Test of Love Part I
Test of Love Part I
Well please enjoy and Please Read and Review once more.A Reminder on the Characters...
Kanzaki Hitomi is Sakaguchi Alice (Arisu)
Van de Fanel is Kobayashi Rin (Ring)
Allen Schezar is Ogura Jinpachi
Millerna ? is Nishikiori Enju (OK, so the original name was Nishikiori Issei, but that was a guy, so I'm changing it. His past life name was, Enju, and YES he was a women reborn as a MAN!)
Sakamoto Ken - Exchange student that staying with Alice along with his sister Chiyo
Sakamoto Chiyo - Exchange student staying with Alice, she and Ken are twins, she is the younger
(writing) - things in parentheses are my notes and thoughts
writing - words in italics are what the characters thinking or flashbacks
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or anything of Please Save My Earth for that matter.
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Jinpachi is asleep in his room. He's twisting and turning, as if tormented by something in his unconscious. Jinpachi's Dream"Please don't play with Millerna's feelings. I know she resembles Marlene but she isn't a replacement for her!" Eries cries. (Oh, not to sure when this happened or if my wording is really correct, but it went a bit like this)The scene where Allen confesses to Millerna about Marlene and the possibility that Sid is a product of Marlene and their love plays in his dream. "Allen, I'm so glad I got to see you again..." Jinpachi turns his head in his dream. "Marlene...!""This time... we can be together! Our roles in our last lives kept us apart, but now there are no restrictions and duties and we can follow our hearts." she whispers in his ear as she wraps her arms around him."Marlene." Jinpachi thinks."That's right, she was my first love. So beautiful and free, but confined by her royal duty..." he leans down to kiss her as she gets ready to do the same."Allen!" a flashback of Millerna riding on her horse to come greet Allen pops into his mind and Jinpachi hesitates."You see... Millerna never stopped loving Allen." Enju moves closer to him, her arms encircling his neck. "And... Remember... I was Millerna..." Enju then leans in and kisses Jinpachi. (scene from chapter 3) Jinpachi pulls away, "Enju...""Hmm, what's wrong Allen? Don't you love me anymore?" Marlene questioned in his dream.He then turns away from her. "I'm not Allen anymore."Marlene smirked, "No, you're not, but your heart is still affected by him. Your feelings for Enju... And even your lingering feelings for me..." she then turns him around kisses him.End of Dream"Eh! What was that dream?" Jinpachi said outloud, sitting upright in his bed.
Chapter 6: Test of Love Part IJinpachi is still shaken by his dream and now he can't sleep. He feels like he needs someone to talk to. "Maybe I should talk to Rin... It feels a little weird talking to another guy about it though... He might think I'm a playboy." He then decided to go see Alice, after she was his eldest friend, and she had Hitomi's memories so she wouldn't need explaining on the whole Marlene/Millerna story.He knocks on the door waiting for Alice to answer, but instead of Alice at the door, Chiyo answers it. "Eh!?" he says outloud. He wonders who she is and takes in her appearance. "Ah... She looks like Marlene..."Chiyo notices he's a bit dumbfounded by her appearance. "Are you going to come in? Jinpachi-kun?""How do you know my name?" "Alice showed me your picture, I'm Sakamoto Chiyo and my brother and I are staying as exchange students at Alice's house.""Funny. Alice didn't mention anything about exchange students staying..." he thought. "Come in. Alice is sleeping, but the rest of us are having dinner." she said warmly. He comes in and enters where Alice's Mother and Ken were eating dinner. Mrs. Sakaguchi greets him and introduces them. She then asks if he came to see Alice and if he wants her to wake her up for him. He's says that it's all right and she insist he stay for a little bit of dinner. Jinpachi takes a look at Ken. "This guy is creepy." He turns and looks at Chiyo. "Chiyo-chan on the other hand is really pretty and very friendly." She turns and smiles at him as if she knew what he was thinking. He smiles back at her and takes a bowl of rice. After they finish eating he helps them clean up."Wow, so gentlemanly! Helping clear the table," Chiyo complimented as Jinpachi turned a little red."It's nothing.""Hmm, you remind me of a gallant swordsman and a proud knight in fairytales. You walk with the same air as of someone who held that type of title, maybe in you're past life you were a Knight!""Eh?! What is she hinting at? A swordsman? A knight? Sounds like Allen. Does she know?" he eyed her suspiciously as she continued clearing the table. He left later with one last long lingering look at Chiyo. She looked a lot like Marlene, but that had to be just a coincidence. No way it was Marlene. His mind then wanders back to his dream. Maybe there was a