Monday
Clare groaned and rolled over, little did she know she was inside. Luke pulled her back against him so she wouldn't fall off the bed. Clare buried her face into his chest then opened her eyes after realizing skin and not fur.
"Go back to sleep Angel, it's only four..." Luke whispered.
"You're not a dog anymore..." Clare pointed out.
"No, now go to sleep..." Luke coaxed.
"Okay..." She whispered and closed her eyes then returned to snuggling. Luke nuzzled the top of her head and ran his fingers over her wing marks. She sighed delicately then snuggled into his chest before falling asleep. Luke smiled and slipped into a very light sleep. There was a tap at the door around seven. Anni opened the door quietly with Sophie in her arms and Lucas in her pocket. "Someone wants to see her Aunt..." Clare rolled over and cracked one eye open before yawning. Luke made a shh motion and then opened his arms for Sophie. Anni handed the nine month old over and then placed Lucas down at the foot of the bed before exiting the room and shutting the door with a quiet snap. The ninja yawned again and turned so she was lying on her stomach. Luke placed Sophie between him and the ninja then sat up and scooped up Lucas, who he set next to Sophie. Clare turned her head so it faced the three. Sophie placed a tiny hand to Clare's cheek, "Morning Auntie..."
"Five more minutes..." Clare said and groaned slightly.
"Leave her be sweetie..." Luke whispered gently removing Sophie's hand. Clare moved her arms under the pillow and snuggled into it. Lucas yawned and curled into Clare's side. Lucas's cold nose made the ninja flinch slightly then settle down as her body got used to it and she went to sleep once again. Luke quietly kept Sophie amused until Clare was ready to wake up. True to her word, the ninja woke up five minutes after Sophie greeted her. She stretched her arms out from under the pillow before she opened her eyes. Lucas yawned and buried himself further into Clare's side not ready to wake up. Clare looked over at Luke and Sophie and smiled softly. Luke and Sophie had nodded off while waiting for Clare to wake up. The nine month old snuggled into his chest with one of Luke's hands on her back. Clare kept smiling softly then shifted so she laid on her back and picked up Lucas to rest him on her stomach. Lucas groaned and shifted until he was comfortable again. Clare smiled and stared up at the ceiling. Sophie started to whimper, a sure sign she was about to start crying. Clare poked Luke, "Luke...wake up..." Luke groaned and removed his hand from Sophie's back to swat at her hand. She moved her own hand and started to poke him on his shoulder, "Luke...Sophie's gonna start crying..." Lucas muttered something and hopped off Clare's stomach onto the bed. Clare kept poking Luke in hopes to get him to wake up before Sophie started crying. Luke groaned again and once more swatted at her hand. Clare sighed and scooped Sophie away from him while he was still distracted. Sophie almost instantly settled. Clare held the girl to her chest and sat up. Sophie sniffed a few times then settled to listen to Clare's heartbeat. The ninja leaned against the headboard and pulled her legs up slightly. Sophie blinked a few times and snuggled into Clare's warmth. Clare smiled lightly and stretched her legs out then crossed her ankles.
"Auntie, you're sitting on Lucas's tail..." Sophie told her Aunt.
"Oh sorry Lucas..." Clare said lifting herself up. Lucas wrapped his tails around himself and settled back down. Clare nudged Luke's leg with her own, an attempt to wake him up. Luke groaned and rolled over. Clare sighed and shook her head, "Let's go see who is up..."
"Just mama and daddy..." Sophie told her.
"Eh, need to get up anyways, your Uncle's been spoiling me rotten." Clare said and slid out of bed. Sophie yawned and cuddled up to Clare. The ninja smiled and slid her sandals onto her feet and walked to the door. Link and Anni could be heard once more arguing over another child, and from the sounds of it Anni was winning.
"Link just give it up or wait." Clare said as she came down the stairs, humming to herself.
"But Clare...oh fine..." Link sighed and sat down on the couch.
"Your are what, twenty one right now, you have all your life to make babies..." Clare said and walked over and sat next to him.
"How can I not want another one after this cutie?" Link asked as he kissed Sophie's cheek.
"Uhh, mood swings ring any bells?" Clare asked shifting Sophie to hold her in one arm to poke Link's forehead.
"I can put up with Ann's mood swings, done it once already..."Link replied still smiling as he lifted Sophie out of Clare's arms.
"Then Anni will tell you when she's ready for another one...Don't push her, you might end up with something broken..." Clare said and propped her feet up on the table before her. Link laughed and then nuzzled noses with Sophie who giggled. Clare shook her head and crossed her arms before shivering, "Alright, I'm cold..." She said then leaned over the back of the couch and swiped the blanket off it.
"What do you expect with the first day of winter..." Link muttered watching as Luke stumbled down the stairs.
"I hate winter." Clare said and wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. Luke sat down to her and pulled her into his lap.
"Oi!" She said and looked up at him.
"Yes?" he replied securing his arms around her.
"Nothing..." She said and snuggled into his chest.
"Thought so..." Luke muttered as he loosened the blanket enough to get his hands under it and onto her skin. Clare shivered slightly as the cold air touched her tummy.
"Sorry Angel..." Luke whispered pulling her closer.
"Uh huh...apology accepted..." Clare said and snuggled into his chest.
"Still hate winter?" Luke asked.
"Yes..." She grumbled and closed her eyes. Luke shook his head and tightened his arms around her as Anni came out with hot drinks.
"I have good reason to hate winter." Clare said and opened her eyes.
"I know Angel, but you don't have to worry about it ever happening again, you're with family now." Luke reassured as he kissed her temple. Clare nodded then snuggled into his chest and kissed it gently. Anni tapped Clare's shoulder and offered her a cup.
"Thanks Anni..." Clare said and smiled.
"It'll help keep the chill off, it's your first winter here, after breakfast we can find you some warm clothes..." Anni offered.
