"I'm always waiting for the one to take me away… I suppose I made you hate me even more now?"

Fai sat on the high barstool, chin resting in his hands, gazing wistfully into the distance. Kurogane couldn't believe that the wizard was still harping on about their earlier conversation.

Kurogane gently tipped Fai's chin upwards with his scabbard, forcing the wizard to meet his eyes as he spoke.

"But the people I hate the most are those who throw their lives away before they've been lived."

Fai remained hidden behind his cheerful facade, but Kurogane was never convinced with its clumsy construction. The wizard's eyes had betrayed the smile on his pale face, detailing to Kurogane just how hurt he was at the assumption that the ninja hated him. "That means I'm the type of person you hate the most."

Kurogane was slightly taken aback by Fai's statement, although not showing it by commanding his body to remain still.

Idiot! That fool of a mage cannot comprehend the notion that I don't hate him. He's too wound up in his own self-loathing to realise that it worries me he doesn't make an effort to live his life. He allows himself to dance on a knife's edge, one slip away from death, so long as he doesn't die for some reason. It pisses me off that he lets himself get bloodied in warfare, instead of fighting back with skills that could rival my own strength.

Kurogane turned sharply to the bartender and spoke irritably. "The song's over. Can we talk to the lady about oni already?"

Fai glanced at Kurogane from the corner of his eye. What's got him so riled up? Does he despise me to the extent that now, even my very presence irks him…? Of course he does. Fai swung around on his stool to participate in the conversation, fake smile plastered on his face.

Syaoran finished wrapping a drunken Fai's ankle in a bandage and was immediately and enthusiastically thanked, before the wizard proceeded to a bundle of cloth on the counter.

Sakura raised a quizzical eyebrow at Fai as a perpetually cheerful Mokona perched atop her head. "What's that you brought back with you, Fai-san?"

Fai untied the cloth and let it fall to reveal an enormous amount of alcohol in various shaped bottles. "The drinks at the Clover bar were really delicious, so I brought some home for us all to share!" To a heavily inebriated Fai, the young ages of Syaoran and the Princess did not pose a problem, and moments later he had handed out large glasses of the potent liquid to both children, Kurogane and even Mokona.

Kurogane frowned warily at the group. "That's your only glass, got it kids?"

The children crumbled under the glare and bowed their heads before nodding in understanding. Mokona opened her wide mouth and emptied her whole cup's contents in a single go.

"That includes you as well, manjū bun!" Kurogane tore the glass from the creature's small arms.

Immediately Mokona flattened her ears and bounced around the ninja's legs. "But Kurogane..." adopting a whining tone, Mokona pleaded with him. "Yūko always drinks with Mokona."

Patience wearing exceedingly thin, Kurogane gave up and dropped the glass onto Mokona's head. Seemingly impervious to the weight of the cup, Mokona rejoiced by pouring another drink from a large bottle of wine. Kurogane left the noisy room and sat down on the porch, taking a gulp of the unknown alcohol and savouring it's fresh flavour.

The children sat together with Fai and both exchanged glances before taking a tentative sip. While Syaoran only slightly grimaced, Sakura spluttered as a pink glow grew on her face. Syaoran's face changed into one of concern for his Princess and raised a hand to soothe her. He caught himself however, noticing his display of intimacy, and withdrew his hand, taking another mouthful of alcohol.

Sakura having recovered from her initial struggle with the harsh drink, looked between Syaoran and Fai, grinning happily. "This is amazing Fai-san!" she exclaimed before quickly gulping down the remainder of her glass. Fai laughed while Syaoran's eyes widened as he compared his still mostly full cup with her newly emptied one. Not wanting to be excluded or seen as weak, Syaoran threw down the rest in one go, holding his head which felt the immediate effects.

"Mokona, hand me that big bottle you've got over there please." Fai beckoned the creature towards his seat with the children. Mokona waddled over to Fai, barely weighted down by the bottle and passed it up to Fai who clapped his hands in joy. "How does Mokona carry such a heavy bottle?"

