Disclaimer: Magic Knight Rayearth belongs to CLAMP. Not me. This sucky poem does, though. So no steal (I doubt anybody will, though...)
*~*~*~*~*~*
Untitled
Hold my hand and come with me
I'll show you things you'll want to see
You'll find me with you from now on
This I promise you, I won't do you wrong
Let me show you things, faces anew
People you know, I'll show you a few
Your friends from the past, are with you now
This I can make it be, I'll show you how
Here we are, together once more
To be happy with, love and galore
So we stick together, hand in hand
We'll fight together, and form a band
*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter Four: Reunion
Umi and Hikaru were about to leave when Umi felt somebody grab a hold of her arm. She turned around. "What is it, Clef?" she asked.
Ferio and Hikaru had already walked down the hall, leaving the two to talk.
"I just wanted to tell you that I... I wasn't angry at you. I was just a bit surprised, Umi. So I, too, apologize for walking out, and giving you mixed ideas."
Umi smiled and nodded. "Is that all?" she asked. "You weren't mad at me?" she asked happily.
"Yes. I hope that you can forgive me for that," he told her.
"It's no big deal, Clef. Okay then. I'm just glad that you weren't mad at me. I gotta go to Caldina's now. See ya!" she yelled, and ran off.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I say this pink one is nice," Caldina said. "Or maybe-"
"Sorry!" Umi said, rushing in. "I'm here!"
"Took you long enough," Presea said. Hikaru turned around. "Hey!" she smiled. "I didn't mean to leave you, but I know you probably wanted to be left along to talk."
Umi nodded. "Thanks, Hikaru. It's wasn't that big of a deal, but thanks anyway."
"Why?" Fuu asked, twirling around in front of a mirror, wearing an elegant green dress. "What were you and Clef talking about?"
Caldina's room was huge. There was a door that led to a large closet, containing many clothes. The closet was like a hallway, leading in on one door, and back out on another door. Caldina was in there, rummaging through.
"It was nothing," Umi said.
"Well... now that you're here..." Caldina smiled, walking out of the closet, holding a dress in her hands. "Why don't you... TRY ON THIS DRESS?!" she yelled, shoving a blue dress in her face.
Umi smiled nervously and backed up. "But... I don't want to wear a dress..." she laughed.
"But that's what everybody's here to do!" Caldina said. "It's for fun! Might even help lighten you up a bit."
"What are you trying to say?!" Umi glared at her.
The rest of them laughed.
"Just try it, Umi," Fuu said. "You might look good in it."
"But..." Umi tried.
"What's wrong with wearing dresses? You never mind before," Presea said she said slyly.
"Well... I guess that... oh, fine!!!" Umi laughed. She took the dress that Caldina was holding, but then also dragged her into the large closet. "But I want another one to try! Not this one!" she smiled.
Caldina sniffed. "What are you trying to say about my taste?!"
Umi laughed. "I just wanted a much darker blue dress!"
Once Umi came out, the rest of the girls gasped.
"Wow... That's really pretty..." Hikaru said with awe.
Caldina smiled smugly. "I helped her out. No makeup on or anything either."
Umi twirled around in front of the mirror. It was a dress with puffed up short sleeves, and the bottom flowing out largely. The bodice was green and clutched to her body tightly, and the rest of it was a deep blue sea color. About a foot from the bottom, parts of the dress were tied together into a bow, and letting it flow to the ground. "This is REALLY pretty," Umi whispered. "It doesn't look good on me..."
"What are you talking about?!" Hikaru asked. "You look GREAT!"
"You should REALLY wear it for the night, Umi. It'd be a nice change from that t-shirt and jeans you were wearing before," Fuu suggested.
"But what are you saying about my clothes?" she asked.
Fuu smiled. "Nothing."
"But you guys were right anyway," Umi said, twirling around some more in front of the mirror. "It's kind of fun to do this. I think I'll try another one," she then decided, and ran back into the closet.
"I'll go try one too!" Hikaru laughed, and followed Umi.
