- Chapter 5 -
The Magician

A master of the four elements
He of both East and West
Dark and Light
- The Prophecy of Ages

Kenshin walked cheerily down the main road on the sunny May afternoon, a bucket of tofu slung over one shoulder, rice on the other. It

had been about a month since their strange new borders had come to the dojo, and only a few weeks since Kagome had moved to

Inuyasha's house. Things were peaceful, and the calm, warm weather of early summer came as a relief to everyone.

'I should hurry; Kaoru-dono will be furious if I'm late,' he thought to himself, skillfully dodging bodies in the crowd.

However, he failed to notice the back of a young man approaching, and with a single bump from the impact, his groceries had spilled all

over the dirt road.

"Oro...oh my goodness," he mumbled to himself. "Now look what I've done!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" said the boy, kneeling down to help him clean up. "I must have ruined your groceries,"

He turned to face Kenshin and smiled sheepishly, his large glasses askew and mousey brown hair covering his face.

"I should pay for all of this," he said, scooping the large pile of dusty rice into the broken sack and placing it by a pile of refuse.

"No, you really don't have to..." said Kenshin, shaking his hands in protest, but the young man just smiled and went into a nearby shop,

coming back with a large sack of rice and bucket of tofu clutched in his hands.

"Here, this should pay for it," he said, handing it to Kenshin.

"Thank you, but you didn't really need to do that for this one, that you didn't," said Kenshin, scratching the back of his head.

"That's okay, you looked like you were in a hurry," said the boy. "Just helping out!"

Kenshin smiled, and the boy seemed to get an idea, taking out a piece of paper.

"I just can't really think of an appropriate way to apologize..." he said. "Would you like to join me and my master for dinner tonight?"

"Oro?" said Kenshin.

'I barely know this young man, that I don't.' he thought. 'But I suppose Kaoru-dono would be rather pleased to be a guest at someone's

house; it would be a rather nice treat, that it would.'

"Thank you, I'd love to," Kenshin replied. "Would it be all right if this one brought some friends along?"

"Of course," said the boy, handing Kenshin the slip of paper. "Here's the address. We'll be waiting for you at 7,"

He smiled and began to walk away, but Kenshin stopped him when he thought of something;

"Wait," he asked. "What is your name?"

The boy turned, and smiled.

"I'd like to know yours first, of course,"

"Of course," Kenshin said. "This one is called Himura Kenshin,"

"I'm Yukito." the boy replied, walking away. "Tsukishiro Yukito. See you later, Himura-san."

-/-

"A party!" said Kaoru, extremely pleased.

"Yes, the boy in town was very apologetic about spilling the groceries. This one didn't really think it was necessary, but it was nonetheless

very nice of him, that it was,"

"So, where is it at?" asked Sano. Kenshin handed the slip of paper to him, and they crowded around him. Then, almost all of them

grimaced.

"KENSHIN!" screamed Kaoru, thrusting the address in front of him. "Do you have any idea who LIVES here?"

Kenshin shook his head.

"It's a haunted mansion where a WIZARD lives..." said Sano, getting up in Kenshin's face and shaking him. "When I was a kid, I was told

NEVER to go there,"

"Yeah, me too," said Yahiko. "Even the Yakuza is scared to go even CLOSE to there,"

Kenshin freed himself from Sano's grip.

"I've never heard such rumors," he said with a smile. "What about you, Miroku-dono?"

Miroku shook his head, as did Sango. "I sure haven't," said he.

"This one still says we should go," said Kenshin. "Let's not let superstition get in the way of kindness, shall we?"

"But it's HAUNTED, KENSHIN," said Kaoru, her eyes growing large and shiny.

Kenshin just ignored her and turned towards Sango.

"Sango-dono, will you go to see if Inuyasha and Kagome would like to join us?"

"Of course," she replied, and went to the foyer, putting on her sandals and a shawl. "Be back later,"

"We really shouldn't do this, Kenshin..." said Sano, shifting his eyes around nervously. "I mean..."

Kenshin just smiled blithely.

"This one is off to take a bath," he said, and walked away. "Just try to ignore the ghost stories, Sano; you know they aren't true,"

-/-

Later that night, the motley crew was standing in front of the large, looming mansion, dressed to the nines in the finery Sesshoumaru had

lent them. However, shaking legs abounded in the large group as Kenshin approached the door.

"Kenshin...I still think we should go back..." said Kaoru, who was hidden behind Miroku. Kenshin simply smiled.

