Author's note: Someone suggested another vision for Hitomi. I might, but I
hoped to define everything in her first vision. I don't like relying on her
powers, and do remember that she gave them up. I think that a vision when
at a dead end is a sort of cheap out.
Thank you Fanilia for your wonderful review ( It gave me the encouragement to keep going.
Romance people, there's some good stuff coming up. I hope it's not too sudden, but I got it in my head and it wouldn't go away. Oh, and what do you think about Dilan? I kinda fashioned him opposite of Dilandau in looks. He's not a pyro, just a cold madness.
Final note – I just watched We Were Soldiers and it moved me to no end. It reminded me that those out on the battlefield are people, not pawns in some worldwide glory fight. People matter, lives matter, what we believe in matters – and no matter what some may wish us to think of ourselves, our country, or our families, what we have is worth everything in the world. Thank you, soldiers of the US in the past, present, and future.
Chapter 10: Fateful Meetings
Allen galloped up to the Crusade.
"Everything set to go?"
Gaddess leaned over the rail from the hold and shouted back. "Just tying down some things, Commander." The First Mate turned back to knotting a rope around a barrel.
Emilee stuck her head down from the cockpit into the cargo hold.
"Hey Gaddes, have you seen Lord Van or Hitomi lately? I haven't seen them sense yesterday morning."
Gaddess shook his head. "Nope, miss – I mean – Ben. Last I heard is that they went for some quality time and'll catch up with us a day out."
Emilee, who was going by the name of Ben Fields, smirked, "Quality time is it?"
The black haired man winked. "Yep."
"About time – though I hope Hitomi doesn't deck him first."
Allen came up into the ship and at first glance Emilee's face darkened.
"Much like I'd like to deck someone." She muttered before going back into the cockpit.
"Van?"
Van turned to look at Hitomi who was watching him strangely. "Yes?"
"What do you think we're doing?"
He blushed slightly. "Well, I can't tell you, but we don't have a lot of time, so let's go."
For a moment she looked as if she was going to argue some point, before sighing and picking up the bundle of 'something' he had tossed to her. Van closed his eyes.
Through the air drifted white feathers. Hitomi caught one, memories flooding back. She twirled the shaft in her fingers before letting it fall to the ground. She watched in awe as Van stretched his wings to their furthest extent.
"How can people be afraid of something so beautiful?"
Van looked at her sadly. "You fear what you are taught to fear."
Without warning he bent and swept her off the ground. Startled, she could do nothing but hold on has he flew up above the trees.
----------------------------------
Hours later Hitomi noticed a difference in Van's flying pattern. He was slowing down, scanning the ground below. She wasn't sure how far they had flown, but she knew he must be tired. Finally he made a satisfied noise in his throat. A glimmer in the distance under the trees told of water. They glided towards it.
A small lake was hidden under the overhanging forest. It was really nothing much that a wide pond with unusually clear water. With a swift beat of wings, Van landed on the shore. When her feet were on the ground, Hitomi moved to the edge of the lake.
"This is beautiful, Van. Where are we?"
"I think this is where my mother met my father."
Hitomi glanced at him, wondering if he intended and second meaning in bringing her here. He was buried in the pack, hunting for something. In a moment he emerged victorious, pulling out a stove and fire-starter. Refusing her assistance, he began setting up a camp.
Everything about that night was wonderful, beautiful, and perfect, but something was wrong. Van was as nice as he could be, cooking and cleaning up, brushing off Hitomi's attempts to help. It made her uneasy, as if Van wasn't himself, as if he was trying to say something, but not wanting to, burying it in actions. When they bedded down for the night, the uneasiness escalated with awkwardness.
"Um, Hitomi, I – uh – I forgot the blankets."
For a moment they stood looking at everything but each other.
"Well, it's not cold, so if we build up the fire, I think we'll be okay."
Hitomi hugged her light jacket around her and shrugged. "Fine."
