Falkdfj;akf. Too much work gets rewarded with a little satisfaction before more work shows its ugly face. It's only natural, but it doesn't let me get my hobbies done. And those hobbies are relief for other people who know the feeling of too much work, aka my lovely readers. Sorry for the late update, I had to really think this one out, and I definitely like how it turned out in my head. I hope I wrote it satisfactory as well.

AND WHOEVER SUGGESTED MY FANFICTION TO OTHER SITES OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH. Tsubasafan told me of a site that had something like Tsubasa fanfiction (I'll have to ask her about it hurhur) and this story as well as Before the Final Moment was listed. I never knew it was so well liked ;w; please let me know who you are so I can truly, properly thank you. But until then, I will simply write to please you.

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"S…Sister?" Fay whimpered , looking curiously to Kurogane. Hadn't his lover's mother said that she adopted Sakura? Kurogane shot a glare over his shoulder to Fay before looking at the man again with a stern frown.

"This man is part of my tribe now, lower your spear." He commanded roughly in a tone that made Fay flinch. He hadn't heard the other man speak so forcefully. Still, the other opposing one didn't relent, moving the tip of the weapon in Kurogane's direction.

"We saw the rest of your clan, Panther, there is no more living besides yourself and the children." He said in a thicker accent than Kurogane's. Fay continued to stare at them, the realization dawning on him that they were still speaking his language. It made him curious as to why they didn't switch over into their native languages to talk better.

That, though, didn't last long, for Kurogane opened his mouth to reply. Instead of something Fay could understand, it was fluid and rough at the same time, bold and righteous. It was Kurogane's native language. Fay found himself completely lost in listening to his lover and the man argue, though with wild hand gestures from the man with the spear, such as pointing to the sea line, Fay, the children, he assumed it was something that they were talking about what happened.

He closed his eyes when Kurogane began to raise his voice angrily, wanting to help. He wanted to understand, to listen and contribute. He held Sakura tighter to him and assumed she probably knew the language too. He wished he had learned it, or at least was able to.

"I want to speak this language." He whispered desperately. As he listened, he realized that slowly he could understand Kurogane's voice.

"Nomeno sthyr vucotic arcaniss and cleansed the lake. We were takin' the children there now, but you assholes showed up..." Kurogane said darkly, making Fay look at him in surprise. Since when did the taller speak so informally, and the use of rude words, and… he glanced over to the rest of the men when Kurogane suddenly turned to him, seeing shocked expression on their faces while some raised their weapons.

"He just glowed! He's dangerous!" One shouted from behind the man in front, making Fay blink.

"I…I didn't use magic just now…" Fay said to Kurogane, only to hear his voice in a different tongue. Kurogane's expression mimicked the others, obviously not expecting the blonde to start fluently speaking in his language.

"…You did. I can understand you and we're not speaking in common." He replied, his brow furrowing before turning to the men again with a step forward.

"See? That's proof enough that he can use magic! Lower your damn weapons before I make you!" He barked, once again making the blonde stare at the back of his head. The one leading them lifted his free hand and waved to the men behind him while lowering his own, though his eyes narrowed at Kurogane.

"Fine then. But I still don't accept him into this clan. Nor into yours. If you keep him with you and don't kill him with your knife then we will not trade with you." He said in conclusion, making Kurogane growl.

"Bastard! You can't do that!"

"I can. I've made up my mind."

"…We'll face the relekihlic then." Kurogane said dangerously, making some of the men look at him oddly. Fay did as well and was about to question him before the other man sneered.

"Relekihlic you say? How many?"

"Three. If we both pass them you let us go our merry way. If not I'll agree to not trade with you."

"You're not going to kill him?"

"I will." Kurogane said resolutely, making Fay's eyes widen. Feeling the tension rise behind him the tattooed man sighed and closed his eyes.

"But, I doubt I'll have to. Do you accept or not, asshole?" He said while turning to hand Fay Mokona, freeing his hand for whatever reason. The man hesitated before sighing himself, handing over his spear to a man beside him before stepping forward. Instantly Fay cringed behind Kurogane, not knowing what to expect. Instead of something forceful, he lifted his hand toward Kurogane as if they were about to arm wrestle. The other took it, and they clasped hands in agreement.

