Hello everyone! I am back! Please hold your applause I'm blushing. Anyway I'm sorry for the delay on getting the second chapter posted, I'm afraid school has once again taken hold of my life. Sigh Well enough about the woes of my life, but before I get to the story I'd like to address a few things. Narri-chan yes I love Tamora Pierce she is one of my favorite authors, but sadly the idea of a trickster god came to me from the Norse myths (aka Loki and what not). Lodur, my name, is actually: "the name of Loki as a friendly power." But if you wish to do some fanart I'd love it. Oh and thank all you other reviewers your reviews have been a nice salve on my battered ego thank you. Now onward and upwards!!

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"Ppppiiiirrrruuuuuu! PPPPPPIIIIRRRRUUUU!! PIRU!!!"

"What?"

"Piru you need to tell me what has happened."

"What?"
"You need to tell me what the others are planning."

"Why?"

"Because you need to know."

"Who are you?"

"I'm you."

"You're me?"

"Yes."
"Okay, let me get this straight, the voice that suddenly appeared in my head is myself. And I need to tell myself what is going on. Because for some odd reason I was gone while everything happened. Did I leave anything out?"

"No."

"All right . . . so who are you again?"

"I'm you!"

"You're me."

"Yes."

"Why do I not believe this?"

"Piru! Just tell me!"

"Alright fine. You, or should I say I, don't need to get all pissy about it."

"Tell me!!"

"Fine. In the beginning the earth was void and all—"

"Damn it Piru!"

"No you're Piru."

"No you're Piru."

"Then who are you?"

"I'm you."

"Then you're Piru!"

"No you're Piru!"

"Then who are you?"

"I'm you!!!"

"Wait if you're me and I'm Piru, then you too must be Piru, since you are me."

"Yes!"

"No!"

"What?"

"You are annoying and I'm getting tired so you are going to leave. Good bye."

"Wait!!"

Piru opened her eyes and saw Clef staring down at her.

"Have a nice dream?" He asked.

"Definitely." Piru answered smirking.

Fuu was nervous. Here she was standing in the middle of a crowded ballroom feeling like a sitting duck. Hikaru and Lantis had insisted that Fuu attend the ball tonight. It was the first one being held since the Queen's disappearance. Prince Ferio didn't want to hold it, but even Clef had insisted this time.

"We have to show them that we are still strong. We need to show them that the kingdom hasn't fallen apart."

Fuu hated it when he was right.

Especially if it means me standing here in the middle of a ballroom surrounded by people who already hate me. If I wanted to be hated and ignored I would have stayed home.

Suddenly the ballroom went quiet as the footman, who announced the arrival of new guests, stepped out and banged his staff twice on the floor.

"My Lords! My Ladies! Announcing his Grace the Duke of Gloucester!"

A handsome young man with short light blue hair and pale skin stepped into the ballroom. A feint frown dominated his face, he surveyed the room. Suddenly his eyes caught Fuu's and they locked gazes. Fuu was surprised that even at the distance they were at she could see amusement cross his face. She quickly broke eye contact her face blushing scarlet. The handsome Duke began to slowly weave his way through the ballroom towards Fuu.

Oh no!

Fuu thought as she felt panic rise in her. Fighting it down she watched as the Duke came towards her. He was not dressed in the latest fashion, which dictated that men wear tight breeches that stop below the knee and neck ruffs that made them look like a ballerina with dyslexia. Instead he wore a white shirt with a little lace at the neck and cuffs. A light blue doublet with a picture of a dragon embroidered in silver on it. A dark blue frock coat and brown breeches and boots completed the outfit. It wasn't much, for someone who was suppose to be a Duke it was actually quite plain. But what the Duke lacked in lace he made up with in confidence, he wore it like a second skin. Causing all the Ladies around him to swoon. All the young Ladies in the ballroom instantly feel in love with him, while the older more experienced ones smiled open invitations. But the comely Duke noticed none of this. He had an intense look on his face and all his attention seemed to be focused on reaching Fuu.

"My Lady." The Duke said as he bowed over her hand. Startled Fuu stared at the Duke a slight thrill went through her. Until realization hit, she knew those mischievous blue eyes!

"Umi?"

"Umi? No I'm sorry I'm afraid you have me mistaken for another my dear Lady. My name is Richard the Duke of Gloucester."

"Oh I'm sorry I though you were . . . someone else."

"I'm sure. Now tell me Lady Fuu do you dance?" He asked smiling. Fuu couldn't help but blush at the charm that seemed to ooze from this man.

"Yes." She held out her hand and the Duke spun her out onto the dance floor.

"Umi is that really you?" She asked carefully as they merged with the other dancers.

"Sadly yes. I didn't realize that I made such a handsome man, and that's measuring by the evil jealous looks that are being shot in our direction."

"I noticed. Some of those Ladies nearly fainted you know."

"Yes, not exactly the reaction a person wants on her coming out you know."

"Well most girls who are coming out don't dress in drag."

"True." Umi said chuckling.

"Now why are you here?"

"Why for you and his Highnesses protection of course."

"Protection? I thought my coming here was protection enough?"

"Hardly, from what I've learned about your sister she is a very determined woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wants."

"No kidding I never noticed." Fuu said her voice dripping with sarcasm. Umi's eyes filled with amusement and she smiled her charming devil-may-care smile. Fuu once again felt that slight thrill run through her.

"You know you look and act like a handsome Duke a little too well for my liking."

She said glaring at Umi.

"Now, now Fuu that is no way to treat the person who may of just saved your life."

"What?"

"His highness was rumored to have a lover, which everyone assumed was you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you have been seen in the Prince's company more often than Lantis, and you were seen leaving his chambers at the wee hours of the morning. Which in conclusion means that you are the Prince's rumored lover."

