Title: Hide and Seek
Character(s): Tomoyo, Kurogane, Souma
Prompt: "Let every man be master of his time." - Macbeth
Genre: General/Humour
Word Count: 621
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: This is inspired by chapter 182, but I think there shouldn't be any spoilers. If you want to be very very careful, though...
Summary: Tomoyo drags Kurogane from his training to play hide and seek.
Author's Notes: It can be interpreted as Kurogane/Tomoyo or a platonic relationship, I think, so you can decide which you prefer.In case anyone doesn't understand how this fic relates to the prompt, Tomoyo is playing around with Kurogane's training time. As a result, Kurogane is unable to be "master of his time".
Disclaimer: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE belongs to CLAMP.

Sometimes, Princess Tsukuyomi would interrupt her ninja's training to talk him into playing with her. Of course, the battle-hardened boy was indignant, but the young noble was not lacking in the skills of persuasion. It did not take long for her to convince Souma that her little apprentice needed the rest and gleefully pull him away from the training grounds.

"Tomoyo! What exactly do you want from me?" demanded the angry ninja when he was finally released from the princess's unexpectedly firm hold.

His answer was a familiar grin that always sent chills running down his spine. Uncertainly, he waited for Tomoyo's instructions. If heaven would answer his prayer, it would not be any of those horrid odd jobs that she often gave him to embarrass himself.

"Ohohoho! Kurogane looks so pale!" Tomoyo giggled mischieviously behind her sleeve. "Don't worry; it's really nothing. It's just as I told Souma; I want you to play with me for a while."

Kurogane still was not convinced. "What exactly is it that you want to play?"

"Hide and seek!" answered Tomoyo with a girlish laugh. "Go on - you first! Turn away and don't look until you've counted to a hundred. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Kurogane under his breath. He had seen many of the children in his village play the game before and had occasionally participated in several of them - of course he knew what he was supposed to do. Obediently, he turned away to stare glumly at a piece of peeling bark on the tree that was inches away from his nose.

As he counted, he could hear the soft swishing of the princess's robes as she fled the scene. The training that he had undergone had taught his ears to pay attention to even the slightest sound. He could hear the rustle of the grass where delicate feet trod, the gently cracking of the leaves used to hide his target, the ever-stirring breeze carrying a familiar light laugh through the air.

"...ninety-nine, one hundred," finished Kurogane with obvious boredom in his voice. He turned around to see a seemingly empty clearing, but he knew better than that. Within seconds, he found the princess waiting behind a large fern.

With a squeal, Tomoyo leaped out of her hiding place, knocking the ninja to the ground. Kurogane's face flushed with embarrassment at the awkward position that they were in, but the innocent princess only laughed. "Ohohoho! Kurogane's blushing!" she remarked.

"I'm... just get off me!" said Kurogane, trying to push her away without humiliating her. She obliged with a triumphant look on her face. He stood up, his face still red, nervously dusting his clothes. When he noticed her expression, his face turned redder, as though ready to explode. "What?" he demanded.

Tomoyo smiled suddenly, all traces of mischief vanishing within that instant. "Kurogane still knows how to be a gentleman, even though he's so ardent about training to become stronger."

Kurogane was shocked. Did Tomoyo compliment him? Did she just seriously, earnestly compliment him? Admittedly, it was a nice change from her teasing him all the time. He looked away, unsure of how to receive the compliment. "Thanks," was all he muttered.

Tomoyo grinned again. "So you won't mind escorting me back to the training grounds, will you?" Her eyes glinted with their usual playfulness. She turned and fled before Kurogane could figure out what she meant.

But when he did, he finally exploded. He ran after her, yelling at the top of his voice. "That's cheating, Tomoyo! I don't care whether you're a princess or not; I'm going to make you pay for this!"

Still running ahead of him, Tomoyo laughed heartily. He had no idea, no idea at all...

Ok, the last part might be a little confusing, so I'm going to try breaking it down. When Tomoyo says, "So you won't mind escorting me back to the training grounds, will you?", what she really means to say is "Race you back to the training grounds!" Kurogane takes a while to figure things out, so Tomoyo gets herself a headstart.

By the way, the very last sentence "He had no idea, no idea at all..." has reference to something mentioned in chapter 171. If you've spotted it right away, then... well, good for you. :)