Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. I never will. But I do own my cute little Daren and all my catgirls and Akai and the twins and Van's long lost sister and Van's nephew and a bijillion other made up characters! BANDAI AND SUNRISE CAN NEVER TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME!!! * Grabs characters and runs away *
A/N: It's been awhile… Waz up y'all? I hope you like this chapter! I've decided that this fic will be between 10-15 chapters long at the most, I don't think I can wrap it up in 10… We'll just have to wait and see… IT WILL BE FINISHED THIS SUMMER!!! Read and Review! Arigatou!
Chapter 8: An Arrival and A Departure
Hitomi stood there silently, holding the squirming Sa-Sa and staring off into space.
"Why can't I make him understand?"
"LADY HITOMI!!!" The small girl squealed as her face became a light tint of blue.
"Ah!" Hitomi looked in surprise to notice she had a death hold on the poor girl and released her.
"Arigatou…" Sa-Sa muttered, rubbing her neck.
"Oh, you poor thing, let's get you back home…" Hitomi scooped her up and took her over to where Akai and Kii-Kii were waiting.
"When are we leaving, Lady Hitomi?! WHEN?! WHEN?! WHEN?!" Kii-Kii shrieked in excitement. Akai clamped a hand over her daughter's big mouth.
"Excuse her, she's never seen anything outside out of the capital gates." Akai said quietly.
"So, I assume that everything's in order?"
"Yes, as you might have already guessed, Van is rather annoyed at the prospect of traveling to Zaibach, but I told him that if I died because he wasn't there, he'd have to live with the guilt until the day he died. That got him."
"He must really care about you."
"I guess, but he's been so confusing since we arrived, I hardly know what to think of him… True, I miss Japan and all, but I gave it up to stay with him. I hope we can stay engaged long enough to get married…"
At first, Akai said nothing, then she was about to reply when a catman with bright green hair ran over.
"Akai… Where are you going?" He asked the flustered catwoman, while the man didn't seem to notice Hitomi was there.
"Hitomi… I'd like you to meet Keigo, my bodyguard…" She muttered in an embarrassed tone.
"Wow, You're the last person around here I'd think to have a GUARD…" Hitomi muttered in confusion.
"It's all Sakino's fault. Keigo was his best friend and he made him promise to marry me if anything happened to him. The marriage thing never worked out, so he INSISTS on spending every waking moment making sure I haven't stopped breathing…" Akai looked somewhat annoyed and Hitomi wondered if she had other reasons besides Sa-Sa's rapidly decreasing health for leaving at dawn.
"Oh Akai-sama, I was so worried… Then I heard you were going on a journey from some strange raven-haired boy… I believe he referred to you as a 'demoness' if I understood correctly…"
"That's wonderful, Keigo, well, we better all get to bed, we have a BIG day tomorrow!" Akai attempted to escape her annoying protector.
"Yes. I'll need a good night's sleep if I'm to guard you!" He smiled.
"W-What do you mean?" She asked in horror.
"Well, I'm coming with you of course, you silly girl! Honestly, Akai, you need to wear a hat when you're in the sun. The rays are getting to you! Well, I'll see you guys in the morning! Later!" He dashed off towards the other side of the camp, leaving Akai staring after him; her jaw dropped in horror.
"The gods hate me…" Akai muttered, hitting her forehead with her palm in frustration.
(A/N: Déjà vu for any "Folkie's Birthday" readers?)
"Ah… C'mon… He's a little dense, but he seems nice enough!" Hitomi tried to point out his good qualities.
"HE IS THE MOST ANNOYING MAN ON THE PLANET! HE NEVER GIVES ME A MOMENT'S PEACE?!" Akai shrieked.
"Mommy… You're hurting my ears…" Kii-Kii said, covering her ears with her hands to emphasize her point.
"Sorry, dear." She kissed her daughter on the top of the head, before returning to her state of dread.
"I think SOMEBODY has a crush on Akai…" Hitomi said in a singsong voice.
"HE CANNOT LIKE ME!" Akai shrieked.
"Oh I dunno… He seemed awful worried about you… It's SO romantic!" The emerald-eyed girl gushed.
"Hitomi Kanzaki… If you say ONE MORE WORD, I will see that you never make it to Zaibach…" Akai hissed. Hitomi said nothing, but nodded, winking and Akai sighed in defeat.
"You may stay in my home tonight. I hope there's enough room." She led Kii-Kii and Hitomi carrying Sa-Sa back to the hut.
