Hey! An update, yay! I'm so sorry I didn't update yesterday, but I seem to have fallen ill and I've been asleep most of the past three days. xD; But yeah.
Oh my God xxxPsychotique. Seriously, your comment made me feel soooo much better. Like, my nose stopped running, my head stopped hurting, and suddenly I could smell, taste, and hear! (I have a super monster cold. xD) But yeah, thank you soooo much. You've, like, made my week. My month. Basically, you made the authoress very happy. 'D But yeah, chapter four was when I was trying to get back into the feel of the story, and so that's why everything was a bit scattered. I'm not entirely fond of my story until about chapter five.
sakura-fai, my dear, I'd just like to say that you've also made me happy because you've commented on like every chapter. You seriously don't know how gleeful that makes me. x3
ENOUGH FROM ME THOUGH. And onto the story, which I'm sure you're eager to read. There in one part in this that was... Very awkward to write. And it's even more awkward for other people to read it. I'm sure you'll know it when you read it. And if you don't, then I'm completely overreacting! C:
I have a bad habit of re-reading every chapter and complusively editing. I also have a bad habit of rambling forever.
Chapter Six.
"Now we can talk."
Fai played with his hands a bit before saying, "I... Have to tell you about what went on that night. You need to know, for... Your own sake." Fai didn't want to look at Gwen.
"I'm guessing that this will be bad," said Gwen, looking at her toes.
"You're right. But you need to know." She took a deep breath.
"... Okay."
Fai spent the next ten minutes explaining exactly what had happened that night; how the army attacked, how they'd gotten in because of a traitor in the castle, how Fai had fought them and killed them all... He paused. He had so far avoided talking about Ashura, and he knew that Gwen was waiting for him to explain that particular piece of the puzzle.
"... I'm guessing you had something to do with Ashura being asleep," said Gwen, still avoiding Fai's eyes.
"... I... I'm the... I put him to sleep." Fai sat in silence. Gwen said nothing. She had almost expected it.
"He... He is not our friend anymore, Guenevere. He's... Oh, God," Fai moaned, his voice breaking. Gwen gasped and took his hand in her own.
"Fai..." she whispered, eyes wide and afraid. "What on earth did he do to you?" Fai turned and looked at her with a grim look on his face. His eyes were worn and jaded.
"He was the traitor. He let the Sirian army into the castle."
"But why?" gasped Gwen, eyes locked with Fai's.
"Because... He wanted me dead. He wanted me dead so that you would be Witch, and I wouldn't be in the way... And so that he could have you. Your magic, as much as I hate to admit it, far surpasses my own. Ashura knew this, and wanted to use your skills to help him conquer the surrounding kingdoms. He wanted power. Your power. And..." Fai couldn't look at Gwen. "I was afraid he'd do anything to force you to do his dirty work." She put her hand over her mouth.
"That's not all, though.." whispered Fai, turning to look at the ceiling. "He.. Did things to me... And I'm afraid that if he wakes up he'll... Do them to you."
"What... What did he do?" Fai gulped, searching for the words to explain himself.
"Well.. It... He'd been... Coming on to me for a while," muttered Fai, his face hot. There was an awkward pause. Fai cleared his throat.
"I... Knew that he'd let in the army, and... After I'd defeated them, I knew... That... Well, I feigned loyalty to him, pretending I though he was entirely innocent... And I... I, well..." Fai coughed and felt a definite hotness all over. He could feel Gwen's eyes burning into him, and he felt uncomfortable, embarassed, and mostly ashamed. He turned away from her.
"I slept with him."
Quite possibly the most awkward moment they had ever had followed this statement. He heard Gwen fidget beside him.
"A-Afterward..." continued Fai, trying to keep voice steady, "While he was still... In the moment, I guess... I performed the spell to put him to sleep, and sealed him in the coffin."
"How... How had he been coming on to you?" whispered Gwen. Fai groaned inwardly. Why, of all the questions to ask, did she have to ask that?
