There was something seriously not right about Fai of D as a Viking, Kurogane told himself mentally, as he walked about the ship. Pacing. Kept him busy as he thought. Vikings were supposed to be cruel evil bastards, who raped pillaged and plundered. Murder was supposed to be a sport for them. He'd spent a month with the two Vikings, yet where was Fai's legion of other Nomadic Vikings? The scrawny village women waiting on his beck and call lest they be flogged for disobedience? Kurogane was still waiting to meet that cruel monster who could kidnap a child only to sell back to [its] folks or to whoever could afford his price in Fai. And waiting for consensual sex? That was just unheard of, especially after claiming his body and life as his. The treatment he'd received was well, to the point that if Fai truly thought of him as property, it downright unnerved him how much freedom Fai was giving him, like some dog on a very, very long leash. Fai had never treated him terribly, as he had expected. Fai was a Viking, after all. Instead, beyond a few small things, like not allowed to call him male in public and, when nigh came, he had to sleep with the other, he pretty much was free to do damn near whatever he wanted. Not that he didn't mind having control over his life. Well, as much control as he could. But seriously. There must be something seriously wrong with Fai… He made a horrible Viking. He was just too… too lax and too nice. It made it hard to hate him, like Kurogane wanted to. He really wanted to hate the other, detest his very existence, but he was finding it harder and harder to do just that, because Fai was exemplifying that he was almost everything he wouldn't think to associate with a mercenary.

He was a Sea-Witch, that wouldn't change, as far as Kurogane was concerned, and Fai was most definitely hiding something. Leaning against a wall, Kurogane tried to find some reason to truly hate him for. Yet, everything he'd seen so far wasn't enough to loathe the other. Lying about his gender? Well, it wasn't bad lying. He was misleading people to believing he was woman using cloth and words; nobody was being hurt because of the lie that he could tell. Unlike rumors which spread, and potentially could hurt someone. Kidnapping them and stealing away their freedom? Hardly; seeing as he did it to save their lives, and Fai hardly obstructed their freedom. He threw back the argument why only them, when he could have saved more. And the rational side of his brain shot back with perfectly acceptable possible answers. After spending much mental debating with himself, regrettably, he lost that argument. Okay, so what about the fact he killed people? Probably for money too. But no; he, too, was responsible for ending other's lives. The secret-keeping and the name calling, though, that he could at least be annoyed and upset with Fai for.

Try as he might, finding cause of hating him seemed ludicrous, until he showed a truly detestable nature. And being upset at him for keeping secrets? Everyone has secrets they don't share. That Havamal he'd been reading earlier mentioned something about "Let one know your secret but never a second. If a third, a thousand will know(1)". To think he was actually upset at him for not answering his questions, that made it seem like he was some possessive husband who thought his wife was cheating on him. He quietly groaned as he realized just how he was acting about the other. Shit! He pressed his palm to his forehead. That she-child probably saw it before either of them did. He wondered if Fai had noticed as well. Hell, had his son thought the same? Is that why the children were both calling them each like their parents?

"AH, hells..!"

Fai walked off, and went to visit where the general majority of his animals lived aboard. He definitely could use some non-human company about now. He exchanged his neat feminine clothes for those better suited for horseplay. Tending to all his corralled and caged animals, he went to making sure all of them had fresh food and water and clean bedding, saving the larger two-horse stall for last. Sloppily tying his hair into a cloth ponytail to get it up a little, he got to work.

Kurogane venture above deck to check on Syaoran, who'd gone to watch the sea as Fai of D had asked about earlier. As he arrived there, he looked around a little before he noticed Syaoran, who was talking with the she-child. She was leaning on the edge of the ship, as she engaged in friendly banter. He wondered if she was done working on the stew or just wanted to talk to Syaoran. Remembering her own talk from a while ago, he hoped she wasn't talking to his son about those same things. Doubtful though, as it seemed both of them were laughing about something. Sakura was laughing wildly, while Syaoran was quietly chuckling. He quietly approached the two, not hiding his presence, just not being loud about it like Fai, who would be the exact opposite. Sakura saw first, but Syaoran heard first. They both stopped almost at the same time, and Syaoran turned his good eye towards his father.

"Heil, Father," Syaoran said, pleasantly, and Sakura mimicking him before hopping down from the railing, and leaning closer to Syaoran, "Tell me more later, okay?" Sakura asked sweetly, before leaning in and kissing the boy's cheek, then walking away.

"A-aye," Syaoran said turning bright red from blushing. The kid was hopeless at times.

Kurogane watched as the she-child sauntered off, before walking up to Syaoran and leaning against the railing with his arms, staring at the waters around them. They were a deep blue, some of the water green, and the water passing the ship by blue and white as it crested on the neck of the ship. Wind pushed the sails on the ship forward. Kurogane was slightly curious if it naturally got enough wind to travel, or did Fai help it out, like blowing a breath on one of those child-built sailboats, where you would use your breath to blow your boat to the finish line in those festivals.

"Fair weather," Kurogane said noticing there wasn't much about. The May weather was clear, with some clouds in the sky and the earlier fog had faded. It must be near ten, presumed Kurogane, with the positioning of the sun. Beneath the ribcage-designed hull of the boat, he knew to be fish and sea mammals of various types, of plants that grew only in water, water and more water. Eventually the water would lead to land, and sometimes that land would come out of the water.

"A-aye," Syaoran spoke, returning his flustered face and gaze towards the open waters.

The waters were calm, and breeze gentle. A flock of whitish-gray birds flew overhead. Overall, things were serene. Minutes passed in sea-filled silence.

"What were you talking about earlier?" Kurogane mumbled.

"Eh?"

"You and the she-child. You sounded to be having fun." Kurogane said, before quietly muttering, "Just wondering what it was."

"Oh, Sakura and I?" Syaoran said, hints of blush appearing again, "She was wanting to cheer me up. We began exchanging stories. Mostly, Sakura was telling me stories."

"Oh yeah? What kind of stories?" asked Kurogane, curious enough to implore more.

"Like when she'd injured her leg afore, and shrugged it off as 'tis but a flesh wound. I can still walk.' Apparently that's when she got [the] same scolding she gave me from her Mother."

"Her leg was injured?"

"Aye; a spear was lanced all the way through."

"Huh. You'd never know looking at her."

"Aye. Even the doctors from home would have likely had to have amputated the limb, but her Mother was able to save it without infection. And when she was bit by poisonous snake, her Mother was able to cure her of the venom. Wherever Mother grew up, she must have received advanced medical knowledge."

