Disclaimer: Kurogane, Fai, Syaoran, Sakura, Mokona, Yasha-ou, Ashura-ou, Souma, Naga Ryuo, Kendappa, Koumokuten, Kujaku, Tennou, Taishakuten, Kuyou, Shashi, Karyoubinga, Rasetsu, Kisshouten, Bishamonten, Zouchouten,Hyakuryuu, Varuna, Vaaya, Karura and or whoever else I decide to use are the original manga character names. They respectfully belong to CLAMP, RG Veda and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles.

The swirl and the familiar dimension hopping circle took the two by surprise. When the sky had split, the smell of blood and death and war, of powerful magic presence was sensed by both, when all of a sudden Mokona appeared in the sky. Her wings sprouted, and the circle formed. Fai turned to Kurogane. They hadn't found the kids just yet. Fai thought it safe to assume that the kids were being transported too, as Mokona hadn't been with him or Kurogane. But would they be able to find each other … they'd already not landed in the same place this time. How much further away might they land this time? Or perhaps… how long, considered Fai. But at the point could not express it to Kurogane.

It took some moments to stabilize after the sudden dimensional transition without Mokona or the children with them. Kurogane was the first to stand, but Fai was the first to try speaking.

"Śuṁ tamanē khabara śuṁ mātra thayuṁ, Kurō - pu?" Fai asked.

"Ah?" Kurogane said turning to Fai, only able to make out 'Kuro' and Fai no doubt mutilating the rest like normal, "You're talking differently. Just like in Hanshin." He taps an ear for extra emphasis.

All Fai could make out was Hanshin. Fai was seated on a log, and waved at Kurogane. "Dhārī Mokona Syaoran - kūna anē Sākurā - chāna sāthē haju paṇa chē anē tē'ō hajī sudhī ahīṁ nathī."

Again, Kurogane could only understand verbally the names of the other three. The rest he could guess using what clues he had and with the man's gestures.

"Tch." Kurogane grumbled, making a face. Fai watched the face, and smiled before standing up.

Yes, a pain...But it'll be alright? Right, Kuro-sama? Fai thinks.

Fai looks at the scenery for the time, when he notices Kurogane grow still. Kurogane had gripped the sheath and hilt of Souhi. The sound of hooves clomping against the dirt and rocky ground grew steadier close, until men clad in blue appeared. One of the men was a man with long black hair, and the blackest of black eyes. In all, he looked like a living version of the statue in Shara. He was atop a black horse beast. His eyes were cold, but looking at him, there was no scar like on the statue.

"Who are... you?" the man said, his gaze fixed on the two.

Kurogane blinked a couple times, glad to hear the familiar language of his home world, before easing up slightly, his one hand no longer physically touching Souhi's hilt but resting in the air above. There were four others on horse beasts nearby him. One of them approached the two. "My name is Kurogane. And that man…" Kurogane said firmly, before gesturing at Fai, who now stood close behind, "is with me."

Fai smiles, giving a friendly wave, before pointing to himself. "Fai" was all that the magician said.

"Why are you here?" asked one of the four men.

Kurogane spoke. "We have come from different countries. We were joined with some others for a while but we seemed to have lost our other traveling companions. We do not know exactly where we are right now."

"This place, you are in Yama right now. Your companions. How many of you were there?" the man asks.

Kurogane thinks for a moment. "Four of us total." A small pause, "Plus his talking rabbit."

"Talking rabbit?"

"Mm. At least. Of sorts, it was magical."

"In what way?"

"Well, it could talk. It was annoying. It had some sort of teleportation magic, as well. Something happened and it left with just the brats."

Fai listened to Kurogane talk to the men. It seemed their languages were naturally alike, and Fai smiled, placing his hands behind his head, no clue of what they were saying. I'm glad you understand, Kuro-ru...Yes. It's good that you understand, Kuro-sama.

Kurogane and the men talked for a while. The conversation shifted as Kurogane and the men exchanged information with another, Fai remaining rather silent, gazing off at the scenery and his companion mostly.

"What is it that you desire?" asks Yasha-ou after a while.

"To reunite with the kids and Mokona."

Fai understands 'Mokona' , and he tugs on Kurogane's sleeve, almost fretfully, "…and to do that, we need to stay close to where we were separated from Mokona and those two." Hearing the words, though not understanding them, Fai lets go of Kurogane's sleeve, with a grin, slightly reassured.

"They are strong." Yasha-ou says simply after staring in Kurogane and Fai's eyes.

"Yasha-ou...?"

"Allow them to come." Yasha-ou says. "We'll see how well they hold at the Moon Castle. If they show promise, I will grant their request."

There is a look of surprise at first, but little resistance. "Yes ... Yasha-ou."

"Come." Yasha-ou says before he leads his horse beast the way that Kurogane and Fai were to a large clearing, strangely rounded rocks protruding around the clearing. Kurogane turns to Fai. Fai shifts slightly to better look at Kurogane. The two look at each other as the others start to head into the clearing, that had been mere yards behind them before Kurogane gives Fai a small head tilt, telling him to follow.