connection. Now that he thought about it, not only did Chiyo look like Marlene, she also looked like Enju, who also looked like Millerna. "Aughh!!! All this is hurting my head, I think I'll just go back to sleep and talk to Alice tomorrow," and so he went back to bed. Next MorningAlice silently crept out of her room, sure not to wake anyone. She didn't want another encounter with Sakamoto-kun again. She came around the corner to the kitchen and peered in; inside Chiyo and Ken are having coffee. "Shit! They're in the kitchen. Now how can I get out?" she ponders this as she goes back to her room. She's pacing around when she suddenly looks out the window. "Aha! I can go over to Rin's place and just get out there. That way we can walk to school together too. I'll just climb onto his balcony!" she slides the window aside and makes her way to the side of Rin's balcony. She looks down momentarily and realizes just how high up she was on the 13th floor. She swallows her fear and stretches out her leg to the other side and grabs on the railing with her other hand. She starts to pull herself up but- "Uh-oh..." Her other foot slips and she's now dangling on to Rin's balcony with one hand, "Ahh! Help me!"Rin's peacefully sleeping in his bed when he hears some strangling russling outside his window. "Hmm? Not now, I'm tired, let me sleep..." He pulls the covers over his head trying to block the loud rustling outside. "Ahh! Help me!" "Alice...?" he thought groggily. "ALICE!" he bounds of his bed and looks out his window at a dangling Alice.
"Help me!" she tries to pull herself up but feels herself slipping a little more instead. She feels the last of her fingers start losing their grip and closes her eyes waiting for the impact. Suddenly she's falling! A strong hand clasps hers and starts to pull her up. She opens her eyes and sees Rin trying to pull her up. He succeeds and her knees buckle from the intense scare. "Thank God... I thought I was a goner there!""What were you thinking!? You could have seriously been hurt or killed!" Rin's voice breaks her out of her spell. "What would have happened if I hadn't woken up!? You would have fallen!"She just kind of sits there in silence. "He sounds mad..." Who can blame him though, it was pretty stupid and clumsy of me." "I'm sorry. I caused you trouble and now you're mad," she said quietly looking down at the ground, she was still on her knees. Then the realization sinks in that she almost DIED and she also could have dragged Rin along with her, she starts to go into a bit of shock. She's shaky and now her eyes are threatening to spill over with tears."Hey don't cry, you're all right, that's all that counts Ok. Just don't try that again, I don't think I need another scare like that," he tells her. She stops and just hangs onto him for dear-life. "I was just trying to avoid him," she mumbled, starting to regain composure. Of course he knew whom she meant by him. They didn't talk about that anymore and just started to walk to school instead, forgetting totally about Jinpachi who had overslept (remember I put them in the same apartment houses). Since Alice already left with Rin, Jinpachi was forced to walk with Chiyo and Ken. Chiyo walks closely to Jinpachi and wraps her arm around his. He doesn't really pay much mind to it because his mind is elsewhere. They come to Enju's building and she's waiting for him outside. She immediately spots him and is about to call out to him when she notices Chiyo hanging on his arm. "Who is THAT!?" "Jinpachi dear, who's this?" she says a bit coldly.Jinpachi then notices Chiyo on his arm and looks at her, and back at Enju. His mind is spinning because they really do look alike. "Oh, these are the exchange students that are staying with Alice, she left already so I had to take them to school. This is Sakamoto Ken and Chiyo""Exchange students? I don't remember Alice mentioning this. And why does she have to hang onto him like that!" she starts to get angry but Chiyo's warm smile breaks her resolve. "So you're Enju? Alice and Jinpachi's friend, you sure are pretty."She is rendered speechless. "I could say the same for you.""Oh stop kidding with me." they both giggle, the strange tension broken.They walk to school and find out that Chiyo is in their class, but Ken was in a different class (Good thing for Alice huh? Imagine if a pervert that looked at you was in your class). Since Chiyo came with Jinpachi, she was allowed to sit with him and Enju for that day. "Neh, neh. I heard there was a fair this weekend, are you guys going? I've never been to a Japanese fair before!" Chiyo exclaimed."Actually we are, along with Alice and Rin. You can come with me and Enju."Enju looks a little mad because he invited Chiyo on their date with them, but it's all right since Chiyo is her friend too. "So Alice and Rin are going? Are they going together? She didn't say anything about him but they seem awfully close..." Chiyo questioned, gazing at