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: Sorry for the delay! Note about chapter 4: Umi/Clef moments. (responses to reviews below))
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth, CLAMP does.
A knock. No response. Yet another knock. No response again. Fuu looked over at Nakima, receiving a nod from him. Then, both of them entered the house, and saw no one in sight. Worried, Fuu went to look inside each room, until she finally spotted Ryuuii.
"Ryuuii! What happened? Where are Hikaru and Umi?"
The bewildered stared at the two angels, "Fuu? Nakima? Why are you two here? Aren't you-"
"Where are Hikaru and Umi?" Fuu asked Ryuuii yet again, this time her tone was firmer than before.
Confused by this sudden voice of Fuu's, Ryuuii replied, "They're not here...why?"
Nakima placed a hand on Fuu's shoulder, calming her down, and then he faced Ryuuii, "We've to find them fast."
"I'll go," Before anyone could object, Fuu was already gone.
"Mind explaining?" A hint of annoyance could be heard in Ryuuii's voice.
……At Hikaru's side……
Leaning against the handrail, Hikaru stared below. Still slightly shaken from before, the fire angel was oblivious to the numerous calls directed at her. 'Umi...don't you sense anything? Don't you suspect anything? I know you believe strongly in fate and destiny...but don't you think that this fate and destiny...is twisted? You being with a human is wrong and yet...each time you see him by coincidence you're being encouraged to move closer to him. Don't you see anything wrong, Umi? Don't you?'
Recalling back to when they were at Ryuuii's house, Hikaru had in fact overheard the conversation; it's just that she pretended to not notice a single thing. She remembered how strongly Umi reacted when Ryuuii questioned her, even though Umi knew that she had Umi's best interest at heart.
'Why did it have to happen? And to Umi...' Inside her heart, a little dark flame evolved. 'Why not we just...kill the human...' Raising her head, Hikaru looked above her. Dark, threatening clouds were gathering. 'Yes...why not?' And then, a change of heart took place. 'Wait a minute, what am I saying? How can I hurt Umi? But...she'll just hurt herself...I-'
"I don't know!" Screaming out the three words, Hikaru ignored the curious stares that she had invited. "I don't know..." Burying her head in her hands, she started to cry. As she cried, a voice entered her head. 'You always worry for others, Hikaru, even to an extent of ignoring your own welfare.'
"Maybe I do...Umi...But then is it my fault?"
"Hikaru!!" Arms wrapped around her warmly. "Hikaru, thank goodness I found you!"
Arching her neck, Hikaru saw Fuu gazing at her with her soft, green eyes, "Why are you crying?" The fire angel forced a bright smile.
"I should be asking you that," The wind angel rubbed her eyes, and then proceeded to dry Hikaru's eyes. "Where's Umi?"
Hesitant, Hikaru didn't know whether to tell Umi what she had seen just now. 'Should I?' But she knew how Fuu would react, she would just get even more upset.
But then again, that voice entered her head. 'You always worry for other, Hikaru, even to an extent of ignoring your own welfare.' Smiling, Hikaru agreed to herself. 'Yes...'
"I don't know, I couldn't find her..."
Studying Hikaru's expression, Fuu tried to search for any signs that Hikaru was lying. She knew the truth, or maybe she didn't, but in the end Fuu spoke, "Alright, let's go and find her together."
"No, let's buy lunch first, I promise Ryuuii I'd do so," With that, Hikaru pulled Fuu down the bridge, in the opposite direction where she had seen Umi and Clef disappear. She didn't know why she was doing this; she just felt that she should. It was weird, this feeling.
As for Fuu, she observed Hikaru. 'Hikaru...you must have been hurt deeply, why won't you tell me?' A sigh escaped her lips. 'I know...you just worry too much for others...just as Umi had said before..' The wind angel knew as well, that she shouldn't be going along Hikaru's plan, but her heart softened. 'Alright, we'll give Umi and that human's love a chance...'
Hikaru interrupted Fuu's thought, "Where do you think is a good place?"
Considering this question, Fuu suggested, "Why not that stall we used to visit? You know...the one that sells Chinese food?"
"Oh, that one!" The fire angel's eyes lit up at the mention of that. "Okay, we'll go there then!"
