Disclaimer: All Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle characters are (c) CLAMP.
Title: Collide
Rating: PG13 (Will go up as chapters
progress)
Pairing: Fye x Kurogane
Warnings:
Language and violence.
Spoilers: None
Status: In
Progress
Word Count: 3,692
Summary: The group
arrive to a world where desert predominates. With no water and Mokona
unable to use his magic, what are they to do? Things get complicated
when someone from Fye's haunted past appears and tells the Ceres'
magician that he possesses power that can unlock secrets beneath the
sand. What happens when this individual has more interest in Fye?
Will Kurogane care enough to step up?
Collide
Chapter 4: Last Breath
The cold night was moonless; a lunar eclipse denied the moon to bathe the earth with silver light and left the stars to paint the skies alone.
A figure stood bare footed at the edge of a perfectly still pool. The floor was made of marble so white it gave the impression it shone, and the pool he stood before was a clear and flawless translucent blue color.
Golden eyes traced the water's surface as if they were waiting for something to be revealed to them; a secret the surface would uncover this moonless night.
The man lowered to his knees and hovered his fingertips just above the water's surface. His head hung low, making his ebony hair cascade over his shoulders and some locks over his flawless face.
When gentle fingertips touched the surface, there was a bell-like sound that rung beautifully in the silent night. It was like an echo that rung from the depths of the pool and soaked through the skies above. It was like the gentle knell of a bell. It was like the song of a whale.
It was a beautiful hum.
"My Pharaoh," a voice interrupted the song of the night.
Said monarch turned his attention to the man behind him, standing up with grace and facing him with a nonchalant expression on his perfect countenance.
"You were right. Horus has sent a messenger from the heavens," the man spoke while genuflecting on one knee and keeping his shaven head vowed to show respect.
A young priest from the Pharaoh's many temples; even though young, the gods' servants' veneration and loyalty belonged solely to his monarch.
He stopped briefly before taking a small breath and resumed what he had interrupted his king for.
"Pharaoh… He came back," the vowed head remained, but ashen eyes opened- unseeing the world before them. Blind. His brows furrowed and the one hand beside his knee clenched nervously.
"Nephtys and Isis have smiled upon him and brought him back to Egypt. He is back to fulfill his destiny."
The pharaoh smiled gently, his eyes half-lidded almost as if recalling an endearing remembrance of the person being spoken of.
"He's back…"
Golden eyes closed and his head tilted slightly back to face the heavens.
"My Fye…"
The children remained by the magician's side for a long time. They took turns sharing interesting facts they had learned about the people of the strange wasteland they had arrived to.
Syaoran, in Kurogane's opinion, gave the impression that he was the one most eager and thrilled about learning the customs and ways of this strange people. The boy had mentioned he traveled great amounts of miles with his father, who was an archeologist and researcher. It was no wonder why the child would be just as interested in things the ninja found outright useless and unnecessary.
Although, watching the boy's eyes widen and his smile grow, made the ninja feel content. It felt the same when the princess would laugh or smile. The shiro manjuu was out of question; it was always happy.
It was a strange feeling, yet not unpleasant.
However, their topic of discussion and much joy passed unperceived by the gruff ninja, whose sole focus and concern lay still on the ill magician. He could not put aside even for a moment, the fact that the blonde could just give way and never wake up.
It's as if obsession and paranoia had griped at his heart and wouldn't let go.
He watched those blue eyes, half-lidded and heavy with fever and sleep. He could clearly tell the man was fighting the illness and weariness away, but he was failing miserably. He knew the blonde was paying half the attention the children thought he was giving.
His brow was still slightly sweaty and his breath still came in small gasps. Kurogane knew that Fye was suppressing back his real symptoms for the sake of the children. It enraged the ninja, but at the same time, he felt some sort of admiration towards the man for trying to protect them in any way he could.
Kurogane decided it was enough, when Fye's eyelids began to drop slightly. He could not allow the man to push himself even further; it was not going to help him at all. He needed to save as much energies as he could for later- he knew he would need them.
