*Sigh* …I'm a despicable human being, aren't I? All that waiting, and I don't really like this chapter all that much. Too short, choppy. Maybe after I've finished this I'll go back and redo everything to make it all better. Maybe. That just depends on you all, I guess.

School's out, but I'm writing a novel! Be prepared for the worst…

xXx

When I awoke, I kept my eyes closed and my breathing soft so no one would be able to know that I was awake. My eye still throbbed, but it was now just a numb tingling in the back of my socket so I was able to ignore it. My head was still tucked under Kuro-tan's chin, and our positions were still similar to as they were earlier today. Our hounds Ginryu and Chi were curled up at our sides and acted as a barrier to the rest of the world. We were alone.

Sweat clung to me and chilled me to the bone. I shivered involuntarily and shifted closer to Kuro-burro, whimpering when that movement jarred feeling back into my empty eye.

Kuro-rin muttered in his sleep and shifted in response to my movement. I tried to stay as still as possible, but was unable to stop the harshness of my breath. As I panted hungrily for air Kuro-chi became more and more awake by the second.

I settled for trying to feign being in a nightmare. It wasn't hard, with the coat of sweat covering every inch of my body, and I groaned a little into the pillow under my head.

That jarred Kuro-tan awake, and he sat up swiftly to look down at me.

I trembled, clenching my hands on the thin fabric beneath me and shifted uncomfortably, squeezing my eyes even more shut. My breathing hitched, and I found myself sobbing into the pillow.

Kuro-sama shook my shoulder gently. "Fai," he said softly, but worriedly.

I cried out quietly, flinching away from him like I was somehow linked to reality. I was wondering how he would react to this little act as fake tears started leaking down my cheeks. He took my head between his hands and blew cold air over my sweaty forehead, making me shiver harder. "Wake up, Fai. It's just a nightmare! I'm right here!"

The dogs woke and were circling us curiously, not quite sure how to handle this. They knew I was awake, but they didn't know why I was pretending to be having a nightmare—to be honest, even I didn't know this. I guess I just wanted a confirmation of some sort.

I groaned and bit my lip, shuddering uncontrollably. Whimpering again, I flinched at Kuro's gentle touches on my face. He blew more cold air into my face.

I sobbed silently, grasping at the sweat-covered fabric beneath me. "Kuro-tan!" I cried pitifully.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm right here." Kuro-sama clutched my shivering body to his chest. "I'm right here Fai! Wake up! It's just a nightmare. You're safe, I'm here. I'm here!"

I cried into his chest, the sound muffled with fabric and skin. Letting go of the ripped sheets under me, I instead gripped Kuro's thin nightshirt at his back. I acted like I was finally awake. "K-Kuro," I sobbed, curling up with my head under his chin, hugging him tightly.

"It's okay, it's okay," he murmured, petting my hair soothingly. "It's over. I'm here, you're safe."

"He's going to come get me," I sniveled, not sure where my words were coming from. "He will! And when he comes… w-when he comes, he'll…"

"He'll die by my hand if he even touches you," Kuro-pin vowed strongly, holding me tighter.

"N-No…! You'll d-die before you can even…" I bawled into his chest, clutching him with my hands. "Please…don't…"

I feigned passing out, going limp in his arms. My arms fell to his sides.

Chi and Ginryu yipped upsettingly, nuzzling their noses against my hair and neck. "Go," Kuro-sama commanded them, and I felt him shift as he gestured for the door. "Leave us alone for a moment, please."

The hounds whined, but left without a word to me.

As soon as they were gone, Kuro-puu laid me down on my back and stroked my sweat-covered face. "What the hell was that?" he murmured uncertainly, skimming his fingers over my cheeks and to my lips. "I know you're awake," he added after a moment.

I said nothing.

"Come on," the boy growled, bending over my still body. "What is it you're waiting for here?"

No response.

He sighed deeply. "If that's how you're going to play it, then…" Kuro-tan pressed his mouth gently against mine. I gasped against his lips, eyes snapping open wide to see his bright red ones watching me as he kissed me. Then they closed and more pressure was added. I moaned softly. "Awake finally?" he whispered against my lips.

I nodded excitedly and returned the pressure of his lips.

"Good," he said, and then dropped me abruptly. I squeaked as I landed hard on my butt against the thin floor-bed. I looked up at him with a hurt look on my face. Sighing, he explained: "You were pretending to be having a nightmare, idiot. I knew you were awake. Why'd you pretend like that?"

