Sorry this story gets updated so quickly that it's probably annoying. (Mostly for my sister) But I have a lot of it typed out, so...yeah. That's why.
We got a long one chapter ahead of us. Buckle in for the ride my loyal friends.
Chapter 9
And then it was the day of the ball. Yuui had been told, and even though he was far from pleased, after they'd assured him Syaoran would stay mute on the subject, he gave in. There wasn't much to be done about it anyway.
The whole morning was spent doing last minute preparations that Kurogane really felt should have been handled way before that. And he definitely didn't feel like he should have to help put them together, since it wasn't his job. But Tomoyo had insisted that she and the royals all go off and have some fun together without their guards, and suggested he do this to keep him busy. And since Syaoran was already nodding, he decided it wasn't worth the argument.
Once done, Kurogane found Fai again. The prince was sitting alone, looking off into the distance, in the direction his kingdom was in. Kurogane didn't interrupt, since he knew what must have been on his mind. He simply watched the sun glinting off the (Fake) blonde hair and shine in the blue eyes of the one he'd come to love so quickly.
After a few more silent moments, Fai jumped, noticing him there.
"Kuro-min! You frightened me!" he scolded, running over and grabbing his arm.
"You should be careful." Kurogane said. "Guests will be arriving soon." It was true. They were expected to start arriving around three, and so far, at two, none had appeared, so clearly, unlike Fai and Yuui, they were planning on being on time, and not early.
"That's alright." Fai answered easily. "I'm not exactly well known around the world. My parents prefer to keep me out of sight, so it's usually just Yuui who meets people. Everyone will just think I'm some low noble invited along. They won't mind me holding to you so closely."
"Hmm." Kurogane wasn't sure he believed all of that. Fai had come so early precisely because he'd been in the area meeting with other nobles, and even if that specific noble wasn't coming, others might put together who he was, since Yuui and he looked so much alike, even when he was disguised as a girl. Even if they didn't know who he was, his beautiful silken robes didn't exactly say, "Low ranked noble." But since he liked Fai holding on to him, he decided that at least for now, he'd let it slide.
The first guest arrived a few minutes before three, a tall individual whose gender was not immediately apparent. They were tall, with long silver hair, golden eyes, and robes that a boy or girl could wear. Tomoyo stepped forward, sparing a quick surprised glance at Fai, who was watching from his spot still next to Kurogane, arms linked.
"Prince Kakyo." she said, clearing up the momentary confusion. He smiled, and bowed as she curtseyed, than bowed to Sakura and Yuui, even though it was obvious he wasn't completely sure who Yuui was.
The next to arrive were two more twins, who were just as identical as Fai and Yuui, except one was a girl named Hokuto and the other was a boy named Subaru. Hokuto ran over to Kakyo and practically threw her arms around him. He smiled at her lovingly, while her brother stood back, politely introducing himself to everyone.
He noticed Fai, and came over, giving Kurogane a confused glance, since it was obvious that it wasn't a prince that Fai had attached himself too.
"I'm Prince Subaru." he said, holding out his hand, and bowing, and Fai let go of Kurogane and took the offered hand, returning the gesture.
"Princess Fai-lee." he said. "I'm Yuui's twin."
"More twins!?" Hokuto said from further away, and was quickly there, excitedly chatting with them. Kurogane stepped away, taking a spot next to Syaoran, Kotetsu, and other personal guards arriving with the royals, all with keen eyes on their charges. One was a muscular man with dark hair and one dark eye, which he kept firmly on Subaru. The other one was white, seeing nothing, and Syaoran kept looking at him, clearly wanting to share his own blindness. Finally the man either noticed him or stopped pretending he didn't.
"Hello." he said. "My name is Seishiro. Subaru's personal guard."
Syaoran stood up straight to introduce himself. "I am Syaoran, and this is Kurogane-san. We are members of Princess Tomoyo's royal guard."
Seishiro looked at him as he talked, then cocked his head with an interested smile. "Are you blind in your right eye, Syaoran-kun?" he asked, and Syaoran looked caught off guard. Kurogane was surprised too. It wasn't exactly noticeable. Still, Syaoran didn't hide it, nodding.
