Friday
Clare could smell the bacon cooking from their room. She yawned and stretched. Luke automatically tightened his arms around her, indirectly pressing her chest against his. She meeped and shivered slightly a chill coming over her arms. Luke nuzzled her neck and pulled the blankets back up to her shoulders. Clare giggled and shook her head good naturedly. Link was talking to Sheik as he passed the door.
"She really did! Wow, who knew someone so graceful could be such a klutz in a kimono." Link said surprised. Luke groaned and nuzzled into Clare's neck, "Oh great it's New Year's..."
"I have to agree with you there..." Clare grumbled.
"Anni's going to have a field day..." Luke muttered.
"Then I refuse to go...I can't walk in a kimono to save my life..." Clare whispered and put her face in Luke's chest.
"You won't have a choice, it's tradition that the entire family goes..." Luke informed her, "But I'll make sure you don't fall..."
"Then you'll be catching me a lot..." She grumbled. Luke smiled softly and kissed her gently, "I promise...I won't let you fall at anytime today." Clare smiled and bumped noses with him softly. There was a quiet knock on the door.
"Guess that's our cue to get up..." The ninja whispered.
"Which one of you is first?" Anni asked her from outside the door. Clare whimpered pathetically not wanting to go.
"I'll go first..." Luke replied, "Just give me a few minutes." Clare smiled slightly and sat up slowly.
"You, Tetra and Medli will be the longest anyway, since you three aren't married yet..." Luke said as he kissed her cheek. Clare sighed then.
"Don't look so sad...Anni's going to make you look even more like a goddess than you already do..." Luke cooed as he got out of bed.
"Aren't you over exaggerating just a little about my looks...Because the goddesses top me any day." Clare pointed out.
"Not in my eyes..." Luke whispered as he kissed her quickly and handed her a shirt. Clare smiled and slipped on the shirt before buttoning it then reached for the green box. Luke stretched his arms over his head after he opened the curtains to the sunlight. Clare pulled the green box on her lap and opened it before pulling out the pyjama pants then she proceeded to slip those on.
"At this rate, the snow should be gone for the opening Ceremony tomorrow..." Luke mused still stretching.
"Good, then out of long sleeves and pants back into bikini tops and shorts." Clare said and picked up the blue box to go to the door.
"Ah I'd stay out of sight as long as you can, lest Anni get a hold of you first..." Luke warned.
"I still hold one thing above her...My speed...That and I have a certain goddess I want to question..." Clare said as three separate waves of magic coursed through the Inn. Luke dropped his head against the glass as his magic flicked into view and then disappeared.
"Well, I'll be downstairs if you need me..." Clare said and went through the door. The moment Clare was out the door, Anni went in and grabbed Luke before dragging him downstairs to the bathroom. Clare smiled then rolled her eyes and slid down the banister to get hugged by Farore.
"Oh congratulations sweetie..." The goddess cooed.
"Gah...Let go..." Clare said while blushing. Farore sighed dramatically and released her.
"Thank you...Now where is Nayru...I need to ask her something..." Clare said and started to look for her 'Aunt'.
"She's on the couch with Sophie..." Farore replied.
"Thanks mom 2..." Clare said and walked over to the couch, "Nayru I've got a question..."
"Yes..." The blue haired goddess asked as Sophie reached up to Clare. The ninja put the box down and sat beside the goddess, "Why'd you give me a spell book written in Sheikhan and releases my fiancé's magic?"
"Well that's an odd side effect, as for the book itself, I gave it to you so that you could have something to do as a couple that wasn't private only." Nayru replied as Sophie continued to reach to Clare, "Auntie..." The tiny girl cooed.
"Aww..." Clare said and scooped up the tiny child, "But It's written in Sheikhan...And I can't read it, only he can. So how is it going to be a two person thing?"
"Couldn't he teach you how...?" Nayru said as Sophie snuggled into Clare.
"I guess he could...but I still don't understand the two person thing..." Clare said as she cradled Sophie.
"If he teaches you, then the two of you are spending time together without having to go off on your own...right?" Nayru answered.
"Yeah okay..." Clare muttered.
"You're so cute..." Nayru said as she patted Clare's cheek and stood to see what her sisters were doing.
"Go joy, Nayru has joined the cute and evil side..." The ninja sighed.
"Okay, you're next..." Anni said from behind her.
