A CCD/Subaru fic, w/o any sex at all... which is kinda off from what I was
planning, but ^_^;; Enjoy!

Sweets and Liquor: By Monica Shin

        "Sumeragi-san, are you all right?" The melodious voice rang out 
from behind him, startling him. Subaru turned around, and saw Nokoru there. 
"Imonoyama-san... I'm fine. Thank you for asking." Subaru turned, preparing 
to go to his room, when the voice stopped him again with it's gentle concern. 
"Sumeragi-san, you appear to be very distressed right now. Are you truly 
fine?" His face forced itself into Subaru's field of vision, and his eyes 
forced the truth out of him.

        Sitting down on the carpeted floor, Subaru smiled wearily. "Of 
course I'm fine. How could I not be? After all, if I'm not fine, who will 
Kamui turn to? It's not important what I feel..." Seeing Nokoru's concerned 
expression, Subaru turned to go to his room, saying in a tired, resigned 
tone, "Don't worry about me, Imonoyama-san. I'll be fine, and even if I'm 
not... I'll survive to be one of your seven Dragons of Heaven- don't worry 
about that." 

        Nokoru stared at the door to Subaru's room for a moment, before he 
went back to his office. He stared ruefully at the pile of paperwork on his 
desk. *Even after all this time, I never manage to finish, do I?* Smiling a 
little, he set to work. *After all, it's not like I'm a child anymore- 
whining about paperwork wouldn't be right after all that's happened...*

        His smile slowly disappearing, he thought back to what had happened. 
*How was I to know something like this would happen? Could I have seen? 
First Kotori, and now Fuuma... poor Shirou-kun- no, poor Kamui- either one.*
He stopped working, and started to stare out at the lovely day. *A little 
too nice a day... it's not at all the way it should look after all that's 
happened.* 

        He sighed, and got up from the desk. *Suoh's going to kill me, but I 
just can't get work done today. I can't help feel guilty about being to late 
to help Kotori or Fuuma...* He remembered the way Kamui had looked, before 
getting him medical attention. Blood pouring out of numerous cruel cuts, 
clutching at Kotori's head- it had been too terrible. No one could have 
been immune to the awful pain he had been going through- both physical and 
mental. He knew that even reliable Suoh had been shocked, and Akira even 
more so.

        He couldn't help but feel gratitude toward Subaru in particular- 
going into Kamui's mind at considerable risk to himself to rescue Kamui from 
his need to get away from the world... It had been a very risky and noble 
thing to do. Then again, that sort of described Subaru in general. A person 
a little too prone to putting himself in danger for another... even after
what had happened.

        He had asked Suoh to get a report on the Sumeragi head- no matter 
how powerful a family like the Sumeragis may be, the Imonoyama controlled 
CLAMP campus systems were even more so, when it came to information. Subaru's 
history- it worried him even more than Kamui's had. At least Kamui was now 
surrounded by men and women who were willing to give him support and help. 
But Subaru... he had been too alone, and had been obsessing about the murder 
for so long.

        Subaru... he was much too vulnerable to Sakurazukamori. The thought 
of that cold, evil man was enough to make Nokoru disgusted. That...*bastard* 
had done such a thing to a person who was barely a child, for a hunt- that 
was unforgivable. But worst of all, Subaru seemed to be infatuated- no, not 
just infatuated- obsessed and in love with his sister's murderer. A 
murderer who was on the other side of the battle for Humanity, and who was 
willing to play with Subaru before killing him... 

        *That could seriously jeopardize the chances for him to win... and 
that means that the chances of the Dragons of Heaven to win are lessened, 
too.* As much as Nokoru wanted a healthy planet, he liked humanity too. 
*Sumeragi-san... he needs to get over his obsession with Sakurazukamori if 
he is to have any chance of winning. As powerful as he is, his other has 
been practicing and perfecting his hunting for much longer.*

-------------------

        As plans ran through his head on how to help Subaru with his 
unhealthy obsession, Nokoru failed to notice Suoh and Akira come in. Looking 
at his bemused expression, Suoh and Akira looked at each other, and nodded. 
First, Akira came up to him, and asked in a rather overly bright voice, 
"Nokoru-san! Would you like something to eat? I just went shopping, and I 
know exactly what I want to make."

