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Please note: Yaoi scene. If you don't like, don't read.

I don't own Tsubasa.

The Mage and the Dragon

Chapter II: Aftermath and Alcohol

The damage to the building, that was for the moment home, was minimal, and mostly superficial. Windows on most of the floors were shattered and cracks ran like spider webs across the ground floor. But the building held, if a bit worse for wear. And until the windows could be replaced, the open spaces of any inhabited rooms were covered with blankets, to stem the flow of cold air into the building.

Not that they did much good- I shivered and pulled the cloak closer I was exhausted, but too high-strung to sleep. After I had found my companions, we had returned to the hotel, where we, for most of the night, had assisted the injured. Surprisingly, there was nothing worse than a broken arm, despite the apparent damage. And the boy and the ninja were too engaged in the relief effort that they did not ask questions about where I had been.

Now, here I was, sitting cross-legged into the living room of the flat, next to a shattered window, and going on forty-eight hours without sleep and couldn't sleep a damn. I felt a touch of envy, for as soon as they got back,, both Kuro and Syaoron had retired to their respective rooms, while I waited for sleep to come calling. It would be a while, yet.

I rose to my feet, and began to pace, back and forth. I felt as if I downed several dozen cups of coffee in the last hour; I was even slightly shaking, like from an overload of caffeine.

I moved into the kitchen, the living having bored me after several passes and rummaged through the well-stocked cabinets. After I found what I was looking for, I swung up onto the counter and broke the seal on the whisky bottle.

I raised it to my lips and took a deep swing, the strong liquor burning my throat. I hoped it would be enough to knock me out and slow the open sluice-gate of random thoughts. And to that effect, I took another shot.

As the alcohol did its work, pulsing through my blood, a warm heavy blanket over my limbs. The customary buzzing soon filled my head, so annoying…

I finished off the bottle- it was quite a large bottle, I noticed- and tossed it into the sink, where it shattered. I giggled, amazed at the number of glass pieces, so many…they were boring, so I lurched off the counter and nearly cracked my head against the island as I stumbled. I gripped the marble edge of the counter as the world split into threes and fours.

Visions steadily sliding to darkness, I stumbled back into the living room. Where had I put my coat? There…after several failed attempts, I was pissed and , finally managed to grab my coat. I collapsed onto the sofa and drew it tightly around me, like a cocoon. I rolled onto my stomach, curling deeper into the dark sanctuary.

At least there weren't three or fours of everything now.

But even sleep didn't free me from stresses.

"Freya, so let me get this straight…you got into a brawl with a mage? Do you know how long its be since I've seen a mage, besides you?" Albion questioned, flexing his claws and burying them deep into the flesh of the sofa. Albion was a cat the size of a large dog, sixty pounds solid. His thick fur was glacier-blue on his back and faded to white on his belly; tendrils of the same blue curled down his long legs to his paws, which were solid blue. His long tail was half blue, half white. A strip of pitch-black guard hairs ran from the outer corners of his eyes, up into solid black tufts on his ears (which gave him the distinctive look of a lynx), meet into an arrow point on his forehead and ran back along the entire length of his body. His eyes were glowing amber, surrounded by black lids, which only made them stand out more.

I reached out and rubbed the base of his ears between my fingers, "Yes, Albion." I stated as he began to purr, "I fought a mage."

Before I could finish, he broke in, "But why? You were injured in the fight, Freya. He was obviously quite good."

I sighed, "It's not that bad." His gold eyes narrowed, " 'Not that bad'?" he hissed, "you can barely fucking walk and its not that bad?"

I met his gaze unflinchingly. After several seconds, he broke his stare and contented himself by digging his claws into my leg, just below the slice across my thigh. I was not in the mood to argue with him, just tired. The wound in question, caused by a flying tree branch, had already begun to heal and was now only a dull ache. But such a fast recovery had its faults- one of which was I had no energy whatsoever.

"So, why? And what did this magician look like?" the cat asked and I took a bit of joy in the fact. No matter how mad his was, his infallible sense of curiosity would get the better of him.

I feinted sleep and I felt him move and growl in frustration. I cracked open one eye, just enough to see- his ears were flatten against his head and his black-tinged lips were pulled back to show his teeth and his tongue was lolling from his mouth. It was a hilarious expression, honestly. But I just giggled and his eyes were one me, wild and mortified that he'd been witnessed in such a foolish expression.

