Awesome, new chapter is up! And it didn't take me a month! xD Now you guys will find out who the mystery character is! Also, one thing I would like to address before you read: KuroFye-fangirl left me the longest review I've ever gotten with a bunch of questions, buuuut I can't reply to you because you don't have an account! Since you asked so many I'll just answer them here because some of you may have had similar questions, and since you were so kind to write out such a long review I should take the time to answer them here:

1) The setting is in an AU, or Alternate Universe, that I haven't really specified. To be honest, the only thing I've thought out for the setting is the individual Kingdoms (Nihon, Tsuki, Clow, Seresu, etc.). So just leave it up to your imagination. As for when, just assume present day I suppose. I didn't really have a certain time period (or rather, one of our time periods since it's an AU) in mind. 2) This made me laugh. xD Kurogane didn't keep an umbrella in his room; he knew it was raining so he went and got an umbrella from somewhere else in the castle and gave it to Fai. 3)Yes, he was talking about Fai's true smile. In my mind he can't stand Fai's fake smiles. 4) OMG I had no idea that a swallowtail was a bird. xD I used it as the swallowtail butterfly in the reference. But thank you for telling me! Odd coincidence. 5) The finishing lines are things I came up with. And Cinema Paradiso isn't a book, it's an Italian movie. However, this fairytale wasn't even part of the movie; it was just a tale one character told the other. 6) When I say 'bad' Queen and 'good' Queen, I don't mean one's pure and the other's evil. You're right that Tomoyo and Fai are both good people. It just means how each one will affect his position as King, and like you said, how they will be accepted. 7) Yes! I'm so happy they're continuing Legal Drug, I was so sad when it suddenly stopped. I've already read the first chapter, can't wait for morrrre. :3

And now, if you've read all that, I give you another chapter filled with more words! I hope you enjoy my words. ;D

The castle had had a chance to calm down in the past few days, and although MAGI was still on everyone's minds, life returned to somewhat what it used to be. The only difference was that the guards were working more and the King had not left the King's Quarters. Although his wound was getting better, the doctors still fretted over him and told him he needed as much rest as possible. Kurogane did some of the paperwork or other duties for the King in his office, and other times Shira or one of the other people in the castle would bring it to him. Briefly he wondered why he was never asked to bring the King work. The King, although still recovering, had not dumped all his work on Kurogane. He knew other people brought him work frequently. So why didn't they let him? He'd wanted to see him again, but at the same time wasn't sure if he should. Normally he would have burst into the King's Quarters without a second thought, but an annoying voice in the back of his mind kept telling him it would be a better idea not to, that maybe the King didn't want him to.

Fai had been sitting under his window like usual, fulfilling his promise. However, Kurogane was afraid of two things now—first of all, that Fai would finally get caught, or that he might not show up because he had more work to do. He had gotten so used to Fai always being there whenever he needed him, he had forgotten what it was like seventy days ago when he hadn't even acknowledged the guard. I've heard some people can fall in love in seven days… he thought. What would one hundred days be, then? A test to prove that love?

Secondly, he was afraid that one day Fai would just leave. Nothing was holding him back. When was anything ever holding him back from leaving? He feared that the incident with MAGI was still dwelling in Fai's mind, and even though he'd told Kurogane that everything was fine, he had a hard time believing him. Maybe he didn't want to be here anymore now that he knew MAGI was after him, or maybe he was getting tired of Kurogane, or maybe after all these days he realized he didn't love him anymore—

Or maybe I'm just over-thinking. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair. It's so unlike me. I guess it's because of all the recent stress. But everything's fine now…isn't it?

He'd spoken to Fai only occasionally lately, mostly because both of them had more work to do. But when they did, the blonde was still using those fake smiles he did all those nights ago. Just when Kurogane though he'd broken that habit, he'd started doing it again. The fool… Kurogane thought. When will he learn he's not as much a burden to me as he thinks he is?

Just then, as he was hunched over a new piece of paper that looked like a townsperson's complaint, he heard a knock on the door. Before he could say enter, the person on the other side said, "Kurogane, it's me, Shira! Tomoyo's here to see you. Meet her in the Conference Room."

The Conference Room? Kurogane wondered. Why there, of all places? He stood up, and when he opened the door Shira was nowhere in sight. She probably left to whatever else she had to do.

