The Man in the Glass
Chapter Eight
By Hayai Akurei
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OMIGOD! THANK YOU ALL FOR REVIEWING! Even if you're just starting the story, let me know what you think! This isn't finished just yet! And to those who reviewed last time…
Laika: I'm glad you liked it! My writing is actually evoking emotion from readers this time! Yay! Sorry about making you cry though…
Calliope Della Corte: Kurogane is fun to poke at. I think out of all the characters, he gets the most focus time in the story.
The Jenx: … Oo … (BLUSH!) Umm…you're welcome! I love you too for reviewing!
Phiso: Piggy dividers? Oh, they kinda look like piggy noses, don't they? I love my piggy dividers! (hearts) Normally, I suck at pacing, so that's why this fic is taking so bloody long, but I must have patience! I rush things a lot, so this is a first. And that's an interesting observation you made…hmmm…
DemonUntilDeath: I'm not very good with illnesses either, I'm lazy, so research doesn't get done anyhow. I'm pulling off of Moulin Rouge and everything I ever learned in English class about great writers. If you were a great writer way back when, you died of either TB or a cold. But yeah, you'll see what happens to Fai.
Arashi-Chan13: You really think so? I'm trying not to rush it, as I have the tendency to do. Which is why most of my fics are oneshots, not full-fledged stories. Thank you so much! (hug)
R.S.Azalea: Yeah, it's just summer school. My only problem is filling all the giant gaps in the story. I'm getting there though! I had an epiphany the other day, so it'll all be done soon! As will the explanations. As for the title…it's just named after the poem that's featured by stanza in the first…oh, what's it…four chapters or so? "The Man in the Glass" is by Dale Wimbrow. Just read through it, and it should make sense in how it relates to Fai. You know what? I'll just post it right here for you to read.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one starring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
Dale Wimbrow 1895-1954
White Denkou: Me too. I wanna see my baby finished and all grown up…
Darkangel36: Considering I don't know that many dead people…I try to make it real. I love those authors you'll find on the net and you can just feel your heart break just by reading the story.
Aisu Dragoness: Fai's my favorite too. I tend to pick on the characters I love. Kurogane is just amusing to tease.
Evvy: I'm honored, thank you! And I've read some of the other TRC fics, and they're really good! Have you read "Siren Cove" or "Magical Mokona Doll" by clampRAVEN? And yeah, I liked the Sakura-Fai exchange, 'cause I'm trying to cover all the relationships in this fic. Fai's like everyone's mom now. At one point in the manga, Mokona starts calling Fai "Fai-mommy." I was laughing so hard, considering Kurogane has been thus nicknamed "Father."
Raindrops: Whoot! I have a reviewer who wants him to die! Glad I've got people on both sides of this issue! There's only a few more chapters to go, and some of them are already finished, I just need to get this chapter out of the way and viola! I wonder if I should cut it off and make a sequel…it'd likely be a one-shot sequel though.
Cerulean Soul: Don'tcha just love and hate it when you can't decide whether to burst into tears or whoop for joy at all the fluff? Dark chocolate (some term I heard some other author use for angsty fluff) is good to work with.
Kai Angel-Fai Tenshin-chan: That's got to be the longest penname I've ever seen. But yes, I relish in being evil. Got it from my mommy, Yumiko Kaze. She's taught me everything I know. As for the feather and Fai…we'll see. (grin)
And now that the thanks are done…here's what you really came for: CHAPTER EIGHT
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Kurogane sighed, quietly closing the door to his and Fai's room behind him. The wizard had finally gone to sleep after his painful ordeal sometime ago, trying to regain what little strength he had left in his time remaining.
Damn.
The mage was dying.
Never had the ninja thought the flighty and cheerful blonde would ever be in such a state: bleeding to the brink of almost fatal proportions, stricken with whatever illness the doctor called it and apparently dying because of it. Part of him was afraid to let his companion sleep for fear he would never wake up again, but he knew that he needed his rest.
