Yue felt a tingle in his body that touched the crown of his head, and down to the very tips of his toes. He was conscious, finally, and realized he laid on something quite soft. His eyes remained closed, but his own magicked sense reached out to the space around him. The aura was surprisingly calm, and still, and quiet.
It ached to breathe. It ached as he tried to sit up. The rare feeling of pain in his limbs caused Yue to let a moan slip from his lips.
A small gasp reached his ears as his limbs stirred. Before he even opened his eyes, Yue's fingers reached out, knowing his Mistress would be by his side. Sakura must have sensed that her Moon Guardian had awoken. As Yue flexed his arm, he felt Sakura's fingers close around his outstretched hand. The young woman cradled each digit, easing her fingers into his outstretched palm.
Yue, inhaling as his senses returned, finally eased himself to open his eyes, even as the daylight hurt his pupils. There was Sakura - his Mistress - appearing so elegant and regal as daylight touched her pale skin. She did not look angry, Yue noticed, but rather relieved. The Card Mistress offered a sigh and a smile as Yue's teeth clenched together. The Moon Guardian struggled to find his voice. He opened his mouth to speak, but only little sounds - measly pathetic sounds - escaped his dry lips as he heavily sucked in breath.
"Yue," Sakura whispered. She clasped his hand tighter and leaned over to better face his body. Despite the power radiating from her, Yue noticed that she was still wearing little pink pajamas and her cotton sweatshirt. Sakura continued to clutch her Guardian's hand to her chest. "Thank goodness, I was so worried."
Yue couldn't quite find the strength to raise himself. Instead, he moved his free hand, slowly letting it approach his Mistress, until it rested on the hollow of her cheek. Sakura's eyes grew wide.
"You're here," he managed to croak, as Sakura's smile grew, and she nodded her head.
"Yes, you made it," she answered, "You are you, and you made it."
I am? He examined the pale hand, still cradling Sakura's cheek, and realized he was truly looking at his Mistress through his own eyes.
From behind Sakura, Yue realized they were still in Yukito's bedroom from the evening before. It was remained in heavy disarray, with shards of broken glass and mess strewn across the floor.
There was a shifting sound within the room, and Yue, with his hand remaining on Sakura's cheek, turned his head to seek the noise. Cerberus, yet in his true form , padded over to the tatami, his eyes stony and cold.
"Brother," Yue croaked, at a loss for any other words.
Cerberus frowned further still. "Am I?" the lion answered, and brought his face close to his counterpart.
There was a beat, and Yue continued to stare down his eldest brother. Cerberus' golden eyes contracted as his brows deeply furrowed; Yue remained silent and still, too drained to confront the Sun Guardian. Finally, Kero sighed, the cold features fading, and nuzzled the younger Guardian affectionately. "You scared us, buddy."
"I scare myself." Yue admitted, and there was another pause before the beast relented and laid down next to the Moon Guardian. Yue removed his hand from Sakura's soft skin, and instead grasped his brother's golden fur.
As Yue's hand curled within his brother's down, Yue noticed Cerberus and Sakura quietly glancing at each other. Yue quietly shut his eyes from the scene, his other hand still weakly clutching Sakura's. He took advantage of the moment's silence, and quietly asked a question within himself.
Yukito? Are you...awake?
He chose his words carefully, and pleaded with the spirits that his query would be answered. Within seconds, a familiar sense glided into his mind, and Yukito's warm amber aura greeted him. Yue could feel the smile in Yukito's voice as he gave an answer. I'm awake, Yue. I'm here and I'm awake.
There was nothing more that needed to be said between the two.
Yue opened his eyes once more, only to find his brother and Mistress once again studying his face.
After realizing that Yue would remain silent, Sakura asked the dire question sheepishly. "Yue, is...Yukito alright?"
Yue didn't think the question would hit him with such force - and yet. he felt his body tighten again, as a small inkling of shame crept up the sides of his face. Yukito, watching the exchange from within, willed Yue's feelings away. Tell them, Yue. Tell them I'm okay.
The Moon Guardian could only nod.
Sakura all but broke with relief. She actually collapsed on top of the Guardian, embracing and clutching the angelic creature's exhausted body to her chest. Cerberus quickly shifted his own body to support his brother's weakened state. "Oh Yue, I knew it. I believed in you. I'm so glad I have the two of you back."
Yue could hear the young woman begin to laugh and weep with happiness. Yue, although still in pain, found the strength to gingerly place his arms around Sakura, returning the favor.