"That's enough, kids," the ninja began with a raspy voice. He looked at the children when they turned to see him as if he had denied them desert after eating their vegetables.
"It's late and we all need to rest," he continued while he crossed his arms over his chest, stressing that he would not budge or tolerate a 'no' for an answer.
Syaoran looked at Sakura and smiled gently at her, nodding slowly.
"I suppose Kurogane-san is right. It's late and Fye-san needs his rest too. It's been a long day, after all,"
Sakura agreed, nodding slowly, yet her eyes deviated down towards the mage, who smiled weakly at her. The princess took his pale hand and gave it a light squeeze, smiling gently back at the blonde. Before leaving, she took the rag from his forehead and dipped it on the cool water, wringing out the excess and placing it back on Fye's forehead.
"Sleep well, Fye-san,"
"You too, Sakura-chan," added the man with a light tone and with that stupid smile on his face the ninja hated.
The children left, followed by Mokona, who once it reached the exit, looked back at the blonde with a strange expression on its face. Kurogane could not quite place his finger on it, but somehow he knew the shiro manjuu knew something bad was going to happen.
How he wished that wasn't true.
After the manjuu bun left, Kurogane turned to the magician, only to find that the man was panting a little bit more forced than before.
He made his way towards the magician and kneeled by his side, taking the small damp towel from the mage's sweaty forehead and taking it in his hands and dabbing it over his flushed face.
Fye opened his eyes to look at Kurogane with a small smile on his lips.
"I will be alright. I'm just feeling a bit weary, that's all."
Kurogane averted his eyes from Fye's and remained silent, trying not to show too much concern as it was already. His brows were knitted in concentration and his eyes were darkened by worry and anger.
"Ungh…"
Fye closed his eyes, taking in a deep, trembling breath and moaned out loud.
"Are you in pain?"
"It---,"
He couldn't help another gasp emerge from his parted lips once more, the sensation only getting stronger. Fye's breathing became slightly erratic, his pale hair sticking to his sweaty brow. He whimpered while hazy eyes opened just slightly, trying to focus on the ninja over him.
"Hey…,"
There was evident concern in those powerful red eyes, and Fye couldn't help but let a small smile decorate his pale lips. A trembling hand reached up to the ninja's face; cold fingertips making contact with warm skin, cupping the tanned cheek.
"I'm… alright," the mage's voice was an utter above a whisper, forced and weary.
Kurogane looked away, an annoyed expression on his face; lips turning into a small pout, trying to cover as best as he could his emerging emotions.
"Don't get any wrong ideas, mage. I'm here for the kids and that manjuu bun,"
"Of course…. You are," came the breathy response that made Kurogane turn his gaze back down at the pale features of the ill wizard.
Anxiety befell him when the mage's hand slipped from his face, falling limply by his side. Fye's face contorted into one of pain, eyes screwed tightly shut and back arching. He released a cry of pain and his hands went up to his chest and neck, breathing elaborate and desperate.
"Mage."
Fye didn't seem to calm down; his hands began leaving angry red marks on his pale skin, nails biting at his own flesh in a desperate attempt to make the pain go away.
"C-an't…"
"Mage--"
"Breathe…"
"Oy!"
The ninja only watched as his companion's chest rose and fell heavily, soon after he began having a coughing fit. Kurogane swore the man wasn't going to hang on much longer, and his fears became reality when Fye's harsh breathing suddenly stopped, his body going limp.
Kurogane's eyes darted over to a small medical kit the healer left after a second checkup on the blonde's condition. The ninja was completely against it, but Syaoran insisted that he was the most apt to help Fye's pain subdue and soon after relented, knowing the boy was right. He still gave the small doctor a death glare he'll know will give the man nightmares.
He found a small vial with transparent liquid.
Smelling salts.
