~ Suggested listening: The Chain by Ingrid Michaelson. ~

~X~X~

Kurogane had sworn to himself that once he was back in his world, he was done with witches. There would be no more. He hated the blasted witch and her lopsided 'deals', the way she manipulated and controlled everything so that the outcome was always in her favor. There would be none of that, he promised himself. But he had also sworn to protect Fai no matter what the cost, and he knew which oath was more important to him.

So here he was again, kneeling in front of the witch, clutching Fai's limp body to his chest. When did the mage get so thin? Kurogane should have noticed that. Should've paid more attention to the cuts on his wrist, the way he started faking his smiles again, the-

"Why are you here, Kurogane?"

If Kurogane looked anywhere other than the ground before him, he was going to cry. Ninjas didn't cry.

"I want you to bring him back," he whispered. Yuko sighed heavily.

"His time is gone, Kurogane. I cannot simply pull more time out of thin air."

"Then give him mine."

Yuko looked at him sadly. "Because he is already gone, the exchange will not be equal. Your remaining time will only give him six months, and leave you with six. Do you accept these terms?"

Kurogane looked at Fai's pale face and felt tears spring to his eyes. He blinked them back furiously. Ninjas don't cry.

"Yes."

"Very well then. Your time is your price." Yuko extended one arm and rested it on Fai's forehead. A bright light engulfed her hand and slowly spread over Fai's entire body. When it subdued, Kurogane felt light headed and weak. He could barely hold Fai. But when he looked down at the mage's body, relief flooded through him. The color had returned to his cheeks, and his chest rose and fell evenly. He was asleep. If not for the blood staining his clothes, Kurogane could almost convince himself he had just been sleeping the entire time.

"And now, I assume, you would like to return to Japan?"

Kurogane nodded, unable to speak. Yuk frowned.

"I cannot send you back directly, but you may take Mokona once more. Remember, though, that there is no guarantee you will make it back to your world before your time is gone."

Kurogane worked his jaw until he found his voice again. "For what price?" If he had to pay a price like Syaoran's, he would just as soon stay in this world, witch be damned. Yuko laughed.

"Your sword will do. While not as important to you as Ginryu, the rest of your price is covered by your sorrow and your tears."

Ninjas don't cry. But he had cried, hadn't he?

"I accept," he said softly, as the white pork bun bounced over to them and settled contentedly on Kurogane's shoulder. Before he could reach for his sword, it flew out of his grasp and into Yuko's hands. He tried to stand up, but his knees buckled and he collapsed back on the ground. Fai's eyes fluttered for a moment, but he didn't wake up.

"Also, as a gift-" Kurogane looked up sharply. The witch didn't give gifts. "-Fai will not remember the past three weeks. You may tell him what happened, or lie, or simply leave him to guess. It is up to you."

Kurogane frowned. He would pay for this later, he was sure, but he nodded.

He looked at Fai again. He was breathing. He was alive, and that was all Kurogane cared about.

Ninjas don't cry. But sometimes they do.

~X~X~

~ 100 Themes Challenge #24: No time.

Originally supposed to be a oneshot, but yes, this is going to be a chaptered fic. At least five more chapters but I'm not guaranteeing any more than that.

I apologize for Kurogane's OOCness. He's going to be a little OOC still, but I'll try to mostly keep him the same. The reason being that since he and Fai have been together, he's been a lot… calmer, I dunno. Actually, yeah, that's the perfect word ^^ But he's pissed off at Fai right now so his original personality will come back, don't worry.

Reviews will be loved, polished, and displayed on a shelf. Reviewers will be given cookies and a free puppy. Flames will be used to roast marshmallows and make smores. Constructive criticism is welcome, though ^^ I require five reviews per chapter before I update. Why? Cuz I'm a review whore, that's why, and I don't care why I'm getting reviews as long as I get my fix. ~