Title: Whenever I Call You Friend
Anime: Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP
Author: mizamiko
Rating of Chapter: PG

Whenever I call you Friend: Chapter 1

****Eagle****

    "Peace."
 

    *At long last, peace and quiet.* I thought as I closed my eyes.

    Everything was perfect. The branch I was lying on was perfect. The soft rustling of the leaves and the murmur of the brook, created such a soothing atmosphere. It was probably the coziest spot in the whole country, and I had it all to myself, at that moment. I was very much contented, and it was slowly lulling me to sleep.

    *I need a nap.* I thought, as my eyes slowly became heavier.

    As I closed my eyes, I heard distant laughter. A gay sound that made me smile, even through the haziness of my mind.

    *Hikaru... *

    It was the voice of dear, sweet Hikaru. I was tempted to leave my spot, to go to her and watch her in her blithe innocence. She had told me that she wished to marry Lantis and me. She said it was because she loved us both and wished to stay with us forever. I really did like her and I would gladly stay with her as long as I might. And I knew that Lantis felt the same. Errr, I think. Well at least he has some feelings for her. I'm just not sure what it is.

    Suddenly, I became aware of a presence above me; I opened my eyes lazily.

    "Hi!" I said contently to the azure eyes looking down at me. It was a beautiful pair, one I would gladly wake up more often to.

    Without a word, he dropped down to my branch and sat beside me. *Glad this is one of the bigger branches* I thought. His face was as impassive as ever, devoid of emotions. He simply watched. Yet, I knew him too well. Something was bothering him, and it would not keep itself locked up.

    "Lantis." I said, smiling innocently at him as I sat up.

    He was my friend, my best friend. But then he was also my boyfriend. Geo dubbed him that and it stuck.

    *Sorry Hikaru, hope you're willing to share.* I thought, giggling softly to myself.

    It was a relationship that had started while we were still back at Autozam. He didn't seem to object, though I was careful not to openly display my affection to him, whether in public or not.

    It was a surface pairing, I knew. He really did love me, but not in the same way that I felt for him. I simply couldn't figure out why he had said yes to me after a while. I knew he only likes girls but I guess he just didn't want to break my heart.

    "What are you thinking off? " he asked placing a hand on my shoulder, head slightly tilted, watching.

    "Nothing much. " I answered giving him my sweetest smile. "Just things."

    He shook his head as a small smile broke from his face.

 

*****Lantis******

    I shook my head and felt the sides of my mouth turn up.

    Eagle. My best friend, I could tell him almost everything, my dreams, my wishes, my troubles, and my fears. Eagle my beloved "boyfriend". How dearly I love him, and that was probably one of the things I could never tell him about.
I traced a smooth pale cheek with my fingers. He caught it and pressed it against his face softly. He then kissed it tenderly.

    I suppressed the shiver that went through my body. We really had to talk about his tendency to publicly display affection. But then, he wouldn't be Eagle if he didn't.

    "Eagle, Guru Clef asked me yesterday if we still planned to someday wed Hikaru."

    "Of course. Why? Is there anything wrong? " He asked, his eyes filling with concern.

    "Yes. I spoke with Hikaru and she does not think we should continue with the ceremonies."

    "Did she give you a reason?"

    "I gave her the reason."

    He looked at me with confusion, then shook his head.

    "I told her I could not marry her, handfast with her or join with her." I said.

    "But why?"

    Beautiful. I took my hand away from his cheek and brushed the numerous locks of hair from his eyes. Amber, he always countered that it was brown, but everyone knew better. In the end we all settled for hazel.

    "I had found the one whom I want to spend the rest of my life with." I said and readied myself for the pain I knew I would find in his eyes. But suddenly there was just a sudden blanking of emotions.

    *What happened?* I thought.

 

*****Eagle******

    *What happened?* I heard him ask himself and I smiled to myself.

    I had been expecting this to happen one day and had been practicing controlling my emotions. But it had not lessened the pain I felt. Lantis...

