Konnichiwa minna-san! I don't have much to say about this chapter. There is a flashback sequence.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to CLAMP, they do not belong to me.
Happy Reading!
Chapter Seven: Ice Cream Makes Everyone Feel Better
Sakura sat at the table thinking about the story the Eriol had told her, she then looked over at Yue. He was still very pale and sleeping soundly, and Sakura walked over to him. She gently pushed his bangs back and placed her hand on his forehead. Yue stirred slightly, opened his eyes and looked at Sakura, "I'm sorry Yue-kun," Sakura said, "Did I wake you?"
Yue shook his head, "How long was I asleep?" He muttered.
"Almost three hours," Sakura said softly, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Yue murmured as he put his head back down, "Sakura-chan…my head hurts."
"You really should get back to bed," Sakura said as she gently massaged Yue's head, "You look sick. Does your arm still hurt?"
"No," Yue muttered, "But could you remove this thing, it's uncomfortable."
"Sure," Sakura said as she removed the splint from Yue's arm, "Do you need anything else?"
Yue shook his head the put it back down on the table, "Sakura-chan," He said, "I want to thank you for being there for me."
"Yue-kun you don't have to thank me," Sakura answered, "I'm your friend and that's what friends do. They look out for one another. You look out for me all the time, now I have to return the favor and look out for you." Yue remained silent, "Come on Yue-kun, I really think that it would be best for you if you rest in your own bed for a while."
Yue lifted his head off the table and slowly stood up. He felt weak and his head was heavy, "Sakura-chan," He mumbled swaying slightly, "Could you help me?" He moaned slightly, "I'm so dizzy…"
Sakura steadied Yue, "Are you ready?" She asked.
Yue nodded, "Just get it over with." He said.
"Yue oniichan's awake!" Nakuru yelled as Yue winced and shut his eyes, "What's wrong?"
"He's tired," Sakura said, "I'm helping him to his room."
"I'll help," Nakuru said as she helped support Yue, "I'm sorry Yue."
Yue didn't answer, he was very dizzy and it was taking most of the strength he had left to keep himself from fainting.
"Thank you Nakuru-chan." Sakura said as the two girls slowly walked from the room. As Sakura and Nakuru walked into the hall they could tell that Yue was relying on them more and more with each step. About half way up the stairs Yue's foot slipped and he nearly dragged both girls to the ground.
"I'm sorry," He muttered as he sank to his knees, "Don't yell at me."
Sakura and Nakuru knelt down next to Yue, "Why would we yell at you?" Sakura asked as she placed her hand on Yue's head.
"I promise I'll be good," Yue muttered, "Just don't yell at me."
Nakuru looked at Sakura, "He's not in his right mind," Nakuru said softly, "Yue we won't yell at you, we promise. Now please stand up so we can get you to your room."
"I can't go any further," Yue said weakly, "I'm sorry."
"Yue-kun, don't give up now," Sakura said, "We're almost there."
Yue looked up at Sakura, he was extremely pallid, and there were dark circles under his dull violet-silver eyes. He placed his hands on Sakura and Nakuru's shoulders and pushed himself up, "Sakura-chan, I don't feel very well."
Sakura and Nakuru took their places at Yue sides and Sakura placed her hand on Yue's forehead. "You don't feel warm to me," Sakura said as the two girls led Yue into his room, "it's the new moon plus it's very warm today. Sleep for a while then see how you feel when you wake up, if you still feel sick then I'll check your temperature."
Yue nodded then pulled away from Sakura and Nakuru, walked over to his bed and collapsed on it. He put his arm over his eyes and forehead and moaned.
"Do you want something to eat?" Sakura asked.
"Not hungry…" Yue muttered.
"Do you need anything else?" Nakuru asked gently.
"No…" Yue muttered as he closed his eyes.
"Let's leave him alone now," Sakura said as she headed for the door, "He needs some sleep."
Nakuru and Sakura left the room, "You're worried about Yue aren't you?" Nakuru asked. The older girl turned to look at Sakura who in turn nodded, "Don't worry about it so much, it would make my brother angry. He doesn't want you to worry about him."
