A/N: Looks like you're not all gone on me! Great to know! Okay, I'm starting to think that this chapter won't be focusing too much on a holiday like the others have been. It's still got to do with one, but not as the central idea. Anyway, enjoy, 'cause I'm sure you don't care about these details so long as you get your KuroFai.

Over a Year

Parties, parties everywhere. And all the people! It was almost over whelming. Even the beaches were packed. Fai was shocked that they had been able to see the sand that lay beneath the crowd. People were truly everywhere they could be. Sidewalks, streets, beaches, yards, parks. You name it, people flocked there.

From what the group had been able to gather, today was an anniversary of sorts. The day their country had broken free of another's unwanted rule. They called it Independence Day. A fitting and simple name for such an event.

What a way to celebrate. People cooked outside on little open fires in metal boxes, children ran the streets, spraying each other with water to keep cool and have fun, and colorful decorations littered every surface and post something could be attached to. The country's flag waved in the occasional breeze from every house. It was a nice sight to see, such unity and pride of one's home. There had never been anything like this in Celes. He faintly wondered why.

"Mage!" came the booming voice of a dark-haired ninja. "Don't get lost spacing out! Keep close!"

Fai smiled at the man. "Coming!"

He did his best to push through the thick mass of people and reach his friends, but it was looking impossible. Then, suddenly, someone's hand grabbed hold of his own and pulled him along. The hand was warm and rough, but its hold was gentle and careful not to be too tight.

Kurogane had come to his rescue. "How valiant," he laughed aloud.

The other just shot him back that look that told him he was being silly. He loved that look, it was so… amused, without the one giving it even knowing. There were a lot of things he loved about the taller man. He could go on about it for days on end. But he didn't. Kurogane didn't need to know just how much of him Fai knew in detail.

They made it to Sakura and Syaoran, who had been looking for them from the side of a street. Mokona was bouncing around inside Sakura's bag, calling out whenever it saw something it wanted or liked. It was so busy and loud no one noticed the little creature.

"Sorry about that," Fai said, waving the hand Kurogane had been holding a second ago back and forth in front of his face.

The kids smiled and assured him it wasn't a problem. They entered the shop they had stopped in front of, trying their hardest to get out of the oppressive crowd. It turned out that they had walked right into a book store. Fai caught sight of Syaoran and Kurogane's faces as they lit up at the thought of finding something they could read. They were so alike he couldn't help but break into a smile at the sight of his puppy pair.

The group split up, each trying to find something they could read. Before long Syaoran had a stack of books while Kurogane had managed to hunt down a few for himself. The kids went to a corner all their own, part of the pile Syaoran had had been for Sakura it seemed. Fai wondered briefly if she remembered how to read. If she didn't Syaoran would be sure to teach her.

The blonde continued to wander around the store, trying to spot something that looked familiar. Words, writing, anything. They had yet to come to a world where his language was used and he missed reading. It was something that had always brought him some kind of joy and relaxation. He sighed at his companions in envy as he passed through isle after isle.

When he came up empty handed he went to find Kurogane. He might not be able to read but maybe he could snuggle while the other did so. He smiled at the thought of getting the ninja to read him a story.

He wound up finding the kids first. Sakura had her nose buried in a cute-looking book with a girl standing on the cover, gazing up at a fairy that was floating above a pumpkin. A fairytale if the cover was anything to go by. Syaoran was flipping through three different books at the same time. They must have been history books by the way he seemed to be cross referencing them.

Grinning at the pair he moved on, still searching for Kurogane. He poked his head in all sorts of reading nooks, some empty others filled with people. None of them had the ninja in them though. He was getting worried by the time he'd peered in nook eight. Where was that man? There were only so many places someone could go and read in peace.

Finally, he made it to the last nook and found a pair of girls sitting in it, giggling over a book together. He turned away and walked off to a back corner of the store to lean against a book shelf and think. Kurogane had disappeared. He slumped across the shop, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for the other man, though he was sure he wasn't going to find him at that point. He'd probably left, knowing the group was safe and stationary, to go and explore for some kind of challenge or sporty brawl.

