Monday
Clare woke because of a stubborn ray of sunlight hitting her threw the crack in the curtains. Luke sighed and cuddled closer to the ninja. Clare moved until she could duck her head under Luke's as an attempt to hide from the sun. Luke stared tiredly at the wall as he continued to keep Clare close. With her nose pressed into his chest she fell back into a blissful sleep. An hour later Luke reawaken his ninja with a kiss to her temple.
"Mmm..." She groaned and shifted.
"Wake up Angel..." He said with a yawn.
"Why..." Clare asked after she yawned herself.
"Anni called us for breakfast ten minutes ago..." He replied releasing her and rolling on his back. She groaned and sat up. Luke stared blankly at the roof and yawned again. Clare yawned again and bent to slip her sandals on. Luke sat up looking a lot like a vampire. The ninja looked over her shoulder, "You're not going to suck my blood are you?" Luke gave her a blank look and a flat laugh, "What would you do if I said yes?" Clare shrugged her shoulders then rolled them. Luke sighed and groaned before flopping backwards again one arm drawn across his eyes.
"What didn't sleep good last night?" Clare asked yawning again.
"Out of habit...I woke up with Sophie every time she started crying...Anni's quick though, had her back to sleep within minutes..." Luke replied as he sat up again, his hands falling into his lap.
"Oh...I don't want to get up..." She said and flopped back onto the bed.
"I'd say let's stay in bed but I know Anni will come and get us up if we do..." Luke replied with a sigh as he ran his fingers through the ninja's hair.
"Well I guess we can have a nap later today if we're still tired..." Clare said as she leaned towards his hand.
"Sounds like a plan..." Luke replied as he let his fingers trail across Clare's cheek as he pulled his hand back. She sighed then sat up tiredly again.
"Come on I think Anni needs a hand downstairs..." Luke said as he finally climbed out of bed. The ninja stood, stretched and walked to the door. Luke stretched himself then walked over and looped his arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck. Clare leaned against him and snuggled his chest as they made their way into the hall and down the stairs.
"Link hold Sophie, Oh bloody hell..." Anni cursed as she raced back into the kitchen as smoke poured out of it. The ninja sighed softly. Anni backed out of the kitchen waving her hand in front of her, she coughed a couple of times then sighed, "Breakfast is officially delayed until further notice..."
"We can wait..." Clare said after she sneezed.
"Oh that's the first time I've burnt anything in six years..." Anni sighed as she shook her head at herself.
"You know...I could just reverse time until it's back to good..." Clare offered as she twisted her top left earring. Anni just waved her off and went to go open the back door of the kitchen. As Clare was walking over to the table her sandal caught on a floor board and she fell.
"Up we go...Looks like everyone's having a bad morning..." Luke said as he picked her up. The ninja was back asleep, not feeling the fall.
"Yeah a nap sounds good..." Luke mused as he carried Clare over to the couch and laid down with her. Clare snuggled into the hollow of his neck then clutched the fabric of his shirt in her hands. Luke yawned and quickly joined her. Farore appeared to visit and looked over at the couch, "Aww...they're just so cute!" Luke, who wasn't quite all the way asleep, looked up at her drowsily and waved before slipping off all the way. Anni sighed in the kitchen and sat down heavily on the floor before smacking the back of her head against the cupboard door. Farore walked in, "Do you need some help Hun?" The goddess asked.
"Be great..." Anni whimpered once more smacking her head against the cupboards. The goddess smiled then waved her hand the food started to cook. Anni sighed and dropped her head in her hands as she pulled her knees up to her chest, "Why today of all days?"
"Hun, It's Clare's bad day too..." The goddess said softly, sitting next to her. Anni just groaned and continued to hide her face from the guardian goddess.
"You'll be fine..." Farore said wrapping her arm around Anni's shoulders. Anni sighed and leaned against the goddess of courage as he eyes shifted to a deep navy blue. Outside the kitchen there was a muffled thump then a thwack, Luke didn't have that strong of a hold on the ninja, who had rolled and fell off the couch onto the coffee table then onto the floor.
"Today's going to be a very long day..." Anni sighed as she again whacked her head against the cupboards.
"Sounds like it..." Farore said as the ninja groaned loudly.
"Do you want to help Auntie Clare or finish breakfast?" Anni asked.
"I'll finish breakfast, Clare's man is helping her up..." Farore said standing to check on the food.
