After going to Florida with our marching band and seeing all the Disney
things over again, I had a great urge to write a fanfiction using
Escaflowne characters in the movie Beauty and the Beast. I will not follow
the story line exactly but I will use the main jist of it and the sequence
of events. It is set in modern day times though. You'll see some parody in
it. You'll know what I mean when you get there. It won't be a long story...
the movie isn't that long... but I'll write till it's finished. I may take
a heck of a long time, but I will update. Please don't forget to R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Beauty and the Beast or Escaflowne. Hell... Disney is so dang rich... they could do so much... like not sue me for using their idea...
Chapter 1: Once upon a time...
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. One stormy night, an old beggar woman came to the castle offering a beautiful pink pendant in return for a glimpse of the prince's magnificent angel like wings before she passed to the next world. The prince, appalled that such a haggard woman should ever bear witness to his glorious wings, refused her request, and sent her away. She warned him that appearances could be deceiving, but he turned her away again. Wrinkles and ugliness melted away and the rags she wore became shining and surreal. She had turned into the Goddess of Wings. The prince tried to beg for her forgiveness, but she wouldn't listen. Seeing that no love lived in his heart nor anyone else held love towards him, she cursed the prince and the castle, including all whom dwelled within.
His once beautiful glowing white feathers in his wings turned dark and gray. What was once easy to hide before, the prince was now cursed to never let be hidden again. His hair of the deepest black grew coarse and gray, and his skin turned deathly pale. Short and well groomed nails grew longer and sharper while his teeth became fanglike. Deep brown-red eyes changed to a fiery red color. He had transformed from a heavenly angel to a demon from hell. The pendant she had offered however was no ordinary necklace. It was an enchanted pendant that swung back and forth, never slowing and never stopping. If he learned to love someone and earn their love in return before the pendant stopped swinging, the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to live a demon for all time.
~*~In the City~*~
In a rural region of Tokyo, Hitomi Kanzaki, a young woman of twenty-two years came out of the front door to her and her father's home. Short golden brown hair blew around untamed in the breeze and piercing green eyes looked around at her surroundings. She started to make her way towards the commercial part of the town, a bag hanging from her shoulder. As she walked by shops and restaurants everyone greeted her, though once she was past, they would whisper to each other.
"Must be heading towards the old witch again. I don't see why so goes to talk to her. She's full of crap," whispered one.
"Yeah, I heard that that old woman can see the future. Should be sent to the mental hospital if you ask me," another agreed.
Hitomi didn't care what they said though. She was an outcast at the town ever since they moved there.
By the time she reached the old store front, most shops were open and ready for business. Entering the almost deserted looking building, a wave of incense hit her and a feeling of calm traveled along with it. The darkness of the room was dimly lit by candles of every color and smell, but a brighter light could be seen near the back of the store. Hitomi made her way by tables of crystal balls, candles, oils, pewter jewelry, kits to conjure up dead spirits, tools hypnotize people, and books for potion making. But of all the trinkets and items, a glass case holding tarot cards of every age and origin was Hitomi's main point of interest. She looked at them for only a moment until she tore her attention away and walked to the bright light that was only now hidden by a thin curtain.
Pulling it back, Hitomi entered quietly seeing that the old woman so many people talked about in town was concentrating on the objects in front of her. The woman wasn't of very old age, but the lighting made her wrinkles look more drastic than they actually were. Shining white hair trailed down from a midnight blue silk bandana and an aged but wise face glowed from the flickering candlelight and faded with each shadow. Her clothing was of the same color as the bandana but on it were geometric shapes of all different colors. Thinning wrists held bangles of all sizes and colors and a few beaded necklaces hung from her weakening neck. No makeup was applied to her face for there was no need in her shadowy store.
Hitomi sat down at a chair adjacent to the one the woman was sitting in and all was quiet. Then the objects upon the table could be seen clearer in the light and Hitomi saw exactly what they were since she walked in... tarot cards. Hitomi had brought her own tarot cards she bought from the old woman a while ago, but seeing that they would not be needed, they remained in her bag. With the silence lingering, she became relaxed, but suddenly the old woman broke the silence, startling Hitomi.
"I know why you have come today child. I had a feeling during the night and brought out the deck of tarot cards that is most precious to me. You wish to have a reading done on your future... you are unsure of what is going to happen and you want more than what is in your life presently. I have already started to see what the cards will tell."
Hitomi was still silent. She envied the woman greatly and had started to see her every week since the time they had moved. She actually dropped into the store on accident when a rain came down very suddenly. The store fascinated her and the old woman she had come to meet and almost love as her own grandmother had become part of her life. Madame Celine had sparked her interest in the reading of tarot cards.
"Now I need you to think about everything that has happened since you arrived here two years ago and everything that happened before that. Think of what you wish to have and what you would wish to come..." Madame Celine's voice droned on inside Hitomi's head, but all Hitomi could hear after the voice faded were the voices of all the town's people... all their whispers of wonder and hatred.
"Do not listen to the whispers Hitomi. Your love for me runs deep but do not trouble yourself on what others think of me. Only think on other events. The cards will tell in time..."
Hitomi closed her eyes and concentrated harder, driving away the voices of everyone else. She then became relaxed and trusted that Celine was doing the reading as she sat there. Slowly opening her eyes, Hitomi saw a look of puzzlement on the old woman's face. Many cards were placed among the table in which each meant a different thing, but the last card that Madame Celine held in her hand was the one that counted the most. She then lowered her hand ever so slowly to show Hitomi what the cards had decided. Hitomi leaned in a little to get a better view and gasped.
"The Lovers? But why?" Hitomi was astonished. Why would it have come out to be 'the lovers'? "I do not love anyone now and neither do I believe I will be falling in love with anyone anytime soon."
"Not everything is what it seems. You may find love in the places you do not believe you will find love. Look hard my dear... the cards are never wrong. Remember that love can be found everywhere and anywhere... you may have to look deep within yourself to find it. I want you to take this deck Hitomi and hold onto it, but do not dwell on what I have shown you. It will come to you when the time is right... now you must go."
