Title: Decisions
Genre: General
Series: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle
Summary: Kurogane is given the choice he's always wanted. AU. One-shot.
Disclaimer: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle is copyright to CLAMP.
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"What're you…?"
"I'm giving you the opportunity to return to Japan." The kimono-clad princess replied to Kurogane, her hands folded delicately over the front of her obi.
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It was a little over a year since Kurogane first met up with Fai, Syaoran, and the young princess Sakura. He had been dismissed from her Royal Highness Princess Tomoyo's court and his native country of Japan after he had disobeyed her words of 'no unnecessary killing'. Since then, he had travelled the dimensions searching for the Princess Sakura's missing memories, found in the form of powerful feathers. Over time, he had grown to enjoy the company of his companions.
Fai, a magician from the country of Celes. At first, Kurogane thought him annoying. That blond would always add suffixes to his name, making it sound cute. Like a ninja needed to sound cute.
Syaoran, a young man so dedicated and in love with the Princess Sakura that he was willing to pay the price of her never remembering him, even if he found all her missing memories, just so she would live. Kurogane had found that sort of dedication almost sickening, though now he realised that it was rather interesting. He himself didn't exactly know love, but if he was to give an example, it would be that of theirs.
Sakura, a young woman, having lost her memories back in her country of Clow. She was sweet and gentle, always optimistic, even as she passed out due to losing her feathers. Always getting along with the creature that appeared to be a white meat bun at first glance, Mokona Modoki.
Though Kurogane would never admit it, he was fairly attached to them.
Thus, when his Princess Tomoyo appeared to them thanks to the Space-Time Witch, Yuuko, offering him the opportunity he had wanted for so long, he almost had to hesitate with his reply.
All those adventures to try and get back Sakura's feathers; to try and get Fai as far as possible from his own world; to try and get Kurogane back within the shortest amount of time. Yet, somehow, the answer wouldn't come out naturally. 'Yes', he wanted to shout. He wanted to leave them all behind for his old life, protecting the castle and his princess with his sword and his life, for the company of Souma and the other ninja.
But he couldn't. It shouldn't have been so difficult, he told himself, but it was. This was the hardest decision of his lifetime, Kurogane decided.
"No." He told her, ignoring her shocked expression.
"May I ask why, Kurogane?"
"I'm…"
"Could it be that you're…attached to us?" Fai teased from where he stood, glancing away from the ornately dressed princess.
"No!"
Tomoyo simply giggled to herself. "You've made your choice. Feel free to visit again, Kurogane. We miss your presence here in Japan." She tittered, covering her mouth with one hand. "Farewell, travellers!" With one last wave, she disappeared, as though there was never a trace of her there in the room. Mokona shut his mouth, and looked to Kurogane.
"Kurogane chose to stay with us over his much loved country!" The small mascot cried happily. Fai knelt down beside him, smiling brightly.
"Yep. It seems we haven't lost one of ours today, hm, Mokona?"