Introduction
Out of the whole group, Fai is the one who smiles the most. But just because he smiles, that doesn't mean he's happy.
As he travels through the various dimensions, Fai hides behind a false smile, carefully concealing how he really feels under layers of pretence. But when Ashura returns, those layers are torn away, leaving him exposed to the world.
As he tries desperately to cope with the new pain and fear in his life, Fai finds himself thinking back to a time long ago…when smiles were real.
When the mask cracks, what will lie beneath?
Chapter Three; The Dawn Before The Darkness
"Kurogane-san! You're home! Did you manage to find Fai-san?" Sakura chirped, looking up as the door opened to reveal the black ninja. In answer to her question, Kurogane simply jerked his arm, and Fai stumbled into the room, unable to resist the tight grip on his hand.
Eyes filling with dramatic tears, Fai turned to Kurogane and threw his arms around his waist.
"Waa! Kuro-myu is so meeean! He hurt my hand!" He bawled. Kurogane glowered down at him, resisting the urge to wring the overenthusiastic wizard's neck.
"Well next time, come in faster then!" He snapped. Fai paused for a second, and Kurogane allowed himself the faint hope that the mage would shut up.
No such luck.
"Now Kuro-chin is saying mean things! He doesn't love me anymore!"
"Damn you, shut up!" Kurogane roared.
Smiling, Sakura watched the scene with sparkling emerald eyes. Just like she'd hoped, the pair had sorted things out. >Everything's back to normal…>
Fai let out a yelp as Kurogane drew his sword, and the wizard took off, leaving the ninja to chase after him. Sakura just left them be, giggling to herself. >Yup…everything's back to normal.>
"Oi! Kid! We're going to give the princess another feather, so either you get in here, or miss it!" Kurogane called through the doorway, hoping that Syaoran would be able to hear him. After having to search for that damn mage, Kurogane wasn't really in the mood for finding people again anytime soon.
There was the sound of running footsteps and Syaoran suddenly skidded into the room, panting slightly. He was holding one of the books from the study, and Kurogane smirked as he saw the title; 'Legends Of The Takahojis.' >That kid really is obsessed with old stories.>
"I'm here!" Syaoran gasped, eyes quickly scanning the room out of habit, as he located the princess. Sakura beamed.
"Kurogane-san found my feather when he was searching for Fai-san! I can't wait to see what else I remember now…right, Syaoran-kun?"
Syaoran deflated slightly, but summoned up a sincere smile for her. >Even though I know that Sakura won't remember me, I must still be happy for her.>
"Right, Sakura-hime." He murmured. From the corner of his eye, he could see the regretful look he was getting from Fai, and hoped that Sakura wasn't as observant as the wizard. Luckily, she wasn't.
"Can I have my feather now, Kurogane-san?" Sakura chirped happily, completely missing how sad Syaoran's eyes were. The ninja nodded, and held the pink plume over her head.
"There you go." He said, allowing it to slip from his fingers.
They watched as it fluttered down, before slipping into Sakura through a rippling effect that had formed above her. Sakura's emerald eyes widened, and she swayed as the memory rushed back into its rightful place.
Flashback
A little girl was laughing as she dipped her hand into the stream, giggling as the golden fish cleverly evaded her grasping fingers. Turning to an empty space beside her, Sakura smiled.
"Come on /……./. Father says that it's ok to play by the water as long as we don't fall in!" She pleaded. Leaning back over the water, she gave a startled squeak as she slipped in the mud, falling head first into the stream.
However, she never hit the water. The empty space somehow grabbed her hand, and Sakura beamed as it pulled her upright again.
"Thankyou /…….! If you hadn't been there, I'd have got wet, and Father would have stopped me from playing here!"
The empty space remained silent, but Sakura laughed and began to run back towards the castle.
"If it's really time to go back /……., then you'll have to race me! Come on, last one back has to 'borrow' Touya's cloak for our game!"
End Flashback
"Princess! Are you alright?" Sakura blinked, and realised immediately that she was being held in Syaoran's arms. Blushing faintly, she got up, smiling brightly.
"I had another memory from when I was little! It was summer, and I was playing by the stream! I slipped, but the empty space that I'd been talking to saved me from falling in! It was just like my birthday party…there was no one there. Why does it keep happening, Syaoran-kun?"
