A/N: So yet another addition of C: ALS as been finished! Yay~! I think this one is shorter than the previous two, not that I think I can make anything as long as the second chapter. This chapter is done in a different style from my usual stories. I normally have a but of description with added thoughts mixed into it, rather than having 's/he thought' and things like that. This one, however, really doesn't have much description. Mainly just basic actions and and things. No thoughts so only things spoken tell the story. Thinking it over, I wonder if this note should go the bottom... Eh, it's not revealing anything so I'll leave it here.

About the actually story, I have no idea where the plot came from, it just wanted to invade my mind. And I wanted to try out these pairings and this is the only way I could make them work in my mind. So I just put all four names together since it was easier but I'm sure you'll figure it all out by the end. This story seems quite vague but I think the key points are obvious enough. Anyway, enjoy~

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They are CLAMP's.

Crack: A Love Story

KuroganeSyaoronFaiYuui Addition

"Yuui! I love you!" Fai cried, slapping his hands down on the table.

Yuui jumped, startled by his twin's sudden outburst. He looked up from the papers he had been marking to stare at his brother. "I love you too, Fai, but I don't see why you have to announce it like that."

"No, I mean…" Fai's face began to look troubled. "I love you."

The cooking teacher was still confused. He tilted his head as he regarded the other man. Then his eyes widened as far as they would go. "Fai!"

"Yuui, I love you," the man repeated, leaning towards him.

He jerked away, expression a mixture of shock and confusion. "Fai, that is- No, I-I'm sorry. I c-can't feel the same," he stumbled over his words.

The chemistry teacher's face turned remorseful but he looked like he had expected that answer. "I understand. I'm sorry to have bothered you." He turned away.

"Fai!" But it was too late; he'd already left the room.

~-~-~-~-~

"You wanted to talk to me, Kurogane-sensei?" Syaoron asked as he entered the gym.

The teacher turned to look at him. "Yea, it's about something."

The boy raised an eyebrow at him. "That's not very descriptive. Might I ask what it is specifically?"

Kurogane held up a piece of paper. "Do you know what this is?"

He tilted his head in consideration. "It's a note."

The man nodded. "I found it with my stuff this morning. It's in your handwriting."

"I suppose that's quite possible."

He crossed his rams, staring down at the student with hard eyes. "I hope you know that this is inappropriate." He didn't want to be mean to the child but this was no time to be soft.

The boy simply gazed back at him, seemingly unaffected by that. "Why do you think it's in a letter?" Then he turned and left the gym.

"Waah, Yuui hates me!" Fai whined, dropping his head down onto the desk.

Syaoron sipped some tea, not truly paying attention to the distraught teacher. He had his own things to think about.

The blond whimpered, sprawling himself out over the small surface. "He'll never want to see my face ever again!"

The boy sighed. "I'm sure that's not the case. He's probably just not sure how to react to it. Besides, he has the same face as you. There's no way he cannot see you."

The man sniffled and turned sad eyes to him. "You really think that?"

"I do. You just have to keep trying."

Fai sat up and wiped his eyes. "Thanks, Syaoron-kun. And what about you?" The pair had been talking together for quite a while so they knew each other's respective problems.

The student shook his head. "I knew it was doomed to fail before I even sent the note."

"Don't say things like that. You just have to think of new ways to get what you want," the teacher encouraged.

Syaoron smirked. "Yes, I suppose I have to do that. Thank you, Fai-sensei."

Fai beamed.

~-~-~-~-~

"That kid…" Kurogane muttered, not looking pleased. Not that he ever looked truly pleased.

"So that note really was from him?" Yuui asked, picking up a bit of his meal and popping it into his mouth.

The gym teacher nodded. "Though it seemed like he hadn't actually expected anything from it."

The cooking teacher considered that for a moment, chopsticks still in his mouth. "Hmm, maybe he knew you wouldn't return the feelings." Yuui had been the one to find the note, so he knew about Kurogane's situation. In turn, he had mentioned his own problem to the brunet. It was only fair.

