Scarlet Skies and Beryl Blood

Intro: -John Mellencamp, 'Pink Houses'- Today I saw the TRC movie… It was wonderful but I was let down by the ending… (sigh) If you haven't seen it, I'd still suggest it but moreover, if you haven't seen the xxxHOLiC movie, DOWNLOAD IT RIGHT NOW! xxxHOLiC was everything and more than I expected! (dies after squish) Anyhow, the point of the matter is that this fic was inspired by TRC's movie. (how's that?)

A/N: Set after chaptire 125. (yaoi-fan-girl giggle) The rest of the fics in this strand will cater to that, too, unless marked as AU.


Ink spilled across the sky with spontaneous candle-lit flames dispersed. Hot, musty air seeped in through the cracked windows and the humidity pushed down unlike any other force known to man. There was fresh dew on the grass and the moon-lit flowers bloomed gently. Inside, however, the night was passionate with restrained screams and content pleasure. Sweat trailed down bodies as tongues explored and teeth sank into skin. The climax screeched throughout the air like a painful memory suppressed. It wasn't heard but could be felt – in the eyes and emotions, vibrating devastatingly with throbbing horror.

"Is Kuro-Wanko okay? He doesn't look to good…" Fai inquired with worried eyes. It was few times such as this Kurogane could honestly admit to himself that he did indeed love the mage – when the smiles were all broken and dropped, left forgotten alongside wrinkled clothes and a tangled mess of sheets. Golden eyebrows bent somberly. "If I did it too hard, I'm sorry. I…got lost within myself. I couldn't contain it. I mean, I just, it felt like, it was so-"

Scarlet eyes closed in exhaustion. "It's fine. I…just lost too much blood at once, I guess. I feel a little light-headed… That's all."

Fai nodded with head. "I'm sorry…" he choked out with welling eyes.

Kurogane made a snort. "Don't be. Not matter how much it hurts at times, I only have myself to blame for keeping an idiot like you alive…"

Fai cringed, embracing his lover warmly. "It hurts…?"

"Shut up. It doesn't hurt." Kurogane blushed profusely. Why the damn mage couldn't just smile pretty and say, 'thank you,' like he did for everyone else was beyond him.

Kurogane mustered the strength to open an eye to examine Fai – he really did feel drained. Ever since he had become Fai's master/blood-treat he had never gotten a much-needed night of rest. Every five seconds the wizard wanted a snack and meals were even worse. On top of this, he still had a kid and princess to watch over and had to ensure the idiot was secure at all times. Sometimes he didn't even have the strength to stand up properly. Yet he hid the fact and prevailed with his duties. If he did everything he needed to, most times the mage would put on a kinky outfit and the ninja would find the energy for a short toss.

Fai frowned. It was such a shame – the mage had no idea how beautiful he looked when he had that satisfied grin or a truly-genuine smile. Kurogane muffled a grunt under a pillow. Fai lifted it up gently, snuggling up to Kurogane's chest. He frowned slightly more, if possible for an ever happy-go-lucky idiot. "I'm hungry again, Kuro-Po…"

An exhausted sigh filled the air. "You have got to be joking me… You've had six snacks today, four meals, a late-night treat, and all that blood during our…our…" He blushed. "You know…"

Fai smiled contently like a cat for a moment. "I thank my master greatly for that…" he cooed gently into his lover's ear, nipping at it lightly. The smile was replaced with a tight, unsatisfied grin, though, as eyebrows knitted up in pain. "But I can't help my hunger. I just am."

Kurogane sighed loudly again. He didn't want the blond male to drink any more of blood for the night. Cuddling Fai to a rest would be difficult enough – but without what little energy he had it would be a nearly-impossible task. Kurogane felt like screaming – he was too stressed – felt like breaking down and just crying from the overwhelming issues the world demanded of him.