"Aye…" Kurogane said. Kurogane was somewhat familiar with medicine. Tomoyo had been wise into treating common things, and with a slightly accident-prone child, he'd made sure to learn things too. Most things involving medicine, Kurogane had learned from watching her, and from what time he had with his parents, when his father would come home. Other than that, there was some common sense. There wasn't much medicine in Suwa, and of the Nihon Isles, Tokyo and Heian were more suited to healing. Well, until Heian was destroyed by a hurricane just over a decade ago. Yet, Fai had chests and chests of medicine, able to have one in every room and then some. The medicine in them wasn't as simple as Suwa's; there was a lot more variety. The cupboards of the chest had been labeled and the contents labeled so that, for the most part, even an illiterate could find what they were looking for in it, and put it back in its place. Indeed, either Fai of D came from somewhere with advanced medicine, traded for them or he destroyed a land for it. Though, his rising judgments of the other left him to think perhaps more of the first and second than the last one. However, Fai must also have a working knowledge of how medicine worked and reacted. How else could he cure someone from snake venom? So he knew at least enough to know about medicines, but also about poisons. It seemed very possible he even knew how to make both. But that knowledge was not common. Doctors, surgeons, priestesses, and apothecaries would have the most knowledge of medicine. Fai did seem used to treating injuries, he remembered, but there was definitely something … off about it too. Same with how Fai had just appeared seemingly out of nowhere, after Syaoran had just slit his finger.

Kurogane turned back towards Syaoran. "Is your finger doing weal?"

"Aye; my finger is doing weal."

"That's weal."

"Aye."

Once he had finished tending the others, letting Fuuma and Kamui out to stretch their wings and catch some food, he entered the stalls with Soel and Larg together, taking in his supplies. Pulling out a brush, he began combing Soel's mane. Soel gently rubbed her muzzle against the blonde's side, lipping his side harmlessly. Fai laughed a little, as it tickled some, before Larg decided to join in, head bobbing friendly and rubbing against his back, causing Fai to lurch forwards some, with a light 'oomph'.

"You too, Larg?" Fai said, with a light chuckle. Often, animals, and some persons, he'd admit, had a knowing. A knowing of what you needed most and when. Fai reached over with his free hand and lightly scratched the top of Larg's head. Fai continued to brush Soel's mane, until Larg's insistence that it was her turn made him have to temporarily stop.

"Easy, Larg," Fai scolded with a playful lilt, turning to face the friendly beast. Larg let out a soft puff of air, pawing at the padded ground with a single hoofed foot. Fai let out a huff of breath right back, before taking the brush he held to Larg's mane.

Fai continued to brush Larg's mane, the slow movements that required little thought allowed thinking. But Soel gently lipped the back of his neck, nuzzling her velveteen muzzle against a slender neck, and gumming some of his hair. Fai let out a small indignant squeak, and moved away from her nose. That really tickled, and they knew it. Between the equal distractions and amusement the two provided, it took longer to do both horses than all the other animals combined. After all, the other animals hadn't made a habit of finding his ticklish spots and occasionally exploiting them.

After checking on his son, gaining some new information on the Vikings and confirming Syaoran hadn't reinjured himself, Kurogane wandered around in the belly of the ship, somehow managing getting lost, as he hadn't been paying close attention in his wanderings around the ship, as his mind wandered to what he was just finding out, and having to fix some judgments he had initially cast of the two 'women'. However, as he entered the stables, able to smell them by the strong scent of hay and hearing some whinnying going on, he had to pause. He said nothing as he moved to the side and leaned against a wooden post nearby, silently watching Fai with the two horses. Just stood there, watching the blonde Viking. There was an openness he saw then in Fai that he hadn't seen much before. Fai tackled Soel's neck into a large hug, before spewing a line of mumbled gibberish into her furry neck, and at that moment, he actually looked happy, and not just smiling. The only time Fai had looked honestly close to that happy was when he got a strong reaction out of him, usually from those annoying nicknames. Fai's hair was lightly, sloppily, tugged into a cloth holder, keeping his pale neck relatively revealed, and he actually looked more masculine in his work clothes. Instead of some ludicrous assortment of layers to shift his appearance and make it feminine, these clothes were actually meant for the men to wear. His work clothes consisted of a pair of loose cotton breeches, a rudimentary bronzing tan, a powder blue silk shirt beneath a tabard of his own, sky blue with intricate embroidery work on the sleeve that took the form of a giant wing. Scratch that, it went onto the back of the tabard and a wing of equal stature was on the other sleeve. Between the wings looked to be a firebird, embroidered with golden thread, easily disguisable under Fai's golden hair. Small glimpse revealed that the bird's eyes was a more amber color, with a thin layer of blue on the outside of the iris. And for a girl color, he looked really good in it. He actually looked better like that than when he wore some of his feminine clothes. Yet, the tabard looked like it was originally made to show someone of powerful stature in society, yet Fai wore it when working like some scrawny stable boy. The irony of the picture made Kurogane take a step backwards, as he reexamined the area around him.

Each of the horse stalls were well crafted, and reminded him of those from that unknown hilly place. The hay seemed fresh and vibrant gold, bound tightly and kept dry. The floor was covered in a grass hay, wood peeking out under any bare spots in the bronzing hay. Past the stalls was a garden, not a very large one, but with some leafy plants. There was a small Ushagison rabbit lazing about in it, taking a sunbath. There was a pile of crapped on bedding near a small pit, filled with hay, dead grass, potato peelings and assortment of other … things, used for a compost heap. Fai usually had it covered up, and there was a sign hanging above it. Kurogane recalled it said "Waste not, want not". The peregrine falcons were no longer in their cage, the door wide open, so he could assume that they had been let out by the other without making too much of an ass of himself. Seishiro sat poised on a high shelf, perched with his tail twitching lightly; he looked as if he was stalking that little mouse, and getting ready to pounce on his prey. Admittedly, like usual, the cat didn't catch the mouse.

Soel shook her head a few times, and Fai undeterred in his attentions to the white beast, swished his body so that he was now riding her bareback, letting out a childish sounding victory laugh, to be greeted with a nose whickering at his ankle. Raising his combing brush in one arm, he posed like one might raise a sword before charging into battle. His movements were over exaggerated and childish. Fai brought the brush down to smite the beast with it, and as it connected against the horse's back, albeit as hard as a gentle tap, she let out a soft dying whinny, stumbled around like a drunken sailor before she softly dropped down to her legs. Fai then began to brush her backside with the brush, before Larg walked over, nudging her muzzle straight into Fai's side. Fai let out a startled yelp, quickly scrambling off the 'fallen mare', now standing with both hands raised high in the air to the black horse, completely submissive in posturing. Soel got back up as if nothing had just happened, lightly flicking her head back and forth, mane swishing about.

