Date. 08.05.2001
Time. 10.24 pm.
Music. Centerstage soundtrack
Chapter 12
Copyright. I don't the Vision of Escaflowne or its characters.
Author's Notes. I've written three chapters in less than a week. Heck yes I will have more to post once fanfiction.net is up and running again. Exactly one month from today, I will be leaving for art school. Oooo, exciting. *yawn* so sleepy. I've been out late every night. No time for sleep for jigglykat :( Anyhoo, I'm off to bed. I'm going to my friend's house to watch Cowboy Bebop in the morning so I must rest. Ciao for now.
08.27.2001 UPDATE!!! Okay, as you can see, the last time I wrote was WEEKS ago. I haven't been able to post anything because I have been really sick. Well, I still *am* but I wanted to get up and do something. But I hate to say this but I have to put my story on hold for a bit. First, I want to get well. Second, I have to get ready to go to college. Third, I want to get settled into college.... But I do promise you this. I won't stop writing. I'm just going to have to slow down a bit. And before I go anywhere, I want to thank everyone who reviewed every chapter (you know who you are). You guys were the reason why I tried to get every chapter out so fast! Thank you so much! It truly means a lot to me!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 12. Fear of a Child
* * *
A delicious aroma stirred Hitomi from her slumber. She wearily opened her eyes, adjusting to her new surroundings. There was very little light, but she could see a small fire cooking a pot. Someone, old and tiny, hunched over it. She let out a cough, causing the person to turn around.
"Ah, you're awake finally," the old wolf-woman said. She chuckled and poured some of the steaming stew into a stone bowl.
"How long was I asleep for?" Hitomi asked, rubbing her eyes and stretching.
"Probably about six or seven hours now," she said, bringing her the bowl. "Here, you need to eat something. It's not good to sleep on an empty stomach."
"Thank you," she said, sipping from the edge. The hot broth tasted good against her throat. "Where's Van?"
"The young man you came with? He set out to bring back something called an 'Escaflowne.' He stayed by your side for about four hours but wanted to get it before you woke up." She wiped her hands on her ragged apron. "I'm Tutu, by the way," she said, giving her a worn hand.
"Hitomi." She placed hers upon the old woman's. In doing so, she saw a faded tattoo of a deer on her palm. Funny, she thought. Gaea had something like that.
"You're wondering about this, aren't you?" Tutu asked, waving her hand around.
"Kinda. I saw someone else bearing the same design."
"This is the Sign of the Lady," she explained. "She travels around the world, going from people to people and blessing those who deserve it." She returned to her boiling pot. "When I was much younger, I saved a young warrior's life. The Lady blessed me with the art of Healing and I was allowed to wear her Sign."
"But why a deer?" Hitomi asked.
"The Lady can be in any form, but she prefers the shape of a doe." She turned around and eyed Hitomi. "She didn't tell you that herself?"
"No, we were too busy..." she stopped. "How did you know we just saw Ga... I mean, the Lady?"
"Your robe," she pointed to the bundled green cloth lying beside her. "And your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"You're her... what? Granddaughter? Great-granddaughter?" Tutu asked.
"Great-granddaughter," Hitomi said. She opened her shirt and peaked at where the arrow almost pierced her heart. There was not a scratch on her skin, not even a scar showing evidence where it entered.
"She's a wonderful Healer, isn't she?"
"I'll say," Hitomi mumbled. "Better than any doctor's surgery."
"What's that?" she inquired.
"It's..." she hesitated. Gaea said no outside influences. Could telling her about the Mystic Moon harm anything? "It's someone like a Healer," she finished.
"Ah," she nodded. "Are you feeling well, Hitomi?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, stretching once more.
"Do you think you're able to help me fetch the bread cooking outside?"
"Of course!" Hitomi felt happy she could be of use.
"Come with me," she offered her hand once more. Hitomi took it and slowly stretched herself upwards. She almost laughed aloud, seeing that she towered over the old beast-woman. She followed her out the door skin flap, shielding her eyes from the sun's light, setting in the west.
As her eyes adjusted, she saw several womenfolk running between the huts, carrying pots of steaming food in their arms. Tutu lead her to an outside oven behind her own hut and knelt beside it, fetching loaves of fresh bread.
"Is there something tonight?" Hitomi asked as she gathered the loaves into her arms.
"Tonight is the Eve of the Harvest," she explained. "The Lady has blessed this land several times for us to bring in a good crop. Tomorrow is the day that we reap the fields, but tonight..." she smiled. "Tonight is the night we celebrate!"
