Oy! Welcome to my first installment of "Sing A Lullaby", my second
Escaflowne fanfic *cheers*! "I'll Cry Instead" is doing well with its
reviews, I'm so happy with it, but I wanted to approach something a bit
different.
So here we go. . please make sure to make a donation to the review box down at the bottom, there are so many less fortunate than thou.
Disclaimer: You know the drill *stop, drop, and roll!* Though I'd never be able to own Escaflowne, I do hope that all of you will acknowledge that the words typed out below this ARE credited to MY little fingers.
On with the show!
P.S. I went through it again and made some corrections. Hitomi's now three months pregnant. Sorry about the mistake!
***
Sing A Lullaby
By Cev
Chapter One: Kanzaki's Don't Like Surprises
***
"It could just be abnormal," Hitomi mumbled out, staring at the calendar in front of her, "I mean . . . I'm still just an adolescent, this doesn't mean . . ."
She gulped, staring at the numbers on the slip of paper in front of her, and tearing it off so that the date for today replaced its presence on the notebook. A loud rapping came from her door. Hitomi jumped sharply, as if she was getting caught doing something wrong.
"WHAT?" She yelled in annoyance.
The door creaked open, and Hitomi's brother, Mamoru, threw a box at her and laughed, "Mom got you these at the store. Said you might need 'em." He chuckled (you know, that evil little brother's chuckle), and laughed even harder when Hitomi nailed him in the head with a shoe, her face red, and screamed, "Piss off!!"
She huffed a bit, but settled herself, and looked back at the box, her blush subsiding as her brows knitted together in concern. The tampon- filled box glared at her with a supreme hate, and Hitomi shoved them into her trash bin, inhaling sharply, and trying to slowly exhale to calm her nerves.
Oh, no, Hitomi Kanzaki wouldn't need Ms. Tampax's help anytime soon.
***
Yukari's vibrant red hair bounced back and forth, as the young student turned the pages of her book, her head bobbing along with the rhythm of a reverberated beat from the headphones hooked into her ears, a small black chord linking the blue headset to a round, silver CD player, from which a spinning sound could be heard, if one listened hard enough. Yukari popped her happy face from the door to her room, watching Hitomi lean over the pot in front of her, stirring a red sauce thoughtfully, and then returning to the chopping board behind her, her somewhat skilled hands holding a white onion in place as she cut it with precise, liquid movements. Yukari watched in awe at the dance of knife and hand, and the flowing, yet sharp way the knife moved across the vegetable, cutting it in a perfect motion. Hitomi's honey brown bangs hung low over her eyes, hiding her eyes and her emotions, and the girl seemed completely engrossed in her cooking.
Yukari waited patiently, until Hitomi had finished her chopping, and was now pouring olive oil into a thick pan beside the other three on the stove. "Hey, Chef Kanzaki!" Yukari chimed, smiling broadly at her friend. Hitomi, on the other hand, had jumped at least a foot in the air.
"Yukari!" Hitomi breathed, as if the girl had committed some heinous crime, "You scared the living shit out of me!"
Yukari's left brow lifted considerably at her friend's very unladylike comment, and smiled as Hitomi clamped a hand over her mouth at the realization of her sudden outburst of foul words, a scared look on her face.
"Jeeze, Hitomi," Yukari said, picking up Hitomi's chopping knife and pointing it at her threateningly, "These days I hardly think your mind is anywhere but on Earth."
Hitomi chuckled at the comment. How ironic and true it was.
"You're always so serious. Is there something wrong that you're not telling me?" Yukari asked, jabbing the knife at her brunette friend playfully.
Hitomi gently shoved the knife away with her index finger, "Put that away before you hurt yourself," she sighed, plucking the knife out of Yukari's hands, "And yes, I have been quite worried, what with exams coming up. You should be, too, Miss Uchida."
Yukari glared at her friend, leaning back on the counter and sliding up to sit on the top, but for the time being, accepted the excuse. Hitomi was very smart and talented, but she was always worried about school, unlike Yukari and Amano, who were very much laid back about it. "Don't worry, Hitomi." Yukari said, but smiled, knowing whatever she said wouldn't ease her friend, "You know, your worrying so much is not only going to give you and all of your friends gray hairs by the time they're twenty, but more likely receding hairlines, too. You wouldn't want that, now would you?"
Hitomi rolled her eyes, returning her attention to the food in front of her. She loved Yukari very much, she was like her long lost sister, but she couldn't help but being a bit annoyed. She and Amano never took things as seriously as they should (or at least, that's what she thought). Hitomi thoroughly studied her marinara sauce before starting to bread her chicken. "Yukari, will you try this?" Yukari replied with a happy agreement. Mostly, anything Hitomi made was good. She took a spoon from her mother's sink, and stuck it in the pot, pulling it out and to her lips. She gulped down the sauce, but her nose crinkled, and she looked up at Hitomi with concern.
Hitomi saw Yukari's disgusted face, and immediately went into defense mode. Hitomi Kanzaki was a tad over protective of her food, "What's wrong?"
"It's not horrible . . .but . . ."
"But what?"
"Well, you taste."
Hitomi did so, and took a bite with Yukari's spoon. She looked at it thoughtfully, confused a bit, then looked back at her redheaded friend, "It tastes fine. What's your problem?"
Yukari shoved Hitomi out of the way. For goodness sake, the girl did have an ego. Now Yukari would go and have to fix up Hitomi's food. She wasn't the best of cooks, but she wasn't as bad as that sauce was. Yukari ignored Hitomi's grumbling and annoyed voice, but shoved a piece of garlic bread at her friend, who rejoiced happily, hugged Yukari, and went off, chewing happily on the carbohydrate packed food.
The Uchida family had Hitomi over many nights for dinner, and even more so when Hitomi began to learn the joys of cooking wonderful, wonderful food, that everyone seemed to enjoy. Lately, however, Hitomi had hardly cooked for anyone, not even her own family. Her tasters were way off, she tried to explain, and for a while, they all seemed to believe her. However, on one not-so-joyous occasion, Hitomi had come over for a weekend with Yukari, happily bringing in her books and papers with her to her friend's room, at the prospect of studying for their Algebra II test that was sneaking up on them from behind the corner of a slimy high school hall way.
Yukari was laid out across her bed, her books littering the covers, and was thoughtfully writing something in her notebook, ever so often scanning one of her textbooks. Hitomi was in a similar situation, being propped up against the bed, reading over a packet of papers, a calculator at her side, explaining the use of tangent lines on circles to a bubbly blonde sitting across from her, who was leaning against the wall casually, and uncharacteristically pulled into a deep concentration. Their mutual friend, Davan, had eagerly agreed to help the two with their studies. Davan was the usual playful class clown, but she kept her bright personality buried underneath books for this occasion.
