I don't own MKR.
A/N: I donno who I'll pair Umi up with… so don't bite my head off if I put hints for the Umi couple you like less, ok?
The Dragon in the Mirror
Chapter 3 – Waking to a Dream
Come to me… O Dragon of Water…
When consciousness hit her, Umi found herself in a soft, warm and comfy bed. Bandages were wrapped around her arms and parts of her face, covering her cuts. Falling back asleep felt almost too inviting, but the idea was dismissed as she heard voices to her right. Or to be more precise, one voice. One she knew quite well.
"And the Knights are back yet again. But I guess you already knew that..."
Pushing herself up turned to be far more painful than what Umi had expected, but she went along nonetheless.
"Floating around god knows where… heh… wonder what they will have to say when they hear we handled a crisis or two without them."
"What crisis?"
The question tore through the room like a hot knife through butter. Umi watched Lantis as he stared at her, sitting next to Eagle's bed, watching over him. A smile wanted to form on her lips at the cute scene, but something stopped it.
"You're up."
Came his cool reply.
"I repeat. What crisis?"
The swordsman shook his head.
"What difference does it make? You're back. Hikaru asked me to let her know right away when either of you wake up, so…"
The under tone of disappointment didn't quite go undetected.
"Sorry I'm not him."
A blink.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry I'm the one who woke up, and not Eagle."
The girl ran her fingers through the sleeping man's golden locks, her blank expression sending shivers down Lantis's spine.
"Well, I better go tell them now. You, eh, better will yourself some clothes."
Now alone, Umi looked down at herself. She was still wearing her school uniform. Closing her eyes, the clothes changed first to mist, then to a pair of tight jeans and a light blue t-shirt. Glancing at the mirror, Umi frowned, and left. When the maid came in several minutes later, the mirror was on the floor, broken.
–
–
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
Hikaru and Fuu, upon returning to awareness, found their friend near by, and called for help. The nearby villagers were happy to help, and soon, the girls were in the palace. That is how they were greeted.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
Caldina screamed, hugging Hikaru, then Fuu, then Hikaru again, then Fuu again, and repeat. The others were just as happy, though they had a more… sane way to show it.
"It has been a while, hasn't it?"
"Even more so to us, missy!"
Caldina said, now fended away from Fuu by Ferio, who wished the show the blonde just how much he missed her, even if just by being next to her.
"Well, yes, I guess. And…"
Hikaru's words were stopped as a shadow loomed over her. Grinning, she turned back with a slight blush..
"Lantis-san! I missed you!"
She cried out, just barely controling herself. She swordsman smiled in his special way.
"Umi's up."
At the sound of the bluette's name, faces brightened even more, a blush creeping to Ascot's face and a less obvious one to Clef's, and Caldina started dancing on the table.
"All right! All three little missis! Hurray!"
She was so happy, she nearly tripped several times.
"Caldina, calm down, you're going to…"
Too late.
"…fall."
True to Lafarga's warning, the dancer truly tripped, sending one of the chairs flying at a random direction.
"Look out!"
But then, the chair came to a halt and was gently placed on the floor by the lady in blue.
"My, if you wanted to offer me a seat, Caldina, all you had to do was say so."
The dancer pouted playfully. Hikaru, overwhelmed with joy,ran to hug her friend. Fuu trailed a bit behind, wondering how could Umi stop the chair with such ease, especially with her hands still wounded.
"Umi-chan, Umi-chan... Umi-chan!"
"Now now, Hikaru, I'd like to breath too, you know."
With a sheepish grin, Hikaru let go and watched her friend.
"Umi-chan…"
"Nani?"
A shake of the head.
"Nothing. You look great! Did you will those clothes for yourself!"
"I did! Looking good, eh?"
"Yep!"
Blessings, greetings and hugs were exchanged, and a royal ball was ordered for that night. Ferio protested, but all knew he was the main man behind it.
"Ferio, you don't have to…"
Fuu said, blushing a bright red.
"But I want to. We all do. And I can't wait to see you in a dress."
The girl giggled as her prince hugged her, lightly kissing her cheek.
"Hey, Hikaru, you've grown some!"
"I know!"
"But you're still short."
Lantis said casually, causing the girl to protest, providing amusement to most in the room. A lone figure stood in the side, watching the scene with mixed emotions. He was not alone for long, though.
"It's been a while, Master Mage Clef."
The small wizard turned to look at the girl, and for a moment, she thought she saw a smile tag his lips.
"Too long, Umi. My, have you grown?"
"Nah, you just shrank on me."
The two shared a laughter which surprised most of the people in the hall.
"What's wrong, Caldina?"
"Well, Hika-chan, you see… the little mage's been grumpier than usual for quite a while. Hearing him laugh… it's a bit odd.
"Ah."
Hikaru blinked, but any thoughts were clouded by overwhelming happiness. This was her dream come true!
"So… how're things at your world?"
Shrugging, Umi started collecting her hair as though gathering it for a ponytail. But Clef could spot no hairband.
"Same old, same old. I swear, my parents kill me."
"Oh?"
"Yeah! All the time, it's boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend!"
Clef felt himself blushing, but his attention was diverted to Umi's wrist as a hair band suddenly materialized, allowing the girl to finish arranging her hair.
'Did she just wish it? With such ease, even for a little thing like that?'
"Something wrong?"
She inquired with a raised eyebrow. Clef blinked.
"Huh? No, no! Not at all."
Umi chuckled, but the carefree atmosphere was disturbed by a messenger running into the hall. Everyone's attention was drawn to him. The man seemed beaten and blood covered his clothes from several cuts in his body.
"We're under attack!"
He collapsed, and immediately he was surrounded. Ferio kneeled by the fallen man.
"What happened?"
"Village of Turas… under attack by monsters!"
There was a collective silence before they took action.
"Lafarga! Get this man help! Lantis, get the soldiers ready! Clef, summon us transportation, you too Ascot! As for you Knights…"
The three girls stood ready, their armor now summoned by the master mage.
"Hai?"
"…Don't let us get in your way."
