*Lord of the Rings is a great movie, do you know that? I was just watching it, and I realized, OMG! I should update, because you know I've been finished the whole fanfiction for about a month now, and I've been away for a few days. Anyway I was sitting there watching the movie and this idea hit me! Since I tend to be like Umi and I'm completely in love with the character Legolas, you know the really adorable elf with the amazing shot and can walk on snow, that whole deal, anyway I was thinking wow Umi and Legolas! HA! And then I have a friend who is exactly like Fuu who is in love with the character Aragon so I was like hm… Fuu and Aragon! I mean she's already in love with a Prince it's perfect! Then I was trying to decide who would be good with Hikaru, and at first I was laughing because I was thinking Pippin because they're both short and everything, but then I decided that Hikaru liked tall guys so I thought maybe she'd be good with Boromir if he hadn't died and everything. Just food for thought, I just got a laugh out of it anyway. So now that I'm done with my insane ramblings here's the next chapter ^.^*

Chapter 14 Forbidden to Permissible

Mizuuma looked at the sky and saw that it was late. She climbed from her veranda onto the grass like she had so many times before and set out for the stables. She mounted Spring Breeze and clicked her into a canter. She took off toward the beach and when they got there stopped her and knelt on her neck, looking into the ocean. She smiled at the way that the moon made the water silvery.

Then in an instant the moon was gone, covered by clouds and there was a large clap of thunder. A lightning bolt streaked across the sky, and it began to rain. She smiled and held open her hands for the rain.

§§§~~~

"Mizuuma," he jumped up, sweating. What a  weird dream. He shook it off and began to settle back down, but he knew he would never be able to sleep unless he saw she was okay. He sighed and crawled out of bed, putting on a shirt and walking down the hall to where her room was. He opened the door and found her gone; her bed was unmade and her veranda door was open. His eyes narrowed, and he jumped off the veranda and followed the footprints to the stable. He saw that her horse was gone and wondered. He mounted a deep black stallion, not even bothering with tack and took off following hoof- prints. She wouldn't run away would she? She would never do that, he tried to assure himself.

He followed the hoof-prints all the way to the ocean and found her there, staring out into the water, her hair blowing lightly in the heavy wind. He shielded his eyes from the rain and saw her relishing in it, "Mizuuma," but a crash of thunder stopped his voice, "Mizuuma!" he shouted again, and she turned and looked at him, something he had never seen in her eyes, surprise.

"What are you doing here?" she couldn't believe that anyone had found her secret spot, her haven, and she was angry about it.

"I-I had a bad dream, a nightmare about you, and I was worried. I followed your horses hoof-prints here after I went to check on you," he faltered at her eyes, "How long have you been sneaking out like this?"

"Since after the battle," she said and looked down, stroking the horse, "We needed some time alone. We don't get to ride that much anymore because there's nowhere to go. She was getting lonely."

"No one should be lonely," he couldn't catch his words before he said them.

"Not true," she lashed back, and he was startled, "Some people were meant to be alone."

"Oh? Like who?" he inquired.

She shook her head, "Could you go? I really need this time."

"No."

"What?"

"I'm not going to leave you alone when you're like this. It's dangerous," he protested.

"Dangerous?" she muttered, "How is enjoying a storm with my horse dangerous?"

"It gives you time to hurt yourself," he answered.

"Hurt myself? What are you talking about?!" but she sounded paranoid, because she knew that he had found her out.

"You're killing yourself, and I know it. Maybe they don't see it but I do. I need to know, please," he begged, and she glared.

"You don't, and stay out of matters that are mine," she clicked her tongue, and the horse began to gallop back toward the palace.

"Yah!" he took off after her, as he always did.

He found her sitting in the living room, by the fire, looking into the fire; she wasn't quite there as he watched from the doorway. Her eyes snapped back into focus, and she turned and looked at him.

"Do you always have to watch me?" she demanded.

"That is sort of my job," he found a smile and came and sat near her.

"Do you have to take it so seriously?" she never looked at him.

"Is there another way to take another person's life?"

She laughed, and he looked at her curiously.

"Was that funny? It wasn't supposed to be."

"You're a trip," she informed him, "A real trip."

"Why do you say that?"

"Not many people take my life seriously," she said quietly.

"Really? Will you elaborate?" he questioned, and she shook her head, "Why can't you talk to me?"

"Because you wouldn't want to hear what I have to say," she answered and met his eyes for a split second. All he saw was intense pain.

"I'll decide that thanks," he smiled, but she shook her head.

"Trust me."

"I won't leave until you tell me what's bothering you."

"If you really want to know, it's you. You have double-standards. Hiroji and Misao get attached and you flip out at them, then here you are, trying to get to know me."

He looked hurt, "First off, that's not really what's bothering you. Second of all I'm not getting myself romantically involved by asking a few questions."

