CHAPTER TWO: A VOICE INSIDE

"Ferio? Clef?"

Umi bade goodbye to Hikaru and Fuu after they ate inside the parfait shop just near the Tokyo tower. But before she went home, she decided to stop by the Tokyo tower alone, and watch the amazing view from above.

The green haired boy looked at Umi with familiar eyes.

"Umi!" the boy shouted.

Everyone inside the lobby was staring at them – No, staring at the three of them!

"Those boys are wearing such strange clothes." A woman from her 30's whispered to herself.

"Why are they laying there? Are they filming or something?" another one whispered. Every person that passes by stares at them weirdly and made rude comments.

Finally, the lavender haired boy woke up. "Ngghh…" he mumbled.

He opened his eyes and studied the place he was now in. He just sighed. "Just as I thought; we've been sent to another world." He muttered to himself. He started to stand up, and took his staff.

"You sure were."

Clef was taken aback by this retort. It was an awfully familiar voice. He turned around, and was surprised to see a tall, blue-haired young girl. It was Umi. Umi Ryuuzaki.

"U-Umi?..."

"In flesh." She smiled. But her smile instantly faded when she realized that they were attracting a big crowd. Everyone – I mean, everyone was now literally staring at them.

"Hey,you there!" Even the security guard of the tower was attracted by their presence in the lobby.

"In any case, let's get out of here, before you guys would end up in jail!" Umi grabbed Clef's wrist and dragged him out of the lobby. Ferio followed the bluette. "HEY! I'm still here 'ya know!" he shouted at Umi, who was unaware of the young lad's slow pace. He was seriously being left behind.


After sometime of running, they find themselves finally isolated in a nearby park. There were no people around – No people to fuss over the two strange looking boys who actually fell from the skies from that beam of light.

"You guys, just what exactly are you doing here? And I thought that the 'two worlds cannot be connected 'saying was true?" she said while mocking Clef's voice.

Clef ignored her 'little mock' and was struggling to breathe air. He nearly ran out of air, after that horrendous running. Not to mention, he just ran out of air after nearly drowning in the pond along with Ferio.

"The pond sucked us in and after that, BAM! We're here." Ferio explained.

Umi just stared at him funny. "Yeah, right. I'm sure you transported yourselves here!" she pointed out.

"Why in the world would we want to do that?" Clef finally retorted.

His retort made Umi flinch. Just the sounds of his voice, once again made her long forgotten feelings resurface. It was just unfair. How can he just come back like that out of the blue and make her healing heart beat once again? He wouldn't care anyways, so why was she feeling hopeful? She was moving on from him, and yet he comes back again to break her heart. That was just unfair!

"W-well.." Umi stammered. Clef was now gazing at her direction. At a moment, their eyes met, but Umi looked away from the young mage's gaze. She was afraid to be sucked down again by his deep blue eyes and afraid that he would know what she truly felt.

"Oh I would. I would definitely do anything just to see Fuu once again." Ferio, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere between the two, commented.

"Of course you would, typical of you, Prince Ferio." Clef said as a-matter-of-factly.

Clef sighed. "I can't open a portal going back to Cephiro, nor do any powerful spells at the mean time. The pond drained almost all of my powers." He clenched at his staff.

"I guess it would take a while until I get them back. For now, we will have to stay in this world, Ferio." He looked at Ferio with a rather shameful smile.

Umi just sighed. She definitely cannot deny the inevitable. Guess this means, she would go back again to square one; having her unreciprocated love, once again. But, of course she has other problems to deal with right now; like where in this world would this two stay for the mean time? They can't possibly just stay in the streets. Or can they? The sun was also setting, it means, she has little time to think where these two would stay temporarily until they can find a way to get back.

"I guess there's no helping it. Both of you has to stay at my house for the mean time. Besides, I have a big house, anyways." Umi started to walk. She looked back at the two boys.

"Are you coming or what?" she called out at the two.

"Guess we'll be in your care for now, Ms. Umi." Clef smiled at Umi.

