Part Eight:

"So?" Fai asked the two men sitting at the table, hunched over his breakfast.

Kurogane shrugged and Demetri said, "Passable."

Fai pouted as he crossed his arms. "You're both horrible to me!"

"If you want a compliment, don't ask for it," Kurogane snapped, finishing the thing called an omelet. It was amazingly delicious.

Demetri snickered and shook his head. "You have to become a horrible cook if you're going to become a combat mage. Anyway... I enjoyed your visit, Fai, but you have to get back to Luval."

"I enjoyed the visit, too. I guess it's time we get back," Fai said, looking nervous. Demetri patted Fai's hand and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Own up to what you've done and accept whatever punishment the king gives you with grace."

"Yes, sir. I will."

"Good, now take all those journals of mine with you. It'll give you something to do while going through your punishment."

Fai flashed him a bright smile. "I'll study hard and start visiting when my punishment is done, if that's okay by you."

Kurogane felt a knot in his stomach when the old man returned the smile. The ninja felt a flare of pity for both Fai and the old combat mage; he had a feeling there wouldn't be another visit and it would hurt Fai a great deal. "That would be fine, Fai."

"Great! Now, Kurga-lurga, will you take that trunk out to the sled for me?"

"Lazy mage!"

"Aww come on and show me how strong you are," Fai said, clasping his hands in glee.

"You best cut your losses, son, and do as he's asking," Demetri said, stifling a chuckle.

"I know. He gets even more obnoxious," Kurogane griped, before lifting the heavy trunk. Kurogane left the fire tower and put the trunk into the sled. Moments later Fai came down and they took off towards Luval.


"It's still a little early," Tomoyo said. "But it should be soon."

Kurogane looked over and saw Yuui 's face was a healthier color and he was starting to twitch. "Good. I hope he's awake by lunch," Fai said.

"Fai, your father wanted me to tell you to join him in the study after you saw Yuui ," Tomoyo said. "Also, Kurogane, I'd like it if you went with him. Some of what the king is going to say will have something of an impact on you, as well."

Kurogane got a sinking feeling. He planned on leaving in another hour or so and never clamping eyes on Fai again. He couldn't fathom what the mage's punishment would have to do with him. They got to the study's door, but Fai was busy wringing his hands.

Kurogane laid his hand on Fai's and clenched them. "Stop and just relax. He'll probably just ground you or take away something you like."

Fai pushed on a fake smile. "You're right, Kuro-pon. I'm sure it won't be so terrible."

"I hear you out there, Fai. Come in. You too, Kurogane," King Ashura said as the door drifted open. Ashura sat in front of a roaring fire, a book on his lap. He set it aside and beckoned Fai closer. Fai sunk to his knees by Ashura's chair and wouldn't meet the ruler's eyes. "So, did you enjoy your visit with Captain Demetri?"

"Yes, sir. He gave me all of his journals, which I promised to study."

"I can see you trembling. I hate the idea that you fear me," Ashura said, stroking the back of Fai's head.

"I'll deserve anything you do to me."

"Your punishment is for you to live one year in Nihongo Country, serving Princess Tomoyo and their royal court. The princess agreed to take you with her over lunch yesterday. You are to take up hunting monsters and any other task she deems fit."

Kurogane's sudden inhale embarrassed him. He avoided looking at Ashura and Fai's curious gazes. Ashura continued, "I believe this is a good opportunity for you to learn how to be independent and responsible."

"But does that mean... you won't be sending Yuui?"

"No, Yuui will remain with me. He's in need of some time away from your influence, as well. It'll be good for him to leave your shadow and find himself. You know how withdrawn he can be. He needs to find his own voice, rather than letting you speak for him all the time."

Fai's face dropped towards the floor. "But I need to take care of him. He almost died on my account."

"You're not the only one that loves Yuui a great deal. I can tell you this, it's as much in his best interests as it is yours." Fai's strangled sob caused Kurogane to look over towards them again. "It's only a year. The time will go by quickly."

"I promised Captain Demetri to accept your punishment with grace, but this is hard. It feels like... you're... abandoning me."

"Hush now," Ashura said, dragging Fai into his arms. "You know that's not true. I want you to come back after a year and continue your training with me. I would never dream of this being permanent. I promise to not let you stay one minute longer than one year."

"I'll do as you say," Fai finally said after getting his breathing under control.

"I'll miss you very much," Ashura said.

There was a knock at the door. "It's me, Tomoyo."

"Come in," Ashura said.

"So, I guess you've finished telling them everything?"

"No, not quite, Highness. At least I didn't get around to Kurogane's part in this," Ashura said, smiling at Tomoyo. "You may want to break the news to him."

"Kurogane, Fai will need a guide to help teach him about the various monsters in our realm. It'll be your job, at least until you go back to Suwa, to mentor Fai and also show him our customs and traditions so that he doesn't do something to offend anyone at court."

"What! Six more months with the spoiled brat! Why do this to me, Princess?" Kurogane bellowed, pointing at Fai with a finger twitching in indignity.

She chuckled and smiled. "You're arguing against a request?"

Kurogane clenched his fists tightly, shoulders quivering in rage. Through clenched teeth he said, "No, I'll do it. I wouldn't dream of submitting anyone else to watch after the wretched, little hard-head."