the two in the front of their seats."Yes... Awfully close they are indeed. She might not admit it, but I'm positive she cares about him a bit more than a friend does," Enju whispered."Aww, that's too bad. Oniichan likes her, I was thinking maybe we could double date along with Jinpachi-kun and Enju-chan! But if it's that way, I don't want to break up a happy couple," she said. "Oh, me and Jinpachi aren't officially going out together." Enju said shyly."Oh really now?" Chiyo questioned. "That means I have a chance still with him." "Can I bring Oniichan too? He'd feel all left out if he was the only one not invited."Enju and Jinpachi exchange worried looks. Rin had filled them in when they got to class about what had happened with Sakamoto Ken, but they weren't sure how to handle this. "Um, why don't you bring your brother along with us? That way Rin and Alice can be together. They're so shy... If we weren't here to play cupid for them every-once-in-a-while they'll never get anywhere."Chiyo chuckled, "Heh heh, playing cupid, sounds like fun. Ok, I'll play along too. I'll leave them alone so they can get together and try to edge them along whenever I get the chance."Enju smiled. She was starting to really like this Chiyo-girl. She was friendly and easygoing, later on in fact, they would find they had a lot in common.The whole week Enju, Jinpachi, and Chiyo spent their time with each other. They were almost inseparable. They went shopping together, they studied together, they ate lunch together (along with Alice and Rin, Ken was sitting with his own personal girl-fan club), and they walked home together. They were like the three peas in a pod; always being together their friendship grew more and more. Enju was now starting to think of Chiyo like her own sister (hint hint here). Jinpachi however, was always a bit nervous around Chiyo. She always looked at him with those eyes, eyes like the time when Enju kissed him on that rooftop, and he was scared at what her gaze really meant. He didn't want anything to break this happy moment where they could all be together... Laughing... Having fun... and just living life to a T. Of course, that happy time couldn't last forever, and their happy time soon began to crumble with thoughts of jealousy and mixed emotions.That weekend they set off for the fair. Enju was going to meet Jinpachi, Chiyo, and Ken at Jinpachi's apartment. "Yeah, a fair! This is going to be fun," Chiyo commented at the breakfast table. Ken was sitting opposite of her sipping his coffee with his eyes trained to the kitchen door, awaiting a certain someone's arrival."Jeez, you sound like a child," Ken said, sounding a bit cross."What's you're problem? Can't I be excited?" Chiyo bit into her toast and started talking with her mouth full, "I love fairs, and this is my chance to spend time with Jinpachi. Oh, and Enju and my wonderful Oniichan!" she said as an afterthought."Don't think I don't know you're intentions toward Jinpachi. I am your brother. Looks like you're making headway in that department, whereas I am being utterly avoided." he said."Oh. I get what this is all about now. Haven't got anywhere with Alice. I think you scared her off, you should try being more subtle. You'll never win her over like this." she said matter-of-factly."Well then, maybe I'll just have to take her by force then." he commented back calmly.Chiyo nearly choked on her toast. "Are you serious? You can't do that! It's just cruel, if you're going to take her, at least make of her own free will. If you don't, then none of it will count." (Ok, your all probably wondering what they're talking about, but you'll find out as you read along).As if she knew they were talking about her, Alice came waltzing in the kitchen. She seemed to hesitate when she saw Ken sitting at the table, but then she just took a seat next to Chiyo and took some toast and peach jam. She was wearing a brown short skirt (no, not mini-skirt short, just not long. Don't go getting any ideas now!) with a black turtleneck along with a matching brown sweater. Ken eyed her up and down as she ate, she could feel his eyes drinking in her appearance and she felt incredibly uncomfortable."Cute outfit," he said finally."Ah... thanks," she muttered, concentrating hard on her toast so she wouldn't have to look up.Ken seemed to enjoy making her uncomfortable, and if it hadn't been for Chiyo's sharp kick under the table, he probably would have continued."Why'd you do that for?" he asked angrily."Stop," she said without question.After that he didn't make anymore comments, but his eyes were thin and slanted all during breakfast, glaring at Chiyo. This made Alice stare at their strange behavior.After Alice finished off her breakfast she got up to leave. "Well see you later, have fun with Jinpachi and Enju.""Bye, you have fun too," Chiyo responded."Maybe we'll bump into each other and we can hook-up there," Ken called to her back as she quickly left.
