Loss of Translation

A/N : I would like to say thanks to my reviewers: sud1l0v3, Niako-san, LadyCera, Dove, and Issac Kran.


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It took nearly every ounce of self control he had to keep from watching the blonde bathe. He’d been through enough recently, he didn’t need his companion turning into a peeping tom. Although, he really should be keeping an eye on him. The men who assaulted the mage might be in prison, but that didn’t mean there weren’t others out there who would love the opportunity to do the same thing. And Kurogane couldn’t protect the smaller man if he couldn’t see what was happening.

Kuro sighed. That was one of the worst excuses he’d ever heard. What kind of person came up with lame-ass excuses just so he could watch his friend take a bath? Another sigh. He did. He knew it was wrong of him, and he knew that if Fai ever found out he’d probably never speak to him again, but...well...he was just so damn beautiful! Cocky little bastard knew it too and made no moves to hide it.

Kurogane leaned his head back against the wall. If the situation were different, no enemy army to fight, no sexual predators to defend against, this whole thing would have been a blessing. He could have taken the time to show the magician how he truly felt. There was no Mokona to interfere, no Syaoran to teach and no Sakura to protect. Of course, without Mokona there was also no communication. At least, there wouldn’t have been any communication if circumstances hadn’t been what they were. Kuro frowned remembering his conversation with the Witch.

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The Commander had led him through a maze of hallways until they finally reached the King’s personal chambers, and then pushed him through the door before Kuro could ask a single question.

“Are you in need of some assistance?” Yasha-o’s voice was soft, but tired.

“I need to contact the Dimensional Witch.” Kurogane stated matter-of-factly.

Yasha did not respond, but simply gestured to a large ornate mirror hanging on the wall next to him. Kurogane stepped directly in front of the mirror and waited. Within moments the Witch’s reflection appeared before him.

“Yes? What is it you require?”

This was the hard part. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply letting images of Fai’s blood spattered body cross his mind. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and swallowed his pride.

“The magician and I have been separated from Mokona and the others. Fai’s been injured, but without Mokona we have been unable to communicate and have no idea how to help him.”

“I see. You are able to communicate then?

“With Fai, no. But my language is similar enough to the one spoken by this lands people that I’m able to manage.”

The Witch disappeared from the mirror for a moment and returned holding a large wrapped item in her hands.

“This is a translator. It works much the same as Mokona, but with a few limitations. You can only use it for a short amount of time.”

“How long?”

“That depends on the need. Once you start using it, it will begin to darken and grow heavy. When it becomes jet black and you are no longer able to lift it, it will no longer work.”

“I understand. And I suppose you’ll require some sort of compensation?”

“Of course.”

“Name it.”

“A piece of the Moon Castle.”

“A piece of...you mean a rock?”

“The material the Moon Castle is made of contains very special magical properties.”

“So...that’s it? You’ll give me the translator if I bring you a rock?”

“The price is in balance with the service rendered.” She smiled and pushed the wrapped object towards him. Kurogane barely had enough time to catch it as it emerged from the mirror. “Send the payment with Mokona once you’ve been reunited.” And with that, she was gone.

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Kurogane opened his eyes and straightened. The Witch’s payment confused him and made him a bit more than slightly suspicious. There was no way, after all she’d put them through and made them give up, that she was satisfied with a silly little rock for payment, magic or no. He knew that once they were reunited with Mokona she would demand something else of him, but for now he was thankful she hadn’t asked for his sword again.

A movement at the corner of his vision instantly brought him out of his reverie. He drew his sword and turned towards the motion. It was the maid who had cleaned their room, hiding behind a corner of the hallway. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Kuro sheathed his sword and beckoned her forward. She hesitated briefly, but eventually emerged from around the corner carrying a serving tray with two glasses of what appeared to be wine.

“Th..these are for y..y..you and y..your friend, Sir.” She stuttered, holding the tray out for him. “Th..the healer s..s..sent them.”

“Please give the healer my thanks.” He took the tray from her hands and she vanished down the hall.

Setting the tray on the floor, he grabbed one of the glasses and downed it in one swallow. He looked at the other glass debating. It would be so easy to just walk in and claim it was time for the mage to take his medicine. Kuro smacked his palm against his forehead. More lame excuses. This twisted temptation was beginning to be a nuisance.

Kurogane sat on the floor and rested his head against the cool stone, his eyes becoming heavy. All this worry was exhausting. Sleep hovered at the edges of his mind, threatening to overcome him. Enticing as the idea was, he knew he couldn’t sleep just yet. The army might be preoccupied fighting at the castle, but that by no means made the palace safe. His mind became clouded with drowsiness and he tried in vain to fight it. Muttering one final protest, the warrior surrendered to the peaceful void of sleep.

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A distant sound woke him. He blinked slowly, the fog in his mind starting to clear. It was dark and cold. Chastising himself for sleeping on the job, he reached for his sword, his arms moving nearly an inch before jerking to a halt. Now instantly awake, he whirled his head around and found his arm chained to a wall. Testing his other limbs, he found them restrained as well. A quick survey of his surroundings confirmed for his eyes what his mind was already beginning to believe. He was in a prison cell. How the hell...?

“Awake are we?” A voice came out of the darkness.

Kurogane pulled at the chains on his arms, glaring in the direction of the voice.

“Oh. Scary.” A brunette head emerged from the shadows. Swinging the prison keys around a finger, the lieutenant responsible for the assault on Fai smirked.

“You! How did you...”

“Escape?” The smirk became a vicious grin. “Simple. I strangled the guard when he brought my food.” The lieutenant gestured across the room where Kuro could barely make out the shape of a body on the floor.

“You bastard.”

“Careful. You might want to save your insults for later. The party is just getting started.”

“Release me.” Kuro yanked the chains to make his meaning clear.

“And if I do? What will you do then?”

“I’ll kill you.” The ninja hissed, clenching his fists.

The lieutenant laughed. “Quite the argument you’ve got there. You want me to release you so you can slice me up with this wonderful sword of yours. Is that right?” The lieutenant held up Kurogane’s sword, admiring it. “Very well.” He tossed the sword at the warrior’s feet. It clanked to the ground and skid into the wall far to the left of its owners feet. Even if Kuro had been able to move, he wouldn’t have been able to reach it without leaving himself wide open for attack. He let his head fall to his chest.

“Giving up so soon?”

“Coward.”

“What?”

Kurogane raised his head and smiled cruelly. “You afraid you won’t be able to defeat me unless I’m chained up?”

The lieutenant stormed over to him, shaking with rage. “How dare you!” His captor’s right fist connected with his jaw, drawing blood. “Looks like you need to be reminded of your place, foreigner.” The brunette turned to go. “I guess it’s about time I went to fetch our other guest for the evening. You just sit tight and when I return, the real fun will begin.”

Once the door to the prison cells had closed, Kurogane closed his eyes and dropped his head to his chest. It wasn’t hard to guess who the ‘other guest’ was. He could feel the bile start to rise in his throat at the thought of what was coming.

“Fai.” The ninja whispered, the sound echoing eerily around the empty prison. For the first time since he was a child, Kurogane felt truly helpless.

TBC