"Rise and shine, lil Lady!" Someone was talking to her. Hitomi opened her eyes to see Gaddes grinning down at her. "Time to get out of bed!"
"Huh?" Hitomi looked around her. She was back in the bed she was in before.
"Hitomiii!! Come on!" Merle ran into her room and jumped on top of her, licking her hand. "I'm hungry!"
"Wh...where are we?"
"Freid." Gaddes replied and walked out of the room. "Everyone's gettin' off. You better do the same. The ship's gettin' some repairs."
"Ne..ne...come on!" Merle sneered and yanked on Hitomi's arm. Hitomi grumbled and fell out of her bed.
"Oww! Why did you do that??" Hitomi snapped as she got back up, rubbing her side. Merle snickered and dashed to the doorway.
"You're such a slow poke! That hasn't changed!" Merle stuck out her tongue and left.
Weird girl...Hitomi wondered as she left the room. Merle grinned in the distance and led her out of the ship.
The harbor was beautiful. Grand ships were docked among other strange liners. The sun was shining and bird were flying all around in the sky. The air smelled fresh and clean. Hitomi could see tall buildings in the short distance. Fishermen were sitting along the harbor walk, getting their food for the local merchants. Hitomi took off her coast in the warm weather and sighed. It certainly wasn't winter here.
Everything looks so beautiful here...Hitomi thought as she and other crewmen walked onto the harbor walk. A set of horse-drawn carriages awaited at the end of the walk for everyone. Hitomi saw Van entering one. She wanted to sit with him, to try and talk about what had happened before, but Merle leaped in before she could react. Hitomi was able to catch a glimpse of Van's face. He looked forlorn and distant. Hitomi sighed. Millerna and Allen waved over at Hitomi to join them. She smiled and walked over to the elegant carriage, cautiously stepping o the wooden steps and sitting inside, next to Dryden and across from the royal couple.
The other carriages filled up and started to move. Hitomi glanced outside to watch the view pass by them. "It's so pretty..." she said quietly.
"It is. We're heading to the castle to speak with Duke Chid," Millerna informed.
"Duke Chid?"
"Yes. He was just coronated not too long ago." Dryden replied. "He's pretty gifted for a young boy."
"We'll be staying at the castle until the ship is fully functional," Allen said. His voice seemed a little sad. Hitomi glanced over at him and read sorrow in his face. What was wrong?
"Maybe seeing him will jog your memory, Hitomi?" Millerna suggested with a smile. Hitomi nodded slightly.
"Maybe..." She turned to Allen. "Is Van alright? That fight..."
"He's fine. His ego was hurt a little, but he isn't injured. Did you stop the battle, Hitomi?" Allen asked. Hitomi lowered her head and looked outside once again.
"I might have. I..I could hear all your voices. And the pain was so strong. I couldn't take it anymore so...I wanted it to stop..." Hitomi watched other vending carriages roll by on mules and bull-like animals. It all looked like something from the past. She really was in a different world. "Is he angry with me?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine. A lot has been on his mind the past few weeks. And with you losing your memory...I guess it hit him hard..." Allen said.
"Don't worry about him. He'll be just fine," Dryden grinned. "That hot-head doesn't let himself get that down for long." Hitomi nodded, hoping they were all right.
Try to stay positive. Maybe I will remember more...Hitomi smiled a little at her thought. Maybe...
A short time later, the carriages all stopped in front of a tall, golden-hued castle. Hitomi watched as guards approached the carriages and opened the doors for everyone to exit. As Hitomi left the carriage, she saw a young boy standing in front of the main entrance. He had short, blonde hair that curled a little at the ends. His blue eyes were filled with innocence, knowledge, and courage beyond his years. He bares a striking resemblance to Allen, Hitomi thought. The boy bowed as the carriages rolled away. Hitomi saw Van and Allen kneel.
"Please, no need to do that. I'm so glad you've arrived safe and sound." The young boy sounded relieved.
"Chid, you're grown so much! I barely recognized you!" Millerna cried and ran to him hugging him tightly.
"It's nice to see you again, Aunt Millerna."
Hitomi smiled while she watched the two embrace. The young boy glanced over at her; a wide smile spreading across his face. "Hitomi? Is that you?!" He exclaimed and ran to her. "I thought I would never see you again!" His smile was genuine. Hitomi frowned a little at his words.
"Your Majesty, my I request a meeting with you and your court this afternoon?" Allen interrupted.
"Ah! Yes. I'll arrange that for you. Please, Everyone, treat my castle like your own. I'll have some food made for you. Rooms have already been prepared," Chid left the group and walked back into the castle. Hitomi kept feeling a strange aura around Allen. He seemed...down...about something. But she wasn't sure of what.
Everyone then filtered their way into the lavish castle.
"This place is so huge!" Hitomi said. She blushed a little in embarrassment as soon as she spoke.
"Chid does have amazing taste," Dryden said.
"What will you meeting be about, Dear?" Millerna asked Allen.
"I have a feeling that Dilandau will follow us here. We need to have Freid prepare for a possible battle, I'm afraid."
"I'll kill that bastard for coming back!" Van growled.
"Van..." Hitomi said as she watched his fists clench at his sides.
"No. It's not his fault, Van. It was Zaibach that did this. We need to find some way to return Celena."
"You're right, Allen." Millerna agreed.
"We can't allow the past to repeat itself." Dryden yawned, stretching his arms over his head. Hitomi clutched her coat closer to her chest.
He would follow us here? What do they mean by the past repeating? Hitomi thought. The group continued through the hallway and was stopped by a group of servants.
"Please, let us show you to your rooms. Food will be prepared and brought to you shortly," one said.
"Thank you," Millerna smiled. "We very much appreciate it." The servants led everyone to a hallway of rooms. They were then individually shown to their quarters. Hitomi was taken into a very simply, yet elegant room. Tints of gold, red, and blue covered the wooden walls and candles hung from the walls. A wide window sat at the far end of the room, beside a comfortable-looking bed. The servant left almost immediately, leaving Hitomi alone. She walked over to the window and sat on the small ledge on the inside. Her hands pushed the glass, opening the doors of the window. Her hair fluttered a little in the wind as she leaned over the window ledge.
The view was spectacular. The bustle and hub from the inner city reminded her of Tokyo. Soldiers were marching around the castle grounds in practice. Trees rustled in the wind. And up in the sky hung the same blue orbs. On was easily known as the moon. Was the larger one Earth? Hitomi sighed, her head falling into her arms. Just then, a strange vibration buzzed inside her pants. Hitomi jumped and reached into her jean pocket, pulling out her cell phone. Of course! How could I have forgotten about my phone?! She thought and she flipped it open. A text message had appeared.
"HITOMI. WHERE ARE YOU? YOU MISSED YOUR PARTY. WE'RE WORRIED. CONTACT US. YUKARI."
"Oh geez..." Hitomi frowned and turned on her phone. When she tried to dial Yukari's number, a loud static sound rang through, almost hurting Hitomi's ears. She dropped the phone in surprise. "I should've known...it wouldn't have worked..." Hitomi sighed and gazed back at the view. "Will I ever go back home?" Brown hair fell over her eyes as Hitomi buried her face in her coat.