Fuu smiled as her two friends walked into the hall/closet. "Caldina," she said. "You do have a lot of dresses. How DO you get all of them?" "My job," she smiled. "I get paid fairly well."
"Ahhh..." she said.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Umi went back up to her room, still wearing the dress she had put on. She took out the stereo she had brought here, equipped with batteries. (She doubted that Cephiro had a plug or anything.) Turning it on, Umi put in a cd, and waited for the music to come on. It was soothing instrumental songs. The music was nature, of tranquil water, and flutes to go along with it.
Umi closed her eyes and smiled. She then twirled around. The rest of them were waiting for her to bring the stereo down, so Umi waited another minute or two, and then stopped the music.
Bringing it down, Umi smiled once more. She was feeling MUCH better. They had all fooled around in Caldina's room, trying on all those dresses, misfits or not. They ended up in the weirdest combinations ever.
"I brought it down!" Umi huffed, letting the stereo down lightly. She entered a large room, lights hung up and brightening the room up. Everybody that she knew were there. "It plays music!"
"It does...?!" Presea asked, walking to Umi, and peered down at the stereo. She poked it. "Isn't this weird..." she mumbled.
Umi then pressed play. Suddenly, loud, hard rock music blasted out of the stereo, echoing in the large room.
"AAAHHH!!!!!" Presea yelled and backed up.
"Oops! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Umi apologized quickly, and bend down to decrease the volume. "I must have turned on the tape part... And the instrumental stuff was kinda soft..." she mumbled to herself.
Presea glared at it. "I think it's evil," she stated.
Hikaru laughed. "It's not evil. It's a stereo. It's a machine."
Umi shook her head and smiled slightly. She then took out her case of cds and skimmed through it, and then pulled out the instrumental cd that she put in before. Then she pressed play and let the music flow around the room.
"This is your music, Umi?" Ferio asked. "It's very peaceful," he said approvingly. "Though maybe a little TOO soft for me."
Umi smiled. "I have some rock music that you can listen to later."
"Rock?" Ferio asked. "Rock music?"
Fuu laughed. "He is thinking of boulders and pebbles, Umi."
"Ehh... He'll find out later," Umi grinned.
Hikaru danced around. She was wearing a sleek, red dress. "It's sounds just like water..." she laughed.
Umi smiled proudly. "You know, I-"
"Are we late?!" yelled a voice.
Umi turned around, and smiled. "Lady Aska!" she yelled happily.
"We brought Old Man and Sanyun with us!" she laughed and walked up to them.
"Really? Welcome," Clef said, and walked up to them.
"Good day, everybody," said another voice. Behind them, Tarta and Tatra walked in. The voice that spoke before belong to Tatra.
"We brought Eagle with us," said those from Autozam.
"On contrary," Eagle sniffed. "If it weren't for me, YOU guys wouldn't be here."
"Ahhh... you don't have to be so specific about it."
"Who are you?" Aska asked Clef, with an expression of deep thought. "We know we saw you before..."
"Oh! That's right!" Presea said. "The last time they visit was when you girls were here," she told them.
"I am Clef, Lady Aska," Clef said, and bowed.
"WWWWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!?!?" Aska backed up. "But last time you were as tall as us!!! THAT IS NOT FAIR!!!!" she then yelled, jumping up and down in a tantrum. "NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR!!!!" Clef backed up a bit nervously. "But!" Aska said, suddenly switching to a smile. "You are quite adorable! So okay!" she said, and walked pass him. "What will we do today?" she then asked everybody else.
The rest of them were still staring at Aska. Hikaru was the one to first snap out of it. "Wow!!! Everybody's here!" she laughed as the rest of them entered, and ran up to them.
"Who planned this?" Fuu asked.
Ferio smiled. "I did."
"Really?!" "But not without the help of the rest of them."
"This is GREAT! We'll have a nice reunion!" Umi smiled. "I missed coming back..."
*~*~*~*~*~*
The group had lunch together.
"What's this food?" Umi asked, examining the stuff on her plate.
"It's really good, Umi. Just try it!" Fuu said, already eating hers.
Umi slowly took a bite. Then another. "You're right!"
