DISCLAIMER: I don't own MKR, CLAMP does. Am just one crazy fan. And all of these stuff I had written or will write is a product of my imagination and my imagination only....Yada...yada...Don't sue me.

DESTINED TO BE

Chapter 5

Hikaru was surprised to see Lantis' seat empty that morning when she came down for breakfast and was informed that the Earl would not be joining them that day as he already dined and left the mansion. Mira, who seemed to have taken advantage of his uncle's absence, had started on her childish play of "feeding Anastatia her breakfast".

"So, he only decided to go there today for this week…" Aunt Felicity murmured, stirring the tea in her cup, as if lost in her own thoughts.

"Go where, if I may ask?" Hikaru inquired.

The old lady blinked as she heard Hikaru, halted her absent-minded action and then said, "It's nothing, dear…" Aunt Felicity laughed and then told her, "Don't you just love this bread, dear? Julie is truly a genius when it comes to cooking."

Hikaru immediately noticed Aunt Felicity's attempt to change the topic. She decided not to pry on the subject though and nodded in agreement to her lady-guardian's last statement. She then turned her attention to the busy child beside her and said, "Mira, I think you should finish your breakfast first before playing with Anastatia."

***

The sky was clear, the weather warm and sunny. Hikaru sat comfortably underneath the tallest oak tree in the garden, enjoying its shade and the fresh spring breeze that blew her way. She smiled as she watched Mira's unsuccessful chase of a yellow butterfly.

When the child asked if she would want to come to the gardens with her, Hikaru just could not refuse. Unfortunately, Aunt Felicity could not join them that morning.

At last, Mira gave up and skipped towards Hikaru. "Tired?" Hikaru asked the child.

"No, I'm not." The girl sat on the spot beside Hikaru. "Uncle always tells people that I never get tired."

Hikaru giggled. Every time she saw this child, she always remembered how she was when she was at Mira's age. "I suppose that is because you are strong and healthy and likes to play very often."

"I want to be as strong as my Uncle, stronger even…"

"Oh? And why is that?"

"So that I can protect the people I care about. Uncle told me that. He said I should grow up strong so I can protect the people I care about the most. He says many clever things. I mean, he doesn't really talk often but he talks to me a lot." The child suddenly stood up, ran a few steps away from the spot they were sitting on and picked up something from the ground.

She came back, showing Hikaru a piece of branch in her hand. It was about two feet long and about half an inch thick. Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

"I want to learn how to fight like my Uncle does," the child asked. Mira, with her feet far apart and her left hand raised above her head, held the branch with her right hand, thrusting and striking at an invisible opponent. "Once when we were going home from a vacation at Aunt Felicity's house, bad men came and tried to hurt us. My Uncle fought with them…like this…"

Having been taught fencing since she was small, Hikaru observed that Mira's swordplay was impressive compared to an untrained boy at her age. Hikaru stood up all of a sudden. When the child noticed this, she stopped what she was doing.

"Usually, women are not taught how to fight…" Hikaru started to say. "…The reason for this is that men had made it their duty to protect our kind. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Mira answered, "I…I think so…"

"To fight in order to protect---that is the main reason for learning the art of fencing. You should use your weapon to protect the weak, your loved ones, your honor, your principles, and also your country. You use this skill of which you are taught whenever you feel in your heart it is necessary." Hikaru held out her hand. "Let me…"

Mira handed her the branch. Smiling, Hikaru assumed an offensive position, that is except for her left hand above her head, she used it to lift her skirt a bit, to avoid tripping. "You should always start on guard, with enough defensive distance from your opponent, if possible." She then began her graceful dance which consists of series of swift thrusts and strikes, knees always slightly bent, sometimes moving forward or backward. It was amazing in a way that Hikaru had not lost her footing despite of her long gown. There was no trace of difficulty on her face in fact; her actions remained smooth and elegant, leaving the child watching her in complete awe. 

Hikaru's excellent display was interrupted by a sound of applause from behind them. Hikaru and Mira turned around and saw Lord Eagle of Autozam standing there. With him was Aunt Felicity, who was smiling broadly at them. "Beautiful! Very impressive I must say!" he said, clapping his hands at the same time.

"Uncle Eagle!!!" Mira exclaimed. The child's attempt to deliver a curtsey became more of a quick bob. Mira did not bother to correct herself though, and ran towards the man.

"Ah getting lovelier as usual, Mira," Eagle said as he took the young girl's hand. "Good day, Lady Hikaru," he greeted her with a graceful bow.

"Good day, Lord Eagle," she replied, never forgetting to deliver the usual curtsy. "Aunt Felicity…"     

"Such a beautiful day, isn't it Hikaru? Lord Eagle here was kind enough to escort this old woman for a walk in the gardens," Aunt Felicity said, laughing out loud afterwards.

"About what you have seen earlier…I…" Hikaru started to say.

"I do not see the reason for it to reach other people's ears, don't you think so too Lord Eagle?" Aunt Felicity said in a tone higher and firmer than usual.

"I agree," the man replied, smiling at Hikaru at the same time. "We have to keep a secret now Mira, all five of us." Eagle winked at the little girl.

"Five?" Mira asked.

"Of course! Me, your Aunt Hikaru, your Aunt Felicity, you…and don't forget your Uncle Lantis. He should know too."

The child nodded.

"Actually, he already knows," Hikaru said. "He saw me fence when he came to visit us with his father a long time ago."

"Ah! So that is why!" Eagle suddenly exclaimed.

"What?"

"Yes Eagle? What is it?" Lantis, who was just walking towards their group, asked.

"It…it is nothing," Eagle replied, and looked away.

"Hikaru here was just telling us about your visit with your father to their house," Aunt Felicity smiled quite knowingly at Lantis. "Eagle here must have remembered something that you must have told him at that time."

Lantis' face suddenly turned red for some reason, and then glared at his friend. "I see."

Hikaru looked at Eagle, who was somewhat trying to avoid his friend's gaze and at Lantis, who seemed to be uneasy about something.

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Pseudonym Sylphmuse - Here's to little, mischievous, match-making nieces *cheers*!!!

LieskTenshi no Earth - well thanks a lot. the grammar-issues sometimes just won't go away anyways...hahahaha. i'm trying to keep 'em at the minimum.

Anyways, I'm glad you liked the story.

hagane - Domo! And no, i find it quite amusing when i see ppl getting hyper (especially after reading my fickie)...i tend to be overly hyper myself.

kamazova - ahh...yes...livelier Hikaru, i'd keep that in mind in the next chappies.

Miemu Akari - *scratches her head* Miemu. Miemu. Miemu. There, that'll make me remember. I hope you like this chappie, Miemu-chan!

bishounen lovah - bishi-chan!!!! sorry for the late updates, me been doing some reading on some fencing stuff and as am trying to improve me style a bit, am still having a hard time being more descriptive.

bunnie-wunnie - i try to make Aunt Felicity sound funny. i was thinking of making her pretend to be deaf too but well...i cancelled the thought. hehehe.

GoddessLD - here it is! latest chappie. hope ya like it!