Chapter 11: The Fight

It was a quiet group that made its way back to the castle. Conversation was subdued, both from worry about Hitomi and fear of to increasing Van's anger. Hitomi was cradled in the king's arm and he was gentle with her despite the fact that he wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled. Upon reaching the castle he took her directly to his room, calling for the doctor. While the doctor examined Hitomi, Van stood at the balcony, staring blindly at the gardens. Finally the doctor stood, pronouncing her fine, just exhausted. Van nodded stiffly as the doctor left.
Eri arrived with cloths and cold water. She gently washed Hitomi's face in silence until finally Hitomi's eyes opened. Eri gave her a small smile and helped her to sit up. Hitomi looked over at Van, who had turned and was staring at her with a stern expression, then back at the frightened maid.
"Eri, why don't you go see how the dresses are coming along." Hitomi whispered to the girl. Eri, relieved, quickly escaped out the door. Hitomi gingerly stood up and faced Van. They stared at each other silently.
"I thought I told you to stay," he finally spat.
"And I told you I could help. Which I did." Hitomi replied evenly.
"You disobeyed me!" Van yelled.
Hitomi, her face white with anger, coldly responded, "You are not my master nor my father. I don't have to obey your orders. You are just like Allen, thinking I need to be in a birdcage."
They glared at each other across the room.
"You are my responsibility while you are here and you will do what I say to keep you safe!" Van ground out after a few minutes of silence.
Hitomi's eyes flashed dangerously. "So I am just a responsibility to you," She sneered. "Maybe I should return home since I am such a burden."
Before Van could say another word she turned and stormed out of the room. Van reached out a hand to make her stop, his anger draining away. But she was gone. He slumped despairing into a chair. After a moment Merle stepped into the room.
"Lord Van, you should go after her, you know." She said conversationally. Van looked at her warily. "You hurt her feelings. If she does leave, think of how you will feel knowing those were the last words she heard from you."
Van looked at her for a few minutes, then gave a grateful smile as he bolted out the door. Merle allowed herself a triumphant smile. "What would they do without me?" She asked the room.

Hitomi stormed down the hallway, past guards and statues and endless hallways, tears of hurt and anger in her eyes. She was trying to find her way out of the blasted castle and somewhere she could think. Finally she reached a door into the garden and she stomped through it. Winding her way along the paths she came to a fountain, where she collapsed to let the angry tears roll down her cheeks. "Why", she raged internally. "Why does he have to be so, so..." Hitomi gave up. She was furious and couldn't think of a word to describe him. Him and his stupid pride insisting that she be protected. She wasn't some delicate flower. In fact, the only time she was injured was saving his royal butt. But the nagging thought remained in the back of her mind that he had only done it out of love. But that only made her angrier.

Moments later feet crunched on the path behind her. Hitomi stiffened. She felt him sit next to her, but she refused to turn.
Van sighed and looked at her profile, the hurt standing out on her features. "Hitomi," he said hesitantly. "I'm sorry."
Hitomi tried to remain stiff, but with those words the anger went out of her. She turned to him and he wrapped his arms around her, his chin resting on her head.
"I'm sorry, too." she whispered. "I know you were worried and didn't want me to be hurt. But you have to understand, Van, you can't cage me up to protect me. It doesn't work like that."
Van was quiet. He knew that was exactly what he wanted to do, keep her from harm. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I know," he agreed "But I want to. I don't want you to ever get hurt."
Hitomi pulled away from him to look at his face. "That is a nice thought, Van. But this is life. And bad things happen. And I want to help. Don't push me away or try to protect me. Let me help."
His arms tightened around her. She placed her head back on his chest and they sat in silence.


The man watched them from the wall of the garden. Had he a heart, it would have been moved by the scene before him. But, he reflected, he didn't. And that was why he was working for his present employer. He slipped over the wall in the darkness, moving from tree to tree to stay in the shadows and keep his eye on the couple in front of him. He notched an arrow, biding his time until he had a clean shot at the king.