Never Enough Chapter 11
Originally Hikaru had planned to speak with her family about Lantis in April when the new school year started. Satoru's intervention shortly after White Day had put the kibosh to that. The news broke upon returning home from the ice cream parlor that day.
The Shidou family seemed to take the announcement of Hikaru's plan to bring Lantis to meet them in stride. Satoru helped her talk with Masaru and Kakeru who where shocked into utter silence and made the phone call himself to their mother about the situation. There were concerns of course. Comments with regard to the speediness of the relationship. Thankfully only Satoru knew how physical they already were. Over all though, she thought the talk had gone well.
Mother was going to come back for the first week of summer break; she would be holding her own interview with Lantis aside from the sit down he would have with Satoru. Once again Masaru and Kakeru brought up their intended duels and fought over who would face off against him first. It seemed that the kendo matches couldn't be avoided. Even Satoru whom she thought might give up on such silliness was adamant on facing her swordsmen. Although she suspected it was her elder brother's way of defending her honor or some such thing. She would have to make time to teach Lantis the basics of kendo.
Her beloved's swordsmanship was completely different from it. She'd have to get him used to using the shinai and all the armor and then there was the point system to explain... But Hikaru would worry about that another day. There was still all of April, May, June and most of July before the summer break to work on routines and katas.
This was the last weekend of March and Hikaru, Umi and Fuu were going to unwind at one of Cephiro's now beautiful beaches with their respective boyfriends. Their visit to the palace was quick. They dropped their duffel bags and back packs, fished out their old ovum gem gloves. The gloves from their active Magic Knight days and used them to store their swimsuits, towels and sun cream. They would then be able to transform into their swim gear rather than work at secluding themselves from their boyfriends to change.
It was awful convenient how their gloves could double as portable storage rooms for them. Back when the three of them were constantly on the run battling monsters and invaders they had no time to appreciate such things. Hikaru herself hadn't even remembered that the enchanted items could do such things until Umi brought it up in their plans.
The trek across the Cephirain sky was quick with Clef and Ascot's creature summons. Ascot was apparently tagging along with Caldina who had invited herself upon learning of Ferio and Clef's leave of the castle. With Lafarga busy training new recruits, he wouldn't be accompanying them but that wasn't about to stop the illusionist from having a good time. Ferio and Fuu joined Caldina and Ascot on one of his summoned friends while Hikaru, Lantis, Umi and Clef followed with one of the Master Mage's creatures.
Touching down on the beach that Caldina had hand picked, the women quickly transformed into their swim suits. Hikaru wore a simple one piece of whine red coloring with black track lines along the sides. While Umi and even Fuu surprised her by wearing bikinis; Fuu with light green and Umi in light blue.
Hikaru wasn't the only one surprised. Ascot and Clef were clearly blushing, unsure of where to look. While Ferio whistled very openly eying Fuu.
Hikaru smiled at their interactions. Good for them. She knew her friends' relationships weren't as far along as Lantis and hers and it was plain to see that this was somewhat of a provocative step for both Fuu and Umi whom were usually very conservative in their attire.
While her friends were being fawned over, she helped Caldina lay out a picnic blanket, basket and bottled drinks.
"Won't these get warm in the sun?" Hikaru queried as she examined the bottles. She had tried its contents before, it was very similar to sugar cane. Very refreshing in the warmer weather.
"Oh, that's what we got our pretty little Water Knight over there for." Caldina winked. "She's not just eye candy. With her ice magic I reckon she can frost them up right quick for us."
Umi caught that and spun around, "I'm not a cooler you know."
Even so, she took one of the drinks and Hikaru watched with delight as the glass began to frost over in Umi's hand. "That's so cool Umi!"
The Water Knight shrugged, but there was a prideful glint in her eye. "Shall we go for a dip?"
Caldina was the first to bounce off grabbing a newly changed, bare chested Ascot by the arm and dragging him into the crystal clear body of water. Ferio, Clef and Lantis had also taken the time to change into the Cephirian equivalent of swim trunks. Clef seemed content enough to just wade only so deep as to cover his ankles. But Ferio was more than happy to guide Fuu by the hand into the calm waves. Lantis on the other hand settled in the sand, stretching out and crossing his ankles.