When they were ready, Chiyo and Ken went over to Jinpachi's apartment. "Jeez, Enju sure is late. Does she always take this long?" Ken complained."We haven't even been waiting 10 minutes and already you're complaining!" Chiyo scolded."Well sorry if I get bored easy." he said."Gee, what's with this guy? What's his rush?" Jinpachi thought. "Ok, I just can't sit here, I think I'll go on ahead. Maybe I'll catch up with Alice and Rin," Ken said, already making his way toward the door."Don't meddle with them now!" Chiyo shouted as he walked out, not hearing a word."You're brother's really something there. Compared to you he seems so much younger. It's like you have to supervise him," Jinpachi commented. "Well he is rash and a bit immature. That's why I came with him, to watch that he doesn't get himself into too much trouble." she replied, Jinpachi nodded his head in understanding. Chiyo inched closer to him, "So you think I'm mature!? That's nice to hear. If people saw the way I acted they'd call me childish, don't you think?""I don't think you're childish. Sure you talk in a bit of a childish manner at times, but inside you have a mind of an adult. Those people who are irresponsible and selfish are the real childish ones," he answered with a blush."I think you sometimes act a bit childish yourself," Chiyo said playfully."Why you!" he said and started to tackle her. They fell to the floor and he started tickling her, laughing. "Now who's a child?!""You are," Enju said from behind, she had let herself in. "Honestly, do adult people act like this?" she asked a little coldly. "I'm so glad you two children are so friendly. Well? Are you just going to wrestle each other all day or are we going to go to the fair?!""Hai hai," Jinpachi said apologetically.As they made their way to the fair, Chiyo chatted away happily with Jinpachi while Enju walked in cold silence."Look at her. She's hanging all over him and he doesn't even seem to mind. This was supposed to be our date." Enju thought.At the fair, they waited for the parade to start. They saw Alice and Rin stroll by on the other side and waved hello. Chiyo sighed with relief that her brother wasn't pestering them.Across the Street"Look, Jinpachi and Enju are with Chiyo-chan. I thought this was going to be a group trip, I hardly see either of them anymore," she complained."What? Is hanging out with me getting boring already? I'm hurt," he said pretending his feelings were hurt."No, I like spending time with you. It's just..." she stopped and he started listening to her seriously; "it's just that ever since they've kind of gotten together I feel like I'm not really needed anymore. I know it's stupid but I can't help feeling like they've forgotten us."Rin turned to her, "Do you know the reason why we're not together as a group right now?"Alice shakes her head and he continues, "They went off by themselves because they invited Chiyo to come along with us, but then she asked if Ken could come. They then said that the two of them should go with them, so you wouldn't have to confront Ken." "Oh, I see. I didn't know they did that. I'm grateful for that, but even now he's not with them, and that makes me a bit nervous," she said.Rin looks at her with a worried look, "Don't worry, I'm here with you, I'll protect you from that etchi." He takes her hand and pulls her forward, "Come on, let's go on a ride, watching parades aren't really my thing."Then the parade started coming down the street. The floats were decorated with colorful flowers and the air smelled of sweet flowers. "Wow, pretty," Chiyo murmered, "it smells so nice."They watched as rows and rows of beautifully decorated floats passed them till there were no more. "Look, over there! The new roller coasters finished, let's get in line," Jinpachi suggested. They nod their heads in consent and rush off to the long line."That's looks scary..." Enju muttered under her breath. She took a bit of her noodles she bought before they got in line so she had something to eat while waiting. "If you're scared you can always back down," Chiyo said.Enju's face turned stony; "I wouldn't back down if it meant my life."Enju continued to munch on her noodles, each time they moved up the line, her stomach folded into another knot. She could feel the sweat trickle down her forehead. "Ah...! I didn't know I was afraid of roller coasters...""Enju, are you Ok?" Jinpachi asked when he noticed how pale she was."I-I'm fine, hehe," she laughed nervously.She watched the loops of the coasters and heard the screams of the passengers. She started to get more and more uneasy as the minutes went by. Finally they were at the head of the line and got on. Chiyo and Jinpachi loved roller coasters, so of course they took the front 2 seats. Enju sat in the middle because she was too scared to sit in either the front of the back. The coaster