Title: It's All To Make Us Shine -- Chapter One: Enduring Friendships, Enduring Love
Author: Jessica Lynn S. (starsapphirez@aol.com)
Rating: PG. Actually I could probably have given it a "G", but I am playin' it safe. Later chapters might go a little higher in rating.
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. This story also makes no claims of promoting bowel regularity. I did, however, put a lot of thought and effort its writing. Please respect that. Archive? Sure, if ya ask first...and give me proper credit. MAJOR SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN ALL 26 EPISODES OF ESCAFLOWNE. Read at your own risk.
Summary: My own unique interpretation of post-series events, focusing on Hitomi. A story of enduring friendships and enduring love. In this chapter, Hitomi celebrates with her friends on Earth. Meanwhile, something has Van on edge in Gaea.
Note: A lot of post-series fics are harsh...leaving our hero and heroine sad, alone, and a bit out of touch with reality until something terrible happens on Gaea and Hitomi gets called back to more war and emotional turmoil. Here is a slightly different take on things. Yeah, this is dripping with sap...and everything is going sickeningly perfect. Worry not, though, this is only the first chapter. There will probably be about four chapters by the time this is complete. I am a bit disheartened by the miniscule amount of reviews my companion pieces on Folken and Van have gotten, so pwease let me know what you think of this one - whether your opinion be positive or negative - and I will love you forever. Much love to Desi and Rizu for supporting me in their own little ways. ________________________________________________________________________________
"Is everyone this lonely when they're in love?
They embrace a pain deeper than the shadows
It's all to make us shine, I just know it"
- "No Need to Promise"
The day was coming to a close as sweetly and masterfully as a symphony. The world was bathed in golden pools of light by the setting sun, as city lights lit up like fireflies across a field of concrete. The color of the sky itself was echoed perfectly in the sweet pink shade of the frothy strawberry milkshake in Hitomi's glass.
Amano lifted his glass to propose a toast. "To Hitomi's victory!" he announced triumphantly.
"And many more victories to come!" added Yukari with a smile.
Three glasses clanked sharply, the sound resonating for a moment above the constant rhythm of the evening traffic. Hitomi blushed self-consciously and furiously dove into her drink, slurping with a vengeance. Within a minute it was gone. "Mmm." she smiled, "That was good, thanks Yukari."
"Some things never change, do they Hitomi?" Yukari jokingly chided her ill-mannered best friend, shaking her finger at her.
"Sorry, Yukari." Hitomi offered, leaning back against the white cement bench. She had placed first in the girls' time trials at the afternoon's track meet, helping to earn a victory for her school. Amano, on the other hand had only come in third.
Yukari's expression softened. "I am impressed by how much your running has improved, ever since you returned from...Gaea, was it?" she said to Hitomi, then added with a grin, "We should send Amano off there for a while. He has been slacking!" Without realizing that Amano had taken a mouthful of soda, Yukari elbowed him in the ribs, causing him to spit it out all over the table. "Oops!" she cried out and slouched low in her seat, hiding her face. "I'm sorry!" Hitomi suppressed a giggle.
Amano wiped his face with a napkin and regained his dignity. "Darling," he smiled as he mopped the table dry with the same napkin, "I haven't been able to devote as much time to track because I've been so busy taking you out. But if you insist that I get more practice, we really don't have to go to that new movie tonight. I only want to make you happy."
"I was joking!" Yukari waved her hands in the air. Amano leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek. Yukari's face was still red with embarrassment.
Hitomi smiled warmly at her friends. They were really something. They bickered at times but it was all in good nature. They had a way of challenging each other to grow, while at the same time being unconditionally supportive. Hitomi's thoughts turned fondly to a certain Fanelian king with whom she shared a similar existence.
"Are you daydreaming, Hitomi?" asked Yukari, amused.
"No!" said Hitomi quickly, "I was just thinking about how the two of you fight like a married couple!"
"Oh really?" said Yukari, in mock threat rather than question.
"Yes really!" Hitomi rose to her friend's challenge.
"Why you!" hissed Yukari, diving at her friend. Hitomi flinched as Yukari ruffled her hair until it stood on end.
"Who fights like a married couple now?" asked Amano, winking.
"You only wish, you pervert!" Yukari muttered.
"You're beautiful." said Amano, and leaned in to kiss her again. Yukari giggled.
"You are a disaster tonight, aren't you Yukari?" asked Hitomi, smiling as she smoothed her hair back down into it's usual position. In truth, she was happy to see Yukari loosening up and having a little bit of fun as opposed to being her typical worrisome self.
"She's a hurricane, all right." said Amano, looking at Yukari with love in his eyes.
The couple was getting just a bit too mushy for Hitomi's comfort. They obviously needed some private time. She looked at her watch. "I think your movie starts in half an hour, I better see you off."
"Okay." nodded Yukari, capturing Hitomi in a warm embrace. After a moment, she released her.
"Bye Hitomi!" said Amano, capturing Yukari's hand in his own and leading her out into the street.
"Seeya later, Hitomi!" shouted Yukari over her shoulder, waving to her friends.
"Bye you two, have lots of fun!" Hitomi answered. She sat back down on the bench for a moment to savor the last moments of the sunset, before skipping off to catch her train home.
