Tuesday
Clare woke with cold feet and a cold nose pressed against her stomach. Luke had at some pointed in the night rolled away from her and not had his nose pressed against the wall, the paint scratched away there. Clare stretched and reached over the bed looking for her boots, her eyes still closed. Lucas groaned in response to her movement. Clare grumbled and stopped moving, her hand hanging over the edge of the bed. There was the sound of nails being dragged down the wall then silence. The sound woke Clare and she sat up quickly, grabbing Lucas as he slid down her stomach. Luke muttered something in his sleep drawing Clare's attention in his direction. Clare scooted closer to see what he was muttering and maybe wake him up. Whatever he was muttering was in Sheikhan as he once again scratched the wall. Clare winced and shook his shoulder, "Luke...wake up..." Luke groaned and rolled onto his back, his hand falling across his chest, blue paint imbedded under his broke nails.
"Come on Luke...wake up..." Clare said as she gently took his hand and picked the paint flakes out from under his finger nails. He groaned again and let his head fall towards her. Clare sighed and leaned over and kissed his lips gently. Luke groaned again and after a few moments his eyes opened a crack.
"There...You're awake...did you have a nightmare?" Clare asked, picking up his hand once again. He nodded and rubbed his eyes with his other hand.
"Want to talk about it?" Clare asked picking paint again.
"Not really..." Luke muttered.
"Okay..." Clare whispered and finished picking the paint out from under his nails. Luke wrapped his arms around her once she was done. The ninja snuggled into his chest gently and comforting.
"It's stupid anyway..." Luke muttered in his own language. Clare was confused since she didn't understand him but kept silent. Luke nuzzled her neck, "Don't worry about me, it was just a stupid dream..." Something in his tone said he was afraid of what he saw.
"Then it wouldn't hurt if you talked about it...but it's your dream..." Clare whispered.
"You'll laugh..." Luke sighed hiding his face from her.
"No I won't..." She whispered.
"...You said no..." Luke whispered after a moment.
"What did I say no too?" Clare asked quietly.
"I asked and you said no..." Luke replied in a whisper.
"What did you ask me...?" Clare whispered.
"...to marry me..." Luke whispered almost silently. Clare smiled and kissed his lips gently, "I said I wasn't going to laugh so I won't but you're dream is way off..." Clare whispered. Luke smiled a little and once again hid against her neck, "You turned me down for someone I've never seen before..." Luke whispered.
"Then I haven't seen him before either..." She whispered. Luke sighed shortly and tightened his hold on her.
"I've only got eyes for you Luke..." Clare whispered and nuzzled his chest lightly. His grip relaxed a little as did the rest of him. Clare kept nuzzling his chest until she sneezed lightly.
"Someone talking about you Angel?" Luke asked.
"Don't know...maybe..." Clare muttered and sniffed. Luke nuzzled her temple gently. Clare smiled lightly then Lucas pounced on her back.
"Oh that's better..." Lucas said curling up on her back. Clare blinked then giggled.
"Come here kiddo..." Luke said as he scooped Lucas off of Clare's back and settled him between them where it was warmer. Clare shifted to make room for the Keaton kit, her hand went onto the bed near Luke's side. Luke kissed the underside of her jaw. Clare smiled and kissed his nose in response. There was a light tap on the door, "Breakfast..." Anni told them.
"Okay...Let's go get some food..." Clare whispered gently as she shifted of him. Luke nodded and sat up slowly so not to startle Lucas. Clare smiled and scooped the Keaton kit off him then stood up and then proceeded to slip on her boots. Luke sat up all the way and tamed his hair and got out of bed.
"I'll see you down stairs..." Clare said, kissing his cheek on her way past.
"Yeah I'll be down in a minute..." Luke said.
"Okay..." Clare replied and went out the door. Link could be heard talking to Sophie while Anni finished up breakfast. Clare raked her fingers threw her hair on her way down the stairs as she set Lucas on her shoulder. Johnny was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
"Want Lucas I take it..." Clare said as she picked up the kit from her shoulder and deposited him in front of his mother.
"Come on you, breakfast..." Johnny said before picking him up and trotting to the basket. Clare smiled and went to her seat at the table. A young woman, who looked a lot like Anni came out of the kitchen. Her chestnut hair hung to the back of her knees, she had the typical Hylian features and on her left hand was a gold wedding band. "Morning Auntie Clare." Clare blinked then blinked again, "Did...you heal yourself with...magic...?"
"I didn't it did it itself..." Anni replied.
"Okay...I thought I was going slightly crazy for a minute..." The ninja sighed and twisted the top left earring.
"Believe me, I was just as surprised as you when I got up..." Anni sighed.
"No piercing..." Clare muttered and leaned back slightly.
"Don't plan on it..." Anni replied returning to the kitchen just before Luke came down.
"Good..."Clare nodded then spun the top right earring.
"Good what?" Luke asked as he sat down.
"Anni isn't planning to get earrings...but then again I didn't either and look where that got me..." Clare grumbled. Luke shook his head and leaned back in his chair. Clare rolled her eyes and sat cross legged on her chair.
"Uncle Luke, do you want a coffee?" Anni asked, this time Clare noticed her voice was softer, like summer rain, instead of glass bells.
'Why is it all the females I know have voices of summer rain?' Clare asked in her head so no one would hear.
"Does...Anni's voice...sound off to you?" Luke asked with a confused expression.
"Yup, and you should know, the rest of her is... Well you should just see for yourself..." The ninja said wondering how her voice sound like.
"Coffee, do you want it?" Anni asked again this time coming into the room. Luke's jaw dropped as he saw his niece then dumbly nodded his head.
"Close your mouth you look like a fish..." Anni said leaving the room. Clare giggled and closed her boy friend's mouth with her index finger.
"What happened?" Luke asked quietly.
"Anni's magic kicked in and healed her..." Clare said and stretched her arms up, pulling the scar on her right shoulder.