"I am."
"It makes things a little more difficult, doesn't it?"
"I won't let it get in my way, and stop me from doing my duty."
Seishiro smiled. "Very good."
A moment later, the girl twin's voice rang, "Sei-chan, you're going to make Subaru jealous!"
There was an embarrassed yelp from the boy twin, who didn't exactly deny it, just stood there and turned red, practically fleeing when Seishiro came closer to tease back.
More and more royals appeared, until the greetings had to put to a stop, and everyone moved to the ballroom itself. Kurogane kept his eye on Fai, who, despite his assertions at being unknown, was surrounded, almost exactly in the middle of a chattering crowd. One of the people who stayed glued to his side was Prince Nokoru, who was a few years younger, and a close friend of Akira, the boy whose wedding they were celebrating. He was heaping praise on Fai, which Kurogane had seen him do to all the girls, but since he hadn't seen Fai before, he seemed intent to stay a little. Kurogane didn't see him as much as a threat though, because he didn't seem to be making any moves, just praising. Fai accepted them graciously. Standing not far from Nokuro, never two steps away was a boy about the same age as the blonde boy, with blue hair and golden eyes. He was clearly Nokoru's guard, and the way he stuck close gave Kurogane the feeling Nokoru wasn't a stranger to kidnappings.
Most of the people who approached Fai and Yuui were friendly, usually acquaintances of Tomoyo's or Sakura's. Kurogane recognized a few, like Kamui and Fuuma, and Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, all royal. These were all kind people who just wanted to meet the mysterious twins, and be friends.
But then, just as he started to relax, Kurogane started to notice other types of people flocking to Fai. Less friendly looking, and much more leery looking men, who were pushing their way past Fai's new found friends to introduce themselves to the lovely princess.
"Hello." said one man, a tall and fit man with brown hair and blue eyes. Kurogane had moved closer upon noticing this man's determination to reach Fai, so he could hear them clearly.
"Oh. Hello." Fai said, looking surprised by the man's sudden introduction. Next to him, Yuui watched warily. But since he was like that with each new person, nobody exactly noticed.
"My name is Sakato. I am prince of the country of Sandosa. I've traveled far and wide but never come across you or your lovely twin. Who might you be?"
Yuui spoke on both of their behalfs. "I am Prince Yuui of the country of Enlin. This is my sister, Princess Fai-lee."
"Fai-lee." Sakato repeated. "A beautiful name, for a very beautiful girl." Nokoru had said the same thing, more or less, but this time, it was different. Nokoru had said it for the sake of being kind, but Sakato...it was clear from the look in his eyes that he was expecting something in return for his kindness. Nokoru himself, still standing close, looked unhappy and a little concerned. Kurogane saw him whisper something to his blue haired guard, who nodded.
"Thank you." said Fai. "That's very kind of you."
Sakota smiled. Even though others came and went, the brown haired man did not. Neither did Nokoru, or his guard, who introduced himself as Suoh, once Kurogane made his presence known to him.
"Your master is sticking close, isn't he?" Kurogane asked the younger boy, who was watching the four nobles chatting.
"He is concerned for her safety. We've met Sakato before."
"You have?"
"Yes."
"And?" This seemed like crucial information, and Kurogane wasn't happy that Suoh wasn't rushing to share it.
"He is very...determined. He has made many men and women uncomfortable with his advances."
"Men and women?" Kurogane repeated. Great. That meant that even if Fai had been living life as a boy, this man would probably still be glued to him. It also explained why he would sometimes turn his attention to Yuui, and compliment him as well. Before this bit of information, Kurogane had assumed it was because he noticed Yuui's unhappiness at his presence and was trying to ease him up.
"He has no preference."
"Has he ever actually done anything to these men and women?"
Suoh stood up straighter suddenly, his eyes still fixed firmly on Nokoru. Kurogane looked over, and saw that the smaller blonde was standing directly in front of Fai, placing himself between Fai and Sakato, speaking to the brown haired man with a strained smile.
