Disclaimer: :sighs: I still don't get why there's isn't any super secret chemical toxic waste dumps or spiders around these parts any more….

AN: After squinting and poking and re-reading the rest of the story for the millionth time, I decided that it didn't do much justice in terms of keeping everyone nicely in character. So I scrapped nearly half of the story and changed it so it would be more CLAMP-like and as a result, leaning more towards gen. You probably won't see much DxW unless you squint really, really hard or have X-ray vision. For those who have been waiting, sorry it took so long! ;;

Perfect Circles

Chapter Two

As usual, Watanuki's culinary creation had came out sucessfully; with a heavenly scent wafting through the kitchen as he took it out of the oven with the standard frilly pink oven mitts. He heaved the confection over the counter onto the chopping board, waiting for it to cool as he finished making tea.

Finally finished, he balanced a pot of tea, a tea set, and a cake knife in one hand with the cobbler in the other. He inched his way to the main foyer at a snail's pace, careful not to tip anything over. After an obstacle course of stairs, narrow hallways, and wet floors, he managed to reach his destination unscathed. (Which he discovered only happened when he was meant to bring food.)

But before Watanuki could do anything, the two girls popped unexpectedly at his sides, sharing twin grins as one snatched the cobbler and the other handling the rest, quickly setting everything up for their mistress. Over the clinking of silverware as cups and plates were passed around, Yuuko offhandedly brought Watanuki up to speed.

"Mokona and I will be trying out the new Thai restaurant on the other side of town, so you won't have to prepare anything." Yuuko smiled at her employee, obviously happy with her rare generiosity.

"But I already started cooki-"

"We will go as soon as Doumeki-kun shows up, so if you have any questions about circles, best ask him." Yuuko intervened while waving her hand disinterestedly, more interested in Maru handing over a plate of Watanuki's homemade confection.

"Huh?" Watanuki's head shot up, looking confused.

"Well," Yuuko explained while cutting a piece of her slice and giving a bit to Moro first, "Doumeki has already a good grasp on how to control spirits already, so he will be helping you more than learning along. Best learn quickly, so the next time you two go on a job, you won't be as useless-"

"I'M NOT USELESS, HE'S THE ONE THAT'S USELESS…"

By that time, Yuuko had already blocked out the boy's rant and took a huge bite into her slice. Her expression softened as she chewed, shaking her head and blushing as she savored the sweet and spicy flavor.

"AND WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT IDIOT COULD DO ANYTHING BY HIMSELF…?"

"Oh gee, look the time," Yuuko nonchalantly interrupted as she popped another bite into her mouth, muffling her words, "you better get started before Doumeki gets here…"

This had allowed the boy to momentarily forget about the archer's vices as he ran out of room, yelling instructions of saving at least a quarter of the pie for later. The remaining four indulged on without any of the 'white noise', though they were certainly having a hard time abiding to the advice.

XXXHOLICXXXHOLICXXXHOLICXXXHOLIC

A half an hour later found an exhausted Watanuki as he dropped his brush back into the inkwell and leaned back with a sigh. The practice was much harder than he anticipated, with his biggest circle only about ten centimeters and his best the size of his thumb.

A slight tap on the door signaled a newcomer, with Watanuki grateful for the distraction. He wheeled around-

And spun millimeters from Mokona's smiling face. The screech that followed could be heard all throughout the house.

"MOKONA IS HERE!" the little manjuu bun shrilled loudly into Watanuki's ear as the boy flailed about, trying not to hit the ground face first.

Catching his breath, he glared at the infernal black creature who bounced around in midair to an impromptu tune, though he was slightly relieved it wasn't-

"Mokona has brought Doumeki-kun over! Though Watanuki-kun should take extra extra extra care not to give Doumeki-kun lots of trouble like Watanuki-kun usually does…"

'Great. Hey, wait-'

"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?"

Watanuki took a swipe for the manjuu's ears, but missed as Mokona bounced out of the way and hid behind Doumeki's large figure.

"Wah! Watanuki-kun's so scary…Doumeki-kun must be very brave for having to see him all the time!"