Hitomi looked at her with surprise and was about to say something, but the deck was gathered up and pushed into her unsuspecting hands. A quick nod at the girl sent her on her way, but did not even leave her with time to say thank you and goodbye.
Walking out of the shop dumbfounded, Hitomi walked back towards her home with tarot cards in hand. She did not snap out of her reserve until a very familiar voice called out her name.
"Hitomi!"
'Oh no...' she thought to herself. 'Not him. Why does he have to be here now?'
"What a coincidence running into you here." Allen said, showing his wide smile very widely.
Hitomi put on a fake smile. Allen Schezar... the most eligible bachelor in the town... the most attractive man that lived there was after her heart. His long blond hair reflected the sun gloriously and blew lightly in the breeze with a hair tie pulled halfway down its length. The jeans clung to his lower half and his leather jacket hung open loosely revealing a tight white shirt that outlined each chest muscle. Any girl would swoon at the sight of him, and Hitomi was expected to, but her interest did not lay in him. The only problem was that he had his eye on her since she had arrived a few years back. She held back all the rude comments in the back of her mind, took a deep breath, put on her best smile and replied, "Yes... in this small of a town its not very often we see each other." She couldn't help but add more sarcasm in her voice, but even Allen didn't notice it.
Allen then noticed what Hitomi was holding and grabbed it out of her hands. "Tarot cards again? Why do you use these? It's not normal. The town says that you've been talking to that old nut in the fortune telling shop again. You should do better things... like be with me."
He stated it so simply and Hitomi merely cocked an eyebrow at him. She then reached for her cards, but Allen pulled back his hand. This in turn caused Hitomi to stumble forwards and land against Allen's chest. She tried to push away immediately, but his arm went around her shoulders and held her there.
The anger in Hitomi was starting to bubble up, but she refused to let it show.
"Why I can't help but notice you're falling for me." Allen stated deftly.
"Allen please let me go."
He ignored her plea completely and continued to rant on, "You know you should ride with me on my motorcycle sometime."
After a little struggling, Hitomi managed to wiggle free from Allen's grasp and grab her tarot cards away from his hands that were now waving around as if trying to illustrate something. The deck of cards instantly went into her bag to be kept safe and she then looked at him and replied, "I have my own motorcycle Allen. I don't need to ride on the back of someone's when I can just ride my own."
"But women shouldn't ride motorcycles Hitomi! They should ride on the back while the men do the driving. Motorcycles are no plaything for women... they're big and dangerous."
Anger started to build up inside of Hitomi as she listened to every word coming out of his mouth thinking that he would regret every word. Her hands balled up into fists and her nails started to dig into the flesh of her palm. Then one thought came into her mind...
"Allen I'm so sorry, but I have to get going. My father was going to work on the car today and he said he needed my help, so I have to run."
"Well I could always help you know."
"No! That's ok; I wouldn't want you to get your hair all dirty and greasy." Hitomi was trying to make up excuses for him as fast as her mind could process them for the last thing she wanted was Allen ruining their only car. "Plus that looks like a new pair of pants... you really should stay away from dirty stuff with new clothing like that. Thanks anyways! Bye!"
With no chance to reply, Allen was left alone on the sidewalk while Hitomi ran off towards her house where her father was. She came in sight of it and saw that the 1967 red Cadillac Eldorado was already outside on the driveway, tools scattered around it with a pair of feet sticking out from underneath. It had been acting up lately and other than Hitomi's pearl blue Honda Rebel, it was the only other vehicle capable of transporting her father. The car had to be fixed by tonight for her father was a businessman. A meeting in a city about one days travel was called and he had to attend. If the vehicle was fixed by midday, he could leave before sundown and get there the next day.
Hitomi's father could hear Hitomi walking up towards the car so he called for her to hand him the wrench. Handing him the tool, she sat next to his legs on the warm pavement.
"So how was your day so far sweetie?" her father asked from under the car.
"I saw Madame Celine this morning," she replied.
"Oh really? And what did she tell you?"
Hitomi hesitated for a second. She didn't want to tell her father much for she didn't want him to worry, so she told him a partial lie. "She just said the usual. But she did give me a deck of her old tarot cards."
"I believe you when you say she gave you some tarot cards but I'm not buying the part about what she said. I know something is troubling you Hitomi... what did Celine really say?"
Hitomi almost giggled a little. 'My father knows me to well... he can see right through me,' she thought to herself then said aloud, "She told me that I would find love soon but that I would have to look for it. It could be anywhere... I don't know what to think. I do not think that I'm in love with anyone."
Her father rolled out from underneath all the pipes and framework under the car. "What about that Allen guy? He seems nice and very handsome. Maybe you'll fall in love with him."
Hitomi looked at her father with a disgusted look. "Sure he's handsome, but he's also self-centered, arrogant, ill-mannered, he has no common sense, and he has no respect for anyone other than himself. The day I fall in love with him is the day that mom comes back to us," but once those words came out of her mouth, they were regretted. Hitomi and her father looked at each other sadly for the subject was a tender one.
"If I could bring back you mother Hitomi, I would... but none of us can. She's in a better place now... let's just remember that she suffered enough with the illness and all."
Hitomi nodded her head slowly but surely. She had her father still and nothing was going to change that... nothing.
In about an hour, the car was fixed and ready to be started up. Both parent and child held their breath as the key was turned and the whole car gave a noise and vibrated with a rumble. Its engine hummed as it sat idling and a smile was fixed on Hitomi's face. Her father turned the car off and walked into the house so he could pack his things for the trip to the city. He wasted no time and was soon washed up, changed, packed, and fed. He grabbed his bag, threw it in the trunk and gave a final goodbye to his daughter who was now standing in the doorway of the house. As he pulled out of the driveway, he honked the horn a few times and sped off down the road of the small town.
