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: GOMEN!!! Sorry for the ultra, ultra, ultra long delay! T-T So here's the longest chapter so far...which is also the last chapter...enjoy! (responses to reviews below))

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

Waving back at him, Umi watched as he disappeared around the corner. 'This is definitely one of my happiest days.' She confessed to herself, before placing a hand over her left chest. 'And it's no longer painful...does that mean...I'm allowed to love...? I can feel?'

Though doubtful, the water angel convinced herself that it was true, and skipped inside the house. Humming a soft tune, she removed her shoes and climbed up. Touching the necklace Clef had given her, she could not help but smile.

……Inside……

"Hikaru? Hikaru?"

Ugh...that bright light... Weakened, Hikaru was assisted by Fuu as she tried to sit up, "What happened?"

The fire angel's vision cleared, and she saw that nobody answered; they only turned their gazes in the direction of Emi. With a distasteful look, Emi stared back at them all, before facing Hikaru.

Clearing her throat, she replied, "Just now, you were nearly drawn into the dark side. I don't know how it was possible for an elements angel, such as yourself. But I'm pretty certain that someone must have been drawing that negative energy inside you and enhancing it, thereby turning it the positive energy against you. And the result...would be that...you'd become a fallen angel."

"Just like the previous fire angel..." These words somehow slipped through Watakina's mouth.

Shooting a glare at Watakina, Houji gave him a glare, "Way a go."

"Shut up," The lightning angel immediately argued.

Before the duo could continue, Urasiel spoke, which made everyone turn their heads towards him, "We must quickly find Umi, before anything else happens and hinders our way. When we do find her, we have to tell her all we know of the matter, and hopefully she will get the message." He paused for a minute or two, and then suddenly it seemed as though he spoke in a new voice. "Though I doubt so, since the foolish one thinks that she's on her way to paradise, when in fact, she's merely nearing death."

Staring at the praying angel, the lightning angel remarked, "Sometimes he scares me..."

"He would only scare a weakling like yourself," Houji grabbed the chance to poke fun at Watakina.

As the two were quarrelling in the background, Hikaru asked, "What is going to happen to Umi?"

The wind angel was the first one to hear her question, "What do you mean? You mean if they find out-"

"No...her affairs with the revenge demon..."

"I don't know...none of us have a clue..." Out of the blue, Fuu gave Hikaru a quick hug. "Please, don't worry about Umi anymore. It's time to let me do the worrying...you've had enough."

Awkwardly, Hikaru returned the hug, "Alright, Fuu."

'How long was it since we three gave each other encouragement with a hug? In times like this? When I'm about to break down and just give up...? And I nearly lost myself...' Pulling away from Fuu, Hikaru smiled at her warmly. 'Umi...come back into the light...and back into the circle. It feels different without you.'

Stepping inside the house, Umi was greeted with an unexpected sight. Widening her azure eyes, she was met with eight other pairs of eyes. Opening her mouth, she wanted to ask what were the other eight elements angels doing down here.

But she could have already guessed the reason why. So she closed her mouth, but there was something else she wanted to ask. Did Hikaru and Fuu still consider her as their best friend? Especially after the many incidents that have happened to them. Glancing over at them, she saw their expression. 'Why? Why are they looking at me with such a sad gaze? I'm not feeling down or anything, instead...I'm the opposite! So...'

"Umi," The guardian angel was the one to break the silence, as she did not like such grave matters taking place at her house, and thus she wanted to get it over and done with as soon as possible. "Come, Umi...we have something important to tell you."

Taking a few steps forward, Umi settled herself down, not daring to face anyone. She was not embarrassed or anything, but their burning gazes were just too weird. Why couldn't they understand that she was happy the way she was? Even though she was breaking the rules, but she wanted it that way. If they couldn't accept it, not even her closest friends, then...she would just be alone with her love.

'Which then would I have chosen? Them...or Clef...?' The question stayed in her mind for some time.

"So I'm the one again?" Nakima asked the obvious. The rest nodded, and the answer was plain enough to see. Sighing, he began. "Where do I start? Oh yes...maybe you should start, Umi. It may be easier for me to continue. So...anything special happened to you lately?"

Raising an eyebrow, Watakina commented, "What's wrong with you, Nakima? Why are you-"

"He must have his reason," The ice angel interrupted. And for the first time, the lightning angel did not answer back.

In a distance, Hikaru was clenching her fists, trying to hold back her anger. 'I knew it! I knew that you would break the news out! How could you...? Even though Umi has done wrong but...it isn't fair to her for you to tell the others without telling her first!'

'So he's letting her tell her side of the story...' Another voice entered the fire angel's head.

