Syv: Hey! I'm back! I know, I know. Really LONG time… Umi: SYV-CHAN!!!

Syv: *nervous laughter* Ano… konichiwa Umi-chan…*gulp* Long time no see…

Umi: Konichiwa Syv-chan *smiling slyly* Yeah, it has been a LONG time. In fact, it's been SO long, I hope you haven't forgotten your PROMISE.

Syv: Promise?

Umi: *glares*

Syv: OH! That one! *nervous laughter* No, I haven't forgotten… Well, let's not keep the readers in suspense! *gulp – staring guiltily at all the readers and Umi* Thanks so much for all the reviews!

Jamfase

Casey

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CrazyIceTenshi

Koizumi Tsukiyo

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Syv: WOW! So many reviews! Thanks SO much!

Umi: Just get on with the story!

Syv: *sweatdrop* Hai…well, here it is!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own MKR…unfortunately!

(Translation) ~for uncommon words only

'Thoughts'

"Talking"

Author note

In the last episode of "Memories before Marriage": Eagle, on the other hand, knew Umi had been watching them. While Hikaru was shaking her head, he smirked with one thought in mind. 'She's mine now and you can't do anything about it.'

            Hikaru still couldn't believe Eagle had proposed to her.

            'And you accepted him,' her conscience said reproachfully.

            Hikaru shook her head. She remembered every detail of that day.

She was being led to the garden by Eagle, and after, he told her to sit at the fountain. She continued to persuade Eagle to tell her what it was he was keeping from her. He smiled mysteriously and told her to calm down. After a while, he bent down on one knee and placed his hand inside his pocket. He drew out a small velvet box. She immediately stood up as her hand flew to her mouth. Eagle smiled again and opened the box. Inside was a simple gold ring with a rounded diamond on top. And then…he said it. He asked her that hard question.

*****Flashback*****

Eagle smiled mysteriously at Hikaru before putting his hand in his pocket. Hikaru glanced at him curiously, and Umi and Ascot did the same. Suddenly Eagle bent down on his right knee. Hikaru gasped in understanding. Ascot was trying to refrain Umi from screaming out loud and walking over to Eagle, ready to murder him. Eagle just continued to smile at Hikaru as he pulled out a velvet box from his pocket. Hikaru stood up and gasped.

            Opening the velvet box that held a small golden ring with a rounded diamond on top, Eagle asked in a clear voice, "Hikaru, will you marry me?"

*****End Flashback*****

            'You forgot about Lantis and accepted his proposal,' her conscience once again chided her.

            Hikaru shook her head more wildly, desperately trying to get rid of that nagging voice in her head.

            'So? I really do love Eagle!' Hikaru thought angrily to her conscience, yet there was an obvious trace of doubt in her voice.

            She already told practically everyone in the castle about it – Umi, Fuu, Clef, Ferio, Presea, Ascot, Caldina, Lafarga, and even Tatra, Tarta, Aska, Sanyun, Geo and Zazu. Everyone knew about it. She told them herself. But somehow, she felt guilty for blurting it out, and so excitedly too. She didn't know why but somehow, she just felt extremely guilty.

            'Guilty for what?' she chided herself.

            'Lantis.'

That name echoed in her mind. It was the only answer she needed. She ran to her room, confused. She immediately shut the door and locked it tight before plopping down on her bed with her face buried in the pillow.

She lifted her head slightly, all the while asking herself, "Why? Why do I feel so guilty?"

Before she could think of an answer to that, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" she asked, trying her best not to shout at the person to leave her alone.

"Hikaru-chan, it's Umi and Fuu. We want to talk to you," Umi's voice answered from behind the door, "May we come in?"

Even though Hikaru wanted so much to be alone, she didn't want to worry her friends so she got up, tried to look happy and replied, "Sure. Hold on while I open the door."

She went to the door, making sure one last time she looked happy enough, before opening it with a smile. Umi and Fuu saw Hikaru's confusion even with that firm smile plastered on her face. They knew what she was thinking of but they didn't say anything. They entered slowly into the room and proceeded to sit by Hikaru's bed. Once they were both inside, Hikaru closed the door behind them and headed to the bed, slowly sitting down.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Hikaru asked with the smile still on her face.

"Hikaru-chan…" Fuu started.

"We wanted to talk to you about Eagle," Umi replied bluntly.

"What about Eagle?" Hikaru asked, obviously confused.

"Hikaru, are you really sure you want to marry him?" Umi asked anxiously.

