Title: Preordained

Author: Wowie

Status: 5/?

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Angst/Drama/Crossover

Archive: Ask permission first

Previously: Satoru went to see Hinoto and was able to have a glimpse of what’s to come.

Warnings: Some mature themes like violence and death.

Disclaimer: The characters of X and Magic Knight Rayearth are both owned by CLAMP and I have no intention of using them to earn money. So please, I don’t want to be surprised by big shot lawyers sending me schedule for court hearings.

...

Chapter Five: And So, Goodbye

‘This is the day’. Hikaru looked around the Shidou Household one last time for she knew that she would never be able to return to this place again. And for the last time, she went to her favorite part of the compound, the place where the old apple tree stood. Ever since she could remember, the tree was already standing there. Her father once told her that his great, great grandfather planted it just after the Second World War.

She touched its trunk affectionately as the memories of her childhood flooded into her mind. She and her older brothers would often play there all day. Sometimes, they just lie down and watch the leaves rustle. There were also times that whenever the tree had fruits, Masaru and Kakeru would try to outdo each other by racing on who’s going to get the most apples in an effort to impress her. Satoru didn’t approve of it, though it was obvious in his expression that he was highly amused with his younger brothers’ tirade. Then both of them would go to Hikaru and offer what they think as the juiciest apple and she would accept them both and will smile at them in return. She would cut the two apples and halves then share them to the three of them. The four of them would have a picnic under the tree’s shade with the apples as the main course. Yes, those were the days when life was much simpler.

She felt someone’s hand stroke her hair a bit carelessly. She looked up to see Satoru looking down at her with sorrow in his eyes. She forced a smile then said, “It’s been a long time since you’ve last stroke my hair like this.”

Satoru didn’t answer. Instead, he encircled his arms on her body and hugged her tightly. Hikaru rested her head on his brother’s chest and they remained like that for a long moment, gaining comfort with the silence around them. They took all the opportunity, for they knew that would be the last time they could ever hold each other like that.

“I wish I could take away all your pain...” Satoru kissed his sister’s hair. Hikaru drew away from him and hugged herself.

“Knowing that you support me whatever happens is already a good comfort for me, Satoru-oniisama,” Hikaru looked at Satoru affectionately. “No sister could ever ask for more...”

Satoru felt a lump on his throat. He still couldn’t accept the fact that this might be the last time they see each other. He had to let her go, even though he wanted so much to stop her from leaving. He kissed her forehead and whispered, “We’ll miss both of you...”

“Same here,” Hikaru said in return. At that moment, Kuu went to them.

“I’ve finished packing Kamui-san’s clothes. Have you finished packing yours?”

“Thank you, Kuu-chan,” Hikaru said. She was very glad that her brother had found someone like Kuu to love. She knew that time itself had proven how strong their love for each other was.

Kuu walked closer then embraced her sister-in-law. Satoru had told her everything and though she promised her husband she should never worry about it, she couldn’t help but feel that way. Tears started to roll down her eyes and her voice was a little horse when she spoke, “Take care of yourself... you and Kamui-san.”

“You too, Kuu-chan. I hope you and Satoru-oniisama live a happy life together,” Hikaru looked at her warmly then kissed her cheek. “I’m glad to have a sister-in-law like you.”

“Thank you...” Kuu wiped her tears then remembered something. “By the way, where is Kamui?”

Hikaru smiled sadly then said, “He’s at the Monou Shrine.”

“Hey Kamui! You’ve been acting pretty strange today,” Fuma said frowning. When Kamui came to the shrine that morning, Fuma and Kotori immediately went to him and was about to ask him to play hide and seek with them. But there was something in his expression that stopped them from asking. Kamui just asked them if they could just lie down on the grass for a while. They’ve been lying there for 20 minutes now that was why Fuma couldn’t stand the silence any longer and sat up.

“Oniichan’s (big brother) right. What’s wrong with you Kamui-chan?” Kotori also sat up then looked at Kamui worriedly.

Kamui sighed then sat up with them. “No, it’s just that... I’m trying to get used to the idea that I won’t be seeing you both for a very long time...”

“What did you say?” Fuma asked in a surprised tone while Kotori looked shocked.

Kamui didn’t answer at once. Instead, he stood up and started towards the gate.

“Oi wait!” Fuma stood up and went after Kamui while Kotori stayed behind, the shocked look still in her face.

Kamui continued walking despite Fuma’s call. The reason why he came here in the first place was to say goodbye to them. But somehow, he couldn’t bring the topic up because he himself was still not up to the idea that they were really leaving Tokyo. Leaving Fuma and Kotori, his dearest friends. But he promised himself that he would never leave his mother. That he would go wherever she may go even if it means leaving all the things that were dear to him.

“Wait!” Fuma called again. When he reached Kamui, he held both his shoulders and turned him around. “Why, Kamui?”

