Disclaimer: I don't own Magic Knight Rayearth or any of its characters. I wish I did, tho, cause I'd be HELLA RICH.

Notes: This story is an absolute BLAST. I'm having so much fun with it...l drama drama drama!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: The Lost Girl

Umi curled up next to Chiharu in the lavish bed she'd been offered for the night and smiled up at Tatra. "Thank you," she said, "Sorry to just bust in on you like this--"

"Think nothing of it, Umi-chan!" Tatra said sweetly, tucking the girls in for the night. "I just wish you'd tell me more of what happened, you seem so distraught."

Umi shrugged. "I'll tell you more about it in the morning. I just wanted to get out of the castle for a few days. I was starting to feel cooped up in there, you know?"

"Cooped up? In such a large and beautiful castle?" Tatra repeated, laughing. "Well, you're always welcome here, you know that. Good night, then, Umi. I'll send for you in the morning."

Umi nodded and laid her head down on the pillow. Chiharu was already out like a light. Tatra exited, and Umi breathed a sigh. Fuu and Hikaru would be so upset over finding her gone in the morning... but oh well. They'd figure it out soon enough that she'd come here.

She just wanted to get away from Clef as far as was comfortably possible. Hell, she wasn't going to hide in the Forest of Silence from him. But that thought did cross her mind briefly as she was hastily packing. Anywhere was better than being anywhere around him.

She felt the anger began to rise in her again and shut her eyes against it, willing it away so she could sleep.

She'd be damned if she lost any sleep over him!

In the morning, Umi was awoken by a young girl in veils and bangles holding a tea tray under her nose. She urged Chiharu awake and thanked the girl, taking the tray and sitting up in the bed. The girl bowed out, and Umi helped herself to the delicious fruits and tea that were on it. She fed Chiharu bits of grapes for a while, then looked out the window and realized someone was standing outside of it. She yelped. It was Ascot!

She quickly gathered the blankets up around her, scandalized that she was only in a thin silk nightgown.

Ascot smiled and tapped on the window. Umi scowled. Could she go nowhere without all of them constantly following her and tormenting her?

She got up and went to open the window. "What are you doing here?!" she hissed. "And how did you get up here?!"

Ascot shrugged. "One of my beast friends flew me up here."

He knelt down on the window pane and looked around the room. "Luckily I picked the right window. I'd hate to be imprisoned in Chizeta for peeping through the windows of the Chizeta princesses."

"Yes, how lucky!" she replied nastily. "Why did you come here?" she asked again.

He laughed. "I'm glad you're happy to see me. I only wanted to see if you were all right. And Chiharu, too."

"Well, we're fine, you know. I just... wanted a break from the castle, is all."

Ascot nodded. "I heard about everything that happened... the Queen told me. Clef assured us all that you were fine and that we could find you here if we wanted."

Umi rolled her eyes. "No doubt spying on me with that stupid orb of his."

"Can you blame him? He merely wanted to know if you were all right."

"Of course I'm all right! Why wouldn't I be?" she asked defensively.

"You don't have to pretend like you're not hurt, you know," he said. "I don't understand why Clef would deny you your right to Magic Knight status again... it seems hateful to me..."

Umi colored. He can't because I don't want it that badly... But she wouldn't tell Ascot that. Let everyone think that she fled, crying, because she couldn't be made a Magic Knight again, when really it was a simple matter of betrayal. Betrayal of her heart.

"I promised Fuu and Hikaru that I would come to check up on you. They thought it best to stay there so as to avoid gossip."

"Naturally," replied Umi. "I'll come back tomorrow. Maybe the day after. I just want a break."

Noises from the hallway startled Umi. She turned to Ascot. "Quick! You have to go now, before anyone sees you here!"

Ascot looked puzzled. "Why would the Princesses care if I were here?"

"Like I need a story going around of you sneaking into my bedroom in the Chizeta Fortress!" Umi exclaimed as she shoved Ascot out the window. She saw him fall for a short distance, then his flying beast friend scooped him up and carried him away to the castle. She saw him wave back at her and hastily closed and latched the window.

Chiharu was sitting in the bed, eating Umi's share of the grapefruit they'd been given as if nothing had ever happened.

The knock at the door came and she whirled around. "Umi?" called Tarta. Another knock. Umi jumped back into bed and got underneath the covers.

