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Undone GoodbyesTitle: Undone GoodbyesSeries: xxxHOLiC

Characters: one-sided Ame-Warashi/Zashiki-Warashi, one-sided Zashiki-Warashi/Watanuki

Rating: G

Summary: When Zashiki-Warashi came to Ame-Warashi crying, all she could dowas shield her from the rain.Notes: Inspired by the most recent chapter of xxxHOLiC, so expect spoilers if

you aren't caught up to the series!

Zashiki-Warashi found Ame-Warashi. There were tears in her eyes.

Child, the rain spirit began, hurrying to her and grasping her elbows, pulling herclose and looking down at her, looking more than worried. Child, what has

happened?

I went to see him, Zashiki-warashi whispered, tears flowing down her cheeks.There was no question as to who him was.

Ame-Warashi was immediately on the defensive. What did he do to you?

Her grip on the vestal spirit tightened, gloved hands curling around the crook ofher elbows, taking a step closer to her. Blue hair hung in her eyes and herumbrella lay forgotten at her side. She frowned, deeply, the look of concern

melting away into a look of agitation and anger. She would wage war against thishuman, if necessary.

But the zashiki-warashi was shaking her head quickly, fast enough that her hatfell off and in her hair she wore only the winged barrettes that human had givenher. He didnt do anything, she protested, and then her voice dropped as shebit back a choked sob, But thats just it.

What? Ame-Warashi asked, cautious. You wanted him to do something?

She barely swallowed her rage.

Zashiki-Warashi shook her head again, hair flapping from side to side. She liftedher hands, clenching them together and pressing them over her chest, just above

her heart. She tried to speak, but merely ended up sobbing instead.

He she choked out before her parched throat cracked and she ducked herhead in shame, crying.

Ame-Warashi knew better than to demand anything from the other spirit when

she was like that, so she brushed her fingers softly over her biceps, brushing hairfrom her tear-stained cheeks and tucking it daintily behind her ear. She frowned,

biting back her snide remarks about this blasted human that would dare makeZashiki-Warashi cry.

He couldnt see me, she managed at last.

Ame-Warashi froze. She blinked once, staring at Zashiki-Warashi in unsuppressed

shock.

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He the rain spirit considered her words very carefully, for the sake of Zashiki-Warashis fragile feelings. So his wish was granted.

Zashiki-Warashis knees gave out and she sunk to the ground, Ame-Warashi rightthere with her, lowering her down gently so she wouldnt hurt herself. Once

there, the young spirit threw her arms around her friends shoulders and sobbedagainst her chest. Ame-Warashi wrapped her arms lightly around her waist,

drawing her closer until their bodies were flushed together. She ran one handthrough the girls hair before picking up the forgotten umbrella and holding itover her so that the rain that had just started to fall wouldnt get her wet.

Oh, child, she whispered, her voice heartbroken for this poor spirits feelings,not for the boy who had left them behind.

I Zashiki-Warashi tried.

Wait, for now, dont speak, Ame-Warashi suggested, stroking the girls hair

more, curling her gloved fingers through silky black hair and cradling her head.She kissed the girls temple, blue eyes falling shut as she held her shuttering

body, her broken sobs the only sound over the pitter patter of rain drops.

After a long moment, she was able to speak, shakily: I know it was his wish butI Ill miss him.

Ame-Warashi squeezed her, because she wasnt sure what to say to that.

I know, child. Still cradling her head, she protected her from the rain but could

not protect her from the pain in her heart. I know.

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RepairTitle: RepairRating: PG

Series: xxxHOLiCCharacters/Pairing: Ame-Warashi/Zashiki-Warashi (mentions of one-sided

Watanuki/Zashiki-Warashi)

Summary: After the incident with the spider matron, Ame-Warashi has to finallyadmit just how much Zashiki-Warashi has become to her.

Notes: Written for the anon meme ( clampanonmeme), I hope it's what youwanted, OP!

Are you sure youre okay?

Yes.

Are you sure youre sure?

Im fine, Zashiki-Warashi said gently, her expression demure, yet guilty. Imsorry I w-worried you again. I-I always worry y-you.