"I see, maybe most of her, the scar on her back is still there though..." Luke muttered and looped his arm around her.
"Hmm...might take a bit longer for that one...that is if it does heal it..." Clare said and rolled her right shoulder.
"Something bothering you Angel?" Luke asked.
"Uh...it's kinda stupid..." Clare muttered.
"What is it?" Luke coaxed.
"What does my voice sound like?" She asked blushing slightly.
"Hmm?" Luke looked at her and paused.
"Can't really pin it to anything in particular, but it's between a knighting gale and spring rain." Luke answered.
"Good, I don't sound like most of the women I know." Clare said and smiled to him. Luke shook his head and smiled as Anni came into the room with his coffee and a cup of hot chocolate for Clare.
"Try it..." Anni said as she went to go see what Link and Sophie were doing on the floor by the fire. Clare smiled and took the hot chocolate and took a sip, "Not bad..." KERSNAP! Anni snapped one hand to her mouth, "Oh no...LIRA!" Clare looked around and noticed that the table was too high up so she looked over at Luke and noticed he was about six years old.
"Oh my..." Anni said picking up the twelve month old Clare. The look on Clare's face was completely unimpressed. Anni sighed and cuddled Clare the way she would Sophie out of habit, "I'm going to fire her..." Anni sighed. Clare sighed and reached for Luke. Anni smiled and tapped Luke on the shoulder before gently placing Clare in his arms.
"Wow Clare you got small...what happened to my voice?" Luke asked looking around. Clare sighed and cuddled him. Anni giggled and patted his head, "You look to be about six now, and she's twelve, thirteen months at the most.
"Oh..." He said. Clare looked up at him and giggled as she patted at his brown hair.
"Anni, what's going on?" Luke asked. Anni looked at the bottle on the counter, "Age reversal potion, very nice Lira, effects last ten to twelve hours..." Anni said reading the label. Clare made an attempt to talk but because she was twelve months old she couldn't so she huffed and pointed to the cups on the table.
"You want something to drink?" Luke asked. Clare shook her head and pointed to the two cups with two different drinks in it, asking if the drinks would have a different effect with the potion.
"I don't know..." Luke replied. Clare hummed and sat down on his lap, looking like she was thinking. Anni came back and knelt next to the two children, "Do you want some breakfast Clare?" The young girl nodded. Anni gently picked Clare up out of Luke's arms, "Okay let's get you some breakfast." Clare made a noise and reached for Luke again.
"In a second sweetie..." Anni cooed as she rubbed Clare's back. Clare made a noise again but stopped her reaching. Anni slipped into the kitchen for a moment and fished through the icebox for a bottle of milk. Once found, it went into a pot and onto the stove. While it warmed Anni hunted down a blanket and wrapped Clare in it. When it was warm, the milk went into a bottle and Anni returned to Luke. Anni placed Clare in Luke's arms and handed him the bottle of warm milk. The little girl reached for the bottle. Luke readjusted his hold on Clare and flipped the bottle around for her. Clare smiled and grabbed the bottle then stuck it in her mouth. Luke smiled and rubbed Clare's arm while she drank. When the mini ninja finished the bottle she yawned cutely. Anni walked by and snagged the bottle and put it in the kitchen. She came back and gently took Clare from Luke, "Eat your breakfast then you can hold her again." Anni told him as she went and sat on the couch. Clare shifted in Anni's arms until she made herself comfortable then closed her eyes. Luke scarffed his food so he could go hold Clare. Anni smiled and tucked Clare's hair behind her ear and tightened the blanket around the tiny child. Clare yawned again and fell asleep quickly.
"Make sure you wash your hands when you're done young man..." Anni told Luke without looking over at him. Luke grumbled then finished to run to the bathroom to wash his hands. Anni smiled seeing the eerie resemblance between Clare and her daughter when they were both asleep. Luke came running out of the bathroom and skidded to a stop in front of Anni, "Can I hold her now?" he asked quietly and quickly.
"Sit." Anni told him patting the spot beside her. He pulled himself up onto the couch and waited. Anni carefully moved her hold on Clare and placed her in Luke's arms.
"Now you have to be quiet and behave or I'll take her away." Anni whispered, instantly falling into her role as a mother. Luke nodded and pulled Clare close to his chest, to which she snuggled into it. Anni smiled and got up off the couch, chestnut flanks swishing as she stood. Luke shifted over to lean against the couch arm and hold Clare a wee bit closer. Anni took Sophie from a now sleeping Link and settled her in her basinet. Clare made a noise and shifted slightly. Anni walked by and disappeared upstairs to reappear with a certain Keaton stuffy, which she sat on the couch next to Luke. She then went over to Link and gently nudged him with her foot until he woke up.
"Ugh..." Link groaned and opened his eyes. Sheik and Tetra came down the stairs and woke Clare up. She opened her eyes and yawned again.
"Mind the kids while I'm at the ranch please." Anni asked as she glanced at Luke, "Wrap her back up and she should go back to sleep." Luke nodded and wrapped Clare's blanket around her tighter. The little girl grabbed the blanket in her hands and snuggled into Luke's chest again. Anni smiled, "I'll be back in two hours, be good." She said as she kissed Link and patted Luke's head. Anni pulled on her cloak and disappeared out the door. Link sat up and scratched his blond hair then looked over at Luke and Clare, "I didn't know Anni was babysitting..." Luke shook his head and yawned.
"You tired kid?" Link asked standing.
"No..." Luke lied before yawning again.
"Really?" The hero asked walking over to the two.
"Yes..." Luke replied rubbing his eyes with one hand, his nightmare infested night catching up with him.
"Here, let me take her and you can have a quick nap then I'll give her back alright?" Link offered the young boy.
"Okay fine..." Luke said as he handed Clare over. Link smiled and took the baby Clare then started walking, but the switch woke the girl so she looked up at Link.
