You know when I started these one shots so many years ago I meant to keep them all cute and light hearted… they are not. I'll update the description to be more accurate while I drop this lil pile of angst for you all *Grins*

Let me know if you have any requests!

As always I do not own Tsubasa.

0o0o0

When Ashura had adopted Fai as his son he hadn't cared what anyone else thought about it.

He had made the decision and he would send his armies to crush those who disagreed if need be. He wasn't a typical king—he had never married and had no intention of doing so—he was exceedingly careful to avoid spawning any bastards.

Ashura didn't give a hoot about the succession or who took the throne after his death—he had seen in his prophetic dreams what was to come of his country and had made his decision long ago. Celese was going to fall to the mad king, and so he would pour all of his time, attention, and resources into his sweet Fai to ensure that he would survive.

No—Ashura was no ordinary king—he did not raise Fai to be an ordinary prince.

Yes, He had dressed Fai in fine cloths from his first days in his new home. The little blonde had learned how to play the games of court, to dress, and to act the part of a prince. Fai had been tutored by the best in reading, writing, arithmetic, and history. Ashura had personally oversaw his lessons in magic, alchemy, potions making, and Warcraft.

After his death, if there was anything left of Celese to pass on, Fai would be a fine king.

Ashura knew that was not very likely however, so he trained Fai hard in his magic lessons so that he would be able to defend himself against any enemy he may encounter. The king raised a killer—A savior—and executioner—and a prince.

Ashura drilled Fai on a daily basis. The Kings Guard, the Court Mages, and the Lords and Ladies of his Court, all disapproved. Now that Fai was an adult—there daily sparing matches rocked the entire Castle.

The king did not hold back and went for blood every time they trained. Fai had been injured quite seriously a few times—though he had learned to dodge at an early age. The king didn't like it when his son got hurt. It tore his heart apart, but he knew that his child would need these skills in his adult life, so he pushed him past his limits.

Ashura had started a war so Fai could gain skills that could not be taught on a training field. He let Fai lead the court mages, and the king sent him to where the fighting was thickest. Fai had learned to kill—Ashura had coddled him and wiped his tears away after every battle—but these lessons were drilled deep into him.

He instilled the need in Fai to protect what was precious to him—often times that required taking life.

Ashura would bring down thousands to save his son—to stop that damned curse—Fai would need the instinct to kill Ashura for those crimes. It was the way things had to be. Ashura would protect Fai—Fai would protect Celese.

Ashura had encouraged Fai in his wondering around the country side once he was sure his son knew enough magic to keep himself safe. He wanted Fai to meet the people that were so curious about him—wanted Fai to bond with them.

The king knew that he would systematically murder his subjects when he went mad—but he wanted Fai to loved them as he did.

For whatever reason—all of Celese fell in love with Fai as Ashura had. His sweet child had stopped avalanches in their tracks, had unblocked rivers, had cleared collapsed mines, and had learned the culture of every small fishing village and mining town.

Even the nobility had been charmed by him. When he had first been crowned prince there had been quite a stir—civil war had been threatened—and his country had been divided. Within two years nearly all of the noble houses were content to stand behind Fai.

Be it that they could see what Ashura saw in those gentle cerulean eyes—or that they feared that Fai would crush them with his immense power—it did not matter. Fai was the most eligible bachelor in the nation, and nobles all but threw their daughters at him.

Ashura encouraged Fai to learn how to world walk once he had become a young adult. To experience other lands and understand there hard ships. He worried like a mother hen from the moment Fai's magic transported him away—until he was safely back in Luvel—but he pushed the blonde to explore. Though his son was not a dreemseer, Ashura wanted him to learn to look at the big picture. The grand scheme.

Fai was no ordinary prince.

Fai had more magic then any being in the entire dimension that housed Celese. Fai was the only wizard who's magic grew with every use—it had pained Ashura to clip his wings but what choice had he had? That damned curse—Fai was the only wizard who could create life—Chi was magnificent and just as charming as Fai.

