Author Notes: Sorry about the delay I couldn't think of The part that centers on Fuu ( though when you read it you'll probably wonder why it took me so long XP)
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Chapter 4
It had been a day since they had left the castle, Hikaru rode on her ever present smile shining as it always did. She continued to smile as her mind wandered off from the conversation she was currently having with Eagle. Her thoughts drifted towards Mokona. They, meaning Prince Lantis and herself, hadn't been able to find the joyful creature, knowing that it might be in some sort of danger she had gone to warn the Mage of it's absence. She remembered the way the older man smiled at her as if he knew something she didn't.
"I wouldn't worry yourself about Mokona too much Miss. Hikaru, he can take care of himself,"
She smiled despite herself, gaining the attention of the man beside her.
"You look awfully cheerful today Miss. Hikaru!" She sent a smile in his direction.
"Just thinking, do not worry yourself worrying over me!" the man chuckled but nodded and continued his fast pace riding. Hikaru looked down at the pale gray mare she rode, and gently stroked it's mane. She had always had a empathy towards animals, and this was no exception to that. Her fiery red locks were done together in their regular braided style, she wore dusty brown breeches and a short rusty red tunic. Combined together the outfit was somewhat manly yet had the quality that held femininity surrounding her, and it was a great contrast towards the gray horse she rode.
Hikaru looked down towards the ground, trotting beside her was Hikari, the loyal friend of the girl looked up at it's master, dark innocent brown eyes, much like her own stared deeply into the girls own deep wine red set. She smiled and reached into her pocket taking out the very sweet the dog adored and playfully dropped it into Hikari's waiting mouth. Hikaru looked back up towards their path oblivious to the two set of eyes on her.
"Prince Lantis how many more days do you think the trip to your kingdom will be?" The Faeithlon Princess who rode beside the Prince turned to face the man, who was currently in a deep thought just like Hikaru.
"It should be two more days or three till will get there Princess Primera," The girl nodded
"Prince Lantis, I've heard from my sister, Umi, that because of the rough weather and terrain your kingdom is made inside a dome like wall. Is that true?" The prince looked back towards her, slowly bringing his horse to a halt, he waited till the girl was to his right before answering her question.
"Yes it is true, though I'm curious how does your sister know?" She smiled.
"The master Mage told her when they were dancing at the ball. I'm also curious about the activities that go on, if there are any?"
"There are plenty of festivals throughout the year, one in particular is coming upon us soon. The Harvest Festival, where we give thanks to our crop for the year, there is dancing, food, wine, singers, dancers, entertainment, everything a festival should have." Hikaru's eyes held excitement after his brief description.
"Come now Lantis you haven't even told joyful Hikaru the best part!" Eagle laughed.
"There's more!" awestruck Hikaru listened closely.
" The Harvest Festival is a Masquerade," This set off both Primera and Hikaru.
"A Masquerade, oh how fun!" Primera squealed, Hikaru nodded vigorously along side the girl.
"Yes I agree with Princess Primera, I just feel sorry that Umi and Fuu won't be here!" Primera looked down her nose at Hikaru.
"I still don't see why that servant had to come with us Lantis?" Eagle rode up beside her scaring the girl with his look of anger.
"Once and for all your 'highness' Hikaru isn't some servant, she is Lantis's guest just as you are, so I think it would be smart to treat her with some respect." Eagle would've continued if he hadn't received a cold stare from Lantis telling him to back off.
"I don't mind that much Sir Eagle really." Hikaru reassured the older man.
"Hikaru…" Both man muttered. Primera rode slightly ahead still miffed about it all, if one could listen well they would of heard her complaining about how Eagle would be the first to go once she was married to the Prince.
"Your highness, a creature has gotten in are way and will not move, shall we--" "killing it would be the last resort, have you tried luring it away with food?" The soldier shook his head.
"We didn't want to waste any food sir," Hikaru rode up beside the two men.
"Sir what kind of creature is it?" The soldier stared at his Prince, once Lantis nodded towards him the soldier turned to Hikaru.
"It appears to be a wolf milady but it has a uncommon color of fur." Hikaru nodded curtly and turned to Lantis.
