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burningdarkfireTitle: Sapphire - A Frozen World
Series: TRC
Pairing: KuroFai
Rating: PG
Length: about 2000 words, chapter 2 (1.2/??)
Note: runs parallel to Crimson
This is a frozen world of ice and snow.
Fai squinted through the white storm. “Look, I think I see some buildings over there!” He called out to his companions. They had been walking through the blizzard for a painful 10 minutes and Fai was afraid they would all freeze soon if they didn’t find shelter.
They tumbled into an inn after another hundred meter trek through snow an easy two feet deep.
“Excuse me!” Syaoran, Kurogane, and Mokona all seemed frozen to the tips of their fingers (did Mokona have fingers?) and Fai desperately hoped none of them had suffered from frostbite.
I know only too well what harsh conditions like these can do to a man, he thought grimly. Ashura-ou’s soldiers would often return with limbs frozen black, dead and useless.
“Hello! Sorry to keep you waiting!” The innkeeper hurried out from side door and greeted them. “What terrible travelling weather! I assume you’ll want rooms?”
The group all nodded their agreement. And something hot to eat and drink.
“I’m sorry, but we only have two rooms free now. Would you mind sharing? We’re the only inn in town, and the next place you could stay is almost an hour’s walk in decent conditions.” The short portly man looked anxiously at Kurogane, who was obviously the most intimidating and hardest to please of the group.
“It’s alright!” Fai felt a few rays of sun penetrate the gloomy mist that had settled in his mind when they had first arrived in the country. It was time for some fun! “I’m sure Big Doggy over here won’t mind sharing a room with me! Isn’t that right, Kuro-pyon?”
“Of course I mind, you stupid idiot!” Kurogane growled. “Why can’t I room with the kid?”
Fai felt a small inner glow of satisfaction as their routine interaction started up. He put on his best pout for Kurogane. “Really, Kuro-wanwan, you shouldn’t force yourself on somebody! Besides, Kuro-daddy and Fai-mommy should be together!” His voice rose in pitch and volume at the end as he eyed Kurogane before pouncing.
“Get … off …!” Kurogane flailed around, trying to dislodge the mage now attached to his front.
As Kurogane spun around the room, Fai wrapped his legs around him even harder and squeezed tighter with his arms. He laid his head against the taller man’s muscular chest and quietly enjoyed the moment while it lasted.
“What are you doing?” Fai looked up to see Kurogane staring at him.
He grinned lazily. “But isn’t it obvious? I’m just showing the world what a cute couple we are!”
Did I really … just say that? Fai had shocked even himself. It wasn’t like him to casually say something like that, especially not when he was in a position that many could interpret as intimate.
Fai watched those red eyes scrutinize him, brows furrowed.
“Ehh … Fai-san? Kurogane-san?” Fai slid sinuously off Kurogane when Syaoran’s voice sounded in the lobby of the inn. “Here’s your key …” He trailed off at the sight of Kurogane’s murderous glare trained on him and mutely held up a small golden key.
“Thank you so much, Syaoran-kun!” Fai exclaimed, choosing not to address the rather awkward position he and Kurogane were just in. “You and Mokona get a good night’s sleep now!” He smiled at both of them and petted Mokona on the head.
“Fai …” Mokona looked at him strangely. “Don’t be so sad, Fai. Kuro-chan will listen if you want to talk, and so will Mokona! And Mokona is sure Syaoran will too!”
Syaoran bobbed his head quickly in assent.
Fai glanced over his shoulder and prayed that Kurogane, who was leaning on the far wall, still shooting looks over at the mage, hadn’t heard Mokona. He had worked too hard to perfect this new mask.
He smiled through the tears that were beginning to threaten his eyes. If only they knew, how much I still pretended.
“OK Mokona, I’ll keep that in mind.” Fai ruffled Syaoran’s hair. “Now, let’s go upstairs and see our rooms!” Fai skipped towards the stairs, making sure there was an extra spring in his step.
“I still haven’t agreed to room with you!”
-
“Ahh, Kuro-rin, we’re alone at last!” Fai exclaimed with his usual amount of cheer as he sprawled on the bed, leaving Kurogane to sit on a chair on the opposite side of the room by the door.