"Okay..." Clare said and smiled as she sipped her tea gently. Anni smiled and lifted out of Link's arms, "Aww Ann', can't I keep her a little longer?" Link asked asked as Anni sat on his side away from Clare and Luke and grabbed Sophie's blanket off the table.
"After her breakfast you can have her back." Anni said draping the blanket over her chest and shoulder.
"Okay boys look away..." Clare said and turned the men's heads away. Luke rolled his eyes and buried his nose in Clare's collar while Link disappeared into the kitchen. Clare smiled and sipped her drink. There was a quiet thud followed by a small 'ow' in the hall near the stairs.
"Alright, who tripped?" Clare asked looking over the back of the couch.
"Grandma, I hit my head..." Lucas called from the hall.
"Come here and I'll kiss it better..." Clare called.
"If I knew which way was up..." Lucas replied and there was another thump. Clare sighed put her cup on the coffee table and stood after getting Luke's hand out of the blanket. She wrapped the blanket around herself then went to pick up Lucas. He was lying upside down at the bottom of the stairs.
"Come here goofy..." Clare said then picked him up.
"Now I see why mom hates stairs..." Lucas muttered. Clare laughed and went back to her seat on Luke's lap. Luke instantly locked his arms back around her and continued his nuzzling. Clare giggled and nuzzled his chest gently. Link came back just as Sophie finished, breakfast for the four of them in hand.
"Thanks Link..." Clare said holding her hands out. Link smiled and placed a plate of eggs, toast and hash browns in her hands along with a fork and knife. Clare ate happily as Luke stole a fork full of hash browns when she was going to eat it, "Oi, those where mine..." Luke whined and nuzzled her neck, "Can't we share?"
"Yeah we can..." She said and smiled lightly. Luke smiled and kissed her neck. Clare blushed slightly and held some eggs to his lips. Luke snagged the eggs and left her be for a while. Clare giggled slightly and ate some of her breakfast. Anni handed Sophie to Link so she could take the plates to the kitchen. Clare pulled the blankets around herself and set Lucas on top of the blanket after she shivered. Luke's warm hands found her skin among the folds of the blanket and laid flat against her stomach. She smiled slightly and snuggled into his chest.
"Shall we find you some warm clothes Auntie Clare?" Anni asked coming back into the room.
"Yeah..." Clare said picking up Lucas and moved out of Luke's arms then stood up
"Come on, let's see what we can find..." Anni said a soft smile on her face.
"Okay...Let's get this done..." The ninja said. Anni headed up the stairs silently and then all the way down the hall into the shadows. Clare followed almost as silently. Anni pulled a small key out from under her shirt and unlocked the door she stood in front of. Clare waited patiently.
"Come on..." Anni said quietly as she opened the door and entered. The ninja followed and looked around the room they entered. There was a thick layer of dust on everything the light of the candle, Anni had lit, touched, the visible wall was covered in curling maps and there was a shelf of trinkets next to it.
"Wow..." Clare said and spun around looking.
"This was my mom's room, she loved to travel, sometimes more than me..." Anni said quietly as she placed the candle on the table.
"So why'd you bring us here?" Clare asked looking over at her.
"You're about my mom's size..." Anni replied as she picked up a silver necklace identical to the one around her neck.
"Oh..." Clare said and turned around once again. Anni smiled sadly and put the necklace back down before crossing the dusty room to an equally dust covered trunk. Clare followed automatically. Anni knelt to the floor and opened the trunk, which creaked from lack of use. Clare's ears twitched with the creaking sound. Anni dug through the trunk of clothes and pulled out a loose red shirt with long sleeves and a pair of black pants.
"Here, these should fit..." Anni said handing her the clothes.
"I think they may be a bit too long...but we'll see..." Clare said taking the clothes and leaving the room to get changed. Anni didn't follow, she stood and sat on the bed and then put out the light so no one would see her tears. The ninja went into her and Luke's room and closed the door. She put Lucas on the bed then disappeared into the bathroom to change. She came out in the clothes but had the pant legs rolled up and the sleeves rolled up also, "Yeah, I knew it too long."
"Looks good on you Grandma." Lucas added.
"I'm not in for the long sleeves but I guess I have to get used to them..." She commented and spun around slowly before scooping Lucas and going back into the bathroom to get the blanket. The door had swung in towards the hall but not shut, though, there was no light coming from inside. Clare stepped out into the hall and noticed the door, so she walked over and tapped on it, "Anni? Are you alright?" She asked. She received no answer sans an almost silent sniff.
"Anni?" Clare asked and pushed the door open, her sandals hitting her heels lightly. The light that came in from the hall was only enough to reach the table and somewhere in the dark room was a stifled sob. Clare sighed and walked into the dark room and listened for the crying. She followed the sobs and came to the bed. Even she couldn't see her, Anni had doubled over on herself and hadn't noticed Clare enter the room. The ninja sat down next to her and wrapped her arms around the crying woman. Anni locked her arms around her Aunt and continued to sob quietly.
"Lucas...go tell either Link or your Grandpa to go get my boots off the ship okay..." Clare said to the kit on her lap.
"Okay...here's hoping I don't fall down the stairs again..." Lucas muttered on his way out the door.
"Slide down by the railings." Clare called to him as she shifted to tighten her arms around Anni.
"Okay..." He called back. Clare smiled lightly then went back to comforting Anni. Anni wasn't the type to break down over nothing, so something had to have set this off, trick was figuring it out.
"Anni, tell me what's wrong..." Clare said stroking her hair gently. Anni shook her head slightly and continued to cry.
"Come on Anni, tell me what's wrong....I don't like seeing you cry, no one as beautiful as you should be crying..."Clare said resting her cheek on top of Anni's head.
"She was never here..." Anni whispered, almost too quietly for even Clare to catch.
