Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. It would be the saddest and most sappy
anime of all time if I created it. I could wish on every freaking star in
the known universe and Bandai would STILL own my Van-sama, Dilly-chan and
Folkie… *Sigh*
A/N: Well, I haven't updated since January 12! I'm a BAD girl, ne? Oh well, gomen, I'm just REALLY busy, as all my friends will tell you. I'll need to have at LEAST 42 reviews before posting chapter 8 after this though, k? Read poems/fics written by: Nagi-chan, Baby*chan, Kiddi Chi, NekuraTak, and fanilia! After this, I will revise a chapter of "Wings of an Angel." Before this I added the last chapter to, "Never Forget" and updated, "Folkie's Birthday." Enjoy!
Note: Japanese words mean the following:
Akai: Red
Aishiteru: I love you
Itooshi: Beloved
Nani?: What?
Baka: Idiot, stupid, moron, etc…
Onna: Woman
Mai ritoru ichi: My little one
The song Lord Kosetsu describes the girl singing roughly translates to this from Japanese:
The wind talks to me,
And I answer it,
With a whisper from my soul…
A flower as blue as the sky,
Floats freely in the breeze…
Love is just a step away,
So please answer my heart…
All I know is someday I'll know…
(I know it's corny and makes no sense, but I wrote it at 1:30 AM, so bear with me…)
Chapter 7: Entrances and Explanations
Hitomi was sailing through space. Floating past her memories. Was it really so long ago she'd abandoned that life she'd always known, to spend her days on this planet her own family barely knew the existence of?
** "Sorry Yukari! I had to finish an essay! Have the boys run yet?"
"It's my good-luck charm! Actually, now it's more of an heirloom from my grandmother. It's kind of neat actually, if you swing it back-and-fourth it keeps perfect time. Always one cycle a second. Never stopping, never slowing down."
"To tell you the truth… I…"
"Have you ever done a tarot card reading on Amano, Hitomi?"
"I heard from the upper-class men that Amano's leaving the country!"
"The Tower… The Card of Distant Separation… Amano's leaving the country and I'll NEVER see him again!"
"The Ace of Serpents… Courage?"
"If I can run 100 meters in the time it takes for the pendant to swing 13 times… I'd like you to do something special for me… Give me my very first kiss?"
"I'd be honored…"
"Where am I?"
"Van Fanel, of Fanelia!"
"There's a dragon coming!"
"I don't need some woman worrying about me!"
"Are you always so pigheaded? I didn't save you for a reward, I just…"
"HITOMI!"
"I'm back…"
"Where are we?"
"I'd say we're near the village of Arzas."
"Arzas?" **
Hitomi was suddenly wakened from her reveries of months ago by a strange and unfamiliar voice.
"ATTENTION! YOU ARE ON SACRED GROUNDS, INTRUDERS! IDENTIFY YOURSELVES NOW BEFORE MY SHARPSHOOTERS USE YOU FOR TARGET PRACTICE!"
"Huh? It can't be morning already… Five more minutes…" Van mumbled in his sleep.
"Van, dear, you may want to wake up for this…" She whispered urgently into his ear.
"Hitomi? What are you doing here? The Girls' Dorm is across the hall. Is it time for breakfast?" Van was only half-awake and for some reason seemed to think they were on the Crusade.
"Van, I regret to inform you that are heads are about to be blown off by a bunch of homicidal catwomen. This situation deserves your attention, I believe."
"NANI?" Van sprung up, blushing, realizing what he hat been muttering about.
"WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON?"
"My name is General Akai, of the Alkazar Border Guard. You, ruffian, and your little wench are trespassing on our sacred land. I'd kill you now, but that is against the law here. You will receive a trial first, before I condemn you to death." Their supposed leader announced matter-of-factly.
"Seize them." She ordered her vast army, as they grabbed the travelers, binding them and running off
through the dense forest.
If Van didn't fear for the lives of himself and his wife-to-be, he would have marveled at the magnificence of the forest. It seemed untouched by the ever-modernizing world that was Gaea. Suspended in time of centuries ago. Before the races of Earth had come to Gaea and made it their home. When the animals and beastpeople ruled supreme. When their word was law. A squirrel chattered noisily on a branch as a bird swooped down, swiping the rodent's meal with its sharp beak. A doe nursed her young fawn that looked upon the travelers trustingly, blinking its large black eyes in curiosity. The wind whistled through the untouched forest, that was in all its splendor and glory. Had all of Gaea been like this at one point? He was shocked out of his thoughts when he noticed Hitomi whimpering as she bounced along beside him, slung over the back of a troop. He reached out his hand, and took her warm palm in his rough glove, smiling reassuringly at her. Suddenly, they jerked to a halt.
"My comrades," Akai began, "And prisoners," she smirked at Van and Hitomi in satisfaction.
"We have arrived in Alkazar's capital. Welcome to the city of Arzas!" The catwomen hastily made their way in, eager to return home.
They approached an enormous tree that seemed to reach to the very heavens themselves. Pink, silken, petals floated downward, and Hitomi reached out to catch one in her hand.
"It's a cherry blossom." Hitomi whispered in amazement.
"Just like at home." A tear crept down her cheek.
"Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, wondering why she was so upset over a flower.
"There was a cherry tree growing in my backyard, and every spring, the blossoms would swirl in the breeze. Yukari said it was truly spring when the cherry blossoms bloomed. I miss my home so much." The catwoman holding her dropped her and she fell to her knees, her tears soaking the ground.
"Hitomi, you don't HAVE to stay here. No one's FORCING you." Van was rather hurt that she'd rather be on The Mystic Moon watching some silly flowers than here with him.
"I…" Hitomi was about to reply, when their "escorts" all dropped to one knee, hand over heart, avoiding eye contact. She turned around to see a magnificent liter being lowered down from the highest branches of the tree. It was draped in the blossoms of the tree and there was a man seated upon it. Bodyguards lined their impressive ruler on each side. They jumped off, growling at the cats and their charges, as if daring them to attack their ruler.
Hitomi got a good look at him at that point. He was a catman. He seemed to be held together by the threads of time and nothing else, so ragged and worn with age. He was draped in a blue cloak with nothing atop his head and a beard that looked endless. Every hair on his body was an ashy gray with dark black stripes and his eyes seemed clouded. He held a staff in his hand that seemed to be covered with intricate carvings she couldn't interpret.
"I am Lord Kosetsu Toshinokou de Urufu. Emperor of Alkazar and its people."
"Lord Kosetsu. I am honored to see you once again."
"Ah, yes. King Van. You were no higher than my knee the last time Rhum brought you to the village. I hoped that I'd see you again before I return to the earth from which I came."
"Come closer, child." The old man beckoned her with a bony finger.
"Who me?" Hitomi squeaked in surprise.
"Yes you! Move along girl!" A guard prodded her with a spear.
"Ouch! No need to be pushy!" She walked forward and knelt before the Emperor.
"Closer, I don't bite." He chuckled softly as she came closer. He felt her face with his wrinkled hands and smiled in pity.
"Poor child. You have had a hard life, haven't you? Your father disappeared, your mother slowly losing her mind, your brother a runaway. Your grandmother, the only one who ever understood you, died many years ago, you can't go a day without missing her. Your best friend took who had been your crush for countless years. You're engaged to the man you love, but unable to be with him and as horrible as it was, you miss your home with all your heart. Truly, your life is a sad one. I'm so sorry."
Hitomi looked into his eyes, wondering how he could possibly know all this. She then looked into his eyes, and noticed they were not simply clouded with wisdom.
"You're blind, aren't you?"
"Yes Hitomi, I lost my sight a long time ago."
"Then how can you…?"
"How can I see all that I can and rule Alkazar? Well, when you become a certain age, you no longer need your eyes to see. In my lifetime, I've seen more than you can possibly imagine. Some things you don't see with your eyes, Hitomi, some things you see with your heart. I do not need my eyes to see that you are a lovely young lady and Lord Van has chosen a wonderful queen for Fanelia and mother to its heir." Hitomi blushed madly, as did Van, and Lord Kosetsu just smiled.
"For example, I don't need sight to know the two of you are blushing."
"It was thousands of moons ago, when the Draconians sought out refuge from the Mystic Valley, and using their will, created Gaea, our world, embraced by the heavens, loved by the land, and cradled by the sea. When first created, there were no people, Draconian or otherwise. Only the creatures of the forest and the beast people. Then, man came, and thus brought sadness and destruction. My people of long ago moved deeper into the forest, to escape the colonists who constantly threatened their way of life. They hoped to live out the remainder of our race in peace, with humans never even knowing we existed, but a man named Hikui was off hunting in the great forest one day. He went to a stream for water and sat by the shore to rest and fill his stomach. After drinking from the river, he decided to take a swim. He waded out in the water and splashed about a bit before he heard someone singing.
'Za kaze kaishou tame touhou,
Ken watashi kaitou sore,
Motte ato sasayaki kara mai tamashii…
Ato kusabana mama aoi mama za sora,
Yatai jizai oite za kaze…
Ai tadashii ato sochi sakini,
Dakara dozo ninoku mai kokoro…
Zembu watashi nou itsuka watashi mune nou…'
It was Joji, a catwoman from Arzas who was out washing clothes. She had long blue hair and bright pink eyes and her looks were the envy of every girl in the village. He fell in love with her at first sight. With her beautiful voice, her beauty itself, and how she seemed as graceful as a bird. He kept out of sight, so as not to alarm her, afraid to even show his face. When she finished, she started back home, and he followed her. She was much to smart for him though, and caught him before they even reached the village. She looked at him questionably, for she was like an animal, she could not speak a word of his tongue. Hikui spoke gently to her for awhile and she sat down and listened to him talk. All she could do was nod her head and smile, vaguely understanding as he told her of the world of man. He then concluded by telling her that she was the loveliest thing he'd ever set eyes on and would like to get to know her better. The foolish girl took him back to her village and introduced him to her clan. They immediately took a great dislike to the boy and were concerned, since she was to marry Riko-na, the village scholar that spring. They looked upon Hikui with annoyance since he could ruin the betrothal that had been set in stone for ages. After several weeks of watching, the couple become closer and closer they decided he had to die. Joji caught wind of their murderous ambitions and one night, she got Hikui out of his bed and dragged him into the forest, signaling for him to flee. He refused however, since he had fallen in love with her. He told her he wouldn't leave without her and asked her to stay with him always. She rejected him and he stormed off to his home, where he gathered an angry mob and led them to the beastvillage. They set it aflame and all of Arzas burned to the ground. It is called by my people 'The Night of Tears' for the millions who perished in the flames. Hikui captured Joji and forced her to come with him, leaving her homeland in ruins. She married him soon after and they had twin children. She eventually gave into her despair and died leaving her children, Kibou and Mikomi, behind. Hikui married a normal woman after Joji died and she despised her predecessor's children. To please her, he left them out in the forests, hoping they'd die and he'd forget about his life before his human wife. Kibou and Mikomi wandered many a day and found that their mother's tribe had all seemed to settle down with normal people and there were quite a few half-breeds floating about, including a rather odd tribe of human- like wolves. It is said that our God, Ragu, spoke to Kibou and promised that Neko-Hitobito and the Urufu-Hitobito would be a great nation someday. Unfortunately, slave traders then found the beastpeople's reconstructed village and captured all that were there, selling them into slavery to wealthy Gaean merchants. For the next five hundred years my people lived by the whip alone, drenched in sweat, just trying to survive. Yakusoku came to Kibou in a dream and told him that he would spend the rest of his life in bondage, but his descendants would find a way to his people's freedom. The only thing that kept them alive during the beatings, cursing, long nights, early mornings, starvation, disrespect, and cruelty was Yakusoku's promise. Your great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Lord Van that declared it illegal to own a beastperson as a slave, when his personal catman slave saved his life during an assassination attempt. Kyousei, an ancestor of Kibou, led a revolt two hundred years ago, murdering thousands of masters and leading a band of beastpeople into the forest where they established Alkazar and built our capital of Arzas. He became Emperor of the catpeople and Kiba the wolfman became the wolfpeople's leader. Unfortunately, many of our people are still in slavery. Asturia and Zaibach main traders in the market. Such is the history of our people who now live in peace after so long."
"However… I grow old and weary. My 100th rotation is this Saturday, as a matter of fact. My wife, Empress Oosaka died 20 years ago, and although we were very much in love, our marriage produced no children to rule our lands. All of Alkazar is doomed to perish with no leader. I can think of no one suitable to rule it in the entire kingdom. That is why I'd like to ask a favor of you, my lord and lady. Fanelia and Alkazar have been allies for as long as I can remember, and in times of need we have fallen back on the other. I know that the two of you shall be married, and when you are, you will have a great many children, I suppose the latter's a warning." He chuckled before continuing.
"When your 2nd male child reaches his 15th rotation, I hope you will let him become Alkazar's emperor."
