This is my chapter 2! Enjoy! I'll add lemon chapters later.

Chapter 2: Shall we dance?

The biggest room in the castle called by Caldina 'The Room' is currently filled with people, dancing and talking. The women were dressed in colorful dresses and the men were busy flirting with the women. 'The Room' was, like all the other parts of the castle, made of marble. The ceiling had 3 chandeliers. They were in a straight line. The biggest one was in the middle and the other 2 were the same in size. They are shaped like flowers and illuminated a comforting glow over 'The Room'. The music was beautiful and was played by magic.

By this time almost everyone had a partner except for 4 men who were standing near the stairs waiting for the guests of honor. These 4 are the prince of Cephiro, the master mage, the Kailu, the captain of the guard and the young Palu. All women were staring at the 4 most handsome men in all of Cephiro. They were all giggling.

An angry vein popped on Clef's head. "How long are they going to take to get ready?" Even though he said this with a calm voice, a hint of anger was evident. He was wearing a black shirt with puffed sleeves. It had dark blue linings. He was wearing dark blue gloves, dark blue gloves, and shoes with the same color. He was also wearing black pants and a black cape with the insides being dark blue. He didn't have his staff with him but, he still kept his gem headdress. All in all, he looked like a handsome dark prince. All that was missing was a white horse.

"Oh, come on, Clef! Think of it this way: the girls are taking this long to get ready, so that means that they must look so beautiful to take this long." Ferio smirked thinking of Fuu. He was in his usual prince uniform except for white and orange, he was wearing light green, almost white with dark green linings. He was wearing a golden headband with a green gem shaped like a diamond on his forehead.

Lantis nodded. He was wearing his usual armor but, it was pure white. He was also wearing golden headband across his forehead.

Lafarga just sighed. He was also getting impatient for Caldina. He was wearing his usual blue armor. Ascot just shrugged at Clef and Ferio fighting. He wasn't really paying attention to the others. His mind was wandering to a certain blue knight. He was wearing his usual except for his green linings; he was wearing blue, the same color as Umi's hair. He wanted to match Umi as he was hoping that she would be wearing blue. Umi…. I want to see you now…. What's taking you so long?

"Alright girls, we're ready!" Caldina beamed. She was wearing a black tight dress with no straps that ended at mid thigh. She was wearing a black chained necklace with a circular ruby. She was also wearing many golden bangles on her right hand. She had her usual ponytail. Her pony now seemed to reach till her forearm. She had black short heels and very bright red lipstick.

Presea had the dress she had on when she made the Knights' swords. "We better get going, Caldina." She turned to the 3 girls behind her. "Come out when you're ready, okay?"

The 3 nodded. Caldina and Presea disappeared into 'The Room'.

When Lafarga saw the pink haired Chizetan, he seemed to drool at the exposure of the woman's body. When she saw him staring at her, she winked at him and had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Looking like he read her mind, he went to her after she went down the stairs and both disappeared for the night.

Ferio went to Presea and asked, "Where is Fuu, Presea?"

Presea smiled, "Well, they're…" Presea didn't have to finish since the 3 girls appeared on top of the stairs. Everyone's eyes were on the 3 beautiful girls who have just arrived.

Hikaru was in the middle wearing a red tube dress above a black belt with gold linings and a red gem on the middle. It ended at mid thigh. Her hair was in a high ponytail tied up by a long pink ribbon. The ribbon reached till her waist. She was wearing a gold headband similar to Lantis's. She was also wearing the pendant Lantis had given her. She was wearing white gloves which are triangular on the back of her hand and bare on her palm. They also had golden trimmings and a ruby on the middle. She was also wearing ruby teardrop ear rings. She also had a golden band just a little below her shoulder on her right arm. She had short white boots similar to Fuu's original armor except the gem is red.

Umi was on Hikaru's right. She was wearing a black tube with 3 straps that hung loosely on her shoulders and was loose on the bottom that ended just above her belly button. Her tube had blue gems where the straps connected with it. Her skirt was also black and had a golden belt which was triangular on the front and it also ended mid thigh. She had a black, transparent, glittery shawl around her arms that reached till the floor. She also has white gloves just like Hikaru but the gems were blue. She was wearing black heels which had straps criss-crossing each other and reached till her knees. Most of her hair was left down and the rest was tied as a ponytail above her head. She was wearing a black headband. Her final accessory was a simple blue teardrop necklace.

