WARNING! This story contains SPOILERS and YAOI!

Second chapter! I now declare this small little fic complete!

This is set in Nihon in the manga, or the second OVA in the anime: Tsubasa Shunraiki. I heartily recommend you read the manga between Tokyo and Nihon, or you won't understand the references made to Fai's past from the Celes arc.

Obviously, Fai's POV. Enjoy!

Rated: T [for language]

Bold: Used only in dreams or flashbacks to indicate the POV's lines.

Italics: Used to indicate dreams, flashbacks, and thoughts.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the ending scene. If I owned Tsubasa, there would be KuroFai-ness in EVERY chapter!

Keeping Me Alive: Part Two

Fai:

...No.

This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't. Not after what he'd just done for him. Not after everything he's done for him!

...No!

The mage's sapphire eye went wide as he stared at the body lying on the ground in front of him, unmoving and lying in a pool of its own blood.

"Come on! We have to get out of here!"

"It won't let both of us out. Just go, Kurogane."

"I'm not leaving without you!!"

"Go!"

The ninja stared in horror at him. Those beautiful crimson eyes. Full of fear. For the first time in his life, he saw them full of fear. Then the man released his grip on the magician's arm.

Good.

A sharp twinge of pain radiated through his chest as he watched the person he wanted to cling to slip away from him. It was how it should be. His brother was dead. He should be too. He had no right to want someone else beside him. He was a Twin of Misfortune.

Kurogane's eyes closed briefly as he gripped his sword hilt, the distance between him and the dying magician slowly growing as the circle of magic began closing around the space his arm occupied. Fai's own eye slid closed in acceptance, a small tear escaping from the corner of it.

Goodbye...Kurogane...

...And then.

I don't know why I feel this way

But something's right

Fai bent over Kurogane's body and tears streamed from his eye as it shut tight.

"...NO!!"

With a splash of blood, the ninja twisted his body and there was a harsh slap of metal and a dull thud as his sword hit the ground beside the magician. He snatched up Fai's collar in his right hand and yanked the blonde out of the dome of magic runes, right arm curling around him to press him tight to his chest protectively as they joined Syaoran, Sakura and Mokona in the portal and left Celes country.

Kurogane cut off his left arm in exchange for Fai's life.

Fai wept shamelessly and lifted Kurogane's head gently from the ground to lie in his lap, his hand stroking the black locks of hair. The ninja was dying from blood loss and the wizard currently had no strength or power left to cast a healing spell. His tears fell softly on Kurogane's face.

Please...please!! You can't die!! I need you!!

He didn't even bother to look at Syaoran, who helplessly watched, Sakura's soul-less body resting in his arms after absorbing a feather from Celes. Mokona sniffled and sat on the brown-haired boy's shoulder, also unable to do a thing. Fai drew in a ragged breath as the sound of footsteps was heard. They all looked up.

A small group of ninja were approaching, led by two ornately dressed women and a beautifully dressed young girl. Fai's blue eye widened and he called out to them desperately.

"HURRY!! He's going to die!!"

The woman with long black hair exchanged glances with the girl, who looked almost exactly like her. Fai choked down another cry and called again, voice cracking.

"Please!! If he dies....if...he..."

He trailed off into broken sobs and his head fell again to lean over Kurogane, his entire body shaking.

I can't lose you...you're....you're...

You're like the morning air

Before the light arrives

...You're everything to me!!

"Don't worry."

A hand gently cupped his face and Fai looked up into the soft eyes of the black-haired girl. She smiled encouragingly as several ninja pried Kurogane's body away from Fai's arms and put him on a stretcher. The girl spoke in a soft sympathetic manner, stroking the magician's tear-stained cheek.

"Kurogane will not die."

She pulled the hand away from his face and held it out for Fai to take hold of. Syaoran had already come to his feet and was standing behind her a few feet with Sakura's body in his arms. Mokona had fallen asleep on his shoulder, worn out. Fai glanced over at Kurogane one more time as he was being taken away and then back at the girl, carefully taking her hand. She smiled brightly.

"My name is Princess Tomoyo. Welcome to Nihon."

::

There was a soft brush of clothed foot against wood as the magician paced restlessly outside of the door, behind which lay the person he'd been worrying about for days. His furisode rustled around his lithe body and he finally paused in his pacing to breathe out heavily, leaning against the wall beside the door with a quiet thump. His heart rate was through the roof as he once again tried to piece together exactly what he wanted to say. Kurogane had finally awoken from his coma.

While he waited for Tomoyo to allow him inside, Fai slid down the wall into a sitting position on the floor, drawing up his knees and hugging them to his chest. His head leaned forward to rest on top of his knees as he became lost in thought.