Both Kurogane and Suoh put their hands on weapons, prepared to jump in, but the four of them only talked. Nokoru was simply placing himself between the two of them.
"There have been many rumors." Suoh said, going back to their conversation. "That he's...hurt some men and women. But nobody knows for sure." He put emphasis on the word "hurt" and Kurogane got the message loud and clear. He was a rapist, this man, and he was standing right next to Fai, and right now, he was putting his hand on his arm.
"Oi!" Kurogane said, loudly enough to be heard. Fai looked over, and when noticing that Kurogane was talking to him, gratefully removed himself from Sakoto's line of sight, coming over. He smiled.
"Did you need me, Kuro-kyuu?"
"Stay away from that man."
"Sakato-san?"
"Yes. He's dangerous."
"How so?" Fai looked over his shoulder back at Sakato, who was watching them talk. Kurogane narrowed his eyes at him, glaring with a ferocity he usually reserved for killers who infiltrated the castle. Sakato noticed it, smiling in a way that spoke of danger.
Kurogane passed on the information Suoh had just shared, and Fai's eyes widened, the beautiful blue taking up much of the iris. "I can't let Yuui stay there alone, then." he said, then went running back. Kurogane followed closely behind.
"Yuui, come on." Fai said, grabbing his twins arm, and pulling it playfully. "Let's go talk to Kamui-kun for a while." Yuui didn't argue, nodding. The twins practically dashed across the floor, stopping only when they got to Kamui, who looked surprised by their sudden appearance.
Nokoru sighed in relief, then turned to Suoh and motioned with his head for them to go. Suoh nodded, and they walked off, leaving Kurogane and Sakato alone. Sakato was looking at him, and asked with false friendliness, "So, how are you acquainted with the princess?"
None of your business, Kurogane wanted to say. But that wouldn't be wise, so instead, he just kept his mouth shut, and turned to follow after Fai and Yuui. Sakato didn't stay behind though, walking beside him.
"Are you her guard? Or perhaps...something else?" The implications were clear.
"Don't come near her." Kurogane said, finally speaking in a short, clipped tone. Sakato smirked, seemingly unafraid, and tried to play dumb.
"A little overprotective, aren't you?"
"And her brother. Stay away from both of them."
"Or what?"
Kurogane didn't hesitate, getting in the man's personal space, and grabbing him by his fancy shirt, crumpling into his fist. Sakato looked surprised, but not exactly threatened.
"Kurogane!" a voice shouted. He looked up, and saw that he was being watched, not only by Tomoyo, who had been the one to call his name, but by most of the room. It probably wasn't every day they saw a guard grab royalty by the shirt and lean over them threateningly.
He let go, shoving Sakato back hard, uncaring that he was being watched. The dark haired man stumbled, but caught himself, then glared as Kurogane turned and walked towards Tomoyo.
The young Princess had Syaoran, Sakura, Akira and Utako by her side. The small group met him, and even though Tomoyo looked ready to launch into a lecture, Syaoran already had his hand on his sword, and was watching Sakato's every move. Up until then, he had been staying close to Sakura and enjoying the ball, but now, without a single question asked, he was on Kurogane's side, loyal in a way Kurogane was impressed with and very grateful for.
Before Tomoyo could say anything, Akira spoke up.
"Was that Sakato?"
Tomoyo paused, seeing that she didn't have all the puzzle pieces yet and therefore, could not judge who was in the wrong yet.
"Sakato? What about him?"
"Kuro-tan!" Fai came running up, Yuui close behind. He had clearly witnessed the exchange between Kurogane and Sakato, and worriedly began flittering around Kurogane like a bird.
"Are you alright? Did anything happen?"
"I'm fine. Both of you stay close to me." He turned his attention to Syaoran, and motioned for the boy to follow him. They walked further off, where nobody could hear them, and Kurogane quickly filled him in on the situation. The young boy got more tense with each passing second, until he was practically coiled and ready to spring.
"Keep your on Sakura." he instructed Syaoran. If the guy didn't have a problem with gender, it was possible age wasn't a factor either. "And on him."
