White Heat

Title: White Heat
Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Tsubasa Chronicles
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Smut
Warnings: sexual situations

Summary: Mokona makes a hot day far hotter for Kurogane.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to CLAMP, the creators of ‘Tsubasa Chronicles’, nor am I making any profits from it.


-oOo-

White Heat


“Oh, what a beautiful day it is!” Fai said cheerfully, stretching his arms up towards the blue sky above them. “Don’t you think so, Kuro-run?” He tilted his head to one side as he smiled at his comrade beside him.

“The sun’s too bright,” Kurogane growled, not even looking up.

“Aw now, Kuro-pii, is that any way to be on such a bright and lovely day?”

“’Bright day, bright day! It’s a happy, happy day!” Mokona chirped from Kurogane’s shoulder where it was perched. “It’s bright and shiny just like Fai!”

Fai smiled and leant toward the little white beast and shucked it under where he thought might be its chin. “Why thank you, Mokona. A day like this should be enjoyed, shouldn’t it?”

He then turned around with a swish of his cloak to smile brightly at the two people walking behind. “Don’t our two young chicks think it’s a lovely day too?”

Sakura snuck a quick glance at Syaoran beside her and then looked away quickly, a slight flush on her cheeks. “Well, it is rather nice,” she agreed with Fai. She sent another fleeting glance towards Syaoran, only this time he met her gaze and her cheeks grew rosier. “Don’t you…think so?” she asked hesitantly.

Syaoran looked up at the sky and seemed to study it for a moment. “I guess so,” he finally said. “Although there might be a thunderstorm later on.”

“You think so?” Fai queried, looking up also and raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun. “There’s not a cloud in the sky at the moment.”

“You can feel it in the air,” Kurogane put in, not turning around.

“Really?” Fai turned around once more and looked at Kurogane quizzically. “I didn’t know you were good at reading the weather also.”

Kurogane looked across at him. “When you have to live outside most of the time you learn to do so if you don’t want to get into trouble.”

Fai smiled broadly at him. “Why, Kuro-ron, you never cease to amaze me. What a font of hidden information you are!”

“Shut up,” Kurogane growled, stomping along.

“Still, even if it does rain later on, at the moment it is getting hotter,” Fai said, raising his arms again and lacing his hands behind his head, still looking up at the sky.

“We’ll have to find something to drink soon,” Syaoran said from behind. Fai looked over his shoulder to the boy. “We don’t have much water left and we should look for somewhere to shelter for later. It may be hot now but once the storm hits the temperature is likely to drop quickly.”

“The kid’s right,” Kurogane agreed. “This seems to be farming country so we might be able to find a barn or shed along the way.”

Fai wrinkled his nose up and sniffed delicately. “Kuro-ryun, you don’t really expect me to have to sleep with animals, do you?”

Kurogane frowned at the slim man walking beside him. “Then sleep outside,” he said bluntly. “Makes no difference to me.”

“You can’t do that to Fai!” Mokona piped up, stamping one little foot and frowning at Kurogane. “That’s not nice at all.”

“You shut up,” Kurogane said, not even looking at the creature.

“Will not!” Mokona stamped both feet now.

“I said shut up! And quit that!” Kurogane glared at the beast who also leant forward so their noses almost rested against each other.

“No!” Mokona stated firmly.

“Why you…” Kurogane’s hand came up swiftly as he made a grab for the creature who slipped away, running behind the back of his neck to his other shoulder. “Hold still, you little…”

“Language, language, Kuro-tan,” Fai interjected quickly. “Remember the children.”

Kurogane threw a fierce glare at the grinning man. “Stop calling me those stupid things! My name is Kurogane!” he snapped.

“Yes, yes,” Fai said calmly, making soothing motions with his hands.

“Kurogane shouldn’t yell at Fai!” Mokona squeaked, popping up on top of Kurogane’s head.

“I told you to shut up!!” Kurogane made another grab which Mokona evaded once more, circling back to the other side of him.

“Will not, will not!” Mokona chanted as Kurogane tried to seize him again.

“Ah, that looks a likely spot,” Fai suddenly said just as Kurogane’s big hand clamped around what should have been Mokona’s neck.

