The chapter before the last of "Avant ce soir…" I really do hope that all of you have enjoyed my work. It went from a light hearted storyline to something so dark I surprised myself. I really hope I can make it up to all of my readers by giving it a well deserved, explained ending. If you could all write a review once reading the last chapter, that would be great! These songs helped me write this chapter. I recommend you listen to these songs whilst reading! "Thanks for the Memories" – Fall Out Boy, "Place Nearby" – Lene Marlin, "Until The End" – Breaking Benjamin, "Dance With The Devil" – Breaking Benjamin. I hope you all enjoy it and I have replied to all of your reviews, you just probably don't know so. *Grins and waves* Chapter is called "Rêve en Noir et Blanc" which means "Dream in Black and White". Have fun reading. Doodle. NOTE: the lines Kurogane and Fai say to one another is from one of my favourite films "300". You'll know the one.

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Fai's POV

"I can never go home…once I've rescued Fai and left this world…"

My breath hitched with a stifled gasp and I felt my lids lower as I secured my blurry gaze upon Kurogane, our eyes meeting and locking. I felt my chin tremble a little as I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the scream I longed to release. I felt unable to do anything; not even close my eyes or turn my head to look away. I knew that was nothing to do with Ashura…I just couldn't tear my gaze away. Ever since the moment I'd met Kurogane, he'd been set on returning to his home world…it was his only goal, the one thing he had set his heart and mind to. All those times he'd called me a coward…all those times he'd brought it up…all those times…

"Sure, you wanna do me a favour lady? Then why don't you send me back to where I came from…"

So why now? Why had he given up so easily? The one thing he'd given everything else up for…did it suddenly not matter to him anymore? I felt a sudden icy pang of guilt as I realised that he'd done it to bring me back. I was finally able to close my eyes, frowning a little. Those throbs in my body no longer matter; in fact I was used to it. It was difficult to imagine what it was life without pain now…all I could think about now was Kurogane and what he'd given up. He'd scolded me for giving everything up to the witch like it was nothing…hadn't he know just done the same? Why had he given it up? I didn't understand…

I felt like fingers had been coiled around my waist, feeling the applied pressure although it was invisible but it suddenly released and I fell to the ground, a yelp escaping my lips as I hit the floor with a thud. I lay there, dazed and winded. I heard Kurogane call my name but it was just like a distant echo, something I couldn't reach, something I couldn't find. I spluttered, pushing myself up shakily as I brought my fingertips to my assaulted throat. I hissed at the sharp soreness that I found, my skin feeling raw and tender underneath my light touch. I opened one of my eyes, bringing it upwards towards Kurogane and Ashura. Kurogane still had his hands on Ashura, although his hold was limp, his head turned completely away from Ashura with his eyes boring into me. I'd never seen him look so terrified in my life.

Ashura's head tilted ajar to look at me, a smile tugging at the corners of his thin lips.

"Looks like our beloved Fai has a little fight left in him," he said, partly to Kurogane and partly to taunt me. He clapped patronizingly. "Bravo, bravo, my dear."

I noticed the frustration burn up in Kurogane's ruby eyes, his jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth would crack. He looked so helpless, like he was sinking fast with nothing to hold onto. I understood…we had no way out. Ashura had us cornered and we knew it. We had no chance of getting away, and we had no chance of getting out of this room unscathed. It was too late to get out unharmed seeing as though I was in incredible agony. I was also concerned about Kurogane's emotional distress, knowing full well he was hitting breaking point and any moment he would throw a temper and lose all of his senses. He would act upon emotion rather than actually thinking things through.

It was me who had to come up with a solution and fast.

"Hey, Ashura!" I called, my voice tired and hoarse, feeling my throat protest with the use of my vocal cords. "How about we make a small deal?" Ashura's expression was nothing but confusion as his smile fell, his hands wrapping around his waist to demonstrate that he was listening. My eyes drifted a little to Kurogane, whose eyes were widened like a deer in headlights, his features screaming: "Don't you dare do anything reckless wizard". I would've smiled but couldn't do it without causing great pain in my face. I turned my eyes back to Ashura.

