Here's Chapter 7! Sorry took so long! I was working on some new ideas for other stories I was hoping to publish. Anyway, Pls review!

Disclaimer: MKR, not mine. The characters here all belong to Clamp except for Aqua and Aira. They're mine.

Chapter 7: What am I?

The round face of the moon shone on the castle above. The trees danced to the wind and the waves of the ocean collided with the shore, disappearing into the night to be repeated by another.

At dinner, not much was said. The room was fixed from Clef's near assassination. Caldina and Hikaru were still avoiding contact with him though.

There were a few absentees at dinner. Presea was absent, as well as Fuu. Everyone thought that she might have been attacked but, Rayearth assured Hikaru that Windam called him that Fuu was safe. Umi was also absent. After how she was bruised earlier that day, it was expected that she was absent. Ferio, as well; everyone's mind was on how he must be taking the fact that he had killed his only sister.

Ascot ate his food slowly as his sore cheek pained. He rubbed it while glaring at Caldina who blushed in embarrassment.

Hikaru was sitting between Lantis and Eagle. By sitting between them she could feel the tension between the two while the others didn't. Hikari was under the table licking his bowl clean.

Clef slowly sipped on his soup. He looked up when he heard the door open. He saw Ferio entering; his hand was on his head.

Ferio grunted. He looked up to see everyone staring at him. "Oh, good evening, everyone." His voice was sort of low. It lacked his usual cheerfulness. His eyes were downcast and his clothes were all messy. It looked as if he slept on the floor.

He seated himself on the chair in the end of the table. He placed his elbow on the table, his hand still holding his head. A servant came in holding a bowl of soup. She put it in front of the prince. "Thank you." The servant merely nodded, she looked at the prince worriedly. It seemed like all the servants have already heard what happened earlier.

Ferio picked up a spoon when his head pained. He clutched his head in pain, dropping the spoon in the process. Clef, who was in the chair beside him asked, "Do you have a headache, Ferio?"

"Yeah. A really painful one at that. Been paining ever since I woke up on the floor of my chambers. Don't know how I got there, though." He said while rubbing his temples.

"I had already guessed about the floor part. I mean, looking at your clothes and all." Clef said running his eyes down Ferio's clothes. Returning his eyes to his face, he asked, "But, what do you mean you don't know how you got there? Did you drink?"

"What, of course not!" Ferio shouted but right after he did, his head pained again.

Clef sighed. "Then tell me, what happened with Fuu?"

Everyone's eyes widened their eyes in realization. That's right; Ferio had left the room earlier with Fuu in tow.

Ferio scratched his head, "Fuu?" He sighed deeply. "Haven't I already said it? I don't remember anything. All I remember is that I was walking down the hall with Fuu… then…"Ferio closed his eyes trying to remember what happened next. Seeing it was impossible, he scratched his head and shouted, "Why can't I remember anything?"

Clef merely looked at him. He was rather convinced that Ferio had been drinking. I mean, after what happened during lunch, anyone would have gone drinking if they were in his position. He was about to say something when Ferio cut him off.

"Green." Ferio had said it randomly. Everyone raised their eyebrows at him.

Ferio closed his eyes trying to cling on the faint memory. "I remember seeing green. Green and yellow. A shiny yellow. Then… Fuu was… crying." After he stated the last word, Hikaru got up and took Ferio's collar.

"You… made her cry?" Hikaru's voice was cold and everyone could have sworn seeing red electric shocks coursing through her small body.

"I… no, I didn't. I was about to ask her why she was crying when everything….blacked out. I don't remember anything after that." Ferio stated calmly.

Hikaru let go of Ferio's collar and headed towards the door. "I'm gonna go check up on Umi."

"What about dinner?" Lantis asked.

"Lost my appetite." Hikaru said closing the door.

Umi laid in bed peacefully. She was changed in to her night clothes. It was a blue dress that went down to her knees. It had puff sleeves.

She was lying on her side. Her hands were on the pillow. Her hair was flowing freely on one side of the bed. The sheets covered her till her waist and her soft breathing filled the room.