Fai was tempted to just close his eyes and go to sleep. The only escape I ever have is in the dreams I don’t remember, Fai mused, lying on his stomach and getting comfortable. He turned his head briefly to survey the room. Besides the lone bed (The perfect size, Fai thought), there was also a small writing desk, the chair upon which Kurogane now sat, and a magical flame encased in a bubble, which lit up the entire room from its position on the desk. Fai settled himself, content that there was nothing to worry about, and prepared to go to sleep.
“What is that thing?” Kurogane’s voice interrupted Fai’s fantasizing about his dreamless sleep.
Although I’m not sure how logical that is in the first place, Fai thought amusedly.
Fai rolled over and glanced at Kurogane before replying. “A simple charm, really. The innkeeper is the wielder of a very small amount of fire-magic, and this is probably simpler and less dangerous than keeping torches in each room.”
It feels weird to talk so casually about magic now, Fai was still uneasy, but squashed the feeling, knowing that Kurogane would have a fit if he found out.
“How do we turn it off?” The warrior asked.
“Easy.” The words needed quickly flashed to mind and soon the flame was extinguished by a blue ring of magic. So easy.
“When did your magic become blue?” Fai wondered why Kurogane hadn’t noticed before. It wasn’t like him to be ignorant of little details … but then, he hadn’t really been flaunting around his magic either.
“It would seem that the more I use it and the stronger it becomes, it also changes color,” Fai shrugged. Among other things that you don’t need to know.
Fai settled himself on his back and properly looked at Kurogane. He was rubbing his left shoulder again, as if the artificial limb was giving him trouble.
“Is the arm bothering you again?” Kurogane started at Fai’s question. Great, so now he’s so accustomed to the pain he doesn’t even notice it anymore, he thought dryly.
“No, it’s just ...” he trailed off.
Surprise flickered inside Fai. He hadn’t realized that Kurogane was making such an effort to be more open with him …
That makes me feel absolutely great about myself.
Fai allowed the appropriate amount of concern surface and concentrated. The words didn’t come as easily this time, nor was the amount of magic in the air as small.
Kurogane yelled in alarm as the artificial arm lit up with blue markings. Fai hoped that once the Celesian magic had faded away, so would the pain.
“What did you do?” Kurogane asked suspiciously.
Good question, Fai answered silently. Hmm, let’s see. I’m trying to find a way around this handicap of mine that doesn’t allow me to heal anything, but I’m not sure how to do it, so you’re basically a guinea pig. Yeah, you’ll react well to that.
“A modified version of a spell I used to use all the time … although I expected the previous one I cast to last longer than a mere 4 weeks.” This time, the worry surfaced without Fai’s conscious thought.
“Wait, what previous spell? Wha- When did you put a spell on me?” Kurogane stammered, then regained his composure and adopted a fierce glare.
Might as well go for a part of the truth. “The spell I cast is a variation of what I always used to arm our soldiers with before a battle,” Fai explained. “The actual spell is one that renders the receiver devoid of pain, but also devoid of emotions. I told you once that I can’t use healing magic at all – only magics good for wars and killing. The ultimate fighter is someone who isn’t afraid to die on the battlefield; someone who’s greatest concern isn’t their missing arm, but that they had not yet killed enough to be considered a hero.”
Fai watched with some amusement as Kurogane’s eye twitched. “Please tell me you didn’t just erase all my emotions.”
Fai sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes. “Kuro-chii, if your emotions were gone, you wouldn’t be able to be mad or upset with me.”
Kurogane twitched again.
He should really get that checked out. Fai suppressed a giggle at the thought of Kuro-tan waiting in a doctor’s office.
“Then what exactly did you do?” Patience is a virtue that Kurogane does not have … not that I mind terribly.
“I removed the no emotions part from the script I wrote, and directed the pain reliever into your arm instead of your eyes.” Half-truths are better than lies.
“Why would you put magic on someone’s eyes?” Kurogane tensed instinctively.