"See?"
"We don't believe that you have seen Fahren yet!" Aska said. "Come to Fahren! We shall give you many treats when you get there!"
"But Lady Aska, what about the gifts you bought today?" the old man asked.
Aska shifted around in her seat. "We were hungry, so we ate it!" she laughed.
"LADY ASKA!!!"
"Besides, you packed our favorite treats! How can we NOT be tempted?!?!" then, Aska turned to the girls once more. "Come to Fahren! This time, you will SURELY get yummy treats!"
Fuu laughed.
"I must say," Eagle said. "Those dresses are really becoming on you three."
Presea nudged his shoulder. "What are you trying to say about me?"
"Nothing! It was a compliment!"
"I think so, too, though," said Tarta. "Caldina, did you pick out the dresses for them?"
Caldina nodded. "Yes, I did! Don't you all love my good taste?!" she sighed happily. "I knew EXACTLY what fits them the best!!! Cause I AM the best!!!" This went on for quite a while.
"I regret asking..." Tarta smiled nervously.
Ferio smiled at Fuu. "You DO look good in that, though."
"Thanks..." Fuu blushed.
"Anyway," Tatra said to them. "You should come to Chizeta, too. Our country is small, but you would love to see it."
"We would love to go one day!" Umi said. "And Autozam too!"
"We are flattered," Eagle said.
"Yes, and I'll bring my music for EVERYBODY to-" Umi dropped her fork, letting it clatter on her plate. Another wave of pain went through her head. Umi held her head, and quickly got off of her chair. "AHH!!!" she yelled, staggering a bit.
"Umi?!" Clef yelled.
"Not again..." Hikaru whispered, worried.
"This is bad..." Caldina said.
"I... AHHH!!! H..." Umi yelled, trying to get out of the room for some reason. Then, her voice turned to a whisper, and she collapsed onto her knees. "Please... stop... help... me...."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Clef held two of his fingers to her forehead. "Her mind is a mess right now," he whispered.
They had carried Umi into her room, and Clef had sat down next to her, examining her.
"All I see is a jumble of thoughts, worries about many things, and more. But she seems to be most worried about... something..." he mumbled. Taking his fingers off, he sighed. "I won't pry anymore. We should clear out of her room, but let one person stay to watch over her, so when she wakes up somebody will be there."
"I can do that," Fuu suggested.
"No. I will," Hikaru said.
"We can let both of you stay, but the rest of us should go and let other things preoccupy us while we wait. Let's go," said Clef, and got up. He led the rest of them out of the room.
Once they all parted, Clef slowly walked along the corridors, thinking about what he had discovered. He didn't tell them about how he found something out about Umi's mind these days.
He had found that she was most worried about her loneliness. He saw that she saw happiness in Hikaru and Fuu when they always came back to Lantis and Ferio. He saw that she wanted something close to what the two of them had. But she didn't want Ascot. She knew if she did, that meant that she was just doing it because everybody else had somebody. But he knew that already... Now he found out that she wasn't going to love him for him. So instead, she was going to wait. Wait for the right guy to appear, and then she'll fall in love with him.
And with that... there was some more about her that she has closed up even to herself. Clef couldn't find anything else on what her feelings were.
Clef sighed. Umi... Even this world couldn't give you everything you desire... I'm sorry...
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Are you okay?!" The girl ran up to Umi.
Umi groaned. She was lying on the ground, in the same place once more.
"Please! Wake up!" the girl yelled.
Umi opened her eyes slowly. "Am I... dreaming?" she whispered.
The girl stared down at her, worried. "You are getting weaker," she whispered. "Please... If you free me, I will be able to help you."
Umi sat up. "Not that again..." she said. She held her head. "Geez... even in my DREAMS I faint..."
"You are not well..."
"I KNOW that. I just don't understand WHY!" Umi yelled, frustrated.
"At this rate... You won't be able to save yourself... Let alone me..." the girl whispered.
Umi's thoughts stopped at those words, and her eyes widened as she sat up. "What do you mean?" she asked slowly. "Are you saying that I'm going to..."