"They don't actually know you're here..." Anni said as she exited the kitchen to get her fussing daughter from her husband. The goddess sighed and transformed into her human form, a Clare look alike with longer hair and taller.
"I never said you had to change just be prepared for some screaming..." Anni told the goddess as she picked up Sophie and shooed Link out to go bring in the nets.
"Why?" The blond woman asked.
"This is Auntie Clare we're talking about." Anni said an explanation in itself.
"Why do I sense strong magic...?" Someone outside of the kitchen asked. Anni just shook her head and cradled her daughter while waiting for Farore to make up her mind on her appearance. The goddess sighed and went with her usual green hair and what not then stepped out of the kitchen to great her 'daughter'. Anni covered Sophie's ears just in case as she slipped into the living room. The ninja looked up at the goddess then blinked, "What are you doing down here...?"
"Well there's a surprise..." Anni muttered as she placed Sophie in the basket by the piano.
"Ummm...what's a surprise...the fact that I didn't yell or scream...I'm too tired to scream..." Clare said.
"For the most part, Farore is breakfast done, I really don't want the cinnamon buns burnt again?" Anni asked.
"Of course." The goddess said and the food floated out onto the table. Anni nodded and stood up all the way, the nineteen year old looking much older than she should, "You guys enjoy breakfast and keep an eye on Sophie, I have something I need to do..."
"Okay pass her over..." Clare said holding her arms out. Anni placed the half awake infant in her Aunt's arms and slipped out the door, grabbing the basket next to it on her way out. Clare stood and went to the table to eat breakfast. Sophie yawned and Farore took the infant from Clare, Sophie instantly fell asleep, "Eat your breakfast honey then you can have her back."
"Okay..." The ninja said reaching for the eggs and Luke stood and stretched.
"Hey Farore..." Luke yawned as he sat down actually letting Clare stay in her own seat.
"Yes Hun?" The goddess asked looked over at him.
"Can you make sure Anni doesn't fall again, I don't think she'd make it this time..." Luke asked only half there.
"Nayru is there so is Din." Farore said as she rocked Sophie.
"Okay..." He yawned and let his head fall on Clare's shoulder. The ninja got some food in her and was a little more awake but not by much.
"Clare..." Luke cooed, he only did that when he was only half there.
"Hmm..." Clare hummed and nuzzled the top of his head.
"I love you..." He murmured looping his arms around her waist and nuzzling the spot behind her ear.
"I love you too..." Clare purred and nuzzled his head again.
"Aww, you two are so cute..." Farore cooed from her new spot on the couch.
"Aww, mom..." Clare said only half there. Farore giggled, "You finally called me mom."
"Well this is only the second time I've met you..." The ninja yawned.
"You're not all here are you honey, and this is actually the third time you've met me..." The goddess said as she stroked Sophie's tiny hand.
"I only recall this one and the one last year..." Clare said and nuzzled Luke's shoulder.
"You wouldn't remember honey, you were younger then little Sophie here..." Farore replied her features softening significantly, "You were so tiny..." She added in a whisper.
"How old was I?" Clare asked looking over at the green haired woman.
"You couldn't have been older than a couple of weeks..." Farore replied her eyes going glassy like Anni's when she thought about her mom.
"Oh...the first thing I remember is green..." Clare said then resumed nuzzling Luke.
"The girls told me to just leave you there..." The goddess said, "I couldn't do it..." She added quietly.
"Is that why I ended up in Talim's bar?" The ninja said looking over at her 'mom'. Farore nodded, "It was the best I could do, it was the closest place...and I couldn't take you with me..." Farore replied as she stroked Sophie's cheek with the back of her finger.
"Then I forgive you...I turned out alright anyways..." The ninja said and kept snuggling with Luke.
"Much better than expected..." Farore whispered as a single tear ran down her cheek.
"What did you expect?" Luke asked as he also half awake.
"Honestly, I don't really know, but Din, she can be horrible sometimes...she didn't think you could make past your first year..." Farore replied.
"No wonder she doesn't like me, I beat her at her own game without even knowing it...I shall now call her Aunt Din just to piss her off..." The ninja threatened as Luke pulled Clare a little closer. "Anni's on her way back, someone might want to meet her on the porch..." Farore said quietly. Luke was up and on the porch at that news, Clare sighed and closed her eyes and leaned her weight against his empty chair. Luke led Anni back in, the younger girl had an empty look in her eyes as she slipped out from under Luke's hand and sat next to Farore.
