P.S. (*smiles* hehe, P.S.) *clears throat* For all you Escaflowne writers out there please go to my website Two Worlds Apart and go to fan fics. There you can post your own fan fics!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne *wah!!!!*
*~*~*~*~*
"talking"
"voice in head"
thoughts or emphasis
*~*~*~*~*
Vocabulary:
gomen-nasai = I'm sorry
ano = um
*~*~*~*~*
I Promise
by: Sally Fox
escaflowne17.tripod.com
Chapter 2: Van's Princess
*~*~*~*~*
Hitomi sprinted to the track when her event was called. She was so excited for this. She just couldn't wait any longer to see Van. As she crouched down on the track she could make out Yukari waving to her and cheering her on. Hitomi gave a big smile and waved back then concentrated back on the track.
The bang shot out into the sky. To Hitomi it was as if everything was in slow motion. A sweet sensation filled her body. The sensation of flying. It happened every time she ran. This time it was as if the feeling was borne anew. She had fulfilled one promise; the next was yet to be.
A faint cheer could be heard throughout Hitomi's mind and it grew louder and louder, but she didn't let it overcome her. As the teachers started coming out to congratulate Hitomi on the best run ever seen in history they stopped short. Hitomi kept on running.
Hitomi shut her eyes and put her hand over her pendant and wished. A blue pillar of light crashed right in front of her. She ran to it and practically jumped in. Everyone gasped as the pillar took away the best runner in Japan to a world among the stars. To a world where the Earth and Moon hung together in the sky.
*~*~*~*~*
Hitomi quickly stood up and looked at the sky. A smile formed on her lips as tears formed in her eyes. She was finally back.
"Hitomi!!!" a familiar voice called out as someone on a horse rushed up to her.
Hitomi smiled. Just where I wanted to be! "Millerna-san!!!" Hitomi ran up to her.
"I thought it might be you!"
"Millerna-san, I need your help."
"Nani? What's wrong Hitomi?" Millerna asked as she helped Hitomi onto the back of her horse.
"I'll explain when we get to the castle."
*~*~*~*~*3 days later*~*~*~*~*
Van sighed. Hitomi hadn't talked to him for about 3 days now. Is she mad at me because I gave the pendant back to her? Maybe she didn't get the hint. He had tried to talk to her but she seemed to block him off somehow. How am I supposed to tell her why I really gave it to her if she keeps blocking me off? I should have come and picked her up from the Mystic Moon myself.
"There you are! I thought you might be up here. Everyone's been looking for you Van-sama. Princess Hoshi is here," Merle told Van. She just shook her head as she saw Van looking at the Mystic Moon. He's been like this ever since Hitomi stopped talking to him. Oh, Hitomi. Why? Merle decided to leave Van to his thoughts. Hoshi would just have to wait.
Van let out another long depressing sigh. Another one? Maybe I should live on the Mystic Moon with Hitomi instead of putting up with this sick torture. I bet Hitomi doesn't have to rule a kingdom and get married to someone she doesn't love. Rolling over on his side, Van finally decided to get up.
*~*~*~*~*
When Hoshi got the news from Merle she was furious. Hoshi was one of the sweetest princesses in all of Gaea and one of the most beautiful. Every guy she came across took instant interest in her. All except one that is. Van Fanel. She had come to stay at his castle overnight around 2 years ago on her way to another country. She liked him immediately. He never showed a slight interest in her for her beauty. He was the only one that wasn't waiting on her every second of every day. Of course he was generous enough to escort her around the place but if there were others around her that were anxious to escort her then he would hand her over to them.
What Van didn't know is that Hoshi loved him even more every time he did something. The way he always laid on top of the barns roof and stare up into the sky at nights. The way he didn't stutter when he talked to her. The way he talked about normal things and not things of the court. The way he smiled at her, bowed, and never linked her arm with his or took her hand or even kissed her hand. (Van refused to kiss anyone no matter what even if it was just a peck on the hand. He wanted to save all that for Hitomi if he ever got the chance to see her again. Everyone tells him to kiss princesses hands because he was supposed to but he refused to do it.)
