a second chance
a/n: little warning. one or two cuss words in Van's anger.
The light shone from a pendant hung around somebody's neck. Hitomi squinted her eyes to look closer.
It was Van.
"Van!" The boy lifted his eyes to meet Hitomi's.
Suddenly, a flash of light swallowed Hitomi and Van in it's grasp. Both of them were sucked up and away from the dead.
Hitomi rubbed her eyes and opened them. She was leaning in someone's arms. It was Van. His eyes were closed, and he had his arms around her. "Van..." She whispered sighing contently. She leaned closer to him and snuggled up to his chest. He tightened his arms around her. Suddenly, he let her go and stood up, backing away from Hitomi.
"I... I.." He turned around crossing his arms. "I can't go back."
Hitomi stood up and walked closer to Van, putting an hand on his shoulder. "Van, please, together we can go back. I love you so much Van."
"It's not that easy Hitomi." Van said firmly turning around and looking Hitomi in the eyes.
"What?" Hitomi said frantically hugging Van close to her. "What are you talking about Van?" Tears of joy sprang to her eyes. "I finally found you Van. We're finally together. Let's go back." She turned her face to look him in the eye. She leaned forward and kissed him softly, her lips pressing against his.
Van returned the kiss, then he turned his head away, breaking the kiss. "I can't just go back like that."
Suddenly, his voice turned on a hard edge. "What's the point anyway. You know, the only reason i'm here, dead, is because you told me you didn't love me."
He sneered letting ebony hair fall into his eyes. "Yeah that's right."
Hitomi's eyes widened, raising a hand to her mouth. "Van... I..."
Van closed his eyes rubbing them tiredly, as if he was worn out. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so... so cold I.. I just..."
Hitomi forced a smile, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
"Van... I- "
Van snapped his eyes open. "Now don't you say I love you again. You say it so much, I don't even know if you mean it half the time. I'm a big believer of fate. Yes I am."
Van snarled, oblivious to Hitomi's alarm. "Yeah, fate. Now we can't be soulmates, meant for each other if you came back so late when I was about to die! Can we?"
Hitomi's mouth fell open, but no words came out.
Van whirled around, crossing his arms, spitting out his words. "Speechless? can't answer? I've had enough of this. You knew how I felt about you for all that time. You just had to come back when i'm dying. dead. gone. I really love you Hitomi. Just damn bad fucking timing!"
His voice rose to intervals Hitomi had never seen before.
"Van.." Hitomi whispered, a tear making it's way down her cheek.
Van reached out a shaking hand and wiped away her tear. "Oh no, please don't cry." concern flashed in his eyes. "Hitomi, please don't cry. Not for me. Promise me. Don't ever cry for me." Hitomi shook her head, her shoulders shaking. More tears dripped down her cheeks and onto Van's trembling hand. Van pulled her into his embrace again, drying her tears on his shoulders. "Hush.. It's okay. I'm here."
Hitomi whispered in his ear "Van, let's go back."
She could feel him stiffen and take a step back.
Van's eyes flashed with controted anger and pain. "Stop saying that. You know I can't go back. You don't love me, and you keep giving me false hope. There is no fucking point to go back! Nothing to live for even if I could."
Before Hitomi could even say another word, Van turned around and said stubbornly. "Just forget everything. You know, Hitomi, I'm not ever going back. There's no point in living when I can't have you."
With that, Van left a speechless Hitomi standing there. He began walking away at a fast pace.
"Van! Wait! Where are you going?"
Van didn't answer still walking away. Hitomi ran after him, stopping him by grabbing his shoulders.
"Don't go! Please Van. Just come back with me. Don't you understand? This feeling I have for you. It's so strong Van! I care so much about you! You don't belong here Van! The only reason that I'm here, talking to you is because..." Hitomi took a deep breath, glad that Van was listening to her hesitantly. "It's because we were given a second chance!"
Van turned slightly, half of his face still in shadow. "What are you saying?" He whispered under his breath.
"Van, I saw Folken. and I-"
Van whirled around completely and grabbed her shoulders. "You saw my brother? Where is he? Is he hurt? Did he march away with the dead? It's he alright?"
The questions sped past Hitomi's mind. "I- I..."
Hitomi stuttered, her green emerald eyes widening.
"He told me to go back to the living. He told me that I had two choices. Van!" Hitomi said with sudden courage.
"No matter what Folken said, I chose the path to come and save you Van. Because I truely care for you and love you and that will never ever change."
Hitomi said gazing into Van's eyes.
end of chpt 5