http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/heart-e.txt </head><body><pre>After much delay, the fic is finally done. Please send me your valued comments. Thank you. All characters are property of CLAMP. Standard disclaimers apply. --- Vicissitudes II: The Heart of the Sakura (Epilogue) An "X" Fanfic Presented by Alison Koh The rain pelted heavily against her umbrella as she rushed past the busy sidewalk. She did not have much chance to take in the surrounding sights, but still, it amazed her to see how much Tokyo had managed to recover within the short space of one year. The earthquakes, which had been an almost daily occurrence slightly over a year ago, were only a distant memory. Here in Shinjuku, crowds of office workers and students continued to throng the streets even in the heavy rain. Across the road, constructions for new skyscrapers and shopping malls were currently underway. She turned into a corner street that led her across a small city park towards the more residential side of town. She took out the slip of paper from her coat pocket and proceeded towards the address scrawled on it in a large masculine hand. After a short search, she finally found the place. On a gleaming silver plate hanging outside the whitewashed walls of the establishment was inscribed the words: "Sakurazuka Animal Clinic". A sign on the glass door indicated that it was closed for the day. However, she decided to try her luck and pressed the doorbell. A few moments later, there was a click on the door latch as it opened and a man spoke, "Sorry, we're closed for the day, unless it is an emergency...Oh, it's you, Kasumi-san! Come on in!" Setting aside her wet umbrella, Karen smiled, amused by the sight of the ex-Sakurazukamori in white veterinarian's overalls, and wearing normal glasses instead of his sinister shades. In some way, he reminded her of Aoki Seiichirou. "Surprised?" she asked. The man merely chuckled. "Shiyu-san gave me your address while I was having lunch with him and Yuzuriha yesterday. I thought it would be nice to see how Kamui is doing after all this time." "Surprisingly, he's grown a little taller, but is still as pretty as ever. Would you like to have some tea?" Karen nodded and Seishirou led her to his living quarters on the second level. As she stepped into the spacious living room, she was amazed by its elegant décor. Prized artworks hung on the walls, while an enviable collection of antiques was laid out on glass cases on the other side of the room. A few minutes later, Seishirou stepped out of the kitchen bearing a tray of tea and cakes, which he laid out on the coffee table. Realising that Karen was scrutinising one of his antique pieces, he chuckled, "I used to be an avid collector, but now I can't afford it with my present income." "Surely, the Sakurazukamori must have a huge sum secretly stashed away," Karen feigned disbelief. "Well, I need to save up for rainy days. Who knows when the next earthquake might strike again," he mused. Just then, there was a sound of footsteps running up the stairs. "Tadaima!" "Ah, Kamui-kun, you're back! Look who's here." Kamui beamed brightly at the sight of Karen. He had not seen her for a very long time. As for Karen, she was surprised to see that Kamui had indeed grown taller, and commented on it. Seishirou laughed. "Naturally. With me around to make sure he takes proper meals everyday, he ought to be growing." "How's Pochi?" Kamui asked with a look of obvious concern. "Who?" Karen asked. Seishirou explained, "Oh, Pochi is a puppy who was brought in almost on the brink of death by its owner a few days ago. Kamui's been watching closely over it everyday after school. Well, it has fully recovered this morning and has gone home." Kamui was visibly relieved by the news. "How's your studies?" Karen enquired. Kamui replied, "I'm doing fine. I should be able to make it to the Zoology course at Clamp University next year." "Zoology?" Seishirou laughed, "Kamui-kun wants to fulfil Subaru's dream to be an animal caretaker. It's a good choice for him really. He's a natural with animals. Just the other day, Sorata-kun came visiting with Arashi-san and almost had his hand bitten off trying to pet one of the Pomeranians. Fortunately, Kamui-kun was around to rescue him." Karen asked, "Sorata and Arashi were here?" "Oh yes. They came to personally announce the news of their engagement. I understand that they're planning to marry after graduation. Such a union between Mount Kouya and the Ise Shrine should be a major event in the Spiritual circles." Karen was pleased. "I'm glad they're finally getting together, but I hope Arashi won't give Sorata such a hard time in future." Then she gave Kamui a mischievous wink and asked, "So when is your turn due?" Kamui instantly blushed and stammered, "I...er..." Fortunately, he was rescued by the ring of the doorbell. Seishirou glanced at his watch and announced with a grin, "That would be the groom, just arrived from Kyoto." Kamui's face transformed into a deeper shade of crimson as he ran down the stairs excitedly. He reappeared a few moments later with Subaru. The Sumeragi was pleasantly surprised to see Karen. Then he noticed, for the first time since he stepped into the place, that Kamui's cheeks were flaming red. "Kamui, are you all right?" he asked. His voice was genuinely concerned. Kamui nodded in silence when Seishirou, unable to resist it any longer, burst out laughing. "Kasumi-san was just enquiring when the two of you are going to set up a home together." "Oh," Subaru muttered as he began to share Kamui's colour. Pretending to be oblivious to their discomfort, Seishirou continued, "Well, I think it's about time. I'm tired of playing 'uncle' to Kamui-kun while