Compel Your Black Eyes

Take 1

Immunity

1

"Does it ever stop raining in this place?" Kurogane grumbled, tightening his scarf around his neck.

"Kuro-tan," Fai sighed, "I have asked you so many times now, why don't you just come share my umbrella?"

"Yeah, right, that won't look stupid," Kurogane stated blankly.

"Well," Fai started, "Its better than being soaked through. Your hair looks a little silly when it gets wet,"

"What do you care?" Kurogane asked rhetorically.

"You could at least walk next to me, Kuro-sama." Fai said with the hint of a whine in his voice.

"I would," said Kurogane gruffly, "But you walk so damn slow,"

Fai sniffed, "You just stomp everywhere! You're no good!"

Kurogane rolled his eyes but slowed his pace.

-

The country was small. Small, grey and boring.

It was a fisherman's town tied together by old and crumbling cobblestone alleys, bending, polluted rivers and mud-infested banks. The people were grumpy and secretive, they kept themselves to themselves and rarely left the house unless it was to go down to the docks for a fish. The sky was blackened during the day, even the patented rain looked like it was dabbled in ash. The sound of boats and calls rang in the air, along with the raspy coughs of the inhabitants. They lived on fish. They had fish every morning, afternoon and evening along with a tankard of ale and were happy until morning when they were back to their usual grumbling selves.

Since they had arrived in the world, it had not seemed to stop raining. It rained heavily during the day, leaving voluminous puddles along the grimy alleyways and in the night it pattered constantly at the hotel windows, keeping Fai awake.

Fai sighed, staring up at the sky.

"You're slowing down again!" Kurogane snapped.

"Weather really reflects mood, hmm?" Fai smiled, "We're all so down. I wish the sun would come out and motivate us!"

"Great, now can we move it along? It's still raining and the kids are waiting," Kurogane said.

"It's not that late, Kuro-puu," Fai pointed over at the docks, "Fisherman-san is still casting the net!"

"Yeah, like they do every second of every day in this place." Kurogane said in a bored voice.

"Fisherman-san!" Fai beamed, waving in the direction of the docks.

The few fishermen turned to stare at Fai who was twirling around a rainbow umbrella.

"Well," said Kurogane, "They seem amused,"

"Have you caught much?" Fai smiled.

"No, not today," the old, hooded fisherman rasped, "Not much today,"

"Oh," said Fai, "Well, better luck tomorrow!"

The fishermen nodded, but exchanged looks between themselves.

Fai started to waltz away but something was bothering Kurogane.

The water was greyer than ever. It could have just been all of that ashen rain that had been falling continuously, but something was different. No wonder the fishermen had caught nothing, there were no fish in the water. When they first arrived, fish had flitted around the rivers like silver dashes, but now, the water just looked empty and dirty.

Kurogane shrugged and began to follow Fai down the alleyway, away from the hushed mumbling the fishermen exchanged in secret.

-

"Welcome back, did you buy much?" Sakura asked.

Kurgane held up a tattered bag,

"Fish," he muttered.

"That's not all!" Fai smiled, "We bought more umbrellas for everybody, we bought some extra sheets for the beds and we got some loaves of bread!"

"What are we going to have to drink?" asked Syaoran.

"Alcohol! Alcohol!" chorused Mokona, bouncing upon Syaoran's head.

"Hmm," Fai smiled, "We picked up some ale, but besides that there was only water,"

"Oh well," Sakura smiled, "It's better than nothing,"

Fai nodded and glanced to the window.

"Has the rain cleared up at all?" asked Syaoran.

"Not even close," grumbled Kurogane, stacking the water bottles along the shelves.

"This rain," Syaoran said, "I heard some women talking, they say its unnatural for it to go on so long,"

"Hmm? Not for a town next to the sea," said Kurogane.

"Even so," Syaoran went on, "They say it's been almost two weeks now, raining like that, all day and all night. Don't you think that's strange?"

"Its okay, Syaoran-kun," Fai smiled, "It's only rain, I don't think there's anything wrong."

Sakura nodded in agreement.

-

It was around midnight that the storm began.

After the first, rumbling thunderclap, silence hovered a moment before a more violent on broke it. The first flash of lightning from outside the window compelled Kurogane to draw back the curtains.

Sure enough, the clouds were darkened and the thunder was crashing in time with the jagged lightning patterns that hit the edges of the seaside cliffs.

"Woah," Kurogane muttered, "This place is really falling apart,"

He looked at where Fai was sleeping in hope of a response.

But Fai was curled up with his hands blocking his ears.

He hadn't heard him.

-

-

-

2

"Good morning everyone!" Fai gushed, "Does the search for the feather start today, Syaoran-kun?"

"Yeah, straight after breakfast, Kurogane-san and I are checking out the market and the coves on the coast. We should check in the fishermen's district too. We were wondering if you and Sakura-hime would take a look along the riverbanks?" Syaoran explained while serving out the morning tea.