“Huh?” Kurogane paused and looked to see where Fai was pointing towards a small hut near a copse of trees in the distance.

“I think I’ve just found our lodgings for the night. What do you think, Princess?” Fai asked Sakura politely with a warm smile.

“It looks fine to me.” Sakura agreed, following the direction he’d pointed out.

“Let’s get closer and check it out,” Syaoran said, stepping forward. “The roof looks weather tight but it’s too hard to be certain from here.”

“Of course,” Fai agreed amiably. He turned to look over towards where Kurogane was standing. “Are you finished playing with Mokona, Kuro-sama?”

“I’m not playing with it!” Kurogane growled, holding Mokona out and releasing it so it tumbled to the ground, before stepping over it as he followed the others.

“Wait for Mokona!” came the high pitched cry and Kurogane felt the soft impact as Mokona bounded easily onto his shoulder. He gave the beast one final glare then turned his head away as he kept walking. He wasn’t sure when it had started but he had somehow become Mokona’s chosen ride. Not that it really bothered him; the beast weighed basically nothing and in cold weather it kept his neck warm. However on days like this, having something furry and hot snuggled up against his skin just made him irritable.

They reached the hut, knocked, and when there was no answer, tried the door. Fai lifted the latch and pushed the door open so it swung free.

“Anyone home?” he called out, remaining standing on the threshold. “We’re travellers seeking somewhere to stay the night. Is anyone there?”

Only silence answered his greeting. He turned to the rest of the party with a smile. “Well, I guess we can make ourselves at home. Come along,” and he stepped inside.

Syaoran came next, one arm held out as a shield before Sakura who followed him. Kurogane brought up the rear, eyes darting from side to side, searching for any sign of danger.

Fai lifted a cushion and lightly patted it, turning his head to give a delicate cough at the cloud of dust that drifted up on the contact. He smiled at the others as he dropped it back onto the chair. “It would appear that this abode has not been used for some time.”

He looked around, noting the steps leading upwards. Syaoran was already walking towards them.

“Please be careful,” Sakura said earnestly, hands clutched together before her as Syaoran took the first couple of creaking stairs.

Syaoran glanced towards her with a smile. “It will be fine.”

He continued to the top and disappeared from view. The others could hear him walking across the ceiling above them, dust floating down as it was dislodged from between the floor boards.

“There are beds up here,” Syaoran called down. “Some of it looks like it could still be useable. Woah!”

There was a loud snapping sound and a clatter.

“Syaoran!” Sakura called out, gripping the hand rail and gazing up with fear.

“I’m all right,” Syaoran’s voice drifted down to them. “One of the beds just collapsed.”

“That doesn’t sound particularly safe,” Fai said. “It might be best not to trust in them.”

“We could drag down the good mattresses and blankets,” Syaoran stuck his head down to speak to them more clearly. “We can put them around the fireplace down there for the night. That’s if it works still.”

“I can check that,” Fai said, moving across to the large open fire place.

Suddenly a blazing light broke the dimness of the interior of the hut, making Kurogane blink in quick succession. Turning his head he saw Sakura by the window, the tattered remains of the curtain in her hands from when she had pulled it back.

“Uhm,” She looked at the shreds of cloth she held, then over at Fai. “We might need to find something to replace that.”

“It’s fine, Princess,” Fai assured her. “I’m sure we’ll manage.” He turned then to examine the fireplace. “Why don’t we make an effort to put this place in order, hmm?” he said. “Syaoran, would you mind bringing the bedding down?”

“Not until I’ve cleaned up first,” Sakura said suddenly.

“Your Highness?” Fai queried, turning around to gaze at her.

Sakura stood with her hands on her hips and a stern look on her face. “Nothing is being brought down until this room is completely swept and cleaned. You can hardly breath there is so much dust,” and she sneezed as if to emphasize her point.

“It is a little dusty,” Fai agreed. He then smiled at the princess. “Very well, your Majesty,” he said with a courtly bow. “What is your first command?”

Sakura looked a little taken aback but then quickly recovered. “Fai, you check the fire place first. If everything is in order, lay a fire ready for tonight. Syaoran, can you help me with the dusting and sweeping?”

