Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne....*sobs*...
Dedication: To all who love me and my stories and also to all those I love...I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! *hugs everyone who hasn't run away from her yet*
~**~Chapter 4~**~
*~*Who do we have here?*~*
It was a little after dusk as the four men scurried across the field with the young girl in their arms. The leader of the pack looked over his shoulder and scowled deeply, " We've got to get rid of her... "
The man carrying the girl in his arms frowned deeply and cleared his throat, " How are we going to do that, boss? Where would we put her? "
The leader glared at him with black, beady eyes and then scratched his chin in thought, " I know of a place that no one goes to. We could discard her there... "
" Where's that? ", someone called from behind.
" Just shut up and follow me! ", the leader shouted over his shoulder as he began to run faster.
The rest of the men obeyed their leader and followed in silence, the girl stirring everynow and then as they ran the length of the fields....
****
Van squinted his eyes as he and Benji rode through the city of Fanelia towards the castle. Benji looked down at his sleeping daughter in his arms and a sad smile came to his lips. Van glanced over and caught the sad smile, " Benji, I'll let you put her in a bed once we get into the castle, then perhaps if yuo'd like, we could talk about this girl that you found... "
Benji looked over at the King and nodded his head slowly, " I'd like that.....then I'd like to rest myself, Sire... "
Van nodded and smiled lightly. As they passed the people in the streets, they bowed down to their King and Van sighed lightly. Benji heard the King sigh and he looked over at him, " Sire? What's wrong? "
Van shook his head, " Nothing, Benji...I was just thinking, that's all... "
" I see.... "
" Benji...what was Mara like? ", Van's question was so soft that Benji had to lean over to catch it.
" M-mara....was...very beautiful. She was loving too, everything a tom could want in a feline, I suppose. I just don't see why she had to die... "
Van lowered his head, " I'm sorry..about what happened back there... ", he mumbled.
Benji nodded, " Thank you, Sire. But, it's alright... "
" Perhaps, if you'd like, we could build you a new home to replace the other one lost? ", Van suggested lightly.
" Thank you, Sire....that would be nice. "
Van nodded. They rode in silence the rest of the way until they arrived at the stables in the back of the castle's courtyard.
" LORD VANNN!! ", a shriek came out loud and clear.
Van sighed lightly and shook his head as he climbed down from the horse only to be thrown to the ground as Merle tackled him hard. Benji slowly and carefully climbed down from his own horse, trying to make sure he didn't awaken the little catgirl in his arms.
Kitiara purred slightly and then stretched in her father's arms. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, " Hullo, daddy... "
Benji looked down at her and smiled sweetly at her, " Hello, sweetie... "
Kitiara blinked and then wrinkled her nose, " Can you put me down, daddy? ", she asked lightly.
Benji nodded and gently setted his daughter down on the ground. Kitiara smiled at him and then walked over to Merle who still continued to lick Van's face, " Merle! Stop it....you're going to make him all wet... ", she scolded her lightly while giggling.
Merle slowly got off of Van to walk over to the little catgirl. She bent down and hugged her hard, " Kitiara....let's go get you cleaned up... ", she whispered quietly as she reached over and smudged some soot on the small velvet face.
Kitiara giggled and grabbed her paw, " You too, Merle... ", she said as she began to drag Merle towards the castle.
Van growned as he slowly stood up, rubbing his sore bottom and the back of his head, " I think my head bounced off the ground a couple of times....as for the rest of my body... "
Benji looked over at the young King and chuckled lightly, " Now, Sire...what is it you wanted to talk to me about again? "
Van nodded and began to make his way towards the family burial site, " Come, Benji...we'll talk where it's safe... "
Benji nodded and walked after the King, keeping his head bowed deeply as the memories of his wife floated around in his mind...
*****
" Where can we put her? "
" Huh? Oh....her! Let's look around... ", the leader grumbled as he began to walk around a tree, fingering th rough bark.
" Hey! What about in there? ", one of the men shouted as he pointed to something large that was covered with vines, in the far corner of the confined area.
The leader whirled around and gasped quietly, " The Ispano Guymelef... ", he whispered in amazement.
The three men looked at their leader, awaiting for his response. The leader nodded his head slowly, " Y-yes....yes! Perfect! ", he practically shouted.