Van built up a large crackling fire as Hitomi began searching for a place to sleep. A slight breeze came up, but she zipped up the jacket to her throat. Finally she found a place where the grass was thick but close enough to the fire. Van arranged himself across the flames from her and lay down.
"Good night, Hitomi."
"Night, Van."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Van lay awake for hours, frustrated with himself for his inability to speak. Before they had left, he had had it all planned out – everything he'd say, everything he would do… everything. Now that they were here, everything had promptly flown out of his head. Silently he cursed himself. This was Hitomi, for Heaven's sake! They'd been through everything together. Which was precisely the problem. Now he couldn't even speak naturally to her.
About halfway through the night, Van jerked awake. Hitomi was gone; her jacket lay deserted on the ground. He sprung up and looked around, alert to an attack. Moonlight gleamed on the lake to silhouette a lonely figure on the bank of the lake. She turned when she heard him behind her, green eyes wide and haunted.
"Why am I here, Van? Why am I back?"
Startled by the direct question, Van didn't answer, but she ploughed on.
"Why are we all back together – reunited when the fate of Dornkirk is supposedly over? Why are we here? We ought to be back with the others. We're on the verge of either war or peace, and you suddenly want some quiet time. In fact," Her eyes suddenly blazed in anger. "Why do you pick now, to suddenly be concerned and considerate of me, after dumping me the second after we got to Fried?"
Confused into honesty, Van blurted, "Because I need you. We – I had to talk to you about what may happen, but I couldn't – not there. I had to get you away."
"That's selfish, Van. Selfish of you to me and to your friends."
"Selfish?" Angry guilt made his retort. "You're the one who left."
Hurt surfaced through the anger in Hitomi's eyes, but the anger held sway.
"I had to leave. That was my fate. Besides, I never heard you say anything. I said I'd never forget you, and all you did was smile and send me away." She spun around and glared over the water.
Van's anger died slowly as he realized the truth to her words. He never had said anything. He had held back when she had been willing to give up everything. But his instincts made him defensive.
"I couldn't say anything. I didn't think I had to. I thought we understood. Fate took you away, but it brought you back."
"You assume too much."
"But we had something special – a connection."
She still didn't turn. "I never felt you try to reach me after the first few months."
"Neither did you!" He returned sharply.
Hitomi whirled. "You're a king, Van. I didn't want to interrupt your duties."
"That's never stopped you before… "
He immediately regretted his words. Hitomi stared at him, stricken. The pain in her eyes reflected the pain in his stubborn heart and tears began trickling down her face. He barely managed to block her hand as she slapped him.
"You jerk!"
She began to run.
Stunned, Van watched her shadowy figure fade into darkness. He had done it again. He had messed up everything and done nothing but hurt her because he couldn't confess his weakness. Well, He would – now – even if it killed him, or if Hitomi hated him for the rest of his life, he would do this one thing right.
Determination coursed through him and he spread his wings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Allen picked up two practice swords. Emilee was curiously inspecting the variety of weapons hung up on racks. Picking up a throwing dagger, she cautiously touched the tip.
"Ouch!"
A bright bead of red flew through the air as she jerked her stung finger away. Sticking the digit in her mouth, Emilee gingerly put the dagger back. Impassive, Allen handed her a sword.
"So, how much do you know – if any."
Hefting the sword and taking a couple experimental swings, Emilee grinned. "I know some. At home we have movies – shows. I used to watch one called Star Wars. It had lots of sword fighting. When I was little," She twirled the blade and gave a couple of backhanded loops. "I used to pretend to be a Jedi, a sort of knight."
"But you have never been formally trained."
Emilee shook her head. He was still upset, she noted. Upset and upended in his perspective of her, just as the others had said. But despite his cold face, she sensed he was intrigued.
"For pretending, you have some talent."
She gave him a sarcastic bow. "Thank you, kind sir."
His sword came abruptly down. Reflexively she blocked.
