A/N: My hubby, WingedPanther73, and I did a five 50 sentence sets that are a CLAMP free for all. When we travel we pick a fandom and go back and forth. Usually, Schwarz from Weiss Kreuz gets our attention, but this time it was CLAMP. A lot of Tsubasa and xxxHolic. Add in Legal Drug, Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, Horitsuba Gakuen Tsubasa, one from Magic Knight Rayearth, and random bits of 80s cartoons and video games. I regret not getting Clover in there, too, our other favorite CLAMP title. Go check them out over at our Archive of Our Own profiles- our names are the same over there. I admit, my husband got really wacky with his. Some of his are too hysterical, especially the whole Captain Planet thing.

Hubby/Note: I really, really loved doing the Captain Planet thing.

Part Thirty-Eight:

The remaining ten demons to the west weren't the only problem in Suwa. While they traveled towards them, Fai stopped and shouted, "Lord Suwa!"

Lord Suwa jerked the reigns back on his horse and turned to looked at Fai with open hostility. "What is it?"

"Fei-Wang just cast another spell that brought something over my wards," Fai explained. "It felt like it came from the sea, again."

"More demons?"

"I couldn't tell," Fai said. "I wasn't concentrating."

"Tell me something useful!"

Fai actually glared. It was the first time Kurogane had seen such an expression on Fai. It was unnerving. Fai turned his horse around and spurred it back towards the sea.

Kurogane turned his horse to follow Fai. "Kurogane! Let him go. You can do nothing to help him battle Fei-Wang! That's mage warfare, and we need to worry about the demons."

He was torn. Never in his life had he disobeyed his father. It was unthinkable until this very minute. Relief filled Kurogane as he saw Mamuro Takatori and Cousin Ran ride up with their other two men. The famous Shinon was also along, and his two men, and one woman in his group of elite warriors. They were flying white flags above their war banners, which meant they were here to help.

Mamoru pulled up his horse in front of Lord Suwa. "We've come to help."

"Great. We can use it," Lord Suwa said.

"Father, since they're here, let me go with my mage." His father looked like he was going to refuse, so Kurogane said, "I'm a man now, Father. I have to make my own choices. I don't expect you're going to approve of them all, but I need you to trust me to live my own life."

Lord Suwa nod, looking furious. "Go, then! But you better bring back Fei-Wang."

"We will." Kurogane spurred his horse towards the direction Fai had gone. He finally caught up with him. They both stopped their horses, Fai giving Kurogane a baffled look. Kurogane said, "We do this together."

Fai gave him a genuine smile and said, "Together."


During his test, Zellen wasn't allowed to leave the west tower of Luval, nor was his aunt allowed to come to Luval to visit him. He wasn't allowed any books or really much of anything, just the room with two chairs, a table, and a bed. Ivan D Gamo was the proctor for the written portion, so Zellen had to sit under those mismatched eyes, one brown, one blue, for three whole days. No chatting.

Zellen worked hard on the written portion, but was feeling low when he saw more questions on hexes than he'd have preferred. He wished he could borrow Fai's brain on the third day of the test. He was hoping the healing portion of the written test would carry him through.

Ivan collected the written portion on that third day. Zellen anxiously watched Ivan's heterochromatic eyes run down the parchment. He could tell nothing from his expression. Ivan was legendary on Celes. He was rare. He'd mastered both hexes and healing. His raw power wasn't to the twins' level, but it was close. It's why he was perfect to preside over the council.

"Get some rest for tomorrow. Maxim will be your proctor for the practical. You requested a fully stocked apothecary table and a staff. Anything else you'll need for tomorrow morning?"

"No, sir."

"Maxim's brother, Oscar, is due to arrive in the morning. He'll be the one that you'll test your potion on."

Ivan left and locked Zellen in for the night. He went over to the bed in the corner and flopped down. He was feeling a little homesick. He'd love to write Drysi, but it wasn't allowed. Not much of anything was allowed during testing. Then again, there wasn't much time to do anything except concentrate on the test.

He started to drift off. His mind drifted from Drysi and his aunt onto Yuui. He hoped Fai wasn't getting him into too much trouble in a strange land. King Ashura's kindly eyes came to his mind then, for some reason. He remember the king saying something strange. He'd said to Zellen, "...and it's really for the best. I'll be doing this for your own good."

