-staggers in- I… I did it! It's done! Aren't you proud of me? Are you absolutely totally shocked that I actually managed to come out with another chapter?

–rubs aching fingers- It was so hard to write… and it really didn't come out that well… but I needed to get past this before I can continue on… hopefully now the chapters won't be as quite hard to write….

Review Responces:

Umi-chan3: I know, aren't they cute? -pets Clef-

Shimmering Rose Petals: Um... probably about 18-19... -sweatdrops- A little young to be getting married... but... it's a fanfic, ok? It doesn't have to be realistic... -sweatdrops again and hides under table-

Padme5: Thanks. I believe it will turn out different... I've got some plans -chuckles evily-

Lunacy Fringe: Thanks!

Seishin-Kakumei: Thanks! I'm honored! I know, Clemi rocks, doesn't it?

Silvanus16: -eyes get big- Really? I'm extremely flattered... Thanks!

jadehaku: Thanks! I keep thinking that the characters are OOC, but everyone keeps telling me they're not...

Wow, seven reviews... -eyes bug out- Wow... I hope everyone has stayed with me, and that I'll get some reviews for this chapter... -bows- And now...

Chapter Three

--Umi's Dreamscape--

There was someone there, in the dream, this time. Umi's eyes widened and she blinked.

It was a woman.

That was… odd. She had never really thought of the voice as being a woman, yet somewhere inside she understood that this woman was here to represent that voice. The woman had long, silken, jet-black hair, and an extremely thin, almost emaciated body.

"What do you want?" Umi demanded; her arms crossed across her chest, attempting to hide the slight trembling of her hands. The women casually glanced up, her gaze sharpening on Umi's face. Umi swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. The woman's eyes were a pale, pale gold, expressionless and cold.

"To continue our little discussion… that was so… rudely interrupted." A nasty smirk flashed across the woman's face, and the Magic Knight said nothing, just pressed her lips slightly together. The dark haired woman advanced toward her, her feet making a hard thudding noise, though it appeared that she walked on only the shadows. Umi slowly retreated despite herself.

There were very few people that could inspire this kind of fear in the short-tempered Water Knight. In fact, Umi could think of no one else… besides her."I do believe that we were discussing… the man that you… love." The woman continued.

"I don't… love anyone. Not in the way that you mean." She whispered, trying to convince herself as much as the other woman. And they both knew it. The woman smirked again, yellow eyes glinting.

"Uh-huh."Now the voice sounded slightly amused. "Do you really believe that? I wouldn't, if I were you… It's actually pretty obvious." Umi said nothing. The voice giggled.

"Who is the one you go to, when needing comfort? Who is the one that you go to, when Hikaru would go to Lantis, or Fuu would go to Ferio?" Umi gave a strangled gasp. No… no… The woman leaned forward, her face inches from Umi's. "Clef!"

-End Dreamscape-

Umi jerked up in her bed, desperately gasping for air. For once, she had brought herself back from the dream, not… Clef… She buried her head in her hands, silent tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes. She knew… she knew what the voice had said was true… she loved him.

She loved Clef.

Damn.

How would she ever be able to look him in the eye again, knowing that she loved him? It would ruin the friendship that they had… he would never know how much she treasured that friendship.

He… understood… her, in a way that Hikaru or Fuu would never be able to. He understood how she felt… they were much alike. He understood her heart. Her hands tightened on her face, and her mouth firmed.

"I will never tell him…" She whispered to the air, "I will not ruin our friendship. I will never let him find out."

--Clef—

Up, near the very top of the Castle of Cephiro, was a room that looked out over all of Cephiro. In this room, a certain lavender haired Mage slept. It was not a peaceful slumber, for like Umi… his dreams were not pleasant.

--Clef's Dreamscape--

"Clef!" She screamed. Her whole body writhed in agony. "Clef…" She whimpered again. "You promised… you swore… you swore to the Princess Emeraude… that you would protect us… that you would protect me…" She gasped in pain, "Clef!"

"Umi!" He tried to cry out, but his voice wouldn't work. His mouth wouldn't move. "No! Umi!" He could move, he couldn't go to her; he couldn't save her…he could do nothing… "Umi!" He screamed.

The scene shifted.

"Master?" A six-year-old Clef asked anxiously, staring up at him with his wide blue eyes.

"Hmm?" Aoka responded vaguely. Clef tugged on his Master's robes.

"Master!" He repeated louder. Aoka blinked and finally fully recognized that his Apprentice was speaking to him.

"Yes, Clef?" He said, squatting down until the two were eye-to-eye. The lavender haired boy bit his bottom and looked away.

"How… how…" He began uncertainly. He licked his lips nervously, and then continued, "Master… how did you know that Mika was in trouble?" A brief shadow crossed his Master's eyes, then disappeared, and Aoka smiled down at him.

"It's because I love her, Clef. Sometimes, when someone of powerful magic loves someone with all of their heart and soul…" Aoka touched two fingers to his heart, "They can feel the other's emotions. And I sensed Mika's fear, and that is how I knew that she was in trouble."

The scene faded.

"No! Umi!" Clef screamed again.

"It's because I love her, Clef…" Aoka's voice beat in his mind.

"It's because I love her…" Clef whispered.

--End Dreamscape--

Clef jerked up in bed, desperately gasping for air.

"It's because I love her…"

The Mage buried his head in his hands, an extremely strange look on his face. It was true. He loved her. I never expected to fall in love… I'm supposed to be the cold one… I never wanted to fall in love… He let out a sharp breath that was an odd combination between a sigh and a moan.

Umi… He should have known… should have realized. There were so many hints. He felt like banging his head against the wall.

He always felt so sad… almost lost… whenever the Knights returned to their own world. Then there was the strange excitement that always filled him whenever he knew the Knights were coming back. And there was the way he always looked forward to spending any kind of time with her…

"Umi…" He whispered.

-- Sage --

Tap tap.

Her fingers drummed against the table.

"So, you're finally back, eh?" A giggle escaped her. "I knew you'd come back… no matter what Clef thought…" She stood up unsteadily, grasping the edge of the table to keep herself standing. "No hope… no… there never was… never was hope… you never fail… ever ever ever!" She giggled again. " Nope… you never fail… I wonder… wonder who you'll kill this time? Never fail…"

-

"Hehe! I did it! Weakness… that's what I was searching for… one moment of weakness… one tiny break in your shield… and I did it. I've planted myself in your mind… you're mine now! Mine!"

-

So, how did you like it? It's short, I know, and not really that good… but the next chapter will be better. I promise.

Review! (it will make me post faster!)

ReavenDawn

PS: Please please please someone write some Clemi. I need it desperately. I really do. –waggles finger- I'm not going to update until I get some Clemi!