Hitomi sat on her pallet on the floor, staring out the window. The sky was filled with stars. She watched them intently, then shuddered as one fell.
"Someone will die." She said automatically, remembering a myth of her youth.
"Nonsense. I don't believe in that stuff anymore." She wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed at the two moons in the sky.
"Amano… Yukari… Mom… I miss you… Don't forget about me… I'll return… I promise…" She whispered. She yawned before drifting off to sleep with only her memories to comfort her.
I promise…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, when the birds first began to twitter and the sun began to rise over the western mountains. Akai grabbed a carpetbag with a few of her worldly possessions and Hitomi had her duffelbag, some way or another, we may never know how.
Van said a sad farewell to Rhum, inviting him to visit Fanelia whenever he saw fit and prepared to leave.
"Now just hold on a second, your majesty. You think I'm just going to let you go off and have the time of your life with your unfit fiancée and a bunch of catgirls and elude all your work in Fanelia?" Van looked at him in slight annoyance. Who's side was he on?
"Not without ME you aren't! I'm not gonna let YOU have all the glory and leave poor ol' Rhum here to rot! You're going to Zaibach your majesty, but you're taking your good friend, Rhum, with you!"
"Now hold on a second Rhum, I didn't even let Merle come…" Van protested, knowing how annoyed his best friend would be if she found out he'd chosen a wolfman to come along with him over her.
"I'll go get my horse." Rhum said, dashing off.
"How do I get myself into these situations?" Van pondered aloud, kicking at the dirt with his boot.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi and Akai were walking towards Van and Rhum when a red-haired catwoman ran shrieking from her hut at Akai and leaped on her.
"GET OFF SHITASHII!" Akai shrieked, pushing the girl who had to be a couple years younger than her off.
"Gomen Akai-san." The girl muttered apologetically.
"Honestly Shitashii, you're like a little kitten…" Akai chided, dusting herself off.
"I'm sorry Akai, but I heard you were leaving for Zaibach…"
"So?" Akai was quite annoyed, first Keigo, and now Shitashii…
"I'm your BEST FRIEND AKAI! HOW CAN YOU JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING 'GOODBYE'?!" She hissed, her tail bristling in anger.
"For crying out loud… What is with you guys lately?" She wondered aloud.
"I'll ignore that… Anyways… I'm coming with you! I already packed my bag and Keigo said I could!" She beamed at her best friend that looked ready to commit suicide.
"But Shitashii… We'll be on the road for weeks and we're going to Zaibach! You'll be killed!" She tried to reason with the crimson-haired girl.
"I'm sorry Akai, but my mind is made up. And I won't let you hog Keigo to yourself for a whole month! Honestly! Gimme a break!" She grabbed her bag and meowed, running over to Kii-Kii and Sa-Sa who looked at her happily, knowing they had another traveling companion.
"This is just getting worse and worse…" Akai murmured, sweatdropping.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Before the party left, one person from the group must seek the aid of Bokusha, the village fortuneteller. Hitomi insisted this was extremely stupid since she herself told fortunes, but it was a tradition that Akai insisted they follow, after she was given leave of duty for this mission from Lord Kosetsu. It was said that Hitomi should be the one to go through with it, which she reluctantly agreed to. She stepped into the silk tent that housed the famous seeress.
Who knows…? Maybe I'll learn SOMETHING useful… Hitomi sighed in annoyance; this was such a waste of time.
"Now, Now, Dear, that isn't very polite… You mustn't insult me so…" An elderly catwoman clothed in the same color silk at the tent rasped.
Can she read my mind? Hitomi looked at the old woman in wonder.
"Yes dear, I CAN read your mind, let's get down to business, I have an appointment with some plague stricken farmer after you…" The catwoman pointed at the sundial outside and Hitomi got the gesture and quickly sat down.
"You're worried. You're going into enemy territory in more ways than one. You're going to Zaibach, where you are despised, and you are disobeying your future husband's wishes, another dangerous move. You don't know what to expect, but you hope everything turns out alright and the Fanelian Council will accept your marriage."
"How did you…?" Hitomi was in shock. Sure, she knew she could do this sort of thing. But she wasn't nearly so accurate and she needed her cards to find this sort of thing out. She had a hunch that this old hag was just some fraud that the people worshipped because she made reasonable assumptions that were usually correct. For the first time in her life, Hitomi's hunch had been wrong.
This is creepy…
"What is so creepy, Lady Hitomi? You do the very same thing all the time. And you wonder why your friends call you creepy… HA!"
