Disclaimer: Tsubasa is the intellectual property of CLAMP.
Author's Note: Please remember and consider before reading: This is rated M.
~ All That I Am ~
Part 2, Chapter 2
The next morning, the group arrived at the First National Bank of Neo Tokyo when they opened their doors at nine a.m..
The bank manager led them into a private conference room dutifully and made the connection to the residence of the mysterious holder of the vault where Sakura, Syaoran, and Mokona had slept.
The same maid they had spoken to the day before answered the call, smiling happily at them from the viewing screen.
"I'm very happy to see you again sirs and miss. When I told Master Subaru of your call, he was very excited to meet you and sent his personal jet to Neo Tokyo for you."
The screen switched to a roaming map, leading the way from the bank to an airport.
"If you go to this airport, you'll be able to find his personal hanger quite easily." The screen switched back to the young woman speaking.
"I hope to meet you all in person very soon. Goodbye."
With that, the maid bowed to them and the connection blacked out.
Kurogane was still waiting for his turn to speak. They had no idea where this Subaru guy was, the kids still didn't have any paperwork, and now they were planning to stick him on another plane.
"It's kind of getting exciting;" Fai said "like a mystery novel or a spy movie. Called to a secret location by the mysterious Subaru on a need-to-know basis, the group must overcome all obstacles to learn the ultimate truth behind all existence!"
Kurogane was too devastated to argue with him.
-ooo-
"I feel bad that you have to keep paying for things when Sakura-hime and I can't do anything for ourselves." Syaoran said as Kurogane paid for yet another cab ride. "Our problems don't have to be your problems, Kurogane-san. You can leave us at the airport. We'll be fine."
Kurogane shook his head in response. "When I start something, I finish it." he answered simply.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the airport and that feeling of dread welled in Kurogane's stomach at the thought of flying across the ocean in another airplane. With the way things were going, he wouldn't have been surprised to find that Subaru lived in California too, right there in Survivor's City.
A man opened the cab door for them and bowed as they stepped out, one by one. "I know who you are." he said, a grin on his face as he looked down at the children. "My name's Fuuma." he added. "I'll be flying you to Subaru."
That said, he handed Syaoran and Sakura each a card, a digital copy of the passport information they would need, hanging from a chain which they hung around their necks.
Fuuma began walking, leaving them to follow him as he continued explaining things over his shoulder. "For simplicity's sake, you'll be the children of those two men with you. Your names are Syaoran and Sakura Suwa."
"Suwa?" Syaoran asked, looking up at Kurogane curiously. "Is that you, Kurogane-san?"
Kurogane nodded but he was frowning at the back of Fuuma's head. "How do you know who we are?"
Fuuma grinned back at him. "Subaru knows everything." he answered cryptically.
Kurogane did not like that answer. He was too involved in this for someone as clueless as he was.
"I call the window seat!" Fai declared, throwing one arm in the air and slipping his other hand into Kurogane's.
Fuuma grinned back at him. "Well then it's your lucky day. They're all window seats!"
Kurogane paled and Fai laughed nervously, squeezing his hand sympathetically.
oo
The special hangar where Subaru's private jet was located could only be reached by passing through a robotically manned checkpoint. They each had to swipe their passport cards and pass through a detection machine before the gate would open to allow them to pass.
The jet itself was a sleek, black, vertical take-off model, the kind that really spoke of wealth and a desire for efficiency.
Maybe it was less likely to crash, Kurogane thought as he and the group followed Fuuma on board.
Kurogane could recall having seen the inside of a private jet in a movie once. It was a president's jet and by the end of the movie it had blown up, scattering pieces across the Atlantic. That aside, this one was nicer; which made him wonder again…just who the heck was this Subaru guy?
"Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable." Fuuma offered, crossing the ivory carpeting toward the front of the plane. "I'll be back as soon as we're airborne."
"Hyuu!" Fai called, taking a short stroll around the area. He dropped down onto a white leather couch and reached out to press a button on a nearby panel. A section of wall pulled back to give them a full view of their surroundings.
Syaoran immediately took interest, drifting to the panel in awe to watch the world outside.
"There's a bathtub." Sakura said, peeking into a side room at the back of the plane.
"There's even a rubber ducky!" Mokona announced, hopping out with said toy in paw as proof.
"Looks like we're ready for takeoff!" Fuuma announced over a surround-sound system hidden somewhere discrete. "Please have a seat and return the rubber duck."
Mokona's eyes widened in shock and it hurried to comply as they all took their seats.
"There aren't any seatbelts." Kurogane complained under his breath, taking a seat next to Fai on the couch.
Fai just smiled.
"I didn't say I wanted seatbelts." Kurogane argued. "I don't see parachutes either."
Fai's smile shifted to the right and Kurogane scowled.
"Shut up!" he growled, then as they began to feel the jet leave the ground, he reached around Fai and slammed a fist on the button to close the panel. "And close that damn thing!"
Kurogane caught Syaoran looking his way from one of the armchairs curiously but he pointedly ignored the boy.
A few minutes later, after the jet had ascended and began moving forward, Fuuma came back to join them. He had a big grin on his face and Kurogane instantly hated him. He wanted that jackass in the cabin, flying the plane, not back here grinning at them like he was Subaru's personal court jester.
"Well, what do ya think?" Fuuma asked, waving a hand out to indicate the aircraft. "Pretty cushy, huh? It's just been overhauled. If you'd come a week earlier it woulda looked completely different but I kinda like this look."
"Won't it get dirty with all this white?" Fai asked, making conversation.
Fuuma nodded in agreement. "Yeah but the carpet's the kind that cleans up easy and leather cleans ok if you're quick. Besides, Subaru's uncommonly neat." Fuuma paused, looking around a moment until his eyes fell on the wall and a spark of excitement lit in them. "I noticed you found the window-wall. It's awesome, ain't it? But check this out."
Fuuma placed his palm flat against the wall, revealing a small panel that moved aside when he touched it. Behind the panel was a single button which he then pressed.
A section of the center floor moved aside, revealing a perfect view of the clouds beneath them. A collective gasp rose from the group as Syaoran leaned over in his chair to watch with awe-wide eyes. Fuuma crossed the new "window" to press the button near Fai and another like it revealing large windows on either side of the aircraft. Sakura knelt on the floor, peering down into the clouds with wonder. Even Fai was watching with the look a child might have seeing a hundred foot Christmas tree light up the night.
"It's like we're flying without the airplane!" Mokona cried. "Fuuma is amazing!"
Yes, Kurogane decided, he hated Fuuma.
"Syaoran." Sakura called, holding her hands out to him.
Syaoran accepted her hand and stood with her, watching her as she held one arm out from the center of the floor.
"Isn't it amazing?"
