Title: Love Me? Part 2.
Konnichiwa! Thanks soooo much to everybody who reviewed! I'm so happy!
Since I've hit five reviews, that means the next chapter is up! On with the fic!
Magic Knight Rayearth belongs to CLAMP, not to me. Don't sue.
Diamondshadow, Yun fei, and Tanoshii-garu: Thanks so much for reviewing! I like that my idea wasn't cast aside.
Faceted Insanity: It's always a good idea to know what something's about before you read a fic of it, but I'm glad you liked it anyways.
"Where exactly are we going, Ascot?"
Ascot didn't know himself. He had been psyching himself up all night the day before to ask Umi out for a walk. What he didn't do was plan beyond the asking stage. He and Umi were walking around in circles.
"Uh, well...we don't really have to GO anywhere, do we?" He said, stalling for time.
"I suppose, but you said, 'would you like to go somewhere with me, Umi?' I thought that was implying that you had a destination in mind."
Ascot gulped. Umi sounded cross. After cursing himself for not thinking things through, he realized the perfect place. "Of course I know where we're going! We're going to Clef's garden."
Umi clapped her hands. "Great, I love it there! The waterfall in Clef's garden helps me relax. That'll be helpful now," she said softly.
"Why do you need to relax?" Ascot asked nervously. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized what a stupid question that was.
Umi didn't answer at first. She didn't want anyone to know why because the answer bothered her. But surely Ascot wouldn't laugh?
"Well...it's my life back on Earth. I know that Clef said that time passes differently here, but what if the barrier is never fixed? And there's this whole thing with my father..." She cleared her throat and looked away. "He thinks...I'm seeing a boy when I go to Tokyo Tower...our docking place," she explained when Ascot made a questioning noise. "But I'm not! The only boy I'm seeing is you."
Ascot blushed. So Umi didn't consider him a boyfriend...
"Hey, aren't we at Clef's garden now?" Umi asked.
Ascot snapped out of his reverie. Umi was pointing at an open door to the left.
"Oh! Uh, right!" He let Umi go first into the enclosure.
Clef's garden was the only place in Cephiro where pets larger than dogs were allowed. Clef's many pets, including Fyula, often stayed in the garden. They loved the plants and the giant waterfall that resided there. Other residents included Lantis' horse and Ascot's 'friends'.
The largest of Ascot's friends, a female whom he had named Dono, was bathing under the waterfall when he and Umi entered the garden. As soon as she saw Ascot, she let out a loud greeting that sent the birds flying.
Ascot grinned. "Hello, Dono! Are you enjoying that?" Dono nodded. She stepped out from under the waterfall and held out a large claw to Umi who touched it gently.
"I recognize you," she said. "Weren't you a lot smaller before?"
Ascot frowned. "She's been eating too much. It's made her fat." Dono growled and pawed the ground threateningly.
Umi giggled. "I'm sure he's just kidding, Dono."
"Would you..." Ascot said.
Umi turned toward him. "Would I what?"
Ascot turned red. "Would you...like to ride her? I'm sure she won't mind..." He turned toward Dono with pleading eyes. "Do you mind?" The giant beast shook her head.
"If it's alright with Dono, I suppose so," Umi said smiling.
Ascot signaled his friend to pick Umi up by raising his hand. Dono nodded and put her hand down on the ground for Umi to step onto. As soon as Umi stepped cautiously onto it, she lifted it up causing Umi to shriek in surprise. "Hey! Not so fast!" she yelled, laughing at the same time.
Dono lifted Ascot with her other hand, placing him up on her head with Umi. "Could you take us to that tree, Dono?" The beast nodded and started to walk toward a very tall peach tree.
After steadying herself, Umi stood up and breathed deeply. "Wow, the air is so much fresher up here!" she said.
Ascot nodded. "It's probably because the waterfall is purifying it. Also, the trees help out a lot."
"Aren't you going to stand, Ascot?"
Ascot stared at her and shook his head. "No, I've fallen off Dono before when I wasn't careful..."
Umi frowned. "Then you'll be more careful this time! Here..." she held out her hand. "I'll steady you."
Ascot blushed. "R-really?"
