Okay, I don't own MKR. Maybe someday…Oh I am so smart, I didn't introduce Mokona yet! Thank you to Shikai-sama, a reviewer who pointed that out.
Previously
Hikaru finally spoke up. "Clef, does this mean Cephiro needs it's Pillar…s back?"
Clef, looking up, sighed heavily. "Yes, Hikaru. I'm afraid it does."
Hikaru shot up, heart beating 100 beats per minute. Her hand instantly flew to her neck. She sighed when she felt the pendant hanging by her chest. Finally calming herself down, she got out of the bed to not wake Umi & Fuu. "It was just a dream…" she told herself as she shuffled over to the mirror.
Suddenly, her image changed into Nova's! Hikaru's heart stopped as she shut her eyes, trying not to scream. Finally opening them, she looked to see herself staring right back, tears forming in her red eyes.
Chapter 5
Once Hikaru was back in bed, it was easy for her to sleep a dreamless sleep. The next sight she saw was when she opened her eyes & saw Fuu walk in. "Fuu-chan?" Hikaru murmured, rubbing her eyes.
Fuu jumped, startled. Then she turned & saw Hikaru staring at her, looking sleepy. "Oh, it's just you, Miss Hikaru." She bowed. "I'm sorry for waking you."
Hikaru smiled. "Fuu-chan, don't bow! I'm not that important!" she laughed.
Fuu straightened up, smiling. "OK, Miss Hikaru."
Hikaru blinked. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Just watching the sunrise." Fuu said.
"And Ferio." Hikaru teased, giggling as she saw Fuu blush.
"Whatever do you mean, Miss Hikaru?" Fuu tried to deny it, but the blush didn't help matters. "Fine, how did you know?"
"You have that smile on your face." Hikaru sat up & motioned for Fuu to sit down. "That dopey one that you only have after you talked to Ferio." Then seeing Fuu's face, Hikaru laughed. "Don't worry. Me & Umi have the same smile." Hikaru leaned back. "In fact, I would say any girl in love has that same smile.
Fuu sighed heavily & Hikaru leaned forward. "Fuu-chan, what's wrong?"
"You love Lantis, right?" Fuu asked.
This surprised Hikaru. "What? I mean, yes I do. Why?" She leaned forward to her friend.
"And he loves you?" Fuu asked again.
Hikaru narrowed her eyes. "Yes he does. Fuu-chan, what's wrong?" She covered Fuu's shaking hand with hers.
Fuu shook her head, shoulders shaking. "Oh it's nothing. I'm just feeling a little self-conscious. I mean, does Ferio really love me?"
Hikaru was shocked. "Of course he does! He's saved you on countless occasions, he gave you that communicator, he even told you he does. Why? Did he do something that made you think he doesn't?"
Fuu shook her head. "No, it's not him. He's been great. It's other girls. They're all prettier than me & I bet Ferio wants to date one of them."
Hikaru shook her head. "No, he doesn't! He loves you & would never choose another girl. Why would he? You're smart, beautiful, polite & kind. He's a lucky guy."
Fuu looked up, unshed tears in her eyes. "You think so?"
Hikaru nodded her head. "Of course, & if he does stray, me & Umi will beat him up." The girl teased.
"Who are we beating up?" Umi mumbled.
"Ferio."
Umi sat up, squinting. "Why are we beating up Fuu's boyfriend?"
"Long story. Tell you later." Hikaru smiled. Umi stared at them, nodding. Then she turned to Fuu. "You saw Ferio, didn't you?"
Fuu blushed as Hikaru laughed. "How'd does everyone know that?" she cried out.
"The smile." Umi grinned.
Fuu grabbed a pillow & threw it at Umi. "Hey!" Umi shouted, grabbing her own pillow. She threw it, but it hit Hikaru. An all-out pillow fight began as the girls began laughing & hitting each other.
Finally landing in a pile near the door, the girls laughed until they heard a voice. "Having fun?"
The girls looked up to see Clef standing over them, a smile on his face. The girls sweat dropped as they tried to detangle themselves. "Um, good morning, Clef." Hikaru greeted.
"Good morning. Now come down to breakfast." With that, he left with a flick of his cape. The girls watched him go, then burst out laughing.
