Chapter Four

Ashura's and Kurogane's attacks met head to head, causing more than a minor explosion between the two. "You don't even want to know how to save him?" Ashura taunted lowly.

"I know how to save him. I will not be dependent on you for that!"

"How is that then?"

"I owe you no explanation." he growled, backing away only to swing fiercely again.

"When you have none, that is always the case." The next attack clipped Kurogane's arm.

Fury spread like fire in Kurogane's blood and he counter sliced, leaving a twin mark on Ashura's opposite arm. "I will not allow him to die." he repeated.

"You'll have no say in it in the end."

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Sakura knelt where the doctor was trying to keep Fai still. The mage was tossing once again. His eyes seemed to focus a bit more. "Sa..kura...chan," he whispered through bloodied lips. They turned to a smile. "Kuro-tan... doko wa...?"

She took his hand and smiled gently at him. "He is near." she said softly.

"Where?" the mage repeated, eyes becoming frantic.

Chii knelt next to Sakura. "Kurogane-sama is fighting Ashura-ou for you. You must stay still, or Kuro-sama will worry."

Fai nodded tiredly, letting is eyes flutter shut. Kurogane would protect him from what he'd feared for so long... Be safe, he willed him just as he fell back into darkness.

Kurogane fought on, only standing by the strength of his kudan, or so he supposed. Perhaps it was his will to protect Fai from this man that kept him standing, fighting, swinging his blade again and again, forcing the king further into the forest. Is this the meaning of strength, Tomoyo-hime? Is this what you wanted me to find? He knew in that moment that he would triumph, even if he sacrificed his life doing so.

Ashura let loose another attack at the ninja, causing him to stumble, but not fall.

Kurogane shifted his footing to regain his balance. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted. He took his eyes off his opponent for a split second to see if...yes...he was there. His crimson gaze went back to Ashura. "I wonder how strong I will be when I defeat you?"

"You are cocky, aren't you?"

"Heh. I've got reason to be."

"Because you want to protect that worthless mage?" Ashura sneered.

"Who are you to judge someone else's worth? You don't know what he's worth!"

"He served under me all his life and I don't know his worth?"

"No, I don't think you do because you blinded to everything by your ambition. I know what that's like. These people have taught me differently."

"Quit your babbling and kill me if you can."

Kurogane lifted his sword and the power of his kudan increased, swirling around him in waves. He called upon every last ounce of energy he possessed. "This battle is over." He charged.

Ashura smiled darkly. Then let this be the end of one.

Kurogane felt his feet leave the ground as he jumped into the attack. The dark mark on his forehead flared and changed shaped. He laughed darkly as his attack lowered against the king.

Sakura looked over at Mokona, and tilted her head when she saw the jewel on his forehead was glowing as well. She saw a tendril of white smoke reach out of the jewel and stretch towards the ninja and she realized the battle had seemingly frozen. "Nani?" she whispered. Then she saw everything around her had become still, as if time had stopped. The tendril touched and melted into Kurogane.

"Dare ka?" Sakura whispered. "Mokona... dare ka?"

Kurogane suddenly found himself standing in darkness, the only light coming from a spot in the distance. He walked towards it, confused but unalarmed. He stopped when he heard a voice.

You called me here by will...You have indeed grown stronger. What is it you wish?

He knew that voice. "Yuuko-san..."

Don't waste time on the obvious. What is it you wish?

He nodded determinedly. "Save Fai. Make him well, cure the poisoning. Give me the strength I need to kill Ashura."

Don't be stupid. You have the strength you need. As for Fai...this I can do...but with what can you pay me?

"You took my sword, what else do I have?" Kurogne grumbled.

Hmm...what else is of value to you? Fai-san? But you asked me to save him. Your kudan? But that is not most precious to you. So, I will require this of you: You must forfeit your right to return to your world.

Kurogane's eyes widened.

"Ever?"

Hai. But first let me ask you this. Are you willing to die for the mage?

"Hai," Kurogane responded without pause.

Then you have the strength you need. Death would result in the same as what I'm asking, would it not? Accept my offer or decline it. I'm hungry and you're taking too long.

"Fine," the ninja said gruffly.

So be it. The mage will live. May fate be kind to you.

