*It's the end of the quarter and I have the day off! HA! So excited! So I was able to finally finish this chapter and update and edit and everything! Who knows, I might even get something else finished today too. Well I'm going to go and try to work on that, and leave you all to read the next chapter. Hope you enjoy ^.^*

Chapter 20: Butterfly

The glass hit the table, and liquid jumped from the top of the cup.

The bartender watched this curious stranger, intrigued, "Think you've had enough?"

He sighed and nodded, not even close to being drunk. Cephiran liquor wasn't enough to get a baby drunk, but it was numbing. He never wanted to feel again. He stood and looked out a window to the glimmering palace as the sun rose. So close, yet so far. And he'd gone all this way for what? Lost dreams.

"Hey buddy, what's eating you?" the elderly bartender asked, and he laughed.

"I've only lost the love of my life," he answered, "that's all."

The bartender motioned to a waitress who set down her tray and put a hand on his arm, letting her fingers dance on his shoulder, "She obviously didn't love you…"

"How would you know?" he spat and shrugged her off viciously. She was taken back, but her spirit was relentless.

"Oh come on, no one leaves a big, handsome, soldier…like yourself, for anything less than the Prince of Cephiro," she pouted, touching his insignia of the Noble's military.

He laughed weakly, "She did leave me for the Prince of Cephiro," his gaze never left the palace.

"Oh that's too bad," the girl offered, "because the Prince has himself a bride. They're to be wed tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" he jumped awake and grabbed the girl's shoulders. "You mean they're not already married?"

"No…" she said hesitantly, and his eyes danced wildly, how had he been this blind? This was his chance! He kissed the girl on the cheek and left an ample tip on the bar before running from the pub toward Cephiro, calling, "Arigato!" over his shoulder.

The two just watched him leave, shaking their heads in disbelief.

Stinkly soul get a little lost in my own

"Prince, there's a messenger here from the Noble's Army," Lantis told Ferio softly as he walked into the throne room.

Ferio's eyes widened then narrowed, "Message from your father expected?" he asked Natsumi shortly, but she shook her head. His heart leapt; he was marrying her! What more did that man want?

Natsumi looked curious, what was going on here?

"Well, bring him in," Ferio sighed softly, and Lantis nodded and headed back out. Ferio looked immediately to Clef who shook his head.

"You don't think…" Clef began.

"Clef, bring the Magic Knights in," Ferio stopped him, and Clef nodded and bowed, walking from the room.

The Knights ran to the throne room and looked at Ferio curiously as they were instructed to take positions by his side. Hikaru stood next to Natsumi, Fuu next to Ferio and Umi behind the two.

"What's going on?" Umi whispered to Clef who shook his head.

"Messenger from Natsumi's father," was all he was able to answer.

Hikaru's eyes narrowed, and Fuu turned her head down.

They didn't have long to wait because Lantis escorted a soldier in and stepped away for him. The soldier went down on one knee and bowed his head.

Natsumi's eyes glazed over and went blank. She couldn't even believe her eyes; she was silent, caught, lost…

The soldier was very handsome, with dirty blond hair that teased his eyes and bright blue eyes that shone with lost mischief. His body was strong from the life he had chosen, but his spirit was light. Those in the room smiled, feeling that they could trust him.

"Onegai, stand," Ferio instructed, and he did so, keeping his head bowed, not meeting anyone's eyes, especially not hers.

He couldn't believe he had done this. He regretted it now, why hadn't she said anything? His mind raced, and his head filled with unanswered questions. He had surely made a mistake, he should just leave, but the intense gaze of three girls made him stay. The one by the Prince's shoulder had smart, gentle, knowing eyes. She looked lost somehow, torn, but she was once happy. Her golden hair fell down her cheeks, and her emerald eyes were hidden by glasses, but gorgeous all the same. The girl by Natsumi's shoulder was quite the opposite. Her eyes were innocent and light, something good had happened to her recently. Her red hair and eyes signified fiery temper; this must surely be the Fire Knight. The one in between the two seemed on the other side of the spectrum all together, because her eyes were dancing and full of happiness, but narrowed, quick to anger. He wondered just what it was hiding in the Water Knight's eyes. She was extremely beautiful, but he found when he stared too long he was drawn to meet the eyes of a man near her. His powerful blue eyes were daring and challenging as his fingers gripped and turned around a staff- the Master Mage of Cephiro.