He knew that Kurogane had been growing bored in this world. It wasn't the nicest of places, but no one had dared step up to him yet. Syaoran had had a bit of a run in with some younger thugs. He'd taught them a nice lesson in the end. They had even apologized before running off.

Fai smiled again at just how similar his puppies were. He knew Sakura shared a few of his more redeeming qualities, the very few he had, but he would have never guessed at just how much alike the two of them would be. It was like he and Kurogane being so similar, it was just so strange.

CRASH!

And speaking of strange ninja…

Fai stood up and looked around quickly. He knew he had just heard a loud and very unpleasant noise. Where had it come from?

Suddenly, it sounded again. He peered up at the window above him. It was outside. Someone was outside causing this racket. Carefully, and silently, he lifted himself up so that he could see into the alley on the other side using the shelves as a place to stand.

There was some good and bad on the other side of the window. The good was he had finally located Kurogane. The bad was that he was surrounded by several burly men who looked several steps passed homicidal. With a few quick checks he snuck out of the building and into the alley just in time to dodge a very sharp and pointy knife.

"Ahh!" he cried as he rolled under the dark toned man who had thankfully not managed to slice him. He stood and wound up having to duck to avoid a thick fist that probably could have taken off his head. After a few stumbles backwards he found himself beside Kurogane, who had an odd mixture of surprise, pleasure and utter irritation. Directed toward what he wasn't sure.

"Kuro-sama," Fai whispered, sounding as uncaring as he could, "I wonder what you could have done to irk these men so."

The ninja huffed. "I didn't do anything. They tried to mug me, so I kicked their asses, or I will be kicking their asses shortly."

Fai smiled, he should have known. Even if the dark man wasn't looking for a fight it would find him. He readied himself. He was there so, why not?

One of the men started laughing; it was the one that had almost stabbed Fai. "What? Is this fairy your back up?"

"Yes," the pair chorused.

The group of would-be muggers shared another laugh before Fai struck the nearest one after Kurogane had given him the look that plainly told him to prove them wrong. And the blonde was only too happy to do so. He dashed at the closest thug, a man only a few inches taller than Syaoran but nearly three times as thick. The man realized what was happening far too late.

With ease, Fai grabbed his shoulder and flipped over him, making sure his heel connected with the man's chin, yanking his entire head up painfully and at an angle that could not have been pleasant, or safe if he stopped to think about it. He landed easily and spun 180 degrees before he was brought to a stop as his leg met with the back of the third mugger's knee, knocking the burly man to the ground.

Usually, he would have jumped back a few paces and kept out of reach, but there was no need. Just as the knife was aimed at him Kurogane came from behind Fai's attacker, grabbed his shoulder to turn him around, and punched him directly in the face, causing him to recoil, drop the knife, and bury his face in his hands. The magician spotted blood dripping from in between his fingers after a few seconds. He glanced behind him and saw the other two rising. However, they did not attack again. They turned tail with frightened faces and ran for it. Fai waved good bye to them as Kurogane picked up their leader and tossed him inside an open dumpster.

Smiling Fai walked over to the ninja. "What did you really do to them, Kuro-puu?"

He saw his answer in the man's smirk. "Like I said; nothing. Now, let's get back inside before the kids realized we're missing."

Fai pretended to pout. He sauntered up close to the taller male. "They had a whole lot of books, and seemed very interested in them. I don't think they'll be looking for us anytime soon. Why don't we go enjoy the parties?" He batted his eyes and smiled. "I'm sure we could find some alcohol somewhere."

The taller one didn't even try to argue at that point. He knew well enough that, even if he did try to resist and go back into the book store with the kids, he was not going to be able to stop from doing what the mage wanted. It was rather unfair if one thought about it.

Not that Fai cared. He got his way when it came to the warrior, and he liked it that way.

The pair proceeded to exit the alleyway, not paying any mind to the pained whines coming from the large trash bin.

