Bounded by Orenji Yume

An Umi/Clef fic

A/N: Alternate Universe, slight OOC, and besides Umi and Clef, some other characters are inside as well.

STORY: A short, simple Umi/Clef fic. Umi's a water angel, and Clef's a human she met. The first time, when she visited the human world for the first time. The second time, not long after she was sent down to the human world for that very mistake she made... I'm sorry if I didn't write well. Enjoy!

(Note: If you want to know, Hikaru does play a big part in this story. But not much on Fuu. Note about chapter 2: Here, she meets Clef for the second time. (responses to reviews below))

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth, CLAMP does.

Two people arrived at the entrance of a traditional-looking house. There were two stone statues one each side of the entrance, and they seemed to resemble a pair of guards who were supposed to guard homes, but that seemed so fuzzy to Umi now. Carrying nothing with them but backpacks with some clothing, the pair entered the house and removed their shoes upon reaching a landing. Below, was another pair of shoes. They heaved themselves up and each slipped on a pair of wooden slippers. After that, they lowered their heads slightly as they pushed past the traditional, Japanese woven, curtain hanging from above. Upon doing so, they announced their arrival.

"Good morning. We're here, Ryuuii..."

Setting their bags down, they waited for that familiar figure to appear through one of the three doorways that led to where they were. As expected, someone walked out. She had light, brown hair that was clipped up, and her dark green eyes stood out through the few locks of hair that framed the sides of her face.

"You two are early," She smiled, welcoming them to sit down. "Thank goodness I was informed the minute your punishment was being given out. So, why is it so strict this time?"

Hikaru shrugged, "I don't know...I tried asking...but every time I do, Watakina cuts through. And after that he and Houji end up quarrelling with each other..."

"I see..." Ryuuii nodded. "Anyway, you two get your things inside the room, and later we can have breakfast." Standing up, she went inside the kitchen, giving them a small wink. "Though we don't actually need them...but then again, the food is quite tasty."

The fire angel beamed, "I'll be looking forward to it!" After the angel disappeared, Hikaru turned to face Umi. "What's wrong, Umi? You've hardly said a word ever since we left heaven..."

"Nothing...it's just that..." Umi answered. "I have the urge to see him again...I mean...I didn't even ask for his name..."

Immediately, Hikaru understood her friend, "You're still thinking of him? You know you shouldn't, Umi. It'll only cause you more pain. You should just forget about him...it's no use, anyway."

"I know!" A nuance of pain lingered in the water angel's voice. "But...I just can't. I know I should, but I can't bring myself to. Everyday, I try to make myself think of something else. But...he just comes back..." And then, Umi saw. She saw the fear in Hikaru's flaming, red eyes, the fear of losing. With a reassuring smile, Umi gave Hikaru a quick hug. "Don't worry, I'm sure I will forget all about him very soon..."

"You know...I wonder..." Hikaru spoke. "If us coming down to the human world was a good thing...even though it was supposed to be a punishment. I feel...I feel as if we're being-"

Umi stood up and cut Hikaru's words, "We shouldn't make Ryuuii wait for us later. Let's go inside and settled down now."

'Umi...' The fire angel could feel her heart aching slightly. She knew that her friend would not forget about that human so easily. That was the problem with Umi. Since she had never been in love before, she did not quite understand the feeling. It isn't that she herself had been in love before, but she wasn't right now. Whereas for Umi, she was falling in love with a human, and she doesn't even know it. Any person at the side, watching everything from a clear view could tell what was going on, including her. Maybe being in love with an angel wasn't too bad, but a human was worse. And of course, being in love with a demon was the worst of all cases. But so far in history, that hasn't happened, or at least it wasn't in the records. 'Let me help you...If only you would open up to me...like you used to do last time...along with Fuu...'

……Flashback……

The three friends were standing in a circle underneath the cherry tree outside their school. It was after school, and they were pouring out all of their inner feelings. On that particular day, both Hikaru and Fuu had confessed that they have crushes. On the other hand, Umi shook her head upon that question, and she wasn't lying.

"Are you sure?" Hikaru blinked.

Umi replied, "Yeah...what's wrong?"

"Nothing..." Fuu smiled.