"No insults please." Hitomi was rather annoyed.
"Right, Right, whatever…" The catwoman muttered, gazing into her crystal ball.
"I see… Oh… Ouch… That had to hurt… Oi!" She clucked her tongue and shook her head sadly.
"I see happiness for some and death for others. This is not a crackerjack fortune, milady."
"Sa-Sa is going to die before we can help her, isn't she?" Hitomi asked sadly.
"Ah Ah Ah, Lady Hitomi… Don't make wagers on fate, it always surprises you…" Bokusha whispered.
"Would you like me to tell a personal fortune? For you Lady?"
"Sure, why not?" Hitomi said uneasily.
The woman gazed into the crystal ball once more, and she flinched.
"The one who loves you will kill you…" She whispered gravely and Hitomi gave her a look of disbelief.
Hitomi felt sick as she scrambled out of the tent, her hands over her mouth.
No… It can't be… Why would Van? Kill me?
** "The one who loves you will kill you…" **
It's a lie… Van would never hurt me… He loves me…
Having decided on that, Hitomi walked over to the group with their unpromising fortune. All Van could do was wonder why Hitomi gave him terrified glances from behind him on their horse whenever he smiled at her as the journey began a shaky start.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dilandau eyed the girl next to him with curiosity.
Why did she release me…? I'm a demon of hell set upon this world by madmen to destroy it… I kept her trapped within my mind for 10 long years… So why is she letting me wander about freely? I don't understand…
"Selena… Why did you set me free?"
Selena looked up in surprise, not expecting such a question.
"Because… You're a person just like everyone else… It doesn't matter how bad you are… You're still a person and you still deserve to be free…"
"If I was able to, I would have killed you without a second thought. You know that, don't you?" He asked her bluntly.
"Yes, I know you would have. Dilandau, you forget, I know you. You're me." She stated without emotion.
"Your every thought, desire, and craze… I know them all… I was trapped within you for a decade Dilandau. I know you better than anyone ever has or ever will."
"I forget that." He whispered regretfully.
They walked for hours in silence, both reflecting and wondering what would happen in the time to come. They climbed over a hill and on the other side stood a city.
"It's Zarom." Dilandau whispered in disbelief.
"The training academy, it's right here in this very city…"
"It's good to be back, isn't it, Dilandau?" Selena asked him, smiling at the joy eminent in his expression.
Through an unspoken agreement, they raced down through the iron gates and into the city. They halted when they were within. The once proud city was now a wasteland. Buildings had toppled over and those that were left could hardly be called buildings. Mud huts were everywhere and Dilandau noticed in disgust that there were shanties built with only a couple of boards and some newspaper for a roof. If Dornkirk were alive, he would be crushed. This was not a city of tomorrow. This was a city of days long past. What had happened here was obvious. The men of this city had been drafted for the war; they had died, thus not returning. Their widows and children couldn't make enough to support themselves and therefore had been evicted by their landlords. Those families who hadn't had their men taken away had no doubt been taxed to poverty to pay for the war and were in the same boat. The city he had lived in for years when he was training to become a Dragon Slayer was in ruins. Selena's blue eyes were filled with shock as well. He often forgot that she too had once seen this great city and was now forced to see it turned to rubble. She reached out and held his hand and he didn't pull away.
They walked through the garbage filled streets and came upon a store. Someone inside was screaming.
"YOU FILTHY CREATURE! GET OUT OF MY SHOP! POLICE! POLICE! I'M BEING ROBBED! SOMEONE, HELP ME!" A fat shopkeeper in distress called for assistance.
A small boy darted from the store with a small bag in hand, grinning as though he'd just been promoted to captain from private as the shopkeeper shrieked. Dilandau caught the boy by the collar with ease as the child screamed in protest. The shopkeeper waddled out and noticed that the criminal had been caught.
"My good lad. You have caught the little waif who had pillaged this town to pieces in the last week. Our entire community thanks you. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. I'll deal with this one."
He reached out to grab the boy and Dilandau was about to turn him over when Selena put a restraining hand on his shoulder. He wondered what was wrong with the girl, when he caught a glimpse of the criminal's eyes. The boy was scrawny; obviously he hadn't eaten well in years and had dark brown hair. But it was his eyes. The blue orbs were filled with fear and sorrow. Those eyes pained him as they obviously pained Selena. They were so familiar…
** Please… Don't leave me alone… **
"You can do me a favor…" Dilandau muttered.
"Yes, what is it? Anything for our hero!" The merchant asked eagerly.
