Once again, just to remind you, this is my first fanfiction. (If it really sucks, that's why. O_o) Umi/Clef fic, yadda yadda yadda. Please review and leave you comments. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Rayearth is the property of CLAMP/Kodansha, not me obviously! My dedication to and love of the series has prompted me to write this. I mean no harm!

Snapping out of his stupor as she slowly stood up, Clef watched Umi walk to her instrument's case. Everything seemed to move so slowly as he watched her bend to place the guitar into its case. Suddenly realizing that now was not the time to carefully think through all the recent events Clef quietly got off the bed. What should he say? He didn't know, but he suddenly began to worry that she took his silence as rejection or disapproval. Standing behind her as she stood up he slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her towards him.

Umi gasped, "Clef!?"

Her back was pressed against his chest and she could only stand with her mouth gapping open. Body completely tense, she snapped her head to the side to look at him, completely startled. What just happened? This wasn't like Clef at all. Opening her mouth to protest she fell silent when she felt him bring his head down and nuzzle her throat. A shiver went down her spine as she felt his breath on her neck. Slowly he brought his mouth to her ear and whispered to her.

"I'm sorry."

Her head continued to spin. What was happening? She didn't have a clue. This must be a dream.

He continued, "I'm sorry I've put you through this. I never meant to hurt you."

He looked up to see her eyes had begun to brim with new tears. Resting his hands on her hips he turned her to face him. Hands grasped together and resting against her chest she looked at his shoulder unsure of what to do. Raising his right hand to cup her cheek he tilted her head to look at him, brushing away a tear with his thumb.

"Please, please don't cry."

Umi slowly closed her eyes and let out a shuttered breath. She felt so safe in his arms and a comforting wave had swept through her when he had touched her cheek. She turned her face a little more into his hand savoring the warmth and the feel.

But all her fears had not yet been proven wrong and a newfound uncertainty filled her head. Her heart pleading for answers she opened her eyes to look into his, fighting a new wave of tears. Concern shone in his eyes and perhaps... love?

To Clef's despair tears began to well up again in the beautiful sapphire eyes he lovingly gazed into. Lowering his head to rest his forehead against hers he whispered to the beauty before him. "Your song... Umi how could I not see you? Aishiteru..."

Umi's eyes widened in shock and she sobbed once before burying her face in his chest. Relief swept through her and Clef could feel the tension in her stiff body drain away. Clef smiled and bent his head to rest his cheek on her head.

"Aishiteru," he repeated feeling her arms travel to his back to cling to him tightly in response.

"I'm so sorry I made you feel that way," he continued lifting his head to look down at the angel that stood wrapped in his arms. "Umi..." he paused, unsure how to continue. "You are the world to me. Every moment I spend with you is like a little taste of heaven. I can't stand to see you cry, and the fact that I caused you so much anguish..." he stopped too angry with himself to continue. "I thought you deserved someone better... someone younger, someone..."

"Taller?" She looked up with a wicked smirk brushing a remaining tear from her eye. "Well you seem to have solved that small setback," she continued reaching up to brush some of his stray hair strands back into place, "with a very pleasing outcome..."

Surprised by Umi's unexpected response Clef smiled playfully. "I was beginning to think you didn't like my new look."

Umi was shocked at her own response. Playing with Clef like that had given her an exciting rush of energy. She was beginning to feel like her old self again. Her stomach tingled with excitement and anticipation. It felt wonderful and almost agonizing at the same time. But as she looked into his eyes her confidence faded with her playfulness. Shyness always over powered her when he was with her and she found it rather frustrating. Why did he always do that to her?

Blushing slightly she bit her bottom lip and looked away. Clef smiled in amazement at how quickly her confidence faded. He watched her fingers play nervously with the ends of her hair. Running his hand down her arm he took hold of her delicate hand and brought it to his mouth. Lightly kissing her fingertips he watched her with amused eyes.

Closing her eyes she savored the feeling as her stomach began to knot up again. She let out a breathy sigh. "Clef..."

He decided to continue the playful game the shy angel in front of him had seemed to breathlessly approve. Lifting his right hand to play with the scarf that held her hair he slowly let his hand trace a path down her elegant neck where his fingers traced invisible arcs. His left hand had come to rest on her hip again where he lightly massaged circles with his thumb.

"You look simply angelic tonight. That dress..." he paused letting his eyes wander down her tempting form, "looks spectacular on you," he said slowly moving his head towards hers.

Umi was surprised at how forward Clef had been all night. But she found it to be incredible exciting rather than threatening. Resolved not to back down and let her shyness overcome her she teasingly pushed away from him. Clef's eyes followed her as she slyly turned from him and walked to the other side of the room putting the bed between the two of them.

"I'll have to wear it more often if I keep getting complements like this... and I thought that the girls were just being nice!" she mused out loud lightly sitting on the bed, her back to him.

"The girls?" he asked in a low tone, slowly moving towards the bed.

"Hikaru, Caldiana, and the others," she responded peeking over her shoulder.

"I see," he added following her example by sitting on the bed slightly behind her. "Well if they said you looked like a goddess, they weren't lying."

Her back was still to him as he edged closer. Letting his fingertips brush ever so lightly against her temples he ran his fingers down her neck and across her back. Gently gathering her silky blue locks from her neck he let the heavy mass fall in front of her shoulder. Umi shivered when she once again felt his breath on her neck as he slowly ran his hands down her shoulders.

