New Day

mystic mizu

Hitomi Kanzaki is the daughter of the Legendary Swordsman Balgus. When she was seven, her family was killed by a group of Fanelian soldiers lead by Fanelia's royal advisor Lionel. Because of this, a great hatred towards Fanelia grew inside of her. Allen Schezar, king of Moria and Gaddes found her in the forest and took care of her ever since. And since then, she committed herself to her country and to Allen.

That's what she believed for the past fifteen years.

Now that she's back from the war, a lot of things have changed. The King of Fanelia has nothing to do with her father's assassination. Van Fanel, the man whom she thought that caused her a lot of pain, changed everything that she believed and everything about her.

For the past four weeks after the war, it's been the struggle between her responsibilities and her heart. She resigned her position to prepare herself for her marriage. Before she left for the war, all she could wish for is to spend her life with the man who took care of her, but now, she's having doubts.

All these thoughts make her mind restless and uneasy. Even in her dreams all she can see is two roads, with Moria at the end of one road, and Van on the other. And whenever she's about to take one step to Moria, she's always waken by a sudden "jolt" on her leg.

This morning is different from the past daybreaks she had. This time, she thought, would be the best day to pull herself together and set her mind on returning to her original self. A woman who is dedicated to her country.

'This is a new day' she thought. Today, the whole kingdom will celebrate because all the reconstruction of Moria is done.

She got up, put her robes on and went down to the garden to get some fresh air. She always watches the beauty of sunrise to calm her mind. She was hoping to be alone in the garden, but someone whom she's not expecting to be there is standing there, gazing at the horizon.

Since she came home from war, she and Allen had never had a conversation that has nothing to do with the war. The last time that they talked was when she resigned her position. He didn't asked why, but merely approved it. She can still remember the awkward feeling of telling him.

'You're resigning?' Allen said. He's sitting behind his desk fingers intertwined with each other and elbows rested on the table.

'Yes.' She kept an eye contact between them for him to see that she's dead serious on her decision. They stared at each other for a couple of minutes before Allen spoke again.

"If that is your wish" Allen closed his eyes and smiled

He made everything look so easy, but the more Allen tries to take the burden off her shoulders, the more she felt heavier inside full of guilt and anxiety. It makes her sick of herself knowing that he's trying to make her feel better but in return, she hid herself from him. With all her might, she stood her ground, determined to make an impression to him that she wants to be around him, but with in second, uneasiness reign over bravery. She turned and stepped on a twig that broke in half and made a small cracking sound.

"Hitomi?" It will be incredibly stupid if she pretend not to notice him she thought. She slowly faced him with a small smile.

"Morning." she said soflty. Allen looked at her with complete sincerity in his calm blue eyes. He reached out his hand, she walked forward and took it. She slowly stroked her hair and gently slid down his fingers on her cheek, down to her chin, then to her shoulders. She closed her eyes, this reminded her how she felt safe with Allen by her side.

"I wonder-" She opened her eyes and saw deep grief in his eyes "-if this is what you really want." At last, she broke down and cried.

"I-I don't-"

"Do you feel like you owe your life to me?" he cupped her face and softly wiped her tears with his thumb. "Is that what's holding you back?"

"No-" She took his hand off her face. She turned her back on him and fixed herself. She can't stand looking this pathetic to anyone. The next thing knew, two strong arms are wrapped around her from behind, one across her shoulder, and one across her abdomen. "Everything that you are now, is all because of you and you alone. The great person you've become is because you faced your everyday trials on your own. I had nothing to do with it, you don't owe me anything."

He leaned his head on her shoulders and whispered "I just- I want you to be happy. The world took everything you love from you, your family, your home-" he took a deep breath and sighed "It's your chance to be happy. And even if it means leaving Moria-" his hold of her tightens "-I will accept it." He slowly released her and gently faced her to him. He wiped her damped face and smiled. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers only for a few seconds.

"You might not admit it to yourself but I know where your heart truly lies." He gave her a small smile and left.

"-where my heart truly lies." She watched him as he walked towards the palace.

Since Gaddes left right after their talk, he was left alone in his room pondering over the discussion they had. He found it hard to believe that she's in grief because they were separated. He always thought that she'd be happy to be back at her home. She always talked so highly about Allen, she doesn't let anyone insult him and to be engage to him, is like a dream come true for her. He decided to go for a fresh air to clear his mind and make the right decision.

To strip her away from her home is cruel, will she be happy with me?

Unaware of it, he found himself in front of the horse stables. He chuckled.

"I guess that's it then."

"Where have you been?" She stood there, her arms on her waist and one eyebrow raised. Gaddes, who came from a "trip", finished feeding the horse he used and looked astern and smiled.

"I see you're back to your normal bossy-smug-confident-stupidly-brave-self." He grabbed his pack and stood in front of her.

"You can't just leave the country without informing anyone. Allen gave you my position and you ought to do a great job since you worked with me before. You don't level yourself with these maggots over there that're stuck cleaning horseshoe their entire life." A few of her former crewmen guffawed and a few protested.

"C'mon Gen! Don't level us with Kio here!"

"Hey!" Kio protested.

"I'm not your general anymore, so you can talk back to me scumbag." she sniggered back.

"Yeah but for old time's sake." said Teo. "After all, you made us all look as good as Knights of Caeli of Asturia." she smiled at him.

"OH come off it! It's too early to sob over these things!" Kio threw a handful of mud at Teo who easily avoided it. "We'll have a celebration tonight! We finally finished rebuilding our houses. Hope we'll see you there Gen."

Hitomi smiled. "I'll try." She turned and saw Gaddes smiling at her. She returned the smile, strange that she suddenly feels-refreshed.