"Sharpen your blade, Panther, and prepare to start your clan bare." The opponent said with a grin, though Kurogane flashed one of his own.

"If you want your sister back you'd better eat those words." Kurogane replied, their hands parting. The shorter gave a curt laugh before flagging the other men to start going back.

"Tomorrow then. Your wizard can show off his skills while you prove that you can fill your father's shoes." He said over his shoulder before they started to run back into the forest, one by one disappearing until the last one was out of sight. Even then crimson eyes still watched the forest for men, scanning over it like it would get up and start moving. Fay hesitated before stepping forward, giving Kurogane a pleading look.

"K… Kuro-chu… l…let's heal them now…" He said shakily, still apprehensive from both the meeting as well as what Kurogane had said about killing him. The taller tilted his head to face Fay, but continued to stare out.

"…Nn." He replied before beginning to walk up the hill. Fay followed, keeping his eyes down to try and not think about the man's reply. It didn't work too well, for he sighed and set Mokona and Sakura down by the bank and frowned at the water.

"…Kuro-rin… I… still don't understand your traditions…" He whispered softly, making Kurogane look over to him as he too sat down.

"...Tell me what you don't get and I'll explain." He said while he stood the boy up, getting him to drowsily undress to take a bath. Fay mimicked what he did with the two girls, wanting to see them get better, before once again hesitating on replying.

"W-well… who were those men?" He began, his eyes glancing over at Kurogane. The other man didn't take his eyes off the clothing he was folding.

"The Rimemna, or chiefless. My father often sought out the one who was speaking with me for trading reasons. He's kind of taken over the group since his father died." Kurogane said while helping Syaoran into the water, watching over the boy like a doting parent. Fay smiled briefly at how Kurogane acted, though it fell when he looked back to the green eyed girl.

"What of Sakura-chan? She was given to your tribe right?"

"She was."

"Then why did that person want her back?" Fay questioned, making Kurogane stop. He sighed and brought red eyes over to the pale one with a frown.

"That man was her elder brother. My mother promised to take care of her by adopting her since her parents died. I guess he wants her back since he knows my parents are dead as well." Kurogane informed him while keeping an eye on the children as they sleepily bathed themselves. Mokona was the first to look at Fay curiously, blinking a couple times before smiling.

"You speak like us now…" She muttered. Fay paused and smiled halfheartedly, remembering his sudden bout of power was another thing they needed to think about.

"Yes, I do…" He said softly, running a hand through her hair. "…Now bathe with your siblings." He commanded and she nodded, getting into the water with the elder two brunettes. Kurogane, being the ever observant man he was, caught the fault in Fay's smile. He scooted over next to the blonde and looked him in the eye, even if cerulean pools were averted.

"You're learning to control it." He said simply, and the other clenched his jaw in silence. Kurogane followed his lover's gaze to the children, watching them play about in the pool in regaining full alertness. He continued.

"Little spurts of magic here and there are doing you good on training yourself." He muttered, but Fay shook his head. He looked down to his hand for whatever reason, examining the palm of it. He blinked somewhat when he remembered the blue wristband on his arm, seeing the rabbit fur was beautifully dyed from his magic. He frowned somewhat more and looked it over to see the dove emblem.

"Kuro-chu… I have another question."

"What is it?"

"What're these for?" Fay asked as he held up his arm. Kurogane looked at him for a moment, then to the band. Studying it for a moment the Indian snorted and turned away.

"Hell if I know. I think they have something to do with our necklaces but I don't know." He grumbled, seeing Syaoran help Sakura get her foot out of some sticky mud from the bottom of the pond. Fay hummed lightly and leaned against Kurogane for whatever reason, making the taller's cheeks heat ever so slightly.

"Well… they were the only things I was wearing after my burst of energy that one time, if I remember correctly… maybe they have something to do with controlling my magic's aura?" He offered, but Kurogane was incapacitated in speech from embarrassment of having his lover on him. Fay frowned a little more out of curiosity. It felt like Kurogane had become a different person since he talked with the other tribe.

