-Dodges projectiles- Hey! I was only waiting for more reviews. I've also had an annoying bout of writer's block, which normally I don't get. But, I think I may have a couple of ideas, so please continue reading!
Magic Knight Rayearth doesn't belong to me, it belongs to CLAMP. On with the story!
The ball continued spendidly, putting all of its attendees in a good mood. Guru Clef provided entertainment as one of his smaller pets, a creature similar to a firefly, put on a fantastic light show that covered the dance floor with flashing multicolored orbs. Hikaru danced with nearly everybody, mostly with Lantis, and retreated to the snack table whenever she got tired.
"Hikaru, aren't you worried about eating too much?" Presea called.
Hikaru nodded, gulping down a roasted fish. "I'm just doing this to keep up my strength for more dancing!" she called out.
Presea chuckled, accepting Clef's invitation to dance.
Umi and Ascot were the stars of the dance floor. In the right clothes, Umi felt more confident than an actress on stage. She showed Ascot a couple of dancing pointers, much to the delight of all who watched them. Umi had dances to show them that nobody had ever seen before.
"Now, this is called the Waltz," Umi told Ascot, drawing from her great knowledge of sophisticated dances.
Ascot scratched his head. "Why do they call it that?" he asked. Umi shrugged, utterly baffled. "I truly have no clue," she stated. "I assume because 'waltz' is another word for walking casually."
Ascot made a noise to indicate he understood, even though he didn't.
"First...you...uh..." Umi floundered. She had forgotten most of her waltzing lessons. She avoided embarrassment by saying, "we'll move on to the waltz later. It's a bit hard." She went on to a dance she knew quite well. "This is the Tango. And no, I don't know why they call it that," she said, cutting Ascot off. Their audience laughed appreciatively. "First, you take your partners hand like this," she said, taking Ascot's hand.
Ascot blushed. He still turned red whenever Umi made physical contact with him.
Umi made to press her body against Ascot's. "H-hey, what do you think you're doing?" Ascot protested.
"This is how you Tango," Umi giggled. "You hold your partner's hand keeping close contact and you move from one side of the room to the other."
Ascot gulped. "Why don't you demonstrate by yourself first?"
Umi shook her head, smiling. "Ah, but that's against the rules. It takes two to Tango."
This was completely new to Ascot. He assumed she was making it up.
"Just trust me," Umi said, smiling in a way that melted his heart like heat melted butter. Trusting her, he thought, is one thing I can do. He let her arrange herself in the correct position. "Now, move your feet with me, your right foot first."
Ascot got confused and moved his left foot, causing him to step on Umi's. She yelped in pain.
"Ah! I'm sorry! Are you alright? Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry!" Ascot cried out frantically. Umi cradled her foot, trying to stop the pain. Ascot was a lot stronger than he looked. Unexpectedly, she started to laugh.
Oh no, Ascot though. She's hysterical.
"I'm fine..." Umi said with difficulty through her laughter. "It's all right," she continued.
"But, your foot..."
She burst out laughing again.
"I didn't mean to step on it, I wasn't listening, and I won't do it again." Ascot said frantically.
Umi held her laughter back. He didn't think it was funny. "I'm really all right," she said reassuringly. "See," she said standing up. "I can walk. No permanent damage." Then she put her weight on it and the pain came back, showing in her face. "But I do need to sit down for awhile," she admitted, walking towards a bench.
"I'll sit with you," Ascot volunteered, following her.
"I must say, you were my best pupil!" Umi said, after they sat down. She neglected to mention that he was her only pupil, but Ascot appreciated the compliment.
"You think?" he said, blushing with pleasure and embarrassment.
"Of course!" Umi said. "You only stepped on my foot once and you did everything I told you to." She smiled again.
Ascot turned even redder, focusing his attention on the dancers to avoid Umi's eyes.
"Well...I could trust you," he finally said. "That made it easier." He looked back at her. "How's your foot?"
Umi tested it. "I think I can walk now," she said.
"That's good," Ascot said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Are you ready to dance some more?"
Umi shook her head. "Not just yet. It's nice sitting with you like this."
Ascot's heart fluttered. He repeated what she just said in his head over and over again to confirm that it was real.
Slowly he reached out to put his hand on hers. This time, Umi let him do it.
Umi was distracted watching Ferio and Fuu dance together. Ferio was saying something, but she couldn't hear. Whatever it was, Fuu looked very happy hearing it. Umi noticed that she was wearing the ring that Ferio had given her during their first meeting. Shesighed wistfully. They looked so happy together.
Ascot's thoughts for once were not on Umi. He was searching for Caldina. He had not seen her since the beginning of the dance. This was a surprise. She was normally the center of attention at events like these, showing off her talents.
He finally caught her sitting in the far corner talking to Dal La Farga. They were acting awfully friendly. She was even blushing faintly.