He jerked awake and felt his nose bleeding, yet again.


It took them the better part of a day to get to the beach where Fai felt the ripple. They got there right as the sun was setting. They dismounted their horses and carefully crept onto the beach. They climbed a dune and peeked over the edge.

Fai gasped when he saw a huge, scaly creature with red eyes laying on the sand. "What is that?"

The giant, long creature lifted its head and roared, fire pouring from its mouth. It had curly whisker-like things off its elongated snout, and its tail had vermilion spikes. "That, Fai, is a dragon."

"But it has no wings and its black, rather than green. The tail doesn't have flight fins at all. It does seems to breath fire, just like what I know."

"Dragons must be different in Celes," Kurogane said. "We need to get rid of it right away. It'll burn down villages, otherwise. Damn that Fei-Wang! He just had to push it this far."

"Dragons are not a problem on Celes. They stay in the mountains and keep to themselves. Are the ones in Nihongo trouble?"

"They can be when they come inland. They mainly stay in the ocean and outlying, unpopulated islands. They can be tame, but you never know when they'll snap."

"Can I use my magic to send it back outside my wards?"

"Beats me. I never saw you face a Nihongo dragon before."

"I think I'll try it," Fai said, slipping back to his horse and taking his magic staff from his saddle straps. Kurogane grabbed his wrist to halt him before he could crest the dune.

"My father's tattoo, he earned it killing dragons. It almost cost him his life more than a few times."

"I'll banish it, not fight it."

Kurogane felt worried over Fai, but let his wrist go. He'd rather not fight a dragon when they needed to focus on Fei-Wang. If Fai could manage it, it'd be preferable.

Fai stood and traced several runes in the air. He pointed to the dragon. The runes dissolved and the dragon roared again, now turning its attention to Fai. It got to its feet and fooshed its tail in grand style. It was now focused on Fai as his prey. Kurogane wasn't going to let that happen.


Zellen met Oscar first thing on the morning of his practical. He refrained from shaking the man's hand out of respect. His hair was stringy, long, and dark. It hung over his eyes, which were gray and depressed.

He reminded Zellen of a caged cat ready to bolt; Zellen had a rush of pity for the man. Oscar looked as if he wanted to fade into the furniture, but he nodded his greeting instead. His brother, Maxim, was only smiling encouragement at Oscar's bravery for being Zellen's test subject.

Oscar asked Zellen, "You really found something to suppress this?"

"It worked for my wife," he responded.

"I'd want nothing more than touch a person, or things, for that matter. If you'd do that for me, you'll get your D title," Oscar said, looking a little more hopeful.

Zellen blushed and admitted. "It can last little more than two hours. I hope it'll work the same for you." Zellen looked to the floor, his face blazing hot because of what he and his wife used it for. "We've tried it four times and two hours seems to be the limit."

"That's more than I've ever hoped for," Oscar said, hoarsely.

"Okay, then. You want to start?" Maxim asked Zellen.

"Yes, sir."

"Alright, we'll have the table and staff brought in. You have until tomorrow evening to perfect the potion. You'll have to make no fewer than thirty batches and all must be consistent with each other. Remember, one of the important things about the healing arts is that you must make consistent potions. Sloppiness can make a person sicker, or even kill them."

"I understand," Zellen said.

"Oscar must be numb to his psychometry for two whole hours for you to pass onto making your batches."


Zellen's first attempt was a horrible failure. Oscar's hand burst into several horrible little cuts. The man then knew about a vase of Tanya's that Zellen had broken and hid in the backyard when he was twelve; Oscar shouldn't have known about that if the potion worked right.

He felt horrible as the man recoiled and balled in a corner, trying to catch his breath. Maxim reassured Zellen that Oscar was okay with this; he wanted a way to touch things without gaining knowledge. Maxim let Zellen heal Oscar's hands with some well placed runes, and that made Zellen feel better.

"Don't worry. Try this afternoon. Maybe you forgot an ingredient or something," Maxim encouraged him.

Oscar stood up again and nodded. "Just please, take your time and figure it out. What you're doing is more important than a D title. Please, concentrate."

Zellen nodded, now getting much more serious. "I'll do it. And I'll do it right every time. I can do it; it's so close in my grasp."

