MxM Story KuroFai

This was originally a oneshot, but it got to be so long, (over 15,000 words) that I figured it would just be easier to post it in chapter installments instead. The whole story actually still isn't finished, so for now, I'll just be posting one chapter at a time.

Summary:Kurogane gets assigned to be the bodyguard of a beautiful foreign princess with golden hair. And the moment he sets eyes on this "Princess" he knows something is up. AU. MxM

I really like this story. I'm having tons of fun writing it. This is my first (written but not published) Tsubasa AU story, oddly enough. You think over the years I would have written one, but nope. That's because I'm just so in love with the Kurogane and Fai of Canon Universe. Suddenly though, after starting this, I'm obsessed with AUs. I already started, finished, and posted a totally seperate one, and now I have a cool idea for another.

This story came about because I decided to write a FemKuroFemFai story, but as I started to write the summary you see above, I realized it would be much more interesting if Fai was just pretending to be a girl.

And since I was also planning on writing a story where Kurogane was still a male but Fai was a female, I've decided this counts, and I no longer need to write that.

I don't think there's gonna be any like, real bad guy here. Maybe. I might add someone in there to cause some drama, but most of it is going to come from Fai hiding his secret. (I added a dude)

A Secret Worth Hiding And A Love Worth Holding On To

Kurogane, captain of Tomoyo's royal guard, had heard, of course, as everyone had, about their royal visitors. Princess Tomoyo was hosting a grand ball, and had invited pretty much everyone in a one hundred mile radius. She and her best friend, Sakura, who was the princess of their neighboring country, were very excited, and the tall man constantly ran into them running up and down the halls, dragging beautiful decorations behind them, even though they weren't expected to do any of that work.

Kurogane himself was less enthused. A party meant it would be crowded, and someone was more likely to attack, if they had a motive. And while not many probably had a motive to kill the kind princess of this country, he hated taking any chances. But she'd insisted it was necessary, because her dear friends, Akira and Utako, were getting married, and this was apparently the only way to express the amount of joy she was feeling at the news.

Next to him, as he strode down the hall, heading for his room, was Syaoran. The boy was young, the same age as Tomoyo and Sakura, but Kurogane knew he had potential in him, which was why he'd chosen the boy as his second in command. In the few fights he'd seen him in, the teenager had always managed to send his opponents flying with a single kick, the best way he knew to fight with one blind eye.

"How'd that happen anyway?" Kurogane had once asked him. It had taken a long time before Syaoran had confided in him, because he'd been afraid Kurogane would kick him out of the guard if he knew. And maybe that would have been true if he hadn't already seen the boy in action, and knew his talents were worth keeping around. Despite the fact that the young boy was growing on him, Kurogane always had to do what was best for the safety of the palace and kingdom, and the people inside it, so if he'd seen any signs of weakness, he would have had no choice. But so far, there were none.

"I hurt my head badly in a fight." Syaoran had replied, gently touching his face, probably remembering when the eye could see. "When I woke up, my sight was gone."

The two weren't talking now, as they walked. They were both on their way for a short rest, because they'd been up and about since long before the sun. Just as they were about to reach their rooms, Tomoyo and Sakura came from around the corner, laughing together. When the dainty girls spotted them, they both smiled, Tomoyo widely, and Sakura shyly.

"Kurogane, Syaoran, I'm so glad I found you." said Tomoyo. Syaoran looked for a second at Sakura instead of Tomoyo, which Kurogane had caught him doing multiple times. "I need to give you your assignments."

"Assignments?" Kurogane repeated.

"Yes. A few of my guests will be arriving early and staying here at the palace for a couple days. I'll need someone to guard them."

"Don't they have guards of their own?" griped Kurogane, not happy at the thought of extra work. He was busy day and night keeping watch on this place, but now he had to babysit too?

"Better safe than sorry." was Tomoyo's reply, and she turned to Sakura for support. "Right?" The brunette princess nodded.

"Of course."

"Which is why Syaoran will be assigned as Sakura's bodyguard, and Kurogane will be Princess Fai-lee's."