Fai propped himself up to look Kurogane in the eye. “Have you learned nothing from our journey?” Fai used his sweetest voice. “A person’s eyes are very important. They serve as a conduit for magic, in particular magic that affects the soul, brain, or heart and not simply the body. They’re also somewhat a portal to the three afore mentioned things: eyes can never lie.”
Something flashed across Kurogane’s face, too fast for Fai to follow.
“Alright, but you still haven’t explained when and why you put a spell on me!” Kurogane demanded, glare still in place. “You know I don’t like magic!”
He doesn’t like magic?
…
What?
He doesn’t … like magic?
Then what does that mean … for me?
“You don’t?” Fai had to ask. He hoped Kurogane hadn’t noticed the tiny waver in his voice or the way he fought to keep a straight face.
Just tell me what I need to hear, or else you’ll be faced with a thousand unshed tears over a million untold sorrows, Fai thought bitterly. I’m not strong enough to stop crying if I start, so please, please, just tell me what I need to hear!
“Well, ah …” Kurogane muttered. “I just don’t like it when it’s so sudden, and when it’s applied to me without my permission!”
…
I can pretend for another day.
“But I would never do anything to hurt my Kuro-myu!” Fai gazed at him, widening his eyes and adopting his best look of innocence.
“Will you shut up with the weird names!?”
Kurogane is grateful for an out from the awkward moment. I wonder if he’ll pursue this later … Kuro-chan really had this unfortunate habit of slamming Fai back into his past with probing questions at the worst times possible.
“Your name is so long and boring though, Kuro-rin!” Fai beamed at him, letting none of his inner turmoil surface.
Kurogane roared and swiped at the mage. Fai dodged and evaded him, forgetting his worries for a brief few moments as he concentrated on frustrating the warrior to the point of surrender.
He lay back down on the bed and sighed quietly. All of his thoughts came crashing down on him again as Kurogane came to sit beside him and said, “You know, you never answered my questions.”
Fai summoned up another smile. This is only getting harder, day by day. And who knows what he’ll do if he catches me breaking again?
“Now, now, I’m allowed to still keep some secrets from you!” He chuckled, burying his face in his pillow after to hide his face from the room’s other occupant.
I’m hiding more than just my face.
Series: TRC
Pairing: KuroFai
Rating: PG
Length: about 2000 words, chapter 2 (1.2/??)
Note: runs parallel to Crimson
This is a frozen world of ice and snow.
Fai squinted through the white storm. “Look, I think I see some buildings over there!” He called out to his companions. They had been walking through the blizzard for a painful 10 minutes and Fai was afraid they would all freeze soon if they didn’t find shelter.
They tumbled into an inn after another hundred meter trek through snow an easy two feet deep.
“Excuse me!” Syaoran, Kurogane, and Mokona all seemed frozen to the tips of their fingers (did Mokona have fingers?) and Fai desperately hoped none of them had suffered from frostbite.
I know only too well what harsh conditions like these can do to a man, he thought grimly. Ashura-ou’s soldiers would often return with limbs frozen black, dead and useless.
“Hello! Sorry to keep you waiting!” The innkeeper hurried out from side door and greeted them. “What terrible travelling weather! I assume you’ll want rooms?”
The group all nodded their agreement. And something hot to eat and drink.
“I’m sorry, but we only have two rooms free now. Would you mind sharing? We’re the only inn in town, and the next place you could stay is almost an hour’s walk in decent conditions.” The short portly man looked anxiously at Kurogane, who was obviously the most intimidating and hardest to please of the group.
“It’s alright!” Fai felt a few rays of sun penetrate the gloomy mist that had settled in his mind when they had first arrived in the country. It was time for some fun! “I’m sure Big Doggy over here won’t mind sharing a room with me! Isn’t that right, Kuro-pyon?”
“Of course I mind, you stupid idiot!” Kurogane growled. “Why can’t I room with the kid?”
Fai felt a small inner glow of satisfaction as their routine interaction started up. He put on his best pout for Kurogane. “Really, Kuro-wanwan, you shouldn’t force yourself on somebody! Besides, Kuro-daddy and Fai-mommy should be together!” His voice rose in pitch and volume at the end as he eyed Kurogane before pouncing.