Fuu was on Hikaru's left. She was wearing a white dress matching Ferio's. It was a v-cut on the front as the straps connected behind her neck leaving her back bare. She had a dark green belt and her skirt ended mid thigh. She was wearing gloves just like the other 2 except the gem was green. She was wearing short white heels that had one strap just above her ankle and had a small green ribbon on the back. She was wearing white choker with white linings and a green teardrop below the middle. Her hair was, beside the bangs, were pushed back by 3 white daisies on the side. She was no longer wearing glasses as when she was on earth she had eye laser treatment. She had circular emerald ear rings.

Ferio's eyes widened as he laid eyes on Fuu. Everything about her was the same as when he first saw her in the forest. But now, he could clearly see he was wrong. She had become more beautiful and with her dress. She looked almost like an angel to him.

Lantis couldn't believe it. Is the girl standing on top of the stairs the naive, short girl he had fallen in love with? She looked like a woman now. Her height was almost like Fuu's. She kept her hair the way it is. Lantis smiled. She is so beautiful…

Ascot had his jaw open. Umi was like a goddess to him. However, he frowned a little seeing that her dress wasn't matching with his. I should have worn black. While he was pondering on his mistake, someone else's eyes were also on his goddess.

The 3 girls went down the stairs. Ferio was waiting for Fuu below. "You look very beautiful, Fuu." Ferio said smiling at Fuu lovingly. Fuu smiled at him and lead him to the dance floor.

"Hikaru." Lantis reached out his hand to Hikaru. Hikaru gladly took it. He led her out to the dance floor and they began to dance. Hikari was wearing a collar with 3 gems on it: 1 red, 1 blue and 1 green. It proved that he was owned by the magic knights. He was dancing with Mokona.

Alright, come on! Just go and ask her to dance!Ascot encouraged himself and after taking a very deep breath, he slowly walked towards Umi. When he was about to open his mouth to ask her, a girl interrupted him. "Um, c-could you dance with me, Palu?" a girl with brown hair wearing a long pink dress said while blushing furiously. "Eh? Sorry, I…" Ascot started, he turned his head to Umi but what he saw broke his heart. Clef was about to ask Umi to dance with him!

"May you give me the pleasure of dancing with you, Umi?" Clef said reaching out his hand. Umi looked at his extended hand then to his face. She smiled. No, Umi! Ascot pleaded with his mind. "Of course, Clef." She said while taking his hand.

Ascot was heartbroken. The fact that Umi and Clef had matching outfits was not enough but, he also had to have her first dance. This is unfair! He angrily thought. He looked at Umi who was laughing happily while waltzing with him. He turned his eyes. Umi, why? Not only that you seemed happier to see him this morning than me but, you also had to dance with him first. Don't you know that you're hurting me right now? His eyes starting to get blurred from tears threatening to fall. "Um, Palu? Is that a 'No'?" the girl said worry written all over her face.

"Huh? I mean," maybe, I better get my mind off of Umi for some time… "Yes. I would like to dance with you." He smiled as best as he can to hide his tears that are almost falling. The girl squealed in joy and practically drags Ascot to the dance floor. Oh boy…. Ascot sighed.

"You dance beautifully, Fuu." Ferio said while twirling her. Fuu smiled. "You aren't that bad yourself." She teased.

"Well, I am a prince. I have to learn all this things before I am crowned King." Ferio said this full of pride and mischief that Fuu couldn't help but to giggle a little. Ferio just smiled at Fuu. He missed her laugh. Ferio drew Fuu closer. Fuu, feeling the closing of their gap, looked up at Ferio. He drew his lips near her ear and said quietly. "I missed you so much, Fuu. Not a single day passed by without me thinking about you." Fuu blushed as his lips moved against her ear.

Ferio pulled back and looked at her beautiful emerald eyes. He, then put down his head to give her the most gentlest of kisses. Fuu blushed as her whole face turned crimson red. Even though the kiss was so gentle, it held 3 years of longing and passion for her that no one else had given her. Ferio immediately pulled back as soon as his lips connected with hers. He then said the 3 words that any girl dreamed of hearing. It was so quiet that only Fuu who was so close could hear it. "I love you."

Fuu held back the tears of happiness in her eyes. "Ferio, I lo….." Fuu stopped. She remembered these past 3 years of her life. How she could never forget the man in front of her now. How she cried for him every night and how miserable she was because she couldn't see him ever again. The tears of happiness she tried to hold back turned to tears of sadness.

Ferio seeing the change in her asked her, "Fuu, is something the matter?" Fuu looked up and saw Ferio's beautiful golden cat-like eyes worrying for her. She couldn't stand looking at him for that long because if she did she would never be able to say what she's about to say next.