The reflected picture on the wall finally faded away. King Ashura's face was curved into a soft innocent smile, and he slowly lifted his hand to point behind Fai as he remained kneeling on the cold floor of the castle. Fai's eye widened and he turned to look behind him, catching the sound of a choked sob and a soft hitch of breath. Syaoran was completely crumpled on the ground, arms wrapped around himself as he struggled to contain his grief, the mere idea of what he had just seen horrifying him. Mokona was huddled in his arms, wailing into his chest in muffled tones.

"F-F-Fai-san!!....Y-Yuui-san..!!.."

With a pang of horror, Fai realized that his past, in its entirety, was no longer hidden. He stared at Syaoran's huddled form and Mokona's little shaking body before his eye moved upwards to catch sight of the sharp scarlet orbs that stared back at him.

Kurogane...

The dark-haired man had an arm slung around the boy's shoulders in comfort as he knelt behind him, looking straight over his head at the blonde on the ground. Instead of the intense glare of utter hatred that Fai expected to find in his eyes, there was a cold form of sorrow. The magician vaguely heard Ashura's voice drifting in amusement over their heads.

"So...everyone knows you're little secret now...Yuui."

Fai swallowed the lump in his throat and kept his eyes locked on Kurogane as the man slowly stood, the expression in his eyes warming and changing into a soft pain.

...Why?

The ninja broke his gaze with the blonde and looked up at the ebony-haired king with malice. His hand moved to grip his sword tightly. Fai could only stare in wonder.

...Why?

The message in Kurogane's eyes was just as clear as if he had spoken it aloud. The mage felt the tears in his eyes finally spill over to trickle down his cheeks.

After everything you just saw...all the lies I told...why do you...still care about me?!

No more lonely and no more night

No more secrets to hide

Fai's eye slid closed as he breathed deeply, the memories still fresh in his head. He would never understand just why the ninja had remained by his side. He had become his "prey" without question. He had stood beside him even after the dirty secrets were brought to light. He had sacrificed his arm even after Fai had tried to kill him due to his curse.

I don't deserve you, Kurog-...Kuro...

Suddenly a soft voice penetrated his thoughts as he caught wind of the conversation on the other side of the door. Pressing back flush with the wall, he tilted his head and fit his ear to the surface.

"Have you understood the meaning of true strength?"

Tomoyo-hime...

"Who knows?"

Fai's blue eye widened suddenly.

Kuro!

There were muffled sounds as Tomoyo and Kurogane spoke, then the deep base of the ninja's voice rose into a firm tone.

"I do not regret giving up my arm at that time."

The wizard closed his eye and a tear formed in the corner.

"I have always wanted strength, so that people important to me won't be taken away by anyone anymore."

Fai felt a lump forming in his throat.

"Having strength can bring upon catastrophes as well. And there are also things...that strength alone cannot protect."

K-Kuro...

Tomoyo's voice came lightly.

"It seems that you finally understand the meaning of true strength."

The blonde swallowed the lump painfully and drew in two even breaths, almost missing it when the gentle voice of the dreamseer called out.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. Please step inside."

Oh crap...

Fai stood shakily and composed himself as best he could. It was time to face the person who'd given so much for him. How could he ever repay him?

My heart is in you

Where you go you carry me

Curling his fingers around the smooth wood of the door's frame, Fai slid it open. There was Kurogane, sitting up on a mattress on the floor. His clothing fell open to reveal a bandaged chest and his left sleeve hung limp. Those perfect crimson eyes rose to find the wizard's, but Fai tilted his head down, shrouding his facial expression in shadow. Tomoyo stood and stepped away from the bed to allow him to approach. He did.

Slowly, his heart rate sped up at each step his tabi-clad feet made across the small distance until he came to a stop at the edge of Kurogane's mattress, standing over him in silence.

"Hey."

The ninja spoke the one-syllable word with such a rich voice that held much more than the actual meaning of the word and instantly every word that Fai had prepared for this very moment was snatched from him. His mind went blank. Then he reacted.

His fist connected with Kurogane's cheek faster than he could blink, sending the ninja sprawling backwards into the wall with a small thud. The injured man blinked in shock, hand raising to rest on his head and he stared at Fai, widening his eyes.

"What the hell?!"

The blonde lifted his head to lock his single blue eye with Kurogane's crimson pair. A small twitch creased the corners of his mouth and a strange feeling melted through him. He could feel the pieces of his mask slipping away and falling to the ground as the first real smile in years spread it's way across his face.

