This story starts with 'once, in a time when...', so you have been warned.

Once, in a time when there were kings and queens and emperors and whatnot, two neighboring kingdoms were allied. To prove their alliance, the kings of both kingdoms promised that their children would marry. To be exact, their firstborn. Unfortunately, one of the kings, a horrible ruler by the name of Fei Wong Reed, died a short while after his youngest, a daughter, was born. While this tragedy happened, the queen of the neighboring country fell ill. She died as well, a few short months later. Their eldest children were three years old. After three years, the remaining king and queen contacted each other once again and agreed to have their children meet for the first time.

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

"So, what'm I supposed to say to her, anyway?" The small child asked. His mother smiled.

"Just be polite, son, and don't pull her into any arguments with you. Ok?" The small boy made a face.

"All right, Mama."

TRC TRC TRC TRC

"Papa, how do expect me to play properly with a boy? The only boys I know don't have time to play with me, and I'm always surrounded with girls." The child asked, shaking short hair that framed the face from side to side.

"I'm not sure, my dear." The king said, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I wasn't thinking about that at all." His child laughed, head still shaking.

"Silly Papa."

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

"The King and Princess have arrived." A messenger called out.

"Oh, they're here! Wonderful!" The queen ushered her son out of the room. "Let's go greet them, come on, quickly!"

"I'm coming, Mama, I'm coming!" They managed to get out quickly and he stood next to his mother, standing straight and tall, just like his mother told him to. Another king, one he didn't recognize, was coming down the road, a small child in front of him.

"Hello, hello. Welcome to our Kingdom." The queen bowed as the king and his child came forward.

"It is gorgeous out here. I'd forgotten what this place looked like." The King laughed and, as he got off the horse, a small child hid behind him, eyes peeking out. He bent down and pushed the child forward. "Go on." He whispered. "Go say 'hi' and introduce yourself, my dear. Go on." At the same time, the boy's mother was urging him to do the same thing. When children failed to move, a small push from their parents got them moving forward and they stood, a foot of space between them, looking at each other awkwardly.

"Hello." The more the boy stared at the other, the more the other looked less like a girl and just more feminine. Nonetheless, he continued what he started. "My name is Kurogane and I'm very pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you, Kuro-min." The other said. "My name is Fai."

"WHAT?" Six-year-old anger came out at the other. "It's Kurogane! Who said you could call me that? And why aren't you wearing a dress? Aren't Princesses supposed to wear dresses?" It was true. Fai was not wearing a dress. Instead, the other was wearing a white shirt (that was at least three sizes too big on him-at LEAST three sizes) with blue swirl, and black pants that were hidden by the shirt that went half-way down the six-year-old's thighs. There was a small blue belt that went over the shirt, matching the blue that decorated the shirt and the other's eyes.

"Yes, I suppose so. But Fai is no Princess, my queen, young Prince. I apologize; it's been so long since we last contacted each other. Fai was raised on the more...feminine side, you could say. My oldest, a daughter, went missing a while ago. Her name was Yuui."

"What?" Yelled Kurogane, six-year-old anger still present. Fai giggled (yes-giggled). He glanced at his father (who smiled lightly and glanced at the queen, who nodded enthusiastically) and held his right hand out hesitantly. Kurogane looked at his mother, who nodded and smiled expectantly ('She's gotta be kidding' he scowled). Nonetheless, his mother's word was law (as it always is when you're six) and Kurogane swallowed lightly and took Fai's hand. He pulled it roughly and kissed it quickly, then threw it back Fai, rubbing his mouth angrily. Fai frowned, rubbing his hand on his shirt. 'I can't believe I'm stuck with him all summer. I'll bet he doesn't wrestle, hunt, or box.'

Fai was making a face, clenching his hand into a fist behind his back. 'He looks conceited.'

'What a total bummer.' Kurogane scowled.

'If I get lucky I'll get chicken pox.' They thought, crossing their arms as they looked at their parents. Their parents, however, pointed in the opposite direction.

"So happy you could come." Kurogane spat out, scowling.

"So happy to be here." Fai replied, unconvincingly.

'How I'd like to run.' They thought, bowing to each other awkwardly.

"This is not my--" Fai started, turning away.

"This isn't my idea--" Kurogane muttered, turning the other way.

"Of fun." They finished, glaring past their parents (not at their parents, oh, no, that's not good right there).

TRC TRC TRC TRC

"The children seem to get along quite nicely." The queen laughed, watching the children as they 'played' (ignoring the fact that Fai was jumping on her son and hitting him with a wooden…something.)

"We'll join our lands if this arrangement clicks." The king smiled hopefully at the queen (also ignoring the fact that his son was giving Kurogane bruises).

"My dear king Ashura, that's my point, precisely." The queen laughed.

"It's such good parenting."

"And politics." The queen held out her hand. "So happy we agree."

"I think we've got a deal." Ashura said, shaking her hand.

"My son's quite a catch." She laughed.

"This is my i—"

"This is my idea!" The queen interrupted, smiling as Fai ran past her.

