A Disclaimer: I own none of the characters belonging to Escaflowne or Sailor Moon.
Author's Notes: Hey minna-chan! Well, what with all the confusion with the new system, I decided I would put out an author alert of my own. If you wish to be added to my list each time I add a new chapter, please let me know by emailing me at chibi_tenshi24@yahoo.com
A few quick blurbs before continuing. I hadn't realised that a lot of people hadn't seen that many episodes of Escaflowne, but Chid is Prince Chid zar Freid, Millerna's nephew. He's that cute adorable little boy whose mother (ahem! I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen the series yet – email me to find out about this part if you don't' already know) has told him countless of stories about the great warrior, Allen Schezar. And to make sure we're all starting on the same foot, Usagi is indeed Van and Hitomi's daughter. That's that! Special thanks to all my "chans" (Angel, D, Hikari, Jade, and MK) for putting up with my insanity over ICQ! And now…
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Cursed: Chapter 2
The one face I hadn't seen in almost fifteen years. Standing in front of me, alive and well. The strength of his aura overpowers me, making me feel as if I were in the presence of omnipotence. I remember the ten-year-old boy who had watched over me, and was perpetually my companion. It seemed like such a long time ago, and though it was, I was a completely different person back then. I had been an ordinary child. I remember how much I loved running through the fields, though people frequently told me to behave more like a princess. I remember the sense of freedom I felt, and the exhilaration that swept through me, feeling at one with nature. Just like it was then as it is now, it never fails to comfort me whenever I'm outside. Chid... he had left me to fulfill his duties. He had begun his training to become Duke of Freid. It still seems like yesterday that I was still that girl.
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"Do you have to leave?" A young girl pleaded with tears flowing down her cheeks, the scene at the older boy standing beside her.
"Don't cry, Usa-chan. I promise you, I'll come back and see you as soon as I can."
Flinging her arms around his legs, she cried as if her heart were being torn in two. This was her best friend. He was leaving her forever, or so it seemed like.
"Don't go, please?"
He gave her a hug, and tried to reassure her. "I'll be back."
"You'll forget me," she responded sadly.
"I won't, I promise."
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Two pairs of blue eyes stared at each other, both lost in the memories of the past. Chid had been stunned by the changes of his childhood friend. The prettiness that had been present in the girl had grown into a full-fledged beauty. And her eyes that he once thought so full of life were now twin windows into her tormented soul. Usagi was unable to believe that this tall man was her childhood friend, the one who had broken his promise to her. He had been her crutch, the one thing she believed in and held on to. Since the day she almost killed that boy, she had been lost, and she had clung on to his promise, firmly believing that he would one day return. At first, there had been letters, but as Chid became caught up with his duties, she was soon forgotten. And then she grew up.
Both of them had lost the ability to speak, unable to do much else but stare at each other. Usagi pasted a fake smile on her lips, and nodded at him.
"I must go. They are waiting for me." She curtsied beautifully, and left just like that, leaving Chid to wonder what had just transpired.
"You've met Usagi again, I see."
"Queen Hitomi," Chid said in surprise, as he found himself face to face with a pretty green-eyed brunette. She still looked youthful despite the years that had gone by.
"There's no need for formality. I've known you since you were a child," she smiled slightly, staring at the spot where her daughter disappeared. "She's a beautiful woman, isn't she?"
With his tongue caught somewhere in his mouth, he settled for a nod.
"As Usagi's beauty grew, her despair and loneliness did too." The sadness in the Queen's eyes was overwhelming. "I couldn't do anything to help her. She was lost in her own world, as she always had been. The only difference is that as a child, she was happy."
"What happened?" He asked slowly.
"I forgot, you weren't around, Chid. She... she has my powers."
He gasped out loud. The Queen's abilities were renowned. When he had been a child, he had been exposed to her gifts and abilities. And now Usagi had them too? How was that possible? He had never seen any signs of it.
"She was exposed to the dark side of it, I'm afraid. Her powers emerged suddenly... not too long after you left. A young boy had made her angry, and in her mind, she wished he was dead." She paused, remembering the events of the day so vividly. "I could feel her confusion, her pain, see all the images in my head, so I rushed over. The boy nearly died, and would've if I hadn't stopped it. Ever since that day, my daughter hasn't been the same."
"Usa-chan..."
"She refuses to embrace her powers and abilities and see the good that can come out of it. Her soul is tormented, plagued by the demons of her past, and it's as if she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders." As if reading his mind, she continued. "When she was younger, in her early teens, suicide was very high on her mind. We had to keep watch over her constantly, make sure she didn't hurt herself. Eventually, she came out of it but now, it almost feels like she's going through the motions."
Oh Usa-chan... what have you done to yourself? He struggled to absorb the information he was told when Hitomi laid a gentle hand on his shoulders. Her eyes widened suddenly, staring at him almost in shock a few moments later. "I have faith in you, Chid." was all she said before leaving him to his thoughts.
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The mirror reflects my image, and sometimes I wonder if the person there is indeed who everyone sees. How can images display the shell of a person I've become? Had it been fifteen years since I saw Chid? Had it been fifteen years since he broke his promise to me? Did it mean anything to him at all? Did I? Questions plagued my mind, until I slammed my fists down on the dresser. Closing my eyes, I longed to be free of it all.
"Princess... it's time to get ready." A maid announced behind me.
I nodded tersely at her, struggling to contain the tears that were threatening to spill. She laid the gown carefully on the bed, and its magnificence would've excited most girls. It was a deep blue, with chiffon-like layers that draped over the skirt, trimmed in silver, in our kingdom's colours. The maid helped me get dressed, and I stared at the mirror once again at the lost, lonely figure that had appeared. The dress fit beautifully, its tiny shoulders in perfect deep blue chiffon-puffs that covered mine perfectly, the way the dress moved with me, as if it were living. I came to a stop suddenly. A dress that felt more alive than I did. I wondered what I was doing then.
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"Presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Usagi de Fanel!"
She stepped out gingerly, and her beauty took everyone's breath away, including his own. Though she had a smile on her face, it never touched her eyes. As she made her way down the steps, she moved gracefully, though to his eyes, it looked oddly mechanical. It was like Queen Hitomi had said, as her beauty grew, so did her weary burden. The dress was magnificent, further emphasizing her unique colouring. Her silvery hair had been piled up in loose curls on top of her head, with a simple diamond tiara crowning them. A few tendrils had escaped, caressing the back of her neck. The deep blue dress with the silver trim fit her soft curves and its skirts swirled about her legs as she finally made her way to the bottom.
Their eyes met as if drawn by some invisible force. They began moving towards each other, unable to see anyone else on the dance floor. His own blue eyes reflected tenderness towards her. Her own were filled with sadness, afraid of betrayal, but unable to resist. They stopped within inches of each other as the orchestra began to play.
"Usa-chan..."
Her eyes closed in pain and agony, startling Chid. As she waited for him to guide her in the waltz, she began going through the empty motions that was her life.
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Yet another chapter over and done with! Phew! Anyway, please let me know what you liked/hated about this fic. I realise I probably say this too often, but reviews are what keeps authors going! This story is also a lot darker than what I'm used to writing, and I probably switch perspectives (from first to third person) way too often. *grins* Hopefully it's not too confusing. Anyway, I'm also working on a third fic (Yikes, Tenshi is out of control at this point) so I'll try to get the next chapter of Unforeseen out if I can by Sunday night (unless my Internet connection isn't fixed by this morning). That's it from me! Ja ne!