A/N: well i hope you all had a super solstice, hey ho ramadan, holly kwanza, happy honnukah, merry x-mas, and just an all round good time with familey and friends. Cause i know i did, got lots of art suplies and books.
Aine-Cat-16-well i hoope that is lives up to its reputation...
dimension guardian- yes i hope so too... i had a lot of fun writing this
Fae Rain- yes, please do
mic - yes, a sunset weddingwould bespecial, but i'm having her tell her friends and familey first.
Lyra the Sorceress of Scholars- do not worry i have been planning that out for a while XD
Kogayjilynz- thank you
Kat57- again thank you, and i'm glad that you are enjoying this
Macky- thank you
mysisterthinksimasquijum- thanks, and i have fixed it
Pure hope- OUCH! #falls unconscious# #wakes up an hour later with birlliant idea for story... but gets distracted by christmas lights on neighbours' house and forgets what the brilliant idea was# DAMM IT! oh well guess i'll have to go with plan B
Dragon Star16- and everyone else
well actually i have read the 'rules' that all authors should be following when posting his or her story on this wonderous site, and there is nothing against having some authors notes and review responses with the story. there is however a rule that states that we the authors are not allowed to have just author's notes and review responses or use the site as a message board.
so unless you-my loyal followers/fans/cult members/whatever you want to call yourselves- tattle on me to the almighty creator(s) (which i think we are all old enough not to do- espicially if you are reading this fic, which i shall remind you all is rated T) i should be fine.
and a warning to those who may be thinking that it would be funny to tattle, if my story does get taken off by powers greater then myself, i will not be putting it back up, but emailing it to those who have reviewed (signed or with email adress).
Now that i have sounded like a big meanie lets get on with the story.
Chapter 29: Lesson Two
The three girls finally made it to the training courts –Sakka asking questions all the way there- and found that there was about twelve knights warming up for their first lesson with Hitomi. Hitomi recognized a few of them –Jack, Shoseki, Ori, and Derek. Van was sitting off to the side with Kain and Damasu, who upon seeing their mom, Hitomi and 'the funny lady' waved with vigor to them as they walked over to where they were.
"Why are you dressed like Lord Van?" they asked in unison. Hitomi was wearing a set of Van's old clothes, because at some point during their journey to Austuria and Freid Hitomi's finial items of clothing that she had brought from Earth had mysteriously disappeared.
"Well," she said as she bent down so she was at their level. "It's because I don't own any clothing that's suitable to fright in, so Van was kind enough to lend me some." Seeing the satisfied looks on their faces Hitomi stood up, and noticed that Van did as well. They walked over to where her training armor was being stored.
"I've told the men the news and about the agreement, and they are all looking forward to it." Van whispered in her ear, for when they were on the Léghajó coming to Fanelia Van had tried to convince Hitomi that she needed a personal guard, for he wasn't going to be able to be with her all the time. But Hitomi argued what the point was if she could beat the best knight Fanelia had to offer. And Van argued that he would look very foolish going into a war and not having a personal guard for his queen. So they came upon an agreement that while he did his 'kingly duties' she would train a small group of men. Afterwards when she was satisfied with their skill, they would each have a three-day trail period where they would have a chance to try and keep up with her. Then she would choose who would then become her personal guard. Another part of the agreement was that while she was training the men, she would wear her training armor. Hitomi didn't mind this because she knew that a routine thing had turned into a catastrophe.
Van helped her get into her armor, wished her good luck, and bent down to give her a quick kiss, for the cubbies were off to the side and out of site.
Or so he thought-
"-OW-OOOW" came the teasing cry of one of his knights. The two quickly broke apart Hitomi's face as red as ever.
"Now-now sir, you know as well as we do that there is to be none of that before the wedding." Put on another. Which earned him a very rude gesture from Van, which issued a chorus of laughter from all the knights. Van then walked back over to where Merle and the others were sitting –who had been out of sight of the king.
Once her face had stopped burning Hitomi picked up a practice sword, and went over to where her new pupils were waiting for her, and had them line up in three lines of four, with lots of room between them. Then she had them go through the basics, so that she could see where the two styles separated.
It wasn't long into the excursus when she decided to start.
"OW! What was that for?" asked one of the knights, who had just been whacked, on the shoulder with Hitomi's practice sword.
"You weren't paying attention." Was her reply. He opened his mouth to argue but she cut him off "-True you were concentrating on the task at hand, but you were not paying attention to your surroundings. Had this been a real weapon you would be mortally wounded at best." She then turned her attention to the others who had stopped when they heard one of their colleagues cry out. "Lesson two: always expect the unexpected. Carry on."
"But what was lesson one?" another asked.
"Well. Lesson one was demonstrated the last time I was in Fanelia, by Sir Derek: Never under estimate your opponent." she nodded her head towards said man. "Now the next time I catch one of you not paying attention you will have to do laps… five should be right to start out with."
"LAPS!" came the outcry. "But that's so novice!"
"Well then I suggest that you don't let me catch you. Carry on." It soon turned out that there wasn't that much of a difference between the two fighting styles, it was just the kung fu and gymnastics that she personally added that made all the difference.
It was several hours later when Hitomi had decided that that was enough for the day, but not after she had sent every one of them for laps -at least once –to the delighted cheers of the twins.
Merle invited Sakka, Van, and Hitomi to have the evening meal in her apartments, where Hitomi was praised by the two women, and many laughs were shared when they impersonated some of the younger knights when they were told they were going to do laps. By the time they all had finished eating Jack was starting to sport a very nasty looking bruise on his left forearm where Hitomi had hit him. He was the last one to have to do laps, and had thought that he was going to escape when she had sneaked up on him.Then it was time for Hitomi and Van to go and change for the announcement that was to take place in about an hour.
so what did ya think?
and i have made a fourm for you all at: www (dot) fanfiction(dot) net /f/ 765640/
or just go back to the top of the page, then click on 'fourms' then 'anime' then find 'Escaflowne' then 'Escaflwone 2: Hitomi's Return'
