Angel Wings
Chapter 3: Change of Heart
By: Rusty-chan
Read and Review Please!
"Be gone demon!" Merle screamed, "You don't belong here!"
Gabriel looked at Merle letting a crooked smile place itself on her face. "Well I'm one smart enough to realize when I am not welcome, but I will be back…" Gabriel raised a hand and let a surge of energy fly from it.
Merle felt a gust of wind blow her hard against the wall and she fell to the floor moaning with pain, "Damn…" Merle clenched her teeth hard, feeling the pain surge through her body.
Gabriel smiled wickedly, "Once I have gained my power back I will be reborn into this world…" With that the demon was gone and Hitomi's fragile body fell to the floor unconscious.
"Merle!" Elsie cried loudly as she raced over to the pink haired feline, checking her over for wounds.
"I'm fine…" Merle gasped as she felt the air once more return to her lungs after that menacing attack, "I just…wasn't ready for that blast…" The pink haired feline placed a hand to her head and shook her head gently, "God I am going to have one splitting headache later, "Shit…"
Elsie smiled gently glad that Merle was fine, "I am glad that you are ok," Elsie hugged the feline quickly, holding her tight.
"Thanks Elsie…but quickly get to Hitomi and make sure she is ok while I tend to Van," Merle slowly stood up, with Elsie's help.
Elsie nodded in agreement and then rushed over to Hitomi' side. The gray haired woman placed her hands on Hitomi's shoulders and shook the girl gently trying to awaken her. "Hitomi, Hitomi!" Elsie spoke firmly with worry in her eyes. "Hitomi! Wake up!" Elsie shook her harder as her voice grew more loudly with each call to her daughter. "Hitomi please open your eyes!" Elsie's eyes started to water, as her voice grew raspier from each cry. "Hitomi!" Elsie brought her daughter's head against her chest and rocked her back and forth gently crying silently.
Merle heard Elsie's cries and walked over to Hitomi's body, she gently leaned down and placed her hand on Hitomi's neck, "Elsie…she has a pulse, its faint, but its there…don't worry," Merle tried to place a smile on her face as she gently put her hand on the old woman's shoulder and rubbed it tenderly.
Elsie looked up, her eyes reddened and her cheeks soaked with salty tears. "You mean…she's going to be ok." Elsie's face seemed to hold high hopes as Merle nodded her head and Elsie smiled gratefully.
Suddenly the two heard a moan and turned their heads toward the sound. They spotted Van's unconscious body against the wall, a trail of blood covering the wall and in his body a huge stake planted. Merle quickly rushed over as Elsie watched from afar still holding Hitomi in her arms.
"I don't know if I can help him…his wound is big…but I'll try," Merle watched as Van's wings glowed brightly and then faded away as feathers fell about the two. "Here goes nothing…" Merle gently slid out the bloody stake and placed it on the floor next to her. She then proceeded to place her hands over his huge wound and close her eyes, concentrating as she tuned out all sounds or distractions. Soon enough a glow radiated from her hands and after a couple moments Elsie watched with joy as his wound completely sealed up and all that remained was the dried blood on his shirt.
Merle opened her eyes once more and sighed a heavy breath, she looked back at Elsie, "Well…I have healed the wound safely, but he has lost a lot of blood, all we can do is wait now and hope that his body and mind are strong enough to get through this and heal his body fully."
Elsie nodded and smiled gently as she pulled Hitomi a little closer against her chest, "Why did you help him Merle?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" The pink haired feline blinked once or twice as she looked at Elsie, raising one eyebrow.
"Well…" Elsie cleared her throat as she once again began to speak, "Don't you and Hitomi hunt draconians. Aren't they your hated enemies?"
Merle shook her head softly and replied, "I'm just suppose to guard Hitomi, that's my job. I don't hate them or even want to hunt them, that's all Hitomi, all I care about is protecting and taking care of Hitomi."
Elsie let her lips form a smile on her face, her grayish bluish eyes also forming one along with her lips, "And you do a wonderful job, thank you Merle…" Elsie scooted over and touched her hand to Merle's shoulder; she pulled the feline into her embrace as well and hugged her tightly with the one free arm, kissing her forehead gently. "You will always be apart of this family…" Elsie whispered softly through the strands of hair as she rested her head atop Merle's.
Merle felt joy and happiness overcome her as she closed her eyes and let her head rest comfortably against Elsie's breast. "Thank you…Elsie…"
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Outside the small hut, Dilandau continued to watch the scene from the tree that he sat atop.
The white haired draconian narrowed his eyes, squinting to see as he watched Hitomi get tugged back in her bed, then Merle and Elsie carry Van out of the room to somewhere out of view down the hallway.
"I must tell Lord Folken at once!" Dilandau exclaimed. With that the white haired draconian disappeared.
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After Merle had tucked Van into the extra bedroom down the hall, she returned to Hitomi's bedroom to check up on the unconscious sandy blonde haired female.
"How is he Merle?" Elsie asked, concern in her voice.
"Well I wrapped a bandage around his wound in his stomach and tucked him in securely, so his outlook looks bright," Merle bit her lip gently as she hoped to god that her acquisitions about whether he would live or not were right.
Elsie nodded smiling weakly, "I'm glad…but Merle," Elsie paused for a second, the concern in her voice deepening, "I found these two bite marks in Hitomi's neck and guessed that they were done by Van since he was the only draconian we found in here…" Elsie pointed to two small red swollen marks on Hitomi's neck.
