Return to Me (Or, Falling For the First Time: Director's Cut)

Hitomi began packing her duffel bag with things she thought she needed. She packed some clothes, a copy of Tokyo Shoujo Manga Monthly, her Discoman CD player, some CDs, a package of pencils, a notebook, a first aid kit, things she used for personal hygiene, her tarot cards, a camera, and a small photo album she had made. Realizing she may never have junk food for a long time, Hitomi packed some junk food as well.

 Now that she was done, she wrote an elaborate letter saying that she loved her family very much. But she didn't mention the fact that she might not come back.

She figured the best way to do this is to do it while no one was around. So she knew the one place where she could be alone.

 She climbed onto the roof, and stood on the shingles.

Hitomi closed her eyes and imagined herself on Gaea. But it was the thought of she and Van being together again that began the column of light. And to Hitomi's relief, she was lifted into the air and all of a sudden disappeared.

*   *   *

 

When she awoke, Hitomi lay in a bedroom, where gentle purring was heard.

She looked at the window and saw an orange-haired catgirl standing at it.

"Merle…"

"Hitomi! You're awake! Not that I care, anyway."

"It's so good to see you, Merle."

Hitomi looked at the young woman that stood before her.

Merle's hair was in the same, well maintained haircut, but she noticed a streak of a lighter-orange in it. Both of her ears were pierced, and she was wearing a yellow tank top cut off at her midriff. Around her waist was a pair of tight burgundy slacks, and she was wearing a pair of black leather boots, a lot like what Gaean men usually wore. Hitomi tried not to stare at the navel ring Merle was showing to the world.

Still, Hitomi's eyes were as big as dinner plates from shock.

"Wow, Merle! You really grew up. You're actually—"

"Different?"

"Yeah. That's about right."

Hitomi looked at her face, and noticed that Merle was sporting makeup. She had an red-orange shade on her eyes, longer eyelashes, and the same hue on her lips, as well. Her cheeks had a bit of blush on them. Hitomi stopped staring.

Merle's going to think I've become a lesbian.

"Wow, Merle! I can't believe you did this to yourself! How did this happen?"

"I complained to Naria that Van wasn't noticing me, so she helped me get started with looking like a woman."

"But a belly ring?"

"That was my idea."

"How can Van NOT notice you?"

"Well, he hasn't. Not that you care."
"Merle, I want you to know it may have seemed petty at the time, but I've put it all behind me. You know those fights we had when I was fourteen?"

"Yeah?"
"It's all water under the bridge. I don't care who hates who for doing what. We were under the stress of a war and war does nasty things to people."
"Do you still love Van?"

"Yes, Merle."

"Yeah, well, I've made a decision in my life. If I can't be happy with Van, I guess you should."

"Oh, Merle, I didn't know you were so sacrificial! Are you serious?"

"Yeah. There's no one out there for me."

"Don't say that! There's someone out there for you, I'm sure of it. You may not meet him right away…but—"

"Maybe it's not a he. Maybe it's a she, or an entity. Maybe I should devote myself to a religion, or something."

"Well, I suppose that would be your choice. But I'm sure there's someone out there for you."

But Merle did not want to let go. Van was the one man that kept her going. And now he was going to get together with Hitomi. But she had prepared for Hitomi's return. She had stolen a dagger just for this circumstance. Once the relationship was confirmed, she would do the dirty deed.

Hitomi sat up as Van came into the room, and Hitomi stared as if she saw an angel.

Van sat on the bed and Hitomi smiled.

"Hey, you," Hitomi said.

"Hey, yourself."

"I missed you."

"Same here."

Hitomi stared at the young king.

He had longer dark hair that went down to about an inch from his shoulders. His right ear was pierced, and no doubt he had  a tattoo of the Fanelian crest  somewhere. On his finger was the Fanelian Royal Band, and Hitomi wondered if she ever would wear one of those on her finger. He looked much more mature, probably what Folken looked like back in the days of the War of Fate, minus the sinister attitude. His body looked like it filled out his armor much better now, not like before. Hitomi noticed his broad shoulders, and thought that was such a turn-on. She felt a shudder in her body. She wondered what had changed downstairs since she left.

"How is everyone?"

"We'll tell you at dinner. "

Merle walked up to the bed, her hand sliding back as she poised to reach for the dagger in the sheath on her belt.

Kiss her, Van, so I can have a reason to do it.

"I have to ask a question."

"What is it?"

He handed her a box. She opened it, and it was the Fanelian Queen's Band.

"Will you marry me?"

"Van I don't know what to say…"

"Isn't it obvious?"
"Yes, Van. I will. I will marry you."

Hitomi's lips were about to touch Van's when Merle screamed in anger. When the two looked, Merle had the dagger raised high above her head.

Hitomi raised her hands in horror to block the catgirl's attack.

"Merle, please, no!"

It was too late. The frustrated catgirl thrust the sharp length of metal into herself, right below and up into her ribcage. Merle had a shocked look on her face, and she struggled to take a breath, but there was no room for air, just blood, flesh, and metal. She stumbled, grabbed the bedpost, and fell to the ground with blood seeping out of the corner of her mouth.

Van stood up, but dropped to his knees and looked down at what was once his best friend. He stared at the body, still stunned by what happened.

MERLE! What did you do?!

No, It's what I did. Van, you stupid dick, what the hell did you do?

I ignored her.

Oh, Merle, Why was I so blind?

He looked at her face, and he realized if she weren't dead, she'd be beautiful.

Van's heart hurt so much. Why did it always have to take tragedy to make him realize something?

"I—"

"Merle, what have you done?!" Hitomi screamed.

"I should've known. She was there all along…and I never paid attention to her. She'd give her life for me…and I just ignored her. By the heavens, why did this have to happen?! I wished I…let her know…how much…I appreciated her. But now…she took her own life. Just like that."

Hitomi was frightened. She had never seen Van like this.

"Van?"

"MERRRRRRRRRRRRLE!"

As if in a last ditch effort to save her, Van kissed Merle's dead body on the lips. He then picked up Merle's body and he slammed the door to the bedroom, leaving Hitomi alone.