Wednesday
Clare shifted the sun hitting her eyes again. She groaned, scooped Lucas up and went to the window. The sun was shining brightly and everything was taking on an orange, yellow or red tint.
"Last day of summer..." She said and looked down at Lucas, "Go cuddle with your grandpa for a minute...I'm going to change." She said as she walked over to the bed.
"Okay..." Lucas whispered groggily. She smiled and set him on Luke's chest and disappeared into the bathroom. One could already hear Anni making breakfast downstairs as she talked to her little girl and the three goddesses. Clare came out with red hot pants on and her regular red bikini top. She quickly scribbled a note to Luke and went down the stairs. Farore stopped talking and looked at her 'daughter', "What are you wearing?" She asked.
"Uhh...Hot Pants?" Clare said. Din looked Clare up and down then gave her a thumbs up, "Good body." She said. Anni giggled at the look on Farore's face and went back to breakfast.
"I'm going to go out and catch what sun I can." Clare said as she walked out with Lucas in her arms and went to the ship.
"That girl and she wonders why men are always staring at her..." Farore muttered as she continued to amuse Sophie.
"It was only 13 years ago that she started wearing that...She mostly just wore her sage dress or the clothes Talim bought for her." Nayru said as she flipped the page of the book she was reading. Outside Clare had flopped onto her back on the deck of the S.S. Linebeck to let herself soak up the sun.
"Hey grandma, what are those white fluffy things up there?" Lucas asked.
"Those are called clouds and they're more wet then fluffy." Clare replied as she too looked up at the fluffy clouds.
"Oh okay." Lucas said as he rolled on his back. Clare smiled and closed her eyes.
"What is that blue stuff?" Lucas asked looking over the edge of the ship.
"Salt water, very wet." Clare answered calmly. Lucas made a sound of acknowledgement and went back to his spot on the deck.
"How about that thing up there?" Lucas asked looking at an eagle that was circling above, to the bird Lucas would make a quick snack.
"That is an eagle, they fly on the wind and eats smaller creatures so I suggest sticking close to me." Clare answered grabbing the small creature.
"It wants to eat, no wonder mom doesn't let me outside..." Lucas squeaked hiding against Clare's side.
"Oh he wouldn't try to get at you with me here." Clare said closing her eyes and letting the sun's rays touch her skin, she had let her magic go back inside her leaving her skin exposed.
"Okay..." Lucas said.
"Having fun Angel?" Someone to her right asked.
"Tons..." She replied, "And stop ogling me."
"When was it against the rules for me to look?" Luke asked from between the rails of the ship.
"When you look at me like you're going to eat me." The ninja replied as she rested her hand on Lucas.
"I'm just enjoying a view I rarely get but if you're uncomfortable, I'll just leave..." And with that he disappeared.
"Hmm...Why do I get the feeling that he didn't go very far..." She asked the kit on her stomach. Lucas shook his head, it wasn't until Luke's humming in the water about seven feet away did they know where he was.
"See, he didn't..." She muttered and shifted Lucas so she could roll onto her stomach.
"Mama said it's because he loves you that he never goes too far..." Lucas replied as he settled himself beside her.
"Oh I know that's why the farthest I will go is down here..." She said and rested her head on her arms. Lucas stretched and rolled on his side. After a while Clare rolled back onto her back, moving Lucas to her stomach and she stretched.
"Hey grandma, how come you and grandpa aren't married yet?" Lucas asked.
"He hasn't asked me..." Clare said softly, a wanting tone to her voice.
"Do you think he will?" Amazing how many questions one little kit could have, and every single one as innocent as the next.
"I hope so..." She said just as softly, her tone turned to longing.
"I'm sure he will, mama says he wants kids of his own..." Lucas yawned.
"I know that part..." Clare said while she sighed and closed her eyes. Neither of them heard Luke swim up to the ship and lean his arms on the deck. The ninja sighed again and opened her eyes to stare at the clouds slowly drifting by. Luke leaned silently to her right as he waited to see if she'd figure out he was there. The ninja heard the water splash against the hull of the ship when he moved so she tilted her head up and looked up at him, "How long where you there...?"
"Long enough to remind myself of how beautiful you are..." Luke replied. Clare blushed and smiled lightly to him. Luke smiled warmly and disappeared again. She smiled again and looked up the clouds rolling by again. Once again Luke reappeared silently, this time a delicate silver and blue flower between his fingers. She looked over at him when he reappeared, "That's a beautiful flower..." She commented.
"It's a sea orchid, they always remind me of you..." Luke mused glancing back at her.
"How?" She asked, a slight blush touching her cheeks.
"They're strong enough to resist being ripped apart by the ocean currents and yet they're still beautiful..." He replied.
"Who's the ocean current...?" Clare asked as she looked over at him.
"Could be anything that stands in your way..." He replied, a slightly off look in his wine eyes.