"He would do things like... Like p-push me against the walls, and... Kiss me, and.. Call me to his chambers at night... And try to seduce me... He even went as far as to drug my wine one night..." Fai was beet red. "I knew that if he succeeded in his plan to kill me, then... It would be you instead of me." He looked at her. "I would never let him do anything to you like that. I could never live with myself."
There was a heavy silence as Fai and Gwen stared at each other. They both jumped at a soft cough from the stairs, and Gwen whipped around quickly.
"Um, Syaoran-kun and I made dinner, if you're hungry..." said Sakura, who smiled nervously at the two, who were both rather red.
"Oh, um, thank you, Sakura, dear," said Gwen quickly and with a hurried smile. "Don't worry, we'll be down soon." Sakura smiled more confidently and nodded. She then traipsed back downstairs. A few moments later they heard talking and laughter.
"Fai..." whispered Gwen, who had turned back to face him, "I... I don't know what to say. You've... Well... You sacrificed yourself for my sake. And when you left, I was angry... I thought your leaving had been an act of cowardice.. And now... Oh, Fai, I'm so sorry..." Fai gasped as he saw tears well in her eyes again.
"No, please, don't cry," whispered Fai, who took the Witch in his arms and pulled her onto the bed with him. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and he could feel her tears on his skin. He closed his eyes and made soft hushing noises. She gave a loud sniff and lifted her face to look at him. She smiled weakly.
"I'll go down to dinner. You stay and sleep. I'll be back up in a bit with something for you." Fai nodded and he let her slide from his grasp. She departed for the kitchen, and Fai fell back into the bed again. Within minutes he wast fast asleep.
-
Kurogane was on his bed, sitting cross-legged against the wall. His brow was furrowed even more than usual: For some reason he was uneasy. He wasn't sure why, he just knew that something about Seresu wasn't right. There was a heavy weight in the air that just wouldn't dissipate, and though Guenevere and Fai may not notice it, Kurogane certainly did.
It felt like impending doom.
Should he say something to her? No, he didn't want to concern her even more. Though, she probably already knew that something was coming. A confrontation with Ashura was going to happen, but whether it would be sooner or later depended on the bravery of the Witch and Wizard. Ashura was obviously a powerful King, so to beat him would mean that both would have to fight, if they would fight at all... And for the first time travelling with his companions, he sincerely hoped he could be of use in any battle that could arise. Someone knocked gently at his door.
"Kuro... May I come in?" Gwen opened the door a bit so he could see her face. Kuro nodded. She came in and sat on the bed next to him, and in the same fashion.
"I think we need to talk," mumbled the ninja, cheeks reddening slightly as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"I think so too. What sort of conversation do you have in mind?"
"... It's about... That guy. Your king." Gwen was silent.
"What are you planning to do about... The white manju said one of the Princess' feathers was what was ultimately sealing him underwater. If we were to get the feather back it would release him. And I know that that Wizard won't like it if the King is released." Kuro shuffled uncomfortably. "I... Couldn't help but overhear part of your conversation... About why he tried to kill that mage. And... What will happen to you if he's freed." Kurogane fidgeted again. "I don't want you to have to go through with that kind of treament either. You don't deserve it." Gwen sighed.
"Thank you, but... I'm really not so great." She shook her head for a moment. "And... About Ashura... I don't know what we're going to do. Fai is... A very powerful magician, and a renowned fighter. But he's in no condition to fight right now, especially against Ashura. Ashura is also very, very powerful, and... Well, truth be told, we'd be lucky if we could kill him." Gwen coughed to clear her throat, then rested her chin in her hand.
"I... Well, Sakura needs to get her feather back. So I guess Ashura will just have to wake up." She smiled wryly. "No matter what it may mean for the rest of us, Sakura is our top priority." Kurogane grimaced.