The man carrying the girl frowned as he cocked his head to the side and studied the sleeping Guymelef, " How are we going to get her inside, boss? "
" We open it up... ", the leader replied with a shrug. " Grabe your swords and hack through those vines! "
The man holding the girl bent down to place her on the ground, " Not you! ", his leader cried at him. " Hold her... "
The man stood up immediately and nodded. He walked up to the Ispano Guymelef and gasped lightly as the pink jewel on it's left side began to flicker and then glow brightly, " B-boss! "
The other men stopped advancing onto the Guymelef and watched in amazement as steam hissed out from the chest and head area. The head snapped up into the air as the chest covering fell forward to reveal a seat inside. The leader blew away some of the steam and peered into the seating area, " This will do just fine....put her in! ", he ordered as he stepped down from the Guymelef.
The man holding the girl swallowed nervously as he awkwardly climbed up the bent leg and onto the arm that rested comfortably on it. He leaned over into the seating area and roughly dropped the girl inside. He then backed away and jumped down from the leg as the chest covering flew back into place, followed closely by the head.
The leader smiled at his men, " Well done! Now...we must flee before someone spots us... "
A set of footsteps came from behind and one of the men gasped, " Someone's coming! Hurry... "
The leader placed his fingers to his mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle as he flung his arm sideways through the air, gesturing for the men to part their own ways quickly. The men did as they were told and scurried away from the Ispano Guymelef and burial site followed closely by their leader.
***
' Something's wrong! '
Van stopped in his tracks as he and Benji entered the burial site where his parents and brother were buried. He reached up and clutched his chest as small beads of sweat rolled down the sides of his face.
Benji glanced over at him, " Are you alright, Sire? "
Van looked at him and nodded slowly, " Y-yes, Benji. Don't worry about me...carry on with what you were saying.. "
" Alright. As I was saying, her face and arms were covered in bruises, and my daughter accidentally kicked her... "
Van nodded and looked around the burial site. The large stone that held the names of his parents and brother, stood proudly, covered with vines. He walked over to the low metal fence that surrounded it and outstretched a hand to it.
" S-sire? "
Van whirled around, " Benji? What is it? "
Benji pointed a finger at the flickering pink light in the far corner, " What's that? An apparition? "
Van followed his finger and his breath caught in his throat, " I-it's awake... ", he whispered.
Benji cocked an eyebrow and looked at the King then over to the pink flickering light, " Sire? Awake? What? "
Van ignored him and walked over to the Ispano Guymelef. He was standing right beside the large leg when steam flowed out from the cheat and head area. The head flew up followed by the chest covering as it fell forward. Behind Van, Benji uttered the word ' wow ', and went silent as he watched.
Van took a small step towards it but was thrown to the ground as something fell on top of him. The back of his head hit the ground once again that night and he groaned loudly. Flower scented, velvety short hair lay fanned over his face and he sniffed in the scent.
' Flowers....who has flower scented hair.... '
" Sire? Are you alright? ", Benji's voice cried as he rushed over to the fallen King.
Van blinked and then looked at him. Something slightly big and fleshy was pushed down against his chest and he felt a heartbeat that wasn't his own. This one was slower. He slowly sat up and looked down at his lap to find Hitomi laying there, bruises covering her pale skin.
" That's the girl, Sire! ", Benji whispered.
Van's breath caught in his throat as he reached down with a trembling hand to brush aside some of the sandy brown bangs from her forehead, " She's burning up.....we have to get her inside, now! ", Van shouted as he slipped an arm under her bare knees and stood up.
Benji nodded, " Sire...I'm going to get Puck... ", he said as he began to run towards the castle.
Van nodded and cradled Hitomi to his chest. Hitomi moaned lightly and she slid her arms up and linked them around Van's neck. He blinked lightly and lifted her up higher in his arms so her head could rest against his shoulder, " H-hitomi? You're going to be alright.... ", he whispered lightly as he tenderly kissed her temple.
Hitomi smiled lightly and let out a small breath. It's warmth caressed Van's neck and slid down his loose red shirt from the opening at his collarbone, " Don't leave me.... ", she whispered against his neck before going limp in his arms.
Van held onto her tighter, " Never, Hitomi....never... ", he whispered back against her hair as he began to run towards the castle, praying that Puck would be able to bring down her high fever....
