Summary: After four years of travel, Kurogane and the others finally wind up in Nihon. To his horror, he finds that a lot has changed in his absence. From Tomoyo getting married, to a mysterious force infiltrating Nihon, getting Sakura's feather back isn't going to be easy. Especially when Kurogane is forced to come to grips with a startling revelation that will change his life forever...
Pairings: KuroganexTomoyo, SyaoranxSakura
Disclaimer: Do I even need to do this? You ought to know this already.
Note: This fan fic is based on the manga, with a few extra tidbits here and there from the anime. It was first published on July 28, 2005, therefore set before Chapitre 91. A lot of theories here will coincide with the actual events in TRC, either because I added them later (evident in latter chapters) or because of some good guessing (evident in the first chapters). I also decided to use the official spelling for Fay's name (and Fei Wang Reed's name).
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A/N: With the last chapter of the first part of this series, I decided to do a much-needed revamp concerning replacing a couple of phrases, some spelling mistakes, grammatical structures and misuses in punctuation, a phenomenon fairly evident in the first chapters, which are, in my honest opinion, horrible. They're short, crude, rough, and pretty boring. Thankfully, as time passed, my chapters became longer and much more elaborate in description. I still don't understand how the majority of my readers managed to stay interested enough to keep reading, but I'm grateful that they did. It was your encouragement that has made me what I am today!
It's been nearly two years since I started out as a fan fic writer and I can say without preamble that I've definitely matured. While writing my fan fic, I gained experience, so even though it was a laborious task rereading and editing it, I feel it was worth it so you could enjoy When Worlds Collide as it was meant to be. Constructive criticism is still greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoy my fan fic!
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When Worlds Collide
Chapter 10 — Promises
By Mystic Dawn
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Mokona's small feet pattered quickly as it ran as fast as he could toward Tomoyo's quarters. It had to hurry and warn her, for Fay was in desperate need of assistance. Fay's last cry continued to ring in its ears. It couldn't fail now.
But at the pace Mokona was going, it knew with a dread certainty that it would never make it in time. It was a small creature with small legs, after all. For all it knew, Kazuo could have already... It shook his head determinedly and plodded onward. It couldn't afford dark thoughts. It had to get to Tomoyo.
Mokona's concentration was such that it nearly ran into a pair of feet, which had just emerged from a room. "Kyaaa!" It swerved past them the last second, skidding to a stop.
"Mokona?" said the person questioningly. "What's wrong?"
Recognizing Syaoran's voice, Mokona sighed with momentary relief.
Syaoran and Sakura had just emerged into the hallway and were about ready to head to their own rooms for the night. But something about Mokona's expression made fear and dread creep into their hearts. It was clear that something had happened.
"What's happened, Moko-chan?" Sakura asked it anxiously.
"Fay's in danger!" Mokona squeaked. "I have to get Tomoyo!"
Their eyes widened in fear.
"We'll take you," Syaoran said as he stooped and gathered Mokona in his arms. "We'll get there faster." He began to sprint down the corridors, Sakura right by his side.
"What do you mean in danger?" she cried out to Mokona as they sped down the hallways.
"You won't believe this, but Kazuo attacked him!"
"What?!" they both exclaimed as they began to run even faster than before.
"I thought Kazuo-san was dead!" Sakura protested.
"He's not dead and not alive," Mokona explained. "Mokona doesn't know what that means, but Fay seemed really worried and told me to warn Tomoyo quick, before it was too late!"
"We'd better hurry," Syaoran said determinedly as he willed his legs to carry him faster. What on earth's going on?!
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Fay's arms were wound tightly about Kazuo's legs, and he tried to maintain his hold on him while he struggled wildly to free himself. The rotting stench nearly made Fay gag, but he forced his stomach to keep his food inside of him.
Kazuo's arms, however, were still free, and he whirled his club around, trying to hit Fay. Fay was forced to release his hold on Kazuo's legs lest he break his head open with the weapon. He leapt to his feet one split second before Kazuo, and, upon a sudden inspiration, he tried to wrestle the club from him. But Kazuo was not going to be stopped as easily as that. Maintaining a firm grip with one hand on the weapon, he used his other hand, which he formed into a fist, to punch Fay in the face. Fay staggered backward and wiped at his nose with his sleeve, which had begun to bleed heavily.
Kazuo, sensing Fay's weakness at the specific moment, stole the opportunity to swing his club at his head. Fay quickly ducked, and, crouching low, he swung his leg beneath Kazuo, tripping him. Kazuo toppled to the ground, but he grabbed Fay's ankle and pulled him down with him. Fay kicked out viciously, hitting Kazuo in the face.
