Author note: Sorry it took a while to get this up. I had to write and
rethink where this is going. I hope it upholds to your expectations. I
realized that I was evolving into an Allen/Emilee story, and that isn't my
goal.
And now… the much-debated reunion of two interesting characters.
Chapter 11: Wings and Pendants
Hitomi was forced by lack of light to stay by the water's edge. That limitation added to her turmoil of emotions. Anger, guilt, and frustration clouded her mind and blinded her to everything except what lay in front of her feet. Once she slipped, one foot splashing into the water and drenching her shoe. She kept running. Recklessly she dove through the trees until she tripped and fell headlong. Panting, she struggled to her feet. The forest was pitch black, the water silver, and the glimpses of sky a hazy dark blue full of stars: a beauty which mocked her pain.
Hitomi curled up next to a tree and buried her head in her arms to block out the beauty, knowing she was lost and wishing she could go home. But Van still had the pendant. Van had everything about her. He had everything, her way home, her heart, and her soul, and he had turned it against her. A soft beat of air stirred her hair, but she didn't look up.
"Hitomi?"
She recoiled at his touch on her shoulder. "Just leave me alone, Van."
"Hitomi, wait, let me explain."
Standing she kept her eyes on the ground. "You already have. I just want to go home. There's no reason to stay now. You can handle Zaibach on your own. I showed you how." She tried to stalk away but Van's wing blocked her way. Regardless, she tried to push past.
"Listen to me Hitomi!"
Van effectively boxed her against the tree with his extended wings. He reached into his pocket.
"The reason I never said anything was because I was afraid. I didn't know what to say. And the reason I couldn't speak to you on the Mystic Moon was because I was afraid that things had changed. I was afraid I had only dreamt that something had happened between us. I may be a king, but I'm still afraid." He pulled out a small silk bag. "If you still want to go back, then here."
Hitomi hesitantly opened the bag and the pendant slid out, gleaming in her hand. A larger hand closed over hers.
"If you are going, then I cannot be afraid anymore. I have to say what I meant a long time ago."
Van paused and swallowed. Hitomi looked up at him, her heart pounding.
"Hitomi, I love you."
The pendant flared. Beams of light shot through their clasped fingers and for an instant Van's dazzled eyes caught the shimmering outline of wings behind Hitomi. Hitomi remembered the vision of a beautiful Draconian and another man who was a king. Shadowy winged people moved towards the East as the light faded.
Hitomi's legs gave out and she fell. Van caught her.
"Did you see? There are still Draconians out there."
Van drew her back to her feet. Something soft and warm curled around her from behind, pulling her closer. Encompassed by his wings, she shyly looked up at him. Half-heartedly he smiled.
"I'm sorry, Hitomi. I don't want you to go, but if you must, I understand."
She blushed slightly. "If I stay, what would I be staying for? You're king, Van. I'll only hold you back."
His grasp tightened. "You've never held me back. You've only helped me forward." He paused and almost fearfully asked. "Will you stay for me?"
Confused, Hitomi frowned slightly. He tried again.
"Will you marry me?"
The pendant continued glowing faintly between their hands, waiting. Holding his breath, Van waited with it.
Her face lit in a soft smile. "Yes Van, I will."
A small crack made them both start. The pendant had split in half, straight down the center. With a worried exclamation, Hitomi tried to put it back together, but nothing happened.
"No, look." Van took one half. "Two parts to one whole."
White light flared.
-------------------------------------
Hitomi blinked. They were back in camp.
"How did we get back here?"
"Um, maybe because I happened to wonder how we were going to find the camp again?"
She smiled, but then realization at what she had just done caught up.
I'm engaged. My life is with Van and Gaea now, forever. Hitomi Kanzaki of Fanalia, girl from the Mystic Moon, now – now Queen! Can I do this? Should I?
Doubt must have shown on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just wondering," She hesitated and looked at her half-pendant. "Am I suited to marry you? I mean, I don't know how to be a ruler, not to mention a queen, and people – "
Gentle fingers covered her mouth, cutting her off.
"I don't care about what people think or say about us. I'm not marrying you only for leadership or suitability. I'm not marrying you for your power; I'm choosing you for me. You are suited for me and no other, and you will be my queen because I chose you for who you are to me. My father defied his council for love, and so can I."
He pulled her again into the circle of his wings. Her eyes never left his face as his fingers slowly trailed from her lips and slid back to hold her head. Carefully, his brown eyes half-hidden behind shy lashes, he bent down. Hitomi lifted her face and their lips met in a hesitant kiss.
He was warm. It sent buzzes of electricity through her mind, making her conscious of everything from the soft strength of his wings around her, the hand cupping her face, and the arm tight around her waist. Van pulled away, then returned, still shy, but a little bolder, exploring her lips with his. After a minute, he drew back and looked down at her, childlike concern on his face.
