A/N: Shane, I hope you'll enjoy this in spite of your request. I ask that you bare it out to the next chapter. I'm going to highlight Yuui's noble character.

Part Fifty-Nine:

Lord Suwa looked at his wife and stood from where he sat by his wife. The ice king lay on the futon peacefully. Fai lay snuggled beside his father as he worked the magic puzzle. Hitomi looked up towards Hondo. He held his hand down to her to help her up. They left the prayer room and went to the privacy of Lord Suwa's sitting room.

"What is it, Hondo? You look worried about something," she asked.

"It appears as if Ran has kidnapped Fai's twin. Kurogane and the reanimator are chasing them down right now. I'm hoping they'll be back soon. Ran doesn't have much of a lead."

Her eyes popped open and her hand flew to her throat. "What? Why...?"

"I think Ran has some extreme hostilities towards Fai, but I know this isn't normal behavior for Ran. I want to keep this matter very subdued until I can question him. I also want to wait until I hear things from Yuui's side before I decide what I'll do with Ran. One thing is for sure, now is not the time for Ran to do something asinine with such a threat looming over Tsukiyono and needing my help."

She nodded, looking utterly stunned. In private situations they used the twins' names for lack of confusion. "Why would he kidnap Yuui?"

"Because, I think he's interested in Fai as more than some enemy. I think he secretly desires Fai's companionship in the same way Kurogane does. I think it's grown into an unhealthy obsession; so large that he could be willing to even try to get what he wants out of Yuui."

Lady Suwa clenched her hands in front of her chest and looked distressed. "Ran's mother would have been very upset at his behavior. She was very traditional, as was her husband. His father put a great deal of stress on Ran. He was very harsh on Ran, because he turned away from being a scholar and chose the sword. His father never respected that decision, because he served the Takatori clan as an administrator and wanted Ran to follow in his footsteps. Maybe he did something so horrible out of grief and unsettled strife. It seems Ran was always at odds with his parents."

"Figures, but that boy has always kept tight control. Maybe he did finally crumbled under the pressure and grief of losing his parents. I don't know why, but for certain, if he harms Yuui, since he's a guest of Suwa, I'll be forced to take some sort of action against Ran. As it stands now, if things are as they appear, I'll have to send him to Edo on a charge of kidnapping."

Lady Suwa shook her head and grew sorrowful. "But kidnapping a foreigner under a province lord's protection could carry the death penalty."

"But if I don't turn him in, Hitomi, I wouldn't deserve the title Lord Suwa and charges could be brought against me. I mean, for the sake of my ancestors! That boy is blind and has a sick father so Ran goes and harasses him? What kind of demon possessed that cousin of ours? That is, if Yuui didn't go willingly. According to what I hear, Yuui can't even abide being in the same room as strangers without panic, let alone walking off with them. He's just that traumatized from his childhood."

"I know you're obligated. It'd bring grave shame on us if Ran did harm Yuui in any way."

"I promise to question him and try to mitigate the damages. All I have to say is, thank goodness the ice king is asleep. Something tells me that would have made things a whole lot worse."

"I'll pray Kurogane and the reanimator catch up to Ran and talk some sense into him. How horrible this whole thing is. I can't believe he'd bring such disgrace on our doorstep," she said.


Kurogane sneered at Kyle and went after him. He had to keep Kyle alive, or Ran could be in for some major punishment. Even though he had his disagreements with Ran, he didn't want to see him face some unjust punishment.

He swiped at Kyle and the man dodged. Kurogane quickly sliced at the man's right arm and caught it. Kyle groaned in pain and sank to the ground. Kurogane was pleased to see the vial with liquid drug drop to the ground. Kurogane lashed out and kicked Kyle in the head, knocking him out.

The man slumped to the ground. Kurogane quickly tied Kyle up with rope from his saddlebag and then stored away the vial for safe keeping in his saddlebag. These were the only things that could save Ran from a likely death sentence.


Zellen looked up with exhausted, scratchy eyes. Sergei nodded. "You're doing fine. She'll make it."

"Thank goodness," Zellen said, after he'd cast a series of yellow rune sets to fight back the disease the poor, little girl was suffering from. "I was scared I'd botched it." Zellen smiled at the ruddy cheeks on the child. He pulled up another blanket on the tiny girl. He pressed his finger to her forehead and could tell her temperature was going down.

