Wednesday
Clare yawned and snuggled into Luke's chest tiredly. Johnny whimpered.
"Shh...it's alright sweetheart..." Jessie whispered to his uncomfortable mate as she struggled to find a position that didn't hurt. Clare yawned again and opened her eyes blinking to regain her focus.
"No it's not, I feel like someone stepped on me..." Johnny whispered, the pain evident in her voice. Luke groaned and tightened his grip on Clare. The sleep fog of Clare's brain had yet to dissipate so she tiredly snuggled back into his chest.
"I'm sorry sweetheart but I can't really do anything..." Jessie replied quietly. Johnny whimpered and shifted again still unable to fine the position.
"You could go warm up the bag again..." Clare said, half asleep.
"We Keaton's don't possess that kind of magic, mum..." Jessie replied as he gently nuzzled Johnny's side.
"But we do have a fireplace..." Clare said as she snuggled more.
"I'll be back in a bit..." Jessie whispered to Johnny before fazing through the basket then the floor. Johnny whimpered again and shifted a few more times before giving up on ever finding the right position. The ninja sighed and closed her eyes before continuing her snuggling. Johnny whimpered while she waited for Jessie to return, and Luke groaned, the sound of his 'daughter's' distress was beginning to wake him up. Clare opened her eyes again and shifted so she was curled into his side.
"...What's wrong sweetie...?" He asked somewhat groggy. The poor kit whined as Clare sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Johnny whimpered and curled in on herself as she lie on her side hoping to ease the pain slightly if at all. The ninja walked over to the basket and sat next to it, stroking the Keaton's fur gently. Johnny twitched and uncurled a little but she still whimpered, "Hurry up Jessie..."
"He's coming..." Clare whispered, blinking back the feeling of fading back to sleep, and slowly waking up. Johnny whimpered in reply as all the muscles along her side and stomach tensed at the same time. Clare's ear twitched when she heard Jessie's claws click down stairs.
"Momma..." Johnny whimpered, her tiny silver eyes screwed shut and her paws curled.
"Shh...he's coming..." Clare whispered gently stroking her fur.
"Can someone open the door, I can't faze carrying something..." Jessie asked from the other side of the door. Luke walked over and opened the door for the Keaton. Jessie quickly crossed the room and handed Clare the bag since he wouldn't be able to get it in the right place. Clare nodded to Jessie and put the bag where it hurt on Johnny, who relaxed immediately. Jessie was quick to take his place behind Johnny and rest his head on her shoulder blade, a quiet purr coming from him. Luke sat down next to Clare.
"Is she going to be alright?" He asked, an worried edge to his voice.
"Yeah, but it'll probably would be better that she was near the fireplace...I'll take her down here in a minute..." Clare said and scratched her head, her hair still messy from sleeping.
"Our poor little girl..." Luke muttered as he looped his arms around her waist.
"Yeah poor poor Johnny..." Clare said as she reached over and grabbed the handles on the basket and lifted it taking the two Keaton with it.
"Let me take her down and then we take advantage of the fact we're the only one's up other than Anni..." Luke whispered as he gently slipped the basket from her hand.
"Alright...I'll be in bed..." She said and winked at him. Luke smiled and silently slipped out of the room, still ever mindful of Johnny and that even the slightest bump could send another flare through her tiny body. Clare smiled and stood to go to the still warm bed. She'd just sat down then the door closed and she was on her back against the warm sheet.
"That was fast..." She whispered.
"Spells already up too..." He replied as he gathered her up and made is so they were actually on the bed.
"Then..." She said and kissed his nose. He smirked and seized her lips in a heated kiss as he ran his palm up and across her stomach. She moaned and kissed him back, putting her hands on his shoulders and running her hands down his chest. Luke licked her lip cheekily and ran his fingers across the bottom of her top. She gasped, her face flushing and her eyes glazing over slightly. Luke quickly deepened the kiss, trailing his fingers lightly down her stomach. Clare shivered and moaned as she fought for dominance of her mouth. Luke traced the top of her shorts with the fingertips of one hand while he circled her naval with the other. She shivered and moaned again but still she fought. Luke broke the kiss then trailed butterfly light kisses along her jaw down to her pulse point which he then nipped and sucked at. Clare moaned and groaned then responded by lightly nipping his temple, which was close to her. Luke groaned quietly and continued to suck at her pulse point while he trailed one hand down her thigh, his thumb trailing the inside. She moaned and shivered but changed tactic to add licking to the list of tortures for his temple. A shudder ran down Luke's back and he relented on her neck before turning his attention to the top of her breast bone. Since he moved his head, Clare had no way of 'playing' so she just moaned but let her hands rest on his shoulder blades. Luke nipped lightly remembering the skin was much more sensitive, he ran his hand back up her thigh and over the hip to rest on her side. The ninja moaned and groaned and bit her bottom lip. Luke smirked and nipped a little lower. His response: a shiver, a moan and a groan. Just to see if he could get away with it, he nipped just a little lower. Same response, except a little louder. Luke smiled and nipped lower, adding a feather light caress to her side. Clare's moans and groans were louder and her shivers stronger. He nipped just a wee bit lower before tracing an 's' across the ninja's stomach. When his chin brushed the top of her breasts did the ninja freeze. Luke chuckled lightly and attacked her ribs while she was frozen. Him attacking her ribs thawed the ninja quickly as she shivered and moaned delightedly. He traced the edge of her top as he continued to nip at her ribs. She moaned, groaned and shivered. Luke smirked at the slightly devious though that ran through his mind and nipped the edge of her naval before flicking his tongue across it slowly. Clare moaned loudly and throaty, her face flushed deeper and her eyes closed in pleasure.