It was a fine day for a celebration, everything looked so revived. Newly painted houses, laughing children and green trees stood underneath the clear blue sky. Then she realized, all of her anxieties that's clouding her mind, and weighing her insides were gone.

'It's all clear to me now'

"Did you and Allen talk?" Gaddes asked. Hitomi looked at him confused.

"What made you think that?" Surely, she knows that he can tell what she's thinking, it's still a mystery to her how he does it.

"That smile of yours." said Gaddes. She just realized that she was unconsciously smiling. She chuckled. "Okay you got me."

"What did he say?" There was a long silence before she answered "That's between Allen and I." Gaddes scowled.

"Fine, you wouldn't tell me even if I protest a thousand times." she smiled.

"You've gone for three days, where've you been?" Gaddes gave her a devilish smile and answered "That's between me and- my horse apparently." Hitomi chuckled.

"That's fair." She opened a new topic as they headed to the palace. On their way, they passed Allen who's talking to a half wolf half man.

"This is Ruhm of Arzas." Allen introduced him. Ruhm gave a small bow as a sign of respect, Hitomi and Gaddes did the same. "He brings message from Fanelia."

"Not message actually, it's more of a- package." Then he took out a long package under his cloak. "It's for the Lady Hitomi from King Fanel." He handed the package to Hitomi. She carefully unwrapped it; it was her sword.

"My sword, I completely forgot I left it there." she stared blankly at her sword. She remembered that time they dueled. She can remember clearly the day they dueled using this sword. She was completely disgusted with him when he cut her corset off. So she cut off his clothes too but in the end, he respected her and gave him a cloak to cover herself.

"My business here is done, I must be off." said Ruhm.

"You've had a long journey, stay for the night, we're having a feast. We'll be delighted if you can come." said Allen.

"Thank you, but I must return, there's a lot to be done." Ruhm gave a small bow and turned.

"At least, let me give you some supply for your journey." Allen looked at Gaddes silently instructing him to give Ruhm the supply. Ruhm gave another bow and left leaving Allen and Hitomi alone.

"How are you feeling?" She wasn't anticipating the question at all. She thought that after their talk, it will be more awkward to be alone with each other.

"Much better." she said. She looked up and smiled at him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For giving me a chance." She faced him "I've made my decision…"

It's been three days since he left Fanelia. Before he left, he asked Merle to list down everything that happened in Fanelia and made a promise that he will take care of everything when he returns. He wasn't sure if she'll come with him, all he knows is that he'll regret if he won't try. His lips are dry whenever the idea of rejection comes to his mind. But whatever happens he's determined to tell her. Then suddenly a dagger came flying right at him. He jumped off the horse and drew his sword.

"Come out!" All he can hear is the gush of wind and rustling leaves. Then he heard a twig cracked at his left. He swiftly threw his sword and it a tree.

"Throwing your weapon then missing your target-" Out of the darkness of the woods, a young girl with short brown hair, and jade eyes stepped out and pulled his sword from the tree. "-is a terrible mistake." his eyes widened when he caught a clear view of the person he threw his sword at.

"You must've had a terrible master." he chuckled.

"I bet you had a great one." he said. "What are you doing here?" He added.

"I'm supposed to be asking that question, you're in the forest of Moria." She handed him his sword.

"I see" he doesn't know were to start. He can't believe he'd been troubling himself with the rejection and didn't even plan where to begin.

"I was on my way to Fanelia." Apparently she's prepared. "To-well, to see you actually." She couldn't look at him in the eyes. She took a deep breath and looked directly in his scarlet eyes. Once her eyes set upon his, she couldn't help but to get lost in his deep serene look.

"There are things that I need to say to you." Mixed emotions are filling up her insides, both tension and desire are flowing.

"Well-"

"Before you say anything-" he cut her sentence and held her hands. The last thing she wants to happen at the moment is to feel his gentle hands, because she knows that when he does this, she almost forget everything, cause as he said before, when they're together, there's nothing, else but them. "-I just want you to know, that I had nothing to do with your father's death. I hope you believe me."

"I believe you." There's a small smile on her face that she's unaware of.

"Why- why did you still see me every night when I was with you, when you knew that I was spying on you?" it wasn't clear to her when he answered her before.

"Because, I want to make you change your mind, but the way you talked about your country, how you loved your country made me think, that I can never take you away from the thing that you love." he cupped her face and tucked a few locks of her hair behind her ear. "I didn't let you go because I don't want you, I let you go cause I want you to be in a place where you like the most." there was a long silence before Hitomi spoke. She held his hand on her face and closed her eyes.

"Lately, I realized that the place I want to be is beside you, to be with you." Van's heart is beating fast. He can't express how happy he is. He leaned forward and claimed her lips. He longed for her, the weeks without her felt like years. He closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her. He let go of her lips and looked deep into her eyes. They smiled at each other.

No words are need to be said.

AN: there you go!

Thanks to: Wing Goddes, thepinkmartini, green amethyst, jossi-31, kiches sarjilian, Inda, Arienhod, Sakura Kaoru-Chan, Lily-Petal, Domini-chan, Neily, killua, sousie, laloner, yoo rin, Missing White Wings15, SinnerStar, f-zelda, Aga, Avian Intrepid, EarthSong002, Pretty Much A Big Deal, Sailordeedlit, Shadowwolf403, chocolate chip 6891, ilmarien81, starlight-set-me-free, Hobbiosa, Kahoko, MysticMaiden 18, story junky, TheGig, blue-rosey, jk501, romantic flowerpot, sc1986 for the faves, reviews, and alerts.

For:JC, Marielle,