Escaflowne 2 hitomi's return Chapter 37: Vows, an escaflowne fanfic

heellloo people of the net.

i have finially finished this chapter.

and i hope that it's up to most if not all your standards for the long awaited wedding.

i have landed myself a job as of late and so my time that i get to work on this story has been majorly cut, and my BETA has gotten into some drama, so all of you please send warm fuzzy feelings in her direction and imaginary cookies for all that do.

serenityrain2233 - hope your still reading, and have gotten to this point, and so i welcome you

TheWinggoddess - sweatdrop ya i know that it's been awhile... i've gotten myself a job that's been keeping me very busy since Jan... and if i ever do decide not to continue with a story i will notify all readers first, so no worries there

trekker4life - ya, i know how it feels to be a tad busy... very glad that you liked it.

mic - very happy to hear that XD

darkangel - sorry that i did take so long... i ran into a bit of a block during it... so it took a while. But here it is.

Dilandau-is-My-Boyfriend - once again thank you for your help, your comliments are treasured,

serenityrain2233 - so glad that you enjoyed it, i think you'll really enjoy the next chapter that i've got planned. big grin more then one thing will be revealed in it.

nlightnd - i think you will be VERY pleased with what Van is wearing as will most Van Fangirls

mysisterthinksimasquijum - good to hear that they came out right and i'd ike to see you try XP

so now on to the story

Chapter 38: Vows

It was finally time.

The time that most girls dream of; the day that she would marry the man of their dreams. And this was no exception for Hitomi Kanzaki.

True the wedding wasn't one that she actually planned herself, the dress wasn't one that she had to pay a gazillion dollars for, but it was all that she could have hoped for; with her friends and remaining family.

Yukari came back to the room to find Hitomi seated on one of the cushioned chairs that were positioned by the window that overlooked the beach. Her sad green eyes fell upon a couple of children playing in the sand, watched over by their parents who were sitting under a giant umbrella.

"Would you believe that it's almost four years since the accident?"

The redhead's brown eyes softened at hearing the news. She quietly walked over to where her friend was sitting and placed a comforting hand on the troubled bride's shoulder. "I'm sure that they'd be proud of you."

The day had started out like any other day, with Yukari waking her up with just enough time to dash out the door with breakfast in hand, over to the collage for her first class. Then it was off to lunch where she would go to a small café where she'd order her usual, rice and a bowl of noodles with a glass of green tea. Then it was a quick dash to her next class, a quick energy drink, then track practice, after that she would track out to the dojo for a spar or two. Some of the guys were even starting to get used to her presence there.

But it was at the dojo that things started to go bad…

Her arrival had been like all the others, greeted with hostility. Today though, there were only four; Maketu, Miruton, Frank and Kurisu… just great. Maketu, Miruton, and Frank were ok. They at least treated her with indifference. But Kurisu was another story. It seemed that just because he was an up-and-coming television star on the most popular Soap Opera, made him think that all women stayed at home and watched his show, and adored him. So it must have been a big shock to him when Hitomi told him flat out that she had never heard of him, or even knew him by face.

So if it was just a blow to his ego, or if he was just a prick like that, Kurisu was determined to give her a hard time while she was there.

And today wasn't going to be any different.

"Hey, fella's, it's time again to tuck in those tummies and hold those belches, 'cause The Lady is here." He had seemed to have a favorite topic as of late, that he liked to pick at, and that topic was; that she hadn't been on a real date for over three years. And today Hitomi had had enough. She challenged him to a due. Where if she won there would be no more talk of her love life, but Kurisu countered that if she lost she would go home - and stay there.

It was virtually unheard of a trainee challenging a sempi, but, they were pretty well matched by the way of skill. Kurisu spent most of his time at the dojo just sitting around complaining about how his manager was making him take the classes. While Hitomi, on the other hand, spent her time perfecting her technique. And due to the fact that Hitomi was still a trainee they were using wooden swords, so as not to hurt the other.

Kurisu dominated the match from the very beginning, but just couldn't seem to land a blow that would finish the match, and, of course, Hitomi was no were near giving up, when They came.

Two police officers, both with a medium build, and wearing the standard blue uniform, black brim cap, wide belt, and black boots. They were just a few inches apart in height, "This Master Kirijini's dojo?" the taller one asked Frank, who was the closest to the door.