"Well, that was embarrassing." Umi laughed.
"At least it wasn't the guys." Fuu said.
Hikaru nodded. "OK, out so I can change."
"Yes, ma'am!" the girls saluted Hikaru, who stuck her tongue out at them.
10 minutes later, the girls walked into the throne room, Hikaru shouting her "Good morning!" to anyone who was near.
She smiled when she felt a pair of arms hug her from behind. Without looking up, she greeted. "Morning, Lantis."
"How'd you know it was me?" he asked.
"Um, not sure. Just a wild guess." Hikaru teased, stealing a kiss. "Plus, you're pretty predictable."
He laughed & Hikaru felt happy. She always did when he laughed, especially when she was the one who did it.
Walking in, Clef motioned to the table. "Please everyone, sit."
But when everyone went to sit down, a certain marshmallow creature jumped into Hikaru's arms.
"Mokona!" she exclaimed, hugging the little puff ball. "I've missed you so much!"
"Pu, pu pu pu!" Mokona happily answered.
Hikaru giggled. "It's great to see you Mokona." Mokona puued again & jumped into Fuu's arms.
"Hello, Sir Mokona. It's been a long time since we've last meet." Fuu greeted the creature warmly.
"Pu! Pu pu pu!" Mokona answered, jewel glowing on the top of his head. Fuu laughed & watched as Mokona finally landed on Umi's head.
Umi rolled her eyes upward to the little marshmallow creature. "What is with you & your affixation on my head!" she moaned.
"Maybe he likes the height." Hikaru suggested, totally serious. Everyone sweat dropped at that.
"Fine, if he likes the height, then why doesn't he go to Lantis' head?" Umi pouted, but seeing everyone's face, she laughed nervously. "I was just kidding! Don't worry." She laughed again as everyone once again sweat dropped.
Mokona puued & jumped back into Hikaru's arms. Puuing softly, he seemed to be napping. Hikaru smiled at the little puff ball & put a finger to her lip to shush them.
Everyone nodded & sat down to eat. Clef motioned with his arm & the table filled with food. Hikaru's eyes widened. "I want that power." she giggled as she began eating.
Everyone laughed at the little red head who just seemed so carefree.
Hikaru smiled back until she heard a high pitch giggle. Coughing up her pancakes, she told herself she was hearing things.
When she finished, Caldina asked. "Hikaru, are you OK?"
Hikaru nodded, still coughing, tears in her eyes. "I'm,…good…." she coughed as she wiped her eyes. "Just eating too fast." She smiled.
It seemed that everyone believed her but two pairs of eyes staring at her intently. Hikaru choose not to make eye contact with them.
Clef suddenly asked, "So, Hikaru, Presea, what were you doing in the garden this morning?"
Hikaru coughed again, but recovered more quickly. "What do you mean, Clef?" she asked, trying to deny it, but she saw Presea shake her head.
"Don't even try, Hikaru. Clef can see anything at anytime." She glared at him. "But I didn't think he'd spy on us."
Clef glared right back. "I wasn't spying. I was doing a routine check & noticed you two outside, so I watched." He sipped at his tea, ignoring Presea's glare.
"Presea, it's fine. We weren't talking about anything that important." Hikaru tried to save Clef.
"Plus, I couldn't hear anything anyways." he murmured over his tea. This time he couldn't dodge Presea's rage. She smacked him in the back of his head, making him spill his tea.
Everyone wanted to laugh, but knew better than to laugh at a Master Mage. The only one who cracked a smile was Presea. "That will teach you to sass me." She went back to her eggs as everyone stared, waiting for something to happen.
Surprising enough, Clef cracked a smile. "I can't win with you, woman." He sipped his tea again.
Realizing nothing was going to happen, everyone went back to eating. Hikaru, while eating her pancakes, couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. 'Don't psyche yourself out. You're just worried about this journey. This has nothing to do with that nightmare last night.' At the thought of the eternal darkness, she shivered.
Unfortunately, Lantis noticed. "Hikaru, what's wrong?" he asked, as everyone looked up to look at the red head blush deep red.
"Nothing. I just was remembering a dream from last night. Don't worry." she laughed nervously, hand on the back of her head.