        Nokoru started, finally noticing that the two had come in. "Ah- 
Akira, Suoh! Yes, I would like that very much- something to eat would be 
welcome right now. Oh, and don't forget our guests would probably like 
something too." Akira nodded, and headed off into the kitchen, though not 
before giving Suoh a significant look. It was a double-layered routine that 
they had come up with before, to try to relieve some of Nokoru's stress 
from running CLAMP Campus, and knowing about the end of the world- Akira as 
the happy, cheery one, and Suoh as the sterner one, both distracting their 
Kaichou from some of the pressures.

        As usual, it worked. As Akira was cooking, Suoh noticed exactly how 
much paperwork was still on Nokoru's desk. "Nokoru-san! Are you still not 
done? Ijyuin and I have been done since this morning, and those papers need 
your attention!" This was the usual signal for Nokoru to try to weasel out 
of the work, but this time, Nokoru just sighed and went to work.

        He didn't notice Suoh's shocked expression, or the concerned look 
that the younger man gave Akira. Akira frowned as he looked at the 
diligently working Nokoru, and then said in a bright voice, "Nokoru-san! 
Here's your tea and snack." Nokoru said, "Thank you, Akira." without looking 
up, and his voice was a bit depressed. Suoh followed Akira out, as Akira 
said, "While you're finishing up, I'll go distribute this to our guests... 
Suoh-san, could you help me?"

        When they were outside of the spacious office, Akira told Suoh in a 
worried voice, "He doesn't seem to be himself, and this isn't like his usual 
mood, even for when he's pressured." Suoh nodded, and added, "I think it's 
because of Monou-tachi... Kotori-san's death hurt him because he wasn't able 
to protect her, and Fuuma-san's defection, because of the damage done to 
Kamui because of Fuuma-san's change into a Dragon of Heaven, who Nokoru-san 
was supposed to help and protect."

        Akira looked pensive for a moment, before he added, "Kaichou... I 
mean, Nokoru-san... he feels so responsible for that right now! It's giving 
him so much to worry about. I'm worried about him. As much as he seems like 
a carefree guy without a care, we both know differently. He cares too much, 
sometimes, and he when he can't help someone, he tears himself inside..."

        Suoh sighed, and told him, "There isn't more we can do, except 
protect him the best we can. His feelings are his own- all we can do is 
guard him from harm, and make sure that he takes care of himself. We have 
to be his strength, so he can be Kaichou..." Then he smiled. "Come on, 
Ijyuin. We have to deliver these sweets, remember?" 

--------------

        As Nokoru looked out the window, glaring at the bright, sunny day, 
he couldn't help but smile over the transparent effort of both to distract 
him from his troubles. *Ah... without Akira or Suoh, what would I do? They 
are my strength...* He takes a small piece of whatever delicacy Akira has 
whipped up this time, and takes a taste. *Delicious as usual, Akira. How he 
does it, I don't know...* 

        He turned back to the paperwork. As much as he usually dreaded it, 
now it helped him ignored the guilt and depression that had been plaguing him
throughout the last few days. The sight of Kotori and Kamui kept flashing in 
his mind, but the monotony of the bureaucratic nonsense kept him distracted-
for a little while, anyway. Still... now it wasn't Kamui and Kotori that was 
distracting him- it was the onmyouji who had looked at him with such sad, 
resigned eyes. 

        *He's tired and vulnerable. That's not good when he might have to 
fight with his enemy- his lover- in a matter of hours or days... no one 
knows when the Promised Day will come, but we all know that time is running 
out. He's not ready for anything yet. He confronted Sakurazukamori in that 
emotional state, and lost. He knows that he's not good enough- that last 
thought is probably going to ruin his fighting even more. This is a problem.* 

        He stared at the paper for a minute, before realizing that he had not 
read past the first line. He stood up, and abandoned all pretense of doing 
any work. *As much as I hate this stuff, it is important to run CLAMP Campus. 
I won't let myself do it while I'm so distracted. Suoh's not going to be 
happy, though...* Instead, he looked out at the window for a while, seeing 
the happy faces of the students as they went out for lunch. He saw several 
glancing at the ruined building, wondering what had happened, but most of 
them just walked on- confident that nothing at CLAMP Campus could hold any 
danger to them...