Syaoran nodded and, charmed, Fai joined them. Kurogane made the mistake of watching him as he bowed before Sakura and danced in a circle with her grinning widely. Sakura smiled back happily. Then Fai took a turn with Syaoran whose small smile was accompanied by a blush of red staining his cheeks. It was all very sweet and surreal, as if they were dancing on the clouds beneath them. It made Kurogane feel sick.
Fuuma pouted. "Don't I get a dance?" he asked but before Fai could reply, Mokona leapt onto the man's shoulder.
"Mokona will dance with Fuuma!" it declared.
Kurogane looked away, glad they didn't have a panel in the frickin' ceiling too.
oo
After the novelty had worn down a little, Fuuma conceded to closing the panels and took a seat in one of the armchairs, vacated by Sakura who was now sitting on the couch next to Fai. Mokona had taken up a perch on Fuuma's head as the man finally began the dialogue that held some interest for Kurogane.
"I'm sure you've all got some questions. You must feel like you're mostly in the dark when it comes to Subaru and the Feather Society. I know that hologram in the bank doesn't explain much…pertaining to what you're doing now. It's really just meant as an induction into the society. Maybe I can explain a few things."
"Let's start with where we're going." Kurogane suggested.
"Italy." Fuuma answered. "The Venetian countryside to be specific; where Subaru's mansion, the headquarters for the Society of the Feather, is located. The society has had several leaders, and been based in random places all across the globe. Subaru came to the society as a child and took the head position pretty young. He made his fortune young too but none of it has gone unearned. Subaru is smart and he works hard, both for penna and in the business world."
"What kind of business is he invested in?" Fai asked, pulling Fuuma's attention.
"He owns Medi-Tec Labs." Fuuma answered. "You might have heard of it. They make everything from surgical robotics to stasis chambers and prosthetics."
"So what are you?" Kurogane asked. "Errand boy to Subaru-the-all-powerful?"
Fuuma grinned, scratching the side of his face. "Something like that. … I know that Subaru wants to give you the details on the feather's current whereabouts himself but I can tell you at least that it's in sight."
"Convenient that it's in sight now." Kurogane muttered. "Where the heck was it ten years ago? How about twenty?" Kurogane leaned forward and Fuuma leaned back. "Just how long has this feather society been employing people to search for this thing?"
"Maybe…it's better if Subaru answers those questions." Fuuma responded. "I'm really just the errand boy, you know."
"Kurogane-san," Sakura asked, leaning forward to see him around Fai "my feather hasn't caused…problems for you…has it?"
Kurogane looked away. She was just so innocent and naive. He couldn't see how she'd been getting by traveling like they were. "No."
"It's been a really good thing for us, Sakura-chan." Fai said, smiling down at her convincingly. "If Kuro-kun's mama wasn't a part of your feather's society, we wouldn't have gotten to meet."
That's right, Kurogane reflected. If these children hadn't come to their world, then he never would have gone to America. He would never have met Fai at all and Fai…Fai might have found someone else to take him to that cliff on the California coast. What would his life have been like if he'd never known Fai? Would anyone have ever been so important to him? He would have lived his life the way he'd always envisioned before he'd read his mother's letter; simple and empty.
"I know Subaru will probably want you to repeat it," Fuuma was saying to the travelers, Kurogane barely hearing him, "but if you don't mind it, I'd love to hear about all the other worlds you've traveled to before now."
For the next few hours, Kurogane listened to the children and Mokona - mostly Mokona - recount their adventures. It was elaborately embellished in places, Kurogane was sure, Mokona seemed to have a flair for the dramatic; still, it was likely the little creature's story telling that kept him riveted. Some parts he'd heard already, others were new or extended for the sake of the request. It was strange hearing a story in which you were the main character…and yet know that much of it was a true story about someone else.
The children had come from a desert country and after the princess's memories had been scattered, they had traveled to the dimension witch's shop, the woman Yuuko whom Kurogane sincerely pitied his other self for having to deal with, and were given Mokona in order to continue their travels. Fai - their Fai - had come from a winter country, a fugitive of some sort, wishing only to never return there, and their Kurogane had come from Japan, ancient Japan, where he had been in the service of a princess and wished only to go back.
After the story, they were all served lunch and Fai took a nap, leaning against Kurogane's shoulder on the couch. Fuuma agreed to take Syaoran into the cockpit to talk about the airplane and teach him a little about the technology behind it. Sakura settled in one of the armchairs opposite Kurogane and seemed content to hold Mokona while it slept in her arms.
After a long silence, Sakura spoke to him, her voice soft and gentle. "Fai-san seems to be very happy in this world."
Kurogane didn't reply. He looked down at Fai and wondered about that. Was that how he looked to her?
"And you too, Kurogane-san." she continued. "I'm glad. I think that our Fai-san…I think that Fai-san holds painful secrets. Please don't tell anyone I said so. I worry about him. I wish that he were really happy." She looked at the lap of her dress, troubled. "We're all very much alone, even when we're together because of all the distance…It's the same for me. I hope that when I find all of my feathers, it won't seem that way and the distance between Syaoran-kun and myself won't feel like secrets anymore."
Kurogane knew he probably should speak, should say something, but didn't know what she needed to hear, didn't know her that well, so he remained silent and Sakura sat across from him, a wistful look on her face until she, too, fell asleep in the chair.
"Mm, Kuro-rin…" Fai mumbled from his shoulder.
Kurogane didn't move but spared him a glance.
"I love you."
Fai repositioned himself, lying his head on Kurogane's leg and fell back to sleep. Kurogane let him, let the soft words be absorbed in the silence, laying a hand atop Fai's hair lightly, stroking it once and contemplating the way the strands felt beneath his hand. Who would have thought that someone like Fai could bring a man like him contentment.
-ooo-
Kurogane hated flying; hated the hours and hours of sitting on your ass with absolutely nothing to do, hated being in a room full of people that thought the neatest thing on the face of the earth was watching the clouds go by under their feet, and hated landing after 3AM and feeling like it should have been evening. If he ever had to set foot on an aircraft again in this life it would be too soon…but he had a good feeling he could look forward to another flight right back to the states. He had left his car there, after all.
The only good thing about this trip, Kurogane figured, was that now he had someone to blame for it.
"Welcome to my home! My name is Subaru!"
Subaru had answered the door himself, the door of his enormous mansion, flanked by hundreds of acres of no doubt beautiful farmland and vineyards - it was hard to tell in the dark. The path to his house was paved by pale red stones and lined with shaped shrubbery and pathway lights. Altogether impressive, if Kurogane hadn't still been a little miffed over their landing. Landing was not Fuuma's strong suit.
Subaru himself was just as Kurogane had seen him in his hologram and standing beside him was the maid they had spoken to on the phone. She bowed and invited them inside and they all filed past one by one.
