Author's Note: With this chapter comes the confrontation you've been waiting for...well, one of them anyway. ;) I would also like to note that I fixed some typos and continuity errors in the interlude. It's not strictly necessary to read the interlude, I just wanted to give a bit more exposition and explain how the other universes (such as Tsubasa) connect with this one.
Puppet Prince: That's probably a good thing, seeing as how I've been trying to write Eriol as a multi-layered character that has good intentions, despite his obvious flaws. Flaws that he is slowly realizing and coming to terms with. Part of his problem is his connection to Clow Reed, seeing as how it made Eriol's existence a bit of an anomaly even in cannon. You're very welcome. I'm always happy when people enjoy what I write. :) Thanks again for reviewing. ;)
Gemini24: Thanks for alerting me to the typos, I've been doing some editing and hopefully found them all. That might be true, whatever forces are exist in that world, like hituzen, might be trying to change what Clow Reed altered. Or at least keep it from everything from becoming too mixed up. So it's less god, and more fate taking a hand in things. Although I should note that the Chobits story mentioned in Touya's vision isn't any fault of Clow Reed's, the existence of the third Mokona is. And yes Spinel and Kero met in exactly the same way they did in the anime. I thought it was too cute not to include. Thanks again for reviewing.
Shadowvisor: Hi! *waves* A new reviewer! It's been a while since someone new has found this story. ;) The omake's in the first few chapters are cannon in this world, however, only the first one has to do with the universe that Touya currently lives in. However, the others do show some of Yuko's customers that have come from other worlds to have wishes granted. Yes, Fujiatake is an AWESOME father isn't he? He's pretty cool, calm, and collected in cannon as well. Even Eriol's appearance during Sakura's final test doesn't faze him or receiving half of said wizard's magical powers. ;) Your description of Yue's waking amused me. I suppose was a bit fairy tale- esque. I'm glad you've enjoyed the story so far and hope you keep reading it. Thank you so much for posting such thoughtful reviews! I've started doing weekly updates, so make sure to check the story every week for a new chapter. See you next time. :)
And now I give you the latest chapter. Enjoy! :)
Touya, Yukito, and Kero entered Penguin Park at the appointed time and waited by its giant namesake for Eriol appear. Spinel slept peacefully inside a cushioned box Yukito was carrying. Kero had insisted they transport his new friend in a more comfortable manner and the Cardmaster had given in, despite Spinel's ambiguous status. Yue had pointed out that the black cat was the only creature with any similarity to Kero in existence and that his brother likely felt a type kinship toward the other.
"Akizuki is the one whose caused us the most trouble" Touya admitted with sigh. "He can't possibly be any worse. Just keep him out of trouble, plushie."
"Really?" Kero asked excitedly. "Can I still hang out with Suppy?"
"Yeah, just remember we aren't with this group and we don't know if Hiiragizawa is behind those strange occurrences in town." Touya reminded him. "Just keep your guard up."
Yukito chuckled as Kero flew over and plopped himself down on the box.
"I doubt Yue will ever think the same about Akizuki" he commented lightly.
"It isn't likely" Touya agreed.
"That was very kind of you, Touya Kinomoto" said a voice from behind them.
Touya narrowed his eyes and Yukito tightened his grip on the box, as they both turned to see Eriol Hiiragizawa and Kaho Mizuki standing there.
"It would seem we have much to discuss" Eriol continued without waiting for an answer. "Much indeed."
"Hello Touya. Yukito" Kaho said with a smile as she waved to them. The awkwardness showed through in her expression and Yukito couldn't help but feel a sliver of pity for her. This couldn't have been how she'd planned on settling things with everyone.
"Let's start with why you're here in Tomoeda" Touya asserted. "You set a standard for the cards to be found or your past incarnation did. What purpose do you serve by being here?"
"I inherited a set of memories from Clow Reed and one of them referenced his desire for the Cards' new master to be tested, so that "she" may receive the power to convert all of them under her own name" Eriol replied pensively. "I was following those instructions when I made plans to come to Tomoeda earlier this year. Then Keroberos chose you to be Master of the Cards instead of your sister, owing to unforeseen circumstances and those plans shifted. I was supposed to ensure that the new master was able to develop powers superior to those of Clow Reed. You had already reached that level without realizing it and that left me with an indefinite problem."