Sergei gave him a weary smile and a smacked him on the shoulder. Zellen looked back down at the five-year-old child with the pox. He had managed to beat back her illness, but it had taken him hours. She was now resting comfortability and on her way to recovery. Sergei had made him take total responsibility for her care, but was waiting in the wings in case the child took a turn for a worse.

"Well, she's resting comfortably. Everyone else is taken care of. Let's go get some rest."

After having some cold sandwiches and informing the parents of the good news, they were guided to some feather ticking, in a dusty, drafty attic that was provided by the girl's grateful grandparents. Sergei said, "You did good work with that kid."

"I started to think if she was mine what I'd feel. I didn't want to fail."

"So, are you and your wife going to have them? With her situation, things will get tricky."

"I know, but I'd really like kids, and I think she would, too."

"Plan carefully," Sergei said with a smirk. "Her psychometry will shut down if she happens to get pregnant, but once she has the child, things will start again, you know. Otherwise, psychometry would have been bred out of our race a long time ago."

"I know. I'll be careful with her and any children we'll have. I do want a lot of them."

"Healers! Come down here!"

They heard the voice coming from the family's living room. Both of them scrambled to the room. Zellen felt a sinking feeling seeing a combat mage in the family's living room. He was due to go see Drysi in two days. And he knew, the way Sergei was talking, he was interested in reunited with Tanya again.

"You're now pressed into the army. You're to report to a new assignment within ten hours or suffer the penalty." This was some horrible news.

"We'll go, of course, now that the pox is under control," Sergei answered, seeming as annoyed as Zellen felt. He knew his life wasn't his own anymore, but the reminder was a little galling. Sergei asked, "Where is our new assignment?"

"Valeria." This was some very horrible news. "You're to report to Vlad D Klaus tomorrow morning."


Boris looked at the surly redhead facing him on the hilly countryside. He held out his palm and cast the summoner's fire spell. The large flame remained un-split on his palm. He clenched his hand in aggravation and the flame extinguished. Nothing dead to command within miles of him.

"Okay, you witch, finished with your nonsense?" Ran asked.

"Witch? That's the first time I've been called that. In case you're visually impaired, I'm quite male. Wizard would be the appropriate term."

"Anyone that tries to fuck another male is womanish. You and him... Yuui... are together, aren't you? You're revolting to touch him as if he were a woman!"

"Oh, then... you're going to throw the next tea and biscuit party, you sweet little doxy? After all, I just caught you molesting Yuui. So what does that make you? Seems as if it matters about the gender of the person you drag off by the hair to bed in Nihongo. Little sensitive on that?"

"Shut up! I wasn't preferring men! I never touched Yuui with that intention. I was just trying to subdue him," Ran claimed, looking distinctly furious. The man's shoulders were hunched as he rubbed his neck and started to sweat and tremble. Boris noticed the confusion coming to Ran's face.

"And yet your hand was high up on his bare leg," Boris pointed out. It seemed to aggravate Ran a great deal to be accused of desiring the same sex. Boris hoped the man would get overly emotional and he could use it against him.

Ran snorted and something in Ran's demeanor suddenly changed. His expression grew from confused to furious. "He's mine now! I could care less about your claim on him. From now on, he's mine to fuck as I please. After I destroy you, I'm going to fuck him!"

Boris chuckled. "Wow and a minute ago you were decrying men screwing other men. Now you're shouting about how much you want to do it. Make up your mind or seek help, you repressed twat. You have a problem when you have to force people to fuck you rather than romance them. You might want to smell around your armpits or scrub your teeth, that might be your problem, but I bet it's really your incredibly bewitching personality."

"You son-of-a-whore! How dare you imply I'm an unbathed barbarian!"

"Oh now. You just called me the one thing I should kill you for. My mother was a sweet, honorable lady, happily married to my father for many years. You'll answer for that insult just like you're going to answer for what you just did to Yuui." Boris then smirked. "But maybe your mother was what you just called mine."

"Not at all! Don't you call my mother that!"

"Put up or shut up. I'm tired of your flapping gums," Boris said, and traced three runes. He slung the topper of his staff towards Ran. The redhead barely dodged.