"Who? Me or Sophie?" Clare asked looking behind the couch.
"You." Anni replied. The young woman behind her stood already dressed in a deep blue kimono with moons and stars decorating all the bottom edges, her hair pulled up in a neat ponytail.
"We're not going now, are we?" Clare asked suddenly very worried.
"Festival starts at noon and I have to get everyone dressed." Anni informed. Clare sighed heavily then stood slowly, "Sorry Sophie but I need to get changed...Go see dad for a minute..." Clare said handing the little girl off to Link. Anni smiled and led Clare to the bathroom that Luke was exiting. He was dressed in deep deep red hakama with a matching haori, the traditional white under shirt had been replaced with a black one and Anni had pulled his hair back away from his eyes.
"Oh yeah that reminds me...Anni when are you going to get around to fixing you're uncles bracelet..." Clare asked as she followed the shorter woman.
"When I have time, probably tomorrow morning or later tonight..." Anni replied as she ushered Clare inside.
"And I was hoping you'd become so distracted by the bracelet that you'd forget all about me and the kimono but I guess I got my hopes up..." The ninja sighed.
"What do you have against this holiday Auntie Clare?" Anni asked as she closed the door. Clare gave her a blank look then formed a time bubble, "This is what I have against it..." She said. Inside the time bubble it showed a 10 year old Clare fall a total of twenty time in ten minutes.
"Your escort was very inattentive..." Anni concluded as she handed Clare the white under kimono. Clare grumbled as the bubble popped and she slid it on. Anni sighed and adjusted it to the right length and then slipped the first of six layers on. Clare sighed and hung her head. Anni patted her shoulder, "You'll be fine, the other two get nine layers..." Anni told her as she tied the light cotton belt at Clare's back.
"Why do they get so many?" The ninja asked trying to distract herself.
"Not married or engaged." Anni told her smoothing out any wrinkles or creases.
"Oh..." Clare hummed. Anni smiled softly and slipped on the next layer another light kimono.
"I'm so gonna trip..." Clare muttered.
"No you won't, Uncle Luke won't let you." Anni assure tying the robe in place.
"Didn't say he wouldn't I just said that I'll trip... And I know I will. Unless he's going to be packing me everywhere..." Clare said. Anni giggled lightly and slipped the last three layers on together. Clare rolled her shoulders to get used to the weight of the fabric. Anni walked around to the front of her Aunt and adjusted the rich ruby and gold Furisode and made sure the sleeves weren't too long. Clare stood stock still waiting.
"Do you like this one?" Anni asked trying to make sure her Aunt had some say in all this.
"It's the same colour as the festival dress...yeah...I guess I like it..." Clare muttered.
"I have other's if you want a different colour..." Anni said.
"But then you're uncle and I wouldn't match..." The ninja pointed out.
"I only want you to be a little happy with what you're wearing because I know you're hating every minute of this..." Anni muttered as she picked up the obi.
"I could always beat Luke with my fan..." Clare said flicking her fan out. Anni shook her head and stood behind Clare as she began the tedious process of tying Clare's Furisode in place and then tying the obi. Clare slid her fan into her sleeves and crossed her arms then.
"Arms up please..." Anni requested gently. Clare sighed and raised her arms. Anni tied the Furisode shut and adjusted the length and then wrapped the obi around Clare's waist. The ninja waited patiently.
"Deep breath in..." Anni instructed. Clare took a deep breath. Anni set the wide belt in place and tied it tight enough that she could work with it and loose enough that Clare could still breath.
"You're going to do my hair up aren't you?" Clare asked.
"Yes, just a bun and a pin that's it." Anni replied as she adjusted Clare's now tied obi. The ninja sighed again. Anni shook her head as she reached around the ninja and tied the decorative rope. Clare took one deep breath then shook her head, "I will have fun...or try to anyways..."
"That's good to hear, now sit so I can fix your hair." Anni said sliding a stool over. Clare sat with a sigh. Anni gently pulled her hair back into a neat bun and fixed it in place with a gold clip covered in cherry blossoms. Clare sighed again. Anni squeezed her shoulder, "Do you want to see?"
"Might as well..." The ninja muttered. Anni helped her stand up then created a full length mirror from the water in a bucket to show Clare just how beautiful she looked.
"Eh...not bad..." Clare muttered and turned around.
