Thank you for all your kind words. I greatly appreciate all the reviews. It was a nice surprise coming home and finding my e-mail flooded with all these reviews and people adding this story to their alert. It gives me great joy to know that so maybe people are reading this story. I know this is earlier than expected, but I managed to find some time to write this chapter. The next chapter is the final chapter and is still up in the air. I'm not sure how I'm going to end it. The chapter should be out hopefully on Friday. I believe that will give me enough time to think of a nice ending and get it typed up. So that's enough of my rant. No warnings in this chapter.
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Chapter Two
The walk back to the hotel was slow with Kurogane gently carrying Fay bridal style. He ignored the strange looks he received from other citizens. He didn't care. They wouldn't see him after they left this world anyway. He took a few more steps towards their hotel before stopping. Apparently they were still being targeted. He just didn't know how they captured the mage. Choosing not to endanger the lives of Syaoran and Sakura, Kurogane walked into a different hotel. The red-headed at the front desk glanced between the two. "I don't want any trouble here."
"Trouble doesn't follow us. I just need a few days to nurse my friend back to health."
The man sighed and handed over a key. "I'll bring some water and bandages up to your room. Pay me once you have him stabilized."
Kurogane nodded. "Thank you," he replied softly. The hotel wasn't the most expensive, but it was clean. Balancing Fay on his one arm, he turned the key to their room. Two freshly made beds lined the far right wall. The room was simply equipped with a small dresser between the two beds and a large dresser by the bathroom door. Not wanting to get any sort of blood on the sky blue covers, Kurogane gently set Fay on the ground before draping his cape over bed and placing the unconscious man on top of it.
There was a quiet knock at the door before it opened. Kurogane nervously fingered his sword until the owner came into view, carrying a large bowl of steaming water and a bag of bandages. "Are you going to need any help?"
"No, thank you. I should be fine. Thank you for your kindness," Kurogane politely said, grateful for everything that this man was doing for them.
"If you need anything else, dial zero to call me." Kurogane nodded and waited for the older man to leave before focusing on Fay.
He removed the mage's clothes gently until he was dressed in nothing but the towel Kurogane placed over him. Taking the cloth, he smelt a sweet odor. Testing it on his own skin, he realized that it was something to help cleanse the wounds with only a slight sting. He very gently cleaned all the blood off Fay's pale skin. He frowned when the blond whimpered in his sleep. "I'm sorry," Kurogane whispered as he stroked Fay's right arm to coax him back into a deep sleep. The longer he was asleep and away from the pain the better.
After several runs to the bathroom to change the water, Fay was finally starting to look like himself except for the countless circular bruises all over his body. Kurogane wrapped both of Fay's ankles, his chest, and most of his fingers. He couldn't believe how much damage was done to the young man's body. He felt guilty for not getting to him sooner and wanted to do anything to make up for it. Even though he was annoyed with Fay's self destructive attitude and how he hid his true feelings all the time, Kurogane would never wish this upon the man.
Just as he finished, a knock came at the door again. He rose from his position on the floor and set the sword down beside the door before opening. Seeing the red-headed owner, he removed his hand from the sword and opened the door completely. The owner held out a pair of clothes and something blue and powdery in a small bag. "I hope these clothes fit him. I noticed that he's very thin for his height, but I had some of this left over from a previous occupant. Don't worry it's clean. Put any of his clothes that have blood on it into the tub with this powder. Leave it in there overnight and his clothes should be back to normal.
"Why are you doing this for us?"
"I try not to turn a good person in need away. You both look like you wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose. How is he doing?"
"Still asleep, but he's looking much better."
"I can call a doctor if you need one."
Kurogane shook his head. "His breathing is even. The only broke bones I can see are his fingers, one ankle, and maybe a few ribs. I have them all wrapped, but most of the damage I'm going to need to hear from him."
"Alright. If you change your mind…"
"I know. You'll be right downstairs. Thank you."
"Get some rest yourself. You can't help him if you're exhausted."
"I will." He gently shut the door behind him and locked it. Maybe the man was right. He should get some sleep. Walking back over to Fay, he redressed the mage and put his clothes into the tub like the owner said. After tucking Fay in and making sure everything was fine, he lied down on the other bed to get some much needed rest. "Sweet dreams, Fay."
The next morning, Kurogane woke before the sun rose. Fay hadn't move during his short sleep. The warrior walked over to the unconscious man and checked all the wounds. None of the cuts reopened and the bandages were holding his broken bones secure. He was about to move into the bathroom when he noticed one of the fingers was falling out of the temporary cast he made. He stared in shock noticing that the bone had already healed. Checking all the other fingers, the raven haired man was in shock. Clearly the mage had some sort of healing powers that triggered during his unconscious state. Even the bruises were starting to dull.
He sighed in relief as he walked into the bathroom. Pleased that Fay's clothes were now blood free, he took them out and hung them up to dry. This man clearly knew some handy chemicals. After taking a fast shower, Kurogane checked back on Fay before walking downstairs. He stopped at the front desk. "I need to inform my other companions that I found him. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Do you need me to check on him?"
"No. It shouldn't take me too long to make it back." Kurogane walked out the door not knowing that Fay was awaking.
Fay opened his tired eyes and turned his head to the side in attempt to recognize the room that he was in. "Kur-" he tried to say, but his throat throbbed. He knew that Kurogane had to be around there somewhere. He sat up very carefully and looked further around the room, but couldn't spot the warrior anywhere. He frown and moved off the bed, noticing the change of clothes. The clothes he wore just barely stayed on him. Fay's body was being to heal, and the only thing that remained were the sore bones and muscles. He tested his ankles and realized that he could walk again.
Staggering over to the bathroom, he found his clothes. They were still dripping dry so he ignored them and took a quick shower. The warm water felt magnificent and helped ease his sore muscles. When he finished, he felt better except for the fact that he felt alone and helpless. The vow he made to himself before sealing his powers was annoying him. The fact that Kurogane dropped him at a hotel and left made him feel completely alone. All he wanted was to be near someone, but he knew that was highly unlikely. Who would want to be near him anyone? Who would ever want to love him? Why was he even thinking about that right at that point?
He walked back to the bed and sat in the middle, crossing his legs. He was never going to repeat that situation. No matter how much he feared using his powers, he wasn't going to be placed into that situation ever again. He wasn't going to give up and die anymore. Fay's body began to glow as the rest of his wounds healed instantly. It was time to release his magical ability.
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There we go. One more chapter to go. YAY! I still have under 5,000 words. YAY! I think I'll make it this time. Thank you all for reading please review.
Angel Dove
