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Chapter 7--La Mort
No matter the sky, someday it will darken,
No matter the wind, someday it will falter,
No matter the time, someday it'll fall to ruin,
No matter the person, someday they will die...
--God Hurts Those He Loves, Weiß Kreuz
"Will he wake up?"
Umi had been awakened in the hours before dawn, by Ascot and Clef dragging an unconscious Eagle back to his room.
"He should in a short time." Clef was distraught seeing Umi like this. Telling her had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done.
Umi and Clef were in the adjoining room while Ascot kept an eye on Eagle. Umi in her nightgown sat quietly on the barren floor, still not fully sure of what was happening.
"I brought him back just so he could die."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Umi."
"That wasn't what you said the last time..." Umi broke down into sobs.
"I was wrong. I was angry with you about something you had no control over. I'm so sorry Umi. I wish I could take it all back. Turn back the clock so you wouldn't hate me so much." He sat down next to her and drew her close to him, wrapping his arms around her the best he could with his small body.
"I never, could never hate you. I only love--" Umi stopped herself. Clef's eyes were bearing down on hers intensely. She didn't have to finish the phrase.
"Umi..." She took it so hard because she loved me, I couldn't let myself believe it. He clutched her head to his chest. "It will be alright."
She pushed him away. "No. He's dying in there and I'm here in your arms. What kind of monster am I?"
He wanted to confort her, but at that moment Ascot walked through the door.
"He's awake."
"I have to see him!" Umi had barely gotten to her feet when she was blocked at the door.
"He wants to see Clef. Alone."
Clef reluctantly drew himself up from the floor, and passed the still
tearful Umi. What does he want from me?
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"I wondered if you would even come."
"What did you want to say to me?"
"I just need to know that you'll take care of her. I know how much she loves you, so much she wanted me to make her forget. And believe me, I tried."
"I.."
"Quiet. Don't you know it's impolite to interrupt a dying man?" Eagle coughed softly. "How long are you going to continue wasting you life? You do what is expected of you all the time. When I woke up, Ascot told me a little of the conversation you had when you were locked up in that room together. The Yokaze festival. You waited all that time, for an important Cephiran holiday before you decided you would tell her you loved her? You could have been laying together under the stars instead of mixing up potions."
Umi should be blaming me not herself...
"Umi may be a Magic Knight, but she's still a very lonely person. She needs you. I promised her that I wouldn't leave her alone--and I don't intend to."
The silence grew long and uncomfortable.
"You can talk now."
"This wasn't what I was expecting at all..."
"Well don't be grateful or anything. I lied a little to Umi. I promised that if you ever showed that you loved her, I would step aside. I would have done anything to keep her to myself--" a coughing fit seized Eagle mid-sentance.
"Umi wants to see you, I mean unless there's something else."
Eagle slowly drew a breath. "Send her in."
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"I'm so sorry, Eagle this is all my fault."
"What?"
"I brought you back and your only going to die again."
"Clef didn't tell you did he?"
"Tell me what?"
"If I wasn't sick like this, you would have died. That spell is what's been making you dizzy. It was stealing your life and giving it to me. He probably didn't want to make you feel worse than you already do."
"I don't know about that. I just can't stand it, knowing that you have to suffer like this because of something I did."
"For every second I lie here, all I can think of is how grateful I am for every minute in the sun, every hour under the stars that I could never have had. And this night--starting out the best and ending the absolute worst. I love you even more for that."
"But..."
"I did what I set out to. I made every second count and didn't let life pass me by again. Don't worry, Umi. I will die but I won't let you be alone. I made sure that Clef will--"
"You're making him take care of me? That isn't what I wanted."
"That isn't it at all. He loves you Umi, I just made him admit it, that's all. I knew I had to make up for hurting you like this. Please Umi. Be happy, I just want you to..." His eyes slowly closed slowly as his voice trailed off.
Umi screamed.
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I knew this would be painful so I'm writing them as quick as I can. La mort, French for death.
Ja ne,
Key--Quiet, geist filled robot of the Teisuki clan.