Everyone sweat dropped at her laughing. She stopped & smiled her trademark smile. "Now eat." She went back to eating.
When everyone finished, Clef cleaned up the dishes & asked the girls what they were going to do.
Exchanging glances, the girls nodded. Hikaru cleared her throat. "We're going on the journey." she said clearly, trying not to sound scared.
Clef nodded. "I see. And you three will accompany them?" He asked the three men, who nodded in agreement.
Clef nodded again. "Then you'll be needing these. Accept!" A bright light surrounded the girls as fire surrounded Hikaru, water surrounded Umi & wind surrounded Fuu. When they came out, they had their armor on.
"I forgot how cool that felt!" Hikaru giggled as she created fire at the type of her finger. (Mokona had hopped out of her arms by now.)
"Lets not burn down the castle." Umi put the fire out.
"Meanie." Hikaru pouted. But they laughed.
Caldina began tearing up. "I'll miss you, girls!" she cried as the hugged each girl in a tight hug.
"Caldina, you're suffocating me!" Hikaru squeaked out. Caldina let go, laughing nervously. "Sorry about that, Hikaru."
Hikaru smiled. "No prob. We'll miss you, too." She began tearing up as well. Presea teared up as well as the other girls.
"Oh my God!" They all cried, running to each other & hugging. The guys watched this, with a type of awe of this behavior.
Finally, Clef cleared his throat. "Well, girls. We will miss you, but you'll come back."
The girls separated, wiping their eyes. The three girls nodded. Umi smiled. "Don't you dare have your wedding while we're gone." She threatened.
Presea laughed. "Don't worry, Umi. We won't."
Umi smiled back. "Good." Then she turned to her traveling companions & nodded. "Lets go."
"Yes, ma'am!" Hikaru & Fuu saluted her as Umi stuck her tongue out.
Clef laughed a little, then he made eye contact with the guys. "Now, don't forget."
"We won't." Ferio promised as the other two nodded. The girls exchanged looks, but the guys were already walking out the door.
"Hey, wait! What was Clef talking about?" Hikaru asked as she caught up with Lantis. She received silence in answer.
"Does it involve us?" Fuu asked Ferio. Same answer.
"Please tell us…" Umi made puppy dog eyes at Ascot, but he remained silent. She pouted. "He resisted the puppy dog eyes! This must be big."
Hikaru & Fuu cracked a smile, but the guys remained emotionless. They walked until they reached the outside of the castle.
"Um, guys? Do you know where we're going?" Fuu asked suddenly.
The girls shook their heads. "No." Looking up, they asked the guys. "Do you?"
The guys stopped, then thought about it. "Actually, no." Ascot admitted, sweat dropping.
The girls did a head smack & turned right around. They walked back into the throne room, surprising Clef.
"What are you doing back?"
"Clef, where are we going for this journey?" Umi asked.
Clef's eyes widened & he did his own head smack. "That might help." He nodded, then created a map of Cephiro. He began to explain.
"You need to visit the four realms; the fire realm, the water realm, the wind realm, & the earth realm. At each realm is a jewel. When you have all four jewels, you must come back here & go into the praying room. There, you will speak the spell to seal your Pillar powers away & grant Cephiro everlasting happiness." He finished.
The girls stared at him. "OK…what's the catch?" Umi asked, narrowing her eyes.
Clef was surprised. "What do you mean?"
"What Miss Umi means," Fuu jumped in. "Is that how is this dangerous?"
Clef nodded. "Well, there are monsters in each realm that are greater than here. Plus you have the realm guardians you must defeat."
The girls sweat dropped. "Great…more monsters." Umi moaned.
"Come on, Umi. We haven't fought in so long. It'll be fun!" Hikaru tried to cheer her up. It worked cuz Umi cracked a smile.
"Leave it to Hikaru to find decapitating monsters fun." she teased.
"I could decapitate you." Hikaru threatened.
"Only if you catch me!" Umi ran out, laughing.
"No fair! You had a head start!" Hikaru chased after her.
Everyone sweat dropped as Fuu sighed. "Not this again." She & the guys walked out after them, waving to Clef.
Okay, not that much action. But I had a humorous moment, so I took it. Please RR