started. They went upwards slowly. "This isn't so bad," Enju thought to herself. Suddenly they reached the top, and down they went. They swerved right, left, up, down, and around. The went in loop after loop. You could hear the cries of joy from the people up in front who rode with their hands straight up in the air every second. Poor Enju looked sick and was screaming her head off out of fright rather than excitement. When the ride was over, Enju was still screaming as everyone got off. "We don't know her," Chiyo whispered to Jinpachi, pretending it wasn't them that Enju kept calling after."You... guys... are... so... mean!" Enju breathed out when she finally caught up to them."Jeez, you're so embarrassing like that," Chiyo muttered."Well sorry, I didn't know roller coasters weren't my thing," she said clutching her stomach because her insides were churning."It suited us just fine," Jinpachi said, "you don't look to good, maybe you should rest for a while before we do anything else.""I'm fine I'm fine," Enju stammered, but she really wasn't feeling all that 'fine'. "Well that's good to hear, I thought you were going to have a heart attack or something," Chiyo laughed, swatting Enju heartily on the back.Suddenly Enju couldn't hold it in anymore; she rushed to the nearest garbage can and started emptying the contents of her stomach. Chiyo and Jinpachi brought her over to a bench and sat her down. "If you didn't feel good you should have said so," Jinpachi said while easing her onto the bench. Enju didn't reply and she was still pale and felt sick. "What are we going to do now?" Jinpachi asked."Well I guess we have to go back since Enju isn't feeling good," Chiyo answered."No no, please don't leave on the account of me. We'll stay, you guys can go on without me on the bigger rides. I'll just wait for you guys at the end of the line and stand in line for you, that's about all I'm good for in this condition," she said sadly, Jinpachi gave her a look that seemed to say 'Are you sure?' "It's fine, it's fine. Just go and have fun without me."Chiyo and Jinpachi walked off to the next big coaster with Enju looking at them longingly. "Even though I said that, I'm really not fine with it..."Elsewhere...Alice and Rin stepped up to the platform to get on the ferris wheel (by ferris wheel I don't mean those american ones where you could easily fall off when you lean back, I mean the Japanese ones with the windows and stuff). Alice stood in the middle and peered over the side of the window, "Wah... Pretty," she said as she caught sight of all the people and colorful tents down underneath their feet. Rin watched her marvel at the tiny people and buildings from high above. It was the first time he ever seen her truly carefree. Like a little child excited over a new toy, her expression was priceless. He couldn't help staring at her happy face, because in a long time, it was the first time she was truly very happy. It was the first time he had seen her like that, and it made him happy as well, his lips turning up into a genuine smile."I feel like all my troubles and worries are so tiny when I look at the world from this high view," she whispered, suddenly turning a little solemn; "if I could just leave my troubles behind like this each time..."At that moment, she looked sad, yet at peace at the same time. Rin had a sudden urge to hold her, but he didn't act on it. Instead he just gazed at her face as her expressions changed back into cheerfulness. "I must sound so strange, forget what I said.""No, you're right. Looking at how small all the people and things look down there, makes me think how trivial some of my worries and problems really are," he said, he got up and stood next to her looking out the same window. "It's like I can forget all the things that were on my mind and concentrate solely on the most important things." Alice leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed."Right here, right now... It's like everything down on the world below us doesn't matter. All that matters is right here," she thought gazing at the Earth below. She snuggled deeper into his shoulder and breathed peacefully. He could feel her warm breath against the arm of his jacket and moved his fingers so that they were slightly touching hers. She moved her fingers along side his as they relaxed in the comforting moment. He then naturally moved his arm around her without her head loosing contact with his shoulder and put his arm around her pulled her slightly closer to him. "So comfortable..." Alice's heart was pounding in her chest (doki doki ^_^). Rin gently shook her head of his shoulder and she turned to look at him, he moved both his hands on to her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. There, in the moment, Rin wanted to just kiss her and tell her how he felt, but something was pulling him back. He