    "That's great!" I exclaimed and smiled at him with practiced ease. "I'm so happy for you!"

    I made sure he only saw happiness in my eyes, on my face, and nothing more.

    Why did it hurt so much? I knew it had been happening. I had been expecting this for some time now. He had been paying less and less attention to Hikaru these past few weeks. I felt this was what it was leading to, he has found someone else.

    I cooed and flung myself at his neck then giggled. "Is she pretty? Prettier than Hikaru?"

    My heart sank as I pulled away. He was actually smiling. I hid my heart so that neither one of us could hear it break. I let my love for him be my anchor and smiled my happy, innocent smile.

    "Beautiful and probably much too innocent." He said.

    "Is she short or tall? What color is her hair? Is she nice and fun to be with? " I gushed resting my hands on his shoulders.

    Stop it! I can't take this anymore. But my body continued with its programming, it kept on moving, speaking, and smiling.

    "Tall and delicate-looking, has blond hair and quite fun to be with."

    "Hmm... you're being talkative. She must be really special."

    "Just warming up to the subject." He answered.

    "Do I know her or is she someone you just met?" I asked looking deep in his eyes.

    "No, we have known each other for some time now. I'm only starting to find out how important our relationship was."

    There were lights at the depths of his eyes. Lights that danced merrily. Who ever she was, she made him happy. Just the thought of her changed his demeanor, and his face became more animated.

    "You're so in love with her. Whoever she is." I said in a whisper.

    "You might say that." He said smiling. "I'm just not so sure that the feeling's are mutual."

    He looked away and sighed.

    Lantis was actually worried that she didn't love him in return. I shook my head. That was preposterous. The thought of Lantis being rejected by this girl, who ever she was, was beyond my imagining.

    I looked at him and felt a warmth spread through me. I hurt; but to see him so happy also made me feel contented. I had never seen him so.

    "Eagle? What about you? Have you found the one... the one you would like to spend your whole life with?" He asked, looking at a distant mountain.

    "Yes. You might say after all this time I finally found that one person that I wouldn't mind spending my old age with." I watched the distant castle and oddly felt as if I was saying my farewells to it as I said those words. Suddenly I felt lost; nothing was holding me here in Cephiro anymore. I loved him and would like him to be happy. Now, I knew I had to set him free, to find that happiness that he desired. But in setting him free, I was freeing myself too. Then it hit me; I had nowhere to go. I was an ambassador and had to stay here in Cephiro where I was posted. I was trapped here to watch Lantis and whoever fall for each other.

    This was going to be ugly.

 

*****Lantis******

    I watched him as he stared at the castle. He has found the one he... No! This could not be happening. Eagle... Please don't do this to me. I...

    "I... "

    "Yes Lantis? " he asked looking at me with gentleness in his eyes. Then hesitantly, he reached out and laid his hand on my shoulder, drawing near.

    So close that, a little farther and I could...

    *Eagle...*

    I made to pull away. But he held me with a look. He seemed different all of a sudden.

    "Nothing." I answered; he then gave me a smile that I couldn't read.

    "Hey how long are you two going to stay up there?" someone shouted.

    I looked down to see the Pharle grinning up at us. Presea. I did not know if I should feel annoyed by the interruption or pleased by it. But I was not in the condition to answer her.

    "Be right there." He answered. "I think our discussion is over for now. I'll see to the Lady's needs." Smiling, he leapt off the branch and faced the Pharle. "What can I do for you Lady Presea? "

    "Presea will do. " She answered as they slowly walked off towards the palace. "We need some help with that young friend of yours, Zazu. And..."

    I watched them as they walked further and further away. Somehow, things had not turned out as I had thought it would.

    Later...

    Later when the heaviness has eased after what he said. I leaned back on the trunk and watched the sky. What am I going to do now?

-end part 1-

 Disclaimers: All characters belonged to their original creator, CLAMP, I just commandeered some of the characters for a night out into my own demented world.

posted- Feb 20, 1998