"You look amazing..." Anni said as she opened the door, "Uncle Luke..." Clare turned around just as Luke was coming in the door. Luke gave her the once over and smiled before offering her a hand. Clare smiled lightly and put her smaller hand in his. Luke lead her out to the couch as Anni caught her husband by the collar and yanked him into the bathroom. Clare smiled slightly again but then her foot got caught on the rug. Luke, true to his promise, quickly locked his arms around her, preventing her from falling.
"This is going to be a long day..." Clare sighed. Luke smiled gently and kissed her quickly after she was steady on her feet, "I'll make sure nothing happens to you." Clare smiled lightly and nuzzled his neck, "Thanks..." Luke smiled again and seated her on the couch. She wanted to run her hands through her hair but couldn't so settled with sticking her hands inside her sleeves.
"I'm sure Ann' would take your hair down if you asked..." Luke said as Link stumbled into the hall.
"Nah..." She said and shifted slightly. Link came into the room looking a little bewildered as he sat down in the chair by the couch.
"Sheik get your ass in here NOW!" Anni ordered. The Sheikhan man went into the bathroom calm. Clare rested her head on Luke's shoulder. There was a surprised choking sound followed by the door slamming shut as Luke stroked her cheek with the back of his finger. She leaned into his touch. Farore walked by and placed a dressed Sophie in her adopted daughter's lap.
"Hello Sophie...Don't you look pretty?" Clare said. Sophie yawned and rested her head on Clare's chest. Clare smiled lightly and cradled the child close to her.
"That's the same one Anni wore at that age..." Luke mused as he gently ran his hand over Sophie hair.
"...Hmm..." Clare hummed and sat like a Lady would sit; legs pressed together and tilted to the side.
"Fits Sophie better though..." Luke added as he kissed her temple. Clare rested her head back on his shoulder. Sheik was violently thrown into the hall as Anni then grabbed Tetra by the bandana and yanked inside.
"And it sucks to be them..." Clare giggled lightly as she heard Sheik's head connect with the wall. Sheik stumbled into the room his hair tied back in a tight ponytail revealing his one clouded over eye. Clare looked over her shoulder then back to Sophie silently. Sheik sat in the other chair and closed both eyes. Sophie cuddled closer to Clare, the tiny clip in her hair catching the firelight. The ninja knew the story behind the blind eye, since she was partly the reason why it was blind. Ten minutes later, Tetra fell into his lap looking just as bewildered as Link.
"She's scary..." The pirate princess muttered. Clare giggled lightly and shifted once more.
"Attack you with the comb?" Sheik asked.
"No, worse, I can barely breathe in this thing..." Tetra grumbled. Clare giggled again. By noon, Anni had everyone dressed and finally made her reappearance.
"Okay, let's go the festival started ten minutes ago..." Anni said with a sigh, her hair had fallen loose and her kimono was in slight disarray.
"You might want to fix yourself..." Clare pointed out.
"I'm not even going to bother..." Anni replied tiredly.
"Okay." Clare muttered and stood slowly. Anni opened her arms for her daughter, overall looking very tired, her hands shaking slightly.
"Are you sure?" Clare asked walking slowly over so she didn't trip.
"Yeah..." Anni replied watching Luke follow behind the older female blond. Clare handed Sophie to Anni carefully. Anni cradled her daughter's head to her shoulder as she moved to the door, Link quickly catching up to her and looping his arm around her waist. Clare smiled lightly and shivered lightly as Volvagia slithered up her arm and popped up over her collar.
"And who invited you?" Luke teased scratching the dragon's head. Volvagia stuck his tongue out at Luke and nuzzled Clare's cheek.
"Suck up..." Luke muttered and offered Clare his arm. Clare giggled at the two and looped her arm through Luke's. Volvagia looked up then around before climbing up to Luke's shoulder. Luke shook his head as he led her out the door, going down the steps first and then lifting her down onto the ground. Most of the snow had melted as there were flowers and grass poking through. Clare smiled and looked around. A cold wind whipped across the lawn. The poor ninja shivered slightly and stepped closer to Luke. The captain looped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Clare meeped lightly and let him pull her close. On contact she was warmed dramatically even as another cold wind whipped by.
"I'm starting to not hate winter so much..." Clare whispered. Luke kept her close as he led her after Anni, Link and Sophie. The ninja had to make sure her feet didn't get caught on anything. After a minute walk they arrived at the docks where there were five gondolas waiting.