The engrossed redhead on the bed released a sigh, and then turned to Hitomi and Davan. "I think I've had enough for right now. Anyone hungry? I know you are, Hitomi."
Hitomi was in mid-sentence of her explanation, and playfully glared at her friend. Yukari smirked slightly. Lately, Hitomi had been eating as if she were storing up for winter. It was really unusual. Hitomi was a great cook; she even had the potential to become a great chef when she became older, but the girl never indulged in anything. Hitomi disliked too many sweets, too much fast food, and too much grease. But over the last few weeks, she had wolfed down all of the above, and more. "My mom said we could eat dinner in here. Davan, are you going to stay tonight?"
Davan shook her head, her blonde waves bouncing slightly. Her brown eyes locked with Yukari's, and she gave her an apologetic smile, "Sorry. I have to get up early tomorrow for work, and I have to look after my sisters tonight." Davan quickly piled her books and shoved them into her backpack. Davan peered thoughtfully at Hitomi when she was about to walk out of the front door to take her leave, but paused at the entrance, and wrapped Hitomi in a hug. Mrs. Uchida and the rest were waving goodbye, and Davan pulled Hitomi outside with her, still hugging her. Davan hid her face behind Hitomi's, so that the family in he house couldn't tell that she was whispering into Hitomi's ear, "I know I'm acting weird, but I have a strange feeling something is going on that Yukari and I don't know about. Hitomi, where ever you're going or whatever you're doing, please be careful." With that said, the blonde turned to the Uchida's, waved, and walked off down the street without a second look back.
Hitomi shivered slightly from the cool night air, and held her arms, staring at the gate where Davan had just been. Did she know? That's stupid, Hitomi thought, how could she know the truth? Hitomi shook her head, and joined Yukari, who led her to her room, and left for the kitchen. The second the door to the kitchen swung open, Hitomi covered her nose at the foul smell. What were they cooking in there? Yukari came bounding out, two plates in her hands.
"Should be good tonight. Red fish! My mom hardly cooks it, but she knows how much you like it!" Yukari said, shoving a plate under Hitomi's nose.
Hitomi's whole body tensed when the plate was so rudely shoved in her face, her stomach bubbling violently, and her throat contracting. Hitomi's nose scrunched up, but she found herself wobbly when she tried to get up, and her hands flew to her stomach and mouth.
"Hitomi?" Yukari asked with concern, "What's wrong?" But Hitomi just shoved her friend out of the way, and dashed for Yukari's bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Yukari's wide eyes blinked a few times, trying to comprehend what was happening. Hitomi was making disgusting retching sounds behind her bathroom door, and Yukari looked down at the fish in her hands. It couldn't be that bad, could it?
Suddenly, as if a light had been implanted in Yukari's brain and clicked on, Yukari's face widened with realization. She hurriedly disposed of the dinner in the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water and washcloths, and locked her door shut, luckily without receiving any questions from her family. Hitomi's retching had halted, but the bathroom was disturbingly quiet. Yukari gently pushed the door open, and kneeled beside Hitomi. Her honey hair was matted against her sweaty face, and she shook violently. Yukari gently pushed Hitomi's bangs away from her face, and pulled back the rest of her long hair behind her face. With a cool, damp, cloth, Yukari gently wiped Hitomi's face. Hitomi had a defeated look on her face, and she was absorbed in a dark, thoughtful mood.
Yukari took a sharp breath in, and tilted Hitomi's head up so that she could press the cloth to her forehead, but more so to look straight into Hitomi's green eyes. Her friend was not going to weasel herself out of this one. "Hitomi, what's going on?" Yukari asked firmly, staring at Hitomi with a concerned but strong gaze.
Hitomi tired to turn her head, but Yukari kept it in place, so she resulted in moving her eyes away from Yukari's probing stare, "You know, maybe your mother should check the quality of that red fish. She might be able to get her money back."
"There's nothing wrong with the fish," Yukari stated flatly, "What is it you're not telling me? Because you've been acting rather strange lately, and there's only one answer that clears your actions."
Hitomi stiffened. Was she so obvious? She tried to calm down, "And what would that be?" She tightly said.
"Are you pregnant, Hitomi?" Yukari asked gently, pulling her hand and cloth away from Hitomi's flushed face. It all fit together. Her inability to cook, her puking morning and night, the fish, her eating so much . . .
Hitomi looked down at her hands, her face conveying pain. Yukari took in a deep breath. This was not good. How could Hitomi be pregnant? How could the most responsible person she knew get herself knocked up? Yukari's concern soon turned to anger. Hitomi had so much to give! And now she had thrown it all away!
"You have to get rid of it." Yukari said angrily.
Hitomi shook her head sadly. She knew how stupid she'd been. If it was anyone's fault, it was definitely hers. Every person that knew her certainly had a right to be angry. Well, with the exception of Van. And why hadn't he come back yet, anyway? It had been a whole month now . . . what was going on in Gaea? It was his fault, too. Damn their hormones, Hitomi thought.
"You know that story I told you? About what happened when I left?"
Yukari looked up at Hitomi. Had a man on Gaea done this to her? Damnit, Yukari thought, this was getting more complicated by the moment. "Yes." She said, her voice clipped in anger.
"Van. From Gaea."
Yukari's fear was concluded, and the redhead cursed fiercely. "Have you tested?"
Hitomi's head nodded, the tears welling up in her eyes, "At least six times! They were all pink!"
Yukari's anger was washed away with Hitomi's desperate tone. She reached over and hugged her friend, trying to soothe her sobs. "What about your mom and dad? Do they know? Does Van know?" Hitomi shook her head, and Yukari sighed, looking down at Hitomi's brown hair, "We have to tell them, and soon."
With that, Yukari gave Hitomi the water, and soon she fell asleep under Yukari's purple bed sheets, snoring softly. Yukari rolled out a futon beside the bed, and climbed in, but unable to see Hitomi from the height of the bed frame. Yukari tried to breathe evenly, but found that it was quite a difficult task. This week, she would go with Hitomi, and break the ice. She looked up at her friend, but her only view was a mass of blankets. Hitomi's life would never be as she planned, if anything, Yukari never believed Hitomi would get married, or do the three and one half kids, being a stay at home mom with a minivan. Hitomi's talent for cooking, her smart, quick wit, and independent nature set her well a part from the usual giddy girls whose greatest dream was to be a bride.