Sakura's little wet sobs hushed eventually, and Yue felt compelled to reveal his new secret. "I met Yukito," he said plainly. There was yet another pregnant pause as Sakura's tears ceased, and she raised herself from Yue's chest. Even Kero, whose body was being used as a plush support for Yue, shifted his weight to face Yue with questioning eyes.
"You met him?" Cerberus repeatedly slowly.
"I met him," Yue responded once more. His glance focused on the shattered shards of mirror scattered throughout the room, even as the pleasant image of Yukito played in his mind.
Sakura, her face a picture of puzzlement, pulled away from her Guardians at Yue's words. She then pulled herself into a cross-legged position, and revealed her Cards from within the folds of her hoodie. The Mistress flipped through the pink stack, pausing as she plucked two of them, and held them for her counterparts to see: Sleep and Dream. Then a soft, maternal look graced her features as she displayed the two harmonious Cards. "I asked them, Yue. I told them...to help you. To help Yukito, and make your mind at ease." She then withdrew the Cards to look at them herself. "Thank you," Sakura addressed the Cards in a loving tone. "You did so well. Thank you." She clutched the magic forces to her chest for a moment, and finally returned them to a safe place.
As the Cards were settled, Sakura began shifting towards Yue, choosing to crawl to her Guardian as he remained prone on the floor. She stopped before the him, taking and grasping both of his hands this time, and looked directly into his features. With such proximity to his Mistress, Yue noticed how tired and worn out Sakura appeared. Guilt settled into his mouth, like cotton blooming on stalks. Yet it was the Card Mistress who was first to speak. "Yue," Sakura stammered. "Yue, I...I'm sorry, Yue. For everything."
"Mistress," Yue tried to respond, but Sakura violently shook her head to shush him.
"I want to speak, Yue." Sakura began. She took a deep breath, as if searching for the right words. "Yes, I am your master, Yue," Sakura stopped, closed her eyes, and continued. "I am your master, but I am your friend, too. You and Yukito may share a body, but that doesn't mean I should forget you...you are quiet, and becoming next to Yukito. That doesn't mean I shouldn't show you my love, even if you act like you don't want it at times." The Card Mistress pressed her lips into a smile. "I am a young magician, and still learning...and you definitely showed me that I can grow, Yue. I want to be better, both at magic and at being your friend, too." Now tears welled up in Sakura eyes - tiny little droplets; nothing like the wet sobs of earlier. " You are always there for me when I need your protection, Yue. And know that I am there for you too. I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize…" Sakura's eyes released the small tears, leaving streaks of wetness on her cheeks. "Last night was horrible, and I know I am responsible, too. I promise I will never let you feel this way again, Yue. Never. I promise."
The words tumbled from Sakura's mouth. As his Mistress knelt before him, Yue remembered Clow's words: You are loved, my moonbeam. He took several small breaths - one, two, three - and allowed Sakura's love and validation to wash over him. Yue smiled - a genuine, subtle grin that expressed relief and gratitude. Yukito, aware and listening throughout, allowed his own happiness to pulse through Yue. Pure emotion flowed through the him like a calm river, enrapturing the Moon Guardian's heart and mindset. Yue actually chuckled (even if the small laugh made him wince in discomfort), and admitted : "Sakura, I thank you, and…I know to...communicate more. I will." He closed his eyes, and continued, "That will be my promise and duty." He silently addressed his last words to Yukito: I will communicate with everyone.
Sakura's lips tipped into a small smile, despite the little droplets flickering down her cheeks. Her spirit seemed lifted at the Guardian's words. "I would like that, Yue," she whispered to the angelic creature.
Sakura reached down and embraced him once again, burying her head into the crook of Yue's neck. Cerberus positioned his body to support the two, as Yue weakly returned his Mistress' embrace. Yue looked down upon the auburn crown of Sakura, and pulled away from their gesture for just a second. Then, in a moment of rarity, Yue chose to take the first step to communication: he kissed Sakura on the forehead, expressing his own protection and love for the young girl. Sakura pulled even tighter, allowing the three to hold on to the moment of sweetness, for just a bit longer.
From within their collective consciousness, Yukito sighed with content. Sakura is older, but still so cute, eh, Yue?
Time passed slowly in the room as the friends held onto each other.
