Saturday
Clare shifted slightly then sighed before sitting up. The bed was empty and Luke's bags were gone. Clare sighed again and went to get dressed.
"Mama..." Miloh called from the door when she was dressed. Clare smiled and opened the door to scoop her son up.
"Daddy?" Miloh asked looking around the room.
"Is not in here...Let's go see if he's down stairs." Clare said putting Miloh on her hip to grab the railing on the stairs. Miloh leaned his head on her shoulder and settled in her arms. Clare got down the stairs and looked around. The front door was open and Flora was sitting there watching her father finishing tying his things to his saddle bags. Clare picked the little girl up and held her like her brother and stood watching her husband. With a final tug, Luke turned to her. Clare smiled sadly to him. Luke walked over to them and took them all in his arms. Clare leaned her head on his chest, "Be careful..."
"I'll be back as soon as possible..." Luke whispered. Clare shifted the twins so she could hug Luke. Luke threaded his fingers in her hair and held her close as the twins hugged him as well. Clare pulled back after a few minutes and adjusted the twins. Luke placed his hand to her cheek, "I promise, I'll return to you."
"I'll hold you to it...And I promise I'll wait for however long you are gone." Clare replied. Luke kissed her gently then pulled his cloak on and mounted his horse. Clare stood outside with the kids watching Luke until he was out of sight. The twins both sniffed before starting to cry.
"Shh...He'll be back..." Clare cooed then took the two upset infants inside. Miloh settled long before his sister did. Clare gently rocked both of them in her arms as she went into the living room. Flora soon cried herself to sleep while Miloh was quiet in her arms. Clare sat in a rocking chair and rocked the two children while looking outside. It was a tired sigh that drew her attention away from the window. Clare glanced over at the couch. Anni was already gone. Clare sighed softly and kept rocking the two children.
"Clare...?" Marie asked.
"Hmmm?" Clare hummed and looked for the little Keaton.
"Could you watch them for a while, I need to get out for a bit, I'm going stir crazy?" Marie asked.
"Yeah sure..." Clare said with a small smile.
"Thank you..." Marie replied and turned to leave but paused mid-step, "He'll be back, I know it." And with that she disappeared. Clare sighed and shifted the twins so she could keep an eye on the kits. As usual the three larger ones pushed the runt onto the floor. Clare sighed and picked the little one up and set it on her lap. It was a darker shade of gold than it's siblings and was born with three tails instead of two.
"Well you're a special one aren't you..." Clare whispered gently. The tiny kit pawed at her skirt before curling into a tight ball. Clare grabbed a blanket and tossed it over the kit and her lap. Miloh shifted in her arms, "Irian..." He said pointing to the kit.
"Irian, that's the kit's name?" Clare asked.
"Irian...heaven..." Miloh replied.
"Irian means heaven?" Clare asked her son. Miloh nodded making his mother wonder where he was getting this information.
"Who's teaching you all this?" She asked her son, confused.
"Daddy..." Miloh replied.
"Oh..." Clare hummed then started rocking gently again, "Do you want to hold Irian?" Miloh blinked then nodded. Clare nodded and let Miloh grab the tiny Keaton then picked him back up so she could rock better. Miloh was much like Sophie, very gentle and patient. Clare started humming gently as she rocked. Miloh looked up at her, "Mommy...okay?"
"Yeah...I'm fine..." Clare whispered then smiled to her son. Miloh snuggled close to her in turn keeping Irian warm. Clare continued her humming. It wasn't long until Miloh joined his sister. Clare smiled lightly then looked out the window. There was a silence that wasn't quite right without Luke that settled over the house. Clare kept her attention on the window as she hummed lightly and kept rocking. Even though it was the runt, Irian was the first to open her eyes, and they were the clearest shade of gold Clare had ever seen.
"You're a pretty little thing aren't you..." Clare whispered softly. Irian cocked her head to the side and blinked.
"You're still too young to understand me but...you're still pretty..." Clare whispered again. Irian yawned and settled in her son's arms. Clare sighed softly and looked up at the roof. Marie returned ten minutes later looking much better, her coat was shiny again and she seemed happier. Clare looked down at the Keaton mother and smiled lightly, "Now I know where the little Irian gets her looks from..." Marie squeaked in embarrassment and hid under the couch. Clare smiled and continued to rock slowly. Lucas chuckled as he came into the living room. Clare smiled to him then stared at the window. Flora woke up and started to whine, she hadn't had her breakfast and she'd slept through her dinner.
"Okay..." Clare whispered and adjusted her hold on the twins before standing and going to the kitchen. Flora sniffed and pouted as her stomach growled.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Clare asked as she went to the fridge, "Some milk?" Flora nodded. Clare nodded to her and got a bottle ready. Her young daughter continued to pout as her stomach made protest.