“Sure,” Syaoran readily agreed, coming down the steps.

“Kurogane,” Sakura said as she walked across to the corner and picked up the broom leaning there, giving it a couple of strong swings to see if it was able to withstand her efforts. “Would you please look for some water and perhaps any food to add to our supplies for dinner?”

“There should be water close by,” Syaoran said, moving the furniture from the centre of the floor and making some space which Sakura immediately attacked with the broom. “No-one would build all the way out here without being able to get water at least fairly easily so you shouldn’t have to go far.”

“Oh, don’t worry about Kuro-tan,” Fai said cheerfully, head first up the chimney so his voice echoed eerily. “He’s big and strong and should be able to walk miles if need be. Right?” The last was said as Fai pulled back, a streak of soot across his nose.

“Yes, yes! Kurogane is big and strong! And Mokona will help too!” Mokona put in, still perched on Kurogane’s shoulder.

“Whatever,” Kurogane growled and stalked out of the hut.

Kurogane raised a hand to shield his eyes as he looked around. The tree line wasn’t too far away but he didn’t move directly there. Instead he continued to survey the land. Turning and walking behind the hut he immediately spied the pump that was situated to one side by the wood shed. He walked over and pumped the handle a few times but no water came out, just a creaking and groaning as the mechanism was forced to move after an obviously long absence of use.

Not even a drop, Kurogane thought as he ran a finger around the outlet and felt no dampness. He looked around the area again. There was no visible water course, however at one time this pump must have been connected to some waterway. Making a decision he picked a direction and began to walk. Most of the time, pumps such as those were situated in a way that it would join to a water system that was flowing downwards, making use of the pull of gravity and the natural contour of the land to tap into the water flow. So now he made his way uphill, hoping to find its source.

The sun continued to beat down on them as they walked, heating his dark clothing and making him sweat.

“It’s sooooo hot!” Mokona stated breathlessly, ears hanging down so it looked wilted.

“What the hell are you complaining about?” Kurogane snarled at it. “I’m the one doing all the walking!”

“But it’s still hot!” Mokona said.

“So why don’t you make yourself useful and spit out something to cool us down?” Kurogane grunted.

“You know it doesn’t work like that,” Mokona pouted at him.

“Fine,” Kurogane mumbled. “So stop talking about it. It just makes me feel hotter.”

Mokona said nothing more though Kurogane could hear a soft muttering under its breath although he could discern no clear words.

Mokona wasn’t exaggerating. Sayoran had been correct and the sky was now mottled with clouds that were swiftly rolling in and the air was becoming heavier as the humidity rose. It was enough to make Kurogane sweat more and his clothing felt itchy against his skin. What he wouldn’t give to find a river or lake right now and plunge into the cooling water!

Finally they entered the trees and Mokona immediately perked up a little under the shade.

“That’s much better!” it stated brightly. “Look at the pretty trees!” It jumped off Kurogane’s shoulder, bounding along at his side, up onto fallen trunks, before bouncing off trees like a pinball machine, squeeing as it went.

Kurogane felt his headache increase at every high pitched squeal. “Will you shut up!” he finally snapped.

He reached out and intercepted the white projectile as it flew past him, big hands wrapping around Mokona’s soft body. He drew the creature in close so they were eye to eye.

“It is too damn hot to be watching you bounce around like a ping-pong ball! So quit it!”

“Kurogane’s not being nice to Mokona!” the little creature wailed. It then glared right back at Kurogane. “Mokona doesn’t like it when Kurogane isn’t nice. Mokona is going to make Kurogane sorry for being nasty.”

It wriggled furiously, twisting in Kurogane’s grip so it was difficult to hold onto the creature as its body seemed to turn fluid within his hands.

“Stop that, you little monster!”

“Mokona is not a monster! Kurogane is a horrible, horrible person!”’

The little beast suddenly slipped free and leapt towards Kurogane who only had enough time to put up his hands to protect his face as two wide back paws struck with enough force to knock him over so he fell on his back.