'Emi...?' Looking around her, she saw the light angel gazing at her.

'Don't let the darkness overcome you again, Hikaru. You're still being targeted at.'

Biting her lower lip, Hikaru tried to calm down. 'Yes...'

Hesitant, Umi turned to look at Hikaru and Fuu with an almost desperate look. 'What do I tell them? How do I...? Hikaru? Fuu?'

And then, she saw Hikaru's painful expression. 'What's happening to you, Hikaru? Why are you...? She seems to be fighting something...Is it because of me?' With a firm expression, Umi told herself. 'Alright, I'll tell them. I have to sooner or later.'

Resignedly, Umi said, "I've...fallen in love...with a human."

"You, WHAT?!" Watakina exclaimed aloud.

Not knowing whether what she was going to say would make things worse, the water angel added. "And...it feels...good."

Jumping up, the lightning angel wanted to hit Umi, but was held back by Houji, "Umi, are you out of your mind?" The ice angel saw no response, and went back to Watakina. "Calm down!"

Emi's face showed no sign of shock, she merely turned to Hikaru. 'Hikaru...?' Receiving the word, the fire angel nodded.

With a sad smile, the light angel comforted her. 'At least one of your worries is gone.'

As for Urasiel, he flicked his hair back and shook his head, "Fool..." For some reason, he was not blown away by the news. "Do you know why you're in love? Do you feel like one would feel when in love? Can you comprehend this new, arisen feeling of yours?"

Raising a hand, Nakima told everyone, "Quiet..." With a small smile on his face, he carried on. "We heard you...so now...it's my turn. We found out something new as well. The previous water angel has now become the present revenge demon, Tatenou Kegaemi. We believe that he's after you. As for the actual reson, we don't know, though he did turn up before Houji and tell her that you're his prime target. So we're worried, that the love you encountered...may just be an illusion. After all, illusions are the revenge demon's specialty."

Immediately, Umi cried out, "That can't be true! I don't want to believe it! It isn't true!!!"

Just then, Hikaru shouted, "Stop it, Umi, stop it!! I don't care if this is against your wishes but it is the truth!!!" Tears of anger and sadness mingled in her fiery eyes.

Silence followed, but then the water angel spoke, as her ocean blue eyes turned watery, "Hikaru...you don't believe me?"

"No..." It seemed as though somebody else had taken over that once cheerful voice. "You were the one that left us. He's more important than us all, isn't he, Umi?" Umi tried to deny it, but the fire angel only went on. "Don't you see our concern for you? Surely the love that may be an illusion can't be stronger than that?"

Ryuuii was observing everything from the side, quiet all the while, until she heard the words exchanged between the two friends, "Alright, alright, that's enough now." Standing up, she went over to Hikaru, sitting her down. "This is my house, if you all have forgotten, not your place up above. I hate it when I'm being left out..."

"Wait, Ryuuii," Nakima grabbed her hand. "There's something I left out..." Taking a deep breath, the earth angel announced. "After this, your punishment before will be lifted, and so you have to return to heaven. But...Umi..." He stared straight through her. "Your wings and powers will be kept away from you for a 100 days, starting from today."

Registering this all, Umi ventured, "Can I have one last request?"

"What?"

"Let me see him for the last time..."

……Later……

After they had eaten, as Ryuuii had insisted, Urasiel made the rest sit aside, as he sat in the middle of the room. With a long string of beads in his hands, he started murmuring. After some time, he threw the beads up in the air. The beads hung in midair, creating a prefect circle. Everyone around him fell silent almost instantly. They all knew very well not to break the praying angel's concentration at a critical time as such. Urasiel then said a few inaudible words, and a portal was created through the beads. An image of Clef was reflected; he was in some street or another.

"Let's wait till he goes somewhere deserted," He remarked. "We don't want to alarm any humans."

Emi added, "You have five minutes...if -"

"Ten," The water angel cut in, looking at the light angel with pleading eyes. "Please?"

That moment of silence that followed between the two seemed like forever, until the answer finally came, "Alright...if anything happens to you, call us. We'll come to you."

Nodding, Umi went up to the portal. Reaching out a hand, the praying angel did something to the beads, and told Umi to go when ready. Seeing that Clef had turned into another street, which looked deserted, the water angel calmed herself down, before stepping inside the portal.

Very soon, Umi found herself standing behind Clef. Running up to him, she held him back as she called his name. He stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her with a surprised look.

"How did you find me?"

Without answering his question, Umi said, "Clef...our love...do you think that it's an illusion?"

"What are you talking about?" He stared at Umi with genuinely concerned eyes. "What made you think as such?"