Mokona hopped onto Fai's shoulder, her soft body rubbing against his cheek. "It's one of Mokona's 108 secret techniques of course! Handling Mokona's alcohol is another one!"

Fai refilled the children's glasses, dismissing Kurogane's demands in his head. What's he going to do? Hate me more? He giggled to himself at the thought.

Listening to his companions inside, Kurogane rolled his eyes, swearing he heard a cat meow. Probably that damned pork bun and it's impressions. 108 secret techniques my ass. That thing is practically as useless as the mage. Kurogane scoffed to himself, and soon felt a presence beside him. He turned his head to find a quiet Syaoran holding a full cup.

"Still drinking, or did that idiot give you another?"

Syaoran turned his head away ashamedly, giving Kurogane his answer. The pair sat drinking in silence for a while, left to their own thoughts. While Syaoran dwelt on Sakura, Kurogane's mind drifted to Fai. Upon realisation, he scolded himself just as Syaoran began to speak.

"Kurogane-san?" The young boy was looking expectantly up at him, his eyes slightly glazed with the effects of alcohol. The ninja simply grunted in affirmation, prompting the kid to continue. "Teach me to fight with a sword."

While Kurogane and Syaoran discussed the purpose and reasons behind sword fighting, Sakura and Fai were mewling like cats and playing with Mokona. Fai ceased his tossing of the small white creature and asked it to connect a call with Yūko. Mokona hopped down onto the floor, a little ways away from him, and projected Yūko's image before him.

"Well, if it isn't Fai and Sakura. You look like you're having fun."

"Mokona is drinking with Fai and Sakura!"

Yūko's eyes widened with excitement at the mention of alcohol, a substance she was terribly fond of much to the annoyance of Watanuki. The black Mokona chattered in the background with his white counterpart while Yūko spun a strand of hair around her long finger. "How did you enjoy the chocolate I sent you?"

Sakura's face lit up at the mention of the deliciously sweet dessert. "Meow. It was delicious, thank you so much Yūko-san! Nya."

Yūko laughed at Sakura's drunken cat impersonation and Maru and Moro could be heard meowing somewhere in her room. "That's wonderful," she leant forward and raised an eyebrow devilishly. "Did Kurogane happen to have any?"

Mokona bounded at the chance to recount the story to Yūko. "Kurogane said he wouldn't dare eat anything from Yūko because there would be a catch. But Fai shoved it in Kurogane's mouth."

Yūko grinned proudly. "Is that so? Well, Mokona, you be sure to tell Kurogane that I will be expecting a great something on White Day, since I gave him that chocolate for Valentine's Day."

Watanuki walked into view, standing behind Yūko, looking over her shoulder. Fai decided he would make his request before Kurogane came in and got mad. "Yūko-san? Do you have any games that you could send us? Sakura and I would like to play something together."

Yūko said something to Watanuki who then proceeded to walk away in his usual air of frustration. "This game will require compensation as I'm sure you know. What will you offer me this time?"

Fai looked around and found a full bottle of wine fermented in Ōto. He was sure she would have never tasted alcohol from this country before. He held up the large bottle and waved it in front of her projection. Her eyes gleamed and she told him hurriedly to send it through Mokona. Fai nodded to Mokona who opened her enormous mouth, and he tossed the bottle inside. Yūko cradled her new bottle in her arms and rubbed her face on its cool surface.

Just then, Mokona spat out a wooden board marked with a grid and two wooden, lidded bowls which thudded heavily on the floor, presumably the game which Watanuki had gone to retrieve. Watanuki could be heard inquiring what Yūko had got in exchange, but stopped mid sentence upon noticing the alcohol in her arms. Fai and Sakura laughed as Watanuki could be seen throwing his arms around wildly and yelling loudly. Fai told Mokona to end the call when Maru and Moro started chanting about the flailing boy, enraging him further.

Before Fai and Sakura could even inspect their new game, Syaoran drew their attention. He had thrown himself onto the floor and was offering overzealous thanks to Kurogane, who was reddening from both embarrassment and the unwanted attention.