Ame-Warashi bit her lower lip painfully, her expression unreadable, but intenseand real. She didnt say anything for a long moment before she released anagitated breath of hot air, slamming the tip of her umbrella into the ground so

she can lean forward on it. Zashiki-Warashi made a small peeping sound, hercheeks turning pink in surprise, and looked at her companion nervously.

That human saved you, the rain child hissed out, her expression crumbling like

wet paper, her agitation replaced with something like relief and complete andutterly overwhelming guilt. I couldnt do anything.

N-no, the vestal sprite insisted, taking a step towards her before hesitating,unsure if such an action was too forward. You do so much for m-me, Ame-Warashi. W-Without you I

The other spirit shook her head violently from side to side, and her blue hair

bobbed back and forth in an almost comical arc. She strode towards her andgrasped the other spirits hands tightly. Her umbrella clattered to the floor,

utterly forgotten.

I couldnt do anything for you, she said, sounding utterly miserable andangered. That human had to save you. I couldnt even get near enough. All I

could do was wait, and damn it, I hate that. I should be able to protect youbetter.

Zashiki-Warashi looked as if she were about to burst into tears. She stared up at

the rain spirit, looking rather akin to a kicked puppy. N-no, thats not t-true

What happens if Jorougumo comes back for you? Or something worse? What ifthat human cant save you? Her voice was firm, not out of anger, but out ofconcern. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Zashiki-Warashi knew this, and yet,it couldnt stop her from being utterly terrified. Shed done something wrong,once again.

Ame-Warashi Zashiki-Warashi began, looking terrified by this suddenoutburst.

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The rain spirit must have sensed her distress because she released a long sigh,dropped her hands, and turned away, swooping down to collect her umbrella and

brushing her gloved hands over the frills of her dress, making herself presentableand nonchalant, despite the sudden breach in comfort.

Youd really do so much for that human? she asked, her shoulders as tense as

her voice.

Zashiki-Warashis face ignited into a bright red and she ducked her face, hiding itbeneath her bone straight hair. She swallowed thickly, trying to summon wordsthat wouldnt both incriminate and dismiss her affections for that boy with whomshe was so enamored. Ame-Warashi, too used to these bouts of embarrassment,

knew simply to wait, eyes set firmly on the other spirits form.

I c-c-care about h-him, Zashiki-Warashi admitted, hesitantly. If t-theressomething I c-could do, I w-want to h-help him.

He wont be able to return your feelings, the rain spirit said quietly.

Zashiki-Warashi adopted a pained look, but she nodded. They both knew.

Even so I-I want to h-help him as best I c-can, Zashiki-Warashi admitted,swallowing and looking rather worried shed done something wrong with thatconfession. She bit her lip and shifted from foot to foot, looking quite pained and

confused. B-because even if h-he cant return m-my feelings, i-it makes mehappy to s-see him happy.

Youre too trusting; youre too kind, Ame-Warashi snapped. Zashiki-Warashiflinched, but only slightly so. Ame-Warashi either didnt notice or paid it no mind,continuing, You put yourself in danger for him. You could have died if he hadnt

been on time, if he hadnt done something right while he was in there. How canyou expect to live if youre always putting yourself in danger like that? Really, thisworld is without class. Itll rip you apart if youre not careful, and yet youre sostubborn and go into something as dangerous as that. Youre lucky that human

has such an aura that he can get in there.

A-Ame-Warashi, Zashiki-Warashi whispered, tears in her eyes.

Ame-Warashi snapped her mouth shut and huffed. Its dangerous, and yet youjust go headlong into it.

Y-you shouldnt worry so much about me, the vestal spirit whispered, the tears

threatening to spill over.

Ame-Warashi hissed out a low curse, her eyebrows knitting together. She took astep towards the other spirit and inhaled a deep breath, sharp and to the point

she said, Ill always worry over you.

B-but why?

Because you do silly things like this. Anyone who knows you would worry.

B-but Ame-Warashi d-doesnt worry over other spirits, the vestal spirit pressed,biting her lip and trying to brush her own tears away.

Ame-Warashi sighed again. Really, this wasnt the way the conversation was

supposed to go.