The curtains fluttered as a cold wind entered the room. The shadows made by the furniture elongated and rose to form a shapeless form with blue eyes. Let's have some fun now shall we, Umi?

Umi opened her eyes to see herself floating underwater. She could see the light passing through the water, making it shine. Umi was wearing a simple white spaghetti dress that was near her knees.

Umi opened her mouth and bubbles came out. Even though I'm underwater, I'm so calm. I'm not even scared of drowning. I'm at peace here…

Just then, Umi was pulled down by a strong force into the dark depths of the ocean. She went further and further down that she could no longer see the light. She tried to struggle but it felt like there were a thousand hands pulling her down and soon, darkness consumed her.

Umi closed her eyes tightly and when she opened them again, she was surrounded by darkness. She could feel the floor beneath her but could see none. To her side, there was a long white shadow that she assumed was hers. Where am I? Umi thought as she looked on the endless darkness in front of her.

Umi walked for a few minutes. She was constantly looking from left to right, trying to look for a hint to where she was. She was not paying attention to what was in front of her at all.

Umi sighed and she stopped in her tracks when she heard a splash! sound. She looked down to see that she was standing on a pool of blood. Umi gasped and jumped to the side. Her eyes went from the pool of blood to the thin trail of red liquid leading her to a sight so horrible, it brought tears to her eyes.

"Caldina!" Umi shouted. The Chizetan was lying on the dark floor. She was lying on her stomach and a white shadow came from her the same direction as Umi's. She was lying a massive pool of red liquid. Her hair was still in a ponytail but, it was messy and tangled. Her head was facing to the side and Umi could see blood dripping from her mouth. Her eyes were also open. It had the look of fear deeply carved into it.

Umi ran towards Caldina but a cold voice stopped her. "Why didn't you save her?"

Umi stopped in her tracks and saw a figure standing a few feet away from Caldina. It was a slim girl with long overflowing dark blue hair. It was so long that some of it was on the floor. She was wearing a black spaghetti dress similar to Umi. Her eyes were the same color as the ocean. She was about the same height as Umi but was more slender.

"Why didn't you save her?" the girl repeated. Umi's eyes twitched. "Eh?"

"Why weren't you there to protect them?" The girl raised her head. Umi saw that she was not looking at her but behind her. She turned and her eyes widened.

There was blood. And corpses. Her friends' corpses. All of them were there. All, lying in a bloody pile. There was Hikaru, Fuu, Ferio, Lantis, Eagle, Lafarga, Presea, Ascot and Clef.

Tears went down her face as she stared into Clef's bloody face. His eyes were without emotions. Even though he kept on hurting her, she still loved him. Presea's body was right next to her. The memory of what happened in the throne room repeated itself on her mind.

"Ah, I know why you didn't protect them." The girl behind Umi said. Umi turned to see the mysterious girl smiling wickedly. "It's because you're weak."

Umi's eyes widened at what the girl said. The black dressed girl took a step forward to Umi and continued. "You couldn't protect them because you're weak. You're so weak that you always have to depend on someone else to help you. You can't stand on your own. They always have to protect you. You're a burden on them." The girl stopped only when she was right in front of Umi.

Umi stared at her wide-eyed. The girl tilted her head to the side and asked, "Am I wrong?"

Umi forced her words out. "O-of course, y-you're wrong. I'm o-one of the magic k-knights. The knights who saved an entire world twice!"

The girl chuckled. "Are you saying that to me or to yourself?"

Umi took a step back. "Exactly what do you know?"

"Oh, I know plenty. How Fuu is the best in magic. And how Hikaru is the best swordsman of you three. Now I wonder, what about you? What are you best at? Being the damsel in distress?" The girl laughed.

Umi gritted her teeth. She didn't want to admit it but often she thought of the words the girl's saying right now. Exactly what is she to the team? Just the extra?