Hoshi couldn't wait to see Van again. He was so handsome and kind. She had no patience whatsoever and had the worst temper tantrum. Whenever Hoshi wanted something she got it.
Just when Hoshi was about to take all her fury out on Merle, Van walked into the room and bowed.
"Gomen-nasai princess. I didn't mean to keep you waiting. I'm going to change really quick and be back in time to escort you to the ball." Without even getting Hoshi's consent he turned on his heal and headed towards his room.
Hoshi was shocked at how he wasn't as skinny as he used to be. His body was filled out perfectly and he was much darker than most princes/kings. His hair was the perfect length, making him look mysterious but kind.
Merle saw the way Hoshi looked at Van and started to worry.
Moments later Van quickly reentered. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we?" Van extended his right arm. This shocked Hoshi. Maybe he's decided to marry me! Hoshi's heart pounded wildly in her chest as she curtsied and took his arm. She blushed at how close they were as they made their way to the ball.
*~*~*~*~*
"Van-sama, you should ask Princess Hoshi to dance." Arashi whispered to Van as they walked around the ballroom.
Van sighed. He didn't really want to. He slowly made his way to Hoshi. She turned and smiled. Usually her smile melted every man's heart away, but it didn't even faze Van. Just as he opened his mouth to ask Hoshi to dance, his favorite advisor rescued him.
"Van-sama!"
"What is it Hoseki?" Van asked, relieved he didn't have to ask Hoshi to dance for the moment.
"Urgent news. Another princess has arrived. Princess Millerna brought her and said she new you would like to meet this princess again." Hoseki rushed as excitement entered his voice.
This is a surprise. Millerna-san never brings princesses for me. "What's her name?"
"I cannot tell you. Millerna says you'll know her name when you see her."
"Fine. Take me to her." Van answered a bit annoyed. He's met so many princesses he doubted he'd remember this one.
"I'm coming too." Hoshi demanded, not ask. Van just rolled his eyes.
As they entered the room where Millerna and her friend were seated Van took one look at the princess Millerna had brought and almost fainted. Blood rushed quickly to his face as his heart started to pump out of control. "H-Hitomi?"
"Van?" Hitomi smiled and stood up. They just stood there, staring at each other.
Both of their hearts were out of control and they both were about to pass out from all the blood, but they both managed to stay standing, staring. Tears started to form in Hitomi's eyes. Van saw this and started to get worried about her. Just as he took one step forward, Hitomi flung her arms around his neck almost making him topple over.
Van's eyes were wide with shock as his cheeks turned redder. His eyes almost instantly softened as he wrapped his arms around Hitomi's waist. He hugged her tightly and inhaled the scent from her hair. "Hitomi, don't cry," Van whispered as he started to rub her back in a smooth motion.
"I missed you so much Van!" Hitomi cried into the curve of his neck.
"Shhhh...it's all right Hitomi, I'm here for you." Van whispered soothingly as he buried his face in her hair. "Everything going to be perfect now that you're here," he shut his eyes and just held her.
Hoshi couldn't believe her eyes or ears. Her Van was actually hugging another girl besides herself and saying words she had never heard him say to anyone in that way. Not even that cat girl Merle. "Excuse me, but I think we have a ball to attend to." Hoshi interrupted rather rudely. Even though it sounded like it, Hoshi wasn't talking to Hitomi but she was talking to Van.
Van let go of Hitomi to much of his dismay. "I almost forgot. Hitomi? Will...will...uhhh...will you?...er...um..." Van stumbled as he looked deep into her magnificent green eyes. Hitomi had no clue as to what Van was about to ask her but Hoshi did. Hoshi advanced towards Van quickly with her arm poised, ready to pull him away.
