Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the story, bitches. Now go away before I bite you and infect you with rabies.

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Feeetchhhh meeee…my BLUE WINDBREAKER!"—Dr. Orpheus, The Venture Brothers

Hello once again, folks!

Well…it's been a looong, loong road, several dozen failed ideas, and a muse who won't stay damn consistent with her visits, but here we are…the final chapter of NAKFOC. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Don't you DARE complain, Ria-chan, because this should've been finished LAST chapter.

The days inch ever closer…and I'm afraid I won't be able to spend them with my best friend. I'm taking care of my neighbor's dog and lifeguarding now, so I'm not able to do as much as I used to. I just hope that she doesn't hate me for it….:le sob at thought of Aisha hating her because she's her BESTEST FRIEND EVER:. Demo, I'll do my best to keep writing, even if I can't post like the dickens. Hopefully the end of this will allow me to focus more on "Kingdom Hearts: Song of Tsubasa" and "Song of the Sea," which are my more serious stories. But this will always be dear in my heart.

Now, commentary on chappie 8…um. I really, really am not sure I like the beginning of this. I'm pretty sure I only like it from the point where they reach the motel on, but I think the rest of it is alright, too, and the interactions between them are very profound and realistic after what happened. My favorite line in there is Kurogane asking Fai how many sacrifices he'll have to make for him. Which, in a way, is true, I think. I'm actually very shocked at the lack of post-125 stories, so I felt a need to satisfy that need. GO READ IT NOW, SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER, LOVE IT, MARRY IT, HAVE ITS BABIES.

Now, this last movement is pretty much the lovechild of a horrific affair between a very pretty song by Noriko Matsueda (I think….) and an absolutely brilliant three-page KuroFai doujinshi by darkpersian. It is, essentially, a confession of love without saying anything at all…it's beautiful and tastefully done and…um…let'sjustsayIloveit :le nosebleed:. And…well, let's just say that if you thought last chapter was fluffy…yeah.

Ummm…riiiiiight. Seems the dementia from rabies is setting in.

And so, without further adieu…the last movement.

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Not Another KuroFai Oneshot Section!

By Javelin the Silent One (like it never happened…)

Movement the Last: One Thousand Words

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Though a thousand words

Have never been spoken

They'll fly to you

Crossing over the time and distance holding you

Suspended on silver wings

FFX-2, "1000 Words"

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And suddenly things seem so horribly cliché to Fai, so horribly cliché as the innkeeper grinned and regretfully informs the two that he's very sorry, they only have three rooms left and perhaps the gentlemen wouldn't mind sharing, because god forbid something oh-so-scandalous should happen between the two adolescents who probably weren't even acquainted with the dirty deed. So he gave his little puppy :that: smile, the one that made his stomach clench and the other's face tighten into a spiteful glare. No words, just a smile and a growl and a piece of paper shoved across the counter and it was good as theirs.

Fai had not realized, however, that the rooms of the children were in a completely separate building.

So there they were, two grown men, with nothing between them except a thin curtain of silence and air. It stifled, it smothered…he'd go mad if it stayed like this.

So he did the next best thing; same old routine, slap on that smile wave that little hand, and away you walk throwing some comment over your shoulder.

It was easier that way, because it did not lift the curtain, the barriers between them, but distilled the awkwardness. But it didn't raise the curtain, and Fai made certain of that.

He couldn't let that barrier vanish.

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And suddenly Kurogane wanted to kill something, to slash and hack and to hell with this curse because seeing the mage's face like that was far, far worse.

He was a straightforward man and had no time to pick people's brains. He had no connections to anyone except the enigma known as Strength, all raw muscle and cold laughter and the screams of the dying and dead filling your blood with lust and god it was such a beautiful thing.

He had no connections to anyone. It was easier not to feel pain that way.

Which was why he was so shocked when, when those lips drew up in that clownish, almost macabre grin, he felt a spasm go through his heart. Not pain…but in a way, it did hurt. And worse, it grew stronger every time they were alone. Together.

And now he had reached breaking point, and something inside of him he didn't understand snapped and broke and let all that pain out and it was so goddamn hard to hear himself over the roar of a pulse and the throbbing in his head and goddammit, who was the bastard trying to fool!

He can't take it. The hand launches out and there's no more restraint.