"Now try again. I'll wait on you," Oscar said.

Zellen went right to the apothecary table and thought carefully about what he had done the first time compared to this time. He had tried to increase the time that the potion would last by increasing two ingredients. Maybe he was trying to be too ambitious. Two hours was his goal, and it was what Oscar would be satisfied with; it was what Drysi was happy with. That should be his goal for now, and he should worry about improving it after earning his D title.

He rifled the apothecary table for the ingredients and measured them out according to the spell he had first found. He took a deep breath and thought of Drysi. He had to do this if he wanted to provide for her and give her children one day. He had do this for her and people like Oscar. He looked at the ingredients and nodded.

"I remember this, and I'll do this," Zellen said over his shoulder to Oscar. Oscar gave him an encouraging smile and took a seat in one of the chairs. Maxim took the other chair, looking more worried. They waited on Zellen as he mixed the potion and gave it the spell he had memorized.


Boris was waiting in Luval Castle's west tower lobby. He was about to be locked away on his quest for the D title. He'd just turned eighteen and was full of energy to take on this challenge. His sponsor was actually Captain Demetri, who he'd trained with for the last four years, since his father sent him back to Celes after his mother's death.

Demetri and he always got along perfectly; their dry, sarcastic personalties meshed perfectly. However, it was now time for Boris to look at joining the army, and Captain Demetri was due to take on a new pupil. It was to be Prince Fai, from what Boris had been told.

A bright, yellow ball hit his foot, so he picked it up. He looked over to see a terrified child hunkering behind one of the tower's pillars. He was trembling and looking close to tears.

He smiled at the child, it was something he normally wouldn't do, not really liking children even when he was one. He held the ball out towards the child and said, "You can come and get it. I'm tame... somewhat."

The little boy finally calmed and took the ball with trembling hands. Boris inferred this had to be one of Ashura's little princes. He looked so much healthier than when he saw him four years ago. "So which are you?"

"Yuui," the boy answered, still trembling.

Boris smiled and leaned forward, elbows on knees. "So are going to wish me luck on my test?"

"You're a D person?"

"I'm hoping to be." The youngster looked extremely bashful and unsure of what to do. Boris asked, "So how old are you now? Nine?" Yuui nodded. "So where's your brother?"

Yuui frowned. "He got sent to a man named Captain Demetri. He wasn't happy about it. I think he's going to cause a lot of trouble. He threatened to start biting people again."

Boris snickered, imaging crotchety, old Demetri with a little "ankle biter." Oh to be a fly on the wall. No doubt the old man would hex the snot out of the little prince if he dared clamp his teeth down on anything he shouldn't, and Ashura would likely let him. "So you weren't sent to him?"

"No. I can't do what Fai does. Father says I have to go train with someone else. My friend Zellen's aunt." Yuui sounded so sad, and Boris admitted he felt a rare bout of pity. He raised the staff resting across his lap and showed it to the young boy. "That's really nice."

"It's what I'm presenting for my test. It's a little unique."

"We asked Father for staffs. He promised them to us for our next birthday."

"The king is good at making them. I'm good at it, too. I'm sure I'll get my title."

Ivan D Gamo entered the lobby and said, "I'm ready for you, Boris."

Yuui turned to leave. "Wait. You haven't wished me luck yet."

Yuui glanced up and him and gave him a bright smile. "Good luck." Then the prince scampered away with his ball.


Kurogane and Fai scrambled for higher ground as the roaring beast lumbered after them. Kurogane unsheathed Ginryuu and Fai lofted his staff again.

"These guys are a bit crabby, just like Kuro-ki," Fai said, before letting out a nervous laugh.

"Bite your tongue for once, mage!"

"Well, well, you don't like my new gift to Suwa?" Kurogane glanced over his shoulder and saw the wily, old sorcerer.

"Fei-Wang! Surrender now!"

"Or what? It seems your trapped between me and that dragon," the man pointed out.

Kurogane glanced at the approaching dragon and then at Fai. "Mage, take care of Fei-Wang. I'll handle the dragon."

"I'll give him a dose of Celes hospitality," Fai said, sounding too chipper. Fai then jogged towards Fei-Wang, tracing pink runes and unleashing them at the sorcerer. Kurogane turned to the dragon and dodged a puff of fiery breath. He took Ginryuu in a two handed grip, remembering his father telling him how he took one down. He blinded it and then went for the throat. However, it wasn't easy, because a dragon's eyes were very sharp.