"Now that she's back...I'm going to go pay my own respects..." The ninja said and stood. Farore nodded and glanced at the younger woman next to her.
"She's not even here Farore, so hang onto Sophie a little longer..." Luke said as he gently squeezed Clare's arm on her way by. Clare smiled to him then went out the door disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Is she going to be alright?" Luke asked the Goddess of Courage.
"Clare? Yeah...she's just going to pay her respect to some old old friends of hers..." Farore said as she looked over the back of the couch. Luke nodded and leaned on the couch, "I'll never get used to that empty look in her eyes..." Luke said looking at Anni who just sat staring at the floor.
"Get ready for times two then..." The goddess whispered as Din and Nayru appeared. Luke sighed and went to make a pot of tea. Din huffed and sat in the chair, calming her hair enough not to burn it and Nayru sat next to Farore. Din always the one to start trouble waved her hand in front of Anni, trying to get the sage's attention away from the floor. Luke still being the over protective father figure slapped Din's hand away.
"Leave her be." Luke growled, glaring at the goddess not really giving a damn as to who she was.
"Oh and what are you going to do about it if I don't leave her be." Din hissed standing up.
"You don't want to know." Luke stated flatly.
"Oh but I do..." The goddess of power growled glaring at him. Luke stared at her for a moment then sighed.
"You aren't worth my time or anger..." Luke said as he went back into the kitchen to fill the tea pot. Din's fight and flare burned out then burned twice as hot. Nayru shook her head, "Calm yourself sister, he's doing the smart thing...for once."
"What do you mean for once?" Farore asked, her main concentration for the most part had been on Clare.
"He's not exactly the most brilliant person on the face of the planet..." Nayru replied flipping through a book she'd found.
"And who is by your standards..." Farore grumbled.
"Me of course..." The goddess of wisdom replied.
"Narcissus..." The goddess of courage said and shifted, "At least he smart..."
"Tea ladies?" Luke asked from the kitchen.
"Please." Farore said over her shoulder, "Better make that two, Clare's coming back." Luke nodded and poured two cups before carrying them into the living room and handing one to Farore and placing the other on the coffee table then taking Sophie. The ninja opened the door with a creak and she had a bouquet of white roses in her arms. Luke beckoned her over to him. She walked over to him with the roses up to her face, only her blue eyes and up showing. Luke pulled her against him without crushing the roses or Sophie.
"I picked too many roses...so I thought I would bring them home..." She whispered to him, her voice cracking a few times.
"Alright..." He whispered soothing circles against her back with his free hand.
"I'm going to get a vase for these..." Clare said as she turned to go look for a vase.
"Alright, there's one in the cupboard under the sink." Luke said as he released her and handed Sophie back to Farore. The ninja nodded and headed into the kitchen. Luke sighed and glanced at Anni, the young mother still had that hollow look in her eyes. Luke quickly ran his fingers through her hair and started cleaning up the remains of breakfast. A few minutes later Clare came out with the roses in a vase filled half way with water but the roses still held up to her nose. Luke looked back over at her.
"Do you need a hug Angel?" He asked so only she could hear him. Clare nodded and sniffled lightly. Luke beckoned her over to him. She moved over to him and looked up from the white petals. Luke slipped the vase and flowers from her before pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him as close as possible. Luke rested his cheek on the top of her head and rubbed circles on her back.
"Okay, okay break it up, we don't need this." Din said, Clare waved her hand and the goddess of power was trapped in a time bubble.
"Bitch..." Luke growled and held Clare tighter. The ninja snuggled into his chest calmly.
"Are you alright?" He asked calming the instant she snuggled closer to him.
"Yeah..." She said softly snuggling her nose into his chest more.
"Are you sure, because I need your help..." Luke whispered.
"With what?" Clare asked looked up, her normally blue eyes were a tad bit lighter. Luke glanced over his shoulder at Anni, "Sophie's going to be hungry soon, and we're short a mother..."
"...And what do you want me to do?" She asked looked up at him with a confused look.
"You seemed to be the only person left that can snap her out of this...I'm not really sure what it is..." Luke replied, "Just look at her Clare, I've never seen her eyes that empty..."
"Don't worry then...I'll take care of her..." The ninja said smiling then pulled one rose out of the vase and walked over to Anni. The young mother blinked once and continued to stare at the floor in front of her, her eyes the palest shade of blue. Clare sat next to her and dethroned the rose and pulled Anni's hair back. The brunette didn't so much as blink.
