[week 30, day 5: accidental video]

[barkingninja]

-the hell?

[Video on. The video is drawn away from Kurogane's face, but it's very obvious who it is, if you've met him before. There's a rather puzzled look on his face. Then he looks away, the device falling away and showing the scenery. After a while, the video moves again, showing his face a second time.]

Damn it, where is everyone?!

[He

Comments

[Reaction/Action]

[misfortunesfool]

[ It's one of those rare days in Amesato, where the skies are perfectly clear, no rain, and nothing but a light breeze to mess already messy hair as Yuui takes another miniature yukata from Fai and clips it to the line of clothes, chuckles softly to himself as Fai gives a little wiggle-step, then plucks at the seam of his new blue-jeans as he hops further down the line.]

They're really not so bad, Fai - they just take... some...some...

[For a moment, Yuui can't seem to hold his thought, much less the teasing tone, because in that breath between one word and the next, he can feel it. An absolutely unmistakable presence back in this place, where it'd once disappeared entirely, leaving him feeling off-balance, the sudden spike of pure adrenaline completely unintentional.

His eyes widen, surprise and uncertainty there in their cerulean depths as he stands rooted to the spot, blinking dumbly at his twin.]

...he's back? Kuro-sama's--

[Reaction/Action]

[towertwin]

[Fai felt it to, that unmistakable black thundercloud at the edge of his world. Like the black hound of legend, a portent of doom. He looked at Yuui, unintentionally sharp, and saw there confirmed his fears.]

Yuui...

[But there really isn't any fighting it, is there? It's true, what was said- they can't both be happy, not for long.]

He's back.

[Action]

[misfortunesfool]

[It's unintentional, they way Yuui fails to see his twin's disappointment for that split second - because how can Fai not be happy as well? Granted, there had been a bit of tension between his twin and Kurogane before, but he figured that had everything to do with one thinking the other had been dead, and the other not used to having someone care about them that wasn't just each other.

No, he doesn't see it, because he's too busy letting loose a bright laugh before lunging to catch Fai around the waist. And he's still laughing as he sweeps his brother up into a quick half spin before pulling him into a swift hug, forehead resting to forehead.]

C'mon, Fai. Let's go get the big idiot - then we can both give him a good punch to the head for leaving in the first place!

[Action]

[towertwin]

I'm...not tall enough.

[But it's hard not to smile, when Yuui's so happy. It comes out bitter but it's enough, Fai thinks, that Yuui won't notice.]

Okay, let's go. He might be hurt again...

[Action]

[misfortunesfool]

Silly! Why do you think I'm holding you, hm?

[He does notice that bitter tinge to his twin's voice and it would have given him pause - had Fai not reminded him of Kurogane's initial arrival.

All that blood, and he he was wasting time like a fool.

He cursed softly under his breath, then held Fai close as he lifted his hand, let the familiar magic curl around them, taking them in an instant from their backyard to the tree at the heart of Himorogi in a heartbeat.

Barely had the spell faded before he was glancing around, the barest hint of urgency in his voice.]

Kuro-tan? Oy! Ku~ro~sa~ma! Where are you?

[Action]

[barkingninja]

[The voice comes behind him like an annoying, yapping dog. Well, less annoying than it once was. He jerks around, glaring at the man for a moment.]

AH?!

[Then his eyes fall on the boy in his arms. It looks like the blond. Same hair, same eyes. Same blue eyes. Something wasn't right. No, Fai's eye was suppose to be gold now, as he gave the last of his magic to the witch in exchange for this arm. He clenches his metal hand, standing a bit of a distance.]

Where are we?! Where are the kids?!

[Action]

[towertwin]

[Does he mean Sakura? Does he mean- surely not Fai himself. As fierce as Kurogane was, he wasn't...angry. Or rather, he was, but not at them, just angry in a contained sort of way, as if he were always ready to leap out and fight.]

Ah...?

[Fai catches Kuro's eye and the question dies in his mouth, unasked. Of course he meant Sakura-chan, it was a stupid question. And then Fai caught sight of the metal arm and his eyes went wide.]

What happened to your arm!

[misfortunesfool]

[It doesn't take much - just a look. The way Kurogane looks at Fai, the lack of recognition in crimson eyes for his twin, tells him in an instant that this man?

Not the one that had become a fledgling lover.

It's enough to check Yuui's own response - and decide in an instant to pretend it never happened. Instead his gaze snaps down to the ninja's arm with Fai's question, only to stare in stunned disbelief at the metallic appendage.