Kurogane glanced back at the scene with a curious eye. The three of them seemed to be playing some kind of nonverbal game. It was the first time he had seen Fai play a game with the animals. Besides the annoying name mutilations, the only games Fai had really partaken in around him were playing with others' minds and entertaining the children. Seeing him physically playful was another sight altogether. He turned his full attention to watching the other as the three of them engaged in their physical game. No language was needed between the three of them, but a great deal of trust was as one wrong move could turn this innocent game into a load of pain, potentially fatal. But Fai didn't fear his horses, nor did he abuse his animals. Instead, as far as Kurogane could tell, he showed them respect, kept their bedding cleaned regularly, and always made sure they had food and water available. He ultimately had his favorites, but none were neglected.

Fai swooped in low and let out a low fwoo, blowing hot air into the horse's ear whom shook her black head at him, ear twitching. Fai chuckled, as the horse responded characteristically to him, before he lightly wrestled with the horse's leg, holding her hoof up and examining her hoof, before swishing about between the two, checking each foot amongst the other playful ruses and antics, and play wrestling.

Kurogane noted, with some small satisfaction, that Fai looked like he was actually being real while having fun amidst the work. Large boisterous movements, and his hair a bit damp and disheveled with hay and horse saliva in a few places, tender and real smiles flitting between the wilder exaggerated ones of play, slightly flushed cheeks, childish mannerisms with alternating levels of teasing and being teased with the horses. He wasn't afraid to get dirty or play rough, considering the level of power and strength in just one horse of his, and he was playing it up with two. But, he was also doing work, tending and caring for the horses, amidst the drama and the play, where Fai groomed the horses or took care of an itch, smacked a fly that had somehow gotten in, keeping it from bothering the horses, checking and cleaning their hooves, changing the hay, replenishing their food and water. This side of him was much more insightful to watch than him pretending to be a girl with the general public. Then things started to get a little awkward in the stalls when Fai made a light startled noise, as the black horse intentionally nudged the other straight off his two feet and into the large pile of hay at the back of the stall.

Fai is actually surprised by their sudden extra playful behavior. For some reason, they were getting very frisky, nosing about, and tickling him. More than when he smells like food, or hides an apple. "H-hey, cut it out. Ah! Hey, st-stop … t-that tickles…!" Fai squeaked and giggled as he squirmed at the affections of the horses, becoming a bit flustered as they only continued to nuzzle and tease him, finding sensitive areas to tickle with practiced ease.

Kurogane watched as the two horses cornered Fai before becoming very touchy, using their heads and muzzles on the other. Seeing as the thought had already been implanted earlier, thanks mostly in part to the she-child, the notion of what it might be like to be with Fai found footing in his mind, as he had never been with a guy before, -and definitely not a cross dressing male, that actually sometimes made him want to think that he only imagined that he saw Fai with a manhood. It didn't take much before his mind wandered, slowly started to imagine what it might be like if he were where the horses were, if Fai was physically with him. Instead of the black horse nudging him with her muzzle, if he were the one to slide his hand up Fai's side, pushing up layers of cloth to reveal that undoubtedly fair chest. Instead of one whiskery velveteen muzzle caressing his chest, nibbling harmlessly about, pushing him into the hay and the other whickering at his neck, gaspy, soft laughter coming from Fai because of the tickle-tease, squirming from soft whiskery touches, if his hands were the ones that pinned him down and finding what little physical turn-ons the male had, planting kisses on his neck and chest, tweaking nubs with fingers and teeth. And as the other made a light gasping noise, caused when the white horse lightly knocked her muzzle straight between his legs, lipping at his thigh and turning him into a giggling flustered mess, images of pushing himself between the other's legs, stroking him before pushing lithe legs up, inflaming his asshole, before entering into the man as he pressed close to the other filled his mind. A rising blush filled his cheeks, realizing just how much trouble he was getting into, as he was feeling himself get hard under his breeches.

They seemed to carry on for a while of relentless teasing, before settling down, so Fai could catch his breath. Fai gave them a questioning look once they decided to stop, backing up a bit while acting completely innocent of any foul play. Fai lightly stood back up. "Time to return the favor," Fai said with a feral smirk and a domineering hint to his voice, as he got his own little payback at the horses, blowing in their ears in a soft breath, making their ears twitch, repeatedly, and teasing them just as viciously, before returning to what they had been doing prior to the teasing.

Deciding he needed to get away before things could get any more awkward or intense in the stalls, his usually lackluster imagination having really got away with him this time, quietly, he forced himself to leave the Viking alone with the horses. Their innocent little game was becoming one really erotic fantasy in his head, and with the turnabout, it took a new turn in his mind, as he began to imagine being the one on bottom, the blonde teasing him, preparing him, taking him. And he could feel the desire so painfully there, throbbing with need. Yet, there was no way he wanted to get caught getting hard because of his imagination. There was no way he wanted Fai to notice just how much power he really had over him just yet. And there definitely was no way he wanted to jerk off in the stables to relieve himself from fantasizing about his (seemingly too nice) 'owner'. Just no way in hell.

Fai had not been trying to stir him. He possibly hadn't even known he was there, but Fai had such a ... charm about him, he didn't have to try. Rather, he thought, if he tried, it would probably only annoy him. But Fai tugged at him, where he hadn't been tugged on in years. And he felt it, both in his chest and his groin. Fai was stirring mixed feelings in him, and he was not sure he liked it. Even just watching Fai as he frolicked in his work had sent a spark through his nerves and hit him with hard. And he normally would never imagine another sexually. Admittedly his wife was attractive, but he had never thought to imagine her in such a way. Ever. And he'd married her. But this Fai-person, there was just this ... thing about him, that made him want to know, want to know his mind, his body, his heart... More than the judgments he'd cast of Fai, how evil Sea-Witches we're supposed to be, how they were supposed to be just monsters on boats, only respectable for their strength and mastery of the Seas. But Fai... he was inherently different than all that. He was just different. His head was still debating over him, but he could not fully deny that he felt a strong sense of luster for Fai. He knew there was more to it than that, but would not dare call it love. There was no way he could be in love with Fai. Could there?

After some more work and less play, Fai flomped into the fresh hay with Soel and Larg into a pile of limbs and blonde. Soel walked closer and nuzzle-faced his chest. For giant beasts, they sure could be awfully gentle and caring. Larg stood a bit to the distance, but kept a watch on things. Fai smiled, and petted Soel. She let out a soft whinny, head bobbing against his chest. Fai let out a small oomph before laughing softly.

