The Vow

As they stood beneath the starry sky, the celestial zenith peering down at them, he couldn't help but compare the small girl that stood behind him with the princess of his time. They were alike in many ways: that plotting mind that could harbor both devious and compassionate plots, the long raven tresses that cascaded in an ocean of waves down her back, and most of all, that small and teasing smile that could say so many things. It irked him, that it was only him that could see every detail of that smile: that message of, "I know something you don't," that tender, "for your benefit," look, and the oddly reassuring, yet teasing quirk, found in those slightly curled and perfect lips. It was that smile, and not her urge, that reassured him his question was a reasonable one.

"When you spoke to Tomoyo-hime, did she sound well?"

He caught himself studying her again as they prepared to leave, debating within his mind if he should speak out. Knowing that this might be the last chance of sending any sort of word to his princess, even by word of another's mouth, he decided that it was a chance that couldn't be passed up.

"When you talk to Tomoyo-hime again, tell her I'm coming back. That's a promise."

She gave him a sad smile, "A promise you say?"

He could feel the air about him waver, spiraling and waiting to take him away, yet he couldn't yet break his eyes from those violet orbs that so resembled the Tsukiyomi's. "I always keep my promises."

Her eyes closed, refusing to meet his gaze any longer, reflecting on a thought that seemed to pain her. He frowned at her expression. "Just as you upheld the vows you made on Ginryuu?"

His hands clenched. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to be swept away to their new destination. Turning his head from the shame, the doubt, the understanding in her eyes, he whispered, "I will find true strength." He continued to look away, refusing to meet her gaze. He could feel her eyes on him, could feel the pity, sorrow, and kindness that was Tomoyo but not, as he disappeared from the world of Piffle. His eyes closed as they began to enter the new world and in his mind's eye, he could see her—waiting. Too himself, he once again swore, "I will find strength... Tomoyo" Then, slowly, determinedly, he opened his eyes and gazed upon the path that would one day lead him back to the one thing he sought, the one thing he had lost sight of, and the person who he would one day win back.

Word Count: 451

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This idea came to me after watching episode 43 where you see Kurogane making his vows to Tomoyo for Ginryuu. So when I first I watched it, I was just thinking how sweet it is, how he had always upheld that last promise to protect those he cared for with his strength. Then I realized—wait… He pretty much broke the first four vows. That was shocking and disappointing. The result? This drabble.