Because London's bridge has fallen down and he was drowning and felt so cold

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And suddenly Fai is pulled back with a yelp and he has a moment to think now isn't this nice, just like it was planned and then he's gazing into furious crimson, all raw beauty and rage and acidic anger, all directed at him as the hand tightens around his arm.

Fai suddenly didn't want this and tried to pull away and tried to say please, stop, I don't want this don't touch my heart you'll get a papercut from the shards and

Before he could get a word out, though, Kuro-rin struck.

He flinched as the other hand lashes out—

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And suddenly Kurogane realized what a goddamn fool he was being as instead his hand cupped the magician's back and suddenly pulled him forward, towards him, and no, body, I don't think I told you hug the damn liar.

Because that's what he did. He grimaced and growled and pulled him closer, not stopping until the mage let out a little squeak for lack of air and even then he gripped the shoulders, around his back and he marveled how someone so thin could go on living. And his body went against him again, no, body, I don't think I told you to put your nose in his hair, feel the strands tickle your nostrils and inhale his icy cold scent like a winter day

Ah, screw it.

His arms were firm, but not tight. And suddenly cliché didn't have a meaning anymore, not when what he'd wanted was right there.

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And suddenly Fai was scared, because he never thought he'd feel anything as sweet as those arms again, so rock hard and feather soft and pliant, warm muscle engulfing him consuming him drawing him down into something so fearful, afraid. But he stayed still for but a moment, listening to the strong heart, the deep breaths, the sound of his pulse as it rushed to his face.

And then Fai was very, very afraid.

So he tried to push away, to shove Kurogane away, opened his mouth and wanted to shout no, leave me. Can't you see I'll just hurt you, like I've been hurt? Don't get close to me don't remind me of these wounds just leave me alone and

Fai was cut off before he even started as a strong hand cupped under his chin, forefinger and thumb looping underneath as he drew that face up, lips partially open and all bruised body and battered soul and fright, even though you couldn't see it and yet it was so very there at the same time.

And Fai felt sudden shock, blank, as he is met with a heartbroken face, eyes not yet wet but on the verge of tears, something that spoke of a promise forgotten and a silent plea…something that was almost childlike…gentle.

And he felt shame in the burning trail Kurogane's thumb made at the utter loss in those eyes, realized that he was not alone as another hand slowly made its way up to the curve of his face to his ear. He is not the only victim. The thought stung to think of it.

And so he repaid in the only way he knew how. Tilt his head just so, gilding brown fingers with golden hair.

The veil that has covered him breaks and snaps and—

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And suddenly Kurogane felt nothing but sheer relief, euphoria, whatever the hell its called and does it matter anymore, that name?

Because he saw something in the way the eyelids slid down, the affectionate nuzzle, the oh so slight curve of his lips and was Fai aware of just how much better his goddamn dimples looked when he smiled THIS way? Of the way his eyes sparkled, how his cheeks darkened with blush and how much better his teeth looked when lips were only slightly parted?

Even in the dingy light of a third-rate motel, Kurogane had never seen something so very beautiful in his life.

He had to get closer….

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And suddenly Fai was surprised at the way he leaned forward and barely brushed their lips together, intimately, gently.

What surprised him even more was the way his lips began to tingle, how warm his face suddenly felt, and he felt very much like laughing as he imagined red eyes widening in shock, trying to pull away and shove away and walk away and pretend this moment never happened.

And Kurogane DOES pull away, and Fai is sad, but he never leaves Kurogane's arms nor does Kurogane make any attempt to remove him. But the eyes are serious and sober again, but there is fear hidden behind it.

Fear for him, he realized.

And Kurogane opened his mouth a little and Fai knew speech was coming and now that wouldn't do. So the mage simply smiled, up on his tiptoes and muffled that mouth with his kitten-soft lips. The ninja did not pull away this time and Fai twined his arms around strong shoulders into spiky hair, marveling that something so spiky could be so soft.

He allowed himself to fall, and found he really didn't mind one bit.

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And suddenly Kurogane recognized his mistake and almost squawked with embarrassment as he found an arm tugging down on the coat and revealing white shoulder and smooth skin and all snowy neck and oh god what was Fai gonna say to that? To the rising storm within him, the warmth that was quickly escalating into smothering, overwhelming heat!

Fai thankfully looked halfway between surprised and amused, saving him further mortification as he takes strong forearms and pushes himself back, looking first into his eyes, then away and on his shoulders and all over his body and if Fai was going to leave he should just leave because his manhood would never let him live this down. Kurogane was shamed beyond belief.