"Take this and forget about the whole thing…" He handed the man 15 Gidaru and the merchant's eyes widened, but he said nothing and returned to his store.
"LET ME GO!" The boy shrieked in anger.
"LET ME GO YOU JERK!" He kicked Dilandau in the gut and the general fell to his knees, grasping his stomach, but still he had a tight hold on the boy.
"You have no right to talk to your rescuer that way…" Dilandau mumbled, pain shooting through his abdomen.
"I've been in worse scrapes than that! I would've gotten away if you hadn't've caught me in the first place!" The boy retorted indignantly.
"Oh really?" Dilandau asked in interest.
"He didn't need to make such a fuss about it… It was only a loaf of bread… He has enough to feed the whole town if he wanted too… Not like he ever will, the big jerk…" The coffee-haired boy commented.
"Tell me boy, what is your name?" Dilandau asked in sudden interest.
"It's Rafael. Rafael Lavalier." The boy said.
"L-Lavalier?" Dilandau whispered in awe, his crimson eyes widening.
"I didn't stutter, now did I?" Rafael said rudely.
"My brother, Migel, is a Dragon Slayer and I'll send him after you if you don't put me down right now!"
"M-Migel…?" Dilandau whispered the name he hadn't used since his Dragon Slayer's untimely end.
"Yes, that's right, Migel! Have you heard of him?" The boy asked smugly.
"My brother is the greatest fighter in the entire city!
"He's out there fighting in The Destiny War so Zaibach can rule all of Gaea!" Rafael smiled proudly.
"The Destiny War?" Dilandau asked in concern, knowing that the war had ended and Zaibach had lost.
"Have you been living in a cave? The Destiny War! The war Zaibach began so they could create perfect lives for all the people of Gaea?" Rafael seemed shocked at Dilandau's "stupidity."
"I have not been living in a cave. I am General Dilandau Albatou. Commander of the most elite forces in Zaibach. The Ryuugekitai. And the way you're speaking to me is disrespectful for your station." Dilandau was getting sick of this boy's ignorance. Selena gave him a look that said, 'Why did you tell him?' and he instantly regretted his introduction.
"G-General A-Albatou?" Rafael's eyes widened in wonder and admiration.
"It's really you, oh General, you've returned!" He was so excited he began to bounce up and down.
"EVERYONE! IT'S GENERAL ALBATOU! HE'S COME HOME! EVERYBODY GET OUT HERE QUICK!"
The villagers came running from their homes and formed a circle around the general, the girl, and the thief.
"My god! It's really him!"
"I remember watching when he left for the capital!"
"Do you remember the grand parade they had in his honor?"
"Where is my boy Chesta? He has a lot of work to do around here when he gets back!"
"Lord, how'd you get that scar? Was it in battle?"
"How is the fighting going General? Has Zaibach won yet?"
"Are the Ryuugekitai coming home soon? I miss Dalet. We're to be married next month you know."
"May I hold your sword General?"
"Is that girl your wife Lord?"
"General Dilandau, is Gatty coming home soon? Our daughter needs her father. And I need my husband…"
"What is it like to be in the army General Dilandau? How many people have you killed?"
"Does Lord Folken really have a metal arm?" The questions and comments went on and on.
"Hey everyone, leave him alone, he and the lady have had a long journey all the way from Asturia and no doubt are very tired. Let them rest and leave your questions for the morning." Rafael insisted, herding the two guests away.
"I'm sorry, they're just excited. You're a hero here you know, Lord. I remember, I was eight when there was that big parade for your journey to the capital. Father lifted me up on his shoulders and I could see you and Migel and the others. The two of you can stay with me tonight." He led them down a dark alleyway and to a bunch of garbage cans and crates. They were empty and filled with straw.
"This is where me and the boys sleep. It ain't the palace, but it's better than what some people have."
"Rafael, where are your parents?" Selena asked in concern for the 10-year-old's welfare.
"Oh…" The boy had a pained expression.
"My mom died when I was born. My dad was killed a month or two after Migel left. I don't have any relatives. Migel's the only family I have."
"Who takes care of you?" Dilandau was a bit worried about him at this point. He reminded him so much of Migel. Not only the looks, but the attitude.
"I take care of myself. I steal what I need and I live with the boys here. I go to the church donation box for clothes. I do alright." Rafael's skinniness would suggest otherwise, but the travelers didn't say anything, knowing the boy probably hadn't had a decent meal in years.
