A/N: Man, what a week this has been. I'm literally being buried under work. The only reason I continue updating this story is because I wrote all the way up to chapter 35 a while back, so lucky you. I've got finals in about three week's time so unless I get attacked by a very persistent bunny, I might not be writing any further than what I already have until after the end of my exams. Figured I should let you guys know in advance that the constant stream of updates might not last forever.

On an unrelated note, I dropped my laptop on my foot (before you ask, don't worry the laptop is fine -_-) and now I have a hairline fracture in my foot. I've been limping around all week since I can't put any pressure on my swollen foot. Despite my beta's (and a very good friend's) persistent nagging I have been too lazy to go see a doctor though. My dad wanted me to go too but I honestly don't have the time to do that. Do you have any idea how annoying it is to be working on balance sheets and income statements and cash flow statements? I'm an engineering student. Why the heck do they want me to make a business plan? (We're commercializing a hybridized car that can run on petrol and electricity .) My brain starts hurting from calculating and recalculating all those numbers because we keep on having to change one thing or another since we can't generate enough profit by the end of third year. *sighs* as if that wasn't bad enough, I've got three other projects to worry about on top of that two of which I haven't even started on yet and they're due in two weeks! Someone kill me now. T_T What's worse is that I can't even wear heels until my foot has properly healed since I shouldn't put any strain on it. You can't wear flats to presentations that require you to look all formal and dressed up! Grr… anyhow, I should stop ranting now and let you get on with the story.

No Fai or Syaoran this time but trust me, what happens in this chapter is pretty important even if it might seem a little annoying since I left you all hanging on such a cliffy last time. But you might end up thanking me for this little break since what's about to come up in next chapter will have several of you coming after me with pitchforks and torches. But then again, I upped the rating for that very reason so maybe not. ^_^;

"What's wrong with you and the healer?"

Nixon sighed, letting his body fall backwards, landing with a dull thump on the bed. Running his fingers through his hair, he sat up.

"Yeah, she's avoiding you."

"Understatement of the century." He muttered with a humorless laugh.

Masooma had not just been avoiding him. She had been going out of her way to not cross paths with him. And that was something given that she was a guardian, just like him. He knew the timing had been all wrong and that she was just as worried about Fai as he was if not more, but… he had almost lost her. Had she killed those hunters, the Shaman would have taken her life for sure. And that was something he would never allow. Not because of the promise he made to Fai when he had made the blonde send them away from Celes, but because of what he felt for the raven-headed witch. He had known her for far longer than Fai had, he had after all grown up with Masooma. They had both even gone to Celes together. In fact, one of the reasons why he had even tried out for that test had been her. But he had never had the courage to tell her what he felt, fearing he'd lose her friendship as well if things did not work out.

Of course, by the time he had convinced himself that she deserved to know, she had already gotten together with Fai. Shortly after that, they both had taken the final test for Oracle-hood and Fai had beaten him. The effect of the price on the blond had been slow at first, but as he started losing his sight, he started losing his magic and as he lost his magic, he lost the source of his life. Feeling selfish, he had considered the option of letting the blond die. After all, with Fai dead and Masooma devastated, Nixon would be the one she'd turn to for comfort and comfort her, he would. But seeing her day after day, as she remained by the other's side, hurting as much as the then Oracle, not even leaving his side to so much as eat, Nixon's resolve had crumbled. She truly loved Fai and Nixon knew he'd never be able to take the blonde's place in her heart.

He had been the second best choice for Oracle-hood and given the fact that the current one would not survive the transformation, he had gone and challenged Fai. Weakened and almost blind, the blue-eyed man had stood no chance against Nixon, easily shifting the burden that nearly took his life to the dark-haired man. Unlike with Fai, the loss of his sight had been instantaneous. The blond had been smart enough to guess the reason why Nixon had saved his life even if the latter had tried to be snarky about it. He had snubbed the other man's attempts at talking to him at first, but Fai had cornered him at the infirmary that night when there had been no one else around to act as a shield for the Oracle to use.