"Hey there cutie..." Link cooed as Luke laid down on the couch and Link covered him with the blanket off the back of the couch. Now Clare, hearing Link call her cutie, she gave him a strange look.
"Go to sleep kid..." Link said quietly as he patted Luke's head before retaking his place on the floor by the fire, Clare resting on his chest. 'This is weird...' The ninja thought as she looked at Link.
"You kind of remind me of Sophie..." Link mused as he rubbed her back. Clare looked around then turned around to grab his hand. Link laughed quietly and let her have his hand. She used his hand to make her way off his chest and onto the floor.
"And where do you think you're going cutie?" Luke asked as he picked her back up. Clare whined and started to squirm.
"Shh, you're going to wake the kid up..." Link cooed and placed her back on his chest before rubbing her back. Clare crossed her arms and glared at him.
"That's creepy, you look just like my sister when you do that..." Link muttered before grabbing a red ribbon off the table and tying Clare's hair up. That's when the ninja slapped her forehead in irritation and sighed in the same tone.
"Oh my goddesses you are Clare..." Link gasped quietly. Clare threw up her hands in the air and if she could talk she would be saying, 'we have a winner, give the man a cookie!'
"Then the kid on the couch is Linebeck?" Link asked in a whispered voice, as the child in question was now sound asleep. Clare nodded but made a shh noise and pointed to Sheik.
"Right, well Clare or not you're still absolutely adorable." Link whispered. Clare sighed and shook her head then got an idea. She pointed to his head.
"What, you want my hat?" Link asked quietly. Clare nodded and smiled lightly.
"Alright, just don't lose it..." Link said placing the green hat on Clare's head. The hat was far too big for Clare's head and it fell over her eyes but she pushed it up and over her ears. Link chuckled and fixed it so it fit a little better. "There...now will you settle down, at least until Anni gets home?" Clare shrugged her shoulders with a slight giggle. Link looked around the room, then spotted the stuffed Keaton in the floor within arm's reach. He grabbed it, "Look who I found?" Link said, using that tone you use when you're talking to little kids. The little ninja attempted to resist the urge to grab the stuffy and lay down but finally caved and grabbed the stuffy. Link smiled and placed his hand on her tiny back. Clare snuggled the Keaton stuffy and looked over its head at Link before giggling.
"You're too cute..." Link said patting her back. She giggled again shifted to make herself more comfortable. Link wrapped Clare back up in her blanket and settled down to wait for his wife. Clare put the stuffy on Link's chest and poked him.
"What do you need Clare?" Link asked feeling the poke. Clare took a minute to think then pointed to a pillow. Link grabbed one of the throw pillows that had, as it was called, been thrown off the couch. Clare pointed to the blanket on the chair and the pillow on it.
"Do you want to sleep in the chair?" Link asked trying to figure out what she wanted. Clare shook her head no and made a tent symbol with her hands.
"You want me to build a tent?" He asked still not quite clear on what she was asking for. Clare nodded then.
"Okay..." Link said and grabbed the blanket and tossed it over the coffee table. "Okay?" Clare nodded and slid off his chest and crawled under the coffee table with the two pillows and the stuffy. Link shook his head and checked on Luke. Clare positioned the pillows so she could lie on them with the blanket over top of her and the stuffy clutched in her hands. Just before she fell asleep, Link lifted one side of the tent and tucked her in before dropping the blanket back into place. Clare smiled and drifted off. Two hours later Anni quietly slipped in the door, "How are the kids?" She asked Link quietly.
"Linebeck is sound asleep and so is Clare..." Link whispered sitting in the chair by the couch.
"Where is Clare?" Anni asked pulling Luke's blanket back over his shoulders and smoothing back his messy brown hair. Link lightly tapped the coffee table with his foot. Anni made a silent 'Ohh' and walked over to check on the tiny ninja. She did the exact same thing Link did and then stood up before dropping into her husband's lap. A few minutes later Luke woke and Clare crawled out from under her 'tent'.
"Hey there sweetie..." Anni cooed tiredly as she picked the child up. Clare stretched and yawned before looking around, readjusting Link's hat with one of her hands while the other held onto the stuffy.
"Did you have a nice nap, sweetie?" Anni asked cradling Clare in her arms. Clare nodded and looked around.
"He's in the bathroom sweetie..." Anni told her. Clare's lips made an 'o' then she started to chew on the stuffy's ear.
"Are you hungry honey?" Anni asked the tiny blonde. The tiny ninja nodded her head.
"Okay, let's get you something to eat..." Anni said standing from Link's lap and going into the kitchen to heat up another bottle of milk, since Clare had yet to get her teeth back. Clare stopped chewing on the stuffy's ear and was hugging it. Anni readjusted her hold on Clare as she poured the now warm milk into a bottle and screwed the cap on. With a practiced flip of a wrist and amazing speed, Anni had Clare cradled with the ninja's head in the crook of her arm and the nipple of the bottle to her lips. Clare grabbed the bottle in her hands and sucked the milk. Anni smiled as Clare drank, she did the exact same thing as Luke and rubbed Clare's arm as she drank. After a few minutes, Clare must have found a sour patch of milk because she made a face.
"Opps, sorry sweetie..." Anni cooed and unscrewed the cap, "That's the problem with Unicorn milk, has a weird taste..." Anni added a bit of honey to it, screwed the cap back on and gave it a shake before returning it to Clare. The ninja rolled her eyes and continued to suck on the bottle. Anni smiled and gently rubbed Clare's back so the little girl didn't get the hiccups. When Clare was done the bottle she pointed to the ground.
"Alright but be careful honey..." Anni said as she set Clare on the floor in the living room. Clare stood slowly then got her balance.
"Link, keep an eye on her so she doesn't get hurt..." Anni said as she began to start on Lunch. Link smiled and crouched down near Clare who was trying to stay upright.
"Come on Clare, you can do it..." Link coaxed holding his hands ready just in case. The ninja took a small slow step then stopped to regain her balance then took another step.