“Damn it!” he roared, propping himself up on his elbows and glaring at Mokona where it sat on his chest. Its ears were hanging straight down and it had a dejected expression on its face which made the harsh words Kurogane had nearly said dry up.

“Kurogane doesn’t like Mokona anymore,” the white beast sniffled, one front paw coming up to rub at an eye.

Kurogane raised his eyes heavenward and sighed. “It’s not that I don’t like you,” he mumbled, not looking at Mokona. “It’s just too hot for these games.”

“Kuorgane likes Mokona?”

Kurogane looked at the creature this time to see it now wore a hopeful expression. It was really very childlike sometimes so Kurogane couldn’t really fault it, or stay angry with it, but at the same time he’d never been very good with children. He sighed again. Just how had he become the babysitter for this little beasty?

“Yeah,” he managed to finally say.

A broad smile spread over Mokona’s face. “Yay! Kurogane likes Mokona again!” It leapt onto Kurogane’s shoulder, nuzzling in under his chin, almost purring. “Mokona is sorry for bothering Kurogane.”

“Okay, okay,” Kurogane said, reaching up with one hand and trying to gently push the beast away. “That’s enough, all right. We’ve still got a job to do.”

“Mokona wants to say thank you to Kurogane for being friends again.”

“You can thank me later,” Kurogane said as he got to his knees to stand up.

“But Mokona can thank Kurogane now. Mokona can make Kurogane very happy!” Saying that Mokona suddenly dove down the front of Kurogane’s clothes.

“What….?!” Kurogane said, startled by this sudden action.

It wasn’t that it was unusual. As Mokona travelled on Kurogane most times when he had to hide he would secrete himself anywhere on Kurogane’s person. This often resulted with the creature ending up inside his clothes which had caused him some considerable discomfort at times when the beast wasn’t too careful where it was putting its feet. So it wasn’t that he was exactly shocked by Mokona’s actions.

“Come on, Mokona, will you get out of there?” he said, patting himself down. He could feel a trickle of sweat run down his spine as his irritation grew. “It’s too hot for this!” he yelled, hitting a little harder. He knew he wasn’t like to cause any harm to Mokona. The beast seemed indestructible, which it probably was.

“Mokona is going to make Kurogane feel happy. Mokona promised!” came the high voice as it drifted up from the depths of his clothing.

Kurogane felt the patting of paws as Mokona ran over his chest and stomach, soft fur brushing against bare skin, rubbing over his nipples and he shivered unconsciously. He mentally shook his head, trying to control himself. He could feel that his nipples had hardened at that touch but he tried to ignore it. It was just a normal reaction. Nothing more.

He forced his mind away from the sensations Mokona’s fur was creating in him. “I don’t want to feel happy so just get out!” he said through gritted teeth, glaring down at the bulge that was shifting around inside his clothing.

“No!” came Mokona’s defiant answer.

“Stop being so stubborn and get out!” Kurogane shouted, grabbing at the bump and trying to pull it away from his body.

“No!” Mokona’s shrill response echoed around them as paws dug into Kurogane’s clothing and held on tightly.

Kurogane felt warmth suddenly brush across his groin and he froze where he knelt, holding himself rigidly. He knew that warmth was Mokona, that it was the beast’s fur pressed against him. Still he couldn’t prevent his cock hardening.

“Oooh,” Mokona’s soft voice seemed loud in the stillness around him.

Kurogane tightly closed his eyes, trying to push all other thoughts to one side. He just had to control his own mind, concentrate on other things. He tried to run through the mental exercises he had been doing since childhood that brought calm to a warrior’s mind. He found his centre and began to slip into a semi-trance. That’s it. Just forget this. Concentrate.

He eyes sprang open suddenly as he felt light touches on his cock, four points of pressure that slowly ran up and then down its length making him shudder. He sucked in his breath at this unexpected contact and half hunched over as his body trembled again. He could feel his heartbeat increase immediately, his breathing sounding harsh in the air around him.

“Mokona,” he half groaned. “Stop…it.”

There was no reply from the hidden creature, only a steady stroking pressure that continued firmly on his stiffening shaft. He squeezed his eyes shut again, breathing through gritted teeth, swallowing hard. There was no way he could prevent the way his erection grew, filling out until it reached its full girth. He was panting now, blinking against the sweat that dripped into his eyes from his hairline.