Umi blushed a hundred layers of red. Fortunately, he wasn't able to see that, because she turned her face around at the nick of time.


"I'm home." Umi greeted at her mom as she entered the living room.

"Oh good you're home, sweetie!" her mom called out. "Come here in the kitchen and help me out, please?"

"Umm, can I ask a favour, mom?" she asked.

Her mom looked at her quizzically. "What is it, dear?"

"Well, I have these two friends of mine outside. They actually have no place to stay in the moment, so I was thinking if maybe I could let them stay here for a while?" she sweetly smiled at her mother.

"Friends? Where are they? Let them in, sweetie." She smiled.

"Ah, sure. Ferio Clef, come on in!" she shouted.

Right before Mrs. Ryuuzaki was a lavender haired kid and a green haired kid who is taller than the other. She presumed the lavender haired child was no more than 11 years old, while the other looked like somewhere at the same age as Umi.

"How adorable!" she snugged up and carried Clef with ease, as if he was really an eleven-year old child.

"AH! P-put me down right this instant! I am not a kid!" Clef protested. He swore that he saw at the end of his eye; Umi and Ferio were holding back a laugh. He mentally took note to himself that he'd kill them later.

"Young child, May I know what your name is?" she asked.

"I am Master Mage Cle – Mpphhff!"

"Ohhh. He's Clef." Umi batted her eyelashes at her mother as she struggles to keep Clef shut.

"I am Prince Feri – Ouuuch!" Ferio instantly took a hold of his foot where Umi stepped on.

"H-He's Ferio, mom." She stammered.

"Keep it low you guys! Here, your titles or whatsoever are useless, so keep the titles to yourself, do you understand that?" she whispered to both of the boys.

"Oh wonderful~! Since the both of you are going to stay here, you're lucky to be able to eat Umi-chan's cooking! She's a good cook. But she excels in baking." Mrs. Ryuuzaki cheerfully announced.

"Ah! But before that, I have a favour, Umi-chan."

"What is it?" she faced her mom.

"Can I borrow Clef-chan for the night? Since your daddy's not here for today, I thought I might as well sleep together with your cute little friend here! Oh he's just so adorable." She sweetly smiled.

"B-B-B-B-B-B-B-Borrow C-c-c-c-c-c-Clef? Are you sure! I mean…" Umi faltered.

Ferio was holding another laugh and was turning bright red at Mrs. Ryuuzaki's request. Not only that it was a rather funny situation for the Master Mage of all of Cephiro sleeping with a Magic Knight's mother, but also because, she thought that Guru Clef was still an innocent kid! She doesn't know that he's actually over the age of 745!

Clef shot death glares at Ferio's direction, and Pillar, if looks could only kill; Ferio was probably a ground beef by now.

"I just want someone to cuddle with tonight. Is it much of a problem, Clef-chan?" Mrs. Ryuuzaki asked.

Umi and Ferio's eyes were now at Clef's. Well, it is up to Clef to decide.

Clef made a loli-shota's face and smiled. "Of course, Mrs. Ryuuzaki, It's a pleasure!"

Umi's face just literally fell. It really fell on the depths of the earth – more like to the depths of hell itself.

She grabbed Clef's hand. "What do you think you're doing! You do know oh so well that was my mom!" she whispered.

Clef just gave her a knowing look. "I know that. And it's been years since I've last had a good night." Clef snickered at the bluette. He released himself from Umi's grip and followed Umi's mother into the kitchen. Ferio looked at Umi with a rather puzzled face.

Umi knew oh so well that it was just her mother, but she can't shake of the feeling of jealousy inside her. Sure, what her mom really meant was a companion to sleep beside her for the night, but her jealousy was slowly eating her inside. Not only that, it hurts even more when he said those words. It's been years since I've had a good night. He knew what she felt about him. Was that really necessary? Oh fudge crumbs. If only she can hide these feelings again and have no remorse, she think she can live peacefully with that. But no, he just had to appear again, just when she was starting to move on from him! Pillar, she was already finding these feelings quite a bother!