"How exciting," Hitomi murmured.
"Come, dear one," Tutu urged her back into the hut. "You need to change out of those clothes."
"I'm allowed to go?"
"Of course! Both you and young Van have been invited."
"I thought this would be something only the village people would want," Hitomi felt puzzled. "I mean, no outsiders."
"You are the great-granddaughter of the Lady herself," Tutu's wrinkled eyes shone. "It would be an honor if you joined us."
She thought to herself for a moment, not speaking anything. "Why do I need to change my clothes?"
"We want you to feel a part of the tribe," she replied, chuckling. "You stick out of the crowd wearing those odd garments." She pointed at Hitomi's casual attire of jeans, shirt, and athletic shoes.
"Oh," she looked down, staring at her dirty clothes in embarrassment. Somehow, her foreign dress always seemed to make people want to change her clothes. She recalled when Millerna had given her a gown to wear during their first stay in Asturia. She could see Van's surprised look as he gawked at her. She sighed.
"You miss him, don't you?" Tutu asked over her shoulder.
"More than anything," Hitomi whispered
* * *
Merle sat curled up in a soft cushioned chair in her room, gazing out the window at the setting sun. Well, it wasn't just her room. Queen Millerna gave her and Kyia a joint room with two oversized beds to share.
Still, she longed to be at home in Fanelia in her own room. She felt unsettled in Asturia. Maybe because the enemy had destroyed her home again? Or was it that Lord Van wasn't there with her.
She turned to see Kyia sleeping fitfully in the nearest bed beside her. Poor thing, she thought. Just got out of the Crusade and went straight here and went to sleep. She lost her family, just like me.
Merle couldn't remember her family before the Fanels adopted her into theirs. She had been told that Balgus found her wandering in the forest, lost and frightened and no older than a kitten. He brought her back to the campsite where he, King Goau, and his men resided, then returned to Fanelia.
The only person that made her feel welcome was Lord Van. His older brother had no time to play with him anymore, since he had to train in becoming a proper prince of his country and rightful heir to the throne.
Each night, when she felt lonely and afraid in her room, she sneaked out her window, climbed over the roof, and entered Lord Van's quarters. He always seemed to know exactly when she would arrive and pretend to be asleep. She curled up into a tight ball by his side, and he would place his hand on top of her, trying his best to comfort his best friend, now adopted sister.
She sighed again, gazing out across the ocean. "Please come back, Lord Van," she whispered to herself. "And bring her back, too."
* * *
The sun sunk behind the mountains and Van still hadn't returned. As Hitomi assisted those who had let her stay at the village, she tried to hide her worried heart with a forced smile. But she ached for him to be by her side again.
However, there were many things to do in preparation. Some of the beast-men brought out dried wood and began a blazing bonfire in the middle of the village. Others helped carry food.
She enjoyed the company of Tutu and helped carry out food to the feasting table, which was just a large flat rock adorned with crude drawings of animals.
"Thank you, Hitomi," she said. "I think that's it for now and I don't want you overworked. Why don't you go sit down over there?" She pointed to a worn smooth log facing the fire.
She was relieved to get off her feet. Although she felt obligated to repay the kind wolves, her strength had not fully returned to her. Is this how it will always be? she thought. I will always be weak?
A small wolf-child cautiously approached her, eyeing her suspiciously. Hitomi returned the gaze, knowing this game all too well. She and her brother, Koji, used to have staring contests all the time when they were younger.
He sat down on his haunches and continued to stare. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Hitomi. What's yours?"
"Murham," he answered. "You look funny."
"What do you mean?" Hitomi looked down on herself. Tutu had given her a hand-woven red dress with some of the same drawings she saw on the rock embroidered into the trimmings. She had felt cold earlier and put on Gaea's robe for warmth.
"Your hair is really short," he pointed to on top of her head. "Is that what everyone in your tribe does?"
She almost began to say that she did not come from a tribe, but continued to play along. "No," she said. "The people in my tribe can wear their hair any way they want." She paused. "How old are you, Murham?"
He held up four grubby fingers. "Ah, just like I thought," she said. "You remind me so much of my brother when he was your age."
"Really?" he asked. "What's his name?"
"Koji."
"Your names are really funny, too," he said bluntly. "But I like you."
"I like you, too," she said, laughing. "You're honest."
The wolf-people began to pass out clay bowls filled with the same stew she had eaten earlier. She accepted one and Murham climbed up beside her on the log, taking his bowl as well.