"Can you help me in?" Clare asked looking up at Luke. Luke nodded and hopped into the gondola before placing his hands on her waist and lifted her into the tiny watercraft.
"I'm amazed you can find my waist in all this fabric..." Clare muttered as she sat carefully on the wooden bench. Luke slipped behind her and then whispered in her ear, "I've memorised almost every curve of your body."
"Which curves haven't you memorised?" Clare asked in a whispered.
"Only a few, still off limits..." Luke replied as he pushed the watercraft away from the dock. Clare 'oh'ed and sat like she did on the couch. Luke chuckled quietly and followed his niece's and nephew. Clare lightly dipped her index finger in the water gently careful not to get her sleeve wet. Just like in the caves last year, the water spirits appeared and danced on the waves the boat created. Clare smiled and Volvagia crawled off Luke to sit and warp his tail around Clare's neck and shoulder. The water sprites giggled and followed the little boat.
"Is it just me or are they following our boat only..." Clare asked looking over at Anni's and noticed there were no sprites over there.
"They like you, and they show up at the weirdest times with Anni..." Luke replied as the tiny purifiers danced and skipped on the waves.
"No clue why they'd like me..." Clare mused and watched as Volvagia leaned down and sniffed at one of the sprites. It giggled and kissed the end of his nose. The tiny silver dragon scrunched his nose then licked the sprite. It giggled and disappeared. The silver dragon crawled back up to Clare's shoulder then looked at the other sprites. The all giggled and disappeared as Luke slowed the boat to a stop next to the dock. Clare looked up as Luke stepped around her. Luke climbed onto the dock and lifted her out of the gondola. The ninja looked around as did the tiny dragon. Paper lanterns hung everywhere and young children were running around the square playing tag and hide and seek.
"Wow...Levious keeps surprising me..." Clare muttered.
"Come on, let's take a look around..." Luke said offering his arm.
"Okay..." Clare said. Luke smiled and took her hand before leading her into the mass of people. Clare walked as graceful as she could.
"Keep your steps small and you have less of a chance of tripping..." Luke informed her as he led her past all the stalls.
"I am...Just not used to taking four times as many steps to catch up to you..." She told him. Luke smiled and slowed his pace so she could easily keep pace with him, "Sorry Angel."
"It's alright..."Clare said and spotted a fan that matched her kimono. Luke followed her line of sight, "You want it?"
"Well, I does match my kimono and my other fan doesn't..." Clare pointed out.
"I'll take that as a yes..." Luke replied and led her over to the stall. Clare followed after him, Volvagia snoozing in her collar. Luke placed five rupees on the counter and pointed out the fan Clare liked. The shop keep handed it to him and he handed it to Clare then thanked the man before leading her back into the crowd. Clare looked around keeping the fan tight in her hand, "Thanks Luke..." Clare whispered so only he could hear.
"Anytime Angel...Are you nervous about something?" Luke asked.
"My 'somebody's watching me' radar is going off and it's starting to bug me..." Clare whispered.
"It may be those three..." Luke said pointing over his shoulder to the three woman not far behind them.
"Now why are they following us...?" Clare mused and gave herself a light fan.
"Haven't a clue, but that is bloody adorable no matter how tired she looks..." Luke replied pointing ahead of them about four feet.
"It is...But she shouldn't push herself too much today, the festival is tomorrow." Clare mused tucking her fan in her obi behind her.
"That's one thing about Anni, she never stops to think about herself..." Luke mused pulling the ninja closer as they passed the huge fountain, one which seemed like an exact copy of the one in old Hyrule, in the middle of the square.
"Can we stop here for a minute..." Clare asked pulling him over to the fountain.
"Sure..." Luke replied, not that he really had a choice. The ninja sat down on the edge of the fountain and touched the water lightly. Luke sat next to her and took her free hand, ironically, her left, "Something bothering you Clare?"
"Nah...At the moment, life's perfect." She said smiling softly.
"Are you sure nothing's bothering you?" Luke asked squeezing her hand. The ninja sighed, "It's been four years since I came back..."
"And..." Luke coaxed gently.
"I'm trying to figure out why'd I was spared from the waves that flooded Hyrule...Why I'm sitting here right now...I know it wasn't because of those three...but still..." Clare whispered.