"What are you doing?" he roared, entering the room from outside. "You are drunk! Get up!" He stormed his way over to the trio lounging around. They greeted him with excessive meowing which caused his eye to twitch. "No more alcohol for you guys!"

Kurogane's attention was drawn away from the 'cats' as Syaoran had grabbed a metal kitchen ladle and had begun swinging it haphazardly. That's it! Time for these idiots to go to bed! He drew in a deep breath and prepared his throat for what was to come.

"GET TO BED, EVERYONE! NOW!"

Fai could have sworn the windows had rattled with the sheer force of Kurogane's shouting. The children and Mokona had scurried off into their rooms, and without looking back to see Kurogane's reaction, Fai followed them, intending to calm their shaken nerves.

Kurogane watched as the wizard left after the children, and he sighed exasperatedly. That damn fool shouldn't have been drinking any more tonight, let alone the kids. He grabbed one of the many still full bottles of alcohol and looked at his glass still sitting abandoned on the porch. I'm too exhausted and irritated to bother with a glass. The bottle will suffice. He made his way to the low table and dropped down heavily into the small lounge. He leant his head back, finally in relative quiet, and rested his forearm over his eyes. He raised the cool bottle to his lips and drank heartily, eyes still covered.

Even in his heavily intoxicated state, something which baffled him considerably considering it was a rare occurrence, Fai was able to slink silently back into the main room of the café. Spotting Kurogane draped over the small lounge, he wondered whether he could creep up on the ninja. Kuro-pipi is so tall and lean, and that skin tanned to perfection. That spiky black hair which sticks up in every direction after he's slept. It's so easy to steal glances at him during the morning. And those dark crimson eyes which always cause a flame to ignite within me whenever they meet my own. Don't think I don't notice those looks you always give me, Kuro-rin, no matter how much you try to hide them. Fai had to stifle his giggle at the girlish thoughts running through his alcohol filled mind.

Fai crept up behind the giant man on the tiny chair and waited, assessing whether the ninja had been alerted to his presence. He watched as Kurogane took another large mouthful of wine, without lifting the arm covering his eyes. Perfect. Fai leant down, putting his head mere centimetres from the tanned face of Kurogane, and once again waited. Fai told himself he waited to test the ninja's awareness, but, being honest with himself, he was savouring Kurogane's scent which was altogether intoxicating him in another way seperate to the alcohol. But he was rarely honest with himself.

Fai decided it was time to execute his plan. Planting a wide grin on his face, he leant in a fraction closer and whispered both breathily and seductively in his ear. "Kuro-rin."

Kurogane stiffened and every hair on his body stood on end. It felt as though the mage had shot a spark of electricity into his ear and it had coursed through his entire body. Despite the curses that soon flew out of his mouth and the arms he swung, Kurogane had not disliked the feeling that Fai had caused within him. It was electrifying. That bastard probably used some type of magic on me or something. Except he vowed he wouldn't use magic anymore… So that reaction was mine and only mine? Purely as a result of Fai?

Kurogane was snapped from his mindless thoughts when Fai tugged the bottle from his hand and drained the remaining contents. That was an indirect kiss, Fai. Kurogane turned away from the sight of the mage drinking from the same bottle as he had been, slightly uncomfortable with it all.

"I thought I told you to go to bed, idiot." Kurogane turned around to fetch another bottle, a clever ploy to hide any awkwardness the wizard might have picked up on.

"Nya, but Big Kitty isn't sleepy." Fai tilted his head and pouted, still acting like a kitten.

"You've had too much to drink. You can't even hold a respectful conversation without mewling. Go." Kurogane retook his seat, tired of the wizard's immature behaviour, and a little concerned about how inappropriate he could become.

Fai feigned a look sadness, bowing his head. In doing so he spotted the game board and bowls he had asked Yūko for. He stooped down and retrieved them and set them on the small table in front of Kurogane. Without a word, he walked back to the counter and scooped up the remaining liquor bottles and brought them over to Kurogane, a peace offering, sitting them in the space beside him on the chair.