"Nonsense, Kaoru-dono," he said, grabbing the knocker. "Well...here goes,"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Coming!" said a female voice on the other end. The beautiful carved door quickly opened, and a woman with brilliant, dark-ruby hair

came to the door, sporting a kimono with a pattern of butterflies.

"Welcome! You must be the ones Yuki-kun was talking about! Please, come in!"

"She's certainly energetic..." said Kagome with a smile, following their spritely hostess.

"Please, right this way!" she said, waiting for them to remove their shoes. "Master Clow is waiting for you!"

"Now, now," whispered Kenshin, leading a trembling Kaoru along with the group. "Let's not be rude..."

Finally making it to the dining room, even the most nervous of the group (namely Sanosuke) couldn't help but gasp in awe.

The place was marvelous. A giant table covered in delicious food sat waiting for them, beautiful carved-wood chairs at each place.

Yukito stood by a giant upholstered chair at the head of the table with it's back turned towards the fireplace, an inviting smile on his face.

"Welcome, Himura-sama and friends!" said he, and cocked his head to the side. "Master Clow has been awaiting your visit."

"Please, sit!" said the woman, ushering them towards the chairs, before taking her place next to the chair at the head of the table.

Finding their places, they sat in uncomfortable silence, while Yukito and the woman smiled on.

"My goodness, I guess that you're waiting for me to tell you we can eat!" said a voice coming from the chair. As if by magic, the chair

began to turn itself around. Kaoru hid her face with her hands, and Sano began to look very pale.

But what awaited them was not a wizened old man or a hideous monster.

Rather...it was a fairly young man, with long black hair pulled into a ponytail that fell over his shoulder, a smile on his face.

At that moment, one thought ran through everyone's mind.

'This is the great wizard that's got everyone so scared?'

Clow smiled.

"Well, shall we?" he said, preparing his fork and knife. "Yukito-kun and Nakuru-chan spent all day cooking for you; I'm sure it won't let

you down,"

"I'm sure it won't," said Kenshin with a smile, taking a few small pieces of meat. "Thank you, Clow-dono, for inviting us,"

Clow bowed his head as he chose an apple from a fruit platter.

"My pleasure, Kenshin-sama,"

Placing the bit of beef in his mouth, Kenshin's eyes widened.

"Kenshin, are you okay?" said Kaoru urgently, looking at him worriedly. Kenshin swallowed.

"Delicious! You should try it!"

As their guests slowly began to eat, Yukito and Nakuru smiled.

"You can sit now," said Clow to Yukito (who hadn't moved yet), thoughtfully munching his apple. "And help yourself to your wonderful

food!"

"Thank you, master!" said Yuki with a smile, and sat down, ready to nosh.

-/-

About an hour later, Yukito was on his 7th bowl of rice and still going, and Nakuru was busy serving dessert to the rest of the guests.

"Is that all?" said Nakuru, placing a pudding on Kagome's plate.

"Yup! Thanks so much, Nakuru-chan!" she replied, winking.

Nakuru smiled.

"No problem, Kagome-san,"

She sighed.

"I suppose Cerberus would want some...".

"Cerberus?" said Inuyasha, helping himself to another pudding.

"One of my pets," said Clow with a smile. "You may go, Nakuru,"

Nakuru nodded and exited.

"So...who's Nakuru, your sister?" asked Sano, looking at Yuki. Yukito finished his bowl of rice with a large gulp.

"In a way..." he replied with a smile. "Perhaps we are...and perhaps we aren't,"

'Mysterious guy...' thought Sano, watching him take yet another helping of rice. 'I don't trust 'im...'

"Yukito-kun?" said Clow, touching his assistant gently on the shoulder. "I would like for you to accompany me to the study, please,"

Yuki put down his rice and nodded. "Yes, Master Clow," he replied with a smile.

"I am sorry to leave you for the moment," Clow said, rising from his chair. "I will return shortly."

Silently, the two of them left the room.

"There's something odd about that Yuki guy, I'm sure of it," said Sano, slamming down his spoon as soon as they were gone. "That

Nakuru girl ain't necessarily average, either."

"I do sense some rather odd energy coming from the two of them," admitted Miroku. "but I have no idea what to say of it. It's not

bad...but it's not good either,"

"I say we spy on 'em," said Yahiko with a mischevious grin.

"Yahiko!" Kaoru snapped. "It's not polite! Besides, he could curse us!"

