*I have to advertise a really good fic that I was asked to read and am glad that I did. I am a firm believer that new authors really don't get enough attention or *ahem* reviews, so I'm trying to help this story along. So if you like good stories read Friend or Foe by Saka-Dragon. Now, all of you Clef/Umi fans that can stomach a little Ascot/Umi should read this, because it's really very good. Other than that, on with the romance *mutters about how I can't write romance to save my life*

Chapter 18: Never Seen Blue

Umi looked at Hikaru gently and tried to understand why her exuberant friend was so quiet this morning. Fuu too looked at the girl, but they weren't going to ask so publicly. They'd find out sooner or later. They didn't know they wouldn't have long to wait.

"I have an announcement to make," Eagle stood, and everyone looked at him curiously. For being so torn he looked quite happy.

Umi's eyes narrowed, what was up with him? What was going on? Did this have anything to do with Hikaru?

Lantis tried not to scowl at his best friend and managed a normal expression, one void of any emotion.

"Well what is it?" Natsumi snapped, and everyone muttered and shook their heads.

"I was getting to that fair one," Eagle responded quite cheerily, with a hint of venom in his words. "I have decided to go back to Autozam."

There was a long pause before Zazu, Geo and Zazu were back for the return of the Magic Knights, leapt into the air, "That's great!"

Eagle smiled and nodded at Geo who eyed him curiously. Geo nodded back, and everything was understood between them.

Some boy you are

Hikaru looked down at her food and didn't say a word, but everyone knew somewhere that there was a deep relief inside that ever-caring heart. She didn't want to see him go, but she knew that her true feelings could be let out now.

Lantis tried not to let his heart jump as he stared at Eagle in amazement. Eagle smiled weakly at him and sat down for breakfast.

Everyone else watched and tried to put things together but couldn't. Umi sighed and threw her fork down with a clatter; this was too much, seeing Hikaru's spirit die was too much. She stood and walked from the room without so much as an explanation.

"Umi…" Ascot started, but she shook her head and held a hand out to stop him. She turned and put her hands around her waist in a small embrace and walked out with her head hung low.

"Attitude problem," Natsumi mumbled, and everyone glared. No one could help but notice that Clef's eyes were the iciest. He stood and walked briskly after Umi and wasn't stopped by anyone.

Fuu smiled weakly and shook her head as a crystalline tear hit the table.

To take me by the hand

Umi looked out to the sea from the steps of the palace and sighed heavily. She couldn't help but feel that the worst mistake in her life was to get off the elevator and onto that observation deck of the Tokyo Tower that day. She couldn't help but feel she had made a huge mistake in doing that. Before her life was so simple, so, unattached, and now? What did she have to show for it? She shook her head and touched a small nick on her arm that she had gained when she had thrown the china about her room.

Through an elevator

Got a little red line

Clef walked behind her, and she spun, feeling his presence.

"What do you want?" she demanded hotly.

"You walked out of there pretty fast," he mumbled.

She sighed, "Did you see Hikaru? Eagle and Lantis…" she shook her head. "They're destroying her. And Fuu is going to break with this whole wedding thing. I hate the pain here Clef. It was supposed to get better!"

That tells you, boy,

"And what about you Umi?" he looked at her arm and held it in between his hands, not seeming surprised.

She pulled back and shook her head, waiting a minute, deliberating almost, "I'm sick."

"I know," he said after a long pause.

There was silence then, until Umi couldn't stand it anymore. She turned and walked away from him. She tried not to think about him, but she couldn't stop. When she reached the stables, she mounted and ran toward the village. He had hurt her too badly.

Where the razor's been

She tied up the horse and knocked on his door, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Umi," he had learned the name of the Magic Knight from the villagers. With a hungry glint in his eyes he opened the door and let her in.

She kissed him then, intense and hungry, because she needed to feel that she could love someone else, but her stomach turned, and she didn't feel anything.

He wouldn't let her go when she tried to pull away, and she didn't fight too hard. At least there was someone out there that appreciated her, even if it was in a sick, morbid way.

You said, girl if you think

You can turn that violator

They were just leaving the room when the door swung open.

The boy stepped back when he met enraged blue eyes. He looked from Umi to the man, he knew he shouldn't have interfered; he knew all along. Now, he was going to be killed, 'A Magic Knight!' he screamed to himself. 'What could I possibly have been thinking?'