Shaking her head, the water angel laughed at herself, "I'm not sure either. But...do you know anything about the revenge demon?"

All of a sudden, Clef's voice changed, "So you know..."

Stepping away from Clef, Umi watched as he changed into another being. His hair became longer, and it changed slightly in colour, but it still fell so softly over his face. His eyes changed colour as well, thought a small lens replaced his left eye. Dozens of wires were connected to that small lens, and faint lines of purple, red and blue could be seen on his left cheek. His clothes were also gone, and now he donned a black robe with chains of purple, blue and red. From his sleeve, he took out a small golden ring, and clipped it onto his right ear. Only then did he speak.

"I guess I won't have a need to remove this anymore,"

One would have not been able to resist the urge to shout out their question in a clear and loud voice, angry and saddened at the same time because of the fact that they have been cheated of their feelings. They might have asked 'Why are you doing this to me?' or 'Who are you? I've never offended you. When have our paths crossed before?' and so on. As they have been hurt so deeply, they can only pity themselves for having such bad luck befall them.

But instead, the water angel asked a silly question, which had nothing to do with her at all. Why? Because she was still at a loss.

"What's that?" Umi questioned, her voice nearly cracking at the sudden arrival of this new figure.

Rather relaxed, the demon replied, "Just something the other demons use to sense me when I try to hide. Of course, it isn't supposed to be removed, but I found a way to..." Tapping it, it shone in the bright sunlight. "I guess you know who I am by now."

Swallowing, Umi recalled the name Nakima mentioned, "Tatenou Kegaemi, the revenge demon."

"Yes, otherwise known as Clef...to you, that is," Seeing Umi staring at him but not saying anything, he went on. "I did well in being Clef, didn't I?" Sighing, he commented. "It's been so long since I was the human before...but I pulled it off well, I supposed." Going up to Umi, he took up a lock of her hair, and placed it against his lips. Taking a deep breath, he seemed to have inhaled the whole of her being inside him.

Her heart raced. 'Why? Shouldn't the illusion be off already? He has already shown his true self! So why...?' And then she studied his face up close. 'What did he do to himself? Why...?'

For some reason, Umi felt drawn to the certain charm of his. Yes, his face may have been badly distorted on the left side, but on the right side...

With a smirk upon his face, Kegaemi dropped the lock of hair and asked in a low, dangerous voice, "Don't you fear that I may harm you?" When he received no response, only the intense stare of Umi's, he arched an eyebrow at her. "What's wrong...?"

"You seem familiar...for some reason..." She remarked, still staring at his face. "In this form..."

Grinning, he replied with a sly look reflecting in his two-toned eyes, "And I thought you couldn't remember...but of course, you're wrong in a sense." Seeing the wonder in those deep blue eyes, Kegaemi breathed softly into her face. "How about a trip to the past?"

Before she could reply, the revenge demon had already used his powers on her. Without further warning, the water angel was being pulled into the past, along with him. Very soon, she found herself standing next to him still, but in a completely foreign scene. Before them, was a fairly busy street, bustling with life, very unlike from where there were standing just now. In a distance, she saw her with Hikaru and Fuu.

Without turning to face Kegaemi, she asked, "When is this?"

"Just watch," He answered in a commanding tone.

Not saying anything in return, Umi looked at where he was indicated to her, and saw someone running towards them, the trio was going to collide with that stranger when they turned around the corner. For some reason, this scene seemed oddly familiar to her, but she just could not recall anything related to it. As the person running at full speed neared them, Umi managed to see his face more distinctly.

He had sharp features. Short, red hair blending in with black and blue, along with fierce, crimson eyes. Yet in all the hardness that his face bore, there was a soft touch in this piece of work. She could not exactly put her finger on why, but she just felt like it would be so easy for her to pour out all of her inner feelings to this figure. And then, something else caught her attention, as she raised her gaze, and saw another.

It was him, but different. His left side of the face was still kept intact, and a pair of large, white wings was stretched out from his back. But the wings then disappeared, and he began calling out.

"Settai! Settai!"

The red-haired man did turn back to see who was behind him, but continued running as he ignored the cries. And then, just as the three friends turned around the corner, their curiousity aroused by what they had just heard. They were alarmed at what greeted them, but it was too late for them to dodge already. They thought that they were going to collide hard with that person, but instead, to their surprise, he run through them. But to be more specific, he dashed right through Hikaru, who was in the middle.

Shocked, the three of them just stood there, occasionally looking behind, gasping at what they had just experienced, and trying to catch their breath. The other man stopped before them, with a worried expression worn. Going up to them, he directed their attention towards him.