Fay sat up away from Kurogane and looked at him. Not for any particular reason, mostly to take in his features. He hadn't done that since he arrived in his lover's now destroyed village, and so much had happened. He studied Kurogane's features with a leisurely gaze, knowing the other didn't mind the staring.

Kurogane had a strong set jaw and a sharp chin that jutted out proudly. His lips weren't rosy but not unhealthily tan like his golden brown complexion, and not cracked at all from dryness. Thin and tight from stern piercing. His nose was sharp as well and well proportioned to the rest of his face, no curves or bumps on the bridge to bring it straight up to his downward arched brows. Fay noticed that his eyebrows were always turned down, a permanent scowl, and that they had hooks on each end like a double bladed dagger. His cheek bones were high but sunken in, a trait not common with these Indians but common with the folk up east, more than likely where Kurogane was originally from. His skin was coated in a light dirt from sleeping in the cave but not noticeable unless you were looking for it, and a healing scar that would soon be invisible was on his cheek from the countless times he had cut it. His beautiful ruby eyes glistening with truth and valor, protection and fierce loyalty, just looking at them caused Fay to lose his breath. So much burned within those eyes that he couldn't stare at them for long without feeling suffocated by longing and lust and fear. His own eyes wandered to the hair atop Kurogane's head. It was springy now, in uneven spikes atop his scalp, dark and rough looking. It finished the complete look of a rough prince.

Fay looked away with a small blush when he realized he had been staring for a while. Kurogane was attractive, yes, but to stare openly like that was just rude… He sighed roughly about himself and wondered what Kurogane thought of him. Sure his eyes were something to marvel over, but Mokona had fair skin and hair like him so it was nothing new. He burned easily, that much was certain. He had poofy, pouty lips that were always pink, red if they were kissed too hard and purple of constantly kissed. His nose was pointy and his chin was small, best made for a smile. His hair was flippy and loose, and grew easily and fast. He had no doubt that by the time summer was over he'd have to either hack it off again or put it in a pony tail. He sighed again and shook his head. He was nothing new to Kurogane, whereas Kurogane was a masterpiece to stare at. He didn't even need to start on his attitude.

"Oi."

Fay looked over, snapping out of his stupor to see Kurogane staring at him. The blonde put on his best smile and tilted his head.

"What is it Kuro-buu~?"

"You're a space case. Look at the children." He muttered, looking back to said kids. Fay frowned at the insult but obeyed. He gave a soft questioning noise when he noticed the wounds looked different. Almost funny.

"Mokona… how does your head feel?" Fay asked, moving to rest on his knees to brush her bangs aside. The girl smiled to him and mimicked the action so he could see.

"Mokona doesn't feel any pain anywhere in her body~!" She replied with a grin. Fay stared in awe as he watched the wound close up completely, albeit slowly, to leave a moonlike scar on her forehead. He wondered if, with time, that would go away as well. Kurogane smirked and lifted the boy out of the water, placing him on his knee to examine the child's no-longer-there wounds.

"I told you," He said in a nonchalant tone. "Your magic abilities healed their wounds. Not all the way though considering you're still getting used to them, but it'll get there. I might need them for what's gunna happen." He trailed off toward the end, but Fay still heard it. The other stared at Mokona's forehead for a while in silence, only moving to pull the girls out to dress them. He remained quiet, thinking over Kurogane's words sourly. The Indian was going to kill him, then? He was left for dead for no damn reason on this godforsaken island, left with a bunch of savage natives, fell in love with one only to realize they were just like everyone else he knew if not more polite and well natured, helped caused the death of most of his said love's village, made love with him, only to have this love kill him? Well, thinking over it all, he kind of felt he was worthy of this death. If anyone was going to kill him it'd be Kurogane.

"What did you say?" Kurogane asked, looking over to Fay with a raised eyebrow. The blonde blinked and turned to the dark haired man, staring at him for a moment. He raised a hand and pointed to himself with a stupid smile.

"I said something?" He asked, making Kurogane growl.

"Yeah you did, dimwit. You said something about me killing you. You thinking about that dream again?" He questioned with a frown, making Syaoran look at Fay in alarm. The wizard smiled apologetically to the boy to let him know it was ok, then gave Kurogane a look to tell him not to talk about this while the children were around or conscious. The dethroned prince sighed and rolled his eyes, knowing he wouldn't get an answer now.