"Come in!" she called.

Tarta walked in smiling. "Morning! Did you sleep well?"

Umi nodded. "Very well, yes."

"Are you finished with your breakfast? I'll have it taken away for you." She beckoned for servants to come take away the tray, and more came behind them with fresh clothes. "Here," she said as they were laid over the dressing table, "Put these on and come to our dining hall. We can have some more tea and catch up, okay?"

Umi nodded and smiled again as the Princess and her servants exited the room.

She exhaled loudly and stared over at the very Chizetan-style clothes for her and Chiharu. "Look, Chi," she said, "Pretty new clothes to wear for today. And even some pretty shoes!"

The little girl clapped and flew out of bed to touch the silky clothing.

Umi lay back on the pillows and stared wistfully out of the window. Hopefully she'd get no more intruders for the rest of the day. She really didn't want to see anyone else from the castle. Especially not Hikaru or Fuu. What was she supposed to say to them after they'd found out what she'd said? After all the hard work they'd put into getting her back and talking to Clef, she'd gone behind their backs and ruined it all.

"Mama?" Chiharu said, making Umi open her eyes. "Dress me?"

"All right, baby," she said, and rose from the bed to dress her child.

Downstairs, Umi found more breakfast items and freshly brewed tea waiting for her. Also waiting for her were the two Princesses, Tarta and Tatra. They both smiled at her. "Hello there!" said Tatra happily, opening her arms so that she could hug Chiharu. "Here's some more breakfast if you want it; freshly baked rolls and some more fruit. Come, sit! Have some tea with us."

Tarta ushered Umi and Chiharu into chairs and poured tea for the two girls. "So," she said bluntly, "What happened between you and Clef?"

Umi choked a bit on her tea. Right to the point, that Tarta.

"Well," Umi began.

"Sister!" Tatra scolded, "The girl just woke up! Don't start badgering her with questions just yet. Let her at least eat something."

Umi helped herself to a roll and began to butter it. "Thanks for the hospitality, girls. I appreciate it."

"It's nothing!" exclaimed Tatra, all smiles. "Anything for our dear friend."

"And nothing of interest happened between Clef and I," Umi said before biting into her roll.

Tarta gaped. "But I heard--!"

"Tarta!" Tatra gasped again.

Umi giggled. "So eager to gossip as always, Tarta. Well, whatever you heard is only gossip. It's just... well, we discussed my becoming a Magic Knight again, and it looks like it won't be able to happen."

Both girls gasped.

Chiharu looked up at her mother with wide eyes. "Really, Mom?"

"Yes, darling, really."

"But Umi-chan!" Tatra said, dropping her breakfast roll, "Surely Clef lied to you... he must have only said that to get a rise out of you, he--"

"Nope," Umi said conversationally, "He was all serious. Why would he lie to me? He's not a child, trying to spite me or anything."

Oh, what a cool liar I am, she thought to herself.

Tarta banged her fist on the table. "That dirty rat! How dare he deny you what is rightfully yours!"

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about it," Umi assured her, "He'll ease up, I'm sure. He's still in shock, I guess over Chiharu and everything."

"Yes, I think we're still in shock!" Tatra said. "So, she's really his, then?"

"And not Ascot's?" Tarta added.

Umi giggled again. She could tell Tarta had been chomping at the bit to ask her that. "No, and really, after looking at her, was there any doubt?"

Both girls studied the child's face for a moment, and Umi groaned inwardly. How weary she was growing of discussing that topic...

"Can we talk about happier things?" Umi asked, "Like you. How are you girls doing?"

Tatra smiled widely again. "We're wonderful, as always, Umi-chan!"

Tarta shrugged. "Sent here on a boring political trip again with the King."

"Right, and good timing, too. I was so happy to find out that you guys were visiting the country."

"Anything to break up the monotony of meetings with the King and his Council," said Tarta.

Umi sat back in her chair and smiled, sipping her tea. "I haven't heard anything from Aska of Fahren since I returned. How is she?"

"Oh, doing well, I suppose," answered Tatra merrily.

"A nosy little snot-faced brat, as usual, if you ask me!" chimed in Tarta.