you rush about your important duties in Kyoto. I'd like to warn you that I'm gradually finding Kamui-kun irresistible and if you don't watch out, I might just steal him away from you." Subaru was at a total loss about how to respond to Seishirou's challenge, though it was made in jest. However, a smile crept up his face when he felt Kamui tighten his grip about his hand as a reassurance of his true feelings. Karen noticed this and commented, "Well, Sakurazuka-san, I doubt you'd be able to succeed." Seishirou sighed, "I must be getting old. My charms are not what they once were." Subaru spoke, "Erm...actually, I came to announce that I'm done with most of the matters in Kyoto and am back in Tokyo for good. I've also found a suitable apartment to stay and was wondering if Kamui would like to take a look at it this afternoon." Kamui's face instantly lit up and nodded vigorously. Seishirou, on the other hand, declined Subaru's invitation to join them, whereas Karen was more direct and stated that she had no intention of disturbing their privacy since it was obvious to her that Subaru had not been back in Tokyo for quite some time. Instead, Seishirou offered to bring Karen out on a dinner date, while Subaru left with Kamui. * The apartment had a fantastic view of Tokyo Bay. Though it was not large, it was more than spacious enough for two. Subaru gave Kamui a quick tour, which included the tastefully decorated living room, a well-stocked kitchen and the master bedroom. Kamui looked out from the window of the bedroom, obviously pleased with the apartment. Subaru said, "There's a spare bedroom adjoining this. You can move in tomorrow if you wish." However, Kamui turned around to look at him with apprehension quivering in his eyes. Subaru understood and he gave an indulgent smile before explaining, "I might need to work late on many nights. I don't want to disturb you." Kamui immediately relaxed and said, "It won't make a difference to me, because I'll be waiting up for you. I have been thinking, perhaps you could teach me some onmyoujutsu and then I can help you with your work." Subaru reached out to the boy and embraced him in his arms. "Thanks, Kamui but I would rather have you concentrate on your studies. "So, what do you think of the place?" Kamui lifted his head to drown himself in Subaru's gentle gaze, saying, "I love it. But as long as I can be with you, it doesn't matter where we live." "Kamui..." Subaru whispered his name tenderly and then, unable to resist the silent plea in Kamui's eyes, bent down and pressed his lips against the boy's. Kamui responded hungrily to that kiss as all his pent-up desires began to boil to the surface. Subaru's ardour was just as fierce. He was finally free of the shadows of death that had haunted him for a good decade of his life. With the Promised Day over, he was now given a new lease of life to find the happiness that had proven so elusive in the past. Soon they found themselves lying on the bed, aching with a need for the other. Subaru struggled passionately with the buttons on Kamui's uniform when a thought struck him and he paused. "Subaru, what's wrong?" Kamui pleaded. Subaru tenderly stroke the boy's face and asked, "Your mindlink with Seishirou-san...is it really gone?" Kamui nodded sincerely, but then there was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he haltingly said, "But...I guess...there's only one way to find out." Subaru smiled. * "Nice place," Karen remarked, clearly impressed as Seishirou offered to refill her empty wine glass. "I figured I should come here while I could still afford it," Seishirou chuckled. Karen smiled but changed the topic. "About what happened that day..." Seishirou replied, "Even if Subaru-kun and I had not attacked Fuuma, he would have died with the Tree. He didn't have a feeling heart and thus he allowed the Sakura to fill its place. There was a time when I might have suffered the same fate, if Kamui-kun hadn't help me discover my own heart." "I think Kamui helped you discover more than that," Karen mused, "You weren't joking this afternoon when you 'threatened' to take Kamui away from Sumeragi-san, were you?" "You're as sharp as ever," Seishirou praised, "But you'll never get me to admit it in front of them because I do understand very well that I can never be a part of Kamui-kun's life in that way. Subaru-kun is the only one he loves and the one who can give him the happiness he deserves. I can only pretend to be his 'uncle'. But then, you of all people, should understand." Karen nodded wistfully. She had left Tokyo for such a long time because she needed the break to cool her unrequited feelings for Seiichirou. Seiichirou was a married man and totally devoted to his wife and daughter. There was no room in his life for Karen beyond anything more complicated than a platonic friendship. But Karen was not sure she could live with that. However, she had since come to terms with it, and hence her return to Tokyo. "What are your plans now?" Seishirou asked. "I've already found a place to stay, so the next important item would be a job. But I don't fancy returning to the soaplands." "If you don't mind, I'm in desperate need of an assistant. Kamui-kun has been nice to help me out after school. But now that he's going to move in with Subaru-kun, I don't think he will be affording me as much attention. The pay's not fantastic but it should be adequate. Besides, you could use it to tide you over for the time being until you find a better job." Karen pondered briefly over the offer and said, "I accept. After all, someone must watch over the Sakurazukamori." They raised their glasses and laughed heartily like old friends. ----- 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>