No one could call him an ordinary prince.

Because he wasn't ordinary—because Ashura was raising him to be independent, to take charge, and to lead, he was not surprised that Fai had all but sent him to bed without his dinner. There were very few people that could tell Ashura what to do—and Fai was one of them. His sweet blonde was the exception to every rule when it came to what one could do to a king.

Ashura would probably let his adoptive son get away with murder… Though, that was something he currently didn't want to think about given last night's circumstances.

His poor, sweet, gentle Fai…

The king was currently tucked up into bed and had no intention of getting around any time soon—not that he would want to worry his son anymore then he already had. His Fai had things handled and Ashura was sure he would only get in the way.

It wasn't every day that he woke up in the throne room covered in blood after all.

The king was sure he had frightened the daylights out of the guards and courtiers. That had been an awful lot of blood after all—one would assume someone soaked so thoroughly in so much crimson would be on deaths door.

Good thing for them it hadn't been Ashura's blood…

What a pity those villagers had been born under his rule.

Ashura felt a cool feeling of Fai's magic in the pit of his stomach. He was being monitored—but that was for the best. No doubt his innocent boy hadn't put all of the pieces together just yet. It would most likely be a while before he did, as he wasn't a dreamseer like his king was.

Though the doors were not locked—and if he truly pleased, Ashura could leave—Fai would know. He would be able to sense every whisper of magic the king used—would be able to tell where he moved about the castle. Ashura didn't mind… he deserved worse than a time out.

He had known for many decades that this was going to happen—though he had hoped he would have a few more years of peace before he started losing his mind. A few more years for Fai to learn and grow under his protection before being forced to do the bidding of that dark wizard who had cursed his sweet child.

There wasn't much he could do at this point. Most of the pieces had already been set into play and all he could do was wait and hope that his delicate son had learned to live for himself. Ashura knew he would have to die—he just didn't want his death to lead Fai to the grave as well.

There was so much life left to live for him.

His child—Fai was well past the age that the king should consider him adult—had done beautifully last night. Ashura was losing control of himself more and more often these days, and had regained his senses when Fai had brushed a stand of his blood soaked hair out of his eyes.

When his magic over took him and drove him to unspeakable acts, he became a different person. He didn't remember going to that village and systematically slaughtering his loyal subjects—he had seen himself do it in his prophetic dreams sure—but damn him, he didn't remember doing it.

Ashura had always assumed that he would be aware of himself when he went on the murder sprees he had seen in his dreams.

It was not so.

The first time it had happened he had been especially confused as to why there was blood on his cloths—he had woken up in his bed like any other morning, only to find that he was covered in drying gore. He had known then that they were approaching the end—he would have to die soon.

The gods must have some sick sense of humor—at least allow him the awareness of mind to remember what he had done to those poor people. He took their lives for his own power, though he wanted to use that power to free his son from that retched curse, he should at least be able to remember their faces.

Ashura had scrubbed the blood away and dressed in fresh cloths before seeking out Fai and spoiling him rotten. His adult son hadn't questioned him or complained. The poor thing had no idea what was going to happen over the next few years.

It was an entire year before the next time he had lost control—it terrified him that he didn't know when he was going to snap. Because of his dreams, he knew what towns he was going to massacre—not when.

His dreams hadn't shown him that his decent into madness was going to be slow—happening over many years. They were what? 6 years into the 'beast' attacks?

Last night had been the 4th one this year. Last night had been the first time he hadn't woken up in his room—but in public. Last night was the first time he had seen Fai look so sad since he had first come to Celese.

Ashura had been snapped back into reality and first noticed the pained look in his sweet Fai's eyes. The second thing he noticed was the overwhelming smell of blood. The third was that half of his court was watching him with serious unease.

It had taken him a moment to understand what had happened. Fai's words grounded him in reality—his poor boy wanted to know if he was hurt.

Sweet, innocent Fai.