Umi laughed. "Did you know I had a dream about you girls the other night?" Umi said. "Yeah, I did, you and your Djin! We were fighting again."

Tatra and Tarta both swooned. "Oh, our Djin are handsome and wonderful as always," they answered.

Urgh, Umi thought, so big and macho! Gross!

"Anyway," said Tarta, "So what's the story? You were pregnant and then ran away?"

Again, nearly choking on her tea, Umi explained. "Well, yes..."

"Sorry, but we never heard much of the real story," said Tatra, embarrassed at her sisters audacity.

Umi looked down at Chiharu, who was listening attentively. "Maybe later, when the you know what isn't around."

Tatra nodded knowingly, but Tarta pressed the issue. "Come on, Umz, tell me. So... um... you had to leave, right? The Council made you leave.. because of him?"

"Well, yes..."

"And did he know?"

"No, no he didn't. No one did. Not even Umi and Fuu."

"Oh," said Tarta, "What a scandal!"

"Tarta!"

"What, sister? It is! Such a romantic story, too. No doubt you two will be rolling in the hay before long, am I right?"

Tatra gasped, and Umi nearly fell out of her chair.

Lantis knocked on the door for the fifth time that day. "Hikaru?" he said quietly. "Hikaru... please come out."

No response.

He sighed and leaned against the door. "I wish to speak with you. Please let me in."

Again, silence.

He frowned. All day, Hikaru had been locked in this room. She didn't answer his summons or open the door when he knocked last night, and neither did she this morning. He was beginning to get worried about her. He knew how sensitive and delicate a heart she had, and no doubt hearing Clef's awful news broke it completely. She loved her friends like no other, sometimes, he thought, even more than she loved him. And in her condition...

Well.. she didn't need to be so stressed.

He knocked once more. "Hikaru," he said softly.

Finally, a timid little voice said, "Come in."

The doors creaked open and Lantis stepped inside. The room was dark, the curtains drawn, but he could still see the tiny form of Hikaru sprawled beneath her blankets. Her hair had come out of its normal braid and she was clad in her usual plaid flannel nightdress. When she looked up at him, her eyes were red and swollen.

"Hikaru," he crooned.

The girl buried her face in her pillow.

"Are you really feeling so awful about what happened yesterday?" he asked. She nodded. "Oh, Hikaru," he said, seating himself beside her on the bed. She turned over and curled herself around his lap like a cat.

"It''s so awful Lantis... we worked so hard... and he was so cruel to her..."

He stroked her fine red hair. "I think it has much more to do with simply the two of them than it has to do with you or the Queen," he said. "I believe Clef is enacting some sort of revenge on Umi."

Hikaru sniffled. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. But I really didn't wanna believe it of him."

Lantis nodded severely and continued to stroke her hair. "Surely its nothing to sulk in your rooms about for a day and half though," he said. "Or can you not bring yourself to face anyone?"

"Just him, really," she said, her voice shaking. "I feel so sad. So, so sad, Lantis..." She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in his side.

"Hush, Hikaru... Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"Just lay here with me for a little while... here, you're so uncomfortable... take off your armor."

Lantis did so, rising so he could slide the heavy metal and leather off of his chest and shoulders. He took off his boots and crawled into bed beside her, scooping her up. She laced an arm around him and whined pitifully.

"My poor love," he said. "I hope you feel better later. I'd like to go riding with you."

"Maybe," said Hikaru. "I'm just too sad to do much of anything right now."

"Are you not happy with simply having Umi here with you?"

"Well, yeah, of course I am, I love her dearly, but--"

"I'm afraid you'll have to do with just that, Hikaru," he said sadly. "It doesn't look like the Mage will sway anytime soon. If he isn't willing, then it will be impossible to revive Selece or return her powers. We can't force him to."

Hikaru began to sob again. "I know, I know... and I hate it, I wanted it so much for her...it isn't right..."

"Hush, hush, my dear," he whispered, cradling her to him. "Surely you can't be so upset as this?"

Hikaru hiccuped a few times. "Well, mostly that's why... but, I haven't been feeling very good today... I've...been sick a few times this morning..." Her face grew hot and she hid it from him.

Lantis was quiet for a moment. "So, its true, then?"

She nodded.

"Well..." he began carefully, stroking her. "Have you seen a palace physician?"

"No... not yet..."