"How about you let Kuro-puu go?" I tried, knowing it was a lost cause but I knew something he couldn't refuse. "You let him go and you can do whatever the hell you want with me. I won't try to escape. I promise. Kuro-puu will be able to leave the fortress…and he'll leave unharmed alongside my dear friend Syaoran. You will not lay a finger on them or ever chase them up again."

Kurogane's face was twisted with disgust as he glared at me.

Ashura seemed oblivious to Kuro's reaction since he smirked. "And why would I do that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow quizzically. "When I have two people to have fun with…we're having so much fun, don't you think, my dear Fai?"

I paused. I had no idea what to do…my original plan was that he'd give it all up freely. I was helpless…begging hadn't worked and I was in no physical condition to stand up and start fighting with him. Kurogane was scared stiff of Ashura harming me so he wouldn't dare lay a finger on him. It was nothing but a vicious cycle, just us running in circles and only getting dizzier and even more disorientated after every turn. I guess the only way I could do this was by fighting…was by getting Ashura's attention to give Kuro some time to strike. I caught Kuro's eyes and narrowed my own, moving my chin an inch down and then an inch upwards in a slow, minute nod. I was giving him my permission and I hoped he understood.

I held my abdomen and rose, feeling my limbs protest to such movement but I ignored them. I groaned as I steadily got to my feet, my right knee dropping under my weight but I held my ground, slowly straightening up. I returned Ashura's smile, brushing away some blood with my sleeve, smearing the crimson liquid across my face.

"Guess I'll have to fight you for their freedom, eh, Ashura?" I said, putting my hands on my hips in a nonchalant manner (which seemed to succeed in pissing Ashura off). "Fine but if I win, they go free. If I lose, well, you'll get to do what you wish. Sounds about fair."

"Life isn't all about fair, Fai," Ashura snapped, finding my laid-back attitude irritating, like Kurogane did. He dropped his tone, relaxing as he smirked once more. "But fine, I'll accept this challenge seeing as though you have the guts to stand. I give you credit for that. Now, would you please ask your brutish boyfriend to let me go? I find it difficult to fight when I'm being held by an oaf."

I flushed at the word boyfriend but quickly allowed the heat to drain from my face. I nodded and turned to Kurogane, softening my gaze to him. "Let him go, Kuro-growl," I said softly. "And come stand by me. I refuse to lose without a good fight…"

Kurogane held a mixture of expressions on his handsome face. Relieved (from the fact I was standing and seemed alright), angry (that he was being referred to as a brute and an oaf), and furious (that I'd offered him to go free and leaving me to die here alone). No matter the amount of emotions, his grip dropped instantly from Ashura's clothes and he sprinted towards me at full speed, just in case Ashura suddenly changed his mind and attacked from the back. Lucky Kuro, Ashura seemed keen to fight fair seeing as though he merely threw his long jacket aside, preparing to fight.

I had to fight the urge to fling my arms around Kurogane's neck and kissing his desperately. I felt a surge of emotion well up inside of me…I was so happy to see him now. I was glad that he was coming towards me, so I could touch him once more. But I also felt the same frustration at the fact that Kurogane had given up his ability to return to his home world but I had a plan for that…

He came up towards me, just a yard away from one another, both just staring, unsure of what to say or do. I beamed up at him, fighting back the prickling sensation in my eyes with threatening tears. Kurogane's eyes scanned mine, and then up and down my body as if examining me with a mere glance. I was such a physical look I felt a blush leap to my cheeks.

"What were you thinking, Fai?" he muttered, breaking the distance by touching my face. "No way would I leave this place without you…"

I held his hand there, constantly alert in case Ashura tried something. "What else could I do, Kurogane?" I murmured, feeling on the verge of tears more than ever now. "I tried…and it failed so don't fret over it. I am getting you outta here alive."

"Same goes for you, wizard," Kurogane grumbled, seeing right through my words and picking out instantly the word 'you'. "But I'm still fretting as you so call it, because you're going to fight in that condition."

"What condition?" I asked, coating my voice with such a light hearted tone. "I feel just fine. Better than ever actually. Now, let's start the fight before Ashura loses his patience and decides to play dirty."

