Author's notes: This is my first Rayearth fanfic but not my first fanfic. I also write Dragonball Z fics under the name "Android 18". I chose to have a different pen name for my Rayearth fics. Anyways, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rayearth cause clamp does.
Crystal Tears
She knelt near the bed, a sad and stricken look plastered on her features. For about a month now, this warrior had been in a deep sleep, barely even considered alive when he first passed out. But with the help of all her friends in the world of Cephiro, they had managed to help him. But that still didn't mean that he was to wake anytime soon. Depending on the speed of his recovery, he could easilly spends years in a long rest before he was to open his eyes and gaze upon all that surrounded him.
She sighed sadly, wishing their was some way to help the warrior from Autozam. Even though her and Eagle had never really been formally introduced, she wanted more than ever to help him along on his way to recovery, whether it was whispered words of advice or simple small talk, knowing that he could probably hear her.
Sitting straight in her chair and looking up towards the roof of the room, she remembered all her daily visits for the past few weeks. She had always been lonely in Cephiro, almost wishing she could be back at home watching tv or even in school working on some boring assignment. It's not that she didn't care for her friends, after all, the only reason she came was to make them feel happy. It's just that...she felt as if there was no reason to be here...
With Hikaru...she had everything in Cephiro. There was her love for Lantis that kept that school girl smile always shining on her face and all her friends who she cared deeply for. Then their was Fuu...loving Prince Ferio enough to give her life just to spend a single moment with him and caring as much for her friends as Hikaru.
And now all that was left was...her. The young, snobby, and selfish spoiled brat, who had a perfect, easy life and went to the perfect school. The girl who was so self-centered that all she could think about was returning home the second she was within reach of her friends. She was also known for selfishly rejecting the love Ascott had for her because she couldn't find any way to return it.
"Why must I be the way I am?" she whispered, a small tear trickling down her cheek.
~*~*~*~*~
Why must I be the way I am?
The words pounded through his head, the young, familiar, feminin voice, making him wish more than ever that he could open those eyes and gaze upon the person who had visited quite often.
If only he had the strength...
~*~*~*~*~
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of beautiful chocolate orbs that had been hidden for so long. His immediate reaction to his sudden movement was to blink, not having seen the light for a while. As his eyes adjusted, a blue blur leaning over his bed, came into focus.
Long strands or ocean blue cascaded around her shoulders and face, matching her eyes perfectly. At one look, he could tell she her angelic features matched an attitude of seriousness and sophistication. Even her outfit seemed to scream that, her expensive blue dress clinging onto her figure. But all that he could focus on were those sad, glazed eyes...their depth of emotion surprising him. Why could she be so sad?
"W-who are you?" he whispered, still gazing into her sad, blue eyes.
Umi looked down into the pair of concerned chocolate orbs that stared back up at her. How could a total stranger be so worried about her?
A smile spread across his lips, happy to have someone there the second he woke up. But, he still didn't recognize this beautiful girl. Could she be one of the other Magic Knights?
"Oh, I'm sorry for bothering you," she whispered back. "I'm a friend of Hikaru's and also one of the Magic Knights. My name is Umi and I know you're Eagle, although we haven't been introduced yet."
So she is a Magic Knight, he thought.
"Don't worry about bothering me. I had to wake out of that coma sometime and I'm glad to wake up to a pretty face."
She blushed at his kindness and sincerity, her eyes lighting up more happily and a smile being born from her delicate lips.
Her beautiful smile made his heart skip a beat.
"Is there anything I can get you? Something to eat?" Umi wondered.
His eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Now that I think of it, I am a little bit hungry."
"A little bit? You've been in that coma for a month! Just by that look, I can tell you are practically starving. I know, how about I make you something to eat? I'm an awesome cook, or so I have been told."
"Okay. I think I would even settle for burnt food in the state I'm in."
Umi giggled. "Wow, that would make you starving. I'll be back soon!"
~*~*~*~*~
Umi ran throughout the castle of Cephiro, searching for the kitchen and pantry. She now made it her goal to make Eagle the best meal he has ever had, being the only person to make her smile over the last month. Maybe she had been a little too caught up in her problems lately.