"Be safe!" she called out to him. She lingered and watched as the car drove out of sight and then dragged herself back into the house to relax and think about Madame Celine's words.
~Hitomi's Father~
He had been driving for around an hour now and he was well out of the town. He was rather confused though for the road he took didn't look familiar. The signs were worn and the graffiti painted upon them covered most of the writing. With much contemplation about the split in the road, Hitomi's father picked a road and drove down it. The woods around the road got denser and the road turned to dirt. More paint could be seen sported upon the trunks of trees and everything seemed to close in upon the car like the jaws of a dog. The fear was building up in the poor man and nothing seemed to be right. Then in the distance he saw lights. He then felt thankful that someone was there to help him, but as the lights drew closer, his fear rose. Motorcycles... but they weren't like his daughter. This was a motorcycle gang... a ruthless bunch of teens that caused havoc to all those around them and made their life a living hell.
There was no where to turn the car around and even when he looked in his rearview mirror, more headlights were coming his way. He was surrounded on all sides... a gang in front and behind and trees on both sides. Consumed by panic, he sat in the car and waited. The lights drew even closer and he could now hear the clear laughter of many of the bikers. As soon as they came into view, an object flew towards his car and hit the hood. This in turn snapped him out of his mood and one thought came to mind. 'Turn on the brights...'
It sounded like a pointless idea, but he listened to his thoughts and did what it told him. The headlights on the car brightened entirely with a flick of the switch and many of the bikers had to look away from the sudden change in light intensity. This gave him just the opening he needed. The car flew forward and raced in-between a few of the bikers. The car started to get out of control as the dirt road twisted and turned at every chance. With the gang now following right behind the car, it became harder to anticipate the road in front. Without warning, the road turned sharply and Hitomi's father didn't have a chance to react. The car tore into the trees and stopped completely when it crashed into a giant oak. The windshield was shattered and smoke leaked out of the front. The driver's door was also ajar and nearly broken off, but a few feet from the accident lay Mr. Kanzaki, hands covering his head and breathing hard.
By rolling out of the vehicle just before it crashed, he managed to avoid getting knocked unconscious or even getting killed. The revving of motorcycles in the not to far off distance told him to jump to his feet and run. His body felt sore from the landing, but he ran anyways. The road was long, but his feet took him down it. It seemed like forever that he ran and the bikes got closer than ever. He thought that all hope was lost right until he turned a corner and stopped dead in his tracks. In all its magnificence stood a castle, its gates were large but they offered safety. His breath was running short, but he ran towards the gates and pushed upon them. When they wouldn't budge, he yelled out into the night towards the castle for anyone to hear him but there were no signs of life. Not until the gang swerved from around the bend did his gaze return to them. He gripped the gate behind him like a life preserver and prayed to all the heavens that he would not die at the hands of the gang. That is when he became incredulously confused.
The bikers had come upon him, but when they looked behind his body at the castle, recognition came to their minds and all gave a show of great terror. Each turned around harshly and sped down the road back whence they came. Mr. Kanzaki, who was extremely frightened, felt a sigh of relief wash over him as he saw the gang leave, but he was still utterly puzzled. What made them leave so suddenly? Before he could think of what he should do next, the gates which he was leaning upon started to give way and opened with his body weight that pushed upon them. Stumbling backwards, he caught himself and turned back around. He was now facing the castle directly and could examine it more closely than before.
'Why haven't I ever heard of this place?' he said to himself.
The castle in general was enormous. Missing it would be very hard but then again it was located in the middle of a forest where biker gangs raided each street and road that led to it. Though the castle was beautiful in décor and architecture, a dark shadow lay over the castle and gave it a foreboding feeling along with a sensation of loneliness and melancholy.
With his cell phone smashed up somewhere in his wreck of a car, Hitomi's father decided to journey into the castle. For all he knew there wasn't anyone living out here for miles and if he walked the gang could find him. The possibility of getting lost within the woods had an even greater chance. With all this in mind he made his way towards the giant doors of the castle's entrance.
The handles that hung against the wood were rusted and discolored. Hitomi's father lifted one and knocked it against the door which in consequence sent a rattling and banging noise outside and inside the castle. He waited and noticed just how dark it was. The night breeze crept up his pant leg and blew his hair slightly. It was cool and moist and sent chills down his spine. Then without warning, the giant door in front of him opened enough for him to walk in. Nobody peaked out from behind the door to welcome him in, nor did the door open any wider. A little unsure of what to do, Mr. Kanzaki took a small step towards the opening and poked his head inside.
"Hello?" he whispered. "Is anybody there?" he said a little louder.
There was no answer. When he thought he heard a noise, he pushed the door open a little wider and walked into the castle fully. Shutting the door behind him, he looked around in mild confusion. What if the castle was abandoned? What if no one really lived here and he didn't have a way of getting back home? The thought frightened him even more. He didn't want that to happen so he pressed his search around the mysterious castle for any signs of life.
Though windows existed on every wall possible, little light showed through and the castle was dark and dreary. He walked not far until a light was seen going down one of the corridors that came off the hall Mr. Kanzaki was traveling down. He then walked after it and followed the faint glow of light. The light didn't stop moving even after he called out a few times. It went around corners and never gave him a chance to get a glance of the person carrying the light source. Then without warning the light went out and the only lighting within the hall was a few candles set in holsters against the wall.
Continuing forward, Hitomi's father didn't know what to expect until something hit the back of his legs. He tumbled forwards and fell on his hands and knees. A sting of pain shot up his leg as he hit the ground, making him unstable. That is when he heard a voice directly behind him and figured it was the culprit of the pain infliction. There was something wrong with the voice though... it sounded almost childish. Flipping around and now sitting on his butt, Mr. Kanzaki looked in amazement at the little silver haired girl before him. The lighting made it hard to see, but the outline of her figure was that of a child's.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" she demanded.
He answered, "I... I... I was... chased by a bike gang and my car... it hit a tree. I don't know how to get home."