Kurogane opened his mouth to protest but before he spoke a single word, I walked right past him (limp is a more appropriate word but I think I disguised the limp well). I let my serious side kick in. My agility would be even less now considering how weak I was so my movements were bound to be a bit lazy. But hopefully, Kuro-nyu's wouldn't be so we had a good chance of winning in a strange backward way.

Ashura didn't waste any time. Noticing that mine and Kurogane's discussion had ended, he charged towards me. His speed was relatively higher than mine was on a good day, his movements graceful and agile. I couldn't count an odd footing or something like that to knock him off so all I could do was leap to the side, grimacing at the tug of sore muscles in my sides and legs. I didn't have time to recover though since he turned completely on his heel and came racing back. I weakly leapt once more to the side, grasping my side as the pain became almost unbearable.

I saw in the corner of my eye Kurogane had bolted to retrieve his blade, glancing every five seconds over his shoulder to check on me. I flashed him a faint smile before turning my attention back to Ashura. I couldn't see him anywhere. I cursed under my breath. I really shouldn't have taken my eyes away from that sly bastard. He was gaining speed rapidly and he wasn't going to allow me to get a single hit in. I seriously hoped Kurogane would get back in time to give me a little help. I was starting to feel light headed already and that was never good in the middle of battle. I saw a swift blurry movement and I knew instantly who it was but I wasn't quick enough to react since I felt a sharp impact to my stomach. I flew through the air to crash into the wall on the right hand side, the plaster crumbling under the collision.

"I'm…getting…too…old…for this…" I moaned as I slowly heaved myself up out of the hole my body had created when it'd made contact with it. I looked up just in time to see Ashura's fist flying towards me. I did the only thing I could possibly do…I dodged. I was quick enough this time…barely but I managed to miss his fist by a few inches. I rolled to the side so I was no on the floor on my back, having to raise my arms to shield my face almost immediately since Ashura had leapt on top of me, his knee pressing down against my throbbing ribs, his arms pressing down on mine, faces inches apart.

Ashura's face was twisted with aggravation, as if he'd expected the fight to be over within a few moments. I felt some of his sweat drip onto my forehead, mixing with my own as I struggled to give back the amount of pressure he was giving me to keep him from crushing me completely. His eyes bored into mine, our arms shaking with the force. Although he had the upper hand since he pressed harder with his knee onto my rib. I cried out in pain, squeezing my eyes shut as if to shun out the searing pain.

"You…won't hold up…much longer…Fai," Ashura spat, his words broken off into segments as he pushed down harder. "Why not…give up…now?"

I returned his force, trying to exceed it, my muscles throbbing. "I can't now…Ashura…" I answered, narrowing my eyes as I reopened them. "I have…too much to live for now…"

I lifted my lower body just enough to bend my leg, my foot touching his abdomen for a split second more kicking with all my might. His force faltered and I took advantage of it, bringing my fist back as far as I could, my elbow touching the concrete below me before bringing it forward full force, colliding with a thud with Ashura's face. Ashura staggered back. I saw a blur of black and recognised the blur as Kurogane, having retrieved his sword. He swung it as Ashura, but Ashura was too fast and dodged it…barely.

I rolled onto my stomach, pushing myself upwards. I cried out once more as the pain travelled through my body, almost causing me to sink back down. I pushed through it, getting to my knees. I touched my rib, breathing in sharply through my teeth as I felt the bone beneath my finger move a little. It was broken. I turned my head to see Kurogane and Ashura sparring, Kurogane this time acting as the striker, Ashura acting as the dodger. It wouldn't be long before Ashura recovered from my kicks and then the positions would change. I had to get involved and I knew it. I rose to my feet, swaying as I did so, leaning over a little with my hands on my knees, struggling to steady myself.

"C'mon, Fai…" I pushed myself, straightening up. I swung around just in time to see Kurogane backed up against the wall, Ashura now holding the sword, point pressing slightly to his throat, not hard enough to pierce flesh.

