OVERALL:

Title: Angel

(Main) Pairing: SubaruxKamui

Disclaimer: Everything used in here is owned by CLAMP unless otherwise stated. The only thing I own at the moment is the basic plot idea. And my laptop, obviously.

Muse: Kaoru

Warnings: Angst, BoyxBoy, lemons in future chapters (located exclusively on Livejournal, so as not to upset the staff of Fanfiction . net), excessive use of CLAMP characters, some cussing, minor Seishirou bashing (mainly by Kamui), the infamous S/K (SubaruxKamui), and unbeta'd chapters.

Notes: In-depth information on this world located at end of each chapter. Translations will be provided at bottom as well, if necessary.

Track: 00

...Liquid Time Solidifies...

The sixteen-year-old stood before the two graves, side by side. Upon one was engraved words of remembrance, ceremonial beads wrapped loosely around the lower part of the marker stone. However, the one beside it held no words, was adorned with nothing, and the marker had been carved out the most inexpensive stone, a rougher version of its pristine neighbor. Still, it was this one that the boy was openly sobbing over, the other having only received a silent prayer or 'rest easy'.

Soft gasps and trembling sobs echoed throughout the lonely meadow, the Sakura tree looming above seeming to laugh at the boy's plight. To lose both your lover and your sister in an instant was a horrifying occurrence that happened only when the Fates themselves chose to intervene. The wound, still fresh, had been rubbed with salt when news of the event had reached his ears.

The last of his immediate family had been wiped out, save for his grandmother and the love of his life had broken his heart in two then shattered it completely. As if sensing his distress, the sky above rumbled with approaching storm clouds. A few seconds passed and the darkened heavens sent rain hurtling down. Still, it seemed God was merciful for the cheerfully blooming Sakura tree kept most of the water droplets from hitting him, and none found their way to the two grave stones directly above the tree's roots.

The boy would have liked to stay there forever, simply pondering what cruel being had chosen him to be devastated with this terrible tragedy. Alas, duty to his grandmother and those that had use of his services called him away sooner than he would have liked. A great honk came from behind as two beams cut through the rain like swords, casting his shadow forward as his grandmother came to collect him. Without a sound, he climbed into the back seat of the black Sudan, fidgeting in his mourning clothes.

His weak cries had long since evaporated, but he could not keep his hands from tightening into fists, the knuckles becoming paler than they already were. How long had it been since their passing? Three months? How many days had he been unable to pay his final respects? How many days had his heart been frozen, his mind wrapped around himself? How many seconds had he been locked in a state of stillness, trapped inside his body, nursing wounds that would never truly heal?

Beside him, a black cat with multi-colored butterfly wings materialized situated in the shadows to where only its teal eyes and faintly-glowing outline could be truly seen. Nevertheless, the constant rumbling that emitted from its ebony throat left little to the imagination. It occupied most of the back seats, stretched out to its fullest with the tip of its tail curled across the boy's lap in a vain attempt at comfort. The car drove through the pounding rain, a secluded sanctuary where one could not speak.

In fifteen minutes, the vehicle would reach its destination, a shrine of sorts. In sixteen minutes, the boy would lapse into a deep depression. In eighteen minutes, a child would lose his father and mother in a terrible fire. In twenty minutes, that child's house would be burned to the ground. In thirty minutes, the child would be taken away from his two friends to be transferred to an orphanage. In nine years, one boy would be working as a medium of sorts, his paycheck provided by the government. In nine years and twenty-six days, the other boy would have traveled to seven different foster homes, and would have just been kicked out of his eighth.

That, sadly, was the future. A future where two souls who had been driven to the brink of insanity in their earlier lives would have one final chance to bring the other eternal happiness, a happiness that had been deprived from them since the beginning of their first life. Time and again, disaster had struck them, filling their multiple lives with chaos. Now, their Gods had given them one final chance in a world where your "Guardian Angel" existed in some form or another and guided you on your journey through life. This final chance at true happiness and everlasting love would hopefully bring the two beings together, at last. Still, such plans never happen the way they're supposed too, especially when years of suffering has taken its toll on one fragile soul and two deaths have rocked the other to his very core.