It was the first time she'd seen his legs bare and her eyes kept drawing on them. They were sculpted but not overly muscular. Hikaru made her way to him. She put her hands on her hips trying to distract herself and said, "You look awful comfy."
He grinned, looking through his long bangs at her. "Perfect spot for a nap."
"Lazy." She chided.
He shifted, leaned back on his elbow and stroked his own chest offering her a toothy grin. "You could join me sweetness."
A shiver went up her spine and she very seriously considered it until, "Hikaru!" Umi's voice boomed. "Come over here!"
She looked to her wolf, "Go on." he told her.
She dug at the warm sand with her foot, "You won't join us?"
"And miss the rear view when you walk away?"
Her cheeks flared instantly, her eyes shifted. "Don't talk like that when the others are around."
He quirked his brows, "It's not as though they're in ear shot."
She squirmed,"But I can't act normal when you say things like that."
"Hi-ka-ru!" It was Umi again.
Hikaru turned and waved, "c- I'm coming!" She broke into a jog, acutely aware that her man's steely eyes were trained on her.
All lusty thoughts were lost to her the moment her feet touched the water. She jumped back with a shriek.
"What is it Hikaru?" Umi asked, waist deep in the ocean water. Clef still considerably shorter than her was treading at her side. Caldina whom had been goofing around with Ascot also looked in her direction. Even Ferio and Fuu who were working on swimming technique some distance off were looking her way.
"Um," Hikaru fumbled. She felt foolish at her outburst, she pointed down and meekly told them. "The water's chilly."
There was a collective set of sighs and chuckles.
"Just jump in, you'll get used to it quicker!" Ferio shouted.
Hikaru took a step and immediately put her foot back on the sand. It was like walking into an ice bath it was so cold! She tried again, getting both feet about as deep in as her ankles. She folded her arms and fought the shiver that ran up her legs and back.
"Oh, please Hikaru it's not that bad!" Umi called.
She waded very slowly until the water was up to her calves and then started backing up. Too cold, too cold.
Umi chuckled and with a flick of her wrist sent a rolling wave Hikaru's way.
Hikaru jumped back not at all ready for the water works but before her feet could steady she felt all too late that someone was approaching her from behind. For a split second she'd wondered at how this someone had gotten behind her without detection. Then she felt strong, large hands wrap around her waist, hoisting her up over a firm shoulder. His aura told her it was Lantis which would have calmed her save for the fact they were now rushing deep into the sea.
She realized what would happen next and frantically tried to fight against her abductor only to then be plunged full body underwater. A second later she popped back up gasping and shivering with salt water slightly stinging her eyes. She felt like a water logged cat and probably looked like one too if the high volume outburst of laughter was any indication.
Lantis emerged a second later with a splash. His wet hair completely covered his face but with a quick head swish, droplets flying in every direction his bangs flew back revealing his proud and cocky face. If she was Umi she was pretty sure she would have slapped him for that little stunt. Instead she hollered. "What happened to taking a nap!?"
Calmly, "I found something much more enjoyable to do." He reached for her only to be swatted away by her hands.
"No, you're just awful."
In any other situation she would have been awed that he was capable of being playful and teasing, particularly around others as normally he was stony and formal with them. To see this other unknown side of him should have made her heart flutter. Instead she was goose bumped and itching for retribution.
"I can't help being awful to you once in a while. You were too cute to ignore." He moved for her again and she splashed him.
He recovered and looked her over with trickster eyes. "I can warm you up, if only you'll let me." A grin formed on her lips and this time he lunged for her. He was too big and too quick for her to evade and he once again caught her around the waist pulling her against him. She squirmed against his firm chest and he tightened his hold. Realizing the futility of her struggles she quieted. He brushed the few loose strands of hair from her face resting his palm against her cheek. He guided her eyes up to his. They were dark. The fun and games were over and before she could attempt a protest his lips were on hers.
He tasted of salt and sea, and against logic she found she rather enjoyed it. He angled his mouth in such a way that made her melt. Her mind's eye flashed on a thought that she knew was coming from him; his tongue sweeping along her body from the navel up. Then she was ardently kissing him back. Hot under his touch; forgetting herself and the world around them until a wave strong enough to nearly bowl them both over hit.
