Chapter Ninety-One

Syaoran gaped as he stepped through the door, suddenly wishing he'd stayed at Kurogane's bedside.

"Ah, you're here," said one of about a dozen servants. Though the others were all dressed in plain robes, this man wore a black silk robe with floral prints. "Excellent. It's time to find you some more appropriate clothing."

Self-conscious, Syaoran looked down at his current outfit. Tomoyo had provided him with simple robes after he'd arrived here, and he hadn't thought much about his clothes after that. If Tomoyo's asking us wear new clothes now, there must be a reason. He met the head servants' gaze, fidgeting. "What kind of clothing?"

The man grinned and waved him closer. Syaoran approached, peering at the chest of clothing in the middle of the room. "We have several options, all handpicked by Tsukiyomi-sama herself." He pulled out a black kimono with bold indigo swirls. "You'll try each of them on, and we'll see what alterations need to be made."

"If I may ask," he began, "what is this for?"

The man's smile brightened. "For the Spring Festival, of course. I was rather under the impression that you already knew."

"Well, yes, but . . . Don't we still have a few days before—"

"These things take time," the man said. "The measurements must be done in advance." He turned to Fai, handing him a white robe with images of sapphire cranes on the front. A flock of servants ushered the vampire out of the room, strangely solemn for the occasion. Fai, however, seemed content to follow along, even chatting with the servants as the door closed.

Syaoran looked up, realizing he was alone except for the man who'd been speaking. He edged back a little.

"You, little sparrow, are with me," he said. "You may call me Sora."

Little sparrow? Syaoran thought, watching Sora pull a white outfit from the chest. The sleeves hung down, much too long for his arms, but he recognized the style from previous worlds. "Isn't that women's clothing?" he asked without thinking. And wasn't Fai wearing one of these earlier?

His face warmed. His clone had once dressed like a woman in Shara. Or was it Shura? he wondered. He'd never been able to keep the two straight.

Sora smiled. "In most cases, yes. This is called a furisode. When men wear it, it's usually a sign that a warrior has taken them as their lover."

Syaoran coughed to disguise his squeal of panic. Tomoyo told him! He felt a jolt at the betrayal. Piffle's Tomoyo had been one of their greatest allies. After meeting this world's Tomoyo, Syaoran had assumed she, too, was a friend. Why would she do this to me?

Sora chuckled. "Don't look so startled. It's perfectly normal. My brother was once in the same position, you know. Anyway, she didn't tell me directly. Tsukiyomi-sama would never betray your wishes like that. I guessed." He grinned. "Clothes may not make the man, but they are useful in presenting an image to those around him. Besides, if you've netted yourself that ninja in the infirmary, you ought to be proud."

Proud? "I . . . I don't understand."

"Kurogane-sama is the best ninja in Nihon—and that's not exaggeration. He's slain hundreds of demons and assassins, and his name is known even in the outermost provinces. The Dragon of Suwa, they called him. Not to his face, you understand. His reputation tends to drive people away. So how did you do it?"

"Um . . . I . . ."

"Too personal?" Sora guessed, then smiled. If Syaoran was reading him correctly, Sora seemed perfectly comfortable with the idea of two men in a relationship. How common is this? he wondered. Will there be other worlds that accept what we are?

"It's a little personal. I . . . I'm not sure he wants any of this broadcast around the castle."

Sora's eyes widened a little in surprise. He put the furisode away, folding it up before selecting another garment. "Not this one, then. Here." He handed Syaoran a slippery garment that would hang just above his knees. "Put that on. You're supposed to wear it under your clothes." He combed through the other outfits as Syaoran hastily donned the garment.

"If you want to keep things discreet, dress simply. At the same time, don't wear anything too casual. Anyone who notices will think you're dressing well as a gesture of respect. Ah. This one." He held up a maroon kimono. Gold thread accented the rich fabric, contrasting with the deeper color. "He'll love it."

Given the ninja's tendency to ignore aesthetics and focus on function, Syaoran doubted that. The robe slid across his skin like cascading water, falling just below his ankles and hanging loosely around his arms. If I have to run in this, I'll trip and land on my face.