But now, Hitomi had gotten pregnant by some man from Gaea, and all of her aspiring dreams would be cut down. They WERE cut down. Yukari's brows knitted together. Yukari had never believed in Gaea from the stories Hitomi told her. How could she? Another planet? But that thought was abolished, especially after a very handsome black-haired, wine-eyed teenage boy came to Hitomi's house one night, about three months ago, while Yukari was there. Hitomi had explained everything then and there between her and 'Van', something that Hitomi had failed to mention when she retold her adventures of Gaea. With a blinding blue light, she had vanished with him, but returned the next night with a very tousled look, and a beaming smile. Yukari smirked to herself. It must have been then that the deed was done, because Hitomi hadn't gone back since that occasion, even though he had come the Earth once. Yukari frowned at that thought. Van hadn't come to see Hitomi in quite a while. Her thoughts suddenly were clouded over with sadness. This Van was an important figure on Gaea, a King, if she remembered correctly. When Hitomi told Van, he would keep her there on Gaea, and Yukari would hardly see her.
Yukari had seen the way the young man had looked at her friend, and his loving stare, the kind that a husband would give his wife, one that held so much love and tenderness. Whenever Hitomi talked about him, everything about her would inflame with a happy, glowing light. She would go with Van back to Gaea. It would be better that way. Hitomi would be taken care of by someone that loved her, and she would have a future there. A pregnant sixteen-year-old had hardly any good future on earth, especially not in Japan. Yukari's thoughts were gently cut off as sleep claimed her, her eyelids ending her inner turmoil, but just for tonight.
The next day was Monday, and Hitomi had managed to pull Yukari out of bed for school. The next few days went smoothly enough, and Hitomi's pregnancy wasn't mentioned again until Saturday came, with Yukari sitting next to Hitomi across from the Kanzakis, with Mamoru, Hitomi's little brother, sitting on the end of the dining table, watching with curiosity. Yukari watched as Hitomi looked down at her hands, carefully tracing the edge of what looked like a platinum ring. It was rather beautiful, and two simple stones, seemingly clear, but when light hit them one could see the red light from one stone and green from inside it, were mounted on it, amongst beautifully crafted swirls of the platinum metal, slightly dusted with green. It looked very expensive, and as if it took centuries to create. She held another ring in her left palm, and the band was much thicker than the other, with a red seal mounted on it, but Yukari couldn't make out the image. Hitomi's eyes closed as her hands clasped the rings, and she looked as if she were trying to collect her energy and courage.
"Hitomi, what's going on?" Her father asked, concern filling his voice.
Yukari reached under the table and gave her friend's hand a gentle squeeze. Hitomi looked at her, and Yukari gave her a little smile, one that said, "It's okay, I'm here for you." Hitomi beamed back at her, but her eyes filled to the brim with sadness. Yukari looked back to Mr. And Mrs. Kanzaki, making the first move, "You know vaguely of what happened to Hitomi last year," she said towards Mrs. Kanzaki, her statement brushing the edge of a question.
Mrs. Kanzaki looked at Hitomi, and shook her head to clear the cobwebs, "I knew you were going to follow in your grandmother's footsteps, but Hitomi, you've hardly spoken to us about it, something that troubles us all . . ." the woman paused, her soft eyes suddenly becoming dark and hurt, "And let me tell you," Her voice was clipped in an angry tone that made Hitomi flinch, "You are one lucky girl, running off for all that time and not even telling us what was going on, and yet we still are lenient!!!"
Mr. Kanzaki set his hand over his wife's, trying to calm her. She glared at him, "And how can you just take this subject without getting angry?"
He smiled, coming to his daughter's rescue, "As I recall, there was a certain person that was taking care of Hitomi while she was gone, and even so, Aya, we could do nothing at the time to stop her from leaving."
Hitomi sighed, thankful of her father backing her up, but still blushed slightly. She knew he was talking about Van. She had brought the young King to meet the family before, and although Hitomi's mother was very unpleased to know that he was the boy that took her Hitomi away from her, Mr. Kanzaki, always being quite laid back, had welcomed Van with interest, always asking him questions, which Van happily replied. It seemed that Van and Hitomi's father had hit it off quite well, which was Hitomi's worst fear when she had brought him to her house. And Mamoru was always excited when Van came for his monthly visit, but the boy had no idea he was a King of a country of an alien world, that would prove to be too dangerous for the young boy's mouth to handle. Everything turned out very different of what she thought would happen. Hitomi would have expected her mother to welcome Van with open arms, and her father to be breathing down the poor King's neck, but it was the exact opposite. Hitomi's thoughts darkened. Why hadn't Van come yet? Next week it would be two moon's time since he had last visited, and she was getting anxious.
Folding her arms across her chest, Mrs. Kanzaki glowered at her husband, but then cast her heated glare to her now trembling daughter. Hitomi knew the subject of Van was a sore one for all of her family, but this had to come out. Yukari led the way again, and Hitomi found another sad smile creep on her features. She was so lucky to have Yukari as her friend. Even though what had happened last year had distanced them more than ever, they patched their friendship up within a week when she came back.
"Actually, Mr. Kanzaki," Yukari said slowly, choosing her words carefully, "That certain person is why Hitomi called for your attention like this." Gently she nudged Hitomi, who looked over at her brother's innocent and smiling face. She didn't want him to hear this, not yet.
"Mamoru, go to your room." Hitomi said firmly.
"What?" The little boy asked, his mouth dropping open. His sister giving him an order? "No way. You can't tell me what to do."
"Go to your room," their mother snapped, feeling the anxiety in the moment. Her anger was just rising every second. Mamoru jumped slightly at his mother's tone, but scurried up the stairs, but paused when he was sure they couldn't see him. "And don't try hiding, either." Mrs. Kanzaki shouted, but all there was for a reply was the soft pound of Mamoru's feet against the wood, traveling up and over their heads.
Hitomi shook her head. He would find out eventually, but she didn't want his immature behavior present when she broke the news. He would only make matters worse. Yukari nudged her again in her ribs, and she glared at her hands for a moment, but gathering her courage, looked up into her parent's concerned (not to mention, confused) faces. "Van took me back to Fanelia about a three months ago. You know, for his birthday?"
"Yes, you told us about it." Mr. Kanzaki said, eyeing his daughter carefully.
"Well, you see, he proposed to me." Hitomi said, looking down at her clenched hand. And opened it, staring at the rings Van had given her.
Yukari's eyes went wide, also staring at the two rings. This was new information! Why hadn't Hitomi mentioned it?
"No! I forbid you!" Mrs. Kanzaki shouted, standing up, "You haven't even finished school yet!"
Hitomi shook her head, "You don't understand, we'd have a long engagement. I'd finish school. But you have to realize, my future studies would be there with him. I need to learn the government so I could take on the responsibilities, and many other subjects. It wouldn't end my life here, though. Van has come here relatively every month, and I would be able to do the same if I lived there. You cannot worry about any insecurity, either. Van is a King, you know."