Fay scrambled to his feet, but his kick didn't seem to slow him down one bit. Kazuo quickly got to his feet and thrust the club into Fay's stomach, throwing him down onto his back. Fay was momentarily dazed and winded as he gasped for breath. Kazuo then brought down his club with such force, that if Fay hadn't rolled out of the way in time, his chest would have surely been crushed.
Fay pinched at his dribbling nose, trying to stem the blood-flow, as he shot a cursory glance at the area where he had just been a few seconds ago. He saw that the floor-tiles had a deep crack in them. It was obvious that Kazuo didn't simply want to stun him; he was determined to thoroughly dispose of him!
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Kurogane pressed his face against the top of Tomoyo's head, breathing in the exotic scent of her hair deeply. It was a faint and pleasant aroma, though he couldn't exactly recall what it reminded him of. And yet, this closeness he and Tomoyo were sharing had a peculiar calming effect on him, and he felt that nothing could spoil it.
Tomoyo sighed as she laid her head against his chest gently, so as to not hurt him; he hadn't completely healed yet. Her arms around Kurogane's torso tightened. The sure and steady beating of his heart vibrating against her thrilled her.
"I wish we could stay like this forever," she whispered after a few moments.
"Yeah..." Kurogane agreed. He gently pulled back her long ebony tresses, which had been covering the better part of her shoulders, and gazed deeply into her eyes. He caressed her face lovingly. "You're so beautiful," he remarked quietly.
Tomoyo blushed slightly. "Compared to what?" she asked him breathlessly, her face very close to his.
Kurogane's eyes rose to the sky as he felt something cold and damp fall upon his head. Petite and fragile snowflakes had begun to fall. He continued to survey the night sky, his thoughts traveling as the whiteness continued to drift downward. "I could say... that you're as delicate and fair as the snow... but there's nothing in the Universe quite like you," he finally said. "You're unique."
"For a moment there I thought you were going to compare me to a baby or something," she said in and icy tone. "Delicate and fair, am I? I'm a grown woman! Surely you've realized that."
Kurogane stepped back from her and eyed her up and down slowly and deliberately, causing her to blush rosily. "It's pretty obvious," he agreed with a small smile.
Tomoyo punched him playfully in the shoulder. "You arrogant rogue," she said archly. "You're positively enjoying the fact that I'm yours for the taking, aren't you?"
Kurogane brushed his lips against her ear. "You know, I think I am," he whispered, causing shivers to run down her spine. He kissed her lips deeply. His one hand cupped the nape of her neck while the other slid down her to rest against her small waist. Then, by wrapping his arm about her, he pulled her to him; she complied, her fingers running through his hair. Their kiss intensified.
Kurogane realized at that point that he was clashing somewhat with his beliefs; that romance was sappy and made even the most sensible people act like fools... but he honestly didn't give a damn anymore. To hell with his previous beliefs—love wasn't that bad. Especially now that he was with Tomoyo.
But their joy was not to last, for they heard the characteristic opening of a door. They broke apart from each other quickly, Kurogane's face turning beet-red with embarrassment and Tomoyo blushing a deep scarlet as she began to smooth her robes nervously.
The two ninja entered the sitting room, closely followed by Sakura, Syaoran and Mokona. Tomoyo and Kurogane came inside from the balcony.
"Yes?" Tomoyo asked them curtly as she subconsciously patted her hair.
"We're sorry to interrupt your discussion, Princess, but they say they've got something of grave importance to tell you," one of them said in a straight voice; the only signs of surprise she showed was the arching of her eyebrows upon seeing their flustered appearances.
Tomoyo cleared her throat. "What is it?"
"Fay was attacked by Kazuo!" Mokona piped up from Syaoran's arms.
"What?!" Kurogane exclaimed. "But isn't he dead? How the hell's this possible?"
Mokona shook its head furiously. "He's not dead and he's not alive! Mokona doesn't know what it means, but Fay told me to get Tomoyo and tell her because she'd know what to do! And he told me to hurry!"
Tomoyo's flushed face drained of all color and stood out starkly white in the dark room. She turned to Mokona. "Take me quickly to them."
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Kazuo lunged at Fay once more, but Fay jumped nimbly out of the way. His eyes scanned the hall in search of something to aid him. He spied two ornamental spears hanging on the wall. He grabbed one of them and lifted it up in front of him just as Kazuo leapt at him again. The weapon buried itself deep into Kazuo's chest; he had accidentally impaled himself on Fay's spear when he had lunged at him.
Kazuo froze for a moment, surprise evident on his face, but then he smiled cruelly. "I cannot be killed, fool." Then his eyes rolled into his head, revealing only the whites of his eyes, as if emphasizing the impossibility. His lips curled. "There's no way you can stop me!"