"Did I mention how beautifully you sang?" Clef continued slipping his arms around her waist and placing a light kiss on her neck.

"You did..." She faltered, distracted by his teasing caress, "but I... I wouldn't mind hearing it again."

His lips skimmed her jaw line. "You were wonderful." His voice was a mere breath of a sound. "Will you sing for me again?"

Umi let her head tilt to the side as he continued to caress her neck. "Perhaps... if you're good." She smiled her devilish grin at him.

"I'll have to be on my best behavior then."

She closed her eyes trying to regain some focus feeling his hand gently caress her cheek. Slowly he coaxed her closer lightly pressing kisses on her closed eyelids. She let out a contented sigh and his wandering lips finally found hers.

The kiss was light and gentle when Umi had almost expected it to be heavy and heated. Umi, head spinning, quickly melted into Clef's arms. Breaking the tender kiss Umi brushed her lips against his cheek trying to control the rapid fluttering in her stomach. "Clef..." she gasped.

Encouraged by the sound of longing in her voice Clef brought his lips to hers again, this time with more passion, all the while shifting his weight to lean into her. Umi entwined her arms around Clef's neck as she leaned back onto the bed. Forgetting all rational thought she kissed back with intensity, delighting in the feel of his lips sweetly caressing hers.

When they finally pulled back they both were slightly disheveled. Playfully he tugged on the scarf the held back her hair, allowing the shimmering mass to fall to her shoulders. Running his fingers gently through the long locks he carefully brushed the strands from her face. Her eyes seemed to shimmer in the room's pale light. Hesitantly she moved to kiss him again. He welcomed her advance but he deepened the contact only when she tilted her head, seeking more. Patiently, softly, his tongue coaxed her lips to part, allowing him entry to taste and to explore. Just as carefully he taught hers to answer, the two tangling sweetly.

Slowly Clef pulled away to look at her flushed face. Lips still slightly parted Umi looked up at him through her lashes. She unconsciously licked her lips savoring the flavor that remained there. Tilting her head with a look of curiosity in her eyes she lifted her delicate hand to run her fingers through his silky hair.

"You seem so different tonight," she quietly commented continuing to play with his hair.

Clef looked at her with laughter in his eyes. "I guess you bring out this side of me..." Leaning closer he lightly planting a kiss on her egger lips. "I'm sorry"

"No, I like it." She giggled, his breath tickling her neck.

"I'd be crazy not to!" she thought. Realization of her position and surroundings suddenly hit her and she placed her hand on his chest lightly pushing him from her. The gentle nudge from his angel snapped him out of his daze. Noticing his rather intruding position he carefully lifted himself from on top of her and moved to lie next to her. Blushing she rolled onto her shoulder to face him, arms comfortably pulled in front of her chest.

"I guess it's true..." she quietly commented with a smirk.

Noticing the opportunity he moved closer and rested his hand on her hip. "What's true love?"

"Opposites attract," she stated with a small giggle.

"It seems so," he concluded amused with her observation. "And I rather like the outcome," he finished lightly kissing her again.

"Mmmmmm... Me too."

Letting out a small yawn she snuggled closer to Clef. It felt so right, so comforting, and so safe in his arms. "I guess I don't have to worry about being lonely anymore," she whispered as Clef placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, running his hand through her hair.

"Shhhh, you don't have to worry about anything anymore. I have always been here for you," he comforted pulling her closer, "and I always will be. Aishiteru..."

She smiled to herself dreamily. "I love you too Clef," was the last thing he heard from her before she fell asleep. Continuing to run his hand over her hair he listened to her quiet, rhythmic breathing as she slept. "Sleep well Angel," he whispered, contentedly closing his eyes as sleep claimed his tired mind as well.

Oh my God! Someone actually read my fic and... liked it? You really don't know how happy that made me. When I read I actually had a reader that cried during the song I was really proud. Not that I somehow made her cry, but that this fic was able to touch someone like that. Wow. It was a beautiful song though so I really shouldn't get that credit since she said the song made her cry. Heh heh... I can only hope that I don't completely disappoint in future stories. (Which I'm sure I will... *sigh*) I can't let myself get too happy because I'm sure there are quite a few people out there who weren't all that impressed. *sigh* Can't make everyone happy I guess.

Chapter wise I had a lot of trouble with this one. I've been having a lot of trouble getting into a good writing mood. (But I knew I needed to finish this before returning to school or I'd never finish it!) I was really happy with my last chapter and I didn't want this one to disappoint. I also just didn't know where to take it! I had a plan for the last two chapters but for this one I just had a beginning. That made this one tough to get through. I hope it was satisfactory. I had a lot to think about character and situation wise which made it tough. I'd keep remembering something I wanted to add like 3 paragraphs ago. I'm sure I'll end up writing this chapter over months from now when I'm in one of my "I hate my work" moods. I'm a sad soul, aren't I?

Aishiteru = "I love you" (You didn't mind the small amount of Japanese did you? I've read so many Kenshin love stories I couldn't help it... ^_^)

-Samui
[email protected]
www.angelicdream.com
(Soon to have "Sapphire Elegance" an Umi Ryuuzaki shrine! It's coming I promise...)