Outlaw Star is not mine

A Fairy Tale

By Hanmyo

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Hanmyo watched through the open door as Jim held his father's empty body in his arms. This was her fault. If she hadn't run away none of this would have happened. She could see the tears in his eyes as the light from the sun shown in on him. What should she do? If she stayed, Jim might end up the one who gets hurt, but if she left she would lose him. She turned and stepped out of site. Leaning up against the tree, she sank down to the grassy soil and held her knees. Tears soon fell from her eyes and she buried her face into the cloth of her dress.

Soft fur rubbed against her hand as she cried. Looking up, Hanmyo saw Aisha starring up at her. She sniffled, wiping the tears from her dark brown eyes. "I-I'm ...sorry..." She whispered, trying to hold back more tears.

The cat shook her head, "Its not your fault."

"Yes it is.... if I hadn't run away... " Aisha jumped up on her knees and looked her straight in the eyes.

"No it isn't. You did what you did because you wished to be free. That is what Jim and his father strive for. If he died to keep you free, then he did not die in vein." Hanmyo was silent. Aisha was right, somehow, but she still felt a sense of involvement in his death.

Aisha's ears perked up and she sniffed the air.

"What is it?" Hanmyo asked. Aisha jumped from her knees and crouched to the ground, focusing on a particular bush. Hanmyo watched, fear creeping into her limbs. Suddenly, the bush began to shake. She screamed as a man leapt out in front of her.

"Hanmyo!?" Jim came running around the tree and stopped, starring at the intruder. He stepped in front of her, a long staff in hand. The man, dressed in heavy armor and wielding a very sharp sword dropped into a defensive position. Before Hanmyo could do anything to stop them, they lunged forward weapons in hand.

A loud crash echoed in her ears as metal met wood. Hanmyo stood and waited. The two figures standing in a motionless pose. She watched as the knight in front of her fell to one knee clutching at his chest where the staff had dented in the metal. Her eyes fell on the figure behind the man as it fell to the ground.

"Jim!!" She quickly got to her feet and ran to him. She bent over him, her purple bangs dangling over her worried face. She turned him over and saw the patch of blood coursing from an open wound in his side where the sword had penetrated. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with pain. She had done it again. Because of her, someone she cared about was hurt. Tears were rolling down her cheeks again, falling on his warm skin.

"Hanmyo, don't cry." He said as he placed a soft hand on her cheek, wiping the streaks away. He slowly sat up removing his hand. Underneath the wet cloth, she could see a gash that looked more like a scratch. Her eyes found his and saw he was smiling. "I'm ok. Don't worry." He got to his feet taking her hand and helping her up. The knight was back and standing. This time Hanmyo had a chance to stop the fight.

"Laguna! Don't hurt him!" Jim blinked as Hanmyo stood in front of him, her hands spread out. The knight stepped forward, his sword still out. A few seconds past before he let out a sigh and sheathed his sword. Slipping off his heavy metal helmet, his long dark hair fell around his face.

Laguna smiled at her, his expression soft, "Getting into trouble again, Princess?"

Hanmyo couldn't help but smile. She ran forward in three quick steps and embarrassed the tall man around the waist.

"Little princess?" He said kneeling down to her height. "It's time to go home now. Your parents are very worried about you." Hanmyo frowned and turned away from him. Jim could tell that she didn't want to go back. He watched as she bit her lower lip in thought, then she spoke.

"I don't want to go back." She said in a whisper.

"What was that m'lady?" The dark haired man asked, stepping forward a bit.

"I said I don't want to go back to the castle. I want to stay here." The knight was a bit taken back by this, as was Jim. She wanted to stay out here?

Another rustling of nearby bushes caught their attention. Laguna and Jim quickly took a protective stance around the purple hair girl as they waited for the intruder to make itself known. The brush began to get loader and loader until they could hear what sounded like arguing voices coming from a nearly bush. Weapons ready, they waited, until out of the brush stepped a very ticked of elf and fairy.

"Would you be quiet already!" Gene shouted over his shoulder.

"Ya I'll be quiet as soon as you give me that bottle!" Mel stomped the ground, lifting up loose dirt.

The three stood where they were, confused. The two fighting creatures suddenly stopped and glanced at the others.

"What?" They spoke in unison.

"N-nothing..." Jim said waving a hand in the air. They sighed as the two went back to their bickering.

"Princess, you cannot stay here. You are to be married in less than two days. We must leave."

"I already told you. I'm not leaving. I don't want to get married." Laguna sighed.

Jim didn't know what to think. Was she staying because she didn't want to get married, or because she cared about him? He blocked those thoughts out as fast as he could. He didn't want to know, all he knew was that she wanted to stay here and that was good enough. He sent his gaze to the tall knight, who quickly returned it.

"Did you...." Jim said, almost afraid to ask.

"Did I what?"

"Did you kill my father?" He said sternly.

A look of shock crossed Laguna's face, "I would never kill an innocent."

Jim lowered his gaze in thought, if he didn't, then who did? From the dark shadows of the trees, laughter began to fill the air. Behind him, Hanmyo screamed. Whirling around, he vision filled with the sight of three dark creatures, one of which held Hanmyo in its arms. She looked at him with fear brimming in her shining brown eyes.

"Hanmyo!" The two said in unison. "Let her go!" Jim continued.

"I think not. Our master has plans for her, so better say your farewells now." The other two creatures departed in a flash of speed. "Too late." And the third was gone, along with Hanmyo.

"No...." Jim whispered under his breath.

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^^ Hee hee much fun! Hope yall liked this chapter as much as i enjoyed writing it... sorry if i left ya hangin but the next chapter will hopefully be up soon. Ja ne minna-san!