"You know...if you keep pouting, your lip is going to get stuck like that..." Clare whispered as she shifted Flora and gave her the bottle. Flora ignored her warning and drank greedily. Clare smiled and prepared another bottle for Miloh then went back into the living to sit on the couch. Irian yawned and opened her eyes again. Clare smiled softly to the little kit. Irian sneezed and all her fur stood on end. Clare smiled and laid down on the couch, keeping the children on her stomach.
"Come here little one..." Marie said as she picked up Irian. Clare smoothed her children's hair back gently, looking up at the roof. Marie jumped back into her basket to nurse her litter and smooth out Irian's fur. Clare sighed softly and closed her eyes.
"Mommy...is...sad?" Miloh said quietly still learning to put a sentence together.
"Yes...mommy is sad..." Clare replied quietly. Miloh hugged her as tightly as a two year old could. Clare put her hand on his back gently. Miloh snuggled close to her, not knowing the words to tell her not to be sad. Clare started humming softly, trying to get her son back to sleep.
"No sleep...mommy no smile..." Miloh protested hugging her tighter. Clare smiled lightly, "Okay okay..." Miloh settled a little but his hold on her didn't loosen. Clare picked the twins up, "I'm going upstairs, call me if you two need me..." She told the keatons before going to the stairs. Marie nodded as did Lucas. Clare nodded to them then went up the stairs and into the conservatory. Miloh snuggled as close to her as he could get. Clare shifted the twins and grabbed the silver flute covered in dust. Miloh shifted in her arms and kissed her cheek. Clare kissed the top of his head with a smile as she sat in a corner of the room.
"I...like...when mommy smiles..." Miloh said quietly.
"I'll try to smile for you..." Clare whispered. Miloh hugged her again. Clare smiled softly and turned the twins so they were sitting in her lap. Flora fell against her brother having fallen back to sleep. Clare smiled lightly and brushed the flute of hope off. Miloh hugged his sister and she settled contently. Clare finished dusting the ancient flute off and tested it, "Notes are a little off..." Miloh looked at her with a look that said, 'Because you're heart's not in it.' Clare adjusted the mouth piece and tested it, "Sounds a little better." Miloh sighed and leaned against her. Clare took a deep breath before starting to play the song of destiny lightly. Miloh crawled out of her lap and pulled himself up to the piano without his mother noticing. Clare took a quick breath and continued with the song. To her surprise someone picked up the melody and played with her. Clare looked over at the piano in shock. Miloh smiled at her and played the next line to coax her to continue. Clare smiled to him, a true smile, and carried on with the song. Miloh kept in time with her. They both finished the song and she smiled to him.
"Mommy smile...I happy..."Miloh said.
"I'm happy too..." Clare said smiling to him. Miloh climbed down and tottered back over to her. Clare scooped him up as soon as he was in arms reach and sat him on her lap. Miloh looked up at her and blinked.
"Do you want to go put your dad's sea coat on?" Clare asked smiling lightly. Miloh cocked his head to the side.
"Come, I'll show you." Clare said picking the twins up then she went to the master bedroom. Miloh looped his arms around her neck. Clare smiled and when they were in the room, set Flora and Miloh on the bed, "Give me a second to find it." Miloh was watching his mother in curiosity. Clare dug in the closet the pulled the blue coat out.
"Daddy?" Miloh asked.
"Yup, it's daddy's." Clare said and held it out to him, "Do you like it?" Miloh reached more for her than the coat but Clare couldn't tell.
"Hmmm...I have an idea..." Clare said and disappeared into the closet. Miloh was now very confused, if this is what his father not being around did to his mother, dad wasn't allowed to leave anymore. Clare came out with Luke's coat on and had a pair of boots on with brown pants. If Miloh cocked his head any further he'd fall over.
"I'm kinda cold." Clare said and sat on the bed next to them.
"Mama's sad again..." Miloh whined as he clung to her.
"Nope, come here. It's warm." Clare said picking him up. Miloh clung to her now he was the one that was upset.
"What's wrong honey?" Clare whispered.
"I miss...daddy..." Miloh whined and snuggled close to her so he could hear her heartbeat.
"Shh..." Clare cooed and laid on the bed. Miloh settled a little as he cried quietly. Clare rubbed his back gently and calmly.
"Mommy not leaving too?" Miloh whimpered.
"No, I'm not leaving..." Clare whispered gently. Miloh sniffed and settled. Clare smiled gently and rubbed her son's back. After a few minutes Miloh went to sleep. Clare smiled lightly and picked Flora up to put her beside her brother. Miloh shifted to hug his sister. Their mother started to hum softly and gently.
"Mom...mom..." Lucas called quietly. Clare gently set her little ones on the bed and covered them before surrounding them in pillows before going down to Lucas, "Yes?"