"Yes it is officers. Master Kirijini is out at the moment, but how can we help you?"

"First off, do any of you know any of the Kanzaki family?" asked the shorter one, as he scanned the five of them.

Kurisu and Hitomi looked at each other locked in the stalemate that they were in, and silently agreed to a truce. Hitomi grabbed a towel off the floor were she had left it, and walked over to the two officers, dabbing at the sweat on her forehead. "I am Hitomi Kanzaki."

The two officers looked at each other, an unreadable look on their faces.

"Well, we came here to inform the residents here that Master Kirijini was in a car accident earlier in the day." The five students gasped, "they rushed him to the hospital and the doctors there did the best that they could do. But he's still in critical care… and may lose his eyesight." They were awe struck. Without his eyesight Master Kirijini wouldn't be able to teach any more. And he was the world's best. "Ma'am? You may want to sit for this next bit of information." When she didn't the taller officer eyed her, to make sure that she wouldn't faint.

"It appeared that Master Kirijini was on his way to a late lunch with an associate of his… a Mrs. Hitohana Kanzaki, when they were hit by a dunk driver." Again the officer looked in Hitomi's direction. "Unfortunately both Mrs. Kanzaki and the driver of the other vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics."

Hitomi was stunned. She couldn't think, couldn't move, she probably would have fell if her knees weren't locked. But deep down, she knew that wasn't all… "W-who was the driver of the other car?" she never could remember making her lips move, but the words hung in the air like a bad omen.

The two officers just looked at each other, as if daring the other to tell her.

All of it didn't feel like it was real. It was more like she wasn't in her own body, like she was a visitor to some unknown person.

Maybe it was a Dream?

Or maybe it was a Vision?

It had been a long time since she had had one of Those

"Who was it!" she demanded.

The shorter one rubbed the back of his neck and looked across the room, finding the paneling very interesting. "It was Mr. Juzou Kanzaki."

Hitomi's world came crashing back in a rush, and she couldn't believe her ears.

Her father killed her mother and himself, and it was all her fault.

She closed her eyes to push back the flood of tears threatening to escapee. Only one fell. "Does my brother know yet?" she asked.

"Not yet. You were the first that we've been able to contact."

She opened her eyes, all tears put aside for a more private time.

There was a soft knock at the door, Yukari went to answer it, Hitomi stood up, ready to go. Both girls were shocked to find that it wasn't one of her friends come to get her; but her brother.

Mamoru took a few steps into the room, dressed in his work cloths; medium blue button down shirt, dark blue, almost black tie, slacks, that belt that Hitomi had given him for Christmas, and dress shoes. "Hey."

"Hey," Hitomi greeted back.

"Can I have a word with you?" he inquired, and before he could ask if they could talk in private Yukari had slipped past him, out the door and out of sight. He closed the door after her, while keeping his hands behind his back, out of Hitomi's sight.

"We can always talk. You know that." Hitomi told him, closing the distance between them. He smiled at the little promise they had made four years ago. Hitomi frowned, "You've been drinking, haven't you?"

"Ya, I have." He never lied to her… or rather never could lie to her. "But not enough to impair my judgement." She gave him a skeptical look. "I took a cab here any way…and I got you these." He pulled out a bouquet of wild flowers from behind his back. "There was a rose in there, but They took it.

"Thank you." She uttered as she accepted them, completely awe-struck.

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "… I also want to… apologize. I should have believed you from the very beginning."

Hitomi looked up from the flowers startled. "W-what? You mean that you believe me? H-how?"

He reached into his front pocket, and pulled out a delicate white feather. "I believe. We all believe." He placed the feather in her free hand. "Or we are all going crazy and seeing things." He smiled at her, and held out his arm, "Come on, he's waiting."

Mamoru opened the door and they were just about to leave, when Yukari stopped them. "Put it on." She ordered Hitomi, holding out the blue garter.

After a brief, but heated argument – which Yukari won – Mamoru offered his arm to his sister when she came out of the room. To Hitomi's surprise she wasn't led to another room or hall but outside.

Yukari walked in front of the two siblings as they walked along the beach which was deserted by this time, the family of four were probably on their way home by now.