Aqua smirked. Umi had always been in denial of these things. She was always afraid of being left alone that doubts and insecurities grew on her mind. In fact, this is the one of the reasons why she was born.

"Well? What ARE you best at?"

"I-I'm best at…" Umi couldn't finish because she really doesn't know. She looked behind her and saw her friends' corpses. It was hard for Umi to say her next words. But she just had to know. Even if she asked her friends, they would plainly deny it and even scold her for even thinking of it. "Am I really a burden?"

Mission accomplished. Aqua thought. "Yes, you are."

"Really! That Ferio! Making Fuu-chan cry! I swear after I check up on Umi-chan, I'll…" Hikaru didn't finish as a cold shiver ran throughout her body. It was a heavy and cold feeling. Hikaru stood still for awhile till she felt a familiar presence. "Umi-chan!"

Hikaru ran as fast as she could through the halls hoping that nothing bad has happened yet to the water knight.

"What can I do to stop being a burden?" Umi asked her eyes fixated on her lover's face. Her tears falling freely from her face.

"Leave."

At those words Umi turned to see the girl smiling at her. "Wha…"

"If you leave, then you won't be a burden anymore. Then…" Aqua took Umi's hand and looked at the corpses in front of them. "They… They will live."

Umi widened her eyes when the darkness disappeared along with the corpses. It was replaced by a bright light. Umi had to shield her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she was met with a beautiful sight.

All her friends were there. They were in the castle garden. They were all having a picnic and everyone was smiling and laughing. There was no sign of war at all and all you could ever see was peace.

Umi smiled at the scene. This is what she always dreamt of. All her friends smiling and they didn't have to fight anymore. Her smile disappeared when she realized someone was missing.

"Where am I?" Umi asked.

"You're gone." The girl said happily.

Umi turned behind her and the girl merely smiled. "This is what will happen when you leave, Umi."

Umi looked at the scene in front of her once more. "If I leave, this is what will happen?"

Hikaru burst open Umi's doors with a SLAM! And shouted, "Umi-chan!" She was met with an empty bed with the blankets ruffled. The window was wide open and it welcomed a very chilly wind.

Hikaru's hands fell to her sides and whispered, "Umi-chan…"

Hikaru went to the open window and stared at the horizon. She put her hand on her sun pendant and closed her eyes. –Rayearth.-

-Yes, Magic Knight.-

-I think Umi-chan is in trouble. I need to find her fast. Can you help me?-

-Thou didn't need to ask.-

A red light formed itself around Hikaru as she desperately searched for her missing friend. Her search reached the starless skies to the mighty mountains and even the calm ocean.

Then she saw it.

Long, straight cerulean hair which looks like an overflowing waterfall that Hikaru would recognize anytime.

The light faded as Hikaru opened her eyes. –Thank you, Rayearth.-

-Anytime, Hikaru.-

Ferio was about to swallow a piece of bread when the door burst open revealing a panting Hikaru.

"Clef!" Hikaru shouted as she walked around the table heading towards the mage.

"Please tell me, you're not going to destroy the room again. I just got it fixed, if you hadn't noticed." Clef said while calmly sipping his cup.

"Will you stop kidding around? I need you to teleport me somewhere. Umi-chan might be in danger!" Hikaru begged.

Her last sentence caught Clef and Ascot's attention. "Umi? Why? What has happened to her?" Clef asked.

"On my way to Umi-chan's room, I felt a very dangerous presence and when I got to her room, she wasn't there anymore. I checked with Rayearth and found out where she is, so you have to teleport me there." Hikaru said in one quick breath.

"Why didn't you just say so?" Clef said, grabbing Hikaru's arm. He tapped his staff on the floor and a white light enveloped them both.

"Ah! Wait!" Ascot said but was too late. Clef and Hikaru were gone.

The breeze was refreshing and it brought the salty smell of the ocean with it. The sand felt soft under Umi's feet. Her night gown and hair swaying around her. The moon was perfectly reflected in the cool, blue waters. The waves were calm and slow. It was a very quiet night. The only sound you can hear is the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

Umi took one step on the icy water. Then took another. She kept on going deeper and deeper till the water was knee high.

