http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/betrayal1.txt </head><body><pre>Just finished another section. Any comments/corrections are welcome. I'm hopeless with revisions. All characters are property of CLAMP. Standard disclaimers apply. --- Betrayal (Part 1) An 'X' fanfic Presented by Alison Koh Lying on his bed, Kamui heard the latch clicked as the door to the room opened. "Subaru, is that you?" he asked. Sorata answered, "No, it's just Ne-chan and me." "Oh," remarked Kamui, trying hard to mask his disappointment. He watched quietly as Sorata and Arashi walked to the side of his bed. He did not mean to be rude to the two, but somehow he felt rather uneasy not seeing Subaru by his side for almost two days. Sorata had told him that Subaru had kept vigil through the time he had been unconscious after returning from the fight with Fuuma. Since then, there had been no sign of the onmyouji and this made him worried. Sorata noted the change in Kamui's expression. He could read the boy's face as plain as an opened book, no matter how hard Kamui tried to hide his emotions. He flashed a reassuring smile and gave a friendly ruffling to Kamui's hair, "Don't worry. I'm sure Subaru-san is busy with work. He is, after all, the Head of the Sumeragi Clan and thus has other duties to attend to. I'll let him know you're looking for him the moment I see him." "Um, thank you," replied Kamui. "Good. Now go get some rest and maybe try to take a walk around the gardens tomorrow morning. Sunshine and a little fresh air would be good for you," Sorata advised. With this words Sorata prepared to leave the room but not before turning around and giving Kamui a thumb's up sign. Kamui replied with a slight nod and a feeble smile. As Kamui watched the silhouettes of Sorata and Arashi disappear behind the closing door, his smile dissolved into worry again. He knew Sorata was lying; the monk was trying to be too cheerful. But Subaru would not leave him without saying a word, would he? Kamui wonder and silently prayed that Subaru was all right. * "Kamui is beginning to notice that something is wrong," Sorata remarked. Arashi remained silent as both of them continued walking down the vast corridor. Sorata continued, "Any news from Subaru-kun yet?" Arashi shook her head and said, "Nothing at all. I've tried using my powers to seek him out but there was no sign of him. It's as if he is avoiding us on purpose." "I see," Sorata noted as he felt his chin with his right hand, "This doesn't feel good at all." * The morning sun shone brightly as Sorata took a stroll around the Imonoyama compound. He needed some space to think. Arashi had been busy trying to locate Subaru with the help of Suoh using the technology available on CLAMP Campus, but so far the results have been negative. What worried him most was Kamui though. The young Seal had been asking about the Sumeragi again this morning. Sorata understood very well that Kamui had been depending on Subaru for emotional strength ever since the death of Kotori. Now he could see the fine threads that had held Kamui together unravelling. Sorata sighed and decided it was about time to check on Kamui again. As he walked past a row of Sakura trees, the sight of a familiar figure suddenly struck him. "Subaru-san?" he called out. In acknowledgement, the figure of Subaru stepped out from the shadows. Sorata walked towards Subaru, noting the strange expression on the onmyouji' s face. It seemed as if Subaru was struggling with some turmoil in his soul at this very moment, trying to find words to say but could not. He was struck particularly by the eye, which had often displayed silent resignation in the past, but was now reflecting sadness. "Are you leaving us?" Sorata asked. Subaru expressed immediate astonishment at the directness of the question. Slowly he nodded his head and said, "There is something I have to do... something that I must do." "Are you going to tell Kamui then? We have tried our best to keep your disappearance from him but he has been asking for you constantly." Subaru stared at the ground, "No. Not now. He won't understand. Besides it would hurt him more if he knew my reasons. Best to let him recuperate in peace first." "Is it about the Sakurazukamori?" asked a third voice. Sorata and Subaru turned around to see Kamui staring at the Sumeragi, pain shimmering in his beautiful pair of violet eyes. Subaru kept silent. "I want to know the truth, Subaru," pleaded Kamui, "I need to know." "Yes," Subaru replied, "I'm with Seishirou-san now... trying to fulfil my wish." "Even though that wish brings sadness to those around you," Kamui muttered softly. Subaru nodded. For a brief moment, Kamui's frail body reeled and he reached out