Fay started in fear. Even with a spear protruding from his chest, he hadn't been able to immobilize Kazuo. He backed away from him, his mind working feverishly. How could he stop him? Mundane weapons were no use whatsoever.
Kazuo grasped the spear and pulled it out with a nasty squelching sound. His face lit up suddenly. He hefted the spear over his head and threw it with stunning force at Fay. Fay swerved abruptly to the left to avoid contact with the blow and turned toward Kazuo again. But he had not seen that Kazuo had grabbed the other spear.
Pain erupted in Fay's right side as Kazuo slashed at him with the second spear. It hadn't gotten him deeply, but it was deep enough to be more than uncomfortable. A crimson stain began to spread rapidly, standing out against his white kimono. Fay clutched at his side as he ducked another blow Kazuo tried to deliver with his club.
Fay narrowed his eyes. He had to fight back; all he was doing was avoiding Kazuo. He had to, he just had to. Fay elbowed Kazuo in the stomach and knocked him over.
Memories of fighting in Celes returned to him. Fay took a deep breath, and, grabbing the first spear, he lashed out at Kazuo. Kazuo blocked the blow with the other spear, abandoning his club as it only got in his way, and retreated slightly, startled at Fay's sudden display of power. Fay continued to whip out at Kazuo, forcing the latter to back up with each blow he delivered. The weapons clunked dully against each other as the blows were countered with lightning speed.
Fay winced at his wound, but he ignored it; as he had learned in Celes, pain could also be used as a motive to attack. He channeled his pain into strength—concentration was the key—and continued to parry with Kazuo.
Kazuo frowned darkly. He had thought Fay to be a weakling, but this was certainly not the case anymore. The time had come for drastic measures. He flicked his wrist, forcing Fay's spear away from him, and, jumping slightly, he dealt him a high kick, his right foot getting Fay in the head. Fay stepped back a pace, then, as Kazuo kicked out again, Fay stopped the blow by grabbing his ankle in a firm grip. He forced it away and kicked Kazuo in the chin in turn, throwing him to the ground.
Kazuo jumped to his feet and ran at Fay with the spear, and they began to parry once more. How Kazuo could see where he was going with those pupil-less eyes was beyond Fay, but he had other things to worry about. Despite the lessons he was applying, he was growing tired with the strain and tension of their battle, and it looked as if Kazuo was only growing stronger with each passing minute in contrast.
"I'll kill you sooner or later," Kazuo grinned maliciously, as if sensing that Fay was tiring. "There's no escape." He then whipped out at Fay's legs with the spear, tripping him. He loomed above him, raising the weapon above his head, cackling. "You're mine now! Just like Kurogane!"
Fay arched his body and kicked up at Kazuo's stomach, causing him to stumble backward with the force. Fay found the opportunity to get to his feet again. "What do you want with us?" he demanded as he circled him warily, wiping at his bloody nose with one sleeve.
Kazuo gripped the spear in his hands tightly, surveying Fay closely. "I want you all dead. It's as simple as that," he snarled. "I was going to save Kurogane for last, but now that I think about it, things turned out for the better. He would've probably been in the way while I tried to get rid of the rest of you. Shame. If it wasn't for his abnormality, he—"
But his words were cut off with a startled cry when he was suddenly raised in the air; Tomoyo and the others had finally arrived. She narrowed her eyes and swept her arm horizontally, sending Kazuo hurtling against the wall with her magic. He hit the wall with a sickening crunch and sagged to the floor in a heap.
Fay felt so relieved that he was positively giddy. "Hi, guys!" he greeted Sakura, Syaoran, Mokona, Tomoyo and Kurogane cheerfully. "Not a moment too soon! You were missing out on all the—!"
"Fay-san!" Sakura suddenly exclaimed. "You're hurt!"
"What? My nose?" Fay asked innocently. "I don't think it's broken. All he did was punch me in the face—"
"No, your side!" Mokona squeaked, pointing at Fay's right, where the blood had seeped through the cloth and was trickling downward steadily, dripping onto the floor.
"Oh, that? It's nothing..." He placed his hand over it carefully and tried to hide it by turning the other way. " It's just a tiny scrape..."
"So, you're all here," Kazuo sneered as he struggled to get to his feet, gripping his club tightly.
Sakura choked back a scream and clutched Syaoran's arm in horror.
When Kazuo had made contact with the wall, the sound they had heard with the collision had been his neck snapping. Kazuo's head was limp and drooped upon his shoulder, but to their surprise, the broken neck mended with a mere twitch, and his head flipped upright once more. He regarded the group before him with a sneer. "This makes my job all the more easier."