"Wonderful."

"Yes and no. By having this rumor your sister knows exactly where you are. Now don't panic." Umi said firmly when she felt Fuu stiffen in her arms. "That is a good thing. It means that your sister will quit sending hit men after you."

"How is that? I thought the whole point of those hit men was to find me and well . . . hit me."

"Exactly."

"What?"

"They were looking for you not to kill you just to find you and take you home. Now they don't have to find you."

"Wow you know Umi you're a credit to the enemy."

"Let me finish. Your sister now thinks, with the help of the Duke of Gloucester, that you are drowning in court politics. Thus you are other wise occupied and out of her hair."

"I still don't—" Fuu was cut off by the end of the song. They politely bowed and or curtsied to each other. Umi then captured Fuu's and placed it in the crock of her elbow, she then lead her out onto the balcony.

"Your sister is holed up in her fortress which is smack dap in the middle of your lands. And no matter how hard Clef tries he can't get through her magical protections." She said softly as they reached the safety of the balcony.

"How did you—"

"Not important. What is is the distraction you cause the Prince. Right now he is head over heels in love with you. If he thinks that a new suitor has come to win your hand he will stop at nothing to stop this from happening. Now your sister thinks that not only the Prince but Clef is distracted and she will swoop in here like a vulture leaving herself vulnerable."

"Do you really think it will happen that way?" Fuu said with doubt in her voice.

"No, but it's a nice theory."

"So then what is the real plain?"

"That is the real plain."

"What?!"

"Yeah it's the best we could come up with in such short notice. It can work because while all this drama is happening Clef will stop his attacks on your sister's fortress. Which will lead her to the conclusion that Clef has let his guard down."

"Which means that she will make a mistake."

"Exactly. Sadly right now it's all we got." Umi looked over Fuu's shoulder and saw a tide of doom coming to crash down on them. "Here comes the Prince and boy does he look angry. I hope that Clef told him about the ruse."

"Lady Fuu. Duke Gloucester." Ferio said acidly.

"I guess not." Umi muttered under her breath.

"You're Highness." Fuu said covering up Umi's mutter.

"You're Highness." Umi echoed bowing.

"Lady Fuu I was hoping that you would honor me with a dance." He said glaring at Umi. Who was having one hell of a time keeping a straight face.

"Of course." Ferio smiled at this and took Fuu's hand, leading her back into the ballroom. Umi quickly turned away from prying eyes and let out a muffled snort of laughter.

They'll probably interpret that as anger. Oh well that's why I'm here after all.

As Umi stared out to the garden a smile slowly crossed her face.

I hope Fuu explains to Ferio about all this or I may very well find myself in a duel, and something tells me that Ferio would win. Umi let out a soft sigh. Such a lovely night the moon is full, soft music is playing in the background, the roses are in bloom. It almost makes you want to throw up.

A sudden image of the Master Mage flashed across Umi's brain, causing her to blush.

Damn it! Why is that in my head?! He doesn't like me! I mean I don't like him. He's only using me to protect the kingdom, nothing more.

"Umi?" A soft baritone said behind her.

Oh no. Someone up there really hates me don't they.

Slowly Umi turned around, and standing there was the Master Mage.

Damn it!!

"Clef what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how well you faired against the Prince."

"Yes, I really need to thank you for telling the Prince all about the ruse. I mean because the Prince is a very good actor it almost looked like he wanted me to burst into flames." Clef gave Umi a sheepish grin.

"Well I thought it would be better if the Prince didn't know about it. I'm afraid that the Prince isn't a very good actor."

"What?"

"If the Prince was to know about the trick we are pulling he would blow it. He can't lie to save his life."

"Wonderful that makes him an ideal candidate for the throne."

"I know we are still working on that, not that an honest man wouldn't be refreshing in this court."

"Yeah the corruption is a little stifling."

"Sharks couldn't teach these people anything new." Umi softly laughed at this, turning back to look out at the garden. It wouldn't do for anyone to see her talking to the Master Mage like this. Umi wanted rumors but she wanted to control the rumors, not be controlled by them.

"You do need to tell the Prince soon or I'm going to have to get a new wardrobe; and that would be most inconvenient since I heard it's harder than hell to find a shirt to match the sword sticking out of your chest."

"It wont go that far."

"Yeah right you did see how he was glaring at me right." Out of the corner of her eye Umi say Clef lean against the balcony's banister. He was still facing the ballroom.

"The Prince will not call you out."

"Sure you keep that thought. While I listen to the rumors that will soon be circulating around about Fuu and me."

"Umi! Are you saying you would ruin Fuu's reputation?"

"Please Clef I'm hurt! You actually think I need to make anything up?" Umi snorted. "The morons of the court will do that job for me. Which I'd like to point out is the whole point of me dressing like this."

"Yes you do make a handsome man."

"Thanks that is exactly what a girl wants to hear." Out of the corner of her eye Umi could see Clef smile. She felt her heart race at the sight, she also felt herself blush.

Stupid treacherous hormones! He just smiled!

"Here comes the Prince again." Clef said quietly.

"Wonderful just remember. I don't want to be a hat rack."

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Alright that is the end of that chapter. I hope you like it! Yes and I have a little background info for anyone who wants to read it.

Piru: (Peer-oo) A name of the Finnish devil or evil principle. AKA a kind of low grade trickster like a raven or crow.

Silklands: It is where Fuu and Hikaru are from. Think of it like Asia.

Okay that is it! I'm sorry that this is so short I'll make the next one longer hopefully it will be out around the end of Jan. or the beginning of Feb. But I make no promises!