He shook his head, trying to will away the memory of those frightened blue eyes that slowly lost life, soon half-lidded in pain and in solemn acceptance. He didn't like the way those eyes had looked. He wanted to see their usual spark, that somewhat maniacal glint of mischief and riotous glee that hid a dark, secretive past and yet at least spoke of a strength to go on with his life.
Perhaps this was what he had been hiding? Many of those wounds were at least a few days old, and yet Fai had kept them out of sight where no one could see them and unknown to anyone's knowledge.
But what hurt the most – more than knowing that Fai had hid something as big as this from them – was the knowledge that none of them could do anything to help, to save the mage's life or otherwise ease his pain.
Well, no one in this world, his mind told him. There is someone. You know of whom I speak.
Kurogane groaned in frustration and collapsed on the sofa. He didn't want to. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to have to talk to…her. But there was no one else he could go to.
Damn.
"Manju?"
The door to their room opened and Mokona quietly poked his head out, hearing the man call him. Closing the door and bouncing over to Kurogane's feet, he looked up. "Yes?"
"Get the witch," he said shortly. Mokona cocked his head thoughtfully.
"Kurogane wants me to call Yuuko?" confirmed the little white creature. "Whatever for?"
The ninja rubbed his temples tiredly. "Just do it."
Mokona just nodded and sprang up on the table, a light beaming from the red jewel set on his forehead. The picture cleared and the ninja found himself facing the familiar face of the Space Time Witch.
"Ah, Kurogane," Yuuko said graciously, though her eyes beheld a devious twinkle in them. "To what do I owe this honor?"
"How much would it cost to give Fai back his tattoo?" asked Kurogane seriously, not wanting to waste any time or his breath with this woman. Frankly, she was the last person he'd wanted to go to for help, but it seemed that he had no choice. Yuuko looked levelly at him, her equally crimson eyes boring into his, all former humor gone.
"Cutting right to the point, are we?" she asked. He snorted.
"Just answer my question, dammit. How much would it cost to give the wizard back his tattoo?"
She closed her eyes and sighed.
"Why would you request to reacquire that particular precious item of his?"
"The mage is sick." He didn't want to divulge everything to her, yet at least, but from the look she was giving him, she knew nonetheless.
"And what would having his tattoo back do for him?"
"Don't make me have to explain it to you," Kurogane growled, "The mage was fine when I first met him, back when he still had the tattoo on his back. But the second it came off, his aura started flickering. Auras don't flicker, dammit. They're not supposed to. He's like a candle in the middle of a hurricane." Words were pouring from his mouth; he couldn't make them stop. "And now he's dying, you know he is. At the very least, if you can't give me his tattoo back, give me something else that will at least take away his pain, if there's any shred of humanity in you."
"Is the big, bad ninja getting soft over the well being of his traveling companions?" A twisted smile formed on her face. She still had that wickedly twisted streak in her. She was still the Space Time Bitch. Good. It made things so much easier for him.
"Just stick it."
"I still cannot grant you your request," she said, ignoring his comment. "I'm sorry."
"Is it because I have nothing to give you?" Kurogane growled. "You took my sword the last time. I have a second one if that is what it takes."
"It's not that you don't have anything of value that can be exchanged for Fai's precious item," she explained, once again locking gazes with him. "It's more that even if you did take it back and gave it to him, it wouldn't be able to do anything for him. It won't heal him, you know that."
Indeed he did. But at least it would lessen some of the pain the other man was in. In any case, he didn't really want to know how she knew all this stuff. The witch frikkin' knew everything. Stalker.
"Can't you do anything?" he asked. He inwardly frowned at how pathetic he sounded. She sighed again.
"I'm sorry, but you can only let Fate run its course. Even if I could, it's a little difficult to contest divine power from several thousand dimensions away. There's nothing I can do to help you in this matter."