"Is that why you had Akizuki interfere with us?" Touya asked pointedly as his expression grew stern.
"No. I brought her along and asked her to observe the two of you from afar. Unfortunately Ruby Moon has a mind of her and apparently had her own motives in mind" Eriol admitted. "Originally she was supposed to act as a buffer so that you couldn't interfere with my assessment of Sakura. I also wanted to bring out the situation with Yue and Sakura's inability to support him with her newly developed powers. Your own ability to keep Yue stable suggests that there is no danger of Yue disappearing from existence or otherwise fading as there might have been."
"Wait, you're telling me that you knew Sakura would have trouble supporting Yue's existence?!" Touya asked trembling with repressed rage. "How could you do that to him?"
"My apologies" Eriol said gravely. "It was a lack of foresight on the part of my forebear that I could not reverse. Not without locating another power source. It was my hope that you would discover his plight in time to reverse it by giving up your magical abilities to save him."
"I would have" Touya admitted with a glare. "It still would have worried Sakura, not to mention Yukito would have had no idea what was going on."
"Again I must apologize, Yukito Tsukishiro. I'm not the wizard I should be. I am unable to untangle all of my past mistakes" Eriol said giving Yukito an honestly apologetic expression.
"If this situation only involved the two of us, I would accept that and ask that we move on" Yukito replied. "As it is, I accept your apology, however my other self does not. He wishes to express something of his own when we are finished discussing this."
"It has been a long time since I've seen Yue" Eriol mused. "I would that I could have seen him under better circumstances."
Touya grumbled slightly, something Yukito was sure Yue would have mirrored if the guardian was not already raging about Clow's reappearance and his admission that Yue might have vanished if certain events hadn't taken place alternatively. It was all Yukito could do to keep calm and not get caught up in the flames of Yue's suppressed feelings of betrayal and vehement affront.
"Would you have believed us if we'd told you, Touya?" Kaho put in. "Would you even have understood about Clow Reed if Sakura was determined to keep it from you?"
"She couldn't have kept everything a secret for very long" Touya answered shifting his eyes toward her. "I would have sensed her and the presence of the Clow Cards even without recognizing the aura they gave off. If you had been honest with me, I might have believed you. Your words would have rung true in my mind. Like they did the night you told me you were leaving again."
Kaho winced slightly. It was sore subject, but a viable example nonetheless. She hadn't expected him to bring it up, but she couldn't exactly blame him either considering his annoyance stemmed from the situation with Yue. The guardian could have vanished from their plane of existence entirely, and while she knew it had been on Eriol's mind for quite a while, the other two had no way of knowing his true motivations on the matter. She and Eriol had needed to keep certain events quiet and had made allowances without curbing Ruby Moon's energetic nature. Unfortunately it was making things difficult for them now that everything had seemingly come to fruition.
Yukito put a hand on Touya's shoulder in an attempt to calm him. Then he felt Yue take hold and decided to let his other self state his own opinion on the matter, as it directly involved both of them.
"How could you?" Yue said as he stared at Eriol with ice blue eyes that shone with a sorrowful glimmer. "I know you are different now and I am forced to accept the fact that you went off and died without us. What I want to know is why you would allow me to vanish without so much as raising a hand to stop it? Was I truly nothing else to you, Clow?"
Eriol closed his eyes to the onslaught of Yue's questions and lowered his head in an effort to calm his own rising emotions. He didn't feel the same emotions Clow had toward Yue, but his own memories could reference them. Clow had cared deeply about Yue in the way that was both heartbreakingly beautiful and incredibly painful. The wizard would never have allowed Yue to cease existing, not without contacting someone like Yuko or giving up a significant percent of his power to ensure the guardian remained there by his side.