The girl's red eyes lit with suspicion until a little boy of the same height popped his head from around a corner and spotted the stranger in their castle. He saw the pain that showed in Mr. Kanzaki's eyes and rushed forward from his hiding spot.
"Dilandau wait! He's hurt!"
The girl turned around when she heard her name and watched as the boy with the brown bowl cut hair rushed forward.
"Chesta... you're interrupting my interrogation!" Dilandau tried to sound threatening when saying this but it came out high pitched and almost cute sounding.
"But he is hurt! We have to help him! You heard what he said... that stupid motorcycle gang is chasing people around again. He is lucky he escaped with his life..."
Dilandau didn't want to admit anything so she crossed her arms in front of her and turned her head away from Chesta. Mr. Kanzaki just looked on in amazement and confusion.
"Let me see your wound," said Chesta.
Lifting his hand where he was gripping, a gash was revealed on the side of his thigh and there were cuts on his arms, hands, and knees. He hadn't noticed the pain all before because of the surge of adrenaline from the chase, but now it all started to sink in and throbbing pain consumed his mindset. He groaned when he tried to get up off the ground, so Chesta pushed him back down and shook his head from side to side. With a quick shout in one direction several other chibi heads popped from behind the same corner that Chesta came from and one by one ran towards Hitomi's father. Dilandau stood there the whole time looking at Chesta as if asking what he was thinking.
Chesta just smiled a toothy grin and turned to the others, "Ok everyone, we need to get him bandaged up and comfortable. He's had a rough night so be gentle. Dragonslayers! To the sitting room!"
When the command was given, all the little boys that Chesta called over lined up on each side of Mr. Kanzaki, and wriggled their small hands under his body. A count of three was given and those who Chesta called Dragonslayers lifted their injured guest above their heads like a person crowd-surfing. It was a strange sight to say the least... about a dozen little boys who all seemed to have been grown men at one time were carrying a reclined full grown man around a castle. One of the boys holding Mr. Kanzaki up left his position when the group reached a door. He pushed it open seemingly having a difficult time to get the task completed. When there was enough room to walk through, he retook his position and the chibi Dragonslayers marched their way into the large sitting room.
Dilandau, who was following behind the group silently, also walked into the dimly lit room and nearly collapsed at what she saw. "What do you think you're doing Chesta?! That is the master's chair! He cannot sit there! He shouldn't even be here!"
"Dilandau! Calm down! He is injured and has no way to get home. We must be hospitable." Chesta retorted.
A few of the boys were bustling around getting this and that while Mr. Kanzaki made himself comfortable in the large armchair sitting directly in front of a roaring fire. A foot stool was brought over and he propped his injured leg upon it. A warm washcloth with water cleaned the wounds and the productive little boys bandaged them up.
"Thank you..." Mr. Kanzaki started to say but Chesta interrupted him.
"No, no it was our pleasure," he said while giving a slight bow.
"This is an outrage! If he finds out, it might be our heads!" Dilandau, though she had a girl's appearance, grabbed Chesta roughly by the front of his shirt.
Chesta just waved his hand in a 'back-off' manner and tried to cool Dilandau down. To try and reassure him, Chesta's one thought became words. "Who says that Lord Van will even find out?"
But without warning the door which they came in through burst open and a huge gush of wind was sent inside. The fire shifted in all directions from the surge of air and all were silent. Each Dragonslayer fell silent, took a few steps back with heads down, and seemed to cower in fear. Mr. Kanzaki was aware of another presence, and by seeing the reactions of all the little Dragonslayers, he became terribly frightened. He heard a low growl behind him but dare not look back. He heard a swoosh of air and felt a push on the chair he sat in. Cautiously he looked to his right and then to his left, but he saw nothing. He nearly breathed a sigh of relief until he looked above the fireplace. From the light beaming into the door, the shadow of a winged person stood on the stone of the wall.
With eyes closed and heart pumping quickly, Hitomi's father turned around to the one place he didn't look yet. His gaze traveled upwards towards the top of the armchair. The darkness concealed most of him, but large grey wings spanned from his back and a fang protruded from his smug smile as it reflected in the light. Gasping in horror, Mr. Kanzaki jumped from the chair and turned around to sprint from the room, but was caught unaware when the winged man stood right before him in the path of his escape. A clawed hand swung out and grasped the father's shirt threateningly. Without a second thought, his wings pumped downwards and lifted the two people up off the ground. The high ceiling was higher than Mr. Kanzaki had imagined for now he was being held at the peak of their height trying not to look down at the ground.
"Why have you come here?!" the man demanded of him.
"I... I... I... I was chas... chased by a gang and my car... I can't get home... I didn't have anywhere to go..." he stuttered quickly.
"Well you are not welcome!" and with that he released his grip from Mr. Kanzaki's shirt. He plummeted to the ground and in one swift motion was grabbed again and was no longer falling. The 'angel' flew closer to the door and a few feet above the ground, dropped his captive. The one who the Dragonslayers dare not say anything to landed near his prey and grabbed the back of his shirt, thus dragging him away and out the door. Mr. Kanzaki, who had gotten quite shook up, lay motionless as the demon dragged him away to the prisoner cells in the high tower. It would be days till Hitomi ever found her father, but she would have never expected him to be held prisoner... by a demon.
~*~*~*~*~
AN: If you're wondering why I picked that motorcycle for Hitomi, it's because I love Honda... my brother has one and that certain style by Honda is very light which is critical when a woman is driving it. I tried to hold up my brothers by sitting in it and it was unbelievably hard. You'll see why I threw Hitomi on a motorcycle also later on. It comes into play... trust me. If you are confused on what I mean by 'What was once easy to hide before, the prince was now cursed to never let be hidden again.' I'm pretty much saying that he can't retract his wings... they must stay out in plain sight of everyone until the spell is broken. Please tell me what you think so far. REVIEW! You must! This story is too short to just review at the end! I need feedback. Oh yeah! If you would like me to send you an email when I update, just tell me in your review and I'll get your address from your profile or tell me your email in the actual review. Please don't feel bad, it takes only a few seconds to send out emails to say I updated. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own Beauty and the Beast or Escaflowne. Hell... Disney is so dang rich... they could do so much... like not sue me for using their idea...
