"Kuro-puu! Open your eyes!"
As Kurogane opened his eyes with a scowl, Mokona hurried off of the man's chest and into Fai's embrace. The whole group laughed at the comical awakening, except Kurogane, who was rubbing his temples and fixing his bed hair. He stifled a yawn and assessed the conditions of his comrades. Mokona was bouncing around with his usual air of happiness which often served to cheer the group up in troubling times. Sakura and Syaoran were being as nervous and awkward together as expected, chatting about the past day with slight blushes on their faces. The only thing that could possibly be said to be out of place was Fai. Although he still had his dumb grin plastered on his face, Kurogane could see right past the facade and noticed how he barely moved, eyes trained on the campfire which was still burning with the same intensity as the night before. Kurogane shook his head and cast his thoughts off, idiot.
"Oi," Kurogane interrupted. "What's for breakfast. We need to hurry and find the feather so we can get out of this frozen over hell."
Fai turned to Mokona, grabbing him gently mid bounce. "Moko-chan, do we have any food in storage?"
Mokona paused for a moment, thinking, or rather searching. He then opened his mouth and dropped three oranges and a pear onto the ground. "That's all the food left."
Fai peered at the fruit they had saved from the previous world they had been dumped in. Syaoran and Sakura exchanged worried glances and Kurogane just huffed. Fai picked up two oranges and handed them to Sakura and Syaoran with a beaming face, "please eat these and replenish your energy. We've a big, fun day ahead of us." He then tossed the pear to Mokona who caught it in his small arms. "Now Mokona, pace yourself or you will choke like last time." He let out a chuckle and poked the white creature as it bit eagerly into the juicy fruit. Finally he reached out for the last orange, intending to give it to Kurogane.
"Leave it. I don't need to eat. And I know you won't eat it either so save it for an emergency," Kurogane grumbled.
"Hyuu, Kuro-pon is so kind to everyone, don't you think?" Fai laughed as the ninja jumped up and began chasing him around the cave, making swipes for the wizard who gracefully dodged every swing. Sakura gave a worried gasp and Syaoran smiled nervously. This scene had become commonplace among the two and allowed Fai the chance to draw attention away from their dire situation. It was his duty to keep his companions in high spirits and so his chipper demeanour was never broken. Except for last night. Please Kurogane, don't tell the children.
"Mokona? How far do you think before we reach the city, or town or whatever?" Kurogane had to shout over the sound of the wind and snow.
"Mokona isn't sure. Not too far, most likely."
Kurogane twitched, "what kind of answer is that whitey!" In his rage he had begun to stomp heavily, a critical mistake. When he tried to lift his leg out of the snow to stride forward, he realised it was stuck and he fell flat on his face. Laughter erupted from both Fai and Mokona, while both Syaoran and Sakura tried their best to cover their giggles so as not to endure the wrath that would most certainly ensue. Kurogane shot daggers at Fai, who in turned laughed even harder after looking at the snow covered face of the ninja.
"Kuro-daddy looks like a snowman!" Fai said in a singsong voice and clapped his hands. He made his way over to the fallen ninja, seemingly gliding over the snow rather than walking on it, and extended his thin hand outwards. Kurogane pushed it aside and dug his way out of the snow, brushing the white dust from his front. Some snow had found its way into his leather armour and was melting into an icy slush, chilling him more than he liked to admit.
They continued their trek, Mokona and the children leading the way together and Fai with Kurogane bringing up the rear. Fai walked effortlessly through the freezing atmosphere with a grin on his face, a grin which irritated the hell out of Kurogane. "Would you please wipe that fake smile off your face."
Fai replied happily, "don't you like my smile? I wouldn't want to be glum all day like you." He chuckled.
"I wouldn't mind seeing your smile, but it's the fact that it's forced to hide what you're really feeling."
"Ooh, Kuro-rin want's to see my beautiful smile. How cute!" Fai wrapped his thin arm around Kurogane and squeezed him quickly before running ahead to catch up to the leading pair.
Kurogane raised his fist to match the rising heat in his face he was glad the wizard couldn't see. "Hey! You know that's not what I was getting at!" Giving up, he continued his steady pace through the snow, careful not to tread too heavily and stumble. What was that guy's deal? Kurogane watched as Fai's golden hair blew in the wind and his lanky legs carried his lithe frame across the ground. I can see right through that annoying act and I know there is something that is bothering him, but why should I care? He watched as his powder blue cloak billowed behind Sakura, many sizes too big for the young girl and how he had a protective arm slung around both her and Syaoran. Fai likes those kids more than he realises, but then again so do I. Why is it then that he never reveals anything about his past or personal life? Kurogane glared as Fai turned around and waved merrily at him. Whatever he is hiding…I will find out.