"We lost Irian again..." Lucas sighed.
"Okay." Clare said and listened for the youngest kit. This time the tiny kit had somehow ended up in the study.
"How did she get there..." Clare muttered to herself as she went and got Irian. The tiny kit was sound asleep on Clare's cloak from Halloween.
"You're a funny one..." Clare whispered and picked up the kit gently. Irian snuggled into Clare's warmth and settled. Clare smiled gently and packed the tiny creature back to her parents. Irian yawned and opened her eyes.
"You find the funniest places to sleep..." Clare commented lightly as she walked towards the basket. Irian snuggled into her mother's fur and went back to sleep. Clare smiled and went back upstairs, not feeling comfortable with leaving the twins alone for long. And that feeling was correct as Miloh had managed to find his way to the edge of the bed. Clare scooped her son from the edge and set him beside Flora before laying beside them. Miloh yawned and rolled to clutch the front of her shirt. Clare smoothed his darkening hair back and then rubbed Flora's back gently. She was hot to the touch much like her father. Clare smiled lightly, "So cute..." Miloh snuggled into her so his head was on her chest. Clare sighed lightly and looked up at the roof. Suddenly Irian dropped onto the bed next to her which explained why they always found the kit in odd places, she was unable to control her fazing yet. Clare smiled lightly and put the young kit on her lap. Irian's tails flicked and wrapped around her. Clare then went back to staring at the roof.
"You should find a way to keep yourself distracted...or else you'll go crazy from loneliness." A voice in her head said. Clare sighed then shifted the children and kit to bend down and get her sewing kit, "...fine..."
"I'm just trying to help, since you're always helping me..." The voice said.
"This is Anni right?" Clare asked as she pulled out the blue fabric.
"Ummm...no...my name's Irian, you know that..." The voice replied.
"That's new a telepathic Keaton..." Clare muttered and started to take measurements for Miloh's little coat.
"Not much I can do about it but it works..." Irian replied.
"Whatever works for you I guess..." Clare muttered and pulled her arms out of the sleeves of the coat so she could start sewing. Irian shifted in her lap and yawned.
"Go to sleep little one..." Clare said and shifted slightly.
"Okay..." Irian replied and was soon asleep. Clare smiled lightly and shifted to continue to work.
"Mama..." Miloh whined.
"Yes dear..." Clare whispered.
"I'm cold..." Miloh whimpered. Clare smiled and shrugged her husband's coat off before draping over her son. Miloh settled but not before snuggling closer to her. Clare rubbed his back before continuing on with the small sea coat. Irian tumbled off her lap onto the bed. Clare smiled lightly and moved the tiny kit towards the twins. They all remained asleep for the next two hours. Clare only got part of the coat done. Irian was the first to awaken followed shortly by the twins. The older woman stretched before setting the small coat next to her. There was a knock on the front door.
"Come on you three..." Clare said putting Irian on her shoulder carefully then she picked up Flora and Miloh. Irian settled with her three tails wrapped around Clare's neck. Clare went downstairs and opened the door. Anni and Sophie stood before her.
"Oh, hello. Come inside." Clare said stepping aside. Anni shook her head, "Go on sweetie..." Anni coaxed to her daughter. Clare smiled lightly.
"Umm...do you...want to come for dinner?" Sophie asked shyly, as the young blonde got older she became shyer.
"I would love to come over for dinner." Clare replied smiled softly. Sophie smiled as she hid behind her mother. Clare smiled softly, "Won't you two come inside?"
"Come on sweetheart..." Anni said gently as led her five year old daughter inside. Clare smiled and set Flora and Miloh down on the floor, "I'll go make something to drink, do you want something Sophie?"
"Water please..." Sophie replied quietly.
"Okay...Tea for you Anni?" Clare asked.
"Please..." Anni replied as she tucked Sophie's hair behind her ears.
"Okay, please watch the twins and little Irian." Clare replied as she handed the tiny Keaton to Anni.
"Heaven, that's a beautiful name..." Anni said quietly as she handed the Keaton to her daughter and Miloh pulled himself into her lap. Clare went into the kitchen to prepare the drinks. Anni spoke quietly with Miloh as he sat in her lap. Clare came back with tea and Sophie's water. Sophie ducked behind her mother, "Every year she gets more timid and quiet" Anni said quietly as she coaxed her daughter out from behind her. Clare smiled, "It's alright..." She said sat down in a chair and Flora climbed into her lap.
"She starts school next year, I'm worried she'll have the same problem I did..." Anni said as she smoothed Sophie's hair back.
"She'll be fine, if anything happens we'll help..." Clare whispered smiling. Anni smiled as Sophie took her glass. Clare smoothed Flora's hair back and sipped her tea.
"Have they started talking yet?" Anni asked as Miloh played with her pendent.
