A/N: So, next chapter! 224 hits, but only one review... Does it suck that bad:makes a face: Anyway, things next chapter will be sheerly smut, and only a little plot, but you get a glimpse of what leads to the prologue. So... ah... Enjoy?

Chapter Two: Like Snow

'Living is simple,

And breathing is easy

It's easy to do…'

Fai craned his neck, trying to spot his spiky-haired companion. Even from his prime position in the tree, he could only see to the entrance of the martial arts building.

"Aw, Kuro-tan, why're you making me wait?" He whined, startling a few passing students; Fai really blended in with his dark green military-style jacket on. He shivered slightly, blinking as a few errant snowflakes dusted past his eyelashes.

Finally, he spotted the swordsman-in-training exiting the building with a mousy-haired freshman in tow. The studying magician waited until Kurogane was just under the tree, and then… he pounced.

"OI, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU?!" bellowed Kurogane, who was now lying on the cold concrete with a tall, thin, grinning blonde on top of him.

Fai wrapped his arms happily around Kurogane's broad shoulders. "I was waiting for Kuro-pyuu!"

The mousey haired freshman looked around uncomfortably. "Uh…"

Fai looked up. "Hey, Kuro-kuro! Are you gonna introduce me to your new friend!"

"Why the hell should I," Kurogane grumbled, shoving Fai off.

The training magician landed on his butt, giggling uncontrollably. From his position on the ground, he raised his hand to the freshman. "M'name's Fai D. Flowright! I'm Kuro-pyon's roommate!!"

The boy blinked. "I'm Syaoran," he said, shaking Fai's hand.

Kurogane stood, grumbling as he brushed leaves and snow from his jacket. "Very nice, very chummy," he grunted.

Fai blinked up at Kurogane. "Are you just going to let me lay here on the ground?" He flopped over, arranging himself spread-eagle on the sidewalk. "All damsel in distress-like?"

The swordsman-in-training glared down at his blonde roommate. Fai pouted, his eyes glinting mischievously. "In the snow? I'll get sick…"

The idea of a sick Fai did not only irritate Kurogane, it terrified him. He leaned down and grabbed the lithe man's wrist, hoisting him up.

Fai instantly took this opportunity to throw his arms around the taller man's neck, giggling. "Yay!"

Syaoran blinked, looking back and forth between Fai and his upperclassman. "Um… Kurogane-san… Are you and Fai-san… Going out?"

Fai leaned forward, holding his pillow against his chest. "Don't tell me you're still mad, Kuro-chan," he whined, pouting over at his roommate.

Kurogane grit his teeth and ran the towel across his hair just a little bit harder. "Shut up."

Fai slid off of his bed, striding towards his roommate. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that kid to take it that way," he mumbled, laying a light hand on Kurogane's shoulder.

The kendo student stared down at the blonde, frowning.

"Look, I'll make it up to you; there's a big floor party upstairs tomorrow night. I've been invited and I can take one friend with me. How about you come?"

The black-haired junior thought about it for a moment. With a shrug, he agreed; why turn down a chance for free beer?

The music pumped sensuously, and the sent of sweat and alcohol and strong perfume permeated the warm air. It was slowly choking Fai. His fingers slipped from the slick cup, and the sweat-coated styrofoam fell to the floor, the sticky sweet cola and tequila splashing against the feet of some sophomore he didn't know. No one seemed to notice him, in the middle of the crowd, hot and sweaty, freaking out.

He couldn't breathe. He was dying. Bodies were moving against his, and for some reason it disgusted him. Maybe it was because he was so sickeningly smashed between the alcohol and the drugs that were being passed around. He slowly stumbled out of the crowd, falling limply against the hall window. The glass was freezing, and the blonde man slowly realized that it was snowing again.

He trudged to the elevator, and took it to the ground floor. He walked outside, and collapsed in relief in the nearest snow bank.

He lay there for the longest time, listening to the dull pound of his heartbeat synching up to the party music from the third floor. Snow fell around his body, and he stared up into the snow globe-like sky. Fat flakes swirled down in the sky, covering his drink-warmed body.

Even without the alcohol, Fai was very tolerant to cold, having grown up in the snowy regions of Japan. And even after being away from it for so long, he could still hear feet crunching in the snow.

"Oi, what are you doing?"

Fai slowly moved his head to stare at Kurogane, who was crouching down in the snow next to him.

"Sitting."

"You're freaking laying in the snow. Why?"

Fai gave a soft groan. "I couldn't breathe… too many people… too many," he whispered, reaching out to his roommate.

Kurogane, who was drunk as well, blinked slowly. "Are you okay?" An answer never came except in the form of Fai's slim arms wrapping tightly around his waist.

The swords-major fell forward, right onto Fai.

"I'll be alright, I guess, Kuro-chan."

Kurogane braced his arms to either side of Fai's head, frowning. "What?"

Fai blinked innocently up at the man, lips parted. "I… don't know," he mumbled. "Too drunk to reason, I think…"

And then, he leaned up and pulled Kurogane into a tight kiss. He pulled away, breathing hard. "I'm cold, Kuro-sama. Keep me warm…"