Ran then lofted his sword and called out, "Wind Dragon Attack!"

There was an energy force launched at him. Boris raised a shield and it bounced off, uselessly. He then traced two runes and flung his hand upwards towards Ran. The redhead ducked and flung his sword in a wide arch, almost making contact with the topper of Boris's staff. That would be a problem if Ran got in a lucky shot.

"Please! Ran, lay down your sword and come back to Suwa with us!" Yuui called out from the doorway of the spring house.

"Yuui! Stay back!" Boris called out.

"He's emotionally unstable. I don't think he's in control of his mind," Yuui called out.

"Shut up, you dirty little vixen! I'll punish you for that lie!" Ran said, turning toward Yuui. Boris unleashed a hex at Ran's feet to keep him from going after Yuui. Boris took a deep breath and wondered if he'd become some sort of unhinged lunatic like what he was facing.

Ran refocused on Boris and charged for him. Boris dodged the sword. As Ran went stumbling past, Boris sunk an elbow in the back of Ran's neck. The redhead went sprawling to the ground. Boris knew if he used really damaging hexes on Ran, Yuui would pick them up and suffer.

Boris decided to restrain the man and leave him to justice on this world rather than hurt Yuui indirectly, but he did admit, if Yuui weren't around, he'd beat the redhead to a bloody pulp. What Boris would really love to do was turn his opponent over to King Ashura. He couldn't imagine what Ashura would dream up for Yuui's kidnapper and would-be rapist, but he was positive it wouldn't be quick or pleasant.

Ran rolled over, leaped up, and lunged at Boris with vicious quick thrusts. Boris dodged them and stumbled over a rock on the last one. Boris recovered his footing and lofted his staff. He was going to cast a knock-out hex.

"Ran! Please surrender! Boris could kill you!" Then Ran turned with an insulted yowl and was charging at Yuui with a lofted sword.

Anger and fear filled Boris and he traced a hex rune set without thinking and unleashed it. Ran must have sensed something, because he paused and turned. The hex smacked the left side of Ran's face soundly, slicing through flesh and through the eye.

Ran gripped his bloody face and was standing on shaky feet. Now Boris was pissed. "You went after Yuui, you piece of shit! I'm not putting up with you any more. Come on! I see you have some fight left! Now I want an excuse to finish you."

"Yuui is mine!"

Ran was actually going to charge Boris again, but Kurogane appeared out of the blue and rammed his shoulder into Ran's left side, knocking him to the ground. Kurogane then got into a defensive position against Boris as Ran flailed on the grassy ground.

"Stop! My cousin's been drugged! He doesn't know what he's doing!"

Boris paused and gripped his staff. He stood down, just slightly. "You're certain?"

"Yeah. I have a witness and proof," Kurogane said. Boris then nodded and slowly untensed.

"Ran!" Yuui called out. "He's in pain and about to go into shock soon! We have to get him help right away! He could die from blood loss! Please help him."

Boris, at first, was surprised over Yuui's concern, but he realized it was him being a healer/life-giver that could never turn his back on a suffering, living creature, even one that had wronged him. Yuui was on his hands and knees trying to crawl over towards Ran. Ran was balled up and clutching his damaged face.

Kurogane, now that he was sure Boris had stood down, went to tend his cousin. Kurogane had Ran lay on his back and took his hands from the redhead's face. "Damn! This is bad."

"He was about to slice Yuui in two. I wasn't going to let that happen," Boris said, now seeing the wound. Boris, from his experience as a soldier, knew Ran was at least going to loose the eye. There was a deep hex cut from the corner of Ran's mouth to his scalp; he probably would have bad muscle damage, to boot. Yuui yanked the fabric belt from around his waist and did his best to bind the wound without sight. Kurogane assisted.

"No, you did the right thing under the circumstances. If he would have killed Yuui, my father would be obligated to put him to death, instantly and without question. I thank you for not putting that on my father and my cousin. Not to mention, what it would have done to Fai if Yuui were gone. Let's get him to the village, and I'll send a message to my parents."


Lord Suwa read the emergency dispatch and felt as if he had a stone resting in his stomach. He looked over to Lady Suwa and handed her the letter. She read it and looked terribly sad after reading it.

"Oh, Hondo, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. What would you have me do? He's your cousin."