"You like that Kitten?" He purred trailing one finger down the underside of her thigh. She nodded her head and moaned again. Luke rumbled lowly in his chest and teased her naval again, even slower. Her moan was twice as loud and very throaty. Luke was quiet pleased, but still did it again. The exact same reaction as before but this time it was accompanied by a groan too. Luke smirked and hovered above her.
"Having fun Kitten?" He asked.
"Yes..." She whispered quietly trying to find her voice threw the fog he cast on her mind. Luke rumbled in approval and nuzzled her ribs. Clare took that chance to find her voice and get her heart back where it belongs and not pounding a mile a second. He smiled and let his head rest on her stomach until she gave him a sign she still wanted to play. She sighed as her heart went back to normal pace, she then opened her eyes and looked down at him then played with his ear with her left hand.
"Is that a 'play with me' Kitten?" He purred placing a kiss to the edge of her top.
"Play with me Muffin..." She responded and delicately ran her fingertips to the tip of his pointed ear. Luke smirked and picked up right where he left off. Clare really did try to hold back the moan, she really did but it just felt so good. Luke nipped the bottom of her naval then went a little lower. She shivered and moaned loudly. He nipped in a straight line right to the waistband of her shorts. Clare moaned and groaned with each nip and added a shiver too.
"Clare..." He purred.
"Hmm...." She responded since her voice yet again wanted to take a vacation.
"Can we be rid of these?" he purred as he tapped her belt buckle.
"Just the belt or the shorts too?" Clare asked her voice light and airy.
"Both." He replied as he came up to nuzzle the underside of her top.
"Okay..." She said brain fog cast over hers. Luke's nimble fingers quickly rid her of the belt, which landed with a clunk on the dresser. He slowly slid her shorts off running his palms across the top of her thighs. Clare's moans and groans became loud and throaty and she shivered. Her shorts quickly joined her belt on the top of the dresser. Luke rumbled happily once again then ran a finger up the underside of her thigh. Clare's moans got louder and her shivers more furious. Luke decided now would be a good time to see if he could get a squeak out of the ninja. His tongue quickly darted under her top then he backed off to return to her naval. She squeaked all right, squeaked, shivered, moaned and groaned. Luke chuckled.
"Did I startle you Kitten?" He purred.
"You...evil...evil...man...." Clare managed between gasps for air.
"I know..." He whispered and did it again. He got the same reaction. There was a sharp, quick knock at the door.
"Auntie Clare, Johnny's having a panic attack and I can't calm her down..." Anni called. Now that startled the ninja up out of the fog. She squeezed out of Luke's pin and grabbed her shorts, jumped into them then bolted out the door and down the stairs. Johnny was whimpering and panting unevenly by the fire, Jessie currently pacing the floor nearby. Clare jogged over her bare feet hitting the floor as she slid her belt back on then crouched beside Johnny's basket. The young Keaton had her ears pinned flat against her skull as she whimpered and neared the verge of hyperventilating.
"Johnny what's wrong?" Clare asked as she gently stroked the Keaton's tails.
"We've both tired to get her to tell us what's wrong, but she won't talk..." Anni said as she picked up Jessie and tried to calm him as well. Clare didn't want to move the Keaton in the basket but she had no choice. She gently picked her up and held her close her her heart.
"Listen Johnny...Listen to my heart...breath to my heart beat..." Clare instructed stroking the young Keaton. Johnny didn't calm in the least. Jessie was calming much quicker.
"Johnny you need to calm down...Relax everything is going to be all right..." Clare whispered gently rocking the Keaton. Johnny slowly relaxed and began breathing normally.