His child had stood between himself and the gawking eyes of his court and had spoken just loud enough to be heard by the king. Ashura didn't argue when Fai helped him to his feet and transported him back to his room.

He allowed Fai to help him peel off the gore soaked clothing, let his son check him over for any wounds that may have caused so much blood.

Ashura was suddenly aware that Fai was only a few inches shorter then him now.

When had that happened?

Sweet Fai didn't question where the blood had come from since there was not a single scratch on his body. He instead wordlessly helped him bath and tucked him into bed. Ashura hadn't left his room since then and was patiently waiting for Fai to return.

He wondered if his poor child would hate him. After the first attack Ashura had made a point of putting Fai in charge of the investigations of the 'beast attacks' on the villages… He had made his poor son look at those bodies that were torn limb from limb, and he had known all along that they had died by his own hand. It was one more way of preparing Fai for the future he had seen while dreaming.

Ashura was the definition of a terrible parent.

Fai didn't lose his cool yesterday—had been calm when he had been called away from the king's bedside this morning due to news of another 'beast attack' finally reaching that capital.

Surely he would know sooner rather than later that his adoptive father was behind all of this.

Ashura wouldn't blame him if he Fai hated him. He was really quite proud of his son—who would have thought that dirty trembling child he had pick from that frozen pit of death would grow into such a capable adult?

Hopefully he would hate Ashura for this... At least then the king would know that he had succeeded in raising Fai to be mostly normal. Was it normal to be so unruffled when finding your father daydreaming while coated in gobbets of human?

No.

If he had found his own father that way he most certainly not have known what to do. Not at Fai's age that was for sure…

Sighing loudly, Ashura rolled on his side and stared out the frostbitten window—the weather was terrible and Fai was no doubt in the small town he had decimated yesterday looking for clues. Too bad he wasn't coherent enough to leave behind something to tie him to his crimes… When in a bout of insanity he was quite good at leaving no witnesses, or belongings behind. Perhaps Fai would find a long black hair—though his hair was nothing particularly unique.

Ashura found himself sighing loudly again—not quite sure what to do with himself. Fai had assured him that all kingdom affairs had been handled… the King was not interested in going to see any of his courtiers.

Aside from Fai, Ashura didn't have much of a social life when he wasn't forced to interact for political reasons. Kings didn't have free time—so he had no idea how to keep himself from losing his mind-More then he already had—from obsessing over what was going to happen in the near future.

If he slept his dreams would show him just what type of monster he was going to turn into… rest had not been restful for many years now. If he left his room he would be pestered by his advisors and guards about last night. If he stayed here he was sure his self-pity would push all the air out the room and he would suffocate.

It could be worse though—he could be one of those poor peasants he had slaughtered.

At least he knew when his sweet boy took the breath from his lungs he would be freeing him from those awful curses.

How had he raised such a saccharine child?

Ashura might be a terrible parent but he doted on Fai as though he were an angle sent from above to save his dammed soul. He was though wasn't he? At least the blonde gave his miserable life meaning and he had done some good.

Yes, when Fai got home Ashura was going to suggest they take a short trip to get out of this stuffy castle. Some place warm where they could pamper themselves and steal a few more pleasant memories before their lives went to shit.

He would leave Taishakuten in change. No doubt his most capable general would be able to hold the peace for a few days. That is if Fai had any interest in spending time with his murderous father—Oh… and he was home.

Ashura felt the familiar wave of magic that swept through the castle when Fai returned. Normally he didn't pay any mind to the magical noise of the castle folk coming and going—but he always noticed Fai. Be that because he spent a great deal of time worrying about the boy, or because his sweet child's magic was so foreign to this land, he didn't know.

What he did know is that Fai was in his own chambers no doubt sluffing out of his winter coats and warming his poor fingers by the fire. Fai hadn't slept a wink last night and was most likely exhausted—the king knew he would not crawl into bed before coming to see him.

It took only minutes for there to be a light wrap on his door.

"Come in child." Ashura pushed himself up against his pillows and ran a figure though his tangled hair. Perhaps instead of moping around all morning he could have made himself presentable—not that Fai would mind.