"But she never forgot about you...she probably wished to be here...Even if it was a small part..." Clare whispered quietly.
"Then why, why didn't she stay...I never had my mom around, and even Uncle wasn't here when I really needed him..." Anni whispered.
"Well I can't speak for either of them, but there is a, well I would like to call it a curse, it's a calling...for adventure and risk that you just can't say no to... but you've got me and Link now...and I may not be here at times but you still have that charm and just cherish the memories that you still have of your mother..." Clare whispered, "Just cherish the memories of the mother you had..."
"I don't have any though, she was never here...and every time you leave, it's like watching mom leave and not come back..." Anni choked.
"Tell me Anni, who taught you to read Ancient Hylian?" Clare asked.
"I learned on my own..." Anni whimpered still clinging to Clare.
"Then who's in that painting of the woman with the child in the library?" The ninja asked.
"I was so young I don't remember...that's when she started going away all the time..." Anni replied.
"But I'd bet she still cherished the memory...In her journal, after swiping it from your Uncle, the last page reads, 'Anni...Happy birthday, I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you but if you ever read this, I love you with all my heart...'..." Clare said.
"I just want my mom back..." Anni said as she broke down all the way.
"Hunny, There is nothing we can do...Actually, I could go back in time and bring her here before Ugly sank her ship...if you want..." the ninja offered.
"That wouldn't be right, manipulating time for one's own selfish purposes is wrong..." Anni whispered.
"Did they ever find her body?" Clare asked.
"No, there was nothing left except this..." Anni replied wrapping her fingers around her crystal.
"Do you want to put her spirit to rest?" The ninja asked hugging the smaller woman to herself.
"I just want to know mama's safe even if she's gone..." Anni gasped.
"She's in the safest place she could get right now... " Clare whispered, quoting Luke from last year.
"I don't want to watch you go again this year..." Anni whispered, finally the root of our problem.
"And why's that...?" The ninja asked.
"You're the closest thing I have to a mom and every time you leave..." Anni choked back a sob in the middle of her sentence.
"If you think it's any easier on me your wrong...I absolutely hate leaving you guys but every time I do I promise myself that I will come back, and I've never broken a promise...but an old bar tender once told me, sometimes, you just have to let go..." Clare whispered then blinked back her own tears.
"I don't want to let go again..." Anni whispered, hugging Clare tighter.
"You don't have to, we'll be back...there are worse things on land then there is at sea...ever since squid face, the sea has been clean of monsters, unless you count Jolene but she's enough of a monster to cover for the rest..." Clare said.
"She's still hanging around?" Anni sniffed, wiping vainly at her eyes.
"Oh boy is she...And still out for your Uncle's head to...over fifty freaking rupees, she reminds me of a magpie or a crow...But I could kick her ass with my eyes blind folded. Usually I don't even bother and just sink her dinky ship." Clare said.
"She was after the 'Silver Sails' for a while...she gave up though..." Anni sniffed and struggled to calm herself.
"I don't think that wanna be pirate could ever get anything she wanted...And she's as dumb as a brainless chu chu..." Clare said.
"There's only so many times you can have your ship obliterated by a hundred and fifty cannons." Anni whispered breathing still uneven.
"And a cannon crazy kid and a ninja with an attitude problem...and a ninja who does not take likely to being made fun of or that of her friends..." Clare said rubbing Anni's back lightly. Anni remained silent and as she tried to even her breathing. Clare smiled lightly and rubbed Anni's back gently. There was an arc of magic across Anni's skin.
"Deep breaths Anni...I know as a fact that both Luke and I will die of an extreme old age..." Clare whispered.
"I'm sorry my magic arcs when I'm upset...I don't know how to control it...some sage I'm turning out to be..." Anni muttered her breathing started to even.
"Oh don't put yourself down, I used to zap anyone that got too close, couldn't help it either." Clare said lightly. Anni sighed and leaned most of her weight on Clare. The ninja smiled lightly and hugged the younger woman gently. Anni snapped her fingers and relit the candle on the table as well as the other's in the room, shedding light on just how much Anni's mother loved to travel. Anni the walls were covered in maps and trinkets from her travels, the only thing that stood out was a single, dust covered picture of a woman, looking much like Clare with black hair, holding a new born.
"Well don't you look cute a button...what happened?" Clare asked with a joke intended to get a different reaction.
"Fell off a cliff..." Anni muttered.
"Well I was going for I grew up or Link happened or something along those lines...But as cute as you were, you grew up to a beautiful woman..." Clare said smiling to her.
"I know a lot of people who would disagree with you..." Anni said quietly as she rubbed her arms.
"And I know a lot of people who would agree with me and pummel those who disagree...But your scars are something not to be ashamed of." The ninja said, "Just shows people you survived and you are stronger than you look."
"Umm, Auntie Clare, where's your hand?" Anni asked even though Clare's hand was on her back.
"On your back..." Clare whispered. Anni looked over her shoulder, "Oh..."
"Anni, I want to show you something..." Clare said and turned around, on the middle of her back near her spin was a small star shaped scar. Anni cocked her head to the side.
"Christina poked me a little too hard on that spot with one of her unusually long needles and ever since I can't feel anything in that area and if you poke it..." The ninja left off.
"Mmm...I know that feeling..." Anni muttered as she turned her head away, the tip of the scar on her back showing along with the one on her right temple.
"That one and of course the one on my right shoulder I have never been ashamed of showing...and neither should you." Clare said pulling the shirt back down around herself. Anni placed her fingertips to the one on her temple, "Even after four years this one still hurts..." She whispered.
"I would imagine..." Clare said and turned around then heard someone tapping at the door.
"Are you two alright?" Luke asked standing in the door frame.