Syaoran bit his lip at the question. He hated lying to the princess, but if he told her the truth she'd only collapse and forget it again. So in the end, it would be less painful for Sakura if he just put her mind to rest with a small lie.
"Perhaps you had an imaginary friend when you were a child? When people grow up, they find it hard to remember their old made-up friends, because of their new ones." He answered. Sakura frowned.
"But I had such fun with that space…why would I forget my imaginary friend as soon as I had real ones?" She asked. Syaoran smiled gently.
"Because Sakura-hime had so many friends, she forgot her imaginary one. She was too busy bringing sunshine into other people's lives, and lost her memories of the fun she'd had with the imaginary friend, through no fault of her own."
Syaoran sighed quietly to himself. It hadn't quite been a lie…but it was far enough from the truth to uphold Yuuko's deal. Whatever, it seemed to satisfy the princess.
"Oh! Thankyou for explaining to me, Syaoran-kun!" Sakura smiled.
Syaoran just inclined his head, thinking back to what had really happened that day.
Flashback
A little girl was laughing as she dipped her hand into the stream, giggling as the golden fish cleverly evaded her grasping fingers. Turning to the small boy who stood beside her, Sakura smiled.
"Come on, Syaoran. Father says that it's ok to play by the water as long as we don't fall in!" She pleaded. Leaning back over the water, she gave a startled squeak as she slipped in the mud, falling head first into the stream.
However, she never hit the water. Syaoran grabbed her hand, and Sakura beamed as he pulled her upright again.
"Thankyou, Syaoran! If you hadn't been there, I'd have got wet, and Father would have stopped me from playing here!"
Syaoran's amber eyes softened, and he bowed his head slightly.
"I didn't want you to get in trouble, Sakura. And you might have caught a chill if you'd got wet. Maybe we'd better go back to the castle." He said quietly.
Sakura laughed and began to run back towards the castle.
"If it's really time to go back, Syaoran, then you'll have to race me! Come on, last one back has to 'borrow' Touya's cloak for our game!"
She took off running, and Syaoran stayed back a moment, giving her a head start. Then, judging her to be far enough ahead for him to be unable to catch up, he began to run after her.
End Flashback
"Syaoran-kun? Are you alright? You looked all sad." Sakura whispered. Syaoran started, and willed his sense of melancholy away.
"Just a passing thought, Your Highness. If you need me, I'll be in the study. I'm glad that you found Fai-san, Kurogane-san."
Not trusting himself to stay calm much longer, Syaoran hurried out of the room, wondering just how much pain he'd have to go through before Sakura's memory was as complete as it would ever be again.
Kurogane walked down the passage to the back of the house that they had rented, grumbling as his black cloak snagged on a loose nail. Stopping to pull it loose, he carried on, silently wondering how many more doors he had left to pass. For a house that looked small on the outside, it sure had a lot of rooms.
Finally finding the right room, Kurogane kicked open the door, and barged in, too impatient to bother with trivial things like knocking. As his eyes took in the sight before him, his mouth dropped open, and he made a small choking sound.
Books. Not just a couple, like Kurogane had expected, but hundreds. Maybe even thousands. It seemed that this room was larger than the others in the house, and every available bit of wall space was covered in book shelves. Not to mention the numerous bookcases littering the floor and turning the room into something more like a maze.
"Kurogane-san?"
"Gaah!" Kurogane jumped as a head appeared out of nowhere to gaze at him over the top of a bookcase. The head frowned.
"Kurogane-san, are you feeling alright?" Syaoran asked. Grumbling about kids who suddenly materialised to scare ten years off his life, Kurogane strode down the small labyrinth of free floor space, dodging random piles of books to eventually reach the correct bookcase.
Looking up, Kurogane realised that Syaoran was standing on a sort of ladder, which was why the kid had just appeared.
"I thought you said that this was a study, kid, not a library." He muttered, glancing around at the various tomes. Syaoran shrugged.
"It's what the landlord called it, so I guess the name kind of stuck. I was just glancing through the books, to see if there was anything worthwhile."
"More legends and ruins?" Kurogane asked. Syaoran shook his head.
"I found some volumes on various worlds. It seems that the person who originally owned this house hired people to travel to other worlds, and report back to him via a magical device. He'd then write up their findings in his books."
Kurogane tensed.
"But if they could travel to another world more than once…then that damn Space Time Witch needn't have made such a fuss about being the only one who could send people!" He growled.
Syaoran shook his head.