"How are you feeling?" Fai offered him a tired smile as he shut the door behind himself, and came to sit on the side of the bed.

"I am fine child. Did you go to—"

"It's been you all along hasn't it?" Ashura felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. His sweet child sounded so defeated as he locked eyes with the king.

"Yes Child." Ashura wanted to reach out and pull Fai into his arms—to comfort his distraught son. He knew it would only make matters worse…

"Why?" there was a hint of anger in the blondes voice—he hoped his son held on to that—kindled it.

"It is—well it's complicated. I've known for a long time this was going to happen." Fai seemed suddenly surprised and scrubbed at his eyes with his hands—trying to keep tears from falling.

"How long?"

"Oh many years. My blood is tainted—I wanted it to end with me however." Ashura had known since before he had found Fai—why he had brought Fai to live in Celese. When he had learned of the boys curses he had decided that he would make use of his death.

Fai didn't need to know all of that. It would only hurt him.

"So… Why did you… why didn't you tell me? We could have done something about it—could have—"

"Magic cannot cure madness Fai. Even if you could use healing magic it would be of no use." Ashura reached out for his sons hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"You're not crazy though… You're the kindest person I have ever met…" the blonde was shaking his head slowly—processing.

"Would a sane man slaughter his subjects in a blind rage and remember nothing of it the next day? It is going to keep happening you know. There is no way to stop it and I don't know how long it will be until I loose complete control of myself." Ashura closed his eyes as he heard Fai choke out a sob. The boy leaned forwarded and squeezed his hand tightly while scrubbing at his face again with the other.

He was the worst parent.

"I—I don't… Why did you ask me to kill the monster that was responsible if you knew all along it was you?" Fai took a deep breath and his blue eyes cut Ashura's soul as they met his own.

Poor, sweet, beautiful Fai.

"You're the only one that can do it. It must be you Child. I'm sorry." Fai wasn't aware of his second curse—the one that would cause all of Celese to collapse if anyone other than Fai took his life—swallowing Fai along with it.

It was better he didn't know. He had already been blamed for the demise of Valerie—he was not going to be responsible for Celese's collapse as well.

"Why? Y—you're the closet th—thing I have to family… Why Ashura-ou?" Fai's grip on his hand tightened and the king watched as he curled his legs up to his chest, making himself smaller as sobs wracked his body.

It had been many years since he had seen his son so upset. Ashura was not being fair to the boy—this was to save Fai's life but it was a terrible thing to ask.

"Fai you are my son—if not by blood, then by soul. You called out to me though dimensions. Your magic called to mine and you became my sole purpose for living. I'm afraid there is no one else who can put me out of my misery."

"You have to let me try." Fai's eyes held all the determination in the world—his sweet dedicated child.

"There is no stopping this child." Ashura smiled for Fai before tugging him into a tight embrace. As Fai had grown older he had needed less and less hugs from the king. Now that he was an adult, hugs were a rare thing between them.

Ashura had missed them very much.

The king could feel the blonde's body trembling. At least Ashura hadn't broken him yet. There was still time, but he hoped to avoid it.

"You have to let me try your Majesty… I'm the head of the court mages and the strongest wizard here… if anyone has a chance it's me." Ashura rubbed a hand up and down his sons back and sighed.

Fai was no ordinary prince, with no ordinary destiny.

"Only if you promise not to blame yourself if it doesn't work ok?" the king felt Fai freeze. Poor child.

"I—It's not because you brought me here is it?" the blonde's voice was a hushed whisper as he spoke the poisonous words. "In Valerie the king went mad and started murdering his subj—"

"Hush Child. I've told you more times than I can count that nothing that happened in that miserable country was your fault. I knew about this long before you were born and it is not your fault. Do you understand me?" The king's voice took on a firm tone.

It wasn't often that Fai needed scolding, especially now that he was an adult—but his child was far too willing to take the blame for any and everything.