Tomoyo's eyes flashed as she raised her hands in the air. With a face contorted in concentration, she hurled a massive orb of magic at Kazuo and encased him in a magical dome, which glowed with a pale-green light.
Kazuo's jaw dropped open. "Shit!" he exclaimed as he started to batter his club repeatedly against the magic walls encasing him in his green prison. "Damn you, you witch! You can't keep me in here forever!"
Kurogane clenched his fists and ground his teeth together, trying to hold his anger in check. "Don't you dare call her that again, you bastard," he hissed menacingly.
Kazuo's sightless eyes widened. "You!" he gasped as he pointed a shaking finger at Kurogane, dropping his club with a clatter. "You're supposed to be dead!" he spluttered. "I saw it! I did it! Those wounds were fatal!"
"Well, looks like I'm not," Kurogane growled coldly as he crossed his arms and regarded Kazuo threateningly.
Kazuo took a deep breath. "No matter. I'll get you all." He continued to pound his fists against the dome. "No!" He staggered suddenly, clapping his hands over his ears. "I can do it myself!" he screamed. His face twitched horribly.
"What's going on?" Sakura asked fearfully as her grip on Syaoran's forearm tightened.
"It is Kazuo-san, but..." started Tomoyo in a frail-sounding voice as she swayed dangerously.
"Tomoyo!" Kurogane gasped, moving to her side to catch her before she fell.
"I'm fine," she murmured, her hand to her forehead. "The spell demanded more strength than I anticipated." She grasped Kurogane's forearms to steady herself, then surveyed the thrashing Kazuo in her green dome of sorcery. "That is Kazuo-san," she confirmed in a grave voice, "but he is not alone."
Fay nodded. "The One Without Destiny is there, too." He abandoned his flighty manner as he regarded Kazuo seriously.
"You mean the One Without Destiny is sharing his body?" Syaoran demanded.
"Exactly," Fay said bleakly.
Kazuo's body began to shake. It convulsed in huge spasms as he trembled from head to foot. Sweat stood out on his face. "You promised!" he cried out shrilly, desperately. He flinched once more, then shuddered violently, his eyes glazing over as he remained immobile.
Tomoyo stiffened. "Kazuo-san is no longer with us," she said heavily. "The One Without Destiny has taken complete control over him. He is lost."
Kazuo lifted his head, and they saw that his eyes flickered and turned dark, like small glittering black stones. "The fool honestly thought that he could kill you all at once," he hissed in a rasping voice. "I had no need of him anymore."
"So you consumed Kazuo-san's soul," Tomoyo accused.
"That was the agreement," he stated. "He was disobeying my orders, anyhow. He preferred to play around with his victim instead of killing him and getting it over with."
A long pause followed his words.
"What do you want?" Tomoyo demanded.
"All in good time," he said in a deadly voice. "My purpose tonight has been thwarted... but I benefited from our meeting, as well." He chuckled, the laughter sounding hollow and empty to their ears, and looked at them with a strange glint in his black eyes. "Come if you dare, Fellowship of the Beloved One. The memory fragment awaits." Then, with a rattling sigh, a darkness wafted out of Kazuo's body and seeped through the green walls, as if the walls were insubstantial.
Tomoyo raised her arms, prepared to use her magic to trap it, but to her surprise, and to the surprise of the others, the darkness dissolved into nothingness, as if it had never been there.
Kazuo's body shuddered and toppled forward. It moved no more.
"Okaaay..." Fay said in a small voice. "I'm severely creeped out now." He turned to the others, wearing a shaky smile. "What do we—?" He suddenly drew in his breath sharply and turned pale, clutching at his side in pain.
Kurogane eyed him critically, scowling disapprovingly. "You look like hell."
Fay giggled nervously. "For once, I think I'm going to have to agree with you. I feel worse for wear."
———————————————
"Hey! That hurts! What're you trying to do, scrape my skin off?!" Fay exclaimed as he backed into the wall, swallowing hard.
"If I don't clean your wound, it'll get infected," Kurogane muttered sourly. "Now hold still—"
"ITAI!"
Sakura and Mokona tried to suppress their giggles. Syaoran sighed heavily, one hand supporting his forehead. Fay's complaining was grating on his ears... and nerves.
Syaoran wasn't the only one more than a little irritated by their bickering. "Fay-kun, please don't shout like that," Tomoyo chided him when she finished telling some ninja to take care of Kazuo's body, closing the door behind her. "Kurogane's only trying to help you."
"If helping me means skinning me alive, then I don't want his help," Fay grumbled.