Umi rolled her eyes, grinning. "Of course, silly. Take my hand!"
Ascot slowly reached out to grab her hand. As Umi pulled him up, he felt his spirits soar. Maybe Umi liked him after all!
Dono, meanwhile, had reached the tree. She reached towards a peach, plucked it, and held it out to Umi. "Thank you, Dono!" Umi said, taking the peach.
Umi held out the peach to Ascot. "No, you can have it," he stammered.
"Oh come on, take some!" she said stubbornly.
Ascot reluctantly took a small bite of the fruit. "Ah...Umi?"he muttered.
"What's up?" she said.
Ascot fiddled with his fingers, trying to figure out how to phrase his question. "When...you said that your father thought you were seeing someone..." he stopped. He didn't know what else to say, but Umi looked like she wanted him to continue. "Why...did he think that...exactly?"
Umi shifted uncomfortably. "Well...I was coming home all happy because I just saw all of you..." Her cheeks were faintly colored pink. "You know, I hardly ever get to see you guys...only once a week."
"Oh..." Ascot said softly. He clenched his fists. The time was now. The atmosphere was perfect. They were alone. There would probably never be another chance. But he couldn't do it yet. He had to see if she would respond well...
Ascot slowly reached out to touch Umi's hand. When she didn't move, he laid his hand on top of hers. Umi gasped softly, causing Ascot to yank his hand back.
"I'm sorry! I'm making you uncomfortable..." he stammered.
Umi shook her head, her heart pounding. "Not really...you just surprised me, Ascot..."
Ascot's heart was pounding as well. He had to do it now! "Umi?"
She turned around. "Yes, Ascot?"
He blushed. No time for cowardice, he thought. Do it now!
"Um...I..." he stammered. "I..."
Do it now!
"I LO..."
"Hello, Umi! Hi Ascot!" a cheery young voice called out.
It was Caldina. She was sitting on a very thick branch in the peach tree. Waving cheerily at them, she was smirking in Ascot's direction.
That...! Ascot thought angrily. She had blown his chance!
"I thought I heard your voices," the charmer girl said, sounding tired. "I was taking a nap in this tree when Ascot yelled and startled me awake."
Ascot could tell by the look on her face that she was lying. "Would you excuse me for a moment, Umi?"he asked through gritted teeth.
Umi started up surprised. Ascot hardly ever got angry. "Wait, what were you going to say to me?
Ascot blushed. "It...It was nothing..." He hurried into the tree, grabbing Caldina who was hastily waving goodbye to the startled Umi.
"What in Kami's name do you think you are DOING!" Ascot yelled when they were out of Umi's hearing.
"I was saying hello," Caldina said unfazed. "I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?"
"You KNEW I was trying to tell Umi that I love her!"
Caldina made a mock gasp. "You mean you ARE in love with her, Ascot? I had, like, NO idea!"
Ascot gasped at the realization at what he had just said and mouthed wordlessly.
"Now, how could I have known that, Ascot?" Caldina continued, still playing with him. "It couldn't be all of the pictures you have of her...or the way that you turn as red as a youzou fruit whenever she's around...or,"
"All right, I get it!" Ascot said, now blushing furiously. He had no idea that he was making it so obvious.
"So I interrupted Ascot's little confession, big deal! You can just do it again! It's no big deal," Caldina said.
"You don't understand!" Ascot replied, close to tears. "That was my big chance!"
Caldina patted him on his back. "No sweat, Romeo. I'll set up another for you!"
"No way, no way! I'm going to this by myself," Ascot said.
"If it matters that much to you, Ascot, why didn't you just tell her even after I barged in?" Caldina said accusingly.
Ascot turned as red as, like Caldina said, a youzou fruit. "I...can't do that...I'm not you," he said softly.
"Why can't you do it?" Caldina asked. "You said it to me, after all."
"That's different," he said, not meeting her eyes. "I don't feel nervous around you...besides, it just slipped out."
Caldina laughed. "Well, just let it 'slip out' around her and you'll be in the clear!" She ran off, still laughing.
Ascot looked in disbelief at her retreating back. It couldn't be that easy...
Could it?