"Miloh has, Flora is getting there." Clare whispered as she tucked the little girl's hair behind her ears. Flora shifted to snuggled close to her. Clare smiled softly and rubbed her daughter's head. Anni set her empty cup on the coffee table along with Sophie's glass, "Shall we go?" Clare smiled and scooped up Flora to get cups. Anni smiled and shifted Miloh and told Sophie to put Irian with her mother. Clare smiled to them, "I'll be back, just put these in the kitchen." Anni nodded as Sophie darted back to take her mother's hand. Clare smiled, "I'll see you guys up at the Inn then?"
"No, we'll wait, it would be rude to invite you then leave to walk up on your own." Anni replied. Clare smiled and glanced at the clock, "Okay but supper would be another four hours."
"Doesn't mean you can't come visit for a bit besides there's a little surprise up there for you." Anni said with a smile.
"Okay, just let me gather the kids up and their stuff." Clare said gathering the things up. Anni nodded and squeezed her first borns hand to calm her. Clare smiled and gathered the twin's things up before picking said twins up, "Okay, we're ready..." Anni smiled and led her daughter out the door. Clare pulled the door closed and followed Anni. It was kind of sad to see her oldest niece so timid, the slightest noise made her jump. Clare shook her head sadly but followed quietly. Anni hugged her oldest and picked her up. Clare glanced off to the woods before looking at the ground. Anni squeezed her shoulder, "Do you want to stay with us until he returns?"
"I don't think that would help much..." Clare whispered as she looked up, "I'll still miss him..." Anni smiled softly and squeezed her shoulder again. Clare smiled lightly to Anni, "We should carry on..." Anni smiled and shifted her hold on her oldest daughter. Clare nodded her head to where Link was waiting with Anni's twins as Anni's husband shifted his weight nervously, "Link's getting edgy..."
"I haven't a clue what's got him on edge this time." Anni replied.
"Maybe it's the fact that you have a surprise for me? Or he knows that your uncle left..." Clare mused trying to sound fine.
"Link didn't know about this surprise till it walked in our door and for Uncle leaving, I'm sure how..." Anni turned to look at her.
"Well let's not keep them waiting..." Clare said walking forward. Anni set Sophie down and shooed her home before she grabbed Clare's wrist. Miloh looked at Anni and Flora tilted her head to the side as Clare turned around to give the same head tilt as Flora.
"Quit acting like you're alright, you're doing the exact same thing you told me not to." Anni said, her eyes beginning to water.
"I'm fresh out of tears Anni..." Clare whispered after covering her children's ears.
"Tears or not, at least talk about it, it's not good to bottle it up, you said so yourself..." Anni pleaded.
"I promised Miloh I'd smile for him, so until he's asleep, this is all I can do...I don't want to see him sad." Clare whispered.
"A smile doesn't mean anything if it's not real..." Anni whispered as she released Clare's wrist.
"I know..." Clare whispered back and uncovered her children's ears. Anni smiled at her once before going to find out what was bothering her husband. Clare sighed lightly and followed and caught the words, "Ate my slippers..." out of Link.
"Is that all, I can fix them, you know that..." Anni laughed as she patted his cheek and went inside. Link shook his head and smiled to Clare, "How did you control Bane?"
"I didn't. He was good." Clare replied as she smiled back to him. Anni giggled but it was a quiet whine that caught Clare's attention.
"Oh dear...Bane decided to visit, didn't he..." Clare mused as she let Link hold the door open for her.
"Oh more than just Bane..." Anni replied with a smile. Clare sighed, "Bane's family too eh?" Anni giggled and disappeared into the kitchen. Clare sighed again and took the twins to sit on the couch. Curled up in front of the fire was a beautiful young collie and in front of her, seven unsteady pups. Clare smiled softly and sat on the couch before sitting Miloh and Flora on her lap.
"Cute aren't they?" Anni asked from behind her.
"Yeah, but they always are...until they eat Link's slippers then they are adorable..." Clare joked lightly. Anni giggled and picked up the eighth pup and placed it next to Clare. Miloh and Flora looked at the pup as did their mother then she stroked the small pup's head gently. The pup yawned and flopped across her children's laps. Flora squeaked but Miloh started to pet the pup, Flora eventually followed her brother's lead then giggled softly when the soft fur touched her hands. Clare smiled gently and nuzzled her children's heads. Miloh smiled seeing her smile. Clare smiled softly as she watched her children bury their faces and hand's in the puppy's fur. Link sat next to her and gave her that 'Are you alright?' look. The smile on the ninja's face said 'yes, for the children's sake' but her eyes said 'no, I need a hug'. Link glanced at two children that had fallen asleep before pulling the woman he still called a sister into a hug. Clare leaned her children against her stomach before hugging Link back. Link held her tightly knowing he couldn't comfort her the way someone like Luke or Anni could.
