Sleep Well (Fai gen) *repost*

[storypaint]

Comm: 50fantastic
Words: 314
Title: Sleep Well
Theme: 2. and Tsubasa! Sakura and Fai ^^ (I prefer not pairing, but whatever ^^;) [evercool]
Series: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle
Character/Pairing: Fai introspective on Sakura (no pairing)
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle belongs to CLAMP. This fanfic is a derivative of canon material that is not my property. I do not profit from these writings. The opinions and actions expressed in these stories are not necessarily the views and beliefs of the original author or me.

I am a boy, a boy pretending not to be a dangerous magician, a boy pretending that Ashura will never wake.

Sakura's never really had a mother, and it's strange of me to think of myself like that, but I do. She needs gentle guidance, reassurance, and it is that I can provide.

She is such a child still. It fascinates me to see how far from childhood Syaoran has come, and there she stays. He is a man, really, in the proper way to measure things, by truth and not by years. A boy takes, and a man protects. Syaoran is a man.

I am a boy, a boy pretending not to be a dangerous magician, a boy pretending that Ashura will never wake. My wish was that of a child-- to never return to that place, even though I knew that there would be trouble, that loyal Chi would give more than she has to protect me.

Sakura sleeps easily beside me. Big Kitty, Little Kitty. She follows me around and I try to guide her. It won't make up for my boyish, desperate wish, or the things I have done in the past.

I pat her head and she leans into the warmth. The word on her lips is "Syaoran," a word which makes me smile. If he can put the past away, then they can make a future. Memories, in the end, will put her back together, but it won't push those two apart. They are destined.

He and Kurogane are out tonight, seeking another feather, and this sweet girl unknowingly sleeps beside a monster, like too many women do in my world, and in many others.

She would sleep beside a monster, were I to sleep, but I will be vigilant until the puppies return, carefully bearing life for her, one fragile feather at a time.

I have taken enough in this life. Now it is time to protect what I have. Sleep well, Sakura. I will guard your dreams.