Once the children were dried and dressed, Fay didn't hesitate to stand. He didn't have to carry either of the girls, seeing they were both awake. He looked over to Kurogane and saw him getting up to lead Syaoran back down to the cave. Fay sighed when he thought about it, feeling like this cave was going to be their temporary home for more than temporary.

They led the children down to the cave, watching them skip and run to their apparently healed heart's content. Even the sickness they had seemed long gone. Fay moved a hand and clasped it over his chest, thinking it wonderful that the children were healthy again. He smiled when he realized he wouldn't be the cause of their deaths.

The magician watched as Kurogane knelt in front of the three siblings, ruffling each of their hair like a father or older brother would.

"Oi, I need to talk to him for a moment so you three go inside and play for a bit."

"Ok, Strong One." Mokona replied while the other two nodded, not waiting a moment after to go running into the cave shouting something about running around making the loudest scary noises. Kurogane watched them go before counting Fay's next sigh, frowning to himself.

"How many times do you gotta sigh? I know something's troubling you so stop doing it." He said, making Fay flinch. He hadn't even realized he was doing it. The blonde looked elsewhere when Kurogane stood and faced him.

"…I-I… well… I was curious about that… whatever it is you were talking about with that man…" He started, feeling his cheeks heat with slight nervousness as Kurogane approached him.

"You mean about you suddenly learning our language? I told you that was a sudden bout of magic you mastered." Kurogane explained, but Fay shook his head.

"About the… things you were facing…" He muttered, looking shyly up to Kurogane. The taller raised his brow before snorting.

"You mean relekihlic. In common the best translation for that is 'challenges'. They're tasks I have to complete that the other tribe comes up with to make sure I'm keeping true to my word. They're usually impossible if you're lying, so I'm not too worried about them." Kurogane replied, moving his hands to hold his lover. He was slightly surprised when said lover moved away from him.

Fay frowned sadly and continued to look away, not wanting the other man to touch him just yet. Kurogane gave him a quizzical look and tried again, only to get rejected again.

"What the hell? Did I do something wrong?" Kurogane grunted, folding his arms. Fay sighed and pivoted his step.

"I'm grateful you stood up for me against the other tribe… but… you said you'd… that you'd…" Fay tried to explain, only to have the words caught in his throat. The stuttering caused realization to dawn on Kurogane, making the man shake his head.

"You're an idiot if you think I'm going to kill you."

"It's not that you will or anything…"

"So what's the problem?"

"It's that you said you would." Fay said sharply. Kurogane stared at him for a moment, a serious frown taking his face while the foreigner fidgeted in front of him. The smaller slowly brought his vision up to Kurogane.

"I told you that you'd do that to me in my dreams… why would you go back on your word and say you would to someone else…?" Fay said, trying to swallow tears. He looked away again when his confidence died. "…I don't feel like I can trust you anymore…"

Kurogane stared at Fay with a deeper frown, his fists clenching by his sides at the words. They struck him harder than he thought they would, hell, he didn't even know the other would ever say them. He sighed and bit his anger back, closing his eyes.

"You can either trust me or not, it doesn't matter to me. I trust you. No matter what I say to everyone and anyone else from yester night's activities is pointless; I keep my word to those I want to protect. Believe it or not, you're included in that." He said boldly, making Fay look up to him. They shared eye contact for a moment before Kurogane turned to go back into the cave.

"I have to prepare for tomorrow's first relekihlic." He muttered in excuse. Fay stared at him and at his back as he went. His eyes traveled down the toned back only to widen. The small figment of a scar were the bullet had gone through his side was still there. His magic abilities were still infantile, and it would make sense that scar tissue would still be present in its healing powers. The slight scar made Fay flash back to seeing all the blood on Kurogane's torso, the man's lip form, his dying expression. He let out a strangled moan and ran forward, colliding his body with Kurogane's back. The Indian stumbled somewhat and whipped his head around to snap at Fay, only to stop when he saw the other's expression buried in his shoulder.