"You must, Hikaru... you must be seen by a doctor if you're... if you're... with child..."

Hikaru immediately began to cry harder. "Oh, Lantis!" she cried "I'm sorry I wasn't more careful, I should have been more careful... oh, what will I do?"

The poor Kailu, being largely ignorant of such woman troubles, only held her closer and continued to pet her. "Oh, Hikaru, have no fear.. I... I will be here to support you... If I am to be a... a father..."

"You are," she said, "And I'm a mother. A mother! Me! I'm so young, and you're... well, you're so wonderful to be here with me like this, to be so sweet to me..."

"Hikaru my love, you are sick and wretched. Get your rest. Just rest. For me."

"If a physician would come to me... I'd feel better..."

"I will send for one when you are feeling a bit better."

"Lantis," she sobbed, "how will you love me one day with I am huge and fat and disgusting, hauling this baby around all the time!?"

"But Hikaru, pregnancy is wonderful! Have no fear, I will always think you beautiful."

She raised her face to hers and kissed him, cheeks wet with tears. He kissed her back tenderly.

"Please," she said breathlessly, "Please, I need to not think right now...just love me... touch me, Lantis--"

And he did. Lantis pulled Hikaru closer to him and began to caress her lovingly, and it was wonderful, better than all their other times. It had mostly hurt the other times, her being so tiny, but this time it was delicious, like a wonderful friction going up and up, and she saw butterflies-- bright colorful things, and when it was over, she slept like a baby, and Lantis held her to him and let her sleep. He looked at her face, knowing he loved her and that he would never leave her.

An hour or so later, he rose and dressed himself, making his way to find a physician to look at his love.

"Oh, Clef, Clef... what's to be done with you?" Ferio asked lazily as he lounged in one of the Guru's comfortable chairs. "Fuu is awfully upset, y'know. And I hear Hikaru hasn't even come out of her rooms. Why can't you just be nice to the poor girl?"

Clef gulped down the last of his whiskey and gave the King a scathing look. "You hardly know what you're talking about, your highness."

Ferio shrugged. "No, I don't. I can't pretend to know your feelings, or hers, but I guarantee that nothing will be any better with you taking out your frustrations with her out on either of the other knights."

"It has nothing to do with them!" Clef declared. "I wasn't trying to hurt her, or the other two either. It just can't be done, Ferio."

"Well, either way, there's nothing much you can do about it, now. You've run her off to the Chizeta Sisters!"

Clef rolled his eyes. "She always had a penchant for the dramatic."

Ferio chuckled softly. "Are you going to go after her?" he asked.

"Certainly not!" Clef retorted. "After what I said to her? She would spit in my face!"

"But you love her, don't you?"

Clef scowled and refilled his glass. "No."

"Liar," Ferio said. "You were never a good liar, Clef."

"Oh?" spat the Mage. "How am I supposed to love such a bratty, spoiled little child as her?"

"I don't know, but somehow you manage to. I suppose it's her looks..."

"Oh, it's always looks with you! The first time you set eyes on Fuu you couldn't stop following her around--"

"So?" Ferio laughed. "I love her. She's my Queen. It's different. You just impregnated Umi and--"

"Stop!" Clef shouted. "Don't! Don't you dare tell me that! You have no right--"

"Oh, come off it, Clef. It's not like you ever married the girl or anything... if you loved her, you should have told her. Don't get angry at me for that."

"Enough," Clef said nastily. "I'm tired of this talk... you have no idea... you don't know..."

Ferio shrugged. "I'm only saying what everyone thinks, Clef. Since we all found out about her daughter, everyone agrees... you should have married her."

"I never knew she was pregnant!" Clef exclaimed. "She never told me! Never said a word about it! I hadn't a clue!"

"Even so," said Ferio.

"It didn't matter anyway, didn't you also hear that she left because she thought the child might have been Ascot's?"

Ferio's jaw dropped. "No way!"

"Oh, yes!" Clef said dramatically. "She slept with that, with that child in a fake man's body! Urgh! She betrayed me, like I said."

"But why would she do such a thing?"

Clef shrugged. "I suppose she just got bored with me."

Not, he thought, I was always busy... and... well, I never told her that I...

Ferio looked blown away. "Wow," he said, "I never thought Ascot had it in him."

