Disclaimer: I don't own anything of or from Escaflowne....
Dedication: To all who love me and my pathetics stories....hehe, just jokes. To Taemyr and to Zidane's Dagger, and also to Tira_Mearl_Festa...... and also to you; the reader and then reviewer....(and also to Siena *grins*)
~**~Meant for each other~**~
~**~Prologue~**~
~**~It was her punishment~**~
It was horrible. All Hitomi Kanzaki did now, was run. She'd run from the past, she'd run from her life, and she'd run from herself, which was completely impossible. Hitomi didn't want to put up with it anymore. She was tired of the abuse that she had to sustain, including now that her father was back.
Hitomi missed ' him '. Hitomi missed her...angel.
He was always there for her whenever she needed him. But, now after a year, the link that they had once shared had faded. It was gone, and that now meant that he was gone as well. Hitomi had loved him, but he...never showed his feelings for her in return.
Hitomi was now alone in the world. Her only friends who she could turn to were Yukari Uchida and Sumono Amano. But, they had made it clear by slamming the door in her face, that they didn't want anything to do with her, when they found out that she had been caught red-handed in the big drug bust at their school.
Hitomi shook her head as she ran down the street, the screams and mad cries of her now insane father followed her the entire way. She could still even feel his hands roaming over her body, probing and proding, pinching and tugging. Her mother was now dead, laying on the ground in a large pool of her own blood that flowed freely and quickly from a deep gash on the side of her bruised neck.
Her father, Joshua Kanzaki, was insane, a murder, and a raper. Hitomi would never have believed it, that her very own father was capable of incest. The one man who watched her grow, loved his family with all his heart, and then in the end abandoned them. It was absurd. But, he did it anyway, night after night, right after she got caught in the drug bust.
It was her punishment, he had told her as he left the room, leaving her to tremble on the bed, alone in the dark.
Hitomi believed, now, that she had no reason to live. Her one true love had faded from her life within a year, her friends had rejected her when she needed them the most, her mother was now dead, and her father just didn't exsist in her mind anymore. She had nothing to live for and no one to live for.
If there were anyone in the world who could convince her to stay alive and not commite suicide, then they would've come by now and helped her out during the last past year of pure hell. But no one came along. No one cared. It was all over for Hitomi Kanzaki.....
Hitomi ran through the park that was dimly lit by the lamp posts and found a large, stond bench to sit on. She breathed a sight a relief as her bottom hit the steady and stable seat. Hitomi leaned her head back against the wooden back and closed her eyes. Hitomi was sick. She was running a high fever since yesturday. Her mother had checked her and told her that she was sick and needed to lay down.
Hitomi had just told her that she'd be alright. Her mother, of course, had objected, but Hitomi had already left the house to go for her afternoon run around the block and then around the track at school. When Hitomi had returned later on that night, she found her dad drunk and asleep on the couch. She sneaked into the house.
But instead of her father yelling at her, she found her mother sitting at the kitchen table, crying softly. Hitomi could see the bruises on her face and on her neck. Hitomi went to bed and awoke the next morning to the sounds of China smashing against the wall and screaming. Hitomi had tried to ignore it while she was showering, but it was no use.
Hitomi ended up backing up to the far end of the tub to curl up and sit there, crying to herself, while the water pelted her at full blast. When Hitomi had finally emerged from the bathroom an hour later, dressed only in a thick cotton robe, she found her father staring at her in a way she didn't really feel comfortable with.
Hitomi turned her back to him and began to make her way down the hall towards her room, but her father grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. There had been a wild look in his eyes and she didn't like it. He was drunk again and she knew what was going to happen.
He suddenly reached out and ripped the robe open. Hitomi had scrambled to close it, but her father just slapped her hands away. His hand shot out and he latched onto her left breast in a death-like grip. Hitomi kicked, clawed, and bit at him as he firmly kneaded her breast, but with everything she did, he'd slap her or punch her across the face.
After Hitomi struggled against him for the tenth time this week, her father once again dragged her to her room. Hitomi's eyes had filled with tears as she struggled and cried out her mother's name. Hitomi pleaded for her mother to help her, to call the police, to do something, but her mother just sat there in the livingroom crying, rocking back and forth in the corner.
Her own huband had raped her while Hitomi was in the shower and she wasn't taking it very well. Hitomi's father had locked the door and then dragged his protesting daughter to the bed where he threw her down onto itand pinned her down with his legs and strong arms as his searching and hungry mouth seeked out what it wanted; her breasts, her neck, everything....
Hitomi cried, but no tears came, for she was all cried out from the previous times. Her father swiftly unbuckled his pants with expertised hands and slapped his hard, pulsating member onto her quivering thighs as he chucked his pants into a corner.
With his knees he had spreaded Hitomi's legs wide apart and then with one hard swift thrust he had invaded her once again. Hitomi's body hadn't healed from the others times and this had made her cry out as loud as her could, as loud as her sore throat would allow her to.
Hitomi continued to cry out, but her father only muffled her cries by slapping her hard across the face or kissing her and jamming his tongue down her throat. For three hours straight, her father had done it to her, had killed her very soul. During those three painful hours, her body cried out to her for to stop, it begged her to make him stop, but she was completely numb with pain.
