Disclaimer: MKR and its characters do belong to CLAMP. I do owe only Hoshi Ryuuzaki and the bad guy.

Notes: I can't stand sad ending, so don't worry, lol...anyway this is not the last chapter yet...enjoy it!

-CHAPTER 14

He spent several days and night beside her, just taking her hand and holding it tight. He prepared her potions hoping to see her opening her eyes, or just a sign of her healing, but hopes faded away with days and he stopped seeing her. He just couldn't handle it. He did even gave to Presea the task of preparing the curative potions. On the contrary, the others Knights had soon get healed, they were fine and out of danger, well at least they were fine now.

It was days he didn't get out of his study, he told everyone he had important work to do but they could see right through him.

Hoshi moaned something in her sleep, Hikaru stepped closer to her

"Hoshi dear..." she whispered

"we're here..."she added

"mmm....d..dad..." she moaned opening a blue wide eye, Hikaru looked at Fuu who smiled sweetly, then she nodded and walked out of the door.

"where is she going?" Ferio asked

"to call him.." the King's eyes widened in surprise,

"no...do you mean that..."

"yeah, it took you quite a lot to understand it..." the girl giggled, Lantis just smirked

"I should have understand it..." he whispered, the Fire Knight just smiled taking his hand.

"Guru Clef, I'm sorry to disturb you" Fuu said stepping inside his study, he sighed

"no problem...what again?" he asked, the Wind Knight smiled sweetly

"Hoshi is awake..." the mage's eyes enlightened, a small smile escaped him.

Well, at least she was safe now.

"good, give her a potion and tell her to sleep..." he said looking back at his documents, Fuu shook her head

"she asked for you..." he looked surprised at her

"really?" she nodded and smiled sweetly, he sighed and stood up

"take me to her..." he said, the woman nodded and leaded him in her chamber.

When he got in Hoshi's room, everyone looked surprised at him, he felt embarrassed

"what?" he asked, Ferio shook his head

"nothing..." he said, Clef shrugged and went beside the bed

"Hoshi?" he whispered, she turned her head, he smiled at her

"I'm...happy you are ok now..." he said caressing her long lavender hair, she smiled and reached out to hug him, he smiled wrapping his arms around her

"I'm sorry..." she said

"you don't have to be...you couldn't know the perils of this place...it's my fault, I should have never bring you here" he apologize

"no, getting here is the best thing that ever happened to me...thanks...dad" she whispered the last word. Clef startled.

She had to be still confused, or maybe he just didn't get the last word. Yeah, probably he just imagined it.

"how...how did you call me?" he asked, Hoshi stayed silent. Maybe he didn't want to accept her as a daughter, she knew that it could happen, a lot of friends of hers had their mother's surname because after a divorce their father wouldn't hear about them anymore. She always thought that it was terrible, even worse than her situation, at least she knew that her father, or what she always thought he was, loved her.

"Hoshi?" he asked again, she sighed

"dad" she just answered in a whisper.

He broke the hug but kept his hands on her arms. He gasped. He was an idiot! It was clear that he couldn't recognize Umi's features since she...well, she looked just like...him.

The shape of her eyes, her thin lips...her hair! He caressed them staring at them as if it was the first time he saw the lavender strands framing her face. That was what Umi wanted to keep from him. She knew he'd never permitted her to leave if she was carrying their child. He couldn't help holding the girl tight. She smiled in his robe, then she looked up at him

"where's mum?" she asked, Clef swallowed. How could he tell her what had happened in the forest? That her mother was still lying unconscious in her bed? He sighed

"she's still...not good..." he weakly answered

"oh...." she just answered. That was unfair, she had just gained her father and she had to lose her mother. And it was all her guilt. She clenched her fists around her sheets.

"I'm sorry" Clef said, she shook her head

"may I see her?" she asked then

"of course" Clef answered helping her to get out of her bed, then they went with the others to Umi's.

Hoshi opened the door and came in, Umi was lying in her bed.

Hikaru and Fuu followed her

"don't you come in?" the red haired woman asked to Clef, he shook his head and leaned against the wall next to Umi's door. He knew he could seem cold, but he couldn't help doing it. He loved her too much to see het in those conditions. Beside this they would soon have another discussion when she'd wake up. If she'd done it. And he hoped with all his heart he could have the chance to argue with her again.

He sighed looking outside, rain had started falling again, it was nothing but a mirror of Hoshi's feeling, probably she was feeling guilty. Well, She wasn't the only one.

