Wow I haven't updated in a while... But thats okay cause I know have a laptop and can uptate quicker! At least I should be able too. Anyway, Enjoy his chapter of A Troubled World!

Disclaimer: I don't own Tsubasa. Not at all!

A tan arm wiped at a damp brow as the owner of the arm leaned back. Kurogane had just finished splitting wood for their campfire and was bracing himself for the long haul back to camp. The blond mage at his side wasn't helping any either.

Fai was skipping around the clearing, supposedly 'on watch', and pointing out random plants to Mokona when he was suppose to be helping the ninja cut wood and carry it back. Kurogane wasn't quite sure whether he should be angry about it or relieved though he did eventually call the blond over to help him carry the wood back.

"Kuro-pon? Why the long face?" The mage asked upon arriving by the tan man's side. He lifted three pieces of wood and started to walk away. Kurogane was surprised he took that much so he didn't complain as he took the rest of the fairly large stack.

"I'm debating whether it was worth the effort to invite you to come with me." He grumbled as they headed back through the woods to their temporary home. Over the past week they had gradually been accepted by the elves and welcomed into their land. While they weren't completely trusted yet being accepted was enough for them to relax, if just a little bit.

The feather was another problem though. It was under the Queen's power making stealing it seem like a bad idea. Kurogane was to the point of just wanting to walk up to the childish ruler and demand the damn thing.

"Of course it was!" Mokona called out from the top of Fai's head. The small creature had been seen by one of the guards who thought it was some kind of rabbit so it was ok for him to be seen. Just as long as he didn't speak around anyone else. "If Fai hadn't come Mokona wouldn't have learned about all the healing plants around here!"

Fai laughed, "Plus Kuro-puu here could've been ambushed if we weren't on guard."

Kurogane highly doubted he would've been ambushed and the plant thing was a little iffy at best. He didn't feel like arguing at the moment, however, so he let it slide with a soft grunt. They had managed to walk in silence for a few minutes before the blond spoke up.

"Neh, Kuro-tan?"

Kurogane sighed, he'd given up on yelling at the mage for today so he let the nickname slide. "What?"

"What are we going to do about the feather? We can't just steal it." That's the strange thing about the magician, he seemed to think on the same page as Kurogane did even if he was the complete opposite of him.

"I don't know. Why don't you just go up and ask the elf." He scoffed. Like that was going to do anything other than making them loose the small amount of trust they had gained.

"Alright then. I'll ask!" The ninja was forced to take back any previous statement of them thinking on the same level as he watched the mage skip on ahead of him.

"I didn't mean to actually do it!" He called after the blond who by know was yards in front of the weighed down ninja. "If i didn't know any better I'd say he left me with the heavy load for a reason." He huffed, moving the logs to a better position.

Once he had gotten back to the tents, he left the wood with one of the elves and headed to where he knew the mage was. Sure enough, Fai was in the Queen's tent when he arrived.

"So you and the other's traveling with you are looking for the feather I posess?" Midori was once again sitting at her makeshift throne, sending searching glances at who ever stood in front of her.

Fai nodded. The blond was standing in the middle of the tent, smiling up at the woman before him. Mokona was no where to be seen so Kurogane figured Fai was smart enough to take him back to their tent. "We were hoping you wouldn't mind giving it to us when you're done. Our friend Sakura really needs it."

Kurogane was about to step in when Midori spoke up, stopping his apology immediately. "Though most people may see me as cruel I am not, Fai. I will allow you to take the feather once I have avenged my parent's murder." She smiled, showing Kurogane that no harm would come to either of them, and then looked at the ninja. "Now you both must be tired from training and chores so you both can head to bed early in order to be ready for battle tomorrow."

"Battle?" Kurogane had known for a while now that a battle would soon be waged but tomorrow seemed a bit to close. "Will we be ready by then?"

Midori laughed, "I appreciate the concern Kurogane but it is not needed. You are ready, as is Fai and all my other troops. I wouldn't be sending us out to the fields if that weren't true."

"Us?"

"Ah, of course you'd pick up on that," She smiled at him again, "I'm not one of those petty rulers who controls battles from afar. I join my people in battle."

"If I may Your Majesty," Fai interjected with a polite bow, "I have never seen you train once. Not even in archery."

"I have had my own training and have become quite skillful with a sword if I may boast." She let out another musical laugh, "I must thank you both for the concern you have shown me and my people. You are always welcome here in our lands." Her smile at this point was blinding. She seemed to generally care for her country. "But now you both need sleep. Good night men. Rest up and be ready for tomorrow."

Both men bowed before exiting the tent and heading back to their own. Mokona had greeted them at the entrance but received no response as the men were deep in talk, sending the tent into a prolong silence. Before too long though someone had to break it.

"The Queen really loves this country," Fai clamed, petting mokona on the head in apology.

"She does," Kurogane agreed quietly. "But don't ever do that again mage." He sent the blond a warning glare and went back to polishing his sword.

"Aww, but Kuro-tan! How else could we have collected the feather?" Fai asked, fake smile planted on his face. "You hadn't thought of anything yet so I just went for it."

Kurogane sighed. He had to agree with the mage on that point. They had run out of ideas leaving asking the only possible option. He put away his sword and headed over to his side of the tent, blowing out the candle as he settled down for the night. "Let's just get some rest for tomorrow." He said before turning on his side, facing away from the magician.

Fai let out a soft chuckle before setting the now sleeping Mokona down beside him. "Good night!" He called before lying down and falling asleep himself.