At that instance, Umi warned, "Are you two are hiding something...tell me! Or else..."

"Let's get something to eat!" Hikaru suggested.

Fuu agreed, "I'm alright with that."

With that, the two of them ran off, leaving Umi behind to catch up with them, "Hey, wait!!"

……End of flashback……

As that memory faded away, Hikaru frowned deeply. 'But now that's only a mere memory...it holds no meaning...or feeling for any of us now.' Her shoulders sagged slightly. Once they became angels, all emotions and such were taken away from their memories, and all was left of their past were just, well, memories, nothing more and nothing less.

"What are you doing here?" Raising her head, Hikaru saw Ryuuii coming towards her, sitting down beside her with her hands placed on her knees. "Didn't I tell you to go and put your things inside?"

Saying nothing in return, Hikaru merely looked away. She didn't mean to be rude, but it's just that she didn't feel like talking, that's all. Her heart was heavy, and her mouth refused to open. Other things were already occupying her mind, and they weren't at all pleasant. Ryuuii seemed to have guessed everything in Hikaru's mind, and smiled.

She spoke, "You have anything to tell me? I don't guarantee that I may solve your problem, but the least I can do to help is to lift the burden off your shoulders...and I'll promise to keep quiet about it." The guardian angel reached a hand over to Hikaru's. "So?"

"It's...concerning Umi..." The fire angel was hesitant. Should she? Would Umi get upset with her? Her crimson eyes met with Ryuuii's. She received a nod, and continued, pushing away all her doubtful thoughts. "...She seems to be in love with a human..."

Ryuuii frowned, not approving of this, "That isn't very wise of her...she does know the consequences if the matter is being found out, doesn't she? And if she continues to love that human..."

A looks of pang crossed Hikaru's eyes, "She should..."

Without further notice, Ryuuii wrapped her arms around the younger one, rubbing her back soothingly, whispering words of comfort into the fire angel's ear. As already, hints of tears could be traced in Hikaru's eyes. And then Ryuuii said something that made Hikaru's heart lighten.

"Don't think too much...I'll talk to her..."

In a distance, Umi was standing in the room, with her back against the wall. She had eavesdropped to their conversation, and heard every word as clear as crystal. 'Hikaru...' Sliding against the wall, the water angel fell to the floor, hugging her knees to her chin. 'I'm sorry for making you worried, Hikaru...I didn't know...' As for the consequences of loving a human, she admitted, she never thought too much about it. But she knew that they were dire. It was probably one of the gravest matters.

With a nod, Umi decided. 'I'll try my best to not create chances to meet him again...or anymore...I'll stay in this house for as long as I can each day...' Another side of her mind told her. 'But it's hard...it's hard to control my feelings...' That same realisation dawned on her once more. 'I have no feelings...or at least I'm not supposed to...' But at that minute, Umi heard. She heard the nearly broken voice of her friend. 'I have to...'

"Umi..." A voice startled her. Gazing up, she saw Hikaru staring down at her. "What are you doing?"

Scrambling to her feet, Umi forced a smile, "Nothing."

"Did you hear everything?" But before a reply could be given, Hikaru immediately apologised. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told Ryuuii without your consent. I-"

Grabbing Hikaru's hands, Umi said, "Don't worry. You were right in doing so. It's my wrong. I shouldn't have made you so worried, and I didn't even notice it! I'm sorry..."

Letting out a small smile, Hikaru nodded in response. 'I hope...that everything will turn out just right...' And then she proceeded to put her things in place. Meanwhile, Umi was watching her friend's every move with a pair of sad, ocean blue eyes. 'Hikaru...she's always so concerned for others, that she becomes oblivious to her own well-being. I mustn't make her worry for me...that's the least I can do for her...'

As Hikaru was settling into her room, her thoughts started to travel. 'Why...why was I crying just now?' She lifted a finger to her eye, wiping it across. 'Was it because...? Or am I just...doing what I would've done in the past?' She shook her head. 'Forget it...'

……Later……

"Umi, may I have a minute with you?" Ryuuii called Umi out from her room, where she and Hikaru were. They had just finished eating, and Ryuuii thought that she should talk with her as soon as possible.