Mrs. Kanzaki sat back in her chair, eyeing her daughter with thoughtful, but still very unsettled, eyes. It was then that she realized how mature Hitomi had become. A very strong difference was made last year, when she had returned from Gaea for the second time. She would always be Hitomi, playful and optimistic, but she certainly looked at things differently than most people her age. Mr. Kanzaki even believed that she had matured to a calmer and wiser state than she and her father, something that surprised her mother. She always had a short fuse, and her daughter did, too, but lately Hitomi had been able to take her emotions, stuff them in a bottle, and speak calmly.
Mrs. Kanzaki looked back at her husband, who was lost in his own thoughts, leaning against the dining table, and staring attentively at the tablecloth. He smiled slightly, and looked up at Aya Kanzaki, silently asking for her approval. He already had his answer to the question. His wife gave a slow, hesitant nod, and Keiichi Kanzaki looked back at his daughter, "There would be conditions." Hitomi's right eyebrow lifted questioningly, and her father went on, "Holidays must be with us, and you have to visit every month. You'll have to graduate, and when you do leave, you have to keep a calendar of our time system."
Hitomi happily nodded. Now to move on to the next piece of information, hoping that this wouldn't change anything too much that they had just decided upon. Ignoring the hurt and angry glare Yukari threw towards her, Hitomi continued, "Okay. I agree. But there's something else, something very important."
Yukari snorted, but everyone ignored it, and Mrs. Kanzaki eyebrows rose, "Oh? And what is that?"
Hitomi gulped slightly. Van's proposal had been easy, but this topic would be far from it, "On his birthday, we didn't just get engaged."
"I'll certainly say." Yukari mumbled, crossing her arms, her supportive nature now long gone. How could Hitomi not tell her that Van had proposed to her?
"And what exactly is that?" Mrs. Kanzaki asked with a cold, slow voice.
Hitomi looked to Yukari for support. All of a sudden, she couldn't use her voice. Yukari gently nudged her, her cold stare slowly fading. Hitomi thought about it for a moment, keeping her parents, unknowingly, at the edge of their seats. Aya Kanzaki knew inwardly what she was going to say, but prayed to Kami it wouldn't be what she thought.
"I'm pregnant." Came Hitomi's emotionless voice, her green eyes staring into her father's brown ones. How else was she supposed to tell them? She most certainly wasn't about to tell them in tears.
Mrs. Kanzaki's heart fell through the floor. Instead of exploding with a screeching voice, Hitomi's words had triggered the bomb to implode, and Aya felt as if she were going to fall out of her chair at the shock of these words. Keiichi was the one to knock over he chair when he stood, shouting, "WHAT?!?!"
Hitomi looked down, trying to hide her shame from her mother and father's eyes.
"How could you do something so irresponsible?" Mr. Kanzaki yelled, "Hitomi, I thought you were smarter than that! Does Van know? That place is backwards; you could die there if you had a child! And furthermore-"
Hitomi shut his words out, drowning out everyone in the room. He was right. How could she have done something to jeopardize her future, and more importantly, Van's future? People could count. If she married him now, the Fanel House would be shamed.
Hitomi ran from the dining room up to her room, cutting her father's angry words off, and leaving Yukari alone with them. Keiichi Kanzaki slammed his fist on the table, and stormed out, slamming the door to his bedroom. Mrs. Kanzaki stared at where her husband once was, and closed her eyes, looking at Yukari, and sighed, her short fuse suddenly becoming a bit longer. Anger wouldn't help anything right now. The decision rested upon Van, and in Gaea. "Yukari," the redhead jumped slightly, opening her mouth to offer some kind of explanation, but Mrs. Kanzaki stopped her, raising her hand, "You don't have to say anything. The rest is up to Van and Hitomi. Will you go with her?"
Yukari stood from the table, and walked around it, hugging Mrs. Kanzaki, "We'll be back, no matter what the circumstance. Hitomi will finish school, and whatever happens, she will be pregnant here. I won't have her throw her life away." Mrs. Kanzaki smiled through tears, hugging Yukari back. She couldn't believe she was actually giving them permission to do this.
Yukari raced up the stairs to Hitomi's room, her heart pounding. When she got there, Hitomi had already opened the door, a tan canvas bag in her hands. Hitomi looked at her friend with questioning eyes, and Yukari smiled, closing Hitomi's door behind her. The two girls ran together towards Yukari's house, a threatening thundercloud looming overhead.
***
Hitomi pulled the hood of her jacket closer around her head, trying to shut out the stinging rain. It came in hard, cold droplets, and covered her with such a foul feeling of being so alone. Hitomi's head raised a bit, her nose just barely missing that of the haughty level.
She was going to do this.
She was going to be strong.
But she hadn't said goodbye to any of them. She knew it was a mistake, and that she would have to suffer her mother's wrath later, but it wouldn't matter. This time, she would be coming back to explain everything, and she would be coming back with Van. Hitomi just prayed that he would understand. Hitomi looked at her friend beside her, Yukari's jean jacket, a bad choice, was whipping against her from the wind, and she pulled her hat over her ears. Yukari caught Hitomi's eyes, and smiled warmly, looping her arm with Hitomi's, and giving her friend a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will work out." Yukari said.
"I hope so," Hitomi said, as they climbed the steps up to the Shrine. Yukari pulled a black duffle bag over her shoulders, and tightened the straps of her purple backpack. She didn't know what to expect of the blue column of light, and wasn't about to take a risk of loosing her belongings. Hitomi grinned, knowing why her friend was shifting so uncomfortably. Hitomi clasped both of her hands with Yukari's, and they laughed slightly, standing there in the shrine's courtyard. "Are you sure you want to do this, Yukari?"
Yukari grinned, "As sure as I can be! Besides, I'm very curious to see what this Gaea is like."
"Curiosity killed the cat."
"Yes, well, besides the fact that that is a cliché, and that most cliché's are always wrong, I am not a cat."
Hitomi smiled mischievously, "Yes, well, you'll be meeting a cat or two."
Before Yukari could question this odd statement, Hitomi had closed her eyes, and blue light began to gather and shine through a circle at their feet, growing in proportion, and soon engulfing Yukari and Hitomi, covering Yukari's eyes with such a blinding light, she thought she'd never see anything again.
Hitomi's eyes opened, and she looked gently at her friend, who was looking quite franticly around her, staring at Hitomi with awe. Hitomi just squeezed Yukari's hands, and looked up into the sky, silently praying, and her wish to by on Gaea stretching out between the two worlds, growing with intensity, and filling her heart. She imagined Van's face, and his laughter, with his open arms coaxing her to him, smiling lovingly at her. However, red began to seep through her vision, and Hitomi's eyes with drawn closed, her lids covered in red. Hitomi screamed and reached out for Yukari, clinging to her like she was her lifeline. Yukari's eyes widened at Hitomi's action, and watched in terror as the ground sunk, lifting her feet, defying gravity, and the earth slowly disappeared beneath her, the two figures being lost in darkness.