Kuro-sama...All is well. Right, Kuro-sama? Fai found himself thinking, watching Kurogane. The two follow after the men. Not long after they step into the clearing, the scenery changes, the terrain becomes entirely of rock and sky. Facing against them are men clad in red. However, looking around, Fai saw that person, and it took his breath away. If for a moment. Long enough for Kurogane to notice his face gone pale white, his ears able to pick up the small echo as Fai's breath caught in his throat.

Atop a horse beast, that was forged in mostly white, was a male, or perhaps female, with flowing long raven black hair, elfin ears, porcelain clear skin, eyes a golden hazelnut, and a face Fai could not forget. He had a necklace around his neck that resembled the one Sakura wore when they first met and a dress-like armor of white and red that flowed, accentuating his acrobatic figure.

"So ... that's Ashura-ou." Kurogane said quietly, his shoulder brushing against Fai. "So… that's who you're running from?"

Fai turned to face Kurogane, no signs of his earlier emotions present, as he looked at Kurogane, shrugging and grinning, saying with his whole body, 'I have no idea what you mean; I can't understand your words.'

Even if he could clearly understand, this Ashura-ou wasn't whom he was running from, but this Ashura-ou wore the face of someone who had been alive, someone he'd known before he … died. Fai did his best to remove those thoughts, but they still lingered, hidden behind blank, black eyes and a familiar smile.

"You know very well what I said. Even without understanding the words." Kurogane grumbled hotly, before their private battlefield moments seemed to be interrupted. The men in red charged towards them while the men in blue charged forwards as well. Kurogane didn't have much time to waste with words, as soon, the men in red began to attack him and Fai. Fai, who had no weapon at the time, just played dodge against the others while Kurogane unsheathed Souhi. He had a grin on his face.

"Well, since we were invited...might as well have some fun." Kurogane said.

The sides by the path to the shrine was overflowing with floral activity, and Fai couldn't help but look at each one as he passed by them, while also watching Kurogane for any sudden changes. There hadn't been one, and Fai seemed more content viewing the passing flowers and shrubbery. After some time, the pathway opened further, an expansive estate lying before them. Fai stared at it, as he recognized the design.

"Kurō - pon...!"

Kurogane growled as he turned to Fai. Fai was pointing at the building. Fai looked at Kurogane. "Shara?"

"Yama." Kurogane says.

Fai puts his hand down, and smiles. The two enter through the archway leading to the inner buildings. The two look around, observing. A couple men come from inside, one a young man with dark brown hair, and take the horse beasts from the others. Yasha-ou gets off as the others go about their ways, only one remaining with Yasha-ou for a moment. Small dialogue, before the man disappears too. Yasha-ou turns to Kurogane and Fai.

"You are my guests." Yasha-ou says, "This way. I'm having a room set up for the two of you."

Kurogane looks at Yasha-ou, before giving Fai another subtle head tilt. Kurogane follows the path led by Yasha-ou, Fai putting his hands behind his head and following as well. Yasha-ou tells a little bit about the place as they walk, Kurogane lightly conversing back and Fai completely quiet, until they arrive at the room.

When they arrived, there were two futons laid out, each covered and with a pillow, near the back. The room had ample space and could easily hold a dozen spread futons just in the back. A door in the wall was slightly opened. The room also included a small covered pit that was hidden under a wooden facade, a perfect place to cook or have a small fire. A window facing east adorned the wall close to the right door of the two sliding doors. If slid completely open, the doors would just barely stick out of the wall yet the one door would still have about fifteen centimeters before touching the window.

"You both may sleep here. The night is ending and you will need rest."

"Thank you, Yasha-ou."

Fai looked at Kurogane, then ... "Than..kyu, ... Yasha-ou."

Kurogane looked at Fai with one eye, the other fixed on Yasha-ou.

"Think little of it. Tomorrow, we shall talk further over breakfast."

"Yes." Kurogane said.

"Yes." Fai repeated.

Yasha-ou gave a small bow; Kurogane bowed some as well. Fai bent the wrong way. When Yasha-ou left the room, Kurogane turned to Fai and pointed to one of the set out futons.

Fai smiled at Kurogane... "Than...kyu." Fai said.

"Thank ... you." Kurogane said, trying to correct Fai.

"Thank ... you?" Fai said.

Kurogane made a small nod. Fai smiled.

Fai took off his coat, climbed on top of the futon, and covered up with the blanket and his coat. Fai lay as he would, on his stomach, putting an arm out above his head as he laid there. Kurogane climbed into the second futon, and lying down easily on his back, turning slightly to Fai.

"Go to sleep." Kurogane told him.

Fai just smiled, sure of the meaning of his words. I wish I could understand your words clearly. But it'll be alright. Right, Kuro-sama?

After a while, Kurogane was asleep, as was Fai.