"Step away from her," the man in the door growled angrily. He leaned his weight back and forth on his heels, ready to spring at any moment.

"S-sure," he stuttered and backed away, "hey, for what it's worth I didn't know she was…attached," he tried to act cool, but the blue eyes only grew stormier.

"I'm not," Umi interrupted the silent feud. "He just doesn't want me to ruin his reputation."

Those angry blue eyes grew gentle almost immediately, almost hurt, "That's not what this is about Umi."

"Oh come off it Clef," Umi said dryly.

"Gods," the boy mumbled and began to pace. "Gods he's the Master Mage!"

Clef's look was dark, and the boy stopped and fell silent.

"You know that that's exactly what this is about," Umi averted his attention back to her.

"This is about you!" he shouted, and she fell quiet as his eyes regained that pained expression. "This is about how you don't eat or sleep, about your crying at night…"

Her eyes widened, "Have you been spying on me?"

"You don't need a crystal to see it Umi, everyone sees it," he said softly, and she almost wished he had been spying on her, hearing her call his name in the night.

"None of that is your concern," she snapped.

"No, but as protector of the protectors of Cephiro those marks on your arms are," he lashed back, and her head shot down.

"I broke some stuff in my room," she mumbled.

"I know, Fuu told me. Why are you so angry?" he was being gentle now. He longed to pull her into his arms and tell her he never wanted to see her hurt again. He knew this was neither the time nor the place and that alone kept him from doing just that.

You'll finally be that woman

She shook her head, "Have you seen Fuu's face? Seen the fire die in Hikaru's eyes? Do you see? Are you blind? If you see these things you don't need to ask."

Clef let it go and didn't ask the question, 'And what about you Water Knight?' She had come so far since he first met her, from being so egocentric to caring so much for others she forgot to care for herself.

For the first time since Clef had gotten there, Umi looked at the man who paced nervously in his own living room. Hunger had been replaced by fear in his eyes, and Umi's eyes were full of disgust and contempt. Just Clef's presence gave her strength though, and she managed her apology quite nicely, "Gomen nasai, but it seems there are some things that need to be attended to back at the palace."

He nodded, and without so much as a goodbye, Umi and Clef walked from the room and mounted their horses, bound for the palace once more.

Finally be that woman

Umi entered the engagement dinner nervously that night. Caldina and Presea had her done-up in a form-fitting, smooth as silk, bright as gleaming midnight stars, silver gown. It fell to her feet, but didn't cover matching silver high-heels. There was a low oval cut in the back that exposed much of her porcelain skin. It was simple in the front, sleeveless with a narrow slit along the right side that went to mid-thigh. She wore long, white gloves that went to her elbows. Her hair was pulled into an elegant bun and several strands of hair were curled and let loose to fall down her slender neck. She wore only a little make-up to accent her deep blue eyes and high cheekbones. A sapphire-studded choker surrounded her neck, and a matching bracelet went over her glove on her right hand. Sapphire teardrops fell down from her ears and almost touched her creamy shoulders. Eyes fell onto her form and examined her, and the blush she gained lightened her eyes and her face.

Clef didn't think it was possible for her to look more stunning. It took him everything he had not to let his jaw drop and gape with the others. He only smiled weakly as she sat.

That's been frozen

In that pretty silver gown

He tried not to stare, but he knew she caught his eyes on her several times, lingering, examining. She blushed under his gaze and looked down or away, almost inviting his eyes to stay fixated on her.

It felt as if his intense gaze never left her that whole night, and the thought of it exhilarated her to the point where blood rushed through her face and body. A few times she even let a small giggle escape her lips. The only time her spirits were thrown was when Natsumi announced to everyone that the countdown had begun. Fuu's hands went to her stomach, and she dismissed herself to a headache and stomach virus.

Ferio watched her with concerned eyes, but she didn't look back.

Umi's eyes dropped, and her heart seemed to be made of lead as Hikaru shook her head and looked back. The next few moments were very quiet, until Umi stood, breaking the silence and deciding she had had enough of this night, as entertaining as it may have been.

They let her go, and she couldn't help but turn to see Clef watching her leave.

I've never seen blue

Like the blues he drives

She closed Fuu's door, after she had finished checking on her, and sighed heavily. She opened her veranda door and had just settled on her stone railing. Her feet were pulled up into a ball near her chest, and her head on her knees. Her back was leaned against the wall as she looked into the night. A loud sound formed itself into a knock from inside, startling her. "Come in!" she called, not wanting to move from the precarious position that she had taken so long to come to.