Blink once, twice. Then gloved hands on his body roaming, igniting. Furrowed brows, questioning, an opened mouth—

And Kurogane almost laughed out loud when he realized what the problem really was.

So he took Fai's hands and guided them towards the laces of his armor.

And then he closed his eyes and sighed as he felt long, deft fingers at work, and just wished to himself that they would go a little faster.

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And suddenly they were both shamelessly exposed, tongues and limbs entwining into some elegant knot as I and me and mine become we, us, ours. The wind and the trees and the earth sway gently in the growing winds outside. One drop, then two, then a plethora more as the gentle hand of God or whatever stretched out to water his garden. Faint smells of earth and ripeness and life fill the air slowly like some rich exotic perfume.

A building away, it sang sweet lullabies to a princess whose eyes gently closed in sleep.

It sang condolences to a boy who had lost all hope but forged on anyway.

But for the two, it spoke only of unity, of completion, of a cycle come full circle and the richness of passion and, when they were finally spent and rested and slipped into deep sleep like the mage into his usual skintight clothing, Kurogane kissed Fai's forehead, and they stare at one another. And Kurogane tried to say something, face blushing and abashed, but was stopped by the soft lips, the ghost of a kiss that made his body tremble with thrill.

He guessed no words were needed.

So he reached over to the sliding door. With a twitch of the finger it opened, and then the ninja relaxed in the cool pleasant after-rain breeze.

In the morning, Fai noticed with a smirk the white fluffball in the corner, holding some sort of box, but he let Kurogane reach down and kiss his cheek anyway, face red, and waited for the click and flash, the inevitable swordswinging and teasing and dodging and god knew what else before they came together again in the heat of the night.

For now, though, he simply smiled the smile that made Kuro-rin's heart sing, and for a moment nothing was sweeter than that.

Not even Yuuko's chocolates.

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And suddenly Watanuki felt very very ill.

Yuuko was giving THE SMIRK again. Working for her on a good day was bad enough, but days when she was PMSing or hungover were even worse.

And with THE SMIRK…

Watanuki shuddered.

Her attention was not focused on him, though, but on a small card in her hand. He raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to as just what the hell that was but then she held up her finger and glared at him with a look that meant certain death if he spoke.

Then she lay it on the table and flounced off to her wine cellar, apparently happy about something. So Watanuki leaned over and—

He raised an eyebrow, blinked. Once. Twice.

Now THERE was something you didn't see everyday.

It was the two men—their names escaped him now, but he definitely knew them—the taller leaning over the pale man, chin in hand, a blush on his cheeks, and the pale man giving a smile that Watanuki couldn't help but feel warm over.

Most unusual, however, was the fashion it was presented in.

Torn at one edge and then down the middle in a ragged scar that ended just short of the tall man's head, with dusty footprints all over it. Fingerprints, lovingly smeared and shamelessly dirtying the picture, and a sad attempt to draw in a heart in the corner with what looked like a dying pen.

Watanuki turned it over to see Yuuko's characteristic handwriting:

White Day present from Kurogane and Fai. Paid in full.

And then Watanuki suddenly realized, even as he tunes out Yuuko's drunken laughs and the creepy girls' singsong imitation and Larg's bouncing up and down, the message that was written on that card without even writing a thing at all.

And he smiles, marveling at how one picture can say a thousand words and beyond.

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Oh, a thousand words

One thousand embraces

Will cradle you

Making all of your weary days seem far away

They'll hold you forever….

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Aaaaaand that's when the fat lady sang! I have to admit, I'm gonna miss this li'l ol' thread…:le sob: So many good memories! Demo, it's time for me to move on to bigger and better things.

Commentary on this…I really wanted to challenge myself to write something without dialogue. Like I said, this was done in a three-page doujinshi by darkpersian, and there are no speaking parts at all in it. But the emotion…god. So very gorgeous. And I hope I did a semi-decent job.

But this won't be the last you hear from me! No, folks, next time you see me I might be co-writing with bloodytwistedangel if SHE WOULD ONLY CHECK HER EMAIL AND REPLY TO MY PM :le poke:. Also be on the lookout for challenges I may be creating!

JAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Javelin the Silent One

Finished 15 August 2005, 12:47 PM