The golden cat sat beside his owner, silently glowering at those two hands that lifted his boy ever-so-gently. And when those hands carried him off, the little cat hurried after the boy and his adult care-taker, white wings reminiscent of an angel's fluffing out and beating the air about the cat as he struggled to gain altitude. Alas, such a concept was woefully denied a being such as him, still a child himself, and the size of a normal house cat. Instead, his savior came in the form of a large, full-grown wolf lifting him skyward by the nape of his neck, trotting after the man who had been assigned to the Guardian and the boy who had been assigned to the angelic cat.

The cat relaxed, being carried in such a fashion. Snatches of conversation reached his pricked ears as he slowly shut off the outside world, his boy's weariness singing through the bond that connected them. Other humans with their Angels had joined the man carrying the boy, and they fell into step beside him. The burning house behind them illuminated the different men, the one woman lagging behind somewhat releasing a deep sigh as she looked backward. Smoke rose from the wreckage, firefighters still trying to control the flames that now fed off half-incinerated wood.

"…only family…"

"…neighbors…too many children…couldn't possibly…responsibilities…"

"…orphanage…could they? I…only thing…do…"

"…Kamui…boy…six, nearly seven…birthday…few months…twenty-seventh…no…"

"…cat…Keroberos…Angel…separated? No….cruel…"

The tiny cat's head bobbed against his chest as his body unconsciously curled tighter in the grip of the canine, the wolf grunting with effort as it adjusted to the slight weight change. Nevertheless, the silver beast cocked his head to the side as he listened to his designated human converse with the others, terror hidden beneath concern, anger, and frustration. The SeraphimAngel twisted his tail, raising and lowering the fluffy limb in confusion, unable to understand the complexity of the situation. Or why someone would do such a thing to a mere six-year-old. But, this was 'Kamui', their savior resurrected to help humanity avoid the coming apocalypse. And with this thought firmly in mind, the wolf picked up his pace, finding that he was lagging somewhat behind.

When the boy and his cat finally woke up, they were being driven on a highway, the man from earlier having called a cab with the wolf having faded from view. As the yellow car raced through the rain (when had the sky begun to weep?), the little boy looked out the window, eyes rubbed raw from tears. Passing by, in a flash, a black Sudan hurtled in the direction they had just come from. Still, the little boy had enough time to see the teenager in the backseat, eyes downcast as one tear slid down his pale skin.

And that teenager did not look up 'till he had arrived at the airport, having been sent there by his grandmother to greet some of his distant relatives who were just now finding out about his sister's death. Yet, when he passed by the younger boy, hope flicked on inside his heart, a tiny candle. Perhaps, there might be a future for him, if he could only let go of the past. And the teal gaze of his Guardian slid onto him as the gold Angel's eyes settled on the younger male.

"Subaru…"

"Kamui…"

"I won't let you get hurt ever again."

And both boys shivered at the pure venom that dripped from those words.

Information:

Angels: Angels, Guardians, or whatever they may be referred to as, these beings are born at the exact same time as their Human Counter-part. They grow with their 'Master', maturing as that person's emotions do. In some extreme cases, where depression is close or terrible acts are committed against a person, their Guardian may grow quickly to the 'Adult' (covered in next chapter) age, if only to provide comfort and wisdom to their designated humans. There are varying types of Angels, the most common being DaiAngels, with the rarest being ArchAngels. What type an Angel falls under is based on hereditary genetics and spiritual powers. If one is extremely mundane, their Angel will also be normal. However, if the person possesses incredible psychic powers, then their Angel may end up being a FarAngel, or an ArchAngel.

Setting: This takes place in an alternate universe to 'X'. Here, the time period is measured in A.D. and B.C. as normal, however, technology has developed under different circumstances, and as such, different things are available. The exact date is apparently around May 1999. In certain parts of the world, school is held during the summer, so Kamui shall attend school then. Here, the food is fine cuisine and different jobs are presented. The structure is pretty much the same, however, don't be shocked to find Kamui being introduced to procedures that weren't used until the twenty-first century. Basically, it has a mixture of both old and new that will hopefully provide a pleasing backdrop to the drama that shall unfold.

Reviews appreciated but not needed. Suggestions helpful and very much needed. Want to see your favorite CLAMP charrie appear? Let me know, and I'll add 'em in.

Explanation of Angel types and ages next chapter.

Ja ne, 'till then.