The six of them had gone to Kurogane's room (where he had been spending the last two weeks recuperating) and he was trying to clean Fay's wound, but to no avail would the latter submit to the ninja's attempts to tend to him.
"If I don't clean it, it'll fester," Kurogane hissed in a level voice, trying very hard to resist the strong urge to strangle him.
"But you're hurting me," he whined. "You're not being at all gentle. I have very tender skin that should be treated with the utmost care!"
Kurogane rolled his eyes exasperatedly. "Why do I even put up with you? You're acting like a spoiled brat! It's not even that deep a wound!"
"Fay-kun," Tomoyo said, turning to the blond mage. "Kurogane knows something more than the average warrior about how to tend to wounds. He's had a number of them himself over the years. Don't you think that with so much experience he knows what he's doing?"
"He might be using it as an excuse to finally get rid of me," he muttered thoughtfully under his breath.
"I heard that!" Kurogane snapped angrily. "Damn me if I ever offer you my help again!"
Fay giggled nervously, sweat-dropping. "I was just kidding!" He exhaled wearily. "You're right. I'm acting immaturely." He gritted his teeth. "Fine, go ahead. Just be quick about it, please," he said in a submissive tone.
Kurogane muttered something about flighty personalities before stooping over Fay. He fingered the pale skin about the wound carefully. Fay immediately tensed.
Kurogane arched his eyebrows in confusion. "I didn't do anything yet."
Fay grinned sheepishly. "My mistake. I thought you did. I guess it was just your cold fingers tickling me."
Kurogane snorted derisively and shook his head with a tsk. After he inspected the wound for a few moments, he pulled out a small boot knife. "The blood's started clotting," he muttered to himself. He looked up at Fay. "If the wound's not cleaned and allowed to bleed, it won't heal."
Fay sighed. "You have to open it again," he stated in a resigned tone. He tensed himself, and didn't relax his muscles as the cool steel penetrated him. He drew in his breath with a hiss, but withheld the cry that was upon his lips.
Kurogane's brow creased. The wound wasn't deep, but it was more serious than he had expected. He carefully cut away the dried blood and kneaded the skin around it, encouraging it to start bleeding again.
Fay grunted behind his clenched teeth and screwed his eyes shut with pain.
Sakura winced slightly and shuddered. It looked like it hurt a lot.
After a couple of minutes, Kurogane straightened and laid his bloody knife upon a small table. He cleaned his hands and dipped a clean cloth in a basin of heated water with healing herbs. He turned back to Fay and proceeded to clean his wound. "These herbs grow almost everywhere in Nihon," he explained. "When boiled, their properties allow wounds to heal faster. They also kill germs and prevent infections when applied in time." When he finished, he took a small needle and some thread from the table. "I know I said it wasn't too deep, but it'll need stitching all the same."
Fay huffed. A stray tuft of blond hair fluttered up from in front of his eyes, but fell forward again. "I haven't needed stitches since..." He faltered. "Since before I left my country," he mumbled quietly. He said nothing more as Kurogane proceeded about the grim task of sewing up his gash.
Kurogane set aside the needle and thread when he finished and humphed, satisfied with his work as he bandaged Fay's torso with strips of white cloth. "There you go. Finally. Just don't make any sudden movements or you'll hurt like hell and ruin the stitches. And I'm warning you that I'm not in the mood to sew you up again what with your complaining before." He stood up, cleaned his hands free of Fay's sticky blood, and regarded his knife critically.
Fay found that he didn't hurt as much as before. He actually felt better. "Thank you, Kuro-sama." He adjusted his kimono. "I guess I was acting a little childish, wasn't I?" he asked them.
Sakura smiled. "That's all right, Fay-san. We all get worked up sometimes."
Fay grinned. "Not Kuro-min. He always keeps his head in a crisis." His statement was somewhat in the nature of an apology for being difficult before.
Kurogane sniffed. "What d'you think I am? Immune? Nobody's perfect," he grumbled as he began to clean his small knife.
Kurogane's statement made Fay frown as he remembered Kazuo's words. "Do you have something different compared to others?" he asked him curiously.
"What?" he asked him, baffled. "What the hell're you talking about?"
"Well, Kazuo-san said something strange about you. He said that if it wasn't for your abnormality, you would've... I dunno, he never finished his sentence because you guys showed up then."
Kurogane arched his eyebrows as he sheathed his knife and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "Abnormality?"
"That was his exact word."
"What else did he say?" Syaoran asked him curiously.
"Whatever you guys heard, too. We were too busy fighting most of the time to chat."
Sakura scratched Mokona's ears absent-mindedly as she looked up timidly. "Um... how is it possible that Kazuo-san returned? I thought dead people couldn't come back to life."
