To Love & Be Loved
A/N – Tomoyo: "Fai, teach him to love, and you will be loved deeply." Tale of Kurogane and Fai starts at the point when Fai loses his eye. It skips through swiftly to the end of the series to look at what might occur… after.
Chapter 21 – Respite
Kurogane spoke firmly, "No more getting separated." Syaoran hugged Sakura tightly and stepped in closer to Kurogane with a nod as Mokana whisked them off to the next world.
The next world was sparse. Quiet. So quiet they were worried that there was no life at all. Fields upon fields of rolling green and gold spread before them. A small stone circle broke the horizon and became their destination, for lack of any better one. They would have just jumped to the next world had Mokona not said he sensed a feather weakly, somewhere in this world.
The stones reached like ruined pillars to a non-existent roof. The floor within the circle formed smooth marble concentric circles. They could rest and plan there so long as it didn't rain. Kurogane declared he would scout about, see if he could find some shelter or people.
Mokona bounced onto his shoulder, "I will help!" A canine growl came from Kurogane, but he shoved the pork bun into a pocket. The white ears popped out and one wiggled like a wave to the rest of the group. When they had walked a good distance, Mokona peeked out farther. "Mokona can sense that you are worried. You left on purpose."
"So." He was not immediately forthcoming till the little creatures asked why with such concern. "I needed space. I need to give the wizard space. I can still kinda feel him. Less, but still."
"The magic from the other world will fade, probably by tomorrow. Kurgy doesn't have to worry. Fai-san wants to be close. Like Mokona!"
"Shut it," he grumbled with little conviction. He ignored the all too knowing grin from Mokona and yet absently patted it when it snuggled him.
As they walked further, they discovered some hills and a trail. Following the trail led to some old mostly ruined abandoned huts. The fields clearly looked more like expansive farms. Why they would be so abandoned made little sense. Inspection revealed that they had been abandoned for a long while.
The hair raised on the back of Kurogane's neck. His own warrior senses stretched. He closed his eyes and took in the strange sensations, then drew his sword shushing Mokona. "Demons," he whispered. Just like the ones in his own country. The taint of them lingered. One stretched from a shadow. It was alone. It did not last long against Kurogane. The tingling in his awareness died with that demon. "So… demons ate these people after all," spoken like it was now fact. He wondered what his own lands looked like, if they looked as peaceful as this by now with demons lurking in shadows. Ghost towns. Ghost home estate. Ghost farms. Nothing but shadows and ghosts. He shook his head and checked for more demons as thoroughly as a wolf sniffing out prey.
Only when he was absolutely sure that it would be safe did he head back to bring the others.
The days here passed slow and lazily as Sakura rested and Mokona shared out the supplies. This would be home base for now till they could get closer to either civilization or the feather. Scouting out found no cities, no people, and no further demons. Maybe past the mountain range that was farther still on the horizon.
The night was broken only by Fai's nightmares. The magic that bound everyone faded to distant memories of such bonds. Fai's nightmares worsened as the bond faded. There was a quiet acceptance between Syaoran and Sakura, but she had started taking more and more control of the situation. Learning in a way to be the leader they needed, making decisions on where to go next and how far. She listened to their suggestions and advice openly. After a few especially terrible nights for Fai, she chose to make a new home base in the next little farm houses near the mountain range. Fai was too tired from so much poor sleep that he was having a hard time giving her his usual cheery smiles.
Here they rested. Syaoran scouted daily for signs and clues of the feather, often with Mokona. Sakura sometimes went with him leaving Fai and Kurogane alone together, sensing perhaps their need to find a balance they had seemed to have in Chakra Town.
Kurogane hauled the long and lanky mage outside regularly. "Just follow and do." Kurogane moved through the martial katas and stretches. Long legs stepped in slow controlled patterns. Fai followed despite his tired state. The movements felt meditative and flowy. It reminded him of slow moving waters and floating snowflakes. It eased the tension from the stressed night of poor sleep and gave him more energy. From there, Kurogane would turn and the two faced off to spar. At least that is what Kurogane called it. Fai would find his grin and call it battle dancing much to Kurogane's annoyance.
In the evenings, after the kids went to bed, the two would sit as they had in Chakra Town with Fai between Kurogane's knees, the warrior's arms around him. The silence stretched between them. Fai leaned his back against Kurogane's chest. Each held their thoughts to themselves and wondered what the other thought and how the other felt, but dared not inquire.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Kurogane reminded the mage.
Fai shrugged one shoulder, clearly not ready to do so. "Can I still ask you things about you?"
"Uh, ya… sure…" He expected questions to follow, but none did.
After many more quiet minutes, Fai finally asked, "Do you know what I dream?"
"Sometimes. If it is what experienced in the Chakra world. Otherwise… nope, except its bad and you can't really sleep."
Fai nodded, the back of his head rubbing on Kurogane's shoulder. He felt Kurogane tighten his hold around him.
"I don't mind folding you through the night if it will help with the nightmares."
Fai swallowed the almost strangled whimper that threatened to escape and merely whispered, "please."
A/N – because I have not added a pic in some time, here is one I found that inspired the end of this chapter.
http:/ konnichipuu .deviantart .com /art/A-Cure-for-Nightmares-207491893