Merle bent over the unconscious Hitomi and examined the two small wounds nodding, "Yeah…no doubt that Van did this…" The pink haired feline thought for a moment and continued, "That is what must have done this to her…"
"Done what to her?" Elsie turned back to face the feline bewildered.
Merle looked up at Elsie and bit her lip once more and spoke but this time with graveness in her voice, "Well…once Van bit her it completely turned her vampire killing off any of her human side left and that's where Gabriel comes in…"
Elsie frowned in sadness and bewilderment as she pressed Merle for more information, "Please…tell me about this Gabriel…" Elsie gently sat down at the edge of Hitomi's bed and looked up at the feline with a pleading look upon her face.
"Alright…" Merle nodded, "But it is a long tale…" The pink haired feline cleared her throat and started, "Gabriel was the very first vampire. He was the original King of the Throne to Atlantis and was the oldest vampire as well with knowledge beyond the years and powers beyond the imaginary. Anyways…after the war between vampires and humans, which took place 13,000 years ago, only two vampires survived, Gabriel and his wife Valkyrie. Gabriel and his wife wanted to have children since they hadn't had any yet and so they wished to restart the vampire race once more. Although after having fifteen or so children, Valkyrie one night never came home and when Gabriel went looking for her he found out that she had been cheating on him with an angel that she had seduced from the heavens above. Valkyrie gave birth to seven children that were half angel and half demon, their new breed was called draconian; monsters with wings that lusted for blood. After finding out about this, Gabriel was outraged and he murdered the angel; Valkyrie sulked for many days and soon wasted away dying from so much sorrow in her heart. Gabriel was so sad after his wife's death and was even more saddened as his vampire children and the draconian children fought a horrible war when they got older and all the vampire children were murdered. After that Gabriel swore revenge, but the draconian children sealed him away in a crypt and he soon died, but his soul still remains…" Merle wetted her lips gently after telling such a mouth-drying tale. She looked over at Elsie who seemed awestruck by the whole story.
"So what does this have to do with Hitomi?" Elsie asked, raising an eyebrow slowly.
The blue-eyed feline responded quickly with, "Gabriel's spirit is reborn in his ancestors, and Hitomi's father was Gabriel's brother. He couldn't be reborn in any of his descendants until now because they were all murdered. Although after Van bit Hitomi she turned completely and he could finally use her body, because she was now a full blooded vampire," Merle cleared her throat once more and continued, "He is waiting inside her body and slowly repairing himself, once he is completely revived he will be reborn into this world…" Merle seemed to stop and paused a second with a worried and saddened look on her face.
"What is it Merle?" Elsie looked at Merle with concern in her eyes, wondering what the feline was thinking that worried her so.
"Well…" Merle gulped and continued nervously, "While Gabriel is in Hitomi's body she can never be harmed, meaning she can't be killed either because otherwise Gabriel would loose his protective case to recover in, but once he has recovered fully…" Merle paused once more but then forced herself to go on, "…he will use up the full life force of the person he possess and when he is reborn into the world that person will die…" The pink haired feline turned her head down in shame; she knew how badly Elsie would take this.
Elsie remained quiet for a moment and could feel tears stream down her face instantly, "Thank you…for telling me Merle…it's alright…is there anything we can do?"
The elder woman turned to look at her sleeping daughter and slowly reached over touching Hitomi's cheek gently and running her hands up and down it, stroking it softly.
"I don't know…give me a night to think about it…I know that I can come up with something hopefully…" Merle tried to sound reassuring as she watched Elsie try to hold back her tears.
The elder woman gently leaned down and kissed Hitomi's forehead softly, she then proceeded to brush away a few hairs from her forehead with one hand while she wiped her tears away with another. "Hitomi…hang in there…I will take care of you no matter what…"
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Back at the old abandoned museum on the outskirts of town, Dilandau returned.
"My Lord Folken…" Dilandau kneeled down respectively as he murmured his words, "Our plan to kill the Huntress backfired and Van was badly injured, I am unsure of his status…" Dilandau paused for a second as the blue haired draconian eyed him gently looking down at him.
"Continue…" Folken spoke hurriedly, he sounded impatient.
"…Gabriel has awakened in the body of the Huntress…" Dilandau breathed softly almost in a whisper.
Folken raised an eyebrow at this and turned his back to Dilandau, "I see…well it wasn't what I expected but still…we can use Gabriel to our advantage…" Folken placed a forefinger and thumb to his chin and thought for a second.
"What do you mean my Lord?" Millerna appeared out of the air and walked towards where Dilandau kneeled, looking at Folken with a confused look upon her face.
Folken remained silent for a moment. Soon a wicked smile placed itself on his face and he gently chuckled, still keeping his eyes closed and his back turned to Merle and Dilandau.
Dilandau raised his head at hearing this from Folken and a bewildered look appeared on his face as he slowly stood up next to Millerna. "My Lord?" Dilandau took a step towards Folken, unsure of what he was thinking.
"Are you feeling well Lord Folken?" Millerna walked close towards Folken and laid a hand on his shoulder.
Folken laughed more loudly this time and threw his head back, startling Millerna and Dilandau. After a moment or so, Folken hushed once more and turned around to face the other two distraught draconians. The blue haired draconian smiled and slowly opened his eyes to look at Millerna and Dilandau.
"We will persuade Gabriel to join our side…" Folken's words shocked Millerna and Dilandau.