"He did not return," Tomoyo said quietly. "The One Without Destiny used his dark magic to make it appear as if Kazuo-san he had returned. Kazuo-san's spirit had infused his rotting corpse, but he was not alive, and since his body was already dead, he could not be killed. The One Without Destiny used him to get to us, but Kazuo-san failed. When the One Without Destiny had no more need of him, he removed his spell and took Kazuo-san's soul as payment."
A few moments passed in silence, each contemplating the situation in a different way.
Syaoran suddenly stood to his feet. "We have to leave for Semba tomorrow," he said. "We have to get to Solar Tower."
"Solar Tower?" Tomoyo asked him surprised.
Syaoran explained what the others had discovered in the box the King of Semba had sent them and the cryptic message hidden in the amulet. "And the One Without Destiny said it himself just now," he concluded. "He has the memory fragment."
"But it could be a trap," Kurogane growled in a low voice.
"We'll have to take that chance," Syaoran said determinedly.
Tomoyo nodded in understanding. "I see..." She got up and looked out the window at the night sky. "The full moon is in nine days. But I'm afraid you won't make it in time."
"Why?" asked Sakura.
"Because it's started snowing heavily." She pulled back the curtains to show them.
And sure enough, everything was covered by a thick blanket of white powder, and snowflakes were still falling, the icy wind making them swirl about in the darkness.
"And how far is it to Solar Tower?" Mokona piped up.
"It's at least five days to reach Sembia," Tomoyo told them, "and that's in pleasant weather. Then, from Sembia to Solar Tower, it's around three days. Again, without the threat of snowstorms."
"Can't we do something to help us get there in time? Can't we stop the storm?" Sakura wondered. "With magic?"
"Oh, no," Fay chuckled. "We can't tamper with the weather. It's too risky. Nature is something we shouldn't play with at all. There'll be all sorts of side-effects if we use our magic to stop the weather. We may stop a snowstorm where we are, but create torrential rain in another part of this world. Nope, it's best to leave the weather alone."
"Fay-kun's right," Tomoyo agreed. "Nature shouldn't be experimented with. Not without years of extensive study."
"And then again, it'd probably take at least a thousand years to know enough about how to properly tamper with the weather," Fay added humorously.
"It's still a risky process," Tomoyo disagreed.
Sakura sweat-dropped. Who knew magic could be so complicated? she thought wearily. "But how're we going to get there in time?"
Syaoran was thinking along the same lines. His eyebrows creased as he clenched his fists determinedly. No matter what, I'm going to get Sakura's feather back. But his thoughts were bleak. How will they be on time for the meeting?
Fay looked up at the ceiling in thought. "If we travel speedily enough, we might get there just in the nick of time. Hopefully, the weather'll let up. But we won't be able to search the tavern in Sembia for more clues on the One Without Destiny if we do it that way."
Sakura sighed. "If we knew more about him, we'd be more prepared to face him. All we can say for sure is that he's got incredible power, right?"
"That, and the fact that he wants us dead for some reason," Syaoran muttered darkly.
"Not to mention he's got Sakura-chan's feather," Fay added. "That might be what's making him so strong."
Kurogane frowned. He knew of a shortcut that could save them days. He had discovered it years ago during his travels. But would they accept his help? He honestly wanted to help his friends at least one more time. Especially since it was pretty obvious that the One Without Destiny wanted them to go to the Tower for the meeting. The One Without Destiny knew that they would come for the feather and was goading them. It was definitely a trap.
Kurogane knew that he couldn't just sit by idly and let the events unfold. He had to do something. He had definitely changed over the years. He never remembered being so willing to help others.
He cleared his throat gruffly. "Actually... I know of a faster way to get to Sembia and Solar Tower," he offered in a casual tone. "Other than by the Highway, I mean."
The others regarded him curiously.
Kurogane pulled on the straps of his cape nervously. "In total, it'll take us three days to get to Sembia, and then about two days from there to Solar Tower. That'll leave us plenty of time to search Sembia and the tavern for any clues, and we might even be able to snoop around the Tower, too." He shrugged. "The weather might get worse and stall us a day or two, but we'll still have time on our hands to spare."
Syaoran's face brightened up hopefully. "You'll lead us, then?"
Kurogane's eyes flitted to Tomoyo. "I'd like to help... at least one last time... before..."
Tomoyo nodded knowingly, then sighed. "I pretty much surmised that you would want to help them. They've dawdled too long in Shirasagi, anyway. I suspect that they were also reluctant to leave you." She smiled mysteriously. "It is rare for a friendship to be so strong."