"And what about you? How are you going to deal with the idiot?"

The blond sighed. "I'm not sure. He's my brother and yet…" How could he feel that way about me? I can't understand it nor could I ever feel the same."

The other grunted and sipped at some of his tea. "I'm sure you'll be able to work something out."

"I hope so. We shouldn't let this stuff hang over us."

He nodded in response. "I'm sure this will blow over soon."

"Alright, that's enough," Kurogane called out to the class. "Onto the next exercise." The students groaned but complied.

"Ever thought you're too hard on them?" a familiar voice asked.

The teacher turned around to see Syaoron standing behind him. He wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing.

"Tch, if they don't toughen up now they'll never get anywhere." He had been a bit wary of this boy since that day. One could never tell what was going on in that head of his.

"That's just like you to say that."

The man sighed. He hated beating around the bush. "What do you want?"

The young student tilted his head and crossed his arms. "As you are a teacher, I thought you could help me."

He raised an eyebrow at that. "And what kind of help do you want?"

"Well," Syaoron began. "I have a friend that really likes someone but they are not sure if that person feels the same. This friend isn't sure how to find this out."

"Is this friend you?" Kurogane questioned.

He smiled. "I didn't know you were so observant, sensei."

"Then you should already know the answer to that," he grunted.

A strange expression crossed the boy's face. An almost bitter smile replaced his usual mischievous one. "Yes, I suppose I do." Then he walked off to join his classmates.

~-~-~-~-~

"…Yuui?"

The blond turned at the sound of the rather meek voice. It was Fai. He seemed nervous and not at all like his usual self.

"What is it, Fai?" he asked, smiling softly.

The other man shifted on his feet. "About the other day…"

Yuui sighed. "Fai, I'm-"

Fai cut him off, waving his hands in front of him. "That's not it! I mean… um… We're brothers, I know that. Can we still be how we were before all this?"

"How we were?"

He nodded. "Before I-" He bit his lip.

The cooking teacher's whole stance softened. "Of course, Fai. I'll always think of you as my dear brother."

The blond's face was a mixture of happiness and sorrow. "Yay~! Yuui!" Spontaneously, Fai jumped on his twin, pulling him into a tight embrace and burying his head into his shoulder.

"Ah, F-Fai!" Yuui smiled nervously and patted the chemistry teacher's head.

"But even so…" he murmured, snuggling closer. "I'm not going to give up."

The other man looked down at him sadly. "Fai…"

Fai pulled back, determination in his eyes. "Because Yuui-cutie is so adorably uke, how could I ever give up?" His happy, joyously teasing tone didn't match his serious expression.

Said 'cutie' blushed fiercely, backing up into the table behind him. "Wha- Fai- you- that- I'm not cute!"

He giggled. "So you admit to being uke?"

Yuui glared at him, face beat red. Childishly, he picked up a bag of flour and flung it at his brother. But it was too late, he had already darted out of the room and the flour went 'puff' on the door.

"Wah~ Yuui's so mean to me!" Fai complained, collapsing in a heap on the table and conveniently separating a certain someone from their lunch.

"Oi! Don't just fall on the table like that, idiot!" Kurogane pushed on the blond's shoulders so he could try to get at his sushi.

He didn't budge but he did look up at the other man with a comically sorrowful face. "Oh, Kuro-meanie-sensei! I'm being serious!"

The brunet rolled his eyes. "Oh really? I couldn't tell."

The blond pouted. "Even though he said things could be normal… he probably doesn't want to see me."

"Have you thought about how wrong your feelings might be?"

"I told him I wouldn't give up."

"So don't."

Fai stuck his tongue out at him. "You're contradicting yourself, Kuro-myuu."

He shrugged. "It's none of my business anyway. Now give me back my lunch!"

The blond leaned back, taking the bento with him and holding it out of reach. "Eh? Does Kuro-wanko want this?"

"Give it here!" He lunged for it but was held back by a foot.

A silly grin was plastered on his face. "I'll give this back if you promise to help me~!"

"Tch. Fine." He managed to snatch it back.

