Why didn't Sakura trust him?
Syaoran had seemed to calm down under his voice today. Maybe that was just the boy being distant and gone like he'd been all the time, but there was no denying he was getting closer and closer to waking up. Syaoran had been moving, even as Fai had talked. He hadn't looked as scared as he used to.
Just very confused.
Yes, that's what it was. The boy was confused.
But Sakura didn't trust him anymore. Why? He hadn't hurt Syaoran.
But it was him who caused that panic attack.
He had been caring for the boy all this time, shoving aside his anger and bitterness, even reverting to his usual carefree demeanor just to strengthen their group. Trying to pull Syaoran back.
He'd made sure the boy wouldn't be humiliated even more, by making it his own task to clean him up. Not letting Sakura in while he did so.
Maybe that's why she didn't trust him? After all, she had no idea what exactly he was doing, apart from changing the boy.
Fai turned on his stomach, folding his arms over his head.
...
When Kurogane woke up, he knew Fai was already in with the kid. He'd been there almost the entire night.
He peeked inside the room, only to see the mage resting on the chair beside the bed with his head on the sheets, and the kid fast asleep. They looked rather peaceful, if you didn't know the background story.
Would the kid learn to accept Fai's presence again? Kurogane wasn't in the room that much, but he was quite sure the boy would be scared to death if he started talking or touching him. He had that effect on people.
Especially people who were already scared.
That's why he didn't try. He only went in if his help was needed.
That one time he tried to make the boy drink proved it. Although the boy had still been too far gone to react to Kurogane himself, he had refused his touch vehemently.
Right now, Kurogane would likely invoke a panic attack. He was sure of it.
The vampire seemed to have his mind set on having the kid accept him though. The mage couldn't stand the scared movements, the refusal, the empty eyes.
Normally he'd have called the mage weak. But he wasn't too sure now. Something from his past was eating him.
Was he blaming himself?
It was stupid. It wasn't Fai's fault. Well, maybe a little, because it was his bitterness which allowed for Syaoran to be kidnapped in the first place.
No.
It wasn't their fault, damnit!
...
Who was it, next to him? It was so warm, yet so cold.
All he could hear was another breath, next to his own.
Was he about to get hurt? Was it nearly time? Should he prepare to move? Should he try to relax, so it would hurt less? Don't hurt me!
But relaxing was so hard! When he knew which pain was to come, all his muscles would tighten up.
All he could do was scream. Cry and scream and beg and tense up.
Strange, but it wasn't as hard to relax as normal.
It hurt just a little now.
...
Sakura frowned, seeing Fai sleeping next to Syaoran.
Not only did he not do his usual job in time, as proven by the lack of a package next to the bed, he was also scaring Syaoran. Why would he do that to the scared boy? Wasn't it bad enough already?
She briskly paced forward, only slightly hobbling due to her pace but keeping the tray up without spilling the porridge.
"Fai."
The mage shot upright as if burned, his eye flashing gold for a fraction of a second as he looked up at her.
"Are you alright?" She asked him, a broad smile on her face.
Fai cringed, but put up his own grin. "Yes, thank you Sakura! I couldn't sleep last night, and somehow I seem to have fallen asleep here." Looking at the tray in her hand he added, "would you like to feed him first, so the food doesn't grow cold?"
"That would be splendid, yes."
"I'll return in half an hour then." He stood, giving her another smile before smoothly drifting out.
For some reason Syaoran's face was completely calm. Almost content.
He shivered as Fai left, almost like he was cold.
"Let's get you to eat something, shall we?" She cooed, sitting down next to him. "Fai will clean you up in a bit, but you don't need to worry. I'll come back straight after he's done. I won't leave you alone, right Syaoran?"
His hand shifted towards her. She picked his hand up, smiling at him brightly. After a minute or so, she put his hand on her knee like before, and offered him the first spoon.
He ate as mechanically as every time. But his eyes did not open the entire day.