Author's note: All right, here's the next part, tell me what ya think. ^.~
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne, I do own any original characters.
Alone in Blood: VIII
Falling down
Eriya turned down the hall she sighed. This was the third time she'd been down here and she hadn't found either Folken or Naria. Somewhere within her she felt the feelings of fear and rejection stirring. What if they were alone together? She cursed herself mentally for being so naïve, Folken was saddened by Dilandau's death. She turned down yet another un-welcoming hall. The cat girl stopped brushed her golden hair back then continued down the hall. She stopped. There was an open door right beside her that had never noticed. Eriya peered into the room. Although it wasn't a room it was a sort of balcony on the outside of the Fortress.
The feline walked silently out onto it. The setting sun bathed the area in golden light. It was a very beautiful place. Suddenly she caught sight of someone leaning against the rail. He was dressed in casual clothing and was watching the sun paint the sky pink and purple. Through his bangs she could see his eyes move and fall to rest upon her. He didn't move or look either surprised nor friendly. Something about the look was cold and distant. His eyes looked as though he had cried until it was not physically possible to cry anymore. But there were no other signs to prove her suspicions. Even as a cat girl she found the stare un-nerving.
"What do you want."
"Hmm?" she was surprised when he talked.
"You've been staring at me for the last five minutes." She felt a blush rise as she realized what he said was true.
"Oh." She searched for the right words. "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I was um, looking for someone. Two someone's actually. Have you seen them? Naria, my sister, and Folken he's the-"
"I know who he is." His voice held no anger but still it made her jump.
"Err, yes, have you seen them?" he looked back towards the sun. It had now disappeared almost completely behind the hills. The deck was cast in shadow and it was starting to get cold. It was a relief to have his eyes off her, she didn't know why but he was intimidating to her.
"No… I haven't since…" his voice faded away. She felt a burst of curiosity at the unanswered question.
"Not since what?" he stood up and looked at her sincerely.
"War does strange things to people. Humans have always been that way, warring and killing. It does not satisfy us to have what we need. We want more than what we have, to control, to own. It's funny don't you think? How we can kill and not really care?" She looked at him oddly and he continued. "Have you ever hated humans for something they did? Been disgusted that you're one of them, or part of them?"
Eriya's eyes went cold with a dark memory. "Yes." She answered.
"I'm sorry." He said and She blinked.
"For what?"
"For being human." He turned to look over the rail again and Eriya came to stand beside him. "My name is Gatti."
"I'm Eriya."
"Let's enjoy the sunset. Humans haven't found a way to taint that. But I'm sure some day they will."
****
Refina watched as Chesta re-checked his packing again. She didn't want him to leave. But no one really wanted him to. No one wanted Dilandau to die, or the general's to split them up. But it looked as though they didn't have much of an opinion. Naria and Jajuka were there too, as well as Dalet, Migel, Viole and Guimel. The rest of the dragon slayers had already said their good-byes to him. Except for Gatti… he hadn't talked to anyone since Chesta told everyone he was leaving. In fact no one had seen him since then.
"I guess this is it…" he said standing up and looking at the others trying not to cry. He laughed, it was a forced sound. "I always thought we'd end a little more glorious than this… Dilandau always said I was a poor fighter with a sword."
"You were a good fighter Chesta, a good fighter…" Refina said sadly. She smiled weakly her blue eyes glistening with tears.
"You'll still come to talk to us right? I mean after we spilt up you'll write, and we'll visit and stuff… right…?" Viole said, the words rushed and panicked.
"Yes of course I will." Chesta smiled reassuringly. Of all the slayers he was taking this the most calmly.
"So where are you going to go…?" Guimel asked quietly.
"Back to my fathers farm I guess. My older brother, he runs it now." He smiled slightly. "We have sheep back home with wool like your hair Guimel." Everyone laughed, but their hearts weren't in it. He sighed. "Well I guess I better go…"
"We'll miss you. But you know that already…" Migel said. He was outwardly calm but it was killing him inside to see the gentle blonde leave.
"I'll miss you all. But I'm sure you know it too." He hugged then each in turn. Dalet whispered him good luck when they embraced. "Good bye." He turned and left hearing Refina start to cry and Viole sighing shakily. The others watched him disappear into the docking bay. They turned and walked back together.
*****
"Chesta wait!" the blonde boy spun around to see who was calling him. "Don't leave!!" Gatti was running towards him. A few of the other people waiting turned to look. Gatti was wearing a white shirt it was untucked and the cuffs had been torn slightly. His breeches were plain brown and he wore leather boots. It looked as though he had been sleeping in his clothing. Chesta dropped his bags.
"Gatti?" he whispered. The other dragon slayer ran over, his blue eyes were red from crying and he had tear tracks down his cheeks.
"Chesta!" Gatti ran into him hugging him fiercely. Chesta felt the tears he had tried so hard to retain come spilling out. He sobbed into Gatti's shoulder, the taller boy comforting him. They pulled apart and looked at each other's faces. "Don't go…"
"I have to."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"No you're not! You have a future here, to fight for Zaibach!" Chesta insisted.
"I fought for Dilandau, not Zaibach." Gatti's hands rested on Chesta's shoulders.
"But-" Gatti interrupted him again.
"I lost Dilandau I'm not loosing my best friend!" his eyes were hard. "Do you hear me! I'm not loosing you!"
"Alright people lets go! We're on a time schedule here!" the air ship commander called to Chesta and Gatti.
"Let me come with you." Gatti insisted more quietly.
"Gatti no. I can't! It's against my morals, you are my best friend, if I let you quit and run off like this… what kind of person am I?" his gaze shifted to the waiting door of the airship. "Besides, you'd be abandoning Zaibach and the others."
"I told you I don't fight for Zaibach! And the others will be fine without me."
"Gatti…" Chesta couldn't seem to find an argument.
"We're going here, are you coming or not!" the man snapped again.
"…I have to go."
"And I'm coming."
"No." Chesta looked at him. He pulled away and started to walk over to the waiting ship. Gatti ran after him.
"Chesta please, I don't want to be here without you."
"I have to go. I'm sorry I do, and you can't come. I won't let you." He hugged Gatti and the other boy hugged him back. The Chesta picked up his bags and walked to the door of the ship. Gatti stood and watched, somehow his over-cried eyes produced tears anyway.
"Good bye Chesta, I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, I'll think about you everyday… Good bye Gatti…" The short blonde stepped inside and the door closed behind him. Chesta's face appeared a moment later in one of the portholes. He waved to Gatti and Gatti watched him leave. Then he crumpled to the floor in misery. The world was falling down around him.
****