She glared, but somewhere, what was left of her heart collapsed on itself.

"Now tell me," he instructed.

"I'm tired," she stood and walked to her room, leaving him alone by the fire. He just watched her go, confused and more lonely than he had ever been.

§§§~~~

She slammed her door and put her face in her pillow. Guys shouldn't be allowed to toy with her emotions like that. She began to cry and crying turned to sobbing. She didn't even hear when he knocked gently on her door, "Mizuuma."

There was no answer, and he sank against her door and listened to her try and stifle her sobs until he could no longer take it. He took a deep breath and opened her door, this time without knocking.

She heard it and turned; her eyes widened. He wasn't supposed to see her cry. She turned her head as he came and sat on her bed.

"Mizuuma, you don't have to keep this in," he put gentle hands on her arms, and she flinched.

"Don't touch me," she said low and dangerously.

That's when he noticed that her hands were under her pillow. He closed his eyes, knowing this one move might cost him a lot. Slowly he reached under her pillow and took one of her hands and squeezed it gently. He felt her fingers and realized how much smaller than him she was. Her hands were freezing, but he didn't care.

She pulled away and sat up; she looked at him silently before she closed her eyes and nodded, "Fine."

He stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt her flow.

"I can't feel anymore because I've forced myself that way. I guess it's so I don't hurt anyone, and I don't get hurt. When I'm angry I let people know by words and expressions, but I can't feel that fire, that burning. When I'm sad I stay silent, but rarely cry. I know I love my parents, but I can't get the smile in my heart. I've shut myself off; that's why my hands are so cold; they're void of emotion that brings them warmth," she raised a hand to stop him when he was going to ask, "Every boy I've ever liked has never liked me back; I don't know why. I guess my personality isn't desirable," she shook her head, and a few tears fell down her cheeks. She smiled, and he saw strength, "I've seen Kojishi and Fuuchou so happy with something I'd never possess. It makes me jealous and now they have love, and I'm still alone. It makes me more numb," she laughed, but he felt no joy, "If that's possible. You wanted to know," she warned and wiped her tears.

He was quiet for a long time, "Mizuuma," he pulled back her hair with his fingertips and spoke softly, "Will you take second best?"

"What?"

"I don't think any of that is true," she could feel his fingers run down her neck, "I think everything about you is desirable," he reached in and kissed her gently, but pulled away quickly, "I'm sorry…I shouldn't…"

"What?" her eyes darted.

He shook his head and left quickly.

§§§~~~

Breakfast was tense because it seemed that Mizuuma wasn't the only one noticing the secret glances between Fuuchou and Misao and Kojishi and Hiroji anymore.

Finally, as if they were both just as angry and just as ready to attack someone Ferio and Lantis burst out, "What is going on here?!"

"Huh?" Kojishi looked up, and Mizuuma stifled a laugh behind a hand. Clef looked at her curiously, and she grinned and just settled to watch the show.

"You two have some explaining to do," Ferio informed the girls, and Lantis nodded in agreement.

"Explaining?" Kojishi was still clueless.

"Nothing," Fuuchou shook her head.

"Oh it's something," Ferio's hands itched to reach his sword, "It's not proper royal protocol to…"

"That one's not going to work," Mizuuma muttered, and he glared at her, "Well it's not! Let's think…Prince, Magic Knight, Prince, Magic Knight, hm…what's proper royal protocol now?"

Fuuchou smirked when Ferio started again, and Mizuuma grinned triumphantly.

"It's forbidden," when Lantis tried it hit them all, "And you two know it," he looked at the Guardians.

"I've heard that!" Kojishi shouted, "I've heard that but what I haven't heard is why?"

"Why is not the case," Lantis growled.

"What's wrong with them?" Mizuuma demanded, and then held her mouth with a hand, completely shocked, not that she had said it, but that she had felt it.

"That's a good point," Umi defended her daughter.

"It's forbidden," Lantis huffed.

"You two have forbidden love," Clef pointed out.

"That's easy for you to say!" Ferio shouted at him, "Your daughter isn't involved with a Guardian!"

Mizuuma winced, and Takeru looked down, suddenly very interested in his food.

"No, but one is in love with her," Fuuchou pointed out, and Takeru looked at her, startled.

"Completely not true," he informed her.

Mizuuma's heart broke.

"Now what is this about?" Clef looked back and forth.

"Yeah now let's see who gets defensive," Lantis mumbled, and Ferio nodded in agreement.

"Maybe there is a better time for this," Fuu urged, and Hikaru nodded.

"Yeah, like now, in the gardens," Ferio told them, and summoned his daughter and her Guardian forward. Fuu followed them, and Fuuchou looked at her mother nervously. She smiled encouragingly.

Kojishi snickered behind a hand, and Lantis looked at the others at the table, "I think that we need to talk, would you mind if we left?"