Kurogane looked up at the lithe man with narrowed eyes before questioning him. "What's this?"

Fai smiled lazily, eyes half lidded. "I wanted a game to play with Sakura so I got one from Yūko-san. Do you know how to play Kuro-tan? Because I've never seen anything like this before."

Kurogane scoffed and rolled his eyes at the mage. He looked down again at the board trying to identify it. Looks like igo. He took one of the bowls and popped it open. It is igo. Damn, now I have to play with the fool. "It's igo," he replied bluntly.

Fai sat down on the floor in front of the low table opposite Kurogane and opened the other bowl, peering inside. "Great! Let's play."

Kurogane grumbled. "One game. Then bed. I don't have time to babysit drunks."

If it was possible, Fai's face brightened even further at Kurogane's willingness to play a game with him. The Nihon ninja was just about to swap bowls with Fai since the white stones carried the disadvantage, when the wizard upended his bowl and black stones scattered across the board and table.

"What did you do that for, moron?" Kurogane raised his voice angrily, annoyed at both his stupidity and the mess the stones made. "The stones stay inside the bowl," he emphasised the word 'inside' as a parent would to a child.

Fai looked back at him with innocence and shrugged. "I've never seen this game before Kuro-pon. How was I supposed to know?" He picked up one of the stones he'd spilled and playfully bounced it off of Kurogane's head. He fumed and began to insult Fai, but was silenced when he felt cool, thin fingers press against his lips. "Hush. You will wake Little Puppy and Kitten."

Kurogane tore the mage's hand away from his mouth before his face could heat up any further. Why does he have to get so close? "Hurry up and put the stones back in the bowl and give them here. You will be using the black ones because they generally have the upper hand."

Fai swept the stones back into the little wooden bowl and traded it with Kurogane. He sat the bowl to the side of the board and gestured for Fai to do the same. "Now listen up because I'm only explaining this once. Igo is a strategy game and it will be complicated when you first start out so don't expect to win."

Fai smirked cockily. "I think you better give me back the white stones, Kuro-tan. Strategy is one of my strengths."

Kurogane laughed sarcastically at this before replying coldly. "You call dodging and weaving and never attacking, strategy? Where I'm from we call that cowardice."

Kurogane's icy words stabbed a quickly sobering Fai, who for but a moment let his guard down. He was visibly wounded and completely still, frozen in the moment. Amazing how hurtful words can negate the effect of alcohol. But this man hardly cares, so why should I? After all I must keep my distance. He slapped on a fake happy expression and added an extra lilt in his voice. "You'll see Kuro-pon. Keep your white stones."

Seeing the raw emotion in Fai's face, something which was an extremely rare sight, Kurogane regretted his choice of words slightly, wondering if he should have said nothing at all. No. He needs to know that what he's doing is wrong. His little act is hurting the kids and in time will come around to bite him in the ass. I wish he'd just tell me what his problem is so he can get over it and start living his life with purpose and meaning.

"Whatever, idiot. Here's how to play. You take turns placing a stone down where the grid intersects and the aim is to occupy the most area. Black goes first and it's general etiquette for the first black stone to be placed in the upper right corner to minimise its advantage." Kurogane then went on to explain the finer intricacies of igo as well as rules and ending the game. By the time the explanation was out of the way, he suspected it was almost midnight and he hoped he could force Fai into submission so he'd surrender the game.

Setting aside an empty bottle and picking out another, Kurogane noticed that there was a distinct lack of purring and cat meows. He cast a sideways glance at Fai who was sifting stones through his slender fingers, the black a harsh contrast against his pale skin. He's sobered up considerably, but he's still probably a little giddy, so I can't trust anything he might do or say.

"Right. Let's get this game over with so you can haul your drunk ass to bed."

Fai paused his sifting and grinned slyly up at Kurogane. "Why is Kuro-pipi thinking about my ass?" He gave one of his pathetic excuses for a whistle and leant forward, resting his chin on one hand.

Kurogane's face flushed as he shot daggers in Fai's direction. "I wasn't, moron. It's a figure of speech," his tone was angry and defensive and Fai picked up on this, but remained silently smiling. "Now hurry up or I'm going to bed."