"Highnesses," he said hesitantly and made a stiff bow, "Magic Knights, Guru," he addressed them all.

"How did you know us?" Umi demanded, and he smiled slightly.

"It is hard not to notice your presence, your power, Lady Umi, Dragon Tamer," he addressed her with her formal name that she had never known.

"Huh?" Hikaru asked, but Lantis shook his head and told her he'd explain later.

Eagle burst in and stopped short, "Uh…what'd I miss?" he asked meekly, and everyone sighed heavily.

"Well this man was just going to tell us his message, and his name," Ferio told Eagle who walked over to Caldina and Lafarga to find out what was going on.

"My name is…" he began.

"Murai," Natsumi said quietly, and he met her eyes quickly. She looked away, and his eyes fell down.

Ferio looked from her to him, "You know him?" he asked anxiously.

"He's a captain, from my father's army," she answered and smiled at Ferio.

Murai's hands clenched, but he stayed submissive, with his head bowed.

"Oh, continue," Ferio instructed, and Murai looked at the ground as he spoke.

"I have a message for the Lady Natsumi, from her father," he said softly, and Natsumi gasped.

They all looked at her, and she felt a little fluttering in her heart; her body became light.

"Well you can tell us then," Ferio was getting somewhat angry at this man's refusal to release the information. After all, he was the Prince. Was she conspiring against him? A spy? Was his kingdom in danger?

"No, this is best discussed, alone," his voice was low, and Natsumi shook her head.

"I don't think it is," she said softly, and his eyes snapped up to meet her. They were full of stubbornness.

Hey General, need a little love in that hole of yours

"Oh right, stupid me, I'll be going then," he turned and began to walk out to everyone's surprise, and she stopped him.

"No…" she caught herself and winced as he turned back. "Come with me," she stood and walked toward the gardens.

"Are you just going to let her leave?" Clef hissed in Ferio's ear, and he nodded.

"Yes, I am."

"What are you thinking?" Fuu demanded. "She could ruin everything for you!"

"She already has," he said softly and stood, walking in the other direction.

One ways, now, and Saturdays

And our kittens all wrapped in cement

"What are you doing here?" Natsumi hissed when they were alone in the gardens.

"Glad to see you too," Murai said dryly, and his eyes were betrayed and angry. "You fell in love with the Prince? I'm happy for you."

In a burst of anger she reached out and smacked him. He didn't move, just gritted his teeth and dared the challenge. "I did no such thing, but you're going to ruin everything I have accomplished just by being here!"

"So it's an accomplishment now Natsumi? Sleeping in his bed, being his pet," every word he spoke made them both angrier. "And you're loving every minute of it! Have you given one thought to me since you were gone? I thought we were in love and I come here to find this! Hell, I shouldn't have even come. Well now I know then don't I…I don't have to worry about you," he turned, and tears began to fall from her eyes.

"It's not like that Murai, and you know it," she whispered softly.

From cradle to gumdrops

"It isn't?" he spun around violently. "Then why, per say, did it take so long to drag you from his side?"

"Have you ever heard of conspiracy Murai?" she screamed and then lowered her voice. "They think you're a messenger from father. You want me alone; that screams of treason to them."

"But a simple soldier wouldn't have thought of that?" he said so softly that it could almost be taken as tender. He laughed weakly and turned. "I understand completely."

Got me running girl

As fast as I can

"No you don't, you haven't lived here, seen them. Murai they're not what you would expect," she begged him to understand. "And I think about you all the time and dream about you every night. I just don't understand why you're here."

"I'm here, my Lady Natsumi, for the wedding of course," he said dryly.

"What?" she whispered.

"I'm here to see my fiancée be married to another man," he glared viciously. "And redeem myself in your father's eyes."

"That's not true," she begged, and he nodded.

"It's completely true. I just wanted to say I wish you luck, and all the happiness in the world."

Her heart began to scream; he hadn't come to see her then?

"You'll make a beautiful Princess," he said gently. "They'll let your brain deteriorate until it's nothing and have you in tighter and tighter corsets. You'll be able to keep up on all the latest fashions," he knew his words were harsh, but he was hurting. He was hurting because of her, and all his thoughts and dreams and hopes had come crashing down upon him.