"Ah! Syaoran-kun, you're so good at planning!" Fai smiled.

Kurogane looked across the table at Fai, who was in the middle of stretching his arms towards the sugar.

"Hey-" he began, but was interrupted when Sakura ran through the door.

"Good morning! I'm so sorry I overslept," she breathed.

"Don't worry," Syaoran smiled, "I cooked breakfast this morning,"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she gushed, "It was my turn and I was the last one sleeping,"

"That's not true! Mokona was still sleeping," Mokona cried while flitting into the room, "Good morning Kuro-pippi!" it said, perching itself upon Kurogane's head.

"Did everyone hear the thunder and lightning last night?" Sakura said, sitting down with a slice of bread, "Every time I was drifting off to sleep it clashed outside of the window and I shot straight back up!"

"You're afraid of thunder?" Kurogane asked, but half directed the question towards Fai.

"Not really," Sakura smiled, "It was just very loud,"

Fai prodded his bread with his fork and then smiled.

"You're so brave, Sakura-chan!" he said.

Kurogane raised an eyebrow.

-

"Sakura-hime, do you have your umbrella? It's still raining you know,"

"Yes, I have it, what about you Kurogane-san?"

"Don't need one,"

"Kuro-puppy is going to get wet!"

"Yes! Yes! Kuro-puppy the big wet dog!"

"You two better cut that out!"

"Yes, sir!"

"No, sir! Three bags full sir!"

"Ah ha ha ha!"

"Shut up!"

-

-

-

3

Fai rolled up his sleeves and kept close to Sakura's side.

"I love the smell of the sea!" he smiled, "It's so much different from next to the docks,"

Sakura nodded, "It's nice to get away from the fishing town,"

"Its too bad it's still raining," Fai said lightly, "Please come out Mr Sun!"

"Fai-san?" Sakura began, "Shouldn't we be checking out the riverbanks like Syaoran-kun said?"

"Hmm? We should indeed, but I wanted to see the sea before we left," Fai said, "It's still grey and murky, but it smells of the sea."

Sakura picked up a pebble and threw it in the water where it landed with a satisfied 'plop'.

Fai laughed at the look of determination on her face as she threw again.

"It's no good!" Sakura said, after her sixth attempt, "I can't do it,"

Fai handed her a clear white pebble,

"Throw it a little harder," he explained, "And rotate your hand a little as you throw,"

The pebble glided across the water's grey surface, making tiny ripples as it skimmed the water. It seemed to last for ages. Just a flying white outline as it disappeared into the waves.

The surface of the water was getting darker. The rain clouds that had been on constant move had finally made their way over to the beach.

"It's getting heavier!" Sakura cried.

It was getting much heavier. Tenser and sharper, like stinging needles. These were no longer the drizzles like dewdrops on a flower petal, this was the tense feeling in the sky just before a storm.

Fai looked up at the storm clouds. He knew what would happen soon, and the rainfall was numbing the edges of his skin.

"We have to find shelter!" he said hurriedly.

The first roll of thunder began and he crouched down instinctively, grabbing her shoulders, "We have to find shelter, Sakura-chan!" he cried, "Can you see anywhere?"

Sakura looked up at the looming sky and then all around, her eyes reaching a hollow cave in the side of the cliff. She pointed across the beach to the cave.

"There," she shouted.

Fai grabbed her dripping hand and ran.

The air began to moan.

-

Fai's breath was like iced powder on the cave wall.

"Are you..." he began, "Are you okay?"

He saw her nod through the darkness, "Let's just stay here until it stops," she said.

He crouched down beside the jagged rocks as the thunder crashed and roared outside.

"Are you okay, Fai-san?" she asked, crouching down opposite him.

He raised his head and smiled but said nothing.

"I hope Syaoran-kun and Kurogane-san are okay, do you think they went home?" she asked.

Fai nodded.

"Should we not go home?" she asked desperately, "It could get much worse and we could be blocked in here by the tide soon,"

Fai's head shot up, "Stuck?" he repeated.

"Fai-san-" she began.

"I'm okay, don't worry about me," he started.

But he was not okay, he was shaking and he was clearly soaked to the bone. Each time the thunder began he would flinch and cradle himself closer.

Sakura looked cautiously out of the opening of the cave entrance, "Fai-san, shouldn't we hurry home quickly before the lightning begins?"

"I can't," he breathed, "I need to stay here. I need to stay here until it's completely over."

Sakura's eyes widened, "But-"

"Please, Sakura-chan, don't make me go outside."

-

-

4

Fai's hair was stuck clammily to his forehead and his clothes were completely immersed with rainwater, clinging to his thin frame.

Sakura traced a hand around the stones and stood at the cave entrance.