Fai wondered what time it was, but could not see the position of the sun, so he wasn't sure, but knew it must be approaching late morning; maybe early after noon. He supposed eventually Sakura would come looking for him, telling about something that needed tending, or maybe Kurogane would come by and ask what he was doing, lazing about like a damned fool. That thought made him smirk with some small fondness and chuckle a bit. Maybe Syaoran would and would say that he found something interesting in the water. Either way, he definitely needed to get up soon.

Finding his way to his feet, Fai figured after that long with the animals, he probably could use a wash. Sighing, he petted the muzzles of both Soel and Larg before leaving their stall.

Fai found baths often to be relaxing and refreshing, the hot water eased the tired of sore muscles. Kurogane was there, had for at least a little while. How long was debatable. He just finished heating a large tub of water when Fai had walked in, after all. Fai politely thanked him for heating up the bath for him, being slightly flirtatious and teasing, as he preened over the side of the tub. Kurogane hadn't really responded. Fai pouted lightly, having been trying to coax at least a small reaction from the other, like a barky 'I didn't make this for you, Witch,' maybe a muttered 'Why would I make you a bath' or at the least some indication of why Kurogane had been heating the water up for in the first place. All he'd gotten was a dismissive 'Whatever'. He let out a quiet breath before testing the waters, then slowly stripping to nothing but the light blue shirt and climbing in. Might as well; it'd be a waste otherwise to have the water heated but not used. Fai smiled before deciding to try to play with the other again. "Kuro-wet…" Fai trilled in a sing-song voice, before leaning his arms against the edge of the tub. "Join me in here? There's plenty of room for Kuro-water too," he purred.

"Who- who would want to bathe with you?"

Fai smirked as he was able to get Kurogane to react this time, before returning the question back, "Who wouldn't want to bathe with me? Besides, you were the one heating the water for me."

"Cocky, aren't you?"

"Not at all. Many [men and women] have expressed a desire to bathe and be intimate with myself. Of course, Kuro-gaze is the first since I became a Sea-Witch, as you so enjoy to put it."

That was a surprise. "How long have you been a Sea-Witch?"

"I suppose it's been nearly a decade or so."

"And no one has seen you in that time?"

"Not one in the same way as you and Sakura."

"How can you be so sure?" Kurogane countered, "Perhaps someone looked when you were asleep."

Fai waved his hand dismissively, "I don't sleep well. I'd know if someone had ghosted a peek in my sleep."

"You seem to sleep just fine lately."

Fai sank lower into the waters, pulling out a coy smirk. "Maybe having a big growly dog in bed keeps my sleep protected."

Kurogane paused there. Wait a goddamn - Hold the axe. Did he just… "Who are you calling a dog?!"

Fai laughed gaily. "What other big strong working dog finds bedding with me but you,… Big Dog?"

Kurogane narrowed his gaze, glaring at the other, before responding, "I dunno. Considering how you got along with the she-horses earlier, I'd say you have no trouble find plenty ofreal dogs to sleep with."

"So you were there. I knew I felt prying eyes."

"The Witch can actually smile."

"I smile all the time."

"You wear a smile; but you aren't always smiling."

Fai paused, before he let out a sigh. "Really, Kuro-halfway…" Fai looked towards Kurogane, "Are you going to join me in bath? If you're just going to stand around undecided, I'd prefer to be without." Kurogane stared at Fai, and saw a flicker of something left asked and unsaid in those eyes, like a question that he should be hearing but didn't quite understand it yet. Something subtle and implied and important, but he couldn't put his finger on it quite yet. And as Fai lay soaking wet in the tub, nearly naked and physically exposed, Kurogane silently weighed his options, finding most left him feeling … uncomfortable. And the way Fai's eyes stared up at him, he felt that chill down his spine that surprised him, and frightened him and excited him all at once.

After a moment, Fai let out a breath, returning his gaze to the warm waters, taking a nearby cloth, lathering it up and using it to scrub his arms. Kurogane growled low in his throat; instead of leaving Fai to be or joining him in the tub, Kurogane walked over to the tub's side and slowly reached out, putting his hands on Fai's shoulders. Fai tilted his head back, sapphires meeting rubies.

"Help you wash."

A small smile quirked at his lips before he leaned forward. "You don't have to…if you don't want to." Fai spoke in such a quiet voice, it was very difficult to hear him.

"What was that?"

"Kuro-sea is being super sweet today," Fai chirped unhelpfully, "Maybe Kuro-water pretends but he actually cares and cares weal for others, like a big growly Father dog. Silly Father, pretending is my job."

"S-shut up, Witch!" Kurogane said, glad the other could not see the blush that had formed on his face because of that. But the way Fai seemed amused; he supposed that he didn't have to see to guess that that's what he was doing, which only made him turn a little pinker.

Bundling the man's long hair, Kurogane pushed it over a lone shoulder so he could focus on Fai's back. Pushing the other's shirt up, Kurogane could see it was a pretty expanse of porcelain, milk-white skin. Raised bumps beneath his shoulders showed some bone but otherwise appeared lean and healthy. However, it was pure of any imperfection, not even a single battle scar or birth defect. It was… beautiful and oddly disappointing. The distant thought of raking nails down its perfection, marking it up, found room in his brain, and he shook the thought away. Taking a clean cloth, Kurogane got it wet before lathering in soap and using it to scrub Fai's backside. Fai smiled softly, quietly taking in the smells, breathing in a slow rhythmic pattern, before piping back up.

"So, since you're here, what did the black swordsman do to stave boredom off before we arrived in Suwa lands?"

"There was always work to be done at home," Kurogane said dismissively.

"What about for fun? Didn't you do anything to just… relax and have a good time? Maybe have some quality family time?" asked Fai stretching his arms above his head, and while in the tub making it look like a cat stretching.

Kurogane thought on that. When he was a child there was climbing trees and roughing it out with some of the local children. As he grew older, well, hunting and fishing, cutting wood and training to get stronger were more predominantly what he'd done. Other than that, he really just found work to do, the most primal of shopping, tilling the land, making firewood, cooking and tending the home. He supposed training Syaoran, mealtime and caring for his wife's hair was his family time.

Fai turned a bit to look over his shoulder, staring at Kurogane, "Ye truly be someone who hath little fun when not keeping yourself occupied," Fai mused out loud, lilting a humored smile.

Kurogane glanced back at Fai, "Is that problematic?"

"Nay. Less work for the women if Father and son are helping too. If everyone helps, there's more time to relax when the day is done." Fai let out a soft hum, "And if you're still bored when we arrive on land, the next place we're heading to has trees. You can definitely go chop up some so we have more firewood. After all, you like hard, physical work like that, right? It would be good for you, too, to have something to use those big strong muscles of yours for besides gathering blubber."

