~*Severed Destinies*~
Chapter 1: Heaven… A Place on Gaea?
Could this be paradise? the young man asked himself. He couldn't remember the last time he was so content. His lean body lay stretched out across the lush green grass of the castle's huge courtyard, the nearby forest enclosing him, separating him from the outside world. The gentle trees, with their long, willowy arms, seemed to reach upward straight into the stars, until they became a part of the sky. A few feet away, the still pond was as smooth as glass, the soft reflection of the two orbs above etched into its usually rippling waters. Occasionally their image was blurred as a warm breeze passed, tickling the teen's neck and delivering the sweet scent of lilac to his nose. There was only one thing that could possibly make this moment even more blissful… or maybe one person.
He closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the utopian world of daydreams. Immediately, his fantasies turned to the girl with the deep green eyes, the one whom he had been in love with for so long. He could hardly remember what it had been like to feel anything less than intense passion for her. The raven- haired king longed for her to be by his side, and couldn't help thinking that he would give anything in the world for her to come and share this magical night with him. Being in love was such a strange thing… when she wasn't around, the teen felt dissatisfied, as if something was missing. But when he was in her company… words couldn't express how he felt! It was all he could do to restrain the urge to spread out his majestic white wings in a burst of energy, take her in his arms, and whisk her away to the heavens above. He could take her whirling through the clouds, to the peak of the tallest mountain, and together they could view the tremendous fields, the vast seas, the bustling villages of Gaea below. Best of all, they could admire the newly- rebuilt Fanelia, on which its citizens had spent countless days-
"Van?" A familiar, hesitant voice broke his reverie.
He turned around, and his heart leaped as he came face-to-face with those beautiful eyes.
"Hitomi! I'm so glad you could-"
"Shhh." Hitomi knelt down beside Van, setting herself down on the cool grass. She snuck a peek at his face and found he was gazing at her with those dark eyes. She took a breath, glancing down at his gloved hand. Then, timidly at first, she took it in her own, their fingers interlocking tightly. Hitomi looked into Van's eyes again, and at that moment, time stood still. Both their hearts were racing, but at the same time the couple felt completely at peace. Suddenly, Van looked up and abruptly loosened his hold on the girl's hand before dropping it. He peered thoughtfully at the sky for another minute, failing to notice the crushed expression on Hitomi's face. Van continued to suck up his courage, and then, as his face turned a slight shade of pink, he uncertainly placed one arm around Hitomi's shoulders. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she wasted no time in moving closer to him. Van lowered himself and his first love to the ground so that they were both facing the blanket of glimmering stars draped over them. Hitomi couldn't suppress a smile as she shifted her head up onto Van's welcoming shoulder.
I was wrong before, Van thought. This is paradise.
~*~*~*~
As the solemn grey clouds of dawn parted, a ray of bright morning sunlight beamed down onto the sleeping girl's face, piercing through her eyelids and causing them to flutter open. She blinked in confusion, bringing up a hand to shade her eyes. Where am I? she wondered, turning her head. As she did so she caught sight of the Fanelian castle behind her. What am I doing out- "Oh," she said as she was struck with the realization that she and Van hadn't returned to their rooms last night. Hitomi gazed fondly at the boy beside her, who was still fast asleep. Blushing a little, she brushed a lock of ebony hair off his forehead. To her surprise, the corners of his mouth curled into a small smile, but his eyes remained shut. "Van? Van, are you awake?" she inquired gently. He remained almost motionless, the only sound from him the steady, even breathing of someone in a deep slumber.
I won't wake him just yet, Hitomi told herself, glancing around the tranquil castle property. There doesn't seem to be anyone else up yet, anyway…
***
A jumbled dream was bouncing through Van's mind, playing like a movie with all the scenes mixed up. At first, he was all alone, surrounded by ominous black clouds. All he could see was darkness, as if he were lost in a thick fog. But the worst part was the overwhelming sadness that weighed down his heart. He couldn't quite put his finger on where the feeling was coming from, but it reminded him of the loneliness and loss he'd felt upon losing his family. Only… this was different. The sense of loneliness was amplified by a million, maybe because it was mixed with another emotion…regret?
