A/N: One more exam to go before school ends –smile- yay!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle; it rightfully belongs to the talented CLAMP.
English is not my first language, so forgive me if I make mistakes…
Summary: The gang discovers another one of Sakura's feathers…inside a sick girl's body whose life depends on its power. For Kurogane, it wouldn't mean much to throw another casualty in the round but what happens if that girl goes by the name Tomoyo?
Black Steel, White Plum Blossom
by Rinslet
- - -
Days passed and Kurogane remained fateful to his decision, visiting the manor everyday. There were days when the unknown enemy would show up, others not. While they had time to spare, both of them chatted (it was rather Tomoyo who did the talking and all she knows hitherto was that he likes the color Black and hates raw fish).
- -
"I know it's not my place to ask this, but what have you been up lately kuro-chuu? You never accompany us to the company." The blonde man found himself asking one day while seeing the other man getting ready to leave.
Kurogane draped the black coat over his shoulder "You're right. It's not your place to ask" he left.
He was on his way for the Daidouji Manor again. With Souhi strapped to his hip concealed under his coat, Kurogane pushed the rim of his rounded black glasses up.
Instead of making a right turn after Shinjuku Park to go to the Manor, he made a left turn and strode into a dark alley. Irritated, he turned around "Come out you coward." When nothing happened, he strode toward the dumpster and lifted the cover.
"Aww, Kuro-tako found me!"
Awkwardly, he stepped out from his hiding place and shook the dirt off his blonde locks.
"I told you that it's none of your damn business!"
"Is it something to do with the Daidouji manor?"
"…"
"Ah, so my intuition was right."
Kurogane sighed frustratingly at his persistence "The feather is in there, inside someone."
"Then why didn't you tell us? We've been doing nothing since the last few days. If you told us sooner, we would've been out of this world."
"I'm not letting you take that feather away" he answered firmly.
Fye waited for explanations, taking note of the determination behind the threat.
"Someone that I'm…acquainted with possesses that feather…someone weak and pathetic. If you take that thing out of her, she'll die" he emphasized the last word sourly.
"Oh? And why do you always go there? Are you needed?"
"I've been protecting it from the enemies we encountered when we went there. Apparently, they want it as bad as we do."
"Then you'll understand that we have to take it before they do." A third voice said.
Syaoran entered the alley followed by Sakura and Mokona who seemed pretty restless in Sakura's arms. "Gomen…we were worried so we followed you and heard the whole thing" Sakura apologized.
Syaoran stopped in front of Kurogane "This…person. Her life depends on the power of Sakura-hime's feather so I know that taking it away will kill her, if possible I'd prefer to avoid it……however, I cannot leave it in her body as well. The enemy who pursues it will likely come back again and again to try and catch it. None of us can afford to stay too long in one world and stand by as her bodyguard…not even you, Kurogane-san."
At this, Kurogane shot a look at Fye who looked away.
- - -
If the King sleeping underwater in my world awakens, I'll get caught…I am condemned to run away from world to worlds…
- - -
"There must be a reason as to why you refuse to let that girl come into harm's way and I'm pretty sure that her face reminds you of someone in your world……but…" Syaoran frowned "……in order to help Sakura-hime, I WILL TAKE THAT FEATHER!"
Kurogane's grip tightened around the cold handle, turning his knuckles white. His demon eyes gleamed and he bared his innate fangs. The smooth handle didn't compare to the Silver Dragon sword that she gave him, on which he swore to protect her with…This Souhi will serve its purpose on protecting another Tomoyo.
"Enough words…let our swords decide." The older man lunged at him without any second thoughts and pushed Syaoran out of the alley, into the street where there were no narrow walls that would restrict their wild movements.
Sakura tried to step in to stop them but Fye's long arm pulled her back.
"Fye-san!"
He shook his head sadly.
"However cruel it might be, Syaoran-kun is right. Your feathers contain mysterious powers, and in the hands of the evildoers, who knows what might happen."
She looked down, remembering what happened in Koryo, Jade, Outo…
"All the dimensions can go in jeopardy……so……In order to regain your memory…"
Syaoran ducked and hastily blocked another dangerous swing with the sheath of his sword.
"In order to satisfy all of our wishes made back at Yuuko's place…"
The blade came a few centimeters away from his right eye, which became his area of strength after numerous training sessions under Kurogane's supervision.
"In order to save everyone…"
The boy jumped and drew the flaring blade form its restraint. He was glad that Mokona persuaded him to bring it today, but would never imagine that it would be for something like this; that his opponent would be Kurogane.
"She will just have to give up the feather."
Both swordsmen faced each other, swords in hand with the life of a cherished one hanging at the tip of the blades.
'Tomoyo-hime!'
- - -
He was brought to the throne room right after he was captured. His hands were soiled with blood and his outfit torn. His target walked down the podium in order to meet him face to face.
The assassin faced his objective, clearly disgusted at his failure.
