Wo Ai Ni

Sorry I'm so slow, working 2nd shift = evil. If you hadn't noticed by now, this is an Umi-centric story, I don't know how much each of the characters will be in this. Anyone that would like to work with me on a couple side stories, or send me a review email: austin@shighway.com.
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Chapter 3--Aishiteiru

"I've met someone else" you say, as you looked away,
So..now at last I know, where you've been.
Who's this new love then?
Tell me, do they love you then?
Such a fool that I have been, foolish me....
Why can't I show, I love you so?
Sleep won't come to me
If I could to you there's so much I wanna say..
Like I love you...
~In the Night, Key the Metal Idol






Eagle's talk with Lantis had gone on slightly longer than he intended. He saw Umi leave her place on the bench and walk a few feet before he called out to her.

"Umi, where are you going?"

"I was heading to bed. It's late and I'm tired."

"Weren't you going to wait for me?"

She had stopped walking, but her back was turned to him.

"Can we sit down and talk? Please?"

She reluctantly moved back to her seat. As Eagle sat down next to her, he noticed that her face was still slightly flushed. Umi refused to meet his gaze and slid over just a bit, making the gap between them wider.

"I'll say what I have to, and I hope you'll think about it." He took her hand, and she looked up at him. "I know that you're in love with Clef. It it may sound strange, or cold, but I don't care."

Umi opened her mouth to speak but was cut off. "I love you." Eagle squeezed her hand. "I LOVE you. How many other people have ever said that to you? Your parents, your friends, but who else?" Her eyes were clouded with emotion.

"How long can you go on like this Umi? I admit we don't know each other well, but you aren't the type to be so depressed. Love isn't misery. At least it shouldn't be." Her hand was shaking, and he was afraid she might start to cry.

"I want to ask you something, Umi, and you don't have to answer me tonight." Her face was oddly expressionless as he continued. "I guess you could call it a proposal. I don't expect you to just automatically fall into my arms and tell me you love me, but I want to try." His voice was a little unsteady. "I only want you to give us a chance and if at anytime, Clef tells you he loves you, that he wants to be with you, I'll step aside. I won't like it but I'll do it." Maybe this isn't coming out right. "I want to make you happy."

Umi slumped over against his shoulder, her soul was as weary as her body. "I don't know what to say Eagle. I can't even think anymore."

"It's all right. You don't have to answer today or even tomorrow." Eagle stood and picked Umi up, cradling her in his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to take you back to your room, you don't look so well." He'd already started walking before she could protest.

I probably couldn't make it anyway. *sigh* I never feel this weak, I hope I'm not coming down with something. The rhythm of his steps was making her sleepy.

"You're at the end of this hall right?"

"Mmmm."

"I guess that's a yes."

Eagle managed to open the door without dropping her, and gently laid her down on the bed. He pulled her covers over her and kissed her softly on the side of her face.

"Eagle..."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."

"I didn't mean that. I meant thank you for carrying me."

He smiled and pulled a loose strand of hair away from Umi's face. "I'll see you tomorrow."

The door closed behind him, and Umi might have drifted off to sleep if her pillow hadn't started to move...
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Eagle flailed backwards against the door, managing to catch himself before he fell over. His chest felt strangely tight, and he looked pale. I think whatever you've got is contagious, Umi. As he straightened up, he noticed a figure standing at the end of the hall. "Up late, Clef?"

"Isn't your room on the other side of the castle?"

"So it is." From the way he's glaring at me... He smiled widely at Clef, wondering what he assumed he'd done in Umi's room. "If you want to talk to Umi she's most likely asleep, but you might knock anyway." Eagle turned and headed towards his room.

Clef was squeezing his staff so hard it cracked, leaving a large gash in its surface. Eagle never noticed the sound's source, having just then disappeared around the corner.

Clef stood in front of Umi's door, letting his head rest on the frame. He noticed the long shadow on the floor from the first rays of the dawn. I'm too late, the night's over. He gripped his staff tightly, regretting it instantly as the splinters embedded themselves into his hand. He suppressed a scream, letting the staff fall to the floor. Crimson spotted the marble as Clef ran towards his room, slamming the door shut and locking it with his good hand. He slid slowly down against the door, and crumpled to a heap on the floor, paying no mind as the blood stained his white robes.
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"Mokona!"

"Puu! Puu puu!"

"Why should I apologize for laying down on you? You're the one impersonating my pillow!"

"Puuuu..."

"I'm never going to get any sleep." Umi propped herself up on an elbow. "Well marshmellow, what do you want?"

"Puu, puu, puu--"

"Puu--I got that part." *sigh* "Isn't it a little late for you to be up? I thought you were with Fuu and Ferio."

"Puu!" The red jewel on Mokona's forehead emitted a bluish glow, and when it stopped there was an object on Umi's bed.

"Oh! Fuu wanted you to bring this back to me?"

Mokona nodded an affirmative.

"It's about time she gave my CD player back." Umi sat the device down on the floor. "I didn't see either Fuu or Ferio at the dance. Not that I was there long. I wonder what they're up to?"

A rather high pitched "Puuu!" from Mokona got Umi to raise an eyebrow.

"Explain, using as little 'puu' as possible."

Mokona began to make some rather odd gestures, and as Umi began to get the gist of it, her face turned beet red, and she brought her hands up to her mouth.

"You hentai ball of fluff! Were you watching when they..."

"Puuu! Puu!" He shook his head back and forth furiously.

"They kicked you out huh?"

"Puu."

Umi laughed. At least someone's having a good time. "Let's get some rest OK? I don't have any reason to get rid of you, yet."

There was a clattering from outside in the hallway.

"What was that?"

Mokona puued disinterestedly.

"Yeah, probably nothing." Umi climbed back underneath her covers, grabbing Mokona and holding him like a plush toy. "I'm warning you fuzzy, wake me up before ten, and I'm having marshmellow for breakfast."
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I was going to hold back this chapter until I got the next one finished, but I didn't want to keep you in suspense too long. Aishiteiru is Japanese for 'I love you.'(Note in the review section it removes the 'shit' from between 'ai' and 'eiru', gomen ^_^;; it is right!) The title of the next chapter will be Mariposa(I hope the changing languages of the chapter titles doesn't annoy you too much.) I've got the entire story completely planned out in my head now, it's just a matter of having the time to write. I'm going to be opening with song lyrics from now on, if you complain enough I'll stop though. I hope this tides you over for now.

Ja ne,
Key--Quiet, geist filled robot of the Teisuki clan.