Clef sat in his study reading a velvet red book, enjoying his solitude until Fuu and Hikaru barged into his study. Disturbed he looked up from his read and saw worry in both the magic knight's eyes. He cleared his throat and asked, " Is there something wrong?"

"Its just Umi, we went to visit her when we knocked on the door no answer and the light was still lit in her room. So we entered and couldn't find her anywhere," Hikura nervously said. "We were hoping you'd know where she went."

" Unfortunately no," Clef's expression was still unaffected.

"I know and its not good especially in her condition.
Do you think someone could have taken her?" Fuu looked nervously.

"I believe before we jump to conclusions we should try searching around the palace first, I did not feel the presence of another entity venturing into the palace nor any unexpected visitors." Clef suggested still remaining clam. Hikura and Fuu agreed, they bowed and left the study.

♥♥♥

Umi had her eyes closed for quite a while and a familiar voice whispered into her ear. "So that's where you ran off to." She opens her eyes to find the master mage guru of how to respond. A part of Umi was happy to see him but another part was reluctant that it was him that would save her again, she knew that he wouldn't stop nagging later on. Clef broke the silent by gently taking her into his arms and smiling slightly, "Fuu and Hikaru were worried. You need to rest."

She nodded and he carried her back to her room. They remained silent the whole time until she was settle back on to the bed he started to speak again. "Umi? What were you thinking pulling something as dangerous as that? "his tone changed from calm to a bit agitated. Umi was startled by his tone but looked into his eyes and saw how agonized he must have been.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know the stupid railing would collapse," she screamed but held back tears that were trying to come out.

"That couldn't have been helped about the railing since you disappeared a year ago. Then again all of this commotion could have been prevented if you just listened to me and stayed in bed," he continue.

"I want to go home," she muttered darkly and turned her back to him.

"Umi..," Clef became calm again, " I'm sorry if that sounded harsh but I was concerned. It is my duty to ensure the magic knights the well being of the magic knights."

"Well I am no longer one, Cephiro doesn't need us anymore," she moaned.

"Thats a lie and you know it, Selece needs you and so does Cephiro," after hearing that Umi turns around still tearstained and looked into Clef's eyes.

"Selece.." she muttered and cried on Clef's shoulder. She had suddenly remembered what had happened at the temple of Selece.

"Umi?" he was taken by surprise at first but didn't push her away instead he held her closly while she cried.

When she finally stopped and she pulled away from him. "I should let the others know that you've been located," he was almost at the door when her cry stopped him and he turned around looking back at her.

"Clef, please wait. Could you do me one thing? Send me home please? I have something really important to tend to," she pleaded.

Hearing that he walked back to her and took a seat on the edge of the bed, "Umi, you know I won't especially with you in this condition. I believe we've done enought aruging for the day. What could be so important at home that you'd be this determined?"

"You can use magic, I don't care if it makes it worse I just want it tried at least. I.." she stopped short because a part of her didn't want to confess why she needed to return.

"But like I've said before its risky and I don't want to risk your life."

"I know you don't want to but this is really important to me. You know how Cephiro is your number one priority, well this will affect my career and the people around me."

He sighed reluctantly gave in but with a brief understanding why, "I have a method that doesn't require magic." The Guru's eyes deepen as his mind started to drown in thoughts.

Over 700 years ago the guru was fairly young he was dressed in white robe with his body in the form of one in his mid twenties. He was in the palace garden when he saw a man around the same age walk by with lust black hair tided into a pony tail donning white robes with stars and moons embedded around his belt and around his sleeves then covered by a silky black clock with a golden crescent moon pin binding the outfit together. Clef's sparkling blue eyes met the man's deep brown eyes.

"Talic?" The guru walked towards the man now known as Talic, "Shouldn't you be resting? I didn't mean to injury you yesterday at the trial." His eyes were serious with concern and annoyance that his friend dared to walkout of bed to make him feel more guilty

Talic simply just laughed and smiled at the guru, "You won, I just wanted to congratulate you on the position of guru of Cephiro. You are more suited for the position."

Clef smiled, "Thank you, but you have wanted it more."

Talic shook his head, "No, you defeated me yesterday and besides I don't think I could ever put duty ahead of everything else. I have been offered and accepted a position that better suits me don't you agree that head healer is more appropriate for me?"

Clef's mouth drop he was filled with joy and shock that his childhood best friend and rival would be working close to him. "I have to agree, you are too kind to even hurt anything living. You should be resting, even the last head healer could not fix him within such a little time." His voice changed back to cold.

Talic laughed and handed a small lotus encrusted by sapphire. Clef stared it bewildered about the relevance of the flower he held it closer to his face to examine it more. What was so special about it? Besides being covered by sapphire and what was the meaning of this? "Do explain," Clef asked calmly.

