Chapter 2: Thespian

Of course, no one can hide under the covers for the rest of their life. Fai certainly did not plan to do that, so he was up within an hour. It was still very tricky to sit up properly, but he pulled it off this time.

Despite the Asian futon, the walls were brick. It was an interesting mix of oriental and western structure, something that Syaoran would probably have found very interesting. It was then that Fai realized that he didn't know where anyone else was. Syaoran and Sakura were nowhere to be found and Kurogane was long gone.

Fai sighed. There was something about Kurogane that had always made him slightly uncomfortable. Somehow he could see through every mask that Fai put on. He saw through every disguise and he could always see the filthy person that Fai really was. Kurogane had even seen Fai without any mask at all. He shuddered at the memory, ashamed that he had lost control like that. Instead of simply loosing the mask, Fai felt like Kurogane had stolen it. Now that he knew that Fai was capable of anger, there was no way that Kurogane would allow the show to go on. He wouldn't allow him to pretend to anyone, Fai was certain.

Old habits always die hard though, which meant that the show must go on. It must always go on, forever and forever. Fai was forever an actor, a thespian to the end, and the world--every world was his stage.

Sitting up had been the hard part. Fai used a nearby chair to pull himself up and onto his feet easily. Clothes had been left on the chair for him, folded sloppily. They were just a bit too big, but he decided that they would suffice. Denim pants hung off of his hips and he felt like he was swimming in the white shirt that had been left for him. There had also been a navy and white cloak that could have been a blanket with its size. It was far too warm for such a thing though, and thus Fai put on his smiling mask and headed out the door.

Fai counted himself lucky that he hadn't received any kind of major leg injury. At least this way he would appear fine, even if his shoulder and chest still throbbed in time. Even so, with a smile painted on his face, he walked down the stairs with a unique grace.

Wherever they were staying, it seemed very homey. Perhaps it was the brick that surrounded them on all sides, or maybe it was the fireplace that was lit in the kitchen that seemed to be welcoming anyone that happened to walk by. Either way, the air felt warm and friendly.

Fai found Syaoran in the kitchen, sipping from a mug he had found. It was interesting to see the boy in solitude. Usually he was by Sakura's side, always either guarding her or keeping her company. There was no length that Syaoran wouldn't go for her. Fai often wished he could be that strong as well.

" Hey there, Syaoran-kun," Fai greeted him.

" Oh, good morning Fai-san," Syaoran said, looking up at him.

" Morning?" Fai laughed. "How long was I out?"

" Since yesterday morning," he replied in his usual, nearly stoic manner.

This surprised Fai. He didn't think it had been an entire day. Plus, he knew that he must have woken up at some point. Fai subconsciously ran his fingers through his hair at the memory.

" That long, huh?" he chuckled.

Syaoran nodded and offered Fai a cup of tea. Suddenly thirsty, Fai said yes and sat himself down at the table.

" Apparently this place is called Nebanos," Syaoran said, pushing a cup towards Fai. " We found that out yesterday when we got this house."

Syaoran went on to say that the man that had given them this house had actually been running for his life, saying that they were crazy for wanting to stay. He gave them the house and everything in it free of charge, seeing as he would no longer need it. Apparently most of the town was rather frightened of the creature from the day before.

Fai took a long sip of his tea, feeling the heat race down his throat. It was soothing aftereverything that had happened.

" Are you feeling any better, Fai-san?" Syaoran asked. " You were hurt pretty badly. We were all worried."

Fai was certain that he could name one person that wasn't worried, but Syaoran was polite to a fault.

" I'm doing much better," he said with a smile. " Thank you for taking care of me."

" You're welcome, but I'm not the one you should be thanking," Syaoran admitted. " Kurogane-san did almost everything."

That couldn't have been right. Something must have been wrong with Fai's ears, because he couldn't have heard what he just heard. His eyes widened as he listened.

" Kurogane-san carried you the whole way here," Syaoran explained. " And when we got here he immediately brought you upstairs and, well, this is the first time I've seen you since then."

Carefully, Fai touched his shoulder, feeling the bandages through his shirt. Kurogane must have been the one who tended to his wounds. Somehow, that didn't make sense. No one would bandage someone, only to hurt them afterwards. Actually, that wasn't true. Fai knew someone personally who was like that, but to compare Kurogane to him would simply be insulting.

