Chapter 1: Moving blues

Sunlight streamed through the window of the bedroom, reflecting off the laminated covers of the books strewn over the floor. Hitomi frowned as she considered the two books in her hand. Nodding to herself, she placed them in different boxes, sighing as she did so. "Bye-bye advanced calculus and physics, hello History of the World." she muttered. Behind her the news blared on the television. Suddenly she looked up at the girl surrounded by piles of clothes near her and grinned.

"In one week, bombings, traffic jams and escaped mental patients will be a thing of the past," she said cheerfully.

Yukari looked at her narrowly, brushing a stray hair out of her eyes. "Yeah, and so will indoor plumbing and electricity."

The two friends were going through the belongings left in Hitomi's college apartment. She had received her diploma the previous semester, having overloaded on courses so that she could finish her degree early. Then she had worked diligently to pay off her student loans, not wanting to leave any debts behind.

Hitomi merely laughed at Yukari's response. For almost twenty-four months her best friend had scolded, argued, begged and cajoled Hitomi into changing her mind and none of it had worked.

Yukari sniffed indifferently. "I still think you have lost your mind. To throw away your whole life for a man. I can't believe your mother is going along with this. And why do you need these history books? No one will be able to read them except you."

Hitomi shrugged. "They taught me to read their language, I can teach them to read mine. I think Dryden will find them interesting. Besides, I don't want to forget where I come from." She turned to sort through some more books when she felt a hand on her arm. Yukari looked at her imploringly.

"You will visit, won't you?" Yukari asked, suddenly tearful. "I can't believe you're doing this to me. And with me in this condition!"

Hitomi gripped the hand on her arm. "Of course. I would never think of leaving you forever. And I
want to see Amano Jr.!"

Yukari giggled, patting her stomach. It was still flat, not yet showing signs of pregnancy. "Are you sure it's not a Yukari, Jr.?"

Hitomi got a far off look on her face. "Yes." she said.

Yukari looked startled then smiled at her friend. "And I thought you had given up reading fortunes in high school."

Hitomi came out of her daze and grinned at her friend. "That was no guess. And I did." She turned her attention back to the pile of books at her side. "Now, should I take Norton's Anthology of Literature or Great Literature Classics of the World?"

"I don't know. Who are you taking those for?"

"Merle and Celena. I think they would like the stories. How are you doing over there?" She looked over at the pile of clothes that Yukari was sorting through. "Find anything worth keeping?"

Yukari held up a small pink T-shirt decorated with hippos doing ballet. Hitomi blanched.

"Do you mind explaining this?" Yukari began to laugh, Hitomi joining her.

"Where did it come from?" Yukari gasped out between peals of laughter. Hitomi shook her head, "I don't think I should tell you. It involves your husband, my brother and an implausible amount of alcohol." Yukari giggled some more before tossing it in the donation pile of clothes. "I don't know why I'm looking through your clothes for stuff to keep when I'm not going to be skinny much longer." she moaned.

Hitomi grinned devilishly. "You'll be skinny again soon. Back to your wedding gown size in no time. And you'll need those extra clothes when the baby spits up on your nice stuff."

Yukari glared at her in feigned anger then began sorting again. "How are your father and brother taking it? Any change?"

Hitomi looked at her hands in her lap. "No." she sighed. "They still believe I'm crazy. Almost as crazy as Mom for believing me. But at least they stopped hinting about psychiatrists." She shrugged and was about to look through some more books when the phone rang.

"Uh-oh." Hitomi said, looking around the room. "Where's the telephone?" A chaotic search ensued as she and Yukari dug through the piles littering the floor to find the cordless phone. Finding it beneath a pile of c.d.'s, Hitomi answered, then handed it to Yukari.

"Your hubby is wondering when dinner will be." She said with a sly grin. Yukari snatched the phone from her, blushing as she answered. Hitomi watched her for moment with a hint of envy. When Yukari and Amano had married last summer, she had been the happiest person there. But it had been a reminder of what she was missing- the ability to pick up a phone and talk to Van, make sure he was still willing to go through with it.

She snapped herself out of it, reminding herself that it was irrelevant now - she would be seeing him in a matter of days. He had loved her for five years before seeing her again, so she shouldn't doubt him after a mere twenty-four months. Looking around at her apartment, she began to get a little nostalgic about what she was leaving. Her whole life was now packed up in boxes, separated into piles of taking, storing, or giving away. She felt her eyes mist looking at the growing pile of 'giving away.' Brushing her eyes with the back of her hand, she noticed that Yukari was off the phone and watching her.

"Second thoughts?" Yukari asked quietly.

Hitomi shook her head. "No, second regrets. I'm just going to miss everything."

Yukari stretched across the mounds of stuff to hug her. "And we are going to miss you. But you have to go if you think that will make you happy."

Hitomi tried to smile bravely, but failed. "I think it will. But I won't know until I try. Right?"

Yukari smiled through her own tears and nodded.




Merle went through the plan again in her head as she walked down the hallway. Her footsteps echoed eerily in the newly finished corridor, and she stopped to check the decorations that had just been put up. Continuing down the hall, she stared at the floor, rehearsing her words. She bumped into someone and looked up, apology on her lips.

Allen smiled down at her preoccupied look. "Let me guess. You are trying to think of how to ask Van to let you go with him?" he asked.

Her eyes widened and she looked around to make sure no one else had heard. "How did you know?" she whispered.

Allen laughed. "Merle, you have been asking him about the Mystic Moon for months now and what it is going to be like. It was only a small jump to figure out that you wanted to go. Only Van has been too wrapped up in everything else to notice."

Merle grinned. "I am waiting 'til the last minute - if he says yes, it gives him less time to change his mind."

Allen smiled conspiratorially. "Good plan. Thank goodness I was able to talk Celena out of the same one."

Merle looked at him in surprise, then giggled. "I guess we are all kinda excited about it. Can you believe it is finally almost time?"

Allen waved his hand at the complete castle. "And everything is ready. Those workers were really motivated when they heard the king was depending on them for his wedding."

Merle nodded in agreement. "They worked night and day to finish it and repair the damage from the fires two year ago. I just hope the advisors don't give him too much trouble. I can't believe some of them are still opposed to Hitomi!"

Allen stared at a wall for a moment. "Well, you can't exactly blame them. Every time she has come some violence has erupted." He looked at Merle's outraged expression and backed away, raising his hands submissively. "I'm not agreeing with them. I don't think she's to blame. But you can't fault them either for thinking about it."

Merle's shoulders slump. "Well, at least the citizens are behind the wedding. And Van won't be swayed. In the end that is all that matters."

A soft cough caught their attention. Turning, they saw Eri standing at the end of the hallway, timidly trying to get Merle's attention without dropping the package clutched in her arms. Merle said goodbye to Allen and bounded over to her.

"What is it, Eri?" Merle said curiously, eyeing the nervous maid. Eri blushed, pulling her around a corner and out of sight of other servants and guards. She whispered. "I knew you wanted to go with King Van. I was thinking that he wouldn't let you go since there are no cat people there. So I made you this!"

With a flourish she unraveled the package in her arms. A long silver cloak unfurled.

"It even has a hood!" Merle squealed excitedly. She threw her arms around the maid. "Eri, you're the best!"

Eri flushed with happiness. "I just hope he will let you go."

"Don't worry." Merle said confidently. "There is no way he is going to get off this planet without me."