was afraid, afraid she would push him away, but this was a perfect opportunity, and another might not present itself for a long time. He took a breath, "Alice... I..." he moved closer to her and was getting ready to kiss her. He closed his eyes and lowered his head.Alice closed her eyes, waiting for what she new was coming in anticipation. She lifted her head towards his lips. She could feel his breath and the warmth of his hands on her shoulders matched the warm red of her cheeks. She pursed her lips waiting those mere seconds that seemed to pass for hours. Suddenly their ride came to a halting screech, knocking Alice and Rin off their feet and onto each other on the floor. The moment was gone once again."Oww..." Alice rubbed her head and sat up. She looked down and saw that she was sitting on top of Rin, her legs on both sides of his stomach. She turned bright red and was too embarrassed to even get up, she was just looking at Rin with her rosy cheeks and her hands to her face. The ride operator opened the door and took in the scene before him. "Next time, find somewhere else to do your dirty business," he said disgusted.They quickly got up without a word and left, they were both very embarrassed. When they were out of ear range Alice moaned, "Ah, now everyone will think I'm some sort of bimbo!"Rin laughed hysterically at the thought of her being a bimbo. Like those things in the world (like yawning! it's so true), his laugh was contagious and Alice soon caught it and started laughing hysterically. As if called on by their laughter, Ken appeared around the corner, but was out of site from the two. He secretly followed the two around. Back with Jinpachi, Chiyo, and Enju..."You guys having fun?" Enju asked the two once they came back from the 'typhoon' (the 'typhoon' is also called 'kamikaze' it's the thing w/cages and you go upside in circles, their at most carnivals)."Yeah, you should come next time!" Chiyo piped in."I don't think my stomach is ready to handle that just yet, I still feel like I'm being tossed around by the ocean waves," Enju groaned."That's too bad, you're not having any fun. I know, why don't you play the games around while you wait for us? That way you won't be bored and you can still enjoy the fair, we can meet up with you once we get off the next big ride," Chiyo suggested. "I guess," Enju replied unenthusiastically as she began to march towards the game booths while Jinpachi and Chiyo were already running half-way towards the next giant coaster."Jeez. Just leave me all by myself. Why'd I have to have such a week stomach? I guess there's no helping it though," Enju thought as she stood watching the two laugh happily from afar. "It's not fair. I was hoping to spend some time with him and he spends all his time with Chiyo! At this rate I'll never get anywhere. Wait... Am I jealous of Chiyo? How?"After Jinpachi and Chiyo rode on the roller coaster twice, they started heading back towards Enju."Now where did we say we were going to meet her again?" Jinpachi wondered outloud."It's ok, we'll find her eventually. Hey, it's a prinkura (Print Club, you know the sticker picture machine. I just love sticky pix ^_^)! Let's take a picture, I want a souvenir to show everyone when I go back," Chiyo exclaimed excitedly."Shouldn't we wait till we find Enju first so we can take it all together?" he asked. "I want to take it with Enju too, and I want to take dozens of them. Where I come from they don't have sticky pic's, so I want to take as many as I can for memory. When we find Enju we can take more together," she reasoned."Ok then," they wandered over to the picture machine."Hmm, where could they be? I've been waiting forever," Enju complained as she scanned the crowd for her two companions. She got up and started looking for them."Ok now, make a really goofy face. I love looking totally goofy in pictures, that way we can laugh at them when they come out, and it's definately a lot more fun that way," Chiyo said putting in the money.Chiyo stuck out her tongue and widened her eyes so that she looked absolutely ridiculous. Jinpachi laughed at her and followed her lead and made a face of his own. FLASH, a picture was snapped. Jinpachi pulled his long hair into a strange looking hairdo while Chiyo borrowed some of the leftover hair and put it on her head so it looked like she was wearing a wig. FLASH, a picture was snapped. They were in hysterics by now. They couldn't stop laughing at their funny photos. There were 8 pictures to be taken (Just like the Korean picture booth I love so much!) They had already taken 6 and by now they were begininng to calm down. Chiyo put her arms around Jinpachi's neck and told him to put his around hers and face the camera and make kiss faces. The picture was taken, there was only one more now. They were laughing again, arms still around each other. Chiyo