"Do you ever just shut up when you should shut up?"

Fai laughed, "What does Kuro-sea think? Am I too noisy?"

"Aye …" Kurogane began. Fai chuckled lightly at that.

"Except for when you're hiding something from us; then you be too quiet."

Fai stiffened for a moment, his breath catching in his throat; after, he leaned back to briefly stare at Kurogane, wearing a tight grin. "For someone who barely knows me, you sure seem to know me."

Turning back around, he leaned further into the waters, "Mm… by the way, what did you do with the water? [Water] smells absolutely wonderful."

"… Nothing. Just heated it is all." Kurogane looked away from Fai, blushing faintly.

"Really? Now why is that difficult to believe?"

Kurogane passed off a shrug, "Don't know. You the story-teller."

It must have been near the middle of the month, when Fai piloted the Mokona to some closed off and hidden alcove, not easy to spot by land or water. The place had been near invisible against the sea from where they sailed. For a while, Kurogane half-wondered if Fai was being suicidal and going to ram them into the cliff side, but no, Fai knew it was there, and expertly piloted the Mokona into the hole in the wall space with some guidance from his daughter.

A small path led above ocean level, up to the mainland of the island they came to. The forest nearby was lively; grass flowed and shifted in the gentle breeze. Fai moved and sat amongst the grass, barefoot, smiling serenely as he leaned up against one of the tall trees, eyes closed and just listening to the sounds around him. The particular tree looked to be the deadest thing around, as its branches were completely bare of leaves, while most everything around the area had sprung to life.

Not too far away, Syaoran began practicing his swinging, safe from hitting anyone or getting hit by flying chips of wood, as Kurogane had climbed up a different tree, and swinging one of Fai's machetes down upon one of its larger branches so they could use its wood. After a while, Sakura sits down next to Fai, and begins to sharpen one of her many concealable blades, when Fai speaks to her.

"Sakura, my daughter, will we find it here?" he asks her, his voice barely louder than her whittling stone.

"You will not find it here," Sakura responded with a small huff, as she continued her blade sharpening. "However, there is something here we should investigate."

Fai smiles, yet doesn't pat her on her head, as Kurogane remembered he had when he had been standing and she beside him in the square.

Kurogane overheard the exact words Fai spoke this time. It seemed Fai was looking for something. And also, it seemed Sakura seemed to know if he would find it, or at least he would ask and she would say that Fai wouldn't. What it was Fai was seeking, now that was still a mystery. Kurogane could not deny that his curiosity was piqued. Well, then again, he did recently tell the belying man that he would find out all his secrets. What was it that Fai was seeking? What was he after? And why, in Cero's name, did he feel a twisting in his stomach, like it would be horribly bad for Fai if Fai found whatever he was after? The puzzle vexed him; for now, he was bound to the other, he found little point trying to fight the other for his freedom if he would still be with the other, because of Syaoran, and while he was stuck with him, he thought he would do his best to figure out all the little pieces, find out the truth and secrets behind the Sea-Witch. If nothing else, it gave his mind something to do. He could easily keep his body busy, but now he also had a focus for his mind too.

Getting answers wasn't exactly going to be easy, and being Kurogane, that was fine. He could be a stubborn and tenacious bastard himself. If Fai was going to play his games, he'd be the hunter, stalking the mercenary's psyche down and probe until he peeled apart every layer of that damn witch. Mental, metaphysical, physical emotional and otherwise, until he figured out just who exactly was this Witch.

The creaking of the branch told Kurogane that it was about to let go, and with a final chop, the majority of the branch gave way, and fell to the earth below. With Syaoran's help, it was reduced to large chunks of wood and bark and kindling, and the women helped carry it to the ship for use and finer turning into firewood later. The afternoon went by swiftly, and after a quick rest for lunch, Fai began getting ready to go somewhere on horseback. With everything put away, he led his two favorite horses from their stall and up onto the land. Donning on his cloak and grabbing a fresh change of clothes for them, he assisted Sakura up onto the Clydesdale before joining the female. "Be you coming boys?"

Not like they really had much choice, but it was nice that Fai asked. After donning on their own cloaks, Kurogane assisted Syaoran up onto Larg, before climbing up after him.

It was a five hour horse ride to where they were going. The land was docile, green plains stretched for miles on end with no clearly made road, only a couple horse trails that were snakelike in their twists and turns. The place looked similar to the land he had first awoken to, if the place had been more mountainous and with cliffsides. But it felt completely different, and the air was much thicker, but not as savory. There was a certain … charcoalness to the air that made the thick air hard, breaths more shallow. It felt like … ashes were mixed in the air. And then it was gone. The air was clean and pure, as though shifting to … to how he remembered Suwa lands airs were like. Immediately, Kurogane turned to Fai. "What did you do, Witch?"

Fai shifted his gaze from the road ahead, to lightly look at Kurogane, "What do you mean, what did I do? I'm simply riding my mare."

"You have air chi, and now the air is different. What did you do?"

Fai wore a smile, "But Kuro-breath… Isn't the air easier for you now?"

Kurogane glared at him hard and long. His voice was steady as he slowly enunciated each word again. "What did you do, Witch?"

Fai waved a flippant hand in their general direction, "I merely cleaned the air up for you boys; really, if Father is always suspicious, the son will learn to be the same."

The answer was vague on what Fai was specifically referring to. Exactly what had he cleared from the air around him? …charcoal and ashes. The memory of burned corpses, a field of ashes, the illness that made lungs to cough blood. A home residing merely as a place for those condemned, not for crimes, but as those touched by the black demons.

"Are you able to keep demons away?"

Fai laughed, once; tight and without mirth, "Not even I am that powerful, to truly be able to keep demons away."

Although he seemed to look at him lewdly from time to time, Fai never acted upon nor asked of any sexual cravings or favors. And those eyes, as bright and impossibly blue as they were, crystalline sapphires, had spurred a deep interest in the swordsman. A carnal hunger he wanted to deny he felt for the other, but wouldn't fool himself to believing otherwise. Fai was attractive, in some ways similar to his wife, but not at all the same. There was no woman, or man, who could replace her, who could be her, but Fai wasn't trying to replace her, or be her, yet still finding a way to pull him in. Fai may not have been an honest man -how could he when he was already fooling everyone around him, tricking them to believe he was woman- he may not have been making a completely honest living -stealing is in no way considered honest, but he didn't always steal- he may be annoying at times -what with those ridiculous name callings- but he was not a despicable creature; he had his flaws -who didn't have a flaw in them-, but the way he took care of all four of them -what he called his family, as twisted as calling the four of them a family was-, how he did his best to bring a smile to a child's face –like in Hanshin-, cook and clean for them, how he acted selfish about really very little, or if he did, it was a mere ploy to help out another. Upon further analysis, Fai really didn't care much about his own health, willing to risk more of his safety before those around him. In battle, he might shirk off, trying to quell the situation without drawing arms, but he would not watch his friends and family get hurt without jumping in to the aid.

