Title: A Secret No Longer
Author: Potato Maiden
Pairing: Umi Ryuuzaki/Ascot
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Theme: #5 -"ano sa" ("hey, you know...")
Disclaimer: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth, it, and all it's components belong to Clamp, who refuse to answer my phone calls...

'It's time...' Ascot thought. His heart pounded, his thoughts raced as he approached Umi one starry evening. Each step the palu took, twinges of doubt entered his mind. 'What if she doesn't answer the way I want her too? What if she does? What will she do? What will she say? Maybe I shouldn't tell her...'

"Ascot?" Umi looked up into the bangs of Ascot. He looked up in shock at the sudden appearance of Umi.

"O-oh. H-hi Umi."

"Hi Ascot." she smiled warmly at her friend. No. Not her friend... her... well, she didn't know just yet.

"I... have erm.. something to tell you." Ascot mumbled. "I uhm... well..." In the distance, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching the two. The footsteps stopped as Ascot turned red as soft lips caressed his own. His mind went to mush as Umi deepened the kiss almost hastily. When she pulled away, she breathed a sigh of relief as the sound of footsteps faded away.

"Sorry about that, Ascot. I had to do that."

"What why?"

"Well, Clef and I are fighting." Ascot's heart sunk at these words. 'That's right. She's with Clef. She just used me to get back at him. Maybe I shouldn't tell her.'

"Ascot?" the palu looked down at Umi, disappointment shining in his eyes. "What were you going to tell me?"

"Oh to have a good night sleeping."

"Oh! Well, thank you. You too." Umi hugged Ascot and walked away, her soft footsteps echoed down the corridor as Ascot looked down at the marble floor sadly.

"Ano sa... I really like you a lot..." he whispered. Footsteps fast approached as Ascot snapped his head up once more.

"I forgot to tell you something Ascot." Umi said quickly.

"What?"

"I didn't mean for the kiss to be taken the way I explained myself. Good night." Umi got on the tips of her toes and kissed Ascot once more on his cheek.

"G-g'night." Ascot stared after Umi confused. 'Does she like me or not? Girls are confusing.' he sighed and walked toward his room, trying to figure out how to understand the female species.

a/n: So enters a tiny, minuscule hint of Clemi. But it wasn't anything major. Tata for now!