"Tell me about your tribe, Hitomi," he asked between mouthfuls of food. She almost started laughing again, looking at the dribbles coming out from each side, but muffled them instead.
"Well, my tribe lives on a really large island called Japan," she said. "Far, far away from here. My brother, Koji, is sixteen, and he lives with my mother. I don't live with them anymore. I go to school and stay with a roommate."
As she spoke, she could see other children creeping upon them, inquisitive looks plastering their faces. She put down her empty bowl on the ground and Murham crawled onto her lap. His fur smelt sweetly, washed clean probably in the nearby river with special herbs.
"Do you wanna play a game with us?" a wolf-girl asked her. Hitomi nodded, glad to feel accepted.
For the next fifteen minutes, she sat with Murham and four other children, learning the hand clapping game, Stapp. She thought she finally got the hang of it when a loud drum broke her from her concentration. The children scrambled from their seats and ran to the middle. Murham also leapt off her lap and grabbed her hand, urging her to follow him.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Around the fire to dance in celebration of the harvest!" he cried.
"Dance?" she said, surprised. "I can't dance. I'm not that good."
"You don't have to be good," he replied. "Just move with each beat of the drums." He pulled her out to where other wolves gathered and began to jump around. Hitomi watched him for a moment and began to mimic his moves.
The pulsating rhythm from the row of drums drowned out everything else. She forgot all the things she learned that morning: the truth about her existence, Gaea, her purpose on this world and simply lived in the moment. She laughed aloud and danced with Murham, feel a part of the tribe rather than an outsider.
* * *
Van would have been back hours ago, but he was sidetracked by his thoughts. He found the silent forest calming and walked slower. He had hidden Escaflowne in a dense part for fear of peering eyes and began his return to the village. Deep within the trees, he could hear some sort of celebration and drums. He followed the sound and saw the blazing fire surrounded by the beast-men that had taken them in. They danced in a wild fashion, jumping and leaping into the air.
He was about to walk in when he spotted Hitomi in the crowd. She still wore the cloak Gaea gave her, but wore a dull red dress with it instead. She danced in the middle with some young child and was laughing happily. He hadn't seen her this happy in a long time.
She seems to be accepted by the people, he thought, noticing how the others enjoyed themselves. She has that type of personality that anyone could like.
Suddenly, he felt sad. He knew that she had to decide where she wants to live in a matter of days. He wanted her to choose to stay on Gaea, with him, but he knew she longed to return to her family. She had a strong sense of honor towards those of her kin, like she agreed to help her great-grandmother, which he respected.
But what if...
He emerged from his hidden spot and walked towards her. She whirled around, stopping in mid-step of her dance and locked eyes with him. He gave her a half-grin and she sprinted to him, jumping into his arms.
"Oh my God!" she cried, kissing him briefly. "I was so worried! What took so long? Did you run into Zaibach or something?" She wrapped her slender arms around his neck.
"No, no, everything's alright," he replied softly. "We'll leave for Asturia in the morning." He glanced at the animated people behind her. "Can we go somewhere... private? I'd like to talk to you."
Her eyes wide, she nodded in agreement, and he led her away from the others. They walked in silence for awhile, listening to the sounds of the nightlife. Crickets chirped, while a frog would croak occasionally. He held her hand and led her to a large rock hanging on the edge of a cliff. Here, they could see the night sky clearly with all the stars shining bright.
She sat down and brought the cloak tighter. Van lowered beside her and stared out over the cliff.
She broke the tension hanging heavily in the air. "Van, is something wrong?" she asked, concerned.
He sighed. "I have to be honest with you," he said. "When Gaea asked you this morning if you had decided if you were staying here on the Mystic Moon, I was disappointed. I mean, I just assumed since that you had finally returned, we'd want to be together."
Hitomi wanted to say something, but he held his hand up to stop her. "Please, let me finish, love. Today as I walked to get Escaflowne, I did some thinking. I lost my family not by choice. You could lose yours by choice. I don't think I could choose to leave everyone I knew behind.
"So what I think I'm trying to say is that I don't want to influence your decision." He paused, then drew his breath. "I love you, Hitomi. I love you more than anything. You changed me all those years ago. You saved me from the man I would have been; cold and heartless and not the type of king that could rule a country for his people. You kept me honest. I owe you everything... and you owe me nothing."
Hitomi's green eyes glistened as they filled with tears. "I love you, too, Van. When I left Gaea and returned to the Earth, something felt out of place. It was though I didn't belong there anymore. And not being able to see your face hurt me inside. I lost you once... and I don't think I could do that again. I think Gaea was right... fate and free will do go together. I think you and I were destined to be with one another.