As the four crossed, there came a part where they could not cross on horseback. So the children continued forth on foot while Fai searched for a place to bring the horses around, when there was an ambush. Fai began shooting the enemy from the distance, aiding the children, when someone sneaked up on him. Fai had just shot down another person, who had dared raise a hand to his Sakura (whilst she wielded her skillet against the others, attacking and protecting from Syaoran's blind side), when someone snuck up and attacked Fai. Fai had been caught slightly unaware as Soel whinnied, reared up and knocking Fai off. Tumbling onto the ground, the arrow in his hand snapped as he scraped his knuckles and knees on the hard earth. The attacker manages to carve a good slice into Fai's left leg and dress before Fai scuttles back some. Yet, the look of pure shock that registered on his face was so deep, Fai nearly allows the other to slay him without so much as raising a hand, or weapon, to defend himself. Kurogane, who was the closest, notices and throws a nearby spear straight at the other, impaling Fai's attacker from behind. The spear had so much force behind it, not only did it kill the assailant, it destroyed most of the wooden spear handle, splintering to shards. Fai was still seated where he'd fallen, that horrified look in his eyes before he lowered his gaze, Kurogane rushing to meet him. The gash on his leg was not life-threatening, but walking would be slightly impaired. When Fai looked back up at Kurogane, who now stood right before him, that smile was practically etched onto his face, like another mask. It hurt to look at the smiling charade, as Fai waved off the injury like it was nothing. The hypocrite. "Looks like you saved me." Fai remarked in a light voice.

Kurogane had been annoyed, and scowled disprovingly at the other. "Don't smile if you don't mean it." Taking out his sword sheath from his hip, sword and all, Fai looked at him with a look of inquizzical surprise, as Kurogane kneeled down beside Fai, setting it down beside him. He then gripped the leg, putting pressure over the wound. Fai hissed and his grin was only half there, the rest switching to a pained grimace, his eyes reflecting the hurt of his leg.

"Who was he to you?" he asked as he held the leg, Soel pawing nearby, gently rubbing her nuzzle into Fai's back, as though to apologize.

"Hmm?" Fai makes an imploring sound as if not quite hearing Kurogane's question while one hand reached up, stroking Soel's muzzle.

"Who was he," Kurogane said, tilting his head to indicate the dead warrior, "to you?"

"Never knew him," Fai said lightly. From the expression earlier, Kurogane knew that was a downright lie.

Kurogane squeezed Fai's leg a little tighter, causing the man to flinch. "Don't give me that crap. You knew him, and he meant something, so spill it… Who was he?"

Fai shrugged, "I really didn't know him, Kurogane. But he…" Fai began, completely uncomfortable with the words that were coming out of his lips. "He knew me."

Knew. The word was past tense, meaning that Fai wasn't always Fai of D, Mother of the Dragons, kidnapper of villagers, Viking mercenary, pillager and trader of goods, and woman pretender extraordinaire. Of course not; that would be just farcical. But still, that was an interesting development, to meet someone that knew of Fai's past, before he became the 'woman' he was today. But he was already dead; Kurogane speared him down, and now his lips had no words to speak.

"I see," Kurogane said with a feral smirk, slightly unnerving the blonde. But he did his best to suppress that, to not let Kurogane know how much that bothered. "So there are still people left who knew you as someone else?"

"It's … possible, there are still people left who knew me as someone else."

About a mile out, they slowed down to a halt on an outcropping, looking over a town with a large castle nearby, a giant stone wall barricade. Fai looked the place over, as he peered through a spyglass at the place from the distance. Sakura leaned against their mare's mane, with Syaoran currently holding the reigns of the other horse. Even from his vantage point on Larg, the place looked like a solidified fort to Kurogane.

"Wheet hwoo…that's some Fortress," Fai said, voicing a whistle as he smiled in that falsely carefree way.

"Looks as difficult as getting Mother to fall," Sakura muttered under her breath, eyeing the stonework.

"Aye. It will be difficult, alright…" Fai spoke, hearing his daughter. So did Syaoran and Kurogane. But then again, they didn't have the same frame of reference as Fai did to what his daughter meant.

"Are you going to pillage that place?" Kurogane asked, and Fai turned to look at him, grinning.

"Mm, maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's debatable." Fai made a light hum. "Depends on what I find there. Anyway, I'm going to go check that place out; you guys are more than free to come along."

No arguments were offered from the others, although Kurogane did scowl a bit. He knew it wasn't really a real choice, but Fai had made it sound like they actually had one. Kurogane looked back towards the fortress, Syaoran staying rather still, observing the looming destination. The land was garrisoned, leaning over 50 soldiers guarding the entrance gateway. Fai explains in vagueness that he just needed to get past the front guards, without raising too many suspicions.

"This is suicide," Kurogane grunted.

"This is just a friendly greeting. Really, Father, if you act like that, the children will imitate." And Fai fluttered golden eyelashes at him prettily. Kurogane stared at the other, as he rode the horse emanating the saddleback style for women, the way his eyes just sparkled, and the way the wind blew his blonde bangs about. He found he liked what he saw, then finding himself annoyed that he had thought that Fai actually looked … cute. Vikings and cute should not be in the same sentence. "You look stupid like that."

"How mean, Kuro-no-fun. And after I've been nothing but good to you."

"... annoying Witch…" he muttered.

Fai pouted briefly before smiling again, shifting bangs to the side of his face behind an ear. Kurogane noticed he seemed to do that a bit … and annoyed at himself further for thinking it was a cute quirk of the blond Witch. There shouldn't be anything cute about a Sea Witch. Much less… attractive. But Fai seemed to prove that conception wrong and right at the same time without even trying.

Getting in was easy. The night before, Fai instructed the boys to hide as soldiers. However, there's only one way that Fai had logically recommended that sounded like it wouldn't get them killed. Knock out two of their soldiers and dress in their clothes. The night of, they managed to allude detection, before silently Sakura knocked out a smaller one and Fai went after one of their taller ones. It was a quick switch, lest they be caught and the getting in much faster, but well, he couldn't guarantee that they would have the same rate of getting in without more problems. There was some small rustling from the other guards, and Fai and Sakura were quick to make themselves invisible, whilst Kurogane eased Syaoran with the others, providing a small excuse of giving Fai and Sakura more time to make themselves and the two unconscious soldiers scarce.