Fai pulled Kurogane off and straight into the throng of people lining the streets and walk ways. Many stores were open, some had sales on their merchandise, some sold food, some even were simply places to sit and rest for a while before continuing. The couple stopped every few doors, looking at the interesting trinkets and objects being displayed and grabbing a bite to eat and a drink every time they ran out.

Before they knew it the sun was setting and they were half way across town. Fai tugged on Kurogane's arm as he looked up at the sky. Without a word the ninja grabbed the wizard and ran off, back the way they had come. "Kuro-rinta, slow down!"

Kurogane stopped dead and looked over at the blonde. The next few words that came out of his mouth were both familiar and foreign at the same time. They were too far from Mokona. Fai tried desperately to remember the few words he'd learned from Kurogane a few months back, but nothing came to him.

"Must… fast… children…" the crude sentence came from Kurogane hesitantly but clearly, in Fai's own language. Fai couldn't stop himself from smiling before nodding and running off through the ever thick crowd and towards the book shop.

When the building was back in sight they picked up their speed, bursting through the door and heading directly for the nook they'd left them. The two adults froze and smiled warmly at the sight of their charges cuddled up on a love seat, books strewn everywhere, and fast asleep. The princess had her head resting on Syaoran's shoulder as she held Mokona, both snoring cutely. Syaoran had one arm in his lap and the other wrapped around Sakura's waist. He looked so content.

Not having the heart to wake them Kurogane wrote a simple letter telling them that he and Fai were just outside, enjoying the sights. They picked up the books and set them in the return bin, seeing as they would not be in the world much longer, before leaving Fai's coat and Kurogane's cloak over the snoozing trio.

Outside they located a bench under a tree with wispy, hanging branches. No one was nearby and they were hidden from view while still being able to see the door to the building the kids were in. Fai decided this was as good a time as any to try his luck with the other. He started by taking his seat as close to the ninja as he could without touching. Slowly he scooted closer until their hips were touching. At that point Kurogane either didn't notice or was pretending not to for some reason, and seeing how perceptive he usually was it was more than likely it was the latter.

Having met with no resistance the blonde leaned his head on the taller man's shoulder, grabbed hold of his hand and all but curled up next to him with a happy sigh. For a moment Kurogane tensed and Fai was sure he got a rather scathing look. But, he was not shooed away and the ninja relaxed within seconds. The magician's face broke into a wonderful smile, small but no doubt brilliant.

He chanced a peek at Kurogane's face, only to have their eyes meet. Before he had the thought to look away quickly, as was still his impulse, Kurogane's face was drawing steadily closer to his own. He felt his chest flutter wildly and his hand squeeze tight. Kurogane's eyes closed slowly and Fai followed his example. He could almost feel the other's lips pressed against his own, no doubt warm and firm, if not a little chapped.

They were only a breath away when someone called out to them. "Fai-san! Kurogane-san! Where are you?"

The children were up.

Fai felt the ninja pull back and almost could have sworn he heard him curse under his breath. Though, the reason was unknown. The taller man stood and waved over the children. "Here!" he called as they came running.

Fai smiled over at them and also waved. He leaned against Kurogane until they were closer. For some reason they looked positively exuberant. "What happy faces! Did something good happen?" He placed just enough emphasis on the word good to get his hint across.

Blushing madly the pair handed back the wizard's coat and the warrior's cloak. Mokona hopped onto Fai's shoulder and exclaimed the joyful news. "Syaoran found a feather in one of the books! All without Mokona's help! But Mokona still knew where it was," The creature added, as not to seem unhelpful.

"Wonderful!" Fai sang. "So, I suppose that means we can get moving?"

And they did. Mokona opened its mouth and they were transported away to the next world. Fai was glad for the sudden movement. It helped him not to think about just what he might have done with Kurogane. He had a feeling things were moving a bit too fast.

TBC…

A/N: Mwahahaha! No kiss! I'm a bad person on so many levels. Sorry it took forever. I have no reason. I just have not gotten around to it between school and work and life! SHAME ON ME!

On another note: it has been more than a year since this has been published! I think we're half way there… right? Well, I'm off, right now, no lie, to work on the next chapter: Labor Day (with a twist). See you there!