"Link...could you watch Flora and Miloh for a minute..." Clare said, her voice cracking.
"Sure..." Link replied as he took the two children from her. Clare stood after moving the pup and quickly made her way to the bathroom. Link called his wife and sent her after their Aunt. Clare closed the door with a soft click then leaned against the tub. There was a quiet knock on the door, "Auntie Clare?"
"Yes..." Clare whispered, her voice cracking badly. Anni opened the door, "Are you alright?" Clare was sitting against the tub, tears sliding down her face, "Guess I'm not that out of tears yet..." Anni crossed the room to kneel in front of her Aunt, "Can I do anything?"
"Well you can either guard the door or give me a hug..." Clare offered. Anni opened her arms, "Come here..." Clare opened her arms and gave Anni a hug. Anni hugged her tightly and rubbed her back. Clare cried opening into Anni's shoulder. Anni rocked back to sit down as she did her best to comfort her Aunt. It was about ten minutes later before the tears stopped. At some point Clare had ended up halfway into Anni's lap as her young niece soothed circles in her back.
"He hasn't even been gone a day and I'm already a wreak..." Clare muttered as she whipped the tears off her face.
"It's alright, we all understand how much he means to you and being away from him must be hard on you but bottling it up even for Miloh it's a good thing..." Anni cooed.
"Just for the twins..." Clare whispered.
"Auntie Clare, Miloh's a smart boy, I'm sure he can tell you're still hurting..." Anni replied as she rubbed more circles in her back.
"Maybe...but it makes me feel better that I can hid it from him..." Clare whispered. Anni sighed and hugged her tighter. Clare sighed and leaned her head on Anni's shoulder, closing her eyes. Her young niece, out of maternal habit, ran her fingers through Clare's hair in a soothing manner. Clare sighed again before she looked up, "Thanks..."
"I promised I'd be here when you need me and I always keep my work." Anni replied as she continued to run her fingers through Clare's hair.
"We should get out there before Flora and Miloh wake up." Clare said as she sat back. Anni hugged her one last time before trying to stand only to have her legs give out under her. Clare stood easily enough, "Here..." Clare said offering her hand.
"I'm so used to being on my feet all the time..." Anni sighed.
"Yeah that might do it..." Clare said and pulled Anni up. Anni was still a little shaky on her feet, like a child learning to walk. Clare smiled softly, "I'm glad I trained for three years of my life to not get legs cramps." Anni laughed sheepishly and squeaked when her knees buckled under her weight.
"Let's get you to a chair." Clare said and opened the door. Anni laughed sheepishly and then hung her head in embarrassment.
"Hey, it's alright, we all trip." Clare said smiling to her.
"Me more often than others..." Anni replied.
"Oh that reminds me, I heard you had a book about the keepers." Clare said snapping her fingers. Anni snapped her fingers and the thick tome dropped into her tiny hands.
"Okay you to a chair first." Clare said leading Anni to a chair in the living room. Anni sighed and muttered something about being pathetic.
"You are not, I can't summon a book with a snap of my fingers." Clare said sitting Anni down. Anni sighed, "But you're not a burden to your family..."
"Either are you..." Clare said as she flopped on the empty couch, Link must've taken her kids somewhere. Anni just managed to snatch up the puppy hiding under the throw pillow.
"So who wrote the book?" Clare asked holding her hands out for the heavy tome.
"No one knows, it's that old..." Anni replied.
"I've read plenty of books in my 'old' age...I might know who..." Clare muttered and opened the covered. Anni shook her head, "I find that highly doubtful..."
"Could be, if it was written after time froze...Who is it about? All the keepers or just one?" Clare asked.
"Before Eilene was the keeper, when she became the keeper and how she died..." Anni replied as she left the room.
"Wow, yup this is an old book." Clare said tapping the cover lightly before flipping to the back of the book. The book was written in the oldest script Clare had ever seen, the pages were aged and thin like rice paper.
"Anni, do you mind if I restore this?" Clare asked.
"Oh believe me, we've tried there's some kind of spell on there I can't even dissolve." Anni replied.
"Hmm...I think I know what creature wrote it...One of four, ethereal beings..." Clare muttered as she touched the cover and let her magic swirl over it. Within seconds her magic snapped back leaving her with the feeling of being slammed against a rock wall.
"Oh...he's going to feel that one..." Clare muttered as she examined the book. It looked normal enough.
"Hmmm, there's only one person who would know about this...Do you mind if I call Mistress Time down here?" Clare asked.
"No, Link's upstairs asleep with all the kids..." Anni replied.
"Okay, I'll call her. Grandma Time?" Clare said looking up at the roof.