Hitomi and Van didn't know what to say. For starters, they weren't even married yet, so there were obviously no heirs to even Fanelia's throne at this time. And could they really give up one of their children to the land of the beastpeople, where they might never see a human face for years at a time and be scorned by their own people for what they were? But the emperor was counting on them; thousands of lives depended on their decision. And if they thought about it, their lives could rest on this decision too. If a military dictator took control of Alkazar, he could attempt to destroy Fanelia if he wished. They'd lose no matter what they did.
"Your Majesty, we will allow such a transition to take place, for the good of our alliance and your people." Van spoke solemnly.
"Lord Van, you will be a great ruler. Centuries ahead the people of all Gaea shall still remember your name for what you did at such a young age." The great beast king spoke in gratitude.
"And you, Lady Hitomi, shall always be remembered as the girl who saved all of Gaea. We owe both of you our lives."
"I am honored to serve you, Lord Kosetsu." Van rose again.
"As for you, Akai, what's the meaning of capturing these two?" The Emperor turned to face the stunned general.
"I… I… I thought they were spies… And they were on the sacred burial grounds of the past emperors. Such disrespect cannot go unpunished." General Akai defended herself, her short purple hair swishing back in fourth.
"Still… I believe you should be punished for arresting those who saved your very life during the Destiny War. I think a week of rebuilding should deflate your ego a bit."
"But Milord! That's not fair! How was I supposed to know that these two were some great 'war heroes?'" Her lavender eyes filled with rage as she shot murderous glances back at the couple to the side.
"How were you to know they weren't? A week rebuilding, General Hisui will take charge until your punishment has been served. The jade-haired second- in-command standing to Akai's right smiled for such a chance to prove herself.
"Yes Emperor." She bowed, and walked away casting him a look of annoyance.
"That girl needs to lighten up." Van muttered.
"You mustn't be so hard on Akai," Lord Kosetsu chided.
"She's led a hard life."
He looked like he was going to explain further when a scout walked over and whispered something in his ear.
"Yes, alright, I'll be there in a minute." The scout bowed before scurrying off.
"Lord Van, Lady Hitomi, I have to leave for a council meeting now, feel free to wander about as much as you like, or I could have a guard show you to a guest house."
"We'll look around if that's alright with you." Hitomi beamed at him, grabbing Van's hand and running off.
Lord Kosetsu chuckled.
"Van picked himself one heck of a bride."
"Oh Van! Isn't it wonderful! It's so beautiful here! It reminds me of home!" Hitomi said, somewhat sadly as she walked through the Village Square.
Van was a little fed-up with her homesickness at this point.
"Darn it Hitomi! If you miss home so much then WHY are you staying with me?!"
"Van… I…" Hitomi didn't know what to say to this sudden outburst.
"Forget it. If you miss The Mystic Moon so much than find a way back there! I was a fool to think I could ever get you to stay…" Fanelia's young king ran off with a look of hurt on his face, leaving Hitomi there standing like a statue.
"Because I love you Van…" She whispered. Her hair being tossed in the breeze as she sighed in frustration.
"Why can't I make you understand that?"
Hitomi walked around Arzas, observing the houses made of reeds and the inhabitants who seemed to be in no hurry as they went about their everyday lives. They looked so happy. So carefree. They were so lucky. She heard a familiar voice emitting from one of the huts.
"Shh… Mai ritoru ichi… Shh… Everything will be all right…" A woman comforted someone. Hitomi walked into the hut the voice came from and found Akai cradling a small girl in her arms. She looked to be no more than four, yet deadly ill.
A slightly older little girl stood beside her, pleading, "Don't cry Mother, it'll be OK… I promise… Please mother?"
"Lady Akai?" Hitomi asked her in concern.
"What is it?" Akai looked up and noticed Hitomi standing there.
"I'm sorry." She apologized, standing up, still holding the little girl.
"My daughter, Sa-Sa, is gravely ill, she may not live to see the next sunrise. I have to be with her. Just knowing that I'll be here with her when she takes in her last breath gives me comfort. I love her so much." Akai looked down sadly at the pale girl in her arms.
"And what's your name little one?" Hitomi asked the small girl beside her dying sister and pitiful mother.
"My name is Kii-Kii." The child squeaked looking up in wonder. Her eyes looked longing for something and her ribs stuck out, she had obviously not had food for weeks.
"I'm 6!"
"I've never seen a real person before." She touched Hitomi's hair and placed her hand to Hitomi's.
"They're the same." The child observed.
"Yes, they are." Hitomi smiled, knowing she'd like this child already.
Hitomi got back to the matter at hand.
"Why haven't you taken her to a healer?" Hitomi asked in puzzlement.
"She's been to the local shaman, but he couldn't do anything for her. He told me she'd die, and I believe him. She gets weaker every day." Akai replied in an emotionless tone.
"I promised Sakino that I'd keep her safe… I promised…" She began to cry and Hitomi walked over to her.
"Who is Sakino?" She asked, worrying about this normally cold woman's state.
"He was my husband. He's dead now. I promised him I'd take care of Kii-Kii and Sa-Sa. I was a slave in Zaibach when the Destiny War began 8 years ago and they started irradiating us. They didn't trust our loyalty since we were only half-human. I was next to die when Sakino rescued me and then, I became his bride." She paused for a moment, a dreamy look in her eyes, no doubt, reminiscing those blissful days of her youth.
"He was killed in battle 3 years ago. I told him that I would take care of them.
'Keep them safe itooshi, that's all I can ask for. Keep our children safe.' He told me on his deathbed.
Ever since I held them in my arms at their births, I knew I wanted to protect them, but now there's nothing I can do… I can't save the life of my own child!" She began to weep as Kii-Kii hugged her reassuringly.
"You can't be that much older than me, how can you have two children?" Hitomi asked in confusion.
"I'm 23 years old today." Akai stated rather sadly.
"Then that means you were seventeen when you had Kii-Kii…" Hitomi looked rather shocked.
"Yes, I guess so. You're not from around here, so I guess you don't understand. Most girls are married off by the age of 15 or 16, you'll be considered an old maid soon, Lady."
Hitomi stood perfectly still as she was hurled into visions of a painful past.
** A small girl being torn from her mother's arms and being taken away.
"NO! NO! DON'T TAKE HER! PLEASE! MY BABY!"
"SILENCE WENCH!" The guard barked, beating the woman back.
"May the gods have mercy. Protect my child." The bloody mother that was barely more than a child whispered before she uttered one final breath.
"NO! MOMMY! NO! LET ME GO! MOMMY!" A younger version of Akai screamed in anguish, tears rolling down her cheeks, as her mother was no more. **
** "Akai. You are to report to Lord Folken's office within the hour. You are being drafted for the intensified luck soldier experiments." A sorcerer reported menacingly, sneering at the worthless little catgirl. She was just like the other wretched beings; her only purpose was to serve them. She didn't even turn his way to acknowledge she'd heard his command, continuing to scrub the stone floor.
"Ah. Still don't know your name, eh girl? Well, I'll teach you some manners!" He slapped her across the face, hurtling her into the wall; she still didn't look up.
"YOUR NAME IS AKAI. YOU'RE NOTHING MORE THAN A SLAVE AND THAT'S ALL YOU'LL EVER BE! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TOUGH! IT'S THE WAY THINGS ARE!" The sorcerer barked, when he still got no response, he then had a delicious idea of how to get her to obey.
"Or, if you're unwilling to cooperate, perhaps I can persuade you by burning what's left of your village down. I'll tell your people they're dying because of one little girl's stubbornness. Now wouldn't that be a pity?" He cackled seeing the flicker of fear on the girl's face. She would die without caring, but the ultimate dishonor to a beastperson was to be considered a traitor by their village. They'd do anything to uphold their honor, which some though quite noble, but this sorcerer like many others, just thought it stupid and used it to their advantage.
"My name is Princess Reu-Reu Nurei de Urufu. I am the daughter of Lord Kosetsu and Lady Oosaka. I am from the imperial capital of Alkazar, Arzas. That is who I am. You can starve me, beat me, you can deprive me of very life itself. But, No one, not even you, can ever take my name away from me. Or my pride." Akai spoke with dignity.
"Very well spoken, my young princess. But you see, you're in Zaibach now. I could take your very soul if I wished for it. Taking away your memory is but a trifle with our advanced technology." The sorcerer smirked.
"Jajuka." He whispered more than commanded.
A dogman entered the room and looked very sad when he eyed young Akai.
"Not another one, Milord…"
"Yes, another one, Jajuka, we'll try to overlook your failure with the last one. But I warn you Jajuka. Screw this one up and you're dragon food." The sorcerer glided away, leaving the little catgirl with the tall dogman.
"You've come to save me, haven't you!" Akai remarked hopefully.
"Father must have sent you, you're one of our allies, after all. These wretches will pay for capturing Alkazar's Princess. Won't they Jajuka?" She looked up at him and his eyes didn't look at all hopeful.
"My dear, sweet, princess… As always, I am your faithful servant, but I cannot help you on this one. I have been a slave to Zaibach since I was no bigger than you. I have been raised my entire life to serve Emperor Dornkirk and his sorcerers. I have seen sweet little children, like yourself, turned into monsters with Zaibach technology. I have seen most of them die and be thrown off the deck of the Vione as if they were nothing more than a piece of trash. They were just rejects, after all. I was born in Zaibach and I will die in Zaibach. They own my body, but they can never own my spirit, and its allegiance is with your parents. Long live the Emperor! Long live Alkazar!" Jajuka bowed to her.
"I can only be your friend, but you must not like me. Or I may have to kill you… Do you understand?" He looked at her pleadingly.
"Yes, Jajuka, truly you are a honorable man and will rise to great heights someday. I'm sure of it." She smiled at him as he took her hand and led her away. **
**Akai watched in horror as the blue serum was injected into a vein in her arm. The needle was sharp… Ooh how it stung as it pierced her flesh… She felt like she was dreaming, but she wasn't tired… Everything was fading away, nothing made sense… The room began to spin as everything slowly turned to white… All she knew was, through it all, Jajuka had held her hand…**
**Jajuka watched Akai stumble around the gardens on the sorcerer's ship in pity for the girl. She wandered around in her lavender skirt and blouse, her black cloak floating about her. She looked at a flower and picked it, staring at it.
"Why'd you erase her memory sir?" Jajuka asked the sorcerer standing beside him, observing their latest experiment.
"Jajuka, you know as well as I do why we did it. For science. To find out if it was possible to make a person forget their entire lifetime. We could use such a chemical in battle to confuse the enemy into forgetting who they're fighting and what for."
"But isn't it unethical to perform such experiments on an innocent child? Does it ever trouble your heart that every day we ruin the lives of hundreds of children who will never grow up to realize their dreams? That hundreds of children who are captured for Zaibach's research will never see their homes or families again and may not live to see the next sunrise? Sometimes, I can't sleep. Nightmares haunt me of all the children I've destroyed." Jajuka said solemnly, never taking his eyes of Akai.
"It is for the greater good of Gaea. Should we experiment on soldiers? On are own people? How about you Jajuka? We could hook you up to a machine and see how you work, inject you with chemicals, and find out if certain chemicals are toxic. Is that the kind of life you wish to lead? Nothing more than a lab rat? These children are paving the road to our glorious future… Don't think of it as killing them, think of it as giving them a greater purpose." The sorcerer replied emotionlessly.
"Do you really believe what you're saying?" Jajuka asked quietly, staring the sorcerer in the eyes.
"That we can justify our murders of children by saying it's for the good of all? When thousands of men, women, and children die each day in these bloody wars that haven't ceased since the dawn of man? I am surprised we can live with ourselves? I know I can't…" He stared at him straight in the eyes and the sorcerer knew this is what he truly believed.
"You weak, insolent, fool!" He slapped Jajuka across the face, knocking him to the hard pavement.
"Never talk back to your superior! Nor shall you look one in the eye!" He snapped.
"Believe what you wish, Jajuka. But I guarantee that your weakness will lead to your downfall!" The man hobbled away, cursing the dogman under his breath.
"So be it…" Jajuka muttered, continuing to watch the small girl, that he believed, had no future. **
** "GIRL!" Lord Dilandau summoned Akai who groaned before heading over to her red-eyed commander.
"You called, oh grand master?" Akai asked sarcastically, fingering her feather duster, she had been using a minute ago.
"Watch your tongue, girl. You're my girl, might I add. I should sentence that 'boyfriend' of yours, Hajimuru, to death for just looking at you. The sorcerers gave you to me, after all, and you prove to be the worst hired help I've yet to see. You're nothing more than a worthless slave." He smirked at her anger from his statement.
"First, I'm NOT just a little girl anymore Dilandau-sama! GET USED TO IT!"
"You still act like a sniveling little brat, so why should I treat you as anything better?"