"I always thought you were the ocean...Calming and beautiful most of the time but when angered it can be deadly and protective..." Clare confessed looking up at the clouds with a soft smile on her lips and a far off look in her eyes.
"I would never do anything to purposely harm you Angel..." He replied as he tucked the blue and silver flower into her hair. She blushed, "And the ocean had yet to hurt me..." She said and nuzzled his cheek gently.
"Oh gross..." Lucas grumbled and placed his paws over his ears. Luke chuckled and placed a kiss to Clare's cheek.
"Okay, I think it's time to get you inside mister...You're mom's calling anyways." Clare said as she grabbed Lucas and sat up. Luke chuckled and disappeared back into the water. Clare stood and walked up to the Inn. She opened the door and passed Lucas over to Johnny, "Here you go..."
"And where have you been young man?" Johnny asked after she dropped him into the basket.
"He was outside with me so if you're going to blame anyone blame me." Clare said as she stretched.
"You should have told me you were going with grandma, I was worried..." Johnny cooed as she nuzzled her youngest. Clare smiled and went back outside, she walked back to the ship and laid back down on the deck. Luke was goofing around in the water nearby, acting much like a new born otter with the way he was in and out of the water.
"Having fun?" Clare asked as she rolled onto her stomach to let the sun get the other side of her body. Luke didn't answer, just did a little roll in the water. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
"Come play with me Clare..." Luke called.
"And wreck the flower, no." She said and stretched her arms forward, getting them close to the railing.
"Aww but Clare..." Luke teased.
"But what?" She asked keeping her hands near the railing, all he had to do was grab them and pull her threw.
"I'm bored by myself..." He replied linking their fingers but not pulling her in.
"Okay...I guess I could go in the water..." She said and removed the flower from her hair and laid it on the deck gently. Luke smiled happily and swam back a little ways. Clare sat up and climbed up onto the prow of the ship and back flipped off it and swan dived into the water below. Luke chuckled and dove backwards much like a seal and then surfaced again. Clare surfaced and flipped her wet hair out of her face. Luke smiled and swam up to her before looping his arms around her waist. Clare giggled lightly and turned to kiss him. Luke met her half way and scooped her up and so she didn't have to tread water. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Luke smiled into the kiss and spun them around. Clare smiled too and kicked one leg up, splashing them both. Luke broke the kiss and frowned good naturedly as water rolled down one side of his face. She giggled and let go of one arm and whipped the water off his face gently. Luke smiled again and nuzzled her neck affectionately. She nuzzled his cheek and kissed him again. Luke nipped her lip gently as he regained his footing. Clare gasped and pulled her up higher. Luke deepened the kiss while readjusting his hold to her new position. She fought with him over the dominance of her mouth. Luke let her win for once, since he was quite happy just to have some alone time with her. Clare broke the kiss and rested her head on his shoulder breathing deeply.
"Glad you came in?" Luke asked kissing her temple.
"Yeah." She replied nuzzling the junction of his neck and shoulder. Luke chuckled and dove under with her She blinked at him under the water and smiled. Luke smiled and nuzzled her temple before bringing them back to the surface. She smiled again and nuzzled his cheek, "I love you Luke..." She whispered.
"I love you too Clare..." He replied as he kissed the underside of her jaw. She moaned softly but then six boys came running into the water and six separate pairs of shorts flew off and landed on the beach.
"Talk about ruining the moment..." Luke sighed.
"Yeah...and they're butt naked..." Clare said and shook her head.
"Shall we head back up to the Inn?" He asked his eyes on only her.
"Let's..." She purred and locked her eyes with his. Luke adjusted his hold and headed over to the ship. He reached up and gently picked up the sea orchid and tucked it back in her hair before heading back to shore. Clare snuggled into his chest gently being careful of the flower in her hair. Luke's walk was so light and smooth she didn't even realize they'd reach the Inn until he set her on her feet. She looked up at him then raised an eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders.
"Let's go get some dry clothes on..." Luke said.
"Okay..." Clare said and went inside. Luke followed her at a close distance. She went up the stairs and into they're room, grabbing the light blue clothes she was wearing early. Luke slipped into their bathroom and changed into his black set. Clare quickly changed her clothes after closing the curtains.
"Are you decent Angel?" Luke asked from the other side of the door. She was trying to get the top tie on her light blue top, "I can't tie...the top..." She said.
"Do you want me to help?" Luke asked carefully.
"Would you?" She asked still trying to get the tie. Luke opened the door of the bathroom and slipped up behind her. He took the ties and tied the top before looping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. She leaned against him and rested her hands on his arms gently. Luke nuzzled behind her ear. She turned her head and kissed his cheek gently. He kissed the underside of her jaw before nuzzling the same spot. She giggled and nuzzled his neck and kissed it gently. Luke smiled and kissed her temple. She leaned against him and nuzzled his neck.
"I love you Clare..." He whispered as he scooped her off her feet.