"Ew, sushi." Fai wrinkled his nose at the contents.

~-~-~-~-~

"You have a lot of books on baking," Syaoron noted as he flipped through them.

"Yes. My brother and I both like them so I find myself making them a lot," Yuui answered.

"Hmm, interesting."

"What about you?" he asked, leaning over to look at the recipes with him.

The boy shrugged. "I don't really have a sweet tooth but that stuff is fine on the occasion."

"Not fond of sweets?" he asked in surprise.

"Not really, no."

"Then why are you looking at cakes?"

"Because you're having love problems," the student stated, not looking up from the book.

Yuui stared at him, having nothing to say to that.

Syaoron turned to him, looking completely innocent. "Love problems can be so complicated, can't they?"

"And I suppose you'd know about that," the teacher said warily. "But would you know about me?"

"This is Horitsuba," came the simple reply.

"What do you want, Syaoron-kun?" he finally questioned.

"There's something I would like you're help with.

"So what exactly do you need help with?" Kurogane demanded, trailing along behind the blond.

"You'll see when we get there~" Fai replied, swinging his arms back and forth as he walked.

"I'd prefer to know now," he grumbled, looking annoyed.

"Eeehhh? But that won't do." He looked behind him, giving the other man a wink. "It's more fun this way."

"Tch." The brunet rolled his eyes. "Why the hell do you need my help anyway?"

Fai turned away so he couldn't see his somber expression. "I'm not giving up. I'll make Yuui see," he whispered to himself.

"Eh? Did you say something?"

"Ah!" He spun around, shaking his head vigorously. "Nope, not a word."

"Hmm…" Kurogane looked as if he didn't believe him. "So where are we going then?"

"You'll see when we get there~" the blond teased.

A loud snap split the air. Kurogane froze, eyes wide as Fai continued walking backwards.

"OI!" Get out of there!"

~-~-~-~-~

"I'm not entirely sure why you need my help," Yuui commented randomly.

"There is something I wish to acquire," the boy replied. He led them out in a seemingly random direction. "But it is quite a stubborn thing and not easily caught."

"So I suppose you have some big, elaborate scheme in order to get it." The blond sighed.

"Oh? What makes you say that? I would never do something so devious."

He rolled his eyes. "Sure you wouldn't."

A sad, hopeful, almost remorseful look crossed the student's face. "Kurogane-sensei is quite the hard one to crack, don't you think?"

The teacher looked down at him sadly. "But don't you think a relationship with your teacher is a bit…?"

Syaoron chuckled, a small smile on his lips. "Perhaps. Most people see it that way, don't they?"

He sighed again. "Syaoron-kun, I'm not trying to discourage you or anything. It's just-"

The boy held up a hand to stop him. "I know. I understand. But I won't give up."

A resounding boom broke their peaceful moment, bringing their attention elsewhere. They saw it.

"Fai-sensei!" Syaoron charged.

"Syaoron-kun!"

"Wah~! That was soooooo scary!" Fai hugged himself and closed his eyes.

Kurogane scrawled at him. "If you had been paying attention, that wouldn't have happened."

"Eh? But I didn't know that section of the school was under construction!"

"Then maybe you should have checked to make sure there wasn't any, idiot."

"Ooooohhhhhh, Kuro-rin is so mean!" the blond whined, burying his head in his arms.

The brunet sighed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"Although…" he began meekly, peeking out to glance at the other man. "It is a shame about Syaoron-kun."

Kurogane froze in the middle if picking up his tea. "Yeah."

"I hear he'll have to use crutches for a long while."

"He'll have to skip on club activities and gym. He can't do anything with a broken leg."

"It must be painful," Fai murmured.

"Tch, of course it would be. I hear it was a pretty bad break," he said as if it were nothing.

"Wah~ Kuro-chi! Don't say such things so casually!" the chemistry teacher scolded. Then he looked thoughtful. "I should make it up to him."

The brunet looked at him. "Make it up to him?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I need to. Say, Kuro-pu, can you help me?"