"Anni..." The ninja whispered as she tied the young mother's hair back with a white ribbon, the rose in her lap. Anni continued to stare at the floor the only difference was Clare could see the silent tears that rolled down the girl's cheeks.
"Anni...Come on now..." The ninja said finishing her hair and now hugging the girl. The ninja received no response from the young mother only more silent tears and the odd blink. Clare held up the rose to Anni's eyes, checking if she actually saw the rose or the memory. Still nothing from the younger woman.
"Anni...You need to step out of the past and back into the present..." The ninja whispered to Anni softly. Suddenly as if waking from a nightmare, Anni recoiled violently and attempted to rip herself out of Clare's arms. The ninja loosened her arms instantly. The smaller girl curled up on the end of the couch, arms wrapped around her ribs, eyes wide and her breaths coming in short uneven gasps.
"Look what you did you stupid-" And whatever else Din was going to say was cut off as Clare's bubble zapped her. The ninja sat still rose in hand looking over at Anni. The girl stared at her lap muttering half sentences under her breath at the tears continued to pour down her face. "She's like I was after Old Hyrule really flooded..." Clare muttered as she slowly slid over to the girl. Anni was shaking violently as she continued to stare at something that wasn't there.
"Anni..." Clare whispered gently as she slid closer, Clare's plan for the rose was to go behind Anni's ear.
"You're gone quit haunting me..." was the first thing Anni had said in the last few minutes that made sense.
"Ah that's what it is..." Clare whispered, "Anni..." She called again. Finally the smaller female looked up, you could easily read the complete and utter terror in her eyes.
"He's gone...you don't need to worry about him...Worry more about Sophie..." Clare said as she slowly held up her hands the rose in one.
"I can still hear him...I can still feel his icy hands..." Anni whispered as one of her hands clutched the fabric over her heart.
"And so will I...But he's gone..." Clare said softly. Anni whimpered, still breathing unevenly.
"I wish I could erase my own memory..." She whispered, bowing her head till it touched her knees.
"That would be a bad thing...I also wish I could change things or forget but things are meant to go the way they're suppose to...If you erased your memory, you would have nothing to learn from, nothing to keep you wary...nothing to remember why you fell in love, or why you did something for someone special..." Clare said softly.
"I see him everywhere..." Anni whispered hugging herself tighter.
"Then acknowledge him...face him and show him you're not afraid..." Clare whispered back.
"But I am, I'm terrified..." Anni confessed.
"I was too...and actually I still am." The ninja said, "But mine's in a bottle in your uncle's pocket somewhere."
"He took my life...h-he could do it again..." Anni whimpered, now the reason for her terror came out.
"Is he still alive?" The ninja asked quietly.
"I don't know..." Anni whispered as she curled even tighter into herself.
"Shh...It's alright...I'll snoop around later and see if I can sense him...Just calm down and relax." Clare whispered. Anni swallowed hard and tried her hardest to even out her breathing.
"Here hold the rose...It helps me when I can't get my emotions back under control..." The older woman said handing the white rose to Anni. Anni looked up and shakily reached for the rose. Her fingers brushed Clare's and it was like touching snow, Anni's hand were cold but never that cold. Clare let the girl take the rose then took a deep breath threw her nose and smelt dirt, no one she knew smelt like dirt and it was coming from Luke... Anni's breathing calmed and she uncurled enough to ask for her daughter. Farore handed Anni Sophie while keeping her eye on Clare. The ninja knew Luke didn't smell like dirt... "Hey Luke...let's go outside for a minute..."
"Of course Angel..." The older blonde replied throwing a look at Anni that didn't suit him. The ninja led him outside then threw up her strongest barrier around the Inn. "Alright who are you and what have you done with Luke?"
"Ooh, you're a smart one, and here I thought no one would notice because his eyes are red...you ruined my plan little sage, I almost had her again and her daughter too..." The imposter sneered.
"You will never have them..." The ninja said pulling her kunai out.
"Are you going to stop me little sage?" The imposter asked leering at the ninja.
"I intend to..." Clare said as she charged her kunai with her magic and jumped at him. Unfortunately for the Luke imposter, he wasn't half as fast as Clare. The ninja stabbed him in both arms with her charged knives before flipping away to view the damage she dealt. The imposter's illusion dissolved away leaving behind a dark shadow of a demon with blood red eyes, sharp claws and nasty looking fangs; the Akaimara.