"You love her, don't you?" He heard Fai approach the bed he had been on for almost a day now. He strained his ears to try and discern if Masooma had come along but he only heard silence. It must have showed on his face because Fai continued. "I just got Masooma to sleep… She had been straining herself far too much, these past few weeks."

"…"

"Thanks you, for saving my life." he felt the High Mage's weight pressed against the mattress as he sat beside him. Not in a mood to talk to the man, Nixon turned his back on the blond.

"I didn't do it for you." he grunted, fisting his hands into the sheets as he imagined the look on the other man's face.

"I know," he heard the blond sigh, "It doesn't take a genius to figure out why you did it and it sure as hell wasn't because you because you wanted to save my life. You hated my guts. I'd be surprised if you didn't entertain the notion of letting me die."

"I did…" he bit out as he clenched his sightless eyes. "I was willing to let you die if it meant…" he shook his head, "why are you here anyways?"

"I came to thank you, and… to apologize." Another sigh. Had Fai approached him with the intention of apologizing in the past, he'd have gloated and taunted the other man. But now… he just wanted him to leave him alone.

"I'm sorry for the way I have acted in the past." The blond said as he placed a hand on Nixon's shoulder, "I know you didn't do it for me, but there is something I need to do before I die…" Immediately, his newly acquired powers provided him with information about the blonde's mission, "You gave me another chance to accomplish that and for that… I owe you. I love Masooma…" Nixon grit his teeth to keep himself from making a scathing remark. He could always make the other man leave by being callous and taunting the blond for what he thought he did even if he had been led to believe it, but new Oracle had known the terms that applied to an Oracle. He could 'see' what was to come in return for his sight and he could influence the events that were to come in return for his silence. He would never be able to tell anyone anything outright, relying on small hints at most to help them out. "But I now know that so do you…" Nixon took in a deep breath to keep himself from cursing right then and there. "If you-"

"Don't." The raven-head cut in. "Please just don't."

"Nixon, I-"

"As much as it hurts me to say it," he talked over the blond, "Masooma loves you. Even if you did what I know you're about to offer me, I'd never be able to take your place… you are the one that makes her happy. I love her too much to take that away from her and if… you make that offer now, I'd hate myself forever because I know I would never say no… I'm selfish like that," he sighed, "so please, don't. I don't want to take her happiness from her just so I can be with her."

The silence that stretched between them was one of the longest that Nixon had ever experienced in his entire life. He could almost see the thoughts that were rushing through Fai's head.

"I'd appreciate it if you could keep this to yourself." He said softly to break it.

"You won't tell her?" disbelief was all that colored the blonde's tone.

"It won't accomplish anything." Was all that he said in return.

He wasn't really sure how but shortly after they had had that conversation, a friendship had budded between the two. Fai had enchanted the daggers for Nixon as the Oracle had been adjusting to his new life as a blind mage. Masooma had helped him along all the way and there had been so many times he had wanted nothing more than to take Fai up on the unsaid offer that he knew still stood. All he had to do was say the word and he would have been able to take Masooma for himself. But he never said those words, pretending to move on, if only to get the blond to stop giving him that feeling that he could have her if he wanted.

This had been one of the reasons why he had never told Masooma. He did not want to put her in a position where she had to remake a choice she had already made unknowingly. But now… after so many years of trying to prevent it from happening, he had done it anyways. And it hurt… it still hurt him that he would never be able to be the one for her. He had convinced himself to be content with just being a friend to her but a part of him had been hoping all along that maybe… maybe she'd see him as something more. Her recent behavior had made it all more than clear for him though. He wished he could turn back time and take back that kiss. If this was the alternative, he was content with being just friends.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Nixon let out another sigh. Tomorrow, they'd be rescuing Fai. He was free of his pact with the Shaman thanks to Masooma's wish. She had been foolish to take on such a heavy price on herself but he knew why she had done it. Now he just had to make sure her sacrifice wasn't in vain. Closing his unseeing eyes, he reached inside himself, following a soft green thread of light in a dark void until he reached the end and came upon a small floating orb that emitted a pale forest-green glow.

"Syaoran, are you there?"

Nixon-san?

"Yeah, it's me."