"Why... How can you be like this?" growled Kurogane, angry. "This guy could do horrible things to you; he could rape you for God's sake, and yet you... You're so... You act like you don't care. Like your personal well-being doesn't even matter. And... It's not right. You're too forgiving, and you put yourself last." Kurogane was surprised even at his own outburst. Gwen turned to look at him, her eyes wide with shock.
"I.. I'm sorry," the ninja mumbled, embarassed. He hadn't meant to say those things to her, even if he had spoken some truth. Gwen laughed softly, a dry, humourless chuckle.
"No, you're right. I guess I should be more worried. But I don't want to hold grudges against people forever... I'd rather just live without enemies. And if it means I have to put up with my own King, then I can do it."
"Your eyes say otherwise." Kuro stared at her, a frown on his face again. She looked up at him.
"You and that magician love each other. And when it's time for you two to part, can you honestly say that you'll be happy enough without him? That you can live comfortably with that bastard of a King instead of your lover kissing you to sleep every night?" The Witch shrugged.
"I don't know anymore. I guess I'll just have to make it work, won't I? I can't change the pre-destined course of events, so I may as well live with it."
Kuro didn't know how to answer this. She suddenly seemed like someone who had given up all hope.
"No." Kuro gazed at her, his usual glare softened with the feeling of... Was it sympathy? She couldn't tell. "You can't take this mind-set. I've seen what thinking like this does to people. You can't just give up hope like this. If I can... If it helps at all, I'll make sure that you and the mage will be together. So don't give up on me." Gwen was touched. She hadn't expected the tall man before her to take this view, nonetheless to feel this way about her. She let out a shuddering breath, then tried her best to smile.
"... Thank you. It means a lot." Kuro simply nodded.
They sat in silence for a bit, until Gwen spoke.
"Why don't you use anyone's names?"
Her question was rather out-of-the-blue, and it caught him off guard. He thought about lying, saying he didn't know what she was talking about, that she must be mistaken. Then he remembered who he was talking to.
"It's... I don't... I don't want to be attached to anyone."
"Why?" Kuro became a little uncomfortable again.
"Because... It's better not to make connections with anyone. I'm a warrior, born and bred. I can't afford to have... Strong feelings for anyone. It impairs my judgement, and I can't... Make good decisions under stress." He hadn't opened up like this to anyone since his parents had been killed, save for Tomoyo.
"Well... I don't care if you're connected to me. In fact," she said softly, taking her hand and putting it on Kurogane's, "I want us to be connected."
He stared at her slender, pale hand on his broad, tanned, caloused one. He could see, through her fingers, the familiar scar from his childhood on his left hand. Then he looked at her. She looked serious, but soft and gentle.
"... For you, I... I'll make an exception," he grumbled. She smiled again.
"I'm glad."
Syaoran's head suddenly appeared in the door, and Gwen pulled her hand off of Kuro's with lightning speed.
"Guenevere-san? Um.. Fai-san told me that he needs to see you." Syaoran had a hint of a blush. He suspected he had walked in on something between Gwen and Kurogane. Gwen stood quickly and thanked Syaoran, who left the room after nodding his head. Gwen began to walk to the door, but her hand was caught and she turned to see Kuro holding it. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again, and simply pulled her toward him and kissed her forehead.
"... Take care of yourself." Gwen nodded and kissed his cheek.
Walking slowly up the stairs to the loft, Gwen thought about all Kuro had told her. What would she do after Fai had left? Could she really, truly be happy just knowing that Fai was somewhere safe and out of harm's way? Could she sleep without his arms around her, but with Ashura's instead? She sat once more in the chair next to the bed. Fai, it seemed, had fallen asleep waiting for her. His chest rose and fell softly, his breath warm against her face as she pressed her forehead against his. He was still feverish. She pulled the covers higher up to his chin and tucked them around him. The sooner he was feeling better the sooner Gwen could stop worrying so much about him. Her nerves were pretty much shot.
She thought about Kuro's words again. As much as she might not want to admit it, the man had a point. She knew she wouldn't-- couldn't-- be happy while Fai was gone. Not anymore. However, she couldn't see a way to side-step their predicament. It seemed that the only way was...