Clef and Hikaru arrived to see Umi half submerged in water.

"Umi!"

"Umi-chan!"

They both ran towards the girl only to be stopped by a rain of ice stalactites. Clef immediately made a barrier that protected the both of them.

The two looked up to see a swirling blue light. The light soon materialized in to a shape. Hikaru and Clef's eyes widened as the light dispersed and the figure became clearer.

It had the body of a man but had pale blue skin. Seaweed was wrapped all over its body. Its hands and feet were webbed. Its claws and teeth were as sharp as daggers. It had big blue fins sticking out of its back and arms. The gills on both sides of his throat were contracting as it took in oxygen. On his head was the same light of the angler fish. His brown hair was shaggy and it ran down till his shoulders. His eyes were green and it spoke of its lust for blood. Spit was flowing from the corners of its mouth as his flat nose sniffed the air. It let out a petrifying scream on the cool breeze as it stared at its new meal.

Hikaru summoned her sword and positioned herself for an attack. "Clef, I hate to do this but, I'm leaving Umi-chan to you."

Clef looked at the red knight before him and said, "I can't do that, Hikaru. I can't let you handle such a beast yourself. Can't you feel the power oozing out of him?"

Hikaru gripped her sword as Clef hesitated. She shouted, "Of course I do! But, Umi-chan's going to drown!"

Hikaru's words shocked Clef. He looked beyond the monster to the blue hair that was almost chest deep in water. He turned his gaze to the monster then to Hikaru. They were quite a distance from the beast but he could still feel the overwhelming ferocity coming from it. Even though Hikaru was a magic knight; she can't possibly handle this monster.

"Why are you hesitating? Go! I'll cover for you!" Hikaru said as her sword burst into flames. Clef closed his eyes and ran past Hikaru. I'm sorry, Hikaru.

The beast howled as Clef ran towards it. It jumped high up in the air and was about to tackle Clef when Hikaru threw a fireball towards it. The monster fell backwards as Clef stepped in the cold waters. As soon as Clef stepped into the water, his staff disappeared. He couldn't afford carrying dead weight since Umi was no longer to be seen. He needed to hurry as bubbles rose up to the water's surface.

Clef took a big breath and dove to the icy depths of the ocean.

Hikaru, seeing Clef gone, pointed her burning sword at the now furious monster.

There were black marks on its stomach from when Hikaru threw the fireball. He touched his burn and let out a scream. He turned his head to Hikaru and ran towards her on all fours.

Hikaru stepped back from the approaching beast and prepared herself for attack. The monster opened its wide mouth and balls made of water came out. Hikaru jumped to the side as the balls hit the tree behind her. Hikaru looked back to the tree to see it melting.

Hikaru gaped. It's acid! Hikaru's attention was soon back on the monster as more acid balls came her way. She managed to dodge all of them but the monster kept on 'spitting' acid. I'm getting tired of this. Hikaru thought.

Hikaru slowly made her way towards the creature while dodging all of the acid. Once she was close enough, she raised her sword and brought it down in one swoop. As the sword made contact with the sand, the fire surrounding the sword grew and set the small distance of sand between Hikaru and the beast on fire. The sand and everything in it burned, taking the beast with it.

The monster screamed at the scorching heat piercing through his body.

Hikaru panted as she watched the monster burn. She looked at her shoulder guard and saw it slowly fixing itself. This armor's amazing! She stared at her shoulder guard as if it grew another head, as it started looking the way it was that morning. Clean and no sign of battle.

Hikaru turned her back to the monster and turned towards the ocean. Hang on Umi-chan! I'm comi- Hikaru felt a wave of pain as an acid ball hit her square in the back. "Aaaahhh!" She screamed.

She dropped to her knees and turned. She got the shock of her life when she saw a dark silhouette in the fire. It was the monster, but its pale blue skin was now charcoal. Not a single strand of its shaggy brown hair remained. Just a few minutes ago, Hikaru thought the monster was at the top of the ugly chart. But now, it WAS definitely at the top of the ugly chart.