"Your stance is wrong, motions uncontrolled, and technique contrary. If you are to be my student, you cannot shame me."
The anger of his first accusations flared anew. "Because I'm a woman, correct?" She pushed away and slashed at his side. "I swear, Allen, you don't mind flattery, but you can't handle a woman stepping on a guy's turf."
He blocked the cut easily. "Sloppy."
Again she slashed, then undercut. "Not like I'm trying to kill you."
"As if you could."
Emilee tossed her reserve away and attacked. Allen calmly parried her thrusts. When she left herself open, he reached in and smacked her with the flat of his blade. Smugly he stood aside as she rubbed a bruised shoulder. Growling, she charged again. Neatly sidestepping her sword, he grabbed her arm swung her off balance, and placed the edge of his blade against her neck.
"You're dead."
Blue-green eyes flashed in defiance. "You are a moron."
Emilee brought her elbow back into his stomach, knocking his breath out. Taking hold of his sword arm, she twisted out of his grasp. Waiting for him to recover, she ran her hand through her boyish hair, tossing her head like an arrogant young man. Allen's glare was cold.
"That was un-knightly."
"Ha!" She met his coldness with her own. "You're the one who'd being un-knightly. Reluctant in helping a lady. If you want a knight, then teach me."
Again his blade came down. She parried, this time letting the weight of the blow slide off her slightly tilted sword. He paused.
"Perhaps there is hope."
"Nice to hear some confidence." She sneered.
-------------------------
Sitting on a beam overhead. Celena giggled quietly. Her brother liked this woman, though at the moment he would never admit it – even as she managed to score another hit with her elbow – or almost.
------------------------
Allen dodged the blow, letting her momentum throw her off balance. She stumbled. Allen's sword smashed down on her hilt, a tactical stroke to disarm her. The sword slithered across the floor. Before he could name her defeat, Emilee gracefully back flipped away from him. Landing on her feet next to her sword, she picked it up and watched him mockingly.
"I don't give up so easily, Allen Schezar."
His eyes narrowed. He was tired of this game. She would see why he had been named a Knight of Caeli. If she wished to be taught like a man, then she would – with a sound beating.
Two lightning fast strikes startled her. Managing a defensive, Emilee stepped away. He attacked again, slowly driving her back. When she reached the wall of the room he whipped her sword up and slid under it in one smooth motion, bringing his blade against her throat. She froze.
"Finished."
Emilee gave him a grin. Abruptly hooking her foot behind his ankle, she grabbed the hilt of the sword and shoved hard. Allen tripped and fell, releasing his weapon. Emilee snatched his sword out of the air and pounced. Grinning she sat on his stomach and held the edge to his neck.
"Now we're finished."
Shocked at first, a crafty gleam crept into his returning smile as he suggestively ran a hand up her leg. Startled, she reached down to take it away. He grabbed her reaching hand and pulled. The tables turned.
"Not fair" She complained, thoroughly pinned and breathless.
"You made the rules." He stated calmly.
She winced. "I'm going to have to get used to not being able to breath with this blasted binding."
"Then I don't suppose this will help."
----------------------
Celena watched with curiosity and amusement as Allen kissed Emilee. When it lingered, she restlessly shifted her position on the uncomfortable beam.
---------------------
Emilee, now in desperate need on oxygen, pulled away. Allen smiled and leaned back in but she twisted out of his grasp and leapt to her feet.
"What the Hell, Allen?" She nervously finger combed her hair. "First you annoy me, then you insult me, then you – you – " She ended with an exasperated sound. Turning on her heel, she walked out of the training room. Allen silently looked after her.
A clump of dust drifted down from overhead. Frowning, he caught if on his impeccably white glove. Inspecting the dust, he glanced up but saw nothing.
Author's note: My manuscript has holes in it. I'm at the point where I'm trying to fill those holes so chapters after this may be slower in coming. It is coming, because I've had this story for nearly 3 years now – I WILL finish it. I also have one other romantic interlude between Allen and Emilee, but it didn't flow well with the plotline. I may include it at the end if you all enjoyed this one.