"No wonder she's afraid of you...you're butt ugly..." The ninja said making a face. The demon snarled at her and tried to free itself.
"You are going nowhere ugly..." Clare said as her knives zapped him. The Akaimara snarled again and snapped at her like some sort of vicious dog. The ninja's right hand glowed and her staff appeared, "Now you tell me where Luke is or I beat it out of you..." She said.
"He's probably already drowned what with being tied to his own anchor..." The Akaimara sneered then laughed. "Save him while you can little sage, he's probably got about thirty seconds left."
"Just enough time then..." The ninja said as she waved her hand and Luke appeared though soaked and coughing completely fine.
"You bastard..." Luke snarled and tried to get to his feet, but being ten minutes without fresh air, he could only roll onto his side and glare. The ninja walked up to Akaimara and cracked the bladed edge of her staff over his skull. The demon snarled and writhed in pain as Clare's magic touched his skin again. The ninja gave him a blank look before she heard Link whistling on his way back, that's when Akaimara, despite the zapping of magic, grabbed the ninja's wrist tightly. The Akaimara wrenched himself free of her magic and pinned her arm behind her back as he pointed the barrel of a pistol to Clare's temple a sick smile on his face. Clare stood still, the cold metal against her temple.
"What now Little sage?" He purred licking the shell of her ear. The ninja's face turned green but she charged magic down the arm he pinned, zapping the demon with electricity. The Akaimara snarled and sunk his fangs into her left shoulder. The ninja winced but didn't whine, scream or anything else. There was a sudden flare of magic that ripped across the lawn. Luke was now on his feet, deep blue magic swirling around his frame. The ninja looked up over at him as the Akaimara sunk his fangs deeper into Clare's shoulder, the top fangs ripping threw her back. Luke growled so low only Clare could hear him as his magic swirled and his rapier appeared in his hand. The ninja winced as the demon bit harder. Luke looked up and slowly stepped forward, grass under foot curling away from his magic as he cracked his knuckles on the hilt of his blade.
"You have three seconds to let her go lest I smash your head in with my fist..." Luke growled lowly.
"I'm not letting go...My teeth are permanently in her shoulder now..." The demon said around Clare's shoulder. Clare winced as his teeth moved as he talked.
"Your choice..." Luke said as he brought the pommel of his blade across the Akaimara's teeth, shattering them like glass. As the demon reeled back Clare sprung forward away from the creature. Luke pushed her back behind him as he moved forward a look of pure and utter hate in his eyes, there would be blood spilt. Once the ninja was away, she sat down and let the blood run down her arm as she put pressure on it. There was a muffled thud followed by the sound of steel ripping through flesh as Luke pinned the Akaimara through its throat with three of his senbon needles, "You screwed with the wrong people." Luke hissed as he cracked his pommel between the Akaimara's eyes. The demon snarled. Luke just glared icily at the demon before slicing the demon from its right shoulder to its left him then the opposite side creating an 'x' on the demon's chest, "If you had a heart I'd rip it out..."
"You couldn't do it..." Akaimara said threw his broken teeth.
"Try me..." Luke whispered driving a needle into the points of the 'x' and the center. The demon snarled again.
"You are the most pathetic demon ever..." Luke whispered, "And so I'll do you a favour and end you here." With that Luke pulled out the senbon needles in the demon's neck and sliced his head clean from his shoulders.
"Put his remains...in a bottle..." Clare said as she slowly pulled out what teeth she could reach. Luke pulled out a bottle and magicked the demon's remains inside before going over to Clare, his magic curling back within him. The ninja sat cross legged with a white bandage cutting off the circulation to her arm as she pulled out teeth.
"Here, let me help..." Luke said quietly as he placed on hand gently around the tooth in the back of her shoulder. The ninja let her hand drop as he took control. Luke as gentle as usual pulled out all but one pronged tooth free, the one that had gone all the way through.
"Give me your hand and take a deep breath..." Luke instructed. The ninja put her hand over her shoulder and took his hand and took that deep breath. Luke pushed the fang back towards him in order to get it out with ripping Clare's shoulder apart. Clare gasped and squeezed his hand in pain.
"Almost...there." Luke whispered as he pulled the fang free of the ninja's shoulder before applying pressure to the wound.
"Ow..." She said and put her other hand next to his, also putting pressure on the wound.
