When asked later on, he was sure he couldn't remember how it had happened, why it had happened, or even when it had all taken place. But, the fact was that it did happen, and a lot of lives were torn and ripped, beaten and bruised, then tossed aside to the vile, wroth dogs of envy and betrayal to devour and make no more. It was just another thing that had gone wrong in Fai D. Flowright's life, even though what he had done was something that should've brought him happiness. Not that it hadn't. In fact, it had…but like with everything that grew close to him, he had to leave it behind for unknown reasons. Which hurt so much more bitterly than any cold or heat ever felt before.

The whole thing that had started this act of betrayal and lack of trust within the group…was but one mere emotion. One all of us in our life times will experience. Outcomes of this will always be different, varying on only the person who falls as it's next victim.

Love.

Yes, this was the start of everything. Something that was practically unstoppable and unchangeable throughout time. But, it wasn't the fact that Fai had fallen in love, it was just the person he loved. Which was something one could not morph, too, if one thinks about it in that sense. Once you have climbed the crystal stairways of Heaven or clutched the thorn ladder of Hell as you were falling, could you possibly change the outcome? Could you honestly tell me that if you were climbing those stairs you'd want to come back down, or if it was the thorns you gripped, tell me that you were not condemned for something you have done?

Maybe. Maybe not. The point is, though, that you can't change what's going to happen to you if it's already begun. Once you're on that stairway; you're going to scale those stairs. If you hung for your 'life' with sharp barbs cutting into the meat of your palm would you not eventually fall? If you fall in love with somebody that's untouchable, out of your grasp but you still cannot help the feelings you hold for them, could you stop the pain that you know is going to come? That's on it's way? That's already so unbearable that the only thing you have to hide behind is a smile?

A smile that seemed to fool even the most intelligent of us, for we sometimes believe that everyone can be happy. True, but our eyes are windows that look into the depths of our souls. The emotions and secrets that radiate from them, that everyone will see, will be ingenious. Something a mere smile plastered on one's face cannot cloak. No matter how happy it may appear or how many lies flow from it. No one can be happy all the time, it's impossible.

But I digress, this is supposed to be the tale of this star-crossed man and his unfortunate damned life. Shall we continue? Or would you rather sit there awhile longer, musing about might have already happened to you, or what will happen in the near future?

Fai sat there, alone, outside of the hut-shaped building the group was currently residing in for the night. Earlier, he had realized he couldn't sleep and wandered out here to watch the stars drift around aimlessly. They were in the same situation he was in and as the final few of them faded into nothing by the rays of the rising sun, he felt as if he was going to disappear. That's what he wished, anyway. But his wishes never came true, something he had found out when he was a few years younger.

Many times he had wished on one of the tricolor stars that hovered over his home. Every time he asked for the same thing: Freedom. But the stars only laughed at him, spiting cruel remarks to his face. They told him he'd never leave, that he would always be condemned to his King's side. Perhaps, it was because of this, he thought that he'd never feel anything other than hatred and disgust to those who had their own life to live. Until he had proved the stars wrong by fleeing his world, his King, basically his whole existence to live a lie. At least he was free, no longer under the beck and call of King Ashura.

He narrowed his eyes at the dimming stars. They, too, where laughing at him, mocking his human stupidity. Sadly, they told him the truth. He wasn't free, but just merely running and hiding from his fate of loneliness and damnation.

"No matter…," he said aloud without truly realizing it, "I will keep running. Maybe then, I won't be found."

But you'll still be living a lie. Hiding and tearing off in some unknown direction to escape the fate you've already predestined. You shouldn't blame the stars for your wrong doings.

Placing a hand on his forehand, he gently began to rub his temples. A steady, pulsing beat had formed just behind his eyes, sending sharp zaps of pain about his head. Thinking of these things didn't help at all. One day he was sure he'd have to face his fate…but for now, he just wanted to watch the sun rise and forget.

Other than his own faint breathing and a few chirping birds--though he was unsure if it might be birds…this was, after all a different land-- it was quite. Deadly quite. Yet he didn't hear the soft footsteps until their owner sat beside him.