Giggling, the two of them walked down the street. At that moment, it looked as if they had just stepped into the past. They were together, on a usual weekend deciding where to have lunch. It was a nearly perfect picture...if not for the fact that one of them was missing...
……At Umi's side……
"How about here?"
Umi snapped out of her thoughts as she heard his voice, "Huh?" She looked at where Clef was pointing. 'Oh...that Italian restaurant...' Smiling, she nodded at Clef. "Alright, we'll eat here then. But...isn't it a bit-"
"Price is not a worry," It was as if he had read her mind. Without any further words, Clef pulled her inside. They came to a table, and then he pulled out the chair for her, before sitting down himself.
A waiter came to them and passed them each the menu. Taking the menu, Umi smiled shyly, before opening it up. At first, her eyes glanced down the various dishes, but later, they were directed outside. A gasp came to her lips, for she saw them. Now, she used the menu to hide her face. She had no wish for Clef to find out what she had just seen.
Outside, opposite where she was sitting, she spotted Hikaru and Fuu in a distance. They were standing by a familiar-looking stall, most probably buying the food they sold there. And then, she recalled why the stall was so familiar to her; they used to visit there, the three of them together.
As she watched them taking the plastic bags in hand, and paying the man in return, Umi thought to herself. 'So...they're not worried about me? No, that's impossible. They would never-especially not them! They're just hiding it, that's right.' She saw them laughed, and as they turned around, she swore their eyes passed her.
Leaning back against the chair, Umi's heart sank. 'Is it true? Did they pretend not to see me at all? How could they...? No...that can't be true. They must have seen me! They must have! It's impossible not to!!! Hikaru, Fuu...what's wrong with the both of you? Aren't we...'
"Umi? Is anything the matter?"
The water angel jumped in her chair. Putting down the menu, she saw Clef gazing at her, worried. Embarrassed by her actions, Umi did her best to not think about just now. "No, nothing, I'm sorry..."
"That's good then, have you decided yet?"
"Huh?" 'Decided? So fast? Does that mean everyone else knows already? Then...will I...lose all my senses...?'
A chuckle could be heard, "Have you decided on what you would like to eat yet?"
Upon hearing his words, a deep blush crept up her cheeks. 'Oh...I thought...I shouldn't worry too much, I guess.'
"Um...I'd have the spaghetti." Closing the menu, she handed it to the waiter.
"Two of these set meals then," Clef indicated on the menu, before passing the menu to the waiter as well.
Surprised by this gesture, Umi shook her head, "You don't have to..." Her eyes glanced over at the waiter before lowering her voice. "It's expensive here...I can't let you-"
"Like I said, price is not a worry," Turning to the waiter, he smiled. "Along with two glasses of water, thank you."
Taking their orders down, the waiter nodded and walked away. Facing Umi, Clef has his hands before him on the table. For some reason, Umi felt as if he was staring right through her with that penetrating gaze of his. Reddening, she looked away. 'Hikaru and Fuu are no longer there...'
Clef asked, "Do you mind telling me a bit more of yourself?"
'Myself...? I...' Faces of her parents came to her mind. But she couldn't possibly say that she lived with them. After all, she's an angel already. What about school? She was no longer the captain of the fencing team.
'Hikaru and Fuu...' The only people she could think of now were them, also partly because she had seen them together just now. Somehow, without her in the scene, it seemed odd. It had always been the three of them together. 'But I went away...from them...' Was it her fault then?
"I see," Pulling away, Clef said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you. Maybe I'll start then."
Looking up, Umi's heart ached slightly. 'I didn't mean to hurt his feelings...' Biting her lower lip, she began folding the sides of her clothes. 'It's just that...I have nothing to offer...' But she couldn't explain her reasons behind her actions as well, whatever she said wouldn't make any sense to him. 'I guess...the relationship would seem odd in ways...'
As Clef began, his voice echoed in her ears, though somehow she did not seemed to capture some words, "I'm a ... at the ... My ... I have ..."
'Is something wrong with me? D-does is mean...I can't hear anymore...?' Looking at Clef, she could still see his lips moving, and some words did enter her ears. 'Then...what is going on?'
……Back at the house……
Quietly, they stepped inside the house, muttering a few words, telling the rest that they were back. Inside, they saw that the whole party was already gathered. Sitting there was Nakima, Ryuuii, Watakina, Houji, and the two other elements angels: light and praying.
