turned around and pinned Watanuki to the ground, eyes staring intently into the other's. Watanuki suddenly found himself quite unable to move at the intensity of Suzuki's gaze. "A-Ano, what are you doing?" Watanuki stuttered, feeling very nervous. Suzuki removed Watanuki's glasses.

"Do you know you're pretty handsome without these glasses? Nothing in this forest is going to let go of such a cute prey," Suzuki's face was now only inches away from Watanuki, whose heart was hammering. That was, until a big fish smacked Suzuki right on his cheek.

"Don't flirt in front of me," Rikuou stated. Doumeki was already burning with absolute jealousy, but he said nothing. Watanuki jumped up and quickly busied himself with making dinner. Suzuki pouted and nursed his sore cheek. 'Man, he ruined my plans! Then I'll just have to payback…With that kid.'

Kazahaya slowly stirred. The first eyes he saw were emerald and wide. "Are you awake now?" The man asked softly. "Eh? Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Who are you?" Kazahaya asked. "I'm Suzuki, a tengu under Kimi-chan." "But I thought tengu has red faces and a long nose!" Kazahaya exclaimed. "Oh, so you think I'm handsome? Even more than that guy?" Suzuki pointed at Rikuou.

"Hah, not only that, your manners is better than his!"

Suddenly, Watanuki saw the boulder behind Rikuou explode. "…He'll have to learn how to control his temper," the bespectacled boy said aloud. Doumeki tossed a fruit at Suzuki, distracting the tengu. "Oi, have you got nothing better to do than harassing people?" Doumeki asked, glaring at the tengu. Suzuki grinned and flitted to the sullen boy's side. "If you don't like what I'm doing, hurry up and get to him…or he'll be mine," he whispered to the annoyed Doumeki, who contented himself with only a low growl.

"Dinner's ready, come on," Watanuki called. Rikuou settled down beside Kazahaya, making sure to keep the blond close. "Why do you have to stick so close? Get your own space!" Kazahaya garbled, irritated. "No, you better stay beside me. That asshole is no good," Rikuou muttered. Kazahaya grumbled, "I'm not going to listen to you! I'm going to sit beside Watanuki!"

Suzuki only smiled in face of the tense situation. "Kimi-chan, as expected your cooking is excellent!" "That's right, your cooking is great!" Kazahaya praised. Rikuou and Doumeki had nothing to say. They were both too busy glaring at Suzuki. Even when they went to sleep, Kazahaya chose to sleep beside Watanuki.

"We've scaled the cliffs, escaped the wolves and evaded the traps! What else is there!" Watanuki yelled. "The finale, Kimi-chan. You'll have to go on yourselves from here," Suzuki said, "Don't forget to let them have what Yuu-chan gave you." Watanuki paled at the mention. 'We're just doing nonsense…' Watanuki rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a package. He tied a red chest protector on himself. Next, he plopped a white samurai headgear on Kazahaya and tied a blue arm protector on Doumeki's arm before he got to securing black shoulder guards on Rikuou.

"What's with the ancient things? As if the humiliating communicator isn't enough," Rikuou muttered. "Yuuko-san says the thing we're going to meet is very outdated and likes riddle talking," Watanuki stated and headed for the cave ahead of them. After walking for a while, a booming voice greeted them.

"Who are you trespassers?"

Watanuki cleared his throat. "We are travellers who have come with the blessing of the four protectors of our land. We have journeyed here in order to retrieve my lost eye, which was taken because of a careless mistake that I made. Please admit us into your gracious abode, the four of us. I, Watanuki Kimihiro carry the token of Suzaku with the heart of generosity, Doumeki Shizuka bearing Seiryu's symbol with the blade of strength, Himura Rikuou holding the token of Genbu with the prowess of leadership and the Kudo Kazahaya possessing Byakko's emblem with the sense of righteousness." Rikuou nearly wanted to double over with laughter, while Doumeki tightened his grip on his bow. Kazahaya just gave Watanuki and incredulous look.

The voice laughed. "Guests, I see. Please come in."

The walls before them slid apart, causing a minor earthquake. Kazahaya nearly fell back in shock. A humongous spider sat before them. "If you can answer my questions, I shall give you back what you seek," the spider beckoned them. "My first question, do you admit that it was your mistake that cost you your eye?"

Watanuki nodded. "Yes, I admit it was my mistake. I have acted carelessly and destroyed the home of one of your offspring." "My next question, why did you take up the punishment for the man who further damaged the broken home?" The spider asked. "He did it to help me. If I did not get my hand caught in the first place, he would not have destroyed the rest of it. I deserved the punishment," Watanuki answered.

"Excellent. My last question, do you know the bonds between the dragon and the phoenix?"

Watanuki was caught off guard. But someone took his hand in his own and answered. It was Doumeki. "Dragon and phoenix consist of opposing elements and when put together are often an image of rivalry but often they also represent marital joy and unexpected bonding." The spider laughed. "Wonderful answer. Take this box and go home. You have done well."

As soon as the box open, a strange dust flew out and the next moment, Watanuki ripped off his eyepatch, being able to see with both eyes again. "My eye is back!" Just then, he felt a tugging sensation at his back and felt himself land in water.

"Grrrr, Yuuuuukooooo-saaaaaan!"

They're back to civilization.

A/N: How was it? Please review!