"In the meantime, until all of Clef's powers are back, that's when they can probably go back to Cephiro." Umi reassured Hikaru and Fuu over the phone. Things like this were not really meant to wait. It had to be discussed right now. Heck, it was only Fuu who was pretty excited to see Ferio-her-love tomorrow. Eek. Being all love sick? That's just not her thing.

"So I guess we have a big day tomorrow, huh?" Ferio mumbled while resting on the couch.

"Big day? Yeah, I guess you can say that; A big reunion with you and your Fuu." Umi mocked.

"Hey hey. Don't get all bitter on me now, just because Clef's sleeping with your mom." Ferio teased. Did he really have to remind her that? Not that it matters to Umi though. She did say she's getting over the mage. There was no way she would be affected again with whatever he does.

Umi stood up from her seat, and started heading out of the guest's room. "If you need anything, just knock on my door, okay?" she reminded him.

"Y-yeah." It was all Ferio can mutter. Dang, she didn't have to get all upset over that. He thought.

Umi was walking towards her room when she saw a silhouette of a small boy. Small boy? Heck. That's just Clef for heaven's sake. She thought to herself.

"Hey, what are you still doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in my mom's care, little boy?" she mocked.

Clef gave her a glare. "I don't need your mocking. I was just enjoying myself with this drink your mother gave me. Although I think I've drank something like this back in Cephiro… "He stared at the beverage like a curious little boy, but with the mere sight of it, Umi's heart leaped a little bit. He was very adorable indeed.

"It's just milk, Clef. Don't tell me you think it was some kind of magical drink or something." Umi managed a laugh.

"Milk? Is it a cow's or a goat's?" he innocently asked.

"I think it's a cow's milk. Heck, you're acting like a little boy right now, despite your real age!" she laughed harder. It was really a funny sight to see to think that this boy right in front of her was actually a century-old man!

"I-I've never actually grown accustomed to your world you know. I mean, there are things here that I don't usually see back in Cephiro, like this, te-le-vi-sion thing." He pouted. He really hates it when he doesn't know anything. Especially things that he never knew existed, and he never knew of it. He really hates being outsmarted and he has some kind of superiority complex over others. Some kid he is.

Now, Umi was just laughing so hard with Clef's innocence in their world. It was just so funny and cute to see at the same time.

Finally, he finished his drink. He stood up and went straight to the kitchen. Umi followed him down.

"Why are you following me like some kind of dog?" he asked.

"I'm just checking if there are still things you're never grown accustomed to, Master Mage Clef." She mocked. She was seriously having fun with teasing him. Pillar, it only happens once when this stubborn little guy's acting all innocent and cute just because he's in another world he's never been to!

"In any case, I'm going to sleep now. Good night, Clef." She yawned as she went upstairs to her room.

"Okay, good night, Umi." He smiled at her. This made Umi blush once again. But she was holding back. She can't afford herself to lose again to this feeling. Never again!

"Holding back is good. Know your limits, Umi-chan."

Umi stopped at her tracks when she heard a voice echoed through her ears. Was she just imagining it? She just shrugged it off and proceeded to her room.


During the night, Umi was dreaming of standing in a cloudy place where there was only a dim light to illuminate the place she was standing at. It was foggy and cloudy. But it was clear to her that someone was laughing and giggling somewhere near. She started running to look for the voice that was haunting her even before she got back from Cephiro that fateful day. Ever since their arrival, she'd been hearing laughing and giggling in her dreams; even when she's awake. But she just shrugs it off, thinking it was just probably the wind.

"Umi, find me if you can. If you do, I have a big surprise for you. Hahahaha." The voice said. The tone of the voice sounded much like Umi, but it had a heavier and darker tone then Umi's real voice.

It was driving her nuts. Not only because it getting annoying day by day, repeating almost every same line, it also reminds her that her love is unreciprocated; in other words, she is not loved by the person who, she cherishes the most. She knew that already, that's why she's trying to forget everything she's ever felt about him. She's trying to move on from her heart break.