"Those who travelled never returned to this world. He only chose those who didn't care that they wouldn't be able to go home again." He explained, taking another leather-bound book from the shelf.
Kurogane was silent for a moment, digesting this fact, when Syaoran suddenly spoke up again.
"Did you want something, Kurogane-san? Because if you excuse me for saying, you don't seem like someone who loves books."
Kurogane jumped, and remembered what he'd originally come in here for.
"Since we've got the princess' feather, I guess we'll be moving on soon." He began. Syaoran nodded, absent-mindedly book-marking a page and dropping the book onto the steadily growing pile beside him.
"I think Mokona is going to transport us sometime tomorrow morning."
"Then, could you ask it to wait a day?" Kurogane asked quickly. That got the kid's full attention. Looking up sharply, Syaoran stared levelly at the black swordsman.
"For what reason? I would have thought you'd be glad that we could finally move worlds, as it's one world closer to you returning home." Syaoran commented. Kurogane coughed uncomfortably, beginning to fiddle with his cloak.
"I…I thought that if we had an extra day before we moved on, I'd be able to…make it up to Fai." He mumbled. Syaoran smiled, and nodded down at the ninja.
"And you want me to ask Mokona, as I seem to be the one who he takes orders from regarding travel? Ok. I'll do it as soon as I've finished sorting out this shelf."
Kurogane's head shot up.
"You don't mind? I figured that you'd be too wound up about the girl." He exclaimed. Syaoran shrugged.
"Since Sakura is practically back to full health, it's not such a necessity to find the feathers so quickly. We can spare a day."
Kurogane nodded gruffly, then flushed a brilliant red as he realised what he's have ask now. Looking down at the floor, he blurted out;
"I-also-need-to-know-what-you-do-on-a-date!"
Syaoran jerked in surprise, and would have fallen off the ladder if his reflexes hadn't been quite so good. Blinking down at Kurogane, he seemed lost for words.
"You want to know what to do on a date?" He questioned. Kurogane nodded hard, completely embarrassed by now. >Although, if the kid had laughed…I wouldn't have been held responsible for my actions.>
"Well, to tell you the truth Kurogane-san…I'm not exactly sure." Syaoran said thoughtfully. Kurogane face faulted.
"What do you mean you're not sure?" He raged, clenching his hand into a fist. Syaoran just gave him a confused look.
"I'm 15, Kurogane-san." Kurogane's left eye began to twitch.
"Exactly! In my world, people your age are a bundle of raging hormones! So unless it's different in Clow, or wherever you came from…"
"No, you're correct. Teenagers go through just as many emotional changes in Clow as any other world." Syaoran broke in.
"Then. Why. The. Hell haven't you been on any dates!" Kurogane snapped. Syaoran raised a sarcastic eyebrow.
"In case you've forgotten, Kurogane-san, I've loved Sakura for several years. She was the only person I cared about in that way, and I was unable to 'date' her." He said dryly. Kurogane growled, fighting the urge to slaughter the kid. Although, thinking about when he'd seen the kid fight, Syaoran might have actually beaten him.
"But if you're desperate…I guess some of the things I did with Sakura could have counted as dates. The only thing different was that…" Syaoran blushed, and Kurogane began to smirk.
"That you never kissed?" Syaoran glared at him, but nodded.
"So what should I do?" Kurogane groaned, tired of this conversation.
"Take him places that you think he'd like. Say nice things to him." Syaoran said simply, returning to his books. Kurogane stared in disbelief.
"That's it!"
Syaoran nodded.
"But how I am meant to know what he likes?" Kurogane spluttered.
"That's not my department. If I were you, I'd ask Sakura for help about that." Syaoran murmured, flipping through some loose pages he's found.
"DAMNIT!"
"Kuro-nin! Where are you taking me?" Fai chirped as Kurogane dragged him through the street. Kurogane twisted his head round to glare at him slightly.
"Just shut up and keep walking! We're on a schedule here!" He barked. Fai blinked in mild surprise, but remained silent, deciding that it would be easier if he just let the ninja have his own way for now.
After all, he'd never seen Kurogane so enthusiastic - outside of a fight, that is - as he had been this morning waking Fai up.
Flashback
"Fai! Oi, Fai! Come on, you damn mage, get up!" At the loud voice calling his name, Fai turned sleepily to the source, blinking dazedly up at Kurogane. The other man was already dressed, and Fai wondered why the ninja was so anxious to get going.