Thank you Fanilia for your wonderful review ( It gave me the encouragement to keep going.
Romance people, there's some good stuff coming up. I hope it's not too sudden, but I got it in my head and it wouldn't go away. Oh, and what do you think about Dilan? I kinda fashioned him opposite of Dilandau in looks. He's not a pyro, just a cold madness.
Final note – I just watched We Were Soldiers and it moved me to no end. It reminded me that those out on the battlefield are people, not pawns in some worldwide glory fight. People matter, lives matter, what we believe in matters – and no matter what some may wish us to think of ourselves, our country, or our families, what we have is worth everything in the world. Thank you, soldiers of the US in the past, present, and future.
Chapter 10: Fateful Meetings
Allen galloped up to the Crusade.
"Everything set to go?"
Gaddess leaned over the rail from the hold and shouted back. "Just tying down some things, Commander." The First Mate turned back to knotting a rope around a barrel.
Emilee stuck her head down from the cockpit into the cargo hold.
"Hey Gaddes, have you seen Lord Van or Hitomi lately? I haven't seen them sense yesterday morning."
Gaddess shook his head. "Nope, miss – I mean – Ben. Last I heard is that they went for some quality time and'll catch up with us a day out."
Emilee, who was going by the name of Ben Fields, smirked, "Quality time is it?"
The black haired man winked. "Yep."
"About time – though I hope Hitomi doesn't deck him first."
Allen came up into the ship and at first glance Emilee's face darkened.
"Much like I'd like to deck someone." She muttered before going back into the cockpit.
"Van?"
Van turned to look at Hitomi who was watching him strangely. "Yes?"
"What do you think we're doing?"
He blushed slightly. "Well, I can't tell you, but we don't have a lot of time, so let's go."
For a moment she looked as if she was going to argue some point, before sighing and picking up the bundle of 'something' he had tossed to her. Van closed his eyes.
Through the air drifted white feathers. Hitomi caught one, memories flooding back. She twirled the shaft in her fingers before letting it fall to the ground. She watched in awe as Van stretched his wings to their furthest extent.
"How can people be afraid of something so beautiful?"
Van looked at her sadly. "You fear what you are taught to fear."
Without warning he bent and swept her off the ground. Startled, she could do nothing but hold on has he flew up above the trees.
----------------------------------
Hours later Hitomi noticed a difference in Van's flying pattern. He was slowing down, scanning the ground below. She wasn't sure how far they had flown, but she knew he must be tired. Finally he made a satisfied noise in his throat. A glimmer in the distance under the trees told of water. They glided towards it.
A small lake was hidden under the overhanging forest. It was really nothing much that a wide pond with unusually clear water. With a swift beat of wings, Van landed on the shore. When her feet were on the ground, Hitomi moved to the edge of the lake.
"This is beautiful, Van. Where are we?"
"I think this is where my mother met my father."
Hitomi glanced at him, wondering if he intended and second meaning in bringing her here. He was buried in the pack, hunting for something. In a moment he emerged victorious, pulling out a stove and fire-starter. Refusing her assistance, he began setting up a camp.
Everything about that night was wonderful, beautiful, and perfect, but something was wrong. Van was as nice as he could be, cooking and cleaning up, brushing off Hitomi's attempts to help. It made her uneasy, as if Van wasn't himself, as if he was trying to say something, but not wanting to, burying it in actions. When they bedded down for the night, the uneasiness escalated with awkwardness.
"Um, Hitomi, I – uh – I forgot the blankets."
For a moment they stood looking at everything but each other.
"Well, it's not cold, so if we build up the fire, I think we'll be okay."
Hitomi hugged her light jacket around her and shrugged. "Fine."
Van built up a large crackling fire as Hitomi began searching for a place to sleep. A slight breeze came up, but she zipped up the jacket to her throat. Finally she found a place where the grass was thick but close enough to the fire. Van arranged himself across the flames from her and lay down.