"Hand me the bandages if you can..." Luke asked gently squeezing her hand before releasing it. The ninja handed him the bandages in her lap. Luke quickly bandaged her wound and offered her a hand to help her up as Link darted over, "What happened it looks like a bomb went off out here?" The ninja put her hand in Luke's and looked over at Link then at Luke, "You wanna tell him?"
"A buddy of your came for a visit and I showed him the end of my rapier." Luke replied as he pulled Clare to her feet and into his arms. The ninja leaned against him, wary of her shoulder.
"That bastard was back! Is Anni alright?" Link asked the colour draining from his tanned face as Luke turned to lead Clare inside.
"She's fine...I got ugly outside before he got to her..." Clare said as she took the bottle from Luke and handed it to Link, "And that's what's left of him." Link sighed in relief and glared at the bottle before shaking it and giving it back to Clare. He then bolted inside to check on Anni and his daughter before skidding to a halt in the door way, "W-w-w-what are they doing here?" Link asked his eyes wide. Clare handed the bottle back to Luke who shoved it in his pocket and lead Clare over to the door, "Visiting..."
"B-b-b-b-b-b-but they-they're goddesses." Link stammered as he shuffled in the door.
"Farore adopted me as her daughter so that means she's my mom, Din's my aunt and so is Nayru." Clare said as she looked over Link's shoulder as Luke pushed him out of the door. Link made a noise and skittered into the kitchen. Farore looked up, "Are you alright sweetie?"
"Yeah...could you three...if you're going to stay here, transform into your human forms so you don't keep scaring people..." The ninja asked.
"Fine..." Din sighed as she snapped her fingers and turned into a beautiful version of certain farm girl from Hyrule proper. Clare raised an eyebrow at Din then looked over at Nayru. The goddess of Wisdom was flipping through a book, her hair back in a tight bread and a pair of thin glasses perched on her nose, a navy skirt and shirt in place of her usual gown. The ninja shook her head and looked over at her mother. It was like looking into a mirror, the goddess of courage was drop dead gorgeous as a human. Long blonde hair hung to her hips and her sapphire blue eyes were fixed on her lap. Also Farore had move curves on her. The younger ninja shook her head and went to roll her shoulder but pain raced down her arm.
"Don't you move that shoulder until I get something on it..." Luke ordered as he led her away to the bathroom.
"Yes sir..." She said while saluting him with her good arm. Luke rolled his wine red eyes and gently shoved her into the bathroom.
"Don't push..." She said and walked over to the tub to sit on the edge. Luke shook his head and fished around the cupboards for the first aid kit. She sighed and propped her leg on her knee. Luke pulled out the first aid kit and made a 'turn around' motion as he sat next to her. She turned around. Luke untied the now blood stained bandages and dropped them to the floor as he uncorked a silver-green bottle. The ninja didn't wince or anything just sat still. That was until Luke's fingertips rubbed a cold salves into the bruising wounds. She winced and whined gently.
"Shh...I'm sorry luv." Luke said quietly as he continued to gently work the salve into the deep bite marks.
"You haven't called me that in a while..." Clare said after another whine.
"I was trying to take your mind off the pain..." Luke replied as he finished with the salve and began to wrap the wound again this time properly.
"Anni's going to throw a fit..." The ninja said.
"Anni's not even conscious..." Luke muttered as he tied the ends of the bandages off.
"She was when I left..." Clare said as she looked over her shoulder at him.
"Clare, do you remember what happens to Anni when there's a large amount of magic in the air?" Luke asked as he patted her good shoulder telling her he was done.
"I thought that was my magic not all magic..." She said as she stood.
"All magic, so you put three goddesses and a sage barrier up and we have an unconscious niece..." Luke said as he put the first aid kit away.
"Then let's go get supper ready and try to get Anni awake..." The ninja said.
"Believe it or not but dinner's half finished already." Luke replied as he looped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her good shoulder. Clare leaned against him and turned her head to put her cheek against his chest.
"You take Anni, I'll handle the fussing baby in your mom's arms..." Luke whispered.
"Alright." She said and pulled away from him to go to the door. Luke followed her out and went over to Farore, "Here let me take her..." He said gently taking the fussing Sophie from the goddess. Sophie calmed instantly and fisted her tiny hands in the front of Luke's shirt. The ninja sat on the couch by Anni, "Anni..." She whispered. The smaller girl's brows knitted together and she groaned as she brought her hands to her head, "Did anyone get the name of that cart...?" Clare giggled, "Yeah I think it was called 'time to get up'." She said.