Chapter 1: Once upon a time...
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. One stormy night, an old beggar woman came to the castle offering a beautiful pink pendant in return for a glimpse of the prince's magnificent angel like wings before she passed to the next world. The prince, appalled that such a haggard woman should ever bear witness to his glorious wings, refused her request, and sent her away. She warned him that appearances could be deceiving, but he turned her away again. Wrinkles and ugliness melted away and the rags she wore became shining and surreal. She had turned into the Goddess of Wings. The prince tried to beg for her forgiveness, but she wouldn't listen. Seeing that no love lived in his heart nor anyone else held love towards him, she cursed the prince and the castle, including all whom dwelled within.
His once beautiful glowing white feathers in his wings turned dark and gray. What was once easy to hide before, the prince was now cursed to never let be hidden again. His hair of the deepest black grew coarse and gray, and his skin turned deathly pale. Short and well groomed nails grew longer and sharper while his teeth became fanglike. Deep brown-red eyes changed to a fiery red color. He had transformed from a heavenly angel to a demon from hell. The pendant she had offered however was no ordinary necklace. It was an enchanted pendant that swung back and forth, never slowing and never stopping. If he learned to love someone and earn their love in return before the pendant stopped swinging, the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to live a demon for all time.
~*~In the City~*~
In a rural region of Tokyo, Hitomi Kanzaki, a young woman of twenty-two years came out of the front door to her and her father's home. Short golden brown hair blew around untamed in the breeze and piercing green eyes looked around at her surroundings. She started to make her way towards the commercial part of the town, a bag hanging from her shoulder. As she walked by shops and restaurants everyone greeted her, though once she was past, they would whisper to each other.
"Must be heading towards the old witch again. I don't see why so goes to talk to her. She's full of crap," whispered one.
"Yeah, I heard that that old woman can see the future. Should be sent to the mental hospital if you ask me," another agreed.
Hitomi didn't care what they said though. She was an outcast at the town ever since they moved there.
By the time she reached the old store front, most shops were open and ready for business. Entering the almost deserted looking building, a wave of incense hit her and a feeling of calm traveled along with it. The darkness of the room was dimly lit by candles of every color and smell, but a brighter light could be seen near the back of the store. Hitomi made her way by tables of crystal balls, candles, oils, pewter jewelry, kits to conjure up dead spirits, tools hypnotize people, and books for potion making. But of all the trinkets and items, a glass case holding tarot cards of every age and origin was Hitomi's main point of interest. She looked at them for only a moment until she tore her attention away and walked to the bright light that was only now hidden by a thin curtain.
Pulling it back, Hitomi entered quietly seeing that the old woman so many people talked about in town was concentrating on the objects in front of her. The woman wasn't of very old age, but the lighting made her wrinkles look more drastic than they actually were. Shining white hair trailed down from a midnight blue silk bandana and an aged but wise face glowed from the flickering candlelight and faded with each shadow. Her clothing was of the same color as the bandana but on it were geometric shapes of all different colors. Thinning wrists held bangles of all sizes and colors and a few beaded necklaces hung from her weakening neck. No makeup was applied to her face for there was no need in her shadowy store.
Hitomi sat down at a chair adjacent to the one the woman was sitting in and all was quiet. Then the objects upon the table could be seen clearer in the light and Hitomi saw exactly what they were since she walked in... tarot cards. Hitomi had brought her own tarot cards she bought from the old woman a while ago, but seeing that they would not be needed, they remained in her bag. With the silence lingering, she became relaxed, but suddenly the old woman broke the silence, startling Hitomi.
"I know why you have come today child. I had a feeling during the night and brought out the deck of tarot cards that is most precious to me. You wish to have a reading done on your future... you are unsure of what is going to happen and you want more than what is in your life presently. I have already started to see what the cards will tell."
Hitomi was still silent. She envied the woman greatly and had started to see her every week since the time they had moved. She actually dropped into the store on accident when a rain came down very suddenly. The store fascinated her and the old woman she had come to meet and almost love as her own grandmother had become part of her life. Madame Celine had sparked her interest in the reading of tarot cards.
"Now I need you to think about everything that has happened since you arrived here two years ago and everything that happened before that. Think of what you wish to have and what you would wish to come..." Madame Celine's voice droned on inside Hitomi's head, but all Hitomi could hear after the voice faded were the voices of all the town's people... all their whispers of wonder and hatred.
"Do not listen to the whispers Hitomi. Your love for me runs deep but do not trouble yourself on what others think of me. Only think on other events. The cards will tell in time..."
Hitomi closed her eyes and concentrated harder, driving away the voices of everyone else. She then became relaxed and trusted that Celine was doing the reading as she sat there. Slowly opening her eyes, Hitomi saw a look of puzzlement on the old woman's face. Many cards were placed among the table in which each meant a different thing, but the last card that Madame Celine held in her hand was the one that counted the most. She then lowered her hand ever so slowly to show Hitomi what the cards had decided. Hitomi leaned in a little to get a better view and gasped.
"The Lovers? But why?" Hitomi was astonished. Why would it have come out to be 'the lovers'? "I do not love anyone now and neither do I believe I will be falling in love with anyone anytime soon."
"Not everything is what it seems. You may find love in the places you do not believe you will find love. Look hard my dear... the cards are never wrong. Remember that love can be found everywhere and anywhere... you may have to look deep within yourself to find it. I want you to take this deck Hitomi and hold onto it, but do not dwell on what I have shown you. It will come to you when the time is right... now you must go."