Hikaru willed her legs to stood up and took her stance. But she was too slow. By the time, she took her stance; the monster lunged forward and clawed at her skin. Hikaru screamed as three claw marks appeared at her left shoulder. It was followed by a series of acid balls hitting her torso, arms and legs. One hit her square on her right cheek. Hikaru screamed in pain. Even though her armor protected her whole body, the acid balls weren't really melting her skin but it sure felt like it.

The monster's charcoal fist came in contact with Hikaru's stomach. The impact was so strong that Hikaru was lifted from her feet. She spitted blood on to the monsters hands. Hikaru fell on the sand face flat. She dropped her sword beside her. Hikaru tried grabbing her sword but was stopped when the monster stomped on her hand. She bit her lip as the monster crushed her left hand. She closed her eyes at the pain erupting from her hand. When the pain suddenly stopped, Hikaru opened her eyes slightly to see the monster raising his hand. A blue light formed around his hand and Hikaru was filled with shock when she saw that the monster was now holding a long icicle. A very SHARP icicle. And from his stance, he seemed to be getting ready to impale the icicle through Hikaru's chest.

The monster pulled back his arm and brought the icicle down in one swift motion. Hikaru closed her eyes, getting ready for the excruciating pain that she was soon to feel before emptiness.

Clef swam down the blue waters, trying to find the knight. But he found out it was hard to move around in water with his heavy clothes. He could have took them off but he didn't have time. He needed to save before it was too late.

The thought of losing the water knight if he was even a bit late, was wrenching for him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself, knowing the fact he let her… He couldn't even think about that horrible word. He thought about the time they have spent together. Even though most of that time was spent on arguments, he still had fun. He then remembered of the one thing that was always on Umi's face. Her tears. Umi seemed to have always been crying. And Clef couldn't understand exactly why. As thoughts of why and whose fault it was, his mind returned to his kiss with the possessed Sierra and how Umi witnessed it all. He hasn't yet fully explained of what happened to Umi and Hikaru and Caldina still hate him for it. He'd lose Umi with her hating him. And he'll never be able to say how sorry he is.

Clef shook his head to get rid of the thoughts of what will happen if he can't save Umi. I should be focusing on how to save her!

He dove faster as the air in his lungs was already half. Damn it. Where are you, Umi? Clef thought. Then he spotted something. A white object with overflowing hair that was barely visible as it was the same color as the ocean. Umi!

He swam in the direction where Umi was. When he was near enough, he took Umi's outstretched hand and brought her near to him. He placed his face near hers and slowly brought his lips to hers. He blew air to Umi's lungs.

Umi's eyes flickered open and saw Clef's azure eyes. It was only a moment before her eyes closed again.

After seeing Umi open her eyes, Clef parted their lips and swam up to the night sky.

As he broke through the water, Clef let out a big breath. He panted heavily as he tried to stay afloat. He turned towards Umi who was leaning on his shoulder. It was faint but she was still breathing. He turned towards the shore and saw nothing. Worried for Hikaru, he brought Umi as close as possible to him and placed his arm around her waist to keep her in place. He raised his free hand and snapped his fingers. Hikaru, please be safe! Lantis will kill me if something happens to you!

Hikaru, feeling no pain, flickered her eyes open. Her eyes hurt and she barely could see from them but she could definitely recognize the white and green armor of the wind knight. Her back was turned from Hikaru and her sword was out. Fuu held her thick sword horizontally and the tip of the icicle was touching the middle of her sword. Hikaru tried lifting herself but failed. "F-Fuu-chan…"

"Relax, Hikaru-san. I'll handle this monster." Fuu said, swinging her sword at the monster's waist. The monster jumped back, successfully dodging the sword.