"You were everything to him. My memories tell me that he would have paid any price at the Witch's shop to retain your continued existence, Yue." Eriol answered slowly. "I myself am an incomplete part of what once was. I went to the Witch and demanded that she reverse everything and re-seal the Cards until Sakura's return. Apparently I am unable to bring about such an end, as the price would be too steep even for one with my abilities. To that end, I cannot interfere with the Cards themselves or with Clow's former guardians. That is why I created my own companions, Ruby Moon and Spinel, there. Clow's memories tell me that he wanted you to move on and anything I've done has solely been for that purpose."
"That's still no excuse" Kero put in from his position near Spinel on the box. At that moment Yue seemed to realize he was carrying a box and laid it down on the ground. "It means you're living in the past too, Clow."
"His name is Eriol" Kaho defended. "Life isn't always kind to those who are left behind. Eriol was left behind by Clow Reed after he died, as was your father, Touya."
Touya blinked in surprise. The boy's words rang true in his mind. That was why his father had suddenly appeared at the orphanage and why his lack of family had been such a mystery. It also explained why the aura Fujitaka sometimes exuded was significantly different from others he'd come across. His father was another part of the whole that had been Clow Reed. Although it was apparent that despite their looks, Eriol was the only incarnation who had received any of Clow's magical abilities.
"You're still not off the hook" Touya reiterated. "You should have told us about the danger to Yue, in case my powers weren't enough."
"I cannot change what has already occurred and what never actually happened" Eriol stated. "However I am hoping we can come to an agreement of sorts. I promise not to interfere with any of your endeavors from now on, provided the Cards are well cared for."
Touya and Yue both glared at him, but they seemed to have accepted that Eriol was only a singular puzzle piece in the grand scheme of Clow's plan.
"Don't forget your cat" Touya reminded him smartly. "Or I might decide I need another one around the house. He seems to make the plushie happy enough."
"My lifespan will be significantly shorter than yours" Eriol mused. "Once I return to England I intend to accelerate my aging process to make up for lost time. I will appear to be the same age as your father once that is complete. I will need someone to look after Spinel and Ruby Moon when I am gone. I know you do not get along with Ruby, however-"
"I think I might have a solution to that" Touya said begrudgingly. "Spinel can stay with us, but I refuse to live with Akizuki. Yuko is going to need a successor within two years time. I've seen it. Her clock is finally going to run out and when it does, that kid Watanuki and some other version of the brat are going to be left disconnected."
"Are you suggesting that Ruby Moon should succeed the Dimensional Witch?" Eriol asked in confusion.
Touya shook his head.
"No, I'm asking that she become the guardian of Yuko's new successor. If we can get the Witch to agree to take someone else on instead of Kimihiro Watanuki. Nothing good can come of separating him from that temple kid. In fact it might just drive another wedge through the universe. You know how well that worked out last time with the Witch."
The blue haired wizard sighed. He didn't want to be parted from any of his guardians, but he understood that Ruby Moon would probably be happier in a place that allowed her more freedom of movement and the chance to meet a true friend. Even though Ruby Moon was androgynous by nature, she preferred to assimilate toward the female gender. It made sense that she would want to meet more girls her age. Eriol hoped that whomever Touya wanted as Yuko's successor would be able to accept that part of her.
"If you do this, I might be willing to forgive some of your past trespasses" Yue said quietly as he contemplated what this would mean for all of those involved. "I too have something that I would give the Witch in order to see events progressed to a better end. Your participation might prove that your new efforts are sincere and that you are not determined to undermine us."
"I suppose you are correct" Eriol said giving them a sheepish smile. "Could I ask that you aid me in my own minor quest while you're at it?"
"That depends on what it is" Touya informed him. "What could you have left unfinished?"
"I determined years ago that I no longer wanted to live in Clow's shadow or bear his title as the most powerful sorcerer in the world. That is why Sakura's existence gave me so much hope" Eriol explained. "I wanted her powers to develop in order to surpass those of Clow Reed, so that I could ask her to give your father half of my power. It would give him the ability to see your mother again and I would be free from detection by any of Clow's long lived enemies."
"Am I to believe that you didn't remember about Soo Yung?" Touya questioned.
"I did not" Eriol admitted. "Not until I felt her presence near Yue and Keroberos during your trip to Hong Kong."