"Promise me you won't make me go through that again." Fay whispered into tan skin as his hands slinked around the tanned torso. Kurogane instantly knew what the blonde was talking about and frowned, moving a hand to the pale one.

"I thought we were talking about you dying, not me…" He muttered. The other shook his head and buried his nose deeper into Kurogane's shoulder blade.

"Neither of us. I want to know Kuro-mi better… I want to live together with Kuro-san…" He looked up to the taller man with glistening eyes. "I want to be with Kuro-sama…"

Kurogane was stunned lightly by Fay's words, though he gave the smaller a flat look. Turning around in the blonde's grasp, Kurogane returned the embrace he had earlier been denied. This time the smaller gave in wholeheartedly.

"Idiot… you're with me right now… I won't die on you, and even if, for some stupid and unforgivable reason, I fail the multiple relekihlic, I won't kill you. I refuse to. Trading's not as important as this someone in my arms." Kurogane explained against Fay's hair. The other tensed from the words, feeling a single tear slip down his face. He let the words melt in and he buried his face in Kurogane's chest. This is what he wanted. This man. He didn't want to lose it just yet…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The next morning was crisp and muggy, heavy with morning dew to the point of almost rain. Kurogane was up long before Fay even stirred. The dark haired man had been sharpening his dagger for the longest time, sheathing it in its place in the sack on his side. Looking over to the children and his lover, he frowned darkly and left the cave. He had unfinished business at the shoreline.

His feet sank in the moist dirt to the point of leaving solid footprints, though he was running too fast to leave many. He turned down the sharp corner of the tall hill to slide somewhat down it. Stopping for a moment to catch a breath, Kurogane scanned the area momentarily. His skin wasn't wet with sweat but with dew from leaves slapping against his skin. He narrowed his eyes to the footprints on the sand. He walked out of the foliage slowly, keeping an eye on his surroundings while crouching to look at the tracks made.

No doubt about it, this was from that other tribe, he thought. He sighed angrily and looked to the rest of the bank. Following the footprints, he made sure to step in them to make it look like he was never there. He examined the once proud village only to see that it was decimated, the corpses of his fallen comrades being picked on by the birds of his island. He sighed heavily and forgot about being discrete. If there's one thing he couldn't stand it was not honoring the fallen pride. He looked for his father first, knowing his mother had been taken by the ships.

It didn't take long to find his deceased parent, sighing once more.

"You old fool. I bet you could've parried that blow." Kurogane said as he folded his arms, hovering over the man. He shook his head and looked about for the right sized stones. Finding a good area, he reached down and lifted the corpse of a once intelligent man into his arms, carrying him over to the pile of stones. He reached up to his neck, yanking off the bear claw necklace he used to wear proudly.

"I know what you think of traditions, old man, but with everyone gone or deceased, it's time the outsiders started their own." He said, placing the claw on his father's chest. He smirked somewhat and patted it, standing to reach for the beginning of the pile.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Fay sat up with a start, swallowing whatever noise he was going to wake in the surprise ending of his dream. He grasped his forehead with a wince, finding the dream to be more powerful than before. More blood, more pain, more hurt… He bit his lip. He knew what it meant, so why did it keep happening?

"…Kuro-chan?" The blonde questioned softly, looking to the mat beside him only to find his lover was gone. He blinked a couple times and gazed about the cave, finding no sign of his partner. He frowned curiously and stood, dressing himself quickly. The magician looked over the children in seeing they were still unconsciously enjoying dreamland. He smiled to that at least.

Fay sighed and folded his arms, walking out of the cave to look about for Kurogane. He hadn't already left for the other tribe had he? Wouldn't he have woken him to tell him? Then again, was it tradition to not tell anyone? But wouldn't he have told him it was tradition? Fay moved a hand to his face and tried to collect his thinking before he confused himself.

The blonde looked about again until he spotted the trail of soggy footprints barely visible in the warming grass. He smiled and followed after them, knowing the width of them was as big as Kurogane's foot and distance between was how often his lover's foot came to the ground when running. He giggled to himself in realizing he had memorized such silly details about Kurogane. Then again they might be necessary in this wilderness.