He jumped from the couch, indignant. I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. "He and I were bored. That's why." I paused, holding up one finger like a was talking to a child, "and second," two fingers, "he was tall and thin. Blonde hair, blue eyes. But he was strong, despite his small stature." I stopped there- of course there was more that I could tell Albion, from the mage's strange clothes to the form of his magic. I shivered at the thought- I had been to many worlds and encountered many different magics, but his was one I had never encountered and the fact that I didn't recognize it put me on edge.

But I chose not to tell the cat these things.

"Albion, let's go out for a while." I stated, climbing to my feet. The slice across my thigh protested. I slid across the small hotel room, the cat at my heels. Both of us were tense.

I pushed opne the door and an icy wind sliced into the open space. I pulled my cloak tighter and pulled my hood up to cloak my face in shadow. The sun was barely a ghost on the horizon, and just beginning to turn the black eastern sky a navy blue. The hotel was at the center of town, on the corner of the town's two main roads. The rest of the town extended outward from the intersection. The high-class establishments dominated this area, from shops, hotels and restaurants, with all their bright colors and flashy advertisements. The further away from the "Gold Cross" one got, the less wealthy it got, bright colors fading to different shades of grey and brown and steadfast buildings were a rarity, most looking like they would collapse at any moment.

It was toward that part of town that we were headed. We exited the hotel lobby and onto the boardwalk that hovered above the surface of the snow. From one of the alleyways came a rumbling breath and a huge beast lumbered out from the alley. It resembled a large anteater covered in thick white fur, from the huge paws and long claws and thick tail. But the resemblance ended there- it had a board, thick head and two huge horns extended from its brow in a huge arks to either side of its head to nearly touch the ground and were shaped like plows. The swing of its head from side to side as it walked would shovel snow from the roadways and onto the sides of the road. The buildings were far enough away from the road that their doorways weren't sealed up in snow.

No wonder no one in town batted an eye at Albion, with beasts like these lumbering around. Marching at the beast's shoulder on top of the snow, was the beast-master with his crop at the ready. But yon beast gave no indication of going on the rampage anytime soon.

The master turned to us, "That's an interesting beastie ya got there. Never seen one like it."

I thanked him, (I guess that was the right response). He paused and the snow beast turned with him, large grey doe eyes curious as they landed upon Albion. The cat trotted forward, to sniff the animal, who also craned its neck as well. "So what are ya'll doing out so early?"

"I need information. And the only place to get it is…" I didn't know if he would take offense if I called it the 'poor district'.

"It's the poor district you're headin' for?" he chuckled, hopping up on the boardwalk. "The only places still open at this time of night would be the bars. And only cutthroats and thieves are still out, then. But if you are dead-set on going, I can give you a ride." With that, he pointed to the beastie.

"You can ride yon beastie?" I question, dubious. "Yeah, on her horns." He jumped and rushed over the snow beast and scampered up her horns and sat crouched in the hollow of her horns at the forehead. "Right here." he laughed.

"Ok," I stated, "You got me there."

Within a minute I sat on top of the snow beast, cradled in between its horn and its head. It was actually quite warm and the slow sway of its stride and its steady breathing was relaxing. After a while, the master hummed and the beast lumbered to a stop. "Sorry, friend, but this is as far as I can go." he sounded nervous.

"Thanks, friend."

"If you are looking for information, go to the bar on at the end of yon alley." he pointed, "but watch yourself, friend."

I jumped to the ground and moved into the dark of the alley. Albion had already trotted quite a ways into the alley and was looking back at me, expectant.

The bar was a shit-hole, barely more than a lean-to made of weathered grey boards. It didn't have the decency of a door, just gaping hole. From it flowed the stink of garbage and stale alcohol. Albion growled from his place at my side. It screamed dangerous.

Despite my discomfort, I whispered, "Come on."

I awoke to the sound of footsteps and knew it was Kurogane, but I wanted to see what he was up to, so I feigned sleep. He normally didn't try to move so quietly and I could feel his eyes on me.

I felt him move closer, still watching. I didn't move as he crouched down on his knees, red eyes glaring. He was considering something, so I decided to preempt him.

I giggled, "Well, what are you waiting for" I asked, reaching out to grab the collar of his shirt. I could already feel my body aching for this.

He followed his makeshift leash for several inches, before he grabbed my wrist and moved forward, twisted my arm above my head. He hovered above me, careful not to touch my anywhere else, his other arm braced against the back of the sofa.