"That a girl..." Clare whispered again and kept rocking Johnny slowly. Anni sat down on the couch with Jessie who was falling asleep, which tends to happen when you can hear two steady heartbeats nearby. Clare started humming the song of destiny softly as she kept rocking Johnny slowly. Johnny's breathing evened out and her heart rate slowed as she relaxed against her mother.
"That's it...just relax..." Clare said softly then continued her rocking and humming.
"I knew this would happen, I just didn't think it would happen this early..." Jessie muttered as Anni continued to stroke his black fur.
"What would happen?" Luke asked coming down from upstairs finally.
"Johnny had a panic attack, we've yet to find the cause..." Anni explained stilling her hand so Jessie didn't nod off.
"Johnny...what happened, whisper it in my ear..." Clare whispered as she leaned her ear towards the Keaton in her arms.
"I'm going to lose them...I'm going to lose them all..." Johnny whispered and started to panic again. Clare started rocking her again and started humming the song again. Anni shook her head sadly, she knew that feeling. Jessie had completely nodded off, which was probably best. Luke came to sit next to Clare.
"Johnny, you're not going to lose them..." Clare whispered as she nuzzled her head gently. Johnny whimpered as her panic gave way to pain. Clare kept rocking the Keaton and restarted her humming.
"Momma it hurts again..." Johnny whimpered, her voice strained. Clare nodded then stood up and got the basket with the wheat bag and placed the Keaton back in it. Johnny shifted about once again unable to find the position that caused the least amount of pain. Clare fluffed the cushions around her and adjusted the wheat bag. Johnny finally settled and sighed. Anni stood and gently placed Jessie behind her. When the smaller girl stood back up her back popped loudly and she winced. Anni wasn't the only one wincing, Clare was rubbing her ears since the pop started making her ears buzz. The younger girl walked out of the room, muttering something about needing a drink.
"Hmm...what now...I'm bored..." Clare whispered to Luke. He shrugged as Anni came back in, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand, the other against the small of her back. Clare's ear twitched.
"Sounds like the others are awake..." She said.
"Oh joy..." Anni muttered as she sat down.
"Uncle Luke can you cook breakfast this morning, my stomach's doing back flips, I don't think I can cook..."
"Of course sweet heart..." Luke said then stood and went to the kitchen, tying his hair back. Anni sighed and rubbed the underside of her rounded stomach.
"Let's just hope that later, your stomach stops the circus act because I've got a surprise to show everyone..." Clare said as she rolled her shoulders back. Anni hummed then opened her eyes.
"Oh right..." She placed her drink and reached under her hair and unclasped the chain hanging around it.
"Think this belongs to you Auntie Clare..." She said holding the crystal in her palm.
"Thanks Anni..." Clare said picking it up and clipping it around her own neck. The younger girl nodded and sighed again as she picked up her drink. She eyed it for a moment, swallowed then placed it back on the table. Clare unclipped Anni's crystal and held it out to her.
"And this belongs to you..." Clare said. It was now that Clare noticed the rather flicker of pale blue light coming from within the crystal.
"Eh?" She said and eyed the crystal. She then remembered the crystal was in sync with the young woman sitting in front of her.
"Anni...how are you feeling...because you're crystal is flashing..." Clare said and tilted her head to the side much like a kitten does when it's confused.
"Other than I don't think what I had for dinner is going to stay in place and a massive headache, I feel 'fantastic'." The younger girl replied, her eyes shut and one hand supporting her head.
"Well the crystal tells otherwise...like calm and relaxed..." Clare said and eyed the crystal once more then to Anni's rounded stomach. All she got was a quiet 'Mhmm...'.
"I don't think it's synced to you anymore Anni..."Clare confessed as she watched the crystal.
"Could be..."Anni replied, the magnitude of her headache showing in her response.
"Hmm..."Clare hummed and put the necklace in Anni's unoccupied hand and leaned back against the couch. Clare's sharp ears could pick up two heartbeats, one of which was in sync with the pendent.
"I think it's Sophie..." Clare muttered as she closed her eyes and concentrated on the lighter heartbeat. Anni was starting to doze off and as such didn't reply to what Clare had said. Clare was also started to snooze as the two heartbeats lulled her to sleep. Luke came in an hour later and gently woke both women, Anni being the hardest since he needed to be careful not to upset her stomach any further. They both yawned and stretched. Clare blinked once than twice as she rolled her right shoulder. Unfortunately Anni's morning sickness came back with a vengeance and the brunette was gone in the blink of an eye.
"I'll be back..." Clare said and followed much slower than the longer haired woman. When Clare go to her, Anni was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall, her legs tucked under her and her head tilted to one side so her hair hung around her hiding her face. The ninja sage sighed, signalling that she was there. Anni groaned, but made no attempt to move in anyway, she didn't even lift her head.