        *At least, that used to be true... before I brought the danger here 
to let the Campus fulfill its function. I hope that no one gets hurt in the 
probable fighting ahead, but I know better then that. Maybe a few days of 
classes off would be good... but no, that'll cause too much attention, 
and...* His thoughts raced, trying to plan for any eventuality, while Suoh 
and Akira came in again. In Akira's hand was one last dessert, and he put it 
down on the desk to get Nokoru's attention.

        As Suoh felt Nokoru's distracted air, he knew that no more paperwork 
was going to be done today. He sighed, and then took the pile that had been 
finished, leaving the rest as an unspoken reproach on the desk. 
"Nokoru-san... I realize that you're not going to finish the rest of those 
today, but try to finish them soon. Though we know that something much more 
important is going on, most of the people who are on this campus do not, and 
they're expecting you to run things for them.*

        As Nokoru's surprised gaze came to rest on Suoh, the younger man 
smiled. "Nokoru-san, please get some rest. I realize that you have been busy 
with all that has been going on, but remaining in that agitated state is not 
good for your health. I'm sure Ijyuin will agree with me..." Akira chimed 
in, saying, "Nokoru-san! I noticed that you didn't finish your dessert, or 
the meal I made you before. You have to take care of yourself- go and get 
some sleep." 

        Nokoru smiled at his two concerned friends, and nodded. "I am feeling 
rather tired, I suppose. Akira, Suoh- I'll be in my room, taking a nap. But 
call me if anything happens-" Then his gaze turned to the unfinished dessert 
that had been put on his desk. "Akira, did you want me to eat that? I'm 
sorry, but I'm really not that hungry." Akira said, "No, Nokoru-san. I made 
that for Sumeragi-san, but he didn't seem to want to have any."

        Nokoru frowned, and said, "Well, he doesn't know what he's missing, 
not having one of your desserts. I'll bring it to him again before I go get 
some sleep. It is on the way." Then, picking up the dish off the desk, he 
strolled out of the office in an unconcerned manner. 

------------

        Suoh and Akira stared at his retreating back. After a bit of silence,
Akira asked, "Sumeragi-san? Why would he go give him dessert? Usually, he 
would leave a person alone, and just tell them what they missed later." 
Suoh frowned, before adding in a speculative tone, "Ijyuin. Have you noticed 
Nokoru-san acting like this before? Not just distracted, but really so." 

        Akira shook his head, and replied, "No, I haven't. But it's probably 
just because of the time, and what happened. He's trying to take care of too 
much at once. Right?" He looked inquiringly at Suoh, who had a strange 
expression on his face- as if he had been hit with a brick on the back of 
the head. "Akira- haven't you ever wondered why Nokoru-san doesn't have a 
girlfriend, when he's so popular with the ladies? He encourages them, but 
never really picks one."

        "Well, you know his idea about how he loves all of them equally. He 
would never be so unfair as to let only one have his attention." Akira gave 
Suoh a questioning look, before he continued. "He hasn't really encouraged 
any of the girls anymore, though. He's been much more serious and less 
flamboyant lately. His fan club has been getting smaller, and the girls have 
started to chase some other guys. I thought it was because of his 
responsibilities, and because he thought that since he was chairman, he 
shouldn't be so blatant anymore? But now that I think about it, I'm not 
sure..."

        "What does Nokoru-san not having a girlfriend have anything to do 
with his strange behavior?" Suoh gave Akira an exasperated look. "Ijyuin... 
Akira, you're not as innocent as you were in fourth grade, you know. Why 
would I be asking if I was commenting on his lack of interest in girls, and 
Sumeragi-san at the same time?"

        Startled, Akira thought back to the conversation, and the way that 
Nokoru had been acting at the same time. "Ah! You don't mean that you 
think... Suoh! Kaichou? You've got to be kidding!" He reflected a bit more, 
before adding, "It's impossible, right? Not after the way he kept talking 
about saving women, rescuing women, and receiving love from women." Suoh 
gave him a significant look, and Akira thought back to what he had just 
said. 

        "Protecting women, rescuing women, receiving love from women... 
But in all that time, nothing about loving a woman back in return, except 
in the most general sense. No way! Suoh... don't tell me he's infatuated 
with Sumeragi! I've read his report. Not only is he a borderline suicide,
he's also been hunted by Sakurazukamori! Is still having a strange 
relationship with the killer..."