Kurogane felt an icy tingle in his spine and the link to Yuuko vanished. He suddenly knew why the mark was burning on his forehead. He had found the strength he needed and Tomoyo-hime's curse was lifted. His mind refocused to the battle.

As Yuuko's magic slid away from the forest, she sighed. It's a pity, really. He was rather amusing. But because neither one of us can control what worlds you are sent to, I'm afraid his agreement to forfeit going home also means he forfeits his life...I'm sorry Mokona.

The jewel on his forehead stopped glowing an instant before the world was set back in motion. "Understood." the creature said softly.

Fai took in a sharp breath and his eyes became focused. He sat up slowly, hand reaching to his midsection and finding only drying blood. "Nani...?" he murmured and then turned to Mokona. "What is understood?" he asked in all seriousness.

"Ore wa..." Mokona said staring hard at the ninja.

Sakura stood her eyes wide.

"Iie..." Fai turned to look as Kurogane's attack clashed with the king's and red and blue light created a blinding explosion that rocked to forest.

Kurogane felt the energy taking the life out of him and he looked piteously at Ashura whose eyes were wide with confusion. "I told you I would not be dependent on you to save him. He is not worthless to me." he said quietly.

Ashura's eyes darkened. "You and I will meet in hell."

Then the light was gone, and only smoke remained.

"KUROGANE!" Fai screamed. He was on his feet in an instant, racing towards his friend and former king. "Kuro-"

The cry echoed through the forest canopy, and when it diminished all was silent. On the ground amongst the red and gold leaves were the still forms of Ashura, and several feet away from him, Kurogane.

Fai dropped to his friend's side. "Kuro-chan?" he said with a forced chuckle. "You have to wake up now... Kuro-tan?"

Only the wind rustled around them. Syaoran took Sakura in his arms as the young princess sobbed quietly. Mokona's ears were flattened and he made a sad noise in the back of his throat.

"I won't let you die for me," the mage murmured. "Vow or no vow, I won't let you die for me."

"Kuro-pin made a deal with Yuuko-san...there is no way to undo it." Mokona whimpered.

"There is always a way," Fai said lowly. "Don't ever tell me there is no way." He reached on hand out and laid it gently against the ninja's forehead and the other against his chest. Don't let it go awry, he thought desperately.

Sakura turned her head to watch the mage. "What is he doing?" she asked Syaoran in a hushed voice.

"I don't know," he answered in equally as soft a voice.

"Magic," Chii answered. "Fai is using magic."

A soft glow surrounded the wounded ninja. Fai's eyes remained closed in concentration. It was taking everything he had to keep his magic from leaving his control.

Mokona hopped onto Chii's lap. "Magic? Like the magic that..."

"Shh!" Chii snapped with a frown that didn't look right on her face.

The light faded as Fai slumped forward, exhausted.

"Fai-san!" Sakura exclaimed. She began to pull away from Syaoran, but he caught her wrist. "Wait." he whispered. "Something's changed."

Kurogane shifted under Fai's body and he groaned. Fai's blue eyes opened at this sound. "Kuro-mu?" he asked, his voice sounding as exhausted as he felt, and he forced himself up, accidentally using Kurogane to push up off of.

Kurogane groaned. "You better not be dead...and this better not be hell."

Fai laughed. "Iie, Kuro-chan! We're both very much alive!"

He sat up quickly, almost knocking heads with the blonde. He groaned again and clutched his side. It would see his wounds being healed had not been part of the deal. He glanced back at Fai, his eyes wide. The deal... "Fai..." he murmured.

"Hai?"

He started to reach up and touch Fai's face, just to reassure himself he was there. "Daijoubu?"

"More or less," the mage answered. "Just tired. And you?"

Kurogane reached out and pulled Fai into a tight embrace. "Daijoubu...yokatta."

Fai clung to him suddenly. "I thought I'd lost you," he whispered. "I thought..."

"Me too." Kurogane whispered into his hair. "But guess what?"

"Hmm?"

"I found the strength I was looking for." He said, so only Fai could hear him.

"Yokatta," Fai whispered.

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A/N: Ya'll, thanks so much for reviewing, I don't have the time to respond individually, but know that we've both read them and loveit Crystal-chan, I'll check with Anna about the anime. But thank you to everyone who took time to review and stick with us! College is stressful!