"Clare, sweetie, I know you may not have much faith in fate, but I think you were meant to be here..." Luke said using his free hand to make her look at him, "...with me." The ninja blinked then smiled softly before hugging him tightly. Luke returned the embrace, one hand on her back the other at the base of her skull.
"I love you Luke Vaan Linebeck..." Clare whispered to him.
"I love you too Clare Verity..." Luke replied and kissed her, not caring there maybe people watching. Clare kissed him back being gently. There were a few awes as people passed by. Clare had to break the kiss since she needed air. Luke smiled and placed one hand to her cheek while the other twined with her left. She returned the smile then stood, "Come on, we aren't done looking around..." Luke chuckled, "If your moods change this quickly now, I can only imagine what you're going to be like when we decide to have kids..." He joked as he put his arm around her. The poor ninja blushed and several women awed cutely at her while some guys chuckled. Luke smiled and kissed her cheek, "Didn't mean to embarrass you Angel." Clare smiled and took out her fan to start fanning her face.
"What do you want to see ne- Oh my goddesses." Luke said quietly.
"What?" Clare asked looking around. Luke pointed across the square where Link was packing his sleeping wife and daughter to a bench.
"Maybe he should take them home..." Clare said as she watched him set her down.
"He probably will, if anything the kids a good father and an attentive husband..." Luke muttered.
"And annoying brother...I just realized, his worse thirteen year old fear is going to come true..." Clare said snickering.
"Huh?" Luke asked.
"Remember Link didn't want you as a brother so he kept us apart for long periods of time." Clare said.
"Yes...I think..." Luke replied.
"I think this was before we went to the Isle of Frost the first time...And the Meat Loaf thing...Priceless..." Clare whispered.
"Oh yes the, 'I want your head' so I gave it to him." Luke chuckled remembering the absolutely horrified look on the thirteen year olds face.
"OH...that's good teasing rights..." Clare said already plotting. Luke chuckled and slipped his hand in the slit in the back of the sleeve to lay his hand against her skin. Clare leaned against him and smiled up at him.
"Umm, Clare you have a stow away..." Luke said.
"I do...The only one I know about is the one in my collar. Who's the other?" Clare asked. Luke pulled Lucas out of her outmost kimono sleeve.
"Lucas? What are you doing in there?" Clare asked looking at the tiny kit. Lucas yawned and curled up on Luke's hand, "I missed you..." Clare rolled her eyes and took the tiny kit and put him beside the warm dragon in her collar. Luke chuckled, "What do you want to do next Angel?"
"We can go look around and maybe play some games." Clare suggested.
"Sounds like a plan, hard to believe it's nearly sunset already..." Luke replied.
"Yeah...But at least we can watch the sun go down..." Clare said while smiling softly. Luke smiled and kissed her cheek, leading her towards the line of the stalls. Clare followed and spotted a game where the prize was lanterns. Unfortunately it was another archery game. The ninja cursed in twilight softly, "Linebeck can you get me the red lantern please?"
"Sure thing Angel." Luke replied. Clare smiled softly and patted his shoulder gently. Luke placed the rupees on the table and took up his stance. Clare stepped away slightly to watch, loving the way he took charge quickly. And as per usual Luke made a clear shot striking the target square in the middle. The poor vendor looked at Luke then at the target in wonder then sighed before handing him a red lantern. Luke gave the man a small bow and handed the lantern to his fiancé before leading her away. Clare smiled and held the lantern out so she didn't catch fire while following her fiancé.
"What next Angel?" Luke asked.
"Don't know...what do you want to do here?" She asked.
"I'm waiting for the fireworks at sundown..." Luke replied.
"Then...I don't know..." Clare sighed. Luke smiled and led her over to one of the benches and sat down before pulling her into his lap. The ninja sighed happily and leaned against him. Luke nuzzled her cheek after setting her lantern on the bench beside him. Clare's sensitive ears catch someone gasp, it was female and it was not Anni nor anyone else she knew so she looked up and around. Luke glanced up to try and figure out what had caught Clare's attention. A woman wearing a pale blue kimono walked towards the two, "Linebeck? Is that you?"
"Margret...how good to see you..." Luke laughed sheepishly and tightened his arms around Clare.
"Ah, so it is you Linebeck, it's good to see you....And you are?" The woman said addressing Clare.
"Oh my apologies, my name is Clare." The ninja said carefully.