"Secondly, Hajimuru is my best friend, not my boyfriend. Not like you'll ever be such. I loathe you, after all. If you kill him, I'll die as well. But you'd like that, wouldn't you? Ever since you came here you've despised me. I still remember when the sorcerers 'gave me' to you for your 5th birthday and you started clapping and shrieking, 'Look! I have a wench!' You were such a cute little kid, too bad you grew up to be such a jerk!" She tossed her lavender hair over the side of her shoulder with a humph.
"I'm hot and you know it! You're just jealous that you look like you got mauled by a dragon!" Dilandau commented, leaning back in his chair, his tiara sliding down to cover his eyes.
"Sure ya are Dilly…" She rolled her eyes.
"NEVER call me that, EVER again!" He leaped from his chair and grasped her neck, nearly choking her.
"Dilandau… Please don't…" She whispered, staring into his glassy crimson orbs that were filled with anger. (A/N: I added the crimson thing for you Washu-chan… Lol…)
Dilandau released her neck from his iron grasp and she sighed in relief, rubbing her nearly broken neck.
"You know what Dilandau… You may have the power of life or death over me, but I will NEVER be as worthless as you. You have no family, no friends, only your future to serve Emperor Dornkirk until you become inefficient and you are disposed of. That's what I call worthless." She walked over to the bay window and sat in a chair, staring out at the sun setting over the western mountains. The Mystic Moon glowed like a priceless azure in the sky, with its child forever beside it.
"My family's out there, somewhere, Dilandau. Sometimes, I can feel my mother hugging me and my father kissing me goodnight. I have dreams of my life before I was captured, before my enslavement when I was my own person. I see endless forests, clear blue water, and millions, just like me. I'm supposed to not remember anything. And I suppose technically, I don't. It's just emotions; it's impossible to forget them. I just have to find them, Dilandau."
Dilandau walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder and she could almost swear he was smiling. Lord Dilandau NEVER smiled.
"Do you really know that your family's out there?"
"It's not a sense of knowing, it's a sort of instinct. I can feel them."
"You don't seem to realize how lucky you are." He commented in a monotonous voice, staring out over the sea.
"If this is lucky, I don't want to see unlucky." Akai commented without much hope evident in her voice.
"You have a family out there somewhere… With a father, and a mother… Who love and miss you…"
"And you Dilandau?" She asked, returning her focus to him.
"I have no one."
"You'll always have me." She whispered, hugging the 10-year-old in sympathy.
"I know. I know." He replied, before drifting off to sleep. **
** "Hajimuru… No… Don't leave me… I love you Hajimuru…" Akai whispered over her friend's broken bloody body that lied in the road. He was in this condition because of who he was. A gang of drunken Asturians had attacked him on his way to Palas with a message for the king from Lord Folken. He hadn't done anything wrong. They had cursed him for being a catman and a soldier of Zaibach. Now he was dying, and the healers refused to help since he was just a worthless foot soldier, and a slave at that. Too worthless to waste medication on. Hajimuru wasn't worthless. He was a living breathing person, just like them, with thoughts, feelings, ideas, and a life of his own. And they were just going to let him suffer in tormenting pain until he died.
"Don't cry for me, Akai. Be strong. For me. OK? I hate to see you cry." He whispered softly, blood dripping from his mouth as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"Just remember, that I will… always… love you… No matter what anyone else says… No matter where I go… My heart will always be yours…" She stuttered between onslaughts of tears, hugging him tightly.
As his pulse became weaker and his skin became cool, he whispered one last sentiment.
"I… love… you…" Before his eyes shut for what he thought would be the final time.
"I will see you in heaven." He muttered before his heart ceased beating.
"HAJIMURA! NO!" She screamed in denial, as a man came to take his body away and Dilandau appeared, embracing her as she cried endlessly into the night. **
** A silent figure crept through the window. Akai's excellent hearing picked up a creak of the floorboards and she crept out of bed without a sign, sneaking up behind the intruder and pinning him to the ground.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
"And what are you doing in my room?"
"My name is Sakino. I am a soldier of Alkazar's Imperial Army. I have been sent to retrieve any beastpeople being held prisoner. And that means you doll-face." The catboy who looked about her age of seventeen. He had forest green hair and was covered in stripes with a long tail. He had deep green eyes that seemed to be looking through her. Her bright crimson eyes stared into his in amazement. Besides for Naria and Eriya, she hadn't seen a fellow catperson in years.
"C'mon girl, we have no time to waste. We'll be going now." He grabbed her hand and tried to lead her back through the window.
"Why should I go with you?" She asked him in annoyance at his bossiness, jerking back from his grasp.
"Because, if not, you'll die."
"What makes you say that?"
"Zaibach is disposing of all their experiments and slaves. They don't wish to be caught with them when the Alliance Troops come to rescue survivors. The war is over."
"The War of Dragons? It's finally over?" She asked in disbelief. She had never lived a day without fear that that day would be her last and that they'd be attacked at any given moment. The Crimson War had begun 50 years ago, when Zaibach's long-dead emperor had attacked Godasim and Scezario, burning both countries to the ground. Fanelia, Asturia, and Freid had come to their aid, forming an alliance against Zaibach. Nuclear weapons were being tested by Zaibach and one day; they blew Fanelia sky high, leaving Asturia and Freid to continue fighting the losing battle. Millions of citizens of opposing countries had been captured and taken as slaves
"Yes, Zaibach has lost. Come with me, you'll be safe in our homeland." He said softly.
"What's your name anyway?"
"Akai. My name is Akai."
"That's a human name. They took away your identity it seems. I'm surprised they didn't chop off your tail." He muttered.
"What's your given birth name, girl?"
"My name is Akai." She repeated.
"I don't want your slave name. What was your childhood name that you can be identified by? You know, the name you are given until you turn 15 and then you go on your spirit quest and earn yourself a full name. For example, my old name was Se-Se."
"I don't know. They erased my memory when I was captured. I only know the name the sorcerers gave me. I know nothing of my home or family."
"Poor girl." He said in pity.
"Come, it's late, are there any other beastpeople here?"
"Naria, Eriya, Jajuka… But I don't know if you could get them to leave. I can' leave either. What about my friends, my commander, my country?"
"I will be back tomorrow night. You have until then to make your decision. Between life and death. The choice is yours. I will return, my fair lady." He bowed before her, kissing her hand before escaping into the night. She sighed, he seemed like a nice boy. She couldn't leave Dilandau; he was her best friend since Hajimura died, and her leader besides that. She was willing to lay her life down on the line for him.
"Nighttime visitors, huh?" The silver-haired commander stepped from the shadows into the ray of moonlight seeping through the blinds.
"He was like me." She told him.
"Just like me."
"I hope you find true love, Akai. And all the happiness in the world." Dilandau whispered before going back to his room, a hurt look on his face
"Dilandau, wait! It's not what you think!" She told him, grabbing his arm. His eyes portrayed a look of despair and inner pain.
"Forget it." Dilandau muttered, pulling away and running down the halls of the Vione to his chambers, leaving Akai to puzzle her past on her own. **
** "Lord Folken is dead. Lord Dilandau is dead. The Dragonslayers are dead. Jajuka is dead. The Intensified Luck Soldiers are dead." A scout reported to what was left of Zaibach's slaves and soldiers. Akai was there, tears rolling down her cheeks. Dilandau was gone? How could it be? He was so full of life, so energetic, practically insane… Who had killed her commander? Whoever it was would pay! For Dilandau wasn't just her master, he was her very best friend. The word going around was that all slaves were to be killed tomorrow morning at dawn.
"So this is it? The final act?" She asked quietly.
"It would seem so…" An elderly woman whispered, tears welling in her lives.
"When I was born I was taken from my home on Zaibach's borders to become a slave of the empire because of my family's debts. I'm now well past sixty. I have served them faithfully and cared for most of their officials and soldiers when they were just children themselves. I was born in Zaibach and I will die in Zaibach, there is no question of that. If the end of the line has come, then I fully welcome it. I am old and have seen more than I ever wished to. But you, child, you're young and strong. You have such potential, such promise... You don't deserve to die like this. No one deserves to die like this." She hobbled away, a look of sadness etched across her wrinkled face.
"She's right. No one deserves to die like this. Not even a 'worthless' slave like me." She whispered.
'Please Sakino, save me. You're my last hope…'
That night, there was a banging on the window in the tenement the remaining slaves were being stationed in. Akai arose, still in her lace-trimmed cotton nightgown. She drew the blinds as a rock pinged against the glass. She opened the window and a rock hit her in the head.
"HEY! YOU JERK! THAT HURT!" She screamed in rage at who she knew to be Sakino down below.
"Sorry Babe, noting my last entrance, I thought breaking your window would be better than being nearly strangled." He smirked at her and she knew he had a point.
"Well, what do you want?!" She screamed down.
"Ouch, watch the ears! Mine are just as sensitive as yours!" He rubbed them to emphasize his point and Akai grinned apologetically.
"Sorry about that, well anyways, why are you here, Sakino?"
"I'm here to play your knight in shining armor and save you from the evil dragon!"
"There are no dragons in Zaibach!" She called down.
"Not THOSE kind of dragons, baka!"
"WHO are YOU to be calling ME stupid?!" She hissed at him.
"I meant the guys who are going to kill you come dawn. Which is…" He checked his watch.
"1 hour away…"
"Oh wow, it's morning already?" She looked surprised, and then noticed her clock was 4 hours off.
'It figures…'
"WELL MAKE WITH THE RESCUING OH 'HANDSOME' PRINCE!" She screeched down at him.
"SHUT UP ONNA! YOU'LL WAKE THE DEAD!" He yelled back, looking at her in annoyance.
"I'M NOT WOMAN! I HAVE A NAME! AND MY NAME IS AKAI!"
"DO YOU WANT TO BE RESCUED OR NOT?!" He was getting a little impatient by now.
"Well if you're gonna be rude about it, then maybe I'll just die! At least then I won't have to see your ugly face!" That was a lie, he was really quite handsome with those emerald eyes and deep green locks. Augh, no, what was she thinking, this jerk was openly insulting her, she shouldn't be thinking how cute he was… She was suddenly pulled backwards as she tried to walk away.
"As much as you annoy me milady, I can't just let you die. I might get in trouble." The boy grinned at her and she growled.
"Let go of me right now or I'll scream and we'll just see who'll die tonight…" She whispered, her eyes gleaming with rage.
"Jeez! I'm just trying to help you for crying out loud!" He defended himself.
"C'mon, I don't want you to die, is that SO horrible?"
"I guess not… But at least let me get my things alright?"
"No time!" He tried to pull her towards the window, but she resisted, landing a good kick in the face.
"I'm getting my things." She told him, walking across the room and leaving him bruised on the floor.
"Women…" He muttered in disgust, rubbing his aching face.
Akai searched the room for any items she might find worth bringing. She found nothing she felt like bringing along except her locket. It probably had pictures of her family in it, but the clasp was jammed shut making it impossible to open. She kept it, reminding her that someday she'd find her family, no matter how long it took.
"Let's go!" She said, grabbing the necklace while pulling a black cloak over her head and jumping out the window.
"You idiot! There's no rope!" Sakino cursed.
She landed perfectly, without a scratch.
"I guess it's true that cats always land on their feet, isn't it?" She smirked, glancing up at him triumphantly.
"I guess so." He was quite surprised she hadn't been killed.
'You're just a lucky girl, I guess.' He climbed down the drainpipe before reaching her impatiently tapping her foot on the ground.
"Let's get going!" She hissed to him, dashing off into the night, her cape swishing in the evening breeze. **
** "Akai, will you marry me?" Sakino was down on one knee in the middle of the forest. Akai had lived in Alkazar for a few days, and already he knew she was his soulmate. He had invited her on a picnic that afternoon and this proposal was an unexpected one.
"Sakino, I don't know… I just met you…" Akai was uncertain.
"Akai. At first I thought you were just some lowly slave, unworthy of our people, but then I got to know you. And now, when you're not around, I find myself looking for you…"
"Please… I love you, Akai… Please be mine…"
"Sakino… You're the only one who's shown true kindness to me since Lord Dilandau died. I guess I could stand spending the rest of my life with you, if you can stand me."
"If I couldn't stand you, why would I be proposing to you?"
"I don't know. But I'll marry you, Sakino. Just promise me something… Promise you'll never leave me…"
"I won't. Why would I?"
"I don't know. But all I know is this is the happiest day of my life…" She whispered, kissing him passionately.
'Maybe things will finally get better…' **
** "General Akai, I regret to inform you that your husband, General Sakino, is dead. He died a warrior's death in battle against the enemy. You should be proud of him, he was a great man, a great soldier, and an even greater friend." The scout stood at attention and he had tears in his eyes as he spoke quietly, trying to remain in control of his emotions.
"Thank you soldier. Return to your regiment. Dismissed." She fought back tears.
'Oh Sakino… You promised… You promised me you'd never leave me… You lied… How could you?' She broke down on the ground, sobbing into the newly green grass.