"Of a match." They finished. Kurogane ran past ("I'M GONNA GET YOU!" "Just you try, Kuro-rin!" "MY NAME IS KUROGANE!!!!")

"And such fun!" The queen laughed again.

Four years later…

"Good heavens, child, don't dawdle. We can't have people waiting." Fai sighed and uncrossed his arms, leaning over the railing on his balcony (which connected to his room).

"I haven't packed or washed my hair, and father I get seasick." Fai whined. Ashura scowled.

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

KNOCK KNOCK. "They soon will be arriving." The queen said, poking her head in her son's room. Then she caught sight of what he was swinging his sword at. She gasped. "Is that respect you're showing?"

"If you make me kiss his hand again, I swear I'm gonna be sick." Kurogane huffed.

"One day your son will be his intended." Ashura promised the queen when they met that year.

"Splendid!" The queen giggled as Fai glared over at Kurogane and one of his friends (one of whom had thrown a tomato at him-both were laughing).

TRC TRC TRC TRC

"We've tried all summer, but we just can't lose him." Kurogane whined, jumping over the rail to the stairs.

"Hey, guys, wait up!" Kurogane's friend (a timid, shy sort of kid) jumped five feet.

"Quick, put on some speed." He hissed.

"When picking teams—"

"Or friends—"

"I never choose him." Kurogane pulled the ladder of the tree house they were currently hiding from Fai in and stuck out his tongue at the blonde. Fai scowled.

"You'd think he'd take a hint and learn to read." Kurogane's friend laughed, sticking a sign out under the window (which actually read 'no blonde kids'—children are so cruel sometimes).

"This really isn't fair." Fai stated, putting his hands on his hips (and making himself look more like a girl).

"We really couldn't care." The boys in the tree replied, shrugging. Fai scowled.

"Guys, it's all or none." He muttered angrily, kicking at a piece of wood that was near the tree…which brought the boys' tree house crashing down. The boys landed on Fai in a heap, the wood on top of them. Fai sighed. "This is not my—"

"This isn't my idea—" Kurogane and his friend muttered.

"Of fun." They finished, looking at each other annoyed.

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

Years passed. Alone in his own castle for the winter, Kurogane practiced his sword fighting, cutting down as many objects as he was allowed to (without incurring his mother's wrath or hitting anyone, including his baby sister) in the hallways. The servants ducked accordingly, and he scowled when he heard what they were saying. "Long before they met, Kurogane and Fai were destined to be weddded."

Fai walked through the castle, his home, during the winter. He held a book in one hand and a staff in the other, waving it around and muttering spells under his breath. The servants here watched him, talking to one another in a whisper. "However, anyone can see the only point on which they didn't disagree was that the very thought of summer time was dreaded."

Both boys were fourteen, both ignoring the fact that the days were slowly getting warmer and longer.

TRC TRC TRC TRC

"He tries to talk me into playing dress-up. She's always flirting with the castle guards." Kurogane complained about Fai (who was currently playing dress-up and had wanted Kurogane to play with him. He declined viciously-what self-respecting fourteen-year-old male played dress-up?) and Tomoyo (his little sister, who was only eleven, jeez, what's she doing flirting?) to his friend.

"I think you really sorta like him, 'fess up." His friend laughed.

"I'd like him better if he'd lose at cards." Kurogane smirked. "Four sevens and a ten."

"I think I won again." Fai grinned, placing his cards on the table. Kurogane hit the table, scowling.

"Every time he's won." The other boys complained.

"This is my—"

"This isn't my idea—" The boys growled.

"Of fun."

TRC TRC TRC TRC

Fai sat in his room, his head tilted to the side as he studied his reflection in the mirror. He put a brush he was holding down and sighed. Outside, the people walking by talked among themselves, their voices carrying through the open window. Fai watched, amused, from his window.

"We need a royal wedding, I'd love to be invited." Some women were giggling. The men near them grinned.

"At least we'll get a holiday to rest our plows and axes."

Kurogane held his sword, swinging it lazily as he lay on his bed. He glanced out the wind and stared at the blooming trees. He scowled when the conversations outside began drifting into his room.

"Someday these two will marry, two lands will be united." The women sighed dreamily, and Kurogane rolled his eyes.

"And with some luck, their marriage will result in lower taxes!" The men talked hopefully. Kurogane slammed the window shut.

Both had the same thought—'Summer will be here soon.'

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

Ashura was having troubling thoughts that winter, and he wrote Amaterasu a message. "What if my son't won't go for the merger?"

In Nihon, Amaterasu frowned worriedly, having the same doubts herself about her son. She sent a message back with what she was going to do. "Urge him!"

TRC TRC TRC TRC

Both jumped as their parents knocked on the doors to their room. Fai managed to close the door on his father with a bit of struggle. It took only a second for Kurogane to lock his mother out.

"For as long as I remember, we've been told we'd someday wed." Fai collapsed on his bed; Kurogane sat heavily in his chair. "Every June until September—"

"All their pushing and annoying hints." Kurogane scowled (Tomoyo was stronger than she looked).