"…"

"Hikaru-chan, we just wanted to know what you really think of Eagle-san. Do you…love him?" Fuu asked silently.

"Or are you just using him to forget Lantis?" Umi questioned a bit nastily.

However, Hikaru didn't seem to notice the nastiness.

She replied, "Of course I love him! I won't marry someone I don't love! It's not because of Lantis! I already forgot about Lantis… I never loved him anyway!"

Umi and Fuu were surprised about her outburst. They weren't mad at her though, just surprised. She obviously wasn't over Lantis. They could tell by the softness in her voice while saying his name. Even when she said she didn't love him, her eyes reflected a different emotion – the opposite emotion. She still loved him, and they knew that quite clearly.

"Hikaru…"

"Hikaru-chan…"

Hikaru didn't seem to notice them. She continued to rant on.

"I never loved him! What made you think of that!? He was always so cold and dark! How could anyone love him!?"

Even as she said all of these words, her voice, her eyes, she obviously wasn't convinced by her own words. She loved him, and they all knew it, even her. All they ever wondered was, "Why Eagle?" Of all people, it had to be Eagle. They were worried because for some reason, there was something about Eagle that made them suspicious and unsure.

Umi and Fuu got up from where they were seated. Hikaru immediately stopped talking and looked at them. Her eyes immediately reflected understanding.

"Gomenasai Umi-chan, Fuu-chan." She looked down, ashamed.

Umi and Fuu smiled at her as Umi knelt down in front of Hikaru's face, putting her hands on Hikaru's shoulders, and forced Hikaru to look at her.

"Don't worry about it. We're not mad. We were just worried about you."

"Really? You aren't mad at me…even after I shouted at you?" Hikaru asked doubtfully.

Fuu spoke up, "Of course not! We could never be mad at you Hikaru-chan! We just want you to know that if anything is bothering you, come to us. We'll help you and be there for you no matter what!"

Hikaru was touched by her words.

Umi continued Fuu's statement, "And we just wanted to warn you. Be extra careful and think things through before making a decision. Things may not always appear the way they seem. And Hikaru…"

Umi stood up as she followed Fuu to the door, "Follow your heart. Listen to it and don't try to deny what it tells you."

With that, they both left Hikaru's room with Hikaru staring at the spot they stood in just a moment before, Umi's words playing over and over in her head.

'Follow…my heart?'

Hikaru's hand found its way to her chest as she felt her heartbeat.

'My heart…'

She lay down on her bed again as her thoughts drifted.

'Lantis…'

~#####~

            Ruby red eyes flickered open as light slowly filled the room. The sun was just rising and everyone was still asleep. Hikaru got out of bed and quickly changed into casual clothing. She wore a sleeveless pink top that hugged her curves and ended just below her waist. Her skirt was of medium length and ended below her knees. They were of a deep red colour and almost as soft as silk. Her flaming red hair was in its usual braid and a soft pinkish colour accented her lips as she put on a touch of lip gloss. She didn't know why she bothered dressing up.

            'I just feel like it, that's all.' But doubt still remained in her heart.

            She slipped out of her room. Everyone was still fast asleep so she walked quietly along the corridors of the castle. She was deep in thought as she walked, not really paying attention to where she was going. Memories of the words Umi told her still haunted her heart.

            "Follow my heart and don't deny it," she whispered to herself.

            Finally looking up to find out where she was, she discovered herself in a dark corridor. Confused, she continued to walk straight ahead, as if some unknown force was pulling her there. Before she knew it, she came upon a room. She stared at the large dark door before her. She really didn't want to enter it but curiosity soon got the better of her.

            She silently said to herself, "It's all right. I'm just checking what this room is. It's in the castle so nothing bad could possibly happen, right?"

            She took a deep breath to calm her heart as it began to race. She didn't know why this room seemed to make her heart beat faster. What is it about this room that made her feel…welcome? She shook her head at that and decided not to bother with it anymore. She took another breath and pushed the door open with her right hand.

            What she saw made her breath stick in her throat. The room was of the dreariest colours. It was all black and grey. Gloom…perfect for her current mood, I guess. But as she stepped inside and looked at the possessions in the room, it wasn't a gloomy room at all. In fact, it was a room that gave her a warm feeling inside, a feeling she could never understand. She felt like laughing and jumping around in this dark room. Why? Perhaps she'll figure it out later on. She didn't want to spoil the feeling.

