Connect
By: Hitokiri Musei
Rated: T
Summary: Snapshots of time where Fai and Kurogane got closer than either one of them ever intended, and Fai manages to get himself into trouble every time. KuroFai.

Warnings: This is my first try at a TRC fic, but I just love these two, so I had to try my hand. Fai is such an interesting character, so I had to mess with him a little, and Kurogane is so much fun to play with! (gah, tiny Kurogane... he's so freaking CUTE! -coughs-)

I don't own Tsubasa Reservior Chronicle. I cry.

1

"Is this what you call living?"

Fai's blue eyes widened faintly in the dark, his gaze locked in Kurogane's powerful crimson eyes. The ninja's face was serious, his hand tight on the dark of his sheath. Fai swallowed thickly, the pain from his ankle fading slightly as he listened to Kurogane's strong voice.

"You were a magician. What are you now?"

Compulsively Fai opened his mouth to answer, but Kurogane placed the end of the sheath against his ankle, pressing until the mage let out a soft sound of pain, cringing. "You gave up your magic, your life, to the witch like it was nothing. And now…" the ninja looked up, his gaze focusing on the sky. "Now you fight somebody else's battle and try to forget something of your own is missing." His gaze hardened. "Coward."

Although Fai was loathe to admit it, that last word stung. He knew that he was running, but what more could he do? The past wasn't something that he wanted to deal with, could deal with.

"I'm sure you'll live too, but I don't know why you bother if you don't fight for what you've lost. Unlike you I don't ever intend to give up. Not ever."

Again Fai was locked in the power of that red gaze, his blue eyes unwavering as they stared into Kurogane's.

"I'll fight for what's mine, and if I lose, well, there are worse things than being defeated."

Fai lowered his head at those words, but Kurogane would have none of that, the rough touch of the sheath against his chin made him raise his head once more.

"At least I won't end up like you, running away from my problems."

Fai sighed to himself, knowing that there was no way Kurogane was going to let him go from this one. And so, he did what he always did.

Covered everything up with a smile.

"Lovely speech. But you really do have me all figured out, don't you?"

Kurogane's eyes narrowed and then he rolled his eyes, taking the sheath away from Fai's chin and replacing it in his belt. "Come on, you idiot mage, we've got a person to find."

Fai kept the smile on his face as he tried to push himself to his feet, but again his ankle gave out on him, sending him back to the pavement. There was a scoff from above him, and then a strong hand wrapped around his forearm, winding fully around it and pulling him off the ground completely.

Kurogane looped the mage's arm over his shoulders, placing an arm around his waist and then moving forward. Fai's eyes were a little wide in shock; he wasn't used to this much contact at any given moment. His heart thundered in his thin chest, and he frantically pushed down the blush that was rapidly rising in his cheeks.

He stumbled along beside Kurogane, his feet just barely touching the ground as the ninja was much taller than he was. Already he could feel Kurogane hunching over to his level, nearly a foot and a half shorter. The blond swallowed thickly, but kept going, even though his ankle was protesting.

What is this feeling?

The walk home turned out to be no different; Kurogane hunching over while Fai dangled off his broad shoulders, hobbling along on an ankle that was screaming at him. More often than not the mage found himself just letting Kurogane do the work, lifting his feet from the ground and letting the ninja carry him.

After some time Kurogane huffed loudly, and then Fai let out a faint shriek as his feet were suddenly swept out from under him. He found himself settled in Kurogane's arms, the ninja carrying him bridal style against his chest. Fai's eyes were wide, and he started to struggle.

"Stop."

Kurogane's voice was strong and left no room for argument, and Fai instantly went completely still. He looked up at the ninja's face, searching his features silently.

"If you're not going to walk anyway, might as well make this easier on myself. Bending over like that is giving me cramps." Kurogane said gruffly, shifting his grip on the thin mage in his arms.

Fai didn't say anything to that, not sure what he could say. His ankle was still hurting, but now that his weight was off of it, it didn't seem to hurt as much. He held himself stiffly, trying not to relax against Kurogane, but after a while his muscles protested and he started to go limp in the ninja's hold.

Kurogane was very warm, Fai noted as he allowed his cheek to rest against the ninja's shoulder. He could feel the strong, steady beat of the taller man's heart, and it was soothing in a way. The blond sighed faintly, his fingers absently trailing over the rough cloth that they rested against, feeling the texture as though they had a mind of their own.

As they came close to the café Kurogane suddenly dropped the mage down on his feet, eliciting a sharp gasp from Fai as his ankle was jarred. The ninja then looped his arm around the smaller's waist again, his face slightly disgusted, though Fai wasn't sure if it was with himself or not.

"Thank you." Fai murmured softly.

Kurogane grunted in response, but Fai felt the almost imperceptible squeeze at his hip. A small smile came to the mage's face, and he turned his blue eyes back towards the café in front of them.

What an interesting night… I'm getting too close again, but… somehow I can't bring myself to care…

Much of the dialogue from this chapter was taken from Episode 19.