Hey^^ This is Saturday's "make-up" chapter. I felt bad about skipping, so I included some kurofai to make most of you happy and to severely annoy one specific person who knows who they are ;D Please review^^

Sunday morning they woke up to sun, warm, bright and welcome after days of clouds and rain. It poured through the windows and for once, the lack of blinds seemed like a good thing. In Kurogane's eyes, his companions seemed like the cats that roamed the halls of Shirasagi castle; they would walk through a patch of sunlight and without thought, simply stop and stand in it, absorbing the warmth. The kids didn't have work that afternoon and he and Fai only worked until midnight, so all of them had a feeling of laziness emanating from their bones.

Fai had pooled his and Sakura's tip money and restocked the fridge. Now he was making pancakes and bacon, the smell filling the small apartment and making it feel even warmer.

They were focusing less on finding the feather and more on becoming established. They had no leads as to where it might be so they were at a standstill, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Syaoran was watching the news in the living room and Sakura was standing next to Fai as he monitored a cooking pancake. Actually, it was more like she was hovering. Kurogane had to suppress a smile; the girl was asking if she could help. Again. She wanted to contribute so badly and he knew she felt bad that they couldn't leave this world until they found her feather, but the truth was there wasn't anything any of them could do.

After trying in vain to get her to relax and be comfortable, Fai told Sakura that if she really wanted to do something, she could strip the beds and take the bedding down to the building's laundry room in the basement. She smiled and left to start in her and Syaoran's room.

When Kurogane moved to stand next to Fai he felt the overwhelming urge to make fun of her. He didn't normally joke, but for some reason, he thought Fai would get it. He knew he loved the girl like she was his little sister, and Kurogane couldn't help but admire her courage and resolve that she showed whenever the situation called for it, but sometimes she was too much. He dipped his head and spoke right next to Fai's face.

"Can I help? Are you sure? What can I do? I'd like to help. Do you need any help?"

It took Fai a minute to realize what he was doing. When he did, he laughed. Softly at first, then louder, giggling with one of the rare, real, smiles he occasionally treated Kurogane to. Then they were both laughing and Fai gave him a light shove, weakened by his own laughter.

"You're…terrible," Fai laughed, "That poor girl…"

"Likes to help."

Kurogane finished for him and started him laughing again.

They froze and fell silent as Sakura passed the doorway on the way to their room. As soon as she was out of earshot though, it started again. Fai fell to the side slightly and leaned on Kurogane. The ninja, without thinking, slid his arm around his waist to keep him from falling as they continued to laugh. After a few seconds, their laughter slowly subsided and Kurogane tock stock of their position.

Fai's entire body was leaning on him, his head resting high on his chest and his hands braced on Kurogane's ribs. Kurogane's arms were wrapped around his thin waist, fingers laced over a slim hip. His tight jeans were low cut and his shirt had ridden up, meaning the sides of Kurogane's thumbs were brushing his bare skin.

Kurogane slowly realized that he did not want to move, as he probably should. It was hard to interact with someone as closely as he interacted with Fai and not think of them the way he was currently considering him. The blonde was always so distant though. Even when he was right there next to him, annoying the hell out of him with nick-names or sweets or a complete lack of a concept of personal space, there was always a wall.

But right now, there wasn't a wall there, just Fai. Kurogane felt fine blonde hair brush his chin as Fai shifted and the taller got ready for the shorter to pull away. But he didn't; instead, he simply shifted so that he was looking up at Kurogane. His hair fell in front of his face and, without thinking, Kurogane brushed it back. He kept his hand on the side of Fai's face and felt him lean into the touch. They were so close, and suddenly, a thought flashed, bright and quick through his mind.

I could kiss him.

He titled his head and Fai, seeming to understand, blushed and titled his head as well. That was when they heard the scream.

Ruh-roh... Who's screaming now..? I suck at cliff-hangers, lol... Oh wells. So now there's some kurofai action^^ I know the people who read A Retelling didn't think it was gonna happen ( yeah, they're still waiting, but it's coming) but I did it. Let me know what you think^^

ありがとう,

ハッピーハロウィン

ShingetsuXMangetsu