A/N: Sorry about the delay, I've been kinda neglecting this fic again. I'll try to update more often, but I can make no guarantees.

Chapter Fourteen

Umi paced the gardens, lost in the thought. That was how Eagle found her, and he grinned to himself. So beautiful, yet so deadly. He would see the end of the Water Knight if it was the last thing he did. He would see the Guru's downfall and his rise, next to the Princess of Fire. He tried not to smile, but look concerned as he entered and neared the Water Knight. "Umi-hime," he put anguish in his words, and the lie was convincing, so convincing it even surprised him. He tried not to grin at his accomplishments but put a worried look on his face.

"Stay away from me," Umi warned, and his eyes filled with pain.

"Gomen nasai, Umi-hime, for whatever I've done, but…I didn't know you would react this way from the Guru's…mind games…" he shook his head and looked hesitantly toward the Palace. The last thing he wanted was for the Guru to sneak up on him and be leaning over his shoulder while he whispered words of mistrust into the Water Knight's ears. And the Guru did tend to have a nasty habit of doing just that.

"What are you talking about Eagle?" she demanded, her eyes flaring in terror or…rage? He tried to keep back a grin; this was going to be fun… "The only one playing mind games is you."

"Umi-hime, I would never endanger you. You have to know that, you above all of the girls. I would never dare to hurt you, I-I love you too greatly…" his eyes shot down, and Umi looked at him in curiosity.

"What?" she whispered. Was this a trap? Was this a mind game gone wrong? But the sincerity in his eyes feels so real. What if it had been Clef? What if…No! Her mind scolded her fiercely. But it could have been, Eagle did leave. It might have been Clef. But something deep inside told her there was something about Clef that wouldn't let her believe that. Well then…what if it was a fluke? What if I just passed out in exhaustion? Yes, that could be it…that could be…He was so handsome, the smooth curves of his face were enough, but he had gorgeous brown eyes that held depths she suddenly wished to travel. His light brown hair fell over those eyes gently. Perfectly shaped hands came to swipe the unruly hair from his eyes. He couldn't be out to get her. If he was why didn't he just kill her here? He had to be in love with her, he wouldn't use that as a trap.

"I love your smile and the way you move. I love your strength, your fire. There's nothing I don't love about you H…Umi-hime."

Umi didn't notice the slip; she was lost in the words that no one had ever spoken to her. She was lost in a lie, and she didn't realize it. A deadly lie.

*

Something stirred in Clef, the comings of something dark. He looked out the window and shook his head, "Whatever has come to Cephiro, it is not good."

*

Hikaru looked toward the mountains and sighed; she was restless since Umi-chan's flight from the table. Eagle, evil? What could it mean? Clef wouldn't speak to her on it, and when she had approached Lantis he had merely told her that Eagle was a little stressed with his past memories. Lantis and Eagle were best friends; they always had been. What was it that was making Lantis stare so hatefully at his dearest friend?

She shook her head and tried to understand, but everything was clouded by her love for Eagle.

There was a tap on her door, and Hikaru ran to get it. She smiled warmly when she saw Fuu and permitted her entrance. The two just stared at one another for a long time before they embraced and squealed.

"It is so good to see you're back!" Hikaru shouted, and Fuu grabbed her arms and nodded emphatically.

"It is good to be back. I don't remember not remembering, but not remembering you…or…Ferio or anyone…it must have been dreadful," Fuu shook her head and her golden locks fell around her shoulders in waves.

"It was terrible just seeing you not remember," Hikaru admitted.

"I just wish Umi-san would remember too," Fuu hung her head, and Hikaru pulled her chin up.

"Umi-chan will remember," she said determinedly. "She always was the most stubborn person I'd ever met."

Fuu grinned and nodded, hugging Hikaru again before they both sat on her bed and began to speak of the old days. They tried to avoid the touchy subject of the evil lurking somewhere in Cephiro. They could feel all life in Cephiro, and everything they heard or felt screamed danger, but they would not speak of it, not yet. They would hold it off as long as they could and speak of only good thoughts until the point where they could not hide it any longer. Until then, they were determined to keep themselves and their people safe and content.

*

"Umi-hime, gomen nasai," he reached in and kissed her deeply. At first she protested, but there was something hypnotizing in the way he kissed. The way his hands gently caressed the small of her back. He knew how to please, and she fell into the kiss, wanting it almost as much as she thought he wanted it. She didn't fight back, didn't protest.

When they broke away she was shocked and abashed. "Well," she whispered softly, turning her head to hide her confusion. "Um…"

"I was rash, gomen nasai," he bowed, and she shook her head and waved her hands.