"That's it..." Link praised as he shuffled back a bit. Clare smiled and took another step, swayed slightly so she stopped to regain that lost balance.
"Come on..." Link coaxed his hands still ready to catch her shouldn't she be able to regain her balance. When Clare stopped swaying and Luke finally came out of the bathroom, she took another step then another one.
"That a girl, now you've got it..." Link praised.
"Shh...." Clare shushed him and took another step. Link shook his head and watched her, they needed to get her something that fit better than that oversized tunic. Clare raised her head and saw Luke so she changed her course over to him. Luke yawned and stretched, his white and blue sailor top was a wee bit too short. Clare only got about halfway to Luke when she tripped. Luckily Anni had just walked out of the kitchen and managed to catch her before she hit the floor. Clare whined and made as if she were still walking.
"Hang on sweetie..." Anni said as she set Clare back on her feet. This time Clare marched right over to Luke and turned around. Anni smiled happily, "Good job sweetie..." Anni praised. Clare gave an overdramatic bow then promptly sat down and yawned.
"Alright, time for another nap..." Anni cooed and crossed the room to the small child.
"Noooo...." Clare squeaked and snuck behind Luke.
"Come on sweetie, you need a nap..." Anni coaxed, at this time everyone came in for lunch.
"Noooo..." The tiny ninja squeaked again and ran behind Tetra's leg.
"Come on sweetie, I'll have Luke come with you..." Anni repeated and added the last part in a whisper.
"No...." Clare squeaked a third time and ran to hide under the couch. Anni sighed and grabbed Clare's stuffy from the floor and knelt down on the floor in front of the couch, "Come on Clare, your stuffy's lonely, he doesn't want to nap by himself..." Anni coaxed.
"No..." The ninja repeated.
"Clare Verity, come out here right now young lady..." Anni ordered patiently. There was a heavy sigh then a slight whine as the mini ninja crawled out from under the couch.
"There's a good girl..." Anni cooed and scooped Clare up into her arms.
"Wuke...Winebeck...Becky come too?" Clare asked trying pronounce Luke's first name, his full last name then finally settling with Becky.
"Okay, come on Luke..." Anni said holding her hand out for the six year old.
"No...I don't need a nap." Luke said crossing his arms.
"Luke..." Anni said her voice losing it's sweet tone. He turned his back on them with a humph.
"Lucas Vaan Linebeck, here now young man..." Anni ordered pointing to the spot next to her. Luke turned and walked over to the spot where she was pointing to grumbling the entire way as the others held in snickers. Clare reached down and patted his head with a yawn. Anni took his hand and led him upstairs in front of her.
"Poppins?" Clare asked with a yawn.
"In my pocket sweetie." Anni replied as she opened their door and entered. Clare nodded and yawned once more. Anni crossed the room and made Luke get into bed first. He did after yawning himself. Anni shook her head and laid Clare down neck to him and handed her Poppins. The older woman pulled the blankets up over them and tucked both of them in.
"Sweet dreams..." Anni whispered to them both. The children were already asleep, Luke's arm draped over Clare who was clutching the pillow fabric in her small hands. Anni smiled and shut the door only leaving it open a crack. An hour past and the weight that used to be a six year olds arm got heavier. The tiny ninja groaned and rolled over. Luke groaned and rolled towards the wall. Clare pushed his arm off and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Poppins fell to the floor with a soft thump. Clare looked over the edge of the bed and climbed after the stuffy. Anni's voice could be heard from across the hall as she put Sophie down for her nap. The ninja picked up her stuffy and pulled the door open. She looked down the hall and headed for the stairs. Stairs for an eighteen month old are a disaster waiting to happen. As Clare stood at the top of the stairs she felt a pair of hands wrap around her small body, "Where do you think you're going Mini?" Tetra asked the tiny ninja. Anni poked her head out the door, "Oh nice catch Tetra..." Anni sighed and shut the door to her room.
"Let's go down stairs then we can draw." Tetra said packing Clare and Poppins down the stairs. Anni smiled, amazed how good Tetra was with Clare. The ninja just blinked at the pirate princess as they made their way down the stairs and across the room where Tetra put Clare on some pillows in front of the coffee table. Anni watched as Tetra kept the tiny child amused. Clare had drawn five pictures so far but refused to show them and had started on her sixth but kept looking up at Tetra.
"What's the matter, Clare, don't you like me?" Tetra asked folding her arms on the table and resting her chin on them.
"I'm not done..." Clare mused and took a yellow crayon then looked up at Tetra then back to her page.
"Okay kiddo whatever you say..." Tetra replied and closed her eyes. After a few minutes Clare was poking Tetra's forehead. Tetra cracked open one eye and looked at the tiny child.
"I'm done!" Clare smiled to her and put the picture face down on the table in front of the pirate princess. Tetra opened both eyes and looked at the drawing in front of her. Clare had bent over to organize the crayons back into the box and her pictures.
"Anni come here, this kid's got some serious talent..." Tetra said. On the page in front of Tetra was an almost exact copy of the pirate other than the fact it was done in crayons.
"Wow...that's amazing..."Anni said as she picked up Clare.
"Anni...I've got to give these ones too." The mini ninja said holding the pictures in her hand.
"Okay, calm down sweetie, I didn't want you to sit on your red..." Anni replied placing Clare back down and handing her the crayon.
"Thanks..." Clare said and put it in the box putting the pictures down and letting Anni and Tetra glimpse the top one; Sheik sitting in a tree looking cooler than he should. Anni giggled and gently hugged the tiny girl, "You're just full of surprises."
"Anni...you squishing me..." The mini ninja gasped.
"Sorry sweetie..." Anni apologized and released the tiny ninja.
"Here's yours and Sophie's..." Clare said and pulled out two pictures, one was of Anni and Link sleeping on the couch up in the library and the other of Sophie laughing.
"Thank you sweetie..." Anni replied, and for a moment forgot that Clare wasn't hers as she kissed the top of the ninja's head before disappearing up the stairs. Clare blinked then shrugged her shoulders.