        Akira slumped down on the floor. "Suoh... how are we going to 
protect him from someone like that? Even if we give up our lives- which I 
know we will if we have to- how can we make sure that it's enough? Our 
toughest enemies have been people trying to kidnap him for his power and 
money- professionals, but also merely human. Sakurazukamori is a power, 
and he's one of the Seven Dragons of Earth..."

        Suoh's voice rang out behind him. "I don't like it either, but all 
we can do is try... and make sure that he's not hurt by either one of them." 
Akira turned around, and saw that Suoh was at Nokoru's desk neatening up the 
piles of papers, his hands trembling. "We just have to protect him... that's 
why we're here." Akira nodded, and went over to Suoh's side. "And if we 
can't..." 

        The answer rang out, icy and clear. "We will. Don't even think about 
the alternative. He may not be one of the major players in this war, but 
he's our leader, and we will protect him." Akira looked down at the desk, 
where he saw a picture they had taken a long time ago. It had Nokoru and 
Akira fooling around as usual, with Suoh off to the side with an annoyed 
expression on his face. Looking closer, he saw what he remembered. Suoh had 
been looking out for enemies, while he had been making sure Kaichou was 
safe. "Protecting him is all we can do." Suoh's last words rang in his mind. 
*Kaichou... we will keep you safe, as best we can...*

----------------

        As he knocked on Subaru's door, Nokoru felt anxious. Why, he had no 
idea... but he was. Ignoring his inner trepidation, he knocked again. Still 
no response. *What is he doing in there?* "Sumeragi-san! Are you in there? 
This is Imonoyama, and I have something that you'll regret not having." No 
response. *Well, this _is_ my property, in a way...* 

        As he opened the door, he was surprised to find that the lights were 
out. The room's occupant was sitting on the floor, staring vacantly at a 
wall. The curtains were drawn, and Subaru looked at his room without seeing 
anything. Nokoru coughed, before saying in a low tone, "Sumeragi-san. Should 
I leave? Well, I'll leave this here for you to have later."

        As he was walking out the door, he started to berate himself. *How 
could you just go into a onmyouji's room like that? He was probably 
meditating or something... he didn't need you to go bothering him...* He 
noticed how childish he was acting, and he wasn't really sure why. *It must 
be the lack of sleep. Why else would I be acting so irrational?*

        He stopped walking as a whisper reached his ear. "What did you bring 
me that was so important that you had to disturb my work?" Nokoru stepped 
back into the room, feeling quite unlike himself. "Well, it was just Akira's 
dessert. He made one for everyone, but you didn't seem to want to open the 
door, so I brought it in. It's quite good- Akira is a very talented chef. 
Anyway, I see that you're busy so-" 

        *What the hell am I doing? Babbling, that's what! Stop it!" Nokoru 
managed to stop his flow of words, and tried to cover up his strange 
nervousness by looking around the room. "Ah... isn't this a little dark? 
Would you mind if I turned on the lights?" Taking his silence for a yes, 
Nokoru reached over the flipped the lights on. The bed looked like it hadn't 
been slept on at all.

        *What am I doing, looking at his bed anyway?* Confused, Nokoru said 
the first thing that came to mind. "What were you doing, Sumeragi-san? I'm 
sorry to have disturbed you..." *That's better... why am I so nervous?* 
Subaru's voice interrupted his mind's frantic thoughts, as he said, "I was 
reinforcing my shields... they have been dangerously close to collapse 
after all that's happened."

        Nokoru looked up at Subaru in surprise. Subaru's exhaustion was 
evident from his voice- that and his sense of hopelessness. "Sumeragi-san. 
Have you been sleeping at all these past few days?" Subaru looked at him 
in askance, probably over the sharp tone in his voice. "It's not really 
necessary for me to sleep. I got a few hours some time ago- I'm too busy 
protecting myself, and Kamui. He may not know it, but he needs the shields 
I'm putting over him, too."