Through their sputtering they heard Umi call, "Cool it down you too."
Cackling and suddenly very close by Caldina chimed, "Yeah, save some of that steam for your wedding night." By now it was common knowledge that Lantis was fixing to marry her. Though Cephiro and its neighboring countries didn't have weddings per se, her friends were quick to understand the meaning.
Hikaru fidgeted and nervously played with her braid. While Lantis offered her a rather unimpressed scowl.
Caldina unfazed puttered around them, "I'm borrowing the little Missy and since you have so much ample energy to burn why don't you go team up with the rest of the boys and catch us something for lunch?"
Her wolf didn't seem too keen on the idea. But Umi and Fuu appeared to be waiting for her in the not too far distance. She could feel him reaching for her mind, then clearly she felt him think, this isn't over. Reluctantly he excused himself.
With that Caldina dragged her along back to the girls, "So Hikaru, you and Lantis are pretty hot and heavy huh?" Caldina's voice cracked like a whip to her ears. Her eyes popped and flashed on the illusionist.
"Caldina!" Fuu said.
"Caldina that's private!" Umi snapped in defense of her.
The pink haired woman blinked at them. Caldina never did seem to get flustered with emotional stuff like Umi, Fuu and she did. She never got embarrassed about... personal stuff."What? It's not like it's a secret. Those two are always sneek'n off never to be found. And with talks about wedd'ns and marriages 'n the like you seriously think that that little show of theirs is as far as they've gone?"
Hikaru stammered. "can- can we not talk about that right now?"
Caldina sighed, "And here I thought we could finally start talking about more mature things."
Fuu and Umi looked her way; nervous, embarrassed... expectant?
"Caldina please." Hikaru waved.
"Well..." Umi began. "You are talking marriage with your family come summer break right?"
"So it's not so unbelievable..." Fuu continued cheeks ever rosy. "you... experimenting a little..."
Once Lantis had joined up with Ferio, Ascot and Clef the Cephirian men set out to find an area of the sea that was plentiful with fish. Once again Ascot's summons came in handy for this as he had a sizable friend that could carry them all and smell sea life under the water.
Fishing was not counted among the magic swordsman's vast array of skills. He did alright with hunting game on land but when it came to catching fish and the like, he generally did poorly. Granted he could use his lightning spell to zap the whole body of water but that was dangerous to those around him and the conduction of electricity would kill too many things. He had no interest in needless slaughter. His only solace was that the Master Mage was fairing no better.
For a wise elder who had spent centuries in meditation and study. Devoting his entire life to the mastery of magic, he was quickly unraveled by his failed attempts at pulling up anything other than seaweed with his casting line. Lantis was fairly certain that Ascot's natural knack for it, having already caught a fish half the length of his arm was not helping his mentor's mood.
Ferio surfaced that moment from the ocean deep. Arms raised with shelled spiny legged creatures, he had their pincers wrapped with string. "Got em!" The young Prince was actually diving for shellfish and scooping them up with his bare hands at that. He gave the small creatures a toss, flinging them onto the shell of Ascot's friend, then hoisted himself up as well. He truly had been a full fledged hunter before his time in the palace.
Ascot looked edgy, "Can we really eat those?"
"Yep!" Ferio grinned. "They're nasty looking little critters but they taste so good when you cook them."
Ascot didn't seem very convinced.
"I had the chance to try something very similar when I was passing through Fahren," Lantis offered. "The Magic Knights have them in their world too. They're known as crabs over there."
"One of my Lady's favorite foods," Ferio added happily.
"How wonderful." Clef drawled having given up completely on fishing once he saw Ferio's haul. "Shall we head back to shore then?"
Ascot communicated as much with his creature and upon returning to land they saw that the girls had created a pit and loaded it with twigs and thick sticks. Hikaru, his sweet girl was crouched near by and from the look of it was working on drying out some small logs with low concentrations of her fire.
"Fuu, check it out!" the young prince called holding up his collection of crabs.
She happily gasped in response. "Umi if we can get some brine we can started cooking them."