"Is it alright if I say the spell on you?" Clare asked sitting next to the girl. Anni nodded weakly, after being morning sickness free for so long, this wave had hit her hard.
"Alright..." Clare said then moved so she could put her hands in the right positions. Anni could barely keep her head up, so she began to slide to one side, away from Clare. So the ninja had to wrap her arm around her and put it over her stomach.
"Yoki Jo Leian Adia Kia Den Mern Sutall Genzey." Clare said. When the spell was complete, Anni's complexion didn't return to its normal soft peach colour, she just let her head rest against Clare's collar bone.
"Auntie Clare..." She said quietly.
"Yes Missy?" Clare asked as she brushed Anni's hair with her fingers.
"You may want to get your other shirt before the other's come down..." She whispered weakly.
"I will when I know if you can stand on your own...I'll just poof into the cabin and dig it out..." Clare said as she kept brushing Anni's hair. The smaller girl nodded and jumped slightly.
"Sophie kicking again?" The ninja asked shifted so Anni was sitting on her own.
"Mmhmm..." she replied quietly as she slowly brought her hand to the spot in question.
"Hmm...Can't do anything to help with that ..." Clare said and scratched her head behind her ear.
"No it's okay...she's just got the hiccups." Anni replied as she soothed slow circles against the side near Clare.
"Hmm...well I'm going to get that shirt...I'll be back..." She said and poofed away. Anni remained in the same place, not telling her Aunt that the room was currently tilting to the left or maybe that was just her... Clare came back a few minutes later and was yet again sitting beside Anni and adjusting the shirt so it covered the nice bite marks along her torso. The smaller girl was blinking a little more than needed and when she went to rub her eyes she completely missed.
"Are you sick again?" Clare asked and looked over at her. Anni shook her head.
"Just a little dizzy..."
"Then let's get you back out there and a nice cold cloth over your head..." Clare said.
"This is even worse than the first time 'round..." Anni muttered as she struggled to get on her feet. Clare stood and helped her to stand then leaned Anni onto her. It took a few seconds for Anni to get her vision to clear, "Oh that was horrible..."
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Clare asked and held up four fingers.
"Umm eight..." Anni replied unsurely.
"Four Hun...not as bad as I was but...only seeing double, we're good in my opinion." Clare said as she started to lead Anni out of the bathroom.
"Okay..." The younger replied airily. Clare lead her out and over to the couch were she laid Anni down onto it. Jessie's ear flicked at the sound of movement in the room.
"You just lie down...I'll go get a cloth." Clare whispered.
"Mmhmm..." was the young mother's reply. Clare nodded and disappeared back into the bathroom and came back with a bowl of water and a cloth. She sat on the floor in between the coffee table and the couch. Anni placed one hand on her right side, "You're not helping Sophie dear..." Clare shook her head and placed the wet cloth on Anni's forehead. Anni sighed defeated and let her hand fall so her fingers nearly brushed the floor. Clare put Anni's hand back on the couch.
"If you don't get better soon, I'll have to cancel my surprise for a better time..." She said off handily.
"I'll come, I just need to..." Anni trailed off as her train of thought derailed.
"Get better that's what..." Clare said as she took the cloth and freshened it.
"Let's go with that..." Anni replied and started to sound better with every passing minute.
"Want to open your wedding gifts first or what?" Clare asked adjusting herself.
"Just as soon as Sophie's hiccups die down..." Anni replied, "It's the weirdest feeling..."
"I would imagine..." Clare said and flopped back onto the floor behind her.
"Momma..." Johnny called quietly.
"Yes?" Clare called back.
"I feel off..." She said with a sigh.
"What feels off...?" Clare asked as she rolled onto her stomach then crawled over to the basket.
"Everything..." The young Keaton replied lying her head on her paws.
"Hmmm...I don't know then..." Clare said rolling back onto her back. The tiny Keaton stood up shakily and wobbled over to fall against Clare's side. The ninja picked her up and placed her on her own stomach as she stroked her tails.
"Everything's off centered..." Johnny complained.
"It'll be like that...your body is adjusting to make room for your litter." Clare explained as she stared up at the ceiling. Johnny groaned and sighed as she got as comfortable as her changing body would allow, already her stomach was slightly rounded. The ninja sage yawned once then closed her eyes before drifting off. Twenty minutes later Anni was gently nudging her awake, "Wake up Auntie Clare, or your breakfast is going to get cold..." The ninja put one arm around Johnny then sat up, rubbing the sleep in her eyes. Johnny shifted until her front paws were hanging over Clare's arm. The ninja looked at the food in front of her and sighed.