And is right Butterfly

They like you better framed and dried?

"Murai don't do this to me, don't reduce me to your twisted views of royalty."

"Twisted?" he laughed. "From what I just saw they were pretty correct. The pretty Magic Knights all decked out next to their Prince and Princess. I saw their shiny armor, but their eyes have no determination, no Will. Your father should have just attacked; they would have stood no chance."

"Do you want to repeat that?" a voice called from behind them, and they were met with flaming blue eyes. She drew her sword and dared him to challenge her.

Natsumi gasped and prayed she hadn't heard much.

He laughed, "I saw your eyes Water Knight, I know your determination. It's the other two I'm surprised about."

She glared and came forward, "Ferio might trust you, but I don't, you don't want to get under my skin while you're here," she warned in a dark force, unsummoning her sword. "Especially since you know her," she scowled at Natsumi then turned from the room.

"Charming," he said dryly. "Are all the Knights like her?"

Natsumi shook her head, "The Wind Knight is very quiet and sad. The Fire Knight is naïve."

He laughed again and watched Umi leave, making Nastumi glare. He was thinking that she was beautiful, but he couldn't help thinking of the beauty that was next to him.

"Murai," she didn't want to see him here, angry with her. She should go and tell Ferio, confess everything. She could do that and they could be together. Suddenly the inevitable war donned on her, and she knew she had to stand her ground. "You know I didn't want it to be this way."

"Oh I know," he said quietly, and she smiled, he did understand. "I know perfectly well that you didn't want me to come and mess up your perfect little world. Sorry, I thought that you cared, I thought that we had something. I'll be more careful where I put my feelings next time!"

"I'm doing this to prevent a war! What is so hard to understand about that?" she demanded hotly, and he shook his head.

"Nothing," he said softly. "Nothing, but would you just admit the fact you like playing Princess?"

"I'm not playing! This is not a game! Thousands of lives are resting in our hands, and you want to be selfish!"

Daddy dear if I can kill one man why not two?

He stayed silent, and she guessed that it had finally sunk in when he turned and walked out of the gardens without so much as another word. She sighed heavily and tried to force in the tears as she raised her head and walked out of the gardens. She knew she would have to explain whatever Umi had told Ferio. She just hoped that the Magic Knight of Water hadn't heard that much…

Well, nurses smile when you got iron veins

He had been given a room in the palace, and now he lie on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She looked so beautiful, and even now he couldn't get her out of his mind. That she was right now, in the presence of the Prince, groveling to him for forgiveness for whatever the Water Knight had said. He could just see that small dainty hand resting on the Prince's, a slight smile, fake tears. He shuddered and turned over violently, trying to wrestle the thoughts out of his head. He slammed open the veranda door and was surprised when there was a light knock on his door.

He walked back out and threw it open, "What…" he started angrily but found that it was the Magic Knight of Wind. "Can I help you?" he said softly then, bowing slightly. He had surely thought it was going to be Natsumi, trying to further install the reasons for her treachery into his head. All she wanted was the position of power that she was born to take. He had only been a game to her.

You can't stain their pretty shoes and pom poms

The girl smiled warmly, but it was not warming. He guessed this was because he was upset, but also because the smile was only half-hearted.

"I was going to ask you the same question," Fuu said quietly, turning her eyes to the floor.

He stared at this girl who was so obviously in pain and couldn't help but wonder why. In a sudden burst of anger he remembered that it was the Magic Knights that were partly responsible for his separation from the girl he loved and felt like screaming at her, 'You could go home, or better yet, die,' but found that he could do no such thing. She was too quiet, too saddened.

"What do you mean?" he asked quietly, and she smiled again and shook her blonde head.

"I'm supposed to see if there's anything you'll be needing."

And cherry blondes

He sighed and shook his head, then as she was about to leave called to her back from the veranda, "Got you dressed up nice and doing servants work huh?"

She turned and her eyes were angry as she walked briskly onto the veranda and demanded, "Excuse me?"

"Well, look at you, all decked out in armor and jewels, with your eyes the saddest I've seen since I last looked in the mirror. They have you posing as a Magic Knight and you're running errands for a lowly messenger?"