Syaoran nodded, and turned to glare at Sakato, who at the moment, seemed to be focusing on Kamui. The black haired boy didn't look very comfortable, and as Kurogane watched, Fuuma made his way over, and put his arm around the smaller boy, and blocked him quite effectively from Sakato's view.
"Everyone's taking notice of him." Syaoran pointed out, and Kurogane nodded. That was good. There was no way that he would make a move when everyone was suspicious of him. Standing where they'd left them, Fai and Yuui were talking with Tomoyo, who looked stunned that such a person had somehow been invited to her party. How did she know Sakato, anyway? Maybe it was her parents?
The rest of the ball went by slowly. Kurogane stuck to Fai's side, and, thankfully, Sakato stayed away. Maybe he had taken Kurogane seriously.
But he doubted it.
Despite all this, everyone was still clearly having a good time, even Fai. Everyone laughed, and ate, and danced. When the time to dance came, the blonde found a new partner at the beginning of each new song, first his twin, then Nokoru, then Kamui, who he had clearly taken a shine too, and then Fuuma, the two of them whispering and laughing conspiratorially as they looked at Kamui, who watched with obvious jealousy.
Another dance began, and suddenly, Fai was standing in front of him, putting his hand out, and smiling with a twinkle in his eye.
"Want to dance?"
Already, Kurogane saw others watching. Sakato was one of them, and because of this, Kurogane almost grabbed the offered hand. But he held back.
"I'm not much of a dancer."
Fai shook his head, and took Kurogane's hand, already pulling him after him.
"Liar."
"I'm not lying." Kurogane didn't lie. Wasn't his thing. It was better to open and honest about who you were, so that those you didn't like it could bug off and mind their own business.
"Well, you'll be okay."
"Everyone's watching."
"Do you care?"
Now it was a challenge. Did Kurogane care that people were watching them, was he afraid of it? Did he not love Fai enough to dance with him in front of staring people?
He needed Fai's answer to staying to be yes.
So he answered, "No."
Fai stopped his pulling, but only because they'd reached a spot he deemed worthy enough to dance in. "Then we'll be okay."
And Fai began to dance, slowly, twirling and getting those who weren't already watching to turn and look. After a few solo moves, the blonde prince paused, and looked at Kurogane, his eyes glinting teasingly.
Kurogane sighed, but then put his hands out. Fai stepped into his arms, and they wrapped their arms around each other and began to dance. A head of golden hair fell onto Kurogane's chest, and he gripped Fai tightly, never wanting to let him go.
Yuui was watching, smiling. Syaoran was watching too, and, as Kurogane watched, the boy suddenly turned to Sakura, and said something. She responded with a red face, and even from this distance, Kurogane could tell she was stammering as she replied.
Her answer was clear, because she suddenly curtseyed to Syaoran, who bowed, then held out his hand, pulling the pink clad princess into his arms.
And they too, began to dance.
"Do you see that?" Kurogane asked, then turned them so that Fai was looking in the direction of the two kids. Fai laughed lowly.
"Syaoran-kun is very brave, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
Before he could say anything else, Fai was suddenly tiptoeing, so that his mouth was next to Kurogane's ear. His voice went straight into Kurogane, who soaked in the words like they were the water he needed in a desert.
"I think I've made my decision, Kurogane."
And Kurogane didn't need to ask, because the smile on Fai's face said it all. The black haired man wanted so badly to kiss him right there, everyone watching be damned. But he held back, and instead leaned down to whisper back to his new and permanent lover.
"I wasn't worried."
And they kept dancing, until the ball came to an end.
Yay! Fai's going to stay! But ya'll didn't see that coming!
Haha, kidding. Everyone saw that coming.
Sakato is an OC from a different oneshot of mine, so don't go looking for him in official CLAMP material, cause ya won't find. He was a scary rapist who targeted Fai in the other story too. Well, you know what CLAMP says. The soul stays the same. I guess Sakato-san has the soul of a rapist.
Poor guy.
Off screen, I'm sure he's a perfect gentleman.
Crap, now I feel all bad.
Oh well.