Umi wasn't able to move, she was like frozen in her bed. But her mind wandered. It went to Cephiro, that amazing place she learned to love, and its habitants. As a movie, it started zooming on the castle that once belonged to Princess Emeraude. Emeraude, oh, she perfectly remembered her, she was beautiful, more than any earthling girl, and despite her young age she suffered so much. She died for love.

Was she going do the same? Her mind focused on the figures standing around her bed, in her dark room. Outside was raining, that meant her daughter was suffering.

There she was unable to speak. She saw Hikaru putting a hand on her shoulder

"it isn't your fault" the Fire Knight said sweetly

"it is. I was so stupid..."

"no, you just got trapped. This place is full of perils, if no one tells you, you can easily find yourself in trouble" she answered with a smile that wanted to be reassuring.

She saw Fuu, shaking in rage. It was a strange sight, she was always so calm

"neither my powers made her feel better...I'm feeling useless" she whispered, Hikaru shook her head

"Clef powers are the strongest of the whole kingdom, don't blame yourself".

Only in that moment she realized that the Master Mage was missing. He was nowhere to be seen, that made her suffer even more if it was possible.

Then her mind went out of the door and she saw him there, leaning against the wall, watching the rushing sea in the distance. How many nights they spent together watching it, that made her feel special.

Clef, shook his head and slowly walked away, probably he was going to retire in his study.

Why wasn't he there with the others? She couldn't tell, but it made her feel even worse. Suddenly his thoughts reached her. She wasn't sure how all that could be possible. And she found surprising the fact that he was thinking to Hoshi.

"My daughter. And in 14 years I never knew of her. Umi, if you weren't lying in your bed, almost dead, I suppose I could even yell at you. And probably it will be one of the first thing I will do when you'll be completely healed. But know, Pillar, I haven't even the strength to made up my mind from all the things I'd like to shout you. I'm worried. Worried that I could even not seeing your smile again, worried that you may think that it was easy attacking you like that. And yet, I'm still worried for Hoshi. My daughter. Pillar, I can't believe that. I am a father. She called me dad. Now understand why I had a fondness for her, it was somehow father affection. And now what if you go away? It's unfair, she just found me and she has to lose you. I don't know how she could take it., she loves you so much. And I love you as well, though you lied to both of us. I don't know why you did it, was it because of people? You do never care of other's opinion, never cared of other's judgement. What the hell were you thinking when you crossed the portal? I'm so angry with you, Umi. But I can't stand the idea of losing you again. You mean too much for me. I hope I will have the chance to yell at you, telling how furious I am. Because that would mean that you are awake, safe."

Clef. He had discovered who Hoshi really was. She couldn't give up on him again, could she? She felt so weak, she was hurting everywhere. And he was right. Hoshi, her sweet child, she was sure that Clef'd be a good father, perfect. And, of course, Hikaru and Fuu'd help him. But that was the way how it was supposed to be? She couldn't stand it. She longed to be with them, to see Hoshi become a wonderful woman, to take her place in Cephiro. She wanted to see her happy, she wanted to see her and Ascot together. Ascot. He was such a dear boy, she loved him with all her heart, her lovely younger brother. That's what she always thought of him, and she was happy that he had opened his heart to another girl, and the fact that the lucky one was her daughter made almost squirm in joy.

Ascot stepped in Umi's room, a sad shadow in his eyes.

"How is she?"

"like she was yesterday. And two days ago. And..."

"ok, Fuu. I got it" he nervously said, then he put a hand on her forehead, it was sweated.

He looked at Hoshi

"how are you?" he asked

"I'm feeling better. But I'm worried" she said, he sighed and took her hand

"she'll be fine"

"what if not? I did a mess. I almost killed you and because of me she accepted to be taken by that monster...and..." he silenced her folding her in his arms, she clutched his outfit.

"Umi. damn it, why don't you wake up? You always told us you were strong, that nothing could damage the Magic Knight of Water. Well, prove that then! Yes Umi, I'm angry. Furious. And I don't care that you are there in your bed still hurt and asleep! Because you can't leave us! Your damn Master Mage is destroyed, your friends, are worried, Caldina is locked in her room and refused to come out coz it's too gloomy knowing you in these conditions. Even Lantis is worried and asks of you every five seconds! For not mentioning Ferio! And look at your daughter! You are killing her can't you see it? And if you make her suffer I don't think I will forgive you that easy! You always told me I was like a brother to you. I couldn't understand what you did mean then, I thought there was just one kind of love, the other feelings could just be affection. But not love. Now I understand what you meant, coz I still love you Umi, with all my heart. But now I don't see you like the love of my life. I see you like a person I can't do without, like...a sister. Yes, you were right, love can be felt in different ways. So damn it, do it even for me. And I know that somehow you can hear me, so stop it and come back to us!"