"He spoils me far too much..." She muttered.
"I'm hungry..." Johnny grumbled as she twitched her tails.
"You can share mine..." Clare said as she scooted over to the coffee table, where breakfast was waiting. Johnny nodded, silver eyes watching Anni as she rubbed her side and went over to Link who was beckoning the young brunette over to him. Clare's ear twitched as she put Johnny on the coffee table. The young vixen immediately flopped down so half of her was lying on the side.
"Alright, what do you want?" Clare asked as she pulled a pancake over to her and started to cut it.
"Food as far as I'm concerned and at the moment I'm just hungry, I'd eat dirt if I had to..." Johnny replied shifting slightly.
"Alright you can have this...sausage..."Clare said as she moved the sausage over to Johnny. Johnny made a face but took it anyway and ripped off a piece and ate it.
"He knows I don't like sausages..." Clare grumbled then pulled the sausage away the replaced it with a different piece of meat. Johnny was watching her, silver eyes said "I'm still hungry...'
"Here eat this...It's not as covered in grease..." Clare said pushing a different chunk of meat towards her. Johnny quickly took the piece and started eating it. Clare ate her pancakes without the vigour she usually would...Luke came in at that point.
"Are you alright Angel?" He asked as he placed a bowl of warm milk on the table for Johnny and sat across from them.
"Oddly enough, I'm just really tired and not all that hungry..." Clare said as she finished her food anyways, giving some to Johnny, "And you put sausage on my plate...you know I don't like sausage."
"I just cooked, Anni filled your plate..." Luke replied and sat on the couch before beckoning the ninja over to him. The ninja got up and sat next to him. Luke pulled her into his lap and laid down with her resting on his chest. The ninja automatically snuggled into his chest.
"When do you want me to wake you up?" He asked quietly.
"Before lunch...I should have gotten enough sleep by then..." She said in between yawns.
"Alright, now go to sleep..." He said quietly as he gently scooped up their little girl and placed her next to Clare. His response from the ninja, a yawn and soft snores, from Johnny was a purr.
"Sleep tight my Angels..." Luke whispered as he pulled a book out from between the couch cushions. A few hours later and Johnny was licking Clare's face gently, trying to rouse her from her sleep.
"Come on Angel wake up, Anni says Link and her will open their gifts after lunch..." Luke said quietly. Clare groaned and shifted around then opened her eyes before yawning again. Johnny was looking at her, her head cocked to the side.
"Hello...Guys..." Clare said as she rolled her shoulders the face planted her own face into his chest.
"Are you sure you're alright Angel?" Luke asked as he rubbed circles on her back.
"I feel un balanced..." She responded gently, rolling her shoulders once more.
"Can I help at all?" He asked running his fingers through her hair.
"Give my shoulders a rub...something's bugging them and I can't figure out what it is..." She responded again and rolled her poor shoulders again. One of the other blonde's hands slipped from her waist to her shoulders and began to work out any tension. The fine line between some magic and no magic was now visible and the wing marks on her back were just barely visible.
"Clare honey are feeling ill at all?" Luke asked her quietly as his fingertips brushed against the marks, recognizing the difference in feel instantly.
"No...why?" She asked looked up at him.
"Because your wing marks are beginning to show..." He whispered in her ear.
"Uh...hmmm...maybe my body has moved my magic to my immune system so it can fight out the virus...I'll be fine." Clare said and smiled at him softly.
"Okay, but let me know if you start feeling sick, alright." He replied and kissed her forehead lightly.
"Alright..." She said and snuggled into his chest.
"That's my girl, do you want lunch?" he asked running his hand up and down her back to keep it relaxed.
"Yes please..." She answered and looked up at him again.
"Come on, Anni made a really nice soup..." He said as he sat up slowly so Johnny had a chance to recover. Clare scooped up the Keaton and slide of his chest to go to the basket and lay her down in it. Luke watched her every move like a hawk, something was telling him he needed to watch her. She turned to him and cocked her head to the side in confusion. He shook her head and beckoned for her. She shrugged her shoulders and walked over to him. He looped his arm around her waist and had her sit in his lap when they got to the table.
"You know, I'm perfectly able to sit in my own chair..." She pointed out and everyone except Anni and Gonzo was staring at them.
"I know, but do I look like I care?" Luke replied, tightening his hold on her.
"Nope not one bit..." Clare said and leaned back against him. Anni came in with a pot of rich, hot soup. Clare smelt the soup and leaned towards it, but Luke's hold on her prevented her from one: Getting too far and Two: falling out of her chair. Anni dished out lunch then with her own bowl took her usual spot. Link slurped his up, all of it...in one go.
"Geeze why don't you take the entire pot?" Clare asked as she just got half way.
