Syaoran Sakura and Mokona decided to stay behind for the day when Fai, Kurogane, and Maecenas went out after the meal.
"I thought Maecenas said that a storm was coming." Sakura said quietly to Syaoran as they watched them leave. Mokona jumped on the boys head.
"We can tell ghost stories!" It cried happily. Syaoran blinked, walking off the steps of the porch and into the yard.
"It looks pretty clear to me; only a little dark over the sea." He called from next to a tall rose bush. Sakura joined his side, looking to the sea. A warm breeze blew past them, ruffling Sakura's light summer dress.
"Do you think it will storm later?" She asked softly, looking at Syaoran with worry in her green eyes.
"Most likely. Don't worry though, Princess. They'll make it back before then. I promise." He added, seeing her expression of fear. She smiled.
"What do you want to do while we wait for them?" She asked. Mokona jumped up and down madly, causing Syaoran to give a start.
"Let's go to the beach!" Mokona yelled. Syaoran blinked.
"We'll have to leave a note or something telling where we went." He said; Sakura shook her head.
"They won't be able to read it." She said. Mokona was quick to think of an idea.
"We'll draw a picture! Like Big Kitty did!" Sakura smiled, and they rushed in to find a quill and some paper.
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Sakura drew a picture of the three of them, and an arrow pointing to a drawing of the sea. She shyly held it up to show it to Syaoran and Mokona.
"How's this?" She asked. Syaoran smiled.
"Perfect!" Mokona sang. Syaoran took the drawing and placed it on a small table near the front door before following Sakura and Mokona.
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They spent most of the time splashing each other and racing through ankle-deep sea water. When they grew tired of that, Mokona led them in building a sandcastle. With its towers and walls, the castle quickly grew to be as tall as at least five Mokona.
Syaoran plucked a small pink flower from a plant at the edge of the small beach, placing it on the top of a tower. Sakura blushed, causing Mokona to giggle.
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Syaoran looked up at the sky.
"The storm is getting closer." He said.
"Should we head back?" Sakura asked. Syaoran nodded.
"Let's go."
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Fai picked up a drawing. He had to hold it near a flame to see it better; the sun was setting. Kurogane and Maecenas were upstairs looking for the kids. The blond laughed. One of them had drawn out a note; showing how a little puppy and kitty and Mokona had gone to the beach.
"Kuro- puppy!" Fai yelled happily up the stairs. The sound of something breaking met his ears, followed by a stomping of ninja feet. Kurogane stopped at the top of the stairs, glaring down at Fai
"What the hell? That's not my name! Kuro-GANE!"
"But that's no fun!" Kurogane's eye twitched as he fought the urge to jump down to the main floor and run his blade through the skinny man. Fai waved the paper up at him.
"Syaoran-kun, Sakura-chan, and Moko-chan went to the beach!"
Ariel appeared from the kitchen.
"Should they be back by now? It's getting late." She asked. Fai smiled as the front door opened, and the teens and Mokona walked in.
"Hello, everyone!" Sakura said.
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Ariel had made a small dinner since they all had a late lunch.
"Where is Hans?" Mokona asked over a plate of food.
"Hans is still out at work, no doubt." Ariel said. "He has to stay after quite late sometimes. You'll see him in the morning."
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An hour later, every one went their separate ways to go to bed. Kurogane stopped Fai before the thin man went into his room.
"Why did you sleep down there last night?" He asked. Fai smiled. He jerked his arm free of Kurogane's grasp and walking into his room.
"I got cold!"
"That's probably the dumbest lie that I've ever heard. You have a fireplace in your room."
Fai yawned and tried to shut the door. Kurogane stood in the way.
"Kuro-chi, I'm tired. Go away." Fai said in a mock childish tone. The ninja glared down at him.
"What are you hiding now? A nightmare?" He asked. Fai's mask slipped.
"No. Goodnight, Kurogane." The mage said stiffly, shoving the man out of the door way gently and shutting it behind him. Kurogane sighed angrily and stalked off to his room.
Fai closed his eye, leaning against his door. He'd been feeling odd all day, having small blackouts and visions of a dark sea. A constant hum had been in his ears, almost causing him to scream in frustration. He rubbed his temples, groaning. Too tired to even get into his night clothes or close the window, Fai walked over and fell into his bed, instantly asleep.
