Disclaimer:
I don't own MKR or any of the characters CLAMP does sadly...
Author
Notes: A couple things I want to say.
1. Sorry, sorry ,sorry for
not updating soon enough! I feel ashamed of myself slaps wrist
bad RosePrince!
2.This chapter is shorter then the others so far
I'm sorry
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Ascot paced the length of the hall. He had received a letter from Clef stating that he had a change of plans and was heading in his direction. Umi leaned against the wall, contemplating the reason as to why her heart was beating so fast. Caldina was also in the room trying her hardest to calm Ascot down. Hilana, who over the period of two days had become a confidante to Umi, was seated in a chair not far from the sea maiden.
Also amongst the crowd were Sele and Mokona, Mokona was following Ascot around with the occasional 'puu' like always and Sele was resting at her adoptive mother's feet. One of the rare times the creature actually slept.
"He should've been here by now!" Ascot muttered. Caldina stepped in front of him, her arms placed out on his shoulders. The prince finally stopped his pacing and walked to a chair. Once he was seated his eyes drifted over the room finally landing on Umi. He was surprised at how easily she had taken to the news and how calm she was currently acting but then part of him was upset that she had been thrown into this mess.
At the moment Umi still was leaning against the wall a confused look spread through her features. The blue dragon asleep for once. Sensing his stare Umi met his eyes causing him to blush. What he didn't know was that along with befriending his advisor over the past two days since that fateful meeting, she had been in constant communication with the very mage he was worrying about.
Flashback
Umi entered her room. She had slowly left the meeting room with thoughts and questions filling her head. Emeraude was a being called a Pillar and she controlled nearly everything just with her prayers. The sea eyed girl felt a huge pain in her heart that went out to the priestess. No one should have to live like that. She stepped up to the vanity to brush her hair but found no amusement in doing so, so she moved to the small port like window. Peering out into the sea. An array of fish swam by without noticing her. She smiled being underwater like she was, was amazing.
"Umi..." The voice made her jump. She recognized it easily and turned around to once again came face to face with a transparent form of Clef.
"Hello," She whispered her eyes downcast.
"You know now don't you?" She nodded; she felt the stream of tears fall down her face. She felt something cold against her cheek. Upon looking up she saw that it was the form of Clef wiping her tears, although he really couldn't it was the thought that mattered.
"Do you remember the legend I told you?" Her eyes were lost in his murky ones. "Yes of course." She said. She remembered especially since that was the day she promised to find out about him.
"Well that is my plan, whoever has kidnapped the priestess has a reason, what that reason is I do not know but the legend of the magic knights says that the warriors will rescue the source of light in it's time of need. I am only assuming that the 'light' is Emeraude since she is the light of Cephiro and if I am also correct in my assumption that you and your sisters are the magic knights, then I know how we can make sure you are the Magic Knight of Water but there is a downside to this…" He trailed off.
Umi found herself enthralled by his story but the downside she had to know, though she had a gut feeling she would do this task anyway.
"What is it?" The mage sighed.
"If you are not the Magic Knight of Water and still try to attempt this test you will die." The statement made a great impact on her. Die? Die was such a harsh word but deep down Umi knew what she must do. "Alright I understand."
"I will arrive in two days, Umi I need you prepared; the night I arrive we'll be heading down to the ruins."
End Flashback
She had her eyes closed again which worried Ascot. It was like she had just remembered a painful memory. That he understood for every day was like a painful memory for him now. Footsteps could be heard coming quickly toward them.
"Your Highness, the Master Mage is here!" The entire room stood if they were not already and walked to meet the mage. Clef was wearing the same robes Umi always saw him in though they were a bit darker.
"Ascot these are dark times, I'm sorry that we, the King and I, couldn't tell you sooner." His eyes searched for hers as he listened to Ascot's warm welcome. She made their eyes meet and curtly nodded at him. His eyes widened at the sight of the sapphire dragon by her feet. Umi mouthed the word 'docks' to him knowing full well that they would be able to talk freely there, and turned on her heel leaving the welcoming party, Sele trailing after her.
---
Hikaru was being passed from partner to partner until she once more was with her starting one. Eagle stared at the fiery young woman in his arms with admiration. He had watched the whole scene with the mystery person and it had aroused a pang of jealously through him. He had watched Hikaru try and chase after him and at that moment he knew that mystery man owned a piece of the petite woman's heart.
Though through it all he was glad to have finally gotten a dance with her, it amazed him when he found that Hikaru had become quite the popular one of the evening. Men wanted to dance with her and he couldn't blame them. The innocent aura around her was alluring and her wine red eyes could melt any heart. He was proud to say his was one of her eyes victims.
"Are you enjoying yourself Miss. Hikaru?" She smiled blissfully, a dazed look in her eyes.
"Yes very much so," Eagle noticed that her eyes were searching the crowd for a particular person he could only guess that it was her mystery man she was looking for. He too started to look through the crowd, trying to find something that could distract her. Nothing that he saw seemed to work then he found it a small clear garden. It was perfect. Not only was it to the side which wouldn't allow her searching eyes to search but it was empty that meant he could say anything he wanted. He stopped his movements and took her hand.
From the corner of his eye he could see that she blushed at his gesture.
"Hikaru," Came a quiet voice from behind them. The two turned to find a man wearing a stallion mask behind them.
