Konnichiwa minna-san! Okay I'm back! I apologize for the wait; my computer's internet connection was down for a while. I don't think I have any notes for this chapter. So I'll stop commenting after the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I only own the coal monster. The rest of the characters belong to CLAMP, not me.

Happy Reading!

Chapter Five: Getting Better

"Wake up Sakura-san," A gentle voice stated, "It's time to wake up."

"Hoee…" Sakura muttered as she lifted her head off of her arms.

"Good Morning Sakura-san," Eriol said, "Did you sleep well?"

"Eriol-kun…O-ohayo," Sakura said as she saw the person who woke her, "When did you get here?"

"Not too long ago," He said, "Cerberus let me in; he said that he didn't want to wake you."

"Where is Kero-chan?" Sakura asked as she straightened up.

"He's downstairs with Ruby and Spinel," Eriol said, he then turned his attention to Yue, "Has his fever gone down at all?"

Sakura shook her head sadly.

"Has he woken up at all?" Eriol said as he placed his hand on Yue's forehead.

"Yes twice," Sakura said, "but both times he was conscious for less than five minutes."

"Good, that's all the time we need," Eriol said, as his hand glowed blue for a moment, "Yue can you hear me?"

Yue stirred slightly and slowly opened his eyes, "Sakura…the fires…they're still…"

"Shhh…Don't talk," Sakura said as she placed her hand on his forehead, "We're working at it."

"Sakura-san, what is he talking about?" Eriol asked.

"I'm not sure myself," Sakura said softly, "He said that the last two times he's woken as well."

Eriol nodded, "We need to get his fever down," He said, "He's delirious. I'm glad I got here when I did and I'm also glad that Cerberus isn't in the room."

"Why is that Eriol-kun?" Sakura asked as she gently stroked Yue's hair.

"He's not going to last much longer in his current condition." Eriol said as he headed for the door, "Keep him awake Sakura-san, he can't fall unconscious again. I hate to have to put it this way, but if he loses consciousness again we may not be able to get him back."

Sakura watched Eriol leave the room then she turned her attention to Yue, who his eyes had closed, "Yue-san," She said, "I'm sorry to do this to you but you can't fall asleep."

"I'm…tried…" Yue mumbled his eyes still closed.

"I know you are but if you fall asleep," Sakura said as her voice cracked with tears, "You may not wake up again."

"I'm…sorry…but I'm…very…tired…" Yue whispered.

"Please Yue-san," Sakura cried, "I know you're tired but…if you fall asleep I…I may never see you again…and…and I don't want that to happen!" She then cried out and began sobbing.

Yue felt several tear drops hit his face and he opened his eyes and looked up at Sakura, "Sakura…chan…" He muttered as the girl continued to sob. Then without warning or explanation he felt his skin cool and his head clear as his fever vanished. He then sat up and pulled Sakura into a hug. "Thank you Sakura-chan."

Sakura stood there in shock, not only had Yue recovered without explanation, he hugged her and called her Sakura-chan.

"Looks like this didn't need my intervention, Sakura-san," Eriol said, "You figured it out on your own." Yue quickly released Sakura as he saw Eriol enter the room, "oh don't mind me, please do continue."

"Eriol-kun," Sakura said her voice still laced with tears, "I don't understand, what happened?"

"Your love and concern for Yue was strong enough to save him." Eriol explained, "Love is the most powerful emotion, powerful enough to save the ones we love." He paused, "It's the same thing with Daidouji-san, she has no magic that I can detect, however her kindness and sharp insights are much stronger than magic." He turned to Yue, "I believe that there are a few people downstairs that would like to see you." He then walked away from the door.

"Thank you Sakura-chan," Yue said as he stood up, "For caring about me."

"You're welcome," She said, "And I know that you would do the same thing for me. Please from now on, if you need anything please tell me and I'll do what I can." She walked towards the door, "Should we go?"

"I'll be right down," Yue said as he turned to make his bed, "Sakura-chan."

"Don't worry about that now, Yue-kun," Sakura said, "Just come on."

"Yue Oniichan! You're okay!" Nakuru cried as she threw her arms around Yue's neck. "I was so very worried about you."

"I'm flattered," Yue said listlessly, "Now let go."

"No," Nakuru said as she clung tighter, "I've missed you.

Yue turned to Eriol, "Could you get this thing to let go of me?"

"Are you not happy to see your only sister?" Eriol asked.

"Happy to see her, yes," Yue answered, "Happy to have her around my neck, no."