"Well, I don't know about Anni, but my feet are cold..." Clare said wiggling her toes. Anni smiled lightly and tucked her hair behind her ears and paused with her fingers over the tips, her eyes widening slightly. Clare turned her head to look at Anni, "Anni, what's wrong?" Anni moved her hands away to reveal Hylian ears in place of her only slightly pointed ones.
"Eh?" Clare said as she looked at Anni's new ears.
"Those weren't there a while ago..." Anni said quietly as she traced the shell of her new ears.
"I'm confused..." Clare confessed.
"That makes three of us then..." Luke said as he crossed the room.
"They're real..." Anni whispered.
"Are you happy with your new ears?" Clare asked her own ears twitching lightly.
"It's kind of weird, I mean they were pointed after the fall but now..." Anni seemed to be thinking about a hundred things at once.
"Just don't go out getting piercings yet..." The ninja said. Anni nodded.
"Okay...I don't know anyone who can change other's appearance...unless they are goddess..." The ninja said then glared at the roof. Clare could've sworn she heard Farore laughing.
"Oh...." Clare growled and kept glaring, "Farore, get your skinny ass down here now." The ninja hissed.
"My ass is not skinny thank you very much..." Farore snapped as she faded into view sitting on the table. Clare jumped off the bed and whirled around with a squeak.
"Geeze, you call me, imply my ass is skinny and then you squeak when I show up..." Farore said before sighing and shaking her head.
"Did you give Anni Hyrulian ears?" Clare asked, ignoring Farore's banter.
"No dear, I had nothing to do with this, it was all you honey..." Farore said pointing at Anni.
"Eh?" Clare was now totally confused.
"Anni; your magic, if you give it the chance, can completely restore your body to the way it once was, right down to the feeling in your back..." Farore explained.
"Ahh, I see now..." Clare whispered to herself. Anni remained quiet for a moment, "That means mom lied to me..." Anni whispered. Clare kept silent, not knowing how to react.
"We all lied to you sweetie, I'm sorry..." Luke said kneeling down and gently hugging Anni. Now the ninja was starting to feel like an outsider again so she left the room via shadows and slinking.
"Auntie Clare, come back..." Anni requested quietly, knowing Clare would hear her. The ninja slinked back into the room, looking down. Anni slipped out of Luke's arms and crossed the room to Clare where she wrapped her arms around her aunt.
"This is your family now and you will never be an outsider here..." Anni whispered. Clare clutched the girl as if she was her last life line and put her face into her shoulder. Now it was Anni turned to do the comforting. The smaller woman secured one arm around Clare's back and placed her hand to the ninja's head, "Can you guys give us a little time alone?" Farore nodded and vanished but Luke was reluctant.
"Please Uncle Luke?" Anni pleaded quietly.
"Okay...but I'll be right outside the door..." He said and left the room. Anni sniffed and with the flick of a wrist the door swung shut and a silencing spell went up. She led Clare back over to the bed and sat down. The ninja had yet to shed any tears but she was quiet. Anni hugged her tightly, "Just let it out Auntie Clare, you'll feel better afterwards..." Anni whispered running her fingers through Clare's hair. The first tears left her eyes and then she just couldn't stop crying.
"It's okay..." Anni whispered, instantly falling into her role as a mother.
"It was just so hard..." Clare sobbed.
"I know, but you don't have to worry anymore, we'll always be here for you." Anni soothed as she ran her fingers through Clare's hair again. The ninja sobbed more than managed to control her tears enough not to drench Anni's shirt.
"Oh Auntie Clare..." Anni whispered and pulled the older woman closer. The ninja sniffed once then wiped at her eyes quickly.
"It'll be okay..." Anni assured, pushing half an arm's length away and pulling a handkerchief from her apron, "Here, dry your eyes..." Clare sniffed nodded and took the hanky and dabbed at her eyes. Anni smiled softly and tucked Clare's bangs behind her ears. "What's bothering you Auntie Clare?" Anni coaxed.
"I...I just need a mother...and someone I can hug whenever I feel like..." The ninja whispered gently.
"I can't be your mom Auntie Clare, but I'm here whenever you need me and I'm sure Milady is as well..." Anni said quietly as she pulled Clare back into her arms.
"Thanks Anni..." Clare whispered then, "I wonder what my real mother was thinking when she left me in that field..." She whispered just barely audible.
"I couldn't tell you, only you have the power to find that out..." Anni replied as she smoothed out Clare's hair.
"But I don't want to find out if it's gonna hurt..." Clare whispered again.
"Is it you don't want to know at all, or is it you don't want to be alone when you find out?" Anni asked gently, it wasn't meant to hurt Clare in anyway, just find the real reason.
"I don't want to be alone...If we are going to look...can your uncle come back in?" Clare asked almost silently.
"Of course..." Anni whispered. With one hand she magicked the door open, "You can come in now Uncle Luke..." Luke quickly went to Clare's side and scooped her off the bed then sat himself in her old spot and put her in his lap. Anni took one of Clare's hands and squeezed it gently, "Are you ready?" The ninja nodded slowly.
"Alright..." Anni whispered and gently coaxed Clare to use her gift. A small time bubble appeared before them then grew slowly to the size of a huge dinner plate.
"It's going to be okay..." Anni soothed so Clare wouldn't scare herself off. The ninja nodded as Luke wrapped his arms around her tightly. The time bubble started out dark then light started to form. Two cloaked figures ran threw a field away from the temple of sages. Anni squeezed Clare's hand and calmed the air in the room. The ninja squeeze back but kept her eyes glued on the time bubble. One of the two figures fell and a basket fell onto the ground in front of them. The hood fell off and a blond female with dark blue eyes looked back before picking up the basket and running. Luke rubbed her side gently. The female tripped again and the other figure turned, the hood falling again revealing a man with the same blue eyes as Clare. He picked up the woman, a golden glow on his right hand and a mark on her right hand, caught the ninja's attention.
"You look just like them..." Anni whispered placing her other hand under hers and Clare's.