        Subaru waved his hand at Nokoru. "I'm fine... don't worry about me. 
I told you that I wouldn't break, right? It's not like I'm going to abandon 
him to his fate- I'm not going to go anywhere." Nokoru said sharply, "Why 
would you think I would assume that you would be leaving? You sound like you 
were thinking about it a little too much. And I assure you that going without
sleep is _not_ all right. Without sleep, you will be too exhausted to 
function in the ways that you need to, in order to protect yourself and 
Kamui. You know that."

        Nokoru looked at Subaru critically. "You haven't been eating, have 
you? Storing your psychic energy is good, but not feeding your body will not 
help your fight with Sakurazukamori any. You're already vulnerable in that 
area- try to be physically well, at the very least..." Nokoru stopped his 
lecture- for he realized that was what that speech had been- when Subaru 
gave him a _look_. One that said, =I don't need your help, I don't know why 
you're here, and why are you talking to me?=

        Nokoru blushed, and looked down at the dessert. "At least have this. 
Akira made it, and he really is a good cook..." He laughed a little ruefully, 
as he realized what he had been saying. "That was almost the exact speech 
that Akira and Suoh give me on occasion... I know how they feel now." He 
looked up, and saw the onmyouji reaching for the plate. 

        Handing him the fork as well, Nokoru said, "But you really should 
get sleep. I know that you're tired after all that you've done, and keeping 
yourself awake is not a good idea..." He looked up at Subaru's face, which 
had a strange expression on it. "What's wrong?" He saw Subaru struggle to 
speak for a moment, before he realized. "No milk!" He couldn't help but 
giggle at Subaru's annoyed expression, and said, "Follow me! We can sneak 
into the kitchen... I'm not supposed to be up right now- if Akira or Suoh 
find out I'm not taking a nap, they'll yell at me." Not seeing Subaru's 
startled expression, Nokoru motioned for him to follow.

        They managed to get into the kitchen without anyone noticing. *It's 
a good thing Akira and Suoh are not around...* He motions for Subaru to sit 
at the small table near the window. "Here, your milk- and some more food."
Nokoru took out the leftovers from lunch and put it in the oven. "I'm not 
such a good cook, but I do know how to heat up leftovers. Just wait a bit,
and it'll be done."

        Subaru looked at him with an annoyed expression. "That's quite all 
right, Imonoyama-san. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and 
you do not need to feed me-" He stopped as Nokoru starts to giggle again. 
"You do realize that you have chocolate all over your lips as you say that, 
right?" Subaru blushed a little, as Nokoru got a napkin from the counter.

        "Here." As Nokoru started to wipe the chocolate off Subaru's face, 
Subaru looked like he was about to say something caustic. But looking at 
Nokoru's humor-filled face, he just replied, "Whether I had chocolate on my 
face or not, what I was saying is true." Nokoru replied, "I know... but I 
haven't eaten either, and I know both of us should eat, even if we don't 
want to."

        As Nokoru got up to get the food from the oven, Subaru said in a 
musing sort of way, "You're very different than they way I thought you were, 
you know." A questioning look from Nokoru prompted him to continue. "I mean, 
when I first saw you, you lead us to the center of CLAMP Campus, to place 
the Shinken. You were not like you are now at all." Nokoru replied, "And 
what am I like now?"

        "Relaxed, for one. You're almost a different person from that stern 
individual with the sad eyes telling Kamui of where the Shinken should go..." 
Nokoru smiled a little sadly. "That's my _Chairman_ act... well, not an act, 
but a way of behaving. I can't always be the way I used to be... not now. 
This is the closest I get to being the carefree person I was. Kind of like 
you."

        That last statement distracted Subaru, who had been attacking his 
food rather thoroughly. At Nokoru's raised eyebrow, Subaru answered, "So 
maybe I was hungry. So what? Anyway, what do you mean- kind of like me?" 
Looking at his own portion, Nokoru replied, "The way you're acting now is a 
bit more freer than the stern onmyouji I saw before- or the depressed young 
man I talked to in the hallway..."

