Chapter 2: Moonlight.
AN: All I really have to say is a big thank you to all who reviewed the last chapter and that I hope you enjoy this one! Thank You!
Also, this chapter is centred completely on Dilandau and Hitomi, sorry Van lovers but I thought it was time for a little (and by little I mean 'blink and you'll miss it', he he he) romance. Please forgive me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne... yet.
Crouched over an extremely uninteresting document, that's contents said nothing of real importance, Hitomi Kanzaki found herself wishing that she was somewhere else. Mentally she laughed at her silent complaint, for it was her own line of reasoning that had lead her down into the lower levels of Fanelia's castle and into the dimly lit library in the first place.
Her porcelain form was seated at an old desk, the wood that made it rotting to the core due to its mistreatment over the years and an onslaught of woodworm. The only light source in the room was a small candle held in a blue china holder, which Hitomi had set down on her right side when she had settled herself earlier that evening. The smell of musty books rose and fell with the convection current circling the room, though the female slayer neglected to realise. Shadows flickered along the white washed walls, what you could see off them, for bookshelves outlined most of the room, intensifying then fading again as the flame of Hitomi's candle began to die.
Finally giving up on making any sense of the text scrawled neatly, but almost indecipherably, on the parchment before her Hitomi raised her head and straightened her aching back. Glaring down at the paper below her, almost growling at it, the young mage slammed a balled fist down onto the table, just shy of hitting the document and exhaled deeply, swearing moments later when her angered breath extinguished the flame of her candle. ''Damn nonsense.''
Fumbling for a few moments, in search of the candle, Hitomi sighed as she hand came in contact with the wax stick. A second later the rooms dim light was restored as Hitomi conjured a flame and re-lit the wick. ''I gotta get outta here.'' She mumbled in frustration into the soon to be empty expanse as she rose, candle and holder in hand and walked towards the door. The document she had been reading left, discarded, on the old rotting desk as the door closed softly behind her.
~~~~~
Sweat drenched and shivering, Dilandau's fair skinned form curled into a ball beneath his sheets, his chest rising and falling rapidly with the sudden increase in his heart rate.
Nightmares.
He'd been suffering from them since Miguel's death. They didn't visit every night, but when they did it left he crimson-orbed commander's head pounding. However, it wasn't the physical aftermath that left him angered, but the painful feeling of loss and despair, accompanied by the realisation that no one was in fact as immortal as he previously liked to have believed. It, in his mind, had the same affect as being hit by a tonne of bricks.
Squeezing his usually fire bright eyes shut, he did all he could do to help himself at that moment. Dilandau Albatou sobbed softly, lying as still as humanly possible, waiting for the pain to stop.
~~~~~
Hitomi walked slowly through the many corridors that lead back to her room. Nodding her head slightly at any guards or night shift servants she passed along the way. Her feet moved of their own accord, as they already knew the way, and Hitomi allowed her mind to wander to other things.
Hitomi hated to admit when she was wrong, but she hated to apologise to people that she felt didn't deserve it even more.
This evening she'd had to do both.
''Bloody cat women,'' She muttered to herself as their uppity faces appeared in her minds eye. ''Nothing but trouble.'' Hitomi concluded, feeling slightly better about the whole situation when she remembered the small but significant damage each of them had acquired after standing in her way. Under normal circumstances she would have tried to talk her way in, but creeping though the castle all afternoon had been frustrating, plus Hitomi did have a tendency for dramatic entrances. The corners of her lips curved upwards ever so slightly upon remembering how she'd saved Van's life when they'd first met.
After the apology, a slightly flustered Van and an amused Dilandau explained Hitomi's presence and she was given permission to listen in on the rest of the meeting. Though it had turned out as more of an argument between the chief adviser and the youngest prince. When the assembly had concluded, Hitomi had been almost attacked by the other slayers, all telling her 'never to do anything like that again'. Hitomi still wasn't sure whether they had meant her entrance or her leaving in the first place, but it didn't matter. She was back where she belonged.