"I want to show you something. Remember when you saved me at the Dragon's Graveyard?" Van nodded. "When I touched that feather, I was able to 'see' into you, I think. I saw your mother and father and how they met. And I saw you." She took his hand and held it within hers. "I want to show you me," she said calmly.
With her free hand, she gently stroked the side of his face, brushing his hair out of his face. Her cool eyes gazed into his, concentrating on to what she wanted to show.
The forest, the rock, the stars, all faded from their sight, replaced by a bright sunny day. Van now sat alone in what looked like a park, the same park that he visited Hitomi the night that she had returned. He saw the swing set that he sat upon and some colorful toy that children played on.
"Hitomi!" a shrill voice pierced the laughter that he heard. He saw a flash of dark red hair flying past him. A small girl, probably about the age of seven, ran frantically across the playground. "Hitomi! This isn't funny! Come out where I can see you!"
He could hear faint giggles coming from behind the large play gym as another young girl emerged from her hiding spot. Her sandy colored hair barely touched her shoulders and her green eyes shone in the sun. Hitomi? he thought.
"That so wasn't funny!" the dark-haired girl shouted, placing her hand on her hips. "I thought some monster had dragged you off or something. What would your mom say?"
"She'd say, 'Yukari, you are the worst best friend ever!'" Hitomi held her scolding hand in a mocking manner. She gave her a quick grin.
"C'mon!" Yukari pulled her hand towards one of the houses across the street. "My mom has snacks for us."
"You go ahead," Hitomi said. "I need to go get my shoes over there." She pointed at the other end of the sandpit.
The other girl sped off and Hitomi walked to where a scuffed up pair of shoes sat. Van followed her, watching carefully. She plopped down at the edge of the grass and grabbed one of them, fiddling with the knot.
"Can you untie this for me, please?" she handed the shoe to him. Van was shocked; she can see me? I thought this was only a vision of the past.
"Uh, sure," he took it from her and tried to take the laces apart. These shoes were so odd to him. Similar in style to the ones that Hitomi from his time always wore.
"What's your name?" she asked as she took the now-untied shoe from him.
"Van," he answered, helping with the second one.
"What do you do?"
"What do you mean, what do I do?"
"You know, what's your job?"
"I'm the king of my country."
Hitomi laughed. "There's no such thing as a king. Well, maybe in Europe but..."
"Of course, there are still kings. And queens and knights and dragons, too." He handed her the second shoe and she shoved her foot into it.
"Dragons? Like... real dragons?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Like the ones that fly and breathe fire?"
Van chuckled. "There are those. And ones that stay on the land and live in the sea, too."
"Wow," she sighed. "I'd like to see this place." She looked hard at him, then leaned in and kissed him fully on the lips.
Van, taken surprise by this action, didn't know what to do. He remained in the position and kept his eyes closed. He felt her draw away and opened them again. This time, he saw her, the grown Hitomi that he had rescued that morning. The dream world disappeared, returning once more to the hanging rock in the starry sky.
She smiled at his bewildered look upon his face. "That is one memory I have of my childhood. I think, that I just hold the people I love close to my heart, that they'll always be with me."
"So... what are you saying?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm saying... that I've decided to stay on Gaea," she said, letting an awkward giggle escape her throat.
Van felt a surge of happiness run through him, not knowing if he should jump for joy that the woman that he loved more than life itself wanted to stay with him. He remained seated.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, wiping a tear from her cheek.
She nodded slowly. "There has to be some way I can contact my mother before the eclipse happens, so that I can tell her..." She broke off.
He took both her hands and faced her. "Hitomi, you have no idea how great these last few days have been..." (She started to laugh in reflection of what has happened) "...I feel like I'm complete now that you have been with me. Just like what you were saying, that we were meant for each other like two lost souls or something." He took a deep breath, then continued.
"Hitomi, will you complete me forever? Will you stay by my side and rule Fanelia with me as Queen? Will you be my wife and my other half?"
Another tear streamed down her face, but this time, not in loss or grief. She smiled and laughed softly again.
"Yes... of course I will!" She leaned in again and kissed him, drowning out everything else surrounding her. She was hanging by a moment in her own 'perfect world' with the man she loved.
To be continued...
* * *
Heyo again! This chapter comes from the song 'He Lives in You' from either The Lion King on Broadway soundtrack or the Rhythm of the Pridelands, which ever you prefer. This is my favorite song from the show and the chapter comes from one of the lines. Bye bye!