"Ferio, I…" Come on, Fuu! Remember these past 3 years! "I…." Fuu just doesn't have the courage to say it. Ferio seeing her battle put his fingers under her chin and lifted her head up so that he could see her eyes. "You don't have to answer now, Fuu. I can wait." He smiled reassuringly at her. Fuu just simply nodded. Ferio, I'm so sorry….but, I can't say my feelings to you… If I do that then, when I leave, I'm sure that I will regret it… I'll regret saying, 'I Love you' to you… we are never meant to be together…I'm sorry…

Lantis and Hikaru were standing in the balcony staring at the stars. Lantis's arms were around Hikaru's waist. Even though the noise from inside was rather loud, it didn't matter to them. All that mattered was that they were finally together. Without Primera.

Hikaru was the first to speak up. "Lantis…"

"Hmmm…" Lantis said not letting go of her waist.

"Do you think that Eagle is watching over us?" Hikaru said still looking at the stars.

At the mention of the Autozam commander's name, Lantis's eyes opened. He remembered his moments with Eagle. His best friend. They say that best friends always share everything. And they did. Except for one thing. The woman they both fell in love with. Hikaru.

"Lantis?" Hikaru said looking up at him over her shoulder. Lantis turned to see her ruby red eyes filled with worry. He smiled at her, "Hikaru, I'm fine. I was just thinking of Eagle. And to answer your question, yes. I do believe he is watching over us. If he isn't, we wouldn't be together, will we?"

"Guess so." Hikaru returned to looking at the stars. Then, a question popped in her head. "Now that I think about it. Lantis, why were we summoned? I thought that the only way to summon us is when Cephiro is in trouble."

A chill ran down Lantis spine. How was he supposed to answer that? He swore to Ferio that he wouldn't say anything till after the ball. He looked down at her and saw her obviously waiting for an answer.

"Hikaru…you see…." He was cut off by a strange force, something that he has never felt before. Nobody had to tell him that it was dark and evil and it was inside the castle! He saw that Hikaru also felt it too. "Lantis, what was that?" Hikaru asked. "I don't know. We better go find Clef." With that, the 2 rushed off to find the master mage.

Right after the first song finished, Umi and Clef snuck out of the ball and went out to the garden. They were walking for some time in a comfortable silence. Well, at least for Clef, anyway. Oh no, we're alone! Why did I let him lead me out here? I was trying my best to not to be alone with him! Oh no, should I tell him? No, I couldn't possibly! He is surely going to reject me! But, I at least have to tell him! If I don't, I'll always have the regret of never having told him! Umi thought, gathering up her courage. "Clef, I…"

"Look, Umi." Clef said looking at some flowers with his hand extended on them. Umi looked over at what caught his attention. She saw that they were roses. White roses, to be precise. Roses? I guess some things are the same here in Cephiro and Earth. Umi thought. Clef bent down and picked up one. He then, looked at Umi. He brushed some of her hair out of her face. He gently putted the rose behind her right ear.

Clef smiled at her. "I knew it. White roses do suit you, Umi" He had his hand on her face and was gently caressing her cheek with her thumb. "Clef…I…" Umi blushed slightly at his actions and had a sudden interest at her shoes. Why are you doing this? Don't you understand that you're making my hopes up again? You will never love me so stop….. Umi pleaded. Her mind was stopping the urge to kiss him right then and there. She was miserable but, Clef was enjoying every second.

The first moment he saw her that night, he was shocked. He knows that Umi was by far, the most beautiful out of the three. But, after he saw her, he thinks that Umi might be the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes upon. It took all the courage in his body to ask her to dance and he thought his heart would leap out of his chest in joy when she said yes. She was very light on her feet and he was glad that she was enjoying his company. But after he took her out to the garden, he was beginning to get a little nervous. He was alone with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He was about to start a conversation when something caught his eyes. He smiled.

"Look, Umi." He pointed to the white roses. When Umi saw that, she looked a little surprise. Guess she didn't know that roses are also here in Cephiro. He bent down and picked one up. He brushed some stray hairs out of her eyes. Her blue eyes were Umi's best point. He put the rose behind her ear and said lovingly, "I knew it. White roses do suit you, Umi." He saw that she was blushing a little and was looking down. He smiled and started caressing her cheek with his thumb. "Clef…I…" she started.

"Umi, I have something to tell you…." Clef put his hand down from her face and took her hand. Umi looked up and looked directly at his deep azure eyes. She blushed. She tried to hide it, of course. "What is it, Clef?"