Suddenly, a clap of thunder rang through the still air, and a strong wind pushed the dark clouds into a swirling motion. Van watched in bewilderment as solid ground formed beneath him, and his feet touched a paved road slick with rainwater. Slish, slosh, slish, slosh, the puddles splashed as they were disturbed by the footsteps of an approaching pedestrian. The curious teen looked over at the white running shoes, his eyes traveling up to the pleated navy skirt, and up to the red bowtie that poked out of the rain jacket collar.
"Hitomi!" he called joyously, his heart lifting as the burdening weight of misery melted away. He ran up to her, ready to lift her up into a warm hug, but stopped short just inches from her face, crouching down to avoid being hit in the head by her big black umbrella. When Van looked up at her face, his heart sank again. Hitomi's eyes were full of sorrow, becoming misty as tears welled up, ready to spill over and join the rain any second.
"What's wrong?" Van questioned, concern apparent in his voice. But Hitomi just continued to walk… right through Van. As her body passed through his own Van could feel the immense amount of pain she was going through. It was the same sentiment as the one he had had in those gloomy clouds. Van turned around. "Hitomi!" he repeated, this time sounding much more distressed than joyful. The girl from the Mystic Moon walked on without acknowledging his presence.
In desperation, the young king reached out to grab her shoulder with one arm, and gasped. My arm! Where's my arm??? Van gaped at the empty air in shock, then turned his head to check the rest of his body. Nothing. All he saw were the office buildings by the sidewalk, the park across the street, transportation vehicles whizzing by in the distance. "Why can't I see myself? Why am I invisible??" he yelled out in frustration. Only… no sound came out. "WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME???!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Once again, not even the slightest peep emerged from his voicebox.
For the next few moments, everything seemed to go pitch black, but Van's surroundings soon came into focus. Oh, no, not this cloud place again… The teen had no need for despair, though. The clouds had become sparse and golden rays were beginning to shine down, melting away any patches of the dismal haze that remained. Van could feel delicate fingertips caressing his forehead as gently as a feather, and although the action only lasted a split second, he found it incredibly soothing. An appreciative smile crossed his lips as he felt the familiar cozy, elated sensation he got when he was around his special girl. Hitomi… I love you so much…
"Van?" Hitomi's distant voice shattered the barrier between Van's dreamland and reality. The boy's heart jumped a mile in the air, as he realized he might have said something out loud that he didn't necessarily want Hitomi to hear…
"Van, are you awake?" Hitomi continued, her voice just above a whisper. Phew! Good thing I'm not a sleep-talker. thought the teen with relief. He considered getting up, but decided now that the strange dream had finally ended, he might as well get in a few extra minutes of shut-eye. Besides, he couldn't stand the thought of leaving Hitomi's side and drawing that peaceful, perfect night to an end.
~*~*~*~
The young woman reached the front doors of the school just as the rain began beating down, if possible, even harder than before. Hastily she closed her umbrella and stepped inside. Shivering in her sopping wet raincoat, she made her way through the sea of hurried students to the ladies room, where she could compose herself before her first class, which began in exactly- she paused to check her watch- five minutes. Turning the corner, she arrived at her destination, and upon entering, was relieved to find it empty of chattering girls. Stopping in front of the sink, she pulled off her jacket and exchanged it for the school blazer stored in her track bag. She paused, catching sight of her eyes in the mirror- they were red and puffy, and their usual green hue was now a listless shade of grey. Sighing, she turned the cold water tap, attempted to splash some life into her face, and wondered how her day could already be this awful at 8:30 a.m.
A/N: Aaak!!!! Sorry if this totally sucks, or if it's too much like other V/H fics, but it is my first fanfic so I had no idea how it would turn out! :s Note to Mystic Blue and Redflye: HI GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~*Starry Eyes*~