(A/N** : *sighs again in frustration as she swings out at her brother and wacks him in the back of the head* BAKA!! *screams as she quickly types this up*...ight, ight, I go, I go....so whatcha think so far? boring? crap? tell me!! *grins* Honestly too...I'm sorry for having to do this....write it, and upload it, leaving you all to hang....but, I will be back tomorrow, OH yes.....tomorrow will come soon....*giggles and hugs everyone who's still with her....*...I hope there's LOTS of you.....hehe....BYE!!!! P.S Feel free to yell at me, scold me, smack me, flame me, anything about my leaving you all hanging like this EVERYTIME!! )
Dedication: To all who love me and my stories and also to all those I love...I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! *hugs everyone who hasn't run away from her yet*
~**~Chapter 4~**~
*~*Who do we have here?*~*
It was a little after dusk as the four men scurried across the field with the young girl in their arms. The leader of the pack looked over his shoulder and scowled deeply, " We've got to get rid of her... "
The man carrying the girl in his arms frowned deeply and cleared his throat, " How are we going to do that, boss? Where would we put her? "
The leader glared at him with black, beady eyes and then scratched his chin in thought, " I know of a place that no one goes to. We could discard her there... "
" Where's that? ", someone called from behind.
" Just shut up and follow me! ", the leader shouted over his shoulder as he began to run faster.
The rest of the men obeyed their leader and followed in silence, the girl stirring everynow and then as they ran the length of the fields....
****
Van squinted his eyes as he and Benji rode through the city of Fanelia towards the castle. Benji looked down at his sleeping daughter in his arms and a sad smile came to his lips. Van glanced over and caught the sad smile, " Benji, I'll let you put her in a bed once we get into the castle, then perhaps if yuo'd like, we could talk about this girl that you found... "
Benji looked over at the King and nodded his head slowly, " I'd like that.....then I'd like to rest myself, Sire... "
Van nodded and smiled lightly. As they passed the people in the streets, they bowed down to their King and Van sighed lightly. Benji heard the King sigh and he looked over at him, " Sire? What's wrong? "
Van shook his head, " Nothing, Benji...I was just thinking, that's all... "
" I see.... "
" Benji...what was Mara like? ", Van's question was so soft that Benji had to lean over to catch it.
" M-mara....was...very beautiful. She was loving too, everything a tom could want in a feline, I suppose. I just don't see why she had to die... "
Van lowered his head, " I'm sorry..about what happened back there... ", he mumbled.
Benji nodded, " Thank you, Sire. But, it's alright... "
" Perhaps, if you'd like, we could build you a new home to replace the other one lost? ", Van suggested lightly.
" Thank you, Sire....that would be nice. "
Van nodded. They rode in silence the rest of the way until they arrived at the stables in the back of the castle's courtyard.
" LORD VANNN!! ", a shriek came out loud and clear.
Van sighed lightly and shook his head as he climbed down from the horse only to be thrown to the ground as Merle tackled him hard. Benji slowly and carefully climbed down from his own horse, trying to make sure he didn't awaken the little catgirl in his arms.
Kitiara purred slightly and then stretched in her father's arms. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, " Hullo, daddy... "
Benji looked down at her and smiled sweetly at her, " Hello, sweetie... "
Kitiara blinked and then wrinkled her nose, " Can you put me down, daddy? ", she asked lightly.
Benji nodded and gently setted his daughter down on the ground. Kitiara smiled at him and then walked over to Merle who still continued to lick Van's face, " Merle! Stop it....you're going to make him all wet... ", she scolded her lightly while giggling.
Merle slowly got off of Van to walk over to the little catgirl. She bent down and hugged her hard, " Kitiara....let's go get you cleaned up... ", she whispered quietly as she reached over and smudged some soot on the small velvet face.
Kitiara giggled and grabbed her paw, " You too, Merle... ", she said as she began to drag Merle towards the castle.
Van growned as he slowly stood up, rubbing his sore bottom and the back of his head, " I think my head bounced off the ground a couple of times....as for the rest of my body... "
Benji looked over at the young King and chuckled lightly, " Now, Sire...what is it you wanted to talk to me about again? "
Van nodded and began to make his way towards the family burial site, " Come, Benji...we'll talk where it's safe... "
Benji nodded and walked after the King, keeping his head bowed deeply as the memories of his wife floated around in his mind...
*****
" Where can we put her? "
" Huh? Oh....her! Let's look around... ", the leader grumbled as he began to walk around a tree, fingering th rough bark.
" Hey! What about in there? ", one of the men shouted as he pointed to something large that was covered with vines, in the far corner of the confined area.
The leader whirled around and gasped quietly, " The Ispano Guymelef... ", he whispered in amazement.
The three men looked at their leader, awaiting for his response. The leader nodded his head slowly, " Y-yes....yes! Perfect! ", he practically shouted.