"The whole town is in ruins. Fresh money hasn't entered since the war began. I used to do all right. Up until a few months ago, Migel would send me half of his paycheck to live on."
"Did he ever write you?" Selena asked in sadness, knowing that money didn't always buy happiness.
"Well… Yeah he did… But you see… I don't how to read so…" Rafael rubbed his toe in the dirt.
"You don't know how to read?" Selena was rather appalled.
"Nope. We never had the money to pay for the tuition." Rafael seemed embarrassed and who could blame him.
"You know, Dilandau and I are orphans too." Selena said comfortingly.
"Well, I guess I'm not alone." Rafael commented.
"I guess not." Selena said soothingly, giving the boy a hug. He squirmed away in embarrassment.
"OK, enough of this sympathetic crap… I'm tired." Dilandau muttered. He pulled a small plastic case off his belt and pulled three small capsules out of the case. He pressed a red button on each of them and there was a cloud of smoke. Three sleeping bags were left in the place of the capsules.
"Seems like Dornkirk invented something decent…" Selena murmured, sinking into the soft sleeping bag.
"Yeah… He wasn't a complete jerk…" Dilandau sighed in contentment inside his own pouch.
"What is this thing?" Rafeal asked, prodding it.
"It's a sleeping bag. Get in it and sleep." Dilandau muttered facedown in his pillow.
"Oh. Okay." Rafael dropped facedown into it, instantly falling asleep.
After the boy was in dreamland, Dilandau and Selena sat together silently.
"So… What should we do?"
"About what?" Selena asked.
"About Rafael. And the villagers. They don't know that the Destiny War is over. They don't know that Zaibach lost and they DEFINITELY don't know that the Ryuugekitai is no more. They're dead. They're all dead." Dilandau stared up at the stars, wondering why he had been cursed so.
"Dilandau. The Dragon was too powerful. You couldn't have done anything. They cared about you Dilandau. They came back as ghosts to save you. If that isn't loyalty, I don't know what is…" Selena whispered, lying on her back, staring into space.
"They died and it's all my fault. I led them to those battles. I didn't recover Migel. I did nothing to protect my own men from the dragon. I did nothing… NOTHING!" Dilandau shrieked.
"Shhhhhh! You're going to wake him!" Selena hissed in anger, pointing at Rafael.
"I don't know if I can tell him. He'll be all alone if I tell him Migel is dead." Dilandau whispered, deep in thought.
"Dilandau… He already IS alone… Even if you don't tell him Migel was killed, Migel will still be dead. You're just going to cause him more pain by not telling him. He'll wait day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, for a boy who's never coming home." Selena commented and Dilandau sighed, knowing she was right.
"I'll tell him in the morning. Goodnight Dilandau." Selena rolled.
"Goodnight… Selena…" He whispered, a little more gently than he intended.
"Dilandau… That's the first time you said my name…" She whispered in awe, smiling at him.
"I guess so…" He muttered, rather disturbed. He was about to say something when he heard her gentle breathing as she slumbered.
"What are you doing to me girl?" He whispered, staring at his traveling companion.
What is she? My alter ego? My counterpart? My sister? My good side? My friend? He instantly gagged when he thought of the last possibility. Since when do I have friends? I am Dilandau Albatou, Commander of the Ryuugekitai. I stand alone. I don't need anything or anyone. The Dragonslayers were just my soldiers. They were fools to throw away their lives for me. That's what they were. Fools. Nothing more. Strategos was my commander, although I rarely listened to him. We weren't friends, just allies in a war to destroy mankind. The only relationship we had was drinking Vino together. I hardly call that friendship. This girl… She's part of me. I can't help it. She is not a friend, she's myself. My non-pyro side I guess I could say. She looked lovely lying there, her silver hair bathed in the moons' ghostlike reflection. WHAT?! No! He could NOT be falling for this girl… This weak, pathetic, tomboy that he should have killed when he had the chance. You won't hurt me girl, I won't let it happen again…He stalked over to where she was sleeping and wrapped his gloved hands around her neck. He began to squeeze, trying to crush her neck. She quickly awoke and her eyes reflected shock and betrayal. And another emotion was there too… Was it sadness? Disappointment? He'd never find out. Not those eyes. I won't let you destroy me girl. I won't let you break me…He squeezed harder and harder, ignoring her pleading eyes.
"Dilandau," she gasped, "please don't…"
He instantly released her. Those cursed memories. So long ago. No. They can't be coming back. Why now? Why her?
** "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. **
"Why Dilandau? Why?" Selena asked sadly, looking up at him and rubbing her sore neck.