"Kuro-mune? Are we going to the next world already?" He murmured, glancing at the alarm clock that they'd found in the bedroom when they'd arrived. Kurogane smirked and shook his head, yanking the covers off.
"Nope. We have an extra day here, and I don't intend to waste it! So get up now! I have plans for today, and I can't carry them out without you!" Kurogane announced. Fai began to reach for the covers, snuggling deeper into his pillow.
"But Kuro-min, I'm soooo tired…" He yawned. Kurogane simply growled and threw the covers across the room, glaring down at the wizard.
"Tough. Get up. Now." Kurogane expected Fai to carry on moaning, or even to fall asleep again, but to his surprise, Fai leapt up from the bed as though he'd been lying on a bed of springs.
"Ok, Kuro-kichi! I'm up!" Fai giggled. Kurogane sweatdropped, watching as the Seresu wizard began to dance around the room.
"What on earth do I see in him anyway…" He muttered to himself.
End Flashback
"Ah! Right Fai, we need to make a stop here." Kurogane declared, turning left into one of the shops. Fai had just enough time to see what was written on the sign – Frijid's Groceries – before he was dragged inside after him.
"Fai, could you grab a basket for me a minute, please?" Kurogane asked. Fai nodded and went off to find one, although he was still confused. Was this what Kuro-wan had been so worked up about? Going shopping? He'd thought that the other man hated shopping, because Kurogane always found an excuse to leave when the gang ran out of supplies, or Sakura wanted to go look at the boutiques.
Kurogane, finding the bemused glances that Fai was giving him very amusing, turned to the shelves of food and began choosing from the brands. He hesitated as he came to a certain selection of food, and turned over each item, carefully examining the label. In the end, he sighed and gave up, beginning to simply take two of each brand.
"Kuro-pan! I got the basket!" Fai bounced up, holding the basket out for Kurogane to take. Kurogane quickly dumped the food into it, being careful not to let the mage see the things he'd just been pondering over.
"Ok. I'll just pay for this, and we can be on our way." Fai's blue eyes widened as he saw how much Kurogane was buying, and he stared at the ninja.
"Kuro-pya! This will cost a lot of money!" He gasped. Kurogane shook his head, smiling.
"It doesn't matter anyway. We're leaving tonight, so we won't need this world's money anymore." Kurogane pointed out. Fai's mouth opened in a comic 'o' of surprise.
"Oh! Kuro-tako's so smart!" He gushed. Kurogane rolled his eyes and began making his way to the checkout.
"Just because you're so dumb at times…"
"Waaa! Kuro-woof's meeeean!"
"We're nearly there now. It's just through those weeping willows." Kurogane said. With the bags of food, he'd been unable to drag the wizard anymore, but luckily Fai had decided to cooperate and follow like a good little wizard. The mage hadn't even stopped to window shop, which was a first for him.
"Could we stop under the willows for a moment, Kuro-tan? They're my favourite tree…" Fai murmured, gazing longingly at the trailing branches blowing in the gentle breeze. Kurogane smirked to himself – it looked like his researchers had been right.
"On the other side. We'll stop on the other side of the trees, Fai." Kurogane promised. Taking one of the wizard's gloved hands in his own, he gently tugged Fai through the leaves and out to the other side. An awed gasp sounded, and Kurogane turned smiling to look at his boyfriend's expression.
Fai was staring around himself wide-eyed, looking as though he was unable to take it all in.
"It's beautiful, Kurogane…" He breathed.
And indeed it was. The willows they'd passed through were really part of a ring of willows that circled a large lake. The water was perfectly still, clearly reflecting the clouds above, and the only sound was the trill of a bird's song.
Clearly still struck with wonder, Fai bent down to examine the field of flowers that they were standing in, gently fingering the soft petals. Voice brimming with emotion, he faced Kurogane again, and said;
"It's just like a dream…I've always imagined somewhere like this, and I hoped that if it really existed, I'd be able to go there one day…I…thankyou!
Lost for words for the first time since his childhood, Fai flung his arms around Kurogane and held him tightly. Kurogane gently lifted a hand to caress the wizard's back, and they stood there for a while, just holding each other.
After a while, Fai pulled back to look Kurogane in the eye, his own blue ones sparkling with happiness.
"How did you…why did you…"
"You may recall a certain young princess pestering you incessantly yesterday evening about things that you liked, and what your dreams were. And as for why, I felt that I had to make it up to you about the things I said." Kurogane replied.