"Okay then," he said quickly. He had said too much already as it was. "Sorry to keep you."
With that, the transmission ended, and Kurogane slumped forward and buried his face in his hands, the sinking feeling in his chest dropping further into the pit of his stomach and down somewhere near his feet.
Damn.
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Fai didn't look any better by the time the sun came up, as Kurogane prepared to go search for the princess's feather with the kid. The mage merely watched his dark-haired companion with glassy eyes, as the other buttoned up his dark blue tunic and latched a belt about his waist, Souhi tangling at his side.
Kurogane paused for a moment, looking at the sword. Couldn't he have still gotten Fai's tattoo back? Even if it was just to ease the man's pain for a little while? To leave the wizard in such a state would be to torture him. He wanted to end his suffering, but he'd be damned if he killed him, even out of mercy. He'd seen too many of his loved ones hurt as it was.
Since when had he become so concerned for the welfare of others? Besides that of his princess of course. The witch was right. He was going a little soft.
But still, he wanted to take that pain away, but he was not to be the judge of that.
Clearing his head of such thoughts, the ninja whisked his black cloak about his shoulders, clasping it shut.
"Hyuu!" Fai giggled from behind him. "You look so dashing, Kuro-rin! So handsome!"
Kurogane winced at the attempted light-hearted tone. It was clear to him that Fai was feeling far from okay, and yet he still tried to hide that pain from them, make them believe that he was all right. How long had he masked all of that behind that chipper smile of his? A year? Maybe more? But even beyond the raging illness, he could sense there was something much darker that plagued the man.
He went to the door, his hand pausing on the doorknob.
"The kid and I will be back by sunset," he said, not looking at him. "Don't die before we return, idiot."
"I won't."
His voice was so soft that Kurogane almost didn't hear it. He turned to look at the mage, who now appeared much weaker and exhausted, his mask dropping just a little, for his eyes alone. And oddly, Kurogane felt somewhat privileged.
"Be safe," Fai said, offering him a small, but true, smile. "Come back soon."
Kurogane wracked his brain for something to say, but couldn't find anything that would suffice. Instead, he merely nodded, opening the door and walking out, his boots thumping against the wood.
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As the two of them trekked up the side of the mountain, Kurogane's thoughts kept wandering back to Fai, even though he knew very well that they were currently on a mission: find the princess's feather.
He shook his head, looking up the mountain that they were on. His horse nickered uneasily, and Kurogane pet his head to reassure him. The animal shook his head, chewing on his bridle almost thoughtfully.
"Are we getting close?" he asked. Syaoran nodded. "It landed somewhere just over this ridge. I'm sure that we'll find it soon."
"And when we get REALLY close," chirped Mokona cheerfully from his place on Kurogane's shoulder, "Mokona will let you know!"
"Well, isn't that helpful," Kurogane drawled.
Within a short ride, the two of them came to a crest in the mountains, overlooking the sweeping valley below. Not too far off, they could see the town, nestled safely into the side of rock. The view was wonderfully picturesque, though they had no time to waste to enjoy it.
"Kurogane-san," Syaoran called, motioning to him and pointing to a part of the mountain. "Look there."
Guiding his horse over, Kurogane followed the kid's line of vision. There was a giant rut carved into the mountainside with a small crater at its tip, large patches of forest that had stood in its path burnt to a cinder. Some parts were still smoking.
If that wasn't the princess's feather, he didn't know what it was.
"Manju, do you sense anything?" he asked. Mokona poked his head out of Kurogane's cloak, raising his ears up. "It's faint, but it's there."
He smirked, gently nudging the horse's sides and steering him down the path. "Good. That's all I need to hear."
Cautiously, the two approached the crater. At the base of it, nestled into the side of the hill, was a small cave.
"It's coming from there," Mokona said, pointing at the cave's entrance.
"Do you think something took it?" asked Syaoran, dismounting and gripping Hien at his side. Kurogane nodded.