"Tetwa...can you make sure Sheik get's this one...?" Clare asked sliding Sheik's over to her, "Oh and the boys get this one..." She asked sliding the one with all six men standing on the deck of their ship.
"Sure thing Kiddo..." Tetra said and patted her head since she couldn't ruffle Clare's hair.
"And that weaves one..." The mini ninja said putting the last picture face down on the coffee table so no one could see it without moving the ninja's tiny hand. Anni came down with three picture frames which were promptly set on the mantle, both Clare's drawings and a photo of her and Luke shortly after they went down for their nap. Clare was staring up at the photo then she looked over at the mother with a glare, "Anni...? What is that all about?" Clare asked.
"You two were just so cute, I couldn't resist..." Anni said with a soft smile. The mini ninja sighed. Sheik came over and sat next to Tetra.
"Anni did you adopt another kid while I was asleep?" Sheik asked as Anni picked up Clare and her drawing, but never once looked at it.
"No and why would it matter to you?" Anni replied, but there was a line there and Sheik would probably die if he crossed it.
"I just don't think you need another kid, especially one that looks like Clare..." He answered.
"Says you, you lazy bumpkin! And what's wrong with me?! You know I should beat the crap out of you!" Clare shouted shaking her tiny fist at him.
"Oh my Goddesses it's Clare, that's even worse..." Sheik grimaced.
"Clare watch your mouth or I'll wash it out with soap." Anni warned.
"Can I at least give Sheik a wet wily?" The mini ninja asked as she looked up at Anni.
"How about I led you my spoon and you can smack him?" Anni offered.
"I'm not strong enough..." Clare said then shrugged her shoulders, "Guess he gets off scot free...for now..."
"Okay, now let's go wake up a certain lazy teenager..." Anni said and headed for the stairs.
"He's not the most energetic guy around..." Clare agreed.
"No, no he isn't..." Anni said as they came to the door, which was now shut and locked.
"Luke get up right now young man." She ordered.
"Too bad I don't have my lock picks..." The mini ninja muttered when there was no response from inside the room.
"Lucas Vaan Linebeck, I'm giving you to the count of ten to get up or else I will haul you out myself and chuck you out in the snow..." Anni threatened. Thing about barkeepers, they may look harmless but they can throw someone twice their size easily. There was a groan and the lock clicked open. Anni waited tapping her foot for him to open the door. The door creaked open and standing in the door way was Luke.
"About time, come down for lunch..." Anni said and turned on her heel to go back downstairs. Clare waved as Luke went back into his room to get a shirt then he came back out his shirt only half buttoned. Anni slipped into the kitchen to find something for Clare, not thinking a nineteen month old would want a bottle of milk.
"I want a cookie..." Clare said looking over at the cookie jar. Anni thought for a moment, "Alright but just a small one."
"YAY!" The tiny ninja said throwing her hands in the air. As Anni came out with Clare, who now had her cookie, several jaws hit the table. Clare looked over at them confused.
"I'm just as confused as you are sweetie..." Anni said to the young girl.
"Hey...what's the matter?" Clare asked the people at the table.
"Who are you guys?" Niko asked.
"Oh that's right...you look different...and I'm two..." Clare mused softly.
"I don't look that much different do I?" Anni asked the two year old quietly.
"You look like a dark haired Hyrulian." Clare told her. Anni made a quiet 'oh'. The mini ninja nodded her head then turned to the pirates, "This is Anni...Same Anni that feed you tubs of lard for three years." Clare told them. Four out of six pirates fell out of their chairs at the news, "And the young lady in my arms is Clare, the one that if anyone cracks a joke about, I'll smack you." Anni finished.
"You'd smack them otherwise." Clare muttered then munched on her cookie. Anni shook her head and set Clare down by the fire where five sets of silver eyes peered over the basket at her. The mini ninja looked over at them and waved.
"Momma, who's that? And the lady she came in with?" The two girls asked having not heard the conversation prior. The keatons reminded Clare of her stuffy, "Oh no Poppins is gone..." Clare said looking around then standing. Luke plopped down on the couch and dangling from his fingers was Poppins.
"There he is...Thanks Becky..." The mini ninja said walking over to where he was dangling the stuffy. As soon as she was in reach, Luke scooped her up and placed her on his chest. The mini ninja squeaked and when she was on his chest shook her head.
"You're so cute, so who was that lady banging on my door?" Luke asked the tiny blonde. He was answered when the same 'lady's' spoon connected with his head.
"Thanks a lot Uncle Luke, I feel so loved." Anni hissed as she grabbed her cloak and left the Inn.
"I think you hurt her feelings Luke...Wait...do you remember me?" Clare asked him.
"Umm, yes you haven't changed that much in the last four hours." Luke replied.
"Then you have no excuse, that was Anni you door knob!" Clare shouted hitting his chest with her tiny fists.
"That lady is far too pretty to be Anni..." Luke said, it was not that Clare realized, he wasn't even completely awake.
"You door knob..." She repeated and shook her head before giving forehead a poke.
"Huh, what are we talking about?" Luke asked finally waking up.
"You insulted Anni you door knob...Now go and apologize." Clare said pointing to the door.
"I did what?" Luke asked his eyes going wide.
"You, in your sleep induced state, didn't recognize Anni and thus insulted her." She explained, and slid off his chest onto the couch cushion then climbed off it onto the floor. Luke smacked himself on the forehead, "Ou Jeityaio anim die jyat..." He groaned.
"Just go and apologize." The infant ordered and sat at the coffee table again.
"I'm going..." Luke said and went to apologize to Anni. Clare sighed when he went out the door and rested her head on the table, over top of the picture she had yet to hand out. Anni came storming back in and slammed the door square in Luke's face before disappearing upstairs and proceeded to slam her own door. After a moment the door swung open and Luke slipped in holding his nose.