“Get … off …!” Kurogane flailed around, trying to dislodge the mage now attached to his front.
As Kurogane spun around the room, Fai wrapped his legs around him even harder and squeezed tighter with his arms. He laid his head against the taller man’s muscular chest and quietly enjoyed the moment while it lasted.
“What are you doing?” Fai looked up to see Kurogane staring at him.
He grinned lazily. “But isn’t it obvious? I’m just showing the world what a cute couple we are!”
Did I really … just say that? Fai had shocked even himself. It wasn’t like him to casually say something like that, especially not when he was in a position that many could interpret as intimate.
Fai watched those red eyes scrutinize him, brows furrowed.
“Ehh … Fai-san? Kurogane-san?” Fai slid sinuously off Kurogane when Syaoran’s voice sounded in the lobby of the inn. “Here’s your key …” He trailed off at the sight of Kurogane’s murderous glare trained on him and mutely held up a small golden key.
“Thank you so much, Syaoran-kun!” Fai exclaimed, choosing not to address the rather awkward position he and Kurogane were just in. “You and Mokona get a good night’s sleep now!” He smiled at both of them and petted Mokona on the head.
“Fai …” Mokona looked at him strangely. “Don’t be so sad, Fai. Kuro-chan will listen if you want to talk, and so will Mokona! And Mokona is sure Syaoran will too!”
Syaoran bobbed his head quickly in assent.
Fai glanced over his shoulder and prayed that Kurogane, who was leaning on the far wall, still shooting looks over at the mage, hadn’t heard Mokona. He had worked too hard to perfect this new mask.
He smiled through the tears that were beginning to threaten his eyes. If only they knew, how much I still pretended.
“OK Mokona, I’ll keep that in mind.” Fai ruffled Syaoran’s hair. “Now, let’s go upstairs and see our rooms!” Fai skipped towards the stairs, making sure there was an extra spring in his step.
“I still haven’t agreed to room with you!”
-
“Ahh, Kuro-rin, we’re alone at last!” Fai exclaimed with his usual amount of cheer as he sprawled on the bed, leaving Kurogane to sit on a chair on the opposite side of the room by the door.
Fai was tempted to just close his eyes and go to sleep. The only escape I ever have is in the dreams I don’t remember, Fai mused, lying on his stomach and getting comfortable. He turned his head briefly to survey the room. Besides the lone bed (The perfect size, Fai thought), there was also a small writing desk, the chair upon which Kurogane now sat, and a magical flame encased in a bubble, which lit up the entire room from its position on the desk. Fai settled himself, content that there was nothing to worry about, and prepared to go to sleep.
“What is that thing?” Kurogane’s voice interrupted Fai’s fantasizing about his dreamless sleep.
Although I’m not sure how logical that is in the first place, Fai thought amusedly.
Fai rolled over and glanced at Kurogane before replying. “A simple charm, really. The innkeeper is the wielder of a very small amount of fire-magic, and this is probably simpler and less dangerous than keeping torches in each room.”
It feels weird to talk so casually about magic now, Fai was still uneasy, but squashed the feeling, knowing that Kurogane would have a fit if he found out.
“How do we turn it off?” The warrior asked.
“Easy.” The words needed quickly flashed to mind and soon the flame was extinguished by a blue ring of magic. So easy.
“When did your magic become blue?” Fai wondered why Kurogane hadn’t noticed before. It wasn’t like him to be ignorant of little details … but then, he hadn’t really been flaunting around his magic either.
“It would seem that the more I use it and the stronger it becomes, it also changes color,” Fai shrugged. Among other things that you don’t need to know.
Fai settled himself on his back and properly looked at Kurogane. He was rubbing his left shoulder again, as if the artificial limb was giving him trouble.
“Is the arm bothering you again?” Kurogane started at Fai’s question. Great, so now he’s so accustomed to the pain he doesn’t even notice it anymore, he thought dryly.
“No, it’s just ...” he trailed off.
Surprise flickered inside Fai. He hadn’t realized that Kurogane was making such an effort to be more open with him …
That makes me feel absolutely great about myself.
Fai allowed the appropriate amount of concern surface and concentrated. The words didn’t come as easily this time, nor was the amount of magic in the air as small.
