On Trees, Hot Chocolate and

Why Stop-Motion Christmas Specials Are Evil

Part IV

DISCALIMER: Not mine . . . yet.

When they entered the tent, it was dark and rather dreary looking, lit only by the flickering light of countless candles. The tent was of somewhat dirty purple cloth, it's every move it the light winter breeze sending shadows dancing across the 'shop'. All around them were small shelving units and removable bookcases holding jars of suspicious looking liquids, and odd artifacts. Kurogane though he saw a dagger on one of them, and he wasn't going to investigate further.

"Don't touch anything," Kurogane said to the children. He then walked close to Fai, close enough to whisper without the children hearing, "Are you sure about this place?"

When the blonde did not reply, he resorted to a rarely used tactic of his, "Fai!" he whispered.

"Hmm?" the skinny man muttered, as if he had just noticed Kurogane, "Oh, Kuro-sama! You know just like I do that most 'fortune-tellers' are fake, there's no harm! I will be fun. Besides you suggested it."

"Where's the owner?" the taller of the two asked.

"My, we are unobservant, aren't we?" a voice practically purred.

The pair turned sharply, and noticed a figure, seated in a chair in the corner, wearing layers of shawls and jewelry. Kurogane was sure he had looked there before, and not noticed her. Fai for the first time looked uneasy. This seemed too much like real magic. The children stationed themselves behind the adults' legs.

"You," she said, pointing at Fai, "Would be the magician, I think, that makes you the misses," she said to Kurogane, who muttered something that began with a 'b' and sounded suspiciously like a curse word. "Ahh! And the young lovers!" she clasped here hands together, at the sight of Sakura and Syaoran. "You've no idea what's in store for you and . . . Watanuki! I hadn't thought I'd get to meet you just yet!"

Watanuki folded his arms, a sour look on his face at being addressed by the woman.

"My name is Yuko. Ichahara Yuko. . . an alias of course," she grinned.

"An alias?" Kurogane scoffed.

"It means it's fake, dear."

Kurogane was about to open his mouth in indignation, and likely get himself into a lot of trouble with Fai for what he would say, but he was interrupted.

"Then why did you tell us?" Watanuki piped up.

"You need to call me something! You and I will be seeing a lot of each other later!" she answered airily.

"No we won't," the slight boy declared.

"I wish it could be different, but there is a touch of destiny about all of this, and we can hardly avoid destiny, can we? The odd thing is, I can hardly see why I've got you here today, you two. . . there isn't much more you need me fro, and the children won't for years. I guess, I could warn you about today. . ."

"Today?" Fai asked.

"Yes, that might be meddling though. . . "

"What's today?" Fai asked a slight tremble in his voice. He had now seen quite enough to convince him this was not a street performer.

"I suppose I should just say to keep your eyes on that one, he's stronger than you think," she said, pointing at Watanuki. "Now . . . payment!" she sang.

"You didn't do anything!" Kurogane growled.

"Hardly true, one fortune told, a warning given, not to mention you took up about fifteen minutes of my valuable time, big boy."

"There is no way in heck that I am paying you for scaring my kids!"

"Cash or alcohol?" she smiled a Cheshire cat smile, laying a finger on her red lip.

"I don't walk around with beer in my pockets!"

"Ahh, pity. I always prefer alcohol. Oh well, for services given, and time and labor charges. . . fifty dollars!" she said in a perky tone.

"What?"

END NOTE: I don't know that I will ever write the story of what happens to these AU versions later in life, I'm not really sure myself what it is. If anyone else wants the plot bunny they're welcome to it. . .