"Please, think of this as your home while you're here." Subaru offered.
"Mokona could get used to this." the creature declared, twirling around on top of Fuuma's head to see the whole of the area they were in.
Subaru led them through to an enormous sitting room. "Would you like some tea? I know you must be tired from the flight. I have rooms prepared for you but if you'll permit me, I'd like to show you something first."
"Ah…Subaru-san?" Sakura asked and Subaru paused, turning back to address her. "Is it really true that Sorata-san and Arashi-san are gone?"
Subaru's smile was gentle and comforting. "Come."
The group followed Subaru down a short hallway to a spacious office. The walls were lined with bookcases and at the far end, backed by a large curtained window was a polished oak desk littered with paperwork and various electronic devises. Fuuma closed the door softly behind them.
"As you know, Sorata and Arashi were the original founders of the Society of the Feather, also known as penna, which just means feather in Latin." As he spoke, Subaru made his way to one of the bookcases to their right.
"Sorata was overly fond of playing the part of the secret hero." Subaru moved a few books aside and uncovered a hidden panel behind them, which he pressed his palm to. A scanner flashed a faint blue and the entire case clicked, like a door unlocking. "Originally, he had organized several families whom he trusted and formed a round table of sorts, with each person's last name on the chair backs. It was juvenilely impressive. Of course, it's been several years since we've met that way, since the time of my predecessor, in fact. It's more of a novelty now than anything."
Subaru pushed against the bookcase, revealing a well-lit hallway and proceeded down it. They traveled a short way before Subaru stopped and pushed open a door on their right. The room immediately lit, revealing a large oval table surrounded by high-backed wooden chairs. Large paintings were showcased on the walls around the room.
"I suppose you could say that this was Sorata's vision." Subaru said, looking around the room himself. "This particular version has never been used although the chairs and paintings have been passed down from site to site. I come here to think, mostly. Over there," and Subaru pointed across the room to a painting of a man and woman. Kurogane recognized the man as Sorata from his hologram. "those are Sorata and Arashi and next to them is the second head, Minoru…"
"Isn't that…?" Syaoran turned from the painting, wherein a young man was seated in a high-backed, upholstered chair flanked by a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to the maid standing among them and back to her.
"A likeness." Subaru answered. "Minoru was largely responsible for the invention of the modern persocom. During his time, Japan was facing a rapidly declining population and a steep increase in the elderly. Care units had been developed, mechanics used to fill the positions of the blue-collar working class and the caretakers. They were widely used in hospitals and care facilities. Minoru and his technicians are credited with adapting that technology into computers with fully developed AI systems. Persocoms were viewed positively in some places, negatively in others. Eventually, they became a novelty of the rich but it is said that Minoru built them solely to create her. Her name was Yuzuki and when Minoru passed away, Yuzuki made the decision to be shut down and cremated with him. Yuzu, here, was based off of Yuzuki."
Yuzu bowed in response to the attention.
"She's a…persocom?" Kurogane asked. He'd heard of them, sure, but she looked so…human.
"I am." Yuzu answered and reached up, sweeping back her hair to reveal an access panel at the base of her hairline.
Subaru showed them to a case where a photo of Syaoran, Sakura, and Mokona lay beneath the glass. They were dressed in sweeping fantasy clothes and Kurogane thought that if that was their normal state of dress, they would have been far better off to go around looking like they were headed to a convention than wearing those color-blind monstrosities that Sorata had provided them with.
On each side of the picture was a rudimentary drawing, done in chibi and colored in crayon, one vaguely resembling Fai with a long fur-lined coat, carrying a tall staff and the other vaguely resembling himself, wearing a black cloak and some kind of red thing covering his forehead. There was a long sword in his hand and a snarl on his face.
When Mokona came around and looked in the case, it squealed with delight. "Mokona remembers drawing those! Look Subaru, it's a perfect likeness!"
"I hope you weren't actually using those to find those guys." Kurogane complained. "The only person who could ever find anything with that sort of artwork is another five-year-old…and even then they would have to be under-accomplished."
Mokona turned to him with an angry face, its cheeks red and chest puffed indignantly. "Don't insult Mokona's drawings! The only thing Mokona missed is the devil horns on Kuro-grump's head!"
"Why you!" Kurogane growled back, lunging for the puff ball but it was already out of reach, bouncing away on the backs of the chairs. Four chairs away, it turned and looked back, blowing him a raspberry.
Kurogane shoved Syaoran and Fuuma out of his way as he ran after the creature. About halfway around the table, Mokona jumped to the other side and Kurogane missed again as he lunged over one of the chairs. But as he pulled away, he saw the name carved into the back of the chair he'd leaned over. It read SUWA. His name. Had his mother sat here, in this chair, searching the world for that girl's lost memory?
"Your father sat in that chair." Subaru said. When he had come to stand beside him, Kurogane didn't know.
"My father?"
Subaru nodded. "Until he died, your father was a prominent member in the society. He met your mother while investigating a lead to the feather. It's the society's own little word-of-mouth love story. I never met him personally. I didn't join until afterward, but everything I've heard was impressive. I'll see if maybe I can find some footage of him for you."
Subaru wandered away and Kurogane traced his fingers over the letters. His father. Kurogane had been a child when his father died. He tried not to think of him much but he knew how much his mother had loved him.
"This wasn't really what you needed to see." Subaru said and Kurogane looked up to find him by the door.
They all filed out of the room, which Fuuma neglected to close behind them, and crossed the hall to another door.
This room was much more modernized and generally resembled the first room they'd gone to; a private office. Behind the large oaken desk was a line of bookshelves and across from the desk along the opposite wall was a large leather sofa. Instead of a window, a full-wall screen took up the wall to their right.
"The job of the Society of the Feather is to locate the fragment of Princess Sakura's memory in this world." Subaru said, picking up a remote from the desk. "Even Sorata knew when he undertook this task, that without Mokona's ability to track the feather, we as humans had little chance of finding it. But, even though we were unable to track the feather itself, over the years, we were able to isolate where it had been."
Images began to flash across the screen; muted news reports that seemed a jumble of random events.
"We learned that the feather had the ability to grant whoever possessed it the one thing that person desired most, one wish, if you will. Over the years it had passed hands many times, sometimes being held by individuals with harmful agendas, sometimes good.
We now surmise that the feather's power has been used to instigate the mudslide that destroyed this village," The images on the screen followed him as he continued. "the eruption of this sleeping volcano that buried a major city, the destruction of this power plant, the seemingly random deaths of this entire government agency in America, the creation of the cure for the super virus VU90, the cessation of the second Korean war due to this vision witnessed by thousands on the battlefield, the three day rainfall that saved this drought-ravaged valley, and several other smaller events.