***
*sigh* Finally! Help the needy and review!
~Cev
So here we go. . please make sure to make a donation to the review box down at the bottom, there are so many less fortunate than thou.
Disclaimer: You know the drill *stop, drop, and roll!* Though I'd never be able to own Escaflowne, I do hope that all of you will acknowledge that the words typed out below this ARE credited to MY little fingers.
On with the show!
P.S. I went through it again and made some corrections. Hitomi's now three months pregnant. Sorry about the mistake!
***
Sing A Lullaby
By Cev
Chapter One: Kanzaki's Don't Like Surprises
***
"It could just be abnormal," Hitomi mumbled out, staring at the calendar in front of her, "I mean . . . I'm still just an adolescent, this doesn't mean . . ."
She gulped, staring at the numbers on the slip of paper in front of her, and tearing it off so that the date for today replaced its presence on the notebook. A loud rapping came from her door. Hitomi jumped sharply, as if she was getting caught doing something wrong.
"WHAT?" She yelled in annoyance.
The door creaked open, and Hitomi's brother, Mamoru, threw a box at her and laughed, "Mom got you these at the store. Said you might need 'em." He chuckled (you know, that evil little brother's chuckle), and laughed even harder when Hitomi nailed him in the head with a shoe, her face red, and screamed, "Piss off!!"
She huffed a bit, but settled herself, and looked back at the box, her blush subsiding as her brows knitted together in concern. The tampon- filled box glared at her with a supreme hate, and Hitomi shoved them into her trash bin, inhaling sharply, and trying to slowly exhale to calm her nerves.
Oh, no, Hitomi Kanzaki wouldn't need Ms. Tampax's help anytime soon.
***
Yukari's vibrant red hair bounced back and forth, as the young student turned the pages of her book, her head bobbing along with the rhythm of a reverberated beat from the headphones hooked into her ears, a small black chord linking the blue headset to a round, silver CD player, from which a spinning sound could be heard, if one listened hard enough. Yukari popped her happy face from the door to her room, watching Hitomi lean over the pot in front of her, stirring a red sauce thoughtfully, and then returning to the chopping board behind her, her somewhat skilled hands holding a white onion in place as she cut it with precise, liquid movements. Yukari watched in awe at the dance of knife and hand, and the flowing, yet sharp way the knife moved across the vegetable, cutting it in a perfect motion. Hitomi's honey brown bangs hung low over her eyes, hiding her eyes and her emotions, and the girl seemed completely engrossed in her cooking.
Yukari waited patiently, until Hitomi had finished her chopping, and was now pouring olive oil into a thick pan beside the other three on the stove. "Hey, Chef Kanzaki!" Yukari chimed, smiling broadly at her friend. Hitomi, on the other hand, had jumped at least a foot in the air.
"Yukari!" Hitomi breathed, as if the girl had committed some heinous crime, "You scared the living shit out of me!"
Yukari's left brow lifted considerably at her friend's very unladylike comment, and smiled as Hitomi clamped a hand over her mouth at the realization of her sudden outburst of foul words, a scared look on her face.
"Jeeze, Hitomi," Yukari said, picking up Hitomi's chopping knife and pointing it at her threateningly, "These days I hardly think your mind is anywhere but on Earth."
Hitomi chuckled at the comment. How ironic and true it was.
"You're always so serious. Is there something wrong that you're not telling me?" Yukari asked, jabbing the knife at her brunette friend playfully.
Hitomi gently shoved the knife away with her index finger, "Put that away before you hurt yourself," she sighed, plucking the knife out of Yukari's hands, "And yes, I have been quite worried, what with exams coming up. You should be, too, Miss Uchida."
Yukari glared at her friend, leaning back on the counter and sliding up to sit on the top, but for the time being, accepted the excuse. Hitomi was very smart and talented, but she was always worried about school, unlike Yukari and Amano, who were very much laid back about it. "Don't worry, Hitomi." Yukari said, but smiled, knowing whatever she said wouldn't ease her friend, "You know, your worrying so much is not only going to give you and all of your friends gray hairs by the time they're twenty, but more likely receding hairlines, too. You wouldn't want that, now would you?"
Hitomi rolled her eyes, returning her attention to the food in front of her. She loved Yukari very much, she was like her long lost sister, but she couldn't help but being a bit annoyed. She and Amano never took things as seriously as they should (or at least, that's what she thought). Hitomi thoroughly studied her marinara sauce before starting to bread her chicken. "Yukari, will you try this?" Yukari replied with a happy agreement. Mostly, anything Hitomi made was good. She took a spoon from her mother's sink, and stuck it in the pot, pulling it out and to her lips. She gulped down the sauce, but her nose crinkled, and she looked up at Hitomi with concern.
Hitomi saw Yukari's disgusted face, and immediately went into defense mode. Hitomi Kanzaki was a tad over protective of her food, "What's wrong?"
"It's not horrible . . .but . . ."
"But what?"
"Well, you taste."
Hitomi did so, and took a bite with Yukari's spoon. She looked at it thoughtfully, confused a bit, then looked back at her redheaded friend, "It tastes fine. What's your problem?"
Yukari shoved Hitomi out of the way. For goodness sake, the girl did have an ego. Now Yukari would go and have to fix up Hitomi's food. She wasn't the best of cooks, but she wasn't as bad as that sauce was. Yukari ignored Hitomi's grumbling and annoyed voice, but shoved a piece of garlic bread at her friend, who rejoiced happily, hugged Yukari, and went off, chewing happily on the carbohydrate packed food.
The Uchida family had Hitomi over many nights for dinner, and even more so when Hitomi began to learn the joys of cooking wonderful, wonderful food, that everyone seemed to enjoy. Lately, however, Hitomi had hardly cooked for anyone, not even her own family. Her tasters were way off, she tried to explain, and for a while, they all seemed to believe her. However, on one not-so-joyous occasion, Hitomi had come over for a weekend with Yukari, happily bringing in her books and papers with her to her friend's room, at the prospect of studying for their Algebra II test that was sneaking up on them from behind the corner of a slimy high school hall way.
Yukari was laid out across her bed, her books littering the covers, and was thoughtfully writing something in her notebook, ever so often scanning one of her textbooks. Hitomi was in a similar situation, being propped up against the bed, reading over a packet of papers, a calculator at her side, explaining the use of tangent lines on circles to a bubbly blonde sitting across from her, who was leaning against the wall casually, and uncharacteristically pulled into a deep concentration. Their mutual friend, Davan, had eagerly agreed to help the two with their studies. Davan was the usual playful class clown, but she kept her bright personality buried underneath books for this occasion.
The engrossed redhead on the bed released a sigh, and then turned to Hitomi and Davan. "I think I've had enough for right now. Anyone hungry? I know you are, Hitomi."