"Oh, thank you so much, Kurogane-san!" Sakura exclaimed happily as she sprang to her feet and hugged him tightly. "You have no idea how much this means to me! You've helped us out so much already... I wish there was some way I could repay you!"
Kurogane stiffened, feeling very flustered at Sakura's sudden outburst. "There's no need for you to repay me," he said as she let go of him. He patted her shoulder. "Just make sure you kick that Fei Wang guy's ass for me when you meet him in the end."
Fay snickered. "You can count on that, Kuro-chuu!" he winked.
Kurogane turned to Tomoyo. "You don't mind, do you?" he asked her nervously. "I mean..." He groped for words. "Well, it'll only be around two weeks..."
Tomoyo laughed gaily. "Oh, Kurogane, there's no need for you to feel so flummoxed." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Feel better?" she asked slyly.
Kurogane was even more nonplussed at Tomoyo's playful display of her affection for him in front of the others, who were trying (in vain) to suppress large grins.
Tomoyo chuckled at Kurogane's expression. "There's no need for you to feel so embarrassed. It's best we let it all out in the open." She surveyed the others with an arch look. "You knew, didn't you?" she accused. "You knew how Kurogane felt about me."
Mokona and Fay sniggered heartily, "Ufufufufu!"
"It was pretty obvious," Syaoran admitted truthfully.
Sakura nodded in agreement. "And you feel the same for him, too," she smiled at her.
Tomoyo giggled. "Yes, I do." She kissed Kurogane lightly again. "To answer your question," she told him, "I don't mind that you'll be absent for a couple of weeks. I find it noble and honorable on your behalf that you want to help your friends. I'm very proud of you."
She gently withdrew her arms from about him and turned to the others. "The time is late. I suggest that you all get a good night's sleep since you'll set off for Semba tomorrow." She sighed. "I wish I could be of more help to you, but I have many responsibilities that hold me here. The most I can do is provide you with mounts and provisions."
"Really, that's more than enough, Princess Tomoyo," Syaoran told her gratefully as he bowed. "I just hope you're not unhappy with us. It seems that bad luck's following us wherever we go."
Tomoyo shook her head in the negative. "I was involved in this from the very beginning. There were bound to be drawbacks. Take the Prophecy with you," she told Syaoran. "It may come in useful. I am no longer its Guardian. The task has now been appointed to you."
Syaoran opened his mouth to question her, but she cut him off with a small smile saying, "Yuuko-san appeared before me a few days ago again and told me that you are to keep the Prophecy. You are to study it and try to puzzle out its mysteries. Especially whatever concerns your meeting with Fei Wang Reed, and whatever you can find out on the One Without Destiny before confronting him."
Syaoran clenched his fist determinedly and nodded. "I'll try my best." He sweat-dropped. "But it's really confusing at times..."
Tomoyo chuckled. "I know," she sympathized with him. "You have no idea how many headaches I've had from it."
She bit her lower lip as she regarded them seriously. "Promise me you'll all be cautious. I have an ill feeling about this journey. Hopefully, with Kurogane accompanying you you'll be relatively safer, but..." She drew a deep breath. "I can't help but still feel somewhat uneasy."
"Don't worry, Tomoyo-hime," Sakura told her. "We'll be careful." She bowed. "Thank you very much for all your help. I do hope we'll be able to see each other again someday."
Tomoyo smiled warmly at her. "We'll say our goodbyes tomorrow morning. For now, we say goodnight."
They each bid her goodnight and headed for the door, ready for sleep. A lot had happened, and Kazuo's attack had made it all too clear that they had to get a move on first thing tomorrow.
They filed out of Kurogane's room, but Tomoyo remained behind, a worried look in her eyes.
Kurogane raised an eyebrow, wondering what was troubling her. She seemed very uneasy about something. He was somewhat taken aback when she suddenly croaked in a strangled voice, "Oh, Kurogane!" and fell into his arms, trembling.
A feeling of alarm welled inside of him. "Tomoyo? What's wrong?"
She did not answer at first. "Promise me you'll be careful." She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I feel that something terrible will happen. I just know something will!" she sobbed.
Kurogane stroked her dark hair as he held her quivering form in his arms. "I promise I'll be extra-careful. There's no need to worry," he assured her.
"It would kill me if anything happened to you," she gasped as she wiped her tears away.
"Shh," he hushed her as he smoothed her hair. "I'll be back before you know it." He smiled at her slowly; the smiles he reserved only for her. "It's becoming a habit. You crying. You didn't used to cry so often."
She sniffled. "I suppose so," she admitted. "It looks like I've fallen into a pretty gloomy mood lately."