Fai chuckled, and gazed out over the lake.
"I thought that Sakura-chan was being remarkably persistent. I just figured that she was on one of her obsessions about knowing everyone better. But how did you find this place?"
"When we first got here and split up to look for the feather, I decided to try looking in the hills, as opposed to the town like the rest of you. And I accidentally stumbled across this." Kurogane answered. Dropping down into a sitting position, he indicated that Fai did the same, and began to rummage through the bag of food.
Once Fai was comfortably seated among the flowers, Kurogane pulled out 2 baguettes and a variety of fillings, arranging the food on a nearby rock. Drawing a knife out of his cloak, he began to butter the rolls, smiling benevolently at the Seresu wizard.
"I thought that we could have a proper date for a change…how about a picnic?" Fai laughed happily and nodded, leaning against Kurogane as they began to eat.
The day passed by quickly, and Fai felt like he'd never been happier. He and Kurogane had spent hours talking, or just holding each other, and it had felt like heaven. Feeling like he ought to express this somehow, he leant up and kissed Kurogane gently on the lips.
"Thankyou. This day has just been…I can't describe it. Thankyou." He whispered. Kurogane smirked, and drew out the last items from the bag.
"We haven't got to the best part yet." He whispered.
Fai's eyes grew wide as he saw what Kurogane was holding, and he stared at the Japanese man.
"Kuro-chan…you bought…chocolate!" He exclaimed, grabbing one of the packets from the ninja and holding it close. Kurogane laughed.
"My little spy-princess also told me how much you loved this stuff. Said that you waxed poetical about it when she asked what your favourite food was."
Fai smiled bashfully, already tearing the foil open to take a huge bite of the creamy snack. Immediately, his eyes filled with tears, and he let out a happy sniffle.
"So good…Kuro-pii bought good chocolate!"
All good things must come to an end, and soon the pair had to reluctantly pack up and head home, although Fai insisted that they held hands all the way. Still laughing among themselves, they arrived back at the house totally relaxed and peaceful.
It didn't last long.
"Hyuu! Mokona thinks Fai and Kurogane look cute together!"
"Gaah!" Kurogane leapt backwards, clutching his chest. Fai laughed at him, and held out his hand for Mokona to jump onto.
"Did Fai have a nice time with Kurogane?" Mokona chirped. Fai's smile widened, and he nodded.
"Yup. Kuro-pin was very romantic."
"That's good! Because if Kurogane had made Fai cry again, Mokona would have beaten him up!" The manjuu bun declared.
Fai chuckled.
"Is that one of your 108 special techniques, Mokona?" He asked. Mokona nodded, and struck a heroic pose.
"Uhuh! Super Heroic Protector!" A fist swung out of nowhere, and smacked Mokona off Fai's hand. Kurogane soon followed the fist.
"Look, manjuu bun, we were having a quiet time until you showed up!" He snarled.
"Fai quiet? You two must have been busy." Mokona said slyly from his place on the floor. Kurogane flushed a deep red.
"Why you little…it was nothing like that at all!" He growled. Fai beamed at him, then turned to Mokona.
"We were busy all afternoon, and most of the morning too. Kuro-wan was very good." He whispered confidentially.
Kurogane let out a sound between a wail and a roar.
"Not you too! We're only back ten minutes and you turn into a crazy idiot again!" He moaned. Fai winked, and threw his arms around the crumpling ninja.
"But you love me anyway, right Kuro-pin?"
"……"
"Fai-san! Kurogane-san! You're back!" The trio looked up as Syaoran and Sakura entered the room, carrying a few bags between them.
"We packed your things for you while you were out. We thought it would save time – I hope you don't mind." Syaoran said, placing the bags in the doorway.
"As long as the manjuu bun stayed out of my things, I'm happy." Kurogane sniffed. Syaoran and Sakura exchanged glances.
"Right…then I guess you're ok…Kurogane-san." Sakura murmured slowly. Kurogane stared at the pair suspiciously.
"You're hiding something…"
"Mokona helped pack! Kuro-pun has nice things!" Mokona giggled. Before anyone could blink, Mokona was sailing across the room, and out of the door.
"That's better." Kurogane sighed, brushing his hands off. Fai rested his head on the swordsman's shoulder, making tutting noises.