"Ruby let go of him," Eriol said, "Before he kills us both."

As soon a Nakuru released Yue, Cerberus walked up to Yue in his true form, sat down beside him and gently nuzzled Yue's hand.

"Oniisan," Yue said as he knelt down next to his brother and placed his hand on the lion's head, "Thank you."

"I was very worried about you, ya know," Cerberus said as he placed his head on Yue's shoulder, "I was worried that I was going to lose one of my brothers. Try not to do that again."

Yue placed his arms around his brother's neck, "I'll try oniisan." He answered.

"I'm shocked Yue," Eriol said, "I've never seen you show this much compassion towards anyone except Clow. First you hugged Sakura-san without being hugged first, now this, you've really changed."

Yue quickly released his brother and stood up, completely flustered, "No, I haven't," He answered quickly trying to hide the blush that was slowly creeping its way on to his face, "It's nothing."

"Yue oniichan…" Nakuru called.

"What!" Yue snapped and turned towards his sister. As soon as Yue was facing Nakuru she held her phone up and took his picture.

"Kawaii!" She squealed as she looked at the picture, "It's been a while since I've seen Yue oniichan blush."

"I suggest you hand over the camera before I take it from you." Yue growled, "I hate having my picture taken."

"But you let Tomoyo-chan film you," Nakuru said as she hugged her phone to her chest, "and that's the same thing."

"Well I know that Daidouji-san won't use it as blackmail," Yue said, then he glanced at Sakura again, "against me anyway." He then looked over at Nakuru, "You, I cannot trust with anything like that."

"I bet you would let Sakura-chan take your picture," Nakuru said in English, "You would do anything for her; I bet you're in love with her."

"Shut up," Yue yelled as his face flushed even further, "Leave Sakura-chan out of it."

"Aww you really do like her," Nakuru responded in English, "you called her Sakura-chan, how cute!"

"Nakuru," Eriol said as he eyed Yue cautiously, "I suggest that you stop aggravating Yue. He looks like he's about to kill someone."

"Okay fine," She said as she handed Yue her camera phone, "just don't break it."

Yue took the phone and handed it to Sakura, "Hold on to that for me," Yue said, "don't let my sister have it."

"Hai," Sakura said as she pocketed the phone, "Don't worry I'll take care of it."

"What is going on here?" Spinel asked as he joined everyone in the room.

"Yue oniichan's okay!" Nakuru yelled.

"I think it's about time to make lunch," Eriol said, "You all must be hungry." There were four yeses and one no. "You still don't eat anything Yue? I do believe that you were given the ability to eat. Just keep in mind, you no longer have a temporary form Yue, you will have to eat eventually."

"I see no point in eating," Yue said listlessly, "In my eyes it's a waste of time."

"But then why did you ask for a cup of water when you passed out in Sakura's room two days ago?" Cerberus asked.

"Oniisan," Yue said, "I was barely conscious at that time, I didn't know what I was saying."

"But you must have," Cerberus shot back, "I saw you take a sip of the water."

"I did no such thing." Yue lied he had known full well what he had been doing at that time. He knew that he had taken a sip of the water, even if he had no idea why at the time.

"You are a horrible liar, Yue," Cerberus said, "The cup was opaque, but I was able to see the water Yue. You took a sip."

Yue remained silent; he honestly didn't want to admit that he knew that without Yukito that he would have to eat.

"Yue the new moon is tomorrow." Eriol said.

"I know full well when the new moon is," Yue snapped, he didn't like where this conversation was going, "You don't need to inform me about that."

"We both know how you get on new moons," Eriol said, "I suggest that if you don't want to be lethargic tomorrow, you eat."

"I'll be fine." Yue said bluntly.

"You say that now…" Eriol said. "Just keep in mind, you no longer have a temporary form, and because of that, the new moon will have even more of a drain on your energy." Eriol took one last look at Yue, who glared at him, and left the room.

Spinel, Nakuru and Cerberus then left the room leaving Sakura and Yue alone. Yue sighed and sat down at the table.

"What wrong Yue-kun?" Sakura asked as she sat down next to him.

"I owe you an explanation Sakura-chan," He muttered, "The reason I have been so weak since the separation is because…I refused to eat. I'm sorry I was stubborn and now I'm regretting it. I knew I had to eat but I…I was scared and worried about what Cerberus would say. I'm sorry."

"Yue-kun," Sakura said, "You shouldn't worry about what others think about you. It's what you think of yourself that really matters." She paused and Yue just stared at the girl, "You shouldn't be afraid to do something just because you're afraid of what others may think or say."