            Inside the room were things she might find in her own room – a four-poster bed, chairs, a writing desk, cushions, a carpet, a closet, a window – nothing different really, except for the colour. But then, why did she seem so happy and warm in this dark and seemingly dreary room? She walked around, touching the furniture around. There wasn't anything much to prove that this room was being occupied or had been occupied at all. The closets were empty of clothes except for a set of black armor and a sword leaning against the closet wall. The bed was neat and seemed untouched. The chairs were all in order, and even the window was tightly closed blocking all light, leaving the room in total darkness.

            'Chotto matte (just a moment)! The windows are closed and there isn't any light at all. How come I can see?'

            Confused, Hikaru looked around until she spotted something on the table to her left. She walked to it and saw only one thing on its smooth surface. It was a picture frame with only one picture on it. She gingerly picked it up and was shocked to see whose picture it was. It was a picture of a girl. And that girl…was her.

            Suddenly, she knew just where she was. She was in Lantis' room. She didn't know how exactly she found out, but she was sure it was his room. She felt it rather than knew it. And that picture…it seemed to affirm her feeling.

            She clutched the picture to her chest. She stared at the picture intently. She remembered exactly what happened in this picture.

*****Flashback*****

It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining brightly and the sky was cloudless. She was having a picnic with Umi and Fuu in the garden and Fuu had brought along her camera. Hikaru was so happy as they chatted about all sorts of things. Fuu asked if they could take a few pictures. Umi and Hikaru agreed at once. They each had one solo picture then they had several pictures of the three of them, with Ascot taking the shots since he was passing by at that time.

Fuu gave both Hikaru and Umi one shot of the three of them and their solo shots.

*****End Flashback*****     

'How did Lantis get it though?' she asked silently.

            Another memory flashed through her head.

*****Flashback*****

She was sitting in the garden on the grass by the fountain. She was hugging her knees to her chest with her head on top of them. She stared at her reflection in the water of the fountain. Everyone was doing something else on that day. Umi was with Ascot and Clef, busy sorting their relationships out. Fuu was with Ferio strolling along, talking about innumerable things that lovers talk about. Caldina was with Lafarga, and Eagle, Geo and Zazu were repairing the NSX. Presea was in bed because she had a slight fever, and Lantis…she didn't know where he was. He was always missing.

'I wonder where he goes…'

For some unknown reason, Hikaru felt really sad that day. She wasn't exactly sure why, but she just felt like crying and her heart was heavy from some invisible load. As she thought of this, a tear escaped as it slid down her cheek falling to the water. The sound as it hit the still water was like that of a tinkling bell, echoing softly in the silence around her. As she watched ripples form from that single teardrop, she didn't notice another presence in the garden besides her.

The presence walked up to the distraught flaming haired goddess unnoticed. She never noticed him until he stood directly behind her and called her name.

"Hikaru?"

She turned around, shocked and ashamed to be caught crying. She stared at the person who discovered her. It was Lantis. He had always been cold, not only to her but to everyone in the castle. No one really minded his cold attitude. In fact, no one noticed him much really. She never really paid much attention to how he looked. She only noticed now how handsome he was. The soft breeze played with his short, dark coloured hair, and the thin golden circlet was the only thing holding it in place. His lean, muscular body was clearly seen because of his thin, dark garments. He wasn't wearing his usual armor and flowing cape. He only wore on a shirt and pants. His dark purplish grey eyes seemed so kind and caring, so warm despite his cold exterior. Why? Why did she feel that she could leave all her problems behind as long as she looked into this man's eyes?

As she looked on, captivated by the depth of Lantis' eyes, he too observed her silently. He had been watching her closely ever since he first met her. She just never noticed it. He was always glancing at her and he watched her every movement despite how he often treated her especially when someone else was around. He admired her, her graceful movements, so accurate and swift yet filled with the grace she held with her everywhere she went; her childish actions and naïve expressions didn't seem to mind him. He didn't know why he felt this way around her. Seeing the tear that had fallen from her eye, he felt crushed inside. He had always seen her so cheery and bubbly. Watching her cry made him want to protect her from whatever it was that hurt her. Why? He didn't know, he just wanted to do it.

As they both looked on into the depths of each other's eyes, they didn't notice Lantis body moving closer to her, not even Lantis himself. They just kept looking at each other, trying in their own way to understand the other. The only time they noticed just how close they were when Lantis knelt down before Hikaru. Both their eyes widened but Lantis didn't know why, he just had that sudden impulse to hold her.

Instead, he calmly said, "It's all right to cry."

