EVEN WHEN TRIED BY SORROW (3)

EVEN WHEN TRIED BY SORROW (3)

"Please wait! Umi, please!"

Umi stopped at the sound of an anguish-ridden voice calling out her name . She turned to find Clef speeding towards her. What is he doing? Didn't he get the message? I need some time… She turned away and ran until she reached her room.

Being the magic knight she was, Clef had to admit she was still in pretty good shape, for he wasn't able to catch up to her. He tried to open the door but it was locked. Since his staff wasn't with him, he couldn't conjure a spell to unlock the door. He pounded his fists on the door, thankful that no one's room was close enough to hear the noise both of them were making.

"Umi! Umi! We need to talk!" Clef cried out desperately.

Umi sighed in dejection. She opened the door. "Clef… come in," she resolved in defeat. She turned her back and walked to her window.

Clef's creased brows relaxed, relieved that she has let him in. He stepped inside the room and closed the door. He saw Umi looking outside, her body framed perfectly against the edges of the windowsill. She looked so peaceful and angelic just sitting like that. He allowed himself a moment to study her.

Umi faced Clef, her expression still sad and melancholic. "What is it?" her voice still aggrieved.

Clef took a deep breath. "Umi, I'm sure that you have heard of me and Presea. But the truth is, we have decided to part ways, since I've admitted that I have some other girl occupying my mind – that's you, Umi," he admitted lovingly.

Her eyes widened at his confession. "But – why didn't you tell me this, Clef?" Umi questioned, genuinely puzzled.

He became sheepish. "Well, that's because you wouldn't even talk to me – not once since you set foot here on Cephiro two weeks ago. Because of your circumvent actions, I thought that maybe you wouldn't accept my true feelings. I mean, I have always thought that I didn't deserve you. But," he whispered and cupped her chin, "… now I feel unimaginable euphoria, knowing that you feel the same way about me. I'm quite flattered too, you know." He smiled at her.

Umi was speechless. Knowing that finding her voice would be an impossible task, instead she reached out for him and wrapped her arms around Clef's neck, and buried her smiling face in his chest.

Overwhelmed by her response, Clef wound his arms around her tiny waist and brought her closer to him. It felt perfect, the two finally finding each other. The two stayed locked in each other's arms for quite a while.

***************************

Kanashimi ni tamesarete mo 
Watashi de ireru anata ga ireba 
Tatoe, musubarenai to 
Shiru hi ga kite mo sore wa eien
Even when tried by sorrow 
If you are here 
When the day it cannot be bound 
Comes That is everlasting

***************************

Gingerly, Clef placed a light kiss on Umi's forehead.

Still bound together in their each other's embrace, Umi looked out at the heavens. The stars were now shining their best, as if rejoicing at the union of two lost souls (eechh… I know, I know, that was unnecessary…). The stars look beautiful, Umi thought, savoring their closeness.

back

Author's Endnotes:

J What do you think? It's my first shot at a songfic. Well, the truth is, it left me feeling betrayed. I also tried my best at having the characters avoid saying "I love you" or "Aishiteru" out loud. It just turns everything around.

J Comments? Flames? Insults? Suggestions for future fanfic writing endeavors? Send them to neko@anime-genesis.com. Go easy on everything, with a cherry on top. Sayonara!