Sooooooo thanx very much for the reviews, I love getting them! Anyway, on with the next chapter!
*-----------------------------------------------------------*
Hikaru jumped in fright and fell into the fountain grabbing onto Umi, pulling her in too.
Fuu watched them with humour, as they stumbled out, Umi grumbling to Hikaru.
They stood ahead of Fuu, quiet. She looked from Umi to Hikaru. "Well?" They both looked at each other uncertainly.
"Overheard what?" She repeated, a curious look on her face.
"Fuu! I overheard, erm, Ascot! He, He's really depressed because, I.... wasn't, y'know." Umi pretended to look worried and confused. Hikaru just stood staring until Umi punched her in the ribs. "I didn't go to you because......"
"She thought you'd be with Ferio!" Hikaru helped her.
Fuu face softened. "Oh Umi, you know I would come to your aid if you ever needed me!"
Umi nodded. She turned to Hikaru. "Well, time to get back in, I'm freezing for sure!" She shivered, and shook off the water dripping from her hair.
Hikaru smiled, "Fuu? Are you coming?"
"Well, I was looking for Ferio to be honest." Fuu looked around. "He wasn't in his room-"
"Ohhh!! But can't we have a girly chat for once??!!" Umi laughed nervously.
Fuu looked taken aback. Her face broke into a smile. "Yes! We haven't talked in ages!"
Hikaru poked Umi in the back and pointed to one of the gardens. Kaigan and Ferio were walking hand in hand, down the gardens, probably having a chat before Kaigan left with Tatra and Tarta.
Immediately, Hikaru and Umi grabbed Fuu's arms, and strolled down the opposite way.
*----------------------------------------------------------*
Breakfast was made by Ascot that morning, and to everyone's surprise, it was delicious.
Umi finished hers quickly, and sat back with a hand on her stomach comfortably. "Aaaaaaah! Isn't this great? Delicious breakfast and no Mokona!" Ascot blushed and soon after, a 'Puu!' sounded through the hallway.
After sitting for a few minutes, Umi got up and brought her plate to the kitchen, finding Ascot chopping something up.
"Ascot!" Umi grinned, making him jump. She walked over to him and he stopped chopping.
"Your breakfast was perfect Ascot! I loved it!" She giggled, feeling a total ditz.
Ascot smiled, and stared into her eyes for a second, then resumed to chopping.
Although she felt a tiny bit uncomfortable, Umi cleared her throat and watched him, finding it interesting how he couldn't stop blushing.
"Ascot? You ok?" Umi put a hand on his right one, which shook.
Ascot gulped, not finding any words. He tore himself away from Umi and walked out of the room.
Umi stood watching him. Did he still have feelings for her??...... She felt so cruel to turn him down like she did. But she never had any feelings for him. Her mind flew to Clef, and she blushed, feeling shamed, because Clef didn't love her anyway.
"Umi? Are you okay?" Hikaru walked in with Fuu, carrying plates and cups.
Umi nodded, smiling. "Just thinking, like you do. I must go and have a bath!!" She laughed and ran off.
Speeding down the hall, Umi caught up with Ferio, who was walking with a pile of washing. Grabbing his arm, he stumbled, and dropped it all.
"Umi??!" He gasped.
Staring at him with a blank face, Umi picked up the washing. "Ferio, could we talk?"
Ferio frowned, he never really spent much time with Umi. They didn't really know eachother as well as he knew Fuu and Hikaru. Why would she suddenly want to talk? He nodded, and placing the clothes aside, they walked outside.
"We never really talk Ferio." Umi said quietly, as they headed out of the castle grounds.
Ferio shook his head. "No I guess not."
As the castle went out of sight, Umi sat Ferio down in a shady patch of a forest.
"Ferio, I know."
Ferio tilted his head to the side. "Know?? Know what?"
Umi looked up to face him. "About you, and...."
"How do you know Umi?......." Ferio couldn't believe it, he only hoped Umi wasn't angry.
"I overheard, not on purpose. But, Ferio. Fuu." Umi didn't know what she was pleading for, but if it could help the situation in any way.....
Ferio looked at the floor, but Umi placed a hand underneath his chin and made him look at her. "Ferio, look at me."
He looked troubled. "Umi you know I love Fuu, but as a prince, I have no choice."
"I know Ferio, but how are you going to tell Fuu?"
He shrugged. There was no way to tell Fuu without breaking her heart.
"Maybe you could, tell her Um-"
"No Ferio. I've had enough to do with this, I just want to stay out of it." Umi replied harshly.
A rustle in the bushes made them turn round, and a figure stepped out.
"Kaigan??" The two said at the same time.
She bowed respectfully, and smiled at Umi. "Is this your friend Umi you have told me about?" Smiling at Umi's puzzled description, she continued. "Ferio has told me about you all, and no one else here has such stunningly beautiful hair!"
Umi flushed with pride, completely forgetting who Kaigan was. "Thank you."
Turning to Ferio, Kaigan grinned. "I thought I'd come and explore my new home. Miss Umi, did you know we are going to marry?"
Umi shook her head, putting on a forced smile. "I did not! Congratulations!"
Kaigan put a hand to her mouth and giggled. "Well, I should be going again!" She put her arms around Ferio's shoulders and pressed her lips to his. "Je ne Kawaii-kodomo!" She whispered, loud enough for Umi to hear.
Walking off the opposite way from them, there was silence. Umi turned to Ferio, feeling lost.
"She's a nice girl." Umi noted.
"Yeah......" Ferio answered, collapsing onto a tree stump.
"But, you have to tell Fuu okay?" Umi finished the conversation.
"I know, I know. I've got just the plan, K?" Ferio gave Umi a friendly hug. "I know you care about Fuu too, and I'm glad you look out for her."
*-------------------------------------------------------*
Umi laughed softly, Mokona purring on her lap. Hikaru whispered something to Lantis, and they kissed, making Umi feel sick in a joking kind of way.
Everyone sat by a warm fire, some were dozing off.
Fuu sat confused, Ferio had just gone and sat next to Umi and Ascot, ignoring her. She still had had a good time, Presea making jokes next to her, and Caldina on the other side, moaning about a broken nail, but the thought of him ignoring her still hung around in her negative thoughts.
As the others talked in little groups, Umi turned to Ascot, who was sitting next to her. "Ascot," She asked, "Are you okay?"
He nodded slowly, "Yeah, I'm sorry Umi about earlier. Can we forget it happened? Please?"
"Of course!" Umi pecked him on the cheek, and sat down again, only to hear Ferio get up and stand in the middle of the room.
"Erm, ok everyone, I thought, since tomorrow is supposed to be a great day. We could go fishing at the lake, and eat lunch there. We don't usually do anything like that, so you know....." He broke off, waiting for everyone's response.
"Yay!" Hikaru clapped her hands. "Can we please??!! I love picnics!"
Caldina nodded. "An' maybe 'ah can get a tan!"
Umi agreed. "Yeah, it will be nice to get out once in a while. Hikaru, Fuu and I remembered to bring our swimming stuff!"
Ferio nodded, smiling. "Then, how's about we invite Lady Aska, Tatra, Tarta and the rest?"
Everyone agreed, with nods and smiles. Umi sat confused, he was going to bring Kaigan?? Why? Was he going to embarrass Fuu in front of Kaigan? Nasty thoughts swam through her head, Fuu being laughed at and made fun of. But then, Ferio was too good a guy to do anything like that?.....
It was all set, tomorrow would be the day. They would go by foot etc.
*--------------------------------------------------------*
Like it? I'm not sure whether I should continue, but if you guys want me to then I'll finish it! ^.^
Luv Yukishin