        "I suppose I am- it's just that the way you act now reminds me of 
someone... I'm just not sure of who. You're a very caring person, aren't 
you?" The last was spoken in a wistful tone, prompting a reply from Nokoru.
"I try to be. I don't like having people sad because of me, and I like to 
see people happy. That's why I'm so glad that Akira has Utako, and that Suoh 
has Nagisa. Just because I'm a little lonely doesn't mean that they should 
be-"

        *Why did I just say that? Where did that come from?* Nokoru laughed 
a little, to clear his thinking. "Anyway... want a refill?" At Subaru's nod, 
he went and filled his cup again- only this time with something a little 
stronger than milk. "What's this?" Nokoru gestured at the bottle. "Cognac." 
Subaru looked at him, questioning. "I thought that we could both use a 
little to help us sleep. We both need to, but we won't- not unless we have 
to. Am I right?"

        At Subaru's rueful nod, Nokoru poured some into Subaru's cup, and 
got another cup for himself. "Now, you know the only way we're ever going 
to fall asleep is if we drink enough to make us insensible. Do you want to 
sleep here, or in your room?" Picking up the bottle, Nokoru gestured toward 
the door. "Let's go, Sumeragi-san."  Subaru stood as well, and then said 
quickly, "Don't call me Sumeragi-san. Just call me Subaru." Nokoru nodded, 
and replied, "Only if you don't call me Imonoyama-san. Nokoru is my name."

-------------------

        "Kaichou is what?" Akira said in a scandalized tone. In an 
unbelieving tone himself, Suoh replied, "He's in Sumeragi's bedroom getting 
drunk with him." "You've got to be joking, right?" Suoh shook his head. 
"No... I'm not." Akira couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that's Kaichou all 
right. What's he trying to do, anyway?"

        Suoh replied, "It doesn't matter, does it? That's all we have to 
know until he chooses to inform us of any further developments." Akira 
added, "He's not going to be able to do anything tomorrow, if only because 
of the hangover- I'll cancel his appointments, and you'd better do something 
about the paperwork on his desk." Suoh gave a incredulous laugh. "This isn't 
quite what I meant by protect, but..." Akira joined in on his laughter, 
before they went off to do battle for Kaichou's dignity.
-------------------

        "Ya know... Noko-ru... I don't usually drink. Did ja know that?" 
Subaru was slumped on the floor, nursing his third glass of cognac, rip-
roaringly drunk. Nokoru was not quite in the same condition. "This was a 
good idea, wush't it, Subaru? I don't either..." They sat drinking for 
another minute, silent. Lost in thoughts that were being pleasantly fogged 
over by the alcohol.

        Suddenly, Subaru spoke up. "I know who ya reminded me of... 
Seshiro-saan. Not Shakura- Shakurasu- not the killer. The veternar'n I 
thought he wuz." Then, whispered in a remarkable clear tone, "You have his
laughing eyes..." He frowned. "I don't wanna go ta sleep... the dreams will
get me... don't let him-" Then, he was asleep on the floor.

        Nokoru was not as drunk as that... not yet anyway. He didn't really 
feel like drinking alone, so he figured he might as well get some sleep too.
*I don't think I should take the bed, though.* He moved over to Subaru, and 
forced the unconscious onmyouji to stand. *He's so light...* He managed to 
get him to the bed, where he collapsed unceremoniously, with Nokoru on top 
of him. 

        *I should get his boots off...* He found himself staring right at 
Subaru's parted lips, and suddenly, his heart started to pound. *A little 
closer, and...* As he got closer to those inviting lips, he realized what 
he'd been about to do. He got off the bed hurriedly, mutter to himself, 
"What the hell am I doing? It must be the liquor..." 

        Looking at Subaru's prone body, Nokoru forced himself to go forward, 
and remove Subaru's shirt and boots. *I think I'll leave the pants.* He sat 
down next to the bed. *What the hell was I about to do? Tell me I didn't... 
Oh gods. I did... I did, and somehow, I'm in an empty room with him, and 
he's unconscious. And I'm half-drunk. This is not good for either of us. 
He's in love with that guy, and I... I'm not supposed to get so involved. 
NO! Just leave, now...*

        As he was about to go, two hands wrapped around his arm. "Wha-" He 
was startled to discover Subaru's open eyes gazing at him. "Seishirou-san... 
is that you? What are you doing here? Did Hokuto-chan let you in? I had such 
a bad dream..." *Gods- tell me that he's not doing this. He thinks that I'm 
the "kindly" vet. So easy just to..."