"Really I didn't think that one came though until tomorrow..." Anni said as she sat up and blinked repeatedly to clear her vision.
"It came early..." The ninja said.
"Okay, hey Din you look like my grandma fifty generation back on my dad's side..." Anni said as she looked at the red head. The goddess huffed and leaned against her chair.
"And you..." Anni said pointing to Nayru, "Look like the school teacher Miss Crabtree..."
"HA! Miss Crabtree...That's funny..." Clare said while laughing.
"And you look like a blonde version of my mom." Anni added pointing to the goddess beside her.
"She looks like me but taller and more pretty..." The ninja said standing up.
"You're very pretty Clare." Anni snapped, "And don't you ever tell yourself otherwise."
"Oh I know I'm pretty, but she's prettier...I may be self conscious but I'm not like jealous of her." Clare said as she scratched her neck. Anni shook her head and reached for her daughter who was quickly handed to her. Clare shook her head and looked over to the kitchen where Link was still hiding. The young father was still quite pale.
"Hey...You alright?" She asked him. Link pointed at the three goddesses, shook his head and disappeared.
"Eh, better get used to them...I think they'll be stopping by quite a few times..." She said and walked over to Luke. Anni shook her head and stood up grabbing Sophie's blanket and taking the chair in the corner. Luke wrapped his arms around the ninja and held her close. She leaned against him wary of her shoulder and snuggled his chest. Luke nuzzled the junction of her neck and shoulder in a protective manner as he rolled his shoulder. She pressed her nose into the hollow of his neck and nudged his chin with her nose. Luke placed a kiss to her forehead and winced.
"What's wrong?" She asked looking up at him, his guardian mark connecting them somehow.
"It hasn't stopped burning since he grabbed you..." He replied.
"Let's calm it down..." She said and rubbed his chest with her good hand. Luke nodded and let her lead him away. She lead him up to their room and sat him on the bed. He could barely even move his arms enough to loosen the ties of his shirt. She untied his shirt and moved to sit behind him.
"This bites..." Luke grumbled as he managed to get his shirt off, the fabric rubbing against the mark made it burn horribly. Clare rubbed her hands over the mark slowly. It was literally burning as her symbol shifted in and out of view. She laid her cheek against it while humming her song. Slowly but surely the fire in the ink disappeared and Luke sighed in relief.
"Better?" She asked while keeping her cheek on his back.
"Mmhmm..." He replied as he laid on his side.
"That's good..."She said shifting so she could also lie on her side, the one not injured.
"For a minute, when he bit you, if felt like someone had tried to rip my back in half..." Luke confessed quietly rolling to face her.
"I'll be more careful when I'm fighting something..." She said and smiled up to him. Luke didn't say anything just pulled her close ever mindful of her shoulder. She snuggled into his chest and kissed it. Luke rumbled lowly in his chest as he buried his nose in her shoulder. Clare nudged his chin with her nose and kissed his jaw sweetly. Luke locked his arms around her tiny frame and littered her good shoulder with feather light kisses. Clare kissed his cheek and nuzzled his temple. He stopped his kisses and just cuddled the ninja as close as he could, it was like someone had flipped a switched in the red eyed male. The ninja didn't say or do anything just snuggled into his chest and sighed.
"Am I being too clingy?" Luke asked innocently
"No, Link is clingy..." Clare said looking up at him.
"Okay..." He replied and curled into her. She snuggled the top of his head in affection. If it was possible, Luke curled even closer. She purred and continued to nuzzle his head. Luke's lock on her loosened a little and the tension in his chest relaxed. She purred again, "Are you sleep?" She asked. He shook his head.
"Okay..." She said and nuzzled his head. Luke rumbled quietly and gently tightened his hold. She purred again.
"DINNER!" Anni's voice rang through the Inn.
"Do you want to go get some dinner?" Clare asked nuzzling his head again.
"I'm not actually hungry..." He whispered. Luke Vaan Linebeck wasn't hungry, that was like saying Levious was an island.
"Are you alright...?" She asked making him move his head so she could see his face. Luke looked at her with rose red eyes, "Yes."
"Are you sure...?" She asked again nuzzling his cheek.