"Prince Lantis I have a certain empathy with animals, please let me see to it, I don't want to see a creature die today." He knew that either way the young spirited girl would still help the animal so he agreed putting his trust in her "Thank you." Ordering the man to lead her towards the wolf-like creature, Hikaru's mind was on ideas of how to gain it's trust enough so it would move. She looked over her shoulders to see that Lantis, Primera, and Eagle were trailing not far behind her.
Catching a glimpse of the creature she was to tend to Hikaru gasped 'It's beautiful' she thought. There guarding their path was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. It's fur was a fiery red much like her own, and white was seen layering the two colors. Dark blood red eyes stared into her soul. Getting off her horse, Hikaru slowly walked towards the creature.
A growl escaped the small wolf creatures throat.
"I won't hurt you," Hikaru cooed , the creature looked at her skeptically, wondering what the human would do. Slowly she reached a hand forward to pet the wolf. It snapped, though missed because of her reflexes.
"I won't hurt you," She cooed again, saying and repeating this over and over in her mind and voice. After redoing this progress continuously, Hikaru finally touched the creature's snout. Seeing no resistance from the animal she slowly brought her hand upward, going up the snout onto the bright red fur. She closed her eyes for a mere second. As soon as her hand had touched the fur, a stinging pain shot through her arm as if she was petting fire not the fur of an animal.
"Your fur is very warm to touch." She muttered to it, a bitter smile emerged on the creature's lips "Is that why you don't like humans? Because when they reach to stroke you, to comfort you, they flinch, and abandon you?" Blood red eyes met wine red. The two stared into each others soul "Yes it is isn't it?" The creature nodded.
"Well I won't I'll care for you no matter what, I'll name you Terren if you don't mind?" The creature shook his head "Good!" Brushing her hands on her breeches she stood up, looking up she jumped a little to see the Prince standing in front of her, feeling something holding her hands she looked down. A bright blush took over her as she stared at his hands holding up her own.
"Your hands are burned!" He motioned for a page to step forward, after telling the young boy to get some water for the Lady Hikaru, he turned back to her.
"When we get to my kingdom, I'll make sure to see to it that you are made fire resistant gloves so that when you take care of Terren, your hands won't burn anymore." She looked up speechless.
"You heard?" Her face was becoming redder by the second. Lantis found he had to fight back his desire to brush back the strand of hair in her eyes and tell her yes.
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Umi gently slid her arms down her bare legs, it had seem like ages since they had started riding, and all the time she felt the emptiness inside her grow larger, like a hole in her heart growing larger and larger with every second. With a sigh she looked towards the pack that contained soap and herbs to wash herself with.
Rising she walked towards a bush that was close by, a piece of material long enough to cover her draped over her arm. Slowly undressing the girl thought about how much she missed her sisters and wondering what they were doing at that time. It was around noon, the group she was with had decided to rest for a bit before continuing on. Many handmaidens had asked her if she wished for them to help her, but she had politely declined the offer.
A rustle of the leaves caught her attention.
"Please don't come yet!" She shouted to the person, the footfalls continued. Realizing that they wouldn't stop until they were right in front of her the girl jumped into the stream.
"It's freezing!" She muttered her teeth already chattering against her will. Footsteps were still heard coming nearer.
"PUUUUU!" A flying piece of yellow fluff came hurtling towards her, Umi realizing what it was had all the right to let it just drop into the water, but something caught her eye, a letter! Quickly running to catch the demon creature, she nearly tripped on the slippery sand. Barely catching the bouncy creature she glared at it before ripping the letter off of it's neck and promptly dropping it. Smirking as Mokona tried to make his annoying sound underneath the waters surface. Opening the letter she unfolded the piece of parchment.
Umi
Trusting though weary, I secretly put Mokona into your groups traveling luggage so as he could watch over you to make sure you kept your promise. I believe I'll be coming to check up on Ascot next month but I have a feeling you will hear from me again sooner.
Do be careful and put trust in your heart, take heed of my advice it may come in use…
Clef
Umi stared off into space for a minute, thinking why Clef wanted her to be careful, why he told her to trust her heart, and the main question why in the world did he have to send Mokona to watch over her? The two of them did not get along at all!
