Chapter 5: Checkmate

It was as though Fai's feet were frozen to the ground. He couldn't run away; he couldn't take his eyes away from Ashura. Worst of all, Ashura had seen him. He was a dead man and he knew it.

Ashura smiled at Fai's fearful recognition and slowly made his way over to him. Neither of them flinched as bones cracked beneath his feet. They had long since become accustomed to the sound.

It took several minutes, but Fai managed to pull himself together and smile. After all, he could at least pretend to be courageous. He forced his body to relax and let his hands rest lightly on his hips. Perhaps if he played his cards right it would be quick and painless.

" It's been a while, Fai," Ashura grinned, stopping just a foot or two away from him.

" You too," Fai smiled, " Ashura-ou."

" You don't have to call me that anymore, you know," Ashura said. " After all, I don't rule over anything anymore."

Fai bitterly remembered the carnage he had left behind in their home world of Celes. Bodies had been strewn everywhere and buildings had been knocked down. There were so many corpses that Fai wouldn't have been surprised if he and Ashura were the only people left from their world. After he sealed Ashura away, it had been so deadly silent. Celes had suddenly fit its icy climate.

" I suppose that's true," Fai admitted. " But I can't see myself calling you anything else."

Ashura had ruled over Celes as long as Fai could remember. It was more like a dynasty really, as Ashura's father had ruled before him and his father before he. Ashura had always been 'Ashura-ou' and he always would be. Even as they became closer, Ashura was always 'Ashura-ou' to Fai.

Fai's back felt bare without his tattoo. It had been stupid of him to trade it away, or so he thought. Ashura was a powerful magician and that tattoo had been what allowed Fai to beat him the first time. He wasn't nearly as confident in his abilities this time. It wasn't that he couldn't match Ashura's strength, because he knew he could. It was something else entirely. The throbbing in his shoulder and chest was a constant reminder that he wasn't physically ready for a battle either.

Ashura's eyes widened slightly. It had always been hard to read Ashura's emotions. Most people assumed he didn't have any, and Fai would be inclined to agree. This didn't make Ashura any less confusing to him though. Fai should have been dead several minutes ago. Why hadn't he made any move before?

Either way, Fai didn't see himself going back to the others that day. There was no way that Ashura would let his crimes slide. Besides, he clearly remembered the night before.

" You're an idiot."

" I HATE people like you!"

" You make me sick."

Fai's smile weakened. He had a feeling that Kurogane wouldn't really mind if he never came back. All Fai had ever done was annoy him anyway and while it had been fun, it just made Kurogane hate him more and more. It was really too bad. After all, Fai certainly didn't hate him, not really.

Carefully, Ashura lifted his arm. His fingers began to glow white with magic as he stepped closer to Fai. Fai jumped back, a natural reflex for him, but he stayed put when Ashura came closer and closer.

" Someone's hurt you," he said airily.

He brought his hand down to Fai's wounded shoulder. Fai's eyes were wide, waiting for him to tear him limb from limb. That never happened though. If anything, it felt like the torn skin was sewing itself back together. Ashura was healing him.

" Here," he said.

Fai couldn't understand why he would bother to treat his wounds and stared dumbly as he moved to his chest. There was something about Ashura that he could never hope to understand.

" Here," he continued.

Each spot Ashura touched glowed for a moment afterwards as it healed. Ashura paused then, letting the light enveloping his fingers fade. Once the magic had disappeared, he placed his hand over Fai's heart.

" And here," he finished solemnly.

There was no magic this time though, because there was no physical wound. This did not mean it didn't sting any less. It was a wound that had built up over time; it was Fai's weary heart.

Ashura brushed Fai's bangs away from his face so they could see eye to eye. His face was serious and his eyes were cold and dark. Fai stood tall while his mind was trembling.

" Who was it?" Ashura asked sternly. " Was it that man you were with? Was it that man Kurogane?"

Fai's eyes widened and he smacked Ashura's hand away. It was a rather impulsive decision, but it was the only thing that would have saved him. He looked away; he would not look in Ashura's eyes again. He had nearly forgotten, because he had grown so used to not having to fight his control. Fai couldn't and wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

" No," Fai smiled, stepping away from his foe. " Kuro-pon's done nothing to me."