Kurogane hadn't been in the Conference Room too often. Mostly, it was used for meetings with representatives from other countries. The large room had nearly twenty seats placed around a long oval table, although all the chairs were hardly used.

Tomoyo wasn't seated in front of any of them. Instead, she stood in front of the chair at the end of the oval nearest the door. She smiled as he came in. This time, she was wearing a blue kimono with a pattern of snowflakes on it.

"Hello, Kurogane-kun," she said politely.

He inclined his head. "Tomoyo-chan."

"I'm sorry if this is an inconvenient time. I just wanted to talk to you about...about something important."

Kurogane blinked. This wasn't normal Tomoyo-chan behavior. Usually she was bubbly and cheerful. Now she was being formal and serious, and Kurogane had a feeling nothing good was going to come from this.

"What is it, then?" he asked, somewhat anxious.

"I—I think we should get married."

"Married?" he repeated, dumbstruck.

Tomoyo nodded, but didn't look at him. "I really do like you, Kurogane-kun. You're charming in your own way. I think we'd make a good couple." She paused before going on. "And you know, most royal marriages are done for political reasons, and I don't want you to end up with someone you don't like…"

This was definitely not like the Tomoyo he knew. The Tomoyo he knew was strong and confident and wouldn't agree to something so important for petty reasons. Not to mention she wouldn't bring up this topic after he'd told her very recently that he'd be okay with her being with other people. "Your family sent you here for political reasons, didn't they." It was more of a statement than a question.

"W-well, yes," she stammered. "But don't get the wrong idea. I wouldn't have agreed unless I wanted to as well! I-I really do like you, Kurogane-kun…so I would be honored if you took me as your bride."

Kurogane closed his eyes, mulling it over. It was a huge decision, one he couldn't answer too quickly without thinking first. He didn't know how definite of answer he could give her. Tomoyo…gentle, sweet Tomoyo. Whenever he was with her, his pain and worries would melt away...maybe it wouldn't be so bad...maybe he'd like it, even...maybe it'd be better if...

But what about Fai? A voice in his head reminded him. Yes indeed, what about Fai? He realized only now that Tomoyo knew nothing about Fai. What would she do if she ever found out about their promise?

He opened his eyes, staring at the small girl in front of him. She looked younger than she actually was. Despite her size, Kurogane had never seen her as fragile or delicate. Fai was more of the fragile, delicate type. Like a flower. Tomoyo was confident and strong, branching out to people like a tree. When exactly was it that I became close to these people? he thought. They'd both become important to him, and now he had to choose between them. How did I let this happen? "I need time to think," he said, finally. "I just need time, if that's okay."

Fai was conflicted—he didn't know what was more important; his guard duties or his promise. If he abandoned his guard duties, there would be one less person to protect Kurogane. If he abandoned his promise, their routine and most likely their relationship would be lost. It was the witch who had made both of those possible for him in the first place, and to deny the witch was like volunteering to be first in line at the gallows.

Mostly, he was concerned about Kurogane. They hadn't talked much since the incident, and Fai didn't blame him for not wanting to—it was all Fai's fault. The King was hurt because of him. The person who had so kindly taken him in...No, Fai thought. The King knew who I was. Did he know this would happen?

Still, he couldn't help feeling like if he had never come here, everyone would have happier lives right now.

The black dog, who had been absent for so long, padded up to him, and Fai petted its fur. "Oh, welcome back. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" he smiled as it licked his face. "Guess you know how to avoid trouble, huh?"

"Humans react more on emotions and impulse than animals do," came an alluring voice. "Animals are smart—they rely on instinct."

Fai looked up, still petting the dog's coarse fur. "It's been awhile since I've seen you, too, Yuko-san. I assume this is your dog, then?"

Yuko grinned at him. She was wearing a scarlet kimono covered in stars. She was carrying a parasol although it was neither raining nor sunny. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her eyes were as red as they were all those years ago, just like the Prince's. "No, it's just a stray, really."

Fai didn't know if he imagined it or not, but the dog appeared to have a hurt expression on its face. Its tail stopped wagging and it trotted away from Fai, laying down on the grass a few feet away.

"Its rare for you to come to a customer," Fai remarked. "Is there something wrong with my payment?"

"Not at all," Yuko said airily. "It is rare for me to come to customers, yes. But you won't come to me, and I have important information for you."