"I know but sometimes I just can't help it." Sakura responded, "Ever since I separated Yukito-san and Yue-kun, Yue-kun has been very lethargic and yesterday he finally told me the reason why he had been so weak. I wish he would tell me things like that, before they get out of hand."
"My brother is a very selfless person," Nakuru said, "He doesn't think about himself. If you in trouble he would do anything to ensure that you remained unscratched, regardless of his condition or what he would have to do. He would die for you."
"NO!" Sakura yelled, "I don't ever want him to do that! Nakuru-chan…I…"
"What is it Sakura-chan?" Nakuru asked.
"Nakuru-chan…I…" Sakura said softly, "I…I love him." Sakura paused as Nakuru stared at the younger girl, "I love Yue-kun. He was there for me when Li-kun broke up with me. He was there when Naoko-chan moved to America. He's always there for me and I love him."
Sakura, Nakuru and Spinel were cleaning up form supper when Yue walked into the kitchen. His normal white robes had been replaced by a black long sleeved shirt and black pants.
"Sakura-chan, Eriol told me to give these to you," Yue muttered, "They need to be mended."
"Alright, just leave them on the counter," Sakura said as she looked over at Yue, "You look good in black Yue-kun."
"Thanks." Yue said.
"Are you hungry?" Sakura asked, "I'll make you something to eat if you want."
"I just want some white rice," Yue said as he sat down at the table, "I'm not very hungry."
"Would you like a plain onigiri?" Sakura asked.
"That will do." Yue answered.
"How are you feeling oniisan?" Nakuru asked as she sat down next to Yue.
"Tired." Yue muttered as he put his head down.
"Yeah me too," Nakuru replied, "The new moon does that to us."
"Nakuru you're only tired because you were up until three thirty playing video games with Cerberus." Spinel said as he helped dry the dishes.
"Shut up Supi." Nakuru yelled. "The new moon does make me a little bit more tired than I normally am."
"I thought you were not bothered by the waning period." Yue said.
"I'm bothered to see my older brother so weak." Nakuru answered, "I was always guilty about always being energetic when you were always on the verge of passing out during the new moon." Yue just looked at his younger sister, he was completely speechless. Nakuru placed her hand on Yue's back, "I have always wanted to suffer like you during this phase but I never told anyone about it before."
"Thank you imotosan." Yue muttered. His energy levels were waning again. He sighed, put his head back down and closed his eyes.
"Are you alright Yue-kun?" Sakura asked as she set a plate down in front of Yue. He looked up, and Sakura saw that his face was both incredibly wan and also slightly flushed. "You don't look well at all Yue-kun. Are you feeling sick?"
Yue nodded and took a small bite of the onigiri. He wasn't hungry at all but he knew that Sakura would worry if he didn't eat at least half of the onigiri.
Sakura pushed Yue's silver bangs back and placed her hand on his forehead trying to feel for a temperature. Yue's skin felt normal to her, "I can't tell if you have a fever or not Yue-kun," She said, "You are feeling feverish, right?" She checked Yue's skin again for even the slightest sign of fever but other than his slightly flushed skin she couldn't find one.
"Yes," Yue murmured. He then looked at the barely touched onigiri and grimaced as a sick feeling rose in his stomach. He then pushed the plate away and put his head down again. "I don't feel well…"
"You didn't eat very much," Sakura said as she frowned, "but if you're feeling sick you shouldn't force yourself. I'll be right back I'm going to Kero-chan." She walked out of the room and Nakuru followed her.
"Do you have any vanilla ice cream?" She asked.
"No," Sakura said, "Why?"
"When Yue was younger the only thing he would eat on a day like this was vanilla ice cream." Nakuru said, "It would always help him deal with heat induced fevers." She paused to note the worried look on Sakura's face, "Don't worry Sakura-chan if Yue does have a fever, it will be the kind of fever that he can sleep off."
