With You
Intro: I just checked all the reviews from all the nice people! Wow. I didn't think I'd get anything like this! Yes. I do like correct grammar, so thank you to the person who liked my grammar. (lol) Another KuroFai fic, but I'll work on another KKM, too. R+R.
A/N: This is just another take on how things could have turned out. It's different than the usual, Fai-stays-in-Kurogane's-world thing.
Two figures made it through a swirl of white magic and soft, warm light. Two had stayed behind in the world of their destination just earlier. This world was completely different, however. What was once a hot, dusty desert was now a lush, dark world covered in beautiful traditional buildings and deep forests.
"We're… here." The ninja looked onward in disbelief. It was true. Kurogane, Fai, and Mokona made it to Japan. Kurogane's Japan. Within the ninja laid mixed feelings, though. Feelings of happiness, insecurity, joy, and… sadness overwhelmed Kurogane.
"It looks like it, Kuro-Chu!" The mage was already heading down the hill from their current fix and into the town ahead. Mokona followed him quickly, bouncing all over and remarking how Kurogane was going to leave and how much easier things were going to be without the hot-headed heap.
Kurogane quickly caught up to the mage and past him, leading the way into the city. It was just like he left to go check on the inn and come back. Nothing changed. Everything was just as had been before he left. His wish was finally granted and now he was walking into his homeland.
"Kuro-Han, I'm not staying here very long. But… I think I can look around your world a little bit to see why Kuro-Kan acts the way he does!" Fai smiled while looking around all over the place. Strange markings unlike anything he had ever seen in any world were all over the place and everyone stared at the two but kept their mouths shut. 'It's because of me,' Fai thought.
This was true. Fai stuck out like a sore thumb. His clothes, hair, face, and even his body was unlike that of everyone else. All the citizens were in strange clothes, had black hair, bore sharp eyes, and harbored strong features looked nothing alike Fai.
"Heh heh heh… I think I might leave sooner than expected, Kuro-Gu," the mage smiled weakly, trying not to let all the stares intimidate him. He glanced opposite ways until he decided it was best to look straight. He looked to Kurogane for comfort, but the ninja just looked straight with what seemed like a small, insignificant smile. Fai frowned to the best of his abilities with what turned out to be a small grin and looked down.
-O-
Kurogane continued to walk straight with a faster pace than usual, Fai noted. There were so many things the broad man wanted Fai to see and do. There were so many people he wanted Fai to meet. Fai was in Kurogane's world and there is just so much in a world than could be seen in just a single day!
After making it to the castle, Kurogane lifted Fai and jumped over the gate. While inside the gate, he greeted each person he so lovingly missed. Frazzled by Kurogane's sudden change in heart and emotion, most of the other ninja took it as a sick joke and ran off.
"KUROGANE!" A small girl dressed in neat, black robes and a well-made hair-do made her way down the elaborate hall. "You're back! That was quick! Only three days you've been gone! I was hoping to get rid of you for at least a month!"
"It's going to take a lot more than that to get rid of me, princess." Kurogane laughed. Fai just stared. This was a new part of Kurogane he had never seen.
A straight-forward, sincere Kurogane was fawning over everyone like a child in a candy store. If he was anything like the Kurogane Fai knew, he would have been aloof and a bit bashful at that.
"Well, how long were you gone – Oh my! Who is that handsome man next to you! Do you two know each other? What kind of relationship do you two have? Oh my! I shouldn't be so blunt! I'll give you two your space!" The princess backed away frantically. She played with her hair and shook about blushing.
"It's NOT like that!" Kurogane yelled.
"Don't talk to the princess like that, Kurogane!" A tall, tanned woman slid down the hallway seamlessly.
"You! You-you- You suck!" Kurogane yelled at her. The two starred to work themselves into a cat-fight.
"So, who are you and how do you know our Kurogane?" Tomoyo looked at Fai. "I am Tomoyo, the princess of this country. Kurogane is one of my elite ninja." The girl smiled at Fai.
"I'm Fai D. Flowrite. I'm the wizard of Seresu. He and I have been traveling together for about a year now. We had two other companions, but they stayed in the world prior to this one. I must continue on my way if I hope to reach my objective if you don't mind."
Mokona jumped out of Fai's robe and bounced around him. Jumping up and down, the white 'thing' chipped, "Mokona-Madoki helps Fai travel from world to world!"
"Wow. That's a long name, do you mind if I call you Mokona?"
"Sure! Mokona works!" The manjuu bun bounced around Fai some more before leaping off to dance around Tomoyo.
Fai's stomach turned. He felt sick. He didn't want to stay in this world anymore, at least not around this girl. She made his heart drop and sink. "I… I feel sick. I need to be on my way, though. Do you mind if I borrow a room for tonight?" The blonde smiled weakly.