"What did you do this time?" Clare asked looking up at him.
"I tried to apologize but she wasn't hearing any of it..." Luke replied as he laid on the couch. Clare sighed and moved to stand, "I'll be back..." She muttered and went to the stairs. Link was on his way up to see what had his wife so upset. The mini ninja walked over to the stairs and looked up at them, "This is going to be hell..." Link looked back at her, "Do you want me to take you up?" She nodded quickly. Link came back down the three steps and picked her up and then went upstairs and knocked on the door.
"Anni, what's the matter honey?" Link asked after trying the door and finding it locked.
"The dummy down stairs didn't recognize her..." Clare whispered and tapped the door with her small hands.
"Anni, honey, open the door, it's just me and Clare." Link said gently.
"And Poppins..." Clare pointed out.
"And Poppins..." Link added. There was silence for a few moments before the lock on the door clicked and the door opened a crack. Clare reached forward and pushed the door open with Poppin's nose. Anni was sitting on the bed staring at her lap and her hair hiding her eyes.
"Oh Anni don't be sad...The dummy is a dummy and shouldn't be listened to." Clare said and wiggled. Anni smiled a little and reached to take Clare from Link. The hero handed the mini ninja to Anni then sat next to her. Clare sat in Anni's lap and smiled up at her, "You are be-a-utiful."
"Thank you Clare..." Anni said quietly even as a tear ran down her cheek.
"No crying! Here hug Poppins and you shouldn't really blame him...Remember the pirates didn't even recognize you." Clare pointed out.
"The pirates aren't my family..." Anni retorted and hugged Clare gently.
"And he was half asleep...that dummy is never in his right mind when he's half asleep...But that doesn't excuse him so if you want I can let you order him around for the rest of the day." The mini ninja offered.
"I'm going to anyway, at the moment the oldest person in this Inn is on your ankle..." Anni replied.
"And he can't do anything..." Clare grumbled and poked the bell which it jingled back.
"If I could remember the spell, there used to be one on releasing spirits..." Anni mused as she set Clare on the bed.
"But do you really want me to be a girly girl again?" The ninja asked hugging Poppins and looking over his stuffed head.
"No, no I don't..." Anni said with a sly smile.
"I'm not liking that smile..." Clare muttered and scooted back. Anni gently knocked her over and started tickling her. The tiny child started to laugh and had rolled onto her stomach to try to crawl away.
"Oh no you don't..." Anni laughed as she snagged the back of Clare's tunic and dropped her into her lap before resuming tickling the tiny blonde. The ninja tried to stop the larger hands from tickling her but she was laughing too hard. The nice thing about Anni is she isn't half as evil as her Uncle and she stopped after a few moments. The poor little ninja was still laughing even after Anni had stopped.
"Okay, let's get you a bath and into something that actually fits..." Anni said picking Clare up off her lap.
"Can I splash someone?" Clare asked hugging Poppins.
"I'll let you splash Sheik..." Anni told her.
"Sheik's a pervert..." The ninja said crossing her little arms.
"Okay how about the other meanie downstairs..." Anni offered.
"I have something better planned for him..." Clare said rubbing her hands with an evil smirk.
"Okay, who do you want to splash?" Anni asked heading down the stairs after grabbing a red outfit.
"How about the first person who walks in?" Clare asked.
"Okay..." Anni agreed and set her on the kitchen counter. Clare sat there and put the Keaton stuffy beside her, "Poppins getting a bath too?"
"If you want him to..." Anni replied drawing some water from the well.
"Sure...He smelt funky ever since Becky gave him back." The tiny ninja said. Anni smiled and put the water on the stove to heat up, "Okay." Clare giggled and put her hands on her knees. After ten minutes Anni took the water off the stove and poured it in the sink.
"Bath time you little cutie..." Anni cooed.
"Okay!" Clare said throwing her hands in the air. Anni smiled and pulled Clare's tunic over her head. The ninja's immediate reaction was to shiver, "I is cold..." Anni smiled and picked the ninja up and put her in the warm water.
"That's better..." The ninja said and sunk down till the water was up to her shoulders. Anni smiled and dunked a mug in the water before pouring it over Clare's hair which was undone, the ribbon sitting on Link's hat with Clare's tunic. Clare looked up and parted the bangs from over her eyes. Anni smiled and tickled Clare quickly before grabbing a little green bottle off the window sill. The tiny ninja giggled lightly and moved her hands threw the water.
"You're too cute..." Anni cooed as she poured some of the content into her hand.
"What scent is it?" Clare asked looking up at the green bottle.
"Sea Orchids..." Anni replied and began to wash Clare's hair. Clare ducked slightly and sat back up. Anni smiled and rinsed her hands before grabbing the same mug from before and covered Clare's eyes as she rinsed the tiny ninja's hair. Clare closed her eyes and wanted to shake her head. Anni washed the little girl, not once getting soap in her eyes. The brunette lifted Clare out of the sink and wrapped her in a soft towel and packed into the living room and sat down in front of the fire. Luke was sitting on the couch reading a book.
"Haven't you already read that one?" Anni asked drying Clare's hair gently.
"Yeah...just want to check something out..." Luke answered, turning the page. Clare waited until Anni was done. Anni pulled a red dress onto the tiny blonde and put her hair back up with the red ribbon.
"You done yet?" Clare asked tapping her foot.
"Yes, off you go you little cutie..." Anni said setting Clare on her feet.
"YAY!" The tiny ninja said running away already. Anni shook her head good naturedly and went to wash Poppins out. Clare then ran over to Luke, "Becky, play tag with me!" She said pulling on his pant leg.
"But I don't want to..." He told her.
"Please Becky..." Clare asked. Luke gave her a queer look.
"Please...?" She asked again giving him the eyes almost anyone couldn't resist.
"Get Link to play with you..." Luke said returning to his book. The ninja was not happy so she gave his shin a good kick before going to look for Link. Luke groaned and rubbed his shin.
