A/N: Yeah...I wrote this with another set of characters, settings, storylines, etc. And I wriet it BEFORE I ever read/watched Tsubasa. But it fit so well into the Tsubasa world, that I just had to make it work. ;)

World Deatils: Another day in Infinity. Syaoron is...*gulps* accidentally absent. Remember, I wrote this before I ever saw TRC. So when I went back to Tsubasa-ize it...I realized Syaoron's character is missing, but I didn't have the heart to add him in because I thought his presence would throw off the mood of this rather quick. What do y'all think?

Of "Goodbyes" and "Because-They-Were-Theres"

"We're all exhausted. Especially you, princess. I think we should all take advantage of the time we have to sleep now," Kurogane suggested.

Sakura sighed gustily. "Yes, a good night's sleep is what I need. See you two in the morning."

Fai watched warily as Sakura stood and staggered. He was there in a flash and caught her in his arms. She tried to push herself up to continue on her way, but Fai wouldn't have it. He stepped beside her and guided her to her bedroom door gently. Kurogane studied the pair thoughtfully. "Too much alike," he whispered. Then he turned and headed for his own bed for the night.

Fai tucked the blankets around Sakura's bed and gently helped her get comfortable. When he was satisfied, he turned to go, when a soft touch on his hand stopped him. He turned to see Sakura's beautiful golden-brown eyes gazing at him. "Stay," she asked, blushed, then continued, "at least, until I'm asleep."

Fai smiled sadly, nodded, then sat by her side, his hand still in hers. He hesitated then reached out to run his fingers through her soft light-brown hair. A smile tugged at his lips as he remembered the fun things the three of them had experienced. Tears came, too. He blinked them away quickly. Now wasn't the time. Instead, he leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes, forcing himself to relax and rest.

"So."

"So…?" Sakura asked?

"So where will you go when you leave us?" he repeated.

Sakura gasped then turned her head away to look out the window into the night. "I…I don't know." She paused, "Does Kurogane know?"

"No, I don't think so. It's not something he'd notice. But then again, I've been wrong before." This time he allowed himself a small smile.

"Please, please don't tell him."

Fai looked at her curiously, her profile dimly lit by the city lights that glittered outside. "Why not?"

"I think it will be best if I make a swift, clean break. No long good-byes," she whispered.

Fai hung his head. "Then will you promise me something?"

She turned to him warily.

"Promise me that, no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you won't forget us. You won't forget…me."

Sakura absorbed this thoughtfully, then smiled. Gently she squeezed his hand and whispered, "Never."

Fai sighed, relieved.

"Your hands are cold. You must be thirsty."

His thoughts clouded again and he turned away. She squeezed his hand. "It's alright. You go. I'll be fine. I need sleep and you need to drink."

"There's a difference between 'need' and 'want'," Fai said, bitterness coloring every word.

Sakura looked at him, really looked at him. This beautiful, playful, gentle young man was in pain, she could feel it. But not physical pain. Another pain. Then she understood. "It hurts you, doesn't it?" she said it like a statement. "It hurts you to drink Kurogane's blood. It breaks your heart that you must hurt another to survive." Fai's hand twitched. "Oh, Fai," she whispered.

She reached over and kissed the hand she held in hers. When she looked up, she saw those remarkable blue-green eyes staring at her in shock. She smiled and reached up to his face, pulling herself up into a sitting position. Then she kissed his forehead and whispered, "It's okay to cry you know. No one will tell you to stop. Only strong people can cry."

She felt his shoulders shake and she pulled him forward into her arms cradling his head on her breast. He didn't offer any resistance he just held onto her and cried. She held him close and rocked him as a mother does to her child.

When he had cried himself out he sat up.

"Feel better?" she asked.

He smiled and nodded. "I'll be fine now. Thank you, princess." He smiled at her then rose and strode away closing the door quietly behind him.

"Looks like you're tired."

Fai looked up and saw Kurogane standing by his window holding a knife and holding his bleed right wrist in the air. He sighed. "Yes."

"And thirsty." Fai said nothing. Instead he quietly removed his long black coat and strode forward. His white shirt set of his pale skin and white hair giving him an ethereal look. He gazed at the extended wrist and began to smile.

"Don't!"

Fai started and studied Kurogane questioningly.

"If you don't mean it, don't smile," the dark figure demanded.

His smile faded leaving a sad and dejected expression. With one last sigh Fai sat next to Kurogane brought the wrist to his lips and drank. He held the wrist with his left hand while his right hand clutched his blood-bound brother's shoulder as an anchor.

Kurogane sat quietly as his bonded took what was needed. He sighed and his breath caused the furred ear nearest him to twitch pitifully. He leaned down and bit the silky ear causing Fai to pause.

"Why do you do that?" he asked tiredly.

"Because it's there," Kurogane answered.

Fai made a long suffering sigh then continued.

A/N: Well, that's all for tonight. It's 12:40am and I'm zonked. Nighty-night.

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