"I've got bruises with their fingerprints." Fai complained to his father. He ignored him and pushed Fai into the ball room. Fai crossed his arms and walked in the rest of the way.

"I can do much better, I am sure." Kurogane glared at the door (thinking 'I'd at least find a girl!').

"He's so immature." Fai glanced at Kurogane quickly. Then paused and turned fully, watching the swordsman (who still had his sword) as he glared at the door. Kurogane scowled and turned to the other. Their eyes caught and Fai felt (to his absolute horror) himself turn red slightly.

"You better…" Kurogane trailed off as Fai rubbed the back of his head.

"Ah, hahaha…hello, Kuro-min. How are you?" Kurogane stared. Fai tilted his head. "Uh? Kuro-rin?"

"You—" BAM!

"Fai!" A brown-haired, green-eyed girl ran in, bursting the doors open. "Fai, someone wants my Cards. He says they're his, he tried to steal them from me!" She cried. Running around Fai, a deck of Cards in her hands, the girl clutched Fai's arm as banging was heard (Kurogane felt a twinge of annoyance but passed it off as his friend throwing things off of their proper shelves).

"WHERE DID YOU GO??? THOSE ARE MINE!!!!" Fai's eyes lit up.

"Ah, Syaoran-kun has heard of the Cards?" BAM!

"WH—oh, Fai!" Syaoran smiled softly at Fai—ever since the last time Fai had come here, Syaoran had a little more respect for the Prince of Celes. "I forgot you would be coming."

"Hello, Syaoran-kun. Has winter been kind to you this year?"

"Yea. Hey!" Syaoran had caught sight of the brown-haired girl behind Fai, who squeaked and hid behind Fai even more.

"Syaoran-kun, meet my cousin. Her name is Kinomoto Sakura-chan. Sakura-chan, this is Li Syaoran-kun." Fai pulled Sakura (who held the Cards tightly) and introduced them.

"She has my Cards." Syaoran hissed. Fai blinked.

"Does she really? They're hers. She's had them for years."

"They come from Clow Reed, right? I'm a direct descendant of Clow Reed."Fai smiled.

"They do come from Clow Reed, but at this time, they are no longer Clow Cards. They belong to Sakura-chan now." Syaoran blinked.

"Huh?" Fai laughed.

"See?" He took a Card from Sakura and held it up, showing Syaoran the back of the pink card.

"When did this happen?" Syaoran asked, confused.

"A while ago. Fai, what were the banging noises just then?" A tall person with black hair came in. He noticed Sakura shaking slightly (she was scared of Syaoran) and scowled. "Oi, gaki. What did you do to my sister?" Syaoran glared at him.

"Nothing."

"Now, now…let's not start any fights or things like that, ok?" Another person, this one with gray hair and glasses, came up behind Sakura's brother. He laughed softly. "I apologize, Fai-sama. Sakura-chan, come here." Sakura paused (she would have to walk by Syaoran) but listened and walked past Syaoran to get to her brother. As soon as she was within arm's reach, he grabbed for the Cards she held in her hands.

"HEY!" Sakura's brother pulled Sakura's arm, forcing her to fall back on him. He didn't seem to notice, he was too busy glaring at Syaoran (who was glaring right back).

"Touya, listen. I'm really, very sorry Fai-sama."

"Yukito—" The boy called Yukito smiled.

"Let's go, you two. Ah!" He glanced at Syaoran. "You, come too. Come on."

"Eh?" Yukito laughed.

"Yes. Come on." As they walked outside, Yukito bowed. "I apologize once again, Fai-sama. I shall try to keep them out of the way." The door shut.

"Ahahaha." Fai laughed. "I forgot that Syaoran didn't know about the Cards changing ownership. I told Sakura-chan she could bring them." He began to spin around the ball room.

"What are you doing, idiot?" Kurogane growled. Fai giggled (yes, he still giggles).

"I forgot how big your ball room is, Kuro-rin." Kurogane rolled his eyes.

"You have a ball room, too, don't you?" Fai continued spinning.

"Yea, but ours isn't as grand as yours." Fai began spinning faster. "Isn't it funny, our parents wanting us to marry despite the both of us being boys?" Kurogane snorted.

"I'm not gonna marry you, idiot. You're way too loud and annoying." Fai continued to spin, although his pace went down a bit. Kurogane didn't notice.

"Perhaps, maybe, Kuro-chi would prefer my sister, Yuui?" Fai laughed.

"Depends. Is she as annoying as you?" Kurogane countered. Fai grinned as he stopped spinning, standing in front of Kurogane and looking up at him.

"Poss—" Suddenly, Fai's eyes went wide and he collapsed, falling to the floor.


Author's Notes: Oh my gawd, that turned out longer than i thought it would be. man, this is insane. i know i have no right to put this up, but out of all my stories, this one is the closest i have to being finished. seriously. so, i hope you people will enjoy this. this'll be my first fanfic focused on this particular pairing. also, i apologize in advance, i'm not really good with all the timing, so it'll seem like things move very quickly in this. i'll try to work on the whole timing thing, but it's definatly a weak point for me.