"That's good," Sakura said as she entered the living room, "Kero-chan could you come here for a minute?"
"Not now Sakura," Cerberus called as he furiously pounded at the video game controller, "I'm busy."
"Do you need something Sakura-san?" Eriol asked as he walked towards her.
"Yue-kun said that he was feeling feverish," Sakura said, "But I can't tell if he has a fever or not."
"I'll help you out Sakura-san," Eriol said, "I know just how difficult it is to try to tell if Yue has a fever or not."
Yue was sitting at the table his head resting on his forearms. He sighed, his energy levels were raising and falling sporadically and he wished that it would stay low. He closed his eyes and several minutes later he felt a hand on his forehead.
"Hmm… It is hard to tell today," Eriol said, "Do you have a thermometer?"
"Hai." Sakura said as she ran off.
Yue sat there and remained silent. He really didn't like Eriol much, even if he was Clow's reincarnation.
"You do feel feverish, do you not?" Eriol asked, "Because I cannot detect any sign of fever." Yue remained silent and Sakura returned holding the thermometer. "Why don't you check his temperature Sakura-san?"
"Yue-kun, will you lift your head for me?" Sakura asked as Yue looked up at her. Sakura handed Yue the thermometer, "All you have to do is put that in your mouth." Yue did what he was told and he put his head back down on his arms. After a few minutes the thermometer beeped and Sakura removed it, "Thirty-five point nine, is that normal?"
"No," Eriol said, "He has a fever. For him thirty-five point nine translates to around thirty-eight degrees."
"Is there any type of medication that will help him?" Sakura asked.
"No," Eriol said "Medication would only make things worse for him."
Sakura looked a little down, then she remembered what Nakuru had told her, "Hold on I have an idea," She said, "I'll be right back!"
"Sakura-chan, where are you going?" Nakuru asked as Sakura sat in the foyer.
"To the store," Sakura said, "To get Yue some ice cream."
"Just make sure you get lactose-free ice cream," Nakuru said snickering, "Milk doesn't exactly agree with Yue oniichan."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked as she slipped on her shoes.
"Well, it's sorta like what happens to Supi when he eats sugar." Nakuru said.
Sakura had a sudden mental image of a very hyper Yue destroying the house after consuming a dairy product.
"Just get him lactose-free ice cream," Nakuru said, "And save everyone the pain."
"I will," Sakura said, "See you in a few."
About ten minutes later Sakura walked into the kitchen holding a few bags. She began putting her purchases away and Yue stirred and looked up at her.
"Where did you go?" He asked suddenly causing Sakura to jump slightly.
"Just to the store," Sakura said, "I needed to get a few things."
Yue sat there with his head down. He was tired yet he didn't want to sleep; he wanted to eat something yet he wasn't very hungry. He hated the new moon; he hated inconsistencies in his energy; and he hated not wanting to do anything. He felt a small hand on his back and he looked up.
"Are you up to eating something?" Sakura asked.
Yue nodded and straightened up, "I guess it wouldn't hurt." Yue said.
"That's good," Sakura said, "I figured since it's a warm day and since you have a slight fever something cold would be the best thing for you." She placed a bowl in front of Yue.
"Vanilla ice cream?" Yue asked, "How did you know…I hope it's not…"
"Don't worry it's lactose-free soy ice cream," Sakura said, "Nakuru-chan told me that you're allergic to milk products. She also told me that when you were younger you would only eat vanilla ice cream on days like this. She's worried about you Yue-kun; she can't stand to see you weak."
"I know," Yue said as he grabbed the spoon with his left hand, "She told me earlier."
"Yue-kun, you're left handed?" Sakura asked. Yue nodded, "I didn't know that. I don't want you to think that I am giving you a command but after you finish that I want you to get to bed. You'll need a little bit more sleep tonight, and I don't want to use my magic against you again."
After Yue had eaten a little less than half of the ice cream he stood up, "Thank you Sakura-chan."
"No problem," She said, "You look a little bit better now, how are you feeling?"