"Wheet whoo! It's not nice to hit Mokona like that. One day you'll break him."
"Good."
"Anyway, how was your date?" Sakura asked. Fai turned beaming to her.
"It was wonderful! Kurogane took me to this lake surrounded by willow trees, and gave me things to eat like chocolate. Then he took me in his arms and…"
"…And held him. Anything else this idiot says is a lie." Kurogane butted in, glaring at the wizard. He'd be damned if he let that lie start up again. Fai simply blinked innocently at him. Kurogane wasn't fooled.
Syaoran smiled.
"It's good that you two had a nice time together. Although I've been meaning to ask…when exactly did you become a couple?" He asked. Kurogane shrugged.
"That world where we had to buy supplies for Fai's hand…Romansu."
The corner of Syaoran's mouth twitched, and he was unable to hold in a chuckle. Kurogane eyed him curiously.
"What so funny?"
"Kurogane-san…do you know what that world's name translates as?" Syaoran sniggered. Kurogane shook his head.
"It means 'Romance'." Syaoran laughed. Kurogane's eyes bulged out of his head, and Fai laughed, hugging him.
"So Kuro-rin was romantic enough to confess his undying love in the world of romance!" He cheered. Kurogane glared at him.
"Who said anything about undying?"
"Waaa! Kuro-myu does…"
"Not again!"
The group stood together in the yard, bags in a neat pile next to them. Mokona was bouncing happily, seemingly fine for the quick flight he'd taken via Kurogane Aircraft.
"Puu! Time to go!" Mokona announced. The gem on his forehead began to glow as he summoned power, and the gang moved a little closer together in preparation for the journey.
"Fai! Fai!"
Fai looked around at the sound of his name being called, but he soon realised that it wasn't any of his comrades. Wondering who was calling him, his eyes widened as the voice sounded again and he realised who it was.
"Fai! Fai, can you hear me?"
"Chii! Chii, what's wrong? What's going on!" Fai demanded, frowning as he began to get a bad feeling about why she was making contact.
"Fai-san? Who are you talking to?" Syaoran asked in confusion, not hearing anything except Fai talking. Fai ignored him, moving out of the group's small circle to pace worriedly.
"It's Ashura, Fai! He's waking up! He's almost broken through the glass coffin!"
Fai stiffened, coming to a standstill.
"Don't let him escape, Chii. Try and hold him!" He said urgently.
"Who's Fai-san talking to?" Sakura whispered. To her surprise, it was Kurogane who answered.
"I guess that the wizard left someone to guard the person who's after him. And from the sound of it, that person is waking up." He said seriously.
"I can't do it, Fai! He's too strong!"
"Please, Chii! Just hold on!" Fai begged.
"I'm sorry, Fai…he's too strong…ah! Fai!"
A sudden agonising pain wracked Fai's body and he fell to his knees with a cry, trembling. Getting up again, he tried to regain contact with Chii.
"Chii? Chii? Can you hear me? Chii!"
He whirled to face the group, and they stared at him. Blue eyes wide and fearful, body shaking with terror, this was a Fai that they'd never seen before.
"Fai-san…" Syaoran tried.
Fai just began to back away, shaking his head.
"I have to get out of here…he's coming…Ashura's awake and he's coming!" He cried in a voice cracked by fear. Turning around, he took off running, only for Kurogane to dash after him and grab his arm.
"Let me go, Kurogane! Please!" Fai begged, trying to free himself. Kurogane shook his head, keeping his grip tight.
"Where will you go? Fai, you have to think clearly. He'll find you if you just run – we have to switch worlds!"
Fai shook his head, blonde hair flying about his face wildly.
"Don't you understand? It's too late! He'll come straight here, and then he'll just skip worlds until he catches up to me! Please, just let me go!"
"No. I promised myself that I'd protect you, and I can't do that if I'm not with you." Kurogane said, and with those words he pulled Fai closer to him, capturing the quivering lips in a kiss.
At first, Fai struggled against him, like a bird caught in the claws of a cat. But then the sense of security and safety that Kurogane was offering him sunk in, and with a sob he began to kiss back, fear turning his kiss into one of almost desperation.
They remained like that for a moment, before there was a sudden flash of light and a smooth voice split the air.
"Well, well. Looks like you have been busy, Fai."
Fai wrenched himself out of Kurogane's arms, and his face lost all colour as he stared at the newcomer in absolute terror.
"Ashura-ou…"