She was surprised to see that the one that sought her company was none other than the Master Mage of Cephiro. "Clef?" she was a bit breathless with the arrival.

"May I?" he asked, and she nodded and watched as he jumped up next to her on the rail and got a good hold before tilting his head slightly to the side and looking into her deep blue eyes.

She blushed and looked away.

In and around

"I just wanted to let you know how stunning you looked tonight," he said quietly, and her eyes shot up in surprise to meet gentle blue eyes. They grew angry, and he was shocked.

She wanted to scream; did he think this was a game? Toying with her emotions like this?

Seeing her angry with him at a compliment was like a blade had struck him, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" he asked quietly, and she turned her head away.

"Just that…" she stopped and stayed quiet.

"Just that…" he encouraged

And through me again

"Just that…I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders.

"Please, you can tell me anything," he almost held out his hands to her, but managed to detain them.

Umi stayed quiet for a moment, but when she realized he wasn't leaving, and the subject would be extremely hard to change, she put everything she felt into words-or tried to, "I've been having trouble deciding things lately. Then, when I finally do, what I've decided seems that it's the wrong decision," she shook her head sadly and tried not to look at those captivating eyes. Every time she saw them an emotion ran into her that she couldn't contain. She would fidget and squirm and giggle uncontrollably.

I said, I've never seen eyes

Like the blues he drives

"For example…?" he had never felt this safe, with her near him, and the night surrounding them. He was sure that he would never have another night like this with her, and now that she was back and they were here…he thought he could grow wings and fly. There was only one thing that could make this night absolutely perfect, and he didn't realize that it was growing on his angel's lips.

"For example- you," she blurted out and gasped at her lack of control. Her fingers formed a corner in her dress, and ran over it again and again. She wouldn't look up and into his eyes, afraid of rejection, but she couldn't stop herself. She was astounded at her courage, but terrified of what he might say. Every emotion was going through her, and she wasn't sure if she was capable to contain it all. She closed her eyes and forced herself to stay as calm as she could. All the while he was staring in complete shock.

"What?" his voice was hoarse, was this what he was waiting for? His eyes narrowed, as if trying to comprehend, and his palms began to sweat. This was possibly the moment he was waiting for, and he couldn't breathe. He thought he should say something more, but the words wouldn't form in his numb mind. He was absolutely speechless.

Now that she had started she couldn't stop; everything came rushing out in one huge gasp.

In and around

"I thought that I was destined to be with Ascot because the love was mutual, but I realized that I wasn't. I realized that I loved someone more, differently. And then when I turned Ascot away I overheard something, and I shouldn't have. That one thing made everything different, and I knew I was wrong. And what I'm trying to say is…I…" she began to falter. Her mind was screaming, and so was his.

What was she saying? Was this completely random or did it have a point? His mind filled with questions that he knew he should voice aloud, but still his numb mind was trying to process words to form sentences. He stayed absolutely quiet, not even moving, barely breathing.

She knew this wasn't a time to hold back, so with another deep breath she came flowing out, "I love you Clef, and I always have," she finally looked into his crystal blue eyes and tried to explain herself. She was almost sure the rejection was close at hand, and her heart clenched in worry and sadness. She pushed back tears, but he could see them in her eyes, "And I'm sorry if you think I'm only a child, and I'm not good enough and…"

He put an end to her rambling with a hungry kiss.

And through me again

At first she was too shocked to respond, but he pulled her from the rail, standing to the side first and pulling her down and onto the pavement, when she began to kiss him back. The fabric of her dress ran like water beneath his fingers, and he let them fall into her silky blue hair. His hands were tightly wrapped around her waist; his hands caressing her hair and the silky skin on her back. She didn't know what was happening; all she knew was that it felt good. It was like a combination of relief and energy. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong desire. It was passionate and heated, and she never wanted that feeling to end. She had to come up for air but when she did she didn't let her mind interfere. Immediately she traced his neck with kisses, and tears began to fall because the last few moments began to sink in.

"Hey," he pulled her away a minute to look at her. His breath was heated, and she laughed a weak laugh as it tickled her neck. His voice was low and concerned; something she had never heard in a man's voice before, "Are you okay?" he pulled up her chin gently with his index and middle fingers, forcing her delve into those murky blue waters.