"What the hell is wrong with you, mage?" He growled- I took note of the want and decided to play it.

"Nothing, Kuro." I purred, my free hand pulling him closer by the shirt. At first, he tensed, then relented. He removed his hand from my wrist, to cup my cheek and I moved into his touch, purring.

"Fucking cat." But a grin pulled at the corners of his lips. I traced the edge of his lips with my fingers, "Come on, you know you want to…." His face broke into a wolfish grin, and I knew I had him in the palm of my hand.

"But we are doing something I've wanted to try." he stated, voice low and lustful. He slid arms around me and picked me up. His fingers slid down the side of my pants to cup my hip, while he supported me with his other arm. He pressed his lips to mine, while I moaned at this touch.

"Can….we…at least…get to the room first?" I sputtered, burning with want. But I still had some shame- Syaoran was in a room just off the living room. But Kurogane's room was on the opposite side of the flat, so the boy wouldn't hear a thing. He carried me into the room and unceremoniously threw me down on the bed. He held both of my wrists on my one as he asked, "You trust me right?"

I nodded- "Good." Before I could say anything about the matter, he had removed his belt, tucked the tongue through the buckle and slipped the loop over one of my wrists, pulling it tight. With the same roughness, he jerked my hand away from my body with one hand, keeping me pinned with the other and tied the free end of the belt around the bedpost.

I winced as the buckle bit into my skin, as he pulled the leather as tight as it would go. He quickly removed my belt and did the same with my other hand. When he finished, he backed away, watching again. I pulled at the bonds and they didn't give an inch. The wolf-grin reappeared as he watched me squirm; I trusted him, but being unable to move from this position, spread eagle, was a bit disconcerting. But I also felt a aching, want- this was certainly a game we'd never played.

However, my lover wasn't finished yet. He took the bed sheet, ripped it in half and tied my ankles to the bedposts at the foot of the bed. Now I couldn't move at all, couldn't retreat, escape.

Kurogane slid onto the bed- his fingers nimbly undid the buttons of my shirt and his splayed hand was hot against my stomach, the other going lower. I arched into his touch and he crashed his lips against mine, tongue forcing its way into my mouth. After several seconds, he broke away for a breath and I attempted to follow, only to be stop short. He grinned as I pouted, devoid of his mouth on mine, and his grip on my still-clothed erection grew firmer.

"Aren't you…a little…well-dressed?" I asked, voice husky. His nimbly undid the button and pushed down my jeans and boxers, to leave me completely exposed. He jerked hard on my cock and I cried out in pleasure.

"You talk too much." He growled, crouching on top of me, legs to either side of my chest. His teeth found my earlobe, pinching playfully and his fingernails bit into my back. Our chests were pressed together and I could feel the rapid beat of his heart against mine. Gradually his mouth and his bite moved lower, leaving crimson marks down my chest.

Right above my bellybutton, he lifted his head and eyed me with a mischievous look.

I felt his tongue slide over my cock, and then his mouth, taking all me into him, up to the base. I screamed as his mouth contracted around me, teasing.

I was so close!

"Kuro…" Suddenly he was gone and his hand took my by the throat, killing his name in my throat. He rammed himself into me and I cried out. There had been no preparation, but it felt so damn good…but shit….it hurt….

The ninja was sitting in a chair on other side of room, his gaze recovering from lust. I leaned back into the pillows, limp and riding the high wave of pleasure. For once, a small, true smile graced my lips.

A sharp pain lanced down from y hands and into my shoulders, where it settled down into a deep ache. It was to go without saying- I had been tied up now for over two hours. But lower, there was a very different ache- this one, one of pleasure. I moaned through the strip of cloth that served as my gag; I felt the bed sink as Kurogane sat down. I couldn't see him- my shirt was rolled up over eyes, an very effective blindfold. The movement of the mattress sent another sharp pain down my shoulders.

With fingers that barely had any feeling, I brushed the bindings that still held me in place. "Did you enjoy yourself?" his deep voice questioned. That's my question…but honestly, I felt amazingly good. Suddenly the blinding garment was gone and red eyes were staring down at me. His chest was bare, coffee skin gleaming with sweat. He slid over me hovering; his fingers slid underneath the gag and freed my mouth.