He uncorked the recipient with his teeth, while holding Fye with one arm, propping him up. He placed the medicine underneath his nose and soon after, the man began coughing, sweat trickling down his brow and eyes unfocused.
At least it worked.
He propped Fye into a sitting position so that he could breathe better, and soon the mage's breathing came back to normal. The mage underneath his touch was still whimpering and moaning in pain, which the salts could not heal.
Kurogane remained silent for a moment. He knew it would only get worse and worse until the man died in sheer, white agony.
He let the man back down on the sheets and watched his breathe slightly more calm, but sill deep and forced. The mere sight of the blonde like so made his blood boil. He took a silver bullet for him, and now that he was in pain he could no free him from it.
His hand clutched at the offending potion the healer gave him, almost cracking the frail glass that held the pink liquid.
I will not do it…No, never. Not like this. Not him. I can't.
But…Blue eyes opened slightly, looking for Kurogane's red ones.
"So… tired…"
"Sleep. After this episode, it's normal for you to feel so worn out."
"Stay?…"
Kurogane froze, suddenly in loss of words. He only stared hard at Fye's hazy, blue eyes. His voice had almost sounded like he was begging him not to leave him alone almost as if he were scared. It had been minimum, but he knew he heard that small trace of fear in the mage's voice. It was like that of a child who just woke after a nightmare, too scared to fall asleep again and find himself in that nightmare again.
The ninja sighed softly, closing his eyes.
"I'll be here,"
But Fye was already asleep.
"Asshole. Always pushing yourself for others and thinking about your own good and desires last…"
Kurogane sighed and scooted back onto a pole- which was located in the very center of the tent to hold it up- nearby the lying man, supporting his back against it and trying to find a way to get comfortable. The ninja was used to poor hours and bad conditions of sleep; this won't be too different from those other times he had spent on the floor just to stay away from the blonde when they had to share a bed more than once.
"Kuro-pon, it's…. not healthy to…sleep… like that," the sleepy voice of the magician barely reached his ears. He had almost missed it, but he wasn't too far way to not hear.
The man gave a grunt and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I thought you were asleep. Shut up and rest, you need it,"
"Kuro-rin is being mean. I'm just… worried that you won't sleep… well," Fye spoke with a light chuckle, turning his head and smiling at Kurogane.
"It's none of your business, I'm used to it. Besides, that's the least you should worry about. Now shut the hell up and rest already,"
"I'm none of your business… and yet, here you are. Kuro-chan… is so nice to me…hmmm,"
Kurogane opened his mouth to retort at the man for his insolence, but shut it when he saw that the blonde's eyes were closed and his breathing was even and deep. He had truly fallen asleep.
Kurogane sighed once more; shoulders relaxing somewhat now that the man had finally gave into sleep or passed out. Whatever it was, he was glad the blonde had finally shut his mouth before he made him blush.
"I'm none of your business… and yet, here you are."
Kurogane's brows furrowed. The magician had spoken the truth and he knew he had no excuse to escape it. He held no duty or obligation to be beside the man and take care of him, and yet he felt that he had to- he needed to be with him.
But more of the need to be with the mage, there was the need to stop his pain.
He looked at the pink liquid and uncorked the vial slowly.
He doesn't deserve this pain.
He placed a hand underneath the mage's neck and propped the blonde head up very gently.
I can't save him from death, but I can spare him from pain.
He pressed the vial's rim to the pale lips.
I wonder if this is what you would have wanted me to do. Will you forgive me for being selfish? I can't watch you in pain any more.
His hand trembled and then…
I can't.
I can't!He let Fye back down and placed the small cork back in the vial, hands trembled and teeth bore in a snarl. He looked at the vial as if it were accountant for everything that was happening and for Fye's pain.
He threw the vial away from him, hoping to never see that ugly color again. The mere sight of it making his insides curl in disgust of himself.
Pathetic. I'm being pathetic.
He chuckled at the thought. Here was he, Kurogane. Princess Tomoyo's- no, Nihon's most powerful and unbeatable ninja, weeping over a man. One single life he, who has never held a trace of hesitation get in his way when it came to killing, couldn't bring himself to take.