Without any question, Umi went outside, reassuring Hikaru with a wink, before leaving the room. The two of them sat down, with the plates and bowls cleaned of all contents.

"What is it?"

Ryuuii did not hesitate and immediately jumped to the point, "I supposed you overheard the conversation just now? Well...I just wish for you to push your 'feelings' aside. You know in the first place that we angels, don't possess such things." She tried to read Umi's expression. "And...we're just going to get in trouble. Besides that, both sides are going to get hurt. Maybe you, as an angel, won't be affected so much. But think from the human's point of view. Your partner can't love you back, as much as you do. Wouldn't you feel that...it's a bit unfair? It's not your partner's fault and yet..."

"You can't help but love him? Even though you know that it'll fail?" Umi finished Ryuuii's statement.

The guardian angel observed Umi, "Yes...and you do know the consequences, don't you? If everyone else discovered your love for this human, you're going to earn yourself some heavy torture, and all because...of this human. If you continue...you're going to get yourself banished to the human world...but alone...along with all those painful memories stuck to you, repeating over and over again inside your mind, forever. Do you understand what this means? How many other people are going to get hurt because of your foolishness out of love? Look at the bigger picture, Umi..."

"I know!" She could feel her heart being crushed. "But...it's so hard..."

Ryuuii stared, "Umi...how can you 'feel' when you don't have feelings? I can't imagine myself loving someone, in fact..." Her tone was beginning to get harsh and slightly strict. And then, she hit a sore spot. "This was the first time I've seen Hikaru so upset..."

A small knot formed in Umi's throat, as she managed to answer, "I know...I know..." 'But does that mean I have to turn cold and hard inside?' Standing up, Umi rubbed her eyes.

"Umi," Sighing, Ryuuii was starting to get a bit desperate. "How can I talk some sense into you? I know that you understand everything that I'm saying. But...you just don't seem to be able to do it!"

"I will," The immediate answer came. "You'll see."

And then, for a moment, Ryuuii felt a chord struck in her heart, it was then, she felt a dose of evil injected into her, "So...how is this human like? What's he exactly like?"

"What are you implying?" Swiftly, Umi whirled around.

"I dare say that you hardly know him," Ryuuii pointed out. "So what's wrong with you?"

Taking in a deep breath, she smiled, "Nothing."

With that, Umi left Ryuuii, feeling helpless. Throwing her hands up in exasperation, Ryuuii groaned. 'How can I make Umi see?' She sat there, thinking deeply, until an idea struck her. 'She must see in between the lines...or else it could mean death for her...'

Closing the door behind her, Umi fell onto the bed, nearly landing onto a surprised Hikaru, who managed to duck away just in time. Looking above, Umi saw Hikaru staring down at her, with a confused look across her face. Waving at Umi, Hikaru asked.

"What happened?"

"Nothing much," The water angel relaxed and turned to one side.

Shrugging her shoulders, Hikaru brushed the matter aside, and suggested, "Want to go out for a walk?" Though inside, she was still unsettled. 'What did Ryuuii tell her? Umi doesn't seem to be in such a good mood...' When there was no response, Hikaru blinked. "Umi?"

Crawling over, Hikaru bent over Umi, to see that she had fallen fast asleep. 'Strange...' Leaping off the bed, Hikaru went over to the other bed and lay down, closing her eyes. 'Maybe I'll just steal some sleep as well...' Very soon, her soft breathing could be heard.

Soon, the water angel could be seen fidgeting in her sleep. Her face scrunched up slightly, before easing a little. Outside the room, no one could be seen, or so one may think. In fact, Ryuuii was present; it's just that she had made herself invisible to the human eye, in fear of being discovered. She was sitting down, cross-legged, with her palms facing each other and a distance apart, focusing very hard. Though humans may not be able to see her, but angels and demons could...

In her dream, Umi found herself awake, still in that same room. Hikaru was there, sleeping. 'This is...too real...' And then, aimlessly, she walked out of the room. No one was there. 'Ryuuii?' But something didn't let her think further, before she knew it, she was outside, running. Why? No one replied her, and neither did she. Dashing along the pavement, past the streets and buildings, until she finally knocked into someone.