"Oh? And what information would you need to tell a mere guard such as myself?"

Yuko took a few steps closer to him. "I would just like to inform you of other options."

"I don't understand," Fai said warily. If the witch was going to offer him something, he knew a price was needed in return, and he wasn't sure if he was going to be willing to pay it.

"That's because I haven't explained it yet. Don't worry, I require no price for simply listening," she finished, as if reading his thoughts.

Fai nodded. "Alright, then. What is it that's so important you had to come all the way out here to tell me?"

"You remember when you took Kurogane to my place to get his future kingship determined, correct? While he was there, I told him that he had a choice of two different 'Queens.'"

"Ah, yes, I remember him saying something about that."

The witch smiled slyly. "Yes. And I assume you know who those two are?"

"I guess it would be Princess Tomoyo and myself."

"Correct. Kurogane has two options, and although you do not know it, Tomoyo also has two options. Right now, you only have one. The balance is not equal."

Fai had a feeling he knew where this was going. He waited for her to continue.

"That is why since I gave Kurogane a choice of 'Queens,' you may get a choice of 'Kings.'" She put the words Queens and Kings in air quotes. "Of course, you do not know about your second option yet. I didn't tell Kurogane the names of his two 'Queens,' but I have come to you much later than him, so it would only be fair if I told you yours."

Fai wanted to laugh at her. It sounded ridiculous—she'd already picked out who he was going to fall in love with. She talked about the "options" as if they were objects instead of people. As if this was something predictable, preordained, and he didn't have a say about his own feelings, things that concerned him only. If it weren't for one thing, Fai would have sent her away, thinking she was crazy, and would not have listened to her at all. That one thing was this—Fai was aware of the true extent of the witch's power. She had saved his life; he owed it to her to at least hear her out.

"Do you remember a girl named Chi?" Yuko continued.

"Yes," Fai replied, furrowing his brows. "She was a friend of mine in Seresu. You know what that means, don't you?"

"That she must be dead, since everyone was reported to have been killed?" Yuko said, seemingly indifferent. Fai nodded. "What most people don't know is that there are two survivors of Seresu."

Fai's eyes widened. "That's impossible! I was told that—"

"You were a boy who lived at the castle. You're more important than some poor little commoner girl, so naturally you got the most publicity. Not many people know of Chi."

Fai was overcome with shock. It was so sudden, he felt like it would just be easier to deny Yuko and end the conversation right here. For a second he wondered if she was lying, but he knew that although the witch may be cunning and deceptive at times, she was not a liar.

Instead, he said, "You brought her with you, didn't you? It seems like something you'd do. I have questions for her. I want to see her."

Yuko twirled her parasol in her hands and paused before speaking. "Yes, she's here. She started working for me recently. I told her you were here, and she wanted to see you. Are you sure you're ready to see her?"

Fai wasn't sure at all whether he was 'ready' to see her. Back in Seresu, she was one of his only friends besides his brother. She was one of the only people who treated him normally. He thought she'd died with the rest of his home. How could he not want to see her? "Yes," he said, and he couldn't help but notice that his voice sounded somewhat off.

Yuko opened the parasol in her hands, and poof!—all of a sudden Chi was there. She blinked a few times, dazed, but then her eyes landed on Fai. "F-Fai-chan?" she said quietly. Fai couldn't believe how much she'd changed over the years. Her hair had grown much longer, so long that it was down below her waist. She'd grown taller and definitely curvier, and there was certain fragility to her that wasn't present before. Despite this, her eyes were still the same gentle, innocent eyes from his childhood. Slowly, she stepped towards him. "Is that really Fai-chan?"

Fai walked towards her, too, meeting her halfway. "Yes, it's really me…I can't believe…after all this time…"

Chi flung her arms around Fai, catching him off guard. She's real… he thought, as he slowly wrapped his arms around her, too. "Chi is so happy!" she cried, burying her head in his chest. "Chi was so worried about Fai, Chi thought Fai might be dead…"

"I thought you were dead, too," Fai said quietly, still overcome with shock. "Where have you been? Why didn't you come look for me?...It must have been lonely."

