Revealing the truth

"You had something you wanted to tell me Syaoran?" asked Dark.

"I didn't want to say my full name in front of your sister…mainly because if I did she probably would have kicked my ass," said Syaoran.

"Wait a minute…are you a Hikari?!" exclaimed Dark.

"Unfortunately yes. I'm only here because the leader of the clan wouldn't let me be; and sent me alone on a suicidal mission."

"Let me guess, steal Rune away or die trying?"

"Pretty much…if I hadn't left, they would have sent someone else anyway."

"Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to pull some sort of trick?"

"Actually, I thought it would be a better idea to let you know now instead of finding out the hard way…"

"Good point. By revealing yourself now instead of sneaking around, you've proven yourself trustworthy enough that I won't tell Rune."

"I just didn't want to repeat the same mistake Rath did."

"So what are you going to do now? You can't exactly stay here since I know your secret."

"I don't want to hurt anyone. Especially not in the way that moron older brother did…he never really did care about anyone other than himself…"

"He hurt you like he did Rune, didn't he…"

"Unfortunately…I tried to warn him that he would be killed for his little games, and he simply ignored it and told me to mind my own damn business."

Dark started thinking. If this kid was so honest, maybe he could help Rune. It seemed like she kept becoming more and more cold every day…he had to help her now before they lost her forever! His father had noticed this as well; though his solutions weren't as good. He just couldn't see that Rune was still heartbroken over Rath betraying her; and as such, he should have known that trying to get Rune a husband was the worst idea!

"I wonder…I have an idea that might save my sister. I'll need your help to pull it off."

"I'd be more than happy to help you. I want to repair the damage Rath did to her…"

Dark took Syaoran with him to speak with his father. The leader of the clan was shocked that the boy had admitted to being a part of the Hikari clan. When asked why he simply said, "It would be better for me to tell you now instead of finding out from someone else. It saves both of us a lot of grief."

"True, and I can see why you didn't say something in front of Rune; she most likely would have killed you!" He laughed.

"Father, I have an idea that might help Rune. Syaoran has agreed to help me with this; he said he wanted to repair the damage done by his brother."

"So that fool Rath was your brother?!" exclaimed Niwa.

"Unfortunately. I told him that if he kept toying with people's hearts it would lead to his undoing!"

"So, father, care to hear my plan to save Rune?" asked Dark.

"If it saves her from herself, then yes. What do you have in mind?"

"What if Syaoran became a fortune teller under Rune's teaching? They could easily get closer and maybe even unfreeze her frozen heart. It's better than what you've been doing so far…" finished Dark.

"I've be meaning to ask, but what exactly were you trying to do?" asked Syaoran.

"He's been trying to get her a husband. Too bad most of the people he picked were perverted…" muttered Dark.

"That would explain why you want me to try and help Rune. Because I'm not such an ass as the rest?"

"That sums it up. From what I can tell about you; you're pretty honest and try not to hide things that might hurt others. Why else would you just knock out Rune during battle and even tell me the truth about your name?"

"After what my brother put me through, I want to help others recover. I can't stand watching as they fall deeper and deeper into the darkness only to die."

"So, Syaoran, do you have any interest in fortune telling?" asked Dark.

"Actually, I did; that is, until the leader of the clan tried to force predictions out of me. Seems someone told him about my warning to Rath and thought I could see into the future."

"Yikes. Who would think that a reasonable warning was a prediction? I mean, it was pretty obvious that he would have to pay for hurting people eventually…" said Dark.

"So when do I start fortune telling?" asked Syaoran.

"How does in the morning sound? After Rune tries to read your future, you could tell her about your interest in Tarot cards and ask if she could help you with readings," said Dark.

"Is there anything I should know about Rune's fortune telling? I mean, after what she did while battling Krad, I'm a little worried."

"Don't worry, so long as we wait for the best time to tell her, she won't attack you in human form. Though I don't recommend turning into Krad unless you have to…"

"Are you kidding? I try to find ways that don't involve that idiot when I'm in trouble! He gets on my nerves faster than my brother did!"

"I guess we'll see you in the morning then, Syaoran."

"Nite!"

"Are you ready to have your fortune told?" asked Rune. After she had a decent sleep, she was almost ready to give a full reading.

"Is there anything I have to do? I heard that you actually call on Fate itself when you perform this…" said Syaoran.

"Well, I do. Fate and I have a bond that cannot be severed by mortal means. Anyway, this isn't going to be a full reading. I have to use up a lot of magic to foretell what your future holds."

"That's okay. I don't want you to over-exert yourself for my sake."

"Here we go then. Syaoran, you might want to step inside the circle more…the cards have a tendency to create a vacuum when I start this."

"Thanks for the warning!" laughed Syaoran.

"Oh spirits of the earth and stars, hear my cry! Show me what I wish to see. Answer me and let Syaoran's fate be known! Kai!"

The cards began to spin. Syaoran was glad that he heeded Rune's advice about the circle. It really did feel like a giant vacuum!

Fate showed itself before her and Syaoran. He was very impressed, since he had never met Fate before.

"You summoned me, little one?" it asked.

"Hai, I wish to show Syaoran his fortune."

"It's been a while since you did a reading for a boy. Very well, I shall reveal his past and present."

The cards had stopped while they were talking, and three cards flew up to Rune, with only the back showing.

"First you shall see his past, then the present…"

The first card revealed a lost soul and broken heart. It meant that he had experienced pain similar to Rune's.

The second one showed a warning of bad omens to come. That meant he had told someone and they didn't heed his warning.

The third and final card showed sorrow for one lost, yet never forgiven. It meant that he lost someone and never forgave them for actions that they had made while alive.

"And now for the present…"

After the past was shown, the three cards went back into the circle and spun again. Then it stopped, and three new ones flew out like the first.

The first card for his present showed an honest heart. It meant that his suffering had turned him into someone who could be trusted.

The second card revealed hope for better things to come. It meant that he had taken steps to help himself and others.

The third and final one revealed the fallen angel, struggling against its chains. It could easily mean that he also had an alter ego, or it could mean that he had a secret that wanted to be known.

The last card disturbed her the most. But she let it slide and thanked Fate for its assistance. The cards spun again and flew down in a neatly shuffled deck of cards. Rune almost took a step towards them but Syaoran barely caught her in time before she fell. She hadn't recovered from the backlash from the battle. He gently put her down on her bed, and she didn't say a word about his help.

"I'll go get your cards for you." Syaoran said, glad that Rune wasn't angry for him catching her.

"Thanks. After the last four idiots my father set me up with, I never go to sleep without them," replied Rune.

Syaoran went over to the deck, only to realize that there was someone else in the room! He turned around slowly, and it turned out that it was Fate! It remained even though Rune was finished with her reading. Syaoran was silent, and let Fate speak.

"You are different from the last Light boy. You don't toy with innocent hearts. Why are you here?!"

Syaoran whispered, "I was forced to leave, and happened across Rune and Dark. I carried her back after she suffered a backlash from her spell. The only reason I'm still here is because Dark believes I can save her."

"You may very well do that. Be grateful for your honest heart, for it is the only reason you are able to get close to the Tarot Cards. The next time we chat will be in the realm of dreams…"

Fate left after saying this, and Syaoran picked up the deck and took it to Rune. He was surprised that she had fallen asleep. He placed the deck next to her and quietly left her room.