Eventually, Kero shifted his position to break the silence and tranquility. Sakura moved from Yue's arms, and helped settle the Guardian back to the tatami, her face still pleasant from their precious exchange. Cerberus stretched his legs as he rose from the floor, looking at his brother with golden cat eyes. "You know, Sakura hasn't left your side all night." With this, Kero transformed into his little form. "I'm taking her for some snacks. C'mon, kid, let Moony rest up."
Sakura hesitated as Kero flittered to the doorway. "Go," Yue and Yukito said in unison. "We'll be resting," Yue added as Sakura approached the door. Sakura's smile grew a bit wider, "Alright, we'll be back soon," the girl responded as she exited, "but please call us if you need something!" She closed the door almost all the way, and began to join Kero in a conversation about breakfast omelets.
Yue settled himself onto the mat, breathing in the ease of relief. His limbs were sore, but if he had the strength, he could joyfully fly to the mountains. Yukito sensed Yue's emotion, and chimed into the stream of thought. I told you that things would work out, Yukito began. Yue couldn't help but smile to himself.
Yet as Yue sought sleep, his aura pricked at another persona approaching the room. There was no noise in this part of the house, and with the exception of Sakura and Kero chatting in the far-off kitchen, all was silent.
Yue knew who about to make an appearance, and waited for the fateful encounter with hesitation.
There was a pause as the aura stopped behind the closed door. Yue hesitated a moment longer, and then (with an ill feeling of trepidation) called the person inside. "You may enter, Touya." .
The door slowly creaked open, and indeed behind the frame stood Touya. The young man remained in his pajamas too, but looked just as beat as Sakura. Touya's usual tan complexion was sickly, and dark bags replaced his keen, perceptive eyes. His hair looked like a mess. Worst of all, Touya's face appeared as thick and stony as a statue. He radiated coldness, even as he took two steps in and slid the door shut.
Despite Yue's pain radiating a steady, dull ache all over his body, the Guardian was aware of his place. Yue struggled as he sat up. He forced his body into a sitting position, and gazed Touya in the eye to show his respect and acknowledgement.
Even Yukito, from inside of his consciousness, felt nervous. He, too, sensed Touya's extreme tenseness. I've never seen him this way, Yukito mused quietly. As the silent moments ticked by, Yukito continued, a whisper of encouragement in his voice. I'm here, Yue, don't worry. We are together on this. Touya will feel better once he knows I am okay…
As the conversation passed in his mind, Yue could see Touya growing more and more uneasy as the quiet stretched on - Touya was waiting for him to begin. "Yukito is here." Yue said softly, hoping to throw the verbal ball in the young man's court.
At these words, Touya's eyes crinkled - only slightly. There was no crack in his statuesque features. "Is that all?" He retorted, his voice low and ominous.
Yue was determined not to break eye contact with the man, nor show fear. He carefully chose his next set of dialogue, mentally stepping over each word as they slowly rolled off his tongue. "We are safe," he responded, believing that less is more.
Touya's eyes closed, as if he was sipping Yue's words like a fine droll of wine. "Safe," Touya repeated through tight lips. "We are safe," he repeated, emphasizing his words as if to mock Yue's tone. From inside, Yukito's anxiety grew to a crescendo at Touya's uncanniness. Yue, however, remained resolute, even as his other half's uncertainty crept into his thoughts. "Is that all you have to say to me?" Touya asked, his voice deadly low.
Yue carefully contemplated his next words. Laughter broke the silence - it came from somewhere in the house, as Kero and Sakura happily enjoyed one another's company. The pleasant scene seemed incredibly distant as the two men locked eyes, tension swirling from within the cold, small space. The light conversation between the Card Mistress and Kero lingered, their words echoing and vibrating even after the mirth wanned.
It was Touya who made the next move, and suddenly, too. In an instant, with cat-like reflexes, Touya snapped his arm towards his left, and grabbed one of Yukito's decorative picture frames off the wall. His body reeked with anger, rage spiraling from his body language.
Touya chucked the frame across the room, and with a WHAM, it made contact with the empty frame on the mirror. The mirror, already disheveled from last night's events, teetered as it was thrown off balance, until it finally crashed into the pile of shattered glass.
Touya whirred around and threw the lock on the sliding bamboo door. Both Yue and Yukito involuntarily began to tremble at Touya's display of rash actions, but Yue simply refused to break eye contact. The laughter stopped. Footsteps began echoing through the house.
Touya turned on the Guardian. "I come here to find my best friend's house destroyed," he uttered, each syllable a guttural cry of emotion, "Lying unconscious in a mess of glass and blood, and you expect me to be cool with something like, 'We're safe'?"