"Why? Why does everyone I care about die? Hajimuru… Dilandau… Naria… Eriya… Sakino… They're all gone… And now, of all times, he's gone. What will become of our baby that has no father Sakino? My dear, sweet children will never see you again. Kii-Kii, your father loved you." She cuddled the sleeping toddler in her arms, hugging her daughter tightly.
The kitten stirred, opening her eyes slowly and looking up at her holder. It was Mommy.
"Mommy, where's Daddy? He promised me he'd come home soon! Where is he?" The small Kii-Kii let out a yawn, looking into her mother's lavender eyes in curiosity.
"Daddy isn't coming home. Your Daddy cared about you so much, he died to keep you safe." Akai whispered, her eyes tearing at the sad reality of her fatherless child.
"Why Mommy?"
"It's called love, dear. It's called love." She whispered, as the grief- stricken family comforted each other in the only way they knew how.
"My Daddy loved me. Yes he did." Kii-Kii whispered before falling asleep again.
"He loved me too, darling. He loved me too." Akai looked into the starry sky above, thinking only of what the future held and the child she and her late-husband had been expecting. **
** "Mommy! Mommy!" Four-year-old Kii-Kii ran through the door of her family's modest hut.
"Kii-Kii, dear, what's wrong?" Akai looked up from knitting a baby shirt to see her daughter in tears.
"I don't have a Daddy!" The small girl whimpered.
"Kii-Kii, you do have a daddy, he just can't be with us, that's all."
"That's not good enough. I want a daddy who will help me fly kites and give me rides on his horse. And take me fishing. And read me a bedtime story and tuck me in at night! Everybody else has a daddy to do all those things with and I don't. Why Mommy? It's just not fair. Mari-Mari has a daddy, Riu-Riu has a daddy, even Vie-Vie has a daddy! So how come I don't? I don't understand…"
"Kii-Kii, now what would your dad say if he knew you didn't care about him since he's dead? He died to protect you. That's more precious than anything Mari-Mari or Vie-Vie's dads ever do or ever will do. He loved you Kii-Kii, I think that should be what matters." Akai went back to her knitting, disgraced at her daughter's disrespect for her dead husband. She understood how hard it was having only one parent, but it wasn't easy having no husband either. If Kii-Kii wanted to succeed in life, she'd have to toughen up. Like she had.
The little girl had a hurt expression from her mother's scolding as she prepared to rejoin her friends.
"I love you Mommy." She whispered before darting back outside.
"I love you too, Kii-Kii. I love you too." **
** "Wow Mommy, she's so tiny!" Kii-Kii gazed in wonder at her newborn baby sister.
"Yeah, she sure is. She's a squirt, just like you were." Akai grinned at her daughter, holding her new baby in her arms.
"What's her name, Mother?"
"Her name is Sa-Sa."
"That's a pretty name. What'll be her name when she's old?" The child asked in curiosity, knowing when she turned fifteen her name would change from childish Kii-Kii to Akirame, a much more grown-up name. Unknown to Kii-Kii, her adult name meant 'consolation.' Since she was the only thing that kept Akai from ending it all.
"Saki."
"That's a nice name. What's it mean Mother?"
"It means, 'end.'" Akai whispered. This was the finale of her relationship with Sakino. She'd finally have to move on.
'Goodbye Sakino. I'll always love you.' **
** "And with this sword, I dub thee, Lady Akai, General of the Border Guard." Aging Lord Kosetsu gave Akai her new position. She'd waited so long; she'd worked so hard. She'd gone from rank to rank, starting as a lowly foot soldier and now she held the highest position in Alkazar's military. She was to keep the humans out with a glorious army at her disposal. This was what she'd always dreamed of, and now it was finally in her grasp. As Kii-Kii held Sa-Sa, on the sidelines amongst the cheering crowd and Akai, General Akai, was handed the ancient general's sword that had been passed down for over a hundred generations, she truly felt that he life was turning around. **
** There had been whispers of a great plague sweeping the lands. It affected no pure blood human, but the people of Alkazar were not of pure blood descent. Most of Arzas's families had been struck by it, no one was safe. There was no medication to prevent it, and no cure. All you could do was pray to almighty Ragu that your family would be spared. Thousands had died and thousands were at death's door. On the doors of those who had a loved one fighting their demise, an image of Ragu, the god of beasts that they trusted with their very souls.
It was said that on one of Dicha's journeys, he had come across Ragu, a deformed beast who was a crossbreed of a wolf and tiger. This was before Dicha became a god, when he was just a normal man wandering Gaea, trying to guide its people towards a greater good. Ragu challenged Dicha to fight him to the death to prove his strength since he had nothing left to live for. The two fought and Dicha was easily defeated. He was ready to die, but Ragu spared him. He said that it was not for him to decide who was to live and die that day. Hurio, the only god of the day saw his act of mercy and gave him the gift of immortality, since it was a rare thing to see something like that from a beast such as Ragu. He later proved himself to have great worth and changed the lives of many and saved many lives by persuading his fellow beasts not to kill a wary traveler for the thrill of it as was the custom. Dicha had long since become a god for his life as a prophet and his overall goodness and when Ragu was to die, he remembered him and what he'd done. He made Ragu a god over all creatures of Gaea. No matter how big or small, and that's how it has been ever since.
The temples were filled with weeping mothers, widows, and orphaned children, begging Ragu for guidance for their troubled hearts. The main temple of Negaigoto overflowed with beasts of all sorts inflicted by the disease. Akai went there every day with Kii-Kii and Sa-Sa, making it a part of their every-day routine, begging for them to be spared by leaving offering on Ragu's alter. The ruby eyes of the marble statue decorated in emeralds and azures seemed to look right through the family as they knelt before him.
Alas, it was not to help them. It took a while, but eventually, young Sa-Sa starting acting up. She coughed and sputtered and her head was hot to the touch. What little could be forced down her throat was immediately hacked back up. She didn't want to play and when she tried to walk as she was learning at the time, she promptly fell backwards on her head. She became pale and her small amount of hair fell out. Akai took her to the healer, and he diagnosed it as the plague and told her there was nothing to be done and to keep her comfortable in her final days. **
Hitomi shook her head as the vision ended. It hurt so much, it took so long, but it had been most of Akai's life so she supposed it should take a while.
'She doesn't know that Lord Kosetsu is her own father. She's the heir to the throne of Arzas!' Hitomi thought excitedly.
"I understand." She whispered, hugging the hostile catwoman.
"What?" Akai asked in curiosity, thinking the seeress had finally lost what little sense she had to begin with.
"Why you're how you are. It was horrible for you, wasn't it? The war, being separated from your family to be Zaibach's slave, Sakino's death and now Sa- Sa is going to die too. My dear lady, your life had been unbearable. I am so very sorry you have suffered so much."
"But how?" Akai looked on in wonder.
'Maybe there's more to Lady Hitomi than I originally thought.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Van wandered the streets of Alkazar's capital.
'Darn. Why does she play with my emotions like this? If she loves me then why can't she be content to stay with me and forget about the blasted Mystic Moon?!'
Because it's her home. You tore her away from her home; Van Fanel and you're still not satisfied.
'Shut up!' Van hated it when his conscious plagued him.
You love her, don't you, Van Fanel? Then why can't you accept the way she is? Are you enough of a reason to keep her here?
'She's my fiancée, I think she loves me!'
But are you worthy of her love, Van Fanel?
'How should I know?'
You will figure it out…
"LORD VAN!" A voice called out from the bustling Village Square.
"Is that…?" Van wondered aloud, looking to see that his theory was correct.
"RHUM!" Van ran over to where the wolfman was standing.
"Milord, what brings you to my humble little village?" Rhum asked in curiosity.
"Well, I brought…" He was about to say Hitomi, but knew Rhum would plague him about it.
"… A friend with me to escape my council. I can't stand them!"
"You can't fool me Lord Van! You brought Lady Hitomi, didn't you? I knew you couldn't let her go. That one's a keeper. I could tell you liked her, it's pretty obvious, you know. So where is the little lady? Has she seen Fanelia yet? Have you popped the question?"
"Honestly Rhum… You're worse than Merle…" Van commented in amusement.
"Beg pardon milord… I can't help it… If interests me so…"
"You need to get some new hobbies my friend." Van said.
"You haven't answered any of my questions yet!" Rhum whined.
"Yes, I did bring Hitomi. She is off somewhere I care not to know of. Yes, she has seen Fanelia and yes, I did pop the question and we're engaged. But at the rate things are going, the gods only know how long…"
"What do you mean by that? Besides your constant bickering the two of you seemed to get along quite well."
"She wants to go home Rhum, and who could blame her? I mean, what can I offer her, a burned up castle and a bunch of trees. Who would wish to make Fanelia their home now?"
"Obviously a lot of people or there wouldn't be so many people rebuilding." Rhum commented.
"Lord, you couldn't have done anything. It wasn't your fault."
"I feel responsible, and now I'm running away from my problems with a woman who doesn't love me."
"Lord Van, I've known you since you were no higher than my knee. I've seen you grow up from an annoying little prince to an honorable young ruler of a country that loves you. I also know that that girl loves you. She returned didn't she? She hasn't seen her homeland for quite some time, cut her some slack! How would you feel if you were to leave Fanelia forever? You have to try to see things through her eyes…"
"You do have a point Rhum… Maybe I haven't been very understanding…"
"Talk to her Lord Van… I'm sure if you tell her how you feel; you both will feel better… Oh yes, you and Lady Hitomi may rest in my home during your stay here. I won't be leaving to cargo things to Fanelia for another week… Alkazar is a beautiful little country, I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here."
"Thank you Rhum. I really do appreciate it. We are strangers in a strange land."
"You show me and my men such hospitality during our merchant ventures in Fanelia, it's the least I can do. Besides, I think that you and Lady Hitomi make a cute couple." The wolfman grinned, causing Van to blush.
Van walked off, as blossoms from Lord Kosetsu's tree rained around him.
"They are pretty." He whispered, catching one in his hand.
* Flashback *
i"They approached an enormous tree, that seemed to reach to the very heavens themselves. Pink, silken, petals floated downward, and Hitomi reached out to catch one in her hand.
"It's a cherry blossom." Hitomi whispered in amazement.
"Just like at home." A tear crept down her cheek.
"Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, wondering why she was so upset over a flower.
"There was a cherry tree growing in my backyard, and every spring, the blossoms would swirl in the breeze. Yukari said it was truly spring when the cherry blossoms bloomed. I miss my home so much." The catwoman holding her dropped her and she fell to her knees, her tears soaking the ground./i
* End Flashback *
Hitomi suddenly wandered into his field of vision. He ran over to her and noticed the little girl in her arms.
"HITOMI! I've been looking for you!"
"Yes Van. We need to talk."
"Hitomi, I'm sorry… I wasn't very understanding and I've come to apologize…"
"There's no time for that now…"
"This is Sa-Sa… She's going to die Van… Unless I help her…"
"Where'd you find her?"
"She's Akai's youngest daughter…"
"No way! That witch has children?!"
"This entire race may die out if we don't do something… That's why I've made my decision…"
"What decision?"
"I'm traveling to Zaibach… They're the only ones I can think of who can find the cure. Otherwise, the plague will just continue to spread and eventually they'll all die… I've seen their demise in a vision… Oh Van… It was so horrible… All the planet's water turned into blood, locusts ate all the crops, all the forests burned down… The dragons wept…"
"Hitomi… I agree that this is a sticky situation, but do you realize how dangerous it is to go to that country?! Even with its collapse, there are still thousands of people there who are determined to eliminate the seeress and the dragon who ruined their way of life. Not to mention many of their sorcerers are alive and well… It's like walking into a death trap…"
"That's what you're for… You'll protect me, right?"
"What else could I do? I promise to protect you on my honor…" He bowed before her.
"Lady Akai, Sa-Sa, and her other daughter, Kii-Kii, will be accompanying us. I promised Akai I'd save her daughter. We leave at dawn…"
"Do we have to bring them? Two brats and a demoness?"
"Don't talk about them like that! If you don't want to help me then I'll go by myself! And if I die it'll be all your fault!"
"Alright… Alright… Dawn then… Oh yeah, and Hitomi…" He was about to walk away when he looked back over his shoulder.
"Huh?" What was he going to say?
"I still love you even if you hate me…" He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before dashing off.
"Meet you in the Village Square! Be ready!"
Hitomi touched her cheek where he kissed her.
"Oh Van… I still love you… Nothing you do could ever change that…" But he was out of earshot and could not hear her confession of eternal devotion.