Fai sprang into action, taking a stone and placing it hastily in the middle of the board. Eager for a distraction, Kurogane was quick to criticise. "What did I just tell you about black going first and where it's polite to put it?"

Fai chuckled and slid the stone into the corner. "What are you doing now? Once it's placed you can't move it. Did you listen to anything I told you, idiot?"

Fai pouted and raised his voice slightly, cocking his head mischievously. "Kuro-tan is too hard on Big Kitty. It's my first time, Big Puppy. Be gentle."

Kurogane's warm face and quick swipe told Fai his innuendos had not gone unnoticed. He smirked triumphantly. "Our big brave ninja wouldn't be uncomfortable, would he?"

"Shut up," Kurogane snapped.

They played their consecutive turns in complete silence, dumb smirk still visible on Fai's mouth. Kurogane was aware that he was toying with him on purpose but couldn't comprehend why. This guy is crazy. He has nothing to gain by embarrassing me.

Fai broke the silence, smooth voice slicing the tension between them. "So, Kuro-puu? Who do you swear your loyalty too? That moon symbol on your armour looks important."

Kurogane narrowed his red eyes at the blond. "Why don't we make it a question for a question?" He surrounded one of Fai's stones and thus took it as prisoner.

Fai faltered for a second, thinking before quickly replying. "Fine Kuro-wan. But nothing too intimate, alright?" The mage raised an eyebrow suggestively.

"No promises. I swear loyalty to Tomoyo-hime and I will return to Nihon to serve her." Kurogane watched Fai take his move while he absorbed the information. Before he took his turn, he asked his question of Fai. "Who are you running from?"

Fai's bright blue eyes widened impossibly and were filled with something akin to terror. However, he quickly blinked and forced a smile to his face. "Why a woman of course. Just as all men are." Fai laughed softly to himself more than anything, but Kurogane could see the darkness in his eyes and how the wizard's blond hair hung to cover part of his face.

While Fai wasn't completely lying, Chii was female and she would bring the news of his awakening, he certainly wasn't about to spill all his fears and past transgressions to Kurogane. Did he really expect me to just tell him everything because he asked? Stay ignorant of me, Kurogane. You mustn't get too close or the cold hands of death will latch on and strangle you. Valiant knight, stay on your path bathed in radiance for as long as you can, before the unlucky pawn of evil is ordered to cut you down and move into checkmate.

"Tch. Whatever," Kurogane replied, finally placing another stone on the board, trapping Fai a little further. The man was a beginner and thus made all the wrong moves, ironically always on the offence rather than defence.

Hoping desperately to lighten the mood and direct attention away from himself, Fai asked his next question. "Tomoyo-hime you say? You talk so fondly of her and you're loyal like a good guard dog. You love her don't you, Kuro-mun?"

Kurogane bristled and grimaced at Fai and his accusation. "You pervert wizard. Tomoyo-hime is Tsukuyomi of Shirosagi Castle and is but fourteen years, you dirty bastard."

Fai waved his arms in mock surrender. "I said that you loved her not that you were in love with her." He laughed as realisation dawned on Kurogane and he shook his head. "I think you subconsciously knew this, Kuro-rin, and you just secretly wanted to make sure I knew you were available."

Fury etched itself onto his face as Fai clapped his hands together and bounced from side to side. This idiot thinks if he can distract me by being suggestive that I won't pry about his life. Not tonight you drunken fool. Wait, not tonight? What did I mean by that? That man will never seduce me. Tch.

Kurogane violently shook the thoughts from his head and slammed his hands on the table, either side of the igo board. He pulled himself up so he was leaning halfway over the little table, looming over the slender blond. He lowered his voice to a deep growl, emphasising his distaste of the wizard's behaviour. "Cut the crap, mage. Your wily ways do not fool me. Don't kid yourself thinking I will be distracted by your shallow attempts to seduce me."