"Sakura-chan…you don't understand," Yue mumbled, "I haven't eaten since the day before I was sealed. He'll…taunt me."

"Yue-kun," Sakura said, "Don't worry about it. I'll speak with Kero-chan, and if you don't want to eat with everyone else you don't have to."

"But," Yue said, "My sister…she'll never let me live it down. She'll blackmail me."

"How," Sakura said, "I have her camera, and don't forget I could possibly use erase against her. If I talk to everyone, will you eat?"

"I will," Yue sighed, one way or another he was going to lose this battle, "But please I don't trust my sister's cooking."

"What do you want to eat?" Sakura asked, "I'll make it for you."

"Just some plain rice for now," Yue answered, "I don't want to over do it."

"Alright," Sakura said gently, "I was planning on making onigiri later so that shouldn't be a problem."

Yue remained at the table while Sakura walked out of the room. He could feel a faint trickle of magic that seemed as if it was coming from the park. Something about that presence was unsettling and he wondered if anyone else had felt it. He sighed and put his head down on the table, he felt slightly drained due to the moon's waning period. Yue closed his eyes; he could hear yelling coming from the other room however he wasn't concerned, his siblings were probably getting into an argument over that stupid contraption they called a video game system.

Yue was just about to fall asleep when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Sakura-chan?" He asked as he lifted his head from the table.

"No, not quite," The voice chortled, "I'm not Sakura-chan."

Yue looked up, "Yukito," He muttered groggily, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Yukito answered, "I'm the one who should be sorry, did I wake you?"

"No," Yue said as he rubbed his eyes, "I was just resting. What brings you here?"

"He was worried about you." Touya said as he walked over to Yue.

"You were?" Yue said completely perplexed at Yukito's actions.

"Yes I was," Yukito answered, "After all, I was your temporary form. It's because of you that I exist." He paused to smile at the look of confusion that was now written all over Yue's face. "When I heard that you were sick I couldn't help but worry about you."

Yue looked at Yukito, "That's crazy," He said, "How did you find out anyway?"

"We ran into Sakura-chan and Tomoyo-chan on our way to work yesterday," Yukito said, "Sakura-chan said that you weren't doing very well and I just wanted to make sure that you were alright."

Once again the look of confusion was written on Yue's face, "I still think you're crazy." He said, the aura was still persistently nagging him.

"So how did that Hiiragizawa kid help you?" Touya asked, "Or do you not remember?"

"That kid didn't help me, Sakura-chan did." Yue said he then sighed and put his head back down on the table, "Any much longer…and I wouldn't be here discussing it with you."

"It was that bad?" Yukito asked.

"Yeah," Yue answered, "My body does not tolerate heat very well. Prolonged exposure to heat causes my temperature to rise, and if I can't handle a warm environment…I don't stand a chance to a fever." The presence was really beginning to bother him and he shuddered.

Touya and Yukito seemed to notice Yue's distress, "What's wrong?" Touya asked as Yue shut his eyes.

"I don't know," Yue whispered, "But something's not right."

"I'll get Sakura," Touya said as he went to leave the room, "You don't look well."

Yukito gently put his hands to Yue's shoulders to try to steady and comfort him, "Do you feel alright?"

"I'm alright," Yue said, "There's an unsettling aura that has been hanging around here for a while. Around the new moons I'm more sensitive to magical signatures. When I was younger I would always get very bad headaches because of that. It became so unbearable for me that I was often put into a magic educed sleep." Yue put his hands to his temples, "My head hurts."

"Yue-kun what's wrong?" Sakura called as she entered the kitchen.

Before Yue could answer, the aura exploded from being almost unnoticeable to being almost tangible. Yue shuddered and held his head; the presence was making him even dizzier than he had already been.

"Sakura," Cerberus called "what the hell is that?"

"I don't know," Sakura called back, "But it's really bothering Yue-kun. I think we should go check it out."

Yue opened his eyes and went to stand to follow Sakura when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Where do you think you're going?" Touya asked, "You seriously think you're going to chase down an aura in your condition?"

"I made a promise to protect Sakura," Yue said as he stood up, "And I intend to keep that promise."

"Part of that promise was to also take care of yourself," Touya said, "Pushing yourself like that isn't called taking care of yourself, it's called being stupid."

"Yue-kun you really should stay here and rest." Sakura said.

"No, I'll be fine." Yue said as both Touya and Sakura gave him almost identical looks of both concern and annoyance over his behavior.

"Suit yourself," Touya said, "Just don't get killed."