"Good night, Hitomi."
"Night, Van."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Van lay awake for hours, frustrated with himself for his inability to speak. Before they had left, he had had it all planned out – everything he'd say, everything he would do… everything. Now that they were here, everything had promptly flown out of his head. Silently he cursed himself. This was Hitomi, for Heaven's sake! They'd been through everything together. Which was precisely the problem. Now he couldn't even speak naturally to her.
About halfway through the night, Van jerked awake. Hitomi was gone; her jacket lay deserted on the ground. He sprung up and looked around, alert to an attack. Moonlight gleamed on the lake to silhouette a lonely figure on the bank of the lake. She turned when she heard him behind her, green eyes wide and haunted.
"Why am I here, Van? Why am I back?"
Startled by the direct question, Van didn't answer, but she ploughed on.
"Why are we all back together – reunited when the fate of Dornkirk is supposedly over? Why are we here? We ought to be back with the others. We're on the verge of either war or peace, and you suddenly want some quiet time. In fact," Her eyes suddenly blazed in anger. "Why do you pick now, to suddenly be concerned and considerate of me, after dumping me the second after we got to Fried?"
Confused into honesty, Van blurted, "Because I need you. We – I had to talk to you about what may happen, but I couldn't – not there. I had to get you away."
"That's selfish, Van. Selfish of you to me and to your friends."
"Selfish?" Angry guilt made his retort. "You're the one who left."
Hurt surfaced through the anger in Hitomi's eyes, but the anger held sway.
"I had to leave. That was my fate. Besides, I never heard you say anything. I said I'd never forget you, and all you did was smile and send me away." She spun around and glared over the water.
Van's anger died slowly as he realized the truth to her words. He never had said anything. He had held back when she had been willing to give up everything. But his instincts made him defensive.
"I couldn't say anything. I didn't think I had to. I thought we understood. Fate took you away, but it brought you back."
"You assume too much."
"But we had something special – a connection."
She still didn't turn. "I never felt you try to reach me after the first few months."
"Neither did you!" He returned sharply.
Hitomi whirled. "You're a king, Van. I didn't want to interrupt your duties."
"That's never stopped you before… "
He immediately regretted his words. Hitomi stared at him, stricken. The pain in her eyes reflected the pain in his stubborn heart and tears began trickling down her face. He barely managed to block her hand as she slapped him.
"You jerk!"
She began to run.
Stunned, Van watched her shadowy figure fade into darkness. He had done it again. He had messed up everything and done nothing but hurt her because he couldn't confess his weakness. Well, He would – now – even if it killed him, or if Hitomi hated him for the rest of his life, he would do this one thing right.
Determination coursed through him and he spread his wings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Allen picked up two practice swords. Emilee was curiously inspecting the variety of weapons hung up on racks. Picking up a throwing dagger, she cautiously touched the tip.
"Ouch!"
A bright bead of red flew through the air as she jerked her stung finger away. Sticking the digit in her mouth, Emilee gingerly put the dagger back. Impassive, Allen handed her a sword.
"So, how much do you know – if any."
Hefting the sword and taking a couple experimental swings, Emilee grinned. "I know some. At home we have movies – shows. I used to watch one called Star Wars. It had lots of sword fighting. When I was little," She twirled the blade and gave a couple of backhanded loops. "I used to pretend to be a Jedi, a sort of knight."
"But you have never been formally trained."
Emilee shook her head. He was still upset, she noted. Upset and upended in his perspective of her, just as the others had said. But despite his cold face, she sensed he was intrigued.
"For pretending, you have some talent."
She gave him a sarcastic bow. "Thank you, kind sir."
His sword came abruptly down. Reflexively she blocked.
"Your stance is wrong, motions uncontrolled, and technique contrary. If you are to be my student, you cannot shame me."