Fai knew it was lonely for her, for he had been lonely all these years as well. Even when he wanted to get close to people, Fai was always afraid of people calling him 'the Cursed Survivor' again or people hating him because he lived while others had to die. He'd been afraid to get close to anybody. A newfound warmth spread through Fai; it was nice to finally have something familiar returned to him, something from his past that didn't hurt him or the ones he loved.

"You have your options now," Yuko said before Fai could voice his doubts and questions. It was still taking awhile for the whole situation to sink in—even though he was holding Chi, and she was warm and breathing in his arms, he felt like this was a dream he was bound to wake up from soon. His mind kept telling him that this was too good to be true, that logically Chi was supposed to be dead. But Yuko is honest, he reminded himself. She has nothing to gain from hurting me. "It is your choice what you will do in the future."

"I'm glad to know Chi is alive," Fai said, letting go of her and turning to face the witch. "But Kurogane is the only one I'll ever love."

Yuko eyed him skeptically. "No matter what he means to you, you can never be sure you mean the same to him. You're waiting all these days for him, correct? And he's doing nothing for you. What happens if he breaks his promises and chooses the Princess of Tsuki over you? With Chi you have a warm and promising future. The Prince is just a shot in the dark."

Chi looked up at Fai with her bright, big eyes. "Fai-chan doesn't have to decide now. Chi wants Fai to be happy and take his time."

"Thank you, Chi," Fai grinned at her, patting her head.

"It's time for you to get back to the shop now, Chi," Yuko said. "I said you could see him, but then you had to go back, remember? Maru and Moro need your help with a certain project."

Chi nodded, saying her last goodbyes to Fai and prancing away, seemingly content.

Fai turned back to Yuko, who had stayed instead of following Chi. "So you've brought me my childhood friend. I'm grateful, really," Fai said. "But what makes you think that that will change me? Is it really that bad if I choose him instead of her?"

"I am merely giving you options," Yuko said. "Just in case you change your mind."

"I see," was all Fai said to that, seeing as arguing further would prove fruitless. Then, after a few moments, he asked, "Is Chi the one they should really be after?"

"To give you that information, I require a price."

"Of course," Fai said pleasantly, trying to hide his annoyance. "And what would the price be?"

"You would have to give up one day of your 100 days of waiting out here."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Fai replied.

The witch smiled. "Loyalty. That's a good quality to have. Before I leave, I would like to inform you that Kurogane and Tomoyo were supposed to meet today to discuss marriage. I would advise you to consult reality and sort your priorities."

Fai resisted the urge to act surprised. He wouldn't let her have the satisfaction. "You're wrong about him, you know," he said calmly. "Kuro-sama's very misunderstood. He acts tough and indifferent but he's very honest and genuine. I don't think he'd betray me so easily."

"Most people ruin their lives by taking impulsive action," Yuko said. "Like I said before, animals instinct is what keeps them out of trouble. People's emotions bring their downfall."

"I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to make me have doubts. You're testing me."

Yuko stared at him evenly. "I have nothing to gain from interfering and meddling like this. I am simply fulfilling someone's wish."

Yuko left after that, giving Fai somethings to think about. Every time I talk to Yuko, he thought, I'm always left with more questions than answers.

Kurogane walked back to his room, his mind swirling with a million thoughts. Even if the MAGI attack was just beginning to move to the back of his mind, he now had a new topic that had risen and wouldn't leave him alone. The decision of whether or not to marry Tomoyo was a more problematic one than he originally thought. He told her he needed time to think about it—he didn't want to make any rash decisions. He wasn't lying; it was an important decision, one that would affect his and the kingdom's futures greatly.

He thought that having Tomoyo as his Queen would be good for the country. The Kingdom of Tsuki was one of the more well respected nations, and it was known for not causing trouble unless absolutely necessary. Tomoyo was the kind of person whom everyone was drawn to and liked, and he had no doubt that the kingdom would accept her easily. He knew he could have a good life and kingship with her.

However, certain thoughts and desires would not allow him to accept it so easily. Despite knowing these facts, his selfish side kept reminding him: what about Fai? No one had ever made him feel as strongly as the blonde guard did. He'd never wanted to protect someone as badly as he wanted to protect Fai. He'd forgotten what it was like without him in his life. Still, as his duty as Prince, he had to think about his kingdom. He figured they would not take very well to having 'the Cursed Survivor' in their homeland. Kurogane didn't care about the fact that Fai was a man, but it had never been done before. He wasn't a blood-related heir to the throne, so taking a petty guard as his Queen that was a male and also the survivor of Seresu would ruin Nihon's stable reputation.

