STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY (To sum everything up: I don't own Rayearth)

Thoughts are italicized.

Chapter 14: Healing

Lantis turned around to exit the room, to where Primera was being kept.

"No!" Hikaru yelled, causing Lantis to immediately stop and turn around with a confused expression.

"Stay with me…" Hikaru weakly pleaded, her mind not functioning properly and her desires taking over. Lantis slowly walked towards Hikaru, pulling a chair beside the bed to sit in. He gave a small smile, reaching out for Hikaru's hand, but just as his hand touched her, Hikaru gently pulled her hand away. However, rejection was rejection and Lantis's smile turned into a frown.

"Why did I ask him to stay…" Hikaru thought, mentally beating herself up, who suddenly felt very stupid.

Umi sighed, rolling her eyes at Hikaru. "Hikaru can't keep this up forever, and I am definitely not going to let her." Umi thought as she quickly picked up Fuu into her arms and shooed everyone out.

Hikaru, realizing that everyone else had left and was left alone with only Lantis, felt very uncomfortable, knitting her injured hands together, not daring to look at Lantis.

Lantis noticed her tension, but gave no care. His patience was growing thinner by the minute. Lantis wanted answers that he deserved to have.

"Hikaru, why have you been avoiding me? Lantis gently asked. Hikaru bit her already bruised lip, staring at herself twirling her thumbs.

"What are you so scared of?" Lantis continued, but all Lantis got was silence, while blood started to form at Hikaru's lip.

"Hikaru! Stop that!" Lantis firmly commanded, reaching towards her face to wipe the blood away, but Hikaru turned her face away, out of his reach.

"Hikaru… why… what did I do?" Lantis pleaded.

Hikaru couldn't stand it any longer, as she started to hysterically cry. Hikaru suddenly clinched onto Lantis, ignoring the pain screaming throughout her body, both physically and mentally. Lantis gently rubbed her back, trying his best to comfort the little redhead.

"It's okay to cry…" Since Lantis figured that Hikaru wasn't going to talk, he did instead.

"Hikaru, I miss your smile… I miss you. Did.. I do something, something to upset you? It doesn't make any sense… why you are avoiding me. This pain, whatever it is, please share it with me. I can't stand to see you like this. Your pain- is my pain as well." Lantis confessed, unshed tears sparkling in his eyes, and breathless from more then a few sentences.

"I-" Hikaru wanted nothing more than to run away, but she knew that she cannot, not anymore. It wasn't fair to Lantis, no matter how things were so unfair to her.

It was time.

"I….." I.. can't.. Hikaru thought. "Are you in love?"

Lantis was taken back, he wasn't expecting a question like that. "Yes."

Hikaru felt her heart sink.

NO, stay strong!" Hikaru retorted to herself. Tell him! NOW!…………but…

"Who was the woman who… did this to me?" Hikaru asked changing the subject, but mentally cursing herself.

Lantis sighed. I suppose I will have to wait even longer now.

"Primera."

"But-"

"Yes. Primera transformed herself into a human. Remember that this is a world of will? She tricked you… she took advantage of you… she hurt you…" Lantis trailed off, his hands fisted, knuckles turning white.

"Do… you love her?" Hikaru softly asked, anticipation, hope, and dread all tingling throughout her body.

Lantis stared into Hikaru's crimson eyes, his eyes demanding honesty. "Do you love me?"

Hikaru's blood froze, her heart forgetting how to beat.

Lantis, observing her fear, realized at once he went too far and regret slapped him hard in the face.

"Sorry… I'll leave now." Lantis quietly apologized. "Does… she hate me…and so much? O.. Hikaru… what did I do to hurt you?"

Yes… Lantis.. I love you. Hikaru tried to yell at his retreating figure, but her voice never came. No.. don't leave me…… tell him! TELL HIM NOW! HIKARU!

"L- L- LANTIS!" Hikaru finally managed to stutter out.

Lantis turned.

"Don't leave me!... Y- yes! I……… love you! I love you…" Hikaru cried, more to herself, as tears were streaming down her face.

Lantis felt himself smile like he never had before. "Did… yes… I heard correctly… right?" Lantis's vision blurred, and he touched his face to feel salty tears. "I'm… crying." Lantis said, not as a question, but as a statement out of surprise and more to himself. Yet, at the same time he didn't feel so surprised. If anyone were to bring tears to his eyes, he knew that only Hikaru would be able do to so.

