Love Across Time: Hidden Royalty

Disclaimer: I do not own the Rayearth characters, just my story idea.

Chapter 3: Glowing Embers

Lantis looked down worriedly at Hikaru's sleeping form. It had been four days since Umi had "disappeared." That was how everyone referred to the deaths of the two Knights. Every night since then, Hikaru had cried herself to sleep. She made to attempt to disguise the pain and grief, which shone so blatantly in her eyes. Standing up from his chair, Lantis stretched his stiff muscles. He had been watching over her the past four nights, trying to help ease her pain. Walking over to the window, he pushed back the curtain to let in the morning light. He watched the sun clear the horizon and begin its climb into the sky.

"I believe she did better last night." Lantis was slightly startled by Rayearth's voice and turned his attention to the huge wolf that had appeared beside him.

"I think it was about the same," said Lanits sadly, "The days are the same." Rayearth said nothing and walked back over to his Knight's bed. Lantis watched absently, as Rayearth sat down watching her attentively, his ears turning at the slightest sound. Hikaru had called to the rune god when Umi had disappeared, and since that day he had not left her side.

"Lantis," said Rayearth, "Get some sleep. She won't be waking up any time soon."

"But, if she wakes up..." Lantis started to argue.

"If she does, I will send for you. Go. You will be of no use, if you don't get some sleep," he urged pushing Lantis towards the door. Reluctantly Lantis did as he was told, and after on last look in her direction he left the room.

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Hikaru opened her eyes, once the door closed behind Lantis, and let her tears spill over onto her cheeks. She had been awake the moment he had opened her window, but she had kept her eyes shut, just wanting to be alone with her thoughts. And as usual, her thoughts turned once again to Umi and Fuu. Some how she could not resign herself to the idea that they were gone, but the reality of the matter was that they were. "I'm all alone," she whispered sadly.

"Are you?" asked Rayearth.

"Don't get Lantis," she said avoiding his question, "I'd rather just have you guarding me for a while. Besides, like you said he needs rest."

"So you did overhear us. I thought you were awake. I won't get him just yet, I have a question to ask you." Rayearth studied her a moment, as she sat up, propping pillows behind her. "Tell me Hikaru, and think carefully before you answer, how do you feel?" Hikaru closed her eyes thinking over his question.

"I feel as if I've reached the end…" her voice started to break as she continued. "There is no hope…no light…just loneliness." Hikaru looked over to Rayearth, "I know it is natural for me to feel sad, because of Umi and Fuu, but I feel so lost."

Rayearth placed one of his paws over her clasped hands, "There is always hope." Hikaru nodded slowly, giving a weak smile. "Now get dressed, and I'll take you to breakfast. We'll get Lantis afterwards. I'll go get Caldina now. She wanted to be with you today." Hikaru silently watched him leave, before pulling herself out of bed.

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"What!" yelled Lantis, as Clef finished speaking. "You found out why Umi and Fuu disappeared."

Clef motioned for Lantis to lower his voice, "Yes, I have. Gather everyone together in the throne room."

"What's going on?" both men turned to find Rayearth standing behind them.

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'Here we go,' thought Clef as he looked over his friends that were sitting around the throne room. "I was reading over some old books that were about the history of Cephiro. As I was reading, I found some rules for the Magic Knights. I had told these rules to the girls, but there was one I had forgotten about." Taking a deep breath Clef walked over to where Hikaru sat. "Hikaru," he said picking up her hand, "It is forbidden for a Magic Knight to fall in love with a man of Cephiro. If she does the penalty is death."

Hikaru slowly shook her head, as she started to fully grasp the meaning of his words.

"I'm sorry Hikaru, but," "No!" shouted Hikaru jerking her hand out of Clef's. "That's not true!"

"Fuu loved Ferio. Umi loved Eagle. Hikaru look what happened to them," said Clef.

"Eagle wasn't from Cephiro." Hikaru challenged.

"To Cephiro he was. He entered the test to be the pillar. When he did that, the proof recognized him as it's own. As a man of Cephiro." The room fell silent as Hikaru got up from her chair and walked slowly towards the balcony that was off to the side of the room.

'I broke the same rule.' Hikaru thought as her hand reached for the handle on the door. Turning around she looked over to Lantis, with tears shinning in her eyes. Suddenly panic, desperation, and fear clouded her mind and her breathing quickened. Rayearth was saying something to Clef, but Hikaru couldn't hear them. "Their deaths were out of my control but I can decide my own!" she shouted running out of the room. Once reaching her room, she locked the door and called out her sword.

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"Quickly, follow her!" shouted Rayearth running after Hikaru. Once reaching her room, Rayearth wasted no time breaking down the door. Hikaru stood by her bed, sword in hand.

"Hikaru don't!" shouted Lantis.

"Fire Wall!" she yelled raising her hand, and a barrier formed in front of her. It was transparent and all anyone could do was watch as Hikaru laid her sword on the bed and then lay down next to it.

"No!" shouted Lantis pulling out his sword and charging at the wall. But his sword barely made a dent. Rayearth charged as well, his horn pierced the wall, but once the wolf's head pushed through, the wall would not yield any more. He could only watch as Hikaru directed one of her arrows to her heart. Once the arrow hit, the wall disappeared and Lantis was at her side.

Hikaru struggled to breath; everything seemed to become so clear to her. 'What have I done?' A evil voice filled her head, "It's all over! I've done it!" it laughed . 'It was her!' was Hikaru's last thought as darkness crowded in.

As her eyes closed, her body and sword were incased in flames and disappeared. Rayearth howled, shaking the room. Lantis punched the wall and sank to the floor where he sat till Eagle and Lafarga took him to his room.

As Rayearth disappeared, revenge was on his mind. "I must speak with Windom and Selece. I think I know who is behind this. In fact I a sure of it."

A/N: No panicking, remember I already promised the girls aren't dead. Next chapter we will find out who was behind the girls disappearances, and an old enemy will be defeated, once and for all.