"But My Lord…" Dilandau's voice quivered with nervousness as he walked up to the King of Draconians, "Gabriel is our hated enemy and we are his! How can you get him to join us?" Dilandau had anger hinting in his voice, he was wondering if Folken wasn't insane or had already lost it a while ago.
Millerna nodded in agreement and watched as Folken walked over to Dilandau, he smiled and chuckled lightly. Dilandau stared at the blue haired draconian dumbfounded. Then with Dilandau's guard off, Folken brought up one his right hand and wrapped its fingers around Dilandau's neck. He pushed the young white haired draconian up against a wall. Dilandau gasped as he felt the air in his chest get knocked out of him from the hard jolt to the wall.
"Do you question my authority?" Folken asked.
"No…never my lord," Dilandau felt Folken's fingers tightly their grip and he cried out in pain as he felt his lungs start to collapse, his body writhing in pain.
"You lie, and I don't like liars…" Folken continued to tighten his grip, causing Dilandau's eyes to start watering in pain.
"Wait…wait!" Dilandau panted as he gasped for air, clinging onto life barely, "I agree…let's get Gabriel…on…our side…just tell…me what to do…" Dilandau coughed after each words as his lungs continued to grasp what little air they could.
Folken loosened his grip on Dilandau's neck and let the white haired draconian fall to the ground coughing and gasping for air. Folken stood beside the weak Dilandau and kicked him hard in the ribs making him roll over in pain, groaning with agony.
"Listen up underling!" Folken let his voice sound out loud and clear as it bounced of the walls and came back ten times louder, "I might still have use for you and you must thank me for not killing you right away…I have spared your life and now I will give you a chance to redeem your pitiful self…" Folken paced in circles around Dilandau's almost lifeless body.
"Yes…anything…you wish…" Dilandau held his stomach firmly and rolled over on his back in pain. He looked up at Folken's face hovering above him, his eyes trying to focus, and his lungs still trying to recover.
Folken smiled wickedly as he stepped on Dilandau's hand and listened with joy at the horrible cries and screams of pain coming from the white haired draconian's mouth. "I want you to find out Van's status for me…" The King of Draconians proceeded to remove his foot from Dilandau's hand and step back, eyeing the white haired draconian carefully.
Dilandau slowly lifted himself up; he felt huge pains strike him in his ribs, chest, hand, and neck. The pain felt like needles poking into him and as he tried to stand up, he used the wall as support because of the fact that after all the beating he went through he could barely see. His vision was blurry and he staggered constantly.
"Oh and Dilandau…" Folken stopped the injured and fearful draconian in his tracks, "If Van is not already dead…" Folken paused and felt a smile appear upon his lips, "then kill him…"
Dilandau's eyes widened with shock but he did not dare question Folken. Instead the white haired draconian just bit his tongue and disappeared after nodding his head and replying, "As you wish, my lord…"
After Dilandau had disappeared Millerna walked over towards Folken, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his back whispering, "Why did you ask Dilandau to kill Van?"
Folken smiled and sighed gently, he could feel Millerna's hot breath on his neck as she let the words flow from her lips. "Because…he is no longer of any use to me…he has failed…"
Folken turned and cupped Millerna's chin with one of his hands, he brought her head up a bit and gazed into her beautiful blue eyes, "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?"
Millerna smiled warm heartedly and giggled a bit, "Yes…but I love hearing you say it…tell me again please…" She leaned into his embrace, still making eye contact with him.
"You are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen…" Folken licked his lips gently and bent down, laying his lips upon those of Millerna. After a moment or two, Folken broke the kiss and once more gazed into the eyes of his angel. He gently ran his thumb up and down her cheek a bit and then moved both of his hands down to her waist, bringing her closer to him. The warmth of their two bodies radiating. Millerna smiled closing her eyes once more as she wrapped her arms around Folken's neck and pulled him in close for another taste of her sweet lips.
After another moment or two, the pair broke the lovely kiss and looked into one another's eyes. "I love you Folken…" Millerna replied with the moonlight on her face as it poured in through the window.
Folken's eyes softened, the blue haired draconian moved one hand from her waist up to her neck and pulled her closer against his chest. He kissed her neck gently, feeling her body shiver from the warm touch of his lips. Then as he neared her ears, he gently sucked on the lobe and then whispered lovingly into her ear, "And I love you…my angel."
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Back at the hut, Merle was downstairs in the kitchen drinking coffee while Elsie had gone off to bed.
Upstairs in the guest room, Van laid quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Where…am I?" Van put his hand to his head and wiped away the sweat, he pushed off the covers and looked down at the huge bandage wrapped around his stomach, dark splotches of blood staining it here and there.
"Now I remember… ugh…my head," Van closed his eyes and felt his head throb in pain as a headache started to develop. "That bitch…what did she do to me?" Van thought back to what happened when he had tried to stab Hitomi in the heart with a stake. His mind felt hazy and his eyes tried focusing as he looked up at the dark ceiling. "Ugh…I can't remember much of anything…" Van rolled over on his side, being careful of his wound still and felt the breeze of an open window rush in blowing across his sweaty forehead. The young draconian shivered and immediately pulled the covers back up over him.
"But…how did I survive? I was sure that I would die right there and then…" Van's mind raced searching for the answer, he paused, "Did she…help me?" Van shook his head trying to throw the thought from his mind as he felt his body grow hot.
"No…she is The Huntress, there would be no reason to help me and especially since I wouldn't want help from her anyway even if she offered it…" Van felt his body tingle with sensation at the mention of her name. "What's wrong with me?" Van shoved the covers off once more and tried to stand up, he swung his legs off the bed and proceeded to slowly get up steadying himself against the wall. He placed one free hand on his cheek and felt his skin burning, "Am I sick?"
