AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you Cous-cous, Kuy, and Atlantis Angel for reviewing.
You three have encouraged me to keep on writing this fic. The first
chapters are sorta rocky but everything will be explained along the way and
stuff. This chapter is just basically about their lives and what's been
going on the past eight years . I'm sorta developing their characters on
just this chapter, so I won't ever have to go into this much detail, cause
you all will probably be bored out of your wits. This chapter is mainly
about "the mysterious young man". More will be posted about Van and
Hitomi, though. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Escaflowne and I don't claim to so please don't hurt me!
Chapter 2: Into the Present
The young man couldn't stop thinking about her. He had been looking for her for almost eight years now, and still didn't know who, or what he was. It had been eight years ago, when he suddenly appeared in Tokyo, Japan in the middle of nowhere.
~Flashback~
It was snowing. Little snowflakes, cascading into the wind, swirling everywhere. It was evening in Tokyo, Japan, and many people were shopping for last-minute presents. A dark haired man in white robes wandered about, shivering in the cold, while many people, dressed in thick heavy eskimo clothing, just stared at the conspicuous odd guy as they went zooming by, too busy to worry or even care what the hell the poor guy was doing dressed in clothing that looked like bedsheets.
As a group of girls went by him, they remarked, "Um, hello!! I think the Cleopatra thing is WAY over." They snickered, muttering nasty comments. Men in business suits gave him scornful looks.
The guy wandered aimlessly about, looking for nothing, yet everything. He didn't even know his name. Or why he was there. Many more people passed, and some gave looks of sympathy to him, but didn't stop to help. Even more people just ignored him, as if he wasn't there at all, or if he was something to be looked down upon. Hours passed, and the man was practically blue from the ultimate coldness. Yet no one tried to help.
A little boy and his mother accidently bumped into the man. The little blue-eyed boy gazed at him and said, "Mommy, look at him. He's cold, mommy. Please do something!" The boy stopped dead in his tracks, pleading with his mother.
"No, Jamie, we're too busy, we have to go," the stressed mother said, looking at the guy with not a drop of sympathy, and an angry look on her face. She pulled at the boy's arm.
"No! I'm not going until you do something." The boy pouted.
"We are going, now! Don't argue with me, Jamie Anderson!" The mother said.
The boy wrenched his hand from his mother's grip and went up to the man. He looked up at him, took off his jacket, and said, "You can have my jacket. You need it more than I do. I would give you my shoes, but they wouldn't fit you."he smiled. "Merry Christmas."
The man looked at Jamie, and said, "Thank you. You have made me feel as if there really is life on this planet." He accepted the tiny jacket and hugged it, feeling its warmth.
The mother had a look of pity in her eyes, and another look, as if remembering something from the past. The hard features that were once there were softened, and she said to the man, "Here. Come with us. Our house is a short drive from here. And we'll get you in something nice and warm. My husband is about the same size as you. Besides, no one should have to spend Christmas Eve alone." Jamie offered his hand, and together, hand in hand they walked.
As he got into the car,. The man realized that the cruel world that he was in, wasn't so cruel after all. He did not know where he came from, or why he was there.... The only thing he remembered was one word. Hitomi. He just knew he had to find her. She was the key to his answers, and finding her would tell him why he was here, and most importantly, who he was.
~End flashback.~
He had been searching for almost forever with no luck. He has almost given up on all hope of finding this mystery girl. As of now, the present, he doesn't even know his real name. He was called Damien by Mrs. Anderson. Eventually he took up the name. He still looked the same as he did eight years ago. He was about 6'4'' and muscular and built. His dark raven hair somehow matched his mesmerizing reddish bronze eyes. Another thing that was most unsual about him was his pale skin. It wasn't translucent white, but rather, well, pale. Like a pale apricot or pale peach. Someone who didn't know him would be afraid of him because of his tall stature and paleness, but he always had a kind look about him, a trusting look. He was always loving, and considerate and passionate(about his art). But most of all he was mysterious.