Time. 10.24 pm.
Music. Centerstage soundtrack
Chapter 12
Copyright. I don't the Vision of Escaflowne or its characters.
Author's Notes. I've written three chapters in less than a week. Heck yes I will have more to post once fanfiction.net is up and running again. Exactly one month from today, I will be leaving for art school. Oooo, exciting. *yawn* so sleepy. I've been out late every night. No time for sleep for jigglykat :( Anyhoo, I'm off to bed. I'm going to my friend's house to watch Cowboy Bebop in the morning so I must rest. Ciao for now.
08.27.2001 UPDATE!!! Okay, as you can see, the last time I wrote was WEEKS ago. I haven't been able to post anything because I have been really sick. Well, I still *am* but I wanted to get up and do something. But I hate to say this but I have to put my story on hold for a bit. First, I want to get well. Second, I have to get ready to go to college. Third, I want to get settled into college.... But I do promise you this. I won't stop writing. I'm just going to have to slow down a bit. And before I go anywhere, I want to thank everyone who reviewed every chapter (you know who you are). You guys were the reason why I tried to get every chapter out so fast! Thank you so much! It truly means a lot to me!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 12. Fear of a Child
* * *
A delicious aroma stirred Hitomi from her slumber. She wearily opened her eyes, adjusting to her new surroundings. There was very little light, but she could see a small fire cooking a pot. Someone, old and tiny, hunched over it. She let out a cough, causing the person to turn around.
"Ah, you're awake finally," the old wolf-woman said. She chuckled and poured some of the steaming stew into a stone bowl.
"How long was I asleep for?" Hitomi asked, rubbing her eyes and stretching.
"Probably about six or seven hours now," she said, bringing her the bowl. "Here, you need to eat something. It's not good to sleep on an empty stomach."
"Thank you," she said, sipping from the edge. The hot broth tasted good against her throat. "Where's Van?"
"The young man you came with? He set out to bring back something called an 'Escaflowne.' He stayed by your side for about four hours but wanted to get it before you woke up." She wiped her hands on her ragged apron. "I'm Tutu, by the way," she said, giving her a worn hand.
"Hitomi." She placed hers upon the old woman's. In doing so, she saw a faded tattoo of a deer on her palm. Funny, she thought. Gaea had something like that.
"You're wondering about this, aren't you?" Tutu asked, waving her hand around.
"Kinda. I saw someone else bearing the same design."
"This is the Sign of the Lady," she explained. "She travels around the world, going from people to people and blessing those who deserve it." She returned to her boiling pot. "When I was much younger, I saved a young warrior's life. The Lady blessed me with the art of Healing and I was allowed to wear her Sign."
"But why a deer?" Hitomi asked.
"The Lady can be in any form, but she prefers the shape of a doe." She turned around and eyed Hitomi. "She didn't tell you that herself?"
"No, we were too busy..." she stopped. "How did you know we just saw Ga... I mean, the Lady?"
"Your robe," she pointed to the bundled green cloth lying beside her. "And your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"You're her... what? Granddaughter? Great-granddaughter?" Tutu asked.
"Great-granddaughter," Hitomi said. She opened her shirt and peaked at where the arrow almost pierced her heart. There was not a scratch on her skin, not even a scar showing evidence where it entered.
"She's a wonderful Healer, isn't she?"
"I'll say," Hitomi mumbled. "Better than any doctor's surgery."
"What's that?" she inquired.
"It's..." she hesitated. Gaea said no outside influences. Could telling her about the Mystic Moon harm anything? "It's someone like a Healer," she finished.
"Ah," she nodded. "Are you feeling well, Hitomi?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, stretching once more.
"Do you think you're able to help me fetch the bread cooking outside?"
"Of course!" Hitomi felt happy she could be of use.
"Come with me," she offered her hand once more. Hitomi took it and slowly stretched herself upwards. She almost laughed aloud, seeing that she towered over the old beast-woman. She followed her out the door skin flap, shielding her eyes from the sun's light, setting in the west.
As her eyes adjusted, she saw several womenfolk running between the huts, carrying pots of steaming food in their arms. Tutu lead her to an outside oven behind her own hut and knelt beside it, fetching loaves of fresh bread.
"Is there something tonight?" Hitomi asked as she gathered the loaves into her arms.
"Tonight is the Eve of the Harvest," she explained. "The Lady has blessed this land several times for us to bring in a good crop. Tomorrow is the day that we reap the fields, but tonight..." she smiled. "Tonight is the night we celebrate!"