Hitomi could do nothing, but co-operate and obey to his wishes, which wer e for her to stay silent. After he had shot his seed into her, he got off of her, grabbed his pants, and left without saying a word. Hitomi shuddered violently at the memory of the this morning and self-consciously pulled the robe tighter around her body, as she stood up and slowly walked down the path towards the women's shelter.
That was the last place to where she could turn to. Her father was expecting her to hide at her mother's sister's house for the night, but Hitomi wasn't that stupid. Hitomi's eyelids drooped every now and then and she'd stumble along the path. Her head was pounding and she could even hear her blood pumping in her ears.
Hitomi couldn't take it anymore. She just wanted to fall to the ground and die. Hitomi did just that. Her eyes closed completely as the fever got the best of her and she felt herself falling, then she hit the damp ground hard. Hitomi groaned lightly and sucked in a sharp breath of pain as the sudden bright light engulfed her, dropping from the heavens to pounce on her and then trap her.
The bright light penetrated the darkness that her lids had provided for her and she winced.
' No....just let me sleep a little longer... ', Hitomi begged silently.
The light wouldn't listen to her silent pleas. It lifted her up into the air, along with her duffelbag and then it slid up into the air, disappearing into the cloudless sky. People who were taking a midnight stroll in the park that night watched in shock and amazement as the mysterious robe clad girl the age of sixteen was taken away by the light.
From that night on, Hitomi Kanzaki was no more to the planet Earth and it's inhabitants.....
~**~Chapter 1~**~
~**~ I accidentally kicked her...~**~
Allen Crusade Schezar frowned deeply as he watched his young friend, Van Slanzar de Fenal, King of Fanelia, pace the ground in front of him. Allen sat behind Van's large desk with his booted feet propped on top of it, " Van? ", he asked quietly as he scratched his head. " Don't you think you're taking this a little far? "
Van looked over at him with a puzzled look in his deep reddish brown eyes, " What do you mean, Allen? "
Allen leaned forward, " Well, for one, Christina is a year younger then you, two, I don't think you should be worrying about marriage this early in life, and three, what about Hitomi, Van? ", he asked softly.
Van bit his lip hard and looked down at the ground, " Allen...you know I care about Hitomi, but I....can't get a link through to her anymore. I don't know why either... "
Allen shrugged lightly, " We're not here to talk about links, Van. We're here to talk about choosing the right wife and the right Queen of Fanelia.... ", he reminded him.
" Right... ", Van muttered quietly.
Allen watched the expression of puzzlement fade only to be replaced by confusion. He sighed, " Van? Who is it? "
Van looked up at him, " What? "
" Who's it going to be? "
Van shrugged uncomfortably, " I...I don't know, Allen. This is hard for me to decide. I mean, what if Hitomi just suddenly drops in one day, and I'm...well, I'm married to someone other then her... "
" See...that's the thing you're going to have to consider if you do get married to someone other then Hitomi. "
Van nodded, " I know, Allen. I know. But, I have a feeling that something bad has happened to her. I mean why else would the link between us suddenly disappear? "
Allen scratched his chin and watched the young King with his deep dark blue eyes, " Van? Why do you always assume the worst? First it was with Fanelia not being built the way you wanted it to be, two it was the treaty between Mothersburg and Fanelia for new Melefs, and now it's this... "
" Allen. I'm not assuming, I'm just....worrying too much, that's all.... "
Allen's lips went together in a tight frown, " Van...you're wrong. I'm sorry to say this, but you're wrong. "
Van placed his hands on his hips and cocked an eyebrow, " And why's that, Allen? You don't think that she's going to drop in on us one day? "
Allen shrugged, " Van, I don't know. It could be possible, but I don't know... "
" Don't know what? ", Van questioned.
" That she'd drop in on or not. It's really hard to say.... "
" You're right... "
Allen lifted a light brow, " Say what? About what? "
" Well...I think we'll go along with this....wedding... "
Allen nearly fell out of the chair, " W-what?! You can't be serious, Van! That's....it's ludicrous! "
" And why's that? I think Christina would make a good wife and Queen. Don't you? "
Allen sighed heavily and raked a hand through his long honey gold hair, " Van, van, van...Christina is a wonderful...woman, but...did she ever save Gaia? Did she ever help you out in saving your country? Was she ever by your side during the Zaibach war? "
Van looked down at the ground, " I...no. "
" Hitomi was there. She was always there for you and you were always there for her in return. Whatever happened to that? "
" I already told you. The link between us was broken. It's gone. ", Van's voice rose a notch.
" Well, what about the pendant? ", Allen pointed to the pink pendant on a thin gold chain that hung around Van'x neck.
" I....it's still here. "
" I know. But what about it? "
Van shrugged and reached up to wrap a hand around the tiny jewel. There was a slight hissing noise and Van suddenly sucked in a sharp breath and let it out as a loud hiss. He wrenched his hand from the jewel and stared down at it in confusion. In the middle of his palm, was the imprint of the jewel itself, brunt into his flesh.
Van shook his head and cursed loudly, " Son of a -- "
Allen stood up and walked over to him, " What? What happened? "
Van shook his injured hand and winced lightly, " The pendant burnt me. My hand I mean... "
Allen stared at the pendant, " Doesn't it feel hot against your skin? "
Van nodded, " Yes, but it isn't that hot. It's just a little warm, nothing more... "
" Then why would it severely burn your hand and not yout chest? ", Allen wondered out loud.