It sends a chill through him, though he couldn't say the why of it. He glances up, blue eyes wary yet concerned, his grip on his twin tightening just a bit.]

...We're in Kannagara Country. Fai and I have been here for months now, but the children aren't here. So far as I can tell, they never have been.

[barkingninja]

[Kurogane doesn't answer the question. Not yet. Instead, he focuses on that name. Fai. It was that man's name, and judging by the conversation, this was the same one from his travels. But now, he called this child Fai. Meaning... this was his twin? No, he watched his twin die in those old memories. He watched the body dissolve into black ashes. Then this must be a trap. An illusion made by some outside group, tricking the man into believing this was his brother.]

[But it didn't feel weird. No, there was nothing that felt off. And if there was, Fai would have felt it with his magic. Somehow, that made this weird. Too weird.]

Then how'd we get here? Mokona wouldn't leave them.

[towertwin]

[Fai frowned. Ignored! And worse, Kurogane was giving him that look, that same look outsiders gave him.

Shouldn't be here.

Unnatural.

Extra. Other. Unwanted.

Should be dead.

He was clenching his fists, not enough in posession of himself to realize the way his spine was tensing in tandem with his magic. Kurogane had been Youou! Kurogane had been their friend- if not in their family, then close to it. How dare he look at Fai like he was some kind of cosmic mistake? How dare he?!

Never again!]

Stop talking about that! If they were here, Yuui and I would know! You're just being rude because you don't like the answer.

[And, just as an afterthought...]

I liked you better when you were Youou!

[misfortunesfool]

[The explanation was right there on the tip of Yuui's tongue, when he felt the sharp snap and pull of his brother's magic. He casts the tree a wary glance and a glare at Kurogane, even as he smooths a hand over Fai's back. Instead of giving Kurogane the answers he was demanding, he turns to press his forehead against Fai's temple and hugs him closer still, murmurs softly beside his ear.]

Fai. This isn't him. This isn't the Youou that was here before. This Kurogane... he doesn't remember this place. Any of it. But it's alright.

[And here he cuts his gaze to the side, cerulean catching crimson, silently pleading with the stubborn ninja to listen as he continues louder, though he has no doubt he heard it all regardless.]

When I arrived here three months ago, I was alone. I had just used my magic to help us leave the Library at Lecourt, only I teleported into this world. Alone. Two weeks later the gods here saw fit to grant my wish - they brought Fai back to me. Alive, if not well, and you followed roughly two weeks after that. Fai

[barkingninja]

WHAT?! You little-

[When Fai... Yuui... whatever, when he starts talking, Kurogane shuts up. Listening to this, he would probably protest. But worlds do different things. Forgetting a world he was a part of, though completely retarded, would not surprise him in the large scheme of things. Just look at the princess. She forgot everything and is working to get her memories back. There's a light sigh.]

I don't remember anything, no, but how did you get here after Lecourt if you kept traveling with us past that?

...this is the best kind of train wreck XDDD

[towertwin]

[Fai had been about to go on, but Yuui's calm interjection had him sitting back with a huff- until Kuro had to go and ruin it of course.

AND NOW. YOU GET TO SEE MY FLOURITE TONGUE.

Fai has had it up to here with uppity ninja jerks.]

The very BESTEST!

[misfortunesfool]

[Once again, Yuui starts to frame an answer... only to see his brother stick his tongue out at the ninja. It's perfect and too much and probably describes all of their frustration right then, and so Yuui laughs.

Bright and free and clear, a sudden burst of pure joy at seeing such an incongruous sight as his little twin showing no fear to this fearsome man.

He gives Fai a sudden toss up into the air and grins foolishly, even as he moves to catch his brother. See? If you can yell and ignore Fai, Yuui will just do the same to you, stupid ninja!]

You tell him, Fai! Kuro-woof just got here - he should wait more than five minutes before he starts glowering at everyone again!

ABSOLUTELY

[barkingninja]

[Kuro will never admit this but he's glad to hear that laugh. It's not the fake ones he heard over the course of their journey. No, it's a true, happy laugh. Although he might a tinge jealous that he wasn't able to get that laugh, he can't deny that little brat makes him happy on some level. He'll respect that, at least.

But that statement. Kurogane glares at them for a second before he sighs.]

You didn't answer my question.

[towertwin]

You didn't answer mine!

[Fai's rebuttal is immediate and passionate, but Yuui's teasing has taken a lot of the bite out of it. Fai has accepted death twice-over and endured the worst his body and mind can take.

Fear Kurogane? Never.]

You first!