        As he stroked Subaru's soft face, frowning at the slight scar left 
on his right cheek, Subaru murmured and snuggled into his embrace. "Be glad 
that I'm not as drunk as you, Subaru. Or else we could have done something 
we would have both regretted." He smiled at the trusting smile, and couldn't 
bear to leave. *Nothing's going to happen. I'm just going to keep his 
nightmares away.* Then, he put a small, soft kiss on the right cheek, 
where a bandage had been a few days ago. "Good night, Subaru..." Then, he 
too was asleep.

-----------------------

        As Nokoru awoke, he felt warm arms around him, and a head nestled on 
his chest. "What happened..." Then the memories from last night came 
crashing on top of him, along with the foreseen hangover. "Oh man... remind 
me not to do that again." Then he remembered where he was, and blushed. *I'd 
better get out of here before he wakes up-" He felt arms tighten around him, 
as Subaru started to stir. 

        "What the hell did we do?" Subaru's pain filled voice stabbed into 
Nokoru's heart because it was filled with fright and betrayal as well. 
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Look- I've got all my clothes on, and you have 
your pants on, you know. Don't say it in such a horrified way-" Then he was 
shocked out of his tirade by warm arms tightening around him. 

        "Thank you... Nokoru." Eyes filled with pain looked up at him. Eyes 
filled with pain, but with a little relief, too. "You chased away the 
dream... the one where he comes, and then he becomes what I know he is. 
Thank you." Nokoru looked away, and then whispered, "It's all right. I was
happy to do it-" His speech was cut off by a kiss on the mouth.

        "What was that for?" Nokoru said, a little shocked and elated at 
the same time. "If it was for gratitude, I don't need that kind of-" Subaru's 
whisper cut through his words. "I wish that I had met you, before him... I 
can't stop loving him, and I can't love anymore. Not really- but you made 
it come so close... I didn't think that I could laugh again. Thank you."

        He sighed into Nokoru's arms. "I wish we had met before him... I 
wish." Nokoru embraced him fiercely. "I wish... I wish that too. But we 
didn't... Are you feeling better now? More rested, more... centered?" Subaru 
nodded. "Good. That means you have a chance at surviving him, and his powers. 
If you do... you don't have to do what you were planning on doing, you know."

        Seeing Subaru's startled glance, Nokoru added, "Death is not always 
the best way. If you win, I'll be here to help you heal. And after that...
who knows? We could be happy, you know..." With that, he walked out of the 
room. He felt Subaru's sad smile, because it matched his own. *We could be 
happy... but that won't happen, will it? I wish...*

        "Nokoru-san! Are you all right?" He saw Akira and Suoh coming from 
the direction of the office. "We rescheduled your appointments, and I 
started to do most of your-" Nokoru laughed, and replied, "What are you 
talking about? I'm feeling great! Bring on the paperwork Suoh! I'm going 
to do all of it today! What are you guys waiting for? Let's go!" Akira 
looked at Suoh, who shrugged. They weren't sure what had happened, but they 
weren't about to pry. They started to follow their leader, who suddenly 
stopped, and said, "I didn't do anything. Don't worry about me, ok?" Then he 
quickly went into the office. 

        Akira let out a little sigh of relief, and said, "We can believe 
him... That's one less thing to worry about." Suoh nodded. "Thank the gods 
for that- we have enough trouble with just him..." A voice came out from the 
office. "What do you think of a campus-wide picnic tomorrow Suoh? It'll be a 
nice day, and just one day without classes won't-" Akira and Suoh just shook
their heads ruefully. "Just one day of classes off won't hurt anyone, huh? 
Tomorrow? Does he really think that it's possible-" Suoh nods. "Ijyuin. This 
is Kaichou, remember? Of course it's possible."

---Finis---

-----
Monica Shin/Akira-chan! --- monica@pipeline.com- Fav. Anime/Manga-
CLAMP stuffs- RGV, TB, X, MKR, CCD, 20 Menso, Dukylon, CCSakura, Wish
MBoy, GWing, Esca, SDunk, RKenshin, FY, YYH, EVA, Zetsuai/Bronze
Fav. Charas- Akira, Ashura-ou, Hiei, Hiiro, Kenshin, Subaru, Takuto
http://www.pipeline.com/~monica/ - fanfics, tradelist, scans!