Van shrugged and made his way across the room to open the door, " I don't know. It's never done this before. Something must be up.... "
Allen nodded and pointed to it again, " Yeah, cause now it's glowing, Van.... "
Van sighed heavily and nodded, " Yes, something is definitely going on... "
Allen walked to the door, " Let's go and get your hand wrapped up. After that, we'll think of something to do, okay? "
Van nodded. Without saying another word, he walked from the room and made his way down the hall to find Puck, the doctor who lived in the castle and took care of everyone there.
******************************
Dryden Fassa sighed heavily and raked a hand through his long chocolate coloured hair. He watched as his wife Millerna Aston Fassa busied herself by shelfing a couple of stray books. Millerna hummed softly while she worked around the study.
Millerna looked over at Dryden and flashed him a small smile, " Dryden? Is something wrong? ", she asked lightly.
Dryden cocked his head to the side and then shook it, " No love. I'm just admiring you while you're busying yourself , that's all. Why do you ask? "
Millerna shook her head, " Oh...because you're looking at me like something's wrong. Do I have something on my face? My dress perhaps? "
Dryden smiled and fixed his glasses as they slid down his nose, " No love... ", he repeated. " I was just thinking, that's all... "
Millerna shelfed the last book and floated over to stand in front of his desk with her hands clasped behind her back.
Dryden looked at her and smiled lightly, " How's Allen been doing? "
" I...don't know, Dryden. We last talked two days ago. He was on his way to Fanelia. To see Van I believe... "
Dryden nodded, " That's probably why he hasn't been following you around lately. "
" Dryden! ", Millerna exclaimed, completely surprised. " You could be a little nicer to him, and not so rude... "
Dryden quirked an eyebrow, " Sticking up for the Knight in shining armor, Millerna? "
Millerna blinked, lowered her head and blushed deeply, " I...no! "
Dryden shook his head and stood up from his chair to walk over to her. He reached out and gently brushed her pale blonde bangs from her eyes, " But....you were my dear.... "
" Dryden...I -- "
" Hush...I'll not hear another word of it from your pretty little lips. You're still in love with him, aren't you? ", Dryden demanded softly.
Millerna's head shot up and her violet eyes narrowed slightly as the deep blush turned to a pale white, " Dryden. He is and always will be just a friend. I will not end up like my sister, Marlene. I will never sire his children, and I will never ever become his wife. Do I make myself clear, Dryden? I will not become my sister... "
Dryden searched his wife's face and then nodded slowly as he drew her into his arms, " Alright. I'm sorry, Millerna, for assuming something that obviously isn't true. Forgive me, love? ", he whispered softly into her hair.
Millerna nodded and buried her face into his chest, " I do, Dryden. I do.... "
Dryden chuckled lightly, " Now. Let's go grab some rest so that we can embark on our visit to Fanelia and it's King tomorrow... "
Millerna nodded again, " Yes... "
Dryden slid an arm around her slim waist and walked with her to their bedroom. Millerna sighed quietly as she leaned into him, " Dryden? "
" Hmmm? "
" Do you ever wonder how Hitomi's doing, and if she's happy? "
Dryden chuckled again, " Millerna, I think that Hitomi's doing just fine on the Mystic Moon. Why would she ever want to leave? "
************************
Merle's blue eyes went wide and she almost squealed with joy as she watched the column of bluish light suddenly drop from the sky to land in the fields at the far end of the city. Merla whirled around and ran from her room to go in search of Van.
Merle was so happy. If Hitomi was really back then that meant that Van would be happy which was good for her. Merle spotted Allen walking down the hall away from her and she smirked. Merle stopped running and decided to creep after him silently.
Her paw/hand shot out and Merle smacked Allen in the back so hard that he stumbled forward. After regaining his balance quickly, he whirled around to face her, with his sword already drawn and the tip of the blade resting against Merle's sudden vulnerable throat.
Merle's eyes went as wide as saucers and she froze. She swallowed thickly and then lifted her gaze from Allen's chest to his hardened expression. Allen looked down at her and smirked, " Ha! Gotcha there, Merle. I call that...payback.... ", he said proudly as he sheathed his sword.
Merle sighed loudly and heavily as she pressed a hand to her forehead, " What'd you go and do that for? "
Allen shrugged, " I was only trying to have fun. ", he joked lightly. " Anyway...what's up? "
Merle suddenly frowned, " I saw something in the fields at the far end of the city..... ", she reported to him.
Allen lifted a light brow and crossed his arms over his chest, " Go on. You now have my full attention... "
" Well...I think that it was Hitomi. ", Merle stated simply.
Allen scratched his head as he watched Merle's expression on honesty, " How can we be so sure that it was her? Maybe it could've been someone else with the ability to travel to Gaea.... "
Merle's small lips went together in a tight line, " Allen, where's Lord Van? "
" He's with Puck... "
" Why?! ", she cried out. " Is he hurt? "
Allen chuckled and then nodded, " Yes... "
Merle pouted, " That's not funny, Allen....he could've died! "
Allen couldn't stop himself from his sudden outburst of laughter, " Merle, Van can't die from a little burn on the hand... ", he assured her.