"No no no!" Caldina shouted, "We'll go."

"You might need the restraints of a table," Presea laughed and walked out with everyone else.

"Hey Mizuuma up for a fencing match?" Umi asked, and Mizuuma and her mother walked down to the fencing room. She wasn't surprised to find that her father and Takeru followed; she had fallen right into their trap.

§§§~~~

"Fuuchou I thought better of you," Ferio scolded when they were alone, and Misao put a hand on the hilt of his sword, though no one noticed because all eyes were on father and daughter.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.

"You know precisely what it means! Going and breaking every single tradition possible! Not only is this not good for the country, but more importantly it's not good for you!"

"Who are you to judge who's good for me?!" she screamed back.

"I know that he isn't it!"

"How?! Were you there?! You don't know how he treats me father!" her words made him calm some.

"How is that?" he was still grinding his teeth though.

Here her eyes turned to Misao, "He makes me feel like I have more than beauty. He makes me feel like I'm worth protecting. He makes it so that life is worth living."

Ferio was quiet for a long time before Fuu spoke up.

"Ferio," she took his hand, "You know that you can't take this from her. You know that you can't protect her forever. She's grown up; she's not a little girl anymore. I know she'll always be our little girl, but to the world she's now an adult. I think you owe her at least that. She deserves at least a chance to make her own decisions."

"Mistakes," Ferio muttered.

"If my father was around when I fell in love with you he would have said the same about you," she informed him, and he glared.

"Low," he told her and turned back to the other two, "Very well…" he said gruffly but turned to Misao when Fuuchou smiled, "I swear on my sword and on my country if you so much as lay one hand of harm on her or hurt her in any way you will wish you hadn't."

"You don't have to worry Prince," Misao bowed, and Fuuchou took his hand, and they walked out together. She lay her head on his shoulder, and he smiled and kissed her fingers.

Ferio raised his hand to say something, but Fuu took it and kissed him instead, "Sh…leave her be; he's a good boy."

He smiled at her and nodded, "Maybe…"

§§§~~~

"This relationship is forbidden," Lantis' eyes were dark.

"By who? The legends or you?" Hiroji challenged and left Lantis startled.

"Both," Hikaru answered for him and laughed.

"I don't understand what is so forbidden," Kojishi protested.

"For one thing," Lantis began, and they knew this was going to be a long one, "If it doesn't work out then he'll have no desire to protect you anymore."

"We haven't even started, and you're already plotting our end?!" Hiroji demanded.

Lantis glared, "No, I'm just looking at all the possibilities."

"It isn't a possibility," Hiroji growled, "And even if it was I'm dedicated to Kojishi; lovers scorn or no."

"I see you say that now," Lantis muttered, "But we saw just how you protected Hebi."

"She was the enemy of Kojishi and Cephiro," Hiroji's eyes were dark when Kojishi looked down.

"Dad, I know you're trying to protect me, but please, just for once, trust me enough to make my own decision," Kojishi begged.

"She isn't four anymore," Hikaru told him, "She hasn't needed our help in quite a while."

"But this is different!" Lantis protested.

"Lantis," Hikaru said softly, "Give him a chance; I gave you one."

He looked at her for a long time, looked at his Faerie, and then slowly, almost like he was debating, nodded, "Fine, but only for you."

Kojishi screamed in joy and ran to the other side of the table, hugging her father quickly, "You won't regret this," she told him and grabbed Hiroji's arm as they walked out, talking softly.

"You really won't," Hikaru said quietly, and he grinned and kissed her.

§§§~~~

Mizuuma and Umi bowed and began their pacing. Takeru watched intently, and Clef's eyes narrowed.

"You say you don't love my daughter, but I am not fooled for one second," he said, very low, "And it gives me more reason to kill you because you drug her through the mud just now."

"What?" he looked at the Master Mage and tried to keep his eyes from the staff that he held tightly.

"You've hurt her, too many times. She is worthy, you are the one that's not. I knew you wouldn't be," Clef said viciously.

He glared, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"What was up with Fuuchou at the table?" Mizuuma asked as she blocked her mother's parry; she was trying to play it off, and Takeru knew it.

"Dunno," he answered as he tried not to wince with the impact of Umi's sword against her blade. Clef saw the slight shudder, and his eyes widened.

"Interesting…"

"Mizuuma you've gotten much better," Umi informed her, "But," she threw the sword from her hands, "You'll never match me I'm afraid."

Mizuuma grinned, "My mission in life, to be better than you."

Umi laughed, "Maybe when I'm too old to move."

"Maybe," Mizuuma nodded, and they laughed.

Tori:

"Swear you're the fiercest calm I've been in

The soul-quake happened here

In a glass world

Particle by particle

She slowly changes

She likes hanging

Chinese paper cuts

Just another fix

Can I weather this?"

~Tori Amos, Concertina, To Venus and Back