~-~-~-~-~

"How's your leg?" Yuui asked, sitting down beside him.

"Still," was the simple reply.

The blond chuckled. "Is that all? Doesn't it hurt?"

Syaoron shrugged. "I think the painkillers might still be in effect. It feels numb to me."

"Hmm, maybe that's for the best. Pain isn't a pleasant thing."

He tilted his head innocently at the man. "Really? I think a little pain now and again could be quite nice once in a while."

The teacher raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you a masochist?"

"Are you?"

He clicked his tongue. "This isn't about me."

"I thought it was."

"Don't twist my words around."

"I'm quite good at that, you know."

The man sighed, head spinning. "So I noticed." He regarded him for a moment. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course I am. It was only an open fracture."

"Only an open fracture?" He shook his head. "A broken and exposed bone shouldn't be described with 'only', you know."

Syaoron merely shrugged again. "It's really not that big a deal. It will heal.

Yuui felt like slapping his own forehead but refrained from doing so. "Syaoron-kun?"

"Yes?"

"Is there something I can do for you?"

Kurogane paused just in the doorway as he saw someone sitting on the bench "Oi, what are you doing here?"

Syaoron looked up at him. "I have something I need to talk to you about."

The gym teacher sighed. "My answer is still no."

"I didn't expect it to change."

"Then what do you want?"

"My attention seems to have drifted," he said.

The man raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

The student shook his head in disappointment. "And here I thought you would know what that means."

"Just get on with it," he grumbled.

"That letter isn't necessary anymore."

He stared at him, eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

The boy nodded. "Yes, it is."

"Why?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "That is none of your business, Kurogane-sensei."

He almost glared. "Oh really now?"

"Yes, really." Syaoron struggled to stand, putting all his weight on his crutches. "I'll be off then."

"Alright then," Kurogane replied. "Take care of that leg."

"I will." Then he hobbled away.

~-~-~-~-~

"Yuui-chan~!" Fai sang as he hoped up to his twin.

"Yes, Fai?" the other blond responded, turning to look at him.

The childish man pulled him into a tight embrace. "I love you~"

Yuui sighed, expression sad. "Fai, I've already told you, I-"

He immediately released his twin and stepped back with his hands up. "Aah~ that was just a declaration of brotherly affection!"

The cooking teacher raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that so?"

He nodded. "You know, Yuui. I've liked you for a long time…"

The man sighed again. "I-"

"But," he suddenly brightened. "You don't have to worry about it anymore."

Yuui blinked and stared at him.

"'Cause guess what~!" The chemistry teacher clapped his hands together, a huge grin on his face.

"What?"

"I found someone else more important to me~! Isn't that exciting?" He began to giggle madly.

His brother smiled brightly. "That is exciting, I'm glad for you."

"But Yuui-chan will always have a special place right here~" He took his hand.

"Gah! Fai! No!"

He burst into another fit of giggles. "I'm only kidding. I wish Yuui good luck too~!" Then he skipped off to parts unknown.

"Kuro-poppo~!" Fai called, jumping on the man and kissing him on the cheek.

"Oi! Get off of me!" Kurogane shrieked in response.

"Aww! You're so meaaaaannnnn!" he pouted.

"I don't care! Don't go around jumping on people!"

The blond released him, a woeful expression creeping onto his face. "But… aren't you suppose to kiss the person you like?"

"That doesn't mean you can just-" He froze. "Huh?"

The silly man suddenly looked quite happy. "Fai likes Kuro-wan-wan~!"

"Don't talk in third person," he scolded. "And I thought you liked your brother."

Fai shrugged. "Eh, I'm over that. I guess it was because I'm so sexy~" He struck a suggestive pose. "We have the same face after all~!"

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

The blond's face fell. "You don't feel the same…?"

The brunet stared at him for a moment before sighing. "Idiot." He pulled him into a hug. "I do."

The other man gazed at him with a strange look in his eyes. "You do? Oh Kuro-puff, I knew we'd get married someday! Let me give you a big fat kiss!"

"Wha- No! Get off me you- mmorphfff!"

