Thank you Sparkling Moon Phoenix for leaving a lovely review! It's so awesome to know someone finds this story interesting enough to comment on it. :D And no, your stories are not crap. D: I rather like them.

Besides, anybody who likes Sailor Mercury is super coolbeans in my book. :)

And I would also like to point out that after browsing the MKR section, I really wish I could fluently read Spanish and Portuguese. There are so many awesome looking stories, and I'm stuck with a dictionary and quick verb conjugation guide. Dx *cries* And a lot of the pairings are my favourite too! Lantis x Hikaru, Eagle x Hikaru, Umi x Ascot, Umi x Clef. D; I need a super smart brain so I can learn new languages overnight to support my addiction-I mean obsession-I mean love of all things fanfiction that is totally not beyond what is healthy! :x hehe...he.

Anywho, thank you to everyone giving this story a chance. It always fills me with warm fuzzies to know that people are reading this and even more so considering the stat information from my profile shows the vast diversity of people around the world visiting my page. :D (I think that's really amazing considering not that long ago (20 yrs maybe?) instant communication between foreign bodies on such a mass scale was uncommon.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth and am purely using references and characters for the sake of amusement and nonprofit activities. Ownership belongs to CLAMP and its affiliates.

"spoken word"

"Thoughts."

'sound effects'

Scene Transition: `~*.`~*.`

*still unbeta'd so please forgive any missed errors.

Chapter 1 – The Unforeseen

It was the middle of the afternoon when a chilly breeze broke through the slightly ajar shutter to a window on the eastern side of the castle. The soft melody of birds singing in the gardens below carrying on the wind. Curtains of a pure ivory colour swayed in the breeze, holding back some of the chill threatening the soft warmth encompassing the room. Rays of sunlight fought against the cold, lighting up the marble floors. The swift scratching of a quill gliding across parchment was stunted by the occupant's reflexes telling him to hold down the many pages fluttering at the invading breeze. Shuttering as the air tousled his emerald hair, the regal figure instinctively clutched snow white robes more tightly around his body.

Small curses escaped his lips as a few papers floated off his desk, scattering across the floor. His youthful face scowled as he muttered under his breath about the many evils of paperwork.

Scurrying over to the other side of the desk and dodging piles of books, he begins snatching up the wily papers.

"Ferio."

From the floor, the young man jumped, clearly startled by the sudden interruption.

"Ah, Clef," he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "You startled me."

Leaning casually against the archway, Master Mage Clef's arms crossed over his childlike figure, as he stared at the young prince, his eyes alight with laughter. "Delegates from Autozam and Chizeta have arrived. The caravan from Fahren has been delayed."

At this, Ferio quickly piled up the parchments, slightly crumpling them in his hands and stood with a stiff back. "Is everything all right? What happened?"

Clef calmly closed his eyes and held one hand up in assurance. "All is well. Just a slight malfunction with the transport. They will be arriving later tomorrow; therefore, we've pushed back the diplomatic meetings two days from now."

Ferio's shoulders slumped, and he sighed heavily in relief. "Oh."

Taking the documents back to his desk, he settled into the cushioned chair and started to reorganize the mess, when another breeze blew into the room. With lightning reflexes, Ferio held down the parchments once more. "Damn it," he mumbled as his whole body was spread out across the desk, attempting to salvage hours of hard work. Looking up at the sound of soft feet tapping against the floor, Ferio gave a quick thanks as the master mage moved across the room to close the shutters. "Looks like winter is already fast approaching," Ferio casually commented.

Fastening the latch at the center of the window, Clef stared through the small cracks pondering the strange chill. "Mm, perhaps too soon," Clef whispered—worry lines etching into his childlike features. It would have been rare for him to miss a shift in the cosmos. He could always detect approaching evil, but something was off. The telling tales his magic embellished upon him were not so telling as of late. Maybe his age was truly beginning to show. Shaking his head at such a thought, he let his hands drop. All he knew was that it did not appear to be danger, but something was going to happen. He just knew it. Not knowing what that something was left a sense of unease within him, leaving him occasionally paranoid. If it were something requiring the Magic Knights, he would not be sure they could return as previously done. He felt the burden of his position weighing heavily on his shoulders, increasing the stress lines across his features.