They led Hitomi to the end of the beach where the sand met a race face. They led her through a cleft in the rock face, and what she saw on the other side, took her breath away.

There was a small nook on the other side, completely hidden from any curious eyes by the rock, except for a little part that opened up to the sea, that let gentile waves run ashore.

And there he stood.

Dressed all in white, in a material that caught in the gentile breeze. His black hair falling in his eyes. She could not read his expression, for the sun was about to set, in the picture-perfect background, but she could tell that he had a smile that echoed her own smiling face.

"We are gathered here to unite these two in marriage, which is held in honor among all people. Those who enter into this relationship must learn to cherish a mutual esteem and love; to bear with each other's strengths and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness, trouble and sorrow. With honesty to provide for each other, and to live together as heirs of the grace of life." began Kirijini, startling Hitomi. She had almost forgotten that in a past life, before the accident, Kirijini had been a Clerk . And so he stood there in a turquoise Hawaiian T-shirt, and black pants, a book held open to well-known page that he couldn't of course see. But he didn't need to read it, as he knew it from memory.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" he asked.

There was a bit of a pause, as Mamoru looked at the two lovers before he answered, "I am the one who gives this woman to this man." Mamoru unlinked his arm with Hitomi, and placed her hand in Van's outstretched hand, then stepped back, to stand with the others.

"If there is anyone present, who knows of any just cause why this couple may not be lawfully joined in marriage, make it now known or forever after keep your peace." Continued Kirijini.

Hitomi's hand would have been squished in Van's strong grip as these words were given, if she had not been squeezing as hard back. They both had no idea if one of them would change their mind and stop the ceremony.

But no one spoke up.

They all noticed how the two clung to the other, and that spoke volumes to them.

So the ceremony continued.

"Van, will you have this woman to be your wife, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her and cherish her, in the bond of marriage?

If so, answer: I will."

"I will." He had no hesitation. Ever since he realized that he loved her, this was what he had waited for.

"Hitomi, will you have this man to be your husband, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with him and cherish him, in the bond of marriage?

If so, answer: I will."

"I will." She to had been waiting for this moment.

Kirijini nodded his head in response the their answers, and carried on to the next part, "Now please repeat after me; I Van Fanel, take thee Hitomi Kanzaki, to be my wedded spouse,"

They were facing each other now, and their eyes were locked and trapped in each other's "I Van Fanel, take thee Hitomi Kanzaki, to be my wedded spouse,"

"And I do promise before these witnesses,"

"To be thy loving and faithful spouse,"

"In good times and bad,"

"In joy and in sorrow,"

"In sickness and in health,"

"As long as we both shall live."

"As long as we both shall live." No one in that cove, not even the little hermit crab, doubted him when he said that last line.

Now it was Hitomi's turn. "Hitomi, please repeat after me; I, Hitomi Kanzaki take thee Van Fanel, to be my wedded spouse,"

"I, Hitomi Kanzaki take thee Van Fanel, to be my wedded spouse,"

"And I do promise before these witnesses,"

"To be thy loving and faithful spouse,"

"In good times and bad,"

"In joy and in sorrow,"

"In sickness and in health,"

"As long as we both shall live."

"Now Van, take the ring, and place it on her hand."

Ring?

He didn't have it, and she wasn't wearing it…

Seeing the slight pause, and guessing why, Frank discretely nudged Kurisu – who was quite obviously trying not to cry- in the ribs. "The ring." Frank whispered in Kurisu's ear. Kurisu then reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a handkerchief and a small box, which he opened and pulled out the ring, and handed it to Van, then use the handkerchief to blow his nose.

Van placed the ring on Hitomi's finger.

"Now, repeat after me." Kirijini continued. "This ring I give you,"

"This ring I give you,"

"In token and in pledge,"

"Of our constant faith and abiding love."

"Hitomi," the older man turned to her, with much love and pride evident in his voice. "Please repeat after me.

"By accepting this ring,"

"I give you a token and pledge,"

"Of our constant faith and abiding love."

"May the love and joy you both feel today continue forever.

"By the authority committed unto me as Clerk Magistrate, according to the law of the City of Yokohama, I declare that Van Fanel, and Hitomi Kanzaki Fanel are now husband and wife.

"You may kiss the bride."