It became much easier for us to track the feather by isolating the effects of its power and there have even been spans of time when the society knew its location but allowed it to remain in the hands of people who were using it for good purposes. Along the way we learned that the feather's power will only work to grant the user's deepest single desire so to take it at that time would have been a waste of its potential benefit. All of this was decided by my predecessor who did not bring into calculation the chance that we might lose sight of it once those purposes were fulfilled.
Between that person's time as head and my own, the feather was lost entirely. It took nearly a year and a half for me to realize that it had been all that time located on that idiotic orbiting hotel." Subaru was obviously irritated as he brought up the image of the space station where commercial flights took visitors into orbit to stay at the high-priced hotel on board.
"By then, the former possessor had passed away and the feather had been sold at an estate sale back on earth. One use later I was finally able to locate the feather in the hands of a shady business tycoon who'll be putting it up at a closed auction at this hotel in Russia, in one week's time." Footage of a fancy hotel played on the screen.
"I've already sent my brother there to keep an eye on things. I was able to…pull some strings and get my hands on one of the auction tickets. I'll be attending the auction, bidding for the feather but, on the chance that I can't win it myself, then my brother will take it from behind the scenes. There were…a lot of variables involved and a lot of things that could go wrong but now that you're all here…"
Subaru hesitated, turning back to them; and to Sakura in particular. "Princess Sakura, I know that you are able to take the feather into your body. I would like to ask you to go along with me. You'll remain with Fuuma in the jet, you should be safe there, but that way, if anything should happen to my brother or myself, then at least we can ensure that the feather will no longer exist in this world."
"Of course I will." Sakura agreed, sincerely, hands clasped together at her chest. "I'm so sorry that my feather has done such horrible things and troubled you for so long. What you ask is the very least that I can do."
"But Sakura…" Mokona hopped to Subaru's shoulder, facing Sakura with a worried look. "Mokona can suck the feather up for you. So Mokona will go instead!"
Sakura smiled gratefully and shook her head. "But it's my responsibility."
"I'll go too." Syaoran announced, stepping forward with determination. "I can help your brother steal the feather if it comes to that."
"I certainly appreciate the help." Subaru said, smiling back at him. "But I can't speak so well for my brother…" he added a bit nervously. "At any rate, we have several days to plan the operation and coordinate things on his end. I'd love to talk with you if you're up to it but you're welcome to get some rest or, if you aren't tired, you can ask cook for anything you'd like from the kitchen. Kamui, my brother, will report in at 10AM on schedule. I'd like to ask you all to be back here then and we can get things moving along."
That's what Kurogane liked; someone who wasted little time and got straight down to business. He could respect Subaru. The other man hadn't yet asked his position. It didn't seem that he expected Kurogane to do anything, nor did he exclude him. It gave Kurogane the needed time to consider his options. He didn't like being pushed into things. He liked to have the opportunity to say no, if he wanted to.
Fai hadn't voiced his opinion yet either. It seemed odd for Fai not to jump on board at the first opportunity but…maybe he was just being smart about it. They didn't really have a place in Subaru's plan. What would they do? It didn't make sense to go along just for the sake of going.
Still, Kurogane did not consider it a wasted trip. He had learned some things about his parents and he hoped to learn more before he returned to America.
It was only a few short hours until Subaru's brother was scheduled to call in. Kurogane wasn't going to bother going to bed in the meantime. He made his way to Subaru, who was busy telling Syaoran that Yuzu would show them to the rooms he had prepared. He waited until they'd gone and he had the shorter man's attention.
"Think you could find that footage for me?"
Subaru blinked, his brain taking a short second to remember what he was talking about and nodded. "Of course."
oo
Kurogane stayed there in the office with Subaru, searching through computer discs and files from years past. Fai wandered off, silently slipping away while Kurogane was otherwise occupied. When he'd noticed Fai was gone, Kurogane paused a moment, the chatter of a society meeting from years past playing on like noise from the computer in front of him, but quickly returned his attention to the screen.
He remembered living with his mother. Whenever she had left him, she'd always said something, even if they'd been watching a movie together and she'd gotten up. "I'll be right back." He'd never thought about it before but he'd done it too, out of habit. It was nothing, really. A little nothing ritual. Another thing that Fai did not have. Another way they were different. He wasn't asking Fai for anything, didn't expect anything from him, didn't know anything beyond right now and didn't think about any timeframe beyond today. But that had been Fai's entire life, hadn't it? Maybe Fai deserved to have more than that from him, if he really intended to…
"Suwa!"
Kurogane looked back to the screen and, finding it blank, followed the sound to the big screen on the wall. There was footage playing that had obviously taken place during one of the society's meetings. The group of people was gathered around a table like the one he had seen in the other room, maybe even the same table.
"I found it." Subaru said, noticing Kurogane's attention had drifted to the screen.
"Oh, lighten up Geo!" The camera panned into a man who looked much like Kurogane. His hair was long and black, tied into a ponytail behind him and sitting on the table in front of him was a baby with a small mess of black hair, waving its arms at him. The man, his father, was laughing, playing with him. "You stress too much! Don't worry, Youou-chan won't tell anyone you were here." The man put a finger over his lips, shushing the baby in front of him and the baby reached out for his finger. The camera panned out to reveal a woman sitting next to them, his mother, smiling secretly at the banter.
"Everything before this date should have your father on it." Subaru said, quietly, slipping past Kurogane and out the door, leaving him alone.
Kurogane looked back to the screen where his mother had reached over to ruffle his hair, her smile exactly as he always remembered it, and felt strangely like crying.
-ooo-
There were no windows in Subaru's secret office, so Kurogane had virtually no sense of time there, not that he would have noticed the time passing. When the room began to fill with people again, just as Kurogane was filing things away where they'd come from, he figured it had to be around 10 o'clock.
Fai wandered in with the others, just as quietly as he'd left. He came to stand beside Kurogane as the others gathered.
"Did you see your father?"
Kurogane looked over and Fai offered him a small smile. He nodded and received an awkward nod in return.
Subaru was the last to enter, accompanied by a young woman. Her hands were layered together over the skirt of her deep purple dress, her back straight and chin level, every bit the proper social lady. She scanned the room as Subaru turned to introduce her, her long ebony braid barely moving at her back, and the moment her eyes fell on Sakura the image shattered like a child flying through a pane of colored glass.
"This is…"
"You must be Princess Sakura!" the girl squealed, her eyes practically sparkling as she swept up to the startled princess, taking her hands excitedly. "You're really so much more adorable when you're awake. Oh! Pardon me! I'm Tomoyo Daidouji, head of the Daidouji clothing industry. I would be honored if you'd allow me to design the outfit you'll be wearing on your mission."
"A…alright." Sakura agreed, blushing as she looked down at her hands, clasped in Tomoyo's.