Studying them, he asked, "I'm sorry about that. Are you hurt?" Looking at Hikaru, he waited for her reply.

"I...I'm fine..."

Despite hearing her positive answer, he was still not convinced. Looking beyond them, he failed to see where the person he was chasing before went. Sighing, he ruffled Hikaru's hair and smiled pleasantly at her, trying to comfort her and ease her fears, in hope that she would forget what had happened just now. The other two friends stared at him, not knowing what to do, in particular, the marine-haired friend.

And then, the man removed his hand from Hikaru and spoke, "I'm sorry for what I'm about to do."

Raising a hand before them, a light emerged and engulfed the three of them. Very soon, the light vanished, just as quickly as it had appeared. Dropping his hand, the man then smiled sadly at them, and proceeded to walk past them as the three just froze on the spot.

As he walked past them, he whispered, "Wake up now..."

Instantly, the trio jumped, and could only look at each other. Why were they here all of a sudden? What caused them to jump? But they did not ask any questions, and just carried on walking down the street. The angel observed them closely for a while, before he was finally assured that they were fine, and continued from where he had left off.

The scene cleared, and the angel and demon were back at where they were standing previously. Umi was looking down, as she could not believe that Kegaemi had done such a thing, and who was that mysterious person that ran through Hikaru? As she rubbed her head, Kegaemi saw everything and easily read her mind without using his powers.

Putting a hand on her shoulder, he said, "That was when I was still an angel, yes? So don't go thinking off the track. As for the person you saw...he was Settai, the fire angel before your friend, Hikaru. So yes, he was my friend...the closest one, in fact."

"Why do you want my life so much?"

The demon remained silent, before he replied with a chuckle, "Dear, dear, whoever said that I was after your life?" Running his hand through her hair, he added. "Who told you that?"

Startled by this piece of fresh news, Umi could only manage one question, "Who is it that you're exactly after?"

……Back at the house……

Urasiel had closed the portal, forbidding anyone to interrupt the private moment between the couple. Everyone understood the reason, a pity Watakina could not help but let his curiousity get the better of him. Sitting beside his purple-haired friend, the lightning angel leaned towards him, trying to see whether he could catch a glimpse of anything. When he saw that he could not, Watakina turned to the praying angel.

"Aren't you worried? It's been so long already..."

Opening one eye, his amethyst one, the angel merely replied as such, "They're fine. She hasn't cried for us yet." Closing it again, he continued sitting there, quiet as ever.

Frowning deeply, Watakina shifted and sat opposite Urasiel, face-to- face, "Isn't it alright to just take a small peek? She's powerless now, and the revenge demon is not. So-"

"Stop being such a busybody!" Houji commented, grabbing him by the back of his neck, causing him to choke and stop halfway in his sentence. "Just leave them alone for ten minutes!"

Swiping the ice's angel hand away from his neck, the lightning angel coughed, catching his breath. When he had recovered, he glared at Houji with his bright, yellow eyes. In return, the ice angel smirked at him, staring back at him with her piercing crystal eyes.

Suddenly, Urasiel's other eye snapped open, "I now know where they are. Thank you, dear friend."

Immediately, his other eye opened as well, and the praying angel got up. "They're going to be in danger! He now knows where they are! He's going to go after them!"

The rest just looked at him with wide eyes, feeling that they did not know their friend all of a sudden. But Urasiel's eyes were already filled with fright, worry and remorse. "Did any of you hear me? The two are in danger! The praying demon knows their location now and thus, he is going to go after them!"

"What is your relationship with the praying demon?" Nakima finally spoke.

……At Umi's side……

Bending down, Kegaemi whispered into Umi's ear, "What would you do? If I told you...my target was...Hikaru?"

"W-what?" Immediately, she pushed the demon away from her. "What do you mean by that? Why her?" A thousand questions attacked her mind endlessly, and they never failed to be questions that she could not answer on her own. Staring up at Kegaemi, she saw his smug expression. Blood rose to her cheeks, as she said the final time. "Explain."

Clearing his throat, he started, "Well, it's all very simple. My prime prey is Hikaru, your friend, not you, yes?" Pausing for a moment, the demon thought of another way to phrase his words. "Do you know that for every angel, there's a demon linked to them?"

Still shaken, Umi plainly replied, "No."

"Well, there is. And it so happens that Hikaru...to linked to my friend, Settai," This time, Kegaemi paused due to the fact that he was slightly reluctant in continuing with his story.