He followed them to the side of the cliff and gazed outward. The wind on his face made him smile, and the scent of the ocean was always welcome from a distance. He looked down to the shoreline and instantly frowned. He had found Kurogane.

The man was settling the last rock on top of a fourth grave, and once finished he stood up and dusted his hands off. Kurogane paused for a moment then looked directly at Fay. The blonde didn't even know where the knife had come from.

Fay smiled sheepishly and slid down the mucky side of the hill, stumbling out of the brush. The clumsiness made Kurogane stare before rolling his eyes, sheathing his knife back in his boot.

"What the hell are you doing, idiot?" He asked, folding his arms as the mage smiled again like he hadn't just fallen like a graceless goose on fire.

"I didn't have something to snuggle in and woke up from lack of heat. Is this what you've been doing?" Fay asked, his voice getting softer while he waved his hand toward the graves. Kurogane looked back to them and frowned.

"…Yeah… I woke up earlier than normal and came down here." He looked at Fay and felt his eyebrow twitch.

"What're you doing up so early, lazy ass? You usually sleep past noon." He muttered, making the other laugh.

"I already told you. And anyway, the children are still asleep too, you know. I'm not the only thing that sleeps in past noon."

"Children are young, they're allowed to the seldom times they do."

"I'm not because I'm older?"

"You should be used to getting up at the crack of dawn."

"You think someone as loveable as Kuro-chu would cut me some slack." Fay teased in a fake serious tone, folding his arms when Kurogane turned away to gather some more stones. Said man rolled his eyes when he knelt.

"And you'd think someone as needy as an idiot would learn by now that I don't do shit like that." He said over his shoulder, making Fay laugh.

"That wasn't a very good comeback." He said as he sauntered over, placing a hand on his lover's back. His hand would've fallen on the beads of the necklace, had their been one. Fay noticed this and looked to Kurogane questioningly.

"Where's your necklace?" He asked, kneeling beside Kurogane to help him out. The taller nodded his head in the direction of the first grave.

"Dad's got it." He said simply, making Fay freeze in what he was doing. Blue eyes glanced over to the stones with a sad expression, reaching his hand up to clasp his chest.

"…I see…" He muttered softly. Kurogane looked up to the blonde with a small frown and lifted his hand to grasp the magician's chin. When he turned the other's face around he planted a kiss on the pouting lips.

"Don't worry about it, mage." He whispered to Fay. Fay stared at him for a moment before offering a small smile, nodding. Kurogane removed his hand and went back to shuffling the rocks about into a miniature pile for future burials.

"And anyway, I think it's time to start new traditions. When I pass the multiple relekihlic I'll be allowed to start the tribe over again, making me chief. I've got a couple rules already planned out, so it's not a big deal." Kurogane explained, taking the large stone from Fay's hands to set it on top. Fay leaned back against his heels and sighed, not understanding how Kurogane could move the rocks so easily, let alone for a long period of time.

"If you say so. I don't think I'd know where to begin." He said with a smile when Kurogane looked at him. The man clenched his jaw before standing.

"There's a problem with that, mage…" He said softly, offering a hand to help the smaller up. Fay gladly took it and looked at the other curiously.

"What is it?" He questioned. Kurogane didn't meet his gaze for a moment, his hand tightening somewhat on the blonde's.

"Since the relekihlic were formed from the questioning about me and you and my tribe, there's a high chance you might be involved with them." He explained, making Fay tilt his head sideways.

"Me too?"

"Yeah. This is to regain trust. I said you were a magician, and you probably need to prove that… Since I was the next in line for order, I bet the first one's mostly for me, then the next one would be for my tribe if I had any, and then the last would be for you and me since it's also my trust in you." Kurogane elaborated with a sinking feeling in his gut. Fay stared at him, half believing what he was hearing. Is this what Kurogane meant by not mattering if he trusted him yesterday?

"Kuro-para… You know I can't use magic on free will…" He started, to which Kurogane nodded. Fay continued to stare.

"…You know… I'm not quite looking forward to these challenges now…" He said with a feeble smile. The taller let go of Fay's hand only to hug him close.