Clef looked disgusted. "All right, enough about that... just...will that be all, Highness?"

Ferio shrugged. "I guess, Clef. I only came to see how you were."

"Well I'm fine," he replied childishly.

Giving another shrug, Ferio exited the room. Clef watched him go, glowering after him.

Did everyone in the castle know what had happened? Why were they all so nosy?

Pillar!

He swore and returned to the solace of his crystal seeing orb. In in, he conjured images of Umi. Not current images... no. Images of her from years past. Memories. Her in her old training mage knight outfit... her happy, care-free face, still the face of child without the worries of a baby to raise or bills to pay... a young girl in love...

He turned away, unable to look anymore.

Umi was amazed at how large and crystal clear the lake was on the terrace of the Chizeta Fortress. And what a mobile palace this place was! Gardens outside of it on its balconies, trees, flowers... and... this lake. A fake lake, but a beautiful one nonetheless.

She desperately wanted to swim, and thanks to old lent clothes from Tarta and Tatra, she was able to.

Swimming was one of her favorite past times. She stepped gingerly into the pool, shocked by its cold temperature.

Chiharu stood behind her on the pebbly "shore", uneasy about joining her mother.

"Come on, Chi!" she said. "it's not too cold. You get used to it after a while."

The little girl looked nervous and said "No sharks?"

Umi laughed. "No baby, no sharks. Sharks don't even live in lakes, silly-girl! They live in the ocean!"

Chi still did not look assured.

Umi waved the girl off and dove in head first. Ah, how wonderfully cool and light the water was! And deep, too. She could feel no bottom to the lake. How perfect... a good escape from all the palace drama back at home.

Umi was suddenly shocked with herself. Home. She was already referring to the palace as home, and not Tokyo?

She really was stuck here.

But I won't think about that, she thought. I'll think about that tomorrow.

For now, she would delight in this wonderful water, and the sun of Cephiro shining down on her!

"Umi-chan!" someone called from the shore. Umi turned and saw Tatra standing and waving next to Chiharu. "How is the lake? We had it built last summer because Tarta was always so bored on these trips of ours!"

"It's great!" she shouted. "Will you swim too?"

"Oh, no, I have some work to do just now, but maybe later!"

"Ok!"

"Shall I have some lunch brought out for you?"

"Sure!" she shouted back. "See ya later!"

The redhead waved happily and retreated back inside the floating palace. Umi swam out into the middle of the lake and floated lazily onto her back, shutting her eyes and letting the sun warm her.

Here, truly, she could feel free and forget. It was so quiet and peaceful. The floating palace was docked in a large open field a few miles away from the castle, so she could hear the sounds of nearby birds and animals in the forests around her. And it was a gorgeous day... the sun was bright and hot on her face.

And she opened her eyes and made a quick scan of the sky. Good. No Ascot or anyone else flying around on beasts looking for her.

She spread her arms out and gently paddled the water. The loose shirt and skirt that she was given were floating like big bags around her, but she didn't mind. It wasn't as if there were any men around to impress.

She had decided earlier that, upon her return to the castle, that she would completely ignore Clef. That would really get him. He hated being ignored. He had always thrived off of knowing he'd gotten to her, so if she didn't show any emotion his way at all, he'd be totally mad. She knew it was rather immature, wanting to lash back out at him like this, but she didn't care. To hell with the Master Mage... he didn't give a shit about her, so why should she care about him?

Puh.

She began to swim slowly towards the shore, trying to entice her daughter into the water. She smiled and held her arms out. "Come Chi, I'll hold you."

Chiharu consented and began to slowly wade her way into the lake. Umi caught her up, laughing, and held her close as she swam out deeper in the like. Chiharu gave a little squeal as they went deeper and deeper. "Don't worry, baby, I'm a good swimmer."

Chiharu tightened her grip around Umi's neck nonetheless.

Umi rolled her eyes and waded over to a small rocky pool so she and Chiharu could sit together and play in shallow water. Chiharu liked that idea much better, and as soon as her little feet could touch the bottom, she began to play happily in the water.

Umi watched her play, smiling. How she loved this child, her one and only love... she was all Umi had to love in this world.

"Baby," she said cautiously.

"What?"

A crazy thought had entered into Umi's head. "What would you think if... if I got married?"