Walking up another flight of stairs, Hitomi entered a brightly lit, red-carpeted hallway. Her room stood at the far end, and she made her way on soft feet towards it. The young mage didn't get very far however, she'd barely taken two steps when the door to her immediate left caught her eye. It was open. Barely an inch, but it was open, someone had either recently gone in, or come out.
Sifting her gaze to the large window at the end of the hall Hitomi tried to estimate the time. Gaea's moons blazed before her in all their blue tinted glory, it had to be about three in the morning, judging by their light. What could anyone be doing wandering around this early?
'Well,' a little voice in the back of her mind provided, 'they might have just spent half the night reading then re-reading an blotted old document about a dragon prophecy,' 'Shut up.' The less rational part of her mind retorted. This was no time to be standing in the middle of a deserted corridor, arguing with ones self.
Her brown boots moved soundlessly and Hitomi entered the room, creaking the door open a few more inches to gain entry.
'It's so cold.'
Was the first observation the young mage made mentally upon moving further inside the room. The drapes directly opposite her, used to cover the opened window from sunlight and intruding eyes, where reaching into the middle of the room. Their fabric dancing on the same breeze that was making the bare skin on Hitomi's arms irrupt in goosebumps. Apart from the stray papers that rested on the vacant desk, which shifted their positions in the cold air, the room was undisturbed. No one but Hitomi was here. Moving away from the window, the slayer headed towards the four-poster that stood to her far right, the sheets had been recently slept in. Resting a pale hand onto the centre on the bed Hitomi realised that they were damp, freezing in fact, as the cold breeze dried them. 'Someone's having a really rough night.'
Hitomi decided to shut the door behind her as she found herself back in the bright hallway. If there was nothing wrong then there was no reason for her to stay. With that thought in mind, she continued her journey towards her own room.
~~~~~
Still sweat drenched, but no longer sobbing, Dilandau stood in the middle of a secluded garden he'd taken note of when he and his men had first arrived back at the castle. His black button up shirt lay forgotten on a near by bench, leaving him clad in nothing but his black leather pants and dark boots, as he practised his sword skills.
The undisturbed foliage around the albino commander swayed slightly as a cool wind cut through the small garden in much the same manner as Dilandau's sword cut through the crisp night air. Beautiful red and yellow flowers were spread out in ordered rows, their colourful patterns weaving in and out as they ran round the gardens outskirts. Four massive oaks loomed over the clearing, their wide spread branches shielding the small glade from the view of an onlooker.
Dilandau's breathing was becoming more and more erratic as he continued moving his weight from one foot to the other, twisting and turning in the centre of the clearing. His blade slicing though invisible enemies and blocking his body from the better of his unseen opponents. Without the gold diadem, which usually adorned his fore head, his silvery bangs stuck to his damp face, he made no move to push them aside.
Raising his right arm, carrying his sword with it, He raised the blade over his head as his other hand came to a rest about his right on the hilt. With a final burst of force Dilandau's blade was brought down with a snap, right before it's tip sunk into the ground as the red-eyed commander's knees gave out and he fell to the grass below.
Kneeling on the ground back arched and head down as his white knuckled hands remained gripped on the hilt of his sword, Dilandau let his eye lids fall as he willed his breathing to regulate itself again.
~~~~~
''Having trouble sleeping?''
The question snapped Dilandau out of his uneasy trance and he raised his head, a lot slower that his reflexes would have usually allowed him to. Through his silvery bangs Dilandau breathed in sharply as Hitomi form came into view. Her shoulder length hair weaved around her face as the cool air played with it. She was dressed the same as she always was, but the way the twins moons shone from behind her almost seemed to make her entire outline glow. Dilandau realised how venerable he must look and pushed on the hilt of his sword, trying to muster the strength to stand up again, but his body wouldn't allow it.