I curled up on my side so I didn't have to sit on my sore bottom and pouted at him. "I dunno, I just wanted to see you worried about me, I guess…"

"I have been worried about you for every day I've known you," he snapped, throwing his arms into the air in exasperation. "Why did you have to try it deliberately?"

I sat up, wincing. "It worked, didn't it?" I asked timidly.

He flinched, a flush coloring his face. "Sh-Shut up!"

I smiled lightly and held up my arms. "I'm sorry," I murmured to him, tilting my head to one side cutely. "Can you forgive me for it? I promise to not try anything like that while I'm healing like this. I swear."

Keeping my arms up, I waited until he had deemed this vow truthful and hugged him tightly when he'd lowered himself to my level. Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around my waist. "You okay?" he said hoarsely. I nodded against his shoulder. He huffed lightly. "Good. I don't want to have to beat up on someone who's hurt."

I drew away, a fake look of horror on my face. "Kuro-tan's going to beat me up?"

Snorting he leaned forward and kissed my nose, a flush covering his face once he'd realized what he'd done. He covered it up by clearing his throat loudly. "Of course not, you idiot. You're still injured."

"That's right!" I grinned, kissing Kuro's nose in return and circling my arms around his neck. His face blushed even brighter. "I'm injured, so Kuro shouldn't treat me like I'm able to get far, far away really quick. He should kiss the pain away and comfort me until I'm all better!"

"Hmph," he grumbled, still blushing.

"SNUGGLES~!" I squealed, rubbing my cheek enthusiastically against his. The heat from his cheeks made me even happier. "Kuro-chan is blushing! Kyaa!"

"SHUT UP!" he cried.

"Oh ho ho," said a voice from the doorway. "What have we here? Kurogane, is your guest finally awake?"

We both jumped and looked at the unexpected visitor. A young girl; much younger than both of us. She had a smug look about her face and wore a flowing sort of dress that I was unfamiliar with. In all honesty, she was very pretty for a little girl.

"Princess Tomoyo," Kuro-kun said, unlatching his arms from me and bowing to the girl.

Her smile gentled. "Kurogane." She then leveled her kind eyes at me. "Who are you?" she asked gently, as if already knowing how unsettled I was.

"F-Fai," I stammered, unable to move. Was she dangerous? I shot a look at Kuro-sama. He didn't return it; he was still bowing to her, eyes hidden.

"Well," Princess Tomoyo clapped her hands together, drawing my attention back to her. "It's wonderful to meet you, Fai-kun. I'm Tomoyo." She tapped her chin and cocked her head at me. "Oh my! You're such a doll! After you're all healed up, how about you try on some clothes for me, ne?"

Kuro-tan frowned. "Princess…"

"Oh, hush Kurogane." She waved a hand at him. "Certainly you see it too, right? Fai-kun, you're so adorable! I'll bet your personality is just as cute! Am I right, Kurogane? Kurogane?"

His eyes glanced back to me, and a bit of color warmed his cheeks. He looked quickly away and cleared his throat. "Uh… sure?" he croaked uncertainly.

My heart soared.

"Well, anyway," the princess sighed dreamily, cupping her hand over her cheek. "Would someone please get these boys some food? Add a little bit painkillers to your tea also Fai-kun, if you will." She bowed to us. "I won't get in your way while you're healing, so don't mind me! Find me after you've recovered, though."

I nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Tomoyo-Hime."

Our audience filtered away silently, and when the door shut behind them Kurogane straightened and smiled stiffly at me. "You okay?" he asked roughly.

I nodded again, wincing when that jarred my wound. "I'll survive," I managed.

Ginryu and Chi scampered in, nosing the door closed behind them.

I tilted my head in acknowledgement for them. "How are you two?"

Ginryu sniffed. "Good, but a little miffed about that little play you pulled."

Chi rolled her eyes. "Likewise. Why did you try something like that on the poor boy? You should know that he hasn't been sleeping well since we got here out of worry for you. Doing something like that might have given the boy a heart attack."

I winced and glanced at Kuro-koi worriedly. He raised an eyebrow in question. "I know," I sighed deeply, apologies etched deeply in my voice. I slouched on my knees. "Forgive me; it was stupid and unnecessary for me to act that way. I'm sorry," I added to Kuro-puu.

Kuron-puu shook his head. "Don't be. You know I've already forgiven you for everything."

I smiled weakly.

"Five moons."

I twitched, and turned back to Chi. "Excuse me?"

She sat on her haunches and stared solemnly at me. "Child of magic, you have five moons to recover, get back on your own feet, and to heal the war child's heart. Just a warning."

Only five…moons?

xXx

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