Hi you all dear readers and even dearer reviewers. despite of how much you have liked this, I am saddened to tell you that this is the final episode of the story. I hope you care to read it to the end, even though this is the longest chapter in the whole story. and I hope you aren't too disappointed with how it ends. I tried my best.
thank you all for your awesome reviews and your support. it has helped me get this done with such speed.
I hope we see again later.
from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for reviews. my respect to you.

Chapter 16

Kurogane was busy fending himself but he tried anyway to see how Fai was doing. Surprisingly well that was. They had been separated soon after the fighting began, and apparently it had been Fai's fault because the blond used some odd technique that had long reaching moves.

While he had been looking his guard had dropped too much and a punch landed in his stomach. Air was partially knocked out of him and he grunted, struggling to block the next hit. Fai had seen his incident

"Kuro-koi!" he heard the blond scream

"Focus" he bellowed back, hitting his attacker on the head and sending a glare towards Fai. But then his eyes widened "look out!" but it was too late. He had taken too much of Fai's attention to himself and a guy had sneaked close Fai and punched him hard. Straight in the eyes. He could tell it hurt like hell. Anger flared inside and madly he swung around, knocking the guys out of his way in order to stop that one guy hurting Fai more.

He reached Fai's attacker and with blood lust punched and kicked him in rapid speed. The guy fell into an unconscious pile and only then did he look at Fai who had fell to his rear.

"You okay?" he asked, breathing hard. Fai was pressing his eye with his hand

"Fine" the blond mumbled and he knew Fai was lying. Fai staggered to his feet and he watched how the visible blue eye widened and Fai pushed him

"Jerk!" Fai yelled and he understood very well why. He had totally forgotten in what situation they were in his urge to help Fai and make sure the blond was okay. They had been surrounded and if Fai had not pushed him he would have been knocked to the head with a metal pipe.

They moved so they were back to back and he heard Fai mutter

"This is not best way for me to fight. I need room"

despite the situation he was curious

"you are used to fighting?"

"Not really" Fai said and aimed a kick at someone "Ashura just made sure that I know self-defense because no one knows what can happen."

he grunted and focused back on the fight. So he wouldn't have to worry about Fai.

For a while they fought hard but there still seemed to be as many guys facing them. There must have been a back up group. He couldn't understand why he was considered such a threat that this was necessary.

Then his ears strained. Fai wasn't doing too well. He glanced at the blond after kicking someone. The injured blue eye was swelling up and the blond couldn't see through it which bothered his depth-vision, making his swings wild and poorly aimed. But Fai managed to keep the distance between the enemy anyway. Another attacked him, charging head on to him. He stepped side to avoid the guy, when he's foot got stuck and he lost his balance. One of the passed out attackers was lying on the ground and he had tripped it. He collapsed to the ground and immediately he was being hit with bats and pipes. It had been a clever scheme from the enemy he had to give them that. He used his hands to protect his head from the blows and struggled to free his leg from the loose garment it was stuck.

A heavy blow landed to his side, making him his. Something cracked and his breathing turned incredibly hard. He gasped for air, flinching at the pain it caused. He moved his hand to protect his injured side, but a metal pipe hit his arm, sending black spots dancing in his eyes and the hand fell limp, but not numb. It throbbed with pain. Another blow hit his arm and he just couldn't help but scream.

The pain was too much. He was trying his hardest not to loose his consciousness due to it but he was in no shape to protect himself anymore. He was sorry that he had dragged Fai into all this and that he couldn't even protect the blond.

When everything was growing dim he saw a flash of blue and heard a very pissed roar. He forced his eyes to focus but he couldn't believe what he saw. It was Fai. Moving at incredible speed and agile, avoiding blows and grabbing a fallen pipe from the ground the blond flocks swung in the air and dashed in the middle of the attackers. His eyes went hazy again he still heard the yells and shouts. They were of fear and hurt. And None of them came from Fai.

Then it was all silent. There was a hand touching his face. He didn't have the strength to open his eyes anymore. But the touch was soft so there wasn't many options. Gritting his teeth he draw breath. It hurt

"Fai?" his voice was barely a whisper. The hand caressed his cheek

"Yes. Don't worry. I called help. You will be okay" the blond's voice was quivering. And he heard a sob "Please don't leave me"

he opened his mouth to reassure Fai that he was fine, that he would heal in no time. But he couldn't breath to do it. And then he lost contact to it all.

He heard distant voices. It was Fai crying. He struggled but couldn't wake up wholly. Then there was a sharp pain and the voices died away again.

He opened his eyes and closed them in a heartbeat. The light hurt his eyes and the hiss that escaped him send daggers of pain to his side.

"Kurogane?" he heard a voice asking. He opened his eye a crack to peek.