In an attempt to enter the kitchen, she ran right into Hikaru, who was chewing happily on some candy they had brought from Tokyo.
"Eaglehasfinallywakenupfromhiscoma!!!!"
She was so excited that Umi was talking fast and rapidly. But the second she said that, Hikaru understood and dropped her candy, grinning widely as she also became excited.
"Really? He's up??? This is great!!!! I've gotta tell Lantis and Guru Clef!!!"
Hikaru raced out of the room.
Umi went into the kitchen and pulled out a pot and a pan. Then, walking over to the pantry, she pulled out all the items she needed to make a nice, healthy soup for the recovering warrior.
"Eagle, you better be ready for the best tasting soup Cephiro has ever seen," she whispered in satisfaction.
~*~*~*~*~
Ascot walked through the hallways of the palace, all of his thoughts on Umi. No matter how hard he tried, she never really did seem to retaliate to his affection or even show any sign of care. He knew these feelings for her weren't fake. If only he could make her see how much she meant to him.
I have to do something…soon…, he thought.
It made not have seemed to be quite clear but Ascot had been able to pickup on the signal's of love Guru Clef had sent Umi. Whenever she waltzed into the room, blue hair shimmering like the calm surface of a vast ocean, the look in his eyes showed signs of his heart melting for the young girl. And Ascot understood how easy it could be to love a girl like that.
"You mean more than Cephiro to me, Umi. If only I could have you, even for just a moment. It would make life worth living," he said to himself.
A sudden shout and the sounds of footsteps approaching caused him to blush, worried that someone may have heard what he said. He looked over his shoulder and saw the dazzling smile Hikaru sent him. She looked beyond happy.
"Guess what, Ascot? Eagle has awaken from his coma!" she shouted enthusiastically.
Ascot returned her smile. "That's great! I was beginning to get a little worried there. Has Geo or Zazo heard the good news yet?"
"Oh no! I knew I forgot to mention this to someone! Gotta go!"
~*~*~*~*~
"Here's your soup," Umi said as she stepped into the room. She placed the bowl on a tray over his lap as he sat up.
He took a small sip and smiled at her gratefully. "This is excellent. I'm thankful you were kind enough to make me something to eat."
"Oh, I enjoy cooking. I would have made you something even if you had refused."
He grinned even more. "Thank you."
"Your welcome."
A short silence passed between them as Umi decided to set all questions aside to allow her friend to eat. For the last hour he had had almost all of Cephiro visit his room, while she had been preparing his meal. He was probably tired and as much as she wanted to talk to him, she almost wanted to leave him rest for a while.
I guess it's best to ask and not assume, she finally decided.
Eagle set aside his empty bowl, looking straight at the young magic knight. He still had that smile plastered on his face and Umi had to admit that he did look rather hot-er-handsome.
"Umm…do you want me to leave? I know you've had people visiting you since you awakened from that coma and you might not want anyone to bother you right now."
Just looking at him, she could tell he was surprised and startled by her question.
"I don't want you to leave," he replied warmly. "And I'm flattered that you're concerned. But I wouldn't mind if we could talk for a while. There is something I wanted to ask you."
"Oh. What is it you want to ask?"
"Why were you sad?"
"S-sad? M-me?"
Umi said it like it was the most ridiculous thought in the world. As much as she needed a shoulder to lean on, she didn't want to dump her problems on someone who was recovering from a terrible sickness he had suffered for as long as he remembered.
"That look…When I woke up…you were sad…"
So he had seen through her attempted lie. And he still seemed concern. He had that look in his eyes that she had seen recently.
Umi sighed. "Are you sure you want to know?"
He nodded. "I know you've been at my bed side for the last few weeks. Even in my coma, I had felt your presence. I even remembered the strangled sobs and sniffles. If you really don't want to tell me, you don't have to. I just want to help you like you helped me."
Another sigh escaped her lips. "Well, I guess I need to get this out sooner or later before it eats up my insides. I've been feeling depressed lately. One reason is because of Ascott. I know he's in love with me but I know for a fact that I can't return his love."