to the trunk of the nearest tree for support. Sorata immediately ran to his side but Kamui waved him away, saying that he was all right. Choking back the tears that threatened to pour forth, Kamui told Subaru, "I shall not hold you back. You may leave now. I thank you for at least telling me the truth." Subaru stood there for some time, not knowing what to say or do. Part of him wanted to hold on to Kamui, to apologise for the pain he was causing and seek forgiveness. But another part of him knew where his duties lie. He had made a pact with Seishirou and he intends to honour it, no matter how difficult. It was a part of his wish. Finally he settled on a simple thank you and left. Sorata carefully observed Kamui as the latter silently watched the familiar form of Subaru disappear in the distance. He knew that the young Seal was trying to put on a brave front while his fragile heart was breaking up inside. When Subaru had announced that he was with the Sakurazukamori, Sorata had almost wanted to throttle the senses out of the Sumeragi. While he was aware of Subaru's personal vendetta against the assassin, he never really understood the obsession that went with it. "Kamui, are you all right?" Sorata asked with concern. In a soft voice, Kamui replied, "I'm fine. I may not agree with Subaru, but I understand his wish. Nobody has the right to stand between him and his wish. Not even I. I just pray that he can find his happiness." With these words, Kamui turned and walked towards the direction of the mansion. Sorata followed silently behind, noticing the drop of tear that trickled down the side of Kamui's right cheek. Meanwhile, Sorata held his own prayer - he prayed for strength to help Kamui tide through his hour of need. * "I can't believe that Subaru-san has left us!" cried Yuzuriha, "He's such a good person!" Arashi went over to comfort the distraught girl. Sorata had already informed the rest of the Seals about Subaru's decision. The three of them turned to face the door as they heard the doorbell rang followed by the familiar voices of Seiichirou and Karen. Seiichirou apologised for being late, "We came as soon as we heard. How's Kamui taking it?" Sorata sighed, "Badly. He's been in his room all morning, refusing to talk to anyone, including me. He's trying to be brave but I can sense that he's taking it very hard inside. Where are you going?" Karen smiled as she walked up the stairs to Kamui's room, "Maybe what the poor boy needs is a little feminine touch." * "May I come in?" Karen asked as she opened the door. "I'm tired and I want some rest," came the reply from within, "Why don't you just talk to Sorata." Karen ignored Kamui's words and walked into the room towards Kamui's bed. Kamui had rolled over to one side, facing away from the window, and Karen. She noted that Kamui was clutching his chest tightly with both arms and the pillows were slightly moist. She sat on the bed and gently said, "If you really feel like it, you can cry all you want. You don't have to hold back." Having said that, she placed a reassuring hand on Kamui's shoulder. For a moment, he did not respond. Suddenly, Kamui's body began to break into spasms followed by gentle sobs that grew louder as Kamui struggled between holding back his tears and letting it all go. Minutes later, he was already weeping copiously into the sheets. "Su... ba... ru," Kamui muttered. He let out a cough as another bout of tears succeeded the first. Karen waited patiently until Kamui had calmed down considerably. She then reached out to turn him over to face her and met with little resistance. Smiling gently, she wiped the tears away from his cheeks and said, "Now doesn't that feel much better?" Kamui made a sound of agreement, still sobbing intermittently. Finally he struggled to speak, "I wanted so much to help him. I thought letting him go was the right decision, yet I feel so terrible. Did I do wrong?" Karen held onto his hand and said, "No, you did right. There are some things that Sumeragi-san must discover for himself. All the Dragons of Heaven and Earth are already bound to a destiny which we have no choice. Nonetheless we must try to seek what little freedom we have to map our own path. We would be doing Sumeragi-san a disservice if we try to hold him back." Kamui took some time to digest her words. Then he asked hopefully, "Do you think he'll come back?" At these words, Karen frowned, "To tell you honestly, I really don't know. It would depend on whether he discovers the truth about his own heart." "His own heart?" he looked at Karen, not comprehending. "Sometimes, after a very traumatic experience, we choose to seal our own hearts and lead a lonely existence, hoping that this would protect us from