"Ah Lantis, the festival is marvelous this year!" Eagle exclaimed. The prince nodded.
"Hikaru I would hope I can receive the next dance?" Hikaru blushed, which caused the same pang of jealousy to go through Eagle again.
"I'd be honored to dance with you Prince Lantis." Eagle smirked. She would willfully dance with him because she wanted to but with Lantis it seemed she was accepting because he was the Prince. It dawned on him that his thoughts towards his best friend were nothing but malicious. Could the girl by his side really destroy their friendship? He pushed the thought aside. Lantis was making his way back into the crowd; Eagle knew he would be watching them when he should be concentrating on his dance partner.
Eagle guided her to the secluded garden. Once there he found a stone carved bench and gestured to her to sit down on it. As soon as they were both seated Hikaru turned to face her blonde companion.
"Why have we left the dance floor?" He looked up at the stars.
"The stars are beautiful do you not agree?" She noticed that he was evading her question.
"Yes they are very beautiful tonight." The almost transparent dome allowed the two to gaze. Moments passed with no words until Hikaru felt something warm on her hand. Looking down she saw it was Eagle's hand. She reddened. Meeting his eyes Hikaru was surprised to find them staring at her. He brought his free hand to her face caressing it with his thumb and forefinger in slow steady movements.
"Eagle?" The caressing stopped as he put a finger to her mouth. Her lips felt soft under his touch, the red make-up on her lips came off slightly on his bare hand.
"I like you Hikaru." He whispered under his breath barely audible but Hikaru heard it but wasn't able to reply as she was kissed the second time that night.
The kiss wasn't as quick as the mystery person's though the passion thrown into it was equal. Eagle cupped her face with his hands, Hikaru found that her eyes closed and she was enjoying it. Eagle was glad that she wasn't fighting back, allowing him to kiss her, he knew though that it wasn't the best time so he slowly started to part away.
Hikaru's eyes fluttered open to find Eagle's golden ones staring deeply into her own. She sensed movement nearby and looked over his shoulder, she gasped.
"Lantis..." She quickly stood and ran after the dark haired prince leaving behind Eagle to wonder what in the world caused him to do that.
Hikaru tried to make her way to the fleeing prince. She was left with her thoughts that confused her. Why she was so worried about him or angered that she had even kissed Eagle in the first place 'Why am I acting like this?' She wondered. She found herself ambushed by dancers asking for her next dance and as she was held back she lost sight of the prince, she stomped her foot on the ground, which caused some of the men around her to back away.
"Stupid!" She muttered. She began to repeat the word over and over under her breath. She spotted movement in one of the castle windows; she turned, all her suitors had left once she had started mumbling to herself. She met his eyes. He broke the gaze like he had that night so many nights ago. She entered the castle after many minutes of intertwining through the guests. Took the passage of stairs that seemed right. She continued her search for the prince a nervous feeling flowing through her. Going through hallways and rooms, taking left and rights and finally she found him and when she did she wondered 'Why am I so worried about how he sees me?' and then she fainted as the prince made his way to her.
---
Fuu seated herself on one of the many chairs surrounding the majestic library that had become her haven from the world. Her eyes scanning over the words of the book in her hands, yet never quite reading them, her mind on Emeraude and the current situation. How could one person live with so much responsibility? Without you your world will slowly crumble, the burden must've been terrible. Though she had never been properly introduced to the priestess from what Ferio had told her the woman seemed to be a kind and caring soul who would never hurt anything. Fuu shuddered to think what her kidnapper could be putting her through.
Her head filled with thoughts she gave up on the book and placed it beside her face down. Bringing her fingers to her mouth she whistled softly, a haunting melody filled the air. Fuu smiled as the familiar song of Winni's could be heard. It was a day since she had learned about the truth and between that time and now she had learned that Winni liked this particular haunting melody and whenever she whistled it the bird would come.
Winni flew down from an open window, all four of her wings spread out wide, as she neared Fuu she prepared her talons for landing and did so landing softly on the girl's shoulder. Pecking at her ear affectionately Fuu glanced up at the bird a smile on her lips.
"What's that?" She asked upon seeing a pendent dangling from the animal's mouth. It was of a four winged bird much like Winni and it was perched over a blank space. Eyes wide she turned to face the bird.
"What is it?" Winni pecked at the empty space. A green light appeared where the space was. Softly at first but soon becoming more blinding until the entire library was filled with the light.
Fuu shielded her eyes but Winni nipped not so gently at her blocking hands. Finally complying with her friend's wishes she lowered her hands, and soon regretted it.
Pictures flashed before her eyes.
A mountain, tall and proud stood clearly in her mind's eye. Zooming in she saw a doorway cut from the stone. The picture entered the doorway. A giant stone carving of… Winni appeared next? Though it wasn't the Winni she knew. Then a voice, blurred but a voice none the less. Another burst a blinding green light and then nothing.
Fuu breathed heavily, trying to regain her breath but it wasn't over yet. One final picture exploded before her eyes before she lost all conscious.
A broad sword. Its hilt an awe-inspiring forest green shade. The image faded and all Fuu could see was darkness.
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Author Notes: Once again I'm sorry for the wait and shortness of this chapter please forgive me!
Please R&R