"Settai, the previous fire angel...became a demon, not because he committed any crime." Lowering his voice, he shook his head, and seemed to be talking to himself now, with hints of regret and vengeance in his eyes. "No, never, he would never do such a thing. How can one expect such a gentle angel, who's constantly falling ill to commit such crimes? He may be brash but...still...everything happened because some cursed blood demon went to attack him when he was really weak. As a result, he became a fallen angel. That was why he was running around the human world when you saw him. If you had seen him closely, you would have seen broken wings present on his back."

Hearing the demon's voice full of emotions, Umi could not help but be inclined to feel sad for him. But then again, he was the revenge demon, could he not be faking all of this?

But the expression in his eyes...overwhelming with all of these feelings. They said that angels could not have feelings, because they were supposed to be perfect beings, superior to everyone else. And for the vulnerable humans, they were constantly acting on the account of their emotions, thus wrecking havoc. For the demons, they were evil beings, but with feelings still. Somehow, Umi felt that to be able to feel would be better.

Surprised, he saw that there was no response from the water angel. Kegaemi wanted to ask about her, but he thought that she would just rebuke his questions. So he carried on with his side of the story, "When an angel and a demon are linked, they are create miracles between each other. Right now, Settai has become a fallen angel, and he is resting within the depths of hell. If I were to gain some of Hikaru's blood, I would be able to make Settai an angel again."

"...That's all?" Umi asked, staring at the demon with wide eyes. "Then why pull me into this? Why?"

Kegaemi glanced over at her, "Were you not aware all this while? What Hikaru was going through when you were with me?"

Reading the confused expression worn on Umi's face, he continued to explain. "You were just someone I could use to precipitate the result of the pursue of my desires. You are one the closest person to Hikaru's heart, and seeing you get into deep trouble while she could only watch helplessly affected her a lot. At that vulnerable state, I could make her turn away from the light more easily, and thus get what I want."

And then he added. "And no, drawing blood from her body is not the end. In exchange for Settai's becoming an angel, she herself would have to take his place as a fallen angel. Do you understand now?"

'Hikaru...no...Hikaru...!!!' Muddled, she was consumed by rage, fear and uncertainty. "No...yes...sort of...but...I still don't understand one thing..." The angel shook her head as she looked at him, and then she ventured. "How...did you become a demon?"

As he heard this question, he could only stare at her. 'Why is she asking this? I...no, this doesn't concern her! Why should I tell her? She's missing the whole point! I...' But then Umi repeated her question, this more firmer and more persistent. Again, the demon just stared at her. 'Since she's so insistent, I might as well...no! I shouldn't! Then I'll just change my image as a ruthless demon. I shall lie instead. No...I can't...'

Finally, the demon gave his answer, "This-"

Just then, both of them felt another's presence, familiar to Kegaemi, but apparently not to Umi. Coolly, Kegaemi thought to himself. 'So...he's finally found me, red-handed. I should've guessed that he was still hot on my heels and wanted to capture me for some offence. How careless of me to put the detector back on...I was too engrossed in...'

The demon flicked his eyes towards the angel opposite him, and looked away, failing to see that she had caught his gaze. 'No, what was I thinking?'

……Back at the house……

"What is your relationship with the praying demon?" The earth angel repeated his words again after a few minutes of dead silence, but this time with more force.

Raising his eyes, Urasiel spoke in a soft and low voice, "This..." He touched his left eye. "Is how the praying demon communicates with me. This is how we read each other's thoughts. We exchanged our left eyes in order to know what is happening on the other side. You can say that I am blind in my left eye, as the eye I have is his. And the same for him."

"You do know that it is dangerous to do so, don't you?" Nakima warned. "So...does that mean that..."

Already, the praying angel was on his feet and reopened the portal; "We must go to their aid at once. The praying demon is after them."

"Why?" Hikaru asked, it was a while since she had voiced out her thoughts. "Why Umi?"

Shaking his head, the reply came, "No, not Umi...but the revenge demon. But I still fear that he might harm Umi."

……At Umi's side……

A voice was sounded behind Kegaemi, "Look at what one of the eight elements demon attracted...one of the eight elements angel...that's sweet." Suddenly, the voice changed completely. "Tatenou Kegaemi! Explain your actions! And make it short..."

Out of the shadows, a figure appeared, smiling. Slightly shorter than his fellow demon, he had feminine features, which was hard to believe that such a voice just now could have come from him. He had long, flowing raven hair, which was tied up in a high ponytail, as well as a pair of black and purple eyes. The demon's face was as smooth as silk, and everything was in proportion and in place. His majestic, charcoal black wings were stretched out from his back, and he had his arms crossed. One thing struck Umi. This demon resembled Urasiel a whole lot, only that he looked like the female version.

Besides that, for some weird reason, the water angel felt that she could not move. She was stuck to the same spot. She tried talking, but she also failed in doing so. 'What is going on...?'