The tracks clicked rhythmically beneath the train, as it rocked gently back and forth, making it's way through the city. Hitomi stared out the window, watching a few bright stars emerge from the glowing twilight sky. She looked up at the moon; half expecting to see not one moon, but two. All she saw was a singular crescent, it's edges blurred by factory smog.
Her friends didn't really know why her running had improved so drastically on Gaea. She didn't talk much about her experiences there. Amano and Yukari had been shocked enough by the whole ordeal to begin with. She didn't wish to alienate them with stories of war, of horrible blood-drenched visions, of catgirls and an accursed winged race. If she told them of her adventures, they would listen. They had seen Van slay the dragon with their own eyes. But they would never fully understand what she'd gone through. Therefore, she kept her story to herself, like a pendant tucked away in the deep velvety recesses of a jewelry box. She simply told her friends that Gaea was a beautiful place. They didn't press her any further.
The hour was growing late. Van paced the hallways of the castle uneasily, with a torch in one hand and the other hand on the hilt of his sword. The fabric of his dark green sleeping robe rustled around him as he walked. All seemed to be well, but he was still uneasy. Allen and Celena were visiting Fanelia, offering much-needed shipments of food from Asturia. Van was pleased with the assistance, and was happy to see his comrade once again. But Van could not trust the girl who was once Dilandu. She had only emerged from the secrecy of her room for dinner, and there she had said nothing. She stabbed at her food in peculiar patterns, taking the utmost fascination in the sharp prongs of her fork. It sent bitter chills up his spine.
He finished his round of inspection at the door of Merle's room, and went inside to check on her. The little catgirl was soundly and peacefully asleep. He smiled and stooped down to replace a cover which had slipped down to her feet. He took great care not to wake her, for fear that if he did, she would keep him awake all night. With one last glance around the room, he exited and retired to his own chambers defeatedly. He was still uneasy.
He sat in his bed, removing the pendant from around his neck and lifting it to his cheek. "Hitomi..." he said softly, projecting a warm smile into his words, "I trust your track meet today went well."
The room was silent for a moment until he heard her sweet, sleepy voice in his mind. "Yes Van, I took first place. Yukari and Amano treated me to dessert. It was an exciting day, and a peaceful evening."
"My most sincere congratulations." Van paused. "Hitomi," he whispered. "I am troubled. I do not know if I will be sleeping very well tonight."
"What's wrong, Van?" she asked in concern.
"Allen came today." he answered, "I was glad to see him. He brought his sister with him, though. She is sleeping in this castle tonight, and I dread that there will not be a castle in the morning. I cannot see how Allen has forgotten what she once was."
"I don't think he's forgotten." said Hitomi. "After all, she was changed. Changed like Folken was, except a bit more drastically."
Van's heart sank a notch at the mention of his brother's name. He wished Folken was there to see the peaceful Fanelia he had always dreamed of as it was finally coming into being. Hitomi must have sensed the unintended side-effect of her words.
"Don't be sad, Van. I'm sorry."
"You have no need to be. What's happened has happened."
"Do you think she feels bad for the things she did as Dilandu? Things which were beyond her control? That could be why she is avoiding you...and it doesn't sound as if you are making much of an effort to be approachable." she stated quickly, yet thoughtfully.
"Her behavior is so peculiar. She hid in the room I'd given to her for the entire day. She twitched and fidgeted throughout the entire dinner, she played with her food more then she ate it. Then she went right back to her room. She seems..." Van trailed off. It was suddenly blatantly obvious to him that Celena was unhappy. It was obvious that she would probably rather be anywhere other than Fanelia. The girl felt afraid and guilty; not secretive and scheming as she had appeared to him before. He wondered why that realization had been so hard to make.
"I doubt your distrust in her does service to anyone." said Hitomi. "Despite your unease, you have allowed her to stay. I think that if you would have genuinely perceived her as a threat in your heart you would have turned her away. If she attacks you, she attacks you, whether you trust her or not. I think you and Allen could subdue her if need be. But if you have faith in her she may surprise you. People always return your feelings."
Van smiled. "As always, Hitomi, you know me better than I know myself." He knew she was right. Celena was basically alone in the world except for her brother, alone against the battery of doubt and suspicion surrounding her. He suddenly couldn't blame her for feeling akward. Celena desperately needed someone to call a friend, though he wasn't yet comfortable enough with who she was to fill that role. "I am sorry for bothering you this late, Hitomi." he continued. "You have school tomorrow, you should rest."
"You have a kingdom to rebuild, YOU should rest." she retorted.
"Merle sends her love as always. And I love you, very much. Thank you for the advice."
"I love you too Van, sleep well." Van returned Hitomi's pendant to it's place around his neck and nestled into his blankets. Their conversation had helped infinitely. He stared up at the ceiling above him until his eyelids grew heavy, then he drifted off to sleep.
As the morning sun broke through the window, Hitomi awoke to find a feather by her pillow. She smiled. She was growing quite the collection of them. The thought of stuffing a pillow with them occurred to her briefly. She lifted it to her face, running it across her cheek and breathing in it's scent.