The party reached the outskirts of the small village in the late evening, by which time the snow storm had not eased any considerable amount, and the whole group were chilled to the bone. They quickened their strides down the narrow streets, looking for an inn or something of the likes in which they could shelter in. Although Kurogane was unsure whether Mokona had any money at all in storage, it would be useless in this country anyway, and so they would be forced to offer some of their trinkets they collected throughout their journeys. They spotted a tavern which had spare rooms available according to a small sign in the window and entered the dingy building. They were met with the strong, acrid scent of alcohol and an unidentifiable pipe weed. Fai instinctively pulled the children in front of him and walked a little closer to Kurogane, who flinched when their arms touched. Kurogane sauntered up to the bar which apparently doubled as a check in as well and leant casually over it, oozing confidence. He rapped his knuckles on the roughly polished surface to garner attention from the bartender. A short, stocky man with a grey moustache and suspiciously dark, black hair shuffled over to Kurogane and craned his neck to look him in this eyes. "What?" the man said irritably.
"Looking for a room, preferably four beds," Kurogane motioned to the others beside him, emphasising their need by placing a hand on Sakura's shoulder. The man eyed the travellers, his eyes lingering uncomfortably long on Fai.
The bartender let out a scratchy laugh before replying smugly, "what do ya think this is, a five star bed 'n' breakfast? Only rooms I got in this joint 'ave a single double bed. 'N' guess what? Only one left. So what's it gunna be, foreigners?"
Kurogane's eyes narrowed. "Guess it will have to do. We have no money to pay you but we have some unique items you may find adequate compensation." He grabbed Mokona and sat him on the bar. Mokona lifted his little feet a couple of times, sticky, before recalling a selection of objects and spitting them onto the wooded surface. Most of the things had no relevance to any in the party as they were taken from unusual lands, but it was this fact which gave them value.
The beady eyed man pulled his gaze away from Fai to inspect the objects in front of him. "Neat trick, rodent." Mokona's exclamation that he was not a rodent but in fact 'everyone's idol' was ignored by the man who was picking up and looking at all the trinkets. One particular item which Kurogane suspected was the most valuable, had an incredible lustre and appeared to enrapture the unpleasant bartender the most. Despite this however, he replaced it, glanced at Fai again and then turned to Kurogane. "Hmph, none o' this is worth a dime to me." Kurogane furrowed his brow angrily, but before he had a chance to tell the man what for, he leant in close to the ninja. Kurogane could smell the staleness of the small man's clothes as he whispered into his ear with an unnervingly hot, moist breath.
"Give me the night with that pretty blond 'n' we'll call it even, yeah? Even throw in a stout for ya, hmm?" The man leant back grinning lasciviously, while the rest of the group looked curiously, waiting to hear if Kurogane would accept whatever offer the man had suggested privately to the ninja. His actions came as an enormous surprise to both the group and everyone in the tavern.
Kurogane leapt over the bar and grabbed the man by the collar, thrust him against the wooden counter and slammed his face into the trinkets still on offer. "You have three seconds to pick one before I break your leg, you disgusting lecher," Kurogane growled as Sakura covered her mouth in surprise and worry. Syaoran had moved in front of her, shielding her against the scene and potential foul play, and Fai had taken a step backwards after scooping up Mokona, eyes wide with uncommon concern. The man struggled against Kurogane's weight only for a moment before snatching the shiniest object mere centimetres from his flushed face. Kurogane yanked the man back up and got in close, "key." He released the bartender who scurried away, and awaited his return, not looking behind him to see his companions reactions to his sudden outburst. The small man reappeared but kept his distance, holding out a key to Kurogane. The ninja used his lengthy, muscular arm to grab the man's wrist while he took the key with his other hand. He then pulled the man's arm slightly before shoving it backwards and toppling him. He slid across the grimy floor and hit the cabinet behind him, head slumping.
Kurogane turned to go and muttered, "neat trick, rodent." He vaulted over the sticky bar, grabbing the remaining treasures, and jutted his head in the direction of the stairs to his comrades. He lead the way up the small, dark stairwell, everyone silent from shock, even Fai had no annoying remarks. Finding the door corresponding with the key number, he slid the key in and pushed it open to reveal a small room containing an uncomfortable looking double bed and not much else. He entered and Fai followed, playfully tossing Mokona onto the bed as a sign of good spirits to the children who remained in the doorway, skeptical.
Fai grinned at the children as Kurogane lit the lantern, and beckoned them inside, "come on little kitty and little doggy. Kuro-daddy won't hurt you."