"I love you too Luke..." She whispered back nuzzling his chest and shoulder. Luke flopped down on the bed so he was on his back. She snuggled into his chest then moved her head up and kissed him gently. Luke returned the kiss with an unnatural softness. She purred and put her hands on the side of his face. One of Luke's hands closed over hers while the other came to rest between her shoulder blades. She kissed him lightly. Luke pressed into the kiss asking permission to deepen it. She opened her mouth to his request. He was quick but still sweet in deepening the kiss while he laced their fingers together on the hand that was against his cheek. She smiled lightly and let her other hand moved to rest on his chest gently. Luke ran his hand down to rest on the small of her back while he broke the kiss to nuzzle her temple. She returned the nuzzle to his own temple. Luke rumbled quietly and nuzzled her neck. She purred and nuzzled the top of his head. Luke rested his nose against the hollow of her neck. Clare blushed but she purred again and let her fingers dance across his chest. A small shudder ran the length of Luke's back. She giggled lightly and nuzzled the top of his head gently. Luke smiled and dragged one finger lightly up her back. She shivered slightly. Luke had that, 'I can tease you too' look on his face as he drew a feather light circle against her skin. She shivered and let her fingers dance again. Luke ran his nose from the hollow of her neck to the tip of her jaw. Clare shivered again and locked her lips on his purring softly. Luke smiled into the kiss and let her have her way with him for once. She trailed kisses from his lips to his temple then down his cheek to his chin. Luke let out a quiet groan as his wine red eyes slid shut. She purred and kissed her way up to his other temple. Luke turned his head to allow her better access. She then kissed across his forehead and kissed to his nose. Luke looked at her hazily. She smiled lightly and kissed him on the lips. Luke returned the kiss but still let her have control. She purred and broke the kiss and kissed his cheek then down to his jaw line. Luke looped his arms around her waist as he groaned quietly and tilted his head back. She kissed all along his jaw and then the underside. Luke wasn't the type to relinquish command so easily and yet here he was the passive one. She kissed down his neck and then his shoulders. Luke groaned as a slight shudder ran down his back. She kissed his collar bone next then kissed her way back up to his temple. He his fingers twitched against her skin and was made very apparent that he was resisting the urge to take back command. She kissed his lips after she made her way over to them. Luke groaned quietly again and pressed into the kiss as a way to distract himself. She pressed back as her fingers went down his chest then back up. Luke's control finally snapped and he flipped them. She meeped and broke the kiss in surprise. Luke trailed kisses down to her collar bone where he proceeded to nip lightly. She moaned and closed her eyes. Luke nuzzled her pulse point as he trialed his fingers up her right side. She moaned lightly and her head lolled to the side. Luke rumbled lowly and nuzzled behind her ear. She moaned slightly louder and her ear twitched. Luke stopped, thinking she'd heard someone coming. She flipped them over quickly and nipped and licked at his temple and collar bone. Luke groaned as his back arched slightly. She nipped at his collar bone then nipped down his ribs. Luke swallowed the groan that was creeping up his throat. Clare kept nipping down his ribs until she got to his stomach where she licked down then back up to the other side of his ribs. Luke gasped as his eyes snapped open. She nipped up his ribs then at his collar bone. He groaned and froze. She kissed up his neck then kissed his lips. Luke sighed contently and relaxed. Clare then broke the kiss and kissed to his temple then down to his jaw line. Luke trailed his hand up the back of her thigh. She shivered and kissed down from his jaw to his collar bone. He did it again, this time on the other side. The ninja froze in her attack on his body. Luke chuckled but stopped all the same. She sighed and put her head on his chest gently. Luke placed both hands in the small of her back and left them there. Clare sighed and looked up at him and kissed his lips gently. Luke kissed her back then her forehead. She snuggled into his shoulder and nuzzled his neck. Luke sighed contently and tightened his hold on her. She smiled and giggled, "Did you have fun?"
"Not as much as you but still..." He replied as he nuzzled her temple. She giggled again and moved her head to smile at him.
"How about you?" He asked.
"Yeah, I had tons of fun..." She said and propped her head up on his shoulder delicately. Luke smiled warmly enough to melt butter. She blushed and tried to calm her heart that his smile sped up as she smiled back to him. Luke chuckled and kissed her forehead. She nuzzled his cheek with her nose. Luke sat up slowly so she ended up in his lap. She looked up at him from her current position.
"Where did you toss my shirt Angel?" He asked. She shifted and moved from his lap, the shirt in one of her hands, "You're just going to have to come and get it now won't you..." She said smiling lightly. Luke smiled the same smile he knew made her heart race and slowly backed her into a corner. She smiled lightly as he backed her into the corner her heart racing and his shirt in her hands, her back bumped the walls and she looked up at him.
"Just give me my shirt please Luv..." He cooed.
"And what are you going to do if I don't?" She asked as she placed the hand that didn't have the shirt in it and placed it on his shoulder to run her finger along his ear.
"Nothing too drastic..." He replied only inches away from her lips.