"Yes dear?" Time replied from beside her. Clare jumped slightly before shaking her head, "What do you know about this book?" Clare asked her grandmother, holding the book out. Time took the tome from her and the cover changed as the pages restored, "I haven't seen this in years, where did you find it?"
"Anni had it." Clare replied.
"Anni, my dear, where did you find this?" Time asked her High Sage. Clare looked at the young girl.
"Hmm?" Anni asked having not heard the whole question.
"Where did you find the book?" Clare asked pointing to the tome in Time's hands.
"I didn't, it found me..." Anni replied.
"Wandering books...so annoying." Clare grumbled having a book 'find' her once.
"Not like that, I was in Ruby's shop and it caught on my finger..." Anni replied, "It kind of knocked me out..."
"Good...you don't want a wandering book." Clare said, "So she got it in Ruby's shop."
"Okay...I'm just going to..." Anni didn't even finish her sentence before she collapsed.
"Fall over..." Clare sighed as she went to get her niece.
"Does that happen a lot?" Time asked eyeing her unconscious sage.
"As of late..." Clare replied and pulled Anni into the chair she occupied before then she sat back down on her spot on the couch.
"As a sage, I thought she'd be stronger..." Time mused.
"Well it's been a stressful week for her and any hardened sage would crack under pressure." Clare said rubbing her forehead.
"Just like you dear?" Time asked.
"Huh?" Clare asked pulling her hand away from her forehead.
"Sweetheart, I can read you like this book and I can see you're hurting..." Time replied. Clare looked sadly at the window before looking at the floor, "Yeah..." Time smiled softly, "Do you want to talk about it dear or do you need another hug?"
"He left this morning...Hasn't been gone a day and I'm an emotional wreak..." Clare whispered. Time set the book on the coffee table, "Come here dear..." Clare turned her head and put it against her grandmother's shoulder. Time wrapped her arms around her granddaughter and held her tightly. Clare bit her lip, holding back the tears.
"Don't bottle it up dear, it's not healthy..." Time whispered as she shifted the smaller woman into her lap. Tears started leaking out of Clare's eyes and she put her face in her hands and cried.
"Shh...it's alright..." Time whispered as she guided Clare's head to her shoulder. Clare grabbed the front of her grandmother's dressed and cried openly and long. Time soothed circles in Clare's back and hummed a lullaby from Clare's time. Eventually the small ninja cried herself into a bliss less sleep.
"My poor girl..." Time whispered as she cradled Clare in her arms. Tears still fell off the ninja's face. Time carefully picked her up and carried her upstairs. Clare shifted slightly, whining quietly.
"Shh..." Time cooed as she slipped into one of the spare room. Clare quieted but she sniffled loudly. Time laid down on the bed and kept watch over her granddaughter. Flora and Miloh had managed to escape Link and saw Time walk into the spare room so the followed her. Time covered Clare so she wouldn't get chilled. Flora and Miloh tugged on the dress that was hanging off the bed, both children deeply concerned for their mother. Time looked down, then picked them up, "Shh...let her sleep..."
"Mama..." Miloh whined quietly as Flora whined, "Mommy..." Time smiled gently at the two children and held them close, "She misses your daddy..." Miloh and Flora both started to tear up. Time rocked them gently and hummed an old lullaby. They fell asleep before they started crying.
"You better come home soon Luke, your family is falling apart without you..." Time whispered as she ran her fingers through Clare's hair. She seemed to relax slightly with that. Time smiled a little and repeated the action. Clare relaxed a little further but that was it. Time stayed with her while she slept, afraid to leave her alone. Miloh woke then looked around. Time placed a finger to his lips, instruction he remain quiet.
"Daddy...coat..." Miloh whispered to the goddess. Time nodded and snapped her fingers. Luke's coat settled over Clare under the blankets. The ninja relaxed more, tucking her nose in the coat's collar. Time smiled and kissed her granddaughters forehead as she tucked Clare's hair behind her ear. Miloh shifted, "Me and Flora want....to sleep with mama..." Time nodded and placed the two toddlers with their mother. Clare curled around them instantly before settling. Time smiled and continued to run her fingers through Clare's hair. Eventually Clare stirred from her sleep.
"You alright dear?" Time asked.
"Yeah....I think I just might keep his coat on until he gets back..." Clare whispered. Time smiled gently, "Do whatever makes you happy dear..." Clare nodded gently and smoothed her children's hair down.
"They're worried about you dear..." Time whispered as she ran her fingers through Clare's hair.
"I'm worried about myself too..." Clare sighed softly and looked up at her grandmother. Time kissed her forehead, "Have you thought about checking up on him, it may help ease your mind?"
"He's taking the trails now...I don't think I can." Clare whispered softly.
"Have you tried and even if you can't, would you know in here if something happened?" Time replied as she tapped the place over Clare's heart.