Hitomi was almost shocked when her commander started to fall backwards, as if about to faint. Painful memories of Miguel's death flashed past her minds eyes as she dashed forward, supporting Dilandau's frame with her own before he had a change to tip back onto the ground completely. With her help he managed to stand but his left arm hung loosely round her shoulders and his right was slacking at his side, his sword still gripped in his hand.
It wasn't until Hitomi had made sure she was purporting him properly that her wandering gaze snapped back to his face, heat raising to her face despite her calm expression as she noticed his state of dress. Or undress.
Hitomi tried to lock their gazes so she could question him, but his eyes were closed. ''What the hell is wrong with you?'' Hitomi flinched at her own tone, she hadn't meant for it to come out that harsh. It, however, did succeed in gaining Dilandau's attention.
''What?'' He asked her question with a confused tone, almost whispering hoarsely to her as his crimson depths flickered open, his sword finally clattering to the ground below, unnoticed.
''I asked if you were Okay.'' Hitomi lied quickly, pulling him with her as she headed for the bench to their left and lowered herself down onto it, pulling the commander of the dragon slayers with her.
As if suddenly realising were he was, Dilandau removed his arm from her shoulders as she sat. ''I'm fine.'' He replied through gritted teeth.
''You look like hell.'' Hitomi stated emotionlessly, secretly hurt that he would not immediately confide in her. 'He thinks of me as an underling.' She spat at herself mentally, staring into the night before them.
Despite his exhaustion Dilandau sniggered. ''Thanks.''
Silence.
''What the hell do you think you're doing, practising sword techniques at this time of the morning?'' Hitomi suddenly irrupted, her frustration finally making her snap. ''Already deprived of sleep and obviously ill.'' She finished, her eyes blazing as they bore into his. Mentally Hitomi was already chiding herself, but her gaze met his and didn't waver. It wasn't usual behaviour for the young mage, but after apologising for nothing then spending her entire evening cooped up in a small room reading passages of text, written by madmen who thought they knew what the hell they were talking about... Well she was a little annoyed.
Dilandau growled at her from the back of his throat. ''I. Am. Not. Ill.'' He spoke the words clearly, pausing between each one. Dilandau Albatou doesn't get sick. He spat internally, even the thought of being so, helpless, made his stomach turn in disgust.
''Yes. You. Are.'' Hitomi replied in the same tone, furious that he was so arrogant.
Dilandau sent her a glare that could have brought full-grown men to their knees, pleading for mercy, but the slayer opposite did nothing but return a look just as deadly. Breaking the gaze Dilandau gave up, his mind to drained to deal with the irrational town girl. ''How did you know I was here?'' He asked, ignoring the argument and staring down at the grass his boot clad feet rested firmly on as he sat, still willing his heart rate back to normal.
Hitomi faulted, how had she found him? After walking into her room, setting down the extinguished candle and its holder back onto her nightstand she had suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to go for a walk. And here she was. ''I couldn't sleep either.'' She said, also looking down.
Dilandau knew she was lying to him, and as much as he'd like to have told himself he didn't care. He suddenly felt a sharp pang in his chest. Ignoring it he sat tall again, his eyes landing back on his sword, which still lay forgotten in the long grass near the centre of the clearing. ''How long until sun rise?''
''About a half hour.'' Hitomi stated without looking up, which didn't surprise her companion. ''Will the meetings continue?'' She asked the other slayer, who knew more about the present situation then she did.
''Yes.'' Was the reply she received.
Hitomi sighed.
''I know.'' Dilandau spoke, his tone less weak as being in Hitomi's mere presence, though he would never admit it, gave him strength. ''But the sooner a decision is reached, the sooner we can get back out there,'' He motioned towards the forestry beyond the city. ''And kick some scaly ass.''
Hitomi returned the playful grin Dilandau sent her.
''You need some medicine to help you sleep.'' The female slayer told him, her tone implying that she wasn't about to take no for an answer.
Dilandau said nothing as she helped him rise, then walk as they headed back towards the castle, the sky a lighter blue as a new day dawned over the damned people of Fanelia's capital.
