Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Vision of Escaflowne…nor do I claim ownership.
This is a sequel to my other fic, "When the Eyes Met". Since it was such a cliffhanger and all…well after reading it…just like some of you, I wanted to know what 'might' happen next. Well what better way to find out than to just start writing again, right? (hehehehe…) I won't keep this long so here it goes…
Chapter 1 Summer
After the show and everybody was on their way home...
"You were great Yukari." Allen commented. "Thanks. Boy I'm glad that's over." Yukari said in relief. "I wish Hitomi could have come." She then added. "Yeah but I guess her training was far more difficult than we all expected." Folken replied. "You haven't got in touch with her?" Van asked. "Not much just like you. She's been very busy." Yukari replied.
"Not busy enough to miss your show Yukari." Someone suddenly said. They all turned and saw Hitomi standing there with her bag. She just smiled at them. It was a moment before they were able to comprehend that it was her because she had cut her hair chin level and they weren't really used to that. "Hitomi!" They all said. "Hi guys! So how are you doing?" She said. Yukari hugged her and said, "We're fine. Glad you could make it." "How could I miss my best friend's first solo recital?" Hitomi replied.
"Since when have you been back?" Allen asked. "Just arrived in time for the show. I really missed you guys." Hitomi replied. "So how was the training?" Van asked. Hitomi looked at him and smiled. She then replied, "Passed with flying colors." "It sure looks like it. You changed a lot." Folken commented as they went along.
"I wish I could say the same for you. Still...you know...nervous about a certain thing...?" Hitomi teased. "Hey!" Folken commented. "How did you know?" He added. Hitomi laughed. "I told you I'd get you back. For all the times you got me, finally I got you back." Hitomi then said. Folken just shook his head. "How should I have known that my guess was right?" She then said. Folken's face suddenly changed. "That...that was just a guess...?" Hitomi just smiled and nodded.
"Now you've done it. This is war Hitomi." Folken teased. "Oh yeah then you'd better watch your back." Hitomi teased back. They all just laughed. "So, you haven't told Yukari have you guys?" Hitomi then said. "Tell me what?" Yukari asked.
Hitomi looked at Van, Folken and Allen. They just said nothing. She just remained silent and let them. "Tell me what? Come on you guys?" Yukari pleaded. "Well you see...Yukari...um..." Folken started. "We'll tell you when we get there." Van said.
After they had boarded the van, Allen elbowed Folken. Allen and Van just gave a nod to Folken. "Well you see Yukari...what exactly did Hitomi tell you?" He said. Yukari, who was then quite confused, looked at Hitomi. She just smiled at her and gave her a nod. "Well, she told me that you guys were going to tell me a secret that you guys have been keeping for a very long time and that it was something big." Yukari then said.
"That's it?" Folken asked. "Yeah." Yukari replied. Hitomi could see the disappointment that were written in all their faces. "Hey didn't I tell you guys that you were suppose to give the details? That was the deal. I've kept my part and it's time that you did." Hitomi said, smiling at them.
Just then they were entering Fanelia. "You see this land Yukari?" Van started. "This...this is our land." Van said. "Right and?" Yukari replied. "And well...we are the sons of the ruler of this land." Folken then said. "No seriously?" Yukari then said. "We're serious. This is it. That's our secret." Folken replied.
"So you're telling me you guys are princes?" Yukari said, still having a hard time believing. Van and Folken just nodded. "Oh...ok..." Yukari finally said. "But that's not the end of it." Hitomi said. "It's not?" Yukari asked. "No it's not...because it's my turn." Allen said. Yukari then turned to him.
"You see, I was sent to protect them so I also had to conceal my identity." "And you are?" "I am a knight sworn to protect them and this land." Allen then said. "Ok...it's either I'm in alternate world or am just having a hard time coping." Yukari commented. "So how did you know Hitomi? I hope they had a better way of telling you." She then added.
"Actually...they didn't..." Hitomi answered. "What do you mean, they didn't?" "I mean, when I lost control over, you know, I accidentally uncovered them. I just waited for them to verify it. Boy, you should seen their faces." She said, giggling a little. "Well, it would have been easier if you told us that you knew." Folken commented. "I didn't mean to intrude on your secrets. How am I suppose to say it? 'Hey, you know I just found out your secrets no big deal huh?'" Hitomi replied.
"I give up. No wonder you and Van are compatible." Folken commented. They all just laughed. "So I guess this is the beginning of something big isn't it?" Yukari commented. They just smiled. Hitomi then replied, "Yeah...it is...and it all started when the eyes met."
"So, Hitomi?" Yukari started. "How was it? I mean, your training…what did your grandmother made you do?" She then added. "A lot actually but you'll be surprised about what she made me do." Hitomi answered, almost laughing. She could remember everything that had happened and how she had felt when she first heard what was asked of her. "And that is?" Yukari said. Hitomi knew that the others were listening too. "Well…?" Folken asked as he turned his full attention to Hitomi, actually they all did.