Hitomi looked at her with surprise and was about to say something, but the deck was gathered up and pushed into her unsuspecting hands. A quick nod at the girl sent her on her way, but did not even leave her with time to say thank you and goodbye.
Walking out of the shop dumbfounded, Hitomi walked back towards her home with tarot cards in hand. She did not snap out of her reserve until a very familiar voice called out her name.
"Hitomi!"
'Oh no...' she thought to herself. 'Not him. Why does he have to be here now?'
"What a coincidence running into you here." Allen said, showing his wide smile very widely.
Hitomi put on a fake smile. Allen Schezar... the most eligible bachelor in the town... the most attractive man that lived there was after her heart. His long blond hair reflected the sun gloriously and blew lightly in the breeze with a hair tie pulled halfway down its length. The jeans clung to his lower half and his leather jacket hung open loosely revealing a tight white shirt that outlined each chest muscle. Any girl would swoon at the sight of him, and Hitomi was expected to, but her interest did not lay in him. The only problem was that he had his eye on her since she had arrived a few years back. She held back all the rude comments in the back of her mind, took a deep breath, put on her best smile and replied, "Yes... in this small of a town its not very often we see each other." She couldn't help but add more sarcasm in her voice, but even Allen didn't notice it.
Allen then noticed what Hitomi was holding and grabbed it out of her hands. "Tarot cards again? Why do you use these? It's not normal. The town says that you've been talking to that old nut in the fortune telling shop again. You should do better things... like be with me."
He stated it so simply and Hitomi merely cocked an eyebrow at him. She then reached for her cards, but Allen pulled back his hand. This in turn caused Hitomi to stumble forwards and land against Allen's chest. She tried to push away immediately, but his arm went around her shoulders and held her there.
The anger in Hitomi was starting to bubble up, but she refused to let it show.
"Why I can't help but notice you're falling for me." Allen stated deftly.
"Allen please let me go."
He ignored her plea completely and continued to rant on, "You know you should ride with me on my motorcycle sometime."
After a little struggling, Hitomi managed to wiggle free from Allen's grasp and grab her tarot cards away from his hands that were now waving around as if trying to illustrate something. The deck of cards instantly went into her bag to be kept safe and she then looked at him and replied, "I have my own motorcycle Allen. I don't need to ride on the back of someone's when I can just ride my own."
"But women shouldn't ride motorcycles Hitomi! They should ride on the back while the men do the driving. Motorcycles are no plaything for women... they're big and dangerous."
Anger started to build up inside of Hitomi as she listened to every word coming out of his mouth thinking that he would regret every word. Her hands balled up into fists and her nails started to dig into the flesh of her palm. Then one thought came into her mind...
"Allen I'm so sorry, but I have to get going. My father was going to work on the car today and he said he needed my help, so I have to run."
"Well I could always help you know."
"No! That's ok; I wouldn't want you to get your hair all dirty and greasy." Hitomi was trying to make up excuses for him as fast as her mind could process them for the last thing she wanted was Allen ruining their only car. "Plus that looks like a new pair of pants... you really should stay away from dirty stuff with new clothing like that. Thanks anyways! Bye!"
With no chance to reply, Allen was left alone on the sidewalk while Hitomi ran off towards her house where her father was. She came in sight of it and saw that the 1967 red Cadillac Eldorado was already outside on the driveway, tools scattered around it with a pair of feet sticking out from underneath. It had been acting up lately and other than Hitomi's pearl blue Honda Rebel, it was the only other vehicle capable of transporting her father. The car had to be fixed by tonight for her father was a businessman. A meeting in a city about one days travel was called and he had to attend. If the vehicle was fixed by midday, he could leave before sundown and get there the next day.
Hitomi's father could hear Hitomi walking up towards the car so he called for her to hand him the wrench. Handing him the tool, she sat next to his legs on the warm pavement.
"So how was your day so far sweetie?" her father asked from under the car.
"I saw Madame Celine this morning," she replied.
"Oh really? And what did she tell you?"
Hitomi hesitated for a second. She didn't want to tell her father much for she didn't want him to worry, so she told him a partial lie. "She just said the usual. But she did give me a deck of her old tarot cards."
"I believe you when you say she gave you some tarot cards but I'm not buying the part about what she said. I know something is troubling you Hitomi... what did Celine really say?"
Hitomi almost giggled a little. 'My father knows me to well... he can see right through me,' she thought to herself then said aloud, "She told me that I would find love soon but that I would have to look for it. It could be anywhere... I don't know what to think. I do not think that I'm in love with anyone."
Her father rolled out from underneath all the pipes and framework under the car. "What about that Allen guy? He seems nice and very handsome. Maybe you'll fall in love with him."
Hitomi looked at her father with a disgusted look. "Sure he's handsome, but he's also self-centered, arrogant, ill-mannered, he has no common sense, and he has no respect for anyone other than himself. The day I fall in love with him is the day that mom comes back to us," but once those words came out of her mouth, they were regretted. Hitomi and her father looked at each other sadly for the subject was a tender one.
"If I could bring back you mother Hitomi, I would... but none of us can. She's in a better place now... let's just remember that she suffered enough with the illness and all."
Hitomi nodded her head slowly but surely. She had her father still and nothing was going to change that... nothing.
In about an hour, the car was fixed and ready to be started up. Both parent and child held their breath as the key was turned and the whole car gave a noise and vibrated with a rumble. Its engine hummed as it sat idling and a smile was fixed on Hitomi's face. Her father turned the car off and walked into the house so he could pack his things for the trip to the city. He wasted no time and was soon washed up, changed, packed, and fed. He grabbed his bag, threw it in the trunk and gave a final goodbye to his daughter who was now standing in the doorway of the house. As he pulled out of the driveway, he honked the horn a few times and sped off down the road of the small town.
"Be safe!" she called out to him. She lingered and watched as the car drove out of sight and then dragged herself back into the house to relax and think about Madame Celine's words.