"I'm sure I would feel it..." Clare said determined.
"Then try not to worry so much dearest..." Time whispered. Clare rubbed her arm, "It's kind of hard..."
"I know dearest, I know what it's like to worry about some close to your heart..." Time whispered as a sadness flashed in her blue eyes.
"I think every adult in the Inn could sympathize with us..." Clare whispered softly as she put at hand to her grandmother's shoulder. Time smiled and kissed Clare's forehead, "It's time for me to go, but don't hesitate to call me dearest."
"I won't, I'll talk to you later grandma..." Clare whispered.
"Take care dearest..." Time whispered as she disappeared leaving only silver dust. Clare smiled lightly before closing her eyes and curling back around her children. Miloh cuddled close to her and sighed. Clare smiled lightly and kissed his head before fading back into sleep. An hour later Anni was gently shaking her shoulder even though she looked like she was going to pass out again.
"You should go lie down Anni..."Clare said sitting up. Her niece never got a chance to reply, the residual magic left in the Inn knocked her back out. Clare grabbed her and laid her down next to her, on the other side of the twins. Anni groaned and placed her hand to her forehead.
"Now, what did you want to tell me?" Clare asked.
"Dinner's done..." Anni whimpered.
"Okay, you stay here, I'll go grab my plate." Clare whispered and stood from the bed.
"I hate magic..." Anni groaned. Clare smiled lightly, "I'll be back in a second..." Anni groaned and tossed her arm across her eyes. Clare sighed softly as she exited the room but going down the stairs, she missed a step and tumbled half way down the stairs, landing in heap on the bottom floor.
"Clare are you alright?!" Link asked as he picked her up.
"I think...yup, twisted my ankle and sprained my wrist." Clare replied.
"What happened?" Link asked as he set her on the kitchen counter.
"Missed a step..." Clare replied shaking her head sadly.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Link asked as he pulled a first aid kit out of the cupboards.
"I'll be fine..." Clare said waving her good hand. Link shook his head as he bandaged her wrist. Clare sighed lightly and shook her head again. Link was muttering under his breath about her nearly giving him a heart attack. Clare smiled lightly yet sadly before rubbing her arm. Link smacked her hand away, "Don't touch..."
"Oh, and you're going to stop me?" Clare asked glaring at him slightly. Link flicked her wrist sending a jolt of pain up her arms.
"Ow, hey!" Clare whined.
"Don't touch." Link repeated as he wrapped her ankle. Clare made a face before sighing in irritation. Link chuckled and went to get some ice. Clare waited patiently and quietly. Link returned with a bag of ice, "Alright, up we go..."
"You know...I can walk on my own." Clare commented off handily.
"I know that..." Link replied as he set her on her good foot. Clare smiled to him and limped to the dining room, "Came down here to get food, and I intend to go up with food." Link chuckled, "Still stubborn as ever..."
"And I will be for a long time, stubbornness is not curable." Clare said. Link laughed and disappeared out the front door. Clare gathered up some supper then limped up the stairs. A tiny set of hands took her plate and ran up the stairs. Clare sighed and slowly climbed the stairs before hobbling to the spare room. Sophie was just setting the plate on the nightstand. Clare smiled lightly before sitting on the bed. Sophie smiled shyly and ran away. Clare smiled lightly again before laying on the mattress and grabbing her plate. Anni had fallen back to sleep with her arms across her cousins. Clare smiled softly before starting to eat her dinner. Miloh rolled closer to Anni as Flora hugged her brother from behind. Clare smiled lightly at her little children before continuing on with her supper, then she put the empty plate on the nightstand. Anni groaned and rolled to the edge of the bed. Clare grabbed her niece and pulled her towards the center of the bed. Anni whined and shifted. The ninja shook her head, "Silly..." Anni whined and curled into a ball. Clare sat up and stood to take the plate down. Anni shifted then stilled. Clare sighed softly and took the plate to the kitchen. Link was there doing the dishes, his hair tied back, though his bangs fell in his eyes. Clare set the plate on the other dirty ones before leaving. Sophie was just coming down the stairs with Luna on one hip while holding Liam's hand. Clare waited until they past before going up the stairs slowly. Anni stumbled out of the spare room, still trying to get her bearings. Clare smiled, "How are you feeling?"
"Umm...dizzy..." Anni replied as she leaned against the wall.
"Then you should go lie down...Link's got the dishes, I'll just grab Miloh and Flora and we'll get out of your hair." Clare said.
"I just need to get out of the house..." Anni groaned as she slid down the wall.
"Go do some laundry then...I think Link's shirt is starting to smell." Clare replied as she slipping into the room and picked Flora and Miloh up. Anni did her best to get back to her feet, "Screw it, I'm just going to stay here..."
"I'll send Link up and I'll tell him to take you for a walk." Clare said as she came out of the room, one child in each arm.