The archer just shrugged. "It's a bit tough sometimes, especially that time when…"

"ARE YOU TWO DONE?"

"Oh really? Uwah! Doumeki-kun's so cool!"

"Eh, saving his ass isn't too hard…"

Ignoring the now fuming Watanuki, the manjuu quipped, "Mokona sometimes thinks that Doumeki-kun is very, very brave! Keeping Watanuki-kun safe from Watanuki's own clumsiness, not minding wherever it may take Doumeki-kun!" the pork bun /bunny hybrid sang with starry eyes and a smile straight out of a shoujo manga.

"You wouldn't like where my foot may take you," Watanuki hissed out, miming a drop kick action to make his point.

Even though Doumeki could not see the manjuu's smile wavering, he could hear a very audible 'gulp!' as the black bun sprinted out of sight, with a string of words following as his excuse. "Okay! Sorry! Mokona hafta go! Yuuko-san is probably calling me! Wah! Her voice is so pretty! Yuuko-san must be taking singing lessons..."

The departure had left the remaining two in an awkward silence, while Watanuki shuffled through the closet and found an extra brush, grunting uncommitally as he handed it to Doumeki.

"Paper?"

Watanuki scowled as he went back to the closet and rummaged around, leaving Doumeki ample time to survey Watanuki's work.

"None of this is going to work..." the older boy criticized, turning the paper in various angles.

"Come again?" Watanuki deadpanned as he turned his head and narrowed his eyes at the other boy.

"I'm saying that your circles are really bad," the older boy explained, emphasizing his point by pointing to the various not so decent ones. "It's like you just started today."

Fuming, Watanuki reached over to grab his work, ("I DID START TODAY…") but was stopped by Doumeki's outstretched hand resting on his forehead, blocking any advances as the shorter boy swung his arms about like windmills.

"You have to have a peaceful state of mind for this, as circles take a great deal of concentration and will to create." Doumeki lectured, ignoring Watanuki's struggle as the shorter boy attempted to escape his captor. "Your emotions also fuel your abilities, so whatever you're feeling, you'll draw it as well."

After his speech, Doumeki finally let go of the disgruntled Watanuki as the shorter boy gave a glare and crossed his arms disbelievingly.

"Oh really?" Watanuki huffed. "Then what do you suppose we do about that?"

XXXHOLICXXXHOLICXXXHOLICXXXHOLIC

"I can't believe you took me seriously…"

An hour later found a choleric Watanuki whining next to the stoic boy, obviously not pleased with Doumeki's meditation idea. Tired of sitting in the awkward lotus position and having to not think of anything for so long, the shorter boy turned his energy to waking up the other boy.

"Oi, are you listening to me?"

Doumeki didn't respond as he couldn't hear anything, and as a bonus, he couldn't hear Watanuki's whining. He had no trouble in his meditation state, slowing his breathing rate as his worldly worries faded away…

Poke.

Doumeki wrinkled his nose a bit at the interruption, but relaxed and continued his mediati-

Poke.

This time he twitched a bit and squeezed his eyes shut, but with new resolve he carried on-

Poke. Pokepokepokepokepoke…

Fully conscious, Doumeki whirled around to find a bored Watanuki languidly poking his backside. As soon as the shorter boy knew he had the attention he needed, he jerked his head towards the clock and quickly shoved the inkwell and a brush into Doumeki's hands.

"You mind? I haven't got all day…."

With an eyeroll, Doumeki turned back around and closed his eyes again. Still clutching the writing utensils in his hands, he floated calmly back to the unconscious world…

Watanuki raised an eyebrow and waited for a reaction, until he realized what was happening. Watanuki clenched his teeth as he rocked the unconscious boy back and forth violently, hardly believing his luck.

"WHEN YOU WAKE UP, YOU'RE GONNA BE SO DEAD SHIZUKA…"

End Chapter Two.

I do hope you know she's only joking…;;

Shizuka's his last name…right? 0o

Thanks for reading! (Again. D) Reviews would be nice too….;;