(Disclaimer: This place IS indeed real, as with the hospital in Aurora. However, unlike the hospital, I can't get there personally so I did research on their website. Also those familiar with Denver area bus routes may notice that things have changed a bit since I initially began to write this story.)

The drive was smooth as there was light traffic that Sunday, and the ride filled with the sounds of Christmas tunes being played quietly in the background. The ground was clear and dry. Kurogane began to just lightly hum along with some of the tunes on the radio. Although when Last Christmas came on, Fai turned it up some and sang along with it. "...last Christmas, I gave you my heart. The very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special..."

"Your favorite?" Kurogane asked after the song ended.

"One of them," Fai replied.

As they were getting closer to the firing range, Fai spoke up. "There are a few things you should know about this place, Kuro. It's on a membership, family-friendly basis. Unless you have your own membership, guests have to stay with the member."

"Can I assume that means you are a member there then?"

"Come February, it'll have been ten years in a row," Fai said with a tone of pride in his voice. "They have different firing ranges, archery ranges and the clay pigeon firing station. One of their only moving target stations.. You just have to provide your own ammo and artillery for what you want to practice with. They do have some rental for things like eye and ear protection as well as shotguns but they do not sell ammo unless it's for the rental. They have some indoor firing and archery ranges, but most of the ranges are outdoors, along with the clay pigeon firer."

Kurogane nodded, taking in the information, as Fai was explaining it almost as he had when talking about the bus route.

"At times, a person might call a ceasefire for a reason. During that time, any and all shooters at that range are to stop firing. Most times, it's because someone new is coming and the unofficial policy is to call a ceasefire and welcome them to the range. Another instance is if someone gets injured, a ceasefire would be called so you can tend to the injured. The other main reason I can recall is so everyone can get their arrows back from the archery targets. Otherwise, it's more of the whim of the people there. As for guns, unless they are getting ready to use, or are being shot with, they need to stay unloaded and in their cases."

When they got there, the snow had stopped and the two of them signed in and signed the mandatory liability waiver before Fai showed him around the place, while the two of them carried some of Fai's things. The inside had a large room for pistol shooting, and doors with bulletproof glass windows to see inside. Targets were displayed at the far end with panels to make separate spaces to shoot from. A pair of older ladies were actively shooting at the pistol targets, one using a star shape to shoot at and the other a generic bullseye. There was a practice areas for younger children to practice with both guns and archery, as well as an indoor archery for short distance precision. No one was currently using them. Fai led Kurogane outside, where there was a small crowd of folks, some shooting at targets with arrows and crossbows and some using blank ammo with their rifles. Some had a sighting instrument and others did not.

"Which kind of shooting would you like to see first?"

"Whichever is easier on your hands," he replied. Just because he was interested in watching didn't mean he wanted Fai to unnecessarily hurt himself worse.

"Alright Kuro," Fai commented, deciding archery could wait until after lunch.

Fai spent the next few hours with Kurogane, showing off the skill that got him a spot in the Olympics and also trying to show him how as well, and Kurogane grumbling how he was better with blades.

In the early afternoon, Fai brought out the lunch box, and began setting things out for them to eat on one of the available benches. Whilst Fai pulled things out, Kurogane stared at Fai's hands, looking to see how they were doing. Fai noticed this, but pretended he didn't.

As they ate the sandwiches Fai made, Fai noticed a couple of people joining an archery target. He smiled sincerely with a soft fondness as he saw a young freckled child out with her mother. The girl was perhaps only eight but she had a bright smile underneath her coat and scarf.

"Who's that?" Kurogane asked tipping his head in the child's direction.

"Ah; another little sweetheart. That's Lucia. Sometimes, I'll take her horseback riding."

"I see."

Fai gently gave Kurogane a few small nudges using his elbow."If you get that licence soon, and stick around ... you might just get her as a student," Fai said with a friendly wink.

"You think so, huh?"

"Anything's possible," Fai said with a smile. "She's sure to grow into a real charmer, but getting down and dirty is a little more her speed right now."

"You're really fond of her," Kurogane commented.

"I'm fond of all the kids, silly Daddy," Fai tried to dismiss with teasing.

"You may act like a Sugar Momma to the kids but you still have the ones you hold closer in your heart. You looked at her like you hold her closer... And I am not a Daddy," Kurogane replied, saving his grumbles for last.

Fai laughed at that, "I spose you're right. Lucia reminds me a lot of a time when I was that young. It may be just as impossible but she's someone I hope never has to lose the bright smile on her face."

Kurogane watched the smile on Fai's face and the way his eyes looked sad as he said that.

"You had a similar girl friend as a kid?" Kurogane asked.

Fai was caught by surprise at the question, "What?"

"Yknow. A friend, that's a girl. Maybe big tomboy sort."

"Mm...yeah. She was a great friend. We had several good memories together."

Was. Had. He guessed either there was a falling out, a separation or she passed away. He decided not to ask which.

"If she was such a great friend, then wherever she is, I bet she probably hopes her friend is happy."

Fai looked shocked at that, and Kurogane wondered what he said that was so shocking.