"Sure..." Anni groaned, it was official, Time was no longer allowed within forty yards of Anni. Clare shook her head and limped down the stairs, "Oi, Link. Take your wife for a walk."
"Eh?" Link asked.
"Take Anni for a walk until Time's magic fades." Clare said stepping on the last step.
"Sure thing..." Link said as he dried his hands then went to get his wife before she passed out again. Clare nodded her head and limped to the door and outside to go back home. Miloh yawned and snuggled closer to her. Clare smiled softly and when she got to the house, opened the door quietly. Miloh noticed the limp in her step, "Mama...hurt."
"Just a twisted ankle...I'll be fine." Clare whispered to him. Miloh whined and snuggled into her neck. Clare smiled lightly and went over to the couch to lie on it. Miloh sat up and looked at her, "Mama hurt...in here." Miloh said as he placed his hand over her heart.
"...Yeah...Just a little..." Clare whispered as she shifted the long sleeves to expose her hands. Miloh whined and wrapped his arms back around her neck. Clare put her hand on her son's small head to smooth back his dark hair.
"Daddy come home soon..." Miloh whispered. Clare silently agreed with him. Miloh kissed her cheek. Clare smiled lightly and closed her eyes. Flora opened her eyes and yawned. Clare shifted slightly and put her other hand on Flora. Flora reached up and wiped away the tears she hadn't noticed were falling.
"Ah...not again..." Clare whispered quietly.
"It's okay to cry..." Flora whispered. Clare sniffed and hugged her children close to her. Flora returned the hug. Clare held them close until her tears dried. Flora nuzzled her neck. Clare let out a soft yet long sigh when the tears subsided. Flora grabbed her brother's hand, "Daddy is okay..." Flora whispered.
"I'm sure..." Clare whispered as Miloh nodded.
"Mommy sleep..." Flora instructed as she yawned.
"Alright..." Clare smiled softly to them. Flora and Miloh both loosened their hold on her. Clare picked them up and stood before going to the stairs, she limped up them and went into the nursery. Miloh and Flora kissed her cheeks. Clare kissed their heads before laying them down in their crib, "And if you two wake up before me, just play with your toys, cause I know you two know how to get out of your crib." Clare said as she kissed their foreheads. The both looked at her and acted completely innocent. Clare smile widely, "Be good, just don't go near the stairs." They both nodded and promptly fell asleep. Clare smiled gently before laying the blanket over them and going to the door.
"Sweet dreams mama..." Miloh whispered before falling into dreamland. Clare swallowed thickly as she closed the door. Irian tumbled to the floor behind her with a squeak. Clare scooped the tiny kit off the floor and walked to the master bedroom.
"Now I understand why they all laugh at me..." Irian whined.
"You'll get the hang of it..." Clare whispered. Irian sighed as she laid in Clare's arms.
"Believe me, you will get the hang of it..." The ninja whispered with a soft smile to the kit. That didn't seem to reassure her, "They can faze, they can talk, why am I so far behind?"
"You're not behind, you're further ahead than them, you just need some control." Clare said as she closed the door quietly before laying on the bed. Irian sighed, it did seem odd that even though she had three tails she wasn't talking. Clare put her hand on the kits head and began to rub the little ears. Iran sighed contently and her fur shifted colour. Clare smiled softly and closed her eyes. Irian soon joined the twins in dreamland. Clare opened her eyes and stared at the window.
"You should go to sleep, I know you're worried but still." Irian said after ten minutes.
"Don't worry about me...I've been up far longer than this..." Clare reassured the kit.
"Still...you should sleep lest your children start to worry." Irian said. Clare sighed and looked at the clock, "It's not even nine yet." Irian shook her head and remained quiet. Clare reached down and picked up the half finished coat to finish it. Irian shifted to lie next to her as her fur shifted to silver. Clare finished the coat and started on a green one for Flora. Every half hour that passed Irian's fur turned a different colour. Clare finished the green coat before pulling Luke's tighter around her.
"Go to sleep Clare, I'm sure Lady Time would tell you the same thing." Irian said.
"Okay..." Clare said and shifted so she could lie down. Irian moved to curl up at her chest. Clare rubbed the kit's ears gently. Irian nuzzled her cheek and leaned into her touch. Clare closed her eyes and let her breathing even out, even though she was not asleep.
"You're a very good actress Clare and I won't force you to do anything, I only wish you rest, good night..." Irian said a few minutes later. Clare moved the kit off her chest so she could go lean her head against the window, "I wish I could rest without being utterly exhausted..." Night passed slowly for her, it had been years since she was alone. Clare would move about the house without a sound, as she looked for stuff for her to do the next day. She checked on the twins every so often. She would also look towards the woods where he disappeared through when he left.