A/N: Wow! I started writing this 3 weeks ago! ^_^; The chap's done FINALLY! What a relief! I hope you guys like it! Tell me what ya think, I need at least 42 reviews total before I'll update, but it may take longer because of my billion other fics… I tried doing one section using html, I do not know if it will work… I'm thinking of writing an AU where Hitomi is an assassin out to kill Van for Zaibach… What do you guys think of the idea? I've written a couple chapters for it… I'll wait until I finish a few other fics though! Thanks for reading and (hopefully) reviewing! I really appreciate it! Ja matta ne tomadachi! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~
A/N: Well, I haven't updated since January 12! I'm a BAD girl, ne? Oh well, gomen, I'm just REALLY busy, as all my friends will tell you. I'll need to have at LEAST 42 reviews before posting chapter 8 after this though, k? Read poems/fics written by: Nagi-chan, Baby*chan, Kiddi Chi, NekuraTak, and fanilia! After this, I will revise a chapter of "Wings of an Angel." Before this I added the last chapter to, "Never Forget" and updated, "Folkie's Birthday." Enjoy!
Note: Japanese words mean the following:
Akai: Red
Aishiteru: I love you
Itooshi: Beloved
Nani?: What?
Baka: Idiot, stupid, moron, etc…
Onna: Woman
Mai ritoru ichi: My little one
The song Lord Kosetsu describes the girl singing roughly translates to this from Japanese:
The wind talks to me,
And I answer it,
With a whisper from my soul…
A flower as blue as the sky,
Floats freely in the breeze…
Love is just a step away,
So please answer my heart…
All I know is someday I'll know…
(I know it's corny and makes no sense, but I wrote it at 1:30 AM, so bear with me…)
Chapter 7: Entrances and Explanations
Hitomi was sailing through space. Floating past her memories. Was it really so long ago she'd abandoned that life she'd always known, to spend her days on this planet her own family barely knew the existence of?
** "Sorry Yukari! I had to finish an essay! Have the boys run yet?"
"It's my good-luck charm! Actually, now it's more of an heirloom from my grandmother. It's kind of neat actually, if you swing it back-and-fourth it keeps perfect time. Always one cycle a second. Never stopping, never slowing down."
"To tell you the truth… I…"
"Have you ever done a tarot card reading on Amano, Hitomi?"
"I heard from the upper-class men that Amano's leaving the country!"
"The Tower… The Card of Distant Separation… Amano's leaving the country and I'll NEVER see him again!"
"The Ace of Serpents… Courage?"
"If I can run 100 meters in the time it takes for the pendant to swing 13 times… I'd like you to do something special for me… Give me my very first kiss?"
"I'd be honored…"
"Where am I?"
"Van Fanel, of Fanelia!"
"There's a dragon coming!"
"I don't need some woman worrying about me!"
"Are you always so pigheaded? I didn't save you for a reward, I just…"
"HITOMI!"
"I'm back…"
"Where are we?"
"I'd say we're near the village of Arzas."
"Arzas?" **
Hitomi was suddenly wakened from her reveries of months ago by a strange and unfamiliar voice.
"ATTENTION! YOU ARE ON SACRED GROUNDS, INTRUDERS! IDENTIFY YOURSELVES NOW BEFORE MY SHARPSHOOTERS USE YOU FOR TARGET PRACTICE!"
"Huh? It can't be morning already… Five more minutes…" Van mumbled in his sleep.
"Van, dear, you may want to wake up for this…" She whispered urgently into his ear.
"Hitomi? What are you doing here? The Girls' Dorm is across the hall. Is it time for breakfast?" Van was only half-awake and for some reason seemed to think they were on the Crusade.
"Van, I regret to inform you that are heads are about to be blown off by a bunch of homicidal catwomen. This situation deserves your attention, I believe."
"NANI?" Van sprung up, blushing, realizing what he hat been muttering about.
"WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON?"
"My name is General Akai, of the Alkazar Border Guard. You, ruffian, and your little wench are trespassing on our sacred land. I'd kill you now, but that is against the law here. You will receive a trial first, before I condemn you to death." Their supposed leader announced matter-of-factly.
"Seize them." She ordered her vast army, as they grabbed the travelers, binding them and running off
through the dense forest.
If Van didn't fear for the lives of himself and his wife-to-be, he would have marveled at the magnificence of the forest. It seemed untouched by the ever-modernizing world that was Gaea. Suspended in time of centuries ago. Before the races of Earth had come to Gaea and made it their home. When the animals and beastpeople ruled supreme. When their word was law. A squirrel chattered noisily on a branch as a bird swooped down, swiping the rodent's meal with its sharp beak. A doe nursed her young fawn that looked upon the travelers trustingly, blinking its large black eyes in curiosity. The wind whistled through the untouched forest, that was in all its splendor and glory. Had all of Gaea been like this at one point? He was shocked out of his thoughts when he noticed Hitomi whimpering as she bounced along beside him, slung over the back of a troop. He reached out his hand, and took her warm palm in his rough glove, smiling reassuringly at her. Suddenly, they jerked to a halt.
"My comrades," Akai began, "And prisoners," she smirked at Van and Hitomi in satisfaction.
"We have arrived in Alkazar's capital. Welcome to the city of Arzas!" The catwomen hastily made their way in, eager to return home.
They approached an enormous tree that seemed to reach to the very heavens themselves. Pink, silken, petals floated downward, and Hitomi reached out to catch one in her hand.
"It's a cherry blossom." Hitomi whispered in amazement.
"Just like at home." A tear crept down her cheek.
"Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, wondering why she was so upset over a flower.
"There was a cherry tree growing in my backyard, and every spring, the blossoms would swirl in the breeze. Yukari said it was truly spring when the cherry blossoms bloomed. I miss my home so much." The catwoman holding her dropped her and she fell to her knees, her tears soaking the ground.
"Hitomi, you don't HAVE to stay here. No one's FORCING you." Van was rather hurt that she'd rather be on The Mystic Moon watching some silly flowers than here with him.
"I…" Hitomi was about to reply, when their "escorts" all dropped to one knee, hand over heart, avoiding eye contact. She turned around to see a magnificent liter being lowered down from the highest branches of the tree. It was draped in the blossoms of the tree and there was a man seated upon it. Bodyguards lined their impressive ruler on each side. They jumped off, growling at the cats and their charges, as if daring them to attack their ruler.
Hitomi got a good look at him at that point. He was a catman. He seemed to be held together by the threads of time and nothing else, so ragged and worn with age. He was draped in a blue cloak with nothing atop his head and a beard that looked endless. Every hair on his body was an ashy gray with dark black stripes and his eyes seemed clouded. He held a staff in his hand that seemed to be covered with intricate carvings she couldn't interpret.
"I am Lord Kosetsu Toshinokou de Urufu. Emperor of Alkazar and its people."
"Lord Kosetsu. I am honored to see you once again."
"Ah, yes. King Van. You were no higher than my knee the last time Rhum brought you to the village. I hoped that I'd see you again before I return to the earth from which I came."
"Come closer, child." The old man beckoned her with a bony finger.
"Who me?" Hitomi squeaked in surprise.
"Yes you! Move along girl!" A guard prodded her with a spear.
"Ouch! No need to be pushy!" She walked forward and knelt before the Emperor.
"Closer, I don't bite." He chuckled softly as she came closer. He felt her face with his wrinkled hands and smiled in pity.
"Poor child. You have had a hard life, haven't you? Your father disappeared, your mother slowly losing her mind, your brother a runaway. Your grandmother, the only one who ever understood you, died many years ago, you can't go a day without missing her. Your best friend took who had been your crush for countless years. You're engaged to the man you love, but unable to be with him and as horrible as it was, you miss your home with all your heart. Truly, your life is a sad one. I'm so sorry."
Hitomi looked into his eyes, wondering how he could possibly know all this. She then looked into his eyes, and noticed they were not simply clouded with wisdom.
"You're blind, aren't you?"
"Yes Hitomi, I lost my sight a long time ago."
"Then how can you…?"
"How can I see all that I can and rule Alkazar? Well, when you become a certain age, you no longer need your eyes to see. In my lifetime, I've seen more than you can possibly imagine. Some things you don't see with your eyes, Hitomi, some things you see with your heart. I do not need my eyes to see that you are a lovely young lady and Lord Van has chosen a wonderful queen for Fanelia and mother to its heir." Hitomi blushed madly, as did Van, and Lord Kosetsu just smiled.
"For example, I don't need sight to know the two of you are blushing."
"It was thousands of moons ago, when the Draconians sought out refuge from the Mystic Valley, and using their will, created Gaea, our world, embraced by the heavens, loved by the land, and cradled by the sea. When first created, there were no people, Draconian or otherwise. Only the creatures of the forest and the beast people. Then, man came, and thus brought sadness and destruction. My people of long ago moved deeper into the forest, to escape the colonists who constantly threatened their way of life. They hoped to live out the remainder of our race in peace, with humans never even knowing we existed, but a man named Hikui was off hunting in the great forest one day. He went to a stream for water and sat by the shore to rest and fill his stomach. After drinking from the river, he decided to take a swim. He waded out in the water and splashed about a bit before he heard someone singing.
'Za kaze kaishou tame touhou,
Ken watashi kaitou sore,
Motte ato sasayaki kara mai tamashii…
Ato kusabana mama aoi mama za sora,
Yatai jizai oite za kaze…
Ai tadashii ato sochi sakini,
Dakara dozo ninoku mai kokoro…
Zembu watashi nou itsuka watashi mune nou…'
It was Joji, a catwoman from Arzas who was out washing clothes. She had long blue hair and bright pink eyes and her looks were the envy of every girl in the village. He fell in love with her at first sight. With her beautiful voice, her beauty itself, and how she seemed as graceful as a bird. He kept out of sight, so as not to alarm her, afraid to even show his face. When she finished, she started back home, and he followed her. She was much to smart for him though, and caught him before they even reached the village. She looked at him questionably, for she was like an animal, she could not speak a word of his tongue. Hikui spoke gently to her for awhile and she sat down and listened to him talk. All she could do was nod her head and smile, vaguely understanding as he told her of the world of man. He then concluded by telling her that she was the loveliest thing he'd ever set eyes on and would like to get to know her better. The foolish girl took him back to her village and introduced him to her clan. They immediately took a great dislike to the boy and were concerned, since she was to marry Riko-na, the village scholar that spring. They looked upon Hikui with annoyance since he could ruin the betrothal that had been set in stone for ages. After several weeks of watching, the couple become closer and closer they decided he had to die. Joji caught wind of their murderous ambitions and one night, she got Hikui out of his bed and dragged him into the forest, signaling for him to flee. He refused however, since he had fallen in love with her. He told her he wouldn't leave without her and asked her to stay with him always. She rejected him and he stormed off to his home, where he gathered an angry mob and led them to the beastvillage. They set it aflame and all of Arzas burned to the ground. It is called by my people 'The Night of Tears' for the millions who perished in the flames. Hikui captured Joji and forced her to come with him, leaving her homeland in ruins. She married him soon after and they had twin children. She eventually gave into her despair and died leaving her children, Kibou and Mikomi, behind. Hikui married a normal woman after Joji died and she despised her predecessor's children. To please her, he left them out in the forests, hoping they'd die and he'd forget about his life before his human wife. Kibou and Mikomi wandered many a day and found that their mother's tribe had all seemed to settle down with normal people and there were quite a few half-breeds floating about, including a rather odd tribe of human- like wolves. It is said that our God, Ragu, spoke to Kibou and promised that Neko-Hitobito and the Urufu-Hitobito would be a great nation someday. Unfortunately, slave traders then found the beastpeople's reconstructed village and captured all that were there, selling them into slavery to wealthy Gaean merchants. For the next five hundred years my people lived by the whip alone, drenched in sweat, just trying to survive. Yakusoku came to Kibou in a dream and told him that he would spend the rest of his life in bondage, but his descendants would find a way to his people's freedom. The only thing that kept them alive during the beatings, cursing, long nights, early mornings, starvation, disrespect, and cruelty was Yakusoku's promise. Your great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Lord Van that declared it illegal to own a beastperson as a slave, when his personal catman slave saved his life during an assassination attempt. Kyousei, an ancestor of Kibou, led a revolt two hundred years ago, murdering thousands of masters and leading a band of beastpeople into the forest where they established Alkazar and built our capital of Arzas. He became Emperor of the catpeople and Kiba the wolfman became the wolfpeople's leader. Unfortunately, many of our people are still in slavery. Asturia and Zaibach main traders in the market. Such is the history of our people who now live in peace after so long."
"However… I grow old and weary. My 100th rotation is this Saturday, as a matter of fact. My wife, Empress Oosaka died 20 years ago, and although we were very much in love, our marriage produced no children to rule our lands. All of Alkazar is doomed to perish with no leader. I can think of no one suitable to rule it in the entire kingdom. That is why I'd like to ask a favor of you, my lord and lady. Fanelia and Alkazar have been allies for as long as I can remember, and in times of need we have fallen back on the other. I know that the two of you shall be married, and when you are, you will have a great many children, I suppose the latter's a warning." He chuckled before continuing.
"When your 2nd male child reaches his 15th rotation, I hope you will let him become Alkazar's emperor."