Another blast of cold air came from the window, it washed over Van's body and made him shiver some, but he did not return to the safety of the covers. Instead the young draconian walked towards the window and looked up out at the full moon.
"Beautiful…" Van murmured softly as he felt another breeze blow his hair back out of his face. The raven haired draconian smiled softly gazing out at the moon and for a moment or so he actually felt calm and at peace.
Images started to appear abruptly in Van's mind, he felt pain sting his body even more and stumbled back, holding a hand to his head. "What's…going…on?"
'Van…' It was Folken, he was talking to the raven-haired draconian telepathically.
'Ugh…I hate when you do this…' Van braced his back up against a wall as the conversation continued.
'My little brother…you have failed me, and I am afraid that I must terminate you…'
'What!' Van bit back sharply.
'But there is one thing you can do to prove your worth to me…'
'Anything…what is it?' Van sounded as if he was pleading almost.
'…You can finish the job you started when you came here…the Huntress is defenseless…' Folken answered.
'But…' Van felt himself hesitate.
'You either do this or face the death penalty for insubordination…now GO!' Folken demanded and then his voice vanished and Van's mind was once again free.
Van shook his head and felt his mind clear once more. The crimson-eyed draconian sighed and looked back out to the moon, he frowned in sadness a bit, "Why do I feel so bad about doing this? I usually would go ahead and do it right away without question but now…I hesitate and feel my heart throb…" Van placed a hand over his heart, "What is this painful throbbing that makes me feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest? Whenever I mention her…" Van felt his face grow warm once more but he just shook it off and decided to follow through with Folken's orders.
"Now where did I put it?" Van bent down under his bed and shuffled around some, "Ah ha here we go!" He pulled out another stake and looked at, examining it carefully.
He then sighed once more and let his hand with the stake drop down to his side as he rushed out of the room and tiptoed down the hallway to Hitomi's room.
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Upon nearing the door of Hitomi's room, Van hesitated once more and looked down at the stake by his side thinking, 'Should I really be doing this?' Van once more brushed the thoughts away and gently grabbed the door handle, turning it slowly and pushing the door open softy, making sure not to make too much noise to awake anyone else in the house.
The crimson-eyed draconian was welcomed by pitch-black darkness, his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of the room and he peered over at the bed with a young sleeping girl on it. Slowly he walked towards the bed, all the time gazing at the young girl, watching her chest rise and fall slowly.
Van was almost startled as the girl turned over in her sleep and pulled the cover tighter around her; she now lie on her back. As he neared the edge of the sleeping girl's bed, he felt his mind grow hazy yet again and pain surge throughout his entire body. Van tried to keep his balance as he saw images pushed into his mind, 'What is this?' Van wondered.
An image of him appeared. Then he saw a girl running towards him in the vision and when she tried to hug him his image faded away. He watched in the vision as the girl cried and fell to the ground calling out his name with despair.
'What is this vision I am having?'
Van was knocked out of his thoughts by the moaning sounds of the girl on the bed, he could see beads of sweat forming on her forehead as her body began to shake softly, her moaning growing louder.
Then it hit him, 'Is she dreaming about me?' Van raised one eyebrow and gently kneeled down next to the girl's bedside, he gazed at her his crimson eyes flickering in the darkness of the room.
Then the girl turned towards him, it almost made him jump back but he realized that she had not awakened yet. Van felt the burning sensation once again return, 'I feel tempted to kiss her…and yet…its forbidden…but…' Van gazed at her longingly as he watched her turn away from him.
"Just…this once…" Van felt the stake drop from his grip and he slowly raised himself a bit, he placed one hand on either side of the girl's body, he started to lower his face down towards hers. He paused when both their noses were just about touching and gazed at her once more, "Beautiful…" The young draconian felt himself overcome with so much emotion that as soon as he closed his eyes he felt his lips find their place upon Hitomi's. A burst of warmth skyrocketed through Van's body and he felt himself inclined to slip his tongue slowly into her mouth, gently running it over Hitomi's. The girl moaned softly still dreaming as the draconian slowly pulled away after a moment or so and smiled down upon her.
"Get better soon…for me…" Van bent down and gently kissed the girl's forehead, he watched with delight as the girl smiled weakly and replied in her sleep, "Thanks…Elsie…"
Van smiled weakly, but he felt himself overcome with a bit of sadness and frustration as he slowly brought himself back up and gazed at her one last time before exiting the room and returning to his own.
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Well what did you think? I know it was rather rushed at the end and Van was a little too mushy but I loved that scene, I think it was very nicely done! Anyways, also about the Millerna and Folken relationship, I actually think its nice too, I mean I know some people find it weird but I think with some work it could get pretty interesting since it's a main part of the story. Oh yeah and I also am trying to make Dilandau more of a bulky and tough character in the upcoming chapters so please bare with me if you are a Dilandau fan and hate how I portray him ^^. Please send me more of your thoughts and comments! I love hearing from my reviewers and getting new ideas from you guys! Please review! I love getting reviews and if more people review then I get stuff out faster. Oh yeah I am going to wait for a bit on the next chapter and wait for some more reviews ^^. Also a BIG thanks to Stifled Silence who gave me the idea for the romantic scene between Van and Hitomi, thanks again, and I love you sweetie^^! My apologies for forgetting. Hope you all are enjoying the story so far! See everyone in the next chapter, peace out ^_~*
Chapter 3: Change of Heart
By: Rusty-chan
Read and Review Please!