"Reason number two is Hikaru and Fuu. I love them so much. They're the sisters I never had. But I know that in order to keep them happy, I have to come to Cephiro and the truth is…I'm sick of Cephiro. I love everyone here but…I just feel so alone when I'm here…"
"And now, the other reason is that I feel so selfish. I feel as if all I really care about is me. I want to be at home and not here with my friends, I want Ascott to not love me, and I also want to stop caring whether or not I will find true love or not. I feel as if I'm letting everyone down as I drift farther away from them. And worst of all, I'm beginning to wish I never heard of Cephiro…"
A small tear fell onto the edge of Eagle's bed as she tried to hold it all back. He reached out and wiped away the other tears that began to fall.
Umi leaned into him, sitting on the edge of his bed and crying on his shoulder as his arms wrapped around her small form.
"I just don't want to be alone anymore…"
Her plea came out as a sad, strangled sob. And he knew this was the part where he offered the words of advice to help her, just as he said he would. Her sadness made his heart weaken and he wanted to be there for her in her time of need.
"Umi…you're not selfish."
"Yes I am!"
"Listen, if you were selfish, would you be here in Cephiro right now? Would you be doing something for your friends if you were selfish?"
"But…I-I'm rejecting Ascott's love!"
"No, you are merely doing what your heart is asking you to do. Would you be the opposite of selfish if you pretended to love him?"
"But what about regretting to come to Cephiro and wanting to be at home, wanting to wish I had never met Hikaru or Fuu?"
"You don't regret it. You just feel alone and feel as if you regret it when you know that you would give your life just to spend a moment in this land."
His last words seemed to stick to her. What he said made sense.
Lifting her head from his shoulder, still tightly in his embrace, she looked up into his warm brown eyes, smiling through the last of her tears. He had done it. He had said he would helped her and completed a task she found even impossible.
"But you're not alone…," he finished. "Even if you feel as if you have no one to turn to, you'll always have…me…"
~*~*~*~*~
As she lay in her bed that night, Umi could only think of the words from her last conversation with Eagle. "But you're not alone…Even if you feel as if you have no one to turn to, you'll always have…me…"
She couldn't explain it. She had only first talked to him today and already she was growing to appreciate the friendship that was quickly blossoming between them. She saw why Hikaru cared for him through his generocity and concern.
"Umi…" Hikaru whispered beside her.
Umi looked over at her friends who were next to her on the bed.
"Yeah Hikaru?" she whispered back.
"You seem really happy about something. I noticed how you just couldn't stop smiling today. I just wanted to ask you what it was that has made you feel this way. Lately you haven't really been yourself," she said.
Umi blushed. "I…I guess it's because Eagle is awake now and now everyone in Cephiro is a little happier and I guess I just couldn't help but be happy too…"
"I know what you mean. I'm almost as happy as Zazo and Geo. They literally did backflips when I told them."
"So, anything new with you and Lantis?" Umi asked, changing the subject.
Hikaru blushed. "Actually, not much. But I still love him more than ever."
"That's not hard to believe," Umi said with a giggle. She smiled warmly at her friend and whispered, "Thank you" before drifting off into deep sleep.
Hikaru, understanding a little by what she meant, replied, "Your welcome."
~*~*~*~*~
As the days went by, Eagle became stronger and stronger, soon taking walks around the palace with Umi. He spent most of his time with this "Angel of the Ocean" as he most often refered her to, and neither could deny the bond that grew even stronger than his recovery. And they knew that this bond was leading to one thing…
"Umi," Eagle whispered, stopping just in front of the fountain in the garden. His eyes were filled with so many emotions as he looked down into hers, his heart pounding almost as fast as hers.
As the soft, summer breeze blew through his light, blonde hair, Umi felt her mind race as she thought about all that he could possibly tell her. Would he admit the same feelings she had for him? Will she be able to tell him the same?
The full moon of Cephiro hung above them, making this the most romantic of spots. A peaceful silence was held within the air, Eagle gathering the courage to admit the emotions that ran through him whenever he was within her presence.
"I want you to know…that…" he began nervously. "I lo-"
"Umi! There you are!" Ascott called, racing into the garden. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Y-you have?" Umi said, disappointed that this moment had to end. If only he had waited before interrupting them.