"It sounds really bad coming from you"

a baffled blue eyes stared at him, blond head tilted to one side very cutely. He felt a soft smirk on his face.

"What sounds?" Fai asked.

"My name" he answered and closed his eye again. Immediately a hand grabbed his shoulder

"No, wait, don't pass out again!" Fai's voice was so desperate that he opened them again, lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the ceiling lights. Soon his eyes got adjusted and he properly saw Fai sitting on a chair next to the bed he was laying. He tried to reach out his other hand to gently touch the pale skin and the swollen up eye. But his hand didn't move. He glanced down and saw that his hand was in a cast. Fai must have seen where his gaze fell

"It just broke a little. It had to be relocated because the bone ends had slipped off.."

"Fai, please don't" he didn't really need nor want to hear how badly he had been hurt. He knew it wasn't as serious as last time. Which brought to him the fact that it was thanks to Fai that he was feeling this well. And that it hadn't come free to the blond either. He felt guilt wash over him

"How's your eye?" he quietly asked. He looked away from the blue eye staring him, he couldn't face it.

"Not bad" was Fai's airy replay "It will stay neatly colored for a while, but the swelling should settle in no time"

"In days?" he asked, looking towards the blond from the corner of his eye. The blond shrugged

"Something like that"

hands were pressed against his cheeks and his head was forcibly turned towards Fai. "But don't you dare to feel bad about it. It was my decision to stay there and fight, and I am glad I did." there was a smile "and don't you think so too? After all, you would have been in trouble if it wasn't for me"

he frowned

"How did you do it? You are smaller and weaker than me"

the blond let go of him, straightened his back and lifted an eyebrow

"are you sure you want to say something like that? I could get offended you know"

he rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious. I wouldn't have been so worried if I had known you can do some self-defense"

Fai's expression didn't change. He would be great at poker with a stone face like that.

"'some'?" the blond asked coldly. He opened his mouth when Fai burst in laughter "You should have seen your face! It was adorable"

his cheeks heated up. Why was Fai calling him adorable just like that, as if it was no big deal. He frowned and looked away. He would have crossed his arms but that was impossible at the moment. He waited for the blond to rode out the laughter. It took ages, and while he was listening it, he noticed that it was a bit hysterical. He turned his head so he could see Fai. The blond was laughing so hard he was crying and he could barely breath, squeezing his sides with his the pale slender hands. He couldn't tell when the laughing turned into sobbing, despite the fact that he had watched the blond the whole time. One minute he just noticed that tears were freely running down Fai's cheeks and that one hand moved over the mouth to silence the sobs and the face turned down, hiding behind a fall of blond hair.

"Hey" he called softly. Fai just shook his head and hid his face into both hands. Helplessly he watched the slender shoulders shook violently with each rugged breath. He tried to get up but his side send white sparks dance through his vision and a strangled moan got through his tightly shut lips. Immediately a slender hand shot out and pressed him back down against the bed

"Don't..." a sob " hurt yourself anymore". He relaxed under the firm grip and waited again.

He was staring at Fai when the blond finally calmed down. The hand had stayed on his shoulder and he gave it a little kiss when the blond's breathing had steadied. Fai shook his head and tossed the blond mob away from his face, wiping the moisture from his reddened cheeks.

"You look like a mess" he stated, earning a tired giggle from Fai. The blue eye not swollen shut was now puffy and red. "Feeling better?" he asked a bit worried. Fai sighed and moved his hand away. He was already missing the comforting touch but his pride didn't allow him to ask Fai to let it be. Besides, he wanted to know what had gotten the blond so out of shape. Fai slumped down on his chair.

"Yeah, I guess." the blue eyes inspected him. "You just gave me a scare. You broke you rib rather badly. The arm was no big deal, but there was a worry that the rib could have punctured your lung. It could have affected your life forever if your lung had been damaged. Then you were unconscious for so long.." the blond let out a deep breath. "when you woke up, I was so relieved. Sorry you had to see that" the blond smiled, eyes closed, wary but satisfied. He smiled.

"I don't mind. As long as you don't force yourself to do something, I can handle a few tantrums."

Fai chuckled and he smirked. But he was curious

"But now tell me, what happened?"

the blond's smile turned a bit dark and devious. For some reason, it enchanted him. There was all this sides in Fai, and he was curious to see them all. Deal with them all. He knew the old him would throw up for how cheesy he had turned to, but he knew he was the smarter one, so he chose to ignore it. Why would he mind, when his heart was skipping beat so wonderfully just by seeing Fai like that.