"You still think that Clow-dono is a wizard?" said Kenshin, watching the two of them bicker. "This one can't believe that you're still that

mistrusting,"

"I still say we spy on 'em," pouted Yahiko. "Who's with me?"

Not suprisingly, nobody took him up on his offer.

"Suit yerself," he said, shrugging, before ducking under the table and disappearing.

A stirring chorus of "Yahiko!" filled the air, but the boy was already in the hallways.

'Hehehe...idiots...' he thought, dashing through the dusky place. 'Awright...where's the study?'

"I don' t think that would be a wise decision, Master Clow," came a voice coming from a nearby room.

"Aw, come off it!" said another. "I think it's a great idea! We haven't had visitors in ages!"

Yahiko slowly listened as the voices continued, creeping towards the slightly-open door and peering in.

"AAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Yahiko came screaming into the dining room, slamming the door behind him.

"Yahiko!" said Kaoru.

"Yahiko, what's wrong?" asked Inuyasha.

"Monster...in the study...angel...people..." he panted, then collapsed from his running.

"Yahiko!" said Kenshin, and ran with the rest of them to his aid.

"Sorry, kid! Didn't mean to scare ya!" said a voice on the other side of the door, and it burst open to reveal a large, lion-like beast with

wings of beautiful pale-gold feathers. "You okay?"

"Ahh! What is that?" screamed Kagome, performing the infamous Takahashi pullout.

"Cerberus, you're making a fool of yourself," said another voice as a leopard-like creature with green, butterfly-like wings entered. "I'm

sure the boy is fine,"

"Cerberus...?" said Inuyasha. "Waitasec, you're Clow's pet, right?"

"Bingo!" said the lion-creature with a wink. "And we ain't the only ones, eh, Clow?"

"Yes." said Clow, entering with a smile. "Meet my creations: Cerberus and Spinel Sun. Yue? Ruby Moon? Do you wish to show

yourselves?"

"I'm sorry about this..." said a deep, yet strangely familiar voice. "Hope this doesn't surprise you..."

"Yue, what are you talking about?" said Clow, looking towards the door. "It's better than never telling anyone,"

Sighing, a beautiful, handsome man entered the room, white hair falling into his face and silver-blue feathered wings erupting from his

back.

"OH MY GAWWWWD!" screamed the girls, marveling at the winsome bishounen angel.

"What's all the fuss about?" said Miroku, looking at them strangely. "It's just Yukito,"

"Yukito-kun?"

"Yes," said the angel as his wings enveloped him, a large flash of light filling the room. When it had faded, Yukito stood in his place.

"What in the world?"

"That's my true form," said Yukito with a smile. "I simply appear this way to go out in public. Clow was planning on telling you, but I

guess you found out for yourself!"

"Obviously," said a woman's voice, as a faerie-like creature entered, before her wings surrounded her and returned her to the form of

Nakuru. "We're his creations!"

"Ha! So you ARE a magician!" said Sano, pointing to Clow, who nodded with a smile.

"Guilty as charged," he replied. "Care to see some more of my creations?"

"You mean that there's more of him?" said Kaoru, blushing furiously and pointing at Yukito, who smiled sheepishly.

"Unfortunately, no," said Clow, reaching into his coat with a humble smile. "However, I -do- have these,"

Whipping out whatever was in the pocket, he brandished a large deck of cards and fanned them out for all to see.

"What are those?" asked Kaoru, leaning in and looking at the cards. "Kagome, can you read this? It looks like Western writing,"

"Lemme see..." said Kagome, looking at the top card. "Wi...windy?"

"Correct!" said Clow, smiling with pride. "She's the element of wind, sealed into a card. She was the first of my cards,"

"Ah, I remember the day she was created," said a small voice. What looked like a plush toy hovered next to Clow's shoulder, landing

there and looking at everyone.

"Kawaii!" said Kagome, reaching for it and hugging it. "It's so cute!"

"Leggo o' me!" said the plushie, struggling to free himself of Kagome's grasp. "It's me! Cerberus!"

"Cer..berus?" said Kagome, letting go. "Waitaminute...weren't you big just now?"

"Yeah," said the plushie. "but like how Yukito is Yue's temporary form, this is mine,"

"Kawaiii!" Kagome screamed, hugging him again. A small, sarcastic sigh came from a similar, black plushie that hovered over Clow's

other shoulder.