"Umi, when you were about to leave after you defeated Debonair… you were saying something to me… you never completed it." He put her hand he was holding to his chest and put his free hand to caress her cheek again. He looked at her beautiful blue eyes. "I think I know what you were going to say. Or at least I think I have an idea of what you were going to say." Umi's eyes widened. What… He knows? Clef put his thumb on Umi's lips. "And here's my answer."

Clef removed his thumb from Umi's slightly parted lips and gave her the most passionate kiss she had ever received. It started out as gentle as possible then it turned to a fiery battle of their tongues when Clef entered her mouth with his tongue. Both of Clef's hands were on both sides of Umi's head bringing her closer to him. Umi's hands were on Clef's chest. Both were blushing to the intimate kiss they were sharing. They were too caught up in their first kiss that they didn't notice someone watching them.

Ascot was tired. The brown haired girl he had danced with practically dragged him around the dance floor in a way that Ascot was sure wasn't a dance. She kept on twirling him so much that he got dizzy. He had barely escaped when he told her he was thirsty. He was now wandering around the gardens when he spotted hair the color of the sea. Umi! Ascot ran towards her but, as he got nearer, he saw that she wasn't alone. She was with Clef. Clef! What is he doing here?

As he was about to intervene, Clef had kissed Umi. Ascot couldn't believe what he was seeing. Clef and Umi are… He put his hand over his mouth as he watched his goddess kiss another man. And if his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, he saw Clef put his tongue inside Umi's mouth. At the sudden entrance, Umi let out a small moan. Ascot thought he was about vomit. He turned away and ran. Tears appearing in the corners of his eyes. His mind kept on returning to the scene he just witnessed. Umi… you couldn't have… please…tell me, I'm dreaming! Please…Umi… He ran, not once turning back.

-Master Mage! - A voice inside Clef's mind rang. He immediately pulled back from the kiss. Umi looked up at him. "Clef?"

"Umi, its Lantis." Clef said while closing his eyes. Umi nodded understanding that the 2 men were having a telepathic conversation. –What is it, Lantis?-

-I have sensed a dark presence in the castle, Guru. It is very similar to the one that has been covering Cephiro lately. –

- The dark presence? Are you sure, Lantis? –

-Yes, Guru. Hikaru also felt it. I am currently calling everyone to the throne room, Guru. You should hurry. –

-I understand.-

-Oh, and guru. I can sense Umi with you. Please bring her along.-

-Alright. We'll be right there.-

Clef opened his eyes. Umi seeing he was finished asked, "Clef, what did Lantis say?"

Clef turned to Umi. He quickly grabbed her hand and said, "Lantis said that he and Hikaru sensed a dark presence in the castle. Everyone is gathering in the throne room. We must hurry."

Umi nodded. "I understand." Clef smirked. Umi could see a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hold on tight, Umi." The said girl just gulped and closed her eyes. She could hear Clef's fingers making a snapping noise. When she opened her eyes, she saw that she was now in the throne room with Presea, Ascot, Fuu, Ferio, Caldina and Lafarga. Ascot upon seeing her turned away. Umi saw Ascot's reaction, wondered why he looked as if he was about to cry. She was about to ask him what was wrong when Lantis and Hikaru burst in the room.

Caldina shouted at Lantis. "Lantis! Why did you summon us all here? I was doing something very important, you know!" she pouted. Fuu and Umi looked at Caldina and noticed that her lipstick was almost gone. When they looked at Lafarga who was beside her, they saw that Lafarga's lips had a pale red on it. They looked at how they were dressed. It was all messed up. Most of Caldina's hair was falling from her ponytail. Her bangles were also gone too. Her dress was also wrinkled as if it was dressed on her on a hurry. Lafarga, on the other hand was almost perfect except that his hair was loose and his armor was slightly tilting.

The two looked at each other and immediately blushed. Hikaru seeing her 2 best friends blushing looked at where they were staring and saw Caldina and Lafarga. She couldn't see what was wrong so she couldn't help wonder why they were crimson red. I'll just ask them later.

"Caldina, calm down. I summoned you all here because Hikaru and I sensed a dark presence in the castle." Lantis said looking at the flaming Chizetan in front of him.

Everyone looked at Lantis as he said it. "You see everyone…." Hikaru started but, she didn't have to finish because the castle started shaking. They could hear the screams of the people in 'The Room'. All of them didn't know that this is the start of the hardest battle of their lives.

Thanks for reading! Please review and flames are always appreciated.