"He has the Triforce of power...and she's the keeper of the Triforce..." The ninja whispered. The two kept running the fell down a hill, the basket flying out of the woman's arms and landing in tall grass. A dark figure stood at the top of the hill.
"It's him, the Dark King..." Anni muttered. Lightning flashed in the sky, revealing the face of the dark figure, "Ganondorf..." The man in the bubble whispered helping the woman up. Anni gently rubbed the back of Clare's hand.
"What do you want Ganondorf...?" The woman asked, her voice sounding like Clare's.
"I want you to transfer the Triforce of Power to me." The Dark King ordered.
"That explains a lot..." Luke growled. The ninja's face was as white as snow and her eyes were wide.
"And if she refuses?" The man asked moving the woman behind him.
"Then she will watch you suffer..." Ganondorf said, his swords appearing out of his sleeves. Anni squeezed Clare's hand again as Luke managed to trail his hand over her wing marks on Clare's back. Tears were starting to trail down the ninja's face again but she just couldn't turn away.
"No! I'll do it just don't hurt him..." The woman shouted stepping out from behind the man.
"Serenity..." The man said reaching for the woman.
"I don't want to lose you, Poe..." The woman whispered. Anni quickly wiped away Clare's tears. The ninja barely even registered it.
"Serenity..." Poe said. Serenity smiled lightly and then went into her keeper form, Clare's minus the wings, and drew the Triforce of Power out of her husband's hand.
"We're here for you Auntie Clare..." Anni whispered. The ninja nodded slowly. Ganondorf took the Triforce then laughed as he stuck his sword in Serenity's stomach.
"I won't hurt him, but I said nothing about you my dear..." He purred sickly. Anni covered her mouth with one hand and squeezed Clare's hand with the other while Luke placed his cheek against her shoulder. The tears came faster out of the ninja's eyes as the scene kept going; "Serenity!" Poe shouted and launched himself forward to catch the fading body of his wife. The woman put her hand to his cheek, "Watch after our darling daughter...Clare...watch after her in whatever form you choose..." Anni and Luke offered Clare what comfort they could without breaking her concentration. Clare started to sob but her eyes were glued to the bubble. Ganondorf laughed and faded away and Poe stood after his wife faded to nothing and choose his form, a red poe. Anni hugged Clare by worming her way between the ninja and her Uncle. Clare sniffed lightly as the time fast forward when the three cloaked goddesses appeared. It fast forwarded to the red poe being captured by a woman and being turned into a jingle poe with a black ribbon.
"He's always been with you Auntie Clare, you just never knew..." Anni whispered pulling Clare as close as she could. The ninja's concentration broke and she started balling as the bubble broke.
"Shh...it's okay, it's okay..." Anni cooed running her fingers through Clare's hair as she guided the older woman's head to her shoulder. Clare sobbed and cried and the bell on her ankle jingled lightly.
"Shh...It's alright, we're here, we're all here for you Auntie Clare..." Anni said feeling an extra presence in the room. The ninja wrapped her arms around Anni and cried harder.
"We're all here..." Anni whispered running her tiny hand up and down Clare's back. Clare sniffed lightly and nodded. Anni hugged Clare tightly and started to hum Sophie's lullaby. The ninja quieted but didn't stop crying. The air around them cooled, "Auntie Clare, I think someone wants to say goodbye..." Anni whispered. The ninja looked up after sniffing loudly. There, much like Eilene the year before, stood Serenity. Clare looked at this figure and blinked.
"Come my darling little girl..." Serenity whispered as Anni released Clare. The ninja sniffed then launched herself at her mother. Amazingly, she was tangible.
"It's alright sweetie, it's okay..." Serenity whispered as Anni dragged Luke out of the room and shut the door. Clare clutched her mother.
"It's okay..." Serenity whispered smoothing back Clare's hair.
"Mom..." Clare whimpered then cried harder.
"I'm right here baby..." The older woman soothed. Clare sniffed and hugged the woman. Serenity managed to steer her daughter back to the bed and sit them both down. Clare clutched at her mother and whimpered.
"I'm sorry baby, I never meant to make you cry..." Serenity said placing one hand between Clare's shoulder blades the other in the small of her back.
"Mom...I...I always wanted to meet...meet you..." Clare said threw her tears.
"I know baby, but we lost you when you were frozen, it took us forever to find you..." Serenity replied.
"But...but...d...dad's been...been with me...since Zelda gave...gave me the...the bell...hasn't he...?" Clare whimpered. "Yes but for me to find both of you was the hard part...at least you're safe." Serenity replied pulling Clare closer. The ninja sniffed and pushed her face into her mother's shoulder. Serenity cuddled Clare against her and let her daughter ride out her emotions. After a few minutes, Clare's sobs died down.
"I'm sorry baby, I never meant to upset you..." Serenity cooed stroking Clare's hair.
"It's alright mom...do you want to meet my new family?" The ninja asked quietly.
"Yes, I see the new High Sage has taken quite a liking to you..." Serenity replied wiping away Clare's tears.
"Yeah...that and I'm dating her uncle so...." Clare said and laughed lightly.
"You mean that man she dragged out with her, he kind of reminds me of your father..." Serenity mused. Then Anni could be heard running down the hall to get her now crying daughter, "Isn't she a bit young to be a mother?"
"Uh...funny thing about that..." Clare said laughing slightly. Serenity gave Clare that look that every child fears, that 'tell me or I spank you' look, "Clare?"
"Eh, her and Link wanted to have kids a little early, but she's responsible enough..." Clare said opening the door and was instantly wrapped up in Luke's arms.
"Oh Angel, are you alright?" Luke asked not noticing Serenity standing right in front of him.
"Yes, I'm fine...Meet my mom..." She said pointing to the woman behind her. Luke released Clare momentarily to bow respectfully to the woman in front of him, "A pleasure..." Before wrapping Clare back in his arms.
