Wo Ai Ni

Key likes Clef, Key likes Eagle, lalalalalala. Ahem. Let's see, Presea=Sierra (still Presea to everyone.)Advance warning: Clef fans will probably be disappointed this chapter. Keep in mind the story isn't over yet and I tend to have an evil side...
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Chapter 4-Mariposa


I wish for your love,
I wish for your love,
Why? Blue stars please grant me...
I wish for your love,
Just one thing,
I want to be loved by someone,
--I Wish, Fushigi Yugi





"Clef?"

"Leave me alone!"

"But..."

"Presea, I'd like to get some work done in peace for a change. So whatever it is, forget it."

Presea sighed and brought the serving tray back to the kitchen. Clef hadn't eaten breakfast and now he was refusing lunch. He didn't even let me say it was lunch. He's locked into his study with that stupid book.

"Presea? Are you all right?" Ascot was putting away his plate and silverware as Presea sat the food laden tray onto the table.

"It's nothing really. Clef won't even let me give him his lunch. He's acting kind of odd. I wish I knew what was going on."

"I don't know too much about it Presea, but about an hour ago Umi packed up a picnic lunch and left with Eagle. And I saw them for a second when I was leaving the dance last night..."

"No wonder. He ignores her and now he's jealous. I don't think I'll ever understand him." She shook her head.

Ascot took up the tray.

"Ascot?"

"Let me try," Behind his long bangs his eyes were shimmering, "I think I understand how he feels."

"Be my guest."
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Clef looked up from his half-hearted translating efforts upon hearing a knock on the door.

"How many times do I have to tell you..."

"I'm just leaving your dinner."

"Ascot?" What does he want? "Just leave it there. I'm not really hungry."

"It hurts, doesn't it?" The bitterness in his voice was obvious.

"A-"

"At least have the decency to tell her how you feel. I knew it wouldn't go well when I said I--." He paused. "She'll always think of me as a little kid, no matter what I do. But part of the reason I'm OK is at least she knows, even if she thinks it's just as a friend. Locking yourself in this room isn't helping anybody, least of all yourself."

Ascot was about to walk away when he heard the lock on the door slide back.

"You can come in if you'd like. I'll talk to Umi, it's something I have to do no matter what. But I can't leave now, this spell is starting to make sense and I'm not liking the tone of it." A bandaged hand held open the door. "Umi could be in danger."

The strangely cryptic sound of Clef's voice convinced him to lay off--for the time being.

"Can I help?"
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Eagle was forbidden to leave the castle grounds, but what grounds they were! There were meadows in all directions, and a little stream not too far away. The intensity of the shining sun from the cloudless blue sky was almost too much. The scent of the blooming flowers made him pleasantly lightheaded, or maybe it was actually caused by his companion.

Umi had suprised him in asking him to go on this little trip. He'd been a little worried after the previous nights events, she had seemed almost afraid of him. Or afraid of what she might do.

The blue-checked blanket waved in the breeze for a moment as Umi tossed it up before spreading it out on the ground. Eagle silently noted the way the white sundress she was wearing blew around her.

By it's sudden warmth, Eagle knew his face was betraying him, so he turned his gaze to the nearby stream. He lost the feeling for a moment, in the sparkles on the water surface.

A soft gasp followed by a giggle brought his eyes back to her. The fluttering of tiny wings stirred the air.

"I think I'm under attack, Eagle."

Umi laughed again as the butterflies continued to land on her. Her hair was full of them, and they began to cover the rest of her body. The brushing of wings, along with the movement of little feet made Umi's skin tingle. "I must of put the blanket down on their spot."

The heat was back, and this time it was impossible to look away. I don't think I've seen anything so beautiful in my entire life--this one or the last one.

"I don't think it was that you disturbed them, Umi."

"Really?"

Eagle grasped a handful of Umi's hair, careful not to disturb the butterflies.

"I think they know what I do--that the blue flowers are the rarest." Eagle's voice trailed off to a whisper, and he shut his eyes. I have to keep from looking at her or else I won't be able to--

Her lips were even softer than he'd dreamt of. I just can't breathe. Maybe I'm still dead--after all this paradise couldn't be real.

Time hadn't stopped, as the butterflies grazed his cheeks, fleeing, he only could think of one thing: why?

Finally, she released the kiss.

"Umi, why did you... I mean I never believed that you'd do this first." He was flustered and quite unsure as to what could have changed her mind so radically and in such a short time.

"It's because..."

To Be Continued...
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Told you I was evil O_o. The story will start with "It's because...(rest of sentence)" in the next chapter. I hope the Umi/Clef fans won't abandon me yet. Tell me if this is making sense, I spellcheck and read it through once before posting--I hope I'm not missing too many things.
Ja ne,
Key--Quiet geist-filled robot of the Teisuki clan.