He swung Ginryuu and hit its snout. It roared and tried smashing its head against Kurogane. He leaped up, too quick to be hit. He jumped over the dragon's head and sliced downwards. He hit one eye. The socket bled as the creature roared again and thrashed around. It lashed out with its talons and scratched Kurogane's thigh.

Kurogane cursed his luck, knowing this would slow him. He dodged the talons and ran to the other side of the dragon's head. He quickly thrust Ginryuu into the other eye. And then, with a quick swipe as the dragon lashed its head, he sliced open the creature's throat. It lashed out with its tail before it died and hit Kurogane's arms with its spike, reopening the wound there.

He stepped back from the dragon and turned to see Fai and Fei-Wang trading magic spells fast and furious. Flashes of pink and red were all that was seen, because the sun had set and the moon was low.

Kurogane panicked when he saw Fai suddenly encased in a red bubble. "Ha! You're coming with me, mage."

"I don't thinks so, Mister Bad Manners." Fai laid his hands on the bubble encasing him. It flared brightly and then turned pink. The bubble then rose up in the air, freeing Fai, and then dropped on Fei-Wang. "It looks like you'll be coming with me. Now take a nap, you crabby old man."

Fai traced three hexes and sent them at Fei-Wang, knocking the man out. Fai then banished the bubble. Kurogane walked up to him and put his hand on Fai's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." Then Fai's smile dropped. "Kuro-wan, you're hurt."

"I got bang up a little, but nothing life threatening. How long will Fei-Wang be out?"

"Years, if I want, but sleep spells do wear off, eventually."

"Good. I'll tie the cocky, old goat up. We shouldn't travel at night, so we'll need to camp out and meet up with my father tomorrow."

The moonlight was starting to shine down, now, so Kurogane could see Fai bat his eyes at him. "I just love it when we camp out. Nothing like being out in nature, eh, Kuro-pu, to get the blood pumping?"

"Tsk... knock it off, Fai. I'm not in the mood," Kurogane grumbled before going to get some rope from his saddle bags.

"I could put you in the mood," Fai called out, all too flirty.

Kurogane shuddered and then glared at Fai. "I don't care how deep of a coma you put that old windbag in, I'm not making out with you when he's anywhere near. You're too much of an exhibitionist, mage."

"Aww... come now. I wasn't the one that got us caught by your parents. I believe you were the one groping me."

"Shut up about that, bratty mage, or I'll knock your afflicted head in!" Kurogane raged, feeling his face get red hot. He still wished he could forget that embarrassing day. Recalling his parents' expressions made him cringe all over again.

Fai just snickered and got his own saddle bags. Kurogane now suspected Fai just wanted to get under his skin and not really make out. He clenched his fist and vowed to get even with the mage.


"And here goes," Oscar said, removing a glove. He laid his hand on the table. His eyes grew wide in shock. "Nothing. Not a thing."

"Great!" Maxim said and flipped over an hourglass. "If it holds out, then you'll make the rest of your batches, and then I'll test them for consistency."

Zellen sighed. The end was in sight. He was confident he got the right mix this time. Now he had to worry about consistency.


King Ashura paced around the pool holding Yuui and Boris. By design, he couldn't remember the spell he had put on the pool. It was potent, though, and kept him at bay. The craving for Yuui's magic was getting harder and harder to struggle against each day. Along with it was the desire to take Boris' blood. He couldn't touch either of them.

He'd have to settle for putting down a small insurrection in the south, thanks to some of his aunt's supporters. They wanted Naidra freed and restored to her place, even though, Ashura had already conferred the title Duchess Harvoan to Olena a couple weeks ago. The girl was doing what she could to settle things down, but she was still pretty young and new at politics. Still, she was the perfect pawn; she suited Ashura perfectly.

His thoughts were jarred by a series of flutters in his stomach. The spells Ashura sensed were strong, bold, and sure. "My dearest little Fai, you keep getting stronger and stronger. How proud I am of you, and it's only weeks until we can be reunited. Then you can do your duty to protect Celes and slay me in our coldest, darkest winter."

To be continued.