~*A/N: OMG... I'm so late with updates... :( I'm so sorry!!!!!!! Well, here's another chapter...enjoy~ Feathers of the wind~*
Could this be love?
Chapter 13: A broken promise
Hitomi's mind was set on the battle field, but also about the past. She remembered when they were young 15 year olds always fighting, but also standing firm like a rock to support each other. She missed those days, but now that a battle had begun... it was almost like 'old times' again. Of course Hitomi didn't WANT a war, but it just felt like her senses were up again, and the feeling of adrenaline pumping through her, making her heart race... she loved that feeling. It was the feeling she usually got with her running tournaments.
Hitomi's mind then reeled back a few months ago... when she was reunited with Van. The happiest day of her life, in her book. Then, finally, admitting their love for each other, being engaged... it was just perfect. Would she make it out of this war alive, to have more precious moments like that with him?
I'd better stop day dreaming right now...otherwise I won't. Hitomi scolded herself. Remember... you promised Van and Merle that you try to come back... of course Van had promised that same deed.
The battle was truly ferocious, Alatoria was very violent. Princess Maya herself was actually fighting. Hitomi secretly made it her goal of the day to be able to fight her, understand what happened. Wasn't she once a menacing killer? But wasn't she also a normal person?
Van stood out greatly amongst all of the other guymelefs. His Escaflowne, also known as the 'white dragon' proudly stood above the others, signifying it's great power. As much as Van would like to deny it, he felt like his old 15 year old self again, fighting in a war with Escaflowne.. and with Hitomi in it. Although, he still didn't like the idea of Hitomi actually being in it.
When the battle had started, as the Alatoria soldiers saw Escaflowne, they stood there in awe, gazing at the legendary Ispano guymelef that was victorious in the Destiny War... at least, that was until Princess Maya yelled at them for standing there like idiots.
"He's your enemy, not your museum artifact!" She had harshly yelled, and the battle ensued.
No matter how much Van believed that Hitomi could take care of herself, he couldn't help but glance over in her direction every 2 seconds.
Stop!! You know she can handle this herself... She even beat you! Van smirked at himself.
The battle raged on, but neither Van or Hitomi seemed to notice, the demand to be alert was much more important. When what seemed like weeks later (it was actually still the same day) the Alatorian forces seemed to be getting less.
Hitomi still hadn't seen a sign of Princess Maya.
"Where the hell is she?" Hitomi angrily wondered, looking from side to side. However, she quickly put her attention back to the battle.
I'll protect her! Hitomi heard Van's thoughts once again. I'll protect Hitomi!
Hitomi wondered where he could be, although right now it seemed like they were winning. Hitomi soon came upon a soldier equally matched as she. They were both trying their best to win, but it looked like their parrying could carry on forever. Suddenly, that soldier pulled a tricky move that Hitomi hadn't anticipated. She gasped as she knew her end would soon come.
She remembered all the happy times with Van, Merle and the others. They were to be married.. Oh, Van... I'll never see you again. I'm so sorry. I-I... Love you! Hitomi thought, bracing herself for the pain.
The pain that never came.
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Hahaha.. I scared you, didn't I? LOL... ok, here we go:
Hitomi braced herself for the pain.
The pain that never came.
Hitomi peeked one of her eyes open and wanted to cry, for standing in front of her, was the Escaflowne. Van had risked his life for hers!
The Escaflowne painfully had a sword impaled on it's side. Despite the pain, Van managed to kill that soldier anyway, but that way all he could do before the Escaflowne fell to the ground. Hitomi quickly got out from her guymelef and ran to the fallen Escaflowne, opening the cockpit to see Van.
"van! van!!! Why did you do that?" Hitomi was in tears. 'This can't be happening! Van's not dying!!' She tried to convince herself, but it wasn't working.
Van winced and opened his eyes, trying to smile through the pain.
"Hitomi... I did it.. for you. I couldn't let you die..." He sharply inhaled, as the pain struck him.
"So you're willing to let yourself die? Van! please tell me that's not what you were thinking!" Hitomi could already see Van's eyes dimming ever so slightly. "Tell me!" Hitomi cried, grabbing his hand. Van tightly held onto her hand, as if to never let go, and answered,
"yes. Hitomi.. I love you." Van slowly let his eyes close, so he could rest with the emerald-eyed girl imprinted into his mind forever.
"Van!" no answer. "VAN!!!" Hitomi couldn't believe it. NO! He couldn't be dead! She put her hand to his heart.... and nothing beat underneath her hand.
The heart that had once saved hers.. was now gone.
"VAN!!!!!! NOOO!!!! You can't do this! Please! you promised Merle you'd come back! You promised your country..." She yelled, as if she thought he could hear.
"You promised me." She whispered, breaking down, and sobbing into his shirt. Fields... she could still smell his scent, the smell of the fields. She looked at his face again, just to see if maybe he had been joking and was still alive after all. His eyes still remained closed.
She cried a heart-wrenching sob and continued to cry.
Please... someone kill me now. Hitomi pleaded. But... then Van's life would have been given in vain. Hitomi's mind reasoned.
Well, he should have realized... without him, I am dead.
She must have been sitting there for over an hour, and wondered why no one had killed her yet, as she was an easy target. She looked around, and found the battle field mostly empty. Alatoria had gotten what it wanted... the death of Fanelia, by the death of it's king.
She looked onto his face again. She would never see those beautiful eyes again, or ever feel his embrace, or hear his voice... all because of her.
"I'm so sorry Van... this is all my fault. At least you are with your family again... please tell them I'm sorry for what I've done to you... I love you... I always will...until the day I die." Hitomi whispered and kissed him once more. She took off her pendant, and placed it into Van's palm, then closed his hand around it. She never let go of his hand.
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~*A/N: I'm so evil, aren't I? I killed VAN!!! (I love Van!) Sigh... Well.. there you have it! Chapter 13! No, the story isn't finished yet. (ha, if it were you'd all probably kill me... ) please R&R!!! ~feathers of the wind~*