“Ahh,” he groaned as the pressure rose to brush across the very tip of his cock, tickling over the slit, before he felt the touch of moisture that slid back down the length as his precum was smeared downwards.

Kurogane felt like his body was on fire, burning up from within, raging flames racing through his veins. He reached up, grasping the front of his tunic, fingers fumbling with the catches as he panted hard. As soon as they were released he jerked the material apart, head tipping back as the air touched the heated flesh of his torso.

“Hot,” he muttered to himself. “So hot!”

He remained where he knelt, eyes closed as the stroking continued along his erection. It had been so long since he’d been with a partner, so long since he had even taken himself in hand to relieve the growing tension. Travelling as they had been there had rarely been the time to deal with such matters. He dreaded being seen doing such a thing, worried that Sakura would be the one to catch him in such circumstances. That would be unbearably embarrassing. Then again he’d never hear the end of it if Fai was the one to find him doing such a thing. That man would probably use it to blackmail him into doing something he didn’t want to. So with such worries as those he had abstained for a long, long time.

Now, it was all too simple for his body to respond to this pleasurable pressure and heat being subjected upon it, easily drawing all those pent up desires to the surface, leaving him completely at its mercy. Not that he actually wanted to escape now. Not when his body knew what further pleasure could come of this, something which it had been deprived of for such a lengthy period of time.

The pressure and stroking began to increase, running up and down his full length from base to tip then returning. Kurogane sat back on his heels, body quivering, hands clenched in fists resting on his knees as every touch sent jolts of pleasure through every nerve ending. His hips lifted of their own accord, trying to thrust forward into that touch, eagerly seeking more.

He moaned then as he tried to lean back further. The pressure around his waist was becoming uncomfortable as the tightness of his trousers cut into his flesh. With Mokona’s body pressed between the waistband and Kurogane’s body, stretching the material to full capacity already, every movement he made caused it to press tighter against him.

He brought his hands up and tugged at the ties that held it firm around his waist, cursing a little under his breath as the tautness kept them tight and difficult to release. His irritation grew as the pressure in his groin increased. With a final wrench he snapped the last tie, ignoring the frayed ends, simply sighing with the release of the pressure.

“Ahh!” He breathed deeply, feeling the waft of cooler air as it flowed across his groin now that the material had slipped down over his hips.

Kurogane could feel Mokona shift around now, nestling in more comfortably in his lap. The creature’s paws were still stoking him, now moving far more freely. Obviously it must have been restricting for Mokona also.

“Ahh,”’ he moaned again, hips thrusting upwards into that soft touch. He wanted to reach his climax; he desperately wanted to reach that moment. It had been too long since he’d felt that flood of relief, that sense of completion, that heightened feeling of ecstasy. He’d waited long enough.

He felt Mokona shift again but didn’t look down, concentrating only on the rapid stroking on his aching cock. Suddenly he felt a gust of heat, hotter than the air around them, and then a touch of moisture, before that heat engulfed the tip of his cock.

“Argh!” Kurogane cried out, back arching as he automatically thrust into that moist heat, causing it to slide down his length further. His hands fell behind him, supporting him as his tunic slithered from his shoulders to pool around his wrists where his hands lay flat on the ground. That moist heat slipped upwards, before plunging down again, this time a little lower. Kurogane shuddered as his hips shook and he bit back on another cry. The moistness slid up, teasing around the flared head, lipping at the slit, before enclosing around his girth again and sliding downwards once more, always going just a little lower.

As this motion sped up, Kurogane lifted one hand and reached out, fingers sliding into the soft fur of Mokona’s body. He could feel the body heat emanating from the small creature, could feel the bobbing movement as Mokona continued to suck him.

His hips continue to thrust upwards in time to that motion, not concerned that he would cause the creature to choke. He had seen how wide Mokona’s mouth could open and what could come out of it. He may be considered well-endowed but he was realistic enough to admit that he was unlikely to be a problem for Mokona. Up to this point the creature didn’t seem to be having any trouble accommodating him.