"Be gone demon!" Merle screamed, "You don't belong here!"
Gabriel looked at Merle letting a crooked smile place itself on her face. "Well I'm one smart enough to realize when I am not welcome, but I will be back…" Gabriel raised a hand and let a surge of energy fly from it.
Merle felt a gust of wind blow her hard against the wall and she fell to the floor moaning with pain, "Damn…" Merle clenched her teeth hard, feeling the pain surge through her body.
Gabriel smiled wickedly, "Once I have gained my power back I will be reborn into this world…" With that the demon was gone and Hitomi's fragile body fell to the floor unconscious.
"Merle!" Elsie cried loudly as she raced over to the pink haired feline, checking her over for wounds.
"I'm fine…" Merle gasped as she felt the air once more return to her lungs after that menacing attack, "I just…wasn't ready for that blast…" The pink haired feline placed a hand to her head and shook her head gently, "God I am going to have one splitting headache later, "Shit…"
Elsie smiled gently glad that Merle was fine, "I am glad that you are ok," Elsie hugged the feline quickly, holding her tight.
"Thanks Elsie…but quickly get to Hitomi and make sure she is ok while I tend to Van," Merle slowly stood up, with Elsie's help.
Elsie nodded in agreement and then rushed over to Hitomi' side. The gray haired woman placed her hands on Hitomi's shoulders and shook the girl gently trying to awaken her. "Hitomi, Hitomi!" Elsie spoke firmly with worry in her eyes. "Hitomi! Wake up!" Elsie shook her harder as her voice grew more loudly with each call to her daughter. "Hitomi please open your eyes!" Elsie's eyes started to water, as her voice grew raspier from each cry. "Hitomi!" Elsie brought her daughter's head against her chest and rocked her back and forth gently crying silently.
Merle heard Elsie's cries and walked over to Hitomi's body, she gently leaned down and placed her hand on Hitomi's neck, "Elsie…she has a pulse, its faint, but its there…don't worry," Merle tried to place a smile on her face as she gently put her hand on the old woman's shoulder and rubbed it tenderly.
Elsie looked up, her eyes reddened and her cheeks soaked with salty tears. "You mean…she's going to be ok." Elsie's face seemed to hold high hopes as Merle nodded her head and Elsie smiled gratefully.
Suddenly the two heard a moan and turned their heads toward the sound. They spotted Van's unconscious body against the wall, a trail of blood covering the wall and in his body a huge stake planted. Merle quickly rushed over as Elsie watched from afar still holding Hitomi in her arms.
"I don't know if I can help him…his wound is big…but I'll try," Merle watched as Van's wings glowed brightly and then faded away as feathers fell about the two. "Here goes nothing…" Merle gently slid out the bloody stake and placed it on the floor next to her. She then proceeded to place her hands over his huge wound and close her eyes, concentrating as she tuned out all sounds or distractions. Soon enough a glow radiated from her hands and after a couple moments Elsie watched with joy as his wound completely sealed up and all that remained was the dried blood on his shirt.
Merle opened her eyes once more and sighed a heavy breath, she looked back at Elsie, "Well…I have healed the wound safely, but he has lost a lot of blood, all we can do is wait now and hope that his body and mind are strong enough to get through this and heal his body fully."
Elsie nodded and smiled gently as she pulled Hitomi a little closer against her chest, "Why did you help him Merle?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" The pink haired feline blinked once or twice as she looked at Elsie, raising one eyebrow.
"Well…" Elsie cleared her throat as she once again began to speak, "Don't you and Hitomi hunt draconians. Aren't they your hated enemies?"
Merle shook her head softly and replied, "I'm just suppose to guard Hitomi, that's my job. I don't hate them or even want to hunt them, that's all Hitomi, all I care about is protecting and taking care of Hitomi."
Elsie let her lips form a smile on her face, her grayish bluish eyes also forming one along with her lips, "And you do a wonderful job, thank you Merle…" Elsie scooted over and touched her hand to Merle's shoulder; she pulled the feline into her embrace as well and hugged her tightly with the one free arm, kissing her forehead gently. "You will always be apart of this family…" Elsie whispered softly through the strands of hair as she rested her head atop Merle's.
Merle felt joy and happiness overcome her as she closed her eyes and let her head rest comfortably against Elsie's breast. "Thank you…Elsie…"
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Outside the small hut, Dilandau continued to watch the scene from the tree that he sat atop.
The white haired draconian narrowed his eyes, squinting to see as he watched Hitomi get tugged back in her bed, then Merle and Elsie carry Van out of the room to somewhere out of view down the hallway.
"I must tell Lord Folken at once!" Dilandau exclaimed. With that the white haired draconian disappeared.
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After Merle had tucked Van into the extra bedroom down the hall, she returned to Hitomi's bedroom to check up on the unconscious sandy blonde haired female.
"How is he Merle?" Elsie asked, concern in her voice.
"Well I wrapped a bandage around his wound in his stomach and tucked him in securely, so his outlook looks bright," Merle bit her lip gently as she hoped to god that her acquisitions about whether he would live or not were right.
Elsie nodded smiling weakly, "I'm glad…but Merle," Elsie paused for a second, the concern in her voice deepening, "I found these two bite marks in Hitomi's neck and guessed that they were done by Van since he was the only draconian we found in here…" Elsie pointed to two small red swollen marks on Hitomi's neck.