AN: All I really have to say is a big thank you to all who reviewed the last chapter and that I hope you enjoy this one! Thank You!
Also, this chapter is centred completely on Dilandau and Hitomi, sorry Van lovers but I thought it was time for a little (and by little I mean 'blink and you'll miss it', he he he) romance. Please forgive me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne... yet.
Crouched over an extremely uninteresting document, that's contents said nothing of real importance, Hitomi Kanzaki found herself wishing that she was somewhere else. Mentally she laughed at her silent complaint, for it was her own line of reasoning that had lead her down into the lower levels of Fanelia's castle and into the dimly lit library in the first place.
Her porcelain form was seated at an old desk, the wood that made it rotting to the core due to its mistreatment over the years and an onslaught of woodworm. The only light source in the room was a small candle held in a blue china holder, which Hitomi had set down on her right side when she had settled herself earlier that evening. The smell of musty books rose and fell with the convection current circling the room, though the female slayer neglected to realise. Shadows flickered along the white washed walls, what you could see off them, for bookshelves outlined most of the room, intensifying then fading again as the flame of Hitomi's candle began to die.
Finally giving up on making any sense of the text scrawled neatly, but almost indecipherably, on the parchment before her Hitomi raised her head and straightened her aching back. Glaring down at the paper below her, almost growling at it, the young mage slammed a balled fist down onto the table, just shy of hitting the document and exhaled deeply, swearing moments later when her angered breath extinguished the flame of her candle. ''Damn nonsense.''
Fumbling for a few moments, in search of the candle, Hitomi sighed as she hand came in contact with the wax stick. A second later the rooms dim light was restored as Hitomi conjured a flame and re-lit the wick. ''I gotta get outta here.'' She mumbled in frustration into the soon to be empty expanse as she rose, candle and holder in hand and walked towards the door. The document she had been reading left, discarded, on the old rotting desk as the door closed softly behind her.
~~~~~
Sweat drenched and shivering, Dilandau's fair skinned form curled into a ball beneath his sheets, his chest rising and falling rapidly with the sudden increase in his heart rate.
Nightmares.
He'd been suffering from them since Miguel's death. They didn't visit every night, but when they did it left he crimson-orbed commander's head pounding. However, it wasn't the physical aftermath that left him angered, but the painful feeling of loss and despair, accompanied by the realisation that no one was in fact as immortal as he previously liked to have believed. It, in his mind, had the same affect as being hit by a tonne of bricks.
Squeezing his usually fire bright eyes shut, he did all he could do to help himself at that moment. Dilandau Albatou sobbed softly, lying as still as humanly possible, waiting for the pain to stop.
~~~~~
Hitomi walked slowly through the many corridors that lead back to her room. Nodding her head slightly at any guards or night shift servants she passed along the way. Her feet moved of their own accord, as they already knew the way, and Hitomi allowed her mind to wander to other things.
Hitomi hated to admit when she was wrong, but she hated to apologise to people that she felt didn't deserve it even more.
This evening she'd had to do both.
''Bloody cat women,'' She muttered to herself as their uppity faces appeared in her minds eye. ''Nothing but trouble.'' Hitomi concluded, feeling slightly better about the whole situation when she remembered the small but significant damage each of them had acquired after standing in her way. Under normal circumstances she would have tried to talk her way in, but creeping though the castle all afternoon had been frustrating, plus Hitomi did have a tendency for dramatic entrances. The corners of her lips curved upwards ever so slightly upon remembering how she'd saved Van's life when they'd first met.
After the apology, a slightly flustered Van and an amused Dilandau explained Hitomi's presence and she was given permission to listen in on the rest of the meeting. Though it had turned out as more of an argument between the chief adviser and the youngest prince. When the assembly had concluded, Hitomi had been almost attacked by the other slayers, all telling her 'never to do anything like that again'. Hitomi still wasn't sure whether they had meant her entrance or her leaving in the first place, but it didn't matter. She was back where she belonged.