"Yes. There is something important that I've been meaning to tell you," he queried. "I've just been waiting to get a chance alone with you."
Eagle got the idea. Taking hold of Umi's hand, he gently kissed it, before walking back into the palace.
Umi stared at his retreating figure, holding her hand close to her heart as the electricity of his touch ran through her body, tingling her spine. She didn't realize that Ascott was standing beside her until he waved a hand in fron of her face.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She smiled. "Oh, I'm fine."
"Good. What I wanted to tell you is I'm not afraid anymore. I know you and I haven't talked much but that didn't destroy the way I felt for you. I'm in love with you, Umi," he whispered.
Umi gasped, looking away sadly. What could she say? How would she tell him the truth without tearing his heart into pieces?
Tears began to fill her eyes. She couldn't hurt him! She didn't want to bring him any pain! But she also didn't want to lie about her feelings.
What should I do?
~*~*~*~*~
She ran into Eagle's room, collapsing into his arms as she allowed her heart to show her the path she had to take. But she couldn't stop the tears that flowed as she remembered tearing his heart apart. She had told him she didn't love him and ran, like the coward she was.
But she knew she had to do what was right. She couldn't live a lie, no matter what happened, she couldn't pretend to feel something she didn't feel.
"I told him," she whispered sadly. "I told him that I wasn't in love with him. I broke his heart but I know it was the right thing to do."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I am. Because I know who it is I'm in love with."
"Who?"
She looked up at him, her face inches away from his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling nervous and afraid of his reaction.
"….You…."
He smiled, lowering his lips onto hers.
"I love you too…"
His lips touched hers, kissing her gently at first. But their kiss became more passionate as their hunger grew. They knew this was right…it felt right.
~*~*~*~*~
Sunlight streamed into the room from the window, sending it's light upon Umi's face. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she sat up and gazed around her, trying desperately to remember what had happened. Then, she felt an arm around her and looked over at who had held her through the night.
"Eagle…"
She smiled when she remembered the night before. She had come crying to Eagle, seeking his comfort and their confession came out into the open. Then she had lain in his arms all night long, wanting to be held within his sweet embrace for all eternity.
At the mention of his name, he awoke, hugging Umi tightly and running his hands through her long, blue hair. Soon, her lips found his and the two began to kiss, little realizing that a few pairs of eyes were on them.
"Ahem."
They slowly looked away from eachother and stared up at the three people who had walked in on them. A blush rose to their cheeks as they searched for the words to say.
"If I had known you two were busy, I would have stopped by later," Hikaru giggled.
Fuu, who was standing beside her, smiled at her friend. "I think Hikaru should watch what she says, considering what happened earlier this morning."
Hikaru blushed a deep shade of red.
"I happened to walk in when her and Lantis were kissing quite a bit. I had to wait about ten minutes before they finally responded to me."
Hikaru blushed ever more redder, if possible. Clef, who was also in the room, smiled sadly at the couple. For once, Umi looked into his eyes and saw the deep sadness that was held back within them. It's the same look Ascott gave me.
And suddenly, the truth hit her. Clef must also have been in love with her. He didn't show it to often but there had to be something there.
Why do I always have to hurt my friends? she wondered.
"We're sorry for intruding but we were worried about you Umi. Hikaru and Fuu told me you weren't in your room yesterday and we thought something might have happened to you. We were just looking for you to make sure you were okay," Clef said.
Umi smiled greatfully. "Thanks for caring but I was just with Eagle."
"Hey, now that we're all here, why don't we go downstairs and have something to eat. I swear I'll die of hunger if we don't eat something soon," said Hikaru.
Umi bounded up happily. "I'm hungry too. Plus, I have a sudden urge to do some cooking. Anyone want to help me?"
"Hey, could you show me how to cook?" Fuu asked.
"I also need some practise," said Hikaru.
The three girls walked out of the room, walking through the palace and heading towards the kitchen. As they left, Clef glanced over at Eagle and whispered, "I hope you realize how lucky you are."
Eagle couldn't help but smile. "I do."
She's my Angel of the Ocean…To Be Continued
Umi