I placed a sloppy kiss against his lips, "Does that answer your question?" He mirrored my grin, "However, can you please untie me?" If I didn't stop him now, we would be going at it again here in a minute.

His gaze alters from lustful to amused as he frees my left hand, "You don't want to go again?" I flexed my fingers to get some feeling back in them. I raised my arm and winced when another sharp pain raced down my arm. My wrist was crimson and my skin was imprinted with the pattern of the belt. A small rivulet of blood was running my wrist from the base of my thumb from the pinch of the metal buckle.

"Well, we'll have to fix that." The other belt was gone and he grabbed my hand- his tongue lazily traced its way down my thumb, warm and wet against my skin. I felt the familiar clenching of muscles as my body reacted in want. Suddenly, his mouth was around digit and I remembered the event of the last few hours and blushed uncontrollably.

"Kuro-pu, no." I commanded, and his was a look of a kicked dog. My ass and belly were already hurting enough. "My ankles."

"Fine." Still that kicked dog look.

Once I was completely free, I swung my legs off the bed. The fucking (do not mistake it for loving-making) had left me sore, to say the least, but it was worth it. I was still riding the high and I was certainly an effective stress-reliever.

I noticed the blood dripping down my legs- no wonder I was hurting. "Such a brute." I mutter, playfully. The ninja evidently did not get the joke, for his mood darkened. He averted his gaze and muttered an apology.

"Kuro-pu, stop sulking. I am fine." I chirped and the statement was true enough- I felt giddy, better than I have felt in weeks, actually.

I grabbed my clothes and headed for the bathroom. It was a large room, easily big enough for twenty people. It was all grey floors, grey counters and appliances and white walls. Shower heads arched down from the ceiling to hover of the tub and it was all very sterile looking.

I switched on the shower heads, and steam instantly began to fill the room. I tossed my clothes on the counter, locked the door and slid underneath the nearly scalding spray of water. The water cut through the sheen of blood and dried cum and washed it away. I lifted my face to the spray, enjoying the feeling of clean.

I wished Kurogane was here and I imagined his touch…

Kurogane….

Although he would never see me as a lover, I had come to accept that fact. Only in times of great stress or depression did we ever revert to such an…intimate relationship. We had only done this twice before. And after we were done, it reverted back to the old way of things- me, picking on him and him, in fits of anger, chasing me. Such was the way of things, me pining after something that I could never have.

I felt a pang of envy, as an image of Syaoran and Sakura entered my mind. They had found each other; Kurogane had Tomoyo. They all had someone, whether lovers or sibling-like in their love. Yet who did I have? No one.

The thought instantly dispelled my giddy mood.

I couldn't stand the being cooped up in this hotel anymore.

"Something's up with you…" Kurogane growled as he swept past me and onto the boardwalk. There, he began to chat with Syaoron- I caught something about the huge snow beasts that wandered the area. But I was too troubled to join in on the conversation.

After we had departed from the hotel, we had decided to explore a bit, a thing that we had not had a chance to do, as of yet. Of course, like in every world he went to, we asked around. And we were directed to the rougher side of town. The bar we had just left had been the third and there, we had learned nothing that we did not already know.

Now, onto the next.

We moved down the boardwalk and Mokona's ears poked up from under Syaoran's coat. She jumped from her hiding stop and perched on my shoulder. She did not say anything, but her presence was calming and I enjoyed the effort on her part.

The bar was deep in a dark alley, which had yet been touched by the sunlight peeking over the horizon. It rank of stale alcohol and garbage.

"That's awful…" Syaoron muttered and covered his nose with his sleeve.

"It certainly is." I replied.

There was the muted sound of movement caught my attention and a whimper, deep into the darkness. Before I could stop myself, I was moving into the black. I heard Kurogane and Syaoron calling, but I ignored them

There was a man pressed up against the wall, his back to me. But underneath him, wrists trapped by his hand, and any way of escape closed off by his body, was the figure of a girl. Blood was dripping down her face. His other hand was dropping his pants and then began to worm its way up her shirt.

Another whimper escaped from the girl.

A rage like I've never felt before filled me.

I grabbed his collar, "Get off her, you sick fuck." and threw him. He crashed through the flimsy wall of the bar. Suddenly, there were several dozens of pissed off eyes on me from inside.

Suddenly, their anger turned to fear. Then a large animal moved into my view, a large cat. Its ears were pressed flat against its skull and a low growl was boiling from its throat.

Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, "Albion…"

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