"Clef?" Ferio called out, worry etching his face at his old friend's distant look.

Shaking his head, Clef gave the slightest of smiles and nodded to Ferio. "I am well," he said to the prince reassuringly. Without waiting for his reply, he gave a quick, "If you will excuse me—." Turning towards the archway leading down the grand hall, Clef took his leave—robes billowing with his movements and staff clacking softly against the marble floor.

Ferio watched the mage with concern in his eyes, but not bothering to ask any more questions. If it were truly a serious matter, he knew no information would be withheld. Without the status of Pillar in existence within Cephiro, Ferio's royal lineage left him as the highest level of authority among the people aside from that of his council of advisers. Clef was still the most powerful mage in Cephiro and even without the Pillar, the silent role of caretaker managed to shift upon the small man's shoulders.

Rubbing his forehead, Ferio leaned over the stack of papers and returned to work, sighing heavily into the now quiet air.

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Clef calmly made his way down the hallway towards the open gardens. Every day, he made it a point to visit the beauty it provided. And after dealing with the chaos caused by the loss of Princess Emeraude, he vowed to cherish the land and take a moment each day to appreciate its beauty. Reaching the entryway, Clef looked over to the fountain in the center. The soothing lull of rushing water and the birds chirping as they bathed gave him a sense of calm, washing away the stress constantly etched upon his face. The castle was rarely filled with guests now that Cephiro's previous peace was restored. Having the garden to himself was something Clef immensely enjoyed. Walking over to the fountain, he stood before it, staring into the pool and watching the ripples glide. Several minutes passed before he sighed in content and turned around. 'Tea sounds like a pleasant idea,' he thought softly.

The air suddenly turned thick, causing the hairs behind Clef's neck to stand on end. A resounding 'crack' echoed in the air, setting him on edge. Eyes widening in shock, he took a defensive stance with his arms shielding his face—staff at the ready to launch spells. The air was pulsing with magic and a violent wind swirled around the gardens, tousling his hair. Squinting against the gusts, he leaned his body forward, straining to fight the power pushing against his body. 'What is this!?'

A large cloud of mist appeared, opening a window of space—stars twinkling and planets orbiting in slow motion. Staring on in disbelief, Clef tightened his hand around his staff, preparing for any attack. This was it. This is what he felt coming. What haunted his senses. Whatever it actually was, he stood before it, ready to face what fate held in store. It happened so fast, that Clef had no time to react. A blur of energy flew into him, throwing his body across the ground and into the wall causing him to shout. In mid air, he had used a wind spell to soften the blow, but the impact still managed to knock the air out of his lungs. Just as quickly as it came, the tempest died and the magic dissipated leaving Clef sprawled out on the ground gasping for air. Gathering his wits, the master mage used his arms to pull himself farther up against the wall, but was met with a heavy resistance against his body. Moving his hands against the wall, he quickly opened his eyes and was startled. His hands rested on the shoulders of a person spread out on top of him, the shockingly blue hair filling his heart with a feeling of disbelief.

"Could it be..?"

Clef's disbelief turned to concern as he realized the body of the young woman wasn't stirring. He moved his hands to the person's face, fingers running through the dampened, flowing locks hoping to confirm his suspicions. His grasp became more firm at the contact of skin. She felt cold and clammy under his touch.

"Umi...," he whispered, his voice holding all the tone of awe. "How could this be?" Still in shock, Clef failed to notice the pounding footsteps in the distance.

Ferio came sprinting into the gardens, his royal guard by his side. He had heard the commotion from the study as the violent winds crashed through the shutters, thoroughly casting not just paperwork but the numerous books upon the shelves throughout the room. Ferio had dashed down to the gardens, knowing Clef would most likely be there as was usual in the afternoons. What he saw left him staring on in astonishment. "Umi!" he gasped. The motionless magic knight lay face up, cradled against Clef's body. The only sign of life—the very small rise and fall of her chest. Realizing the implications of one Magic Knight, Ferio immediately looked around the garden for the others—namely Fuu. Excitement changed to confusion as he found no sign of the others, and he turned back to Clef. "Where are the others?"