Merle cocked her head to the side, " W-what do you mean? He was burnt? By what? Who? "
Allen held up a hand and then slashed it through the air sideways, " If you want him, he's in that room. The one right beside us.... "
Merle nodded and went to open the door, " Thanks Allen... "
Allen nodded and then left her to go into the room as he continued to make his way down the hall. Merle slipped into the room to find Van sitting on a windowseat. He was flexing his hand that was wrapped in thick bandages. Merle cleared her throat and Van's head swung in her direction.
" Oh...hello, Merle. How are you doing? ", Van asked lightly as he smiled.
Merle grinned and then went to sit on the other side of the windowseat in front of him, " I'm doing alright, Lord Van. How are you doing? "
Van shrugged, " I'll live...what brings you here? "
" Hitomi.... "
Van's heart did a flip-flop and then stopped. He brought his hand to his chest, curled his hand into a fist and slammed it onto his chest, " S-say that again? "
Merle lifted an eyebrow, " Are you sure you're alright? "
" Merle! What about Hitomi? Why'd you mention her? "
" Alright, alright. I saw the column of light that took her away. It was here about fifteen minutes ago. "
Van's reddish-brown eyes went wide and he shook his head to clear it, ' So, Allen was right about her dropping in on us... '
Merle frowned, " Lord Van? You alright? You seem.....troubled.... "
" What? Oh...I'm just a little surprised, that's all. So....could you see anything? "
Merle shook her head sadly, " No, I'm sorry. It landed in the far fields at the far end of the city... "
Van nodded and jumped off the windowseat, " I'm going to go see who was brought to Gaea this time. Do you care to join me? "
Merle shook her head, " No....I think that it would be best if you go and do this alone... "
"....Go and do what 'lone? ", a soft voice called from the bathroom doorway.
Van groaned inwardly, " I'm going to see someone, Puck.... "
A short woman with violet eyes and red hair the colour of flaming Auburn walked into the room with her short arms crossed over her large chest, " Sire...but you mustn't. Your going to injure yourself again... ", she protested.
Merle walked over to the woman, who was in her early thirties, " Puck...you have to let him go. This is something that he has to do alone and by today. "
Van nodded and crossed the room to the door, " I'm sorry, Puck. But, this is important.... "
Puck sighed heavily, " Just like your father was. Stubborn. "
Van left the room quietly. Merle placed a comforting arm around the woman and sighed, " I know what you mean, Puck...I know what you mean... "
***********************************************
There was the sound of high pitched giggling as the little cat-girl the age of five ran through the large field with her father not far behind. The little cat-girl giggled again as her father imitated a dog barking at her, as he followed her around. They hadn't spotted the column of bluish white light that had dropped from the sky.
Kitiara ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. She turned her head to look over her shoulder for her father, but she found him nowhere. She went to stop running and then turn around to look for him, but her foot connected with something hard and a loud crack was heard.
Kitiara fell back and then tumbled to a stop after rolling backwards twice. She laid there slightly stunned. Kitiara found herself staring into the pale face of a woman with medium length hair that was the colour of her fur; a sandy blonde. Kitiara screamed a loud scream and her father called out to her.
" Kitiara!! "
" Daddy! Come quick, I found something!! ", Kitiara yelled back, overly excited.
Her father ran over just as she was pulling herself off the ground. He saw her dirt smudged face and noticed a small bruise forming on her cheek, near her ear. He shook his head disapprovingly, " Kitiara...what is your mother going to say when we get home? Your dress is all dirty, your face is all dirty and you got hurt running... "
Kitiara shook her head and pointed down to the slender figure laying in the tall grass. The dark hood was half on and half off, revealing her hair, and her long lashes, along with her ashen face. Kitiara's father dropped to a knee and checked for a pulse.
He looked at Kitiara and saw the look of fear and worry in her violet eyes, " Don't worry, honey. I think she's going to be alright. What did you mean when you shook your head? "
" I accidentally kicked her... ", she whispered in a light voice as tears filled her eyes and then fell, matting her fur to her face. " I heard a cracking sound and then I fell over her. That's how I got all dirty.... "
" Aww, honey. It's alright. ", her father assured her. " We can get her fixed. Don't you worry. We'll take her home and help her get better...alright? "
Kitiara nodded, " Yeah! What will we do with her after she gets better? "
Her father shrugged lightly as he scooped the injured girl into his arms and began to carry her through the tall grass, " Come, Kitiara. "
Kitiara chased after him, " Daddy....you didn't answer my question.... "
" Honey...after she gets better, I'm sure she'll want to go back to her own family. They probably miss her already... "
Kitiara pouted, " Alright, daddy....whatever you say... "
Her father nodded and looked down at the girl in his arms. Bruises of many colours decorated her face and neck and he shook his head, assuming the worst. The girl was pretty light and very thin. It was like her family didnt feed her or something.
' No wonder she was out in the field....she probably fainted from hunger... ', he thought as he and Kitiara exited the fields to walk down the path towards their home.
Kitiara frowned deeply. She was confused. Her little five year old mind was not taking in this scene very well, " Daddy...what if she...has no...family? "
Kitiara's father bit his lip and looked down at his daughter with green eyes. He shrugged lightly and remained silent as Kitiara watched the side of his face the entire time.....