"Clare, this is Margret. Margret this is my fiancé Clare." Luke replied tightening his arms again. The woman gave Clare a look before smiling sweetly at the man that Clare was sitting on.
"Is there something I can do for you Margret?" Luke asked tightly.
"Oh nothing...Just wondering if you're going to save me a dance tomorrow." Margret said with a sly grin.
"Umm...sorry I'm going to have to say no..." Luke replied with a grimace.
"Oh but why?" The woman said with a slight whine.
"He said no, so just drop it." Clare said a slight edge to her voice. Luke gently nudge Clare out of his lap then stood.
"Margret, I told you this one and I'll tell you again, no matter how much you want me too, I will never be anything more than an acquaintance." Luke told her flatly, "Now leave me and my fiancé alone before you ruin my new year's." The other woman huffed before storming off.
"Who was she?" Clare asked quietly.
"A woman who refuses to leave me alone...she's convinced I'm in love with her and that I'm in denial..." Luke replied dropping back onto the bench with a sigh.
"Well you're such a stud that any woman would want you for their own..." Clare said and stretched.
"Witch just ruined my new year's..." Luke muttered tiredly, "Should get Anni to light her nasty orange hair on fire." Clare sighed and put her arm around his neck and pulled him down so his head rested on her shoulder, "We can always make the new year special again..."
"Oh...and how do you purpose we do that?" Luke purred.
"Come..." Clare said and stood, grabbing her lantern. Luke linked his hand with hers and followed after her. She lead him out of town and to a lone tree in a field, just outside of the town lights and sat down on a log after brushing the snow off it. Luke sat next to her and pulled her into his lap. Clare turned and put her hand on his exposed collar bone and delicately ran her fingers over to his shoulders but she went under the inner shirt. Luke shivered lightly as her fingers made contact with his skin.
"My fingers aren't that cold are they?" Clare whispered. Luke took her hands and placed them against her neck, revealing they had a light chill to them, "Just a little..."
"OH..." She squeaked and tucked her hands into her kimono sleeves. Luke chuckled and nuzzled her cheek, "I don't mind Angel..." Clare smiled and leaned against him. Luke smiled and gently moved the two creatures that had claimed her neck into her lap. Clare pulled her arms out of the sleeves and put her hands over top of the two small creatures. Lucas twitched then settled while Volvagia coiled his body around the young Keaton dog. Clare smiled lightly and turned to kiss Luke's cheek. Luke caught her lips half way and snaked one arm around her waist. She, of course, meeped but kissed him back softly. Luke brought his free hand up to lie against her cheek. She raised both hands and put them them on either side of his face. Lucas shivered in her lap as Luke laced his free hand with one of Clare's. Clare pulled her free hand away to rest gently against Lucas. His shivering stopped instantly as Luke broke the kiss to kiss her palm. Clare giggled lightly. Luke smiled and nuzzled her palm. The sun was starting to touch the horizon, as Clare leaned forward and nuzzled his nose.
"You do know Anni's going to have a field day with our wedding..." Luke said quietly.
"She's going to have a lot of fun with it..." She replied.
"At least we have time to plan..." Luke whispered.
"Where do you want it...?" Clare whispered.
"How about here, at home..." Luke replied quietly.
"Sure...I like it here..." Clare purred quietly.
"Good to hear..." Luke said pulling her into another kiss. Clare smiled and kissed him back. Suddenly there was a whistling sound then a bang as the first of the fireworks exploded over head. Clare flinched slightly and pulled away to look up. Luke chuckled and rubbed her back, "It's alright Angel..."
"I know...I've been sitting beside a cannon for a while now so I'm used to loud bangs." Clare whispered and watched as another firework shot into the sky. Lucas shook violently with the next explosion. Clare smiled lightly and tucked both creatures into her sleeves, muffling the sound. The fireworks display went on for over an hour before the grand finale, a giant multi-explosion display reminiscent of the ocean. Clare smiled lightly at the finale.
"Shall we head home Angel?" Luke asked.
"Sure, let's go..." Clare whispered and stood. Luke stood up and took her hand before pulling her against his side and securing his arm around her. Clare bent and picked up the lantern then stood back up smiling. Luke returned the smile and began to lead her home. The ninja followed watching her step carefully. Luke chuckled and in one fluid motion, swept her off her feet, the lantern now in his hand not hers. Clare meeped, not expecting it, then wrapped her arms around his neck. Luke smiled and kissed her temple to get her to relax. She did in an instant.