"Cause that's his sixth bowl..." Anni replied from her place on the couch where Johnny had jumped up to mooch some soup off the other mother. Clare sighed then looked at Luke' s bowl it was still full, "Aren't you going to eat any?" She asked and looked up at him.
"Hmm...oh right." He replied and grabbed the bowl. Now Clare was watching him like a hawk, except she took breaks to eat her own lunch. As per usual he finished his lunch in record time and placed the empty bowl on the table as Link went to go sit with the two mothers. Clare rolled her eyes and shook her head and finished her soup, "I left the gifts up stairs..." She said and went to remove his arms.
"Tell me where and I'll go get them..." He said quickly tensing so she couldn't get loose. Clare struggled for a minute then sighed in defeat. "They are in the top left draw in the desk..."
"Alright, now go sit by the fire, you're a little cooler than I'd like..." Luke replied and gently pushed her in the correct direction.
"Humph..." She grumbled then marched right over to the fire and sat in front of it. Luke shook his head and disappeared upstairs. Clare stared at the fire then flopped on her back to stare at the ceiling. It was only now that she was near the fire that she felt the chill that had been creeping up on her. She shivered and sat up then closer to the fire. Luke reappeared with the gifts in hand and sat next to Clare only to pull her into his lap. She didn't say anything but turned and welcomed his warmth with open arms.
"Alright let's do these gifts, Auntie Clare has something she wants to show us after..." Anni said as she gave Johnny the last of her soup.
"Alright Luke, hand them over." Clare said nudging him with her arm. Luke passed his niece their gifts before securing his arms back around the ninja's waist. Said ninja sighed but looked up as Anni began to un wrap the small square one first.
"Oh Auntie Clare it's beautiful..." Anni said the minute she opened it her Uncle's lullaby started playing she placed her free hand to her heart, "Thank you."
"We just found that in a chest when we were out at sea....I thought it would make a good gift..." Clare said off handily.
"It's wonderful..." Anni said as she carefully unwrapped the other one. Clare leaned back into Luke's embrace as she looked up at him. He kissed her temple gently and wrapped her further into his arms. She looked back to Anni as she finished un wrapping the second gift from them.
"Auntie Clare..." Anni said in that, 'you didn't have to do this' voice, the younger woman could instantly pick up on her Aunt's magic.
"He helped..." The older sage said pointing to Luke.
"I can tell..." Anni replied as she cradled the gift against her chest, silent tears running down her cheeks.
"The words are, 'Help, I need you' and we'll be there when you say that. So no more worrying." Clare said as she nodded her head. Anni nodded as she wiped her tears.
"Alright, any more gifts?" Clare asked looking around.
"We kind of didn't have any time..." Pretty much everyone said.
"They've been cuddling and snuggling for goddesses knows how long and you guys didn't pick up on it...geeze, that's...I don't even know what that is..." She said and shook her head sadly. Everyone around the room looked really sheepish.
"It's alright guys, you were there that's what matters..." Anni reassured as she laced her fingers with Links'.
"Well now that we've got that done, everyone get your coats and boots, we're going for a walk." Clare said and went to stand but of course couldn't because someone had their arms around her waist. Link stood first so he could help Anni up, while Luke stood up with the ninja in his arms.
"I feel like a stuffed animal..." The ninja said as she put her chin in her right palm as she rested her that elbow on his arms. Luke shook his head quickly and set her on her feet before scratching his neck in confusion.
"You alright up there Luke?" Clare asked as she put her hand to his forehead.
"I don't know what's wrong with me today, it's like someone's messing with my protectiveness..." He muttered.
"Turn around, let's check out your symbol." She ordered. Luke turned and loosened his collar enough to allow her access to his back. Clare stood on her toes and looked at the symbol and it looked normal to her. Luke waited for her verdict.
"Everything LOOKS normal...but I can't be sure..." She said and stepped away from his back. He shrugged and fixed his collar before turning to face her, "Ready to go?" He asked.
"I was going to fly up above you guys because I don't like the silence...but if that's alright with you." Clare said as she looked up at him.
"I'm fine with that." Luke replied and kissed her forehead.
"Okay, then I'll be outside stretching my wings." Clare said then turned to go to the door. Luke nodded and went upstairs to get his boots. The sage went out the door and changed into her sage dress complete with white slippers and her white wings. Link was helping Anni up into Epona's saddle while everyone else was sorting out their horses. Clare sighed happily and stretched her wings out then gave them an experimental flap. Luke came out and whistled for Moon as Link seated himself behind Anni, one arm around their little one. The winged sage jumped in the air and took to the skies. Anni motioned for everyone to follow her and Link as Luke mounted Moon, watching Clare from the ground. She floated higher on the winds before she dived to fly just above their heads. The group set off at a trot. She floated up above the trees then. The one hour trip was without any trouble, Anni nodded of about fifteen minutes after they left. Clare floated ahead quickly.