Hitomi and Van didn't know what to say. For starters, they weren't even married yet, so there were obviously no heirs to even Fanelia's throne at this time. And could they really give up one of their children to the land of the beastpeople, where they might never see a human face for years at a time and be scorned by their own people for what they were? But the emperor was counting on them; thousands of lives depended on their decision. And if they thought about it, their lives could rest on this decision too. If a military dictator took control of Alkazar, he could attempt to destroy Fanelia if he wished. They'd lose no matter what they did.
"Your Majesty, we will allow such a transition to take place, for the good of our alliance and your people." Van spoke solemnly.
"Lord Van, you will be a great ruler. Centuries ahead the people of all Gaea shall still remember your name for what you did at such a young age." The great beast king spoke in gratitude.
"And you, Lady Hitomi, shall always be remembered as the girl who saved all of Gaea. We owe both of you our lives."
"I am honored to serve you, Lord Kosetsu." Van rose again.
"As for you, Akai, what's the meaning of capturing these two?" The Emperor turned to face the stunned general.
"I… I… I thought they were spies… And they were on the sacred burial grounds of the past emperors. Such disrespect cannot go unpunished." General Akai defended herself, her short purple hair swishing back in fourth.
"Still… I believe you should be punished for arresting those who saved your very life during the Destiny War. I think a week of rebuilding should deflate your ego a bit."
"But Milord! That's not fair! How was I supposed to know that these two were some great 'war heroes?'" Her lavender eyes filled with rage as she shot murderous glances back at the couple to the side.
"How were you to know they weren't? A week rebuilding, General Hisui will take charge until your punishment has been served. The jade-haired second- in-command standing to Akai's right smiled for such a chance to prove herself.
"Yes Emperor." She bowed, and walked away casting him a look of annoyance.
"That girl needs to lighten up." Van muttered.
"You mustn't be so hard on Akai," Lord Kosetsu chided.
"She's led a hard life."
He looked like he was going to explain further when a scout walked over and whispered something in his ear.
"Yes, alright, I'll be there in a minute." The scout bowed before scurrying off.
"Lord Van, Lady Hitomi, I have to leave for a council meeting now, feel free to wander about as much as you like, or I could have a guard show you to a guest house."
"We'll look around if that's alright with you." Hitomi beamed at him, grabbing Van's hand and running off.
Lord Kosetsu chuckled.
"Van picked himself one heck of a bride."
"Oh Van! Isn't it wonderful! It's so beautiful here! It reminds me of home!" Hitomi said, somewhat sadly as she walked through the Village Square.
Van was a little fed-up with her homesickness at this point.
"Darn it Hitomi! If you miss home so much then WHY are you staying with me?!"
"Van… I…" Hitomi didn't know what to say to this sudden outburst.
"Forget it. If you miss The Mystic Moon so much than find a way back there! I was a fool to think I could ever get you to stay…" Fanelia's young king ran off with a look of hurt on his face, leaving Hitomi there standing like a statue.
"Because I love you Van…" She whispered. Her hair being tossed in the breeze as she sighed in frustration.
"Why can't I make you understand that?"
Hitomi walked around Arzas, observing the houses made of reeds and the inhabitants who seemed to be in no hurry as they went about their everyday lives. They looked so happy. So carefree. They were so lucky. She heard a familiar voice emitting from one of the huts.
"Shh… Mai ritoru ichi… Shh… Everything will be all right…" A woman comforted someone. Hitomi walked into the hut the voice came from and found Akai cradling a small girl in her arms. She looked to be no more than four, yet deadly ill.
A slightly older little girl stood beside her, pleading, "Don't cry Mother, it'll be OK… I promise… Please mother?"
"Lady Akai?" Hitomi asked her in concern.
"What is it?" Akai looked up and noticed Hitomi standing there.
"I'm sorry." She apologized, standing up, still holding the little girl.
"My daughter, Sa-Sa, is gravely ill, she may not live to see the next sunrise. I have to be with her. Just knowing that I'll be here with her when she takes in her last breath gives me comfort. I love her so much." Akai looked down sadly at the pale girl in her arms.
"And what's your name little one?" Hitomi asked the small girl beside her dying sister and pitiful mother.
"My name is Kii-Kii." The child squeaked looking up in wonder. Her eyes looked longing for something and her ribs stuck out, she had obviously not had food for weeks.
"I'm 6!"
"I've never seen a real person before." She touched Hitomi's hair and placed her hand to Hitomi's.
"They're the same." The child observed.
"Yes, they are." Hitomi smiled, knowing she'd like this child already.
Hitomi got back to the matter at hand.
"Why haven't you taken her to a healer?" Hitomi asked in puzzlement.
"She's been to the local shaman, but he couldn't do anything for her. He told me she'd die, and I believe him. She gets weaker every day." Akai replied in an emotionless tone.
"I promised Sakino that I'd keep her safe… I promised…" She began to cry and Hitomi walked over to her.
"Who is Sakino?" She asked, worrying about this normally cold woman's state.
"He was my husband. He's dead now. I promised him I'd take care of Kii-Kii and Sa-Sa. I was a slave in Zaibach when the Destiny War began 8 years ago and they started irradiating us. They didn't trust our loyalty since we were only half-human. I was next to die when Sakino rescued me and then, I became his bride." She paused for a moment, a dreamy look in her eyes, no doubt, reminiscing those blissful days of her youth.
"He was killed in battle 3 years ago. I told him that I would take care of them.
'Keep them safe itooshi, that's all I can ask for. Keep our children safe.' He told me on his deathbed.
Ever since I held them in my arms at their births, I knew I wanted to protect them, but now there's nothing I can do… I can't save the life of my own child!" She began to weep as Kii-Kii hugged her reassuringly.
"You can't be that much older than me, how can you have two children?" Hitomi asked in confusion.
"I'm 23 years old today." Akai stated rather sadly.
"Then that means you were seventeen when you had Kii-Kii…" Hitomi looked rather shocked.
"Yes, I guess so. You're not from around here, so I guess you don't understand. Most girls are married off by the age of 15 or 16, you'll be considered an old maid soon, Lady."
Hitomi stood perfectly still as she was hurled into visions of a painful past.
** A small girl being torn from her mother's arms and being taken away.
"NO! NO! DON'T TAKE HER! PLEASE! MY BABY!"
"SILENCE WENCH!" The guard barked, beating the woman back.
"May the gods have mercy. Protect my child." The bloody mother that was barely more than a child whispered before she uttered one final breath.
"NO! MOMMY! NO! LET ME GO! MOMMY!" A younger version of Akai screamed in anguish, tears rolling down her cheeks, as her mother was no more. **
** "Akai. You are to report to Lord Folken's office within the hour. You are being drafted for the intensified luck soldier experiments." A sorcerer reported menacingly, sneering at the worthless little catgirl. She was just like the other wretched beings; her only purpose was to serve them. She didn't even turn his way to acknowledge she'd heard his command, continuing to scrub the stone floor.
"Ah. Still don't know your name, eh girl? Well, I'll teach you some manners!" He slapped her across the face, hurtling her into the wall; she still didn't look up.
"YOUR NAME IS AKAI. YOU'RE NOTHING MORE THAN A SLAVE AND THAT'S ALL YOU'LL EVER BE! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TOUGH! IT'S THE WAY THINGS ARE!" The sorcerer barked, when he still got no response, he then had a delicious idea of how to get her to obey.
"Or, if you're unwilling to cooperate, perhaps I can persuade you by burning what's left of your village down. I'll tell your people they're dying because of one little girl's stubbornness. Now wouldn't that be a pity?" He cackled seeing the flicker of fear on the girl's face. She would die without caring, but the ultimate dishonor to a beastperson was to be considered a traitor by their village. They'd do anything to uphold their honor, which some though quite noble, but this sorcerer like many others, just thought it stupid and used it to their advantage.
"My name is Princess Reu-Reu Nurei de Urufu. I am the daughter of Lord Kosetsu and Lady Oosaka. I am from the imperial capital of Alkazar, Arzas. That is who I am. You can starve me, beat me, you can deprive me of very life itself. But, No one, not even you, can ever take my name away from me. Or my pride." Akai spoke with dignity.
"Very well spoken, my young princess. But you see, you're in Zaibach now. I could take your very soul if I wished for it. Taking away your memory is but a trifle with our advanced technology." The sorcerer smirked.
"Jajuka." He whispered more than commanded.
A dogman entered the room and looked very sad when he eyed young Akai.
"Not another one, Milord…"
"Yes, another one, Jajuka, we'll try to overlook your failure with the last one. But I warn you Jajuka. Screw this one up and you're dragon food." The sorcerer glided away, leaving the little catgirl with the tall dogman.
"You've come to save me, haven't you!" Akai remarked hopefully.
"Father must have sent you, you're one of our allies, after all. These wretches will pay for capturing Alkazar's Princess. Won't they Jajuka?" She looked up at him and his eyes didn't look at all hopeful.
"My dear, sweet, princess… As always, I am your faithful servant, but I cannot help you on this one. I have been a slave to Zaibach since I was no bigger than you. I have been raised my entire life to serve Emperor Dornkirk and his sorcerers. I have seen sweet little children, like yourself, turned into monsters with Zaibach technology. I have seen most of them die and be thrown off the deck of the Vione as if they were nothing more than a piece of trash. They were just rejects, after all. I was born in Zaibach and I will die in Zaibach. They own my body, but they can never own my spirit, and its allegiance is with your parents. Long live the Emperor! Long live Alkazar!" Jajuka bowed to her.
"I can only be your friend, but you must not like me. Or I may have to kill you… Do you understand?" He looked at her pleadingly.
"Yes, Jajuka, truly you are a honorable man and will rise to great heights someday. I'm sure of it." She smiled at him as he took her hand and led her away. **
**Akai watched in horror as the blue serum was injected into a vein in her arm. The needle was sharp… Ooh how it stung as it pierced her flesh… She felt like she was dreaming, but she wasn't tired… Everything was fading away, nothing made sense… The room began to spin as everything slowly turned to white… All she knew was, through it all, Jajuka had held her hand…**
**Jajuka watched Akai stumble around the gardens on the sorcerer's ship in pity for the girl. She wandered around in her lavender skirt and blouse, her black cloak floating about her. She looked at a flower and picked it, staring at it.
"Why'd you erase her memory sir?" Jajuka asked the sorcerer standing beside him, observing their latest experiment.
"Jajuka, you know as well as I do why we did it. For science. To find out if it was possible to make a person forget their entire lifetime. We could use such a chemical in battle to confuse the enemy into forgetting who they're fighting and what for."
"But isn't it unethical to perform such experiments on an innocent child? Does it ever trouble your heart that every day we ruin the lives of hundreds of children who will never grow up to realize their dreams? That hundreds of children who are captured for Zaibach's research will never see their homes or families again and may not live to see the next sunrise? Sometimes, I can't sleep. Nightmares haunt me of all the children I've destroyed." Jajuka said solemnly, never taking his eyes of Akai.
"It is for the greater good of Gaea. Should we experiment on soldiers? On are own people? How about you Jajuka? We could hook you up to a machine and see how you work, inject you with chemicals, and find out if certain chemicals are toxic. Is that the kind of life you wish to lead? Nothing more than a lab rat? These children are paving the road to our glorious future… Don't think of it as killing them, think of it as giving them a greater purpose." The sorcerer replied emotionlessly.
"Do you really believe what you're saying?" Jajuka asked quietly, staring the sorcerer in the eyes.
"That we can justify our murders of children by saying it's for the good of all? When thousands of men, women, and children die each day in these bloody wars that haven't ceased since the dawn of man? I am surprised we can live with ourselves? I know I can't…" He stared at him straight in the eyes and the sorcerer knew this is what he truly believed.
"You weak, insolent, fool!" He slapped Jajuka across the face, knocking him to the hard pavement.
"Never talk back to your superior! Nor shall you look one in the eye!" He snapped.
"Believe what you wish, Jajuka. But I guarantee that your weakness will lead to your downfall!" The man hobbled away, cursing the dogman under his breath.
"So be it…" Jajuka muttered, continuing to watch the small girl, that he believed, had no future. **
** "GIRL!" Lord Dilandau summoned Akai who groaned before heading over to her red-eyed commander.
"You called, oh grand master?" Akai asked sarcastically, fingering her feather duster, she had been using a minute ago.
"Watch your tongue, girl. You're my girl, might I add. I should sentence that 'boyfriend' of yours, Hajimuru, to death for just looking at you. The sorcerers gave you to me, after all, and you prove to be the worst hired help I've yet to see. You're nothing more than a worthless slave." He smirked at her anger from his statement.
"First, I'm NOT just a little girl anymore Dilandau-sama! GET USED TO IT!"
"You still act like a sniveling little brat, so why should I treat you as anything better?"
"Secondly, Hajimuru is my best friend, not my boyfriend. Not like you'll ever be such. I loathe you, after all. If you kill him, I'll die as well. But you'd like that, wouldn't you? Ever since you came here you've despised me. I still remember when the sorcerers 'gave me' to you for your 5th birthday and you started clapping and shrieking, 'Look! I have a wench!' You were such a cute little kid, too bad you grew up to be such a jerk!" She tossed her lavender hair over the side of her shoulder with a humph.