Kurogane had never heard the name before, and as he went over it in his head, Syaoran let out a surprised, "Eh?"

"Sakura will be staying with us until the party." Tomoyo clarified. "I can't be with her always, so Syaoran, I need you to do it. If that's alright with the two of you."

Syaoran, who was beginning to blush, did his best to push it back and appear professional. "Yes ma'am." he said to Tomoyo, and Sakura, who, to Kurogane's non-surpise, was blushing too. She held out a delicate hand, and said, "I look forward to working with you, Syaoran-kun." She then blushed harder. "Is it alright if I call you Syaoran-kun?"

Syaoran nodded jerkily, and accepted the hand she'd held out, holding it gently and getting down on one knee. "Don't worry Princess." he said solemnly. "I will protect you."

Fighting off her own blush, Sakura smiled. "I look forward to working with you."

Tomoyo was grinning like a pumpkin, and Kurogane rolled his eyes. She was constantly playing matchmaker, and usually, she was right about the couple she'd set up. In fact, Kurogane wasn't sure she'd ever been wrong. She was the one who had set up Akira and Utako.

"Who is Princess Fai-lee?" Kurogane asked, once Syaoran had gotten back onto his feet. "I've never heard of her."

"She's the princess of the kingdom of Enlin, so I hear. I've never met her myself, but she and her brother are reporting that they'll be here at sunset today."

"They got here fast."

"They were apparently already nearby, in one of the neighboring kingdoms, when I sent out the invitations. Do you have any objections?" she asked it honestly, and Kurogane knew that if he told her he didn't want to waste this kind of time, she might let him off the hook. But she'd trusted him with the job.

"None yet. I'll keep you posted."

She smiled, and nodded. "Please do."

*(*)

That night, at almost precisely sunset, Kurogane and the other guards were greeted to the sight of a beautiful carriage pulling up. The designs on the side of it were very different from the ones Kurogane knew, letting him they'd come from very far off. Would they even speak the same language?

"That will be them." Tomoyo said, setting up next to Kurogane and putting on a bright smile, ready to greet her new guests. With them was also Kotetsu, the man who had been assigned the job of looking after the prince. He was an experienced man with a strong heart, and he had been a wise choice.

Further back, Sakura and Syaoran waited. Syaoran was standing closely to the princess, and Kurogane knew part of it was to protect her, but he also suspected there were more personal motives behind it.

The beautiful blue and white carriage, being pulled by four equally beautiful horses came to a stop. A servant stepped out first, a girl with long hair. Other than her hair, she looked an awful lot like Sakura, and Kurogane looked over his shoulder briefly to see if Sakura noticed. But she and Syaoran were now talking, smiling, so he turned back without comment.

"She looks an awful lot like Sakura, don't you think?" Tomoyo asked, sounding like it wasn't that weird. Kurogane just nodded, watching, and waiting for the princess he was supposed to be guarding to step out first.

But a boy came out first. He was tall, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a serene smile on his face. He was talking casually with someone behind him, still in the carriage. Kurogane assumed it was a safe bet it was the Princess.

The princess herself stepped out a moment later, laughing at whatever it was her brother had said. She looked identical to him, except for her long hair, which trailed behind her. Both were dressed finely, but still looked odd to Kurogane, who knew only his eastern style. In the girls had was a small white kitten, who was looking around excitedly.

Tomoyo stepped forward, putting herself into their view, and they made their way over. They were both very beautiful, it was almost criminal. They would make good bandits, because nobody would believe they were capable of anything nefarious. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I am Princess Tomoyo."

Sakura, who had somehow managed to come closer very quietly, despite usually being pretty loud, (at least on her feet) introduced herself too. "And I'm Princess Sakura."

"Hello." said the boy, still smiling. "I'm Prince Yuui, and this is-"

"Princess Fai-lee." the girl interrupted, smiling brightly. "Sorry we got here so early, we were in the vicinity. We didn't want to head all the way home and just turn back around the moment we got there."

"It's no trouble." Tomoyo said, smiling excitedly, and Kurogane knew she was telling the truth. She loved company and others she could wreak havoc with. "It'll be so much fun having you here. I hope we all get along."