The aura about him was somewhat different, animals could sense that he was different from the others, and often came up to him naturally, unafraid. It wasn't unusual for squirrels to confront him, or birds, cats, dogs, and even snakes to approach him. A horse on a buggy followed him once, bringing the passengers on a crazy goose chase. But his weirdness didn't stop his family from loving him, it only made them love him more.
The so-called Damien had changed from the outsider he was, now he was more informed and open to this once unknown place he now called home. The Andersons sort of adopted him in a way. They took care of him and supported him like a real family; and he owed everything to these people, who he loved dearly. He had almost a perfect life, yet an unknown life. He had no idea who he was, yet he was accepted into a family who loved and protected them like one of their own.
The only thing keeping him from a perfect life was Hitomi. He couldn't find her. He even wrote in newspaper ads looking for Hitomi. The only thing that would complete the hole in his life was finding himself; finding out who he was, and Hitomi was the only one who could tell him. Other than the angel from his dreams.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hitomi looked outside the window, daydreaming. She was creating her own little dream world and wishing to herself that she was in Gaea, with Van, and they were together.....
"Ms. Kanzaki, can you please get your damn head out of your damn dream world?!?!! I am trying to teach a class, and I obviously can't teach one if you keep on staring at Mr. Ashiteru!!!" the teacher, Mr. Lee, exclaimed loudly.
"I wasn'-!!" Hitomi whispered, startled by the sudden outburst of Mr. Lee.
"Please shut up, Ms. Kanzaki. Let us go through our semester exam review now, cla-"
"Sir, I was looking out the-" Hitomi had now turned into a bright shade of watermelon.
"No excuses, Kanzaki. You have been daydreaming the whole summer semester. You chose to take this class and I expect obedience and intelligence from all of you. If you did not wish to take this class, then please walk out of my door and don't you dare come back."
Hitomi closed her eyes, and breathed slowly. She envisioned herself walking out of the classroom and giving the finger to Mr. Lee as she walked off. But then she opened her eyes. Back to reality, where wishes don't come true and teachers bite your head off.
After class, she hurried out the door, not wishing to confront anyone. She was dressed in a simple tan shirt, and dark denim blue jeans.
"Hey Hitomi, wait up!" A male voice shouted from afar.
She turned around, wondering who it was. Jin Ashiteru. He was sort of like boy-next-door kinda guy, and he had these great eyes, shielded by glasses though.
"This business course isn't very easy, is it? Lee seemed like he was gonna kill you or something for....Hey, what's wrong? You look exhausted." Jin Ashiteru said. Jin's gray eyes looked at her, concerned.
"Umm.. sorry.. I was looking out the window and Mr. Lee seemed to have misunderstood that....umm....Well, I've been sort of tired the whole week." Her voice faded away.
''Are you okay? You gotta rest, Kanzaki." Jin sort of frowned, but playfully messed her hair up.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll see ya later, ok? I gotta go." Hitomi smiled and then left. Jin was still there, mesmerized by her simpleness and beauty. But he wasn't the only one chasing after her. Just about every guy in Japan had a crush on Hitomi Kanzaki, and it wasn't very easy for Hitomi.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Van couldn't sleep. It was already 4:30, a while after Merle had trudged in his room and woke him up with water in his face, and ruined his dream. His dream.... Now he completely forgot about what happened in his dream! He couldn't sleep. All he thought of was Hitomi. How long was it now that he missed her? Eight long years. He sighed. Tons of things had changed since then. He had grown, for one thing. He was 6'3'' and still had the same unruly ebony hair. His skin was a fine gold-brown bronze. And he had gotten stronger, his muscles showed finely in his red shirt and brown breeches. The fierce red color of his eyes actually went well with the kind, caring look of his face. But he was no longer as loud or as impertinent as the boy that once ruled Fanelia. Hitomi had changed that. He thought before speaking, and was more considerate of others(especially to people he didn't like). But nonetheless, he was still Van. Stubborn, intelligent, cute Van.