"You asked for it..." Anni called. Clare found Link coming in from outside, "Link!" She said and walked over to him.
"Oh what is it, sweetie?" Link asked picking her up.
"Can you play with me?" She asked him.
"What do you want to play sweetie?" Link asked.
"Hide n' seek." The tiny ninja said clapping her hands together.
"Okay, let's play hide n' seek..." Link agreed and set her down. "Ready?"
"Ready!" Clare said after she ran and hid behind the coats handing by the door. Link smiled and pretended to look for her for about ten minutes. He pulled the coat she was hiding behind to the side, "Peek-a-boo..." Clare squeaked and covered her eyes, "You can't see me..." She giggled.
"Oh, where'd she go?" Link gasped. Clare giggled again and peeked between her fingers.
"I see you..." Link cooed and picked her up. Clare giggled again. Link laughed and set her on Luke for a moment, as Anni had told him to go get Sophie. Clare was not happy with her current position, so she crossed her arms and glared at a random spot on the wall across from her.
"Are you still mad because I don't want to play?" Luke asked setting his book on the coffee table.
"Humph!" Clare said and glared harder at the wall.
"I'm sorry Angel..." Luke said quietly and pulled her down against his chest and rubbed her back.
"You aren't going to get me that easily..." She muttered.
"Come on Clare, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings..." Luke coaxed and bumped his nose against hers. She scrunched her nose and blinked at him.
"You're too cute..." Luke whispered and kissed her forehead. Clare rolled onto her back and looked up at the ceiling.
"Come one Clare...I'm really sorry..." Luke pleaded.
"When do you think I'll be 28 again?" She asked holding her tiny hand up in front of her face.
"Well Anni said the effects last ten to twelve hours and it's going on six, so it should wear off soon..." Luke replied. Clare sat up and turned to him, "...And why are you a teenager with an attitude problem now then and not six years old?" She asked. Luke gave her an unimpressed look, "I don't know..."
"You don't know a lot of things..." She grumbled and slid off his chest onto the couch cushions. Luke sighed and rolled on his side and idly played with the bow on the back of her dress. Clare yawned but covered it by face planting into the pillow next to her. Luke grabbed the blanket she'd been wrapped in earlier from under the couch and covered her up. The tiny ninja shifted and relaxed. Luke smiled and rubbed her back gently. Clare's one ear twitched but it was out of habit now and she relaxed more. Luke laid his head on one of his folded arms and watched her sleep. After a few minutes and totally out of habit, Clare rolled over and grabbed the front of Luke's shirt. Luke smiled and untied her hair so he could run his fingers through it. Clare grumbled lightly and pulled the blanket closer to her. Anni walked by and dropped Poppins on the couch before walking away. The stuffy landed behind Clare, so she warm on one side and fluffy on the other. Luke sighed and went back to watching Clare sleep. The ninja slept for a good two hours before she stretched and woke up, somewhat still asleep and accidently punched Luke in the head.
"Ow..." Luke groaned quietly and rubbed his jaw.
"Sorry..." Clare yawned tiredly.
"I probably deserved it..." That's when it clicked in Clare's head, his voice was back to normal. She looked up at him, "Hey...you're not a teenager anymore."
"And you're not two..." Luke replied.
"Good, I can feed myself for once today..." She said.
"Yeah that's not the only thing that's changed around her..." Luke muttered.
"I'm cold...ACK!" Clare said then looked down before covering herself.
"Yeah..." Luke replied looking anywhere but at Clare as he covered her with the blanket from her tent.
"I-I think I-I'm going to get some clothes...on..." Clare stuttered and poofed into their room. Luke sighed and promptly dropped to the floor. Clare came out and went down the stairs in an all black outfit with red fuzzy slippers. Her boyfriend was no longer on the couch.
"Hey Luke?" Clare called out and looked around. There was a groan from the floor in front of the couch. Clare walked over and leaned on the back on the couch, "What are you doing on the floor...?" She asked. Luke looked at her with one red eye and then proceeded to smack his head on the floor once.
"Uh..." Clare muttered and hopped over the back of the couch to poke Luke.
"I'm not getting up for at least twenty minutes..." Luke muttered so only Clare and the dust bunnies under the couch would hear.
"Okay, I'll sit here..." Clare said and flopped onto the couch lengthways. Luke groaned and hid the colour rushing to his face. The ninja stretched again and put her hands behind her head. It was now that Clare noticed how quiet it was in the Inn.
"Okay...I think I forgot how sensitive my ears are...Where is everyone?" Clare asked sitting up and looking around. Anni was sound asleep at the table and everyone else was nowhere to be seen.
"Eh..." The ninja said and laid back down.
"The other's are outside screwing around in the snow, and Anni's out because of, somehow you managed to sleep through, the dinner rush..." Luke told her.
"Well I can sleep through your snoring so I think I can sleep through the dinner rush..." Clare laughed slightly. Luke rolled his eyes and made no move to get up. Clare reached down patted the back of his head and put her hand back behind her head.
"I hope you know, this is all your fault..." Luke groaned.
"What?! How is it my fault...I don't even know what I did..." Clare said looking down at him. Luke just gave her a look that screamed, 'I really don't want to explain'. Clare shook her head and laid back on the couch. Luke muttered something along the lines of, "You and your drop dead gorgeous body..." Clare blushed and shuffled so if he looked up at the couch, he wouldn't see her. About ten minutes later Luke stood up, still a little flushed but back to normal. Clare had closed her eyes trying to school her face back to normal but the blush remained. Clare was saved when Anni slid off the table to the floor with a quiet thump.
"Y-you should go get her..." Clare said still keeping her eyes shut.
"Already on it..." Luke replied, already picking up the still sleeping woman. Clare took a deep breath when he left and let it out slowly, trying to rid her face of the blush. Luke carried Anni over and set her in the chair next to the couch.
"Here, put her on the couch..." Clare said and stood up.