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Its because I like you, Ame-Warashi said, her voice coming out far harsherthan shed intended, but everything about her was harsh and to the point. She

was the rainand rain could be very unforgiving in its delivery.

The other spirit blinked at her for a long moment before her expression softenedand she nodded her head.

I like Ame-Warashi, too, the spirit said, smiling up at her friend.

Ame-Warashi gave her a rather deadpan look before sighing irritably, pressing apalm against her forehead before inhaling sharply.

I dont think you understand, child, the rain spirit muttered, more to herselfthan Zashiki-Warashi.

Eh? The spirit could feel her face turning pink again. Im s-s-sorry, did I m-

make assumptions a-again?

No, Ame-Warashi said tensely. I meant that I like you in a way similar to theway you like that damn human.

There was a long moment before Zashiki-Warashi became distinctly aware thather face would never be a normal color again. She was seeing red, her blush wasso intense. She sputtered out some words, couldnt say anything coherent,

peeped in embarrassment, and then hid her face behind the billow sleeves of herkimono.

Ame-Warashi didnt say anything, her face crumbled up in her frustration. Shecrossed her arms, tapping her fingers on her arms, silently counting the secondsbetween her confession and Zashiki-Warashis reactions to it.

B-b-b-b-b-but, Zashiki-Warashi managed to get out, after shed summonedsome illusion of control over her voice. It wavered and wobbled in the silent air.

You d-d-dont act l-like the w-w-way I act around h-h-him.

Certainly not, the rain spirit said, and had it been anyone else but the little

vestal sprite, would have punctuated her indignation with a swift whack with herumbrella. Instead, she settled on a painfully rigid expression, her eyebrowsknitting together. I have far more control over such things than you do. Yourestill unused to feeling these kinds of things. Ive felt these things for years.

Y-years? stammered the other spirit.

Something shifted in the rain spirits eyes and she took a step forward. Zashiki-

Warashi did not protest the intrusion of personal space from hershe was far tooused to the rain spirit going where she wanted, flowing like waterand let her

hands be grabbed. Ame-Warashi studied the hands for a moment, swiping herthumb over the knuckles almost tenderly so. Zashiki-Warashi knew her face was

still red and was quickly accepting that itd be that color for a long time coming.

I wasnt going to say anything, the rain spirit confessed. I know how you feelfor that human, and I wasnt going to interfere with that.

It looked like Zashiki-Warashi were about to attempt to speak, but second

guessed herself and shut her lips, simply staring up at the rain spirit with asuffering look, complete comprehension still escaping her.

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And I dont expect you to return my feelings, Ame-Warashi continued, herexpression something that Zashiki-Warashi had never quite seen before. It wasstrangely resigned, strangely soft, something so unlike the rain child, who was so

quickly angered, so quickly frustrated, so fierce and jagged in her appearance inmanner. It was unlike her.

I dont w-want to be a b-burden, the spirit whispered.

Ame-Warashi didnt say anything for a long moment. Youre not.

B-but you worry o-over me.

Id worry over you no matter what.

Zashiki-Warashi made a small noise of disagreement in the back of her throat,

looking stricken. Ame-Warashi sighed and kept her grip on her hands firm. And,just as firmly, said, You could never be a burden to me. Could that human ever

be a burden to you?

No, the blushing spirit admitted, ducking her head again.

Ame-Warashi sighed. Thats how it is for me.

O-oh, she whispered.

The rain spirit moved slowly and pressed her lips against the other spiritsforehead. The second made another peeping noise and the rain child could almost

feel the heat beneath the touch. She pulled back and met the other spirits eyesfor half a moment before sighing.

Ame-Warashi took a step back, and dropped one hand. She unhooked her

umbrella from her wrist and opened it, positioning it over her shoulder. Shetugged on the hand she was still holding, pulling the spirit up next to her.

Lets be going, then. The stench of humans is painful, she said matter-of-factly.

And began walking, keeping her grip on her hand present.

Zashiki-Warashi gripped the hand back tightly and walked beside her, face stillbright red, but not looking quite as miserable as she had earlier.

Y-yes, she said. O-of course.

Hm, the rain child agreed.