"Yue-kun you're probably still a little bit weak from being sick," Sakura said "So please if things get too dangerous, forget about protecting me and get yourself to safety. Also if you start to feel worse tell one of us and we'll get you home, we don't need a repeat of the other day."

Yue nodded, "We should go Sakura-chan." He said quietly trying to ignore the headache that was steadily forming along with the lightheadedness and exhaustion.

Sakura gave Yue another concerned look, "It's coming from the park, right?" She asked as Yue nodded, "Alright let's get going."

As Sakura and her friends got to the park, they were greeted by something that was about six meters tall and made of hot coals.

"Good, the white haired boy was strong enough to show," it said, "I was worried my aura would be too much for him to handle."

Yue remained silent. He was enraged by that comment but did not respond due to the headache and slight dizziness.

"What's the matter," it said, "does the blue kitty have your tongue?"

Yue became slightly angrier. The thing was dragging his younger siblings into the fray and he wasn't exactly thrilled about it, but still he remained silent. He positioned himself so that he was in front of Sakura. Unfortunately the thing noticed.

"What a cute girl," it said, "She'll be fun to burn."

"Leave Sakura-chan out of this!" Yue yelled, wincing slightly as the pain in his head and the dizziness increased.

"Ooh a flower," it said, "flowers are really fun to burn."

At the comment all of Yue's self-restraint vanished, as did his temper. He flew at the thing and unleashed a handful of shards and blasted the thing's arm off. He then summoned his bow and held it at the ready aiming for the head.

"I don't think so," it said, "You've already attacked, it's my turn. Did you think defeating me would be that easy?" It picked up a large fragment of coal, "Say good bye to those pretty wings of yours." He said as he threw the fragment at Yue's right wing.

Yue saw the coals coming at him in slow motion. He wanted to bring up a shield but he didn't have the energy to both fly and shield himself. He then decided to move a second too late. The coals did not hit their mark; however Yue experienced a searing pain in his arm and side. He screamed out in pain, let himself fall out of the air, and, moments before he made an impact with the ground, knew nothing.

Sakura could do nothing but watch as Yue screamed in pain then fell to the ground lading in the sand with a dull thud. "Yue-kun!" She screamed. When Yue didn't respond she went to run to make sure he was alright when something snagged the back of her shirt.

"Sakura I know you're worried about Yue," Touya said as he released her shirt, "But right now you have a task you need to complete."

"Now, that that boy is out of the way, I get to burn the flower." The thing said.

Cerberus and Ruby both made swift moves towards the thing that had attacked their brother.

"Kero-chan, Ruby-chan," Sakura called, "Move out of the way. Yue-kun got hurt trying to protect me, and now I'm going to protect him." Sakura pulled out four pink and white cards. 'Don't worry Yue-kun,' she thought, 'I'm going to get rid of this thing for us.' "Protect my fallen friend, Shield!" A pink bubble encircled Yue, and Sakura threw another card. "Ice cover my enemy, Freeze!" The ice fish did its job and Sakura summoned yet another card. "Pierce the foe that stands before me, Arrow!" As the girl hit her mark the coal beast shattered. "Vanish the remains, Erase!"

"That was quite the show Sakura-san," Eriol said, "I'm impressed."

Sakura did answer she had already run over to see if Yue was alright. She called back the shield and saw that Yue was unconscious and the right sleeve of his robes were badly burned. "I thought I told you not to get hurt." She whispered as she knelt down next to Yue.

"I'm sorry then…" He whispered back as his eyelids fluttered. He went to sit up and he was met by a searing pain in his right arm and side. He gasped and his head fell against Sakura's lap. Pain flashed across his face and he put his left hand to his side, "I… wanted to make sure… that you were alright…" He muttered, "I won't stay conscious for much longer…" Yue paused as pain flashed across his pallid face again and his breath caught in his chest, "Sorry…the pain…is too much… "

"You're injured," Sakura said gently, "Don't worry about it."

Yue nodded and closed his eyes as he lost consciousness.

"He should be alright Sakura-san," Eriol said, "His injuries don't seem severe, but we should get him home, just in case."

Touya came over and gently lifted Yue from the ground. Sakura remained on the ground staring at the spot where Yue had made impact with the ground. "Are you coming kaijuu?" He asked.

"Huh…oh yeah I'm coming." She said sounding very distracted. She then stood up and followed her brother and the rest of the group.

Okay I do believe that this is my longest chapter. And I promise to not torture Yue to that extend ever again.

K.F.1