Hikaru's face was full of surprise to see Lantis's eyes wet. Hikaru pushed herself up, to kiss Lantis's tears away. "What… am I doing? Is this right?….

It feels right…"

As she was falling back away from Lantis, he pulled her back. Hikaru suddenly felt his lips on hers. A gentle kiss, but full of passion and love nonetheless. Hikaru inwardly smiled.

She felt such bliss.

So this is what it feels to be loved. Hikaru thought.

Suddenly, Primera's face popped into Hikaru's mind and she roughly pulled away from Lantis, her breath shallow.

"We… can't do this to Primera…" Hikaru whispered, but secretly wishing that they could, as jealously raced throughout her body.

"What?" Lantis asked.

"What do you mean what? Don't you love Primera? You can't cheat on her like this!" Hikaru scolded, though her heart wishing different.

Lantis frowned. "I don't love Primera."

Hikaru felt her heart skip a beat, but this time with joy. Yet, at the same time, she felt sympathy for Primera as well.

"But Primera told me…" Hikaru suggested.

"She lied." Lantis growled.

"Then who is this person that you love…" Hikaru asked.

Lantis shook his head. Hikaru really is clueless when it comes to love. However, instead of verbally answering her question, he decided to answer her question by kissing her again.

"You.." Lantis huskily answered as he pulled away from Hikaru's petite swollen lips.

Hikaru then burst into tears, but tears of delight and relieve, as she jumped up to embrace Lantis, smiling.

I understand now… why she been avoiding me. Lantis thought.

"I am yours… always and forever. Will you be mine?" Lantis breathed into Hikaru's ear, even though he already knew the answer. He wanted the answer heard.

Shivers ran up Hikaru's spine, and she smiled. "I would have it no other way."

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Tarta felt slim arms hug her, and she looked up to see her mother along with Tatra. A bitter smile appeared on Tarta's face.

"Hey lil sis. I have been thinking about something. So can we talk?" Tatra asked politely.

"Of course." Tarta smiled. "Is something wrong?"

Tatra smiled. "Oh no, nothing is wrong. Actually, something wonderful happened, and I have beautiful news for you."

Tarta cocked her head in interest.

"I'm getting married!" Tatra smiled, but not yet finished. "Yes, I know that probably isn't exactly beautiful news to you. But there is more that I know you shall love. As you know, me being the older sister I am suppose to be the next heir to rule Chizata. However, since Eagle is also a heir to another kingdom, and he is the only child, we have decided for me to become the Queen of Autozam and you shall become the Queen of our home! I know you have always wanted to make mom and dad proud… but with me here always being over-protective of you…… but now you can! Everything works out perfect! And Mom and Dad agree!"

Surprise, happiness, jealously ,and guilt all swam though Tarta. She knew that when Tatra said over-protective, it really meant over-shadowing, and that Tatra wasn't only the next ruler because she was the older sister but also because she was better then her… at everything.

"O… I don't know what to say.." Tarta replied, as she started to cry. She didn't' even know herself if they were tears of happiness, or sadness. Maybe both.

"This is your time to shine now honey." Tohru soothed, hugging her youngest daughter.

She still is better then me… and now even more than ever before. She is always thinking what is best for me… when I was… no.. am still jealous of her. Tarta bitterly thought, as a new fresh package of guilt arose in her.

"O sis… I'm too stupid to rule…" Tarta whispered.

"Nonsense! We all make mistakes. It is going to be okay. You know that if you need any help that I shall always be here for you." Tatra comforted.

I know…. I know… Tarta thought, as she continued to cry tears full of guilt.

---------------------------------------------------

Ferio flopped onto his bed, tired out of his mind, absent of sleep since Fuu was deep in sleep.

He was so tired he didn't notice the shadow moving swiftly but quietly in his room, towards him.

The next thing he knew, he felt a sharp, unbearable pain explode throughout his body and everything went black.


A/N: Long time no see! Sorry, I have been… lazy. So I hope ya enjoyed this chapter, and sorry about the cliffhanger-ish. No more personal reviews.. since they are unallowed… so sorry, but I am really happy to those people who did review and are patiently waiting for this story! Everyone have a safe and happy new years!