further pain," Karen explained, "I once did the same thing, thinking that the world has rejected me. Aoki-san has shown me that it was not true." Stroking Kamui's unruly mop of hair, she continued, "Sumeragi-san is like that too. He has too many demons locked up within his heart that, for a time, he dared not let anyone near him. Yet he did let you in once. You are probably the person closest to him. "He needs our support now more than ever. If he fails to fulfil his wish... if the Sakurazukamori turns on him again, we are all he's got, especially you. You must be strong for him so that he can be strong enough to face his demons." "Yes you're right," Kamui said, "He needs me to be strong. I won't fail him. Thank you, Karen-san." "Great. Go get some rest and we'll see you for dinner this evening. If you need anything, just call. All the others are here." Kamui nodded as Karen tucked him into bed. After a few minutes, Kamui gradually drifted into sleep. Before leaving the room, Karen whispered to herself, "So young and already the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. Please Sumeragi-san, I hope you know what you're doing." * "You've bid Kamui farewell?" asked Seishirou as Subaru entered the house, "I hope it went well?" Subaru walked towards the balcony stared out to the garden. It was a small but tasteful plot arranged with many interesting trees and shrubs, besides the token Sakura. Seishirou truly had a way with gardening, Subaru thought admiringly as he tried to take in the fresh air. "He didn't threaten to kill you if that's what you meant," Subaru coolly replied. Seshirou got up from his chair and walked to Subaru's side, noting the tension in the young man. Something was obviously bothering him, Seishirou thought with a smile. He asked another question, "Are you regretting your decision now?" Still refusing to face Seishirou, Subaru said, "I've already thought over everything carefully. I've made my choice and I shall regret nothing." In a soft seductive voice, Seishirou said, "Will you regret this then?" Suddenly he grabbed hold of Subaru and planted a strong kiss on the latter's lips. Subaru flinched at the assault, instinctively pushing Seishirou away. The Sakurazukamori laughed as Subaru stared directly at him with a mixed expression of anger and revulsion. /Seems like young Kamui has a stronger hold over you than you care to admit./ Seishirou thought. Lighting up a cigarette he commented, "It was very reckless of you to push me away like that. You initiated the pact in the first place. I have been more than patient with you these last few days, sensing that you might be suffering from certain 'separation anxiety'. I could cancel our agreement and you know what will happen after that." That last sentence dripped with venom. Ignoring the taunt, Subaru asked, "Don't you have an appointment with your /Kamui/ today?" "Care to join us for lunch? It's quite a nice and classy place," Seishirou offered. Subaru declined, "I'll wait for you at the park nearby." "Suit yourself!" Seishirou laughed again. * "This is a good place," Fuuma commented, "By the way, how's 'domestic life' ?" Seishirou chuckled, "I must be getting old. The 'bride' has not been warming up to me as I had hoped. Still I would prefer to win him over with my charms." Fuuma joined in the laughter and asked, "I still do not understand why you bothered to play his game? Wasn't the first one disappointing enough?" With a smirk on his face, Seishirou replied, "Oh there are several reasons. Short-term distractions. Entertainment. Besides, he was the one who initiated it. I wanted to know what he's up to. As somebody once said, 'Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.' Don't you agree? "In any case, losing Subaru-kun to us would be a major blow for the Dragons of Heaven. He didn't tell me much since returning from his meeting with Kamui, but I could sense that he was very disturbed." "But your 'pre-nuptial agreement' demands that you stay out of the war," Fuuma remarked, "Of course not that you really cared about the outcome." Their conversation was interrupted for a moment by a waitress bringing coffee. Seishirou bantered with the waitress, making her blush. Meanwhile, Fuuma observed the assassin with an inscrutable expression on his face. Seishirou continued to joke about other unimportant matters but stopped abruptly when Fuuma made a cryptical remark, "There is another reason." "Pardon?" Seishirou asked. "You have a wish," Fuuma smiled as he stirred his coffee, "and only the Sumeragi can fulfil it." --- Dreams of Sakura Home -- http://www.starhub.net.sg/~alison X Shrine -- http://www.geocities.com/asuka_sg</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>