He thought of the clothes that had been left on his chair. Had Kurogane left them? Fai was under covers when he woke up, but somehow it didn't seem as though Kurogane was capable of being that caring. It left Fai feeling very confused.

" Where is everyone?" Fai asked, carefully catching his mask before it fell.

" Sakura is asleep," Syaoran said. " Mokona is upstairs somewhere, probably with Sakura, and Kurogane came down here about a hour ago and said he needed to 'step out for a minute'. He looked angry."

Of course he looked angry. Who wouldn't have been angry? Fai wondered to him if Syaoran had seen Kurogane's burned arm, or if Kurogane had said anything at all.

" Kuro-tako always looks sort of angry," Fai said with a grin. "It's probably nothing."

That was a lie. Fai knew what it was. He knew what it was and that it was his fault, but he was at a loss of what he should do. Fai had lost his head and now Kurogane was surely angry with him. After all, Fai nearly blew his arm off. An uncertain feeling crept up inside him. Fai decided that maybe if he found Kurogane, he would know just what it was he wanted to say.

" Do you know where Kurogane went, Syaoran-kun?" Fai asked. " I need to go talk to him."

" No," Syaoran said. " You should really go back to bed though. Take this opportunity to rest, since there's nothing to do right now."

" Syaoran-kun, if I sleep anymore I'll die," Fai laughed at his serious face, " I'll be fine."

" I'm serious," he said. " Besides, you still look very tired."

It was true, even with all of the rest he had gotten, Fai still felt exhausted. There was no getting by Syaoran though. When he was determined there was little that could stop him. Not that Syaoran could ever physically force Fai to his bed (that would have been Kurogane's job), but Syaoran would insist upon it until he went on his own.

Fai dramatically sighed and stood, using the table for support for his tired muscles. He pretended to cry and sob, turning his head away from Syaoran.

" Fine, Syaoran-kun," Fai pouted. " If you really want me to leave then I'll go. Goodbye. Farewell!"

" Good night, Fai-san," Syaoran sipped his tea, unfazed by Fai's performance.

There was no use staying downstairs, so Fai made his way back up to his bedroom. He hadn't planned on going back to sleep, but the covers just looked so inviting, even if they were on the floor. Before he knew it his eyes were shut and he was drifting away from the world.

Fai had a very vivid dream that morning. When he woke he could recall it with such astonishing clarity that he wondered if it were even a dream at all. It was more like watching something happen to someone else, as though he were a fly on the wall.

Ashura. He could see Ashura's face bright and clear. It was exactly the same as the last time they'd met. Nothing had changed. Nothing except his eyes anyway. They were open.

He was awake. Ashura smiled as though he knew that Fai was watching him.

His king didn't look thrilled about being encased in his own coffin however. So he did he only sensible thing he could do. Ashura raised his arms above him and blew a hole through the top of it, right through Fai's shield. Water began to pour in, but Ashura simply pulled himself up and out, swimming to the top.

There was yet another obstacle though. Chi still dangled above him, a net above the pool. It was astonishing what little effort it took to tear her apart. Ashura didn't even need to raise a hand to do it.

Fai wanted to cry out for Chi as he watched her split apart, but the words wouldn't form in his throat. He was a ghost in that moment, formless, shapeless, and voiceless.

Wasting no time, Ashura pulled himself out of the pool and crossed the room. He turned back once and only once. In that moment, he stared in Fai's direction, paralyzing him with senseless fear. He smiled cruelly as though to say, Ah-ha. There you are.

Then he was gone, in a quick flash of light and magic. Fai could hear his own pleas for him to stop, but they sounded far away, as though it were someone else in trouble. The fear never left him though.

It was then that he awoke in a cold sweat. The fear was still there, the fear that Ashura's cold eyes were everywhere and yet nowhere. It was the fear that often left it restless at night, but never before had it felt so real.

After a dream like that, Fai wasn't sure he would ever sleep again.

(A/N: Wow, thank you so much for all of your reviews! I still can't believe this story got the amount of reviews it did. I am absolutely amazed. Please R&R and I'll try and get the next chapter up soon. : ) )