I haven't settled all of the details quite yet (nor written any of it) but here's the basic idea: I replace Kyle with Fai. Fei-Wang Reed binds Fai to him much more securely with lies and manipulations so that the mage is truly his puppet. He steals Fai away after he's fully trained as a wizard, using him to do almost all his dirty work including stabbing Kurogane's mother. Fai still travels with the group until Infinity, where Kurogane sees Fai handle a sword for the first time and recognizes the swordsmanship. There is a confrontation, a fight, a failed attempt by Fai to "suicide by Kurogane" and then Fai escapes to Reed. Reed punishes his disobedience by blinding him while tearing away the remainder of his magic and then locking away the vampire to starve to death.
In the end, while Reed fights with the two Syaorans, Kurogane finds, force-feeds and releases Fai. Fai gives up the hope of resurrecting his brother to help defeat Reed with his knowledge of the castle and the magic that protects the man. The clones go poof, Syaoran becomes Watanuki's "Hunter" to combine his debt-paying and desire to find a solution for the clones, and in return for having kept Mokona safe and returned her to Watanuki, Kurogane gets one-way tickets to Nihon for himself and Fai. He basically bludgeons Fai over the head with a guilt trip to get the man to agree, and Fai - from his perspective - trades one slavery for another.
Kurogane disabuses Fai of this notion over the course of the next few years. He teaches the man his language and how to "see" and it is painfully slow going at first, but Watanuki sends Syaoran and Mokona by a couple of times with trade offers. One is a trip to Piffle for a new arm for Kurogane in exchange for dragon pearls that Kurogane has to go hunt up, another is a Nihon-specific translation ability for Fai in exchange for the semi-restored wizard's help in creating a magical seal. After a long time, Fai finally settles down, accepts Kurogane's forgiveness and love, and begins to get used to being happy.
You have a guaranteed audience of at least one! *waves flag*
also, aside from the obvious, can I mention that I really, really liked this bit? Syaoran becomes Watanuki's "Hunter" to combine his debt-paying and desire to find a solution for the clones
I always thought Syaoran's price was ridiculous, especially as it obligated his affectionate "Mommy" and responsible "Daddy" to keep traveling with him. @_@ He's already changed the future of two countries with just a casual phrase. Letting him blunder through dimensions doesn't seem like the best way to suppress the effect he has on the universe. Putting him in Watanuki's employ seemed a better solution to me; he would still travel about but with a powerful magic-user to help direct him and give him pro tips.
...and collect rare alcoholic beverages from all over the place.
Yes, I thoroughly agree! It was ridiculous and arbitrary -- and, to my eye, incomprehensible as well, since who is he making the deal WITH? The universe? The only handwave explanation that makes to me is Amanda's theory that Watanuki's magical powers are sort of subconsciously activated at this point, and Syaoran is making the deal with Watanuki himself.
I also figure that since Watanuki committed himself to keep traveling for X amount of time, but Kurogane and Fai have no such obligation, then they can leave whenever Syaoran feels ready. :Db
Actually you're right about on both the universe and the Watanuki theory. Even Yuuko-san wasn't arbitrarily setting whatever payment she wanted; she was taking what payment was right according to...something. Fate, the universe, the Force; call it whatever you want, that's what rules the decisions Yuuko-san and later Watanuki make. They may own the shop, but they have to play by the rules of...Balance?
Reed cursed Tsubasa-kun and his "others" to fall into a void just as he himself, his existence and being, was doing, because Tsubasa-kun's "sin" was the same as Reed's; he sacrificed the rules of the universe for the sake of his wish to save Sakura. Syaoran's dissolving only created an exit; they had to pay a price to use it and fulfill their wish to escape. Watanuki, with his experience at the shop, helped Tsubasa-kun to know what price would be fair to avoid injury from paying too little or unnecessary sacrifice from paying too much. But they were paying Balance, not Watanuki.
Watanuki gains much in magical power later but his role as shopkeeper is largely based on wisdom and perception. One needn't be magical to be the shopkeeper, I think. Watanuki's first "deal" was made with just his insight and cooking skills. His growing magical power helps him to hone his abilities and work to protect himself, certainly, as is mentioned in his chat with Haruka and shown throughout Rou. [/cluttering up Reika's journal with blabber] >.>
True, they could leave him whenever. Kuro-tan's so stubborn though...I feel like he wouldn't leave until everything was sorted out. XD And of course Fai would be stuck to Kuro-tan. <3
Yes indeedy~ ^^ And it's certainly plausible that I am interpreting things completely incorrectly. *laugh* Ah, if only I was telepathic...I would fly to Japan and stalk the CLAMP ladies to try and hack into their brains and find out all sorts of goodies for once and for all. XD
Tsubasa is literally their names. (It's one of those odd, gender-neutral names.) When Syaoran (the clone, reborn) sent his son (his son Tsubasa, who looks identical to him) across the worlds to Clow, he told him to hide his real name and use the name "Syaoran" as protection. The thing about names offering protection is an ongoing theme in TRC and also in Holic; Watanuki's parents gave him that name because it was also meant to provide protection.