"Once you were knocked down, well, I kinda let it all out. I wanted them to hurt" Fai's face read 'vendetta' all over it. It made him feel warm to know that Fai cared about him that deeply. Especially since Fai was the type to rather let himself be hurt than hurt others. The blond shrugged airily. "You were right, you are stronger and heavier than me" he grunted and Fai winked at him "but Ashura has taught me humans weak points. So I don't have to wear my opponent out or hit harder than him. I only have to hit the right spot." he frowned. It sounded a lot like cheating. And he was skeptic if it would really work. Doubt must have shown, since Fai silenced him by pressing a finger against his lips "Don't try to argue. It works. How else would I be fine? And second, it was a street fight, there is no rules there. In that situation, I don't care about honor"

Fai made a valid point and he nodded in agreement.

"So you kicked their ass and called police?"

there was a dark smirk on Fai's face

"Not ass..."

he snorted in amusement. It was good that Fai hadn't been hurt and that now he knew that Fai could hold his own. It felt refreshing and awesome to know he wasn't alone anymore.

"I'm glad I met you" he said without thinking. The blue eye widened hugely in shock, and then Fai's features softened

"I'm glad too"

they sat in silence for a while. Then the door opened and his parents stepped in. he swallowed. He would so get yelled at.

"You are awake!" his mother said and started crying, rushing to his bedside, nearly hugging him but remembering his injuries just in time. "I'm so happy" she mumbled and leaned on his father for support. His father glanced at Fai

"You said you would come and get us once he woke up"

Fai smiled sheepishly

"ups"

his father shook his head

"Never mind. Thanks for taking such a good care of our son" his father said. He was embarrassed. Fai just bowed his head

"My pleasure. I hate to see him down." the blue eyes trailed to him and Fai smiled softly "See you later"

he nodded

"Yeah" his eyes followed Fai when the blond walked to the door and excited.

"Son" his father said and his eyes snapped to his father. Getting his attention his father smiled "You have gotten yourself a good friend."

"I know" he muttered. He would have wanted to say that it was something more than just friendship between them, even though it was just starting. But maybe it could wait. He turned his focus on more urgent and important matter

"Will he be safe?" he asked, terror creeping to his mind. His mother wiped her eyes and smiled at him

"Of course. Don't think that we would let him go if there was any danger to him. After all, he saved you" his mother's eyes were scrutinizing. He wanted to squirm under the stare, it felt like his mother could see more of what was going on between them. They had never talked about things, so he wasn't sure how his parents would feel about it. But then his mother expression relaxed and she smiled "Make sure you won't loose him"

he grinned to his mother, grateful

"don't worry about that" he said and his mother nodded, happy. She petted his head.

"I knew that you would one day find someone for you"

he blushed and he coughed embarrassed, not meeting his mother's gaze anymore. But his father hadn't followed their conversation and was staring at mother

"What are you talking about?" she smiled at his father.

"Wait and see. You'll understand in time" she just said and winked at him. He sighed and leaned against the pillow. He had his mother at his side too. She could make father understand too. First time in ages it felt like everything was falling to places and that life was perfect. His father shook his head and looked at him again.

"He even called the police and got the attackers arrested. And he testifies too. The police will come question you too once the doctor says you are ready"

he nodded determined

"Good. About time they got what they deserved." he said venomously and his father nodded.

"Yes. Are you ready now?"

He thought a while and nodded.

"yeah. I'm fine. Let's finish it"

his father left and his mother stayed at his bedside. He didn't mind, even thought he kinda hoped that it would have been Fai there. Again it was like his mother could read his mind.
"You'll have time to be with him. But as your mom, I want to spend time with you too before it's time you move out and get your own home"

"Mom.." he started. He wanted to voice it. It would make it more real "I... I don't know how, but... Fai..." his mother smiled encouraging."I like him" he finally splurted out.

"I know. You never looked at him the same way you looked your old friends. You have seemed happier" his mother took a hold of his hand when the door opened. "I don't judge you" police step in and her mother stood up, but bent down to kiss him on the forehead "You are my son no matter what you do or who you like"

"Thanks" it gave from the bottom of his heart. His mother nodded to him and then he had to focus on the police officer asking him question.

Later that day Fai was back in the chair next his bed. Fai had been interrogated too, according to the blond.

"I told my mother" he said suddenly. Fai had been been spacing out, probably tired of the long day and nearly asleep, and the blond just looked at him, dumbfound. He clarified "She... said she supports us" he knew he was blushing. He acted like he wasn't, hoping that it would fool the blond. The blue eye was piercing him even though he wasn't looking at it. And even though there was only one eye looking at him.

"Well" there was a mocking, a bit lazy, tone "it's good that we won't need to go to court without back up"

he looked at Fai straight on

"That's not what I meant"

the blond lifted an eyebrow

"Really? Then I have no idea what you mean, since I don't know what else we would need support"

he sighed

"not now please, I'm tired too"

Fai stretched in his chair.