Hitomi was in mid-sentence of her explanation, and playfully glared at her friend. Yukari smirked slightly. Lately, Hitomi had been eating as if she were storing up for winter. It was really unusual. Hitomi was a great cook; she even had the potential to become a great chef when she became older, but the girl never indulged in anything. Hitomi disliked too many sweets, too much fast food, and too much grease. But over the last few weeks, she had wolfed down all of the above, and more. "My mom said we could eat dinner in here. Davan, are you going to stay tonight?"
Davan shook her head, her blonde waves bouncing slightly. Her brown eyes locked with Yukari's, and she gave her an apologetic smile, "Sorry. I have to get up early tomorrow for work, and I have to look after my sisters tonight." Davan quickly piled her books and shoved them into her backpack. Davan peered thoughtfully at Hitomi when she was about to walk out of the front door to take her leave, but paused at the entrance, and wrapped Hitomi in a hug. Mrs. Uchida and the rest were waving goodbye, and Davan pulled Hitomi outside with her, still hugging her. Davan hid her face behind Hitomi's, so that the family in he house couldn't tell that she was whispering into Hitomi's ear, "I know I'm acting weird, but I have a strange feeling something is going on that Yukari and I don't know about. Hitomi, where ever you're going or whatever you're doing, please be careful." With that said, the blonde turned to the Uchida's, waved, and walked off down the street without a second look back.
Hitomi shivered slightly from the cool night air, and held her arms, staring at the gate where Davan had just been. Did she know? That's stupid, Hitomi thought, how could she know the truth? Hitomi shook her head, and joined Yukari, who led her to her room, and left for the kitchen. The second the door to the kitchen swung open, Hitomi covered her nose at the foul smell. What were they cooking in there? Yukari came bounding out, two plates in her hands.
"Should be good tonight. Red fish! My mom hardly cooks it, but she knows how much you like it!" Yukari said, shoving a plate under Hitomi's nose.
Hitomi's whole body tensed when the plate was so rudely shoved in her face, her stomach bubbling violently, and her throat contracting. Hitomi's nose scrunched up, but she found herself wobbly when she tried to get up, and her hands flew to her stomach and mouth.
"Hitomi?" Yukari asked with concern, "What's wrong?" But Hitomi just shoved her friend out of the way, and dashed for Yukari's bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Yukari's wide eyes blinked a few times, trying to comprehend what was happening. Hitomi was making disgusting retching sounds behind her bathroom door, and Yukari looked down at the fish in her hands. It couldn't be that bad, could it?
Suddenly, as if a light had been implanted in Yukari's brain and clicked on, Yukari's face widened with realization. She hurriedly disposed of the dinner in the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water and washcloths, and locked her door shut, luckily without receiving any questions from her family. Hitomi's retching had halted, but the bathroom was disturbingly quiet. Yukari gently pushed the door open, and kneeled beside Hitomi. Her honey hair was matted against her sweaty face, and she shook violently. Yukari gently pushed Hitomi's bangs away from her face, and pulled back the rest of her long hair behind her face. With a cool, damp, cloth, Yukari gently wiped Hitomi's face. Hitomi had a defeated look on her face, and she was absorbed in a dark, thoughtful mood.
Yukari took a sharp breath in, and tilted Hitomi's head up so that she could press the cloth to her forehead, but more so to look straight into Hitomi's green eyes. Her friend was not going to weasel herself out of this one. "Hitomi, what's going on?" Yukari asked firmly, staring at Hitomi with a concerned but strong gaze.
Hitomi tired to turn her head, but Yukari kept it in place, so she resulted in moving her eyes away from Yukari's probing stare, "You know, maybe your mother should check the quality of that red fish. She might be able to get her money back."
"There's nothing wrong with the fish," Yukari stated flatly, "What is it you're not telling me? Because you've been acting rather strange lately, and there's only one answer that clears your actions."
Hitomi stiffened. Was she so obvious? She tried to calm down, "And what would that be?" She tightly said.
"Are you pregnant, Hitomi?" Yukari asked gently, pulling her hand and cloth away from Hitomi's flushed face. It all fit together. Her inability to cook, her puking morning and night, the fish, her eating so much . . .
Hitomi looked down at her hands, her face conveying pain. Yukari took in a deep breath. This was not good. How could Hitomi be pregnant? How could the most responsible person she knew get herself knocked up? Yukari's concern soon turned to anger. Hitomi had so much to give! And now she had thrown it all away!
"You have to get rid of it." Yukari said angrily.
Hitomi shook her head sadly. She knew how stupid she'd been. If it was anyone's fault, it was definitely hers. Every person that knew her certainly had a right to be angry. Well, with the exception of Van. And why hadn't he come back yet, anyway? It had been a whole month now . . . what was going on in Gaea? It was his fault, too. Damn their hormones, Hitomi thought.
"You know that story I told you? About what happened when I left?"
Yukari looked up at Hitomi. Had a man on Gaea done this to her? Damnit, Yukari thought, this was getting more complicated by the moment. "Yes." She said, her voice clipped in anger.
"Van. From Gaea."
Yukari's fear was concluded, and the redhead cursed fiercely. "Have you tested?"
Hitomi's head nodded, the tears welling up in her eyes, "At least six times! They were all pink!"
Yukari's anger was washed away with Hitomi's desperate tone. She reached over and hugged her friend, trying to soothe her sobs. "What about your mom and dad? Do they know? Does Van know?" Hitomi shook her head, and Yukari sighed, looking down at Hitomi's brown hair, "We have to tell them, and soon."
With that, Yukari gave Hitomi the water, and soon she fell asleep under Yukari's purple bed sheets, snoring softly. Yukari rolled out a futon beside the bed, and climbed in, but unable to see Hitomi from the height of the bed frame. Yukari tried to breathe evenly, but found that it was quite a difficult task. This week, she would go with Hitomi, and break the ice. She looked up at her friend, but her only view was a mass of blankets. Hitomi's life would never be as she planned, if anything, Yukari never believed Hitomi would get married, or do the three and one half kids, being a stay at home mom with a minivan. Hitomi's talent for cooking, her smart, quick wit, and independent nature set her well a part from the usual giddy girls whose greatest dream was to be a bride.
But now, Hitomi had gotten pregnant by some man from Gaea, and all of her aspiring dreams would be cut down. They WERE cut down. Yukari's brows knitted together. Yukari had never believed in Gaea from the stories Hitomi told her. How could she? Another planet? But that thought was abolished, especially after a very handsome black-haired, wine-eyed teenage boy came to Hitomi's house one night, about three months ago, while Yukari was there. Hitomi had explained everything then and there between her and 'Van', something that Hitomi had failed to mention when she retold her adventures of Gaea. With a blinding blue light, she had vanished with him, but returned the next night with a very tousled look, and a beaming smile. Yukari smirked to herself. It must have been then that the deed was done, because Hitomi hadn't gone back since that occasion, even though he had come the Earth once. Yukari frowned at that thought. Van hadn't come to see Hitomi in quite a while. Her thoughts suddenly were clouded over with sadness. This Van was an important figure on Gaea, a King, if she remembered correctly. When Hitomi told Van, he would keep her there on Gaea, and Yukari would hardly see her.