Finally, the laughs became louder and clearer, the voice must be nearby! Umi thought. But she was surprised when she found herself looking at a reflection of her; it wasn't only her refection that was in the scene, there was also, Clef. And to her horror, she saw herself stabbing Clef in the chest and was laughing maniacally over his dead body.

"NOOOOOO!" Umi screamed at the top of her throat. As she helplessly try to reach out to Clef's dead body.

"YESS. That's how it should be, right, Umi-chan? Killing him off would ease your anxieties! If he's gone, then you'll be happy!" the voice even grew darker and darker by the second.

"Umi."

"N-Noooo! I can't - !" she stammered.

"Umi!"

Umi's eyes flung open, waking to reality. She scanned the room to see if her reflection was still there to haunt her, to her relief, she saw Clef looking at her worriedly.

"You were having a nightmare so I –"he muttered.

Unconsciously, Umi wrapped Clef into a tight hug. "I'm glad you're okay…"

"What happened? Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes. I am now." She looked at Clef with a rather worried look on her face, and covered herself back into her sheets.

"You can go back to you room. I'm okay." Her tone was icy and cold.

"I guess. Sleep well, Umi." He retreated to the door, still worried about the girl. But he can't argue with her right now. Even he himself was tired from everything that had happened that day. He couldn't afford to himself to fall sick at a time like this.


"You're not going to my school!" Umi protested.

"We have to, Umi. That way, we can also learn things from this world!" Ferio retorted.

"NO WAY." She countered.

"But, Umiiiiiiii!" Ferio whined.

"Puh-lease, you just want to see Fuu for yourself, don't 'cha?" she snickered.

"Well, there's that, too. But Master Mage Clef agreed to my idea as well!" he insisted.

"No! I can't just possibly –"

"Umi-chan!" a voice shouted outside their gate.

"Ah! Satsuki-kun." Umi waved to the young lad. Ferio was caught aback by her sudden movement.

"Who's that? He looks eerily familiar though." Ferio whispered to Umi. Clef was now outside the house along with Ferio and Umi. He was also curious about how the education in this world was like. He wanted to learn himself, so he didn't decide against Ferio's idea.

Clef looked at the man who was standing outside the Ryuuzaki residence and to Umi. Umi and Ferio's expression was something hard to paint, so he figured that they might be confused about whom this young lad reminds them of.

"He's a splitting image of Eagle Vision."

Umi and Ferio flinched the moment they heard Clef's voice from behind.

"What do you mean he's a splitting image of –" Ferio stopped and realized what the mage had told him was true. He took another glance at the man's face, and he did see the word 'Eagle Vision' tampered all over his face.

"Wow. How is that possible? Isn't Eagle dead?" he awed in realization.

"As far as I know, people who died from our world are reborn as another creature or person in other worlds. This time, Eagle Vision was now reborn – or rather, Eagle's soul took over this man's body and made it as its own host." He explained.

"So what you're trying to tell me is, there is a possibility that this guy over there is Eagle Vision himself!" Ferio cried.

"A 98% possibility. That is however, if he still acquires Eagle Vision's memories, then it is certain that this man is Eagle himself. But if he does not possess any memory of his past life, it's possible that he only has the physical appearance of Eagle; nothing more, nothing less." He elaborated.

"In any case, both of you stay here at home. You can't come to school, you heard that?" Umi reminded them.

"But -!" Ferio tried to protest, but before he could even do so, Umi was now out of the gates of her house and was now walking to school with Eagle's present form. Or rather, with Satsuki Narumi.

Ferio heaved a big sigh. "There goes my chance to spend time with Fuu for the whole day." He mumbled.

CREAAAK!

Ferio turned around to see Clef walking away. He was going to follow Umi!

"M-Master Mage Clef! Are you going to follow Umi?" Ferio asked.

Clef turned around. "Are you coming or what?"

Ferio grinned at this statement. "What? Are you jealous or something that Umi's getting over you with that so-called Eagle Vision II?" Ferio teased.

Clef just gave him a blank look. "What?" Ferio asked.

"Nothing. Let's just go."

"Was it something I said?" Ferio thought. Was it?