"I'm grateful Yuui wasn't killed. At least that gives you some latitude."

"I know. I'm thinking about my obligation to the ice king. His child was wronged by one of our blood, and I have to consider Fai and Yuui children because of their culture. The ice king can't act right now. We are charged with the task of looking after his children. What happen was a total disgrace that needs addressing. According to this report, Ran will lose an eye, but that's not nearly enough according to the laws of Nihongo."

"It wasn't his fault, entirely. Let's hear him out. I think he needs to pay for his crime, but it needs to be fair punishment. I'd like to hear from Yuui, too."

"They'll be back by tomorrow afternoon," Lord Suwa said. "Ran's is in too bad of shape to travel right now. I can't imagine what Ran will say to me over this matter."


"If only I had my magic," Yuui murmured to Boris as the local, village healers were working on Ran. They sat close together, both leaning against a wall of the small infirmary. "I could at least fight off infection." Kurogane flopped down beside him and laid a hand on Yuui's shoulder.

"Ran made his own bed, he needs to lie in it. He was nudged by a drug, but what was lurking in his own heart lead to this. He's lucky he isn't dead, and he's really lucky I have Kyle and the drug. I'm going to question the doctor. Hopefully, we can find Fei-Wang with Kyle's help. Will you both look after my cousin? I know what I ask is offensive, but I can't be in both places."

"I have no animosity towards Ran, whatsoever," Yuui said with a seriousness Kurogane wasn't used to seeing on that face. Yuui snuggled under Boris' protective arm. "He does frighten me a great deal, but I only wish to see his heart healed as well as his wound. I think once those toxic emotions are bled off, he can live his life as a whole person. He's never been that, a whole person, at least emotionally," Yuui said. "His sorrow is so terribly deep, some of the worst I've felt. I hope Fai has freed my magic by tomorrow afternoon so I can help him more."

"We'll leave first thing in the morning," Kurogane said and left to check on Kyle, who was in the local stockade.

After a few more hours, the healers were finished patching Ran up. They left with not much said. Boris was about to go look over Ran's face, but Yuui clung to him and said, "He's sleeping, but he'll be in a lot of pain tomorrow. Let him rest."

Boris relaxed and wrapped his arms around Yuui's shoulders. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. He didn't get a chance..." Yuui paused and got choked up and started quaking horribly. "I didn't want to go with him. I couldn't get away, because I couldn't see. I did my best to fight him. I promise I did."

"It's okay. I know you did. No one would doubt that," Boris said.

"I'm so weak. It seems I can't even take care of myself. You must be disgusted with me."

"Not at all. You asked me to protect you. I'm the one that should have your scorn. And besides, it's not true about you being weak." Yuui's expression grew confused. "You have more courage than anyone I know, but that's something you have to grow to understand about yourself. You have a power that I'll never have."

"What's that?" Yuui asked in a whisper.

"You have the power to forgive."

Yuui was silent for a few, long minutes and then he gave Boris a gentle smile. "Thank you for not killing him."

"I'm not exactly torn up about getting a piece of him, so don't make me into a saint. I did it because I respect Kurogane. Besides, my goal was to protect you."

"Fai must not know," Yuui observed. "He's going to very upset when he finds out."

"Damn straight, Her Ladyship Fai would go into histrionics. He needs to concentrate on getting your magic back. Be grateful it was me that retrieved you. Your twin doesn't strike me as the disciplined type. Ran probably would have ended up dead."

Yuui looked baffled. "Why did you refer to Fai as a girl?"

"Because Lord Suwa rat-finked him out as dressing in Nihongo women's clothing from time to time," Boris said in wicked glee and then chuckled.

"What...? Oh..., I see. Fai always had a knack for dressing rather odd, and King Ashura has spent a small fortune on Fai's wardrobe. He's always trying to get me to dress outlandishly, too, but King Ashura would always tell him to leave me be. I'm not really surprised."

"You're looking tired. Lay down and put your head on my lap."

Yuui did as he was told and drifted off. Boris smiled and stroked that soft blond hair. He looked over at Ran. When they traveled tomorrow, Ran better not get out of line. Boris wouldn't be as forgiving.