Kurogane wanted to ask if this was the "Tomoyo" to whom his other self was attached but Syaoran was standing too far away to ask it without drawing the girl's attention and Kurogane wasn't sure he wanted to do that. He tried to imagine a version of himself kneeling before some other version of the girl fangirling over Sakura but the image just wouldn't come.
He shook his head and watched Subaru instead as he crossed the room and picked up a remote from his desk, turning his wrist to see the time on the watch he was wearing.
He didn't have to wait long. A single ring drew everyone's attention to the wall screen where Subaru directed the call and the image of a thin, darkly dressed man appeared. He was young, around Subaru's age with black hair and serious violet eyes. He looked like the special operative that Subaru was using him for, dressed in a tight black turtleneck. The room behind him was obviously a cheap hotel room, the drab, peeling paint on the wall behind him, the color of creamed peas, was testament enough to that.
"How are things, Kamui?" Subaru asked.
"Have you gathered everyone?" Kamui asked in return and Subaru nodded.
"Yes. The travelers are here. They've agreed to help us obtain the feather. Syaoran's offered to help you on your end, too. I think it's a good idea."
"Subaru, they've moved the auction up. It's tomorrow night. I think they know that someone's after the feather. Get them together as fast as you can. I've sent the latest information to you but it isn't anything groundbreaking."
"Kamui."
If Subaru had not stolen the tiny pause generated when Kamui stopped to breathe, it seemed likely to Kurogane that he wouldn't have gotten another chance to speak at all.
The other man waited but in the end, all that Subaru said was "Be careful."
Kamui nodded; once, sharply. "I'll contact you again when everything is in place. Kamui out."
And the screen went blank.
Subaru heaved a sigh and when he seemed to remember that there were other people around him, he turned, giving them all a sad, distant smile. "I'm sorry. I'll be very glad when all this is over."
No one said anything, so Subaru moved to one of the computers and accessed a file, showing them all on the big screen. "It seems we've just run out of time. Shall we get started, then?"
Syaoran offered an agreement and footage began playing on the screen.
"We've compiled data on every person attending the auction for Princess Sakura's feather. There will be 42 attendees in all with each person being allowed to bring one optional guest. Make no mistake, this guest is a guard and despite the hotel's many security measures, each and every one of them will be armed and most definitely dangerous. According to the black book of criminal organizations, every person attending this auction is a serious contender for winning the feather, but that isn't really so. I'm only going to go over the few most likely to pose an actual threat. Please don't take that to mean that everyone else should be overlooked."
Subaru moved the imagery along from a crowd shot of the hotel to a still photo of a man with dark hair who appeared to be in his mid thirties.
"Kazuto Okiura is the leader of a small faction of Japan's Yakuza. He's a suave and pleasant man upon meeting but he's smart and he's a master at the art of manipulation. If you run into him, Syaoran, don't speak to him for long." Next to Okiura's picture, Subaru brought up the image of a much younger man. His hair was long, tied into a ponytail, and looked like a red dye job had gone awry, giving his hair an almost pink color. "Okiura has brought Kiyokazu Fujimoto with him. Fujimoto has no prior criminal record and no visible ties to the Yakuza. It's likely that Okiura is controlling him somehow but regardless of the situation, the man to watch is Fujimoto. If Okiura has him, he has him good and Fujimoto will likely do whatever he asks."
Those images disappeared, replaced by the photo of a richly dressed middle aged woman with long black hair on the arm of a much younger man.
"The Lady Shashi from India is a power-mad individual with delusions of grandeur. She doesn't take kindly to not getting her own way. She'll bid for the feather until every last cent under her servant's sofa is accounted for, then she'll throw in the servants. She brings her son with her, shown there in the photo. His name is Tennou. He doesn't really seem to share in all of her poor qualities but he is her son. You can almost expect Lady Shashi to cause some sort of trouble."
This image was replaced again, this time with the photo of a group of militants.
"The man in front there," Subaru said, pointing out the smiling individual with short-cropped tawny hair "is called Bols. He's the leader of a small army who's currently trying to carve out a country in the middle east. He's insane. If you see him, it's best to turn and run the other way. It's said that he obsesses over one thing after another until he's had his fill of it. He'd use the feather to create that country he wants, unless he finds something he likes better at the auction…"
The photo disappeared and Subaru brought up the image of a very elegant woman, sitting in an elaborate high-backed chair. Standing behind her was a silver haired man, just as elegant. They were truly a beautiful pair.
"The Lady Sue-Ro will be coming from Korea. Standing with her there is An Chon, her financial advisor. Sue-Ro has nearly monopolized the pharmaceutical market in Korea, making her the richest individual in that country. Of course, this has also made health care in Korea nearly non-existent in recent years. Her greed has brought her after the feather. She'll be reluctant at the start of the bidding, no doubt, but I suspect the allure of power and wealth will encourage her fast enough."
Their image went down and was replaced again. Kurogane heard a small sharp intake of breath next to him and looked over to find Fai had gone rigid, staring in what Kurogane could only describe as horror at the new photo on the big screen. He looked back. The first image was of an older man; somewhere in his fifties or sixties, if Kurogane had to guess. His black hair was streaked with gray and next to that photo was the image of a skinny man with spectacles. He appeared to be in his thirties, his long black hair tied behind him. Kurogane pulled his eyes away from the screen to find Fai's bangs hid his eyes from view but his fists were clenched tightly at his sides, shaking a little.
"Fei Wong Reed owns several legal and illegal operations in the United States and South America, more than we could even track down probably. Of all the bidders, he's probably the most driven and experienced. He's been expanding operations for years and with bank accounts all across the globe, he could easily have much more than we know of. We don't know where it all came from, but we think he may be the one with the greatest shot of winning the feather."
"I know where he got it." Fai whispered and from his closed fist, a single drop of blood fell silently to the carpet below, he probably didn't even know. Kurogane felt a swell of anger.
"Give it to me."
Everyone turned to look at Kurogane but his eyes were on Subaru. "Give me the ticket. I'll bid in your place."
He heard Fai gasp beside him, but Kurogane had made up his mind.
"But…" Subaru protested, unsure of what to say.
"I'm a part of this damn society, aren't I?" Kurogane demanded.
"Yes, but…"
"Then this sort of thing is the job of the members, not the head."
Subaru looked like he was going to say something but Fai appeared in Kurogane's line of sight once more and spoke first. "I'll go too." His tone was firm and resolute and Kurogane wasn't about to tell him to back down. His head was held high, his eyes hard and determined.
Finally Subaru nodded. He seemed to sense that they had reasons beyond his understanding. "Tomoyo," he said, "do you think you can come up with something for them to wear?"