Yukari had seen the way the young man had looked at her friend, and his loving stare, the kind that a husband would give his wife, one that held so much love and tenderness. Whenever Hitomi talked about him, everything about her would inflame with a happy, glowing light. She would go with Van back to Gaea. It would be better that way. Hitomi would be taken care of by someone that loved her, and she would have a future there. A pregnant sixteen-year-old had hardly any good future on earth, especially not in Japan. Yukari's thoughts were gently cut off as sleep claimed her, her eyelids ending her inner turmoil, but just for tonight.
The next day was Monday, and Hitomi had managed to pull Yukari out of bed for school. The next few days went smoothly enough, and Hitomi's pregnancy wasn't mentioned again until Saturday came, with Yukari sitting next to Hitomi across from the Kanzakis, with Mamoru, Hitomi's little brother, sitting on the end of the dining table, watching with curiosity. Yukari watched as Hitomi looked down at her hands, carefully tracing the edge of what looked like a platinum ring. It was rather beautiful, and two simple stones, seemingly clear, but when light hit them one could see the red light from one stone and green from inside it, were mounted on it, amongst beautifully crafted swirls of the platinum metal, slightly dusted with green. It looked very expensive, and as if it took centuries to create. She held another ring in her left palm, and the band was much thicker than the other, with a red seal mounted on it, but Yukari couldn't make out the image. Hitomi's eyes closed as her hands clasped the rings, and she looked as if she were trying to collect her energy and courage.
"Hitomi, what's going on?" Her father asked, concern filling his voice.
Yukari reached under the table and gave her friend's hand a gentle squeeze. Hitomi looked at her, and Yukari gave her a little smile, one that said, "It's okay, I'm here for you." Hitomi beamed back at her, but her eyes filled to the brim with sadness. Yukari looked back to Mr. And Mrs. Kanzaki, making the first move, "You know vaguely of what happened to Hitomi last year," she said towards Mrs. Kanzaki, her statement brushing the edge of a question.
Mrs. Kanzaki looked at Hitomi, and shook her head to clear the cobwebs, "I knew you were going to follow in your grandmother's footsteps, but Hitomi, you've hardly spoken to us about it, something that troubles us all . . ." the woman paused, her soft eyes suddenly becoming dark and hurt, "And let me tell you," Her voice was clipped in an angry tone that made Hitomi flinch, "You are one lucky girl, running off for all that time and not even telling us what was going on, and yet we still are lenient!!!"
Mr. Kanzaki set his hand over his wife's, trying to calm her. She glared at him, "And how can you just take this subject without getting angry?"
He smiled, coming to his daughter's rescue, "As I recall, there was a certain person that was taking care of Hitomi while she was gone, and even so, Aya, we could do nothing at the time to stop her from leaving."
Hitomi sighed, thankful of her father backing her up, but still blushed slightly. She knew he was talking about Van. She had brought the young King to meet the family before, and although Hitomi's mother was very unpleased to know that he was the boy that took her Hitomi away from her, Mr. Kanzaki, always being quite laid back, had welcomed Van with interest, always asking him questions, which Van happily replied. It seemed that Van and Hitomi's father had hit it off quite well, which was Hitomi's worst fear when she had brought him to her house. And Mamoru was always excited when Van came for his monthly visit, but the boy had no idea he was a King of a country of an alien world, that would prove to be too dangerous for the young boy's mouth to handle. Everything turned out very different of what she thought would happen. Hitomi would have expected her mother to welcome Van with open arms, and her father to be breathing down the poor King's neck, but it was the exact opposite. Hitomi's thoughts darkened. Why hadn't Van come yet? Next week it would be two moon's time since he had last visited, and she was getting anxious.
Folding her arms across her chest, Mrs. Kanzaki glowered at her husband, but then cast her heated glare to her now trembling daughter. Hitomi knew the subject of Van was a sore one for all of her family, but this had to come out. Yukari led the way again, and Hitomi found another sad smile creep on her features. She was so lucky to have Yukari as her friend. Even though what had happened last year had distanced them more than ever, they patched their friendship up within a week when she came back.
"Actually, Mr. Kanzaki," Yukari said slowly, choosing her words carefully, "That certain person is why Hitomi called for your attention like this." Gently she nudged Hitomi, who looked over at her brother's innocent and smiling face. She didn't want him to hear this, not yet.
"Mamoru, go to your room." Hitomi said firmly.
"What?" The little boy asked, his mouth dropping open. His sister giving him an order? "No way. You can't tell me what to do."
"Go to your room," their mother snapped, feeling the anxiety in the moment. Her anger was just rising every second. Mamoru jumped slightly at his mother's tone, but scurried up the stairs, but paused when he was sure they couldn't see him. "And don't try hiding, either." Mrs. Kanzaki shouted, but all there was for a reply was the soft pound of Mamoru's feet against the wood, traveling up and over their heads.
Hitomi shook her head. He would find out eventually, but she didn't want his immature behavior present when she broke the news. He would only make matters worse. Yukari nudged her again in her ribs, and she glared at her hands for a moment, but gathering her courage, looked up into her parent's concerned (not to mention, confused) faces. "Van took me back to Fanelia about a three months ago. You know, for his birthday?"
"Yes, you told us about it." Mr. Kanzaki said, eyeing his daughter carefully.
"Well, you see, he proposed to me." Hitomi said, looking down at her clenched hand. And opened it, staring at the rings Van had given her.
Yukari's eyes went wide, also staring at the two rings. This was new information! Why hadn't Hitomi mentioned it?
"No! I forbid you!" Mrs. Kanzaki shouted, standing up, "You haven't even finished school yet!"
Hitomi shook her head, "You don't understand, we'd have a long engagement. I'd finish school. But you have to realize, my future studies would be there with him. I need to learn the government so I could take on the responsibilities, and many other subjects. It wouldn't end my life here, though. Van has come here relatively every month, and I would be able to do the same if I lived there. You cannot worry about any insecurity, either. Van is a King, you know."
Mrs. Kanzaki sat back in her chair, eyeing her daughter with thoughtful, but still very unsettled, eyes. It was then that she realized how mature Hitomi had become. A very strong difference was made last year, when she had returned from Gaea for the second time. She would always be Hitomi, playful and optimistic, but she certainly looked at things differently than most people her age. Mr. Kanzaki even believed that she had matured to a calmer and wiser state than she and her father, something that surprised her mother. She always had a short fuse, and her daughter did, too, but lately Hitomi had been able to take her emotions, stuff them in a bottle, and speak calmly.