"Wake up Anni, we're almost there..." Link said gently patting her stomach. Clare's wings flapped over head then landed in front of the temple.
"Mmm...what already?" Anni asked as she opened her eyes. Clare hummed softly and closed her wings softly. Luke and Moon walked up alongside of the two parents and motioned to Anni that he would help her down. Clare flapped her wings slightly to relax them.
"How are you feeling Angel?" Luke asked as he set Anni on her feet.
"Fine...Now I would like to give you give you, The Temple of Destiny." Clare said stepping aside and showed them temple.
"Auntie Clare you did an amazing job..." Anni said as she was the only one able to form a sentence.
"This is just the outside..." Clare said and pointed to the entrance. Luke slipped up beside his ninja and looped his arm around her waist while beckoning for the other to follow. Clare leaned against him as they walked into the temple.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Luke asked as they entered the temple, ignoring the gasps behind them.
"Yeah..." She whispered.
"Alright but anything a chill, too warm anything tell me alright?" he replied as he gently rubbed a circle against her side.
"Alright but...Go ahead and explore." Clare said to everyone else. Anni was leaning against the wall trying to catch her breath, "Oh I need to sit down..."
"I've got a chair...somewhere..." Clare said and started to looking around the huge room for that chair she had.
"It's okay I can sit on the floor..." Anni replied as she had begun to slide down the wall to the floor.
"Oh...how did it get up there..." Clare said as she looked up. Anni was already sitting on the floor as she slowed her breathing. The others had all disappeared to the rooms in the temple leaving Clare and Anni on the main floor.
"Geeze..." The sage said then went over to sit next to Anni. The smaller girl was fanning herself with her hand resting against the wall. "I probably should of stayed home..."
"This is about as far as you'll get...probably." Clare said as she fanned Anni with one of her wings.
"I'm pretty sure you're right..." Anni whispered as she deep a deep breath.
"Just relax." The sage said still fanning.
"I'm okay, you go check on the others, knowing Link, he'll fall down a hole somewhere..." Anni replied as she rested her hand on her stomach.
"Hey...Temple, anyone fall yet?" Clare asked tiredly.
"Not yet..." Was written on the floor.
"Thanks..." Clare hummed and smiled to Anni, "Now no one has fallen." The smaller girl nodded and tucked her legs under her as she moved her hand. Clare hummed again and flapped her wings.
"I hope Uncle's right..." Anni whispered forgetting Clare was right next to her.
"Right about what?" Clare asked flapping again.
"Her being healthy, she's hardly ever still these days..." Anni replied.
"She's healthy all right." Clare smiled to her as she stood up slowly. Anni smiled back and then yawned.
"I'll go gather everyone up then we can head back alright..." Clare said smiling softly.
"Okay..." Anni replied with another yawn.
"Okay I'll be back..." The winged one said and walked over to the stairs. Anni nodded and went about the chore of getting back on her feet.
"Milady, your nephew just fell into the Hall of Shiekhans..." One of the walls said.
"Uh...you were right Anni...Link did fall in a hole..." Clare said as she descended the stairs.
"I told you so..." The younger girl called with a defeated sigh, she'd just wait for someone to come help her.
"Ugh...that kid..." Clare grumbled as she went down the stairs then crossed the second floor to the other set of stairs.
"Kid you are hopeless..." Luke's voice floated up from the next floor. Clare got to the last floor and crossed the room to the open door.
"...Do I have to come down there and save you?" She asked, looking down at him.
"Umm..." Was her only reply.
"Don't worry Angel I'll get him..." Luke offered.
"Alright, I don't feel like packing fatty down there up here anyways..." She said and turned around. Luke chuckled and dropped in to the pitch black hole.
"That's a good Baho..." Clare said as she smiled.
"Of course Meu..." Luke said as he fazed right next to her and dropped Link on the floor.
"Ack!....wait what did you just call me...?" Clare said after she jumped away in surprise. He chuckled and proceeded to head up to the main floor. As did everyone else as Clare was jumped and flew around the crystals, her way to the main floor. Luke was already upstairs helping Anni back to her feet.
"Are you flying back Angel?" he asked steadying their niece.
"Yeah...I want to..." She said coming up from the hole in the center of the room to stand on the railing around the hole so no one fell in.
"Alright, come on you lot, it's getting late..." Luke replied ushering everyone out the temple doors.
"G'night temple..." Clare said walking out the entrance after the crowd.