She was a mere little brat with a surprising mature calmness…it almost irritated him.
After 'taming' him (that's the word she kept saying when she referred to that fateful day), he watched over her for several years, until the day he was expelled from that world…
- - -
Apprentice turned against mentor as both Souhi and Hien clashed together, sending waves of energy around them.
"I won't let you lay a hand on Tomoyo-hime!"
"And I need to recover all of Sakura-hime's feathers!"
No shouts, pleas or tears could stop them as they fought to protect their most important person.
No words could reach the other, as their convictions were the only reason that fueled them to fight each other.
After a while, Syaoran found himself at a huge disadvantage. He was facing a man that knew nothing but fighting in all of his life. The gap between their strength was unmistakable. He was suddenly thrown to a lamppost and the impact bended it in two. Blood dripped down from his forehead, but he refused to stop…not now, not ever.
The man marched toward him…sword raised.
"Brat, you clearly are no match for me in swordsmanship…but you've improved."
Syaoran wiped the blood that streamed down to his sight "I had a good master". His amber eyes questioned the other whether he was going to strike or not.
"Sorry kid, but I'm not letting you harm her."
"I won't die; I have too many things to do."
It seemed an eternity before Souhi was swung down.
"Stop!"
His arm stopped and Kurogane turned toward the voice he only listened to.
Tomoyo ran up to them, helped by Fye (who went to get her while they were fighting).
"Stop it right now!" she saw him immediately back down from the fallen boy and look at her with disbelief.
"Fye-san……he explained to me the situation…he told me of the feather inside me and its powers…"
Kurogane shot the other man a dark look.
"He told me that…that you guys desperately need this feather inside of me in order to move on to another world and collect the others before it's too late…"
"Tomoyo-hime…"
She smiled up to him, softening her eyes "For the sake of the world…"
Don't say it!
"I accepted"
You fool…
- - -
"…sorry."
Tomoyo looked up and saw his fiery eyes looking down on her miserably.
She smiled kindly and shook her head, "This is my decision..."
His guilt…she can swiftly erase them with her kindness.
They strode back and confronted the rest.
Sakura bit her lips, uncomfortable with the situation. Her worried eyes trailed on Tomoyo, "We can wait a few more days…it's so sudden."
Tomoyo smiled and shook her head. There was nothing that kept her to this world anymore; friends, family…she had a part of all of it already enclosed in her heart. She was contented… or almost.
Tomoyo took Sakura's hands in hers and shook them "Aww, what's you name? You're so cute!"
Everyone sweatdropped.
Kurogane rolled his eyes, 'so Tomoyo-ish to react like that in a situation like this'.
"Uh…Sakura…"
"Sakura-chan! That's a cute name!" Tomoyo hugged her. As she was entangled in Tomoyo's arms, the princess felt a squeeze that sought reassurance and comfort. She responded with a hug of her own.
"Strange…I've felt like I've known you before…" the ebony haired girl said.
"Me too……we probably met in another lifetime…another world."
When they parted, both eyes were tainted with crystal droplets, representing all the utmost sincerity of losing a friend.
Tomoyo eyed Syaoran sadly "How do you plan on taking it out of my body?".
The little white fur ball raised a paw "One of Mokona's 108 techniques can take the feather out."
Not far form them, around the corner; a shadowy character muffled a sardonic laugh "All is going according to plan…"
Note:
Most of you guys are probably "wtf! Syaoran! How could you!".
–sweatdrop-
However I think that it was the right thing to do.
They can't afford to stay in one place for too long and the enemies
will likely take the feather if they leave it like that. One way or
another, Tomoyo's feather has to come out.
A/N: I hinted the relationship between Kuro and Tomo in this chapter, it will be cleared up in the next.
fireblazie: -wink- yup, aren't those two adorable together? But I also support ET
paot0t: thanks!
Naoka Tasaki: Unfortunatly, looks like Syaoran would. Since if he doesn't do anything, the enemy will surely get it. That's a lot of pressure.
American-born-confused-desi: thanks a bunch
Syntia: Tu parles de mon emplacement? Qc, et toi? Well, for the world, just picture a normal Tokyo , no magic and everything is going well…until…
Sheo Darren: lol, both Tomoyo share the same heart and soul, you can like them both –smile- next chapter will be the last one, you'l know what'll happen to Tomoyo then.
Nyaa-Neko: -embarrassed- ah, thanks a lot.
Peach Ponta: ah, looks like it's going to be four chapter long (chapter 2 was WAY too long so I had to cut it in two)
Sabrina-diamond: hehe, I share your wonders –pictures Tomoyo laughing off with the 'ohohoohooh' and spinning Kurogane in the air with her magic-
Asga: I had a hard time deciding how to write it. I'm glad you enjoyed it –smile-
Heheangel kisses: hum hun, you'll find out soon enough, I'm glad you noticed it.
IwishChan: ah, he is hopeless