Fai stirred and opened one eye, then smiled and closed it again.
"Hello, Ginny."
"Hello, Fai." She touched his face gently, brushing his long hair away from his eyes. He sighed and brought his hand out from under the covers to hold hers.
"Ginny, I know that you and Kuro have been talking about... About me, and about A-Ashura, and I think... I think we need to talk about it too."
"You're right." Gwen took a deep breath.
"But first," said Fai with a coy grin, his hand moving to the back of her head, "Come down here and kiss me." Gwen was happy to comply.
Several minutes later Gwen was lying on top of Fai under the covers, the Wizard sitting up somewhat on his pillows. His hand was stroking her hair while she rested her head on his chest.
"So... About Ashura," Fai said, settling into a more comfortable position.
"I think I may have an idea of how to keep him from you," said Gwen, her eyes closed as she focused on the steady b-bump of Fai's heartbeat.
"Well that's fine and dandy, but it's not me I'm worrying about." Fai kissed the top of her head. Gwen acted as if she had not heard him.
"I was thinking... That we could wake him, quickly take the feather, and then you could leave with Mokona and everyone."
"And what about you?"
"I'll distract him so you can get away, even if it kills me." Fai sighed. He knew Gwen would say something stupid like that.
"That's not going to work, Ginny. It leaves you, here, with him. And if you even tried to kill him or refuse him or anything you would be accused of treason, and they would kill you anyway."
"They might be nice and just imprison me."
"I'm sorry, but that's not something I'm going to allow to happen."
"Right now it's our only option," Gwen said, looking up at Fai with a stubborn expression that almost entirely hid her anxiety.
"Maybe..." said Fai, racking his brain for anything that he could do to alter the dark fate the world seemed to want to bestow on this Witch. He realised, suddenly, that there was another option. He knew Guenevere wouldn't like it, but it was much more preferrable than what could happen to her otherwise.
"I know what we can do." His eyes lit up. She looked at him curiously.
"Oh, really."
"Yes, really. I don't think you'll like it, though."
"And you think I'm partial to the other option?"
"Good point." Fai was surprised at himself. It seemed so obvious, why hadn't they thought of this before? He couldn't believe they were so stupid. This way, not only could they both escape, but...
"Okay. This is what I'm thinking. We go in and set Ashura free--"
"--So far it sounds an awful lot like my idea--"
"--But instead of me leaving you here alone, I take you with me."
"I do have a problem with that. I can't leave Seresu without a Magician anymore. Last time was bad; this time would be worse."
"Ah, but see, this is where you're wrong for once. Our people will not be without a leader, since once we are gone, they will be left wth Ashura. And while he has become a cruel, sadistic bastard in his private life, he is a fair ruler and would not betray his people as a whole. We will not be abandoning anyone." He gazed knowingly at Gwen. She had a look on her face that said that she, too, had realised how obvious this should have been.
"It's... That would work," she said, disbelief present in her voice. "I... Wow. We could both be free of him."
"Not forever, though," sighed Fai. Gwen's face fell a bit. "Just long enough to be together for bit, enjoy our time together. Then when he decides to come after us, we'll... Well, we'll have had time to think up a strategy for when he does find us." Gwen smiled, a huge, happy, radiant smile.
"Oh, I'm so glad... But I'll have to leave Seresu." She looked like a child, as if her surroundings were suddenly unfamiliar. "I haven't left Seresu for more than a month at a time, and that was when I would go travelling with you. Now I may never return."
"It's better than the alternative. Believe me, I thought I'd never be back here. It's like... Like being born again. Like starting completely fresh, and the whole slate is clean. It's really not as bad as it sounds," he said quickly, because he noticed that she was looking out the window with an odd look on her face.
"I'll just have to trust you," Gwen said softly, still looking out the window.
End Chapter Six
Just to let you know, the next chapter is my favourite chapter in this entire story.