Bleached Wings

By Raindrops 28

Chapter 9: Nihon Country and the World of Dreams

Kurogane awoke slowly, the image of Ichigo and Fai trapped within the circle still burned into his eyes, when he realized the familiarity of the room he was in.

"Where am I?! The others!"

"This here is Nihon Country. The others who were traveling with you, are here, in Shirayuki Castle."

Kurogane turned his head as best he could, barely believing that he'd finally made it home, and that it was truly Tomoyo-hime standing in front of him.

Kurogane felt himself relax, and breathe a sigh of relief when Tomoyo confirmed it was her voice he had heard, telling him that his arm, which contained Fai's magic would be enough of a substitute to free the magician from his own magic.

They were speaking calmly, but Kurogane was not surprised when Tomoyo asked the question behind his entire journey.

"Have you understood the meaning of true strength?"

Kurogane paused, before griping his stump of an arm and smirking sardonically.

"Who knows."

They spoke further of Kurogane's supposed 'curse', but Kurogane was not truly focused on that – what little strength the curse had taken form him to save his life was inconsequential to saving Fai from that man, and rescuing Ichigo.

"Moreover, I don't the least regret giving up my arm at that time. I've always wanted strength, so that the people close to me won't be taken away from me anymore. But…having strength can bring upon catastrophes as well. And there are also things…that strength alone can't protect."

Kurogane closed his eyes, memories flashing across his mind – Sakura allowing herself to be stabbed, Syaoran, his eyes closed, Fai and his twin…and Ichigo fighting a war that cost him everything but his own life.

Tomoyo smiled gently. "It seems that you did understand…the meaning of true strength."

Tomoyo turned, and invited someone in. Kurognae was not surprised to see Fai, frowning and his obscuring his expression. Kurogane stared back evenly – he decied the moment he burst through Ashura-O's illusion of Fai's past with the intent to kill that he would accept whatever Fai's decision of Kurogane would be.

He was not, however, expecting the punch, much less for the magician to smirk at him afterwards.

"This is payback…Kuro-sama."

"Kurogane smirked, relishing the return of Fai's dreaded nicknames. "Ke. Bastard I'll beat you up!"

Perhaps things were finally looking up.

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Syaoran smiled at Watanuki, happy he had finally been able to meet after so long. That Watanuki frequently spoke to Sakura was also a great relief, even if the Witch had already told him before that Sakura was not alone. Syaoran felt the edges of consciousness beginning to creep in, though and was about to say goodbye to Watanuki, when he spoke, asking if he also knew Kurosaki Ichigo.

As Watanuki passed on the dream he had of those who knew Ichigo in life, Syaoran felt something like hope rising.

Perhaps it would not be too late for his and Sakura's clones.

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Ichigo stood back further than the others as they crowed near the Sakura tree that held Sakura's soulless body. Ichigo wasn't sure if he would have any effect on her fragile health as a shinigami, but felt it was better not to risk it, even if the strange connection he seemed to have with her feathers could improve the length of time she had before her soul need to be brought back.

When Fûma arrived, Ichigo could not say he was surprised when Fai revealed that he had another deal with the Witch to restore Kurogane's arm to him in some fashion. He was glad, however, that Fai and Kurogane seemed to have made peace with each other.

Even if it meant he had to be a observer to their growing relationship.

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It was just their luck, however, that Seishiro arrived – Ichigo supposed it was too much to ask for, that they avoid meeting Fûma's brother after meeting him the second time. Ichigo was also entirely unsurprised when Syaoran refused to let him leave with Sakura's feather.

While Kurogane and Tomoyo's sister remained within the barrier to observe their fight, Ichigo stood outside of it; listening to Fai and Tomoyo's conversation. As Fai finished his explanation of how he paid for 'the world after Celes' to be a safe one, Fai turned to Ichigo, asking that if it was confirmation of that wish why Ichigo had stayed outside of the barrier.

"Yes." Ichigo said simply. "I wanted to make sure…that you hadn't agreed to pay something stupid again."

"Maa…didn't Ichigo-kun hear? I've decided…not to give up my life so easily."

"Yeah." Ichigo admitted, gathering enough strength to look at Fai's happy, at peace face. "But that was today, and the other wish was before."