"Yes." He replied and returned to his cuddling. Clare hummed and nuzzled the top of his head again. Luke never acted like this, something was eating at him, that was the only explanation for his passiveness.
"Okay, what's really wrong Luke..." Clare asked nudging his head up again.
"Nothing..." He whispered hiding his face from her.
"Luke...tell me..." She whispered back.
"He got me so easily...what kind of guardian am I that some low life demon can do that..." Luke whispered still hiding against her skin.
"You're a fine guardian, you just need some training that I'll help you with..Maybe Sheik would help too..." Clare whispered.
"But...what if you hadn't noticed..." He whispered. The ninja remained silent. Luke groaned and pulled away, rolling so he was facing away from the ninja. Clare felt hurt but decided to keep it to herself and she sat up. Her hurt disappeared as soon as she caught the words Luke was muttering to himself, "I'm useless, I can't even protect my family..." She laid back down and hugged him from behind. Luke tensed then relaxed with a sigh. She put her face against his shoulder blade and nuzzled it gently. Luke was still muttering nasty things about himself under his breath.
"You're not useless..." Clare whispered against his back.
"Yes I am..." Luke whispered pathetically.
"You're not..." She whispered and rested her forehead against his left shoulder blade, "you're not..."
"If I wasn't you wouldn't have gotten hurt..." Luke muttered cursing himself for his own stupidity.
"If you're useless then so am I..." She whispered quietly, almost un hear able. Any misery Luke felt for himself disappeared in an instant as he whirled around to face Clare, "Don't you ever let me hear you say that again. This family would fall apart without you."
"Then don't let me hear you tell yourself that either...I'm not the only glue in this family..." Clare said as she looked up at him. Luke frowned but nodded. She buried her face in his chest after. Luke wrapped his arms back around her and rested his cheek on top of her head. She nuzzled his chest with her nose before tightening her hold on him. Luke sighed and fished though his pockets before pulling out a familiar silver bottle. Clare didn't look up just kept her hold on him strong and her face planted in his chest. Luke unwrapped Clare's shoulder with one hand the poured a single drop on her shoulder. The skin, muscle and tissue knitted back together and the ninja didn't so much as flinch or move. The moment her shoulder was healed she was on her back. Clare blinked up at him. He didn't say anything just attacked her neck. She moaned lightly. Luke nipped at her pulse point with an odd softness. She purred gently, letting him do what he wanted, as long as he stayed within boundaries. He stopped nipping and nuzzled the same spot before trailing kisses to the hollow of her neck. Clare purred again then moaned softly. Luke nipped the hollow of her neck once as he ran his hand up her side. She moaned again a tad bit louder. He nipped to her breast bone as his hand trailed back to her hip. Clare moaned again a little louder. He didn't nip as low as he usually would and skipped down to her ribs. Clare moaned softly. Luke nipped each rib he had access to then nipped at the edge of her naval. The ninja moaned and shivered slightly. He nipped down to the waistband of her shorts then rested his head on her stomach. Clare was breathing heavily but not as heavy as she usually does and let him keep his head on her stomach. Luke looped his arms around her waist and stayed that way. She rested her hand on top of his head and calmly stroked his hair. Luke nuzzled her stomach and rumbled quietly. She purred and kept stroking his hair. For the first time in twenty minutes Luke spoke up, "I wish we had kids..."
"...I do too..." The ninja whispered softly, her hand halting momentarily before she continued. Luke buried his face in her stomach and was silent again. The ninja stared up at the roof in thought. Anni could be heard coming up the stairs humming her Uncle's lullaby, most likely on her way to put Sophie to bed. The ninja yawned lightly and slowly closed her eyes.
"You'd make a great mom..." Luke said more or less to himself.
"And you would make a great dad..." The ninja said half asleep.
"Maybe..." His tone said he didn't believe that.
"No...you would..." She said her tone saying that she believed it. Luke made a noise, acknowledging her words as he nuzzled her stomach again. The ninja stretched her arms forward then put her one hand back on his head and shifted her legs around. Luke tightened his grip thinking she was going somewhere. She relaxed after waking up legs and stroked his head gently. His tight hold loosened and he relaxed.
"Well I don't know about you but I'm going to get some sleep..." The ninja said as she yawned again. Luke made a noise and shifted closer to her.
"Good night Luke...see you in the morning..." She said and closed her eyes again gently. Her only response was him tangling their legs together and his warm breath ghosting across her skin. Clare's breathing evened and softened out and she was asleep.