"Did you find Umi?" Ryuuii was the first to address them.
The two friends exchanged gazes, before finally shaking their heads in disappointment. Dropping to their knees, they quickly slipped the plastic bags onto the table, before sitting down as far as possible away from Watakina and Houji, for already, the two were glaring at each other.
Immediately, Watakina flared up, "How could you not find her?! She's still an angel!!! You should be able to sense her!!!!!"
Hikaru gulped. What was she going to say? That she just let Umi walk away from her? 'But...'
Upon recalling, Hikaru indeed did not feel Umi's presence anywhere. 'Something's wrong!' The fire angel should've at least felt a bit of her aura, but back then...she felt nothing!
Fuu looked over at Hikaru, feeling the same way. 'Ever since I found Hikaru, I didn't feel Umi's aura. Something is amiss...does that mean Umi is really in danger? And yet we didn't sense it...?'
Suddenly, a voice said softly, "Hikaru, Fuu..." It was Emi, the light angel. She had long, flowing, white hair, tied up in two low ponytails with golden rings. Though she was one of the oldest angels, she looked like a ten-year-old. "I know that you two are hiding something...tell us." Her dark grey eyes studied the both of them. It was one of her many abilities...
"You do???" Watakina closed in upon them. "Say it!!!"
Grabbing the lightning angel by both ears, Houji pulled Watakina back, "Don't be so rude..."
"We didn't sense Umi..." Hikaru began. "So that may mean..."
"She's in danger," This time, Urasiel spoke, the praying angel. There was a nuance of concern in his voice. Unlike the other elements angels, his eyes were different from them. For his right eye was violet in colour, and his left eye was black. It was said that he had exchanged his left eye with the praying demon from the other side, and thus the result was as such. As to why he did it and what it did to his powers, it was still a mystery. He had long, dark purple hair, tied up in a high ponytail.
Confused, Hikaru asked, "What danger?"
"You weren't present in the previous meeting, were you?" Houji asked. In response, Hikaru shook her head.
Watakina shouted, "Of course not!!! That was the very reason why she was sent down here!!!!!"
Irritated, Houji threatened, "Shut up before I freeze that mouth of yours..."
And then, when Urasiel spoke, it seemed as though he had swapped personalities, "Fool..."
"Tell me, what is going on? What's going to happen to Umi?" Desperate, Hikaru raised her voice.
Silence enveloped the room, until Nakima finally broke the silence, "Listen carefully, Hikaru...before you, Umi and Fuu passed away and became angels, there were three other elements angels before you. They...went against their duties and in the end were sent down to the underworld. It was only then did you three appear." Intrigued by this piece of news, Hikaru nodded in silence, but did not understand what it had to do with Umi. "Recently, we found out that the previous water angel had just became the revenge demon, which is one of the eight elements demons. And...we fear that he may come after Umi."
"But why?"
"Because not too long ago, Houji saw him, and he told her that he was going to have his revenge..." Nakima paused for a while, before continuing. "And also..." And then he fell silent.
But inside Hikaru's head, she heard his voice. 'Since Umi had just fallen in love with a human...we fear that this might be the very chance for him to strike.' The fire angel shot up, staring at Nakima.
'How...how did you know? Who told you this?' But without an answer, her eyes turned onto Fuu. 'Fuu...? But why...? Didn't you believe Umi then?'
Staring back at Hikaru in the eye, Fuu replied. 'I did...but...when Nakima told me about the revenge demon...I couldn't hide it...But don't worry, Hikaru! The rest don't know about it yet.'
Clenching her fists, Hikaru resisted the urge to scream. 'But they will soon if this carries on...you and Nakima will stop trusting Umi and soon tell them everything!'
Fuu gasped, and quickly told Hikaru. 'No, no! Don't think like that, Hikaru! For all you know, the human may be just bait for Umi! The love she has...may be just an illusion!'
'No!!! I don't believe that!!! I believe that Umi's love is real! You haven't seen the whole picture of Umi yet...' With that, Hikaru made an attempt to run away to try and find Umi, but was froze by her feet. Looking down, she saw that Houji was behind it.
"What do you want?" Hikaru was helpless against Houji. If she had her powers, she could've easily melted the ice, but now that she was deprived of them... "Say!!"