As his words started to sink in, Hikaru stared at him. He saw her cry, and he wasn't making fun of her. She always thought that being the cold one that he was, he would make fun of anyone who showed emotions. She was wrong to judge him so quickly, but no matter what he said, she didn't want to show her emotions to "this man".

But then, she felt it again, that feeling of her heart being squeezed and that sudden urge to cry. Then, in that instant, she could care less what he would do or say after. She forgot it all and started to cry. The tears fell down her face, silently at first. But when she felt his arms wrap around her body, she gave in to the sorrow. Her knees dropped to the ground as her hands left them and hugged on to Lantis' body. Her face was buried into his shirt as she cried like there was no tomorrow. Sobs racked her body and the tears just didn't want to stop. All the while, Lantis never laughed. He never even said a word. He sat there, his back to the fountain, as he held her close to him and let her cry. After who-knows-how-many-minutes later, her sobbing ceased and her tears were gone. She didn't let go of him though, not even for a second. She continued to hold him there as she felt the warmth of his body surround her.

Then, she remembered just who he was and immediately sat up. She didn't look up, ashamed of what she did. Her face was burning from the shame as a blush crept up to her cheeks. She just started crying there in front of him. Then, she even had the nerve to wet his shirt. He was probably furious with her.

"G-gomenasai, I just started crying and I wet your shirt and…"

She never finished her statement. She was taken aback by his actions. He pulled her to him and hugged her. Then, she heard him say something softly to her.

"Don't worry about it. You can cry on me as much as you like. If ever you need someone to cry on again, I'll be around. Just call me."

She stared up at his eyes. Those dark orbs…she thought he was so cold. She thought he was just some heartless guy. She was absolutely wrong. It showed in his eyes. He was a really caring and understanding person. And, she liked him. Yes, she admitted it. She liked him.

"A-arigatou ummm…"

"Lantis, call me Lantis, Hikaru."

"Lantis, arigatou Lantis."

She laid her head on his chest as he leaned on the fountain. He felt so warm. She felt safe and secure in his arms. All her worries just seem to vanish as she lay there in his arms. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled out a piece of paper she had in her pocket.

"Lantis? Here, you can have this."

"Hm?"

She handed him her picture. She didn't remember putting it in her pocket. She just somehow knew. And she gave it to him.

"Arigatou Hikaru."

"Dou itoshimashite (you're welcome)," she smiled.

He looked at her face. That's the way it should be. She should always have a smile on her face. A frown just didn't suit her. Her radiance shined to him as she laid her head on his chest again. This feeling that filled him, he knew that this would be the start of the happiest days of his life, even if he knew it could cause his death.

*****End Flashback*****

            'Now I remember…I gave it to him that day in the garden. Lantis…'

            Hikaru replaced the picture on the table.

            'He kept it all this time,' she smiled slightly.

            She walked around his room one more time.

            'It's so like him. He's so neat yet so dark…on the outside.'

            She walked to the door and was just about to leave the room when something caught her attention. A bright light flashed somewhere to her right. She walked to where she saw the light and she met with a wall.

            'Funny…I'm sure I saw a light here.'

            She felt the wall in front of her. As her hand slid over the surface of the wall, her chest seemed to warm up. Confused, her left hand slid into her shirt. She felt a lump and brought it out. It was the necklace Lantis had given her. Then, before her very eyes, it lit up as if a great light was reflected on its shiny surface. The light shone all around her, blinding her as she closed her eyes against the light. When the light died down, a miraculous sight lay before her. There, the wall that stood in front of her a moment before, was gone. In its place lay a great door. Shocked and surprised, she cautiously pushed the door open as curiosity once again took hold of her. What she saw made her eyes widen considerably. Before her was something she would never have imagined, not in her wildest dreams. The sight before her caused a smile to break out unto her face, a smile that lit all her features, a smile that hasn't been seen in a long while – her lost smile.

Syv: So? So? How was it?

Umi: Where was I? YOU DIDN'T PUT ME!

Syv: But, but…

Fuu: *pops up out of nowhere* Yeah, but she did give us an H*L moment like you asked for Umi-san.

Umi: Well…yeah, you're right. Okay, fine. I give, you win.

Syv: *sigh* Arigatou Fuu-chan.

Fuu: No problem. Well, Syv-chan just wanted to tell all of you that she has changed her email address in case you're wondering.

Syv: Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me 'bout that Fuu-chan. It's [syvonair@hotmail.com].

Umi: Anyway, we'd all like to greet you a belated Merry Christmas!

Fuu: And please Read & Review! ^^

Syv: Thanks!