Wo Ai Ni
Here we go again. ^_^ Thanks for all the good reviews.
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Chapter 5--Egoista



Make the best of what's given you,
Everything will come in time,
Why deny yourself?
Don't just let life pass you by--
like winter in July.
--Winter in July,Sarah Brightman







"It's because...It's because I'm selfish."

"What do you mean, Umi?"

"I tired of always being alone. Hikaru and Fuu they're both happy and in love, they each have someone who will love them as more than a friend. And Clef..." Don't talk about him now, Umi. "I at least want to have someone for myself, maybe even be happy. I know it's petty and stupid..."

"No, it isn't. It's why I'm doing this."

"I don't understand."

Eagle smiled at her confused expression. "In all my life--my last one, I did what was best for everyone else. My own happiness was never a consideration." He gave a weak laugh. "Even my death wasn't my own, not really. But I have something that I never even dreamed of, a second chance." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I will not let this life pass me by, I'll do what makes me happy. I don't care what Lantis or anyone thinks of me. No, even worse than that. I can tell you don't love me--just by the look in your eyes. But I have to have you anyway, because I'm selfish. I want you more than anything--even if you never love me back the same way."

"Eagle--" he cut her off with a kiss. After releasing her, he brought his hand up, and trailed a finger along her lower lip.

"I promise you Umi, you won't be alone anymore."

Umi was overwhelmed. It would be different in Tokyo, if a boy said anything like that to her she could never believe it. But the longing in his eyes, and the passion in his kiss could be interpreted no other way. His lips began to travel down her neck, and her body was beginning to respond a little too eagerly for her liking. He will take care of me, and he loves me so much...

Eagle had one hand on her hip and the other behind her head, as he playfully nipped at an earlobe. If this keeps on I won't be able to stop myself. His face was buried beneath Umi's curtain of blue hair, inhaling her scent as his lips found the hollow by the nape of her neck.

"You smell good, Umi. I think it's something like melon--"

*Growl*

*Sweatdrop*

"Umm..You did say melon..." If she hadn't already been red from Eagle's ministrations, she was definitely a deep shade of crimson now.

He laughed softly and shook his head. "We did come out here to eat." He sat down on the blanket Umi had brought and motioned for her to sit down by him. "It's alright we have plenty of time, and I want to see what you brought."
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Ascot is eager enough, but he just doesn't know enough about this to be of much help. Clef was enjoying the company though, the frustration didn't seem to bother him as much with a distraction.

Ascot was learning that Clef's earlier assertion had been correct, the spell was indeed a dangerous one. "Can you tell me again, about what you have so far?"

"The spell, if performed properly, is very limited. The ingredients are mixed and on the night of Yokaze, a person can be resurrected--but for that night only. It takes half of the life-force of a normal Cephiran just to perform the spell."

"But Umi isn't from Cephiro."

"Exactly. And as a Magic Knight, she is a very powerful spellcaster."

"So that's it right? Umi could bring Eagle back permanently because she's so strong."

"I know from our figh--um...conversation that Umi fainted after performing the spell. She looked very tired the last time I saw her, as if she'd lost a great deal of energy. There is a passage here relating to the Magic Knights, the final thing I haven't translated. I'm afraid that Umi is still losing her life-force, and will continue to do so until..."

"Until she dies? I can't let Umi die!"

"It isn't for certain yet, that's why I had to keep going. If Umi falls in love with Eagle, it would hurt me more than anything. But I can't stop now, because if anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
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Their lunch had been a good if odd one. Umi put together an assembly of prepackaged items she'd brought from Tokyo. Eagle had taken the time to inspect all the plastic packaging, and was rather impressed at Umi's manufacturing skills until she explained a where they'd come from.

They were laying down on the blue-checked blanket, finding the shapes in the incoming cumulus clouds. Eagle wrapped his arms around her, content to hold her for the time being. Umi had been feeling dizzy again, and the comfort of his arms made her feel a little better. She was beginning to get sleepy. Mokona had interpreted 'not before ten' as ten on the dot, and she had yet to catch up on her sleep.

He is a good person, a good friend that I like very much. Umi thought back to a conversation she had with her mother.

["You know Umi, you should find your best friend and marry him, then you'll always be happy."

"I don't think Fuu or Hikaru would like that too much. Besides because of your and Dad's constant fawning, I know you love him."

"I'm just saying. Besides not everyone is as lucky as we are!" The stars(literally) in her mother's eyes made her slightly nauseous.

"Still in love after all these years." She noted sarcastically out loud, but happily inside.]

Eagle saw the small smile on Umi's lips and wondered what she was thinking about. At that moment, his chest felt like it was being crushed, and he felt sick--almost the way it had been when he was sick in his last life. It passed quickly, and Umi gazing up, had missed the pained expression on his face. I'm going to ask...

"Umi?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't know how this is done where you're from. But I wanted to ask you--if you would stay with me tonight." He squeezed her even more tightly, afraid of what she might think of his forwardness.

She turned to face him, her face growing warm as she felt her body pressed so close to him. Looking deeply into his eyes, she gave him his answer. "I will."
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I tried to drive home the point that Umi only loves Clef in this chapter, but I know you aren't satisfied with that. Egoista is Italian for selfish. Don't worry I won't leave you hanging this chapter. It isn't over yet! Go to the next chapter!(Oh yeah, I am still evil...)

Ja ne,(means later ^_^;;)
Key--Quiet, geist filled robot of the Teisuki clan.