"Oh?" She breathed lightly the hand on him slowly grazed his jaw to his chin then back up to his ear.
"Do I get my shirt Angel?" He whispered.
"Maybe..." She purred.
"Please Angel..." He cooed as he nuzzled her cheek.
"Well I guess I could give it back..." She said and handed him his shirt back.
"Thank you Angel..." He whispered and stole a very passionate kiss. She kiss him back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders after making sure the sea orchid was still in her hair. He didn't ask this time he just deepened the kiss of his own free will. She moaned lightly and kissed him back, her arms pulling him closer. Luke had to place one hand against the wall behind her to keep his balance. She kissed him deeply and moaned. A minute later Luke broke the kiss so they could catch their breath. She breathed deeply her chest heaving with every breath. Luke nuzzled the underside of her jaw gently. She smiled and nuzzled his cheek.
"Shall we go check on the children luv?" He asked quietly.
"I guess we should make an appearance..." She whispered to him.
"Lest they come looking for us..." He finished.
"Yeah..." She said and smiled lightly. Luke smiled and kissed her quickly before leading her out the door by her waist. She smiled and leaned against him. Lucas came bolting up the stairs, his hackles up as he kept glancing over his shoulder until he crashed into Luke's legs. Clare picked up the kit, "Lucas what's wrong?" She asked.
"Orion's picking on me again..." He whimpered as he hid himself in Clare's arms, trembling horribly.
"Shh...it's okay..." Clare said as she put Lucas on her shoulder.
"Clare his ear's bleeding..." Luke said.
"What...Did Orion do this to you?" Clare asked as her magic turned to healing and she healed his ear but it would forever have a nick in it.
"Mmhmm, mom's giving him the fifth degree as we speak..." He replied as he continued to hide under her hair.
"Alright, you just stay with us and you should do fine..." Clare said as she nuzzled the kit's head.
"Okay..." He whispered and settled around her neck. They three went down stairs and Clare went to her chair. Din and Farore were having a game of red hands while Link lie on the floor with Sophie on his chest and Anni moved about the kitchen singing a beautiful song Clare didn't know quietly to herself. The ninja looked around then shrugged her shoulders as she tapped her fingers against the table top.
"Didn't think she remembered that one..." Luke mused as he sat in his own seat and watched Jessie give his oldest son hell. Clare rubbed her ears and leaned against him.
"...Between the salt water and sea-strand, For then he'll be a true love of mine..." Anni seemed happier now than she had all week.
"What's got her so happy?" Clare asked, "And what is she singing..."
"As to what has her so happy, I have no idea but the song is Scarborough Fair, she's known it since she was three and no one knows where she heard it..." Luke replied as he listened to the Fair.
"Hmm..." She hummed and closed her eyes.
"It's nice to hear her sing, she hardly ever happy enough to sing..." Luke mused as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Yup..." She replied feeling Lucas snuggle up to her neck. Anni slipped out of the kitchen still humming her song and scooped up Sophie and then danced out of the room.
"Yup, someone's really happy." Clare said watching them after cracking her eye open slightly.
"Think she knows something we don't?" Luke inquired.
"When doesn't she..." Clare asked as she opened her eyes. Luck chuckled and tilted his head back. The ninja's hand twitched, "Ah man..." She grumbled.
"What's the matter Angel?" Luke asked.
"I need to train...I haven't in a long time and my ninja skills are getting rusty quickly." She explained.
"Ninja skills maybe but other skills..." Luke teased. She blushed and smacked his arm lightly.
"I'm kidding Angel..." Luke cooed and nuzzled her cheek gently. She giggled and nuzzled his own cheek.
"Aww..." Farore cooed, her hands folded next to her cheeks. Clare blushed but smiled and kissed the end of his nose. Luke smiled and leaned back in his chair. She smiled and did the same.
"Whoa!" Lucas yelped as he fell off of Clare's neck and onto the floor.
"Oh I'm sorry Lucas!" Clare said and scooped the kit off the floor.
"Wow, that's a long way down..." Lucas muttered blinking as he tried to bring things into focus.
"Yeah..." She said and placed him on her lap and stroked his fur.
"This just isn't your day is it kiddo?" Luke asked looping one arm around Clare's waist. Lucas just groaned and curled against Clare's hand. She smiled softly and kept stroking his fur. Johnny walked over and hopped into Luke's lap, "Are you okay sweetie?" The young vixen asked her youngest son. Lucas looked up at her then laid his head back down.
"Can I have him mom?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah you can." Clare said and moved her hand. Johnny jumped into Clare's lap and curled around her baby boy and tucking him under tails. Clare put her hand on the two on her lap and pet them. Lucas nuzzled up to his mother for his lunch while Johnny purred quietly. Clare leaned against Luke and closed her eyes. Luke nuzzled her now open neck. She smiled and purred gently. Anni came down still humming her song as she handed their daughter to her husband before kissing his forehead. Clare smiled lightly again and continued to pet the two Keaton's on her lap.