suddenly turned serious and looked up at Jinpachi's laughing face. He was the only one laughing now. She locked his gaze and his laughter subsided. They were both silent now, Chiyo slowly brought her lips up to his and kissed him. The final picture was taken and the NG parade started rolling on the screen (FYI, NG stands for 'Not Good'. It's all the inbetween parts where you're scrambling to take a picture and you don't know they caught you on camera. It's hilarious!)"Now where can they be? Hmm? Oi, that looks like them in the prinkura machine. Hehe, I'll surprise them and scare them! It'll make one hilarious picture!" Enju snickered at her idea as she silently crept behind them. She jumped at them from behind and shouted "Boo!" She opened her eyes and drank in the scene before her. She gasped and Jinpachi spun around to face her."Enju! No, it's not what it looks like!" he cried as she turned and fled. He started to go after her but something held him back. It was Chiyo."Stop! Don't I matter as well?" she asked."What!? You kissed ME!" he yelled."Does she mean more to you than I do? Huh? I know you know..." she stared him straight in the eye; "I know about you and Millerna!"Jinpachi stops right in his tracks, "Wha-what did you just say?""You heard me. I know about you and Millerna, Allen.""How do you know? Just who are you?""I am Marlene. The one you used to love."Jinpachi's eyes widen in disbelief, "B-but how? It can't be. That was another life, I'm not even Allen anymore!""That maybe..." she took a step closer to him; "but you're current life is still affected by him, and until he makes up his mind I'm not going anywhere.""What...?""I'm here for a reason. I'm not just from another country. I'm from another world," she gave it a second for all of it to sink in; "I am from Gaea. We were sent to this world by the last wish of the Atlanteans.""We...? Atlanteans...?" Jinpachi asked, baffled. "That's right. This new life the four of you have, it wasn't just another miracle. It was fate. It was the wish of one last dying soul that you would all be able to see each other again, and that wish was granted," she paused; "but, the full wish has yet been fulfilled due to the ones involved in it, because of this, we were sent, me and Ken. We are here to test your love, to see that this wish wasn't in vain. I was manifested with this form and soul, because it would be the ultimate test. To see if it was I, Marlene, or Millerna, that you love."He just stared blankly at her with unflickering eyes. "Allen..." Chiyo/Marlene put her hand upon his cheek; "we can be together now, there's nothing that stands in our way anymore. We can love each other freely in this life!""No," he said."Eh?" she took a step back."I said no. This isn't the reason why I was reborn. I'm not Allen, and you're not really Marlene, and even if we were, we couldn't pick up what they once had. I want to live my life as Jinpachi, not someone who doesn't exsist anymore," he told her. "I'm sorry, but I don't love you.""Why? Is it because of Millerna that you don't love me anymore?" she asked in tears."No, Allen loved Marlene, but after she died he fell into despair. After awhile, he was able to move on, and he truly loved Millerna. The reason I can't return your feelings is because I'm not Allen. I'm Jinpachi, and I love someone else. I'm sorry..." after he said these words, he ran off in the direction Enju had gone. Chiyo stood there apalled, she hadn't expected this to happen."It seems he really does love her. I guess this means they pass the test, but was that all I was used for? Even though I'm just a manifestation of something false, I still had a mind and soul. Living in this form... just to see you one last time... Allen...."Chiyo lips turned in a sad smiled, "I guess there's no need for me anymore," and with that, she faded away. "Half of the wish has been fulfilled now, but will his wish truly be recognized in time for it to come true? Is fate really this cruel?"~Elsewhere~
"Hmm, seems like Chiyo failed. No matter, I'll make sure that the second half of this wish won't come true. I'm not soft like Chiyo, it's time for me to step up to the plate and take a swing, and I won't miss!" (if you can't tell, this is Ken thinking here)
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A Few Authors Notes
Yeah, yeah, I know I suck at writing. I have all this fabulous story ideas that I play over in my head dozens of times, but when it comes time to write my visions, I can't find the right words. This story isn't that well written because I was kind of making it up along the way, and along the way I wasn't sure how to write it. Well hopefully my writing skills will begin to kick in again now that schools coming tomorrow! I wrote this on August 28, 2001. Anyway, till then keep reviewing.
E-mail me with questions at: foolishchild5@aol.com