Loud cracks filled the air, the ground beneath their feet cracking and falling apart, a loud rushing sound of the wind whipping around them. The mage looked panicked, reaching out to try and save the children, magic flowing from his fingers. The flow of magic wrapped around the kid, a light flashing and sending him to safety, princess and Mokona safe in his arms.

Fai then turned his attention to Kurogane, hand lifting to send the ninja to safety, but it wasn't enough. They were both trapped... But they weren't. Mokona had one last trick up her nonexistent sleeve, and an opening appeared for them to escape the collapsing world.

Kurogane was able to get through with no problem, but when he turned to make sure Fai was coming along, the mage hadn't moved. He couldn't pull him out past the barrier, no matter how hard he tried. No... There has to be something he could do!

"Go! Leave me!"

No! He won't! He can't! There had to be something he could do, something he could trade, anything! He didn't hesitate to trade his arm, the one that had Fai's magic, but that wasn't enough. He couldn't pull the mage free from the barrier.

But he could feel the familiar pull of Mokona's magic, pulling him away from Fai, away from the one he wanted to save the most. No.. no... no...

"No!"

A throbbing in his shoulder made Kurogane jerk away, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared up at the wood paneling of his room, thunder cracking overhead and the steady sound of rain outside. It was just a dream... Right? A quick glance around showed he was alone in his room and panic that maybe he had failed, that he had left Fai to die, twisted strongly in his chest.

"Kuro-sama?" A soft voice sounded from the doorway, the man occupying his thoughts stepping through, holding a lantern in his hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" His eyes tracked the other man's movements as he extinguished the flame and made his way back over to the futon.

Fai felt a frown tugging at his lips, a hand lifting to touch Kurogane's cheek. "You're crying." He wiped a tear away, trying to figure out what happened in the short time he stepped out of the room. "Did something happen?"

Kurogane lifted a hand to wipe his cheeks, shaking his head. How could he say that he'd been dreaming about leaving the man he loved to die, how he failed to save him? Just thinking the words made a sick feeling twist in his stomach, and he didn't think he could force the words out.

There was a long moment of silence between them before Fai sighed softly, wiping off the remaining tears from Kurogane's face before cuddling up to him on the futon. He wrapped his arms around the larger man, not complaining when he was pushed onto his back.

It was just a dream, he knew that, but still Kurogane needed to reassure himself that Fai was here with him, that he was alive. He breathed slowly to calm his racing heart. He cuddled up to the smaller body, nuzzling up against the pale neck and just breathing him in. Strong, sure fingers traced along his back, easing the tension in his shoulders.

He tuned himself in the the steady beat of Fai's heart and his eyes slipped shut, the last bit of tension leaving him as sleep claimed him once more, surrounded by the warmth of the one he loved.