"That's my girl..." Luke said quietly as he walked across the bridge that led onto Aniku lands. Clare smiled lightly and nuzzled his chest lightly. It didn't take too long to get back to the Tinknocker where most of the lights had been put out.
"We should be quiet getting in..." Clare whispered.
"Yes Angel, I know..." Luke replied as he quickly opened the door. Clare kept quiet and shuffled the creatures onto her stomach. Lucas yawned and would've fallen if Volvagia hadn't caught him by the scruff of the neck. Clare smiled lightly down at the tiny silver dragon. The ex-god pulled the young dog back into place as Luke ascended the stairs. The ninja put her arms up around them to keep them from falling. Luke placing opened their door then shut it with a muffled thunk before placing Clare on the bed. Clare sat up and shuffled the two creatures off her stomach and onto the bed carefully. Luke was in the process of shrugging off his haori. Clare put her elbows on her knees then head in her hands, smiling slyly. Luke hadn't seen that look and proceeded to untie his under shirt. Clare couldn't help but lick her lips lightly. Once his shirt was loose, he removed the tie in his hair, letting it fall across his back. The ninja was holding herself back from tackling him right there. Luke untied his hakama and stretched. Clare started to chew on her lower lip. Luke glanced over his shoulder at her, "What's on your mind Angel?" Clare smiled slyly again and licked her lips slowly, "Nothing much..."
"Not sure I like that look, it looks like 'you're' going to eat 'me'." Luke said.
"Oh?" Clare purred.
"Yes..." Luke replied as he turned to face her. Clare stood slowly and smiled lightly at him. Luke swallowed thickly and leaned back a bit. She slowly walked towards him. Luke stood his ground and didn't move. She smiled lightly again but it turned sly as her hand slowly drifted across his chest as she walked past. Luke released a breath he hadn't even known he was holding. Clare smiled slyly again as she disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click behind her. Luke sighed and finished getting undressed. After a minute the door reopened to have Clare standing in her pyjamas with the kimono in her hands. Luke was leaning on his elbows with the windows open in a pair of loose silk night pants. Clare smiled lightly and put the six layers of fabric on the desk then snuck over to him. Luke was off in his own world as a light breeze played through the ends of his hair. Clare touched the waist band of his pants and slowly crept those hands up his back. A light shiver ran the length of his back causing him to stand up straight. The ninja smiled lightly and wrapped her arms around him gently. Luke smiled and twined his fingers with hers and pulled her around in front of him. Clare smiled slyly again. Luke smirked and trailed one finger up her stomach, between the twins to her chin to pull her into a kiss. She smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull herself closer. Luke lifted her up so she was sitting in the window. Clare squeaked lightly but relaxed knowing he wouldn't let her fall out of the window. Luke smiled now that she was trusting him as he broke the kiss and picked her up to carry her to the bed. The ninja smiled and purred lightly. Luke placed her on the bed then crawled in next to her and pulled the blankets up over top of them.
"Time for bed?" Clare asked lightly.
"Yeah, I'm tired..." Luke replied pulling her against him.
"Alright...See you in the morning..." Clare yawned.
"Good night Angel..." Luke whispered. Clare yawned again and closed her eyes falling asleep fast. Luke smiled and soon joined her. Clare woke when she heard the fire downstairs pop loudly. Also there was a ripple of magic, nothing too strong but enough to get the ninja's attention.
"Ugh...what's going on down there..." Clare muttered and sat up tiredly. Off in the distance there was a rumble to thunder. That got her wide awake, she quickly looked to the window. She could barely make out the storm that was rolling in until lightning flashed and thunder rumbled a little closer. Clare flinched and ducked into Luke's side. Luke groaned but slept on, oblivious to the world around him. Clare meeped as thunder rolled by and since she wasn't getting any comfort from Luke, she climbed off the bed and quickly hurried down stairs. There was a warm glow coming from the living room and the sound of Anni talking quietly to Sophie. Clare walked over to the chair by the fire and sat down.
"Thunder wake you up Auntie Clare?" Anni asked softly.
"Actually it was the fire popping..." Clare confessed and pulled her feet up. Anni patted the spot next to her knowing the thunder rolling outside scared her Aunt. In her left hand was three strips of leather. Clare stood and walked over to the spot then sat down. Sophie looked over at Clare from Anni's shoulder and then reached for the older blonde.