He still was King of Fanelia, and had done many things to help his once failing country after the war. Because of his stubbornness and ingenuity, Fanelia arose from the ashes, and its people prevailed. Houses were rebuilt, as well as the old castle. And the fields and the gardens were recultivated. The places where the war was fought were recreated as fields and fields of wildflowers were grown, to symbolize peace. Hand-in-hand the people of Fanelia came together to recreate their beautiful country, and it turned out more magnificent than ever. Side by side they helped each other, and made Fanelia what it was today.
But war was still possible at any moment, even in times of peace, and Van would not let anything take the country by surprise. Not ever again. Even before the castle was rebuilt, they constructed a sort of basement underground, enough to hold four times as much as Fanelia's population, which calculated to about almost two million people. It was about eight feet underground and 8 feet high, and there were bright lamps and fire torches that were ready to illuminate the underground in case of attack. They constructed an extra wing within the space, with about 400 beds for the sick, elderly, or hurt. There was also a storage full of dry food and goods for all of the people under. Only Van, Merle, Fanelia's most trusted advisors and the men reconstructing the underground, knew of the underground safety basement. If transportation was needed, there were 4 airships at the four corners of Fanelia ready to go and pick up civilians. So Van basically had everything under control in case of attack.
Van was still thinking of Hitomi as he lay wide awake on his bed. It's been eight years, Hitomi. Do you still remember me? He just couldn't get her off his mind. Van couldn't take it anymore. I really don't care if they don't find me in my bed again in the morning. Only one thing would help ease his mind. He quickly got out of bed, opened the window, sprinted to the edge of the balcony, and jumped.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: What do you think? Do you think I went overboard on the details, or did I put not enough of them? The next chapter will be tons more interesting; a chance meeting involving two people, as well as wishful interception from the heavens. Any readers out there, please review. The more reviews I have the more encouraged I get(I tend to be lazy) and the faster I type the chapters. I really value your input. For the people who reviewed, thank you again, and 'cause of you all I'll update Chapter 3 by tomorrow(Friday).
~BlueDreamer~
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Escaflowne and I don't claim to so please don't hurt me!
Chapter 2: Into the Present
The young man couldn't stop thinking about her. He had been looking for her for almost eight years now, and still didn't know who, or what he was. It had been eight years ago, when he suddenly appeared in Tokyo, Japan in the middle of nowhere.
~Flashback~
It was snowing. Little snowflakes, cascading into the wind, swirling everywhere. It was evening in Tokyo, Japan, and many people were shopping for last-minute presents. A dark haired man in white robes wandered about, shivering in the cold, while many people, dressed in thick heavy eskimo clothing, just stared at the conspicuous odd guy as they went zooming by, too busy to worry or even care what the hell the poor guy was doing dressed in clothing that looked like bedsheets.
As a group of girls went by him, they remarked, "Um, hello!! I think the Cleopatra thing is WAY over." They snickered, muttering nasty comments. Men in business suits gave him scornful looks.
The guy wandered aimlessly about, looking for nothing, yet everything. He didn't even know his name. Or why he was there. Many more people passed, and some gave looks of sympathy to him, but didn't stop to help. Even more people just ignored him, as if he wasn't there at all, or if he was something to be looked down upon. Hours passed, and the man was practically blue from the ultimate coldness. Yet no one tried to help.
A little boy and his mother accidently bumped into the man. The little blue-eyed boy gazed at him and said, "Mommy, look at him. He's cold, mommy. Please do something!" The boy stopped dead in his tracks, pleading with his mother.
"No, Jamie, we're too busy, we have to go," the stressed mother said, looking at the guy with not a drop of sympathy, and an angry look on her face. She pulled at the boy's arm.
"No! I'm not going until you do something." The boy pouted.
