Here

By Any Unborn Child

Ever since happening upon the magical world of Cephiro, Umi Ryuuzaki did not know what to expect.

She did not expect the haberdashery of supernatural powers she obtained.

She did not expect the company of her friends Fuu and Hikaru with her, and for them to garner such powers as well.

She did not expect to have her and her friends save the world of Cephiro, an ancient land with just as much history as any of the countries in the known world.

She did not expect to meet such strange people, among them some of the most kindly (and some of the most despicable) she had ever met in her life.

But…most of all…

She did not expect to meet him.

Not by a long shot.

She would never have thought of meeting someone as impetuous, as thick-headed, as infuriating, and as unabashedly….

…she couldn't think of anything.

That is, until recently.

She and Clef did not start out well – they had evolved from being rivals to comrades to…whatever it is they were now.

For what they were, the colors of turquoise and violet were quick to run deep, amalgamating together to form a relationship based on the most unlikely of pairings.

He was thoughtful while she was rash.

He was kind-hearted while she could use a few tips on niceness.

He was one to look for heaven, searching the skies while she was one to look to the ground if reminded of any of her kind acts.

He was mysterious while she was straight to the point.

They….were stubborn but loyal – almost to a fault.

They…were a calming force – amongst their individual groups, and with each other.

It was the occasion of Clef's collapse when Umi first started to realize her feelings for him. There was just so much going on at the same time, so much blood on the ground, so much at stake, and so much tugging at her spirit, her heartstrings, her sanity; all she wanted was for Clef to be all right.

All she wanted was for Clef to be all right.

All she wanted was for Clef to be all right.

Clutching his hand.

Wiping the sweat off of his brow.

Holding on tight.

Not wanting to let go.

What did it all mean?

She didn't know.

She didn't know.

How could she at her age?

How could she at all?

All she knew was that she did not want to be alone.

She did not want to be abandoned. Not again.

She did not want to abandon anyone, or for anyone she knew to realize that pain, that pain that sought the weakest of humans, and crushed their willpower, their spirit, their innermost peace, and break it forever.

It had taken her some time, but she finally realized it:

She did not want to do that to Clef.

She wanted him to know that she would be with him.

Whatever it took.

She wanted to improve herself for him.

Whatever it took.

She wanted him to know that she was here.

Here.

Where she knew she belonged.