You've done so much for me. I only wish I could do the same for you.

"This is payback...Kuro-sama."

Fai's smile grew into a grin as he lowered his clenched fist, unable to conceal the soft look in his eyes. Kurogane seemed taken aback for a moment at the use of the nickname. Ever since Fai had become a vampire, he'd dropped the nicknames from their conversation. The names had become a form of understanding between the two, something that drew them together, and at that time, the magician had wanted separation. Kurogane's face broke into a grin of his own, somewhat devilish, but it was clear that he understood the meaning behind the revived nickname.

"You bastard, I'll beat you up!"

Tomoyo giggled softly and walked to the door, taking her leave.

"I'll leave you two for a little. Join us outside later, alright?"

The door slid closed quietly behind her. There were so many things Fai wanted to say, but couldn't find the words. Instead, he lowered himself to sit on the edge of the mattress as Kurogane sat up again and chuckled in a beautiful rich bass.

"So, it's back to torturing with the names again, eh mage?"

"Silly Kuro-rin. How do you expect me to call you by your name if you never call me by mine?"

Fai totally hadn't planned for that to slip out but somehow it had and his voice caught in a sharp intake of breath, eyes blinking wide in shock. He lifted his delicate fingers to touch his lips gently and stared at Kurogane as the ninja's face screwed up.

"Then maybe you should tell me what to call you. Fai? Yuui?"

The magician felt a fresh line of moisture welling up in his eyes at the mention of his real name and his alias and he lowered his head, blonde locks falling softly across his face to shroud it in darkness as he controlled the emotion. His voice filtered through the air to Kurogane, barely above a whisper.

"...Fai. Call me Fai..."

To his utter surprise, Fai felt a strong work-hardened hand settle itself on his smooth cheek and he lifted his head to gaze uncertainly into the crimson eyes of the one the hand belonged to, silently asking a question. The ninja responded with the slightest twinge of an endearing smile, sliding his calloused hand a fraction of an inch up Fai's cheek to allow his fingertips to brush the roots of the wizard's fluffy hair just under the band of the eyepatch.

"Fai."

The sweetness of the deep voice speaking his name caused the mage's heart to stop, single blue iris glistening as the lingering tears that remained began to resurface, rising unchecked. Fai lost control of his well-contained emotions, no longer able to hold up a facade in front of the man who saw through him, saw his secrets and remained by his side, sacrificed his life for him, and caused this stomach-churning new feeling to seep into his patched-up heart. He threw himself at Kurogane, arms entwining around the broad tan neck and clutching the precious person to him as he buried his face into the man's chest, tears finally winning the battle and spilling over to soak the fabric of Kurogane's clothing.

K-Kuro...sama...!!

There were no words or thoughts to express Fai's overwhelming relief and joy that Kurogane was alive and well, so he resorted to this. A single strong arm encircled his waist, holding his slight body securely to the other's built and well-toned one, a sharp reminder of what Kurogane had sacrificed for him. Fai's fingers tangled in the cloth at the back of the man's neck as his fists tightened. He wouldn't ever be able to pay him back, but there was one thing he'd already made up his mind to do, completing all the necessary arrangements beforehand.

It's the least I can do...but I want you to accept this from me, Kuro.

I bleed

If you bleed

The pair emerged from the Shirasaki castle soon after, Fai walking closely beside the ninja with a slender hand resting lightly on the man's forearm, as if afraid that if he were to let go, Kurogane would disappear. Tomoyo's face greeted them with a cheerful smile and she turned to walk forward, leading them across a wooden pathway of sorts to the other side of the courtyard, where Syaoran was standing waiting for them. Mokona appeared from seemingly nowhere, emitting a happy squeak and throwing himself at Syaoran, landing haphazardly on the boy's outstretched hand as he smiled gently in greeting.

"Syaoran-kun~!"

The manjuu chirped in delight and nuzzled its face into the crook of the boy's neck. Syaoran gave no complaints. He did, however, waste no time in asking the question that was burning his throat.

"Where's the Princess?"

Tomoyo showed him over to a tree covered in beautiful cherry blossoms, ironically bearing the same name as the dainty girl who lay upon strips of cloth draped from its branches. Syaoran was up the tree in an instant and by her side. The wizard and ninja watched his reunion with small smiles, and Fai's hand tightened on Kurogane's forearm. The older woman whose appearance matched Tomoyo's walked regally out of the palace along with her lady. Her name was Amaterasu, as Fai soon learned, and she greeted Kurogane.

"So you have returned, Kurogane."

The ninja responded with a rumbling grunt.

"Yeah."