"PUU!" The little demon popped out of the water and sprayed water at her from it's mouth, grabbing a hold of it she pushed it underneath the water. Another thought crossed her mind, as she soon forgot about Mokona, why did Clef say they would see one another sooner then the others would? Noticing a slightly blue Mokona she let go of the things head, and watched as it popped out of the water with a extra long "PUUUUU PUU!!"
After what seemed like forever, the young woman knew she had to get out of the now warm water, slowly walking towards the edge she hoisted herself up, grabbing the material she had hanging from a branch she quickly wrapped it around herself to dry off, she brushed her hair with her fingers as her brush was back at camp.
Once that tedious task was done she got back into her dry clothes and gently placed her feet back into their proper boot and laced the tying together, grabbed the bouncing demon and headed back to camp.
As they walked she noticed how eerily quiet it was, she heard Mokona give out a frightened sound as he too heard the nothingness of the forest. She looked around as if expecting at any moment thieves would jump out of the trees and tie her hands behind her and gag her.
Nothing Happened
Which in it's own sense frightened the girl even more so then she already was. She was a few feet from the camp now and still no sound. She walked quietly into the camp, no one was there! 'What's happened here, it's so barren? I can feel my heart beating so quickly' Her thoughts were cut short as she heard bows being stretched back, and another sound a new sound.
"Sele?" Looking down she spotted a small, sapphire blue… dragon!?
"Ahh!" She jumped back away from the small blue thing, the dragon took a step towards her.
"Sele selee!!" The dragon smiled at her.
"Where there's a child there has to be a mother," She muttered under her breath. The dragon clawed at her legs with dull nails, frightened Umi bent down doing what she thought it wanted her to do. The Dragon smiled a childish smile and climbed onto her lap. It absently swatted at her hair, causing her to laugh despite herself. Umi stared down into the dragon's black beady eyes. The smile still plastered on it's face.
"You remind me of Hikaru, so much dragon." A tear escaped her rolling down her cheek, she could hear bows retreating. More tears fell from her eyes, the little dragon stared up at her with sympathy filled eyes, he stood up on it's hind legs and quickly licked the tears from her cheeks.
Placing her hand where the dragon had licked her, she smiled.
"Thank you,"
"Sele!" She giggled, running her hand over the dragons tough skin that seemed impossibly smooth.
Do be careful and put trust in your heart, take heed of my advice it may come in use…
Clef's words rang in her head, was this what he meant to look inside her heart? To trust this dragon, protect the small sapphire child that was lost? She smiled down at it weaving her hand through the air. Small rivulets of water hung in midair where her hands once were. Staring at them she continued to draw, water taking place where her hand once was.
"Water Dragon." She muttered in a low voice, water spouted forth taking the drawing she had drawn earlier and shaping it to the form of a dragon. The little dragon on her lap pawed at it, it's never dimming smile replaced with tears much like her earlier ones.
"She's your mother isn't she?" Umi spoke about the dragon formed in midair slowly fading away the young woman looked at the small Dragon and picked it up so as to face her. Repaying the favor she placed gentle and graceful kisses on the dragons tears, knowing that the small dragon she held was a follow female at that instant.
"Surprisingly my magic takes the form of her… It must mean that I am to be your new mother," She paused and smiled at the small dragon " I'll take good care of you, I call you Sele since that appears to be the only thing you can say." Sele looked at her now adopted mother a glimmering smile once again on her face.
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Fuu slowly unpacked everything from her luggage. They had arrived at Ferio's Castle, early that afternoon. Winni flew absentmindedly around the room. Fuu smiled remembering the way the housekeeper had frowned upon the idea that the bird would be sharing her room with her and not stay in aviary, but she had insisted.
What also was on her mind was the fact that Ferio had asked her if she had the ability of Wind magic and why everyone had whispered about it. She knew that by now it was probably the main source of gossip or at the very least the second main source of gossip, the first being, she blushed, her and Ferio's budding relationship.
"Mi'lady, His highness wishes your presence for a late afternoon meal." Fuu smiled at the elderly woman and nodded, before turning back to the activity at hand, She saw over her shoulder that the woman still stood there, staring at her handiwork.