Fai sighed out loud, rolling over to his back. Kurogane wrapped his arm around the mage's neck, shoving it in front of Fai's face. The wizard just smiled as he wrapped the arm around his waist. "…It's okay, Kuro-Min. I'll be fine. I'm hungry all the time! You know me! It's bothersome and-"

"Just drink before I fall asleep before…you…" Kurogane's voice drifted as his eyelids closed on him. He felt his vision fail against his will. His breathing stabilized as he lost conscious of the night. Fai sighed happily as he snuggled into his chest. He never did fell the sensation of sucking against his wrist or the grinding of teeth against his nerves. He felt nothing at all and yet he had never been more exhausted in his life…

-O-

Fai was a patient person. He knew that if he waited long enough, he could get what he wanted. There was nothing in any world in which time came to slow for. Even now, he decided, silence was golden. He spent a few weeks just observing his lover – the ninja, the father, the lover, the provider, the destroyer, the man – and the daily activities Kurogane decided to execute.

It was amazing, really, that one man could accomplish so much. He almost felt guilty of his uselessness but reminded himself that Kurogane kept him alive for a reason. The results were quite striking: the ninja woke up at the crack of dawn and prepared a light breakfast. He exercised and ran until the kids woke up. Then he wouldn't eat, but sit at the table with them as they chatted about mundane subjects. By the time that was over, they would go and prepare themselves for the day – Kurogane would wait for Fai to wake up and then feed the mage and himself. They then returned to their, 'children,' and searched for the feather. Between a few daily kisses, six snacks, two meals, and tackling hugs, they would conclude their search and return to their lodging. As everyone prepared for night, Kurogane would practice his swordsmanship and then take a shower. Afterwards it was a passionate night with Fai and another meal. He'd then hit the sack. He woke up at the crack of dawn and repeated the same damn thing again the next morning.

Fai was quite shocked. Their party was situated in a cell-train – a type of vehicle that, it seemed, when passengers were escorted to a right cell, they would arrive at their destination after passing time. There was a window to look out of which Fai sat nearby. His children were snuggled together with their claimed, 'pet,' in a warm embrace and nuzzled heads. He sighed lightly, looking outside the window yet truly looking at the reflection of his fatigued lover. The reason Kurogane was so worn-out was no other reason that himself…

Kurogane shifted in his sleep. He turned around and found the mage's waist. Scarlet eyes forced open. "What the Hell are you doing up you stupid mage…?"

Fai smiled happily. "Just thinking."

-O-

Fai smiled with wandering thoughts. Kurogane was clearly tired from all the blood-loss, exercise, lack of sleep, unhealthy eating patterns, and underappreciated work. Fai smiled weakly again. This truly was his entire fault – no matter how much they screwed before the whole vampire-incident, Kurogane never looked this bad… In fact, it had almost been near three weeks before the slender male even considered drinking the ninja's blood. Kurogane just caught him and forced him onto his neck because the mage was too weak to object otherwise. It had been a long road but they were in a pinch more than ever.

Kurogane's glaring eyes burned before the bland wallpaper in the background. Fai mused at how the dim lighting made his eyes blaze like a sunset. "You need to eat mage. Going from five frickin' meals a day to two within two weeks isn't healthy. You need to eat more. I know you're hungry."

"I'm hungry," Fai confessed, "But I can wait. I'd rather just have a big meal instead of eating every now and then, you know?"

Kurogane grimaced in disagreement. "No. You're frickin' hungry now," he sneered through gritted teeth. Standing up, the ninja ripped his shirt off. He propped himself up against a wall. Fai smiled weakly with a shaking head. Kurogane growled, grabbing the mage and pulling him in. Fai attempted to reject the action but was too weak to do so. It was just like the beginning… "Just drink," Kurogane commanded. Fai plastered on an inky grin. His instincts took over as he sank his canines into Kurogane's neck.

-O-

Fai decided that there must have been some reason for Kurogane's fatigue. It was just unnatural – so unlike Kurogane. Fai was in a full-blown worried mode yet he guessed he was also mainly at fault. Could he truly be at fault, though? There wasn't any other alternative so he had just assumed he was at fault. But what if he wasn't? He bit his bottom lip harshly. Things could not proceed like this anymore. Sweeping Mokona up gently, he waved to his companions. "I need to talk to Yuko-Chan just for a bit, okay? Don't worry about me, Kuro-Bi! I'll be right back! And when I'm done, I'd like a snack!"