"She's in a ridiculously good moon and it's starting to seem odd..." Luke said as he watched their niece dance out of the room.
"Why don't you ask her why she'd in a good mood?" Clare asked.
"I don't think I want to find out, heaven forbid I ruin that good mood." Luke replied as Johnny shifted to make herself comfortable while she nursed Lucas.
"Hmm...Well I don't know, must have been while we were outside." Clare said and stretched her arms up. Luke shrugged and traced a circle along her side. She smiled to him and nuzzled under his chin. Link smiled that same smile as Anni while he cuddled Sophie. Clare caught that look and smiled lightly and kept nuzzling Luke under his chin.
"What okay, I'll tell your mom..." Link said quietly. Clare didn't catch that since she sighed when he talked. Link stood up and carried Sophie to Anni still smiling. Lucas had his fill of his mother's milk so Johnny jumped off Clare's lap and the ninja shifted slightly. Lucas shivered as his mother left and nuzzled into Clare's stomach. Clare started to pet his fur and closed her eyes. Link came back in with what appeared to be lunch. The ninja's ears twitched as she listened to the sounds of the room silently. Anni's voice could be heard from upstairs, singing a lullaby in the old language. The ninja opened her eyes and drew herself back to reality as Lucas's cold nose touched a sensitive spot. Luke soothed a circle against her skin. Clare nuzzled his cheek and watched as Link put lunch on the table. Anni came down a few minutes later without Sophie and Orion held by the scruff of his neck, "Get back in your basket you little hellion." Anni growled as she tossed him roughly into the basket.
"Maybe it's time for him to go to the other keatons..." Clare said as she watched Orion get tossed.
"He's still not old enough to be on his own, a few more months and Jessie will kick all the boys out on their own..." Luke told her. Lucas looked up at him as Clare looked over at Jessie as he went to punish his son, "If Jessie doesn't kill Orion first..." She whispered and kept stroking the one in her lap. Anni's good mood was ruined and she was currently washing the dishes muttering angrily under her breath.
"He really did it this time..." Clare whispered.
"Takes a lot to piss Anni off..." Luke winced as he caught a particularly nasty comment, "Especially that badly."
"And something tells me Orion finally over stepped his boundaries..." She whispered and stroked Lucas's fur.
"That's it young man, I have had it with you, I'm officially exiling you. Now march." Jessie growled.
"You NEVER attack family." With that said Jessie tossed the oldest boy out the door.
"Told you..." Clare whispered and stood to go up stairs, taking Lucas with her. Lucas groaned at being moving.
"Shh..." Clare shushed and went into hers and Luke's room to lay on the couch.
"Uncle Luke can you check on Sophie..." Anni's voice floated up as she put the dishes away. "Sure thing sweetheart." He answered. Clare put Lucas on her stomach and pulled out her ocarina to check it over. Luke came back into their room with a fussing Sophie, the now nine month old infant had a scratch running from the corner of her eye to her slightly pointed ear.
"Lucas you might want to come lie by my head...Sophie might be afraid of keatons now..." Clare said as she moved the kit from her stomach to beside her neck where he curled by, hiding in her hair. Luke sat on the end of the couch and tried to soothe his upset niece. Clare watched him and put the ocarina to her lips and played a note.
"Shh...it's alright sweetie..." Luke cooed as he soothed Sophie's silken caramel hair. Clare stopped playing and set her instrument on the table beside her and rested her heads on her stomach. Sophie sniffed and fussed but not as much as before. Clare closed her eyes and started humming gently tapping the beat to the song she was humming on her stomach, it was the song of destiny. The tiny infant in Luke's arms refused to settle, "Clare hold her for a moment, I think I know what may work..."
"Hand her over..." Clare said holding her arms out. Luke placed the still upset Sophie in Clare's arms and stood before disappearing out the door. Clare put the infant on her stomach and held her there, she looked over at the chair next to the couch and saw the stuffy that Luke won her last year and she smiled lightly. The older blonde came back into the room with his lyre tucked under his arm. Clare smiled softly as she turned Sophie around gently. Luke sat down in his spot and started to pick out the song Anni had been singing downstairs, Sophie started to settle almost instantly. Clare yawned at the same time Lucas and Sophie did. Luke smiled softly and continued to play. The ninja fell asleep first and then Lucas and then Sophie. Luke finished the Fair and grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and covered them. He then pulled the curtains and silently shut the door before settling into a chair to keep watch over the sleeping trio with a book. Lucas shifted and put his head on Clare's neck. Sophie squirmed until she was comfortable, which was lying on her stomach with her head on Clare's chest. A few hours later and Clare finally woke up. Sophie and Lucas were cuddling and the ninja smiled lightly.
"Seems like she's not scared of them, just those who hurt her, just like her mom..." Luke said quietly.