Kurogane made the mistake of following Subaru's gaze and saw Tomoyo's eyes widen in delight at the request. She practically sparkled with happiness. "Of course, Subaru-kun! Yuzu," she said, turning to the maid, standing at the door, "if you'd help me, I'm sure we could have outfits ready for everyone by the deadline!"
Yuzu nodded with a warm smile. "Of course, miss."
Subaru nodded back. "Alright then, Fuuma, would you please raid the armory for our guests?"
Fuuma nodded wordlessly and left to fulfill the request.
"Let's take care of this first, so you don't get blood on the fabric." Kurogane looked down to find Tomoyo with Fai's hand between hers. He hadn't even seen her cross the room. Her eyes were closed; her smile seemed to say to him, 'there's no need to lie to me' and Kurogane found himself staring in wonder at it.
-ooo-
Tomoyo took them to another room to take their measurements for the clothes she was making. Fai told her that he didn't want to be recognized by some of the attendees at the auction so she decided it would be best to make him a dress instead of a suit, that way she could add a veil to it for effect. She never asked him why. She was very quick and efficient, every bit the professional, but she also forced them to promise to let her make more suiting clothes for them at a later date.
Kurogane didn't like fussing over himself or his clothing choice but she seemed to have a way of making him agree to whatever she wanted before he knew what he was even agreeing to. It was rather disconcerting but it amused Fai to no end. Kurogane decided to avoid Tomoyo after this auction was over at all costs.
After an hour of sketches and choosing fabrics and listening to Tomoyo gushing over Fai's gorgeous features, the seamstress left to skip off to Sakura's side to design an outfit for her next; an outfit that, as far as Kurogane knew, was only going to be seen by the people here as Sakura wasn't planning on leaving the jet in Russia…but maybe the fact that Tomoyo was going to see it was the point entirely.
Kurogane rubbed his temples, fighting off a headache.
"You don't have to go." Fai said, playing with some of the fabric swatches that Tomoyo had left behind to distract himself. It didn't seem to work very well. "This is something I need to do."
"What exactly do you need to do?" Kurogane figured he would ask, since they were on the subject.
"…I don't know." Fai's voice was small but no less set in his decision.
Kurogane crossed the floor to him and took the blonde's forearm, turning the other to face him. "Some people aren't content to just protect the people close to them. They feel the need to fight for everyone's justice, everyone's protection, everyone's safety. But I couldn't give a shit about the rest of the world. That's not me. I can be content to do something for just the people I can hold in my own two arms."
Kurogane pulled Fai forward into his arms despite the blonde's wide-eyed gasp.
"Don't mistake me. I'm not out to protect you. I know it's far too late for that. And I'm not righteous enough to say that I'll avenge you either. But I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Ever. And as long as you're here, as long as I can hold you in my arms, I will accept everything that you are and have and need."
Fai curled his fingers, fisting his hands in Kurogane's shirtfront and letting his forehead rest against the chest in front of him.
"Kuro-tan's always so serious." he muttered. "You hand out responsibility like it's candy…or drugs… Do you want me to like it or get hooked?"
Fai sighed and Kurogane frowned. "Do you want it or not?"
"Oh yes." Fai muttered languidly. After a moment, he looked up, meeting Kurogane's eyes. "But won't you find it heavy…after a while?"
"It's supposed to be heavy stupid." Kurogane muttered back, leaning down to kiss the other. "Heavy's not the same as being a burden." he added, when they'd parted. "I would never have offered if it was that."
Fai's eyes shimmered a little with tears held back by an amused smile. "How perfectly honest. You know, I worry about Kuro-min having to mingle amongst all those criminals. The only way we'll ever get away with it is if they see that tough-doggy act you put up and actually believe it."
Kurogane scowled and shoved the idiot away. "I can lie if I have to."
"Can you?" Fai raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief, at least, Kurogane liked to think Fai was mocking him.
Kurogane had never actually lied before in his entire life. He'd never had a reason to. Whenever his mother had asked him if he'd eaten cookies before dinner, he'd always confessed.
"I can keep my mouth shut." he muttered. It was a little disappointing to even doubt his own ability, but if it did come to that, they couldn't take any chances.
Fai laughed and he continued to laugh as he made his way to the door. "Come on, I'm starving." he noted between bouts of laughter.
Kurogane cuffed him upside the head on his way past. "Shut up."
oo
They spent the remainder of the day in relative calm. Everyone else seemed to be preparing for the operation in their own way: Subaru spent the day with Syaoran, detailing Kamui's plan of attack, Tomoyo kept Sakura occupied, Fuuma spent the day running errands. Kurogane wandered the mansion and its closer surrounding grounds, Fai contentedly following beside.
He wasn't worried or apprehensive about what they were planning to do. Maybe his lack of concern was simply due to the fact that it hadn't fully set in yet, Kurogane thought. The entire situation was so surreal. They were going to be mingling with a room full of criminals while a dimension-hopping teenager helped a secret operative from a secret society steal a magical feather. Sure. Then they would be making their escape via private jet. No problem.
Kurogane was the type of person who wouldn't believe he'd won twenty bucks from a lottery ticket until he was holding the money.
Standing next to him, overlooking the mansion's gardens from a quiet balcony, Fai remained silent, leaving him to his thoughts or lost to his own, Kurogane didn't know, but he found he rather appreciated the other's presence just the same.
oo
Everyone gathered for dinner that night. Tomoyo talked excitedly about the progress she'd made during the day on each of their outfits. She made a point to offer Fai a modeling job with her company which he was quick to decline but it didn't seem to phase her. She simply stated that she would give him her number to call when he was ready. Tomoyo had the confidence of a leopard mingling with housecats. It was awe inspiring and frightening at the same time.
oo
After dinner, Syaoran asked for a word with Kurogane so the elder man led the teen - and accompanying Mokona - to the back gardens he had overlooked with Fai.
"I bet Kuro-puu's a little scared about stealing the feather." Mokona whispered dramatically.
"I'm not the delicacy." Kurogane returned levelly but he couldn't keep the grin from his lips as he added. "I hear rabbit fur is big in Russia right now."
"Mokona isn't a rabbit!" it cried back, waving its tiny arms at him.
Kurogane chuckled.
"We thought that since you know kendo too," Syaoran said, stopping and taking Mokona down from his shoulder, "that you might be more comfortable with a sword than the weapons that Subaru has for us."
Mokona opened its mouth wide and a ball of light came out, settling in Syaoran's free hand and taking form as a sword.
"It's Kurogane-san's sword but I know that he would approve of your using it, since it's for the feather's sake. Its name is Souhi." Syaoran offered, holding the sword out for Kurogane, head bowed respectfully.