Chiharu paused and looked up, wide-eyed at her mother. "Married?" she repeated.

"Yes, married. If I had a boyfriend, and married him. Would you want that?"

"Married... I would have... a dad?"

"Well... yes."

Chiharu looked floored. "Who, mama?"

"Who? Well... I don't know... I just..."

"You get married," Chi said suddenly. "My friends moms are married... you get married too."

The Water Knight was so floored. Her child was incredibly smart for her age, so intuitive. And why was she even having a conversation like this with her anyway? She was only a child, not to be consuted about marriage!

And why was she even thinking about getting married!? Was she crazy?

Umi grinned. "Yeah... I should be, huh?"

"Yeah... get married. Not to Clef, though."

Umi gasped. "Clef!?" The temerity!

The little girl shrugged. "He's not married. So, he might want to. Don't, though. I don't want him to be my dad."

"Why not?"

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I dunno..."

"But he--" Umi said quickly, then covering her mouth, horrified.

Chiharu merely looked at her and turned away. She played by herself a foot or so away with some rocks in the water. She said nothing.

Umi shook her head violently. No! No, no, no, no, no!

"Chi-" she said carefully.

The girl looked up.

"I..."

"I like Ascot better. Marry him. He plays with me."

"Ew, not Ascot!" she said, laughing. "I'd rather Clef!"

Gods, I'm going crazy! She thought.

Chiharu shook her head. "He hurts you."

"Chiharu!" Umi gasped. "How are you so smart? Why do you know everything I think about!?"

Chi shrugged again. "It's easy... like reading... I... read you."

"Why?"

"Dunno. You don't tell me things, so I have to read you."

Umi shook her head, trying to see if she would wake up, and that this was some silly dream she was having. Talking about marrying Clef with her daughter... how absurd...

"You know, don't you?" she asked quietly.

Chiharu did not reply.

"Chi... tell me... what can you read on me right now?"

Reluctantly, the little girl looked up. She looked very piercingly into Umi's eyes for a brief moment then returned to playing with her rocks.

"You love Clef."

Umi gasped aloud. "I do not!"

"That's what you say, not talking though. But I hear it."

"I do not love that ass!" she shouted, then covering her mouth again quickly.

"Mom!" Chiharu scolded, "Bad word!"

"I'm sorry! I-- you never say that ever, or I'll whip you!"

"Mama..."

"Chiharu, I want you to know this. I don't love him, and I would never marry him. In fact, I hate his guts right now! What kind of daddy would he be to you anyway? He's..."

"Ok, mom. Marry somebody else."

Umi crossed her arms and huffed loudly. "I will."

Chiharu smiled and sat beside her mother in the pool. "I wish he weren't my dad," she said woefully.

Umi threw up her arms. "How did you--!"

"Mama, no yelling!"

"Oh, Chiharu," Umi said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry I'm not a normal mom, and we can't have a normal family... I'm sorry baby..."

Chiharu put up with the hug patiently. She understood as much of the situation as much as any nearly five year old could... that Clef was her dad and that he and Umi did not love each other, and weren't married, and had no plans of getting married anytime soon. She always knew that her mother lied to her when she said her father was dead. She just knew things. She couldn't explain it and didn't understand it, but she knew. She knew, more than anything else, that her mother was deeply unhappy, and she didn't want that anymore.

"I love you, mama," she said.

"I love you too!" Umi said, crying now. "I just wish I could make a really good life for you... but I can't... Oh, Chiharu, I'm sorry to talk about such sad things with you... do you even understand me?"

"Yes," said the child.

"I'm so, so pathetic," Umi continued to sob into her daughter's hair. "I hate this... I hate that I was brought back to this! Why couldn't we have just stayed in Tokyo?"

The little girl just shrugged and said nothing.

After about an hour or so of staring at the parchment and quill before him, Clef finally said "Dammit," and took up the quill, furiously scribbling words onto the paper. Once finished, he rolled up the parchment, sealed it with wax, and held the jewel of his staff over it. He narrowed his eyes and focused some his energy directly through the staff and into the letter. "Umi." he said, and the parchment popped out of sight in a small tendril of smoke. The remaining parchment beneath it had been burned through.

He threw himself back in his chair and swore under his breath

Dammit.