Van saw this, "Will you be my date?!?!" Van asked rather loudly. Everyone in earshot turned towards him making him sweat drop.
Hoshi stopped dead in her tracks, waiting for Hitomi's reply, while Hitomi stared off into space. He actually asked me? I can't believe my ears! Van pretty much just asked me out! It's like a dream come true! Hitomi stared dazedly off into space as she thought of her and Van on a date on Earth.
"H-Hitomi?" Van's face was beat red and he didn't know how to fix all this silence. "Ano...y-you don't have to answer if you d-don't want to." Van stammered as he swallowed back the hurt inside of him as he said that.
Hitomi snapped out of it, and remembering her manners she blushed and curtsied. "I'd be the happiest woman on Gaea to be your date even if it were only for tonight." Sheesh! I hope he doesn't think that's corny! I've always wanted to say that to him.
Van's eyes instantly lit up. No words were able to escape his mouth so he bowed and took Hitomi's hand. As he leaned down to kiss it Hitomi quickly took it away. Van stoop up straight with a puzzled look plastered to his face. Hitomi quickly took this chance and with one swift motion she planted a soft kiss on his cheek, smiled, and took his hand while her face remained crimson red.
Van straightened himself and stood as if he was a tin can soldier. Did she just kiss me? As Hitomi pulled his arm he walked forward a bit funny at first as a goofy smile molded on his face. Before they reached the doors to the ball Van got his act together. He hadn't noticed that he had left an enraged Hoshi behind as Hitomi and he entered the ballroom together.
I'll get you for this Hitomi. Princess or not, I'll get you for this. Hoshi thought. She would have said it all in a whisper but she knew that Millerna and Hoseki would probably hear her.
*~*~*~*~*
Hitomi gasped as she entered the ballroom. "Van, it's so beautiful! You did a wonderful job on the ballroom and rebuilding Fanelia."
Van smiled down at Hitomi. He was really glad she liked it. He was especially glad that she had gotten the hint to come back. Van looked at the pink pendant that hung around Hitomi's neck, wishing he could have it back, but it was, of course, rightfully hers.
"Van? Is it all right with you if we sit and talk with the others for a while? I haven't seen them forever!" Hitomi asked with pleading eyes. Van really wanted to dance with her, but she didn't have to ask him anything twice. Van nodded and gave Hitomi a warm smile that made the blood start to rush to her face.
Hitomi and Van sat down and chatted a while with everyone. Allen and Millerna didn't seem to be together yet but Hitomi could still tell that Millerna still had feelings for Allen.
Hitomi excused herself from the table and sat in a chair that overlooked all the people dancing. She started to intertwine her fingers with her dress, as she felt a bit nervous. I hope Van asks me to dance. If he doesn't then I guess there's always another day to tell him h... Hitomi's thoughts were cut off as she saw Van walking towards her. She blushed and suddenly took interest in her dress and tangled fingers. Meanwhile, Hoshi watched from the shadows and scowled. I promise I'll get you for this Hitomi. Hoshi thought as she smirked slightly and fixed her posture.
"Hitomi? Ano...w-would...uh...will?...um..." Van stuttered as he tried to look her in the eye only to find she was very interested in her dress. Van started getting a bit nervous and his cheeks had turned a soft shade of pink. "I...I...will...uh..." Where should I start? Should I ask her to dance first or tell her my feelings first? Dancing would probably be better, and then I can tell her that I feel even more strongly for her than I had all those years ago. Nothing came out of his mouth he just stood there like a fool. Hitomi never even looked up at him. "Ano...what's wrong Hitomi?" Van asked and instantly after, Hitomi lifted her head and looked at him in the eyes with a soft expression and smiled. "Van...I..."
To be continued...hehe
A/N: Hi again!! I hope that wuz good! ^_^ I promised (hehe) some people that I would finish this chapter by this weekend...so...I did!! ^^ Laterz!!