Tsubasa-kun and his 'others' in this case refers to Tsubasa, Syaoran's son, and Watanuki. By that time IIRC Syaoran himself had already disappeared. I do not recall that his disappearance created an exit in any way, but then again I only read the ending once, thinking it was kinda bullshit the whole while. >.>
I know it's about halfway done through NaNoWrMo...but I think now it will have a version in the summer (like it did in July), so your idea seems like it will be perfect for something like that. But it's up to you.
Also...I know either way Fai goes through a lot of hell from CLAMP's storyline, but this path is even worse. ;__;
*ahaha* Not!NaNoWriMo? XD Cool, maybe I can use that for motivation~ Or really, I guess I could just make up my own...FanFicFinMo in whatever month I choose.
Fan-Fiction Finishing Month in February of 2012! XD
*hee* I've got a kink-meme fill to finish and a couple of other projects already stamped [PRIORITY]. It's on the back burner for now. And it's so angsty. ;^; I may throw up all my internal organs while writing it...
In the end, while Reed fights with the two Syaorans, Kurogane finds, force-feeds and releases Fai. Fai gives up the hope of resurrecting his brother to help defeat Reed with his knowledge of the castle and the magic that protects the man. The clones go poof, Syaoran becomes Watanuki's "Hunter" to combine his debt-paying and desire to find a solution for the clones, and in return for having kept Mokona safe and returned her to Watanuki, Kurogane gets one-way tickets to Nihon for himself and Fai. He basically bludgeons Fai over the head with a guilt trip to get the man to agree, and Fai - from his perspective - trades one slavery for another.
Kurogane disabuses Fai of this notion over the course of the next few years. He teaches the man his language and how to "see" and it is painfully slow going at first, but Watanuki sends Syaoran and Mokona by a couple of times with trade offers. One is a trip to Piffle for a new arm for Kurogane in exchange for dragon pearls that Kurogane has to go hunt up, another is a Nihon-specific translation ability for Fai in exchange for the semi-restored wizard's help in creating a magical seal. After a long time, Fai finally settles down, accepts Kurogane's forgiveness and love, and begins to get used to being happy.
...and now I just have to write the damned thing.
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You have a guaranteed audience of at least one! *waves flag*
also, aside from the obvious, can I mention that I really, really liked this bit? Syaoran becomes Watanuki's "Hunter" to combine his debt-paying and desire to find a solution for the clones
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...and collect rare alcoholic beverages from all over the place.
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I also figure that since Watanuki committed himself to keep traveling for X amount of time, but Kurogane and Fai have no such obligation, then they can leave whenever Syaoran feels ready. :Db
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Reed cursed Tsubasa-kun and his "others" to fall into a void just as he himself, his existence and being, was doing, because Tsubasa-kun's "sin" was the same as Reed's; he sacrificed the rules of the universe for the sake of his wish to save Sakura. Syaoran's dissolving only created an exit; they had to pay a price to use it and fulfill their wish to escape. Watanuki, with his experience at the shop, helped Tsubasa-kun to know what price would be fair to avoid injury from paying too little or unnecessary sacrifice from paying too much. But they were paying Balance, not Watanuki.
Watanuki gains much in magical power later but his role as shopkeeper is largely based on wisdom and perception. One needn't be magical to be the shopkeeper, I think. Watanuki's first "deal" was made with just his insight and cooking skills. His growing magical power helps him to hone his abilities and work to protect himself, certainly, as is mentioned in his chat with Haruka and shown throughout Rou. [/cluttering up Reika's journal with blabber] >.>
True, they could leave him whenever. Kuro-tan's so stubborn though...I feel like he wouldn't leave until everything was sorted out. XD And of course Fai would be stuck to Kuro-tan. <3
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Also...I know either way Fai goes through a lot of hell from CLAMP's storyline, but this path is even worse. ;__;
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Fan-Fiction Finishing Month in February of 2012! XD
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AMG I WANT THIS SO MUCH. PLEASE. I will shower you with all my love and devotion forever.
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