"Good night Milady..." Was written above the door. She smiled and shook her head as the dial hummed a good night tune to her when she walked over it. Luke lifted Anni up to Link who secured his arms around her then turned for home, Luke mounted Moon and took up the back of the group. Clare flapped her wings and took off the ground to hover above Luke's head slightly.
"You sure you want to fly back Angel?" He asked knowing she'd hear him.
"Hmmm, not sure anymore...flying is such hard work..." Clare teased as she ruffled his hair. Luke smiled and beckoned for her to ride back with him. The sage rolled her eyes and transformed back into her ninja clothes before falling into his lap. Luke looped is arms around her tiny waist and nuzzled her shoulder affectionately. "Much better..."
"Yup..." She whispered to him as she leaned against his chest.
"Tired?" He asked as he adjusted her so she could sit more comfortable.
"Kinda..." She whispered.
"Go to sleep Angel..." He whispered back.
"Okay..." She said after a yawn and closing her eyes. Luke tightened his hold with one arm and continued to head home. Being Clare, she nuzzled into his chest with a happy sigh.
"Sweet dreams Angel..." He whispered and kissed the top of her head while keeping Moon at her steady even walk. Clare slept until they had gotten back home and then some. When she reawakens Luke was gently lying her on a blanket near the fire, another already wrapped around her.
"What...where..." She asked eyes still closed but incredibly warm.
"Shh...just go back to sleep Angel..." Luke whispered as he gently tucked her hair back behind her ears.
"Okay..." She said very passively and snuggled into the warm blankets.
"That's my girl..." Luke replied and placed a pillow under her head. She snuggled into the pillow wrapping the blanket around her shoulders and tucking her nose into it. Luke shifted around and sat next to her until dinner was ready. Clare muttered something about smelly pillows, salt water and booze before she drifted off to complete sleep. Luke shook his head and pulled a book out from under the coffee table. After a few minutes Clare rolled over and laid on her stomach grumbling. Luke started humming his lullaby while running his fingers through her hair with one hand. That earned him a quiet purr and a restfully sleeping ninja. Luke sighed and continued to hum until Anni brought dinner for both of them. The smell of food woke Clare from her sleep and she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Luke was surprised to see her up so quickly.
"How are you feeling Angel?" He asked.
"Alright I guess..." She said.
"You guess, what doesn't feel right Angel?" He asked as pulled her over to him and placed a plate in her hands.
"My magic..." She said softly.
"How sweetie, I can't help you if I don't know what I need to do..." He replied and coaxed her to eat something.
"It's not there...I must be sick..." Clare said as she ate some food.
"Alright, as soon as you're done, off to bed, maybe we can nip this in the bud..." Luke said as he finished his diner.
"Okay..." Clare said as she ate a bit more. Luke set his plate on the floor and pulled the blanket up of Clare's shoulders so she'd stay warm. Clare finished her supper and flopped on her back.
"Alright, off to bed with you..." Luke muttered as he scooped her up off the floor and cradled her against him.
"Okay..." She said and snuggled into his chest. Luke made his way upstairs and into their room where he placed the ninja in bed and covered her. When she rolled over, her wing marks on her back were so defined the feathers were visible.
"Oh sweetheart..." Luke whispered and gently ran his hand across her back as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"What...?" she said and looked over her shoulder at him.
"You really are sick..." He replied as he brushed her bangs off her face.
"...Oh...." She whispered then flopped her head back on her pillow.
"Just get some rest, I'll be back in a second..." He whispered and stood up.
"Alright..." She grumbled and pulled the blankets closer to her nose. He squeezed her shoulder and then left the room. She sniffled and snuggled into the pillow. Luke slipped back into the room and shut the door. He crossed the room and placed a bowl of cold water on the nightstand before sitting back on the edge of the bed. She rolled onto her back and looked up at him, one eyebrow raised.
"You're burning up Angel..." He told her as he wrung out a cloth and placed it on her forehead.
"...Oh..." She blinked and put her own hand to her forehead, push the cloth up. Luke peeled her hand away and put the cloth back in place.
"Just go to sleep Angel..." He whispered as he gently stroked her flushed cheek.
"Okay...I'll try." She said and closed her eyes slowly.
"That's my girl..." He said as he removed his hand and stood up, he took the chair from the desk and placed it next to the bed. He went back to humming only this time it was her song. She started to doze then fell asleep listening to the song.
"This one snuck up on her..." Luke muttered and switched the cloth out for a fresh one. She mumbled and moved closer to him. Luke reached over and linked his fingers with hers. She snuggled into her pillow. Eventually Luke joined her, his arms folded on the edge of the bed and his head rested on them but his hand still holding Clare's.