Fai came to the dinner table with the puzzle in his left hand and a bright smile. He saw Lord and Lady Suwa, but no one else. "Haven't Kurogane and Yuui gotten back yet? Hopefully, they lost Boris somewhere along the way."

"Please sit down, mage. We have something to tell you before dinner is served," Lord Suwa said.

"So what's with the glum faces?" He was starting to get worried as he took a seat on a pillow.

"Kurogane and the others won't be back tonight. They're stuck in Toyota," Lord Suwa answered.

"What happened? Is everyone okay? I mean, Toyota a long way to go for a picnic."

Lady Suwa pat Fai's hand and said, "We don't know exact details, but it seems as if Ran was taking your brother to Tsukiyono."

Fai pushed a smile on his face, but his hand clenched the Gordian Knot. "Yuui wouldn't ever go anywhere with a stranger."

"It would seem he forced your brother to go with him. Kurogane and the reanimator went to go stop him. There was a fight, and the reanimator wounded Ran by injuring an eye."

"And Yuui?" Fai asked, his stomach souring in panic.

"According to Kurogane's letter, he is unharmed, but very shaken up. Ran didn't treat your brother in a manner we expect of a blood relation, and we apologize profusely. Kurogane promises they are looking after your brother. He says they'll be back tomorrow afternoon," Lord Suwa said, gravely.

"And Ran?" Yuui asked, itching to hex the redhead. Fai wanted to do more than just put out Ran's eye for even thinking of getting near Yuui.

"They'll bring him, too. It's seems he's not solely responsible for his behavior. Doctor Kyle had a hand in it. He drugged Ran, and it made him more susceptible to wild whims. No doubt, to get us fighting with Tsukiyono. This will have to be handled very delicately. I understand your feelings, mage, but please trust me to hand out a just punishment for Ran."

"I want to go see Yuui, right now," Fai said, starting to stand.

Lady Suwa grabbed Fai's wrist and said, "Please also put some trust in Kurogane. He'll protect your bother and bring him home."

Fai relaxed and sat at the table again; he'd grown to not just love Kurogane's parents, but he had grown to trust them, too. Fai then held up the puzzle. "Then I'll work extra hard so Yuui will have a homecoming gift and I can get him back to Celes. I'm sure he's scared out of his mind. But I'm sure you'll understand that and give Ran the same." Fai's warm, jovial tones had a bite of ice underneath.

Lord Suwa nodded and said, "It'll be so." He fully intended on honoring Kurogane's mage.


After getting nowhere with Kyle, Kurogane went back to the infirmary. Boris sat against one of the walls, Yuui was curled up on his lap, obviously fast asleep. Boris took his weary eyes off of Ran and looked up at Kurogane.

"How's Ran?"

"Stable. They gave him some medicine so he could sleep. They said he'll be groggy tomorrow," Boris said softly to not wake Yuui. "Suits me fine."

Kurogane nodded towards Yuui. "And how's he?"

"He's fine. I talked with him some, and there is something you should know. It seems your cousin has a thing for Fai and wanted Yuui to be his substitute."

Kurogane felt his jaw clench. "I had always just chalked Ran up to hating Fai for all sorts reasons. I'd never pictured Ran entertaining a relationship with a man, because he's very traditional like his parents. This would explain why Ran seems so bitter about his lot in life. It was more than his parent's death weighing on him."

"Well, that's between you and him to settle. I'm just concerned about keeping him away from Yuui. If he so much as twitches towards Yuui ever again, I'm not showing mercy. Understand? I respect you, but Yuui is my responsibility."

Kurogane took a deep breath and nodded. "Don't worry. If he does something like that again, I'll do him away myself. I can't allow my family to be any more disgraced, and I won't allow Fai to suffer the pain of his twin being hurt."

To be continued.

Hubby/note: Ran now qualifies as an official CLAMP character! He should feel so proud! Let's hope he turns out better then Seishiro. [SR- loosing an eye and all]

A/N: But nothing says 'I love you' like killing a guy's twin sister and beating him to a pulp! Okay, just read Tokyo Babylon, and Seishiro... well, just WOW. And I thought he was mean in Tsubasa. I hope you keep reading my story, even if you wanted Ran dead. I have more things that coming up that will help Yuui recover and grow. I think you'll feel satisfied with my plot. At least, I hope :) Once again, I thank you for sticking with me. SR