Kurogane knew that he probably should be disgusted by what was happening. He was a man, a warrior. He should be with beautiful women, or comrades in arms, not with beasts. He’d never entertained such interests yet despite that he also couldn’t conjure up the desire to stop this. He wasn’t deluding himself in thinking this was anything other than what it was. He knew it was Mokona doing this to him. He knew it was Mokona’s mouth wrapped around his hard cock, lapping at his precum as it seeped from his body. He knew all that but it still felt good, and at the moment that is all that mattered.

He moaned again as the pressure and speed increased further. He didn’t try to hold back now. He wasn’t trying to outlast anyone or try to hold on to bring pleasure to someone else first. Mokona was doing this for him and just for him, so it was in his own time and his own choosing and no-one else’s.

Kurogane’s hips continued to thrust up as he held Mokona in place with one hand, not forcing the creature but able to feel every bobbing motion which only intensified his pleasure. He let out a trembling groan as he felt what must have been Mokona’s tongue wrap around his cock, running in counterpoint to the bobbing of Mokona’s mouth, making him jerk uncontrollably.

As Kurogane felt his climax draw closer his whole body began to shake and jerk. His head tipped back further, stretching his neck back, his dark hair falling away from his sweat sheened face. The arm that he had been leaning on quivered from the exertion of holding his body in this awkward position all this time, supporting him against every jerk and shudder. With a deep groan he finally gave up, letting that arm collapse, causing him to fall backwards.

The cool dirt against his back was in startling contrast to the heat pooling at his groin. Mokona hadn’t ceased its motion and Kurogane still kept one hand clutched in its soft fur. He jerked in surprise as he now felt other light touches on his body. He opened his eyes and looked down his body to see Mokona’s long ears now slowly trail up his body. They seemed to have a life of their own and Kurogane had had no idea that Mokona could make them move in such a way.

He let his eyes close again, savouring these new touches. He felt those soft appendages slide over his stomach, the tickling sensation making him suck in his breath, tightening his abdomen muscles. They continued upwards, moving outwards to trace each of his ribs on either side before circling back towards his sternum. They moved higher still, leaving warm, thin paths along his flesh. He felt them ghost outwards again, this time rubbing over his hardened nipples. He moaned softly as they paused there and began to lightly tease those nubs. Those feathery touches made him shake with further desire, sending jolts of need directly to his groin, making his cock twitch in Mokona’s mouth in response.

Mokona began to pleasure him in earnest now; by mouth, tongue and ears. Every part of his body that Mokona touched felt enflamed, the blood pounded in his ears so loudly it was deafening. He could hear his harsh breathing, punctuated by gasps and soft moans. He had no time to feel embarrassed about making such sounds. All that was important was that point of pleasure that he was racing towards.

His hips bucked upwards as he groaned loudly, hand clenching in the dirt at his side. He felt his body begin to shake harder, the familiar tightening in his testicles. Then his body jerked, back arching, as his hips thrust hard upwards. A strangled cry ripped from his throat, sounding almost like he was in pain, although too much pleasure could surely bring pain he supposed. His cock spasmed, pulsing as it released the streams of cum into Mokona’s waiting mouth, tongue lapping it up making Kurogane jerk at each additional contact as his release continued to be drawn from him.

He bucked up again, teeth clamping down on his bottom lip to hold back his cries, eyes squeezed shut as his orgasm continued. Finally the last drop was wrung from him, his body collapsing back to the ground, his lower back muscles already aching as he panted for breath. He lay there like that, chest heaving, skin chilling as the sweat coating his body evaporated in the growing breeze.

Kurogane felt Mokona move, that small source of warmth softly walking up his chest. He shivered for a moment at the touch of coldness across his limp cock which till now had been embedded in warmth all this time. He felt Mokona snuggle under his chin, the hard touch of the gem embedded in its forehead.

“Did Mokona make Kurogane happy?” Mokona asked softly.

Kurogane lifted a hand and rested it on the little creature, patting it lightly. “Yeah,” he said simply. What else could he say?

“That makes Mokona happy then,” it purred with satisfaction. “Mokona likes Kurogane very much.”