"I'll help you" Touya agreed. "On the condition that you help us convince the Witch to take another successor."
"You're kind Touya" Kaho said smiling at him. "Have you decided what you'll give to make that happen?"
"No" Yue answered for him. "It is still under discussion."
"We want to be sure" Kero agreed, as he came to stand next to his brother and took on his true form. "Now can someone tell us why things are disappearing all over town?"
"Now that is a long story" Eriol replied. "I'm afraid Clow left me a little bit of unfinished business to attend to. I'd be grateful for your assistance as this project was an unfinished Clow Card that should be added to your deck once the issue has been resolved."
Eriol and Kaho took Spinel home a little while afterward to find Ruby Moon sitting on the windowsill staring out into the yard. Apparently she'd returned home after being unable to find Spinel and surprisingly hadn't gone in search of either Touya or Syaoran Li. The wizard and teacher both considered this a positive thing and decided to leave the Moon Guardian's meanderings undisturbed.
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"Dad, I have something to tell you" Touya said after they'd finished dinner that night and Sakura had gone up to finish her homework.
Fujitaka adjusted his glasses and looked at his son plaintively.
"Is everything alright?"
"I found out some interesting information about the maker of the Clow Cards today" Touya answered. "I'm going to tell you the full story and afterward I have a request made by someone else that specifically effects you."
"Me?" Fujitaka asked in surprise.
"Apparently your appearance at that orphanage was no accident, my...abilities tell me this person speaks the truth" Touya explained. "The man who made the Clow Cards was named Clow Reed, he had a great deal of magical ability, earning him the title of top sorcerer in our part of the world. He lived about two hundred years ago and we surmise he might have sealed the Cards either during or after that time period. Yue seems to think Clow regretted his considerable abilities after he changed the fate of a close friend and prolonged her life indefinitely. He caused an imbalance and apparently gave his life to set it right, but not before sealing the Cards away and running off to another world to do it."
Fujitaka closed his eyes and nodded.
"Why did this person tell you these things?" he asked patiently.
"There is a boy in Sakura's class at school. He's a sorcerer who stunted his own growth in order to fulfill the wishes of his past self, a self he apparently shares with you" Touya answered grimly. "Eriol Hiiragizawa claims he received part of Clow Reed's soul and that you have the other. He wants to give you half of his magic in hopes of fulfilling that person's wish and giving you something he feels you should have. That being said, you don't have to take it, Dad."
"He seems like a kind person, if a bit confused" Fujitaka said with a small easy smile. "It seems he carries quite the burden for one his age. I would like to meet this person, so that we can discuss this properly."
"Are you sure you want him coming here?" Touya asked cautiously. "My abilities tell me he isn't lying, but I'm still not sure I trust just yet. Even if he has admitted to messing with everything and attempted to make it up."
"We are all trapped by our memories at times" Fujitaka advised "maybe he's simply searching for a way to move on and escape the trappings that time and memory have brought him. I can't say I've never been caught up in might-have-been's particularly where your mother is concerned, despite our happy life together."
Touya nodded in understanding. Nadeshiko was always on his mind, even with her frequent visits in ghostly form, it still wasn't the same as having her here among them in flesh and blood. He agreed to call Eriol that night and invite him over at the soonest convenience. Then Touya turned his focus to collecting the remaining Clow Cards. If the wizard's prediction was correct, the unfinished Card's efforts would soon be having more noticeable effects on Tomoeda. It was created in order to balance out the Clow Cards and had been gifted with an equal amount of magical ability as Touya's entire deck. Unfortunately this mean that the Card in question was likely the one who'd whisked away the The Sleep, The Libra, and The Wood two weeks before. Much as he hated to admit it, teaming up with the wizard might be the only way to confront this mysterious card and win.
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Eriol Hiiragizawa approached the Kinomoto residence with apprehensively as he still unsure about how to conduct himself in front of his fellow incarnation. Fujitaka Kinomoto was a difficult man to read by any standard from what he'd observed. Sakura's own description of her father painted him as a kind, hard working, single father of two, but little else. There was no mention of what the man had inherited from Clow himself and whether or not he latent potential with magic. Eriol had been certain that he had inherited all of Clow Reed's magical abilities, but the extent of Touya's powers had made him reconsider this notion. Both Sakura and Touya showed remarkable ability with magic and it had to have come from, at least in part, their familial connection to one of Clow's reincarnations. It was even possible that Fujitaka had given up all of his own abilities and passed them on to his children unwittingly.