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Maecenas rushed up to Kurogane before he could get to his door, shoving a large locket with a leather chord around his neck. He stared at her bewildered.
"What is this for?"
"Wear it and don't take it off. Promise me!"
Of course the ninja was going to immediately deny it on the spot; until he saw the look in her eyes. The fierce look. She knew something. He tucked the locket into his shirt.
"Fine." The man stalked into his room, keeping the door open, and Maecenas left for her own room.
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The Queen smiled. It had taken the entire day, but she had done it. She had broken into Fai's mind, finally gaining control when he fell asleep the next night. It was hard to get his dream signature with all the others sleeping at first, so she had woken him up by opening the window. Now, as he fell asleep again, she could easily pick it out.
All she had to do now was wait for the proper moment.
"Lady Ashura," A voice called. Ashura turned her eyes to the open doors to the chamber as Akitla entered.
"What is it?" Ashura drawled, bored from sitting.
The dark mermaid gestured to somewhere beyond the door.
"The arch Seer said that now is the time to begin the dream."
Ashura's face split in a grin.
"Excellent." The Queen turned back to the mirror. "Aufero!"
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Kurogane roughly shook Fai awake.
"Get up, idiot!"
"What is it, Kuro-puu? It's too early!" Fai looked out of his window to see the pale moon. "It's not even morning!"
"You need to come with me. There's something at the docks."
The mage quickly got up and pulled his robe on, rushing down the stairs with the ninja. They stopped at the front door to quietly open it before running down the sand to the sea. Fai glanced at the man running alongside him. He had never even said what was at the docks. And why would he need him? Kurogane could easily defeat whatever it was. They stopped when they reached the edge furthest out into the sea. Fai looked around, expecting something to appear out of the watery depths.
"Kuro-puppy? I don't see anything."
"Wait and see."
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Kurogane hadn't been staring out of the doorway for more than an hour when he saw Fai silently rush past. Without missing a beat, he leapt out of his bed, seizing his sword and following the mage.
"Stay here." He whispered to Syaoran, who had seen the whole thing. The boy nodded.
"Be careful, Kurogane-san."
Kurogane crept down the stairs just in time to see the front door close behind Fai.
"Damn it!" He growled, running out the door and after the man. His pale hair made him easy to follow in the darkness, but still Kurogane almost ran into him when he stopped suddenly. Fai's head turned to the left.
"Kuro-puppy? I don't see anything." He sighed, as if receiving an answer, and looked expectantly back at the water.
Kurogane glared at him, trying to figure out what he was doing. Sleepwalking? No, the mage never did that. He walked up to him, tapping the blond on the shoulder.
"Oi, mage. What are you doing?" He growled. Fai took a step forward, and Kurogane grabbed his arm to yank him back, but Fai still continued to try and walk out over the sea. Suddendly, he stopped, turned around, and faced Kurogane. His eye was wide open and fearfully lost, and his lips trembled before speaking.
"Kurogane, are you sure you saw something?" Fai said blankly. He blinked. Kurogane shook his head.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who ran out the door!"
Fai looked up at him with a desperate look until his spine went stiff and his eye glazed over.
"You saw something? Where? Oh." Fai cried, turning back to the sea. Kurogane leaned past him to peer into the water. Nothing was there. Fai held out two extended fingers at himself.
"Well, fine, Kuro-stubborn! I'll go!" The thin man laughed; his face showing not expression whatsoever as a small tear fell out of his eye. Purple runes shot out of his fingers, wrapping around his small body. His legs vanished, replaced once again by the dark tail.
No longer able to stand, Fai fell into the water, dragging Kurogane down with him. The ninja cried out as he hit the cold water. The locket around his neck fell out his shirt when he went under, and it floated in front of his face, glowing slightly. He stared at it in confusion. Suddendly, the locket shot down into his chest, and Kurogane screamed in pain and surprise. Kurogane clamped his eyes shut, keeping an iron grip on Fai's arm. After another moment of agony, Kurogane felt the pain subside, and he dared a look at himself.
"Damn it!" The merman yelled in frustration, glaring at his new tail.
AN: Whoo! No more writers block! Thanks animeMUSICaddict for the ideas, without which I'd still be stuck in neutral!
Thanks to all who have read and reviewed! You're awesome!