"You saw and heard everything, didn't you?" The revenge demon stared daggers at the praying demon. "You can take me back and torture me all you like! Just leave Settai alone!"

Smirking, the praying demon shook his head and wagged a finger, "The only reason we let Settai stay alive was the fact that he was a powerful fallen angel, and we thought that as time went by, we could change him into one of us. A pity, as you had just said, you want the opposite for him. We can't allow that now, can we?"

Turning to face Umi, he bowed. "I'm sorry for being so rude as to not introduce myself to you first. I'm Kakoi, the praying demon." Taking hold of Kegaemi's hands, he set a charm on them, keeping them locked together. "I'm sorry that we don't have time to talk now. Maybe some other time!"

Muttering curses, Kegaemi struggled to break his hands free, but the charm Kakoi had set was apparently a new one, and a strong one at that, "Let me go! Don't you dare you!" After that, he looked in the direction of Umi. He opened his mouth, about to say something.

But before he could, Kakoi held him by the back of his neck. "What nonsense are you sprouting?" Bringing his hand over the revenge demon's eyes, the praying demon said a few words, and as a result Kegaemi passed out. Facing Umi, he bowed once more. "I pray for the day we meet again, Umi. Please give my thanks and regards to Urasiel on my behalf!"

And then the two demons vanished. At the exact same moment, Umi fainted, and a pair of hands caught her just in time.

……Later……

Slowly, her eyes opened, and found herself staring in the eyes of another, a pair of ruby red ones. Sitting up, Umi rubbed her eyes. Looking around her, she saw no one else but her friend.

Umi asked, "Where's everyone?"

"Heaven, discussing...including Ryuuii..." Placing her hand over Umi's, the fire angel brows knitted. "Are you alright? Urasiel said you were lucky enough to have been left unharmed, only placed under a temporary spell."

Ruffling Hikaru's hair, the water angel answered, "I'm alright, don't worry." She stopped to think for a moment, over what had happened before. "I'm sorry that I made you so worried, I really am."

"I know, Umi. It was hard on you too," Hikaru smiled at her assuring. "I'm just glad everything is over now."

'Is it?' The water angel questioned herself. 'Is it really over? Just like that?' Recalling back then, she realised that she still had one unanswered question. 'How did he become a demon...? He didn't manage to answer my question in time...we were interrupted...'

Just then, Nakima appeared, and he immediately said, "Umi...you're lucky that you managed to escape alive. But please..." Bending down, he placed both hands on her shoulders, looking at her in the eye. "Please don't get yourself in trouble anymore, yes?"

"I'm sorry..."

……Back in Heaven……

'It has been 13 days already...and I can't take it anymore...' Standing up, Umi gazed down at the body of water. She had first seen Clef through it, and she wanted to see him again now. But a pity she had lost her powers already, and she could not do it. Though she knew that Clef was in fact Kegaemi, she still had the same longing for him. Yes, initially, Umi had fallen in love with a human, or so she thought. Now, she was in love with a demon, and she did not know whether he felt the same way.

'I'll have to seek help if I want to see him...'

And then she went through the list of people whom she could ask for a favour. 'Hikaru? No, I can't worry her anymore. Fuu? Nakima? I couldn't...Houji? Watakina? Watakina would get mad at me...and Houji...she's alright but...somehow Watakina would always find out from her. Emi? I...can't even imagine myself asking her. Urasiel...?' Considering this for a few minutes, Umi nodded. 'He helped me the last time...and he does have some sort of relationship with Kakoi. She remembered what the praying demon had told her. I'm not sure how it'll help but...it's worth a try.'

……Later……

"Yes, Umi?"

Sitting beside Urasiel, the water angel requested, "Could you...let me see...Kegaemi?"

Instantly, the praying angel opened his eyes and stared at Umi. Closing his eyes again, he lowered his head and concentrated hard, muttering to himself. As to why, Umi was ignorant. After some time, he opened his eyes again, looking up at the water angel.

"I needed to block out Kakoi's mind from my own," Urasiel explained without being asked.

"Oh..." Umi spoke. "Can I ask you something?" She received a nod as an answer. "How come Kegaemi became a demon?"

Urasiel paused for a while, before replying, "He broke certain rules, and since the punishments added up to be so heavy, in the end he was sent to hell, and therefore he became a demon."

"Why did he do it?"

With a small grin, the praying angel said, "I do not know either. I'm puzzled till this day."

For the first time, Umi had seen that mouth of his turn upwards, and she was glad. From the first moment she met Urasiel, his face was always so emotionless, despite that, she knew that he was good-natured inside. And now, she finally saw him as such.