Syaoran nodded with a skeptical smile as Sakura spilled the salt container. Syaoran began fretting over her explaining how there was some jinx in this world relating to salt. Kurogane made no expression but made sure to glance at the mage through the side-slits of his eyes. With Fai, he could never be too careful. Damn that mage for making him love him so much…

Fai smiled brightly as he leaned against a wet wall. "I'd like to talk to the witch, please."

Mokona nodded in a wide gesture as a holograph of Yuko appeared. Mokona waved to the woman. "Hi, Yuko! How's it going? Fai would like to talk to you!"

Yuko nodded with an, "Of course." She glanced at Fai and smiled. Her grin was as sterile and sadistic as ever and the long-chained jewelry she wore today didn't help her appearance look any friendlier. "What is your desire?"

Fai shrugged. "Why is Kuro-Tan suffering? It's because of me, right? What did I do exactly…?"

Yuko nodded with a, 'hm,' hum. Her smile broadened as she giggled lightly. "You are living off of Kurogane's life essence. As such, his life will be extended to cater to both your needs and his. This way, both of you may live. However, it is not a faultless exchange. The imperfection lies within yourself – in order to survive you are drinking his body's source of energy. He will weaken greatly with every ounce of blood you drink whether you drink spontaneously or single-handedly. Remember, you are feeling what Kurogane feels – when he's hungry you will also be hungry, when he's angry you might be more hostile than usual, when he's happy you may feel all squishy inside, when he's sad you may find yourself depressed for no reason. As such, your hunger is arising from his fatigue."

Fai nodded slowly. Everything was always his fault – and now this. He bit his lip lightly. "Is there anything I can give in exchange for his health?"

Yuko swayed her raven strands somberly. "There isn't. I cannot help you with any of this matter. If I did so, I would be interfering with the bond connecting you two. Moreover, all that is necessary is plenty of rest and proper nutrition. What more could I possibly do you for you?"

Fai smiled with a bent brow. It would be his figure that he would not been given the easy road out. Even if there had been a solution, Fai doubted he'd be able to pay. "Thank you, Madame Witch."

Yuko nodded with a grin. "One last word of parting – if Kurogane's horny, I promise you'll be horny. I can only imagine he'd be horny seeing you so. It's a never-ending spiral, yes…?"

Fai smiled brightly. "I do believe I'm needed elsewhere…"

Yuko's hands clasped together tightly. "Oh! It seems you've found out that much already? Well then, I have nothing more to say! See you later, Fai! Oh, and say hello to your big puppy for me?"

Mokona nodded as the hologram began to fade. "Bye-bye Yuko! I'll call you later!"

-O-

"Damn it, mage. What the Hell did you pay that witch?" Kurogane snarled.

Fai smiled warmly as he took out some pots and pans among other kitchen utensils. Tonight he would make a little more than usual. Tonight he wouldn't tempt Kurogane and tonight Kurogane's road to a healthier being would begin. "I didn't trade anything," Fai chimed. He began racking ingredients from the cupboards and refrigerator. "We just talked."

Kurogane made a, 'feh,' sound. "Are you sure that witch doesn't charge long-distance?" Fai smiled lightly, now cracking some eggs and mixing them in a bowl with sugar and flour and other components. "What are you cooking?"

"I didn't know Kuro-Gyu was interested…" Fai confessed in an airy giggle.

Kurogane blushed deeply, feeling his man-pride being thrown out of the window. "I…don't mind it so much when it's you…"

Fai smiled, biting his bottom lip. His Kuro-Puppy truly deserved much better than anything he could give the ninja. Yet things were as they lay. Fai swallowed back whatever blush he might have as he cooked in the comfortable silence. Fifteen minutes later the mage poured all of his love-filled cooking into plates and placed it before his lover. "All for you, Kuro-Fu! One meal complete to serve a man!"

Kurogane eyed the food skeptically. "Why so much? Even I don't eat that much."

Fai shrugged. "I don't know! Maybe you should try! It might give you more strength. If you eat more, maybe you'll feel more energetic, too!"