Merle bent over the unconscious Hitomi and examined the two small wounds nodding, "Yeah…no doubt that Van did this…" The pink haired feline thought for a moment and continued, "That is what must have done this to her…"
"Done what to her?" Elsie turned back to face the feline bewildered.
Merle looked up at Elsie and bit her lip once more and spoke but this time with graveness in her voice, "Well…once Van bit her it completely turned her vampire killing off any of her human side left and that's where Gabriel comes in…"
Elsie frowned in sadness and bewilderment as she pressed Merle for more information, "Please…tell me about this Gabriel…" Elsie gently sat down at the edge of Hitomi's bed and looked up at the feline with a pleading look upon her face.
"Alright…" Merle nodded, "But it is a long tale…" The pink haired feline cleared her throat and started, "Gabriel was the very first vampire. He was the original King of the Throne to Atlantis and was the oldest vampire as well with knowledge beyond the years and powers beyond the imaginary. Anyways…after the war between vampires and humans, which took place 13,000 years ago, only two vampires survived, Gabriel and his wife Valkyrie. Gabriel and his wife wanted to have children since they hadn't had any yet and so they wished to restart the vampire race once more. Although after having fifteen or so children, Valkyrie one night never came home and when Gabriel went looking for her he found out that she had been cheating on him with an angel that she had seduced from the heavens above. Valkyrie gave birth to seven children that were half angel and half demon, their new breed was called draconian; monsters with wings that lusted for blood. After finding out about this, Gabriel was outraged and he murdered the angel; Valkyrie sulked for many days and soon wasted away dying from so much sorrow in her heart. Gabriel was so sad after his wife's death and was even more saddened as his vampire children and the draconian children fought a horrible war when they got older and all the vampire children were murdered. After that Gabriel swore revenge, but the draconian children sealed him away in a crypt and he soon died, but his soul still remains…" Merle wetted her lips gently after telling such a mouth-drying tale. She looked over at Elsie who seemed awestruck by the whole story.
"So what does this have to do with Hitomi?" Elsie asked, raising an eyebrow slowly.
The blue-eyed feline responded quickly with, "Gabriel's spirit is reborn in his ancestors, and Hitomi's father was Gabriel's brother. He couldn't be reborn in any of his descendants until now because they were all murdered. Although after Van bit Hitomi she turned completely and he could finally use her body, because she was now a full blooded vampire," Merle cleared her throat once more and continued, "He is waiting inside her body and slowly repairing himself, once he is completely revived he will be reborn into this world…" Merle seemed to stop and paused a second with a worried and saddened look on her face.
"What is it Merle?" Elsie looked at Merle with concern in her eyes, wondering what the feline was thinking that worried her so.
"Well…" Merle gulped and continued nervously, "While Gabriel is in Hitomi's body she can never be harmed, meaning she can't be killed either because otherwise Gabriel would loose his protective case to recover in, but once he has recovered fully…" Merle paused once more but then forced herself to go on, "…he will use up the full life force of the person he possess and when he is reborn into the world that person will die…" The pink haired feline turned her head down in shame; she knew how badly Elsie would take this.
Elsie remained quiet for a moment and could feel tears stream down her face instantly, "Thank you…for telling me Merle…it's alright…is there anything we can do?"
The elder woman turned to look at her sleeping daughter and slowly reached over touching Hitomi's cheek gently and running her hands up and down it, stroking it softly.
"I don't know…give me a night to think about it…I know that I can come up with something hopefully…" Merle tried to sound reassuring as she watched Elsie try to hold back her tears.
The elder woman gently leaned down and kissed Hitomi's forehead softly, she then proceeded to brush away a few hairs from her forehead with one hand while she wiped her tears away with another. "Hitomi…hang in there…I will take care of you no matter what…"
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Back at the old abandoned museum on the outskirts of town, Dilandau returned.
"My Lord Folken…" Dilandau kneeled down respectively as he murmured his words, "Our plan to kill the Huntress backfired and Van was badly injured, I am unsure of his status…" Dilandau paused for a second as the blue haired draconian eyed him gently looking down at him.
"Continue…" Folken spoke hurriedly, he sounded impatient.
"…Gabriel has awakened in the body of the Huntress…" Dilandau breathed softly almost in a whisper.
Folken raised an eyebrow at this and turned his back to Dilandau, "I see…well it wasn't what I expected but still…we can use Gabriel to our advantage…" Folken placed a forefinger and thumb to his chin and thought for a second.
"What do you mean my Lord?" Millerna appeared out of the air and walked towards where Dilandau kneeled, looking at Folken with a confused look upon her face.
Folken remained silent for a moment. Soon a wicked smile placed itself on his face and he gently chuckled, still keeping his eyes closed and his back turned to Merle and Dilandau.
Dilandau raised his head at hearing this from Folken and a bewildered look appeared on his face as he slowly stood up next to Millerna. "My Lord?" Dilandau took a step towards Folken, unsure of what he was thinking.
"Are you feeling well Lord Folken?" Millerna walked close towards Folken and laid a hand on his shoulder.
Folken laughed more loudly this time and threw his head back, startling Millerna and Dilandau. After a moment or so, Folken hushed once more and turned around to face the other two distraught draconians. The blue haired draconian smiled and slowly opened his eyes to look at Millerna and Dilandau.
"We will persuade Gabriel to join our side…" Folken's words shocked Millerna and Dilandau.
"But My Lord…" Dilandau's voice quivered with nervousness as he walked up to the King of Draconians, "Gabriel is our hated enemy and we are his! How can you get him to join us?" Dilandau had anger hinting in his voice, he was wondering if Folken wasn't insane or had already lost it a while ago.