"The flower you are hold is one of a kind, a heirloom of my family. It is the legendary Mysticia. Just one touch from its flower petals will restore one to full health," Talic grinned and carefully slashed a wound upon his white palm with a crimson dagger. Clef's eyes widden and he was about to scream at this friend for going insane when Talic touched one of the petals of the lotus that Clef still held in his hand. A dim blue light admitted from the flower and the wound was surrounded by mini sparkling blue lights. The wound was sealed off and was covered, it appeared as if the wound was never there.

Clef's mouth dropped in shock, "Amazing," he hands the lotus back to Talic who refused it. Clef became stunned.

Talic shook his head, " Keep it, its my gift to you."

Clef stared confused yet again, "What do you mean? I can't keep it, its very important and valuable to your family. Plus to mention I assume you'll be needing it since you will be the head healer." He frowned.

Talic smiled again, "From the looks of things I believe my potion skills and other healing tactics will be I shall need. From the way the pillar is ruling I doubt that I shall be needing it anytime soon. To also mention like all things eventually fade away. Save it for someone dear to your heart," Talic started to walk out of the garden.

"You cannot believe that I will be at peace having such a object," Clef sighed heavily and groaned.

Talic turned around to look at this friend, "If if makes you feel better return it to me one day. You'll know when the right time will be and besides with your position." Talic paused and smiled one more time, "You need hope."

He stares into her ocean blue eyes, "If you promise to come back tomorrow to let me about what happened earlier in the temple of Selece. I won't force you to tell me what troubles, just promise me you will let me know why when you are ready and of course return tomorrow." he smiled slightly. He knew it was pointless to keep pushing her on and the fact was he missed the old Umi.

"Okay, I promise,"

Clef raised his dark staff up in the air and the sapphire lotus that Talic presented to him appeared into his hands. He gently touch her on the knee with one of the petals. Immediately the lotus reacted to the touch and started to glow surrounded the water knight with shimmering blue lights. Then entering into her body and restoring her health.

"I thought you said magic would make it worse?" she said a bit annoyed.

Clef shook his head and closed his eyes. "That wasn't magic, its more natural."

"Why didn't you use it in the firs-" Umi demanded but stopped when she noticed how tired he was. Instead of continuing she goes to his side to checkout his condition, "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, my ears probably need rest the most and I have used quite a large amount of magic today that my mental and physical self desires is some rest I believe its time that you return to your world," he said unemotionally.

Clef nearly blacked out when she sent Umi home, causing her to become more concern as she faded away from Cephiro.

♥♥♥

Hikura and Fuu took a break from searching for Umi, deciding that they needed time to recollect their thoughts and narrow down where she might possibly be. Hikura notices Clef looking exhausted coming from the hall that lead to Umi's quarter. She stopped him.

"Clef did you find Umi? is she okay?" She asked anxiously.

"Indeed I did, I sent her home and I believe that knight of fire and wind shouldn't you both be getting back to your families? If you excuse me I shall retire to my quarter," after that Clef vanished into one of the passages. Neither Fuu or Hikaru tried to stop him nor question him further, both aware of his current condition. That he needed rest.

"Okay I guess we'll see Umi at home," Hikaru said nervously forcing out a smile.

"But don't you find it rather strange that Clef just sent her home? We should ask Umi what happened," Fuu smiled.

"I hope she is okay," Hikura tried to remain hopeful. With that Fuu and Hikura started to walk out to the entrance of the palace but Ascot appeared and drag both of them aside.

"Just a small question, does Umi have a boyfriend in your world?" he whispered with a very anxious look.

"Miss Umi has had a couple but they were never serious to her."

"Oh I see what you are up to Ascot!" Hikura soon developed cat ears and cat tail temporary. While Ascot blushed.

"Oh I see, does Miss Umi know yet?" Fuu smiled.

"Maybe. But I have never told her myself and I'm not sure if she feels the same," Ascot answered.

Fuu smiled kindly, "Then perhaps its time you let her know. Its better to let her know, I know its hard to deal with rejection but there is a chance that she might feel that way and you will never know if you don't try and you should try at least because if you don't then your opportunity fades away and you'll end up regretting it in the end that you didn't try."

Hikura nodded in agreement, "I agree, it would be nice to see Umi with someone. I feel guilty when I'm off with Lantis abandoning her alone."

Fuu could relate to that feeling, "I know how you feel Hikura, if you need help setting up the moment, you can count on us since we are one of her best friends in the world."

"I'm sure we can help with that," Hikura insisted now determined to set those two up. Hikura's expression scared Ascot slightly. Fuu just nodded.

"Anyways we'll try something in a week okay? Anyways we need to get home and we should make sure her work schedule gives her time," with that Fuu and Hikura vanished.