First of all, I'm very grateful to got to know 40four here on this platform. Without her, I wouldn't be able to translate my original german FF into english. So - thank you, thank you, thank you for your precious help with this!

I've already uploaded 10 Chapters in german (with another title), but I won't continue the german storyline here.

I hope you'll enjoy this fanfiction and you have fun reading it. :)

Greetings, May

P.S.: I don't own Escaflowne or any of its characters and I make no money with my story.

Divided soul

Chapter 1

Precipitation, moisture, and her wandering thoughts…

The young woman sighed quietly. The monotonous, soothing rattle of rain outside had put her into a sort of dormancy. Her eyes were unfocused, zoning into the world of mist through the large windows of her quarters. Her chin rested on her forearms, carefully supported on bent knees.

Wet, smooth hair framed her delicate face. She was daydreaming again. She had sold her body; countless times.
To even waste more thoughts on it was a squander of precious time.

When she was young and her parents had died of an unknown illness, she'd been brought to an orphanage. The matron, an old, uptight woman, wasn't thrilled about it. At 13 years of age, Hitomi simply was too old to ever be incorporated into a new family. To make up for being such a burden, she had to help with all the daily chores in the orphanage, before she was taken away by a woman when she turned 15.

Hitomi clearly remembered the heavy perfume and the bouquet of flowers surrounding the woman. Her scent and the color of her extraordinary long, red hair had embedded itself in her senses.

Staring outside again, thick raindrops continued to rattle onto the balcony where small puddles were already beginning to form. Through the heavy rain curtains, she beheld the bell tower, which was chiming for the seventh time. It meant she had to head downstairs and get to work; again. Sighing heavily, she rose from her position.

A few hours later, Hitomi was sitting at the bar in the reception area. Her first visitor had left a while ago. She was so tired of it. She was bored of men and being made to only do what pleased them.

On the other hand, she didn't have much else in life, and no chance to get away from here. The Red Madame, as everybody knew her in this milieu, provided room and board. In return, her girls were required to perform and do so without a single complaint.

If she had to be truthful, her life really wasn't as bad as it could be.

The young woman scanned the crowded room. When she spotted a new visitor which she hadn't ever seen in here before, she allowed herself to scrutinize him more closely. He was looking completely out of place amongst the other customers and she wondered why she hadn't noticed him sooner.
His height was impressive and his age difficult to estimate.

Black, wild hair covered his head, framing a handsome face and even in the dim candlelight, his body looked well trained. Just when she was about to face the bar again, he turned his head in her direction. Rich, mahogany eyes caught hers for a moment.

Quickly, Hitomi swiveled around and reached for her glass, suppressing the strange feeling spreading in her body. Her friend, who was sitting next to her, noticed her reaction and smiled devilishly.

"Seems like we have a new one. Don't recall seeing him here before." Said the blonde beauty and looked towards the mysterious man again.

"Hm." Hitomi didn't dare look up and sipped her drink. "Men who come here are all the same." After uttering this judgment, Hitomi got up from the tall stool and was about to leave the bar, but she didn't get far.

Right in front of her, barricading the way, stood the very subject of their conversation, staring straight at her.
Hitomi swallowed timidly, lifting her head. A practiced, mechanical smile immediately appeared on her beautiful lips as she placed her hand on his forearm.

"What brings you here tonight?" she asked seductively, desperately attempting to suppress the weird feeling tingling in her stomach when she looked into his eyes and noticed his full lips and the beard stubble on his face. He was still staring at her intently, a corner of his mouth now pulled upwards in a charming grin.

"I need information." His deep voice seemed to vibrate in her stomach and she tilted her head in amusement.
"The Red Madame won't be thrilled if all I do with my mouth is talk ..." but before she got a chance to finish, the man pushed a small, heavy pouch into her hands.

"I believe she will be very happy with this. Can we talk somewhere private? "He interrupted her with determination.
Hitomi moistened her lips when she weighed the coin purse in her hands. How much money was this? Perhaps, she could siphon some off before surrendering the bag to the Red Madame. Just thinking about the consequences made her sick. She held on to the bag tightly and motioned for the visitor to follow.

Her friend had observed the exchange with raised eyebrows and was, admittedly, almost a trifle jealous.
"When you're done with your little conversation, I would be delighted to serve you in other regards, sweetheart!" She called laughing softly and tossed her blond mane about seductively.

Hitomi rolled her eyes inconspicuously and jingled the coin purse before handing it to the man posted in front of the Red Madame's office. After that, she motioned for the dark-haired stranger to follow her to a staircase which lead to the first floor of the building. Stopping at the second door on the left, she opened it slowly. As always, the scent of heavy perfume instantly wafted into her face.

The linens had already been replaced. However, she was beginning to doubt that her black-haired companion was interested in the usual services.

"Shall we?" She whispered and invited him in. After the visitor entered, she closed the door behind him and settled on the cushions. Hitomi gave him a small smile and patted the empty space next to her, but the newcomer simply shook his head.

"I'm not here for that. As I said before, I need information. I was told that you've been …employed here for a long time." He hesitated for a moment as if thinking about how to properly phrase everything. Hitomi's green eyes caught his, which caused him to swallow noticeably. She hadn't missed this reaction and reclined deeper into her pillow.