Yue looked into Sakura's emerald green eyes, "I feel a little bit better," He said. He wasn't exactly being truthful, he still felt weak, tired and sick; however we wasn't exactly lying either. "Good night Sakura-chan."
"Sleep well Yue-kun." She said as she turned her attention to the robes that were on the counter.
"Sakura," Cerberus said, "Nakuru told me that Yue has a slight fever. How is he doing?"
"He's doing alright," Sakura said, "He's just gone up to bed."
Cerberus eyed the almost half eaten ice cream on the table, "Is that yours?" He asked angrily, "Were you eating sweets without me?"
"It was Yue-kun's," Sakura said as Cerberus gave her his usual 'if you're not going to finish that can I have it' look, "Go ahead."
"Yay! Ice Cream!" he grabbed the spoon, took a bite and a look of disgust came across his face. "EW, what kind of ice cream is this, it's disgusting!"
"It's lactose-free soy ice cream," Sakura said, "Don't worry I have some regular ice cream in the freezer."
"Oh yeah," Cerberus said, "Yue's allergic to milk. He hardly ever eats so I forgot about that."
"You forgot about a lot of things Kero-chan." Sakura grabbed the robes, "I'll be in my room mending these."
"Sugar free!? Sugar free is that even legal?" Cerberus yelled as Sakura left the room, "How the hell can ice cream be sugar free!?"
"Kero-chan, DO NOT eat all of the ice cream!" Sakura yelled before heading up the stairs. When she entered her room she unfolded the top coat of Yue's robes to access the damage. As she did this something fell out of one of the sleeves, she picked the object up and recognized it. It was a beaded bracelet she had given to him when she was twelve.
"I did it!" Sakura cried, "I really did it! Kero-chan Yue-san, come here!"
"What is it, Sakura?" Yue asked as he followed Cerberus into the room.
"I've been working on these for quite some time," She said holding up three clear beaded bracelets, "there's one here for each of us. These bracelets will be able to tell if one of us is in trouble. If I'm in trouble it will grow warm and glow pink; if it's Yue-san the bracelet will turn violet-silver; and for Kero-chan it will become orange." She then held out two bracelets.
"Thank you Sakura." Yue said as he took the bracelet.
"Try it on Yue-san," Sakura said. Yue sighed and rolled up his left sleeve and slipped the bracelet over his hand and onto his wrist, "Wow it fits great! I put some of my magic into making these and I'm glad you like them."
"Your magic is growing stronger everyday Sakura," Cerberus said, "Don't you agree Yue?"
"I agree." Yue answered sounding rather tired.
Sakura noticed the tone of Yue's voice, "You sound tired, Yue-san," She said, "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine Sakura," Yue said not wanting to worry Sakura, "I'm going to return to my temporary form."
"Okay," Sakura said, "See you later Yue-san." Yue walked out of the room and Sakura turned to Cerberus, "He doesn't look well, is he alright?"
"He's tired," Cerberus said, "Let him sleep for a while and he'll be fine."
Sakura was slightly surprised that Yue still had the bracelet. She gently set the bracelet aside as she turned her attention to Yue's damaged robes. She directed a small stream of magic towards the burns and the robes mended without the slightest hint that they had been damaged. She then re-folded the top coat, picked up the bracelet and walked into Yue's room. She placed the robes on the dresser and walked over to Yue's bed. She gently took his left hand and slipped the bracelet on to his wrist. She then placed her hand on his forehead and smiled, his skin was very cool. Nakuru was right, the fever had cooled itself.
"Oyasumi nasai, Yue-kun." She whispered.
"Oyasumi nasai, Sakura-chan." Yue whispered back in his sleep. Sakura smiled and then left the room.
That was quite the chapter to write. For the temperature I used metric units because the Japanese use Celsius. Thirty-five point nine is around ninety-eight degrees F; and thirty-eight is around one hundred degrees. About the lactose-intolerante thing, I'm sorry I had to do that to him. I'll try to have the next Chapter up in about a week or so. Please review and make me happy.
K.F.1