I didn't think twice and I didn't reconsider. I didn't even bother to think about the consequences. All I thought about was Kurogane's life…how precious it was to me…how much I treasured it. I couldn't bear the thought of it being taken away, taken away because of me. I had a solution to all of this…we just had to finish this fight with Ashura. I doubted my own survival after this…but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't imagine a world without Kurogane…I couldn't imagine a world without his self sacrificing attitude, the silent care for others…a world needed Kurogane, the world needed people like Kurogane. The world didn't need people like me…they didn't need cowards…they didn't need fakers…they needed…true people.

Ashura drew back the blade. He prepared to strike. Kurogane narrowed his eyes. I could see in this eyes he'd come to terms with the fact he was going to die. I picked up speed, almost as fast as I usually was. I had no pain anymore. Only determination not to let Kurogane's light dim. I got in front of Kurogane. I lifted my right arm as if to shield myself. I closed my eyes as the blade pierced my arm's flesh…blood spilt…

I gritted my teeth, hearing a splatter of my own blood as it spilled onto the floor. My feet slipped ever so slightly but I held my ground, clenching my right fist. Ashura's face fell when he saw me, realised that the sword he was holding had hit me. Lost in his surprise, his grip slackened and I took advantage of that. I took a hold of the hilt and withdrew the blade from my arm by myself, hissing as I felt the blood pour faster now the object that had penetrated my flesh had been withdrawn. I felt almost instantly cold, like a freezing bucket of water had been chucked over my head, causing violent shivers to cascade down my spine and churn in my stomach. My vision instantly got worse, hearing my own heavy breathing as the loss of blood took over me. The steel seemed abnormally heavy as I raised it, everything seeming to happen in slow motion as I watched Ashura's expression change drastically, his mouth opening and closing, shouting words that just sounded like drones in my ears. I struck and I didn't miss my target.

Ashura stumbled back, a slash starting from his right shoulder to his left hip bone. I stood there, slouched as I looked up at him, our eyes meeting.

"Sorry…Ashura…" I said, my winces separating my words. "It had…to be done…"

Ashura didn't reply to me. I didn't expect him to. Both of us sank to our knees in sync, my eyes locked onto him as he fell onto his side to vanish with a glow of white. I squinted through the light, my eyes unable to stray from the place he had fallen, his blood still staining the floor. I grasped my arm, feeling my body tilt backwards to be caught by a pair of steady hands…

Kurogane's POV

My mind was reacting slowly, everything going on before and around me refusing to make any sense. It was like I was having an outer body experience, witnessing something happening to other people, watching a blond figure collapsing to the ground, clutching a heavily bleeding arm. The black haired figure behind the blond was staring gormlessly. It took a few moments for me to realise that it was me who was the black haired figure and the blond figure was Fai. Ashura had fallen…relief gushed through my veins like another type of blood, although it didn't provide warmth or oxygen. I felt like my lungs were being compressed together, preventing me to breathe. I reacted quickly as I reached out, grasping Fai's slender shoulders, holding him upright whilst I knelt down, collecting him into my lap. His eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow. I couldn't help but look intently at the gaping wound on his forearm. I lightly brushed my fingertips over it, receiving a gasp of pain from Fai's pale lips.

I turned to stare at his face, brushing bangs from his eyes, brushing little beads of sweat from his skin. His face was creased with an agony I could barely imagine, panting through his mouth, losing the very little colour in his face rapidly.

"Fai…" I murmured, cradling the back of his head to hold it upwards. "We have to get you out of here, alright? We don't have a lot of time…" I felt a rumble beneath me and swore loudly. Ashura had set us up a trap alright…he had set it in the chance he would be defeated so we would go down with him. Chunks of the roof started to cave in, crashing around us. I pulled Fai closer, tearing off some of my trouser leg to wrap it around the gaping stab wound in his arm. He grimaced as I tightened it, and all I could do was whisper soothing words. I began to wonder where the kid was and if he'd made it out alright but that thought was immediately cleared by my concern for Fai.

"Idiot…" I muttered, getting ready to collect his form in my arms. "You truly are an idiot. Why did you…"

"Kuro…gane…" Fai breathed, his voice barely a hoarse whisper, his eyes flickering open. "Leave me…get out of here…okay?"

