I thought I would brave the swamps of FFN after some years of being away. As proof of my travels, I decided I might see about working on adding my other bits and pieces that I have had sitting around for this series for some time.

This story was written for a prompt over at livejournal. It obviously takes place within my canon for Umi and Clef.

Herbal Issues

Umi curled up in the chair. Why did he have to take so damn long when he said he wanted to meet with her? She didn't have all night. Why did he even want to do this tonight? He knew that Ferio and Lantis were busy, thus Fuu and Hikaru would actually wonder where she had disappeared off to. She groaned and re-adjusted herself in her seat. If he wasn't here in the next five minutes, she was leaving. Screw what he wanted to talk about.

The door opened so silently, she didn't realize he was coming in until she heard his footsteps on the cold stone floor.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Umi, we need to talk."

The water knight looked at him quizzically. Supposedly those were the four most dreaded words of a relationship, but what was he going to say? They should break up? That was rather impossible, now. At least according to Cephirian tradition.

Clef tossed four sealed herb pouches onto the desk in front of her. "What do you have to say about this?"

"You've been going through my things!"

"No, Hikaru found them and asked me about them."

"And what did you say?"

"That they are medical herbs."

Umi groaned. "Great. Now she is going to be worried that I am sick. I hope you're happy."

"Umi. Why did you stop taking this?"

"Because it tastes bad. Honestly, if so many women take the stuff, why can't they make it taste better? I'd rather just take my chances."

"That isn't funny." He warned.

"Get a sense of humor then."

"I believe we discussed this."

"How did we discuss this? You gave those to me and told me that it would be best for me to drink that terrible tea for three days after… Well! I hate it! And it is my choice what I do with my own body."

"Even if what you decide might eventually affect me as well?"

"If your position is so damned important to you, why did you sleep with me to begin with?"