Fai raised his eyebrows coyly before kneeling up and mirroring Kurogane's pose. He pushed his face closer, their noses millimetres from touching. "Seduce you? I think you're the one who's had too much to drink now, Kuro-pon."

Fai's velvety voice was barely more than a breathy whisper, baring striking resemblance to when he murmured in his ear. Once more, that electrifying feeling pulsed through Kurogane, making him fervent. Pushing past the heat in his gut, Kurogane stared straight into those clear cerulean eyes, looking for a sign of anything honest and not part of his infuriating mask.

"Alcohol has nothing to do with this. I'm unaffected and I know you are sober enough to know exactly what you're doing. So drop the act and tell me who's got such a powerful wizard running."

Fai tilted his head slightly and gazed off to the side, causing his soft hair to brush against Kurogane's cheek, sending a chill racing down his spine. "Oh Kuro-wan," he said softly, returning his eyes to the dark red pair that were so very close. "You've got it all backwards. What makes you think I'm seducing you?"

Kurogane stopped. What? How can he possibly say that I'm seducing him? "You're kidding right? I'm not the one making suggestive comments and blatant innuendos."

Fai now bowed his head and snickered lowly, blond locks tickling Kurogane's nose now. Being in your presence is enticing enough. "You don't have to," he replied quietly.

Fai's long period of close proximity to him was making it harder for Kurogane to control himself. He hadn't noticed it before now, but in retrospect, whenever Fai was close to him he always felt overly tense and sensitive. Kurogane reached up and held Fai's narrow chin firmly but gently, tilting it back upwards so he would meet his gaze. "What are you saying, mage?" He spoke softly so as not to scare off the increasingly honest answers he had been giving.

It was at this moment, in Kurogane's warm hand, that Fai's facade shattered. His eyes glazed over, tears welling and threatening to spill. "You despise me, yet you are forever trying to get closer and learn about my hidden past. It makes me think you care about me Kuro-rin. It's cruel."

Hearing the usually steady voice of the evasive magician now shaky and raw, Kurogane's heart dropped. It's cruel? His words replayed in his head a thousand times and with each saying it became more horrifying. I've been hurting him? His grasp on Fai's chin slackened and he'd felt this.

Fai pulled his head away from Kurogane and rose to his feet, peering down at the unmoving man. "You need to stay away from me. Please, for your own sake."

He turned to leave for his room when a hand wrapped around his slight wrist. Suddenly, he was being pulled downward by Kurogane, forcing him back onto his knees behind the low table. He gave him a concerned and confused look.

Kurogane's features softened as he spoke, appearing more vulnerable than most had seen him. "I don't hate you. And I do care about you."

He reached over the table and grabbed a handful of Fai's soft sleeping shirt and pulled him forward. He closed his eyes as he brought Fai's lips to his own. He heard the igo stones being shoved from the board and falling onto the floor as Fai's hands searched for a place to rest.

Once Fai had relaxed, he pushed back gently into Kurogane's warm lips. He could smell his intoxicating scent once more and it only worsened the insatiable craving he know felt. He deepened the kiss hungrily, noticing the slight smile on Kurogane's lips as he did so.

Kurogane couldn't believe how tonight's events had taken such a drastic, but not unwelcome, turn. This is probably wrong, certainly taboo somewhere, but it feels so good. Just like the food he cooks, he tastes sickeningly sweet, except this time I want more. Kurogane gnawed softly on Fai's bottom lip, begging access as he tangled a hand in his golden locks.

Fai murmured lustily against his lips and the sound cleared the euphoric daze. He ripped his mouth from Kurogane's and stood up abruptly. Without looking back to see the shock written all over Kurogane's face, he warned him once more. "You mustn't. I am terribly unlucky." He then hurried into the back rooms, leaving the ninja alone and empty.

Kurogane sighed heavily and leant back against the edge of the lounge, missing Fai's contact immeasurably, despite having barely known it. What have I done? I've lost him now, right when I had him. He's going rebuild that wall between him and everyone else and it's going to be stronger than ever. I'm an idiot. He clenched his eyes shut and fell into a troubled slumber.