"Well hopefully we won't be seeing him for a long time..." Clare whispered and brushed Sophie's hair away gently. Luke moved from his seat to sit on the floor beside them and leaned his arms on the couch. She snuggled his arm with her nose. Luke smiled warmly and bumped his nose against hers. She smiled back and nuzzled his nose. There was a quiet knock on the door.
"Come in." Clare said quietly. Anni poked her head in the door and sighed in relief, "There's my little girl."
"Yeah she's been with us since lunch." Clare said stretching her arms forward. Anni crossed the room and gently scooped up her little girl and cradled her against her chest.
"Let's get you cleaned up sweetie..." Anni cooed as Sophie latched onto the front of her shirt. Clare smiled softly and felt Lucas snuggle into her stomach. Anni slipped out of the room and quietly as she had entered, closed the door behind her. The ninja stretched and looked up at the ceiling. Luke smiled as he scooped up the ninja and his grandson and carried them to the bed. She rolled her eyes and held Lucas so he didn't fall. Luke placed her on the bed then laid next to her. She shuffled over to him and rested her head on his shoulder. Lucas groaned about all the movement around him and buried himself further into Clare's stomach. The ninja smiled and stroked the kit's fur gently. Luke kissed her temple and closed his hand over hers. She smiled to him and nuzzled his cheek then kissed it. Luke purred quietly and tucked his head under her chin. Clare purred back and nuzzled his head. Lucas's nicked ear flicked as his twin tails twined around Clare and Luke's wrists. The ninja giggled lightly as she felt the kit's fur on her wrist. Luke drew a light circle against her skin without moving his hand. She shivered and nuzzled his cheek. He was still after that, letting his head rest on her collar bone. Clare closed her eyes and fell back asleep. She was reawakened by Johnny gently pulling her son out from under Clare and Luke's hands.
"Hello, Johnny..." Clare yawned and stretched her one hand.
"Evening mum..." Johnny replied around her son. Johnny took Lucas and settled both of them at the end of the bed, where Lucas immediately nuzzled into his mother's stomach and started nursing. Clare sighed and fell back asleep quickly. Luke yawned and stretched preventing Clare from falling all the way back asleep. She groaned in response. Luke smiled and sat up. "It must be nearly dinner..."
"Hmm..." She said and sat up after him, yawning tiredly.
"Come on Angel, let's see what Anni's made for dinner..." Luke said and nuzzled her temple before kissing it lightly.
"Okay okay..." She said and flung her arms around his neck.
"You just seem to love getting carried around these days." Luke said as he picked her up.
"So..." She whispered and snuggled into his chest.
"Nothing, you just used to hate it when I even picked you up." Luke replied as he adjusted his hold on her.
"I used to..." She said and smiled up at him. Luke sighed and shook his head then left the room. She snuggled up to his chest and made herself comfortable. As they headed down the stairs, Link came up with a basket of sheets. The ninja waved to him as they past him. Link shook his head and continued up the stairs. Anni's happy humming could be heard from the kitchen and the smell of apple pie floated in the air.
"Mmm...Apples..." Clare said and sniffed the air.
"You don't know what you've been missing until you've had Anni's apple pie..." Luke replied as he set Clare on her feet at the bottom of the stairs.
"I had it the first year I was here." Clare said and tapped his chest lightly before going towards her chair.
"With Anni's homemade ice cream you haven't..." Luke replied as he followed her.
"...Ice cream...I haven't had ice cream in a very very long time..." Clare said softly.
"Then you get a treat..." Luke said as he took his seat.
"Okay..." She said and waited for the apple pie. Anni slipped out of the kitchen with dinner which was shepherd's pie. Clare crossed her legs on her chair and waited.
"Okay, who's first?" Anni asked quietly.
"Me!" Clare said at the same time Niko did.
"One at a time..." Anni said holding up one hand.
"Niko can go first..." She said pointing to Niko.
"Okay, plate please Niko..." Anni replied. Niko handed her his plate after nodding to Clare. Anni placed a ladle full of shepherd's pie onto Niko's plate and handed it back to him before motioning for Clare's. Clare put her plate in her hand. Anni filled everyone's plates and then took the empty dish into the kitchen, humming her new song. Clare ate her food but of course her boy friend ate his in seconds.
"Why do you inhale you're food all the time?" She asked only half way through.
"Keeps people from stealing it." Luke replied as he watched the boys argue over the last bun.
"Well that does explain why you don't do that when I cook while out at sea..." Clare said as she finished the last of her food. Luke shrugged and leaned back while he waited for Anni to bring out the ice cream and pie. She cleaned off her fork and pulled out her black bag of dried fruit.
"Clare..." Luke said a slightly irritated edge to it.
"Yes?" She asked and pulled out an dried apple slice.
"Why on earth are you eating those again?" He asked her.
"Who said anything about eating...I've had them for seven years straight..." She said and put it on the plate then dumped the bag on the plate. Different fruits fell on the plate along with a few chunks of beef jerky.
"You hung onto that crap?" Luke asked eyeing the jerky with an expression of disgust.