The girl sat down next to Umi and stared at her worriedly. "I really can't say. This longing you have in you... You need to end it. Soon."
"But..."
"You are worrying your friends like this too. Fainting all the time. This is only your second day back at Cephiro. They will want to examine you for sure now."
"I..."
"But you don't want them to find out about your problems, huh?"
"If they see that I'm weak, they won't be able to count on me anymore, and I don't want them to do that."
"I understand."
"I know that if I keep staying like this, it'll kill me... But... I can't help it. I feel so lonely all the time."
"And no wonder, either. Everybody is pairing up. In fact, the only ones left on Cephiro that haven't yet are you, Clef, and Ascot."
Umi nodded. "They are strong enough to get through it. But I look around, and I want to be hugged and loved. I want somebody there for me..."
"Yes... That's why I chose you," she said, turning to Umi.
"Why?" Umi choked out a laugh. "Because I'm weak?" "No." The girl took her hands. "Because you understand the loneliness I feel. Think about it. Think about how long I've been by myself. It's been... centuries... I miss him so much..."
"Your people lead long lives," Umi said.
"If you and your friends stayed here, you would too. And besides that... why won't you just fall in love with Ascot?"
"Because... I don't love him. I can't lie to myself. I know I don't love him. If I say I do, then that means I'm just doing it because everybody else is. I have NO clue how many times I've said that already..." she said.
"But don't you want to stay here? To be with everybody here?"
"I'd love that... But we all have our homes and families to go back to."
"Yes. But at least you understand how I feel. To want to be loved... Please... You must free me..."
Umi turned to look at her. "But you won't tell me how. And besides that, just because your love was younger than you, you felt so... closed up about it..." she mumbled.
The girl's eyes flashed for a second, and Umi didn't notice it. Just as quickly, she changed back. "Um... Yeah."
"Why won't you tell me how?""
"Because that you must figure out by yourself. I can't tell you."
"That's not fair."
"I know. But think. Think of something that makes you strong. Strong enough to free me."
Umi nodded.
Then, the two just sat there, and listened to the water blow against the rocks at the bottom.
"You know..." the girl then said.
"What is it?" Umi asked.
"Your friends are waiting for you."
Umi stared at her. "Am I the only one who can talk to you?"
The girl nodded.
"I'm so sorry for leaving you here all the time."
The girl then shook her head, her teeth clenched together in an untold expression. "No. I thank you. If you are ever able to free me, I will be in your debt. But right now... You need to leave me. Your friends are waiting," she said once more.
"I'll be back, okay?" Umi asked.
"I know. I'll be in your dreams."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Umi slowly opened her eyes. "Ugh..." she groaned.
"Umi!" Hikaru said happily. "You're awake."
"How long was I out?" she asked.
"Hours. It's almost time for dinner, actually," Fuu said. "Everybody came in to check on you once in a while."
"Really?! Oh... I'm so sorry, guys," she whispered. She then looked at herself, and saw that she was still in that fancy dress. "I should take this off."
"No! Just wear it to dinner and change after your bath."
"But Fuu... Are you sure we should let Umi get up? Maybe somebody can bring dinner to her."
"No. Umi can take care of herself, and should come to eat. Right, Umi?" Fuu asked.
Umi nodded. "I'm not that ill, Hikaru." She then got up and smiled. "Let's go. I left my stereo down there. I hope the batteries aren't still running."
"We turned it off," Hikaru said.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The next couple of days were better than the beginning. Umi didn't faint once, and she looked much happier.
They went to visit Fahren the day after Umi had last fainted. Hikaru, Fuu, Persea, Caldina, and Lantis went on the trip as well. True to Aska's words, she gave them MANY sweets.
"THIS is good! OH! So is this! This is our FAVORITE!!! You will adore this one too!" And as those continue, so did their pile of goodies grow. "We think this is one of the best!"
Umi laughed and put it all in a bag. "Thanks, Lady Aska!" she smiled.
Aska walked up to Umi. "You must become well, okay?" she asked, taking a hold of her hands. "We don't want anything bad to happen to you..."