Kurogane yelled in alarm as the artificial arm lit up with blue markings. Fai hoped that once the Celesian magic had faded away, so would the pain.
“What did you do?” Kurogane asked suspiciously.
Good question, Fai answered silently. Hmm, let’s see. I’m trying to find a way around this handicap of mine that doesn’t allow me to heal anything, but I’m not sure how to do it, so you’re basically a guinea pig. Yeah, you’ll react well to that.
“A modified version of a spell I used to use all the time … although I expected the previous one I cast to last longer than a mere 4 weeks.” This time, the worry surfaced without Fai’s conscious thought.
“Wait, what previous spell? Wha- When did you put a spell on me?” Kurogane stammered, then regained his composure and adopted a fierce glare.
Might as well go for a part of the truth. “The spell I cast is a variation of what I always used to arm our soldiers with before a battle,” Fai explained. “The actual spell is one that renders the receiver devoid of pain, but also devoid of emotions. I told you once that I can’t use healing magic at all – only magics good for wars and killing. The ultimate fighter is someone who isn’t afraid to die on the battlefield; someone who’s greatest concern isn’t their missing arm, but that they had not yet killed enough to be considered a hero.”
Fai watched with some amusement as Kurogane’s eye twitched. “Please tell me you didn’t just erase all my emotions.”
Fai sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes. “Kuro-chii, if your emotions were gone, you wouldn’t be able to be mad or upset with me.”
Kurogane twitched again.
He should really get that checked out. Fai suppressed a giggle at the thought of Kuro-tan waiting in a doctor’s office.
“Then what exactly did you do?” Patience is a virtue that Kurogane does not have … not that I mind terribly.
“I removed the no emotions part from the script I wrote, and directed the pain reliever into your arm instead of your eyes.” Half-truths are better than lies.
“Why would you put magic on someone’s eyes?” Kurogane tensed instinctively.
Fai propped himself up to look Kurogane in the eye. “Have you learned nothing from our journey?” Fai used his sweetest voice. “A person’s eyes are very important. They serve as a conduit for magic, in particular magic that affects the soul, brain, or heart and not simply the body. They’re also somewhat a portal to the three afore mentioned things: eyes can never lie.”
Something flashed across Kurogane’s face, too fast for Fai to follow.
“Alright, but you still haven’t explained when and why you put a spell on me!” Kurogane demanded, glare still in place. “You know I don’t like magic!”
He doesn’t like magic?
…
What?
He doesn’t … like magic?
Then what does that mean … for me?
“You don’t?” Fai had to ask. He hoped Kurogane hadn’t noticed the tiny waver in his voice or the way he fought to keep a straight face.
Just tell me what I need to hear, or else you’ll be faced with a thousand unshed tears over a million untold sorrows, Fai thought bitterly. I’m not strong enough to stop crying if I start, so please, please, just tell me what I need to hear!
“Well, ah …” Kurogane muttered. “I just don’t like it when it’s so sudden, and when it’s applied to me without my permission!”
…
I can pretend for another day.
“But I would never do anything to hurt my Kuro-myu!” Fai gazed at him, widening his eyes and adopting his best look of innocence.
“Will you shut up with the weird names!?”
Kurogane is grateful for an out from the awkward moment. I wonder if he’ll pursue this later … Kuro-chan really had this unfortunate habit of slamming Fai back into his past with probing questions at the worst times possible.
“Your name is so long and boring though, Kuro-rin!” Fai beamed at him, letting none of his inner turmoil surface.
Kurogane roared and swiped at the mage. Fai dodged and evaded him, forgetting his worries for a brief few moments as he concentrated on frustrating the warrior to the point of surrender.
He lay back down on the bed and sighed quietly. All of his thoughts came crashing down on him again as Kurogane came to sit beside him and said, “You know, you never answered my questions.”
Fai summoned up another smile. This is only getting harder, day by day. And who knows what he’ll do if he catches me breaking again?
“Now, now, I’m allowed to still keep some secrets from you!” He chuckled, burying his face in his pillow after to hide his face from the room’s other occupant.
I’m hiding more than just my face.