Mrs. Kanzaki looked back at her husband, who was lost in his own thoughts, leaning against the dining table, and staring attentively at the tablecloth. He smiled slightly, and looked up at Aya Kanzaki, silently asking for her approval. He already had his answer to the question. His wife gave a slow, hesitant nod, and Keiichi Kanzaki looked back at his daughter, "There would be conditions." Hitomi's right eyebrow lifted questioningly, and her father went on, "Holidays must be with us, and you have to visit every month. You'll have to graduate, and when you do leave, you have to keep a calendar of our time system."
Hitomi happily nodded. Now to move on to the next piece of information, hoping that this wouldn't change anything too much that they had just decided upon. Ignoring the hurt and angry glare Yukari threw towards her, Hitomi continued, "Okay. I agree. But there's something else, something very important."
Yukari snorted, but everyone ignored it, and Mrs. Kanzaki eyebrows rose, "Oh? And what is that?"
Hitomi gulped slightly. Van's proposal had been easy, but this topic would be far from it, "On his birthday, we didn't just get engaged."
"I'll certainly say." Yukari mumbled, crossing her arms, her supportive nature now long gone. How could Hitomi not tell her that Van had proposed to her?
"And what exactly is that?" Mrs. Kanzaki asked with a cold, slow voice.
Hitomi looked to Yukari for support. All of a sudden, she couldn't use her voice. Yukari gently nudged her, her cold stare slowly fading. Hitomi thought about it for a moment, keeping her parents, unknowingly, at the edge of their seats. Aya Kanzaki knew inwardly what she was going to say, but prayed to Kami it wouldn't be what she thought.
"I'm pregnant." Came Hitomi's emotionless voice, her green eyes staring into her father's brown ones. How else was she supposed to tell them? She most certainly wasn't about to tell them in tears.
Mrs. Kanzaki's heart fell through the floor. Instead of exploding with a screeching voice, Hitomi's words had triggered the bomb to implode, and Aya felt as if she were going to fall out of her chair at the shock of these words. Keiichi was the one to knock over he chair when he stood, shouting, "WHAT?!?!"
Hitomi looked down, trying to hide her shame from her mother and father's eyes.
"How could you do something so irresponsible?" Mr. Kanzaki yelled, "Hitomi, I thought you were smarter than that! Does Van know? That place is backwards; you could die there if you had a child! And furthermore-"
Hitomi shut his words out, drowning out everyone in the room. He was right. How could she have done something to jeopardize her future, and more importantly, Van's future? People could count. If she married him now, the Fanel House would be shamed.
Hitomi ran from the dining room up to her room, cutting her father's angry words off, and leaving Yukari alone with them. Keiichi Kanzaki slammed his fist on the table, and stormed out, slamming the door to his bedroom. Mrs. Kanzaki stared at where her husband once was, and closed her eyes, looking at Yukari, and sighed, her short fuse suddenly becoming a bit longer. Anger wouldn't help anything right now. The decision rested upon Van, and in Gaea. "Yukari," the redhead jumped slightly, opening her mouth to offer some kind of explanation, but Mrs. Kanzaki stopped her, raising her hand, "You don't have to say anything. The rest is up to Van and Hitomi. Will you go with her?"
Yukari stood from the table, and walked around it, hugging Mrs. Kanzaki, "We'll be back, no matter what the circumstance. Hitomi will finish school, and whatever happens, she will be pregnant here. I won't have her throw her life away." Mrs. Kanzaki smiled through tears, hugging Yukari back. She couldn't believe she was actually giving them permission to do this.
Yukari raced up the stairs to Hitomi's room, her heart pounding. When she got there, Hitomi had already opened the door, a tan canvas bag in her hands. Hitomi looked at her friend with questioning eyes, and Yukari smiled, closing Hitomi's door behind her. The two girls ran together towards Yukari's house, a threatening thundercloud looming overhead.
***
Hitomi pulled the hood of her jacket closer around her head, trying to shut out the stinging rain. It came in hard, cold droplets, and covered her with such a foul feeling of being so alone. Hitomi's head raised a bit, her nose just barely missing that of the haughty level.
She was going to do this.
She was going to be strong.
But she hadn't said goodbye to any of them. She knew it was a mistake, and that she would have to suffer her mother's wrath later, but it wouldn't matter. This time, she would be coming back to explain everything, and she would be coming back with Van. Hitomi just prayed that he would understand. Hitomi looked at her friend beside her, Yukari's jean jacket, a bad choice, was whipping against her from the wind, and she pulled her hat over her ears. Yukari caught Hitomi's eyes, and smiled warmly, looping her arm with Hitomi's, and giving her friend a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will work out." Yukari said.
"I hope so," Hitomi said, as they climbed the steps up to the Shrine. Yukari pulled a black duffle bag over her shoulders, and tightened the straps of her purple backpack. She didn't know what to expect of the blue column of light, and wasn't about to take a risk of loosing her belongings. Hitomi grinned, knowing why her friend was shifting so uncomfortably. Hitomi clasped both of her hands with Yukari's, and they laughed slightly, standing there in the shrine's courtyard. "Are you sure you want to do this, Yukari?"
Yukari grinned, "As sure as I can be! Besides, I'm very curious to see what this Gaea is like."
"Curiosity killed the cat."
"Yes, well, besides the fact that that is a cliché, and that most cliché's are always wrong, I am not a cat."
Hitomi smiled mischievously, "Yes, well, you'll be meeting a cat or two."
Before Yukari could question this odd statement, Hitomi had closed her eyes, and blue light began to gather and shine through a circle at their feet, growing in proportion, and soon engulfing Yukari and Hitomi, covering Yukari's eyes with such a blinding light, she thought she'd never see anything again.
Hitomi's eyes opened, and she looked gently at her friend, who was looking quite franticly around her, staring at Hitomi with awe. Hitomi just squeezed Yukari's hands, and looked up into the sky, silently praying, and her wish to by on Gaea stretching out between the two worlds, growing with intensity, and filling her heart. She imagined Van's face, and his laughter, with his open arms coaxing her to him, smiling lovingly at her. However, red began to seep through her vision, and Hitomi's eyes with drawn closed, her lids covered in red. Hitomi screamed and reached out for Yukari, clinging to her like she was her lifeline. Yukari's eyes widened at Hitomi's action, and watched in terror as the ground sunk, lifting her feet, defying gravity, and the earth slowly disappeared beneath her, the two figures being lost in darkness.
***
*sigh* Finally! Help the needy and review!
~Cev