"Says the one who ate it for seven years and yes I did...I haven't cleaned out this bag in a while." Clare answered putting her hand in it to check for anything stuck inside.
"Yes and honest to goddesses I don't think I could eat another piece of it...ever" Luke stated.
"Just like I will never eat dried fruit again..." She said and pulled out a piece of jerky that had a slice of strawberry stuck to it. Luke made a face then turned to watch Anni bring in two pies and a bucket of ice cream.
"Ice cream!" Clare said and sat up straighter.
"Geeze Auntie Clare, with the way you sound, it seems like I don't feed you..." Anni said as she placed the still warm pies on the table.
"I love ice cream and I haven't had it in 14 years." Clare said. Anni shook her head with a soft smile as she cut a piece of pie for Clare and placed a scoop of ice cream next to it before handing it to Clare. She ate the pie first then ate the ice cream next. Anni hummed as she took the empty pie pans into the kitchen. Clare, for once, finished her dessert first. Luke leaned back in his chair contently, blonde hair falling over his shoulders. The ninja copied him but added a content sigh. Anni and Link started to clear the table as Johnny came down packing Lucas, the youngest of the litter didn't look too impressed, apparently having just woken up. Clare giggled lightly and uncrossed her legs. Luke stretched too far and his chair fell back, "Ow..."
"Are you okay?" Clare asked looking down at him.
"Yeah I just hit my head..." Luke groaned as he stood up and fixed his chair.
"Oh come here..." She said and motioned him over. Just then Gonzo got the greatest idea, "Let's play strip poker." Luke, promptly fell on his ass in shock, "WHAT?!"
"Strip poker." Gonzo said. Clare sighed and shook her head.
"As easily as I could kick your asses, No." Luke said flatly as he got back on his feet.
"Then you would lend me a shirt and a pair of pants?" Clare asked as she looked up at him.
"You're going to play?" Luke asked with a shocked look on his face. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "As long as Tetra doesn't play, I always win." That's when Anni cleared her throat in irritation, "Gonzo, do you remember what happened last time you played strip poker under my roof, I tanned your hide..."
"Miss Anni, I do remember and I will only go as far as under garments..." The pirate said hand in the air the other over his heart, as if swearing.
"If I see one pair of underwear on the floor..." Anni glanced at all of them, "You all die."
"I think they learned their lesson..." Clare said as she saw the pirates wince. Anni left the room with Sophie in her arms and Link hot at her heels. Clare smiled slightly and went up stairs to dig into Luke's drawers looking for a shirt and a pair of pants. Luke hovered in the door, a slightly agitated twitch to him. She pulled out the white button up shirt and closed the drawer then opened a different one. Luke tapped his fingers against his arms and stared at the floor. She couldn't find a pair of pants so she shrugged her shoulders. Luke had given up on his tapping and was currently just staring at the floor. She stood up and turned around, finally noticing him. Luke glanced at her sideways then returned to his staring.
"What's wrong?" She asked walking up to him.
"I guess I don't like the idea of you playing strip poker with a bunch of pirates..." Luke confessed quietly.
"Then why don't you play to protect me from those nasty pirates?" She asked and slipped the shirt on.
"Then I'll have some explaining to do..." Luke said pointing to the navy blue fabric wrapped around his neck.
"You're a shiekhans, can't you create an illusion?" She asked.
"I wish, that is one skill that takes years of training and I haven't mastered..." Luke sighed as he looped his arms around her.
"I guess I could whip up a quick spell..." She said lightly.
"No, I'll just sit on the floor and play guard dog..." Luke replied.
"Okay...But don't sit on the floor..." She said and nuzzled his chest lightly.
"Why not?" Luke asked.
"Because I want my guard to look as intimidating as possible, then there will be less of a chance of me losing something..." She said.
"Is that permission to hover?" He asked, knowing she hated it when he hovered.
"Yes that's permission to hover..." She said and rolled her eyes good naturedly. Anni slipped past them with a floor length cloak wrapped around her, she hadn't even seen them, but Clare could hear tiny bells. The ninja shook her head and grabbed Luke's hand then headed down stairs while buttoning the shirt. Luke followed her, when they got downstairs Anni was sneaking out the front door.
"Where are you going Anni?" Clare asked as she looked over at her. Anni froze then laughed sheepishly.
"N-n-nowhere..." The young mother replied.
"Don't stay out too late...if you're going nowhere..." Clare replied as she sat at her chair, the others looked over at her. Anni smiled sheepishly and darted out the door with the light ring of glass bells.
"About time you joined us Miss Clare..." Senza commented and shuffled the deck of cards. Luke threw the balding pirate a glare as he took his post behind Clare.