"Given our history with the princess's feathers, I don't doubt it at all. Something's got it. Otherwise, it would still be sitting in the crater, waiting for us to come and get it."
Slowly, they entered the small shelter. It was dark and damp, and off in the distance, Kurogane could hear water dripping, its sound echoing amongst the limestone walls. Carefully, Syaoran held up his lantern, casting the soft glow in all the narrow crevices and across the floor.
"Careful," Kurogane warned, "We have no idea where it is or who or what has it. Make sure to – "
"WATCH OUT!" shouted Mokona, waving his arms wildly. The two barely had time to react as a giant claws shot out of nowhere, crashing into the ground where they had been standing not a split second before. Kurogane frowned, feeling the rush of wind at his ankles. That had been too close.
'Who dares to come and challenge me?'All of them froze at the familiar sight of blood-red eyes, long fangs glinting by the light of Syaoran's lantern.
"It's the boggart!" exclaimed the boy, holding his lantern higher. The monster growled, shying away from the glow, before striking at him with amazing speed.
"GET DOWN!" Kurogane shouted. Syaoran dropped to the ground as the long claws shattered the lamp into a shower of glass. The cave plunged into darkness and Kurogane whipped Souhi from its sheath, charging at the monster. He struck it head on, cleaving it in half. With a sickening thud, the two halves rolled to the ground.
"Too easy," he snorted.
'Indeed…'What the hell? No way! But before his very eyes, even this pitch black darkness, Kurogane could see the monster's body come together again, its shrouded form glowing a faint pink.
Hold that thought. Pink?
"Mokona!" Syaoran cried. "Does the boggart have the feather?" So the kid saw it too.
Huddling as close as it could to Kurogane, Mokona 'mekyo'ed in surprise. "He does! Mokona can sense the feather! It's in his chest!"
'So you fools know of that which has granted me new strength…' the monster's mouth curved upwards into a malicious grin. 'You should feel privileged. You shall be the first to fall victim to my newfound power. Let me look into your heart…and I will grant you your greatest fear.'
Kurogane felt his blood chill as the monster looked him straight in the eye.
'You are strong…Those who are strongest may also have the greatest fears…'
His heart nearly stopped as images flashed before his vision. Bodies lay strewn everywhere, blood flooding the streets, polluting the waters and covering the earth in a sickly red color. The heavy iron smell made his stomach twist and his vision swim. Even though he was used to it, the overwhelming flood of sensations made him feel like being sick.
The images came faster and faster, more vivid and gory in detail. He saw the kid, the princess, hands outstretched to each other, though their fingers were mere inches apart and their bodies were mutilated almost beyond recognition. Even Mokona lay among the slain, so many worlds away from his black twin.
'I see now…'His mother and father and their vassals, all those he had held so dear to his heart as a boy…
'You fear to lose those closest to you…'As his eyes fell upon Tomoyo-hime, her eyes blank and a trickle of blood running from her mouth, he wanted to scream, but no words would come. There was a gaping wound in her chest, just like the wound that had taken his mother's life. Souma lay next to her, kunai in hand, as if ready to defend her princess even in death.
'I will make your greatest fear come true…'No…
Fai's lifeless body materialized in front of him, lying in a massive pool of his own blood. Judging from the way his body was bent at odd angles, both his arms and legs were broken in multiple places. His hair was stained a sickening brown, one blue eye now a dulled gray, the other completely missing.
'I will see them all killed before your very eyes…'"STOP IT!"
Suddenly, there was a flash of bright light and Kurogane closed his eyes, blinded by it. The boggart screeched in pain and anger, backing away and fleeing into the shadows. Emerging from the outcroppings of rock was Master Clef, holding a glowing staff in his hands.
"Come!" he urged them, turning his horse around, "We must hurry back!"
"But the feather – " Syaoran began, looking back where the boggart had been standing only a few moments before. Clef grasped his hand urgently.