Through me again

"Amazing," she whispered back and kissed him again, this time more gently and intimately. He put a protective arm around her waist and the other to her neck, bringing her deeper into the kiss. He felt her hands run through his lavender hair as they clung around his neck. Her lips were soft and slightly parted, letting him access into her mouth, which he gladly accepted. She returned the intimate embrace as they connected in a way never before.

Through me again

She relished in his arms, but began to shiver, from the excitement or the cold she couldn't be sure, she guessed somewhere between the two.

"Come on, let's get you inside," he opened the door and led her in, one hand around her waist and the other opening the veranda door. He lay her down on the bed and smiled as she pulled out her bun and let her sinuous blue hair fall over the pillows like a river. She laughed and looked away, blushing under his gaze, but a worry filling her mind. Did he love her? He wasn't like the others, she knew that, but why wouldn't he respond to the thing that mattered most? She reached up and touched the cheek of her lover, and he closed his eyes and fell into the embrace, his stomach leaping as he did. He touched her fingers and lay next to her. One hand fell around her waist, and his head rested on the pillow just above her head. His other hand propped up his head, so he could gaze down at his angel. Gently, his lips found her cheek, then her neck and she giggled, as he looked surprised when she turned and found his lips. When they broke away she couldn't contain a yawn, and he smiled and stood.

"Good night, sweet angel," he whispered and kissed her forehead.

Some boy you are

"Where are you going?" she asked playfully and pulled him down to her.

He lay next to her and touched the choker on her neck. His fingers tickled when they touched her skin, and she smiled. She kissed his neck quickly, teasingly. Her hands ran up and down his muscled arms, as kissed his neck, then shoulder, slowly working her way down. A gentle hand fell under his shirt, but he took her hand and shook his head, kissing her fingertips, but distinctly saying, 'No,' all the same. She sat up, alarmed.

"Is something wrong?"

He shook his head and kissed her softly, "Just don't want it to be like that with me."

She looked a little hurt, and he tried to apologize but found he didn't have words for the expression she gave.

To wear my color red

To wear it very proudly

Wear it like a lady

She smiled and nodded, trying not to be ashamed. She looked away, and tears formed in her eyes. She tried to wish all of it away, but she couldn't go back on past mistakes, only forward on new memories.

"Umi," he said her name quietly, and she looked into those intense eyes and everything washed away, because he said her name with a desire she had never experienced before. Just the word on his lips made bells ring in her ears. He sat up and gently took her two small hands in his and kissed her fingertips, all the while looking up into those sparkling sapphires for approval. She was gorgeous, he thought to himself. Her long blue hair fell over both of her shoulders, and he bangs were teasing her face in just the right way. Her eyes glittered with the act he showing, and a light blush accented her features. He was wrong that night, at dinner, she could be more beautiful.

Knows how to cross her legs

Where the birdie's been

"I want this to be special," he kissed her gently and slipped off the bed, kneeling by her side for a moment before standing heavily. She looked at him in the light and couldn't believe this was happening to her. He stood above her, looking down at her with those perfect blue eyes. His lavender hair was disheveled but luxurious as he threw his bangs back and out of his way to get a better look at her.

Her heart melted in his hand, and she smiled softly and nodded a stupid little nod that made him smile warmly. She melted like butter in his warm hands as he bent over and kissed her deeply once more. She pulled off her bracelet, gloves, and choker as he gently slipped off her shoes, pulled back the covers and tucked her in.

I've never seen blue

Like the blues he drives

In and around

And through me again

"Umi…"

She nodded weakly, halfway asleep already. The world was blurry, but she could make out Clef's face, coming through the fog in one of her many dreams. This time though, it wasn't a dream.

"I love you, more than anything in the world, and I always have."

"I love you too Clef," she whispered gently, and he smiled as she fell into the best sleep she'd had in years. She slept without fits or waking or any nightmares. She slept content, dreaming of the morning when she could once again be in his arms. She didn't need dreams of him any longer, because she had him. So all-night she slept soundly and contentedly.

Said I've never seen eyes

Like the blues he drives

In and around

And through me again

"Good night," he clapped, and all light was extinguished from the room, "my angel…"

Through me again…

*I have to thank Blue Angel Samui for help on this one. She was a beta reader for this chapter so that I could get absolutely as much good romance in here as possible for you guys. So thanks a lot to her and hope you liked! More happy stuff to come! ^.^*