"She's fine..." Luke said as Anni shifted to a comfortable position. Clare sat back down and laid down again. As Luke sat down on the edge of the couch next to her, Anni pulled her knees up onto the chair and still barely took up any of it. Clare shook her head then put her arms behind her head again and closed her eyes. Luke had gone pretty much all day with no attention from the ninja and as such nuzzled her neck gently. The ninja cracked one eye open and looked at him. Luke smiled and kissed her temple.
"Wouldn't it be better to do this somewhere more...private..." Clare asked as she moved one arm to wrap it around his neck and play with his hair on the back of his neck.
"Thought you were mad at me?" Luke purred as he lifted her off the couch.
"Eh, I can't stay mad at you for very long..." Clare smiled lightly. Luke smiled and quickly kissed her. She kissed him back by wrapping her other arm over his shoulder. Luke carried her up the stairs and into their room where he placed her on the bed. Clare laid there and smiled at him. Luke kissed her again as he leaned on the bed. Clare smiled and kissed him then wrapped her arms around his neck. Luke worked his one hand under her shirt to lay in on her stomach. Clare smiled and pulled him closer. In her pulling him closer, she unintentionally moved his hand higher up her torso. The ninja shivered slightly. Luke smirked and pressed into the kiss. The ninja shivered again but pressed back. Luke broke the kiss.
"Cold Angel?" He purred as he shifted them so they were both on the bed.
"No...." Clare purred in returned.
"Good..." He replied as he kissed her again. Clare kissed him back. Luke gently nipped her lip as he snuck his hand a little up from her skin. The ninja opened her mouth slowly. Luke deepened the kiss and traced a circle with his thumb. Clare smiled and ran her hands over his shoulders and to the top buttons on the shirt he was wearing. He ran his hand down her stomach, a slight chill to them from picking up Anni. Clare shivered slightly as she un button the top three buttons. Luke broke the kiss and attacked her neck after expertly popping the top two buttons of her shirt with one hand. Clare ran her hand to the next button slowly as she moaned lightly. Luke smirked and nipped lightly at her pulse point. She moaned lightly and un buttoned the rest of his shirt before running her hands back up his chest. Luke rumbled happily as he undid the bottom four buttons of her shirt. Clare moaned lightly again and put her hands under the collar of his shirt.
"You...have anything...on under this?" Luke asked between nips.
"Wouldn't you like to know..." Clare purred and nipped his pulse point.
"Yes, I would..." Luke replied as he kissed her jaw.
"I've got a dark...blue...bikini...top...on under..." She purred again.
"Good..." Luke purred and popped another button. Clare giggled and nipped his pulse point again. Luke smirked and nipped the spot right behind her ear. Clare moaned and groaned. Luke smirked and ran his free hand up the inside of her thigh. It didn't have the same effect since she did still have her pants on but she still moaned. He nipped down to her collar bone while both hands disposed of her belt. She was also working on his belt. Luke ran both hands up her sides while nipping at the hollow of her neck. Clare moaned louder and slid his belt from the belt loops of his pants. Luke popped the last few buttons on her shirt from the inside and started nipping at her breast bone. She moaned louder. He smirked and ran one hand down her side. Clare shivered lightly and kissed his head. Luke rumbled quietly and slipped her pants off. Clare moaned and slowly worked his own pants off. He dropped her pants onto the floor with her belt and ran his hand up the inside of her thigh again. She moaned loudly and ran her hands off his shoulders to his arm then to the bed. He smirked and kissed the center of her breast bone. She moaned loudly again and clutched her fists in the blankets. Luke smiled and gave her a minute to breathe. Clare purred and pushed him so he was on his back. Luke smirked liking where this was going. Clare kissed his lips then trailed them over to his ear where she started nipping from lob to ear tip. Luke sighed contently and ran both hands down her sides to rest on her hips. Clare nipped the tip of his ear lightly before licking it then skipped down to his chest. Luke groaned quietly. The ninja nipped his chest lightly, making her way down to his naval. Luke groaned again but not very loudly. Clare licked around his naval then licked all the way back up to his collar bone. Luke groaned and fisted his hands in the sheets. She nipped at his collar bone and her hand trailed down his side. Luke groaned and snagged her chin, pulling her up into a heated kiss. Clare smiled and kissed him back with the same fire. The hand that had pulled her up trailed down her neck and down her side from her shoulder. Clare shivered and gasped. Luke quickly deepened the kiss while she was distracted. Clare moaned and put her hand onto his chest. He trailed that same hand that had surprised her, down her arm to her hand. Clare laced their fingers together and pressed into the kiss. Luke pressed back to distract her enough to flip them so Clare was once again on the bottom. She moaned and squeaked lightly when she felt the covers against her back. Luke smirked and broke the kiss to nip at the center of her breast bone again. Clare moaned and groaned lightly. He smiled and lightly kissed the same spot. Clare shivered lightly because of the feeling. Luke nipped a little lower. She shivered and moaned. He trailed his free hand lightly up her side. Clare shivered again and moaned lightly. Luke nipped a little lower seeing if he could get away with it. She moaned louder. He was in a very mischievous mood brushed his fingers along the bottom of one of the twins. She gasped in response and moaned then groaned. Luke smirked and started nipping at her ribs. She moaned loudly. He nipped to her naval which he licked. The ninja moaned, groaned and shivered. Luke smiled and rested his head on her shoulder, giving her a moment to breath. Clare took that moment that he gave her to get her air back.
"Are we having fun Angel?" Luke asked, slightly groggily.
"I am and I think you are but you sound half asleep already..." Clare purred gently.
"I didn't sleep good last night..." Luke yawned.
"Then let's get some sleep..." Clare cooed.
"Okay..." He yawned and shifted so he could rest his head on her collar bone.
"G'night Luke..." Clare yawned herself.
"Night Angel..." Luke whispered and pulled the blankets up over them. The ninja was already asleep. Luke snuggled into her neck and drifted off.