"There will be another chance for that! You must come back now!" Sincere blue eyes met theirs. "You cannot be defeated here! Too much is at stake!"
Kurogane looked at the younger boy. "He's right." Syaoran nodded in understanding and the three men galloped off at full speed back to the village.
--((00))-((00))--
Needless to say, Sakura was worried sick when they finally reached home that evening. Immediately, she latched onto the kid, checking over him for injuries and fussing as badly as a mother hen. After reassuring her he was all right, Syaoran ended up apologizing profusely for not getting her feather back. This was followed by the princess telling him that it was all right, and reminding him about some promise he had made her about not pushing himself too hard.
Ah, such was the awkwardness of adolescents.
Without a word, he swept into the bedroom that he shared with Fai, and found the mage awake, looking somewhat apprehensive as he scratched Godzilla's head. But he smiled a little as the ninja walked in.
"Back so soon?" he asked. Kurogane growled, whisking off his cloak and setting Souhi on the table.
"Damn boggart got the feather first. We need to find another way to get it."
He didn't dare tell Fai what it was now capable of doing. The sick man would likely die of fear or a heart attack if he knew that the monster could now make his worst fears come true.
"Just go to sleep," he said, "You should try to rest."
Fai smiled weakly, settling back onto the pillows. "But I don't want to. I'd rather spend the rest of my waking days being with everyone, not in bed."
"I know," he replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But can't you at least believe that there is some shred of hope that you'll get better again? You can't give up now. It's not over yet."
"But it will be," Fai said, "I'm just being realistic, Kuro-bun. I'm not giving up; I've just accepted the fact that this is how I'm going to leave this world. I can't stop it."
Those last words hung between them in silence. Lifting his gaze from the floor, Kurogane looked over at his dying companion. He was shivering slightly, and that apprehensive look was back.
"In any case," he said gruffly, pushing him down and adjusting the blankets. "You should sleep. It's late and we still have to get that feather."
Fai smiled. "Of course."
--((00))-((00))--
Kurogane stirred, feeling something rousing him from sleep. He blinked, his senses quickly focusing as he looked around. Mokona sat by his shoulder, shaking him gently.
"What is it?" he asked. The white meat bun looked really worried.
Pointing over at the other bed, it whimpered, "I think something is wrong with Fai."
Immediately sitting up, the dark-haired man knelt by Fai's bedside, cupping the all too pale face. The mage was sweating, his face pulled into a sharp expression of pain, and his breathing was frighteningly shallow and erratic.
"No…" he whimpered, shaking his head. "Please…don't…no…no, please…leave her alone, please…Ashura…"
Kurogane frowned at the name; that which struck indescribable fear into the heart of the man he held. "Fai? Hey, Fai!"
"…don't kill her…stop it…"
The blonde whimpered, writhing helplessly under the covers. His breathing quickened as he tossed his head in fright, and Kurogane felt his blood chill at the memory of what had happened last time.
"Wake up!" he shouted, shaking him by the shoulders.
"STOP IT, PLEASE!"
His heart fell at the tone of desperation in the other's voice.
"FAI, WAKE UP!"
With a strangled cry, Fai's eyes snapped open, tears pouring down his face. Breathing hard, he looked up, as if confused.
"Fai-san!"
The door to their room burst open and the children ran inside.
"What happened?"
Fai didn't wait to give them an explanation. With an amazing burst of speed, he leapt from the bed and ran outside.
"HEY!" Kurogane shouted, running after him, the children at his heels. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
The ninja swore under his breath. What kind of bloody dream did the guy have anyway? And what did he intend to do? And just where in the hell was he going?
With an extra lunge, he grabbed the runaway wizard by the shoulders, turning him around to face him. The man's eyes were wide and fearful, unshed tears shining in the endless blue pools.
"Let me go!" Fai shouted, almost breaking free but Kurogane held him tighter, not willing to let go. "He's going to kill her! He's waking up and he'll kill her! I can't let him! I have to save her, let me go!"