Dedication: To all who love me and my pathetics stories....hehe, just jokes. To Taemyr and to Zidane's Dagger, and also to Tira_Mearl_Festa...... and also to you; the reader and then reviewer....(and also to Siena *grins*)
~**~Meant for each other~**~
~**~Prologue~**~
~**~It was her punishment~**~
It was horrible. All Hitomi Kanzaki did now, was run. She'd run from the past, she'd run from her life, and she'd run from herself, which was completely impossible. Hitomi didn't want to put up with it anymore. She was tired of the abuse that she had to sustain, including now that her father was back.
Hitomi missed ' him '. Hitomi missed her...angel.
He was always there for her whenever she needed him. But, now after a year, the link that they had once shared had faded. It was gone, and that now meant that he was gone as well. Hitomi had loved him, but he...never showed his feelings for her in return.
Hitomi was now alone in the world. Her only friends who she could turn to were Yukari Uchida and Sumono Amano. But, they had made it clear by slamming the door in her face, that they didn't want anything to do with her, when they found out that she had been caught red-handed in the big drug bust at their school.
Hitomi shook her head as she ran down the street, the screams and mad cries of her now insane father followed her the entire way. She could still even feel his hands roaming over her body, probing and proding, pinching and tugging. Her mother was now dead, laying on the ground in a large pool of her own blood that flowed freely and quickly from a deep gash on the side of her bruised neck.
Her father, Joshua Kanzaki, was insane, a murder, and a raper. Hitomi would never have believed it, that her very own father was capable of incest. The one man who watched her grow, loved his family with all his heart, and then in the end abandoned them. It was absurd. But, he did it anyway, night after night, right after she got caught in the drug bust.
It was her punishment, he had told her as he left the room, leaving her to tremble on the bed, alone in the dark.
Hitomi believed, now, that she had no reason to live. Her one true love had faded from her life within a year, her friends had rejected her when she needed them the most, her mother was now dead, and her father just didn't exsist in her mind anymore. She had nothing to live for and no one to live for.
If there were anyone in the world who could convince her to stay alive and not commite suicide, then they would've come by now and helped her out during the last past year of pure hell. But no one came along. No one cared. It was all over for Hitomi Kanzaki.....
Hitomi ran through the park that was dimly lit by the lamp posts and found a large, stond bench to sit on. She breathed a sight a relief as her bottom hit the steady and stable seat. Hitomi leaned her head back against the wooden back and closed her eyes. Hitomi was sick. She was running a high fever since yesturday. Her mother had checked her and told her that she was sick and needed to lay down.
Hitomi had just told her that she'd be alright. Her mother, of course, had objected, but Hitomi had already left the house to go for her afternoon run around the block and then around the track at school. When Hitomi had returned later on that night, she found her dad drunk and asleep on the couch. She sneaked into the house.
But instead of her father yelling at her, she found her mother sitting at the kitchen table, crying softly. Hitomi could see the bruises on her face and on her neck. Hitomi went to bed and awoke the next morning to the sounds of China smashing against the wall and screaming. Hitomi had tried to ignore it while she was showering, but it was no use.
Hitomi ended up backing up to the far end of the tub to curl up and sit there, crying to herself, while the water pelted her at full blast. When Hitomi had finally emerged from the bathroom an hour later, dressed only in a thick cotton robe, she found her father staring at her in a way she didn't really feel comfortable with.
Hitomi turned her back to him and began to make her way down the hall towards her room, but her father grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. There had been a wild look in his eyes and she didn't like it. He was drunk again and she knew what was going to happen.
He suddenly reached out and ripped the robe open. Hitomi had scrambled to close it, but her father just slapped her hands away. His hand shot out and he latched onto her left breast in a death-like grip. Hitomi kicked, clawed, and bit at him as he firmly kneaded her breast, but with everything she did, he'd slap her or punch her across the face.
After Hitomi struggled against him for the tenth time this week, her father once again dragged her to her room. Hitomi's eyes had filled with tears as she struggled and cried out her mother's name. Hitomi pleaded for her mother to help her, to call the police, to do something, but her mother just sat there in the livingroom crying, rocking back and forth in the corner.
Her own huband had raped her while Hitomi was in the shower and she wasn't taking it very well. Hitomi's father had locked the door and then dragged his protesting daughter to the bed where he threw her down onto itand pinned her down with his legs and strong arms as his searching and hungry mouth seeked out what it wanted; her breasts, her neck, everything....
Hitomi cried, but no tears came, for she was all cried out from the previous times. Her father swiftly unbuckled his pants with expertised hands and slapped his hard, pulsating member onto her quivering thighs as he chucked his pants into a corner.
With his knees he had spreaded Hitomi's legs wide apart and then with one hard swift thrust he had invaded her once again. Hitomi's body hadn't healed from the others times and this had made her cry out as loud as her could, as loud as her sore throat would allow her to.
Hitomi continued to cry out, but her father only muffled her cries by slapping her hard across the face or kissing her and jamming his tongue down her throat. For three hours straight, her father had done it to her, had killed her very soul. During those three painful hours, her body cried out to her for to stop, it begged her to make him stop, but she was completely numb with pain.
