~ Suggested listening: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood by Neko Case. Thanks to Luna-rin for finding the song. ~
~X~X~
Fai knew something was wrong.
Kurogane didn't cry; it simply wasn't in his nature. Actually, ninjas, as a general rule, did not cry. Fai had learned this after just a month in Nihon.
A ninja from another court had managed to slip past Shirasagi guards and into the main palace. They'd gotten into the throne room while Tomoyo had been holding court and whipped a deceptively small throwing knife at her. Fai, who'd been standing next to her, pushed her behind him and Souma, acting on instinct, pushed herself in front of him. The end result had been a four inch blade embedded in her stomach and, she had cried out in pain at first, eyes brimming with tears- but not a single one had slid down her cheeks.
So it was rather settled in Fai's mind that ninjas did not cry, especially not his ninja.
Also, Kurogane did not buy him flowers. Once in Nihon, while walking through the palace gardens, Kurogane had stopped suddenly and plucked a white rose from its thorny vine, tucking it carefully in Fai's hair and placing a light kiss on his cheek. He had never gone out of his way to purchase a bouquet of flowers for him though. They were carnations, which meant friendship- Tomoyo had had told him that once as she tossed a bouquet of them in the trash. He didn't mind, in fact he loved them. It was just… odd.
And Kurogane still hadn't told him why they were here in America, as opposed to the Japan he remembered falling asleep in. But Kurogane had never really been good at explaining things.
The biggest indicator that something was wrong was when he woke up the next morning before Kurogane, slipped quietly into the bathroom, and discovered that his knife was gone.
Fai stared at his empty hands and scarred wrists numbly.
No.
He needed this; already he could feel control slipping past his open fingers, his breathing coming in ragged, uneven gasps. He pressed his forehead against the wall and forced himself to calm down. After a minute he splashed some water on his face and checked his appearance in the mirror, making sure his smile was convincing. It was a bit shaky, but believable. He flicked off the lights and left.
It was only a little after six in the morning; Kurogane wouldn't usually be up for another two hours. Fai sighed and slipped under the covers again.
This wasn't like Kurogane, he decided, staring up at the ceiling. When there was a problem, Kurogane yelled, argued, and got angry. He hit things, though he'd never once hit Fai, and he dealt with it upfront and openly. He didn't just quietly eliminate whatever he thought was the source of the problem.
Something was definitely going on, something that had started between the banquet and when he woke up. Fai wasn't even sure that that time span was only one night anymore. It could have been a week for all he knew- after all, he didn't know. He couldn't remember.
~X~X~
~ Short chappie, I apologize ^^' I just wanted to post it before tomorrow. Next one will be up tomorrow, regardless of the number of reviews, though they're still loved :)
Lots of love and thanks to Luna-san (ShingetsuXMangetsu), my awesomeful beta :3
Flames will be used to roast marshmallows and make smores, which will be passed out to all the nice reviewers. ~