Mystic Moon and the Dead

Chapter 2 – Pushing Away

(DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!)

Author note: I thought I should this clear up: the prologue starts 7 months after Hitomi's return to earth… we follow her life for the four years.


Hitomi! Van's voice rang through her mind. Why won't you speak to me? What's wrong?

Hitomi's closed her eyes tightly while she frustratingly banged her head back against the metal table she was strapped to.

"PLEASE STOP!" her mother cried from across the room. Hitomi dared to turn her head and regretted it immediately.

There, on the other side of the room, was her mother strapped to table as well. She was fully nude and shaven from head to toe. Men, that were drabbed in surgical suits and gear, surrounded the vulnerable woman… operating on her during consciousness.

"AHHHHHH!" her mother screamed bloody-murder as they carefully cut her left breast open… being cautious to not to kill her. Torturous bastards.

Hot tears burned down Hitomi's face as she witnessed this horrific act. She couldn't do anything… those evil men paralyzed the both of them from neck down. She too was bare, but was put to the side for future research. Although her side of the room was freezing, Hitomi's slate-toned skin beaded with sweat.

Hitomi! His call echoed through her skull. Something is wrong and I can sense it! Please, let me through so I can help you!

Hitomi closed her eyes again and sobbed quietly… she couldn't let him near. She couldn't let him in. They would take him too and do this shit to him because he was different. She couldn't cry out, she couldn't think anything. She was sure he would hear and come for her.

Her mother screaming from fear and sheer pain.

Van calling out for her.

Her heartbeat was so loud, she was sure her world along with Gaea could hear it.

She felt her head shake uncontrollably and every sound around her, every sound that she heard in her life vibrated her senses. Her eyes burst open, her pupils dilated and took in more light. The florescent bulbs above her began to shoot across the ceiling, streaks of bright sparkles trailed behind it. She started seeing bits and pieces of her life flash in front of her like a trailer to a movie. Her lungs felt like they were burning… she realized she couldn't breathe… but it didn't scare her.

Was she dying? Right here and now? She felt somewhat relieved that life was leaving her body.

Hitomi! Please stay with me! Van sounded desperate.

"Van," she barely whispered. "Goodbye."

Then she saw black.


GASP!

Hitomi shot up from her nightmare… or was it a flashback?

She tried to breathe evenly in hopes of settling down her heart rate. She put her head in between her knees and started to count aloud.

"One, two, three," her voice was hoarse, as if she hasn't spoken in months. She cracked open her eyes while she continued to count. She was momentarily surprised that she could see her breath like a small rolling fog.

She lifted her head and moved her bangs from her eyes… her hair was now her original length. She played with frigid, stiff hair with her forefinger and thumb. She could feel the frozen oil on her short locks. She couldn't remember the last time she showered. She welcomed this brief distraction but it didn't last long. She flopped down her hand and felt something soft and cold.

She looked at her surroundings… she was currently camping in a gigantic tree. She was nuzzled in between three huge branches that shot out from the tall trunk. This was the only place she could sleep that was relatively safe… too far up for the undead.

Her current location was beautifully eerie. Nothing but dead, snow-covered meadows could be seen… the horizon stretched far and wide, seemingly endless. The only thing out here was this dark, bare tree that seemed to reach for the sky. But this was a hard place to travel… especially in the winter and in the middle of Russia.

She sighed and shivered beneath her long, wool gray coat. You would think with wearing multiple layers of thick shirts and hoodies would keep her warm. But you were wrong as the cold somehow nipped through her leather gloves. Her fluffy scarf barely kept the draft off of her neck. Even though she was wearing 3 pairs of old socks, her toes still froze in her usual combat boots.

The average person would freeze to death out here… but she wasn't average anymore.

As she sat there, she began to reminisce numbingly…

It's been three months since Josh has killed himself. His actions almost cost Hitomi's life, but yet she doesn't blame him. She wished she could do it too… but her extinct told her not to. Like her father use to say, follow your gut.

Well, best to keep following my gut because it doesn't want to be eaten like spaghetti.

Whatever those scientists, or doctors, or whatever, did to me… they really did change me. I feel physically stronger and faster. I don't get colds or anything like that anymore. They all in all, physically improved me… but why? This was not worth it. How they did it, for how long they did it… and what came from it. Everybody is dead… and hungry.

Hitomi wasn't sure why, but it felt good to finally think these thoughts. She was confused why… it's not like she was talking to a close friend or something.


They really did change me…

Van perked up as he faintly heard her voice. He was having a meeting with his council discussing an important matter… marriage. Well, they were discussing, he was ignoring. He would rather talk about importing and exporting goods for his people… he considered that to be more important than him getting married. But, what does he know? He's only king.

Van tossed aside his sarcastic musing as he tried concentrating on hearing her voice again. It's almost been a year since she said goodbye… a part of him thought she died and the rest hoped he was wrong. Even there was a sliver of hope; he couldn't stop his constant nightmares that he has been cursed with.

He heard more faint mumbles but couldn't make it out because his council was droning loudly. He closed his eyes and blocked out all voices except for hers. He even silenced himself… he was sure that she didn't want him to read her thoughts.

This was not worth it…. what came from it.

Damn, he really wished he knew what she was talking about. She sounds so alone and depressed. But why?

Everybody is dead… and hungry.

"Hungry?" Van blurted out which caused everyone to pause and stare at him. Van's face was full of concern and bafflement. (AN: What a funny mental image.)

"Sir," the treasurer started. "If you are hungry, maybe we should take a break."