Hitomi could do nothing, but co-operate and obey to his wishes, which wer e for her to stay silent. After he had shot his seed into her, he got off of her, grabbed his pants, and left without saying a word. Hitomi shuddered violently at the memory of the this morning and self-consciously pulled the robe tighter around her body, as she stood up and slowly walked down the path towards the women's shelter.
That was the last place to where she could turn to. Her father was expecting her to hide at her mother's sister's house for the night, but Hitomi wasn't that stupid. Hitomi's eyelids drooped every now and then and she'd stumble along the path. Her head was pounding and she could even hear her blood pumping in her ears.
Hitomi couldn't take it anymore. She just wanted to fall to the ground and die. Hitomi did just that. Her eyes closed completely as the fever got the best of her and she felt herself falling, then she hit the damp ground hard. Hitomi groaned lightly and sucked in a sharp breath of pain as the sudden bright light engulfed her, dropping from the heavens to pounce on her and then trap her.
The bright light penetrated the darkness that her lids had provided for her and she winced.
' No....just let me sleep a little longer... ', Hitomi begged silently.
The light wouldn't listen to her silent pleas. It lifted her up into the air, along with her duffelbag and then it slid up into the air, disappearing into the cloudless sky. People who were taking a midnight stroll in the park that night watched in shock and amazement as the mysterious robe clad girl the age of sixteen was taken away by the light.
From that night on, Hitomi Kanzaki was no more to the planet Earth and it's inhabitants.....
~**~Chapter 1~**~
~**~ I accidentally kicked her...~**~
Allen Crusade Schezar frowned deeply as he watched his young friend, Van Slanzar de Fenal, King of Fanelia, pace the ground in front of him. Allen sat behind Van's large desk with his booted feet propped on top of it, " Van? ", he asked quietly as he scratched his head. " Don't you think you're taking this a little far? "
Van looked over at him with a puzzled look in his deep reddish brown eyes, " What do you mean, Allen? "
Allen leaned forward, " Well, for one, Christina is a year younger then you, two, I don't think you should be worrying about marriage this early in life, and three, what about Hitomi, Van? ", he asked softly.
Van bit his lip hard and looked down at the ground, " Allen...you know I care about Hitomi, but I....can't get a link through to her anymore. I don't know why either... "
Allen shrugged lightly, " We're not here to talk about links, Van. We're here to talk about choosing the right wife and the right Queen of Fanelia.... ", he reminded him.
" Right... ", Van muttered quietly.
Allen watched the expression of puzzlement fade only to be replaced by confusion. He sighed, " Van? Who is it? "
Van looked up at him, " What? "
" Who's it going to be? "
Van shrugged uncomfortably, " I...I don't know, Allen. This is hard for me to decide. I mean, what if Hitomi just suddenly drops in one day, and I'm...well, I'm married to someone other then her... "
" See...that's the thing you're going to have to consider if you do get married to someone other then Hitomi. "
Van nodded, " I know, Allen. I know. But, I have a feeling that something bad has happened to her. I mean why else would the link between us suddenly disappear? "
Allen scratched his chin and watched the young King with his deep dark blue eyes, " Van? Why do you always assume the worst? First it was with Fanelia not being built the way you wanted it to be, two it was the treaty between Mothersburg and Fanelia for new Melefs, and now it's this... "
" Allen. I'm not assuming, I'm just....worrying too much, that's all.... "
Allen's lips went together in a tight frown, " Van...you're wrong. I'm sorry to say this, but you're wrong. "
Van placed his hands on his hips and cocked an eyebrow, " And why's that, Allen? You don't think that she's going to drop in on us one day? "
Allen shrugged, " Van, I don't know. It could be possible, but I don't know... "
" Don't know what? ", Van questioned.
" That she'd drop in on or not. It's really hard to say.... "
" You're right... "
Allen lifted a light brow, " Say what? About what? "
" Well...I think we'll go along with this....wedding... "
Allen nearly fell out of the chair, " W-what?! You can't be serious, Van! That's....it's ludicrous! "
" And why's that? I think Christina would make a good wife and Queen. Don't you? "
Allen sighed heavily and raked a hand through his long honey gold hair, " Van, van, van...Christina is a wonderful...woman, but...did she ever save Gaia? Did she ever help you out in saving your country? Was she ever by your side during the Zaibach war? "
Van looked down at the ground, " I...no. "
" Hitomi was there. She was always there for you and you were always there for her in return. Whatever happened to that? "
" I already told you. The link between us was broken. It's gone. ", Van's voice rose a notch.
" Well, what about the pendant? ", Allen pointed to the pink pendant on a thin gold chain that hung around Van'x neck.
" I....it's still here. "
" I know. But what about it? "
Van shrugged and reached up to wrap a hand around the tiny jewel. There was a slight hissing noise and Van suddenly sucked in a sharp breath and let it out as a loud hiss. He wrenched his hand from the jewel and stared down at it in confusion. In the middle of his palm, was the imprint of the jewel itself, brunt into his flesh.
Van shook his head and cursed loudly, " Son of a -- "
Allen stood up and walked over to him, " What? What happened? "
Van shook his injured hand and winced lightly, " The pendant burnt me. My hand I mean... "
Allen stared at the pendant, " Doesn't it feel hot against your skin? "
Van nodded, " Yes, but it isn't that hot. It's just a little warm, nothing more... "
" Then why would it severely burn your hand and not yout chest? ", Allen wondered out loud.