"Well…" Hitomi started. She knew that they were at the edge of their seats, straining to hear what she had to say. Even if she and Van had talked almost everyday, she still didn't tell him anything. No one spoke as they waited for her to continue. "…nothing…" Hitomi finally said. They all had to double take just to comprehend what Hitomi just said. "No seriously Hitomi…what did your grandmother make you do? I mean, I speak for everybody here when I say that we all know how nervous and scared you felt just before the test." Yukari replied.
Hitomi then smiled and answered, "Seriously! At first she made me do nothing…absolutely nothing." She then grinned and added, quite sarcastically too, "Just like you, she kept me on the edge of my seat." Folken then nudged Van. "Van, last resort…" Van turned to him with a blank look. "What? What are you talking about?" He then said. Folken just grinned as the others and Van caught on. "Do I still need to say something? It looks like you're the only one who would be able to make Hitomi talk." Folken then said. Hitomi tried in vain to hide her laugh. Van just shook his head.
"Well, do you really think I'll be able to make her talk if she doesn't want to?" Van replied. "Yeah. Hey you guys are already official and-" Folken started but Yukari interrupted, "Official! Hey! I didn't know that!" She then turned to Hitomi. "What happened? How come you didn't tell me that you guys are already official?" She addressed her. Hitomi was quite taken aback. She didn't expect that it would be happening that fast. "Well…I…um…I kinda…planned to tell you quite differently…you know…not like this…besides, did you really think that I could just say something like that around my grandmother? She's a little more lenient when it comes to that kind of stuff but during the training she made me promise that I wouldn't be thinking about anything else aside from the training and you know how easily I could give it away since I didn't have control over my gift yet." Hitomi answered.
"Ok fine. Now tell me what happened? Come on." Yukari said as she urged Hitomi to relate everything. Hitomi was turning to a deep shade of red. "Well…um…" "It just happened, Yukari. Neither of us really expected it to happen…it just did." Van suddenly said as Hitomi didn't know how to explain it. Hitomi looked at him as he was looking at her. He could see it in her eyes that she was relieved he said something and that she was thanking him. "It just happened huh?" Folken said sarcastically. Neither Van nor Hitomi spoke, both seemed to turn to a shade of red.
Yukari just smiled. "Well it's about time you guys." She then gave out a short laugh. "Last school year, everybody knew what you guys were feeling for the other. The only two people who had doubts or didn't know were the two of you." She then added. Hitomi couldn't help herself but laugh. "What?" Yukari said as she turned to her. "Sorry but you have to admit that was funny." Hitomi replied. "Funny? That's so unlikely." Yukari answered. "Really now? It's funny because I was just about to tell you the exact same thing." Hitomi joked.
"Now…what are you talking…about?" Yukari was almost hesitant in answering. Hitomi just grinned at her and said nothing. Van then caught on and smiled. Folken, out the corner of his eye, saw this as well as Allen. "Van, you seem to know something about this. Why don't you share? I mean it's just us right?" Folken said. "Hey!" Yukari protested. "Yeah, Van, come on it's just us. It looks like Hitomi won't tell and Yukari is still in the state of 'denial' so why don't you enlighten us, deprived people." Allen said. Van and Hitomi laughed. Yukari, quite oblivious to what really was going on, was quite afraid on what the two had up their sleeves.
"Oh nothing…it's just…well…'someone' said that she can't stand the guy but still she was able to converse with him for the past weeks like there's 'something there'?" Van teased. 'Oh no…don't tell me it's that obvious?' Yukari thought. "Well, Yukari, he's not so bad, is he?" Hitomi then said as she passed a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Well…um…yeah…he's not…" Yukari replied, almost afraid to lie. But still it was true so she figured it was better that way. "Hey! Don't change the subject! We weren't talking about me but you two." Yukari then added in an attempt to save her neck from further inquiry. "Well technically we still are talking about the same subject. I suppose you just chose to see that it's not when in fact we are talking about secrets, aren't we?" Hitomi then answered.
All the men laughed. Hitomi just smiled. She was right and she was able to catch Yukari in her own web. No wonder they were best friends…the others thought. They knew how to catch each other off guard or turn the situation directed to them in their favor.
After awhile, they were already at the palace. It was really awkward for the two girls to be there since they didn't exactly know how to act. Folken then led the group to the throne room, which gave more shivers to both Hitomi and Yukari. Van just held Hitomi's hand and smiled at her. He then whispered to her that it was going to be alright. Hitomi just returned his smile.
"Don't worry Yukari. The King is actually very nice. He won't bite your head off I promise." Allen said as he walked with her. They were following both Hitomi and Van. This made Yukari smile. "You know Allen, you can be really be funny if you wanted to but I think that was a lame try just now." Yukari replied. Allen couldn't help but laugh. "Your sarcasm really makes me laugh Yukari." He said. "Speak for yourself." She answered.
Little did everyone know that it was only the beginning of something they never thought could happen. No one would expect that as things started to turn in their favor, it was going to be the start of something that would turn their whole world around…that it may shatter every dream that they had…and would test the strength of each of them especially their relationships. That summer, the doors had been opened and they were walking blinding into it.
As they walked through the open doors that led to the throne room, it was the start of their endeavor.
(To be continued…)
Well, I purposely made it short because I didn't know how you guys would respond. So please review so that I'll know if it's worth continuing.
Michiko