And at that moment, Ichigo felt a sudden tear in the dimensions - all of them turning in shock as Syaoran was suddenly dragged into the world of dreams, swearing to return with Sakura.

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The wait as the world of dreams clashed and mixed dangerously with Nihon seemed to drag on forever, Ichigo managing to grab the others and drag them onto a platform of reishi Ichigo had learned to make from Ishida, keeping the others away from the volatile clashing of the dimensions.

When Syaoran returned alone, Ichigo did not have to see the despair on his face to know something had gone wrong. When Syaoran finished his tale of what had happened the Witch suddenly appeared on Mokona's projector.

Kurogane turned to Ichigo. "The princess's soul…it's not gone is it?"

Ichigo frowned knowing it would pointless to try and reach out to the thin connection he shared with Sakura's feathers.

"I don't know. I couldn't tell she was clone like I could with Syaoran – and even then I only could because of Fai's inference. Sakura – clone or not, her soul was shattered and slowly returning with each feather. Syaoran doesn't know what happened when Sakura reacted to the runes in Clow Country – if the feathers we've been searching for are made from the clone's soul and not the originals…then yes, in a manner of speaking her soul still exists in some form. Without her body though…I don't know what will happen to her."

"She still exists." Syaoran said, surprising the others with the level of conviction. The Witch remained silent. "Watanuki…had a dream…I didn't have time to tell you about it before Fuma arrived…"

Ichigo listened with wide eyes as Syaoran relayed the message that his loved ones had passed on…and of those who were waiting for him still.

"Ichigo-san…you made the kaizo konpaku real souls just by being around them. Sakura and the other Syaoran…were around you much longer…you even…kept on of Sakura's feathers within you until you met again. Sakura…did not disappear…she still alive!"

Ichigo could only stare in shock at Syaoran's faith in him, before Syaoran turned to the Witch asking for Sakura's location.

"And which Sakura…would that be?"

"Both of them!"

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The day before 'that time' the Witch specified were silent and strained as everyone waited. Kurogane spoke with Tomoyo about retrieving Ganryu form his mother's grave – only to learn Tomoyo had buried her with a fake, presenting him with the real one. Ichigo also saw some of the conversation Fai had with Syaoran.

When, the next day, Ichigo saw Fai walk with Kurogane into his room, Ichigo remembered, not for the first time, his lack of close ties to anyone in the group.

Ichigo returned to his own room, settling in his favored position, reached out to Zangetsu, and once more asked for his power.

"Have you finally found something worth your life to protect?"

"Yes. I may not have been able to help them as I should have…but now…I will risk my life to ensure the others can live happily after Fei Wong Reed is destroyed."

"Then…once more…you are worthy of fighting with me."

Ichigo breathed deeply, feeling Zangetsu's power once more readily available to him, but did not immediately open his eyes from his meditation position.

Deep within his hidden world, Clow Reed smiled.

The dream…would soon end.

XXXTHISISAPAGEBREAKXXX

Fai was closer to Kurogane than he ever had been before – sitting firmly on his lap. Just seconds ago their lips had met for the first time, and now they were breathing deeply, entranced by each other's heartbeats.

"Ne…Kuro-sama…"

Kurogane looked at him questioningly.

"Syaoran-kun is having dinner with Tomoyo-hime and her sister…but Ichigo-kun's in his room all alone…We should fix that, shouldn't we, Kuro-sama?"

Kurogane did not have to agree with words. Now that things were finally fixed between him and the magician, it was time for the third member of their group to realize he belonged with them – that he too, was not alone.

When they opened his door, they both saw the clear shock on Ichigo's face, and even as Ichigo allowed Fai's hold that he did not truly believe their words – that he was only indulging for tonight – but Kurogane didn't care. The night passed in a haze of skin and touches, but Looking at both Fai and Ichigo as they slept afterwards, Kurogane silently swore that after this whole mess was over, he'd beat some sense into Ichigo like he'd done with the magician.

None of them were alone any longer, and it was time Ichigo realized that.

And then, suddenly, the day they left for Clow arrived. As they dawned the clothed they wore the first time they all met at the witches' store, their hearts were ready for whatever awaited them at Fei Wong Reed's lair.

A/N: Shorter and choppier than usual. Sorry. The next chapter is the beginning of the final battle. Whether or not I split the battle into two chapters will decide how long it'll take to get the chapter out.