Nixon-san, Fai-san can't hold on for much longer. That woman, she… Is Kurogane-san here yet?

"Yeah, the princess if with him too."

Sakura-chan came along as well? Nevermind… when are you coming? Fai-san, he… when are you coming?"

"At dawn."

Good. I don't know how much longer Fai-san will be able to hold it together. And… I think the hunters have realized he won't tell them what they want to know.

"Where is Fai now?" he asked somewhat sharply, only just then realizing that the pale blue thread that led him to Fai had snapped.

They took him out of his cell.

"Where are you now?"

I was following after him as they brought him down to lower level.

"They're bringing him to the lower levels?"

I think this is the lowest level.

"Shit!"

Nixon-san?

"Syaoran, we're coming. Just stay with him till we get there. No matter what happens, stay with Fai." He cut off the connection before the spirit could respond in any manner. He looked around in the void, finding another thread. Following after it, he reached the orb he was looking for.

"Captain Neumro," he spoke, "I need you to head down to the sun-cavern. There you will find our guests. Pass a message to them and please bring them to my chambers."

-0-

"They're here…" Syaoran was white as a ghost as he stared at her with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"Syaoran-" Masooma bit her lip, furiously trying to think of some way to calm him down before he went into full-blown hysterics.

"Why are they h-here?" he cut her off, hyperventilating a little as he stared towards one of the entrances to the sun-cavern. Masooma did not see anyone there so she wondered if he had perhaps hallucinated his companions, "Are you… are you working for them?"

"Syaoran, listen to me," she shook her head, infusing her voice with a bit of soothing magic. "I'm-"

"You're working for them!" he cried out, interrupting her yet again. The Cerelium compound in his blood was making things really difficult.

"No," she tried again, taking a step towards him, "Syaoran, please-"

"Get away from me!" that was a bad move on her part apparently since the boy almost jumped out of the wheel-chair in his haste to put more distance between them. He fell to the ground with a pained yelp, shaking his head as he started backing away.

"Syaoran listen," she held up her hands in a placating manner as she reinforced the magic fueling the soothing spell, "I'm not-"

"Haven't you done enough already?" he growled angrily, glaring at her momentarily before turning around to crawl away using his hands as his lower body refused to support his attempts of escape.

"You'll hurt yourself!" she called out, noticing the blood that had started to stain his t-shirt. The fall had probably ripped open one of his stitches.

"Like you care." The brunette snarled, acting very much like a cornered animal as he doubled his efforts in getting away from her, "Stay away."

"Stop it." unable to take it, she closed the distance between them, quickly crouching down to grab hold of his wrists, "I'm trying to help you."

"No you're not." He shouted, trying to push her away at the same time as he struggled to free himself from her grip, "Get away from me!"

"… No." she had to find a way to curb his paranoia. Doing as he wished might momentarily sooth him but it would only do more harm in the long run. She had to somehow show him that he had nothing to fear if she were to help him recover even a little.

"No. S-stay away. " he stuttered, weakly tugging at his wrists, "Don't… don't touch me. Let me go!"

"I'm not letting go Syaoran." She replied firmly, silently pleading for him to see that she meant him no harm. A plan slowly began to form in her mind but she was hesitant to act on it. After all, she had hoped for him to recover a little more physically before working on the mental aspects of his healing but if this kept up…

"L-leave me..."

"No." she reiterated.

"Let g-go… let go of me!" he was at the beginning of an all-out panic attack.

"Make me." Having no other choice, she cast the spell, plunging them both into his mind, the dull thuds of two bodies hitting the ground being the only sound that echoed inside the suddenly silent sun-cavern.

A/N: So who feels sorry for Nixon? I know I do. For some reason, he reminds me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries even though I only started watching that show a couple of weeks back. A friend said he kinda looks like him too after she saw the picture I put of him and Masooma on deviantart.

I just realized that Broken has almost reached the 300 review mark. I honestly never thought this story would get so popular but I want to thank everyone who stuck with it through all the blood and gore and torture (that might be the reason why you stuck around but thanks for it all the same. ^_^) wish me luck with the difficult road ahead you guys. Until next time.

-Obsidian.