The water knight spun on her heel. "Clef please tell me that you have a pot or a bucket that you can summon out of your staff."
He looked at her like she was absolutely ridiculous. "You never said anything about that before we left the palace."
Umi's bangs flopped as her head dipped down in dismay. "I didn't know we were going to have crabs with lunch."
"Well neither did I," Clef defended "I don't make it a habit of stealing kitchen wares either."
Lantis sighed and took the batch from Ferio and went to work. He set himself down by the pit and put a spark on the kindling igniting it. He felt his beloved's eyes draw on him. "We'll smoke them then."
The next thing he knew the fish was beside him laid out on a bed of leaves. "Well then," It was Ferio. "I'll leave you to it Lantis."
He was about to protest when Hikaru's thoughts entered his mind, leave them be. Something important is trying to happen with them. He looked to his sweet, fiery haired girl then back to the young prince as he wrapped his arm around the Wind Knight's waist. She gasped and went scarlet in the face but followed her boyfriend's escort all the same.
Lantis looked back to his Fire Knight, He did do most of the work... he supposed. From the corner of his eye he saw the Water Knight and Master Mage quiet down and settle, chatting with Ascot and Caldina.
She brought the rest of the wood over and sat with him. She watched with interest as he prepared the fish first; slicing along the belly to remove the innards and allowed it to bleed out. He could roast it wrapped in the leaves. It wouldn't be overly flavorful and he apologized for that because he didn't have any ingredients to work with.
She shook her head. "I don't have the right to complain." Her cheeks flamed embarrassed to admit, "My cooking skills aren't anything to brag about. I just know what was taught in home ec. That's it." Then something dawned on her. She was going to be a wife in a few short years. (provided everything went well with her family) How was she supposed to make proper meals for him when she barely knew her way around the kitchen? "I'll get better though. Before we get married." She quickly added.
Feeling her distress he put an arm around her drawing her close. He kissed the crown of her head, "That is not a concern of mine but if you're worried about it I can teach you some recipes that I've picked up."
She flushed. His Fire Knight always reacted under his touch, his words, his stares and he loved that he could affect her so because she definitely affected him.
"Do you like cooking?" She asked in a hushed tone as he regrettably turned his attention back to the meal in progress.
"I don't mind it. If you don't care to do it I'll cook for us." Maybe he couldn't impress her as a fisherman but this new prospect was making her swoon beside him.
"You spoil me." She said finally.
He grinned to himself, getting the crabs ready. "Yes. I do."
The seafood went over amazingly. In spite of what Lantis said, the fish was tender and tasty. The crabs were sweet and mildly smokey, (Umi and Fuu had commended him.) and complemented the packed vegetables and sandwiches.
Talk fell briefly on Hikaru's future perspective wedding and how they would throw a celebration together after the family ceremony in Japan. Umi and Fuu were already conspiring the necessary palace transformations for the event which lead Caldina to asking exactly when were Clef and Ferio going follow in Lantis' footsteps. The two men sputtered and stammered and the illusionist zeroed in on Clef, teasing that he really outta age himself up some to match Umi's more matured body. That comment further frazzled them. Umi had turned seventeen just earlier that month. She had always been tall, elegant and pretty but over the years she'd grown out of her baby face and gotten curvier. Clef still looked like a preteen but knowing Umi's parents they probably wouldn't pay that any mind.
After lunch everyone was feeling full and lazy. Much of the afternoon was spent lounging about soaking in the day's light.
The day had been peaceful, lite-hearted, fun. Hikaru hadn't realized how much she had been stressing until just then. She was drawn from her thoughts when she felt Lantis' mind.
Everything will be alright. Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow's here.
She hoped he was right but she had a feeling that a storm was coming.
TBC
Author's Note: A lite chapter to show the calm before the Shidou's meet Lantis. HL can be tame and just have a nice day with friends. Not every visit can be lust and sexual frustration. Inspired by the water/beach scene from the MKR Sega Saturn game. Fuu needing assistance with swimming is a nod to that. In game she's not a strong swimmer and uses a flotation device. Special thanks to all those who have fav'd, followed, reviewed and pm'd. I love hearing from you guys.