The sky outside was eclipsed in darkness and the beach and surroundings were completely deserted. She turned and looked at Fai, who, despite smiling, was still clutching his knees. 'What should I do?' she thought desperately, 'Every minute the water is growing closer to the edge of the sand and then we'll be stuck here! What if this cave fills completely with water? What if we drown? What should I do? If Syaoran-kun was here, he's know what to do, and if Kurogane-san were here, he'd be able to help Fai-san, I need to think!'

Sakura was practically standing at the water's edge now, trying desperately not to cry, when, reflected in the water's surface was a flash of white light.

She flinched back and ran back into the cave.

"Was it lightning?" Fai called.

Sakura nodded her head.

"We need to get out of here," she said, "Fai-san! We have to leave!"

Fai stayed rooted to the spot.

"Please," she begged, "Please come with me," She began tugging on his wet clothes.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

She stared at him for a moment, before running to the cave entrance.

"I'll bring Kurogane-san!" she cried, before running out into the rain.

"Sakura-chan!" Fai shouted after her, "Don't go out there alone! It's too dangerous!"

But she had already reached the sand's surface.

-

Sakura ran through the alleyways until she reached the hotel.

"Kurogane-san!" she cried out, "Syaoran-kun!"

"Sakura!" Syaoran shouted, forgetting the formality in relief she was back. "You're okay,"

Sakura nodded, "Where is Kurogane-san?" she asked.

"He's in the kitchen, but, where is Fai-san?" Syaoran asked.

"He's stuck in a cave at the beach and he refuses to come out!" Sakura cried, "We need to go get him before he's stuck in there by the tide."

"He let you come here all alone! What if you were hurt!" Syaoran cried out.

"Fai-san," Sakura said softly, "He's afraid of the storm."

Kurogane stomped out onto the doorstep,

"What's going on?" he growled, "Where's that damn mage?"

Sakura grabbed Kurogane's hand and pulled him to follow her.

"We have to go help him!"

-

-

5

Fai stared out at the ocean, the thunder still rolled above him, but it was growing softer. The air had since grown eerily still. The rain fell lighter, collapsing like forlorn tears before reducing to nothing at the sea's surface.

He edged closer to the entrance, but the water got deeper towards the hole in the wall. He looked around at the secluded beach. How was he supposed to get home?

-

"In there," Sakura said, pointing over to the opening in the cliff, but stopped, "The tide has already surpassed it! How are we supposed to get in? What if he's drowning?"

Kurogane put his hand on her head, "Don't panic." he said calmly, "I won't let him die,"

Sakura nodded, "But how-?"

Kurogane stared at the water and then at the cliff.

"Hmm," he said, looking darkly across, making his judgements, "It won't pass my chest at most. I doubt it'll come up to my waist,"

"You-" Sakura started.

"I guess I've got to don't I?" Kurogane said, "That guy, he always makes things so difficult,"

-

"Hey,"

"Kuro-tan?" Fai asked.

"Yeah, who do you think?" Kurogane said, raising an eyebrow.

"You came for me!" Fai exclaimed, "Where are you? I wanna give you a hug!"

"Then I'm glad it's dark," Kurogane said, but Fai sensed the hint of kindness in his voice.

"How did you get in here? How will we get out?" Fai asked.

"I waded across the sea," Kurogane mumbled, glad the darkened cave could hide his blushing, "And I'll help you wade back,"

"What?" Fai said, "But I'm already soaked through! Won't you carry me, Kuro-muu?"

"No way!" Kurogane snapped, "I'm already soaked through too!"

"The storm," Fai said faintly, "It's over?"

"Yeah," Kurogane stated, "It's drizzling rain again now,"

"I see," Fai smiled.

"You're really scared of it, aren't you?" Kurogane asked.

"I don't like it," Fai said, "Th- Forget it."

"Tell me." Kurogane persisted.

"It's not important, Kuro-wan," Fai said.

Kurogane glared at Fai, "You don't trust me enough to talk to me?"

"It's not that-" Fai began, but stopped silent.

"Next time, why don't you just face your fear?" Kurogane said calmly, "Instead of running away, you should meet it head on. That way, none of us have to worry about you,"

Fai nodded.

"I can sit through it if you hold my hand," he smiled lightly.

Kurogane didn't reply.

"You'll hold my hand next time, right, Kuro-tan?" Fai persisted, but still received no reply. "Please! That's the only way I'll get through it without shaking and being sad! If you hold my hand I'll feel safe and won't feel lonely. Will you? Will you?"

"Okay! I'll hold your damn hand!" Kurogane shouted.

"Waaaiii!" Fai smiled. "Let's go! You need to carry me through the sea!"

"I'm not carrying you!"

-

-

-

The rain calmed down as night drew in. There was no more thunder until a few mild disturbances in the night.

Kurogane looked over at Fai. The mage was sleeping.

Even so, Kurogane took Fai's hand in his own.

He held it tight.

It fitted there perfectly.