Frantic, he wrenched himself from the man's arms, tearing up the stairs to the tallest crest of rock that overlooked the village. His clothes whipped around him as his fingertips began to glow. The others watched as Fai desperately drew little symbols in the air in front of him with his fingers, the text lighting up as he went along.
"Suu, I beseech you to help me," Fai pleaded, struggling to stay on his feet as he finished. "Grant me the power of your protection and from the realm of gods, descend upon me!"
The sigil roared to life in a flash of light as Fai clasped his hands together in prayer, and Kurogane had to turn his head away. The children gasped and covered their eyes.
Soon, the light dulled to a faint blue-green glow, and they could see once again. Small sparkles of light arose from the ground about the wizard's feet, looking very much like fireflies. Fai stood in the middle of the circle, bathed in the soft light. His eyes were closed and his clothes and hair drifted about him lazily in the undercurrents of his magic.
"Hear my command," he said, extending his arms out in front of him, palms turned upward. An orb of light appeared at his fingertips, dancing like a tiny star. He had not so much as raised his voice, and yet Kurogane could hear the raw power and strength emanating from within him.
"Open!" Kurogane caught sight of blue eyes, an uncharacteristic fire burning from within them. "By order of this Host, O Doors of the Gate!"
The others gasped in awe and surprise as a hole in the space before them opened from the center of the tiny star. Beyond it, they could see the interior of a magnificent palace, with high vaulted crystal ceilings and stained glass windows. And inside it, a storm was raging. Gale force winds whipped through the hall, creating an unearthly howl amongst the pillars and corridors. Below them at the center of the room was a small decorative pool, a semi-sheer blue net stretched over it like a canopy. The clear waters were roiling chaotically, reminiscent of a stormy sea.
"Fai-san, watch out!" shouted Sakura. The winds from the other side were trying to draw them in.
"Get back!" Kurogane ordered. "It'll pull you in and you'll both drown!"
Syaoran looked puzzled. "Kurogane-san?"
"The winds are coming from the water, kid!" he explained quickly. "Just get back!"
Fai walked over so that he could reach in, keeping his weight back so that he wouldn't be pulled in. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"GIVE HER BACK!" he yelled, reaching for the net. The wind howled as it tried to rip the net from its supports and into the water. "I WON'T LET YOU HAVE HER!"
"Fai!" cried Mokona, looking on from Syaoran's embrace. "What're you doing?"
Reaching further, Fai's outstretched fingers finally caught hold of the net and with a swift pull, the other ties holding it down came free. With a chilling roar, the wind snagged at the net, pulling Fai with it. Kurogane's heart plummeted when he saw fear fill the mage's eyes as he lost his footing.
'No…'Before he could even think, he darted forward, wrapping one arm around Fai's waist and grabbing the net with his free hand. Only through sheer force of will did he keep his feet planted down. There was no way he was letting go. Roaring in anger, the wind increased in speed, attempting to pull its prey back in.
"GO TO HELL!" Kurogane shouted, yanking them further back.
There was an explosion from under the water as something rose to the surface. Fai's hands clutched at his arm in fear, and he knew who it was. But he'd be damned if he was going to let Fai be trapped under this madman's clutches again. With a burst of strength, he pulled them both away from the magic circle and to safety. The moment Fai's feet passed away from the outer borders of the sigil, the door shut and the area plunged into darkness.
Panting, Kurogane turned to his blond companion who was kneeling beside him. "What the hell was that?" he demanded. "You risked your neck for a net? What the devil is wrong with – "
But Fai wasn't listening. As the children ran over, he hugged the net to his chest, tears now running freely down his face. "Chii! Chii, I'm so sorry! I should have never left you behind! Come on, say something! Chii!"
That did it. The mage had finally snapped. He was crying over a bloody net.