The Prince nodded formally "And I do as well."

The princess didn't say anything, and to Kurogane's surprise, her blue eyes went to him. They locked, for only a few seconds, but in those seconds, Kurogane found himself pausing. Something about her was off. But he couldn't put his finger on it.

"This is Kurogane." Tomoyo said, noticing Fai-lee's gaze. "He will be your personal guard for the duration of your stay, Princess Fai-lee."

"Just Fai-lee is fine." said the blonde, still smiling, first at Tomoyo, then at Kurogane. While Kotetsu was being introduced to Yuui, the tall girl came closer.

"It's nice to meet you, Kuro-tan."

Kurogane blinked, not sure if he'd heard right. But the idiotic smile on her face gave him the feeling he had, so he narrowed his eyes into a glare. "It's Kurogane."

"Right, that's what I said. Kuro-rin. And who are you?" this last part was directed at Syaoran, who gave his name formally while Kurogane shouted in the background, "That isn't even what you said the first time!"

"Syaoran. That's a cool name. I wish I had a cool name like that."

"Oh, but your name is very pretty!" Sakura commented, and Fai-lee looked at her.

"Thank you. Sakura is a beautiful name too, fitting for such a beautiful princess."

Sakura smiled brightly, pleased with the compliment. Yuui, who was still talking with Tomoyo, said, "I hope you don't mind if we head straight to bed. We had a long journey."

Tomoyo shook her head, her hair bouncing. "My servants will show to your rooms. And I'll have some food delivered there as well."

"Thank you. Fai-lee, come on!"

Fai-lee looked over at her brother, but shook her head. "I want to hang out with Kuro-sama a little more." she said, and Kurogane growled under his breath. Tomoyo, meanwhile, was smiling in a way that Kurogane recognized. "Oh don't worry about that Princess. He is your bodyguard. He'll be staying in your room with you."

The Princess' eyes widened, and her and Yuui looked at each other, and were quiet, as if they were silently communicating. Just as Yuui was about to say something, the Princess spoke up. "That's fine. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun!"

Kurogane saw Yuui open his mouth, but his sister looked over at him and smiled. "I'll be fine Yuui." she said, and then, at their confused looks, explained, "My brother is very protective is all. He hates it when I share rooms with men."

"Don't worry about that, Prince Yuui." Tomoyo said. "Kurogane may look like a deviant, but he's only interested in his work."

The siblings shared one last look, but no more came from the exchange. Kurogane looked at Syaoran, who was also watching, looking tense.

"Oi, kid, come over here." Kurogane said, and Syaoran obediently followed as they made their way further off, where the others couldn't hear them.

"They're hiding something." Syaoran said the moment they were out of earshot. Kurogane nodded in agreement, and then tried to ease Syaoran, who was clearly already thinking the worst. "Don't worry. I don't think they plan to hurt anyone."

"But why else would they come so early?"

"You heard. They were already nearby."

Syaoran didn't seem to agree yet, still looking worried. "Even if they in the area, couldn't they have just stayed there until the day of the party?"

This was true, but Kurogane's gut was telling him nobody was in danger. And he was always right about this.

"Look, whatever they're hiding, it's not any concern to us. And even if they did attack, do you really believe you and I couldn't take the two of them down? They're here with only a few servants, who probably wouldn't be any help in an attack."

The brunette boy took this in, and finally, relaxed, nodding. "You're right, Kurogane-san."

"Syaoran-kun?" said a voice, and the two men looked up to see Princess Sakura rounding the corner, bringing the other beautiful royals with her. "T-Tomoyo-chan said you and I will be sharing a r-room as well. Are you...a-alright with that?"

Syaoran's eyes widened, and he looked at Kurogane, like the older man had an answer to this problem. Kurogane shrugged, looking nonchalant, even though he was actually trying to hold back a smile at the young boy's predicament. It sucked a lot more to have to share a room with someone you were actually interested in. "You have to do what you have to do, right? You'll be able to protect her best if you're sharing a room."