Walking up another flight of stairs, Hitomi entered a brightly lit, red-carpeted hallway. Her room stood at the far end, and she made her way on soft feet towards it. The young mage didn't get very far however, she'd barely taken two steps when the door to her immediate left caught her eye. It was open. Barely an inch, but it was open, someone had either recently gone in, or come out.
Sifting her gaze to the large window at the end of the hall Hitomi tried to estimate the time. Gaea's moons blazed before her in all their blue tinted glory, it had to be about three in the morning, judging by their light. What could anyone be doing wandering around this early?
'Well,' a little voice in the back of her mind provided, 'they might have just spent half the night reading then re-reading an blotted old document about a dragon prophecy,' 'Shut up.' The less rational part of her mind retorted. This was no time to be standing in the middle of a deserted corridor, arguing with ones self.
Her brown boots moved soundlessly and Hitomi entered the room, creaking the door open a few more inches to gain entry.
'It's so cold.'
Was the first observation the young mage made mentally upon moving further inside the room. The drapes directly opposite her, used to cover the opened window from sunlight and intruding eyes, where reaching into the middle of the room. Their fabric dancing on the same breeze that was making the bare skin on Hitomi's arms irrupt in goosebumps. Apart from the stray papers that rested on the vacant desk, which shifted their positions in the cold air, the room was undisturbed. No one but Hitomi was here. Moving away from the window, the slayer headed towards the four-poster that stood to her far right, the sheets had been recently slept in. Resting a pale hand onto the centre on the bed Hitomi realised that they were damp, freezing in fact, as the cold breeze dried them. 'Someone's having a really rough night.'
Hitomi decided to shut the door behind her as she found herself back in the bright hallway. If there was nothing wrong then there was no reason for her to stay. With that thought in mind, she continued her journey towards her own room.
~~~~~
Still sweat drenched, but no longer sobbing, Dilandau stood in the middle of a secluded garden he'd taken note of when he and his men had first arrived back at the castle. His black button up shirt lay forgotten on a near by bench, leaving him clad in nothing but his black leather pants and dark boots, as he practised his sword skills.
The undisturbed foliage around the albino commander swayed slightly as a cool wind cut through the small garden in much the same manner as Dilandau's sword cut through the crisp night air. Beautiful red and yellow flowers were spread out in ordered rows, their colourful patterns weaving in and out as they ran round the gardens outskirts. Four massive oaks loomed over the clearing, their wide spread branches shielding the small glade from the view of an onlooker.
Dilandau's breathing was becoming more and more erratic as he continued moving his weight from one foot to the other, twisting and turning in the centre of the clearing. His blade slicing though invisible enemies and blocking his body from the better of his unseen opponents. Without the gold diadem, which usually adorned his fore head, his silvery bangs stuck to his damp face, he made no move to push them aside.
Raising his right arm, carrying his sword with it, He raised the blade over his head as his other hand came to a rest about his right on the hilt. With a final burst of force Dilandau's blade was brought down with a snap, right before it's tip sunk into the ground as the red-eyed commander's knees gave out and he fell to the grass below.
Kneeling on the ground back arched and head down as his white knuckled hands remained gripped on the hilt of his sword, Dilandau let his eye lids fall as he willed his breathing to regulate itself again.
~~~~~
''Having trouble sleeping?''
The question snapped Dilandau out of his uneasy trance and he raised his head, a lot slower that his reflexes would have usually allowed him to. Through his silvery bangs Dilandau breathed in sharply as Hitomi form came into view. Her shoulder length hair weaved around her face as the cool air played with it. She was dressed the same as she always was, but the way the twins moons shone from behind her almost seemed to make her entire outline glow. Dilandau realised how venerable he must look and pushed on the hilt of his sword, trying to muster the strength to stand up again, but his body wouldn't allow it.