"I don't know what you were saying to Fuu just now, but don't be rash," The ice angel's eyes locked with Hikaru's. "We are all worried for Umi's safety, so don't go and aggravate the situation by running loose. Then we have one more person to worry about."
In her heart, Houji's words made much sense. Hikaru relaxed, and calmed herself down. It was only then did Houji release her. Coming back to the table, Hikaru sat down, still worried for Umi.
The fire angel opened her mouth to speak, "So...are you saying...that...the revenge demon...may be preying on Umi right now?"
"That is correct," Emi nodded.
Then, Hikaru dug inside her bag and took out the fire mirror. Nearby, she could hear Watakina choking, "W-why did you bring that down with you? You're not supposed to!!"
"You didn't realise that until now?" Ryuuii remarked. "You should've at least felt it..."
But before Watakina could reply, Hikaru asked the fire mirror, "What does the revenge demon look like?" Inside her heart, a terrible fear grew. She feared that Umi might have been under his spell already, even while she was by Umi's side. 'Please...let it not be true...'
An image started to appear in the mirror. As it grew more distinct, Hikaru held back her breath, not daring to move an inch. A tall figure, with locks of different shades of purple blended with dark blue and pale red, and his eyes were a mellow bluish-purple colour. He had sharp features, and soft pale skin. But that was only the side view of his right side, as the mirror showed his other side, Hikaru's crimson eyes widened. Numerous wires were wrapped around the left side of his face, connected to a small lense covering his left eye. Added to that, faint lines of blue, red and purple could be seen on his left cheek. Though locks of his hair covered part of his face, the distortions done to his face could still be seen. 'Why is it that...?'
"He was a handsome fellow before," Houji commented. "Lovely purple and blue locks, along with those eyes. But when he became a demon, everything changed..." The expression formed on the ice angels' face, seemed as though a knife had just been inserted in her heart subtly. "He said he changed in an attempt to become more powerful. But as to what his powers are now, I have no idea." Smirking, she added. "He didn't care to share it with me."
In response to Houji's words, Watakina snapped, "Don't be stupid! You'd probably die if he did!" And then, his anger cooled down. "He was the most powerful of the eight elements angels then. And I should think he's the most powerful eight elements demon now..."
Suddenly, the fire mirror earned itself a large crack in the very middle. Hikaru could only watch the image of the revenge demon wane away slowly, "Why did it...?"
"He must have sensed that you were looking up on him," Urasiel explained. "He hasn't change after all...still hates being watched..."
"But..." Questions still floated in Hikaru's mind. "Why does he want revenge on Umi?"
Silence proceeded. Nobody wanted to explain that particular question to Umi, even Watakina fell silent almost immediately. After a few minutes, Nakima finally gave in to Hikaru. He was always the one to tell the most serious matters, being the most responsible angel of all.
"It has something to do...with what other punishment he received back then and...he said something about a prediction and having...a past relationship with Umi," After that, the earth angel said no more.
Shaking her head, Hikaru refused to accept it, "No...that's nonsense! What past relationship could Umi possibly have with him?! She...she would never..."
'Wait...could Clef...?'
"What's his name? The revenge demon's name?"
This time, Emi answered, "Tatenou Kegaemi...why?"
'No...it doesn't match, but...or maybe Clef is indeed human...but...he's being controlled, and Umi is also...being controlled...no!!'
……At Umi's side……
Exiting the restaurant, the two of them walked down the street, it was only then, did Clef notice the bag in Umi's hand, "What's that?"
"This?" Umi brought it to her eye level. "It's just something I was given..." Once more, the words entered her mind. 'Carpe diem...' She broke out into a smile. "Would you like to see it?"
Nodding, Clef smiled, "If you don't mind."
Taking out the carefully wrapped package from the plastic bag, Umi unwrapped it to reveal the small musical box. Suddenly, she felt as if something was making her hand move, as well as her lips. What was wrong with her? It was as if...
"How do you find it? If you like it...you can take it,"
He blinked, "Are you sure?"
Umi presented the gift to him, "Sure."
'Wait...what am I saying? I...'
Taking the small musical box from her hand, Clef looked at her once more, unsure of this sudden gesture of hers. But Umi merely wrapped the musical box for him and kept it in the plastic bag, making him hold the bag.