~Hitomi's Father~
He had been driving for around an hour now and he was well out of the town. He was rather confused though for the road he took didn't look familiar. The signs were worn and the graffiti painted upon them covered most of the writing. With much contemplation about the split in the road, Hitomi's father picked a road and drove down it. The woods around the road got denser and the road turned to dirt. More paint could be seen sported upon the trunks of trees and everything seemed to close in upon the car like the jaws of a dog. The fear was building up in the poor man and nothing seemed to be right. Then in the distance he saw lights. He then felt thankful that someone was there to help him, but as the lights drew closer, his fear rose. Motorcycles... but they weren't like his daughter. This was a motorcycle gang... a ruthless bunch of teens that caused havoc to all those around them and made their life a living hell.
There was no where to turn the car around and even when he looked in his rearview mirror, more headlights were coming his way. He was surrounded on all sides... a gang in front and behind and trees on both sides. Consumed by panic, he sat in the car and waited. The lights drew even closer and he could now hear the clear laughter of many of the bikers. As soon as they came into view, an object flew towards his car and hit the hood. This in turn snapped him out of his mood and one thought came to mind. 'Turn on the brights...'
It sounded like a pointless idea, but he listened to his thoughts and did what it told him. The headlights on the car brightened entirely with a flick of the switch and many of the bikers had to look away from the sudden change in light intensity. This gave him just the opening he needed. The car flew forward and raced in-between a few of the bikers. The car started to get out of control as the dirt road twisted and turned at every chance. With the gang now following right behind the car, it became harder to anticipate the road in front. Without warning, the road turned sharply and Hitomi's father didn't have a chance to react. The car tore into the trees and stopped completely when it crashed into a giant oak. The windshield was shattered and smoke leaked out of the front. The driver's door was also ajar and nearly broken off, but a few feet from the accident lay Mr. Kanzaki, hands covering his head and breathing hard.
By rolling out of the vehicle just before it crashed, he managed to avoid getting knocked unconscious or even getting killed. The revving of motorcycles in the not to far off distance told him to jump to his feet and run. His body felt sore from the landing, but he ran anyways. The road was long, but his feet took him down it. It seemed like forever that he ran and the bikes got closer than ever. He thought that all hope was lost right until he turned a corner and stopped dead in his tracks. In all its magnificence stood a castle, its gates were large but they offered safety. His breath was running short, but he ran towards the gates and pushed upon them. When they wouldn't budge, he yelled out into the night towards the castle for anyone to hear him but there were no signs of life. Not until the gang swerved from around the bend did his gaze return to them. He gripped the gate behind him like a life preserver and prayed to all the heavens that he would not die at the hands of the gang. That is when he became incredulously confused.
The bikers had come upon him, but when they looked behind his body at the castle, recognition came to their minds and all gave a show of great terror. Each turned around harshly and sped down the road back whence they came. Mr. Kanzaki, who was extremely frightened, felt a sigh of relief wash over him as he saw the gang leave, but he was still utterly puzzled. What made them leave so suddenly? Before he could think of what he should do next, the gates which he was leaning upon started to give way and opened with his body weight that pushed upon them. Stumbling backwards, he caught himself and turned back around. He was now facing the castle directly and could examine it more closely than before.
'Why haven't I ever heard of this place?' he said to himself.
The castle in general was enormous. Missing it would be very hard but then again it was located in the middle of a forest where biker gangs raided each street and road that led to it. Though the castle was beautiful in décor and architecture, a dark shadow lay over the castle and gave it a foreboding feeling along with a sensation of loneliness and melancholy.
With his cell phone smashed up somewhere in his wreck of a car, Hitomi's father decided to journey into the castle. For all he knew there wasn't anyone living out here for miles and if he walked the gang could find him. The possibility of getting lost within the woods had an even greater chance. With all this in mind he made his way towards the giant doors of the castle's entrance.
The handles that hung against the wood were rusted and discolored. Hitomi's father lifted one and knocked it against the door which in consequence sent a rattling and banging noise outside and inside the castle. He waited and noticed just how dark it was. The night breeze crept up his pant leg and blew his hair slightly. It was cool and moist and sent chills down his spine. Then without warning, the giant door in front of him opened enough for him to walk in. Nobody peaked out from behind the door to welcome him in, nor did the door open any wider. A little unsure of what to do, Mr. Kanzaki took a small step towards the opening and poked his head inside.
"Hello?" he whispered. "Is anybody there?" he said a little louder.
There was no answer. When he thought he heard a noise, he pushed the door open a little wider and walked into the castle fully. Shutting the door behind him, he looked around in mild confusion. What if the castle was abandoned? What if no one really lived here and he didn't have a way of getting back home? The thought frightened him even more. He didn't want that to happen so he pressed his search around the mysterious castle for any signs of life.
Though windows existed on every wall possible, little light showed through and the castle was dark and dreary. He walked not far until a light was seen going down one of the corridors that came off the hall Mr. Kanzaki was traveling down. He then walked after it and followed the faint glow of light. The light didn't stop moving even after he called out a few times. It went around corners and never gave him a chance to get a glance of the person carrying the light source. Then without warning the light went out and the only lighting within the hall was a few candles set in holsters against the wall.
Continuing forward, Hitomi's father didn't know what to expect until something hit the back of his legs. He tumbled forwards and fell on his hands and knees. A sting of pain shot up his leg as he hit the ground, making him unstable. That is when he heard a voice directly behind him and figured it was the culprit of the pain infliction. There was something wrong with the voice though... it sounded almost childish. Flipping around and now sitting on his butt, Mr. Kanzaki looked in amazement at the little silver haired girl before him. The lighting made it hard to see, but the outline of her figure was that of a child's.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" she demanded.
He answered, "I... I... I was... chased by a bike gang and my car... it hit a tree. I don't know how to get home."
The girl's red eyes lit with suspicion until a little boy of the same height popped his head from around a corner and spotted the stranger in their castle. He saw the pain that showed in Mr. Kanzaki's eyes and rushed forward from his hiding spot.