Van shrugged and made his way across the room to open the door, " I don't know. It's never done this before. Something must be up.... "
Allen nodded and pointed to it again, " Yeah, cause now it's glowing, Van.... "
Van sighed heavily and nodded, " Yes, something is definitely going on... "
Allen walked to the door, " Let's go and get your hand wrapped up. After that, we'll think of something to do, okay? "
Van nodded. Without saying another word, he walked from the room and made his way down the hall to find Puck, the doctor who lived in the castle and took care of everyone there.
******************************
Dryden Fassa sighed heavily and raked a hand through his long chocolate coloured hair. He watched as his wife Millerna Aston Fassa busied herself by shelfing a couple of stray books. Millerna hummed softly while she worked around the study.
Millerna looked over at Dryden and flashed him a small smile, " Dryden? Is something wrong? ", she asked lightly.
Dryden cocked his head to the side and then shook it, " No love. I'm just admiring you while you're busying yourself , that's all. Why do you ask? "
Millerna shook her head, " Oh...because you're looking at me like something's wrong. Do I have something on my face? My dress perhaps? "
Dryden smiled and fixed his glasses as they slid down his nose, " No love... ", he repeated. " I was just thinking, that's all... "
Millerna shelfed the last book and floated over to stand in front of his desk with her hands clasped behind her back.
Dryden looked at her and smiled lightly, " How's Allen been doing? "
" I...don't know, Dryden. We last talked two days ago. He was on his way to Fanelia. To see Van I believe... "
Dryden nodded, " That's probably why he hasn't been following you around lately. "
" Dryden! ", Millerna exclaimed, completely surprised. " You could be a little nicer to him, and not so rude... "
Dryden quirked an eyebrow, " Sticking up for the Knight in shining armor, Millerna? "
Millerna blinked, lowered her head and blushed deeply, " I...no! "
Dryden shook his head and stood up from his chair to walk over to her. He reached out and gently brushed her pale blonde bangs from her eyes, " But....you were my dear.... "
" Dryden...I -- "
" Hush...I'll not hear another word of it from your pretty little lips. You're still in love with him, aren't you? ", Dryden demanded softly.
Millerna's head shot up and her violet eyes narrowed slightly as the deep blush turned to a pale white, " Dryden. He is and always will be just a friend. I will not end up like my sister, Marlene. I will never sire his children, and I will never ever become his wife. Do I make myself clear, Dryden? I will not become my sister... "
Dryden searched his wife's face and then nodded slowly as he drew her into his arms, " Alright. I'm sorry, Millerna, for assuming something that obviously isn't true. Forgive me, love? ", he whispered softly into her hair.
Millerna nodded and buried her face into his chest, " I do, Dryden. I do.... "
Dryden chuckled lightly, " Now. Let's go grab some rest so that we can embark on our visit to Fanelia and it's King tomorrow... "
Millerna nodded again, " Yes... "
Dryden slid an arm around her slim waist and walked with her to their bedroom. Millerna sighed quietly as she leaned into him, " Dryden? "
" Hmmm? "
" Do you ever wonder how Hitomi's doing, and if she's happy? "
Dryden chuckled again, " Millerna, I think that Hitomi's doing just fine on the Mystic Moon. Why would she ever want to leave? "
************************
Merle's blue eyes went wide and she almost squealed with joy as she watched the column of bluish light suddenly drop from the sky to land in the fields at the far end of the city. Merla whirled around and ran from her room to go in search of Van.
Merle was so happy. If Hitomi was really back then that meant that Van would be happy which was good for her. Merle spotted Allen walking down the hall away from her and she smirked. Merle stopped running and decided to creep after him silently.
Her paw/hand shot out and Merle smacked Allen in the back so hard that he stumbled forward. After regaining his balance quickly, he whirled around to face her, with his sword already drawn and the tip of the blade resting against Merle's sudden vulnerable throat.
Merle's eyes went as wide as saucers and she froze. She swallowed thickly and then lifted her gaze from Allen's chest to his hardened expression. Allen looked down at her and smirked, " Ha! Gotcha there, Merle. I call that...payback.... ", he said proudly as he sheathed his sword.
Merle sighed loudly and heavily as she pressed a hand to her forehead, " What'd you go and do that for? "
Allen shrugged, " I was only trying to have fun. ", he joked lightly. " Anyway...what's up? "
Merle suddenly frowned, " I saw something in the fields at the far end of the city..... ", she reported to him.
Allen lifted a light brow and crossed his arms over his chest, " Go on. You now have my full attention... "
" Well...I think that it was Hitomi. ", Merle stated simply.
Allen scratched his head as he watched Merle's expression on honesty, " How can we be so sure that it was her? Maybe it could've been someone else with the ability to travel to Gaea.... "
Merle's small lips went together in a tight line, " Allen, where's Lord Van? "
" He's with Puck... "
" Why?! ", she cried out. " Is he hurt? "
Allen chuckled and then nodded, " Yes... "
Merle pouted, " That's not funny, Allen....he could've died! "
Allen couldn't stop himself from his sudden outburst of laughter, " Merle, Van can't die from a little burn on the hand... ", he assured her.