"I'm hot and you know it! You're just jealous that you look like you got mauled by a dragon!" Dilandau commented, leaning back in his chair, his tiara sliding down to cover his eyes.
"Sure ya are Dilly…" She rolled her eyes.
"NEVER call me that, EVER again!" He leaped from his chair and grasped her neck, nearly choking her.
"Dilandau… Please don't…" She whispered, staring into his glassy crimson orbs that were filled with anger. (A/N: I added the crimson thing for you Washu-chan… Lol…)
Dilandau released her neck from his iron grasp and she sighed in relief, rubbing her nearly broken neck.
"You know what Dilandau… You may have the power of life or death over me, but I will NEVER be as worthless as you. You have no family, no friends, only your future to serve Emperor Dornkirk until you become inefficient and you are disposed of. That's what I call worthless." She walked over to the bay window and sat in a chair, staring out at the sun setting over the western mountains. The Mystic Moon glowed like a priceless azure in the sky, with its child forever beside it.
"My family's out there, somewhere, Dilandau. Sometimes, I can feel my mother hugging me and my father kissing me goodnight. I have dreams of my life before I was captured, before my enslavement when I was my own person. I see endless forests, clear blue water, and millions, just like me. I'm supposed to not remember anything. And I suppose technically, I don't. It's just emotions; it's impossible to forget them. I just have to find them, Dilandau."
Dilandau walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder and she could almost swear he was smiling. Lord Dilandau NEVER smiled.
"Do you really know that your family's out there?"
"It's not a sense of knowing, it's a sort of instinct. I can feel them."
"You don't seem to realize how lucky you are." He commented in a monotonous voice, staring out over the sea.
"If this is lucky, I don't want to see unlucky." Akai commented without much hope evident in her voice.
"You have a family out there somewhere… With a father, and a mother… Who love and miss you…"
"And you Dilandau?" She asked, returning her focus to him.
"I have no one."
"You'll always have me." She whispered, hugging the 10-year-old in sympathy.
"I know. I know." He replied, before drifting off to sleep. **
** "Hajimuru… No… Don't leave me… I love you Hajimuru…" Akai whispered over her friend's broken bloody body that lied in the road. He was in this condition because of who he was. A gang of drunken Asturians had attacked him on his way to Palas with a message for the king from Lord Folken. He hadn't done anything wrong. They had cursed him for being a catman and a soldier of Zaibach. Now he was dying, and the healers refused to help since he was just a worthless foot soldier, and a slave at that. Too worthless to waste medication on. Hajimuru wasn't worthless. He was a living breathing person, just like them, with thoughts, feelings, ideas, and a life of his own. And they were just going to let him suffer in tormenting pain until he died.
"Don't cry for me, Akai. Be strong. For me. OK? I hate to see you cry." He whispered softly, blood dripping from his mouth as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"Just remember, that I will… always… love you… No matter what anyone else says… No matter where I go… My heart will always be yours…" She stuttered between onslaughts of tears, hugging him tightly.
As his pulse became weaker and his skin became cool, he whispered one last sentiment.
"I… love… you…" Before his eyes shut for what he thought would be the final time.
"I will see you in heaven." He muttered before his heart ceased beating.
"HAJIMURA! NO!" She screamed in denial, as a man came to take his body away and Dilandau appeared, embracing her as she cried endlessly into the night. **
** A silent figure crept through the window. Akai's excellent hearing picked up a creak of the floorboards and she crept out of bed without a sign, sneaking up behind the intruder and pinning him to the ground.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
"And what are you doing in my room?"
"My name is Sakino. I am a soldier of Alkazar's Imperial Army. I have been sent to retrieve any beastpeople being held prisoner. And that means you doll-face." The catboy who looked about her age of seventeen. He had forest green hair and was covered in stripes with a long tail. He had deep green eyes that seemed to be looking through her. Her bright crimson eyes stared into his in amazement. Besides for Naria and Eriya, she hadn't seen a fellow catperson in years.
"C'mon girl, we have no time to waste. We'll be going now." He grabbed her hand and tried to lead her back through the window.
"Why should I go with you?" She asked him in annoyance at his bossiness, jerking back from his grasp.
"Because, if not, you'll die."
"What makes you say that?"
"Zaibach is disposing of all their experiments and slaves. They don't wish to be caught with them when the Alliance Troops come to rescue survivors. The war is over."
"The War of Dragons? It's finally over?" She asked in disbelief. She had never lived a day without fear that that day would be her last and that they'd be attacked at any given moment. The Crimson War had begun 50 years ago, when Zaibach's long-dead emperor had attacked Godasim and Scezario, burning both countries to the ground. Fanelia, Asturia, and Freid had come to their aid, forming an alliance against Zaibach. Nuclear weapons were being tested by Zaibach and one day; they blew Fanelia sky high, leaving Asturia and Freid to continue fighting the losing battle. Millions of citizens of opposing countries had been captured and taken as slaves
"Yes, Zaibach has lost. Come with me, you'll be safe in our homeland." He said softly.
"What's your name anyway?"
"Akai. My name is Akai."
"That's a human name. They took away your identity it seems. I'm surprised they didn't chop off your tail." He muttered.
"What's your given birth name, girl?"
"My name is Akai." She repeated.
"I don't want your slave name. What was your childhood name that you can be identified by? You know, the name you are given until you turn 15 and then you go on your spirit quest and earn yourself a full name. For example, my old name was Se-Se."
"I don't know. They erased my memory when I was captured. I only know the name the sorcerers gave me. I know nothing of my home or family."
"Poor girl." He said in pity.
"Come, it's late, are there any other beastpeople here?"
"Naria, Eriya, Jajuka… But I don't know if you could get them to leave. I can' leave either. What about my friends, my commander, my country?"
"I will be back tomorrow night. You have until then to make your decision. Between life and death. The choice is yours. I will return, my fair lady." He bowed before her, kissing her hand before escaping into the night. She sighed, he seemed like a nice boy. She couldn't leave Dilandau; he was her best friend since Hajimura died, and her leader besides that. She was willing to lay her life down on the line for him.
"Nighttime visitors, huh?" The silver-haired commander stepped from the shadows into the ray of moonlight seeping through the blinds.
"He was like me." She told him.
"Just like me."
"I hope you find true love, Akai. And all the happiness in the world." Dilandau whispered before going back to his room, a hurt look on his face
"Dilandau, wait! It's not what you think!" She told him, grabbing his arm. His eyes portrayed a look of despair and inner pain.
"Forget it." Dilandau muttered, pulling away and running down the halls of the Vione to his chambers, leaving Akai to puzzle her past on her own. **
** "Lord Folken is dead. Lord Dilandau is dead. The Dragonslayers are dead. Jajuka is dead. The Intensified Luck Soldiers are dead." A scout reported to what was left of Zaibach's slaves and soldiers. Akai was there, tears rolling down her cheeks. Dilandau was gone? How could it be? He was so full of life, so energetic, practically insane… Who had killed her commander? Whoever it was would pay! For Dilandau wasn't just her master, he was her very best friend. The word going around was that all slaves were to be killed tomorrow morning at dawn.
"So this is it? The final act?" She asked quietly.
"It would seem so…" An elderly woman whispered, tears welling in her lives.
"When I was born I was taken from my home on Zaibach's borders to become a slave of the empire because of my family's debts. I'm now well past sixty. I have served them faithfully and cared for most of their officials and soldiers when they were just children themselves. I was born in Zaibach and I will die in Zaibach, there is no question of that. If the end of the line has come, then I fully welcome it. I am old and have seen more than I ever wished to. But you, child, you're young and strong. You have such potential, such promise... You don't deserve to die like this. No one deserves to die like this." She hobbled away, a look of sadness etched across her wrinkled face.
"She's right. No one deserves to die like this. Not even a 'worthless' slave like me." She whispered.
'Please Sakino, save me. You're my last hope…'
That night, there was a banging on the window in the tenement the remaining slaves were being stationed in. Akai arose, still in her lace-trimmed cotton nightgown. She drew the blinds as a rock pinged against the glass. She opened the window and a rock hit her in the head.
"HEY! YOU JERK! THAT HURT!" She screamed in rage at who she knew to be Sakino down below.
"Sorry Babe, noting my last entrance, I thought breaking your window would be better than being nearly strangled." He smirked at her and she knew he had a point.
"Well, what do you want?!" She screamed down.
"Ouch, watch the ears! Mine are just as sensitive as yours!" He rubbed them to emphasize his point and Akai grinned apologetically.
"Sorry about that, well anyways, why are you here, Sakino?"
"I'm here to play your knight in shining armor and save you from the evil dragon!"
"There are no dragons in Zaibach!" She called down.
"Not THOSE kind of dragons, baka!"
"WHO are YOU to be calling ME stupid?!" She hissed at him.
"I meant the guys who are going to kill you come dawn. Which is…" He checked his watch.
"1 hour away…"
"Oh wow, it's morning already?" She looked surprised, and then noticed her clock was 4 hours off.
'It figures…'
"WELL MAKE WITH THE RESCUING OH 'HANDSOME' PRINCE!" She screeched down at him.
"SHUT UP ONNA! YOU'LL WAKE THE DEAD!" He yelled back, looking at her in annoyance.
"I'M NOT WOMAN! I HAVE A NAME! AND MY NAME IS AKAI!"
"DO YOU WANT TO BE RESCUED OR NOT?!" He was getting a little impatient by now.
"Well if you're gonna be rude about it, then maybe I'll just die! At least then I won't have to see your ugly face!" That was a lie, he was really quite handsome with those emerald eyes and deep green locks. Augh, no, what was she thinking, this jerk was openly insulting her, she shouldn't be thinking how cute he was… She was suddenly pulled backwards as she tried to walk away.
"As much as you annoy me milady, I can't just let you die. I might get in trouble." The boy grinned at her and she growled.
"Let go of me right now or I'll scream and we'll just see who'll die tonight…" She whispered, her eyes gleaming with rage.
"Jeez! I'm just trying to help you for crying out loud!" He defended himself.
"C'mon, I don't want you to die, is that SO horrible?"
"I guess not… But at least let me get my things alright?"
"No time!" He tried to pull her towards the window, but she resisted, landing a good kick in the face.
"I'm getting my things." She told him, walking across the room and leaving him bruised on the floor.
"Women…" He muttered in disgust, rubbing his aching face.
Akai searched the room for any items she might find worth bringing. She found nothing she felt like bringing along except her locket. It probably had pictures of her family in it, but the clasp was jammed shut making it impossible to open. She kept it, reminding her that someday she'd find her family, no matter how long it took.
"Let's go!" She said, grabbing the necklace while pulling a black cloak over her head and jumping out the window.
"You idiot! There's no rope!" Sakino cursed.
She landed perfectly, without a scratch.
"I guess it's true that cats always land on their feet, isn't it?" She smirked, glancing up at him triumphantly.
"I guess so." He was quite surprised she hadn't been killed.
'You're just a lucky girl, I guess.' He climbed down the drainpipe before reaching her impatiently tapping her foot on the ground.
"Let's get going!" She hissed to him, dashing off into the night, her cape swishing in the evening breeze. **
** "Akai, will you marry me?" Sakino was down on one knee in the middle of the forest. Akai had lived in Alkazar for a few days, and already he knew she was his soulmate. He had invited her on a picnic that afternoon and this proposal was an unexpected one.
"Sakino, I don't know… I just met you…" Akai was uncertain.
"Akai. At first I thought you were just some lowly slave, unworthy of our people, but then I got to know you. And now, when you're not around, I find myself looking for you…"
"Please… I love you, Akai… Please be mine…"
"Sakino… You're the only one who's shown true kindness to me since Lord Dilandau died. I guess I could stand spending the rest of my life with you, if you can stand me."
"If I couldn't stand you, why would I be proposing to you?"
"I don't know. But I'll marry you, Sakino. Just promise me something… Promise you'll never leave me…"
"I won't. Why would I?"
"I don't know. But all I know is this is the happiest day of my life…" She whispered, kissing him passionately.
'Maybe things will finally get better…' **
** "General Akai, I regret to inform you that your husband, General Sakino, is dead. He died a warrior's death in battle against the enemy. You should be proud of him, he was a great man, a great soldier, and an even greater friend." The scout stood at attention and he had tears in his eyes as he spoke quietly, trying to remain in control of his emotions.
"Thank you soldier. Return to your regiment. Dismissed." She fought back tears.
'Oh Sakino… You promised… You promised me you'd never leave me… You lied… How could you?' She broke down on the ground, sobbing into the newly green grass.
"Why? Why does everyone I care about die? Hajimuru… Dilandau… Naria… Eriya… Sakino… They're all gone… And now, of all times, he's gone. What will become of our baby that has no father Sakino? My dear, sweet children will never see you again. Kii-Kii, your father loved you." She cuddled the sleeping toddler in her arms, hugging her daughter tightly.