"Dilandau wait! He's hurt!"
The girl turned around when she heard her name and watched as the boy with the brown bowl cut hair rushed forward.
"Chesta... you're interrupting my interrogation!" Dilandau tried to sound threatening when saying this but it came out high pitched and almost cute sounding.
"But he is hurt! We have to help him! You heard what he said... that stupid motorcycle gang is chasing people around again. He is lucky he escaped with his life..."
Dilandau didn't want to admit anything so she crossed her arms in front of her and turned her head away from Chesta. Mr. Kanzaki just looked on in amazement and confusion.
"Let me see your wound," said Chesta.
Lifting his hand where he was gripping, a gash was revealed on the side of his thigh and there were cuts on his arms, hands, and knees. He hadn't noticed the pain all before because of the surge of adrenaline from the chase, but now it all started to sink in and throbbing pain consumed his mindset. He groaned when he tried to get up off the ground, so Chesta pushed him back down and shook his head from side to side. With a quick shout in one direction several other chibi heads popped from behind the same corner that Chesta came from and one by one ran towards Hitomi's father. Dilandau stood there the whole time looking at Chesta as if asking what he was thinking.
Chesta just smiled a toothy grin and turned to the others, "Ok everyone, we need to get him bandaged up and comfortable. He's had a rough night so be gentle. Dragonslayers! To the sitting room!"
When the command was given, all the little boys that Chesta called over lined up on each side of Mr. Kanzaki, and wriggled their small hands under his body. A count of three was given and those who Chesta called Dragonslayers lifted their injured guest above their heads like a person crowd-surfing. It was a strange sight to say the least... about a dozen little boys who all seemed to have been grown men at one time were carrying a reclined full grown man around a castle. One of the boys holding Mr. Kanzaki up left his position when the group reached a door. He pushed it open seemingly having a difficult time to get the task completed. When there was enough room to walk through, he retook his position and the chibi Dragonslayers marched their way into the large sitting room.
Dilandau, who was following behind the group silently, also walked into the dimly lit room and nearly collapsed at what she saw. "What do you think you're doing Chesta?! That is the master's chair! He cannot sit there! He shouldn't even be here!"
"Dilandau! Calm down! He is injured and has no way to get home. We must be hospitable." Chesta retorted.
A few of the boys were bustling around getting this and that while Mr. Kanzaki made himself comfortable in the large armchair sitting directly in front of a roaring fire. A foot stool was brought over and he propped his injured leg upon it. A warm washcloth with water cleaned the wounds and the productive little boys bandaged them up.
"Thank you..." Mr. Kanzaki started to say but Chesta interrupted him.
"No, no it was our pleasure," he said while giving a slight bow.
"This is an outrage! If he finds out, it might be our heads!" Dilandau, though she had a girl's appearance, grabbed Chesta roughly by the front of his shirt.
Chesta just waved his hand in a 'back-off' manner and tried to cool Dilandau down. To try and reassure him, Chesta's one thought became words. "Who says that Lord Van will even find out?"
But without warning the door which they came in through burst open and a huge gush of wind was sent inside. The fire shifted in all directions from the surge of air and all were silent. Each Dragonslayer fell silent, took a few steps back with heads down, and seemed to cower in fear. Mr. Kanzaki was aware of another presence, and by seeing the reactions of all the little Dragonslayers, he became terribly frightened. He heard a low growl behind him but dare not look back. He heard a swoosh of air and felt a push on the chair he sat in. Cautiously he looked to his right and then to his left, but he saw nothing. He nearly breathed a sigh of relief until he looked above the fireplace. From the light beaming into the door, the shadow of a winged person stood on the stone of the wall.
With eyes closed and heart pumping quickly, Hitomi's father turned around to the one place he didn't look yet. His gaze traveled upwards towards the top of the armchair. The darkness concealed most of him, but large grey wings spanned from his back and a fang protruded from his smug smile as it reflected in the light. Gasping in horror, Mr. Kanzaki jumped from the chair and turned around to sprint from the room, but was caught unaware when the winged man stood right before him in the path of his escape. A clawed hand swung out and grasped the father's shirt threateningly. Without a second thought, his wings pumped downwards and lifted the two people up off the ground. The high ceiling was higher than Mr. Kanzaki had imagined for now he was being held at the peak of their height trying not to look down at the ground.
"Why have you come here?!" the man demanded of him.
"I... I... I... I was chas... chased by a gang and my car... I can't get home... I didn't have anywhere to go..." he stuttered quickly.
"Well you are not welcome!" and with that he released his grip from Mr. Kanzaki's shirt. He plummeted to the ground and in one swift motion was grabbed again and was no longer falling. The 'angel' flew closer to the door and a few feet above the ground, dropped his captive. The one who the Dragonslayers dare not say anything to landed near his prey and grabbed the back of his shirt, thus dragging him away and out the door. Mr. Kanzaki, who had gotten quite shook up, lay motionless as the demon dragged him away to the prisoner cells in the high tower. It would be days till Hitomi ever found her father, but she would have never expected him to be held prisoner... by a demon.
~*~*~*~*~
AN: If you're wondering why I picked that motorcycle for Hitomi, it's because I love Honda... my brother has one and that certain style by Honda is very light which is critical when a woman is driving it. I tried to hold up my brothers by sitting in it and it was unbelievably hard. You'll see why I threw Hitomi on a motorcycle also later on. It comes into play... trust me. If you are confused on what I mean by 'What was once easy to hide before, the prince was now cursed to never let be hidden again.' I'm pretty much saying that he can't retract his wings... they must stay out in plain sight of everyone until the spell is broken. Please tell me what you think so far. REVIEW! You must! This story is too short to just review at the end! I need feedback. Oh yeah! If you would like me to send you an email when I update, just tell me in your review and I'll get your address from your profile or tell me your email in the actual review. Please don't feel bad, it takes only a few seconds to send out emails to say I updated. Thanks!