Morning came the next day, and while Kurogane and Syaoran blended in as they were told to do, by performing like the other soldiers, and guard the place, there was no way the rest of them could have been prepared for the Vikings that came to them. Raising their weapons, the proceed to enter was halted momentarily as Fai and Sakura rode on separate horses.

"Who goes there?" a soldier asked, spear level with the neck of Fai's horse.

"Please lower your weapons, good sirs," Fai says charmingly.

"What business have you here?" another guard questions.

"I have come, by orders of the Lord here; he has sent word to my people to appear before him," Fai answered easily.

"And the she-child?"

"She is my daughter; in leaving my people, she was to come with me as well."

"Why haven't we received word of your arrival?"

This is where Kurogane knew he and Syaoran were to respond. They moved closer to the guard, before Syaoran spoke up.

"We received word, sir. The Lord requested that they be escorted immediately upon their arrival."

The leader turned to Kurogane and Syaoran. "Is this so, soldier?"

"It is sir. The Lord has been expecting them for some time,"

The real soldier looks between them, but is not given much choice, but to believe them. "Very well; you two. Once past the gate, guide these ladies safely to the Lord."

He lightly places a hand on Soel's neck and walks with Fai towards the entrance of the gate, Syaoran and Kurogane walking behind the two horses. At the gate, the soldier bowed properly. "I hope you find the town hospitable, milady."

"Thank you, kind soldier," Fai said, leaning over, and kissing his cheek in a dainty manner. The soldier lightly flushed before rejoining the soldiers outside the city, who was then lightly teased by the others. Kurogane swore he heard, "I thought you be for the flute." And the response a nonchalant, "I would become with woman for her."

Fai then chuckled, leaning closer to Kurogane, "And you be thinking we have a reputation." Kurogane looked away from the other, trying to hide some of his own redness from Fai.

"For a soldier, that one was cute."

"I… didn't need to hear that," Kurogane muttered quietly.

"No worries, Kuro-Father; he's not really my type. He had tedious eyes; not nice like Father's."

Kurogane was not sure if he should feel complimented or insinuated.

"Mother, tease later; you have something you need to do."

"Wise as always, my daughter. Alright, let's split up. This be faster if you children collect the payment. Kuro-Father, you and I will visit the castle."

"Aye, Mother," Sakura said with a bored tone.

While Sakura 'escorts' Syaoran through the town, Fai and Kurogane had to contend with Kiishim, the truest leader of the land, but who was locked up, thanks to a man named Tumbal. Of course, Fai was prepared. Fai seemed prepared for every little thing. Fai was prepared for a lot of things. He had been prepared for the soldiers and for the most part, the ambush. Kurogane didn't think there was much he wasn't prepared for.

However, Fai hadn't been mentally prepared for Kurogane. The way that noble father took care of the children in his own way that brought a small soft smile to his face, although he rarely let anyone see it. But when Kurogane had been attacking him, believing him to be the enemy, there was this whole different feel about him. A proud, powerful warrior, with strength behind everything he did. He was much more powerful than most warriors Fai had seen, and that's not even mentioning with the amount of water-chi he had at his disposal, his power could end up like a tsunami, knocking men and horses over in sheer ferocity. The chopping of firewood earlier was definitely not a waste; like watching the calm before the storm. And damn him for being so damn attractive to boot. Fai sat in the front on Soel, having Kurogane ride behind him as he pushed her to the tower in the midst of town. Once closer, he hid her in a grove of trees, before they had to continue on foot.

Entering the castle, there was a bit of a disturbance. While the guards could be strung along thanks to such helping undercover agents, the castle folk were a different story. Kurogane fended the warriors under Tumbal's control, keeping them at bay for now. Right now, he felt like the bad guy, fighting them when they were the ones attacking him as they defended the castle. He did his best not to kill them, staying on the defense, with some built up aggression and frustration coming out as well. He ended up breaking a pillar with the sheer might causing a temporary blockade. In that time, Fai headed to the dungeon, and Kurogane wasn't far behind the blonde. He made quick work of the castle's interiors as if somehow guided by an invisible force leading him, until he arrived at a row of cells, with a few of them occupied. Fai kneeled down beside one particular cell door, where Kiishim was behind, locked away in her own castle.

"We need to free this woman, Father." Fai informed him.

Looking at the woman, she wore clothes that spoke of power. But she looked as if she'd been locked up for a while now, and not had the best of care, but showed signs that someone still did care for her; although in the cell, there was the obvious signs of someone taking the time to come and feed her and to wipe away some grime.

Kurogane looked at it, and tried just slashing the cell door off. However that didn't work, the noise ricocheting in the dungeon. After the failed attempt, Fai quietly began to fiddle with the locks to the cell, unwilling to use his own chi against the door. When Kurogane had tried, it whiplashed against them, the attack leaving the hallway wet and acidic. With a soft frown, Fai turned from the lock and to the other.

"Kuro-wet, do you mind?"

"Mind what, Witch?" Kurogane said, back turned to the other.

Before Kurogane could respond, Fai gripped his tabard and pulled him closer, slipping his hands underneath layers of cloth. "What… the hell, Witch?" Kurogane barked, holding himself perfectly still.

Fai didn't say anything at first, just leaned in closer. Kurogane could feel his breath slowly at his neckline, noticed the way Fai's hair kept fell into his face and onto his shoulders, could feel hands sliding over his hips, reaching, and Kurogane could feel deft fingers searching, the back of his hands barely brushing against flesh, causing a strange tickle-tease sensation against his chest. Fai's expression had altered to one of concentration, before everything nearly stopped and Fai let out a bright grin. Fai fiddled for a moment longer, before he pulled away and as Kurogane turned to see the other, he could see that Fai held a bone needle in two fingers. "I need to borrow this."

Kurogane stood frozen where he stood, as Fai fixed his hair out of his face again with one hand before turning back to the cell. Then, frozen turned to aggravation. "What the hell do you think you were doing? Second thought, why was there a needle on me? How did it get there in the first place?"

Fai waved a flippant hand at him, "I wondered where I put my sewing needle. Surprised you didn't notice it was there sooner, Kuro-oblivious."