King Ashura stood up and parted from Fai. The king had a solemn expression. "I'm relying on you to return him to me safely. I thank you for agreeing to this."

Kurogane felt his stomach flutter when he looked over at Fai's hopeful eyes. "Don't worry about him. I'll use all my strength to protect him."

"Thank you, but remember, he's to work hard assisting you when you hunt monsters."

"Don't worry. I'll put him to work," Kurogane said, crossing his arms.

"Now that that's settled, we should go visit Yuui. He's about to wake up," Tomoyo said.

They left the study and walked towards the twins' bedroom. Just as Tomoyo opened the door, there was a voice that asked, "Fai? Ashura?"

"I'm here!" Fai shouted and launched himself towards Yuui's bed. He almost took down the blue, velvet bed curtains in his scramble to get at his twin.

"Uff... Fai, that hurts," Yuui declared as his twin took him in a fierce hug.

Fai let go of Yuui and pushed him back on the bed. "Rest, will you!"

"Yes. Lay back down and take it easy," Ashura ordered.

"Yes, sir," Yuui said, but his eyes went over to Kurogane and Tomoyo.

Fai instantly knew what his twin was about to ask. "This is Princess Tomoyo. She comes from the realm I grabbed those demons from. She came here to cure you. She brought along that bright ray of sunshine, or Kuro-rin as he prefers, to help get rid of the demons!"

"My name is Kurogane, for the last time, you brainless twit!" he yelled, waving a fist towards Fai's nose.

Fai just snickered and waved off Kurogane's rage, which made him want to choke the blond, but it was his brother that had the good sense to be scandalized. "Fai, you shouldn't harass a guest like that. You have better upbringing than to do something like that."

"No, Kurgs loves my nicknames for him! He's kept me great company for the last several days with his sunny personality and wittiness," Fai said, gleefully bouncing around on his hands and knees beside his twin. Fai stopped suddenly and then said, "You must be starving. I'll cook you anything you want."

"Some broth is all I can handle right now, if I've been out for days," Yuui answered.

"You got it." Fai about bolted off the bed, but Yuui grabbed his wrist.

"Let the cook get it. I want to spend time with you," Yuui said. Fai pushed on a sicking, bright smile and Yuui shook his head. "Not with me, never use that smile with me. And you should know, I'm not angry with you in the least. I'm scared for you, but not angry with you. Please stop being mad at yourself."

Fai's smiled faded away and he nodded. "I'm so terribly sorry. I broke my promise to you. I let you get hurt. I didn't protect you."

"Please let go of your feelings, Fai, or else," Yuui said firmly.

"Yuui's adept at picking up emotions, especially Fai's," Ashura softly explained to Tomoyo and Kurogane. "When he's weak, he has a tendency to let his own emotions mirror those around him. It's what makes him an outstanding healer, but he can drift into melancholy and other nasty things when he's not careful."

"I'll forgive myself, if you promise to eat broth," Fai said. His twin nodded and gave a serene smile as his eyes drooped shut.

"Stay here. I'll have food brought," Ashura said to Fai.

"Father, please be merciful to Fai," Yuui said. The dark haired mage went over to Yuui and stroked his damp bangs away.

"We'll talk later. Get your strength back." With that, Ashura left.

"Kurogane, I'm a little tired. I'm going to my guest room to take a nap. Getting us home will be a challenge if I don't."

"Of course, Princess," Kurogane said. He watched her go and then was startled when he felt Fai by his elbow.

"Why don't you get some rest too, Kuro-gi? Go, go, go," the mage said, pushing Kurogane towards his bed. Kurogane sat on the edge of Fai's bed and started to strip off his borrowed, sable, fluffy coat and armor. He sunk down on the bed and let exhaustion overtake him.

After all, Fai and Demetri spent half the night drinking and carrying on. He stayed up to help Fai get to bed and the mage was a too talkative when they finally got to their side-by-side beds. Kurogane admitted he had a bit of a hangover because he kept up with those two drunks. He let a light sleep over take him.


"So tell me about him," Yuui whispered when they were sure Kurogane was asleep and the broth was finished.

Fai's cheeks flushed suddenly and Yuui felt a flutter in his stomach. More accurately, it was Fai's stomach flutter he was feeling. He could also tell his twin's heart was racing uncontrollable now.

Yuui clenched the edge of his comforter and really gave Fai a scrutinizing gaze. His twin was certainly having a torrent of unbridled emotions.

"You're really feeling drawn towards him, aren't you?"

"Yes," Fai admitted in a soft whisper as he settled down beside Yuui. He could feel confusion, excitement, and pain coming from Fai. Yuui didn't miss his twin's trembling. He wrapped an arm around Fai.

"Why are you so upset? Ashura knows you and I get crushes on men as well as women. It doesn't bother him. Of course, this is the first crush I've seen that's turned you into a teasing lunatic."

"Kurogane has other things he's obligated to. Besides, I don't really think he likes me."

Yuui chuckled and settled back on his pillow. "He likes you more than he even knows. I can feel it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have shouted at you. He would have ignored you."

"You think so?"

"I could sense it," Yuui said, closing his eyes in exhaustion.

"Thanks," Fai said, feeling himself drift off.

To be continued.