"Blue ice." Kurogane translated distractedly, taking the sword carefully in his hands. It was a long sword and as he pulled it from its sheath, he tried to imagine a life built around such a sword. It was a different life, not his own, but he couldn't help but long for it just the same. He wondered at the name, at the soul of it, and had to wonder if this too was hitsuzen as that woman Yuuko had said, if this sword existed in order for another him to defend another Fai. Blue ice…
Kurogane resheathed the sword and handed it back to the boy. "Thank you, but I'll make do in my own way." Such thoughts were too heavy to carry at his side on loan.
-ooo-
Fai had disappeared somewhere and Kurogane wasn't about to hunt for him. Eventually, he considered it a decent hour to go to bed and sought out the rooms that Subaru had opened for them. It wasn't that he was tired, per se, but Kurogane realized that his sleep had been suffering and he would need the rest for the next day. He tried not to think of the auction or the feather or the men who would be there to claim it as he lay atop the coverlet of the large bed in his assigned room. He tried not to think but he would be damned if he left that auction without rearranging that bastard Reed or his flunkie's face. He wasn't going to do it for Fai. He was going to do it for his own satisfaction.
Kurogane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The parted curtains let in the silver moon's light, creating a wide strip of light across the carpeted floor. The room around him was silent, filled only with the sound of his own breathing, not even the tick of a clock disturbed the stillness. He should have been tired but he couldn't stay still.
Kurogane got out of bed and left his room, wandering down the hallway. He had no idea where he was going.
Ahead of him, rounding a corner, Kurogane caught sight of Fai. Fai seemed to notice him in the same instant and the two continued on their way, meeting half-way between. Neither spoke but as Kurogane reached out, combing his fingers through Fai's soft hair, Fai's arms came up to thread themselves behind his neck.
Kurogane couldn't pinpoint the source of the passion that welled up in him like a tiny flame doused in gasoline. Perhaps a dam had broken, cracked by the pressure of their upcoming mission or chipped away at time and again by Fai's continual flirting and … presence. Whatever the reason, as he held Fai close to him, Kurogane wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them; a distance that existed only by the remnants of invisible walls that he had already smashed his way through.
They found their way back to the bedroom door he'd left ajar and Kurogane reached out to throw it open. One arm held Fai at the small of his back while the other swung the door shut behind them and then his back was against it, the weight of himself and Fai pressing against it latching the door with a loud bang.
Kurogane gasped for air.
"I took a shower." Fai breathed, his lips grazing Kurogane's as he spoke, his voice husky. "A really, really good shower. … I thought about you."
Kurogane continued his assault, Fai's words barely registering above the feeling of his lips fluttering against his mouth and the sound of his voice. A low noise escaped his throat at the chill feeling of thin fingers grazing his sides.
"Make love to me." Fai requested in the next breath. "Don't ever let go."
Kurogane reached out for the blonde but Fai was already gone, dropped down with one arm shoving his shirt out of the way of the mouth wandering down his torso while fingers curled over the waist of his jeans. Kurogane reached down, fisting a hand in the fine blonde hair to tilt Fai's head up and bent down to kiss his mouth again.
It only distracted Fai for a moment and then Kurogane felt the hand slipping inside the front of his jeans. When Fai had unzipped them, he would never know.
While he was debating whether or not to let Fai have his own way, Fai was busy taking it for himself. Kurogane jerked when he felt the warm, moist lips slip over the head of his member. He tried to back up but he was already against the door.
"Stop it." he ground out, shoving Fai's head away. "Shit, not like that." At the pace Fai was going they wouldn't even make it to the bed.
"Kuro…" Fai's voice was strained and breathy.
"I already said I'm not going anywhere." Kurogane said, a little calmer now. "At least let me get my frickin' pants off." he added, shoving them down to the floor and pulling his shirt off, kicking the pile to the side carelessly. "You too, damnit. Get up here."
Fai obeyed and Kurogane reached down, pulling the shirt over Fai's head. He gave it a toss as he bent down to kiss the space between his slender neck and shoulder. Fai shivered, his shoulder rotated but he soon set his hands on Kurogane's shoulders and relaxed.
Kurogane reached around, splaying one large hand out at the center of Fai's back and sliding it up to the back of his shoulder, pulling him closer until Fai's bare chest pressed against his own.
"Kuro." Fai breathed, running his hands up into the dark spikes of Kurogane's hair as Kurogane made his way up the side of Fai's neck.
Kurogane reached between them to unbutton Fai's brightly colored jeans. Slipping his hand past the fabric to rest on Fai's hip, he found, instead of underwear, smooth, warm flesh and couldn't say he minded.
Fai moved around a little, pulling the pants down with his feet and kicked them away when they fell to the floor, then he seemed to think better of that and broke away to retrieve them.
From the pocket, Fai produced a small bottle of lubricant with an appropriate grin.
"Where the hell'd you get that?" Kurogane demanded.
"From Fuuma." Fai answered simply. "Don't worry, it isn't open yet."
Kurogane thought for a moment about protesting but changed his mind and crossed the room instead, pulling Fai with him to the bed.
"Kuro-tan is impressive." Fai said, sitting down on the bed and enjoying his eye-level view of Kurogane standing before him. Kurogane blushed slightly, looking away.
"Shut up."
Fai smiled and reached out for Kurogane's hand, pulling him down to sit as he slid off the bed and knelt between the larger man's knees. He leaned forward, the tip of his tongue darting out to lick at the head of the other man's growing erection. When Kurogane didn't protest, he swept forward, taking the entire length of it. Kurogane's mouth fell open, his eyes nearly rolling back at the sensation and the sight of it.
Fai set an easy rhythm, bobbing his head up and down in the most erotic display Kurogane had ever seen in his life. He reached down, fisting his hands in the mop of blonde rising and falling between his legs, the long strands of Fai's hair falling against his thighs with every downward movement.
A moment later, he pulled away for air, a string of fluids stretching away with him, and rose up, dipping his tongue into Kurogane's open mouth, kissing him deeply and tasting faintly of what Kurogane supposed was the taste of sex. It made him want Fai even more and he wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist, lifting him around until he lay on the bed and Kurogane knelt over him.
Kurogane ran an open palm down Fai's torso, taking a moment to admire the sight before him before he leaned down, scrapping his tongue across one pert nipple as he reached between them, caressing the half-hard member nestled among a small patch of fine blonde hair. It seemed as though Fai were letting it grow after having not done so previously. Kurogane liked it better that way.
Fai gasped and Kurogane found he liked the sound so he scrapped his teeth across the nipple he'd wetted. Fai's back arched beneath him. Kurogane moved on to the other one, closing his hand around the slighter man's erection and pumping it steadily.
When he felt it pulse in his hand, Kurogane let it go and reached for the bottle lying on the bed next to them where Fai had sat it. He had to break the seal and when he flipped the cap back, a scent he didn't recognize filled the air. Fai took the bottle from him and squeezed a small amount into his hand, then he reached down and pumped Kurogane's erection with it a few times. There was something in it, maybe, Kurogane thought, because as soon as Fai's hands retreated he felt a wonton burning for them. He wiped the rest on the coverlet beneath them and took Kurogane's right hand, drawing the fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around them.