"How exciting," Hitomi murmured.
"Come, dear one," Tutu urged her back into the hut. "You need to change out of those clothes."
"I'm allowed to go?"
"Of course! Both you and young Van have been invited."
"I thought this would be something only the village people would want," Hitomi felt puzzled. "I mean, no outsiders."
"You are the great-granddaughter of the Lady herself," Tutu's wrinkled eyes shone. "It would be an honor if you joined us."
She thought to herself for a moment, not speaking anything. "Why do I need to change my clothes?"
"We want you to feel a part of the tribe," she replied, chuckling. "You stick out of the crowd wearing those odd garments." She pointed at Hitomi's casual attire of jeans, shirt, and athletic shoes.
"Oh," she looked down, staring at her dirty clothes in embarrassment. Somehow, her foreign dress always seemed to make people want to change her clothes. She recalled when Millerna had given her a gown to wear during their first stay in Asturia. She could see Van's surprised look as he gawked at her. She sighed.
"You miss him, don't you?" Tutu asked over her shoulder.
"More than anything," Hitomi whispered
* * *
Merle sat curled up in a soft cushioned chair in her room, gazing out the window at the setting sun. Well, it wasn't just her room. Queen Millerna gave her and Kyia a joint room with two oversized beds to share.
Still, she longed to be at home in Fanelia in her own room. She felt unsettled in Asturia. Maybe because the enemy had destroyed her home again? Or was it that Lord Van wasn't there with her.
She turned to see Kyia sleeping fitfully in the nearest bed beside her. Poor thing, she thought. Just got out of the Crusade and went straight here and went to sleep. She lost her family, just like me.
Merle couldn't remember her family before the Fanels adopted her into theirs. She had been told that Balgus found her wandering in the forest, lost and frightened and no older than a kitten. He brought her back to the campsite where he, King Goau, and his men resided, then returned to Fanelia.
The only person that made her feel welcome was Lord Van. His older brother had no time to play with him anymore, since he had to train in becoming a proper prince of his country and rightful heir to the throne.
Each night, when she felt lonely and afraid in her room, she sneaked out her window, climbed over the roof, and entered Lord Van's quarters. He always seemed to know exactly when she would arrive and pretend to be asleep. She curled up into a tight ball by his side, and he would place his hand on top of her, trying his best to comfort his best friend, now adopted sister.
She sighed again, gazing out across the ocean. "Please come back, Lord Van," she whispered to herself. "And bring her back, too."
* * *
The sun sunk behind the mountains and Van still hadn't returned. As Hitomi assisted those who had let her stay at the village, she tried to hide her worried heart with a forced smile. But she ached for him to be by her side again.
However, there were many things to do in preparation. Some of the beast-men brought out dried wood and began a blazing bonfire in the middle of the village. Others helped carry food.
She enjoyed the company of Tutu and helped carry out food to the feasting table, which was just a large flat rock adorned with crude drawings of animals.
"Thank you, Hitomi," she said. "I think that's it for now and I don't want you overworked. Why don't you go sit down over there?" She pointed to a worn smooth log facing the fire.
She was relieved to get off her feet. Although she felt obligated to repay the kind wolves, her strength had not fully returned to her. Is this how it will always be? she thought. I will always be weak?
A small wolf-child cautiously approached her, eyeing her suspiciously. Hitomi returned the gaze, knowing this game all too well. She and her brother, Koji, used to have staring contests all the time when they were younger.
He sat down on his haunches and continued to stare. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Hitomi. What's yours?"
"Murham," he answered. "You look funny."
"What do you mean?" Hitomi looked down on herself. Tutu had given her a hand-woven red dress with some of the same drawings she saw on the rock embroidered into the trimmings. She had felt cold earlier and put on Gaea's robe for warmth.
"Your hair is really short," he pointed to on top of her head. "Is that what everyone in your tribe does?"
She almost began to say that she did not come from a tribe, but continued to play along. "No," she said. "The people in my tribe can wear their hair any way they want." She paused. "How old are you, Murham?"
He held up four grubby fingers. "Ah, just like I thought," she said. "You remind me so much of my brother when he was your age."
"Really?" he asked. "What's his name?"
"Koji."
"Your names are really funny, too," he said bluntly. "But I like you."
"I like you, too," she said, laughing. "You're honest."
The wolf-people began to pass out clay bowls filled with the same stew she had eaten earlier. She accepted one and Murham climbed up beside her on the log, taking his bowl as well.