"I know." He said with a smirk, colliding his nose with Fay's gently. "You worry too much." He murmured before kissing the other again. Fay blushed lightly for whatever reason but returned the kiss wholeheartedly, slithering his hands around the taller's neck. The kiss lasted for a moment longer before Fay broke it with a smile.

"Just keep that promise strong, ok?" He said while looking at Kurogane's closed eyelids. Ruby greeted him after a pause.

"To the best of my abilities." Kurogane replied, making Fay smile widely.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It was high noon before the children woke, greeting Fay by migrating onto him. He laughed with them and snuggled each of them, making Kurogane smirk. They toyed around and played for lunch and started making the cave more like a home than a shelter. Fay was tying a skin to the rocks on the wall when he looked over to see Kurogane standing at the entranceway. He frowned deeply and felt his stomach flip. The three children huddled around his legs when they too noticed Kurogane just watching the forest, not remembering that the other tribe had come to greet them the day before.

The dark haired man scanned the forest several times over, looking for his challengers. He folded his arms when he saw a flicker beyond the trees, knowing exactly where they all were.

"Come on out you idiots, I'm ready." He barked at them, making all movement stop. The man that had approached before came out first, dressed similarly to before, only with a mask of a skull over his face. Fay stared at him openly, never seeing something as ridiculous as this before. Sakura looked on only to squeal, running away from Fay toward the entrance.

"Big Brother~!" She called, though before she could run passed Kurogane the man scooped her up in his arms, his eyes staring down the man with the skull on his face. Sakura looked at Kurogane questioningly and then to the other dark haired man, confused.

"The first relekihlic is today." The man said, lifting his spear to Kurogane. "You say you're ready to face it, and yet you're not inked."

Fay walked cautiously up behind Kurogane, staring at the men in noticing they all had masks on. Kurogane looked to Fay and gave him Sakura, freeing his hands to hold them boldly by his sides.

"That's tedious work." He snapped back, making what they could see of Sakura's older brother's lips curve in a smirk.

"What were you doing all morning then?"

"Burying the dead."

"I thought you weren't one for those chores, Panther?'

"Things change." Kurogane said, giving Fay a look that said step back. Fay nodded and backed into the cave again, setting Sakura down with the other two children before kneeling with them. Sakura looked at him with worry.

"Why's Touya not saying hi to me?" She asked naively, making Fay smile.

"He's got business with Kuro-chii, once he's done he'll say hello, sweetie." The blonde whispered to her. Syaoran and Mokona exchanged looks and gazed to the entranceway again where Kurogane was standing. The man named Touya lowered his spear and walked up to him, reaching about two inches below Kurogane's height.

"Are you going to dishonor your tribe by not bearing the necklace passed down to you, either?" He asked, also noticing the lack of bear claw. Kurogane snorted and looked a different direction.

"My father's tribe is dead. I was adopted into it, so I'm not representing him. I'm telling you know the relekihlic are not for regaining trust for his tribe, but for gaining trust with mine." Kurogane stated, making Touya shake his head.

"What, you, a sorcerer, and three children?" He questioned skeptically, but Kurogane growled and took a step forward.

"One of those three children is your sister, you idiot. Speak lowly of her and you speak lowly of yourself. And unless I die from these you won't get her back since I'm older." He threatened, making the other frown angrily.

"Sakura makes us brothers by bond, Kurogane, you treat her no better than I if you use her as a threat." He snapped, though it didn't seem to faze the other. Touya sighed and lifted his spear to Kurogane's neck, not waiting for a reaction before he cut the remaining necklace. Kurogane blinked when the blue droplet fell in Touya's hand.

"Your birthstone will be the prize of the first one." He said with a frown, waggling the gem in front of Kurogane mockingly. The other didn't move to grab for it, only fisting his hands. Touya regained his smirk and turned on his heel.

"If you're ready, let us go to the Yama Falls!" He bellowed, making the other Indians scatter silently into the trees. Touya stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"Bring the children and the magician too." He commanded, making Kurogane growl. The dark haired man turned to Fay with a frown.

"…Looks like you get to watch."

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Ugh dear gods. sorry for the super short chapter Dl and this even took me another couple days to finish... orz...