"I… was that…?"
Hitomi smiled. "Perfect."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Celena hid beneath the cloak of the Scherazade as the word of Lord Van's and Hitomi's arrival spread. Wrapping her telltale silver hair under a scarf, she sat patiently. When Allen and Emilee arrived, she watched them with a mixture of concern and amusement. Emilee had avoided being alone with Allen all day following the kiss. She laughed, joked, and occasionally took a chaise drink with the crew, but treated Allen with formal respect as a superior. It was starting to frustrate him. Celena smiled fondly at her brother as he carefully watched the red head, puzzled. A shout from Gaddes turned her attention back to the open hanger doors. She blinked.
A white-winged figure was approaching the Crusade. Celena had expected the Escaflowne. Narrowing her eyes, she noticed that the figure looked a bit lopsided. As it came closer, she realized that Lord Van held Hitomi in his arms as he sped towards the ship.
"The dragon in the air." Celena murmured.
---------------------------------
Emilee stared openmouthed as Van began maneuvering to enter the flying ship. Hitomi had told her about the Draconians, but she didn't really believe it. When they landed she caught the glance of happiness between the pair and immediately guessed what had happened before they announced:
"We have pledged to each other."
Whistles and cheers erupted from the observing crew. Hitomi blushed furiously as Allen bent and kissed her hand.
"Congratulations." He smiled.
"Allen, you're not – " She turned a shade darker.
His smile softened. "Jealous? No, Hitomi, Van is a good man." Allen bent and hugged her fiercely. "You will always be welcome in my home as another sister and the best of friends."
Hitomi smiled and hugged the man who's past misplaced affections only reflected his open and honorable heart. The knight turned and extended a hand to Van.
Emilee sauntered up to her student.
"I don't suppose you'll want marital privileges at school now." She put on her best Ben act. "My dear Hitomi, to have known you for so long only to lose you to an angel." She sighed dramatically and bowed over Hitomi's hand. "There is no competition. May you be forever happy." Emilee glanced over her shoulder at the two conversing men. "We need to talk."
Author's note: Well, that's out. Now on to more excitement – I hope. Most of my work now consists of writing, but I must intersperse my creativity with friends, instrument practice, and good ol' farm work. Yes, I live on a farm, but things always need worked on. Patience my friends….patience…. oh, and reviews are very much appreciated.
Thank you again Fanilia (
And now… the much-debated reunion of two interesting characters.
Chapter 11: Wings and Pendants
Hitomi was forced by lack of light to stay by the water's edge. That limitation added to her turmoil of emotions. Anger, guilt, and frustration clouded her mind and blinded her to everything except what lay in front of her feet. Once she slipped, one foot splashing into the water and drenching her shoe. She kept running. Recklessly she dove through the trees until she tripped and fell headlong. Panting, she struggled to her feet. The forest was pitch black, the water silver, and the glimpses of sky a hazy dark blue full of stars: a beauty which mocked her pain.
Hitomi curled up next to a tree and buried her head in her arms to block out the beauty, knowing she was lost and wishing she could go home. But Van still had the pendant. Van had everything about her. He had everything, her way home, her heart, and her soul, and he had turned it against her. A soft beat of air stirred her hair, but she didn't look up.
"Hitomi?"
She recoiled at his touch on her shoulder. "Just leave me alone, Van."
"Hitomi, wait, let me explain."
Standing she kept her eyes on the ground. "You already have. I just want to go home. There's no reason to stay now. You can handle Zaibach on your own. I showed you how." She tried to stalk away but Van's wing blocked her way. Regardless, she tried to push past.
"Listen to me Hitomi!"
Van effectively boxed her against the tree with his extended wings. He reached into his pocket.
"The reason I never said anything was because I was afraid. I didn't know what to say. And the reason I couldn't speak to you on the Mystic Moon was because I was afraid that things had changed. I was afraid I had only dreamt that something had happened between us. I may be a king, but I'm still afraid." He pulled out a small silk bag. "If you still want to go back, then here."
Hitomi hesitantly opened the bag and the pendant slid out, gleaming in her hand. A larger hand closed over hers.
"If you are going, then I cannot be afraid anymore. I have to say what I meant a long time ago."
Van paused and swallowed. Hitomi looked up at him, her heart pounding.
"Hitomi, I love you."
The pendant flared. Beams of light shot through their clasped fingers and for an instant Van's dazzled eyes caught the shimmering outline of wings behind Hitomi. Hitomi remembered the vision of a beautiful Draconian and another man who was a king. Shadowy winged people moved towards the East as the light faded.
Hitomi's legs gave out and she fell. Van caught her.