~-~-~-~-~

Yuui tilted his head as he entered the room. "Uh, Syaoron-kun?"

"Hello, Yuui-sensei," the boy said. "I was wondering if we could have a little talk."

He frowned. "Are you sure you should be wandering around with that leg of yours?"

"I have crutches."

"But shouldn't you be in a wheelchair?"

"I thought this was about you."

"When was this ever about me?"

Syaoron tilted his head, looking innocent. "Wasn't it always about you?"

The teacher raised an eyebrow. "And when exactly did this happen? I'm afraid I don't recall."

The student lifted a finger and gestured for him to come closer.

He stared at him for a few minutes before sighing. "You can never give a straight answer, can you?" He went over to him.

The boy quickly grabbed him and pulled him down.

"Mmphf!" He pried himself away, face a deep red. "S-syaoron-k-kun… th-that w-w-was…"

"Inappropriate?" He smirked. "It's not like you're not used to that."

"B-but th-th-that i-i-is s-still…"

"Would you like another one?"

He blushed more. "M-m-maybe…"

Syaoron smiled brightly. "Then I'll take you up on your offer from before."

Kurogane stared at a frazzled looking blond as he collapsed onto the table. A moment passed.

"Are you okay?"

Yuui glared at him. "I've fallen into a trap."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

The cooking teacher buried his face in his arms. "It is."

"And how is that working out for you?"

He turned up to give him a look.

The brunet shrugged. "It does seem to be stressing you out."

He sighed. "It's not really stress. Syaoron-kun just likes to… say and do interesting things.

"A student?" the other man questioned.

Yuui blushed and turned away. "And what about you?"

Kurogane paused. "Fai… has ideas."

The blond laughed. "My brother is certainly an interesting one."

"He's weird."

"Is that why you're with him?"

He scoffed at him. "I have my reasons. At least he's not some kid."

"Is that so?"

He death glared the cooking teacher. "You're picking up bad habits from that kid."

Yuui tilted his head. "…I think I might be…" He sighed and closed his eyes. "But still… I enjoy it."

"A student?"

He frowned. "It will work out. Better a student than my own twin."

Kurogane shrugged. "It's none of my business anyway."

"Thank you, Kurogane-san."

He grunted, causing the other man to smile.

"And since Fai promised to tell me everything, I'll promise not to say a word."

The brunet spluttered, spraying tea everywhere. "That idiot."

The blond laughed.

~-~-~-~-~

"How's the leg doing?" Fai asked, propping his chin on the back of his chair.

"It's fine, thanks for your concern, Fai-sensei." Syaoron smiled kindly.

He returned it. "That's good. Though I'm sorry. I didn't know that would happen."

"It's not your fault. We didn't expect that section of the school to be undergoing work."

"But still…" The blond frowned.

He waved it off. "It's fine, the end goal was achieved."

The man suddenly brightened. "That's right~! Things worked out perfectly~!"

The brunet smiled devilishly. "They did indeed."

"Oh, and do you like the thing I sent you? I got it to make up for the leg."

"Yes, I love it. And I'm sure Yuui-'sensei' will enjoy it as well."

He giggled. "Kuro-woof helped me pick it."

The student chuckled. "That poor man."

"He enjoyed it~!"

The boy shook his head in amusement.

"Should we tell them?" Fai asked suddenly.

Syaoron tilted his head. "You mean the truth?"

He nodded. "I'm think they find us weird for our 'feelings'."

The student smirked. "Leave it alone. It will be fun to tease Yuui-sensei about his twin 'falling' for him."

The blond smiled slyly. "And Kuro-pyon will be all scrawlly when I talk about how a student was being all 'lovey-dovey' will him~!" He burst into a fit of giggles as the boy chuckled.

"Well, things turned out the way they were planned, even if there was a… slight change," Syaoron mused.

Fai grinned. "This was much more fun than doing it the usual way~!"

"We should do this more often."

"Yup~!" He clapped his hands together. "Now let's spend time with our cute ukes~"

The boy laughed. "Yes, let's."