Fai began to fiddle at the lock using a blank key and the needle, with slow precise movements. Kurogane watched those hands, watched the concentration Fai took to deal with the lock. The skill used to pick the lock using a blank and a needle, since he didn't have a copy made of the key from a key mold, was a lot more quiet and finesse than just pounding it broke. Besides, if Fai succeeded, then the cell could still be used later. It was probably better this way, but it took way too much time for Kurogane's liking of just holding on, with nothing to do. He focused on all the details about what he was seeing, the slow movements of Fai, careful and precise, but smooth, the way moving the needle for a pick made small tendons and muscles on his hand visibly move. Moving away from his hands, his arms were poised still, his shoulders upright and chin held confidently, the way his pink lips were barely parted as he breathed slowly. There was the way that his eyes were focused solely on the lock, leaning close to the door itself, to listen to the internal noises of the cage, shining with a sense of determination, confidence, and excitement. Moving away from those gems, his breathing was regulated at an even pacing, not too sharp and not too shallow, rising in and out of his chest. Gazing lower, Fai was holding his form together, and squatting on his haunches. Beneath the dress he was wearing, Kurogane could see the man's lean thighs, watched as the muscles flexed to keep him still. Taking in his full form into consideration, it was modest and graceful, with a fluidity in form, like a dancer, frozen in a moment of time, before his concentration over Fai was interrupted by more incompetent warriors. "Stave them off, please?" Fai asked kindly, never removing his eyes from the task at hand.

Kurogane let out a low grunt, before drawing his sword out. Yeah, he wouldn't be bored for a while.

Sakura was escorting Syaoran on her pillage of the place's 'valuables'. Or perhaps, pulling him along for the ride is more accurate. Syaoran seemed hesitant to touch anything, while Sakura had no qualms placing things on her and his person. As she adorned herself with a few jewels that'd she snatched earlier, she explained to him what she and Fai of D did on a semi-regular basis as he questioned what they were supposed to do.

"We really be more like a trade company. Can't rightly trade with people if we make everyone hate us. But not everyone will pay fairly for our troubles or don't want nothing with us, so we also have to take from some too." she explained in a sweetly voice, picking up some small apothecary jar, and inspecting it. "But Mother has Man to kill here, so we're going to free a few things for the trouble in case things go wrong for Mother here." Syaoran made small stuttering with wide eyes, while Sakura wrapped the jar in a cloth to protect it from shattering, and lowering the glass into her bosom, where her corset helped keep it secure.

"K-kill Man?" he mustered.

She grabbed a bag of flour. "Aye, Mother will kill Man here. What is the deal? We kill before, and this Man has given Mother cause to slay him."

"What has he done that warrants death?"

"Do ye really want to know?"

"Aye."

"Alright. The thing, the actions he has done that Mother would believe warrants death is…" Sakura began as she let the anticipation build briefly, Syaoran nervously anticipating the answer of what someone, anyone, could do that the women would think was so terrible that it made them deserve to die, what one had to do that made them a liable target to being assassinated by the Vikings, not just some unlucky village that happened to be targeted and destroyed without bias, but to intentionally scout and hunt the person to slay them. It must be something truly terrible …

"A secret."

Syaoran let out a deflated breath. "You weren't actually going to tell me … were you?"

"Aye; actually, I don't know. Mother hasn't told me, but I just know that's what Mother has to do here."

"How do you know that?"

"I've been with Mother almost all my life. I know Mother best, and she has Man to kill." Sakura said seriously, before grinning, "Now," she said with authority in her voice, her eyes staring into his, "make yourself useful and make sure no one comes try kill us, and steal these back. Unless that sheath protects just your flute."

"I-I don't have a flute."

"Obviously," Sakura muttered with a coy smirk. Syaoran had no clue what she was talking about. She walked closer, and nudged his calf with her foot. "Start walking. There's still more work to be done."

Stopping the men from advancing on them, Kurogane struck down the first few in a furious sweep of sword, the power released comparable to a flood, knocking men over in magnitude, and seriously injuring others, while Fai merely focused on attending to the woman in confinement. Kurogane didn't ask why they had to free her, but put his trust and faith in Fai's judgment. He hadn't o far misled him about whom he could trust, unless it was about Fai's past. Working together, Fai and Kurogane are able to free her from Tumbal's confinement, and Fai allowing Kishiim to show most of the rest of the way to where Tumbal resided. However, she left them to their own devices as she needed to get back her own weapon to defeat Tumbal.

After defeating, rather killing (suffocation and bleeding out of the throat is a rather messy way to go) Tumbal, Kishiim says she wants to thank Fai of D and his people for their aid in freeing her people from Tumbal's control. Fai adamantly declines at first any sort of reimbursement, they weren't doing it to free her people after all, as they had been trying to reestablish trade relations, but Kishiim insists that a proper payment is also needed. Fai considers and consents after a while, noticing something, asking merely for a trinket that was there. Kishiim was confused as to why, but consented to allow Fai to have it.

The Historical Corner:

NICKNAMES:

Kuro-breath – Kuro- ørindi

Kuro-no-fun – Kuro-neinn-sael (sael is also for happy)

Kuro-oblivious – Kuro-nein-hekkja (hekkja is to notice, and neinn is no, so did-not-notice, oblivious, or unaware?)

Because I am a horrible horrible person with a weird sense of humor… I made a small Pokemon battle parody…

~insert Pokemon crack joke~ .

Fai's Team vs. Tumbal's Team

Flip coin for first move. Tumbal wins.

Tumbal used Substitute. 5 Guards replace Tumbal.

Fai has Magic Guard. Fai uses "Charm". Charm lowers the enemy's attack significantly.

Guard 1 uses Endure. He is left with at least 1 HP.

Guard 2 uses Work Up. Guard 2 raises his Attack and Sp. Attack.

Kurogane has Torrent. Kurogane uses "Slash." Guard1 is left with 1 HP.

Guard 3 uses Cut. Kurogane takes damage.

Syaoran has Flash Fire. Syaoran uses "Fire Spin." Causes damage to Guard 2, and leaves burned.

Sakura has Super Luck. Sakura uses "Earthquake." Super effective against ground type. Guard 1 and 2 faint. Guard 3, 4, and 5 still have HP. Syaoran and Kurogane both take damage. Fai is unaffected.

Fai uses Fly. Fai flies up high.

Guard 3 uses Low Sweep. Sakura takes damage.

Kurogane uses Fury Swipes. Kurogane attacks 4 times. Guard 3 faints.

Guard 4 uses Frustration. Syaoran takes damage.

Syaoran uses Sacred Fire. Guard 4 faints.

Guard 5 uses Submission. Sakura takes damage. Guard 5 takes damage.

Sakura uses Mud Slap. Guard 5 faints.

Tumbal is summoned back.

Fai uses Fly.

Tumbal uses Magic Room.

Kurogane uses Slash.

Syaoran uses Sacred Fire.

Sakura used Earthquake.

Tumbal faints. Fai's team gains 4500Y. Fai's team rescues Kiishim from Tumbal's team. Kiishim gives Fai one Magical Feather as a reward for freeing her. Fai gains one Magical Feather.

~End Pokemon crack joke~