Chapter 1: Without Feeling.
AN: OK, so you may have noticed that I changed the prologue slightly. Well, actually I only changed one word, I've decided to make Hitomi the main character in this story, simply because I think that you readers (and myself in some ways) will be able to relate to her more rather then me making up a whole new character that the everyone will have to get to know. I will warn you though, Hitomi will be very OOC. There will be couples later in the story (what's a good story without a bit of romance huh?) though I haven't decided which ones. Thanks to those who reviewed, I hope you'll continue to give me your opinions.
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or place names from Summoner or slight plays on quotes from 'The Fellowship of the Rings'. (Quite a mouthful lol)
Hitomi awoke with the sun, as she often did while travelling. Standing up she arched her back and stretched out the kinks in her hard worked limbs, 'probably the only down side to sleeping outside', she thought smiling slightly.
Looking east at the rising sun Hitomi shut her eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying the sent that was ever present in the forest areas of Fanelia's outskirts. She mentally noted that a storm was coming in from the north as the cool wind played with her shoulder length hair. Opening her eyes again she sighed and set about removing all signs of her presence from the small, tree enclosed, clearing she'd spent the night in.
Soon Hitomi stood in the middle of the clearing again, silently complementing herself on a job well done. Looking around with a small smile on her face, she thanked the creator for a peaceful rest and after one final inspection of the immediate area she moved through the tree's towards the nearest source of civilisation.
She was headed for Iona, a small town just inside Fanelia's boundaries. Never having been there before she didn't really know what to expect, but she paid her insecurity little heed as her left hand went automatically to the hilt of her sword in comfort. The shiny black finish on the scabbard reflected the suns rays, making it seem almost unearthly next to Hitomi's plain clothing.
She ran her index finger along the golden dragon, which was carved onto the hilt with such amazing detail, Hitomi herself sometimes swore she could see it move, almost as if it where alive. Staring at nothing in particular, Hitomi recalled how the sword came into her possession.
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~
''Your road is long little one, but I promise you that this will shine a light to guide you.''
The white haired woman presented the silver blade to Hitomi on a plush red cushion, it's black scabbard lying next to it. Hiotmi gasped at the blades beauty and shook her head firmly. ''I cannot except such a gift.''
The older woman chuckled, ''This is no gift, merely your heritage.''
''But-'' Hitomi started in protest, but was silenced when her carer raised a hand to silence her.
''Trust yourself little one. If you open your eyes, the blades light will guide you.''
~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~
Even know, despite her growing wisdom, Hitomi still had no idea what her carer meant that day. The day she left her home. Her hand parted from the sword and Hitomi continued onward.
She walked at a fairly slow pace, her bark brown boots treading lightly on the grassland below her. She was clad in a simple white shirt and black, skintight trousers. A long dark green cloak danced around her in the wind, its shading matching the colour of her eyes perfectly.
After only about an hour of walking Hitomi paused as the sight of the town of Iona came into view. She exhaled in relief as it became clear that the town was very much in tacked and bursting with activity. Thanking the creator for the second time that morning, Hitomi made her way towards the wooden gates that marked the entrance to the town.
''State your name and purpose in Iona.'' A stout looking, makeshift guard asked in a bored tone as Hitomi approached, making note to pull her cloak around her, hiding her sword from view.
''My name is Hitomi Kanzaki, '' She answered, making eye contact with the man before her. ''And my purpose in Iona is my own.'' She finished, silently enchanting the guard.
''Very well.'' He replied as he opened the small gate and let her pass. Hitomi didn't bother to look back at the guard, as he shook his head in slight confusion, and continued on the stone cobbled road, headed for the nearest inn she could find.
~~~~~
''You sent for me Lord?'' Chesta asked, coming to a halt on the small balcony behind his master. He saluted as he spoke, despite the fact his Lords back was turned away from him.
''Yes, come here Chesta.'' Dilandau replied, turning slightly and motioning for his slayer to stand next to him. When Chesta came to a stop beside him and gazed out into the busy streets below Dilandau spoke again.
''See that young woman down there?'' He asked, motioning to a girl walking directly below them, weaving herself in and out of the traffic with grace and surprising speed.
''I see her.'' Chesta replied, acknowledging the girls presence.
''Have someone follow her.'' Dilandau ordered. Not once looking at Chesta in recognition. His eyes remained focused on the young woman who had now stopped in front of one of the many market stools that littered the streets. He mentally noted that it was a herb stool.
''Yes Lord Dilandau.'' Chesta saluted again, before turning to carry out the order.
''What are you hiding, little girl?'' Dilandau asked the wind. His deep garnet eyes never leaving the girl, even as she stepped out of his line of sight.