Landing on her backside, she winced. Opening her eyes, she saw him. Time seemed to have stopped. She was being pulled up. His mouth moved, she saw it with her own pair of eyes, but yet she heard nothing. It was only then, did she notice that around here, there was no sign of life besides them. 'What's going on?' She faced him. 'Why can't I hear anything?'

Suddenly, the image of him faded away from her eyes. 'W-what?' Darkness engulfed her, and she was left blind, alone and helpless. Raising both arms, she groped around the empty space around her. Nothing, she felt nothing. Fear crept inside her heart, making itself at ease within her heart. Wait, can't she speak? Why didn't she shout before?

'Help! Someone!!' She looked at herself, or so she thought. 'Why...why can't I talk? And...I don't feel anything now!! Not even myself!!! What's going on? Please say it's a dream! I don't wish to continue my life like this!! Am I even existing?! I can't see, hear, talk, feel and probably even smell...all my senses have been rendered useless!!! So what am I? I demand an answer!! What am I?!?! Whose behind this?!'

'You can still think...'

'Whose that? Or is it just me? Answer me! Did you do this? Why? I don't even know you!' Silence followed. 'Hello? Where are you? Speak to me!!'

'You can still think...so why can't you still be living?'

'This is absurd! How can one survive just by purely thinking? That person will go insane!! I am already on the verge of becoming so!!!'

'But that's the price...or at least one of the prices for your crime...'

'What? What crime did I do? I didn't do anything! Wait! You still haven't answered me!! Who are you?'

'That's the consequences for doing something you're not allowed to...no, something you're not supposed to be able to do...'

'What nonsense are you sprouting?!'

'You...fell in love with a human...don't you remember?'

'I...'

Realisation dawned onto her. 'That's right...but...but all I only just met him!! How can't this be happening to me already?'

'You're right...you can still turn back...'

'What? You're confusing me!'

'You can still turn back...so turn back while you can, before it's too late...'

"No, wait!!" Umi's breathing was labourious, and perspiration gleamed at the sides of her head. Her eyes darted around the room. 'It...was so real...and now...it's as if I'm in the past...somehow...' Stepping down onto the floor, Umi guessed that Ryuuii wouldn't be outside. She sneaked a peek. She was correct; the guardian angel was nowhere to be seen.

Without bothering to check the other rooms, Umi ran outside, struggling with her shoes as she jumped down. Something urged her to run, run and check if everything was alright. The water angel wasn't sure how to check, but she knew that she just needed to. After she adjusted her shoes, knocking her heels together one-by-one, she started running.

Inside, Ryuuii came out from her room, with an uneasy look on her face. 'I hope she understands me now...' Collapsing to her knees, Ryuuii coughed and rubbed her chest. 'I need to rest for at least three days...before I can recover fully...' Looking up, her eyelids felt heavy. 'I don't wish...for my effort to go to waste...' With that, she fell unconscious.

"That was a good rest..." At the exact same moment, Hikaru sat up and stretched her arms. Blinking, she noticed that Umi was missing. "Umi? Where are you?" Jumping off the bed, she went outside, and caught sight of Ryuuii on the floor. "Ryuuii!!"

……Outside……

'Run, run, run!' These few words kept echoing in her mind.

'I am...' She looked behind her, still running. 'There are people on the streets, vehicles on the road...I'm not alone...' An impact came upon her, and she fell to the ground. 'Ouch!' But the pain only lasted for a spilt second, instead, she was more concerned about who might be standing in front of her. Reluctant, she opened her eyes and raised her head. 'It's him...'

Bounded, bounded by what I think and feel. Bounded, bounded by the fortune wheel

END

A/N: I'll probably update this story weekly. Hope that's alright.

(Response to reviewers)

Shy-Lil-Dreamer: Updated already! Hope you like it!

hyper-health-critic: Thanks for the comment! Greatly appreciate it!

Mafaldyna: Yay, an Umi/Clef fan here! Thanks! Updated!

Bunny Fuu Fuu: Thank you for the comment! Continued!

Silvanus16: Thank you for the comment! As I said, it's a major spoiler. And since you said not to tell you anything, I won't! Thanks for the encouragement!