"N-no, I mean…you were rash, but…it's okay," she protested, almost wanting to kiss him again. What am I thinking? But that was nice, and he's so genuine. Why couldn't he like me? Just because no one else has doesn't mean he couldn't. Things are different here, and I have a feeling I'm a different person here.

"I just didn't want you to think it was me. Onegai, it wasn't me," he begged, holding his hands to her, and she nodded.

"I believe you."

*

There was a shudder in the water that both of them felt. "It has begun," Hikaru looked up slowly, and Fuu nodded.

"But the water…" she felt as if that meant something deeper.

"Do you think…?" Hikaru couldn't finish; Fuu shook her head, knowing what she would say.

"She's still alive; we would certainly feel that. Somehow, I think she's in danger, but…I can't be sure," Fuu tried to puzzle it out, but there was nothing. She didn't have enough information.

"I feel as if we can't help her though, as if she can only help herself," Hikaru looked to the floor. "Maybe we should check on her."

"But Clef said that we should let her cool down first. Even Ascot retreated when she screamed at him. I think he's still upset over it. We tried to tell him it wasn't him; it was just her mood but he wouldn't listen to reason," Fuu threw herself onto Hikaru's bed, her dress spreading out underneath her. "Do you remember when we were young, and Emeraude-hime was pillar? Do you remember when we could just play for hours and never be bothered? I wish it were like that now Hikaru-san. I wish things were simple again," Fuu slowly sat up as Hikaru nodded.

"But we are Princess' and Magic Knights, and we owe our allegiance to our country. I wouldn't change that, I just…" Hikaru couldn't find the right words.

"Need peace," Fuu finished, and Hikaru nodded again.

*

Clef shuddered as he felt the presence of evil over Cephiro. It was stronger now; it had gained another foothold. It had gained something of influence over someone very powerful. He shook his head; his blue eyes were more clouded than ever.

"Guru," Presea bowed as she entered the room, and he turned and smiled at her. "I fear that…that something is dreadfully wrong with Umi-hime…"

"What?" Clef's eyes narrowed. Could this be the darkness he felt?

"She's…not herself," Presea tried to explain, but she was confused. "She chased Ascot out of the gardens in a rage only an hour ago, but now she's come back from them. Only, she's not alone."

"What do you mean? Presea, what's wrong?" Clef questioned. Whatever was wrong with Umi had to be the thing that was troubling Cephiro.

"You told him to stay away from her, but he did not heed your word. Umi-hime walked out holding Eagle's hand," Presea grimaced when he roared in anger.

"What?"

"I saw it myself Guru Clef," she bowed again quickly. "And Ascot did as well. He will not leave his rooms. You must talk to her; she's not listening to sense from anyone else. She swears that he means her no harm, but Guru, I saw the darkness in his eyes. He isn't himself either."

"I will do this, as quickly as possible. Arigato Presea," he dismissed her, and she bowed once more before she left. He looked at Cephiro once more before he said a quick prayer to Emeraude and left the room in search of Umi.

*

"Guru Clef will have me thrown from the palace for this," Eagle whispered in her ear as they saw Presea turn and head straight for his chambers.

"Nonsense," Umi waved it off, but winced when she heard Clef's voice behind them.

"What is the meaning of this?" his voice was a low whisper but angry enough to kill. When they turned Umi met razors in his eyes.

"You only said he was evil to hide what you were doing yourself!" Umi screamed suddenly. No…her mind said calmly. No, remember? Clef didn't do it; it was an accident. What am I thinking?

Eagle kept in the smirk, soon…

"Umi-hime, does that even sound close to what I would do?" Clef asked calmly. "I would never willingly endanger any of you, but you least of all. I am one your Protectors!"

"How am I supposed to know what you're capable of! I don't even remember ever knowing you!" she screamed, and Clef tried not to wince.

But you did know him, he was the same person in college. People's personalities and character traits don't change just because their memories are erased. He was caring then and there; he was the nicest person you knew. You just can't trust anyone, her mind taunted. Not true, she spat back at it I trusted Hikaru and Fuu…at least I think I did. And I trust Eagle.

Do you trust him or do you lust for him? Her mind countered. You lust for any comfort because you've had none. Why don't you admit it? You don't know whom to trust.

Clef saw the battle in her eyes, the flickering from good to bad, right to wrong. She wasn't even aware of the two sets of eyes on her. Eagle's were angry, and Clef's were worried.

"Umi-hime, I'm sorry that you don't remember, but that is not my fault," Clef said patiently.