"Tell me about your tribe, Hitomi," he asked between mouthfuls of food. She almost started laughing again, looking at the dribbles coming out from each side, but muffled them instead.
"Well, my tribe lives on a really large island called Japan," she said. "Far, far away from here. My brother, Koji, is sixteen, and he lives with my mother. I don't live with them anymore. I go to school and stay with a roommate."
As she spoke, she could see other children creeping upon them, inquisitive looks plastering their faces. She put down her empty bowl on the ground and Murham crawled onto her lap. His fur smelt sweetly, washed clean probably in the nearby river with special herbs.
"Do you wanna play a game with us?" a wolf-girl asked her. Hitomi nodded, glad to feel accepted.
For the next fifteen minutes, she sat with Murham and four other children, learning the hand clapping game, Stapp. She thought she finally got the hang of it when a loud drum broke her from her concentration. The children scrambled from their seats and ran to the middle. Murham also leapt off her lap and grabbed her hand, urging her to follow him.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Around the fire to dance in celebration of the harvest!" he cried.
"Dance?" she said, surprised. "I can't dance. I'm not that good."
"You don't have to be good," he replied. "Just move with each beat of the drums." He pulled her out to where other wolves gathered and began to jump around. Hitomi watched him for a moment and began to mimic his moves.
The pulsating rhythm from the row of drums drowned out everything else. She forgot all the things she learned that morning: the truth about her existence, Gaea, her purpose on this world and simply lived in the moment. She laughed aloud and danced with Murham, feel a part of the tribe rather than an outsider.
* * *
Van would have been back hours ago, but he was sidetracked by his thoughts. He found the silent forest calming and walked slower. He had hidden Escaflowne in a dense part for fear of peering eyes and began his return to the village. Deep within the trees, he could hear some sort of celebration and drums. He followed the sound and saw the blazing fire surrounded by the beast-men that had taken them in. They danced in a wild fashion, jumping and leaping into the air.
He was about to walk in when he spotted Hitomi in the crowd. She still wore the cloak Gaea gave her, but wore a dull red dress with it instead. She danced in the middle with some young child and was laughing happily. He hadn't seen her this happy in a long time.
She seems to be accepted by the people, he thought, noticing how the others enjoyed themselves. She has that type of personality that anyone could like.
Suddenly, he felt sad. He knew that she had to decide where she wants to live in a matter of days. He wanted her to choose to stay on Gaea, with him, but he knew she longed to return to her family. She had a strong sense of honor towards those of her kin, like she agreed to help her great-grandmother, which he respected.
But what if...
He emerged from his hidden spot and walked towards her. She whirled around, stopping in mid-step of her dance and locked eyes with him. He gave her a half-grin and she sprinted to him, jumping into his arms.
"Oh my God!" she cried, kissing him briefly. "I was so worried! What took so long? Did you run into Zaibach or something?" She wrapped her slender arms around his neck.
"No, no, everything's alright," he replied softly. "We'll leave for Asturia in the morning." He glanced at the animated people behind her. "Can we go somewhere... private? I'd like to talk to you."
Her eyes wide, she nodded in agreement, and he led her away from the others. They walked in silence for awhile, listening to the sounds of the nightlife. Crickets chirped, while a frog would croak occasionally. He held her hand and led her to a large rock hanging on the edge of a cliff. Here, they could see the night sky clearly with all the stars shining bright.
She sat down and brought the cloak tighter. Van lowered beside her and stared out over the cliff.
She broke the tension hanging heavily in the air. "Van, is something wrong?" she asked, concerned.
He sighed. "I have to be honest with you," he said. "When Gaea asked you this morning if you had decided if you were staying here on the Mystic Moon, I was disappointed. I mean, I just assumed since that you had finally returned, we'd want to be together."
Hitomi wanted to say something, but he held his hand up to stop her. "Please, let me finish, love. Today as I walked to get Escaflowne, I did some thinking. I lost my family not by choice. You could lose yours by choice. I don't think I could choose to leave everyone I knew behind.
"So what I think I'm trying to say is that I don't want to influence your decision." He paused, then drew his breath. "I love you, Hitomi. I love you more than anything. You changed me all those years ago. You saved me from the man I would have been; cold and heartless and not the type of king that could rule a country for his people. You kept me honest. I owe you everything... and you owe me nothing."
Hitomi's green eyes glistened as they filled with tears. "I love you, too, Van. When I left Gaea and returned to the Earth, something felt out of place. It was though I didn't belong there anymore. And not being able to see your face hurt me inside. I lost you once... and I don't think I could do that again. I think Gaea was right... fate and free will do go together. I think you and I were destined to be with one another.