Kamui looked up and saw the questioning look in Fuma’s eyes. He sighed, “Um...”

“You’re leaving us, Kamui-chan?”

Kamui turned his attention to where the voice came from and saw that Kotori was now standing a few feet away from the two of them. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. When Kamui started to walk closer to her, she couldn’t hold her tears any longer and let it flow out.

“Hey Kotori, stop crying,” Kamui whispered then cupped her cheek. Her smile always brightens up his day and he didn’t want that smile to be wiped away with tears of sadness because of him.

Kotori stepped back then wiped her tears. “I’m sorry... I can’t help it...” she sniffed then looked questioningly at Kamui, “But why are you leaving?”

“I don’t know either... it’s just that okaasan suddenly decided to move with me to another place,” Kamui explained.

“Didn’t she tell you why?” Fuma asked and went to his sister’s side to comfort her.

Kamui shook his head.

“Where are you going to move?” Fuma added.

“I heard her talking to Kuu-obasan and told her that we’re going to live in Okinawa,” Kamui prodded sadly.

“But that’s very far!” Fuma exclaimed. “When are you going to leave?”

It took a long while before Kamui breathed out, “Today.”

“Today?!” Fuma and Kotori were startled. It was one thing to know that Kamui’s leaving Tokyo, but to learn that the said trip would be that same day was another matter.

“Yes...” Kamui replied sadly. “But don’t worry, I’ll write both of you as soon as we arrive to our new home,” he said trying to sound cheerful again.

Fuma pursed his lips to prevent himself from crying. He and Kamui heard once that boys don’t cry, but the urge was so great knowing the prospect that his best friend would be gone for a long time. He didn’t realize that his eyes were already misty. Kamui saw this and he himself couldn’t help but burst into tears. When Kamui cried, Fuma couldn’t hold it much longer so he let the tears flow down also. Kotori was watching them with her own tears flooding down her face then hugged them both. It was so touching to see that her brave oniichans succumb to tears. With Kotori’s action, the two boys hugged her in return and they just cried and cried until there were no more tears.

It was Kamui who first withdrew from their tight embrace. After wiping his face with his arm, he smiled at them and with a determined look he vowed, “I would never ever forget the two of you. Someday, I will return to Tokyo. When that time comes, I promise to become stronger so I can help Fuma protect you Kotori.”

Fuma smiled tenderly then held out his hand before saying, “Then I promise to become stronger also so I could protect Kotori and the one who would help me in protecting my little sister.” Kamui looked warmly at Fuma then placed his hand over his. They both looked at Kotori who was beaming at them. She also placed her hand over theirs and joined their pact.

“And I promise I wouldn’t become too much of a burden to my protectors. That I myself would try to become stronger so I could protect them too,” she promised them.

After a few moments of silence, Kamui stepped back then looked at his friends one last time. He would miss them both. Fuma’s enthusiasm, Kotori’s cheerfulness, their pranks and plays, he would keep all those precious memories in his heart and in his mind.

“I have to go, farewell,” Kamui turned to run but stopped when he heard Kotori’s voice call his name. He turned around and saw her step forward, hands clasped.

“Please, don’t say goodbye... anything but goodbye...” she pleaded.

Kamui was stunned for a moment then slowly curved one corner of his mouth, “Then I guess I’ll see you both next time.”

Fuma and Kotori both nodded then Kamui continued to run down the steps of the shrine. When he reached the road, he looked back and saw the two of them still standing where he left them. He smiled then waved his arm at them before finally running to the direction of their dojo. He ran as fast as he could only to bump into someone. He almost fell to the ground if it hadn’t been for the hands that held firmly onto his shoulders. When he looked up, he saw his mother’s pair of ruby eyes that bored gently into his. A smile formed her soft lips. Because of the look of understanding in Hikaru’s face, Kamui clung to his mother and cried all over again.

“Hush now, everything will be alright,” Hikaru’s whispered to her son’s ear in a soothing voice. Kamui calmed down but continued sobbing.

“Hikaru, we have to go now or you won’t catch your train,” Satoru reminded, though he himself was worried with the little boy.

“Yeah. We’ll follow you shortly in the car,” she replied. She saw him nod and walked away. She drew away from Kamui so she could cup both his cheeks with her hands and look straight into his eyes. “We have to go now, okay?”

Kamui nodded then wiped his tears and smiled at his mother. “I won’t really mind being away from my friends as long as I’m with you okaasan.”

Hikaru chuckled then kissed his son’s forehead affectionately. “And I’m glad to have a brave little boy like you. Okay, let’s go now. Your Satoru-ojisan’s waiting and as he said, we have to catch our train.”

“Un.” And hand-in-hand they walked to where the car was parked. When they were gone, Kanoe emerged from one of the trees nearby. A sly smile was visible on her face.

“You’re too late Hikaru. No matter how far you and your son would go, his twin star and the second sword had already been chosen.”

-Tsuzuku-