The man carrying the girl frowned as he cocked his head to the side and studied the sleeping Guymelef, " How are we going to get her inside, boss? "
" We open it up... ", the leader replied with a shrug. " Grabe your swords and hack through those vines! "
The man holding the girl bent down to place her on the ground, " Not you! ", his leader cried at him. " Hold her... "
The man stood up immediately and nodded. He walked up to the Ispano Guymelef and gasped lightly as the pink jewel on it's left side began to flicker and then glow brightly, " B-boss! "
The other men stopped advancing onto the Guymelef and watched in amazement as steam hissed out from the chest and head area. The head snapped up into the air as the chest covering fell forward to reveal a seat inside. The leader blew away some of the steam and peered into the seating area, " This will do just fine....put her in! ", he ordered as he stepped down from the Guymelef.
The man holding the girl swallowed nervously as he awkwardly climbed up the bent leg and onto the arm that rested comfortably on it. He leaned over into the seating area and roughly dropped the girl inside. He then backed away and jumped down from the leg as the chest covering flew back into place, followed closely by the head.
The leader smiled at his men, " Well done! Now...we must flee before someone spots us... "
A set of footsteps came from behind and one of the men gasped, " Someone's coming! Hurry... "
The leader placed his fingers to his mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle as he flung his arm sideways through the air, gesturing for the men to part their own ways quickly. The men did as they were told and scurried away from the Ispano Guymelef and burial site followed closely by their leader.
***
' Something's wrong! '
Van stopped in his tracks as he and Benji entered the burial site where his parents and brother were buried. He reached up and clutched his chest as small beads of sweat rolled down the sides of his face.
Benji glanced over at him, " Are you alright, Sire? "
Van looked at him and nodded slowly, " Y-yes, Benji. Don't worry about me...carry on with what you were saying.. "
" Alright. As I was saying, her face and arms were covered in bruises, and my daughter accidentally kicked her... "
Van nodded and looked around the burial site. The large stone that held the names of his parents and brother, stood proudly, covered with vines. He walked over to the low metal fence that surrounded it and outstretched a hand to it.
" S-sire? "
Van whirled around, " Benji? What is it? "
Benji pointed a finger at the flickering pink light in the far corner, " What's that? An apparition? "
Van followed his finger and his breath caught in his throat, " I-it's awake... ", he whispered.
Benji cocked an eyebrow and looked at the King then over to the pink flickering light, " Sire? Awake? What? "
Van ignored him and walked over to the Ispano Guymelef. He was standing right beside the large leg when steam flowed out from the cheat and head area. The head flew up followed by the chest covering as it fell forward. Behind Van, Benji uttered the word ' wow ', and went silent as he watched.
Van took a small step towards it but was thrown to the ground as something fell on top of him. The back of his head hit the ground once again that night and he groaned loudly. Flower scented, velvety short hair lay fanned over his face and he sniffed in the scent.
' Flowers....who has flower scented hair.... '
" Sire? Are you alright? ", Benji's voice cried as he rushed over to the fallen King.
Van blinked and then looked at him. Something slightly big and fleshy was pushed down against his chest and he felt a heartbeat that wasn't his own. This one was slower. He slowly sat up and looked down at his lap to find Hitomi laying there, bruises covering her pale skin.
" That's the girl, Sire! ", Benji whispered.
Van's breath caught in his throat as he reached down with a trembling hand to brush aside some of the sandy brown bangs from her forehead, " She's burning up.....we have to get her inside, now! ", Van shouted as he slipped an arm under her bare knees and stood up.
Benji nodded, " Sire...I'm going to get Puck... ", he said as he began to run towards the castle.
Van nodded and cradled Hitomi to his chest. Hitomi moaned lightly and she slid her arms up and linked them around Van's neck. He blinked lightly and lifted her up higher in his arms so her head could rest against his shoulder, " H-hitomi? You're going to be alright.... ", he whispered lightly as he tenderly kissed her temple.
Hitomi smiled lightly and let out a small breath. It's warmth caressed Van's neck and slid down his loose red shirt from the opening at his collarbone, " Don't leave me.... ", she whispered against his neck before going limp in his arms.
Van held onto her tighter, " Never, Hitomi....never... ", he whispered back against her hair as he began to run towards the castle, praying that Puck would be able to bring down her high fever....
(A/N** : *sighs again in frustration as she swings out at her brother and wacks him in the back of the head* BAKA!! *screams as she quickly types this up*...ight, ight, I go, I go....so whatcha think so far? boring? crap? tell me!! *grins* Honestly too...I'm sorry for having to do this....write it, and upload it, leaving you all to hang....but, I will be back tomorrow, OH yes.....tomorrow will come soon....*giggles and hugs everyone who's still with her....*...I hope there's LOTS of you.....hehe....BYE!!!! P.S Feel free to yell at me, scold me, smack me, flame me, anything about my leaving you all hanging like this EVERYTIME!! )