It let out a scream before charging towards Fuu. Fuu raised her hand and a green cyclone appeared, sending the monster flying backwards. The monster raised his arms to stop the cyclone. Seeing her spell was stopped, Fuu withdrew her hand and started running towards the monster. She raised her sword above her head and brought it down on the monsters right shoulder, completely severing the arm right off. The monster screamed in pain as his black arm fell beside him. Blood gushed out of the usual spot of his arm. He stumbled back as he tried to stop the bleeding with his still attached arm.

The monster looked at Fuu and spitted a few acid balls her way. Fuu narrowed her eyes and before the balls hit her, a barrier made of wind stopped them in mid air. The monster sent more balls but Fuu's wind barrier stopped them all. I don't have time for this! I have to heal Hikaru-san! Fuu thought as she disappeared from the monster's view.

In a split second, she appeared from the monsters back. She raised her bloody sword and pointed to the monster's back parallel to where the heart is. "Haaah!" Fuu shouted before driving her sword through the monster's back. Splatters of blood got to Fuu's hands as she impaled the black creature. The monster's left arm fell to his side as the monster's body glowed a bright blue before it disappeared. Fuu blinked her eyes as tiny specks of light floated in front of her. Just like the monsters that attacked the castle! Does that mean whoever created this monster also made those black monsters that attacked the castle? Her train of thought was stopped when eyes laid on Hikaru's limp body.

She quickly ran to her and dropped on her knees beside her. "Hikaru-san, hold on! I'll heal you right away!" Fuu said as she turned Hikaru to her back. She now saw the full extent of the damage the monster had done to Hikaru. There was blood flowing out of Hikaru's pink lips. The whole right side of her face was full red. 3 long claw marks were on her left shoulder and a black mark the size of a fist was on Hikaru's stomach. There were small red round marks all over Hikaru's small body. Her armor was dusty and most of her hair was coming out of her braid. Some of her fiery red hair tips were burnt from being hit with the acid balls. Her breathing was also short and ragged.

She placed her hands on Hikaru's chest and a tranquil green emitted from her hands. However, Hikaru's wounds and scars were not healing. Why isn't she healing?

Just then, Fuu heard something land on the sand behind her. She turned around to see a soaked Clef with an equally soaked Umi, who was in her night gown and was unconscious.

Clef opened his eyes to be gazing at the missing wind knight. "Fuu? Where is-?" He didn't need to finish as he now saw the fire knight in front of Fuu, basking in the pale green light emanating from Fuu's hands. His eyes widened as he saw Hikaru's condition. "Hikaru!"

He laid Umi's soaked body next to Hikaru as Fuu stood up to make room for Umi. Clef went to the other side to check on Hikaru's wounds while Fuu went to Umi.

Hikaru's wounds were glowing a pale green, a sign showing that Fuu was casting her healing magic. But, oddly, Hikaru's wounds weren't showing any healing at all. Fuu, after checking on Umi and seeing she was just unconscious, went back to Hikaru's side. She sat beside Clef as he stared at Hikaru's wounds. "Fuu, why-?"

"I have no idea. Even with the increased powers of our armor, my powers won't heal her. That just means that whoever cast that monster is much more powerful than me." Fuu said.

"More powerful? What are you saying?" Clef said, his eyes never leaving Hikaru's scars.

Fuu's eyes had a glint of danger. "I'm saying that whoever summoned that monster is more powerful than a magic knight."

Clef's eyes widened as he turned towards Fuu. He was about to open his mouth when Fuu said another thing. "Do you remember Emeraude-san?" Fuu's mind went through the entire ordeal that afternoon and remembering it, weakened her. She cast aside the horrible memories and continued. "She was able to beat me and Umi-san together, even if it was by surprise."

She gazed unto Hikaru's scarred body and Clef followed suit. "If whoever summoned that monster was responsible for earlier, then there's a high possibility that he's also responsible for the attack last night. If he's able to summon that many monsters and strong ones that can turn a magic knight into this…"

Clef gulped, already knowing where Fuu was going. "Then, we have a really big problem."

Finally, finished! Sorry, it took so long! Next time I'll definitely try to finish this thing!