Fai froze when he saw Sakura and Syaoran. A light pink dusted Sakura's cheeks as she heard him enter, but he knew she was quite unaware of why he felt a sudden distress course through his body.

They looked awfully cute like that, Sakura sitting so close to the bed her knees had to part slightly, pressing into the wood. Syaoran looking surprisingly calm, eyes closed and hand strayed to Sakura's knee. Sakura had both her hands on top of Syaoran's, fiddling slightly with his fingers as he seemed to sleep.

But it scared Fai. Because they hadn't told Sakura what had happened to Syaoran.

They hadn't told her what Syaoran did when he had panicked this morning.

No matter how cute they looked, how calm the boy's face was and how sweet her light blush, they couldn't know what Syaoran would do next. Maybe he was subconsciously aware it was Sakura by his side, but he had given Fai a reaction he'd been taught in that bastard's place.

What if Syaoran suddenly started doing that to Sakura?

Not only had they wanted to keep that bit of information from her, he couldn't stand the thought of Syaoran involuntarily assaulting Sakura. Nobody could do that to Sakura.

And Fai was quite sure Syaoran would be the first to protect her, had he been in his right state of mind. If Syaoran turned out to do it himself... Where would that leave the boy once he got back to full consciousness?

When he didn't approach them, Sakura turned her head to give him a questioning look. He quickly plastered his smile back on his face, and sauntered over to the bed. He had to be strong for her.

"How's Syaoran doing now?"

"He's calm," Sakura petted the boy's hand, a smile on her face, "although he's been unresponsive all this time, I feel like he hasn't been this calm before. He isn't sleeping though."

"How do you know?" Fai leaned over, studying the boy's softened features.

"I think he hears me speak to him."

"He does?" Fai leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. "What are you telling him?"

"Nothing much. I told him a few of my memories, and I told him a little tale."

"And why do you think he hears you?"

"Because every time I feel a little sad..." She picked up the boy's hand, as if to show it to Fai as her smile dropped. "Every time I feel sad, he squeezes my hand."

A shudder ran through Fai's body as Syaoran's eyes seemed to flutter, and his fingers twitched the slightest bit, squeezing Sakura's hand.

...

"Is he sleeping?" Kurogane knew he sounded a bit too gruff to the princess, who was rubbing her eyes tiredly as she finally emerged from the boy's room that night.

"I think so," she answered softly.

Kurogane turned towards her on the couch. "Are you alright?"

She looked up, surprise flashing through large green eyes. "Uh, yes. Thank you."

"You're helping him," he muttered, "don't let his state drag you down."

She blinked at him a few times in confusion, before a wide smile spread on her face. "Thank you, Kurogane. It's very kind of you to say that. But you don't need to force yourself either."

That stung.

What made her think he was forcing himself?

"Look here," he started a little heatedly, before he became aware of her giggling. He huffed. "Just go to sleep."

"Yes, Kurogane." She stifled her giggling behind her hand as she quickly moved to her room, closing the door behind her.

Well, at least he had managed to cheer her up a little.

Huffing again, he lay down on the couch, turning to find a good spot on the ratty old thing to sleep.

...

Sakura lay still in bed, staring at her ceiling. Kurogane was right. She shouldn't let herself be sad all the time because of Syaoran's state. He needed her cheerful now.

The corners of her mouth turned op with effort. She should be cheerful.

Why did Syaoran panic this morning? What was it that scared him so much? Did Fai do anything to him?

No. Fai wouldn't hurt Syaoran.

Would he?

Fai had been bitter towards Syaoran after what happened in Tokyo. She shook her head, dispelling all thoughts of what had passed there. She had been bitter towards Syaoran after that too. But Fai had extra reason, right? He lost his eye, and he was forced to live on as a vampire. He and Kurogane sought privacy when Fai fed, but Sakura could clearly see Fai was disgusted by what he had become.

Had Syaoran been in time, it might not have happened. He said so himself.

Then again, Syaoran hadn't asked a single thing from them since he joined them. He had silently taken the stones being thrown at him in a world wrecked by his clone. He seemed like the type to take the blame even if it didn't belong to him.

But did Fai know that? Did Fai – bitter and hurt as he was – realize it wasn't really Syaoran's fault?

He couldn't have tried to hurt Syaoran this morning, could he?

Sakura turned in her bed, burying her face in her pillow. What was she doing? She couldn't doubt Fai like that!

Guilt gnawed at her like a starved animal. She had hurt Syaoran first, and now she was actually suspecting Fai of hurting the broken boy. Fai, who was trying so hard to help him, cleaning him without telling Sakura, trying to feed him even though he wouldn't respond to him.

Her pillow grew damp.

Quickly turning around again, she forced out a stiff chuckle. She had to be cheerful. For Syaoran.