The short blue haired wizard walked up to the Kinomoto's front door as his nerves continued their machinations. He was greeted by a tall man with platinum hair and a face similar to Clow's, complete with corresponding glasses perched atop the bridge of his nose.
"It's nice to finally meet you Mr. Hiiragizawa" Fujitaka said pleasantly.
Eriol nodded and gave him a sheepish smile.
"You may call me Eriol" he said. "I'm afraid my visit is long overdue."
"Won't you come inside and have tea with me, we can discuss everything then" Fujitaka suggested as he stood aside allowing Eriol to step in from the outside.
Once they were settled quietly in the kitchen with steaming cups of tea lying in wait, Eriol explained his reasoning behind giving up a percentage of his power to his fellow incarnation in hopes that he could make up for Fujitaka's various hardships.
"You would be able to see your wife again" the wizard offered. "I'm sure the conversion could be safely performed by Touya if we both agreed to it."
"It is my fondest wish to see Nadeshiko again" Fujitaka began "however, I feel as though Sakura should be the one who receives a portion of your gift, if it lifts the burden from your shoulders. Only a small amount mind you, so that she may finally see her mother. There is a woman I have feelings for, someone I would like to take a chance with. I will see my dearest Nadeshiko someday, but until then I want to continue as I have. Nadeshiko may not accept my decision, though I think she will understand in some way. I want to live out the rest of my life with a woman I've come to love and respect, if she reciprocates my feelings."
"You seem so sure about this Mr. Kinomoto" Eriol said in an attempt to reign in his confusion. "Are you sure you want to give up this chance for Sonomi Daidouji alone?"
"Nadeshiko urged me to remarry in the event Sakura ever needed a mother. Something I never considered as no one could ever truly replace her in our hearts. However, I think Nadeshiko realized that youth brings with it a certain loneliness that can sometimes last a lifetime and did not want me to reconcile myself to it without considering every possibility." Fujitaka explained. He didn't even question how Eriol knew exactly which woman he was referring to. It unnerved the wizard how easily this man seemed to accept his abilities even as he turned down the chance to retain some of it himself. "I've done that. Being involved with Sonomi, if she'll have me, is a chance I want to take. Seeing Nadeshiko now would make it seem as though I'm dividing my time between two women without fully committing myself. I'd sign any document ensuring that the children only receive the inheritance of their respective parents if it will convince her of my sincerity in this venture. It's what I've chosen to do...Eriol."
"I can respect your decision, even while it baffles me" Eriol agreed. "You said you wanted a portion of your half of Clow's abilities given to Sakura. What about the rest of it? I assure you it's still a significant amount of power."
"I believe my son is hoping to change the fate of another" the professor said lightly. "He made reference to the Dimensional Witch and preventing some sort of tragedy. My son spoke of this only vaguely, so I have no idea of his plans. However I would like to ask that you put that power toward his cause. He seems determined to do this, likely, selfless action. Anything that might help keep Touya out of trouble would mean more to me than anything else you could offer."
"Very well Mr. Kinomoto, I will do as you say. I believe that this change may also restore the balance between worlds in a way that Clow could not. The Witch's shop is more of a key than it is a beacon to outside worlds, this person's fate may yet serve another purpose."
"You can call me by my name" Fujitaka informed him. "Our age is similar, even when our appearance is not."
Eriol chuckled slightly.
"I will be significantly older the next time you see me, Fujitaka" he said. "I plan on reversing the effects of my spell once I return to London. I cannot stay hiding in this form forever."
"I think it's best we both move on from this. You should live the life you were given without the burden of past memories. I doubt that our past self would have wanted you to deny yourself true happiness."
"I believe you are correct. Clow became caught up in the reality he'd created and lost sight of what he truly wanted. I will endeavor not to make the same mistake."