Kurogane froze in his place at the comment. Had I scared the kids that bad? He looked at the worried faces of Sakura and Syaoran and immediately felt a pang of guilt. Oh gods, what have I done? He shut his eyes and gently exhaled, defeated and weary. He slowly walked over to the doorway where the kids remained, looking up at the tall figure. He knelt down, level with them and carefully wrapped his strong arms around the two, large hands gently guiding their heads into his warm chest. "I'm sorry," he quietly apologised as he held the embrace. "I never meant to frighten you and I would rather die then lay a hand on either of you kids."
Fai had been watching from a distance as the reconciliation unfolded before him, ignoring the voice in his head that told him how much he longed to be a part of that soothing embrace and close bond. He smiled sickeningly sweetly as Mokona jumped onto Kurogane's head, stating his desire to be part of Kurogane's hug. I am of a different world. Fai watched as Kurogane grabbed the creature and began scolding it, heartwarming moment now over. They walk the radiant path of light while my own is shrouded in darkness. The children laughed at Mokona's antics as they walked into the room. I must keep my distance, for I cannot allow them to be tainted with my treachery.
Fai listened to the deep breathing of Syaoran and Sakura as they slept together in the bed, Mokona between them. Fai giggled softly as he remembered the conversation regarding the bed. How the two had blushed. As for him, he sat under the bare window adjacent to the bed with his long legs stretched out in front of him. His thick cloak hardly softened the cold wall behind his back and he had his arms limply by his sides. His head was bowed with his soft, tousled hair hanging in front of his face.
Across the room, Kurogane sat next to the door, cross legged and hands resting on his knees. Laying across his lap was his long sword, Sōhi, ready to be unsheathed at the first sign of danger. He was looking at the wizard opposite him when the latter decided to speak up.
Fai spoke in a soft, cheerful voice, keeping his tone low to avoid waking the children. "Kuro-rin? What did that man say to get you so riled up?"
Kurogane replied simply, deciding not to hide the truth as Fai so often did. "He wanted to have you for the night as payment for the room." He maintained eye contact with Fai so he could observe his reaction firsthand.
Upon hearing him, Fai remained smiling back at him. "You should have agreed, Kuro-pon. Would have been easier and the kids wouldn't have been scared that way."
Kurogane couldn't believe what the mage was saying and anger broiled within him, threatening to spill over the edge. He was standing over Fai in an instant, having closed the distance between them without a sound. "What did you say, wizard?" he growled quietly, looming.
Fai tilted his head upwards, the moonlight reflecting off his bright blue eyes. "I said it would have been easier if-" He was interrupted by Kurogane pulling him to his feet by his cloak.
"Are you kidding me!" Kurogane whisper shouted.
Fai smiled questioningly, "what is it Kuro-tan? He wouldn't have killed me so what does it matter what I have to go through?"
Kurogane pulled the slight male forward so their faces were all but touching. "You and your apparent selflessness. You think so long as you survive you can be subjected to any kind of suffering because you're worthless and merely a tool to be used. But you know what Fai?" He waited until Fai's gaze was lifted from the ground to his eyes. Kurogane had to focus on his next statement, careful not to lose himself in the deep blue of Fai's gleaming eyes. "You are hardly selfless. Rather, what you are doing is incredibly selfish. You keep yourself at an arms distance to everyone, including the children. So tantalisingly close, yet whenever we extend a hand for you to take hold and come closer, you withdraw just a little more, denying everyone you're true feelings. Fine if you refuse to use magic but I can't continue this journey alone Fai."
Fai's smile dropped and his eyes widened. Kurogane froze, realising what he said. I said 'I' instead of we. Idiot. Now he will think it's me who needs him instead of the kids. He dropped a stunned Fai back down to the ground and hastily retook his place beside the door, focusing on Sōhi rather than Fai who was most likely staring at him. The kids need him. The kids, not me. I don't need him, right? Wrong. This journey thrust me into the company of him. Yūko said it was inevitable. As much as he irritates me, a part of my mind always wanders to him when I'm not consciously thinking about him. My gut knots itself a thousand times when he's in harms way and my heart aches when he doesn't fight back because he thinks he's not worth the effort. Let me be your confidant, the one who you can tell the dark truths you keep covering up. Please Fai, I need you.
Fai slid down the wall and hung his head once more. Kurogane needs me? My curse of bad luck has already reached him. He has become too involved in this journey. It's all my fault, I was unable to separate myself from the others enough and now he's troubled. You may be a knight, Kurogane, but I am but a pawn in this scheme. A pawn that has been ordered to cut the knight down before moving into checkmate. A tear carved its way down Fai's cheek and fell onto the floor, the carpet drinking it in thirstily. I don't want this Kurogane. I don't want to be the pawn, the tool to be turned against you. Please Kurogane, I need you.