"Luke..." The ninja whined but didn't struggle, "Let's go down stairs and introduce mom to the others..."
"Of course..." Luke replied and scooped her off her feet. Clare squeaked and blushed slightly. Serenity smiled lightly and followed the two down the stairs. Anni came into the hall with a now settled Sophie and turned to head down the stairs, not noticing the trio only a meter or two away.
"That's Anni my niece with Sophie my newest niece." Clare said. Anni glanced over at them and smiled before darting back into her room and reappearing with Lucas in her apron pocket before disappearing down the stairs without a sound.
"That Keaton kit in her pocket was Lucas one of my grandsons..." Clare pointed to the kit's tails as the three walked down the stairs.
"You adopted a Keaton, that's so cute." Serenity replied as she followed them.
"Yup, actually Luke gave her to me as a way to cheer me up, didn't you Luke?" Clare said and nuzzled his cheek gently.
"That and I felt bad for her, what being abandoned for being the runt of her litter..." Luke replied kissing her temple.
"Okay, enough of that topic onto better ones..." Clare said and looked around once they were on the main floor. Link and Sheik were arguing over who knows what only to be silenced by way of Anni's ever present wooden spoon. Tetra was sprawled across the couch, the boys nowhere to be seen and Johnny and Jessie were tending to the other four kits by the fire.
"Okay that one in green is Link, the one he was arguing with was Sheik. Tetra is on the couch and the keatons in the basket are Johnny, the one I adopted, Jessie, her mate, and their other four kits." Clare explained pointing out the people. Anni handed Sophie to Link then went to the kitchen to make dinner, "I swear, a daycare not an Inn..." Anni growled. The ninja shook her head and sighed.
"Okay I admit it, we deserved that one..." Link said rubbing his head as Luke set Clare on her feet.
"You two are idiots..." Clare muttered as she went to sit on her chair at the table.
"Yeah Clare, I know, I'm an idiot..." Link sighed as he stroked Sophie's cheek and kissed her head.
"Mom, that's Link. Link meet my mother." The ninja said waving her hand.
"Hi, pleasure to meet you..." Link said looking up from Sophie who had just grabbed his finger.
"Isn't the Hero of Time dead?" Serenity whispered to Clare.
"He's the Hero of the Wind..." Clare whispered to her mother.
"Oh...uncanny resemblance..." Serenity replied as Anni came back with buns.
"Once a Link always a Link..." Clare laughed as Anni placed the buns on the table. Anni gave her an odd look before turning and disappearing silently.
"Are that girl's feet even on the floor, she moves like a ghost..." Serenity asked.
"Yeah...may not look like it but they are...I think..."Clare mused quietly. Sophie reached from Link's arms to Clare, wanting some attention from her Aunt too.
"Link can I have Sophie please?" Clare asked.
"Sure." Link replied and handed the nine month old over to Clare and then stood and disappeared outside. Clare held the infant close as she put her leg with the bell up on her opposite knee. Sophie placed one hand on Clare's collar bone, "Auntie, I'm cold..."
"Mom, I'll be right back, I need to find Sophie's blanket..." Clare said while she stood and disappeared to find the blanket.
"How'd she know that?" Serenity asked Luke.
"When Sophie touches people, she can communicate telepathically." Luke explained as he sat in Clare's old chair.
"Ahh...I see, that would make sense having the High Sage as a mother..." Serenity said. It was now Luke noticed neither Tetra, Medli, Komali or Makar had made any mention to Serenity's presence. Tetra walked by and stretched, her arm passing through Serenity's head. Luke looked a little shocked, "That didn't hurt did it?"
"No..." The dead woman said and shook her head.
"Okay...hmm wonder what's taking Clare so long?" Luke mused looking back at the stairs. The ninja came down, the bell jingling softly, with Sophie wrapped in her blanket, "My feet are so cold now..."
"You're boots are in our room or Anni's got a pair of slippers for you on the trunk at the end of the bed..." Luke said over his shoulder.
"Okay, "I'll be back in a minute..." Clare said and disappeared back upstairs. Luke shook his head and looked over his shoulder at Anni who was moving about the kitchen humming Sophie's lullaby.
"Oh I didn't think anyone still knew that..." Serenity said softly. A few minutes later, Clare came back down stairs with her brown boots on and the black pants tucked into them.
"Better Angel?" Luke asked her.
"Yup." She said and parked her butt on his lap.
"Good. Hello sweetie..." Luke cooed to the infant in Clare's arms as he ran his finger over Sophie's cheek. Clare smiled softly as did Serenity.
"You two are adorable, I hope you're aware of that..." Serenity said.
"You aren't the only one who said that..." Clare muttered. Serenity smiled and laughed lightly before she keyed in on the words of Anni's song, then Serenity's smile softened dramatically. Clare's ear twitched and she smiled lightly then shifted Sophie carefully. Serenity floated to stand behind Clare and Luke, "Your father used to sing that to you when you were just a few days old..." The ghostly woman whispered as she watched Sophie nod off.
"He did?" Clare asked and pulled her leg with the bell up to rest on her opposite thigh, exposing the bell.
"He did, I'm not surprised you don't remember you were so young after all..." Serenity replied.
"I...I recognise the tune but...that's it..." The ninja replied and looked down at Sophie. Sophie was sound asleep in Clare's arms and Luke seemed to have drifted off as well. Serenity smiled and gently squeezed Clare's arm. Clare looked up at her mom and smiled softly.
"Oh you've grown into such a beautiful young lady..." Serenity sighed hugging her daughter around Luke.
"Well, like mother like daughter..." Clare whispered to the ghost woman. Serenity smiled and hugged her tighter just as Anni came back with all the dishes and silverware, "And she's been the closest thing I've had to a mom in years." Anni added.