Not by the sharp of his blade, but by the most simple and soothing way of dying.
He cursed under his breath, glaring at Fye's sleeping form. Blaming the ma for making him weak, for making him feel like he felt and for making him care.
The mage made him think over his ideals and morals, at least, the ones he had, too much. Perhaps more than what he truly was interested. He thought he knew himself just as he knew his sword. Wrong. Fye had proven him wrong more than once, leaving him to think over and find himself, trying to understand and decide who he was once more.
He was a completely different man from who he was when he arrived that fateful day to the witch's shop.
He was stronger.
Maybe Tomoyo knew he would meet with Fye, and that the magician could be the only one cunning enough-or crazy enough- to put him to the test. Had she known, the ninja would give her credit for it. Fye had hit that spot he thought he didn't have in the first place, and brought it out little by little.
He had come to realize and learn that strength comes in more than one way, and that strength is courage, love, faith and forgiveness. Not just physical power, like the ninja used to think it was.
He watched the blonde waif as he slept, and would note that more than a few times, while he pondered, Fye's face would turn into one filled with pain.
He did not dare to wake him, he knew the worst was to come, and the blonde would need as much strength as he could muster, to fight back.
If he wants to fight back.
Stop it. He commanded himself, trying to push away those kinds of thoughts. Thoughts that made his stomach turn and heart ache.
This is bullshit. The idiot is right. He is none of his business and shouldn't care what happens to him. If he wants to live, he'll fight. If he doesn't, then good… it's his own damn decision.
Somehow, thinking that, made him regret it immediately. He didn't want that to happen. He wanted the mage to live and be spared from the pain and agony that awaited him.
Deciding it was most wise and best that he gave himself some rest, Kurogane allowed himself to indulge into a dreamless sleep.
Red wine was poured onto a golden cup, and fresh fruit served at a small table beside him. The monarch sat at his throne, silk and gold and jewels covering his body. His exposed torso marked with painted-on tattoos of language unknown, like a spell on a rune.
The priests in front of him looked uneasy, making a contrast with the easy-going posture of the king, who seemed relaxed and calm by the whole situation they were currently facing.
"My pharaoh… the power that the messenger spoke of is indeed not far away. A vision has told us that it is close- in one of our army camps," the man shifted uneasily, eyes looking at his pharaoh's golden ones and finding himself too weak to hold their gaze.
"My pharaoh… with a heavy heart I inform you that his life is in danger. Poisoned and on his death bed." He gulped, feeling the now-gathering beads of sweat trickling down his brow.
His king was not a dictator or a man that had no regard for his people. On the contrary. They were a powerful kingdom that prevailed over hardships, a kingdom with happy citizens and a blooming economy; it was all thanks to the great king that ruled over them, however, the pharaoh possessed power that could be felt just by his mere presence.
It made any man who stood in front of him cower back in fear.
Any and every, except one.
The king found him one day, unconscious on the edge of the pool of their temple. Strange, beautiful markings being the only thing covering his naked body, like a prayer.
Golden, long locks of silky hair covered his head and cascaded down his unadulterated body, like a halo. His skin was an ivory tone, which was paler than the pharaoh's, a rarity in their kingdom. Only the Pharaoh and his descendants possessed that trait, which led to the people believing that the boy was indeed a heavenly messenger.
Rumor had it that the gods favored the young man.
He was like a gift from the heavens, for nothing was more beautiful and rare, than his eyes; a pale color that was only found in sapphires and skies and waters.
The pharaoh had instantly taken a liking to him, curious like everyone else of his origin. It was a shame to discover that not only did the teen had no recollection of his own past, but he could also not speak their tongue.
It was only a matter of time for the pharaoh to be completely enraptured by the foreigner, who grew up to become even more beautiful.
With no name to call his, the pharaoh endearingly named him Fye; moreover, not only did the palace become his home from the day of his discovery but also soon after, the pharaoh's heart as well.