Kurogane felt his face burn watching him.
Fai released his fingers but held onto his hand for a moment. "I've never done this before…without a condom." Fai confessed and if Kurogane didn't know any better, he might have thought there was a hint of nervousness there.
Kurogane kissed him, passionately slow, as he reached between Fai's legs, feeling for the place to press his fingers. He understood what Fai was giving him, the trust he was placing in him when trust was new to him. Kurogane found the tight ring of muscle and forced his index finger past it with little resistance. It didn't seem to discomfort Fai as he adjusted his legs around Kurogane and concentrated on kissing him.
Kurogane moved down and hesitated only a second before closing his mouth around the head of Fai's member, adding a second finger and moving them together in and out of him.
"You don't…" Fai started but Kurogane didn't want to hear it. With one hand he shoved Fai back to the mattress as he curled his tongue around the sensitive tip of the blonde's erection.
Fai made a keening noise somewhere between a moan and some sort of cry and Kurogane smirked. He wasn't even going to attempt to deep-throat Fai, and make a fool of himself when he choked on it but he could at least put his tongue to good use.
Fai gripped the blanket desperately and Kurogane wanted nothing more than to draw that reaction out but his own need was throbbing desperately, distracting him, so he pulled back and positioned himself at Fai's entrance, holding his leg up gently.
Fai tried to close the short distance, but whether he was encouraging Kurogane or merely trying to speed things up, Kurogane couldn't tell and didn't care. He pushed himself inside in one strong motion and Fai cried out, his back arching erotically.
It took a few thrusts to set a steady motion and a few more for Kurogane to find an angle he liked but he knew instantly when he'd found the right angle because on the forward motion he hit Fai's prostate and the blonde's eyes shot wide open, his head thrown back in a silent scream. Kurogane smirked and picked up the pace, making sure to hit it every time after that. The more he thrust forward the more he was driven.
Fai's hands gripped at the bedding, then reached out for the head board, then Kurogane's arms. He was fidgety, as if he didn't know what to do, so Kurogane took his hand and felt Fai's fingers thread between his own.
With every thrust, Fai's hips snapped up to meet him, setting a frenzied pace, controlled only by Kurogane's sturdy, deep thrusts. Noticing the pre-cum leaking onto Fai's stomach from his pulsing erection, Kurogane took hold of it, trying to pump him in time with his own thrusts but failing miserably.
Fai cried out at that too and came forcefully in Kurogane's hand, the walls surrounding Kurogane's own member spasming uncontrollably taking him over the edge and this time it was Kurogane who cried out as he emptied into the quivering body beneath him.
Heaving for air and spent, Kurogane had just the presence of mind to pull out of Fai before he collapsed beside him.
Fai was gasping too, his hair soaked with sweat and haloing his head on the blanket beneath him. He moved himself around as Kurogane rolled onto his back and lay against his side.
"That was amazing." Fai breathed in between gasps of air.
Kurogane almost laughed. He would die a slow and painful death before he ever told Fai that it had been his first time.
"Let's do it again." Fai suggested, rising over Kurogane and kissing his jaw playfully.
Kurogane pulled him in with a hand at the back of his head and kissed him deeply. "We need the sleep." he murmured but the truth was, he was falling asleep already. His lack of sleep was finally catching up to him.
Fai settled down again and kissed his chest. "Kuro-poi's not going anywhere." he answered in agreement.
"Mmm." Kurogane affirmed, his last conscious thought before slipping into comforting sleep, the solid warmth of Fai's form pressed to his side.
Following only Kurogane's point of view, we must see only what he sees and miss what he misses, but some of these things caught my attention anyway, so I'll share them with you here, as Omakes (extras).
Omake 1: Fuuma's Concern
"You never told me about this." Fuuma's accusatory tone only made Subaru turn away from him. "What sort of strings did you have to pull?"
"Fuuma…" He understood where Fuuma was coming from. He did. But he couldn't let that affect his resolve. He'd already made the deal, after all. Fuuma's involvement would only complicate matters. Kamui's involvement…was a problem he simply couldn't afford to deal with. He couldn't bring Kamui into this. "I need you to worry about Kamui. I'll handle the rest."
Omake 2: Afterward - Fai's Point of View
Fai knew that Kurogane was asleep, but he couldn't sleep. He'd never fallen asleep after sex before. After sex, Fai had always gotten up, cleaned himself up, and left. Falling asleep after sex was going to take some getting used to.
He sat up and looked down at Kurogane, watching him sleep. He believed Kurogane when he said he wasn't going anywhere. Everything in him screamed against it and for it and made noise in his head he couldn't think above but somehow Kurogane made Fai believe in him. If Kurogane told him that someone was planning to blow up the United States, he'd probably buy himself a plane ticket right then and there.
Fai eventually took pity on Kurogane, knowing he would wake to a nasty mess if he didn't clean them now so he got up and cleaned them both. They were laying on the coverlet so he brought a sheet from the next empty bedroom to cover them with. He didn't dress himself. He stopped himself there. He lay naked next to Kurogane, just as he'd been when Kurogane had fallen asleep, partially for Kurogane's benefit and partially to find out what it was like to wake up naked next to someone else's body. He felt like he was placing something in Kurogane's hands by doing so and knew that it wouldn't be taken advantage of. It was kind of a giddy feeling, which threatened to keep him awake so he tried to clear his mind, tracing aimless patterns in the taught, tan skin of Kurogane's chest. It didn't wake him but he shifted in his sleep and wrapped his arm around him. Fai's heart fluttered. It was a sensation he had never felt before. It made him warm inside and twisted his stomach in pleasant ways.
After a long span of silence, Fai spoke, softly and with resolution, curling himself against Kurogane in his embrace.
"I really…love him, Fai." he whispered. "And as long as he wants me, I'm going to stay with him. So please…wait a little while longer…"
Fai drifted off to sleep, inhaling Kurogane's scent and smiling.
Post whatevers:
A word on space hotels: not exactly a "thing of the future", currently a Barcelona-based firm called Galactic Suite Limited claims it will be the first to build a space hotel, opening its $3 billion Galactic Suite in 2012. The cost of a three-day stay: $4 million.
And a quick note on Kyle's age: obviously he is older than he looks
So just where the heck were all these people originally from, you ask? Minoru and Yuzuki come from Chobits, Geo was from Magic Knight Rayearth, Okiura and Fujimoto are from Kobato, Shashi and Tennou came from RG Veda, Bols from Clover, and Sue-Ro and An Chong from The Legend of Chung Hyang.
As always, if you liked, please review. Ja!