Scarlet eyes burned straight into Fai's. The ninja huffed in defeat and placed some of the food in his mouth. He swallowed it with a content expression and scoffed the plate down to work on the next. "Whatever. Don't…" (scoff) "Don't think I'm doing this for you…" (scoff, scoff) "I'm just hungry and that's all. It doesn't even taste all that great!"

Fai nodded, watching happily as the food was consumed by the ninja. Kurogane took a napkin at the end and wiped his mouth off. Fai grinned. "I love you, too, Kuro-Chi." Kurogane snorted. Fai arose from his seat and grabbed the gnarly man's hand. "Well now, time for a shower and then it's off to bed with you!"

"What the-?"

Fai just smiled, shoving Kurogane into the bathroom and locking the door from the outside. He knew Kurogane wouldn't do things for him, 'just because,' or, 'because Fai asked him to.' Of course he needed to push the elder man – just as Kurogane pushed him when he didn't want to, right?

-O-

Kurogane was rubbing his short, wet strands of raven hair dry when he confronted Fai next. "Okay, what the Hell is wrong with you! I don't need to be locked into a room to shower and I don't need seven plates of food for dinner! And I don't need you there supervising me because I get lonely, okay?"

Fai grinned insanely. "Kuro-Ranran gets lonely? How charming."

Kurogane's face meshed together tightly. "Whatever." He sat down next to the blond male and wrapped his arms around Fai. He sighed into the slender man's ear and nipped at it lightly. Fai tensed under the touch, knowing what Kurogane wanted exactly from him. "You're so God-damn-"

"-tired!" Fai finished, with a flushed face, "Yep! I sure am, Kuro-Pin! Well then, good-night!" Fai smiled, jumping under the covers and hogging them from the ninja. He settled in and sighed, closing his eyelids. A fake-snoring sound left the mage as Kurogane just blinked in shock.

"Okay, seriously you God-damn queer! What the Hell is wrong with you? It's not even sunset and you're acting like some chaste nun which both you and I know you aren't with those damn pigtails, outfits, and teasing!" he demanded in a roar. Fai made more snoring noises in his defense but Kurogane saw completely through that. The ninja threw a fit, stealing the covers and twirling Fai around to face him. He saddled Fai's waist underneath himself with his hands on the collar of Fai's light-blue pajamas. "Now you're going to tell me the truth. What happened to you?"

Fai's eyes welled up reasonably. "I…just wanted you to feel better…that's all…"

Kurogane's eyes widened for a moment. "What the Hell?"

"You're feeling tired…because I'm drinking your blood. I tried drinking less but you got all worried. So I decided to make sure you ate enough and slept well. I don't care if you never kiss me in bed again, but…I don't want to see you so moody and unhappy!" Fai whined, stubbornly refusing the tears to fall.

Kurogane smirked a moment before collapsing to a side. He grabbed Fai and embraced him warmly. Fai whimpered but Kurogane kept him there. "You're a fool. I put myself through this. Don't you think I knew that already? Don't you think there's a reason I still put up with it? It's you. And I'm not so stupid enough to go and get sick if that means hurting you, too."

Fai sighed lightly. "But this is my entire fau-"

"It's not." Kurogane kissed Fai's neck, biting at his collarbone as he worked his way down. Fai squirmed in pain. He did it to Kurogane every day and yet he himself was scared of the scars his lover might leave on him. "And even if you can live, I couldn't if that meant never being able to kiss you in bed ever again…"

Fai smiled with a deep blush. His eyes glanced to the right as he whispered a muffled squeal. "Kuro-Rin's such a romantic…"

There would be some solution to the problem… If Kurogane was as stubborn and energetic as always, he knew he could find it with Kurogane. But for now, Fai decided, it was just best to watch the beryl blood blur into the scarlet sky.


Afterthoughts: My uncle just came over for my big, happy-happy, family reunion. (oh goody) That's sarcasm, by the way… I'm one of those people with an almost-sharp tongue and sense of sarcasm yet takes everything literal. (sweat drop)