Still holding the unconscious girl in his arms, Clef looked up at the prince with as much confusion. "I do not know."

Turning to his royal guard, Ferio commanded them to check the castle for any sign of the other Magic Knights. Then, he knelt next to Clef, helping the shorter man turn Umi over and off of the mage's small frame.

The master mage thanked him and moved to Umi's side, reaching his hand out to pull the girl's hair away from her eyes. Her face looked lifeless as she lay unconscious. The expression of death cast over her was unsettling to Clef, and he quickly rested his palm against her forehead, hoping to relieve whatever ailment she was suffering. His eyebrows scrunched, and his eyes closed tight as he used his powers to search for anything amiss but was left with no answers. Removing his palm hesitantly, he slowly opened his eyes.

Ferio shifted his position, "What is it?"

Clef never removed his eyes from her as he shook his head, "I do not know. My magic does not detect any illness or spells."

Taking a more simplistic approach, Clef leaned over her and grasped her shoulders with a determined look in his eyes. He shook her slightly, attempting to wake her. "Umi?" No response. He shook her a little harder, hoping she was just in a deep slumber, and spoke louder, more clearly. "Umi!"

Both Ferio and Clef jumped back in surprise as her body suddenly stiffened, her back bending in a painful arch off of the ground. Her voice strained in a wheezed inhale, her eyelids raised, but her pupils somewhere in the back of her head.

Grabbing her forehead, Clef chanted a quick spell that sent her body back into a boneless heap on the grass. Ferio looked on in concern, "What's wrong with her?"

Rubbing beads of sweat from his forehead, Clef lifted himself off the ground and shook his head in frustration. "I—am unsure." He faltered, upset at not having the answers to the prince's constant questioning.

Using a levitation spell, he prepared to transport her to one of the guest rooms in the castle. Unclasping a pendant that kept his outer robes attached, Clef removed the flowing cloth and wrapped it gently around the magic knight, hoping the thick fabric would contain what little heat remained in her frail body. Turning to Ferio, he looked up at the prince with a steady face. "I cannot feel the presence of the others—," he said.

Miffed at the current turn of events, Clef turned back to Umi and watched her breathing become more stable. "And I have no clue as to why Umi is here."

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It was strange—feeling a sense of nothingness. No sight. No sound. Nothing but darkness. She wasn't even sure how, but she knew she existed. As who? As what? She didn't know.

Time passed—how much? She could not supply the answer.

"Mother. Father. School. My friends..."

"Cephiro..."

She could feel something clenching—the soft 'thump thump' warm and comforting. Her heart beat. Life.

"But why?" She didn't know.

Something far off called to her. The distance causing a shallow echo. "Can't forget—. Regret—Untold—."

And then she saw.

There was light. It was small at first, but the feeling it created, warm and glowing, flooded her with something she could recall. "Hope—," and the will to live. Grasping for it with her mind, she clawed towards the source—felt a sense of fear that it would disappear.

Bigger and bigger the light grew, and she knew she was almost there. The feeling that she would make it overwhelming her senses.

She could hear something in the distance. A buzzing sound? No. Voices? Yes! They were voices!

Closer.

Closer. "Please."

She clawed her way towards the source, desperation in her countenance. She wanted these feelings! She wanted life! And then...

"Umi..."

The light flashed violently, encasing her body with pain, fear, happiness, laughter. Over and over different emotions ran through her, crossing over at an alarming rate. It was too much! All at once, her emotions hit beyond what she could ever imagine. It was like being swallowed whole.

Light. Feeling. Memory.

All fell silent, and the darkness came once again, but this time—instead of stripping her into nothing, it wrapped her in warmth and comfort.

It gave her peace.

Thanks to those who've made it with me this far. :D I know I said the chapter would be longer (which it technically is), but I always find the first few the hardest to lay out. I hope I did not disappoint regardless of length.

It might take me longer to post the next chapter since I have exams coming up soon. :x But I do have plenty of plot bunnies already in place! (yay~!)

So I guess I'll see you next chapter! ;D