But then, something extraordinary blossomed before his eyes. In the cradle of Fai's arms, the net was coming together, changing color and taking shape. By now, it looked almost human.
"Come on, Chii," Fai coaxed, pouring more magic into his hands, where it raced from his fingers to the morphing…thing. "Come on. That's a good girl. Just hang in there, please."
"What's going on?" asked Syaoran, still keeping a firm hold on his princess. Soon, the spell was complete, and a young woman only slightly older than Sakura lay before them. A pale blue dress hugged her small figure, long hair draping over her shoulders and…
…were those cat ears?
Slowly, the girl's eyes opened, and she turned her amber gaze to the man who held her.
"Fai?"
"Yes," he whispered, his eyes filled with tears. Gently, she cupped his face as her expression became worried.
"You're crying again."
"I'm sorry!" he wept, and the others started. Fai had never lost control of his emotions before. Every single moment, he held himself with such grace and repose, no matter what the circumstances were. "You almost died back there! And it was because of me you were in such danger! I shouldn't have left you to watch him! Chii, can you forgive me?"
She smiled at him. "Of course I can."
He smiled back, and hugged her close, but not before showering her face with light kisses. Somewhat annoyed, Kurogane cleared his throat. He wanted some answers, dammit. Regaining some of his former composure, Fai looked at him, the cat-girl easing out of his arms to kneel beside him.
"Fai?" Syaoran asked, "Who is this?"
"This is Chii," replied Fai, "She's my helper, and my creation."
Kurogane stared at him. "You made her?"
"Simply put, yes."
"But how…?"
Fai smiled, interrupting Kurogane from his thoughts. "Let's wait for such questions to be answered later. Perhaps when we get back to the house? I'm sure Kuro-rin and the children would rather – "
In the next moment, he doubled over, choking and coughing. Chii knelt by her master's side, worry written all over her face.
"Fai? Fai? What's wrong?"
The wizard was struggling to breathe; he could hear it. Dammit, why did that damn disease have to start acting up again now, of all times?
"Take it easy," he said gruffly, supporting the mage by his shoulders. "Just take a deep breath."
Then, the obstruction moved, and Fai retched on the ground, coughing and wheezing as he filled his lungs with precious oxygen. The familiar scent hit the ninja like a ton of bricks. No way. There was no way.
"Fai-san!" cried Syaoran, as Kurogane grabbed the lantern he was holding. "Kurogane-san?"
Now wasn't the time for questions. He had to be sure.
There, illuminated by the light of the flickering wick, was a small puddle of blood. Sakura screamed. Coughing harder into his hands, Fai slumped over, his eyes sliding shut, and Kurogane caught him before he hit the ground.
"Fai-san!" The kid was there in a flash, holding the lantern high. Fai's brow glistened with sweat, his face pulled into a mask of pain. Still choking a little, he rested his head against Kurogane's chest, his breath coming out in labored rasping.
Gingerly, Sakura took one of Fai's hands and turned it over. His palms were drenched in blood, and a small trickle ran from the corner of his mouth. Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes. "Oh, Fai-san…"
Frantically, she turned on the two other men. "Is he going to die? Is he?"
For once in his life, Kurogane couldn't find an answer. He didn't have the courage to say anything. All he could do was stare dumbly at the dying man in his arms.
"Fai…" whimpered Chii, tugging at the man's tunic. "Fai…"
"Fear not, sweet child," said a mysterious voice. It rang rich and clear, almost akin to a bell.
Immediately, Kurogane's senses were on high alert. "Who's there?"
"It's all right, Kurogane" The voice was soothing and gentle, but powerful. "You need not worry for the moment. All is well."
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Author's Notes: Since this was slightly confusing…the boggart has the feather, and it now has the power to make a person's greatest fear come true. Normally, it'll just change into what you fear most. This could have been better, but it was already too long as it is… But it still seemed a bit rushed… Like it? Hate it? Questions? Review! It's in that little purple button on the bottom left hand corner of your screen!