"Did you see? There are still Draconians out there."
Van drew her back to her feet. Something soft and warm curled around her from behind, pulling her closer. Encompassed by his wings, she shyly looked up at him. Half-heartedly he smiled.
"I'm sorry, Hitomi. I don't want you to go, but if you must, I understand."
She blushed slightly. "If I stay, what would I be staying for? You're king, Van. I'll only hold you back."
His grasp tightened. "You've never held me back. You've only helped me forward." He paused and almost fearfully asked. "Will you stay for me?"
Confused, Hitomi frowned slightly. He tried again.
"Will you marry me?"
The pendant continued glowing faintly between their hands, waiting. Holding his breath, Van waited with it.
Her face lit in a soft smile. "Yes Van, I will."
A small crack made them both start. The pendant had split in half, straight down the center. With a worried exclamation, Hitomi tried to put it back together, but nothing happened.
"No, look." Van took one half. "Two parts to one whole."
White light flared.
-------------------------------------
Hitomi blinked. They were back in camp.
"How did we get back here?"
"Um, maybe because I happened to wonder how we were going to find the camp again?"
She smiled, but then realization at what she had just done caught up.
I'm engaged. My life is with Van and Gaea now, forever. Hitomi Kanzaki of Fanalia, girl from the Mystic Moon, now – now Queen! Can I do this? Should I?
Doubt must have shown on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just wondering," She hesitated and looked at her half-pendant. "Am I suited to marry you? I mean, I don't know how to be a ruler, not to mention a queen, and people – "
Gentle fingers covered her mouth, cutting her off.
"I don't care about what people think or say about us. I'm not marrying you only for leadership or suitability. I'm not marrying you for your power; I'm choosing you for me. You are suited for me and no other, and you will be my queen because I chose you for who you are to me. My father defied his council for love, and so can I."
He pulled her again into the circle of his wings. Her eyes never left his face as his fingers slowly trailed from her lips and slid back to hold her head. Carefully, his brown eyes half-hidden behind shy lashes, he bent down. Hitomi lifted her face and their lips met in a hesitant kiss.
He was warm. It sent buzzes of electricity through her mind, making her conscious of everything from the soft strength of his wings around her, the hand cupping her face, and the arm tight around her waist. Van pulled away, then returned, still shy, but a little bolder, exploring her lips with his. After a minute, he drew back and looked down at her, childlike concern on his face.
"I… was that…?"
Hitomi smiled. "Perfect."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Celena hid beneath the cloak of the Scherazade as the word of Lord Van's and Hitomi's arrival spread. Wrapping her telltale silver hair under a scarf, she sat patiently. When Allen and Emilee arrived, she watched them with a mixture of concern and amusement. Emilee had avoided being alone with Allen all day following the kiss. She laughed, joked, and occasionally took a chaise drink with the crew, but treated Allen with formal respect as a superior. It was starting to frustrate him. Celena smiled fondly at her brother as he carefully watched the red head, puzzled. A shout from Gaddes turned her attention back to the open hanger doors. She blinked.
A white-winged figure was approaching the Crusade. Celena had expected the Escaflowne. Narrowing her eyes, she noticed that the figure looked a bit lopsided. As it came closer, she realized that Lord Van held Hitomi in his arms as he sped towards the ship.
"The dragon in the air." Celena murmured.
---------------------------------
Emilee stared openmouthed as Van began maneuvering to enter the flying ship. Hitomi had told her about the Draconians, but she didn't really believe it. When they landed she caught the glance of happiness between the pair and immediately guessed what had happened before they announced:
"We have pledged to each other."
Whistles and cheers erupted from the observing crew. Hitomi blushed furiously as Allen bent and kissed her hand.
"Congratulations." He smiled.
"Allen, you're not – " She turned a shade darker.
His smile softened. "Jealous? No, Hitomi, Van is a good man." Allen bent and hugged her fiercely. "You will always be welcome in my home as another sister and the best of friends."
Hitomi smiled and hugged the man who's past misplaced affections only reflected his open and honorable heart. The knight turned and extended a hand to Van.
Emilee sauntered up to her student.
"I don't suppose you'll want marital privileges at school now." She put on her best Ben act. "My dear Hitomi, to have known you for so long only to lose you to an angel." She sighed dramatically and bowed over Hitomi's hand. "There is no competition. May you be forever happy." Emilee glanced over her shoulder at the two conversing men. "We need to talk."
Author's note: Well, that's out. Now on to more excitement – I hope. Most of my work now consists of writing, but I must intersperse my creativity with friends, instrument practice, and good ol' farm work. Yes, I live on a farm, but things always need worked on. Patience my friends….patience…. oh, and reviews are very much appreciated.
Thank you again Fanilia (