"Then come and join in on the hugs..." Clare said shifting Sophie so she had a free arm. Anni smiled and set the dishware on the table before slipping into Clare's free arm.
"Ah...feels good to be hugged by mothers or mother figures don't it..." Clare whispered softly and hugged Anni gently. Anni smiled and gently took Sophie from Clare so the ninja had both arms. With the ninja's other arm freed, Clare wrapped it around her mother gently.
"You're such a sweet girl baby..." Serenity whispered and kissed Clare's temple while she squeezed Anni's hand.
"Well...I try..." Clare mused. Serenity smiled as Sophie yawned and opened her green eyes, "Mama..." Anni smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead. Clare smiled and released Anni and her mother. Anni passed Sophie back to Clare so she could set the table and finish dinner.
"Are you going to stay for dinner mom?" Clare asked as she took the infant.
"Yes I'll stay..." Serenity replied but there was an underlying sadness to her words.
"I know you have to go sometime...I'll let you go..." Clare said softly.
"Your boyfriend had your nickname right that much is for sure..." Serenity said once more hugging her daughter.
"Well one of them anyways...but then again, he is himself." Clare whispered and hugged her mother. Sophie tapped Clare's hand to get her attention.
"Yes?" Clare said looking down at the infant. Sophie placed her hand on Clare's arm, "Your mom's really beautiful..."
"I know..." Clare whispered to Sophie.
"So are you Auntie..." Sophie then yawned.
"Just go back to sleep..." Clare whispered again. Sophie yawned and closed her eyes before snuggling into Clare's arms. The ninja held Sophie close and crossed her legs.
"You're so good with her..." Serenity cooed.
"I've heard that too..." Clare whispered softly. Serenity smiled and rested her folded arms on Luke's head. Clare giggled lightly at the scene. Anni came back with a large pot and a smaller bowl on the lid, "Back in a minute..." Anni said as she disappeared out the door after grabbing her cloak.
"That girl is always doing something..." Clare muttered to her mother.
"At least she's happy..." Serenity said as the dinner bell rang. The ninja winced lightly and shook her head.
"Sorry Auntie Clare..." Anni called back into the house as she herded the boys inside.
"Don't worry about it..." The ninja said. Everyone took their usual spots, giving Serenity no notice what so ever.
"Can they see you...?" Clare whispered to her mother.
"No, the Sheikhan maybe, but the others no..." Serenity replied.
"Oh..." Clare whispered again.
"Alright you lot, plates from left to right in a circle, wake up Uncle Luke." Anni ordered standing at the head of the table with her arms crossed and her spoon in her hand. Clare poked Luke awake, "Uh Anni...I think we may want to some refitting...I think Luke got bigger around the chest again..."
"Ugh, not again..." Anni sighed closing her eyes and smacking Nudges hand with her spoon.
"Yeah...He was showing off for some friends of his..." Clare sighed.
"Don't want to know." Anni said quickly as she smacked Gonzo, who was trying to sneak dinner before his turn.
"I was not showing off..." Luke yawned. Anni shook her head and handed Niko his plate before smacking Gonzo on the nose again, "Wait your turn." Luke, Clare and Serenity shook their heads and sighed. When dinner was finally dished out Anni looked around the table, "Now I'm going to get drinks and I want it one at a time, got it?" The tiny brunette threatened. Everyone nodded and Niko started, "Root beer."
"Next..." Anni said still looking very threatening for someone so small. The pirates all ordered root beer, all waiting their turn of course.
"That's better, Link you want coffee, same goes for Uncle and Tetra. Sheik you want hot chocolate and what would you like Auntie Clare?" Anni asked shutting the other's up as soon as they opened their mouths.
"Hot water." The ninja said and moved Sophie to pull out a coin.
"Okay..." Anni said and disappeared into the back room.
"Why hot water?" Serenity asked her daughter.
"This coin had magical properties and makes a great tea when dipped in hot water, I think it's blue tea with an orange peppermint flavour." Clare whispered to her. Anni came back with two trays balanced on her hands, showing she was indeed trained as a waitress not a sage.
"There's not much use for sages now?" Serenity asked. Clare shook her head in response.
"There's a few of us left but that's it..." Anni added as she expertly slid Clare's hot water onto the table.
"Just a few..." The ninja whispered and dipped the coin into the hot water.
"How many dear, it's sad to see them disappearing like this..." Serenity asked.
"Four..." The ninja whispered.
"How sad..." Serenity said watching Anni do the very thing she was best at.
"Auntie Clare, will you watch the Inn tomorrow, I need to check on the new foals."
"Okay. I'll watch the Inn." Clare said and smiled to the young mother.
"Thank you." Anni said then smacked Gonzo across the back of the head with her tray for a lude comment he made.
"They still have horses?" Serenity asked.
"Mom...we're on Levious...You know that huge mountain.. . Hyrule flooded about five hundred years ago." Clare whispered to her mom.
"You're kidding right?" Serenity asked.
"Nope...later after dinner I'll take you to the beach to prove it..." Clare whispered.
"Alright..." Serenity agreed. Clare nodded and started to eat her dinner. Serenity followed Anni out as she took Sophie up to bed. Clare noticed and smiled softly then continued to eat her dinner. Luke snagged the forkful she was about to eat.
"Stealing my food again?" The ninja asked.
"Maybe..." Luke replied.
"Oh really now..." She purred. Luke smiled and nuzzled her jaw. Clare smiled and nuzzled his cheek. There were several snickers and gags around the table.
"Shall we give them something to snicker about...?" Clare whispered to him, playing with his goatee.
"I don't know, should we?" Luke replied once more nuzzling her jaw.