"Oh… yes. Kurogane! Take Fai-San to the Tenju room!" Tomoyo ordered Kurogane.
"Yes, princess." Fai pulled Mokona into his chest and Kurogane took Fai by the hand. Walking down the hall, Kurogane went about all the things about his country, world, and city.
Fai only looked down some more. His heart sank with depression and agony. He had been traveling with a man whom he learned to love, and thought the other loved him back, but all had been for naught. Within a few hours, he had seen so many new sides to the dark figure than ever. So many new emotions and feelings spread across his face. Fai pulled Mokona in just slightly more.
-O-
"I'll be fine, Kuro-Fan. You can go back to everyone again!" Fai smiled as he looked out the window. He slumped into the soft bed and pulled the covers over him.
"Are you sure? I can stay here if you want, you're leaving soon anyways. This is the best I can do, right?"
"Leave. I'll be fine." Fai didn't move. Kurogane took this as a hostile warning and left.
It started to rain outside.
-O-
"You seem pretty quiet, Kurogane. Is something on your mind?" Soma looked at the other ninja. She wasn't sure why they were celebrating the return of a missing ninja gone for three days, but she had no objection to the party. "You're not your usual, mean, scary self."
"What are you talking about? I'm always like this!" Kurogane yelled, taking in another sip of extra-weak sake.
"That's water. Do you know that, Kurogane? It's not sake." Soma pointed out.
Looking down at his glass, he realized that his alcohol was really clear. "…Of course I did! What did you think? That I was stupid enough to think this was alcohol! I am the great ninja Kurogane!"
"Huh. Well, on other terms, isn't Fai-San going to come down to party with us? He must be pretty bored. It's raining outside so it's not like he can do anything, really."
Kurogane sat silently. His heart dropped even more at the remark of Fai's name. He stared hard at the table before looking out a window.
The rain picked up.
-O-
"Mokona is getting ready, Fai!" Mokona chimed. The white bun-like creature got ready to move onto the next world.
"A little bit longer, okay, Mokona? Just… let me reminisce," Fai spoke softly. Mokona was inside the warm room while Fai looked out some more on the balcony. It was cold, wet, and soggy, but the rain suited him fine. No matter what happened, the rain could cover up what looked like remains of tears on his face.
Returning to the room and closing the door, the man embraced himself to travel worlds. Regretting not telling the ninja anything, he let a final tear roll down.
The door creaked open, but Mokona didn't change. "Fai, are you coming down? I know you're not feeling well, but you should come down." Kurogane stood in silence as he saw Fai wet, soggy hair and raindrops all over his face. But… more drops down his eyes than anything else. "Fai!"
"No. I'm leaving you, Kurogane. But since you're here, I should probably tell you," Fai said, moving closer to the ninja and kissing him lightly. "I… I love you. And I've loved you for awhile, now. But you'll never love me back, right?" He laughed weakly. "It's better this way."
Moving in closer to Mokona as the manjuu bun prepared to change worlds, Fai pushed Kurogane out and closed the door behind him. Not knowing what to do, Kurogane took up a piece of paper and quickly wrote many kanji on the parchment. Fai just stood staring limply.
-O-
It was a rush of emotions and quick decisions. Kurogane opened the door as Mokona's eyes opened wide. The most probably reaction would have been to freak out at that very moment, but on the line lay Fai.
"Kuro-" Fai looked back wide-eyed.
"Uh-uh! You listen to me! It isn't fair to tell me you love me but just leave me hanging, and I think I have a solution to my problem!" Kurogane crossed his arms blushing.
"It's too late, Kuro-myu." Mokona's traverse technique pulled Fai in as he looked behind him to burn the final glimpses of his love into his mind.
Grabbing his arm, and running to the manjuu bun, Kurogane kissed Fai slightly on the neck as he pulled the other man into his arms.
As the two feel into a tunnel of darkness, Kurogane held Fai tighter. "You better listen to me after we get to the next dimension, Fai," Kurogane growled.
Still amazed by Kurogane's actions, Fai smiled weakly. "…Yes, Kurogane." He let himself latch onto the other as the two slid into the next world, destined to travel forever. But together.
Afterthoughts: The end won't really make sense to those who have just read the manga. In the anime, when Mokona travels world, they're in a tunnel-like thing as they travel worlds. That's why there's a little bit of time after Mokona transfers them and before they arrive in the next world.
I ended it too suddenly for me. It doesn't really make sense… (blinks)
And as far as music goes, I changed Better than Ezra (which played for the beginning) to my Everclear mix. Can you believe it ended with 'AM Radio'? I'm prolly the only person on Earth who finds that strange. Anyhow, please review.