"Thank you...but why are you doing this for me?"

His smile widened, "Don't think that I'm doing it for you. I'm doing it because I think that there is some reason in this act."

After saying that, he threw the beads in the air, chanting. It took a longer time for the image to appear and grow distinct. But Umi was not so much concerned how long it took; she was more concerned for the figure in the image.

There he was, his four limbs chained up and his head hanging down. The wires and the lens from his face had been removed, and all that was left were a few scars, along with the lines of blue, red and purple. Many evident wounds could be made out on his body. There were two hooded people, one with a bucket of water in his hand and another holding a whip. The one with a whip in hand brought it down against the demon's face, causing the skin on his right cheek to break open and let blood flow down. Wincing, Umi saw that Kegaemi had already fallen unconscious. The two hooded figures were talking to one another, but she could not understand their words. And then, they put down the bucket and whip, and went out of the room, locking the door behind them.

"W-what are they doing to him?" The water angel finally managed to say, breathless.

Unaffected, the praying angel replied, "50 days of physical torture, followed by 50 days of emotional torture. He would be tortured every single hour of the day except for the twelfth hour of the day." Gazing at Umi, he added. "You've come at the right time to see him left alone."

Going up to the image, Umi watched helplessly. Urasiel observed this quietly, and decided to leave the room for a short while. Pressing her hands against the image, Umi had the urge to go in and rescue him. But it was useless. No matter how she knocked against the image, she could not get through to him.

On the verge of tears, she slid down, her head against the image. At that moment, her hand turned some beads. She heard some soft sounds after the clicking of beads. Raising her head, she saw that the ripples were formed in the image. Curious, she carefully placed a hand through. It went through.

Amazed at this discovery, Umi was elated and without thinking, she passed through the portal.

Stepping onto the ground, the water angel found herself before Kegaemi. Running up to him, she tried to shake him awake. When all attempts failed, her eyes came to the bucket of water. Taking it in her hands, she took a few steps back. Biting her lower lip, she threw it onto the demon's face, hoping that he would wake up. Putting the bucket down, she watched his reaction.

Sputtering, he coughed and opened his eyes. The minute he opened his eyes, he stared at Umi, speechless. With his mouth hanging open, he tried to say something as he glanced around him.

Finally, he asked, choking, "What are you doing here? Wait, this must be a dream, right? Yes, definitely-"

"No, it's me! I came to rescue you!"

Laughing, Kegaemi teased, "Rescue me? You? Alright, enough with the prank already, not that this is the best time." Shaking his head, and he carried on, this time his smile had disappeared. "Just go! Okay? I don't care what your purpose is, just leave! You'll be in danger!"

"Kegaemi..." Walking to the door, Umi grabbed the keys hanging next to it and went up to him. "Wait...I'll release you." She managed to unlock the chains despite the demon's cries, and then threw the keys aside.

Limping slightly, the revenge demon rubbed his face and saw the blood falling from the fresh wound, mingling with the water. It hurt a bit. He then turned to the water angel, "Umi! What do you think you're doing? You don't have your powers or your wings, do you? So what can you do? Have you planned what you'll do after you set me free? Are you prepared to become a runaway?"

"How did you know...I've lost my powers and wings?"

Stopping in his words, Kegaemi looked away, "I asked Kakoi what they did to you..."

'Kegaemi...' Umi could not hold back a smile, and she leaned forward to hug the demon, ignoring his protests. Kegaemi was slightly red in the face, as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her as well. Burying her face in his arms, Umi thought to herself. Kegaemi...even though he's a demon-demon! Pulling herself away, she looked up at him.

"You still haven't answered me...I know how you became a demon, because I asked Urasiel, but...why?"

"This..." Licking his lips, it was clear enough that he was reluctant to reply Umi. "An angel's movements is restricted, unlike a demon, but the punishments are harsher and more brutal for a demon compared to an angel. As I wanted to help Settai...I thought that becoming a demon would help me, as a demon had more freedom, and that's true. So..."

Umi finished the sentence for him, "You broke the rules deliberately...?" Looking down, she was quiet, and then she asked. "Settai...what happened to him? What did they do?"

"They..." Gritting his teeth, Kegaemi clenched his hands. "They killed him when he was resting...just like that. I...still can't accept it...I...want revenge. It was unfair to him!"

Resting her hands on his, the water angel told him, "Don't! Please don't! It'll...only cause more trouble. I'm sure your friend wouldn't want to see you like this. So...don't think about revenge..."

"Umi..."