AN: OK, so you may have noticed that I changed the prologue slightly. Well, actually I only changed one word, I've decided to make Hitomi the main character in this story, simply because I think that you readers (and myself in some ways) will be able to relate to her more rather then me making up a whole new character that the everyone will have to get to know. I will warn you though, Hitomi will be very OOC. There will be couples later in the story (what's a good story without a bit of romance huh?) though I haven't decided which ones. Thanks to those who reviewed, I hope you'll continue to give me your opinions.
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or place names from Summoner or slight plays on quotes from 'The Fellowship of the Rings'. (Quite a mouthful lol)
Hitomi awoke with the sun, as she often did while travelling. Standing up she arched her back and stretched out the kinks in her hard worked limbs, 'probably the only down side to sleeping outside', she thought smiling slightly.
Looking east at the rising sun Hitomi shut her eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying the sent that was ever present in the forest areas of Fanelia's outskirts. She mentally noted that a storm was coming in from the north as the cool wind played with her shoulder length hair. Opening her eyes again she sighed and set about removing all signs of her presence from the small, tree enclosed, clearing she'd spent the night in.
Soon Hitomi stood in the middle of the clearing again, silently complementing herself on a job well done. Looking around with a small smile on her face, she thanked the creator for a peaceful rest and after one final inspection of the immediate area she moved through the tree's towards the nearest source of civilisation.
She was headed for Iona, a small town just inside Fanelia's boundaries. Never having been there before she didn't really know what to expect, but she paid her insecurity little heed as her left hand went automatically to the hilt of her sword in comfort. The shiny black finish on the scabbard reflected the suns rays, making it seem almost unearthly next to Hitomi's plain clothing.
She ran her index finger along the golden dragon, which was carved onto the hilt with such amazing detail, Hitomi herself sometimes swore she could see it move, almost as if it where alive. Staring at nothing in particular, Hitomi recalled how the sword came into her possession.
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~
''Your road is long little one, but I promise you that this will shine a light to guide you.''
The white haired woman presented the silver blade to Hitomi on a plush red cushion, it's black scabbard lying next to it. Hiotmi gasped at the blades beauty and shook her head firmly. ''I cannot except such a gift.''
The older woman chuckled, ''This is no gift, merely your heritage.''
''But-'' Hitomi started in protest, but was silenced when her carer raised a hand to silence her.
''Trust yourself little one. If you open your eyes, the blades light will guide you.''
~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~
Even know, despite her growing wisdom, Hitomi still had no idea what her carer meant that day. The day she left her home. Her hand parted from the sword and Hitomi continued onward.
She walked at a fairly slow pace, her bark brown boots treading lightly on the grassland below her. She was clad in a simple white shirt and black, skintight trousers. A long dark green cloak danced around her in the wind, its shading matching the colour of her eyes perfectly.
After only about an hour of walking Hitomi paused as the sight of the town of Iona came into view. She exhaled in relief as it became clear that the town was very much in tacked and bursting with activity. Thanking the creator for the second time that morning, Hitomi made her way towards the wooden gates that marked the entrance to the town.
''State your name and purpose in Iona.'' A stout looking, makeshift guard asked in a bored tone as Hitomi approached, making note to pull her cloak around her, hiding her sword from view.
''My name is Hitomi Kanzaki, '' She answered, making eye contact with the man before her. ''And my purpose in Iona is my own.'' She finished, silently enchanting the guard.
''Very well.'' He replied as he opened the small gate and let her pass. Hitomi didn't bother to look back at the guard, as he shook his head in slight confusion, and continued on the stone cobbled road, headed for the nearest inn she could find.
~~~~~
''You sent for me Lord?'' Chesta asked, coming to a halt on the small balcony behind his master. He saluted as he spoke, despite the fact his Lords back was turned away from him.
''Yes, come here Chesta.'' Dilandau replied, turning slightly and motioning for his slayer to stand next to him. When Chesta came to a stop beside him and gazed out into the busy streets below Dilandau spoke again.
''See that young woman down there?'' He asked, motioning to a girl walking directly below them, weaving herself in and out of the traffic with grace and surprising speed.
''I see her.'' Chesta replied, acknowledging the girls presence.
''Have someone follow her.'' Dilandau ordered. Not once looking at Chesta in recognition. His eyes remained focused on the young woman who had now stopped in front of one of the many market stools that littered the streets. He mentally noted that it was a herb stool.
''Yes Lord Dilandau.'' Chesta saluted again, before turning to carry out the order.
''What are you hiding, little girl?'' Dilandau asked the wind. His deep garnet eyes never leaving the girl, even as she stepped out of his line of sight.