She was intrigued by this little game. A man like him was entirely new to her. To take pride in it would be bizarre, but she was one of the few ladies here who was clearly favored by the customers. Regardless, this man seemed to be unmoved by her appearance.

"Indeed, I've been…employed… here for several years." She eyed him from under thick lashes. "Are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable over here with me? I won't bite unless you want me to of course."
Her melodic laughter reverberated in his ears. When he simply ignored her words, she sighed. "Fine, what do you want to know?" she finally asked, eyeing him with suspicion.

"I'm looking for a man. He's of great importance but has been difficult to locate for a long time now. Since I've been following all leads without success, this place seems to be my last chance."
Lowering his gaze, the black-haired visitor focused on the velvet carpet under his feet.

The strong odor of heavy perfume wafting around the entire room was beginning to delude his senses, making him feel progressively more uncomfortable. His whole body tingled in unease, causing the need to wipe his sweaty hands on the fabric of his pants.

The intensity in his counterpart's green eyes made it no easier. God knows it had been tough for him to ignore what a stunning creature laid so invitingly in the sheets before him. Long ago, he had sworn to never give in to the temptations of such a woman and he had no intention of breaking this pledge now. However, before he came to this building tonight, he hadn't known what, or rather who awaited him here.

Hitomi sighed, studied him for a moment, and got off the bed. Light-footed, she approached him and placed her hand on his chest. While she spoke, she ran her fingertips up and down his chest.

"You know quite well that we can't reveal the names of our customers. That's why the men come here. They can do as they please and remain anonymous. " She placed a particular emphasis on the word 'anonymous' and looked at him through those thick eyelashes again.

After that, she let go of him, went to a small table and poured red wine from a crystal decanter into two glasses.
"Here, have a drink," she said and handed him one of the glasses. "Maybe it will help you calm down. I can see how tense you are. "

His dark eyes bore into hers but she couldn't discern the look in them. It caused a small shiver to travel down her spine. He had been intriguing from the moment he'd looked at her at the bar and, truly, it was beginning to annoy her that he didn't show any interest in her at all. She sipped some of the wine and leaned her hip against the door frame beside him. He still made no move to sit down.

"I have not seen this man in a long time, but if he still looks as I remember, he is very tall. His hair is silver and could be long; his eyes are a rusty red color. Have you seen someone who matches this description? "He finally asked after taking a gulp from his glass as well. He noticed that the woman briefly considered the question before averting her gaze.

"If I give you an answer, what's in it for me?" she finally asked, placing the empty glass back on the table.
"I've already given you enough money, "he replied, slightly startled. What was she thinking? There had easily been a week's work worth of coin in the purse.

"I have no use for money. It all belongs to the Red Madame." With a sly glance, she moved back to him. "I just earn the pleasure," she looked deep into his eyes and traced her fingers down the length of his arm, "by entertaining our customers. So if you want information, you have to offer me something other than money." Her hand wandered from his arm to his torso and came to rest near the hem of his pants, fingers tracing back and forth across the hem lazily. "A bit of your time would be nice. Of course, you can always try to ask one of my associates downstairs the same question instead."

Hitomi really couldn't explain why she was making it so difficult for him; why she was still trying to seduce him. It wasn't that she enjoyed her job, but this man somehow captivated her.

For the first time in her life, she felt something like true desire and it happened to be directed towards a man who completely refused her advances.

While she pondered this, he simply stared at her. He truly hadn't expected such a reaction. Did she really know his brother? Had he actually been here? He hadn't dared to consider it possible anymore. Not after spending the last ten years chasing any and every odd hint in vain. None had ever proven to be useful. Would he finally find an answer to his question here? Should he perhaps give in to her seduction in the hopes of loosening her tongue? He swallowed again, heavily, his eyes resting on her sensual lips. He then shook his head.
"I can't... I swore to never exploit a woman in such a way. "

Hitomi simply stared at him, entirely taken aback. Her green eyes widened when she listened to his words and she had a hard time believing him.
"You really are something else," she whispered finally, "someone like you has never happened to me before."
Again, she approached him; his gaze following her footsteps and swaying hips intently. She focused on his face again, but he averted his eyes and took another sip of wine.

Hitomi felt so lost all of a sudden. It was as if the solid ground had disappeared from under her feet. For a long time, she had given up on men completely, assuming that they were all the same anyway. It had caused her to lose true interest altogether, until tonight.

When she had been younger, she always hoped to someday meet a man who was different, here in this very house. To meet a man who was unlike those who solely sought to satisfy their desires through her.
In this very moment, she was forced to realize that this very man, the man she had ceased to believe even existed, was standing in front of her. She struggled to regain her composure. She did indeed know about the man he was asking about. He had frequently visited the Red Madame herself, but now rarely called upon her anymore. She had never thought to question who he was.

His appearance had frightened her. It was his ice-cold expression and eyes that chilled her to the bone. Lost in thought, she turned away from her visitor and sank back into the cushions, every seductive intention finally abandoned.

"I have seen the man you're looking for," Hitomi finally replied. Her big, green eyes were reflecting the sincerity of her statement.