Taking his hand, Umi lead him inside through the portal, and back in the room. Without much thought, she brought him outside of the room, not noticing Urasiel. He was standing in a corner, and had seen everything. With a smile on his face, he went up to the portal, and turned the beads back, letting them drop in his hand. It was a wonder whether he had caused Umi to 'accidentally' find the switch to open the portal...

"I'll pray for you..."

Out of Urasiel's place, Umi scanned the area. As usual, there was nobody around his place. But then, a familiar voice broke the water angel's happy thoughts. Turning to her left, she saw Houji.

"Umi..." The ice angel repeated. "And...Kegaemi..." Instantly, her look of wonder turned into a hard glare. "What are you two doing? Breaking the rules? Why did-"

Cutting Houji off, the water angel begged, "Please, Houji, help us to the reincarnation portal."

Kegaemi gazed at Umi, "You mean...?"

"What...?" Houji stared at her. "You want me to...?" Pausing for a minute or two, she gave in. "Alright, I'll cover for you. Just...hurry..." Shuffling them along, she cast a spell to make them invisible.

In the doorway, stood Urasiel and Emi, watching the three of them vanish in a distance.

"Houji...does have a soft spot, doesn't she?" The light angel commented, looking up at the praying angel.

That smile was still on Urasiel's face, and he agreed, "Yes...even though the two are unaware of it, they just used it."

Closing the door behind them, Houji immediately undid the spell on Umi and Kegaemi, causing them to appear. Sighing, the ice angel told them that she would be off now. As she headed towards the door, Umi thanked her. Arching her neck, she stared at them.

"Don't regret what you two decided to do," And with that, she disappeared through the door.

Holding hands, the couple looked into the portal. Umi was still unwilling to leave, due to the fact that she had not seen Hikaru and Fuu yet. She was still unsettled.

Whispering to Kegaemi if they would wait for five minutes, she received his agreement. Umi then turned to face the door, hoping secretly that it would open to reveal her two friends. It seemed like forever, before the door finally opened, and thankfully for Umi and Kegaemi, it was Hikaru and Fuu who were standing there. Crying out each other's names, the three rushed up to each other in an embrace.

"Hikaru, Fuu...I'm sorry...but...I'm leaving..."

Shaking her head, the wind angel replied, "We know...we saw Houji leaving the room and asked her."

"It's not a bad thing, Umi," Hikaru smiled. "We understand."

The water angel smiled back, "Thank you..."

Suddenly, shouts could be heard from outside, and they were alarmed. Leading Umi by the hand, the two hurriedly told them to go, or else they might be captured if they were too late. Kegaemi stared at them, and opened his mouth, wanting to say something. But it was too late for him, as Hikaru and Fuu had pushed the two inside the portal...

……Afterwards……

Why was she running? To prove something? But what? Was someone manipulating with her body? But who could posses such a power? Dashing through the crowd, the marine-haired girl could only wonder.

'This feeling...it seems so familiar...but-' A collision interrupted her chain of thoughts, as she found herself on the ground. Wincing, she rubbed her back and opened her sapphire eyes to see a hand reaching out towards her. Taking it, she was being pulled up. Brushing at her clothes, she thanked the stranger. As she raised her head to see who it is, a gasp came to her lips for some reason.

Standing there was a handsome man, tall and fair, with beautiful amethyst eyes and falling locks of purple. But the best part was, this stranger seemed so familiar to her. In return, the stranger was studying her own features. A cascading waterfall from her head and azure blue eyes. For a long time, the two were too engrossed staring at each other; they failed to notice that someone was at the side watching them.

Finally, he stretched out a hand, "I'm Clef."

"Umi..." She took his hand.

All of a sudden, the couple jumped, as memories poured inside their minds. Who had let them in? They did not ask that at the moment, for they were too busy hugging each other. Locking eyes, Clef cupped Umi's face in his hands. Their shimmering eyes closed, as their lips met, and tears rolled down their cheeks. Nothing was going to disturb their moment together.

In a distance, stood a smiling red-haired girl. Walking off, she clasped her hands together, proud of what she had done. Disappearing around the corner, her white wings appeared and expanded. Her clothes were being replaced and the ruby-eyed angel took off into the skies, eager to tell the others of what she had just seen with her own eyes.

Bounded, bounded by the chains of passion. Bounded, bounded by this love fashion (fashion of love). Alas, this is it, I can escape no more. Do I regret now and wish for the life before? Or do I feel that this present is fuller? Truthfully, the present is much more richer…

END

(Response to reviewers)

Sakura16: Yay! Another Umi/Clef fan! Thanks for the review! It encouraged me to update the story. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter!

Oh, and to hyperhealthcritic, if I'm not wrong, the language in which 'Carpe diem' is in is Latin.