The anger of his first accusations flared anew. "Because I'm a woman, correct?" She pushed away and slashed at his side. "I swear, Allen, you don't mind flattery, but you can't handle a woman stepping on a guy's turf."
He blocked the cut easily. "Sloppy."
Again she slashed, then undercut. "Not like I'm trying to kill you."
"As if you could."
Emilee tossed her reserve away and attacked. Allen calmly parried her thrusts. When she left herself open, he reached in and smacked her with the flat of his blade. Smugly he stood aside as she rubbed a bruised shoulder. Growling, she charged again. Neatly sidestepping her sword, he grabbed her arm swung her off balance, and placed the edge of his blade against her neck.
"You're dead."
Blue-green eyes flashed in defiance. "You are a moron."
Emilee brought her elbow back into his stomach, knocking his breath out. Taking hold of his sword arm, she twisted out of his grasp. Waiting for him to recover, she ran her hand through her boyish hair, tossing her head like an arrogant young man. Allen's glare was cold.
"That was un-knightly."
"Ha!" She met his coldness with her own. "You're the one who'd being un-knightly. Reluctant in helping a lady. If you want a knight, then teach me."
Again his blade came down. She parried, this time letting the weight of the blow slide off her slightly tilted sword. He paused.
"Perhaps there is hope."
"Nice to hear some confidence." She sneered.
-------------------------
Sitting on a beam overhead. Celena giggled quietly. Her brother liked this woman, though at the moment he would never admit it – even as she managed to score another hit with her elbow – or almost.
------------------------
Allen dodged the blow, letting her momentum throw her off balance. She stumbled. Allen's sword smashed down on her hilt, a tactical stroke to disarm her. The sword slithered across the floor. Before he could name her defeat, Emilee gracefully back flipped away from him. Landing on her feet next to her sword, she picked it up and watched him mockingly.
"I don't give up so easily, Allen Schezar."
His eyes narrowed. He was tired of this game. She would see why he had been named a Knight of Caeli. If she wished to be taught like a man, then she would – with a sound beating.
Two lightning fast strikes startled her. Managing a defensive, Emilee stepped away. He attacked again, slowly driving her back. When she reached the wall of the room he whipped her sword up and slid under it in one smooth motion, bringing his blade against her throat. She froze.
"Finished."
Emilee gave him a grin. Abruptly hooking her foot behind his ankle, she grabbed the hilt of the sword and shoved hard. Allen tripped and fell, releasing his weapon. Emilee snatched his sword out of the air and pounced. Grinning she sat on his stomach and held the edge to his neck.
"Now we're finished."
Shocked at first, a crafty gleam crept into his returning smile as he suggestively ran a hand up her leg. Startled, she reached down to take it away. He grabbed her reaching hand and pulled. The tables turned.
"Not fair" She complained, thoroughly pinned and breathless.
"You made the rules." He stated calmly.
She winced. "I'm going to have to get used to not being able to breath with this blasted binding."
"Then I don't suppose this will help."
----------------------
Celena watched with curiosity and amusement as Allen kissed Emilee. When it lingered, she restlessly shifted her position on the uncomfortable beam.
---------------------
Emilee, now in desperate need on oxygen, pulled away. Allen smiled and leaned back in but she twisted out of his grasp and leapt to her feet.
"What the Hell, Allen?" She nervously finger combed her hair. "First you annoy me, then you insult me, then you – you – " She ended with an exasperated sound. Turning on her heel, she walked out of the training room. Allen silently looked after her.
A clump of dust drifted down from overhead. Frowning, he caught if on his impeccably white glove. Inspecting the dust, he glanced up but saw nothing.
Author's note: My manuscript has holes in it. I'm at the point where I'm trying to fill those holes so chapters after this may be slower in coming. It is coming, because I've had this story for nearly 3 years now – I WILL finish it. I also have one other romantic interlude between Allen and Emilee, but it didn't flow well with the plotline. I may include it at the end if you all enjoyed this one.