Hitomi was almost shocked when her commander started to fall backwards, as if about to faint. Painful memories of Miguel's death flashed past her minds eyes as she dashed forward, supporting Dilandau's frame with her own before he had a change to tip back onto the ground completely. With her help he managed to stand but his left arm hung loosely round her shoulders and his right was slacking at his side, his sword still gripped in his hand.
It wasn't until Hitomi had made sure she was purporting him properly that her wandering gaze snapped back to his face, heat raising to her face despite her calm expression as she noticed his state of dress. Or undress.
Hitomi tried to lock their gazes so she could question him, but his eyes were closed. ''What the hell is wrong with you?'' Hitomi flinched at her own tone, she hadn't meant for it to come out that harsh. It, however, did succeed in gaining Dilandau's attention.
''What?'' He asked her question with a confused tone, almost whispering hoarsely to her as his crimson depths flickered open, his sword finally clattering to the ground below, unnoticed.
''I asked if you were Okay.'' Hitomi lied quickly, pulling him with her as she headed for the bench to their left and lowered herself down onto it, pulling the commander of the dragon slayers with her.
As if suddenly realising were he was, Dilandau removed his arm from her shoulders as she sat. ''I'm fine.'' He replied through gritted teeth.
''You look like hell.'' Hitomi stated emotionlessly, secretly hurt that he would not immediately confide in her. 'He thinks of me as an underling.' She spat at herself mentally, staring into the night before them.
Despite his exhaustion Dilandau sniggered. ''Thanks.''
Silence.
''What the hell do you think you're doing, practising sword techniques at this time of the morning?'' Hitomi suddenly irrupted, her frustration finally making her snap. ''Already deprived of sleep and obviously ill.'' She finished, her eyes blazing as they bore into his. Mentally Hitomi was already chiding herself, but her gaze met his and didn't waver. It wasn't usual behaviour for the young mage, but after apologising for nothing then spending her entire evening cooped up in a small room reading passages of text, written by madmen who thought they knew what the hell they were talking about... Well she was a little annoyed.
Dilandau growled at her from the back of his throat. ''I. Am. Not. Ill.'' He spoke the words clearly, pausing between each one. Dilandau Albatou doesn't get sick. He spat internally, even the thought of being so, helpless, made his stomach turn in disgust.
''Yes. You. Are.'' Hitomi replied in the same tone, furious that he was so arrogant.
Dilandau sent her a glare that could have brought full-grown men to their knees, pleading for mercy, but the slayer opposite did nothing but return a look just as deadly. Breaking the gaze Dilandau gave up, his mind to drained to deal with the irrational town girl. ''How did you know I was here?'' He asked, ignoring the argument and staring down at the grass his boot clad feet rested firmly on as he sat, still willing his heart rate back to normal.
Hitomi faulted, how had she found him? After walking into her room, setting down the extinguished candle and its holder back onto her nightstand she had suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to go for a walk. And here she was. ''I couldn't sleep either.'' She said, also looking down.
Dilandau knew she was lying to him, and as much as he'd like to have told himself he didn't care. He suddenly felt a sharp pang in his chest. Ignoring it he sat tall again, his eyes landing back on his sword, which still lay forgotten in the long grass near the centre of the clearing. ''How long until sun rise?''
''About a half hour.'' Hitomi stated without looking up, which didn't surprise her companion. ''Will the meetings continue?'' She asked the other slayer, who knew more about the present situation then she did.
''Yes.'' Was the reply she received.
Hitomi sighed.
''I know.'' Dilandau spoke, his tone less weak as being in Hitomi's mere presence, though he would never admit it, gave him strength. ''But the sooner a decision is reached, the sooner we can get back out there,'' He motioned towards the forestry beyond the city. ''And kick some scaly ass.''
Hitomi returned the playful grin Dilandau sent her.
''You need some medicine to help you sleep.'' The female slayer told him, her tone implying that she wasn't about to take no for an answer.
Dilandau said nothing as she helped him rise, then walk as they headed back towards the castle, the sky a lighter blue as a new day dawned over the damned people of Fanelia's capital.