Ascot. Umi almost smiled at his thoughts. He was the only one who had the courage to show her what she was doing. He was right, she couldn't leave them. Not now. But how could she do it?! She was unable to move, to open her eyes.

"Magic Knight, thou should know it: Cephiro is built on people's will. If thou truly desire to be with them thou can" the deep voice of Selece echoed in her ears.

Selece. Where was him? She wanted to see him, his golden bright eyes, his strong figure, his wide wings. Though he was terrifying to most of Cephrian people, he was the most reassuring sight to her. Suddenly his figure glowed in the dark of her mind.

"Selece, help me" she thought

"doth thou love them?" he asked, of course she did. Everyone of them, she'd give everything to see them again.

"that's what truly matters. Open thy eyes, my Knight. Doth it for them. If thou really long to see them again, nothing will stop thou" he echoed again.

"Mum!" Hoshi yelled, Umi's hand grasped the azure sheet of the bed, Fuu immediately run to her and checked her wrist, she could feel her beats becoming more regular.

"c'mon Umi..." she whispered, the Water Knight let go a soft moan.

"S...Selece..." she whispered, Hoshi's hand slipped in hers, the bluette held it close.

"Hikaru, call Cl...call dad!" she exclaimed, the red haired woman run out of the room.

He was staring blankly at the heavy book in front of him when Hikaru burst in without even knocking

"Umi!" she exclaimed

"what?!" he asked jumping down of his seat

"come!" she yelled grabbing his wrist and leading him to the Water Knight's room.

Once there, Clef breathed deeply and stepped in

"what's happening here?" he asked kneeing next to her bed

"she talked earlier..." Hoshi explained, his eyes widened

"I checked her heartbeats, they got regular..." Fuu added

"Hoshi, move away" he said, the girl let go her moher's hand and stood behind her father, her hand searched Ascot's one, the summoner smiled and stepped closer holding it tight.

Clef took Umi's hand, then he murmured strange words Hoshi couldn't catch. But she saw Ascot's eyes growing wide

"what is he doing?" she whispered

"he's casting a healing spell...he seldom uses them"

"why? I thought he was the Master Mage..."

"Indeed, but with his magic, if he go wrong he risks to damage the person even more..."

"are you saying that...?!" she almost yelled

"shhh..." Ascot told her to be silent

"don't worry, he'll do fine. He wouldn't handle the fact of hurting her twice. Our old Master Mage could even seem a total pain sometimes, but in the end he's tender hearted" the summoner teased him. Hoshi smiled, causing Ascot to feel proud of himself, if he could make her smile in a moment like that, he wouldn't even think what he could be able in normal circumstances.

Suddenly Clef raised his staff, small balls of gold light came out of it and softly got under Umi's skin.

When the lights finished Clef stood up and kissed the Water Knight's fingertips

"wake up" he pleaded in a whisper.

But she stayed firm. She seemed a stone. Clef clenched his fists, could he have done something wrong? He knew it was dangerous casting that spell, but he was sure he did it perfectly. Everyone stared at the woman in the bed holding their breath.

Suddenly Umi's hand, still placed in Clef's one, held it tight. Hoshi run again to the bed, followed by the other two Knights

"Umi-chan?" Hikaru sweetly asked, Umi moaned, then one of her eyes cracked open.

"K...Karu..." she said looking at the red haired woman who launched herself in Fuu's arm, the blond let go a sigh of relief

"thanks Pillar" she murmured, smiling at her friend.

The Water Knight looked at Clef and Hoshi standing in front of her

"I'm sorry..." she whispered, Clef held her and kissed her hair

"Umi...Pillar, you have no clue how furious I am now..." she said, but his loving tone made Umi smile

"I'm an idiot..."

"yes you are. And you are a liar and I can't understand what the hell crossed your mind when you left and..." he said almost yelling

"...and I'm incredibly happy that you are safe" he added in a whisper holding her tighter, Umi's eyes went to Hoshi ad she smiled widely

"hun...I..."

"it's ok mum...I almost killed you, so I guess we are on a par" she said in a soft laugh, the bluette reached out a hand and messed up her hair with a rub.

Then she turned to Ascot "thank you" she spelled, the boy just smirked

"I knew you could hear me, Umi-chan" he answered, then he turned to the other Knights

"I think that the others should be informed she's ok..."

"of course, c'mon Fuu, let's go to Lantis and Ferio..."

"sure...rest well Umi" the Wind Knight said in a almost motherly tone that made everyone smile.