"Beautiful," Sora said, gathering up a gold ribbon and wrapping it around Syaoran's abdomen like a belt. "And a perfect fit. You're ready to go."

"Go?"

Sora smiled apologetically. "I might have misled you before. This one won't be for the festival, just for you and him."

He drew the kimono closer to his body. "I see."

"Don't look so panicked. Tsukiyomi-sama said he'd be awake by the time you got dressed."

His head snapped up. "He's awake?"

"Dream-seers," Sora said, as if that explained everything. "I believe your blond friend plans to speak with him after Tsukiyomi-sama, but it shouldn't take long."

"I have to go," he said, turning for the door. I have to see him.

"Wait! Don't you want to try on some of the accessories?" Sora called as he rushed down the hall. Syaoran ignored him, lifting up the bottom of his robe so he wouldn't trip over the fabric. He passed servants and nobles alike, drawing puzzled glances but never pausing to explain. He had to get to the infirmary. He had to see the ninja for himself.

He reached the medical wing, slowing a bit to avoid the swarming healers and assistants. When he saw Fai standing outside Kurogane's door, he stopped, breathing hard. "Is he awake?"

"Tomoyo-chan is with him," Fai said, nodding toward the door. Though he knew the vampire hadn't changed much after his transformation, he looked different. Worried creases lined his forehead, and he had his arms folded in front of his chest, sleeves hanging loose. With a start, Syaoran realized that the man looked older, despite his slowed aging.

"Did she say how long she'd be?" he asked, hands curling into fists as he struggled to control his impatience.

"Only a few minutes. I'm sure—" He stopped abruptly as Hinata Yamura's voice rang through the hallway.

"And what are you two doing, loitering out here?" She approached, her expression stern. Where Infinity's Doctor Yamura had sometimes seemed inexperienced, this woman was businesslike, even intimidating. Syaoran shrunk under her stare.

Fai, naturally, knew exactly what to say. "We're just here to check on Kuro-rin—Tomoyo-chan said we could come visit as soon as she got done speaking to him."

"Speaking to . . ." Hinata trailed off, seeming uncertain. "I take that to mean he's awake, then."

"That's right," Fai sang.

"I'll have to readjust the care schedule," she muttered. "Waking up early . . . Should have been out another three days, at least . . ." She paused, then looked up at them. "If Tsukiyomi-sama says it's all right, I won't disagree. However, keep in mind that we've been drizzling sedatives into his mouth for the better part of the last two days. If he's lucid at all, it'll be a miracle."

"Well, miracles have to happen sometimes," Fai said. "Otherwise, why would people believe in them?"

Hinata sighed. "Don't take too long. If he's awake, he'll be in plenty of pain."

Syaoran winced, then watched her walk away. A moment later, Kurogane's door slid open, and Tomoyo poked her head out to look at Fai "You can come in now. Just you," she added when Syaoran stepped forward. Repressing a groan, he stepped back. Fai smiled ruefully and stepped inside, leaving him standing alone in the hallway. Well, this isn't how I imagined this going, he thought, pinching the fabric of his sleeve between his fingers and sighing at the pointlessness of it. Kurogane wouldn't notice. Even if he did, he wouldn't care. Why waste a perfectly good outfit?

It doesn't matter, he thought. Doctor Yamura said he wouldn't be lucid, anyway. I'll be lucky if I get in before he passes out again. His chest tightened with a pang of longing. All he wanted was to see that Kurogane was awake and healthy. Yet everyone kept holding him back.

A few minutes passed before the door slid open again. Tomoyo stepped out, closing it behind her and squashing his hopes of gaining entry. She smiled at him as their eyes met. "It won't take much longer," she assured him, folding her hands in front of her body. She looked strangely pleased with herself, as if she'd accomplished something grand in the five minutes she'd spent with the ninja. Syaoran nodded, but said nothing.

At last, Fai stepped out. "He's all yours, Syaoran-kun."

"Thank you." He slipped past Fai, holding his breath as his hand folded around the door handle. He'd seen the damage already, but he didn't know whether it would seem better or worse now that the ninja had woken up.

You'll have to find out either way, he reminded himself. He pulled the door open.