Black Wings

One: The Biggest Pretender

Blue eyes deep as pools of unknown consistency opened and blinked once, adjusting to the pitch-black surroundings. A delicate mouth gently sucked in air before an equally fragile-looking body rose from soft mattresses and blankets. Eyes blinked again, this time in an attempt to focus. The view of the wooden floor became clear. Bony hands ran through silky, white blonde hair that almost reached strong but slightly feminine shoulders. Thin legs walked to the wide window where the entire sky could be seen, including the luminous moon turned scarlet. Lips parted slightly to speak.

"It's time…"

Kurogane awoke to the sound of singing. It would've been all right if the voice was beautiful, but it was more a great form of annoyance rather than a soothing melody to the soul. The dark ninja immediately got up and went out the bedroom, cracking his knuckles to prepare to beat up the pathetic suspect.

"Lalala! Good morning, Kuro-pin!" greeted Fai. He was holding a microphone and wearing a bright pink apron that said 'I'm the best wife ever married!' at the front. "Kuro-pin? What's wrong?" He asked when the black-haired man didn't answer at once. Fai saw that his hands were shaking.

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SINGING SO EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU KNOW I'M SLEEPING? AND WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WEARING?" Kurogane demanded, his face completely red with anger. Fai felt like he was literally being blown away. He just smiled at the person he had once named Big Puppy.

"It's such a nice day today, isn't it?" he said cheerfully as though he hadn't heard anything. "Such a wonderful day indeed. The sun is out, the birds are singing, and so am I! Care to join me, Kuro-chu?" He tried to hand the microphone to Kurogane, but the latter slapped it away. It fell on the floor with a thud. "Huh?"

Kurogane grabbed Fai by the wrist. "Look, you happy-go-lucky retard! Not everyone in this world is as happy as you are, so learn to shut up once in a while!" He let go of him. "It's not just for others' good,"

"What do you mean?" asked Fai with a gentle smile. "If I'm not happy, how will other people be hap—?"

"Bastard," said Kurogane. He frowned, and he made his voice softer. "Don't act so innocent. You know what I'm talking about. You can't fool me anymore,"

Fai's smile widened. "You're being unfair, Kuro-chi," he said. "I'm not the only one with issues,"

"At least I don't hide mine,"

The look of happiness that was washed away from Fai's face after Kurogane's remark was brought back when Sakura and Syaoran appeared. Mokona instantly jumped on Kurogane and distracted the ninja, leaving Fai to attend to the teenagers.

"Fai-san, did something happen? Why was Kurogane-san shouting just now?" inquired Sakura. "I was tending to Syaoran's wounds when we heard him,"

"Oh, that was nothing," replied the magician, beaming. "You know how he's always so hotheaded in the morning ("Hey! Who are you calling hotheaded, you schizo?"). Anyway," He turned to Syaoran. "How are your wounds, Syaoran-kun? The battle the other day really hit a toll on you,"

Syaoran grinned. "Yeah, but I'm okay," He said. "It's no big deal. I'm sure I'll be better in no time. After all, Sakura-chan has been treating me since that day. She's a good nurse,"

Sakura blushed.

"Look at you two," said Fai, smiling as he spoke as usual. "You're so adorable. Breakfast is ready and waiting, so go on ahead while I separate Mokona and Kuro-pi," The two younger members of the group nodded and went to the dining room. Fai sighed and slowly took the small white creature hanging from Kurogane's neck into his hands. He let it stand on his palms. "It's time to eat, Mokona," He said. "Leave Kuro-kei and I for a while so you can eat Kuro-kei's food, alright?"

"Okay!" replied Mokona cheerfully. Before Kurogane could grab him, he took off jumping.

Kurogane saw Fai staring at him. "What is it this time?" He asked, annoyed.

"You're wrong, Kuro-pi," answered Fai quickly. There was a hint of seriousness in his voice. "I don't know what you're thinking exactly, but I can tell you now that that's not the case here, never was and never will be,"

"Whatever," said Kurogane. "Just tell me when you'll stop lying," He hurriedly went to the other room shouting, "Don't you dare eat my breakfast, you pork bun!"

Fai simply stood there absorbed in his thoughts. He put on a wide smirk and looked at his hands. "Kuro-chan," He said to himself. "How can you see right through me when I can't?" He shook his head and went to eat the breakfast he had cooked.

Disclaimer: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle is owned by CLAMP, a.k.a. not me.

keL's Notes: This fanfic will have shorter chapters compared to my other fanfics. I figured the story's important, not the length. :) I know it doesn't look much, but do wait for the next update. I'll make the pace a bit faster. Just wanted to introduce the prologue to a very big conflict that I will reveal later on.