"We are going, now! Don't argue with me, Jamie Anderson!" The mother said.
The boy wrenched his hand from his mother's grip and went up to the man. He looked up at him, took off his jacket, and said, "You can have my jacket. You need it more than I do. I would give you my shoes, but they wouldn't fit you."he smiled. "Merry Christmas."
The man looked at Jamie, and said, "Thank you. You have made me feel as if there really is life on this planet." He accepted the tiny jacket and hugged it, feeling its warmth.
The mother had a look of pity in her eyes, and another look, as if remembering something from the past. The hard features that were once there were softened, and she said to the man, "Here. Come with us. Our house is a short drive from here. And we'll get you in something nice and warm. My husband is about the same size as you. Besides, no one should have to spend Christmas Eve alone." Jamie offered his hand, and together, hand in hand they walked.
As he got into the car,. The man realized that the cruel world that he was in, wasn't so cruel after all. He did not know where he came from, or why he was there.... The only thing he remembered was one word. Hitomi. He just knew he had to find her. She was the key to his answers, and finding her would tell him why he was here, and most importantly, who he was.
~End flashback.~
He had been searching for almost forever with no luck. He has almost given up on all hope of finding this mystery girl. As of now, the present, he doesn't even know his real name. He was called Damien by Mrs. Anderson. Eventually he took up the name. He still looked the same as he did eight years ago. He was about 6'4'' and muscular and built. His dark raven hair somehow matched his mesmerizing reddish bronze eyes. Another thing that was most unsual about him was his pale skin. It wasn't translucent white, but rather, well, pale. Like a pale apricot or pale peach. Someone who didn't know him would be afraid of him because of his tall stature and paleness, but he always had a kind look about him, a trusting look. He was always loving, and considerate and passionate(about his art). But most of all he was mysterious.
The aura about him was somewhat different, animals could sense that he was different from the others, and often came up to him naturally, unafraid. It wasn't unusual for squirrels to confront him, or birds, cats, dogs, and even snakes to approach him. A horse on a buggy followed him once, bringing the passengers on a crazy goose chase. But his weirdness didn't stop his family from loving him, it only made them love him more.
The so-called Damien had changed from the outsider he was, now he was more informed and open to this once unknown place he now called home. The Andersons sort of adopted him in a way. They took care of him and supported him like a real family; and he owed everything to these people, who he loved dearly. He had almost a perfect life, yet an unknown life. He had no idea who he was, yet he was accepted into a family who loved and protected them like one of their own.
The only thing keeping him from a perfect life was Hitomi. He couldn't find her. He even wrote in newspaper ads looking for Hitomi. The only thing that would complete the hole in his life was finding himself; finding out who he was, and Hitomi was the only one who could tell him. Other than the angel from his dreams.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hitomi looked outside the window, daydreaming. She was creating her own little dream world and wishing to herself that she was in Gaea, with Van, and they were together.....
"Ms. Kanzaki, can you please get your damn head out of your damn dream world?!?!! I am trying to teach a class, and I obviously can't teach one if you keep on staring at Mr. Ashiteru!!!" the teacher, Mr. Lee, exclaimed loudly.
"I wasn'-!!" Hitomi whispered, startled by the sudden outburst of Mr. Lee.
"Please shut up, Ms. Kanzaki. Let us go through our semester exam review now, cla-"
"Sir, I was looking out the-" Hitomi had now turned into a bright shade of watermelon.
"No excuses, Kanzaki. You have been daydreaming the whole summer semester. You chose to take this class and I expect obedience and intelligence from all of you. If you did not wish to take this class, then please walk out of my door and don't you dare come back."
Hitomi closed her eyes, and breathed slowly. She envisioned herself walking out of the classroom and giving the finger to Mr. Lee as she walked off. But then she opened her eyes. Back to reality, where wishes don't come true and teachers bite your head off.
After class, she hurried out the door, not wishing to confront anyone. She was dressed in a simple tan shirt, and dark denim blue jeans.
