[For heading, see Chapter 1]

4. In Which Gifts are Given

A city has got to be the most amazing thing in the world.

That was the first thing that I noticed as I made my way from Clow’s secluded
mansion and got my first real look at the animal known as People. They were
everywhere. Moving like ants from building to building. They didn’t seem to ever
TALK about anything. I listened to a conversation between two people discreetly
as I read one of Clow’s old books (while simultaneously trying not to draw
attention to myself) and realized that, for the most part, comments were made
without any care as to what the answer might be.

I decided then that I was glad Clow had kept us stored away up in his home,
rather than parading us like trophies. I don’t think I care for the People
animal.

I almost dropped my book as she made her first appearance. Everyone around her
seemed to recoil from her steps as if she burned like flame. To me, she
resembled a spider- waiting for its net to be disturbed. The woman knew exactly
where I was and made her way to where I was sitting, crossing her arms in front
of her chest.

“Is this seat taken, Yue? And, you do look much more wonderful in black than
white, I will add.”

“Ruby Moon?” I asked, tucking the book to my side as I took in her appearance.
Her hair was long and the red color of her namesake as it fell down onto her
shoulders. The outfit she was wearing was the same one the groundskeepers had
described to me, down to the large butterfly embroidered on it’s front.

“You were expecting someone else?” she asked.

I looked down. Foolishly I had been expecting Clow to whisper into my ear and
wake me at any moment. Ruby tilted my chin up with a gloved finger and amethyst
met ruby.

“Clow would have given you this- but instead... it appears that I will have to,”
Ruby said. “I’m glad our meeting will be peaceful- even if our end may not be.”

“I’m not in the mood for riddles,” I snapped. Ruby then pressed something into
my palm and I stared at it as it rested, dark, against the pale pads of my
fingers. It was... some sort of seed resting in a cave of glass and sealed from
escaping. Surrounding the glass, and written in silver was a simple symbol...
the moon.

“What is it?”

“It goes with a letter,” she trailed off and rummaged in her glove, pulling out
a slim piece of paper and a second amulet. The second amulet was exactly same,
except the seed was a different one and the symbol on the front was the sun.

“Wait until you’re with Keroberos to read it, alright Yue?”

“Who are you and where did you get this?” I whipped around, lifting my head from
the objects and could only stare at her retreating form.

-`-


“Did you mean it, Clow?” I asked, crawling from the warmth of the covers and out
into the cool of the night air. My hair broke the pattern of moonlight on my
body and I fought to get it out of my face as I shook the still form in the bed
beside me.

“Mean what?” a sleepy voice asked as it tried to rollover and shove a pillow
over its head.

“What you said to me and Keroberos?” I pried.

Suddenly, he emerged from his catacomb of blankets and leaned on one elbow,
lifting the covers to beckon me closer. I slid under the blankets and felt the
warmth of his chest against me as I rested my cheek against it. His heart was so
rhythmic... calming.

“I’m afraid it is true, Yue.”

“Could you be wrong?” I asked, kissing the skin softly and listening as the
older man’s breath caught.

“Not about this. I can feel it,” Clow whispered, ignoring my administrations. I
nipped a nipple softly, fighting to coax the answer I wanted out of him and then
he stopped me and held me still.

“Yue... this is important. I know you don’t want to hear it. But, it is
important. I’ve entrusted my will to someone I know and the estate is yours
until the time when you need to be sealed within the book,” Clow said, dark eyes
catching mine. I wanted this to be a joke.

I turned away from them, the moonlight catching my shoulder as I once more
escaped the covers like a frightened bird refusing to be caged.
“I don’t wish to be in the book!” I said. “I wish to be with you!”

Clow moved behind me and I felt his arms encircle my waist as I fought to press
back tears. I didn’t like all this talk of death and of things to come. Why did
he think this was going to happen? Clow had lived for centures... why would he
think of death now? My breath caught in my throat and I shivered as I felt him
place a hesitant kiss on my shoulder.

“If only your wishes made up our world, but they don’t. I want you to be happy-
after I’m gone,” Clow whispered. He turned me around and I found myself sitting
in his lap.

“Look at me. I created you when I was young. Yet you stay unchanging and look
for all the world to be a young boy. I am old Yue,” he said as he reached out to
bring his hand up to his face and then to mind.