Merle cocked her head to the side, " W-what do you mean? He was burnt? By what? Who? "
Allen held up a hand and then slashed it through the air sideways, " If you want him, he's in that room. The one right beside us.... "
Merle nodded and went to open the door, " Thanks Allen... "
Allen nodded and then left her to go into the room as he continued to make his way down the hall. Merle slipped into the room to find Van sitting on a windowseat. He was flexing his hand that was wrapped in thick bandages. Merle cleared her throat and Van's head swung in her direction.
" Oh...hello, Merle. How are you doing? ", Van asked lightly as he smiled.
Merle grinned and then went to sit on the other side of the windowseat in front of him, " I'm doing alright, Lord Van. How are you doing? "
Van shrugged, " I'll live...what brings you here? "
" Hitomi.... "
Van's heart did a flip-flop and then stopped. He brought his hand to his chest, curled his hand into a fist and slammed it onto his chest, " S-say that again? "
Merle lifted an eyebrow, " Are you sure you're alright? "
" Merle! What about Hitomi? Why'd you mention her? "
" Alright, alright. I saw the column of light that took her away. It was here about fifteen minutes ago. "
Van's reddish-brown eyes went wide and he shook his head to clear it, ' So, Allen was right about her dropping in on us... '
Merle frowned, " Lord Van? You alright? You seem.....troubled.... "
" What? Oh...I'm just a little surprised, that's all. So....could you see anything? "
Merle shook her head sadly, " No, I'm sorry. It landed in the far fields at the far end of the city... "
Van nodded and jumped off the windowseat, " I'm going to go see who was brought to Gaea this time. Do you care to join me? "
Merle shook her head, " No....I think that it would be best if you go and do this alone... "
"....Go and do what 'lone? ", a soft voice called from the bathroom doorway.
Van groaned inwardly, " I'm going to see someone, Puck.... "
A short woman with violet eyes and red hair the colour of flaming Auburn walked into the room with her short arms crossed over her large chest, " Sire...but you mustn't. Your going to injure yourself again... ", she protested.
Merle walked over to the woman, who was in her early thirties, " Puck...you have to let him go. This is something that he has to do alone and by today. "
Van nodded and crossed the room to the door, " I'm sorry, Puck. But, this is important.... "
Puck sighed heavily, " Just like your father was. Stubborn. "
Van left the room quietly. Merle placed a comforting arm around the woman and sighed, " I know what you mean, Puck...I know what you mean... "
***********************************************
There was the sound of high pitched giggling as the little cat-girl the age of five ran through the large field with her father not far behind. The little cat-girl giggled again as her father imitated a dog barking at her, as he followed her around. They hadn't spotted the column of bluish white light that had dropped from the sky.
Kitiara ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. She turned her head to look over her shoulder for her father, but she found him nowhere. She went to stop running and then turn around to look for him, but her foot connected with something hard and a loud crack was heard.
Kitiara fell back and then tumbled to a stop after rolling backwards twice. She laid there slightly stunned. Kitiara found herself staring into the pale face of a woman with medium length hair that was the colour of her fur; a sandy blonde. Kitiara screamed a loud scream and her father called out to her.
" Kitiara!! "
" Daddy! Come quick, I found something!! ", Kitiara yelled back, overly excited.
Her father ran over just as she was pulling herself off the ground. He saw her dirt smudged face and noticed a small bruise forming on her cheek, near her ear. He shook his head disapprovingly, " Kitiara...what is your mother going to say when we get home? Your dress is all dirty, your face is all dirty and you got hurt running... "
Kitiara shook her head and pointed down to the slender figure laying in the tall grass. The dark hood was half on and half off, revealing her hair, and her long lashes, along with her ashen face. Kitiara's father dropped to a knee and checked for a pulse.
He looked at Kitiara and saw the look of fear and worry in her violet eyes, " Don't worry, honey. I think she's going to be alright. What did you mean when you shook your head? "
" I accidentally kicked her... ", she whispered in a light voice as tears filled her eyes and then fell, matting her fur to her face. " I heard a cracking sound and then I fell over her. That's how I got all dirty.... "
" Aww, honey. It's alright. ", her father assured her. " We can get her fixed. Don't you worry. We'll take her home and help her get better...alright? "
Kitiara nodded, " Yeah! What will we do with her after she gets better? "
Her father shrugged lightly as he scooped the injured girl into his arms and began to carry her through the tall grass, " Come, Kitiara. "
Kitiara chased after him, " Daddy....you didn't answer my question.... "
" Honey...after she gets better, I'm sure she'll want to go back to her own family. They probably miss her already... "
Kitiara pouted, " Alright, daddy....whatever you say... "
Her father nodded and looked down at the girl in his arms. Bruises of many colours decorated her face and neck and he shook his head, assuming the worst. The girl was pretty light and very thin. It was like her family didnt feed her or something.
' No wonder she was out in the field....she probably fainted from hunger... ', he thought as he and Kitiara exited the fields to walk down the path towards their home.
Kitiara frowned deeply. She was confused. Her little five year old mind was not taking in this scene very well, " Daddy...what if she...has no...family? "
Kitiara's father bit his lip and looked down at his daughter with green eyes. He shrugged lightly and remained silent as Kitiara watched the side of his face the entire time.....