Millerna nodded in agreement and watched as Folken walked over to Dilandau, he smiled and chuckled lightly. Dilandau stared at the blue haired draconian dumbfounded. Then with Dilandau's guard off, Folken brought up one his right hand and wrapped its fingers around Dilandau's neck. He pushed the young white haired draconian up against a wall. Dilandau gasped as he felt the air in his chest get knocked out of him from the hard jolt to the wall.
"Do you question my authority?" Folken asked.
"No…never my lord," Dilandau felt Folken's fingers tightly their grip and he cried out in pain as he felt his lungs start to collapse, his body writhing in pain.
"You lie, and I don't like liars…" Folken continued to tighten his grip, causing Dilandau's eyes to start watering in pain.
"Wait…wait!" Dilandau panted as he gasped for air, clinging onto life barely, "I agree…let's get Gabriel…on…our side…just tell…me what to do…" Dilandau coughed after each words as his lungs continued to grasp what little air they could.
Folken loosened his grip on Dilandau's neck and let the white haired draconian fall to the ground coughing and gasping for air. Folken stood beside the weak Dilandau and kicked him hard in the ribs making him roll over in pain, groaning with agony.
"Listen up underling!" Folken let his voice sound out loud and clear as it bounced of the walls and came back ten times louder, "I might still have use for you and you must thank me for not killing you right away…I have spared your life and now I will give you a chance to redeem your pitiful self…" Folken paced in circles around Dilandau's almost lifeless body.
"Yes…anything…you wish…" Dilandau held his stomach firmly and rolled over on his back in pain. He looked up at Folken's face hovering above him, his eyes trying to focus, and his lungs still trying to recover.
Folken smiled wickedly as he stepped on Dilandau's hand and listened with joy at the horrible cries and screams of pain coming from the white haired draconian's mouth. "I want you to find out Van's status for me…" The King of Draconians proceeded to remove his foot from Dilandau's hand and step back, eyeing the white haired draconian carefully.
Dilandau slowly lifted himself up; he felt huge pains strike him in his ribs, chest, hand, and neck. The pain felt like needles poking into him and as he tried to stand up, he used the wall as support because of the fact that after all the beating he went through he could barely see. His vision was blurry and he staggered constantly.
"Oh and Dilandau…" Folken stopped the injured and fearful draconian in his tracks, "If Van is not already dead…" Folken paused and felt a smile appear upon his lips, "then kill him…"
Dilandau's eyes widened with shock but he did not dare question Folken. Instead the white haired draconian just bit his tongue and disappeared after nodding his head and replying, "As you wish, my lord…"
After Dilandau had disappeared Millerna walked over towards Folken, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his back whispering, "Why did you ask Dilandau to kill Van?"
Folken smiled and sighed gently, he could feel Millerna's hot breath on his neck as she let the words flow from her lips. "Because…he is no longer of any use to me…he has failed…"
Folken turned and cupped Millerna's chin with one of his hands, he brought her head up a bit and gazed into her beautiful blue eyes, "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?"
Millerna smiled warm heartedly and giggled a bit, "Yes…but I love hearing you say it…tell me again please…" She leaned into his embrace, still making eye contact with him.
"You are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen…" Folken licked his lips gently and bent down, laying his lips upon those of Millerna. After a moment or two, Folken broke the kiss and once more gazed into the eyes of his angel. He gently ran his thumb up and down her cheek a bit and then moved both of his hands down to her waist, bringing her closer to him. The warmth of their two bodies radiating. Millerna smiled closing her eyes once more as she wrapped her arms around Folken's neck and pulled him in close for another taste of her sweet lips.
After another moment or two, the pair broke the lovely kiss and looked into one another's eyes. "I love you Folken…" Millerna replied with the moonlight on her face as it poured in through the window.
Folken's eyes softened, the blue haired draconian moved one hand from her waist up to her neck and pulled her closer against his chest. He kissed her neck gently, feeling her body shiver from the warm touch of his lips. Then as he neared her ears, he gently sucked on the lobe and then whispered lovingly into her ear, "And I love you…my angel."
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Back at the hut, Merle was downstairs in the kitchen drinking coffee while Elsie had gone off to bed.
Upstairs in the guest room, Van laid quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Where…am I?" Van put his hand to his head and wiped away the sweat, he pushed off the covers and looked down at the huge bandage wrapped around his stomach, dark splotches of blood staining it here and there.
"Now I remember… ugh…my head," Van closed his eyes and felt his head throb in pain as a headache started to develop. "That bitch…what did she do to me?" Van thought back to what happened when he had tried to stab Hitomi in the heart with a stake. His mind felt hazy and his eyes tried focusing as he looked up at the dark ceiling. "Ugh…I can't remember much of anything…" Van rolled over on his side, being careful of his wound still and felt the breeze of an open window rush in blowing across his sweaty forehead. The young draconian shivered and immediately pulled the covers back up over him.
"But…how did I survive? I was sure that I would die right there and then…" Van's mind raced searching for the answer, he paused, "Did she…help me?" Van shook his head trying to throw the thought from his mind as he felt his body grow hot.
"No…she is The Huntress, there would be no reason to help me and especially since I wouldn't want help from her anyway even if she offered it…" Van felt his body tingle with sensation at the mention of her name. "What's wrong with me?" Van shoved the covers off once more and tried to stand up, he swung his legs off the bed and proceeded to slowly get up steadying himself against the wall. He placed one free hand on his cheek and felt his skin burning, "Am I sick?"
