AN: First Tsubasa fanfic. Something that I've been meaning to write for a while - originally it was going to be a story. But it ended up a strange cross between a free-verse poem and a short one-shot. I hope you enjoy it - reviews/critiques would be greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa or Fai. It is regrettable, but it's for the series' own well-being, I assure you.


Smile Through the Pain

Behind every smile,

There is a lie.

Under every hollow laugh, every joyless clap,

Lies a secret.

The others don't notice. Or care.

Why should they?

To them he's just a laughing face.

Why should they question what's behind it?

He hides it well - and knows it. But sometimes he wonders,

Why can't they see?

The hidden tears, the haunted eyes,

Why can't they see beneath his lies?

Why can't they hear the screams that haunt his soul?

The faces? The voices?

Feel the icy fingers, see the bloody figures.

Why can't they see his guilt. The constant weight that threatens to kill.

Not that they don't have problems of their own -

He knows they do.

He can see through the ninja's steely exterior - tnto the shadows that haunt the memories of his bloodstained past.

He feels that beneath the boy's easy smile and protective stance - there is only half a heart.

He knows the girl is simply a copy of the original.

And yet he relates with them all.

He almost cares -

Almost.

But he has his own struggles. His own problems. His own secrets.

Ones that leave no room for anything else in his heart.

No-

He has to hide behind the smile.

Because if he doesn't -

He'll break.

And that is something he can't afford.

He almost wishes he could break.

It'd be so much easier than living on -

But he can't.

Because if he did - he'd lose one person he allows to have a place in his heart.

And that would destroy him.

So for now he'll smile.

He'll laugh.

It hurts.

But nothing will hurt more than losing that person.

And for that -

He's willing to smile through the pain.