"Hmm..." The ninja hummed and shifted slightly. Senza tried to ignore the look and dealt the cards instead. Luke watched the flow of cards with sharp iced wine red eyes. Clare caught her two cards and looked at them then across at everyone else. Luke drummed his fingers against the back of her chair once then glared at Zuko, who dropped the car he was switching under the table. The ninja smiled slightly and flipped her cards over and won that round, the pirates sighed and pulled off their hats. The next hand was dealt and Niko nearly had a heart attack when Luke caught him trying to cheat. Clare looked at her cards and crossed her legs then put her elbow on the table. Luke continued to watch for cheats, shortcuts and any other dishonesty in the game. So far Clare was winning and the boys were down to their pants when Gonzo placed a winning hand on the table. Luke growled lowly and glared at the pirate across the table.
"Sorry Miss Clare but off with the shirt." Gonzo said hiding the shiver very well. Luke continued to glare as Clare removed her borrowed shirt. Clare sighed and folded the shirt then placed it on the chair next to her. Luke was even sharper after that, catching every movement at the table. The ninja picked up her next hand then put it back on the table, "I fold." Luke looped his arms around her shoulders possessively. She leaned her head on his chest and looked on as Niko flipped her cards over, "Oh yeah, she was smart that time..." Luke tossed Niko a glare that screamed, 'you're too close, back up.' The ninja looked at Niko as the pirate shuffled his chair away.
"I'm not playing anymore..." The ninja said and slid her cards away from her.
"You don't want to play cause he's getting agitated..." Senza growled.
"He's not the only one getting agitated..." She said. Senza exchanged looks with Gonzo and shrugged. Luke gently tightened his hold on Clare, asking if they could leave now. She nuzzled into his neck, the perfect yes. Luke moved his arms to her waist and lifted her cleanly from her seat and placed her on her feet beside him. She picked up the shirt and held it to her chest then snuggled his chest. He looped one arm around her waist and lead her outside into the cool night air.
"Where are we going?" Clare asked as she slipped the shirt back on.
"I have a feeling I know exactly where our beloved niece is and what she's doing..." Luke replied.
"And we're going to spy on her?" The ninja questioned.
"I haven't seen Crystal's part of the legend in years, so yes we're going to spy..." Luke replied.
"But aren't we staying for the festival?" She asked as he lead her onward.
"Yes, but the girl I see on stage in completely different from the young lady I see when she practices..." He explained then pulled her behind a tree.
"I feel like we're snooping..." Clare whispered.
"She'll never even know..." Luke whispered in reply as she started to climb the tree they were hiding behind. Clare sighed and looked around the tree. Anni stood in the middle of Lake Serenity in Crystal's outfit. A light breeze played through the young sage's hair as she took her first step into a very intricate routine.
"You do realize, this is spoiling the surprise..." Clare whispered.
"No, you'll understand when you see the actual play, Anni's dancing is so much more beautiful when she believes she's alone..." Luke replied coaxing her to come up.
"Ugh..." Clare said as she climbed up, remembering something she'd rather not. When she reached the branch he was sitting he pulled her into his lap, "Look..." The ninja looked over at Anni. The young brunette had just finished a very tight pirouette and was currently mid-jump, the moonlight reflecting off the bells on her sash.
"Wow..." Clare whispered as she watched.
"Amazing isn't she?" Luke whispered as Anni landed a tiny ripple ghosting across the lake surface.
"Maybe Midna would get her to dance for her fifth year anniversary..." Clare whispered to herself. Anni turned sharply and bent over so that her hair brushed the surface of the lake then flipped over to land on her feet.
"Yeah, Midna would like her dancing better than mine..." Clare muttered softly.
"You dance beautifully Angel, but his is meant to be artistic..." Luke whispered next to her ear.
"Uh..." She whispered then stayed silent, hopping that he wouldn't ask. Luke kissed her neck sensing her discomfort and turned his attention back to the young woman who currently was three feet off the water mid jump. Clare and Luke watched until Anni was done. Anni stood in the middle of the lake just staring up at the moons, a somewhat depressed look on her face.
"I think it's time to go...Leave her to her musing..." Clare whispered to Luke. He nodded and leapt to the ground. They walked back to the Inn and up the stairs. Link was out on the porch with Sophie watching Anni from afar, the same look on his face. Clare looked back then up at Luke then at her hands.
"I'll explain inside..." Luke whispered gently nudging her inside and in the direction of the stairs.
"I think I already know..." Clare said walking up the stairs quickly. Luke closed the door once they were inside and flopped on the bed, "...For someone who's dead, she caused a lot of trouble in this house..." Luke groaned as he tossed a pillow over his face. Clare sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes as she flopped beside him. Luke looped his arm around her after tossing the pillow against the headboard. She curled into his side and nuzzled his ribs with her nose. Luke adjusted them so they were actually on the bed before pulling her close against him. Clare sighed lightly and closed her eyes, remembering the battle with Darkness. Luke sighed quietly as he pulled the blankets over them. The ninja yawned and closed her eyes. The ninja's guardian kissed her temple before snapping his fingers to put out the lights. She snuggled into his side and sighed lightly.
"Sleep tight Angel..." Luke whispered.