It was technically a lie, but he hoped that Ashura wouldn't see that. Kurogane had hurt him, but it wasn't anything horrible. Even if Kurogane hated him, Fai wouldn't send him to an early grave.

Ashura frowned, which was a minor victory for Fai. It was a battle of wits, a battle of words, thoughts, and false feelings and Fai had just stumped his greatest rival. For a change, he gave a real smile.

" Kuro…pon?" Ashura questioned.

" Or Kuro-rin if you'd prefer," Fai grinned.

Much to Fai's disappointment, Ashura smiled at that sentiment. Fai hadn't won yet, and if he knew Ashura, it wouldn't be long before words weren't enough to win.

" I see," Ashura said.

With that, Ashura stepped closer and with each step Fai moved backwards. He was determined to not fall into Ashura's mind traps again. Fai heard something crack beneath him and he nearly tripped backwards over another body. Fortunately or unfortunately, Ashura caught him by the waist.

Fai squirmed at his familiar touch. Now that Ashura had him, he would never let go. For once, Fai was unsure and scared. He didn't know exactly what Ashura had planned for him and that thought alone terrified him. For all he knew, he could be planning to skin him alive. It wasn't beyond Ashura to do something that cruel and torturous. He had watched him do it to others.

Yet Ashura gently lifted him up like he was a pillow. His arm remained around Fai, holding him securely. Fai wanted nothing but to run away. Even dropping dead right then and there would have been better.

All Ashura did though was gaze upon him with cold eyes. Fai refused to look though. He kept his eyes shut; he turned his head away, anything to keep from looking at Ashura.

Ashura would have none of it though. He placed his free hand under Fai's chin and gently turned his head.

" You're a fool," he said after a moment.

Before Fai could protest, Ashura had his lips on Fai's. This made Fai snap his eyes open wide in shock. He tried desperately to pull away, but Ashura moved his hand to the back of Fai's head to keep him in place.

Fai was paralyzed by his familiar touch and taste. They had shared many kisses before, just as hard and strong as this one. Each second brought memories back, of a time where things were simple and undivided by power and greed. The kiss had thrown him off guard and had thrown his emotions in turmoil. After all, you don't just kiss someone for no reason at all.

Though Fai had to admit, he had missed having someone hold him in their arms this way. He missed feeling protected, wanted, maybe even needed. He missed it the same way he missed being able to sleep restfully at night and the way he missed life without worry or care.

Lost in his thoughts, Fai didn't feel Ashura's hand leave his head. He heard a tiny 'crack' though, but before he could move his head away, Fai felt something cool on his forehead. Ashura allowed him to pull away this time and grinned.

Fai dared a look at Ashura and saw that he was missing a jewel on one side of his head. He didn't need a mirror to realize where it was. It was glistening on Fai's forehead like a third, red eye. His eyes were wide in horror.

Ashura merely continued to smile at him as he desperately tried to claw the jewel from his face. He knew exactly what power those crystals held in them and what it would do to him if it remained there.

Sleep, Fai.

These words had come from seemingly nowhere, but as soon as Fai heard them his eyelids grew heavy and he began to feel drowsy. His knees no longer had any strength and he found himself wobbling. Fai tried as hard as he could to fight it off and stay awake, but it was no use. His knees gave out and his body collapsed on its way down. Ashura quickly caught Fai in his arms and Fai's body slumped over onto his, unconscious.

Ashura smiled, watching Fai sleep like a child. Despite all of his pain and all of the suffering he had to endure, he always looked happy in deep sleep. Of course, Ashura wasn't smiling for Fai's happiness.

" You really are a fool," he laughed quietly. " You always were."

Fai was oblivious to his insults. He was merely lost in dreamless sleep.

(A/N: OH NO! XD Thank you for the excellent reviews, everyone. I promise that we'll find out where Kurogane is in the next chapter. So please R&R and I'll try and have the next chapter up very soon. : ) )