"I say let's..." She purred whilst nuzzling his cheek again. Luke didn't reply; he just pulled her into a deep kiss, which resulted in mixed results. Clare blushed but kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck gently. Anni and Serenity happened to come down at that moment. They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Clare closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss and Luke. Luke nipped her lip as he snaked his arms around her waist. The ninja obediently opened her mouth for him. Anni cleared her throat at that moment. The ninja meeped and ducked quickly. Anni shook her head and started to clear the table. Clare blushed a thousand shades of red as she put her face into Luke's chest.
"We kind of asked for it..." Luke whispered.
"I know..." Clare muttered.
"Clare, sweetie, I don't have much time left..." Serenity said placing her hand on Clare's.
"Time for you to go? I'll miss you mom..." Clare whispered gently to her mom.
"Come on sweetie, let's go for a walk with my last ten minutes..." Serenity coaxed.
"Okay..." The younger woman whispered and wiggled out of Luke's arms. Luke let her go, knowing this was something he had to let her do. Serenity wrapped one arm around Clare's shoulders and led her to the door, "Get your coat baby, I'll be right here."
"Okay..." The ninja said and ran up the stairs then back down in her parka in her hands. Serenity waited for Clare to open the door so it didn't set off any alarm bells with the others. Clare opened the door and waited for her mother to step through. Serenity followed her out.
"Show me what's become of Hyrule..." Serenity coaxed as she secured her arm back around her daughter.
"Okay..." Clare said and pulled the parka closed then started walking down to the beach. Serenity followed offering as much comfort to her daughter as she could, it's one thing to lose your mother once but twice is even harder. Clare took a deep breath by the time they got down to the beach, "This is all that remains of Hyrule...Little islands here and there..."
"I think I prefer it this way...so much more peaceful..." Serenity muttered.
"Monsters here and there but nothing too big...anymore anyways..." Clare whispered. Serenity pulled Clare into a tight hug.
"It's time for me to go baby..." She whispered.
"I'll miss you mom...See you when my time comes..." Clare whispered back crying silently.
"I'll always be with you baby, in here..." Serenity whispered placing one hand over her daughter's heart.
"I'll never forget you mom...either will dad..." Clare said as the bell on her ankle jingled lightly, as if it were crying.
"You're going to be alright baby, you've made it this far..." Serenity whispered becoming more transparent by the second.
"I love you mom..." Clare said crying.
"Love you too baby..." Serenity whispered placing one last kiss to Clare's head before her tangibility disappeared. Clare watched her mother disappear silently crying but standing tall the entire time. Serenity vanished and all that was left was the crash of the waves on the beach for about ten minutes.
"Auntie Clare?" Anni asked quietly from about two feet back. Clare looked over her shoulder then back to the waves. Anni closed the distance to about half a foot.
"Are you alright?" Anni asked, knowing what it was like to watch your mother leaving knowing she's not coming back.
"Yeah, I'm alright...I only just met her but...I will always cherish the few moments I had with her..." Clare answered. Anni came to stand next to her, "I know it's hard to watch them go..." Anni whispered as she gently squeezed Clare's hand.
"It is..." Clare whispered back then took a nice deep calming breath.
"Do you need a hug?" Anni asked.
"I think I can do without for a while yet... Chances are as soon as I get back inside or within your Uncles sight I'll get all the hugs I need..." Clare whispered.
"Okay, I'm going back to the Inn...if you need me you know where to find me..." Anni said as she slipped away silently. Clare nodded and kept looking out to the waves. The temperature dropped shortly after Anni got about six yards away and the waves continued to crash on the shore. Clare shivered slightly and buttoned up her parka. Suddenly there was a sluggish tugging on her pant leg. Clare looked down. Lucas stood next to her shivering violently.
"Lucas? What are you doing out here...You'll get sick." Clare said as she picked him up and tucked him into her coat collar.
"Y-y-you lo-looked s-so s-s-sad when you-you l-left..." Lucas managed. Clare sighed and pulled the hood up to cover him and keep him warm with her body heat. He eventually warmed up, "Are you mad at me Grandma?"
"No...I'm not mad..." Clare said but kept her eyes trained on the crashing waves. Lucas stood on her shoulder and licked her cheek. She nuzzled him with her cheek then turned to go back to the Inn. The only lights still on were in their room and the living room, Clare hadn't even noticed she'd been out there for well over three hours.
"Wow...didn't think it was that late..." She said and walked up the porch steps. Lucas said nothing just purred quietly. Clare opened the door to the Inn and looked around. Anni had fallen asleep on the couch with a blanket barely covering her tiny frame. Clare fixed the blanket careful not to wake her then made her way up the stairs. The bedroom door was open a crack and the light of a candle flickered from inside. Clare silently pushed the door open with her index finger and poked her head in the door. Luke was also asleep but it looked like he had tried to stay up and wait for her, judging by the three finished books on the floor and the half finished one on his chest. Clare smiled softly and scooped the books off the floor and put them on the desk by the door. Lucas slipped down the back of Clare's coat and onto the floor where he jumped onto Luke's boots to the trunk to the bed and curled up there. She smiled slightly at his antics and sat on the edge of bed to get the fourth book out from under Luke's hand. Luke's head fell to the side, his hair shifting to the side across his face. Once Clare got the book out from under his hand she moved his hair off his face gently. Luke groaned and leaned into her touch. Clare smiled and brushed his bangs off his forehead to place a kiss to it softly. Luke's eyes opened a crack, "Oh you're back..." He whispered.
"Yeah I'm back..." She whispered back and smiled to him.
"Sorry I fell asleep, I tried to wait up..." Luke told her quietly.
"Eh, it's the thought that counts..." Clare said softly. Luke's eyes slid shut as he fell back asleep against his will. Clare giggled softly and curled up next to him. Luke sluggishly wrapped his arm around her. She snuggled into his side and slowly closed her eyes. Lucas curled up against Clare's stomach and went back to sleep. The ninja sniffed Luke's scent of the ocean waves before she fell asleep.