Van didn't answer as he stood up and dashed out of the conference room. He wasn't sure what he entirely said but he heard 'break.' Van ran down the halls and hid behind a wooden pillar. The summer breeze whispered through the open windows. The sound of leaves rustling and birds chirping contrasted with his nerves. It was so cheerful outside, but he felt chaotic on the inside.

After he caught his breath, he tried to make contact to his favorite green-eyed beauty.


Hitomi was perched up on another branch with her new duffel bag. She had to admit, she loved this tree. It had so many branches and spots where you can store your belongings.

Maybe I should make a tree house…

She shook her head with a slight chuckle. That would be stupid… she would clearly run out of supplies and starve to death. This place was too frozen over for her to survive.

While tossing aside her childish ideas as she went through her daily routine.

She combed back her hair with tiny salon brush.

She pulled out her toothbrush, toothpaste and water bottle. She put a pea-size amount of paste on her brush (she wanted to save her supplies), took a sip of her water and brushed her teeth vigorously. When she was finished, she just spit out from the tree and let it hit the ground. She rinsed with a mini mouthwash… or she hoped it was mouthwash (her supplies were in Russian). So far, so good.

After putting on deodorant, she put away all of her hygiene supplies and pulled out her 45. Every morning, she would check to see how much ammo she had left – so she wasn't caught off guard. Even if she only used her sword the previous day, she would double check her bullets.

Only a half of clip left… best to save it for an emergency.

What's a clip? Hitomi almost dropped her gun after hearing man's voice in her head… Van's voice. She froze like a deer in headlights.

Hitomi, please answer. He voice tried to stay calm and collected.

How was he able to talk to her? Then it dawned on her… when she felt good thinking to herself… she wasn't just thinking to herself, she was thinking to Van… practically talking to him. She wasn't sure if she should reply… but her wanting to hear his soothing voice was so strong.

Then talk to me. It appears he can hear every thought and sense every feeling. That made her blush. Please, Hitomi, I need to hear your voice too.

Van? Fuck, she gave in.

Thank Gaea, you answered. Hitomi, what's going on?

I, well… I'm traveling. Technically true… but traveling can be good, right?

Hitomi, his voice sighed. I know there's more to it. A part of me thought you died!

Van, she pleaded. I don't want to talk, er, think about it.

Can you at least tell me that you're OK? He sounded so desperate.

Yes, I'm OK… at the moment. Shit, she didn't mean to let that last part out.

What do you mean, "at the moment?"

Nevermind, Van. Please, let's talk about something else. If we don't, I'll block you out again.

Fine. He didn't seem too happy with the deal.

How's Fanelia? Is it fully rebuilt? She really hoped that everything was going alright over there.

Pretty much. She could sense he was smiling. My people have homes, the castle is almost complete. There's a comfortable supply of food and water.

Her stomach growled to that.

You sound hungry, Hitomi. He was concerned again.

Wow. She tried to laugh it off, even though she her stomach ached horribly. I must be if you heard that from all the way over there.

Ha, yeah. He seemed to fall for her fake humor. It echoed.

She burst out in laughter… she almost fell out of her tree. She hasn't laughed this hard for over a year… it felt good. Everything that had happened seemed to melt away as she giggled down.

Well. Van was smiling wide. That seemed to put you in a better mood.

Thank you, Van. I needed a good laugh.

Hitomi. He started serious and gentle at the same time. I promise to make you laugh everyday if you let me come see you. I need to see for myself that you are OK.

Van, I can't let you come here.

Why not? She felt his heart plummet.

Maybe she should tell him… maybe he could take her away if he's fast enough. His voice, his attention to her… it was so addictive. Could she really live on forever without him? Will she even be able to survive this?

Hitomi? She knew he could sense her feelings.

Van…

She was interrupted when she heard something from afar. Distant growling and grumbling…

She looked in the direction where it came from and saw tiny moving dots. She narrowed her eyes and concentrated on zooming in. After her stomach turning, she was able to do so. The sight was shaky since she hasn't had too much practice with this new trick of hers. She saw them. Eight very rabid looking infected wild boars.

She retracted her sight back to normal. She choked on bile as the nausea ached across her body. She ignored the feeling as panic overcame her. They must've heard her laughing. They were far, but could get here in minutes if she didn't start moving.

Seeing these creatures made up her mind… keep Van away. If he came here, there's a chance he could get killed… or worse, infected. She couldn't handle that. She will have to keep him and everyone away, or she will lose them.

Well, either way she is losing them… but this way, they are safe and away from this Hell.

Hitomi? What's going on? Van asked… He seemed nervous by what she was feeling.

I'm sorry, Van. But I have to go.

Hitomi, no. I can come get you! Just let me through! Wish for me there!

"No!" she screamed aloud. "Stay away!"

With that, she blocked him out.


She had been running for hours and she was sure she lost the infected beasts. But she was not only running from being eaten alive, she was running from her past… her life… her friends.

In order to keep them safe, she will have to keep them away. She didn't want "stay away" to be her last words to Van, but there was nothing she could do. She can't change it, even though she wants to so bad.

I want to give him a proper goodbye.

I want to give him some explanation as to why I can't let him near.

I want to tell him that I loved him and always will.

She was happy and sad at the same time that he could no longer hear her. As she ran, cold tears cascaded down her rosy cheeks. Her lungs burned from the bitter air and her quiet sobbing. She wasn't too surprised that she could keep up her pace for such a long time… it was a combination of track training, illegal human testing and adrenaline. The duffel bag weighing her down didn't even seem to bother her.

Even if her body was in pain, she wouldn't have noticed. She was too choked up for running from her beloved.

Please forgive me, Van.