She too turned to stare at what she had done so far. She didn't know why the woman was staring at her, she was doing a impeccable job at doing it.
"Mi'lady that is maids work, you shouldn't need to do that," Realization dawned on Fuu's features, so she was worried over her job was she? She gently patted the clothes she had been folding and turned to face the woman once more.
"What's your name?" The woman seemed to shrink away from her.
"Resias Mi'lady,"
"That's a lovely name!" Hands clapped together she turned back to the clothes and picked up the piece of clothing she had recently folded, and walked over to Resias, handing them over she placed them in the her now waiting hands.
"I couldn't possibly make you do all the work so I'll help you.. besides I'm used to doing these kind of things myself." Resias nodded a smile on her withered looks. There was something about this girl that she liked, and she was glad she had come to the kingdom.
The two worked together for an hour before Fuu remembered Resias reason for coming to her room anyway. "Well I better go to that meal," She mentioned, she had to admit she was having fun unpacking and didn't want to leave. Halfway out the door she heard her name called.
"Mi'la… Miss. Fuu" She paused to give the young woman who had insisted on being called her given name "Prince Ferio asked that you meet him in the Library," She looked around and saw a young girl maybe two years younger then Fuu walk by, calling for her she continued. "Lilly here will show you the way." Fuu thanked her and followed the younger girl.
After many twists and turns, and her conclusion that all castles and palaces were made up of only mazes of hallways, Fuu found herself standing in front of the library. Slightly nervous she pushed the door open. As she walked in she gaped at the size of it all. Looking around her she remembered something.
Flashback
Laughter could be heard coming from there room, it was the last night they had together and to enjoy the event more they had pushed their beds beside one another and decided to sleep like that. At the time Umi was retelling the explanation of the three Princes kingdoms to her sisters, mimicking every word the mage had told her. Fuu's thoughts wondered off as Umi told Hikaru about Lantis's land and how it was near the mountains.
She wasn't sure if she didn't like it or if she was concerned, but she was weary of her sister's and the mage's relationship. Yes she knew they were only friends but she saw the way Prince Ascot had stared at the two while dancing, she worried that he would become jealous and Umi would have to make a terrible choice. She saw the same line of events happening to Hikaru as well, though she would have to choose between the Prince and the Knight.
"Fuu?" Turning her attention to her sister once more she listened as Umi began to explain Ferio's land.
'Ferio…' Now there was a confusing subject, intriguing yet confusing. She couldn't lie and say she didn't enjoy their time spent at the ball, though only dancing as it was, but something happened that led to her being so dazed during dinner.
"…Oh and Clef told me that Prince Ferio has the best gardens by far in the land, you love gardens don't you Fuu, oh and I think I remember something about a Library, not at the ball but… I can't remember but supposedly it too is quite interesting…"
End Flashback
Quite interesting was a understatement, miraculous could be the proper word. Two floors of books lined the walls, and shelves tables and sitting cushions and chairs were situated randomly. Looking up she saw a pair of golden eyes observing her.
"Prince Ferio, You have this wonderful library yet you don't like to read? That seems a bit insane upon seeing this!" She heard his chuckle even from where she stood.
"It does doesn't it?" She watched his eyes shoot over to something to her left, following his gaze she saw stairs leading up to the second floor. Understanding she walked towards them, slowly but surely she climbed up the stairs, eyes on all the books as she did so. When she reached the top, she forced her eyes away from the books only to once again come face to face with the pair of golden eyes.
Holding his hand out to her, she accepted and allowed herself to be guided to the table where she saw a kettle of tea prepared, after Ferio had pulled out her chair for her she sat down.
"So…" She started, her nervousness catching up with her.
"About that oath you took, when should it start? I'm convinced now to try and finish it, even if it will please my advisors. I can picture the praise you'd get." He smiled mischievously, she held back a peal of laughter.
"I pity your advisors."
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Author Notes: Yes um.. I have reasons to how my mind works really! I have to say though she is my favorite character I don't know if I'm too keen with Umi's part of the chapter… yes
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