"Shouldn't you go home? Isn't Ashura worried?" he asked, desperate to make that piercing blue eye stop staring at him, somehow blaming and somehow amused look in it. The blond waved his elegant hand

"Nope. You know who works in this hospital?"

he sighed

"He does" Fai nodded.

"so there is no rush for me to go anywhere. In fact, he is probably calmer if I am here where he can look after me than home alone."

he sighed and closed his eyes.

"I didn't mean to tell her. She just seemed to know it already." he tried to defend himself.

"Know what?" Fai asked demanding. He opened his crimson eyes

"What do you want me to say?"

Fai looked away and shrugged

"Whatever it is that we are talking about"

he closed his eyes again. Why was the blond acting offended? He hadn't thought there would be something that wrong to admit he liked Fai. His eyes snapped open and he stared the blond who was gazing to some far of world. He was just about to tell the blond what he meant to him, when Fai said out of the blue

"You would be a great ninja. I know you could have beaten them if you had just had a sword"

he snorted

"Of course I would have. They were just kids armed with pipes."

Fai shook his head

"Not the point." there was a dreamy smile "we would probably have fun together"

he growled

"You would probably tease my out of my mind"

Fai giggled

"And then you would chase me with your sword"

he lifted an eyebrow

"you have a thing with swords"

the blond grinned

"No, I have a thing with ninjas"

"Sad" he said. The blond tilted his head

"What is?"

he smirked

"I'm not a ninja"

Fai sighed exaggerating

"Well. I guess that can't be helped."

he stared the blond who was looking at him. He grinned

"I really like you" he said calmly and certain. Fai beamed up and the blue eye sparkled.

"Oh, so that's what you talked with your mother"

damn the blond was tricky sometimes. Had he really been just annoyed that he had made it clear to his mother before saying it straight and clear to the blond. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Yes. That's what we talked about. You know you can be a real pain sometimes?"

Fai laughed and his heart felt so light and content hearing it. There was a knock on the door

"Come in" he said and the door creaked open and a man poked his head in. he had sad eyes and long dark hair.

"Hi" the man said "I'm Ashura" he nodded his greetings and the man looked at Fai. "Are you ready? We could go home"

"In a minute" Fai answered. The man nodded

"I'll bring the car at the front, okay?"

Fai smiled at the man. It wasn't a real happy smile, but it wasn't one of those wholly faked ones either. He felt pleased that Fai was more open with how he feels. It told of fondness above anything else.

"So. That's your father" he said quietly. Fai looked at him, face blank at first. Then a slow smile crept on his lips.

"Yeah." the blond said and glanced at the door "That's my father."

Fai stood up and turned back to him. "I have to go now. See you tomorrow"

"Tomorrow" he agreed. Fai titled his head and surged down and kissed him softly on the lips. He had barely time to lick the soft lips before they pulled away, but he just wanted to taste Fai just a little bit. Fai yerked back in surprise. The blue eye was absolutely breathtaking up close, sparkling and glowing. Fai smiled at him and gave him another soft peck.

"Get better first Kuro-chuu"

he growled

"Never gonna stop with the nicknames?"

Fai shook his head

"Of course not. You said your name sounds wrong coming from me"

he was defeated. So he remained silent. Fai smiled him

"Good night" with that the blond walked to the door.

"Night" he answered, feeling oddly disappointed. He had already closed his eyes with a sigh and leaned into the pillow when the door was swung open. His eyes snapped open and heart beat like F1-engine, nearly hurting. It was just Fai standing in the door frame

"just so you know. I do like you too."

the door was shut immediately after that and he heard the quick steps running away. His heart was still beating fast, but now it was just for the thrill. Now he understood why it had been so important for Fai to hear it. It was so great to hear it from the one you love.

That night he fell asleep easily and slept blissfully.

The next day he was recharged and went home. Then back to school. The trial went fine and he was finally freed from his past. And most of it was thanks to Fai.

The next weekend he stayed at Fai's home, and in the evening they ate cookies made by Fai and drank milk. They were sitting in Fai's bed, plate next to Fai's feet. Still munching on a cookie Fai leaned his head against his shoulder.

Satisfied, he leaned his head on top of Fai's soft blond head.

"Life is good" he whispered. He felt Fai's nod against his shoulder and cheek. He grinned. Even cookies were good with Fai.

yeah ChouRan, I kinda borrowed your idea of them eating cookies. they are not in matching pajamas though... and no, I tried but I just couldn't help mentioning the real tsubasa there. I hope it doesn't bother you too much.
I would still like to hear what you think about the chapter and the story as a whole.
as for now, we are done. good luck to you all in whatever it is that you try to accomplish. me, I will try to one day finish all of my ongoing fics. (which don't have reviews, so I hardly find the energy to write them...good luck me on that...)
Take care and have a splendid rest of the year!