"Thank you..." And then, an idea struck him. "I must get you something in return. Come, tell me what you would like."
"Really?" A blush sank into her cheeks. Umi began looking around her. But then, Clef pulled her along with him as they came to a shop. It was then, something caught her eye.
Smiling, he asked her, "Anything?" Without waiting for a reply, it seemed as though he knew her exact answer already.
He told her to wait outside. Umi saw him approaching the assistant, and pointing to the window display. The water angel couldn't help but smile. There was no longer an ache eating her heart up, instead, it was being replaced by a cosy, warm feeling. It was the feeling of being out in the cold for so long, and finally finding the way back home. And inside, your family is waiting for you, and the warm fire is sizzling as you step inside. The water angel was in her own world when Clef came outside. He had to call her name a few times before she stepped back down into the real world.
Clef put a small box on her hand, urging her to open it. She tried to guess what it was from his facial expression, but could not figure it out. Finally, she decided to open the box. Inside, was a sliver chain necklace, with sapphire stones forming a flower-like pattern in the middle. 'It's beautiful...' Soon, she felt the cold metal against her neck, as Clef clasped it around her. Looking down, she placed her hand against the necklace.
'Why should this love be wrong? How can something so...beautiful be...wrong? I don't see it that way.' Looking at Clef, she returned his smile. 'I don't see how someone so pure and charming be harmful to me...it is just so hard. I'm sorry...but...how can you expect me to look away from him? Even if this just lasts for a short while, it's worth it all.'
"Thank you..." Umi said. "But...how did you know I wanted this?"
Laughing, he replied, "That's a secret." And then, he offered. "Shall I walk you home?"
"Okay..."
……Back at the house……
Hikaru removed her hand away from the fire mirror. It was mended now. As the other angels were discussing how to solve the situation, Hikaru was in a corner, asking the fire mirror to show Umi. The image surfaced. There, the fire angel saw Umi and Clef walking together. 'Good, she's still safe...'
But then, something else caught Hikaru's attention. 'That's...'
She saw the plastic bag in Clef's hand. 'Isn't that...the bag with the musical box inside? Did she...give it to him? But that's impossible...she broke her promise! She would never-'
"Hikaru, what are you-" Fuu saw the fire mirror. "Isn't that-" And then Fuu heard what they were saying. "They're coming home...? Oh!" The wind angel disappeared from Hikaru's side, and went to inform the rest of what she had just found out.
Meanwhile, the fire angel kept repeating inside her head. 'Umi...what did you do? Why did you...? How could you forget about Fuu and me? After all we've been through together...'
In fury, Hikaru threw the fire mirror down, causing the image of Umi and Clef to vanish the minute it hit the floor. 'I can't believe you...I trusted you time and again... I tried, Umi, I really did! Even when the rest didn't believe you, I did!!'
Flames formed inside Hikaru's heart, the black flames were burning wildly, getting out of control as Hikaru began to lose her senses. 'You...can't possibly compare me to this human...how long have you known him? What about me? Aren't you afraid of the consequences?'
"Hikaru!" Emi's voice shone inside the fire angel's head. "Don't lose yourself! Get a grip!"
……At Umi's side……
"This is it," Umi stopped walking.
"I guess...I'll see you some other time...if fate lets us,"
Umi nodded, "It was great being with you."
"Same here..."
Placing his hand on Umi's chin, Clef raised her head. Leaning towards her, he kissed her gently on the lips. No, she didn't resist, she couldn't even feel her own body when he touched her.
……Just inside……
"Hikaru? Hikaru? Hikaru!!"
She heard her name being called dozens of times, but she ignored every single one of them. 'Is this...me? What's...going on...? It's as if...something's taking over me...'
"Hikaru!!!"
Darkness filled her vision, engulfing the blurry figures before her. 'I...I can't breath...'
Just then, a glaring light shone before her, causing the darkness to flee from her sight. But still, Hikaru fainted. 'I...ha-'
Bounded, bounded by this new, arisen feeling. Bounded, bounded by my supposedly twisted thinking
END
(Response to reviewers)
hyperhealthcritic: Thanks! Hope that you enjoyed this chapter! Hm...I'm actually not sure what language it's in. Gomen, but I'll tell you once I know.
Unable To Cry: Thank you! Glad to know that there's another Umi/Clef fan out there! Yup, and updated already!