Kurogane lifted her chin with his forefinger. "Then let me cheer you up," he whispered lasciviously. He kissed her slowly and relished the taste of the salty tears upon her lips. It was a fairly serious and lingering kiss.
What Tomoyo loved about him the most was that he was so gentle with her. He was not forceful, and he went about his kisses slowly and tenderly, aware that he might hurt her because of his strength. He was reputed to be the strongest ninja in Nihon, after all, and he had broken down walls with his mere fists at times. Tomoyo liked that he was concerned about her, but she wouldn't mind some roughness on his part now and then.
Her kiss deepened, making his breath catch in his throat. Her lips never left his and the taste of her mouth was making him have some improper thoughts. But he held himself back. Their lips parted slowly, and he wrapped her in his arms and buried his face in her hair, breathing in the calming fragrance. Oh, how he loved his lily-white princess! He would never dare to hurt her in any way.
"I know you're set on going, and that you won't change your mind," Tomoyo said in a small voice as her arms about his shoulders tightened. "But it will be dangerous. The One Without Destiny has great power."
"I understand. I've faced tons of dangers already, though. I think I can handle whatever comes up," he said confidently. He was not boasting, and they both knew that very well. "I'll return," he promised. He felt his chest bursting with heat and emotion. He held her face. "Nothing can keep me from you."
"If you don't, I'll come after you," she told him determinedly.
He grinned and nuzzled his nose against hers. "I'd like to see you try," he teased.
"You doubt it?"
Kurogane frowned. "You can probably use your magic or something, right?"
"I could teleport myself," she suggested as she pursed her lips in thought. "Using a method of translocation. All I'd have to do is form your picture in my mind and will myself to you." She took on a winsome and mischievous expression. "No matter where you were or what you were doing, I'd find myself at your side immediately."
"You can do that?" he asked her, startled.
"Yes... but the longer the distance, the more draining it will be."
He realized with a sinking feeling in the pits of his stomach just how inferior he was compared to her. She had great magic powers and all he could do was swing a sword.
"Kurogane," she murmured.
"What?"
"I just wanted to say your name." She studied his face. "Kurogane." She bit her lower lip. No, she would not cry again. She gripped his hands and looked up at him, drawing a deep breath. His smoldering ruby-red eyes regarded her questioningly, urging her to share what was troubling her with him. "You mean everything to me, so you'd better take care of yourself," she warned him as her eyes misted over.
"I will."
She hugged him fiercely, tears pouring down her cheeks. She needed his reassuring presence in her life. She would be lost without him. She tried to force bleak thoughts out of her mind. She knew he was strong and resourceful. He would be all right.
After several moments, she wordlessly released her hold upon him. She turned to the door and let herself out of his room, but not without shooting him a last look, her violet eyes still mirroring her worry. She slowly closed the door behind her with a soft click.
Kurogane let out his breath explosively. He fell back onto his sleeping pallet with a heavy thud and rubbed his face wearily. His eyes itched with exhaustion and his body screamed at him to get some sleep. But his mind would not relent so easily. So much had happened that day; Syaoran had been controlled, Kazuo had attacked Fay, and barely two hours had passed since he had confessed his love to Tomoyo.
A foolish grin spread across his face as he remembered the feel of her in his arms. He had felt an irresistible urge to protect her—she seemed so small and frail at times. But he knew better. The thought of something to compare her to came to him then. She was like a white rose. Beautiful and fragile-looking, yet capable of defending itself as it had prickly thorns.
He moistened his lips and sighed deeply. He could still taste her.
Kurogane groaned and smacked his forehead. Oh hell, he thought, I've completely flipped. He sniffed. Okay, right now, you have to get to sleep, he told himself firmly. The sooner I finish with this One Without Destiny crap, the sooner I'll be with Tomoyo.
He pulled the blanket over his head and tried to go to sleep. But sleep did not claim him without a struggle, for, he did not know why, a dark sense of foreboding had begun to creep over him. He couldn't shake off the feeling of dread even in his dreams, as it seemed to enfold him in an inescapable grasp, whispering his name hauntingly, repeatedly.
A voice he felt he was supposed to recognize, but couldn't.
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To Be Continued
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A/N: Yes, I think CLAMP has stuck with me with the whole no-one-can-come-back-to-life combo, which I find very reasonable and plausible. It was one of the reasons I was so angry with BeeTrain. (CLAMP must've complained about it, too, since BeeTrain 'corrected' it in another episode, saying that it was only a temporary situation. Bleh, stupid BeeTrain.) Ahem, whatever. That was the only thing I wanted to say here.
Tell me if you like it or tell me if you hate it. Please review!