"I want to show you something. Remember when you saved me at the Dragon's Graveyard?" Van nodded. "When I touched that feather, I was able to 'see' into you, I think. I saw your mother and father and how they met. And I saw you." She took his hand and held it within hers. "I want to show you me," she said calmly.
With her free hand, she gently stroked the side of his face, brushing his hair out of his face. Her cool eyes gazed into his, concentrating on to what she wanted to show.
The forest, the rock, the stars, all faded from their sight, replaced by a bright sunny day. Van now sat alone in what looked like a park, the same park that he visited Hitomi the night that she had returned. He saw the swing set that he sat upon and some colorful toy that children played on.
"Hitomi!" a shrill voice pierced the laughter that he heard. He saw a flash of dark red hair flying past him. A small girl, probably about the age of seven, ran frantically across the playground. "Hitomi! This isn't funny! Come out where I can see you!"
He could hear faint giggles coming from behind the large play gym as another young girl emerged from her hiding spot. Her sandy colored hair barely touched her shoulders and her green eyes shone in the sun. Hitomi? he thought.
"That so wasn't funny!" the dark-haired girl shouted, placing her hand on her hips. "I thought some monster had dragged you off or something. What would your mom say?"
"She'd say, 'Yukari, you are the worst best friend ever!'" Hitomi held her scolding hand in a mocking manner. She gave her a quick grin.
"C'mon!" Yukari pulled her hand towards one of the houses across the street. "My mom has snacks for us."
"You go ahead," Hitomi said. "I need to go get my shoes over there." She pointed at the other end of the sandpit.
The other girl sped off and Hitomi walked to where a scuffed up pair of shoes sat. Van followed her, watching carefully. She plopped down at the edge of the grass and grabbed one of them, fiddling with the knot.
"Can you untie this for me, please?" she handed the shoe to him. Van was shocked; she can see me? I thought this was only a vision of the past.
"Uh, sure," he took it from her and tried to take the laces apart. These shoes were so odd to him. Similar in style to the ones that Hitomi from his time always wore.
"What's your name?" she asked as she took the now-untied shoe from him.
"Van," he answered, helping with the second one.
"What do you do?"
"What do you mean, what do I do?"
"You know, what's your job?"
"I'm the king of my country."
Hitomi laughed. "There's no such thing as a king. Well, maybe in Europe but..."
"Of course, there are still kings. And queens and knights and dragons, too." He handed her the second shoe and she shoved her foot into it.
"Dragons? Like... real dragons?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Like the ones that fly and breathe fire?"
Van chuckled. "There are those. And ones that stay on the land and live in the sea, too."
"Wow," she sighed. "I'd like to see this place." She looked hard at him, then leaned in and kissed him fully on the lips.
Van, taken surprise by this action, didn't know what to do. He remained in the position and kept his eyes closed. He felt her draw away and opened them again. This time, he saw her, the grown Hitomi that he had rescued that morning. The dream world disappeared, returning once more to the hanging rock in the starry sky.
She smiled at his bewildered look upon his face. "That is one memory I have of my childhood. I think, that I just hold the people I love close to my heart, that they'll always be with me."
"So... what are you saying?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm saying... that I've decided to stay on Gaea," she said, letting an awkward giggle escape her throat.
Van felt a surge of happiness run through him, not knowing if he should jump for joy that the woman that he loved more than life itself wanted to stay with him. He remained seated.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, wiping a tear from her cheek.
She nodded slowly. "There has to be some way I can contact my mother before the eclipse happens, so that I can tell her..." She broke off.
He took both her hands and faced her. "Hitomi, you have no idea how great these last few days have been..." (She started to laugh in reflection of what has happened) "...I feel like I'm complete now that you have been with me. Just like what you were saying, that we were meant for each other like two lost souls or something." He took a deep breath, then continued.
"Hitomi, will you complete me forever? Will you stay by my side and rule Fanelia with me as Queen? Will you be my wife and my other half?"
Another tear streamed down her face, but this time, not in loss or grief. She smiled and laughed softly again.
"Yes... of course I will!" She leaned in again and kissed him, drowning out everything else surrounding her. She was hanging by a moment in her own 'perfect world' with the man she loved.
To be continued...
* * *
Heyo again! This chapter comes from the song 'He Lives in You' from either The Lion King on Broadway soundtrack or the Rhythm of the Pridelands, which ever you prefer. This is my favorite song from the show and the chapter comes from one of the lines. Bye bye!