Umi nodded. "I'm sorry. I must have worried you so..."
"Let's go see the land, shall we?" Aska asked, and smiled. The girls nodded.
The next day, they went to Chizeta, and watched many dances.
"They are REALLY talented, Lady Tarta and Lady Tatra," said Fuu. "You are lucky to be leaders of such gifted people."
Tatra smiled. "Why thank you, Magic Knight. We are flattered."
"I wonder if we can learn it..." she started.
"YEAH! Come on!" Tarta yelled. "We'll give you your first lesson!"
Fuu ended up collapsing from exhaustion. "I'll stick to archery, thank you very much," she said in a weird voice, coming from exhaustion.
"Are you sure you're okay, Fuu?" Umi asked.
"Why are there two of you, Lady Tarta?" Fuu asked. That was the end of the dance lessons.
And the day after, they went to Autozam. This country was so advanced in machinery.
"Can we try this?!" Hikaru asked, pointing to a machine that looked similar to a car. And before they could even consent, Hikaru got on. The machine zoomed off and hit a wall. Hikaru got out. "Oowww..." she cried.
"That was in for repairs," Zazu explained. "You weren't supposed to get on it... Now we'll have to do more on it."
"Sorry..."
Zazu smiled. "It's okay. I heard that when Eagle was young," he whispered to her. "He used to get into the same incidents."
"REALLY?!" Hikaru laughed.
"Hey. What are you telling her there, Zazu?" Eagle asked. The entire group started to laughed at that time.
*~*~*~*~*~*
When the girls returned back to Cephiro after they went to Autozam, Clef was there, waiting for them. "Did you have fun?" he asked.
"Hikaru got hurt cause she didn't listen," Umi teased in a singsong-like voice.
"Hey!"
"Really? What happened?" Clef asked.
"SHE didn't listen to Zazu. So-"
"HEY!" Hikaru said. Umi laughed.
Clef smiled. "I'm glad to see you all so happy. How much longer will you all stay here?" Hikaru stopped yelling and counted off the days on her hand. "Oh, my God!! We've been here for almost a week!"
"Really?" Fuu asked. "Time sure flies when we are having fun..." she said sadly.
Ferio walked up to Fuu and wrapped his arms around her waist. "But you all WILL come back sometime after this visit, right?" he asked.
Umi nodded. "Yes. I'll miss this place. It's MUCH better than school..."
"Then why not stay?" Lantis asked.
"We have school," Hikaru said. "And school helps us get a job when we grow up. So school is quite important."
"Really?" Clef asked.
"Yes. We have it almost every single day."
"Then... what are you guys DOING here?!" Ferio asked.
"We have a couple weeks for vacation," Umi said.
"Ooohh... I see."
"I'd like to see what this 'school' is like," Presea said.
Umi quickly shook her head. "No, you don't."
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hello again."
Umi turned around. "Hi," she smiled.
"How were you today?" the girl asked.
"We went to Autozam. Did you know about Autozam?"
"Yes. That country was there when I was around. I had... never mind."
"It was so much fun!" Umi smiled. "If I could've given you a piece of candy from Fahren... I mean, you used to love that country so much, even though you knew that you could never go see it for yourself and all..."
The girl grimaced at Umi's words, but quickly smiled and covered it up. "It's okay."
"I still can't figure out what you mean, by when I'm the strongest."
"I can't give you anymore clues that I already have. I'm sorry. But please, free me soon..."
"I will try. I am right now. But I can't think of anything..."
"You will. I know you will."
"How?"
"Because I can help you, my friend. So you MUST try to find out how to free me." She then smiled. "You won't be alone anymore afterwards."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Doncha think that sounded like a threat?! Oooooooooo... Well, it wasn't supposed to. ^^ Have fun waiting for the next chappie!!! *grins evilly to those who actually surprisingly like this fic* I think this one was kinda short... But oh wells! Please review, too! And anybody who wants me to e-mail them about the next chapter, tell me, kay? I'm more than happy to do so! Jaa!!! REVIEW PLEASE!!!