Sorry for the abrupt ending that's about to follow, shit happened and the chapter had to end there. Thank you for reading! I also think this is the shortest chapter so far. Sorry for that too. I'm gonna skip the review replies today, because my laptop is almost out of battery. But know that I love you all for reading!

Chapter 6

The second Syaoran spoke, both Fai and Kurogane turned their attention to him. Fai's eyes widened in fear, but also held a hint of relief. Kurogane's eyes flared, then narrowed, like he was expecting a fight.

"Syaoran-kun, back away." Fai said, trying to sound like everything would be alright. But it wasn't alright. Kurogane would never do this, especially not to Fai-san. Something was horribly wrong. But there wasn't time to dwell on it, because Fai was in danger. Syaoran took a few steps forward, judging their reactions to it.

Fai shook his head adamantly, obviously scared for him. Kurogane, on the other hand, stepped toward Syaoran too. Since the ninja still had a grip on Fai, the wizard was pulled closer too.

"Kurogane-san, what...what are…why..." but then Syaoran stopped because at the moment, why wasn't really important. The important thing was saving Fai. "Let go of Fai-san."

Kurogane sneered, his lip curling upwards to show his teeth as he grinned. "Is that an order, kid?"

Syaoran had never felt more scared in his life. He'd faced all kinds of challenges, faught many battles, but none of them had been against Kurogane. He knew the ninja could beat him in a fight, but he'd never thought the day would come when he'd have to experience it for himself.

"Yes."

He wouldn't back down, not if it meant saving his friend. And he had to finish it fast, before Mokona came home and saw this.

Kurogane surged forward, but before Syaoran could block or even prepare himself, suddenly the ninja was on the ground. Kurogane's attention had been off of Fai just long enough that he had taken the opportunity to tackle the larger man to the ground. Normally Fai probably wouldn't have been able to accomplish this feat, but Kurogane hadn't been prepared for it.

"Calm down, Kuro-sama." Syaoran heard the blonde man say gently, and for a few seconds, Kurogane struggled in his grip. But then Fai leaned forward and pressed his lips against Kurogane's forehead. "Please."

It was like a switch had been flipped. The crazy look in Kurogane's eyes was gone, and he was suddenly holding Fai against his chest tightly, probably unintentionally hurthing the one he loved the most. But Fai didn't struggle or say anything about it.

"I don't...what the hell is happening?" Kurogane asked quietly, and Syaoran saw a rare thing in Kurogane's eyes. It was fear. The ninja was losing control of himself, and whenever he did, he was trying to hurt the ones he loved. Syaoran fell onto his knees beside the two men, and said sullenly, "It's the spirit."

Kurogane and Fai looked over at him, and Fai nodded, before burying his face in Kurogane's shoulder.

"The one from the cave?" Kurogane asked, but he didn't sound like he needed convincing. It was pretty clear at that moment what was happening.

"Yes. The one after Fai-san. It's inside you. It's using you to get to Fai-san."

Kurogane growled. "If it wants him so badly, why is it trying to make me hurt him?"

"Maybe it wants Fai-san to fear you, enough so that he might run away."

It was a good theory, but Fai shook his head quietly, before peeking out from where he'd buried his face. "I don't think that's it. Remember what Reya-kun said? It did this the first time it got out. Possessed people and forced them to hurt the ones they love."

The words came back to the group, and a heavy feeling of dread was thick in the air around them as Fai continued. "I think it's planning on staying inside of Kurogane, probably until I agree to go with it. Until then, it will torture us all by using you to hurt me. That way, I'm hurt, and you're hurt, forced to watch as you lose control and hurt me."

It was silent for only a second when Fai finished talking, then Kurogane roared in pure anger. It was a sound they hadn't heard him make, not in all their travelings. "What the hell are we supposed to do!?"

"We find a way to seal it." Syaoran cut in.

"But how?" Fai asked, moving closer to Kurogane. It was obvious that, somehow, even though Kurogane was the one who had almost hurt him, Fai still felt safest with the ninja.

"I'll talk to Kimihiro, to see if he can help us." Syaoran offered. "I'll tell Mokona to sleep through the conversation though."

They all nodded in agreement. None of them wanted Mokona aware of what was going on. It would only scare and worry the white bun.

"In the meantime, Kurogane-san, try to stay calm. I know it's not under your control, but you need to try."

"I know." said Kurogane gruffly.

Before they could continue the conversation, three voices came from outside the door. Mokona, Shea, and Reya had returned. They were laughing, completely unaware of the danger inside the house. By the time they opened the door, Fai, Kurogane, and Syaoran were all standing. They were grim, and silent, but Fai quickly tried to smile.

"Welcome home! How was the river?" he asked.

"Lots of fun!" Shea said, smiling before turning a teasing eye to Syaoran. "Syaoran-kun fell into the river though."

It was an obvious invitation for the young boy to play, fight back, and tell the truth. But Syaoran didn't say anything in his defense, and instead said, "I should go change."

Once the young boy was gone, Fai turned to Kurogane, who was completely still. Fai could see the horror dawning on him of what had almost just happened. What he had almost done to Fai, and Syaoran.

"Kuro-sama, let's go upstairs." Fai said gently, taking Kurogane's hand. Shea and Mokona both giggled and made wolf whistles, but Fai could see that Reya was watching them seriously. He alone could see that something had happened while they were away.

Once they were in their bedroom, Kurogane pulled his hand away. Fai quickly grabbed it back.

"Kuro-sama, it's alright." he said, because he knew he needed to say it. "I'm not afraid of you."

Kurogane whirled to face him. "Why not?! It's using me to hurt you."

"I know. But I'm not scared. I love you. And I know you would never hurt me on purpose."

Kurogane eased up, his muscles relaxing, and Fai found himself in another hug. He started to cry, tears falling from his eyes quietly. But not quietly enough, because Kurogane looked down at him.

"What's wrong?"

"I"m...I'm sorry...I should have known sooner. I was having these dreams, and you kept acting strange, but I didn't want to believe…" It was hard for Fai to get it all out, his voice shaking and his throat choking on his own emotions.

"Dreams?" Kurogane repeated lowly. "It's visiting you in your dreams?"

Fai nodded. He felt Kurogane's larger hand rest on his head, his touch far more gentle then it had been only minutes ago.

"Tell me about them."