Faraway kingdoms and invading lands bowed to them.
If the kingdom was already strong as it was, now with its new recruit, it became undefeatable. A true prodigy with power so unimaginable and consuming; it was not a surprise when he became the pharaoh's favorite and high priest immediately.
However, love was consumed by greed and obsession.
Tragedy claimed a high price.
"Find him, and bring him to me no matter the cost…" the pharaoh paused, his head turned away from his priests and generals, only to whisper "I want him back."
For a moment, his eyes held pain and remorse, but it faded when he turned to them and stood erect and unwavering.
"Go."
"Yes, Ashura-sama," bowed the older priest, not needing further persuasion to start on their mission. accountant
Ashura let himself fall on his throne, a hand over his eyes. "This is the only way I may finally have redemption."
It had come unforgiving and sudden. Sleep was snatched from him in such alarming way he, only for a brief moment, had forgotten where he was.
It had been a sharp, forced gasp and a cry from the magician, who now lay writhing in pain, the cause of such alarm.
Kurogane swiftly crawled to the mage's side and held his body still. It was cold and trembled with no control under his touch. He tightened his grip on him, trying to ease him so he wouldn't hurt himself.
"Oy! Mage, mage!" his voice was drowned by the choked cries of pain coming from the blonde's mouth.
His eyes were open wide, and his back arched underneath Kurogane's almost as if the waif had been possessed by some alien power. His gasps were fast and extremely forced, no amount of air he breathed in gave him enough oxygen for his collapsing lungs.
His eyes began rolling back to his head, eyelids began to flutter close and his body became horribly limp.
Kurogane panicked.
"NO! Wake up, wake up!" he griped him hard and shook him violently, receiving little, to no reaction from Fye.
He turned to the smelling salts again; doing the same he did not long ago to bring the man back to his bearings.
It had no effect.
"Damn it… HELP! SOMEONE!" he cried out in desperate attempts to stop the mage from fading away. He pressed his ear to Fye's chest, trying to calm his fast heart so that he could trace any life signs from the mage.
"Please, don't do this to me, now…"
His blood ran cold when he heard none.
Reviewer's corner:
Morningstripe: Thank you! LOL I'm glad you friend also likes it.
Ethereal Night: Hmm, are you still sure I wouldn't make him die? I love dramas, and that includes character death, LOL. Let's just see what happens. Thanks for the review!
ChibiFye: Yes, both of them are going through a lot of pain, and it'll only get worse.
The Brilliant Idiot: Here you go! Ashura's first appearance! ;D
Warui Kitty: True, I know I make a lot of mistakes, then again English is my second language ; I'll try harder, promise. That's one of the reasons I take ling updating, I want to make sure that the grammar and spelling is correct.
Tamerlane: I'm so glad you think the characters are true to themselves, I would hate to make them O.o.C. (at least most of the part ;D) LOL yeah, I meant for the doctor to "forget" about the water, I mean, he thinks Fye is as good as dead. Thanks for still pointing out, though. Thanks for your comment on my art, I'll update asap. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Dragonlady2000-15: Here's another cliffhanger:D
Deidara-san: Merci beaucoup! I'm glad you liked it, and hmmm… keep hoping I don't let him die ;P
Kasey: How sweet of you, thank you for the compliment.
Chris-Redfield26: I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
A.N.
Thank
you for being so patient and giving me those wonderful reviews!
I
am ashamed to have taken so long to update. I've had this chapter
hanging for a while and I couldn't wait any more to post it.
This
was supposed to be longer, but then again… cliffhangers are
tempting.
Ashura finally made his appearance! I hope you liked how I portrayed him- and gasp! He had a connection with another Fye!?
I'm too nice, I even gave you some background ;D
Promise I'll work extra hard to get the next chapter up, and it'll be longer than this, believe me.
Thank you again for
staying with me.
Please leave reviews!
-Elenath
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