“You’re not all that different. Perhaps a crease here...” I touched his face.
“Maybe a wrinkle here,” I whispered. “And I love you for who you are- not what
you look like. I want to grow old with you...”

Clow looked forcefully at me for a moment. “As you presently are- you won’t
achieve old age, Yue.”

“So, change it if you so desire,” I bit back. This conversation was tiring me. I
didn’t like the lines it was going along. Or how it made me feel. “What are you
trying to do Clow? Make me run away? Or am I so alien and foreign that I make
you regret all that has already been said?” Clow’s hands touched my cheek and
drew away, wetness upon them. I was crying.

“I’m sorry Yue... I just worry that I’m not good enough for you. I worry that
all I’ll do is hurt you beyond repair when I’m gone. I love you so much that it
does hurt,” Clow whispered.

I curled up against him, my heart healed but his doubts whispered in my mind.
His hands dropped and I felt them in my hair as he wrapped it beyween his
fingers. Master slowly began untangling it and I felt my muscles ease slowly as
I almost drifted off.

“You’ve said nothing about me making you the Judge,” Clow whispered, finishing
the braid so that I could sleep in it and then pulling a few stray strands
behind my ears.
“I don’t wish to be the Judge. I was angry. I don’t want to...” I shook my head,
my eyes watering slightly as I focused on the sheets that curled around my
ankles. “I don’t want to have be the last say in who will replace you. It’s hard
enough that you’re making us replace you... why do I have to be the one to
finalize it?”

Clow turned on his side for a second and thought. “Alright. If the candidate
selected by the staff is a mature being- than you shall elect the new Master of
the Cards. If the candidate is a child- Keroberos shall elect he or she. There.
You have a fifty percent chance of sleeping away the whole thing in the book,”
Clow stroked the side of my face softly and I felt a sigh of relief escape my
lips.

“Fair?” Clow asked.

I bit my lip, “As fair as it will ever be. But, how can that work, Clow? How
will I prepare if I don’t know?”

“Not everything is written in stone, Yue. When the time comes, do what your
heart tells you to do,” Clow whispered and I drew him into my arms for a moment
and felt his breathing slowly still as he returned to sleep. Then, I kissed his
brow and nuzzled him softly as words escaped my lips: “Ashiteru.”
- - -

I arrived at the house at dusk. I’d taken a walk, enjoying the feel of grass
under my feet (something I rarely indulged in) and opened the door slowly. I was
immediately pounced upon by a winged puma as it growled and nipped at my hair.

“Where have you been? I was worried!” Keroberos shouted into my face.

“I found Ruby Moon,” I whispered and Keroberos backed off, sitting on his
haunches and dismissing his golden wings. “She gave me this.” I handed Keroberos
the Sun Amulet and held the Moon Amulet out for him to see. Keroberos held the
thing in his paws for a moment and then looked at me.

“That’s all?” he asked, clearly disappointed.

“No...” I said, my lips twitching upwards at his comical expression. I pulled
the letter from the black cloak and unfolded the paper, my thumbs rubbing
against the torn parchment.
“Are you going to read it?” Keroberos asked, tugging at my hair.
“Stop it! You’re going to give me split ends,” I said, pulling the snaking tail
away from his claws.

Keroberos burst out laughing and rolled around on the floor, “Don’t break a
nail, Yue. Just read the parchment!”

I closed my eyes and began to read. It was as if I could hear Clow’s voice in my
mind, whispering the words into my ear. It was my imagination, of course.

Yue and Keroberos,
If you’re reading this- then I have long since
passed and I know what you must have many
questions that there is no way that I can answer.
I would simply tell you, if I were there now, that
I love you both with every lasting bit of my heart.
My soul grieves that I am not there to kiss your
tears away.
The gift that I have asked Ruby Moon to
give to you is simply two seeds. Break the
vials open and plant the seeds in the garden
by the cherry tree where I have asked to be buried.
Use no magic to make them grow and be patient.
The flowers will flourish and when the first bud
opens touch your hand to its petals and my gift
will be given to you. Once more, I implore you,
use no magic or the gift will be spoiled. Consider
this a final lesson in patience.
I love you both with all my heart and
wherever I am in the realm of spirits- I am
always with and beside you.
With love,
Clow Reed.
-End Ch. 4-