Another blast of cold air came from the window, it washed over Van's body and made him shiver some, but he did not return to the safety of the covers. Instead the young draconian walked towards the window and looked up out at the full moon.
"Beautiful…" Van murmured softly as he felt another breeze blow his hair back out of his face. The raven haired draconian smiled softly gazing out at the moon and for a moment or so he actually felt calm and at peace.
Images started to appear abruptly in Van's mind, he felt pain sting his body even more and stumbled back, holding a hand to his head. "What's…going…on?"
'Van…' It was Folken, he was talking to the raven-haired draconian telepathically.
'Ugh…I hate when you do this…' Van braced his back up against a wall as the conversation continued.
'My little brother…you have failed me, and I am afraid that I must terminate you…'
'What!' Van bit back sharply.
'But there is one thing you can do to prove your worth to me…'
'Anything…what is it?' Van sounded as if he was pleading almost.
'…You can finish the job you started when you came here…the Huntress is defenseless…' Folken answered.
'But…' Van felt himself hesitate.
'You either do this or face the death penalty for insubordination…now GO!' Folken demanded and then his voice vanished and Van's mind was once again free.
Van shook his head and felt his mind clear once more. The crimson-eyed draconian sighed and looked back out to the moon, he frowned in sadness a bit, "Why do I feel so bad about doing this? I usually would go ahead and do it right away without question but now…I hesitate and feel my heart throb…" Van placed a hand over his heart, "What is this painful throbbing that makes me feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest? Whenever I mention her…" Van felt his face grow warm once more but he just shook it off and decided to follow through with Folken's orders.
"Now where did I put it?" Van bent down under his bed and shuffled around some, "Ah ha here we go!" He pulled out another stake and looked at, examining it carefully.
He then sighed once more and let his hand with the stake drop down to his side as he rushed out of the room and tiptoed down the hallway to Hitomi's room.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Upon nearing the door of Hitomi's room, Van hesitated once more and looked down at the stake by his side thinking, 'Should I really be doing this?' Van once more brushed the thoughts away and gently grabbed the door handle, turning it slowly and pushing the door open softy, making sure not to make too much noise to awake anyone else in the house.
The crimson-eyed draconian was welcomed by pitch-black darkness, his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of the room and he peered over at the bed with a young sleeping girl on it. Slowly he walked towards the bed, all the time gazing at the young girl, watching her chest rise and fall slowly.
Van was almost startled as the girl turned over in her sleep and pulled the cover tighter around her; she now lie on her back. As he neared the edge of the sleeping girl's bed, he felt his mind grow hazy yet again and pain surge throughout his entire body. Van tried to keep his balance as he saw images pushed into his mind, 'What is this?' Van wondered.
An image of him appeared. Then he saw a girl running towards him in the vision and when she tried to hug him his image faded away. He watched in the vision as the girl cried and fell to the ground calling out his name with despair.
'What is this vision I am having?'
Van was knocked out of his thoughts by the moaning sounds of the girl on the bed, he could see beads of sweat forming on her forehead as her body began to shake softly, her moaning growing louder.
Then it hit him, 'Is she dreaming about me?' Van raised one eyebrow and gently kneeled down next to the girl's bedside, he gazed at her his crimson eyes flickering in the darkness of the room.
Then the girl turned towards him, it almost made him jump back but he realized that she had not awakened yet. Van felt the burning sensation once again return, 'I feel tempted to kiss her…and yet…its forbidden…but…' Van gazed at her longingly as he watched her turn away from him.
"Just…this once…" Van felt the stake drop from his grip and he slowly raised himself a bit, he placed one hand on either side of the girl's body, he started to lower his face down towards hers. He paused when both their noses were just about touching and gazed at her once more, "Beautiful…" The young draconian felt himself overcome with so much emotion that as soon as he closed his eyes he felt his lips find their place upon Hitomi's. A burst of warmth skyrocketed through Van's body and he felt himself inclined to slip his tongue slowly into her mouth, gently running it over Hitomi's. The girl moaned softly still dreaming as the draconian slowly pulled away after a moment or so and smiled down upon her.
"Get better soon…for me…" Van bent down and gently kissed the girl's forehead, he watched with delight as the girl smiled weakly and replied in her sleep, "Thanks…Elsie…"
Van smiled weakly, but he felt himself overcome with a bit of sadness and frustration as he slowly brought himself back up and gazed at her one last time before exiting the room and returning to his own.
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Well what did you think? I know it was rather rushed at the end and Van was a little too mushy but I loved that scene, I think it was very nicely done! Anyways, also about the Millerna and Folken relationship, I actually think its nice too, I mean I know some people find it weird but I think with some work it could get pretty interesting since it's a main part of the story. Oh yeah and I also am trying to make Dilandau more of a bulky and tough character in the upcoming chapters so please bare with me if you are a Dilandau fan and hate how I portray him ^^. Please send me more of your thoughts and comments! I love hearing from my reviewers and getting new ideas from you guys! Please review! I love getting reviews and if more people review then I get stuff out faster. Oh yeah I am going to wait for a bit on the next chapter and wait for some more reviews ^^. Also a BIG thanks to Stifled Silence who gave me the idea for the romantic scene between Van and Hitomi, thanks again, and I love you sweetie^^! My apologies for forgetting. Hope you all are enjoying the story so far! See everyone in the next chapter, peace out ^_~*