I wanted to shake him but would risk hurting him even more, which I didn't want to do.

"You hit your head, wizard?" I demanded. "I swore to you, I would get you out of this place safely. Just focus on you right now and try to relax…"

"Kuro-puu…"

"How many times do I have to tell you about giving me stupid nicknames? I don't wanna hear another word of it!"

"You sounded like…a right daddy then…Kuro…" he heaved a sigh, his eyes closing as a faint smile tilted the corners of his lips upwards. "Please…I'm so tired…just leave me here, okay? It'll be okay…if you leave me…you can still go home…"

I blinked, freezing in a crouched position, the wizard cradled in my grasp.

"What? No, Fai, I gave that up to the witch…"

"If you leave this place with me…" Fai opened his eyes a little to look at me, his faint smile remaining. "If you leave without me…there's a good chance you can return to your home world…that was the deal…and I would never…forgive myself if I took your home away from you…" he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut as the blood escaped the pathetic excuse of a bandage.

I tightened my grip on him. "Fai, the reason I gave up my home was so I could find you! I wouldn't have given it up if I didn't want to! Yuuko gave me two choices. Either I never return home, or we'll share the same fate as the kid and his princess. That you'd lose all memory of me…I couldn't have that, Fai. My home world would mean nothing to me if I couldn't return there by your side…hand in hand…I couldn't bear it, for you to forget me. It's selfish…but I couldn't have you forget me…I can make a new home with you…a home I'll never lose. Sure, I'll miss my home world…but not as much as I'd miss you and your stupidity. You understand me???" my voice rose. "I love you, you fool! And you're leaving this place with me! And so help me, if you close your eyes and stop breathing, I will follow you and kick your ass in the afterlife…like I swore to you before."

Fai's eyes slowly re-opened, his eyes shimmering with tears that filled them. I touched his cheek, my mind a long distance away from the collapsing building around us. I was oblivious…the only signs of me actually being there, was the small pieces of plaster flying past me, my clothes and hair blowing whenever a chunk fell and rattled the floor beneath me.

"You know…if we don't make it out of this place…" Fai whispered, reaching up shakily with his good arm to brush his fingertips along my face. "It's an honour to die here in your arms…by your side…"

I allowed the tears that brimmed in my own eyes to land on his face, brushing them away as I pressed my lips to his for a moment. When I pulled away I pressed my forehead against his, my eyes closing as I replied: "And it's an honour…to have lived by yours, Fai-chan…"

"Fai-san! Kurogane-sama!"

I looked up at the familiar voice, not daring to believe my eyes or ears as I saw Syaoran standing there, covered with a few grazes. I opened my mouth to tell him to run when I saw the Princess with Mokana in her arms standing beside him, a smear of dirt on her cheek, Mokana looking surprisingly dirty. They ran towards us, the chunks of building falling down faster and bigger, barely missing Syaoran, whom rolled out of its way.

"H-how did you guys…?" I gasped, staring at them as if they were mere mirages.

"Masquerade attacked me," Syaoran explained quickly, flinching every time a piece of building crashed down around us. "But Sakura and Mokana came. Turns out, Masquerade isn't as strong as Yuuko. Mokana here belongs to Yuuko so every time he's around, she weakens." He shrugged. "I don't get exactly how it works but there's no time. Mokana," he turned to the white manju. "Get us out of here!"

"Okie dokie!" Mokana exclaimed, surprisingly cheerful despite the position we were in. "Here we go!!!"

The bright lights swirled around us, acting almost as shield as the plaster turned to dust whenever it made contact with the light. I looked down at Fai, whose eyes were now closed, his breathing shallow but steady. I kissed his forehead and pulled him close.

"Thank you, kid," I muttered, loud enough for the kid to hear. "I owe you."

Syaoran grinned sheepishly, blushing at the compliment. He nodded and turned to the princess, holding her hand tightly as she tried to treat his grazes. I no longer felt that pang of jealousy whenever I saw the two acting affectionately. I had that now myself…I had it in Fai D. Fluorite….