He quickly closed the gap between them. Touya stopped right before Yue and glared down, much like a trainer looks upon a misbehaving animal. His eyes continued to narrow. "What exactly does 'safe' mean in your language?" he questioned in a quivering, shallow voice. "Because you promised to keep my sister safe when I gave up my magic. And now I'm here, trying to piece together why the hell you would try to murder my best friend and put my sister in danger."
Yue could hear Sakura and Kero scramble through the house. "Where is Touya?" Sakura cried. "Touya!"
"You have ten seconds before I seriously hurt you, Yue," threatened Touya, undaunted by his approaching sister.
Yukito churned within Yue's conscience before any response was made. Pure instinct kicked in.
WIthout any hesitation, Yue pulled his hands up in a sweeping gesture, and focused the very last of his energy on Touya. A burst of cool, ice-blue tendrils erupted from Yue's open palms. Touya's eyes grew wide as he was willed to the floor, gravity leaning in Yue's favor. Yukito's consciousness began to panic as Touya's form was forced to kneel and come toward Yue. When Touya's form was considerably close, Yue's rush of magic ceased. The Moon Guardian grabbed on to the young man, reminiscent of the magical exchange between the two so long ago. This time, though, Yue grasped onto Touya's face, forcing the Kinomoto sibling to look into his eyes.
In an instant, Yue's memories played out in his mind like a cinema film. Yukito's viewing of Tomoyo's movie. Touya's words of comfort to his lover. The dream on the rocky shore. Yue's awakening in Yukito's body. The climax of the broken mirror. Clow's postcard book, and his appearance in the Dream realm. And finally, seeing Yukito as a reflection, crying, embracing, and echoing the words "I am you. We are separate minds but in the same body, and we support each other...We'll be okay."
Sakura and Kero reached the door as Yue's stream of consciousness concluded. "Touya, what are you doing!?" the Card Mistress cried. The young girl hurtled her fists onto the door, and then finally pulled, trying to free it from the lock. Eventually, Sakura's shout of "Lock!" reverberated through the house. With a burst of magic, Kero and Sakura entered the bedroom.
Yue was still holding Touya's face in his hands. The Guardian was breathing heavily, taking laborious breaths as the private and emotional display of magic faded between the two men. Touya's own breathing was shallow, his pupils sharp and narrow, yet his eyes were wide. A moment passed, and Yue relented his grip, hands shaking as he withdrew them from Touya's face. Yue then took the moment to study the tatami, too drained and embarrassed to look at Touya any longer.
Kero's little form rushed further into the room, darting through the air as he examined Sakura's elder brother. "But you don't look hurt," Kero blurted out as Touya rose from his place on the floor. Kero's wings emerged from his tiny form as he began his transformation. "What happened between you two?" he questioned, mid-transformation, but Touya slowly raised a hand, as if to stop him.
Sakura began to speak, but as her brother turned, the disturbed expression gracing Touya's features caused her to stutter. "O-Onii-chan," Sakura whispered, her brotherly nickname leaking from her lips. "You look…" Sakura was at an utter loss of words, as her brother's facial features were so foreign. "You look like you've seen a - a ghost." Touya didn't respond however, and instead, faced away from the angelic being.
Yue, too, sheepishly shifted his position, curling back on the tatami, away from Touya's eyes. While he was equally stunned by this strong and unusual display of magic, he attempted to bravely sneak a glance at Touya's form, looking for any sign of reaction. However, the older Kinomoto was already stepping towards the door.
The young man drew a deliberate breath. Finally, Touya glanced back over his shoulder, evenly gazing at Yue through a sweaty brow. "I'm glad Yuki is safe," he huffed. He ambled towards the doorframe, grabbing the wood as if to steady himself. Just as he was about to exit, Touya stopped and addressed his sister. "I'm going home. I'll pick you up in a few hours." And with that, Touya descended the stairs, opened the front door, and left the grounds of the house, leaving the Card Mistress and her Sun Guardian incredibly befuddled.
Yue realized that Sakura and Kero, once again, have that private, secretive look, even as he began to drift off. He was suddenly so, so exhausted. His limbs creaked as he further curled into the soft folds of the mattress.
As Yue began to rest, Yukito's thoughts quietly entered his head. Don't worry, Yue…we'll talk to him later. Yue silently agreed, and nodded as if Yukito could see him. You deserve to rest. The fatigue began to set in, and Yue's eyes relaxed as he succumbed to peaceful rest.