Fuu's eyes turned deadly with rage as she began to spit a series of harsh words at him. She was amazed she was able to string together into sentences, "For your information I am a Magic Knight, and I was only trying to help the Prince and his fiancée out while they were sorting out last minute plans. I certainly don't have to be respectable as a host of you and ask how you are, but I did. Now I'm beginning to regret it."

"A host?" he raised his eyebrows in false cheeriness. "How are you a host prey tell?"

"Without us this castle wouldn't exist, Ferio knows that and respects that. This castle is as much ours as it is his," she replied curtly, and he laughed bitterly and shook his head.

"Poor naïve Wind Knight," he looked out at the evening stars and could feel her eyes on him but wouldn't turn to look at her.

"What do you mean?" she forced him to expel his answer.

"Your dear Prince Ferio cares only for himself, isn't it obvious? He keeps those who could threaten his survival and his place of power just where he wants them. He keeps you three deadly girls, who could easily destroy him, by his side. He lets you go about your ways and has you tricked into believing he cares for you more than himself. And this deal with his Nobles, he did it to save his own skin."

"He did it to save his people!" Fuu didn't want to hear his words anymore. That couldn't be true?

Again, he had that same bitter laugh, "That may be what he told you, but I know better. No matter, he gets pleasure from the general's daughter, and so my mouth is sealed."

"Well if that is so than why are you still talking?" she demanded hotly.

"Because you seem like a smart girl, and I want you to realize this. I want you all to realize this. Maybe you'll be wiser in the future, maybe you'll be able to see what your Prince is really like," he turned his back from her.

"This is treason!" she shouted, but he shook his head.

"I would never hurt him," he said softly she barely caught it.

Fuu shook her head and walked out; she couldn't bear to hear another word. Ferio wasn't like that, she knew him, and he loved her, didn't he? But all those words rang in her head. What if what Murai said was true? What if he did only befriend the Knights to keep himself safe?

And their kittens still wrapped in cement

And if that was true, should they still be loyal to him? What if they were to leave and join the other side? She scolded herself for thinking it.

From God's saviors to gundrops

Murai looked to the sky and opened the door when Natsumi knocked, well past the time when everyone had retired. He knew she would seek him when they had all gone to bed and chances of being caught were slim to none.

He turned his head from her and didn't want to speak, but she forced words from his throat.

"Do you still love me?" she demanded immediately without so much as a welcome. She pushed her way into his room, and he stared at her as he closed the door with a sarcastic smile.

"Hello to you too," he muttered, but when he looked in her eyes he saw they demanded an answer. "Yes," he shook his head for betraying himself and looked down. "But I can't help that, as much as I'd like to," he added with a sting of venom.

Got me running girl as fast as I can

She ran to him and threw herself against his chest. Before he could say a word or think, her lips were pressed against his, demanding and hungry. He realized in a fit of anger and love that he didn't want to deny himself anymore. He couldn't push her away as much as he wanted, and he found that his arms wound around her waist, his fingers dug into her back. They intertwined into her light brown hair and when they broke away she was sobbing uncontrollably over his shoulder as he held her, confused. He gently ran his hands over her hair and whispered words of comfort to her. He kissed the top of her head softly and wondered what had just happened.

"Murai," she whispered into his neck and her breath was hot and humid on his neck, making a smile creep across his lips, and his body tremble in pleasure. "I love you, I've never stopped loving you. I don't want to pretend anymore."

"Sh…" he said softly, stroking her long brown hair, "you don't have to pretend anymore. I'm sorry I was so cruel. I just hate to be without you."

"Pretend none of this is happening and let's just be together."

A lump grew in his throat, and he shook his head. "I don't think that will be good for either of us."

"I don't care," she seized his lips in hers and fell backwards on the bed, pulling him on top of her. He showered her face with kisses and knew he couldn't stop this when she was in his grasps.

And is right, Butterfly

They like you better framed and dried?

She fell asleep in his arms and was able to sleep soundly for the first time since she had come to the palace.

She had no idea that there was someone in the palace at that very moment, waiting for her to slip up. She wasn't aware of the secrets the Magic Knight of Water carried with her to the Prince. She wasn't aware of anything except that she was together with the man she loved, fast in his arms, with him still loving her.

I've got a pretty garden

A pretty pretty garden yes…