"It would appear that you have grown somewhat on your journey."

"Eh..?!"

The odd sound of the man's gruff release of surprise made Fai giggle and he flashed a smile at Amaterasu. Her own mouth curved into a smirk-like expression and he could tell that she and Kurogane were alike in that way. He immediately liked her.

"I welcome the guests that you have brought also. I invite you all to rest here for awhile. Though..."

Her expression faltered and her face became solemn.

"...your journey is far from complete."

The blonde's keen ears picked up the sound of a soft rustle from behind the wall to the left, and the black-haired woman soon added.

"Yes, we do have one more guest."

Fai blinked, turning his eye towards the direction of footsteps, loosening and finally letting go of Kurogane's arm.

Ah...so it's here.

Your heart beats

Inside of me

Mokona shrilled in excitement and leapt over to hug the man who appeared from around the corner holding a wrapped-up tube.

"Fuuma!"

The man smiled. His hair was black and almost as short and spiky as Kurogane's own. He wore a pair of sunglasses perched fashionably on his nose and held the air of a travel enthusiast, launching into a friendly greeting. The blonde's ears tuned out the rest of the conversation for a moment as he focused on the tube tucked under Fuuma's arm. He blinked again as he saw the material covering the tube fall, hearing the tail-end of Fuuma's sentence.

"-came to deliver something."

The cloth bunched on the ground as the glass tube was unveiled and its contents made visible. There was silence as everyone recognized the piece of metal equipment.

A prosthetic arm.

"What is that thing?"

Kurogane demanded, though he knew exactly what it was. It was more of a challenging question and Fai tensed. Fuuma smiled and answered as if the ninja had spoken endearingly.

"An artificial arm. There was no time to cover it with skin, so I apologize for its appearance. Still, I think you might find it useful."

The dark man's eyes shifted from behind his glasses to indicate Kurogane's limp sleeve. This only made the swordsman's gaze narrow further.

"And why have you brought it here? No...more to the point, how did you know of this?"

"Because I asked Yuuko-san. I told you back in Tokyo that I had made another promise with Yuuko. This was what I was talking about. The price I paid for being able to cross dimensions was to deliver things like this for Yuuko-san. Kind of like repaying it in installments. Well, there was one other promise I made though."

The man seemed to drift into his own thoughts for a moment before continuing.

"I got this thing from a world more technologically advanced than this one. A place called 'Piffle'."

Kurogane shifted his head to glance at Tomoyo, who smiled warmly back at him. Of course. The Tomoyo they'd met in Piffle had been the real one. Who knew? He turned back towards Fuuma and stared at him for a moment, then growled.

"...The price?"

Fuuma smiled broadly.

"I received it, from Yuuko-san that is."

This caused the ninja to tense and he ground out roughly.

"I ain't givin' anything to that Witch for it, you know."

No longer able to stand his own silence, the blonde at Kurogane's side shifted, drawing the man's attention to him. Fai looked up slowly with a soft smile, corners of his mouth gracefully turning upwards as he prepared to make his announcement.

"I promised the Witch I would pay this price."

When Kurogane's eyebrows raised in shock, Fai simply chuckled, the sound rolling off his tongue in gentle waves as he answered the silent question.

"While you were sleeping."

This is the smallest thing but please...accept it as a sincere thank-you.

The wizard shot the message over to Kurogane, who slowly relented and his muscular frame relaxed. Fai smiled again and glanced around at everyone before raising a hand slowly in front of his face. A string of magic flowed from his palm and formed a small vortex, swirling faster until the blue color in his remaining eye began to bleed out. Scattered sharp intakes of breath indicated the group's surprise, but the mage continued until all the color had gone from his eye, hanging in a precious blue jewel shape in front of his hand. The vortex dissipated and the empty iris took on the brilliant color of gold, now devoid of magic.

"Fai...your eye...it's color...it's turned gold!"

Mokona exclaimed nervously and Fai explained.

"The source of my magic is the blue color of my eye. Mokona, please send this to the Witch."

He didn't dare look at Kurogane yet, half-afraid that the sullen man would glare at him in disapproval. Instead, he held out his head with the blue magic remains hovering over it.

"Don't worry, I can still see perfectly. This is just...the last of my magic."

The wizard, now wizard no longer, tilted his head downwards in acceptance. Giving up his power was trivial. After his past and the traumatizing experiences he'd had with his own abilities, Fai was almost happy to be rid of them, especially knowing that his magic was to be payment for the arm for Kurogane. It was a worthy way to step down from his title of magician.

Mokona, however, voiced his concern frantically.

"You mustn't!! If you don't have your magic...Fai!!"