This must be what that witch was talking about, Kurogane thought irritably. She said one would be easily accepted and the other the exact opposite. At the time Kurogane thought the answer was an easy one…but now it's more difficult than I could've imagined.

Kurogane was in front of his room now, his hand on the knob of his door. He entered. Or maybe…it won't be too hard at all. I just won't force myself on Fai. If he doesn't want me, I won't make him. If he doesn't want me, I can go to Tomoyo. The idea seemed logical in his mind, but whenever he repeated it to himself, it sounded wrong.

"Feeling better?" Kurogane asked through his open window.

"Quite," Fai replied, his face bright. "I was able to see an old friend of mine today."

"Oh?" Kurogane said. He knew he shouldn't feel surprised, but he was. According to Fai, everyone from his hometown was dead, and he'd been in the castle ever since. What friends did he have outside the castle? "Who's this friend of yours?"

"Er, well it's difficult to explain," Fai said. "See, her name's Chi, and she's my friend from—" Fai paused, seeming to consider something for a moment. "From a town I stayed in before coming here. She disappeared for a while, so I'm glad to know she's okay."

"So she's important to you, huh," Kurogane remarked. He didn't know why, but it had never occurred to him before that Fai would have other people in his life important to him besides Kurogane. Looks like I'm the fool this time.

Fai blinked. "Kuro-tan, is something wrong? You look pale. Have you been working too much lately?"

"Just thinking too much," he replied. "Did you hear that…that Tomoyo asked me to marry her today?" He found himself saying it without realizing he did.

"I have now," Fai replied. His tone was hard to read. "What did you say?"

"That I'd think about it."

"What is there to think about?"

Kurogane wasn't sure on how to interpret that question. Fai was faced away from him again, his tone light but indecipherable. "I have to weigh my priorities."

"I see," was all Fai said.

"Listen," Kurogane said. "I know things have been sort of crazy for the both of us recently. But whatever happens in the future, I don't want you to blame yourself. You got that? Whatever happens, I want you to be happy."

"Kuro-rin, when you say things like that, it makes me nervous."

"I just want you to be prepared for anything."

Fai looked hurt for a moment, but quickly concealed it. Kurogane realized the effect of his words a moment too late. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, there was rapid and loud knocking on his door. He rose quickly; there was a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Could it be what I think it is?

Sorata was there when he opened the door, with Arashi right beside him. He stumbled forward slightly. Both of them looked scared and startled, their eyes wide and their arms shaking. They were panting as if they'd run here, and Kurogane found it unsettling that Arashi, who was usually very calm and collected, looked like she was about to collapse.

"What's going on?" Kurogane demanded.

"I'm so sorry, my Prince," Sorata huffed. "We were all so careful—I don't know how it happened—"

"What happened?" Kurogane repeated, more severely this time.

Sorata appeared like he didn't want to deliver the news—his head was down, his eyes looking anywhere but at Kurogane. Instead, Arashi, who was still next to Sorata and looking very forlorn, cried:

"Il re è morto! The King is dead!"

That day...that night...

Chaos had ended; chaos had begun.

I didn't actually finish the Tsubasa anime until recently. The idea for this chapter (excluding the ending) was mostly in response to the episode where Chi appeared, and suddenly I realized there are actually some FaiChii shippers out there. xD I figured that since I have KuroTomo in here, I should probably have FaiChii too just to make you extra angry. To be honest, it's been awhile since I've read Chobits, so I hope I did Chi's personality okay. About the whole Chi coming out of the parasol thing...well, um, I hope you enjoyed some crack for the day ;D haha. Also, the reason I had Arashi say 'the King is dead' in Italian at the end was just because the inspiration I got to write this story was from something Italian, so I just wanted to throw it in there. Also one other thing I wanted to point out was Kurogane's line in the beginning - "I've heard some people can fall in love in seven days." That was a reference to the amazing shounen-ai manga Seven Days, which I recommend you all should read if you haven't already. 8D

So, please review! ;D Reviews are what keep me writing this story. To all those who read, regardless of whether or not you review, THANK YOU SO MUCH for following my story this far. I appreciate each and everyone one of you. :D