"E-eh? R-right." Syaoran said, nodding, and looking at Sakura, who was blushing furiously. The other three were smiling and laughing, even Fai and Yuui. It didn't take a scholar to know that the two had feelings for each other.

Fai-lee was coming over gracefully, and when she got close to Kurogane, she stopped. She wore long, draping robes that covered most of her body, making it impossible to get a look at her chest. Not that he was trying to or anything, it was just hard not to notice the abundance of cloth. Maybe she didn't want anyone looking, which was respectable. She was a few inches shorter than him, but not by much. Her white kitten, which she was still holding, suddenly leaped out of her hands and landed on Kurogane's shoulder. It meowed and rubbed it's head against Kurogane, who glared down at it threateningly. It didn't seem to take the silent threat very seriously, and Fai-lee smiled.

"Mokona likes you, Kuro-chu." she said.

"Mokona?" he repeated, looking down at the small kitten, who was now settling on his shoulder like it planned to sleep there. Which wasn't happening. "That's a stupid name."

"Kurogane-san!" Sakura gasped, like he'd cussed. "That's mean!"

"Yeah!" Tomoyo said scoldingly, and she turned to Fai-lee. "I think it's a cute name."

"Thank you." she said. "As for you, Kuro-min, I'm not worried one little bit. I can already tell you like Mokona." she teased. There was something, Kurogane noted, about her voice. It was high, and pleasant, but it almost seemed like she was straining it to be that way.

"Do you have a cold?" he asked automatically, and she cocked her head, confused, her blonde hair tumbling toward the ground. The others looked at him in puzzlement.

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

"Your voice sounds odd."

She straightened up quickly, and her pleased smile vanished. Prince Yuui was suddenly beside his sister, stepping just a little bit in front of her, as if blocking her from Kurogane's view.

"She's just tired from the journey." he said, putting his hand on her back and gently starting to push her away. "So we'll be heading off to sleep, if you don't mind."

After a few more pleasantries, the two of them excused themselves. As they walked off, being led by a few of Tomoyo's maids, Fai-lee looked back. Her blue eyes locked with his red ones, and Kurogane saw a hint of interest mixed with worry in her eyes. After they'd stared a few seconds, she waved, smiling.

"See you in a bit, right Kuro-sama?" she called back. He nodded, figuring there was zero point in getting angry about the name. This one wasn't as bad as the others, at least.

"I have to do a few more rounds of the castle. Then I'll be over to your room." He never went to sleep without checking the perimeter at least five times.

She nodded. "See you then!"

After the two twins were gone, Tomoyo quickly jumped on him. "I think she likes you, Kurogane!" she said, and Kurogane rolled his red eyes, and folded his arms.

"We just met."

"So maybe it was love at first sight!"

He scoffed, turning to walk off and motioning for Syaoran to follow. "How stupid."

So endeth chapter one. I was going to cut it short at the point where Tomoyo says, "Please do," but decided not too, and now I'm glad because looking over it on ff made me realize that would have been like...not even one thousand words.

Kotestu is just a random OC I invented for the purpose of being Yuui's guard, so don't go looking for him CLAMP history.

I hope you like what you've read so far, and will come back to read more. Updates will be pretty frequent, since I'm almost finished writing this. It's just a matter of when I can drag myself through the Las Vegas heat to get somewhere with free WiFi. Two places are pretty close, one being the library, (I love libraries) so it shouldn't be a problem.

What do you all think of the name Fai-lee? Good enough? Stupid? I had first been using it as just a place holder until I came up with a better name, but by the time I started actually trying to think of one, I was already fond of it, and really didn't feel like going back and changing it.

Please review and let me know what you think! It's not cool to read and not leave a review. We can see that you're reading it, and reviews are like crack to writers, and give us a rush. It means the world! But if you really don't want to, or don't have the time, I understand. Thank you for reading anyway!

By the way, the girl who was Fai and Yuui's servant who looked like Sakura, but with long hair is Kobato, in case you didn't get that. It's not important, she's not important, I just wanted you all to know what a Clamp Weeb I am.