The blonde raised his head to smile, locks of hair blowing about in the soft breeze.

"I won't die just from not having this. My vampire's blood..."

A sharp flashback of the moment of his turning flickered through his mind and he closed his golden eye.

"...will keep me alive."

You're keeping me alive

Raising his head again, he dared to open his eye and finally swivel to lock into the crimson pair that was staring at him. Fai braced himself for anger, but instead, saw a look he couldn't decipher. A haze passed over his own eye as he spoke quietly, his words heard by all, but directed only at the man who he owed so much to. He had to clarify something, as he could see the question lingering in those scarlet orbs.

"Handing over my own life for something...I would never do that."

The look in the ninja's eyes softened as he understood and Fai felt a surge of warmth flow into him.

"...Not anymore."

I have something to live for now. I won't die. I won't fail you, Kuro-sama, I promise.

There was something else that the vampire couldn't quite pin down floating between them in that look, but he was forced to shake it off as Mokona delivered the remnant of his magic to Yuuko and Kurogane tried on the arm. But the warm feeling in the pit of his stomach remained.

::

Two days later, after the entire ordeal with Syaoran's clone and the disappearance of Sakura's soul-less body, the group of now three made their commitment to each other to continue their journey and pursue Sakura. As they separated to prepare for departure, Fai lingered by Kurogane's side, still feeling like there was something left unresolved. He leaned in the doorway as the man finished packing up his newly acquired Ginryuu, wrapping the sword carefully in a red cloth rather than fastening it to his belt. Broad tan shoulders rippled as he straightened and turned to glance back at Fai questioningly.

The vampire's thin lips twitched into a small smile, slowly becoming more used to the genuine smiles the ninja was able to pull from him now. He straightened as well and bridged the gap between them, lifting a pale hand to alight on Kurogane's bare shoulder where metal met skin.

"...Does it hurt?"

The dark-haired man smirked and flexed said shoulder under Fai's gentle hand to prove it wasn't. Fai smiled and laid his other hand on the opposite shoulder, stepping a bit closer until he had to look up to see the ninja's face. Scarlet eyes burnt down into the golden one as Kurogane tilted his head to accommodate.

I'll hold you near

The blonde's fingers curled up, tips dragging lightly over the tan skin underneath them as both hands formed relaxed fists. Fai felt his heart leap into his throat as one smooth metal arm and one warm muscled one slid around his waist to grasp him and pull him closer to the man in front of him until their chests were pressed together. He could clearly feel the steady soothing beat of the swordsman's heart and leaned his head on the inviting chest, wishing for all the world they could remain like that forever.

"Kuro...sama...I..."

Kurogane's throat emitted a soft rumble.

"Hn?"

"...I...don't deserve you."

Fai admitted softly, sadness beginning to creep over his body, and his fists tightened against the ninja's chest. Said ninja only tightened his own grip around the lithe body in his arms.

"Idiot."

Together, we'll never die

The vampire felt an arm leave his waist and his heart sank at the loss, only to race again as he felt that same arm lift its warm hand to take hold of his chin and force his head upwards. His gaze traveled north until he was met by the most piercing crimson look he'd ever seen. There was a softness in those eyes he had never seen before in his life and he could only look on in awe.

"It's not up to you to decide what you do and don't deserve."

That beautiful bass resonated in Kurogane's chest as he tilted Fai's chin a fraction more.

"I happen to think you deserve a hell of a lot, Fai."

At the sound of his voice once more, the blonde felt tears spring to his eyes and his voice caught in a swarm of emotions as he tried to respond.

"K-Kuro..."

He barely registered the swordman's face coming closer and he found himself gazing into the pair of red eyes through his own half-lidded one, his arms moving on their own to curl around the man's neck. The hand under his chin moved, leaving a trail of warmth as it migrated to cup his cheek with utmost care.

At the last fraction of a second, the depths of scarlet slid closed and Fai found himself electrocuted as Kurogane's strong lips pressed onto his delicate ones, sealing them in a final bond that had been slowly progressing throughout their entire journey together. Scenes of their past replayed in rapid succession through Fai's mind before he tightened his hold around the man he'd grown to value over all else. A crystal tear escaped from the corner of his eye as he closed the golden iris and pressed himself forward, returning the kiss that spoke a thousand words, though three rang clear, unspoken, in the air around them.

...I love you, Kuro-sama.

Your love is keeping me alive

And that about does it! *triumphant music* I do hope the end wasn't too cheesy for you. I was mulling over how to write the kiss for days. D: Hope you enjoyed this little two-part oneshot! R&R please. ^_^