That's good, Ascot thought. While she's distracted, maybe I can get through this night without incident. His thoughts were interrupted by Umi suddenly leaning against him. She placed her hands around his arm and squeezed it softly. Ascot was in complete bliss and in utter confusion. Why would Umi do that? Could she...
She spoke softly, sounding distracted. "You know...I think sometimes..." she stopped. After a short silence, she continued. "I think sometimes...about love. I wonder...if I'll ever be like Fuu. You know, if I'll ever find my prince."
Ascot looked at her, inwardly surprised. He had the presence of mind not to show his surprise though. "I...I'm sure you will," he said, drawing her closer hesitantly. What if she turned him away? She didn't. In fact, if anything, she snuggled closer.
"You really think so?" Umi whispered.
Ascot nodded, hugging her. "I know so," he said. Where on earth was this confidence coming from? It felt natural to comfort her like this. "In fact," he continued, completely sure of himself, "I bet that the right guy is right there in front of you." He winced. It was such a cheesy line; she'd see through it instantly. However, Umi didn't comment. She seemed tired.
She looked up at Ascot, gratitude showing in her bright blue eyes. "Thank you, Ascot," she said. "Even if you're just saying that, it means a lot."
He looked down, murmuring that it wasn't a big deal. The music started up again, this time to a slower beat. The couples started to pair up on the dance floor. Umi looked up, something in her eyes that Ascot couldn't quite place.
"Good, it's a slow dance," Umi said. "That'll be alright." She turned to Ascot. "What do you think? Want to dance?"
Ascot nodded, all reluctance gone from his mind. All he knew was that Umi wanted to dance with him and he certainly wouldn't refuse her.
After the ball was over, nearly everyone had left. The magic knights were still there, along with Caldina and Ascot, helping to clean up. Ascot felt that this night was a complete waste. He still hadn't told Umi how he felt. Caldina suddenly popped up behind him, holding out to him a very familiar object.
"You dropped your hat," she said cheerfully. "Although," she continued after Ascot had taken the hat from her, "you look better without it."
Ascot sighed. If Caldina was trying to cheer him up, it wasn't working.
"Oh, what's the matter?" she asked him, putting on a mock frown. "You got closer to Umi, didn't you?"
Ascot shook his head. "I still didn't tell her..."
Caldina laughed. "But I saw you two cuddling. I assumed that you told her." Ascot blushed, remembering how natural comforting her felt...
"Why don't you tell her now?" Caldina asked. "Hardly anybody's here. Just the magic knights, you, and me!"
Ascot jumped in surprise. "I suppose...but...you'd..." he stammered.
"Don't be silly, I won't stop you!" Caldina laughed. "Now come on!" She dragged Ascot over to where the magic knights were talking. "Umi, Ascot has something to tell you!" she said, pushing the struggling Ascot toward her.
Umi smiled at him. "What is it, Ascot?"
Ascot froze. Everybody had turned around to watch what was going on. They only numbered four, but Ascot felt as if a whole crowd of people were watching him.
"Uh...Umi...I...I..." he started to speak. He closed his mouth.
"Yes?" Umi asked. He had gotten like this the last time he tried to tell her something. She assumed that it had to be important or Ascot wouldn't be so nervous.
"I...I..." He couldn't take it. "I can't say it! Not with all of you here!" He turned and ran out of the room. Caldina sighed, frustrated beyond belief, and followed him.
"That was strange," Fuu commented. "Why would he go through the trouble of coming over here to tell you something just to run away?"
Hikaru watched him leave. "Yeah, what could be that important, Umi?"
Umi stood still, looking at the spot where Ascot stood. For a second there, she thought, he almost looked like a knight...
"Umi?" Hikaru asked. "I said, what could be that important?"
Umi snapped out of her trance. "Sorry, Hikaru, what was that?" Hikaru sighed and repeated the question. Umi shrugged. "I have no idea...no idea at all..."
"Ascot, you coward!" Caldina yelled after she'd caught up with him. "Why didn't you tell her?"
Ascot rounded on her. "I'll tell you! You put me in an impossible situation! How in Kami's name could I have said how I felt?! Everyone was watching!" His eyes showed anger and despair.
"Ascot..." Caldina began. "If she really means that much to you...you should be able to tell her even WITH everyone watching." She tossed her hair. "If you have the courage to do that, you can do anything." With that, she left.
Ascot left also, angry and confused. Did Caldina really want him to do that? All of the evidence said that she did...
Did she just want him to make a fool of himself?
This is the fourth chapter! I hope that you enjoyed it.
There will be one or two more chapters after this one and then that marks the end of the story. Sorry, but this was made to be a short one and I don't think I could stretch it out beyond six chapters.
Until then, sayonara!