"Hey Hitomi, wait up!" A male voice shouted from afar.
She turned around, wondering who it was. Jin Ashiteru. He was sort of like boy-next-door kinda guy, and he had these great eyes, shielded by glasses though.
"This business course isn't very easy, is it? Lee seemed like he was gonna kill you or something for....Hey, what's wrong? You look exhausted." Jin Ashiteru said. Jin's gray eyes looked at her, concerned.
"Umm.. sorry.. I was looking out the window and Mr. Lee seemed to have misunderstood that....umm....Well, I've been sort of tired the whole week." Her voice faded away.
''Are you okay? You gotta rest, Kanzaki." Jin sort of frowned, but playfully messed her hair up.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll see ya later, ok? I gotta go." Hitomi smiled and then left. Jin was still there, mesmerized by her simpleness and beauty. But he wasn't the only one chasing after her. Just about every guy in Japan had a crush on Hitomi Kanzaki, and it wasn't very easy for Hitomi.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Van couldn't sleep. It was already 4:30, a while after Merle had trudged in his room and woke him up with water in his face, and ruined his dream. His dream.... Now he completely forgot about what happened in his dream! He couldn't sleep. All he thought of was Hitomi. How long was it now that he missed her? Eight long years. He sighed. Tons of things had changed since then. He had grown, for one thing. He was 6'3'' and still had the same unruly ebony hair. His skin was a fine gold-brown bronze. And he had gotten stronger, his muscles showed finely in his red shirt and brown breeches. The fierce red color of his eyes actually went well with the kind, caring look of his face. But he was no longer as loud or as impertinent as the boy that once ruled Fanelia. Hitomi had changed that. He thought before speaking, and was more considerate of others(especially to people he didn't like). But nonetheless, he was still Van. Stubborn, intelligent, cute Van.
He still was King of Fanelia, and had done many things to help his once failing country after the war. Because of his stubbornness and ingenuity, Fanelia arose from the ashes, and its people prevailed. Houses were rebuilt, as well as the old castle. And the fields and the gardens were recultivated. The places where the war was fought were recreated as fields and fields of wildflowers were grown, to symbolize peace. Hand-in-hand the people of Fanelia came together to recreate their beautiful country, and it turned out more magnificent than ever. Side by side they helped each other, and made Fanelia what it was today.
But war was still possible at any moment, even in times of peace, and Van would not let anything take the country by surprise. Not ever again. Even before the castle was rebuilt, they constructed a sort of basement underground, enough to hold four times as much as Fanelia's population, which calculated to about almost two million people. It was about eight feet underground and 8 feet high, and there were bright lamps and fire torches that were ready to illuminate the underground in case of attack. They constructed an extra wing within the space, with about 400 beds for the sick, elderly, or hurt. There was also a storage full of dry food and goods for all of the people under. Only Van, Merle, Fanelia's most trusted advisors and the men reconstructing the underground, knew of the underground safety basement. If transportation was needed, there were 4 airships at the four corners of Fanelia ready to go and pick up civilians. So Van basically had everything under control in case of attack.
Van was still thinking of Hitomi as he lay wide awake on his bed. It's been eight years, Hitomi. Do you still remember me? He just couldn't get her off his mind. Van couldn't take it anymore. I really don't care if they don't find me in my bed again in the morning. Only one thing would help ease his mind. He quickly got out of bed, opened the window, sprinted to the edge of the balcony, and jumped.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: What do you think? Do you think I went overboard on the details, or did I put not enough of them? The next chapter will be tons more interesting; a chance meeting involving two people, as well as wishful interception from the heavens. Any readers out there, please review. The more reviews I have the more encouraged I get(I tend to be lazy) and the faster I type the chapters. I really value your input. For the people who reviewed, thank you again, and 'cause of you all I'll update Chapter 3 by tomorrow(Friday).
~BlueDreamer~