"No," she shook her head. "It's not…"

"Eagle," Clef turned to the man, and he tried to contain his rage. "You will drop Umi-hime's hand and leave the palace, immediately."

"No!" Umi screamed, enraged once more. "You can't do that!"

"I can and I will," Clef answered evenly.

"Why? Do you want to see me miserable? He's the only one who understands!" Umi defended him, and Eagle once again maintained a miserable look, a look of fear. Clef caught the hidden smugness, the egotism. He wanted to strangle Eagle, wanted to destroy him, but as a fellow Protector he couldn't raise a finger to him. He could, however, shun him from the palace. He could do that, and if that was the only way he could protect the Knights he would. He would force Eagle from the palace and hopefully that would keep them safe, or at least buy them some more time. Clef knew one thing though; Eagle had become danger. There was something that had corrupted his heart, and he couldn't stand to have him near the one he protected.

"He is only using you," Clef told her flatly. "He is only trying to get to you, and I'm not sure why, but he is."

"Why do you say this Guru Clef?" Eagle put offense into his voice and commented himself on his talent of lying.

"Because I can see right through you," when Clef looked at him he held back a shudder, because he knew the Master Mage could see through him.

Very well, let him see he thought bitterly, nothing is going to stop me from killing the one he loves. Nothing.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hikaru demanded as she and Fuu walked into the gardens. She put on her most regal tone and looked around questioningly. Fuu shook her head and let her green-flecked eyes bore into Eagle's. There was something wrong in his eyes, but she knew Hikaru would never listen to her.

"Clef is trying to send Eagle from the palace!" Umi shouted, knowing that Eagle protected Hikaru. She knew that much; she had gathered that much. There was no way Hikaru would permit Eagle to leave the palace. She smiled in triumph when Hikaru shook her head and responded sharply.

"Impossible."

Eagle smiled warmly at her, and she looked at him and Umi curiously. He shook his head quickly, and Umi felt it behind her.

Did he just deny kissing you-loving you? No, couldn't be…but…he definitely shook his head, and Hikaru definitely asked with her eyes.

Is this a trap? Is he playing games? What's going on?

"I agree with Guru Clef," Fuu said softly, and Hikaru's eyes grew wide as she turned to look at Fuu.

"What?" Hikaru whispered.

"I think that if Eagle is in love with Umi-san he should not be permitted to protect you. You should release him of his duties. In doing so, he cannot be permitted to stay in the palace any longer," Fuu said practically, and Clef admired her wisdom and nodded his approval. This would prove what Eagle was really after.

"No!" Eagle shouted, and Umi's eyes narrowed. "Hikaru, please, don't release me. I don't want to be separated from you. Please," he begged, and Umi turned to stare into his brown eyes. It seemed she was extremely mistaken whom he truly cared for.

That's it Clef thought to himself. He wants Hikaru. He's always wanted Hikaru, but…this is serious.

"I…do you love her Eagle?" Hikaru asked. She knew if he did there was no way he could remain her Protector. Once a Protector fell in love there was no way he could keep his eyes on the one he protected any longer, unless, of course, the one he loved was the one he protected.

"No Hikaru, I love only my duty to you," he answered, and Umi threw up her hands.

"Release him anyway, I knew something was wrong," then turned and ran from the group once more. She would never find someone to share her heart with. She needed to be alone, that was the only place she was safe.

"Umi-hime," Clef sighed and ran after her. Fuu turned back to Hikaru whose eyes were plagued with doubt. She…could she release him?

"Hikaru," Eagle didn't need to pretend to beg.

"Eagle, I'm not sure what it is…what you've done, but…I must…at least suspend you from your duties, for now…only for now…" she couldn't turn her eyes from the anguish reflected in his eyes. She hated doing this to him, but she had no other choice. She had to protect her people, and if this was the only way…First Clef, now Fuu, there is something terribly wrong with him. "You must leave the palace."

*

She slammed her hand into her chair, "You have failed again Eagle!" she screamed. "And let the Water Knight slip through your hands! You had her! All you had to do was convince her to get that Mage dog off of your trail, and we would have been triumphant, but you got caught! You are more stupid than I thought possible!"

"I am only suspended milady, I'll work my way into Hikaru's good graces once more. She cannot go without me for long; she is…" How could he put into words what she was? "She is caring."

"Caring," she scoffed and shook her head but nodded. "Once more Eagle, once more and then you will have failed me for the last time. I do not take failure very well, but for you I will allow one more chance. If you fail again do not come back."

"Very well, thank you milady," he bowed and disappeared, off to find a way back into Hikaru's eyes and back into the palace of Cephiro. Then, then he would finally have her, just where he wanted her.