| Preparation "So...Yue-san is going as himself?" Sakura asked Kero and she fluffed her hair, examining herself in the mirror. "Yue-san is contemplating death as we speak." Kero replied, small body hovering beside her. Sakura laughed. "Kero-chan, you're so mean." Keroberos, the Great Guardian of the Seal, as he called himself, didn't bother to add that he was serious. The look on Yue-san's usual calm face...well, the expression had remained the same. Yue-san's expressions were all of two. One was the usual mask of boredom. No doubt when the world ended he might crack a smile. But not before. The other expression was one of mild anger. He usually pulled out that one when his face started freezing in the bored one. One couldn't have TOO much exercise. Sakura finished primping herself and finally looked at herself. And once more she paused, hand halfway down her side. Tight pleather clad her entire sixteen year old figure, cutting off at the neck. The whip had indeed doubled as a tail and she had stuck it on, allowing it to drag on the floor behind her. A cat mask covered her eyes, short hair falling loose. She realized right then and there that she couldn't deal. "Oh, NOOOO..." she scrambled for her key. The situation could be remedied, right then and there. Just had to call on Fly reeeeeeal quick... "FREEZE!" Kero-chan shouted and he flew at her, chomping down on her right index finger. "AAAARGH! Kero-CHAN!" "If ~I~ can't be ME, you have to be THAT!" he ordered from around her finger which was soaked in Guardian saliva. Sakura shrieked angrily at him, shaking her finger. "I DON'T WANT TO-" Kero bit harder, growling like an abandoned kitten protecting his food. "YAMETE!" Sakura shouted and she swung her hand, flinging him onto her bed. With a pout she turned away to nurse her finger. A knock sounded at the door. "Sakura?" came Touya's voice, "Who are you yelling at?" Sakura paled for all of a moment. And then, with an absolutely wicked idea popping into her head she snatched Kero back off the bed, stifling his wail with her other hand. "Now we'll see who is the Card Mistress here." She said coldly. And she flung open the door. Touya was looking suspicious at the door and he scanned the room quickly, settling only when he realized it was empty. He slowly looked back at her, loosening up and then he REALLY looked at her. "What are you WEARING?!" he cried and he clamped a hand over his eyes quickly. "My costume." Sakura answered, making sure she was suffocating Kero-chan. "I NOTICED!" he shouted. He turned his head away, hand still over his eyes. "Who were you yelling at?" "Kero-chan." She answered with a simple shrug. "Kero-chan?" her brother echoed and he peeked out from in between two fingers. "Kero-chan." She said again and she held him out, fingers curled around his little body. "I was working out some anger." And as if to prove her point she turned and flung Kero at the far wall. She was almost positive she heard him squeak. Then he hit the wall and slid to the floor. Touya blinked owlishly, from the fallen stuffed animal to Sakura, who was diving across the room after the toy with what sounded suspiciously much like a karate shout. "Hiiiiiii-YAAAAAAAAAAA!" "Um...Sakura..." She ignored him, grabbing the doll by the legs and smacking his upper body against the wall repeatedly. "Kero-chan's been a BAD boy! BAD!" she shouted, emphasizing each word with a thump. Touya allowed it to go on, marveling at this new side to his sister. "Kero-chan will never EVER again order Sakura around! RIGHT?!" she demanded and she grabbed him by one foot and began to swing him, aiming for the window. "Kero-chan orders you around?" Touya asked in sudden interest. Sakura didn't answer, obviously busy trying to figure out what angle best to fling Kero without damaging the house. Touya shrugged after another moment. "Don't break the windows." Was all he said and he turned and left, footsteps echoing down the hall. Sakura continued to swing for another moment. And she suddenly noticed that Kero was getting heavier. "Hoooee?" A moment later feathers exploded, flinging Sakura back. She hit the floor hard, caught off guard. When next she looked up, Keroberos, Guardian of the Seal, Bringer of Destruction and Heinous Cat Breath stood before her, tail swinging lazily. "Sakura-chan..." he purred, studying her hungrily. "Do you know what I do to little Card Mistresses who anger me?" Sakura blinked at him. "You've had more than one?" she asked innocently. She shrieked as he lunged at her. Eriol looked at himself in the mirror, thoughts elsewhere. He wore his usual dark clothes, heavy cloak falling around him. He should wear his head ornament as well but it was so big it took all his strength just to hold his head straight. He decided against it being on his head. If anything he would carry it. "Suppi-chan, it was a JOKE!" Nakuru shouted and she suddenly slid down the staircase banister, long maroon hair flowing behind her. Eriol glared at her as she slid to a stop and stayed seated at the foot of the railing, blinking wide eyes at him. "The banister." He said simply and he turned away, back to the mirror. In the reflection he saw Spinel Sun in his true form, lean strong body jumping onto the banister as well. Nakuru jumped down and spun towards Spinel Sun who came sliding down the railing. "OFF THE BANISTER!" she yelled at him. "Don't we teach you ANYTHING?" Spinel Sun came flying off the banister, crashing headfirst into Nakuru and, with a surprised squeal from Ruby Moon, "EEEEEEEEK!" they both toppled, sliding across the floor and into the living room. Eriol sighed inwardly, fixing his costume. Maybe he and Sakura could switch Guardians for the night. He would much rather put up with Keroberos and Yue-san. The doorbell suddenly chimed and he looked up, surprised. On the floor in the living room Nakuru glanced up as well, one fist shoved in between Spinel Sun's jaws, the other yanking on his newly grown fur. "Who, in the name of the Moon, is that?" Spinel Sun asked around Nakuru's hand. Eriol went to the door and answered it, staring at the visitor in confusion. "Yue?" Yue, Judge of the Cards, did not look happy. And Eriol could not find it in himself to be surprised. He invited the Judge in wordlessly, stepping aside. Without a word himself, Yue entered, long white hair floating behind him. His blank blue-gray eyes scanned the front hallway, catching sight of Nakuru underneath Spinel Sun in the living room. "Are you in that much need of attention?" he asked Nakuru quietly, arms crossing over his chest. Spinel Sun slowly detached himself from Nakuru's fist, stepping back and seating himself politely on his hind quarters. Nakuru rose to her feet and then began to walk over toward him, flicking her braid over her shoulder and pretending not to notice when it caught Spinel Sun upside his snout, effectively tossing him aside. "What are you doing here, Yue?" she asked, one hand rising to rest on her hip. "The Mistress is expecting me to go to this little costume party of hers." He answered with a shrug. Eriol remained silent, not caring one way or the other. "But the party isn't being held HERE, Yue." Nakuru said with feigned cheerfulness. Yue's expression was the one of boredom. "I'm quite aware of that." He stated. "However, the Mistress and Keroberos have gotten into a little tangle so they suggested I come here and accompany your group." Nakuru smiled, tilting her head. "I see." she said. Eriol looked from one to the other. "Yes, well, so do I. We're leaving now." He looked toward the living room. "Spinel Sun." The beast came out of the living room, a band-aid across his black snout. "I'm here." "Wonderful." Eriol opened the door. "After you." |
| All images and works done/altered by ShiNoFuriko and TasogareBan. Please do not steal and always give credit to where it is due. |