"Fai-san?" Emerald eyes peered down at him with drowsy confusion and legitimate worry. "Why aren't you asleep?"

Merely shrugging, he sat up eyes still trained towards the sun. A moment passed before he looked over at her and flashed her a smile. She smiled back. It radiated with more warmth and light than even the sun. He found himself staring at her, not that he attended to do so, but she was so cute and innocent that it was hard not to meet her gaze.

Those emerald eyes were scanning his face now, in search of something. Knowing not what she was looking for in his features or why she had come out here in the first place, he quietly asked her. "Sakura-chan, is there something you need?"

Though it was dim and one could barely make out the boldest of outlines, he could tell she was blushing. Perhaps it was his magical senses that allowed him to know, maybe it was just he knew her well enough that he could predict what was going to happen with her. Most likely it was neither of those, but one could wish can't they? Even if the stars where out to only to mock him and destroy his hopes, maybe he could prove them wrong this time and spit in their faces.

She shook her head vigorously, her short brown hair spilling around her shoulders in a mess of tangles when she was finished. Another smile graced her features as she spoke. "N-no. I was just wandering where you went off to, that's all."

"Worried?"

She only nodded slowly in reply, her eyes turning glossy--she was remembering something. Her body gave a violent shake, then she fell over. Quick to react as he had on so many other occasions, Fai caught her now limp form in his arms. The flesh over her brow began to bead with a faint cold sweat making her hair mat in that spot. Delicately, as if he was afraid she might break (or awaken), he pushed the strands aside so her forehead was now free of the mousy streaks.

It would be another few moments before her eyes would flutter open and the memory would've ended. Emerald was full of sorrow, brimming with unshed tears as she looked up at him. She placed her hand over her heart, clutching a handful of the fabric that lay over it. She was in great pain, he thought, the memory must've had Syaoran in it. He slowly embraced her, trying to comfort the tears.

"It's alright, no need for the tears." His voice was soft and calm, "There's no reason to cry over something you had no control over."

What he said had the opposite affect on her, and soon the tears were spilling from her eyes. He felt his heart sink. He had never intended this to happen, in fact, he wanted nothing more than to make her happy. Which was almost a taboo in itself. How could he make her happy when he couldn't even do the same for himself?

Moments passed, then minutes, but the tears didn't cease and instead continued coursing down her pale cheeks. She looked so helpless in his arms, something that brought him more dread. Damnit, why couldn't he help her? Why could he not think of something stupid to do to make her tears turn into laughter? Seeing her like this made him want to cry, too.

She was the person he loved. His untouchable love. He knew this and understood it. But being condemned to a lonely life was something he wanted so much to change. This girl had shown him kindness and warmth that none had before and he soon had found himself drawn to her. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to hold her closely and tell her he loved her.

The stars were not on his side, though, and he knew if even the slightest mummer of his desire were to leak through the ears of the others, he would be even more damned. This was his fate, he lived only to love someone he could never hold as the stars ridiculed him. Just what had he done to deserve this, he asked himself as he tightened his grip on the girl. Haunted blue eyes soon narrowed at the light sky, cursing it for always looking down on him with gleeful looks at such times.

"I'm sorry, Sakura-chan….Oh so sorry." He said, voice just above a whisper.

"F-for what, Fai-san?" Her voice was caked with sorrow and tears.

He sat there, unsure if he should say anything at all. But, he knew he was going to clutch the thorn ladder of Hell anyway, so why not get there sooner? Maybe there the stars wouldn't laugh at him.

"For falling in love with you…"

(This is my first Tsubasa RC ficcy…so be kind. The pairing is sorta new for me, too. Sure, I've read many FaixKurogane ficcys and even some SakuraxSyaoran. But I've only seen one FaixSakura fic and in that fic the writer said that there should be more of this pairing. I agree, and that's why I wrote this. The fic I read was called: Storm and Fire by MitsukiShiroi. Check it out if you like this pairing. It's a good ficcy.

Sure, it isn't the happiest of ficcys, but that's because it's just the first chapter. Please review and tell me if you liked it. Thanks!

Ele.)