The kitten stirred, opening her eyes slowly and looking up at her holder. It was Mommy.
"Mommy, where's Daddy? He promised me he'd come home soon! Where is he?" The small Kii-Kii let out a yawn, looking into her mother's lavender eyes in curiosity.
"Daddy isn't coming home. Your Daddy cared about you so much, he died to keep you safe." Akai whispered, her eyes tearing at the sad reality of her fatherless child.
"Why Mommy?"
"It's called love, dear. It's called love." She whispered, as the grief- stricken family comforted each other in the only way they knew how.
"My Daddy loved me. Yes he did." Kii-Kii whispered before falling asleep again.
"He loved me too, darling. He loved me too." Akai looked into the starry sky above, thinking only of what the future held and the child she and her late-husband had been expecting. **
** "Mommy! Mommy!" Four-year-old Kii-Kii ran through the door of her family's modest hut.
"Kii-Kii, dear, what's wrong?" Akai looked up from knitting a baby shirt to see her daughter in tears.
"I don't have a Daddy!" The small girl whimpered.
"Kii-Kii, you do have a daddy, he just can't be with us, that's all."
"That's not good enough. I want a daddy who will help me fly kites and give me rides on his horse. And take me fishing. And read me a bedtime story and tuck me in at night! Everybody else has a daddy to do all those things with and I don't. Why Mommy? It's just not fair. Mari-Mari has a daddy, Riu-Riu has a daddy, even Vie-Vie has a daddy! So how come I don't? I don't understand…"
"Kii-Kii, now what would your dad say if he knew you didn't care about him since he's dead? He died to protect you. That's more precious than anything Mari-Mari or Vie-Vie's dads ever do or ever will do. He loved you Kii-Kii, I think that should be what matters." Akai went back to her knitting, disgraced at her daughter's disrespect for her dead husband. She understood how hard it was having only one parent, but it wasn't easy having no husband either. If Kii-Kii wanted to succeed in life, she'd have to toughen up. Like she had.
The little girl had a hurt expression from her mother's scolding as she prepared to rejoin her friends.
"I love you Mommy." She whispered before darting back outside.
"I love you too, Kii-Kii. I love you too." **
** "Wow Mommy, she's so tiny!" Kii-Kii gazed in wonder at her newborn baby sister.
"Yeah, she sure is. She's a squirt, just like you were." Akai grinned at her daughter, holding her new baby in her arms.
"What's her name, Mother?"
"Her name is Sa-Sa."
"That's a pretty name. What'll be her name when she's old?" The child asked in curiosity, knowing when she turned fifteen her name would change from childish Kii-Kii to Akirame, a much more grown-up name. Unknown to Kii-Kii, her adult name meant 'consolation.' Since she was the only thing that kept Akai from ending it all.
"Saki."
"That's a nice name. What's it mean Mother?"
"It means, 'end.'" Akai whispered. This was the finale of her relationship with Sakino. She'd finally have to move on.
'Goodbye Sakino. I'll always love you.' **
** "And with this sword, I dub thee, Lady Akai, General of the Border Guard." Aging Lord Kosetsu gave Akai her new position. She'd waited so long; she'd worked so hard. She'd gone from rank to rank, starting as a lowly foot soldier and now she held the highest position in Alkazar's military. She was to keep the humans out with a glorious army at her disposal. This was what she'd always dreamed of, and now it was finally in her grasp. As Kii-Kii held Sa-Sa, on the sidelines amongst the cheering crowd and Akai, General Akai, was handed the ancient general's sword that had been passed down for over a hundred generations, she truly felt that he life was turning around. **
** There had been whispers of a great plague sweeping the lands. It affected no pure blood human, but the people of Alkazar were not of pure blood descent. Most of Arzas's families had been struck by it, no one was safe. There was no medication to prevent it, and no cure. All you could do was pray to almighty Ragu that your family would be spared. Thousands had died and thousands were at death's door. On the doors of those who had a loved one fighting their demise, an image of Ragu, the god of beasts that they trusted with their very souls.
It was said that on one of Dicha's journeys, he had come across Ragu, a deformed beast who was a crossbreed of a wolf and tiger. This was before Dicha became a god, when he was just a normal man wandering Gaea, trying to guide its people towards a greater good. Ragu challenged Dicha to fight him to the death to prove his strength since he had nothing left to live for. The two fought and Dicha was easily defeated. He was ready to die, but Ragu spared him. He said that it was not for him to decide who was to live and die that day. Hurio, the only god of the day saw his act of mercy and gave him the gift of immortality, since it was a rare thing to see something like that from a beast such as Ragu. He later proved himself to have great worth and changed the lives of many and saved many lives by persuading his fellow beasts not to kill a wary traveler for the thrill of it as was the custom. Dicha had long since become a god for his life as a prophet and his overall goodness and when Ragu was to die, he remembered him and what he'd done. He made Ragu a god over all creatures of Gaea. No matter how big or small, and that's how it has been ever since.
The temples were filled with weeping mothers, widows, and orphaned children, begging Ragu for guidance for their troubled hearts. The main temple of Negaigoto overflowed with beasts of all sorts inflicted by the disease. Akai went there every day with Kii-Kii and Sa-Sa, making it a part of their every-day routine, begging for them to be spared by leaving offering on Ragu's alter. The ruby eyes of the marble statue decorated in emeralds and azures seemed to look right through the family as they knelt before him.
Alas, it was not to help them. It took a while, but eventually, young Sa-Sa starting acting up. She coughed and sputtered and her head was hot to the touch. What little could be forced down her throat was immediately hacked back up. She didn't want to play and when she tried to walk as she was learning at the time, she promptly fell backwards on her head. She became pale and her small amount of hair fell out. Akai took her to the healer, and he diagnosed it as the plague and told her there was nothing to be done and to keep her comfortable in her final days. **
Hitomi shook her head as the vision ended. It hurt so much, it took so long, but it had been most of Akai's life so she supposed it should take a while.
'She doesn't know that Lord Kosetsu is her own father. She's the heir to the throne of Arzas!' Hitomi thought excitedly.
"I understand." She whispered, hugging the hostile catwoman.
"What?" Akai asked in curiosity, thinking the seeress had finally lost what little sense she had to begin with.
"Why you're how you are. It was horrible for you, wasn't it? The war, being separated from your family to be Zaibach's slave, Sakino's death and now Sa- Sa is going to die too. My dear lady, your life had been unbearable. I am so very sorry you have suffered so much."
"But how?" Akai looked on in wonder.
'Maybe there's more to Lady Hitomi than I originally thought.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Van wandered the streets of Alkazar's capital.
'Darn. Why does she play with my emotions like this? If she loves me then why can't she be content to stay with me and forget about the blasted Mystic Moon?!'
Because it's her home. You tore her away from her home; Van Fanel and you're still not satisfied.
'Shut up!' Van hated it when his conscious plagued him.
You love her, don't you, Van Fanel? Then why can't you accept the way she is? Are you enough of a reason to keep her here?
'She's my fiancée, I think she loves me!'
But are you worthy of her love, Van Fanel?
'How should I know?'
You will figure it out…
"LORD VAN!" A voice called out from the bustling Village Square.
"Is that…?" Van wondered aloud, looking to see that his theory was correct.
"RHUM!" Van ran over to where the wolfman was standing.
"Milord, what brings you to my humble little village?" Rhum asked in curiosity.
"Well, I brought…" He was about to say Hitomi, but knew Rhum would plague him about it.
"… A friend with me to escape my council. I can't stand them!"
"You can't fool me Lord Van! You brought Lady Hitomi, didn't you? I knew you couldn't let her go. That one's a keeper. I could tell you liked her, it's pretty obvious, you know. So where is the little lady? Has she seen Fanelia yet? Have you popped the question?"
"Honestly Rhum… You're worse than Merle…" Van commented in amusement.
"Beg pardon milord… I can't help it… If interests me so…"
"You need to get some new hobbies my friend." Van said.
"You haven't answered any of my questions yet!" Rhum whined.
"Yes, I did bring Hitomi. She is off somewhere I care not to know of. Yes, she has seen Fanelia and yes, I did pop the question and we're engaged. But at the rate things are going, the gods only know how long…"
"What do you mean by that? Besides your constant bickering the two of you seemed to get along quite well."
"She wants to go home Rhum, and who could blame her? I mean, what can I offer her, a burned up castle and a bunch of trees. Who would wish to make Fanelia their home now?"
"Obviously a lot of people or there wouldn't be so many people rebuilding." Rhum commented.
"Lord, you couldn't have done anything. It wasn't your fault."
"I feel responsible, and now I'm running away from my problems with a woman who doesn't love me."
"Lord Van, I've known you since you were no higher than my knee. I've seen you grow up from an annoying little prince to an honorable young ruler of a country that loves you. I also know that that girl loves you. She returned didn't she? She hasn't seen her homeland for quite some time, cut her some slack! How would you feel if you were to leave Fanelia forever? You have to try to see things through her eyes…"
"You do have a point Rhum… Maybe I haven't been very understanding…"
"Talk to her Lord Van… I'm sure if you tell her how you feel; you both will feel better… Oh yes, you and Lady Hitomi may rest in my home during your stay here. I won't be leaving to cargo things to Fanelia for another week… Alkazar is a beautiful little country, I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here."
"Thank you Rhum. I really do appreciate it. We are strangers in a strange land."
"You show me and my men such hospitality during our merchant ventures in Fanelia, it's the least I can do. Besides, I think that you and Lady Hitomi make a cute couple." The wolfman grinned, causing Van to blush.
Van walked off, as blossoms from Lord Kosetsu's tree rained around him.
"They are pretty." He whispered, catching one in his hand.
* Flashback *
i"They approached an enormous tree, that seemed to reach to the very heavens themselves. Pink, silken, petals floated downward, and Hitomi reached out to catch one in her hand.
"It's a cherry blossom." Hitomi whispered in amazement.
"Just like at home." A tear crept down her cheek.
"Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, wondering why she was so upset over a flower.
"There was a cherry tree growing in my backyard, and every spring, the blossoms would swirl in the breeze. Yukari said it was truly spring when the cherry blossoms bloomed. I miss my home so much." The catwoman holding her dropped her and she fell to her knees, her tears soaking the ground./i
* End Flashback *
Hitomi suddenly wandered into his field of vision. He ran over to her and noticed the little girl in her arms.
"HITOMI! I've been looking for you!"
"Yes Van. We need to talk."
"Hitomi, I'm sorry… I wasn't very understanding and I've come to apologize…"
"There's no time for that now…"
"This is Sa-Sa… She's going to die Van… Unless I help her…"
"Where'd you find her?"
"She's Akai's youngest daughter…"
"No way! That witch has children?!"
"This entire race may die out if we don't do something… That's why I've made my decision…"
"What decision?"
"I'm traveling to Zaibach… They're the only ones I can think of who can find the cure. Otherwise, the plague will just continue to spread and eventually they'll all die… I've seen their demise in a vision… Oh Van… It was so horrible… All the planet's water turned into blood, locusts ate all the crops, all the forests burned down… The dragons wept…"
"Hitomi… I agree that this is a sticky situation, but do you realize how dangerous it is to go to that country?! Even with its collapse, there are still thousands of people there who are determined to eliminate the seeress and the dragon who ruined their way of life. Not to mention many of their sorcerers are alive and well… It's like walking into a death trap…"
"That's what you're for… You'll protect me, right?"
"What else could I do? I promise to protect you on my honor…" He bowed before her.
"Lady Akai, Sa-Sa, and her other daughter, Kii-Kii, will be accompanying us. I promised Akai I'd save her daughter. We leave at dawn…"
"Do we have to bring them? Two brats and a demoness?"
"Don't talk about them like that! If you don't want to help me then I'll go by myself! And if I die it'll be all your fault!"
"Alright… Alright… Dawn then… Oh yeah, and Hitomi…" He was about to walk away when he looked back over his shoulder.
"Huh?" What was he going to say?
"I still love you even if you hate me…" He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before dashing off.
"Meet you in the Village Square! Be ready!"
Hitomi touched her cheek where he kissed her.
"Oh Van… I still love you… Nothing you do could ever change that…" But he was out of earshot and could not hear her confession of eternal devotion.
A/N: Wow! I started writing this 3 weeks ago! ^_^; The chap's done FINALLY! What a relief! I hope you guys like it! Tell me what ya think, I need at least 42 reviews total before I'll update, but it may take longer because of my billion other fics… I tried doing one section using html, I do not know if it will work… I'm thinking of writing an AU where Hitomi is an assassin out to kill Van for Zaibach… What do you guys think of the idea? I've written a couple chapters for it… I'll wait until I finish a few other fics though! Thanks for reading and (hopefully) reviewing! I really appreciate it! Ja matta ne tomadachi! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~