Fai looked up as the rain lashed against the roof and the wind howled. So far the roof of their temporary home was standing up to the tempest that raged outside. The storm had come in with more force than any of them had expected and far quicker than Syaoran had anticipated. Luckily Fai had brought in a good supply of firewood from the shed outside, laying it down in the main room of the hut. He wouldn’t have liked having to go out in this to get more and that was something that Syaoran had been quite correct in. Once the first impact of the storm had hit the heat of the day had swiftly disappeared and the temperature had plummeted from what it had been. It had resulted in a chill settling in very quickly.

“I wonder if Kurogane is all right,” Sakura said quietly, looking at the door worriedly.

Fai turned a bright smile to her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Kurogane will be fine. No doubt he’ll be back shortly.”

Despite his cheerful words to Sakura, Fai was a little worried himself. He hoped that Kurogane hadn’t got caught unawares by this strange weather.

Suddenly there was a loud thump against the front door, forceful enough to make the timbers shudder, making them all jump. Sakura let out a little ‘eek’ before covering her mouth with her hands, looking a little embarrassed. Syaoran had immediately placed himself between the door and Sakura, crouched in a defensive stance. The thump came again and then suddenly the door swung inwards violently, swinging back and forth rapidly. A looming shadow stood in the doorway, the lightening flashes illuminating it as it seemed to grow larger even as they watched.

“Open up next time someone knocks!” a deep booming voice roared over the sound of the storm and the shadow stepped forward into the flickering light of the lit lamps revealing Kurogane.

He turned and wrestled with the door, pushing it shut against the wind rushing in. Syaoran stepped forward and assisted and between the two of them they finally had the door secured tightly, this time Kurogane dropping the latch down securely.

Kurogane brushed at his cloak, shaking himself to rid himself of the water clinging to him, before pushing the wet hair plastered to his face back.

“You’re soaked!” Sakura said, standing and coming forward. “Come and sit by the fire to dry off. Take off your cloak.” She took the cloak and draped it over a chair, drawing it closer to the fire also so it could dry. Fai dropped a dry blanket around Kurogane’s shoulders as he sat cross-legged before the fire.

“Cosy!” Mokona said, appearing from beneath the front of Kurogane’s tunic and hopping down the ground. “Sakura has made everything like a real home. Mokona likes it!” It began to bounce around exploring the freshly cleaned room.

“We thought you had got lost out there,” Fai said with a smile, resuming his seat before the fire.

“As if,” Kurogane said with a snort. “By the way, there’s plenty of water in buckets at the back door.” He sneezed and wiped at his nose with the back of his hand.

“So you found some nearby?” Fai questioned, as Sakura stirred the pot of simmering food over the fire and Syaoran cracked open the back door to drag the buckets of water inside.

“It wasn’t that far away,” Kurogane said, accepting the cracked bowl Sakura offered him. “There was a creek that had got jammed up so once I cleared that it flowed fine. It just took a bit of pumping to make the damn thing remember how to work!”

“Thank you for the water,” Sakura said, kneeling before Kurogane. “I’m sorry you were caught in the storm. You must be so cold.”

“No,” Kurogane said, lifting a spoonful of broth to his lips. “Mokona kept me warm.”

“Isn’t that nice of Mokona,” Fai said with a laugh. “I guess the two of you are getting along now.”

Mokona suddenly appeared on Kurogane’s shoulder, snuggling in against his cheek. “Mokona will make sure to keep Kurogane warm from now on,” it said in a serious tone. “Mokona promises that always.”

“I’m sure Kurogane will appreciate your efforts,” Fai replied to it with a smile. He stood and turned to move to assist Syaoran with the water. “Although the heat can sometimes be too overwhelming if you’re not careful.”

Kurogane looked up, watching as Fai moved away, then turned to meet Mokona’s open eyes. “The heat, huh?” he said under his breath. “Sometimes you just can’t escape the heat.”

He turned and lifted another spoonful of broth to his lips, blowing on it first to cool it as Mokona curled in tight against his neck.

“Mokona will always be here, Kurogane,” it murmured against his skin. “I promise.”


~End~