"How do you know? What if—what if I was meant to come here and that's why?" Fai craned his neck so that he could look up at Ashura. The panic in those red rimed eyes were something he hadn't seen in many years.

Fai had been doing so well—it didn't take much to drudge up his insecurities. Perhaps allowing Fai time to ascertain something form the library as he had once attempted, would help the blonde realize that there was absolutely nothing that anyone could do.

"Fai. Listen to my words. This. Is. Not. Your. Fault. This was my destiny—your destiny is to live on. Life has a greater purpose for you. Do you understand?" Ashura wiped a tear from Fai's face.

"But—"

"Fai. Listen to what I am telling you. You are a blessing to both me and all of Celese. I will hear no more talk of such things as bad omens." The king allowed the blonde to sit upright again to run a shaky hand though is short locks.

"How do you kn—"

"Gods almighty Fai. You know I am a dreamseer. I know things ok?" The king felt as though he could use a drink. He was paient with Fai but he just wished the blonde could see what he saw.

He was so very precious and brought joy to the people around him.

Fai was silent for a few moments—his eyes focused on his hands, biting his lower lip and breathing. At least he was breathing… the poor thing was most likely on the verge of a panic attack from the day's events. He shouldn't have shouted…

"I know you see things… about the future in your dreams. Nightmares… W—what do you see in mine?" The blonde voice was hardly above a whisper.

It was best he didn't know… Fai was not going to have an easy life. Ashura had seen that he would lose his left eye—that he would become something less then human. He had also seen that Fai would fall in love, would hold others dear to him, and would fight to protect those people.

That's all Ashura had ever wanted for Fai.

"I have been seeing you since you were born Fai. At the time I didn't understand that my dreams were prophetic in regards to you—my prophecies always pertained to myself of those I was close too and I had never met you or your brother." Ashura was happy to see that his child didn't flinch at the mention of his deceased brother.

"So you've seen my future before?" Fai was still staring at his hands. The poor thing looked shell shocked.

"I had dreams of your father's death, or your mothers untimely passing as well. I dreamt that you would be locked away… that one of you would die… Those dreams shook me to my core—they seemed so vivid I had to do something. Then one day I sensed it—the Magic I felt in my dreams—and I knew it was all real." Ashura pushed the comforter to the side and moved to sit on the side of the bed next to his son.

He had a feeling Fai needed a drink as well.

"Since you have come to live with me, I dream of you less and less. Just a few premonitions here and there now." The king eased himself on to this feet and offered a hand to Fai. They both made their way out of the bed chamber and settled in the receiving room, where Ashura kept a healthy stock of liquor.

"Do you think if I went far far away you would start to dream of me more often?" Fai accepted the glass of scotch that he was offered and the king poured one for himself as well.

"Perhaps, but I would prefer if we didn't test this hypothesis. I like having you close to me." Ashura settled himself down on the couch opposite of Fai and used a small spell to rekindle the fire. The often found themselves curled around the fire, and the familiarity of the situation was relaxing.

Ashura knew that Fai had become quite a connoisseur of alcohol since he had reached the legal age—he wasn't surprised to see him drink the burning liquor without flinching. His eyes thoughtful as he watched the fire. The king didn't know if he was thinking of the future—or worrying about the present.

He supposed it didn't really matter. He was going to enjoy the time he had left with Fai if it killed him—he hoped the blonde would take up the same mindset. The king would let the boy brood—he had to reach his own conclusions and make his own decisions.

Finding out your father was committing mass murder on a regular basis would leave you with thoughts to ponder no doubt.

Ashura sipped his own drink and listened to the sound of the logs cracking in the fire, and the wind howling ferociously outside. It was so peaceful it was almost comical. The king would enjoy these moments while they lasted—It was officially time to start tying up loose ends—soon his wish would be granted.

Fai was no ordinary prince—with no ordinary duty.

Ashura would allow him as much time as he was able too—but it was time for Fai to put his training to use and stand before his father to protect his country.