"Mind if I take the munch kin?" Clare asked smiling to the child.
"Sure..." Anni replied then went back to her braiding, whispering something in a language Clare didn't recognise as she worked. The ninja shook her head and pulled the child towards her. Sophie cuddled up to Clare just as lightning flashed. The ninja didn't move or flinch until the thunder rolled then she did. Anni had just finished the charm in her hand and placed it on the table before she gently pulled Clare close to her to offer some comfort.
"You're uncle's an idiot..." The ninja whimpered as thunder rumbled again. Anni gently ran her fingers through Clare's hair, "No, he's just a sound sleeper..." Anni whispered.
"He usually wakes up when I'm scared though..." The poor ninja confessed in a whisper.
"I'm sure he'll be awake in a little while..." Anni reassured gently, still carding her fingers through Clare's hair.
"And he wonders why I don't use my electric magic much..." Clare grumbled. Anni smiled softly and pulled Clare a little closer so the older woman's head rested on her shoulder, "You know, when I was younger, storms absolutely terrified me..."
"Storm, I'm not afraid of, thunder just hurts my ears...as a matter of fact, if your uncle would let me, I would be out there dancing ... It's mice I'm afraid of...that and darkness..." The ninja confessed again. Anni smiled, "But as you can see, not scared anymore, know why?" Anni asked. She had Clare distracted enough to not notice the thunder that rolled not far off.
"You had a 'big' Hyrulian 'hero' to save you?" The ninja asked with a slight smirk. Anni shook her head.
"Then do tell...." Clare prodded.
"One night that mom was actually home, a storm rolled in, scared the living daylights out of me. I was hiding under my bed when she pulled me out and laid down with me and sang me a song that made me realize, storms aren't so scary." Anni explained.
"This song just happen to be called Lullaby for a Stormy Night?" Clare asked smiling lightly and pulled the leg with the bell up to rest against her other leg.
"Mmhmm...I've sung it to Sophie a few times...I realized maybe storms aren't so bad after all, they don't bother me anymore..." Anni replied as she slipped Sophie out of Clare's arms just as thunder rolled over head. Upstairs there was a loud bang followed by some very colourful cursing.
"This bell, on stormy nights, would jingle that song until...And it sounds like someone's up finally..." Clare said and poked the bell, it jingled lightly then swung gently from side to side. Anni giggled softly, her hand coming to cover her smile like always.
"You know one of these days, I'll get out when it's raining and dance...haven't danced by myself in a long time..." The ninja confessed lightly. The bell gave a light ring. Anni giggled again as Luke stumbled down the stairs holding his right temple.
"What did you fall on?" Clare asked looking over her shoulder.
"Clipped my head on the nightstand..." Luke replied as he sat on the floor near her knees. Clare smiled lightly and gently pressed a kiss to the injured spot, un intentionally healing it. Anni smiled and picked up the charm on the table and handed it to Luke, "Here, I made you a new one, try not to break it, that spell leaves me tired."
"Then go to sleep you crazy woman." Clare told her. Anni smiled and curled up on the end of the couch, her light blue nightgown covering most of her as she and Sophie quickly fell asleep. The ninja shook her head and grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch, tossing it over Anni and Sophie then stood. Luke looked up at her with an apologetic look, "Sorry I didn't wake up."
"Eh...It's alright..." Clare said softly not to wake the two sleeping females. Luke smiled a little, probably still feeling bad about not waking up when she need him.
"And as punishment for not waking up on time...You'll let me go out and dance in the rain..." Clare said, the ninja was going to use this to her advantage.
"But Angel, you'll get sick and today's the festival..." Luke pleaded.
"I didn't say when I was going to go out, now did I?" Clare said walking over to the stairs. Luke frowned but nodded in agreeance before following her. She smiled to him before yawning, hiding it behind her hand as she made her way to the bedroom. Luke followed her quickly. Clare yawned a second time as she made her way towards the bed before crawling under the covers. Luke slipped in behind her and pulled her back against his chest. She rolled over and put her nose against his chest. Luke smiled and locked his arms around her. Clare yawned once more and fell asleep, the bell on her ankle jingling the Lullaby for a Stormy Night.
"Sweet dreams Angel..." Luke whispered before joining her