"This really is a bad idea," it said. This time, it was Kaoru that reached for it, muffling it's complaints.

The room simply erupted in laughter.

-/-

Later that night, Clow rested in his magnificent armchair, staring into the fire. His guests had gone home, and he wanted some rest.

Cerberus and Spinel Sun napped at his feet in their true forms like obediant bloodhounds, and although Yue and Ruby Moon were both

posted at his doors for protection, he had a strange feeling of unease. There was a vision that had been plagueing him lately, and it had

him worried.

He stared into the fire and let the images return to him.

He saw himself lying in a barren field, his blood soaked into the ground around him. His guardians were nowhere to be found, and a cold

fog began to creep around him. Then, he began to glow, and floated into the air. Everything turned white, and his body split into two

forms, and he was blinded for a short moment. Then, his sight returned, and he saw a boy and a man standing off to different sides, his

guardians standing with them. Yue and Cerberus were standing proudly next to the man with sandy hair, while Spinel Sun and Ruby

Moon stood behind the young boy. And in the middle was a girl, smiling at him, the Clow cards circling around her. Grasped in her hands

was a strange pink staff with a star on top of it. She seemed strangely familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where he had seen

her before.

He rubbed his temples and sighed.

"Something the matter, Master?" said Spinel Sun, placing his head in Clow's lap.

"Just...a vision..." he replied. "And my head hurts a little,"

"A vision?" said Cerberus, his head perking up a little. "What have you made of it?"

"Strangely...nothing at all," he admitted, the girl's mysterious smile haunting his thoughts again.

"Nothing?" said Spinel Sun. "That's a first,"

Clow nodded very slightly.

"A vision that you cannot interpret...it's rather vexing, master..." said Yue, looking at Clow from his station at the window.

"Do you suppose Yuuko could make something of it?" suggested Ruby Moon. "She's very good with precognition,"

"No...no...this is different..." said Clow. "This is something...I don't know..."

He yawned and got out of the armchair.

"I'm going to go to bed. We will go visit Yuuko in the morning,"

-/-

"Clow-kun, Clow-kun, Clow-kun!" said Yuuko exhasparantly, putting her hand dramatically on her forehead. "You can't be serious!"

"This is no time to be joking around, Yuuko..." said Clow, his eyebrow twitching. "I seriously cannot decipher it; there are no symbols to

interpret, and I am rather afraid that it may be a precognition. But...it's too much like a dream to be true precognition..."

"Hmm..." said Yuuko, scratching her head. "Let me go get the mirror..."

She clapped her hands and Maru and Moro were quickly gone and back with the large mirror she used to look up dreams in.

"This will only be...a...minute!" she said, placing the mirror on Clow's head. "Just think of the dream, and I'll be able to see it,"

Suddenly, things got quiet as Yuuko stared intently into the mirror perched precariously over Clow's brow.

Then, she gasped and reeled back, her hands over her mouth. The mirror fell and shattered into dust on the floor.

"Well...?" said Clow, after a while. "If this is a joke, it's a rather bad one, Yuuko-san."

She shook her head, staring at him through widened eyes.

"I...I don't understand it..." she panted. "I just got this horrible feeling of dread...and seeing you like that on the ground...it's not a good

sign..."

She gulped and got up.

"This isn't normal, Clow," she said, her voice grave. "There is no Hitsuzen attached to this...there is something very wrong..."

Clow leaned in and listened intently.

"What's going on, Yuuko?" he said, holding her firmly on the shoulders.

"That dream..." she said, finally beginning to calm down. "Usually with dreams, there is some sort of coincidence attached to it, whether

it's an event that has happened in the past or will happen in the future. Either way, they still cause dreams, and I feel those connections,

and can act accordingly,"

She looked away.

"But that dream..." she continued. "I...felt no such connection,"

Clow gasped, and pulled her closer.

"What does that mean?"

"I told you, Clow, I don't know!" she said. "It's odd for me too! I don't know what to think of it! This dream is completely random!

NOTHING has caused it! Not past, present or future! It simply IS!"

Clow looked away.

"Fine, then. What do you want for payment?"

"Nothing..." said Yuuko. "Just...let me know if anything odd happens. I want to know more about that dream. Probably as much as you

do,"

"As you wish," said Clow, and left the witch sitting there in the middle of the floor.

"But Clow..." she said, hearing the door slide to a shut as he left. "You're in danger...if there's anything I could know from this

dream...something's going to happen..."

- Next -
The Goddess