"That's what I want to know…" He whispered. He turned away from her and walked out of the alley and down the dirt road. He turned onto an avenue he knew so very well. He climbed the fire escape and sat on the roof, his legs dangling over the edge. The stars seemed to be laughing at him.
"Shut up! SHUT UP!" He shrieked, throwing a stone towards the heavens.
"I don't understand. Everything is falling apart. Why was I born?" Dilandau did something he hadn't done since the Ryuugekitai had been brutally murdered by Van. He cried. Tears began to stream down his pale cheeks, soaking his leather jacket.
My entire existence is just a joke… I wonder how long I had to live before the sorcerers killed me if I hadn't become Selena.
** "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. **
The Generals would have done me in if the sorcerers hadn't. They despised me from the beginning. I was competition. Imagine a 15-year-old boy having the same power as a man twice his age in an army he had just joined 2 years ago when the man had been a soldier for the last 17 years. Why is all this happening to me? Why didn't I die alongside my slayers? I have no family, no friends, I don't have anything. I never have and I never will.
**"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."**
Why did I survive? For this? To find out my country, my army, my commanders and comrades, are no more? To become infatuated with a girl I should despise? To be responsible to tell a boy that he has no family left on this entire planet? I want to die. If the gods are truly merciful, they will strike me down where I sit. I beg of them. He thought that touch on his shoulder was a signal that the gods were boring a hole into it to drain his blood and answer his prayers. Good. No more pain. No more suffering. He smiled. He was so very happy. He looked at it, wanting to see that everything was going to be all right. No such luck. It was a hand. The soft, pale, hand of that girl that he wanted to hate. Why can't I hate her? Why?
"Dilandau? Why do you hate me? Why?" Her eyes pained him so. Those cursed eyes that looked into his soul.
"I don't hate you. That's what worries me." He said, staring off over the city.
Why did she come after me? I tried to kill her…
"Dilandau. You don't have to hate everyone. You're not the Sorcerers' puppet anymore. You have the right to feel. You can have friends. You can fall in love." She said softly, pitying the boy she should hate. He had ripped away 10 years of her life. She had to hate him. Did she really have a choice?
"You don't understand. I have always been a soldier. I don't know what to do with myself. I have nothing left. My future laid with Zaibach's victory. I'm just like Rafael. I took a gamble and I lost. He thought his brother would always be around to protect him, Migel is dead. I thought that I could settle down and start to live my own life after we won war, the war is over and we lost. Maybe that's why I couldn't tell him. It was like looking at myself from the inside out." His ruby eyes were filled with thought.
"Dilandau… You're a killer by nurture, not by nature. You can change, I know you can." She whispered softly, grasping his hand comfortingly.
"How do you know?" He spat.
"Because I believe in you." She whispered, staring into his eyes so he knew she was not lying.
Dilandau looked at her stunned. That was a new one. He was beginning to understand why he couldn't hate this girl. This was one of the many reasons.
Her laughter… Her hair… Her eyes… Her personality… Her kindness… Her feelings for her brother she hadn't seen for 10 years… Her feelings for me…Gods no… I'm falling in love with her…
He looked after her in a combination of adoration and horror as she wrapped his sleeping bag around him and settled down beside him in her own, quickly drifting off again.
No… I won't let myself be crushed again… I can't love her… I won't… Dilandau Albatou does not fall in love… I won't fall in love…
The crimson-eyed boy fell asleep on the roof that night with that these sort of thoughts plaguing his mind. The boy didn't know however that it was far too late to have these thoughts. For although he wouldn't admit it to himself, he was already very much in love with Selena Schezar.
A/N: The chapter is up! Yay for me! I borrowed the name Rafael from "Stars In the Heart - sequel to Scars On the Heart" by Sarah-neko because I couldn't think of anything… I apologize and hope she won't be mad… Great fic though, READ IT!
Oh yes, the catpeeps are some of my friends… Some of them are stretching it a bit, but I don't care! ^_^; They are the following:
Akai: Kiddi Chi
Kii-Kii: ME! THE ANNOYING LITTLE KITTY!
Sa-Sa: NekuraTak
Shitashii: Fontina Blu Cent
My friend Nagi-chan has yet to be introduced, but shall be coming really soon! If you want to be in the fic, write something about yourself in a review and I'll add ya in!
Read the following fics:
Amber and Emeralds- An Esca continuation by Kiddi Chi which is quite good
Escahontas- A hilarious Pocahontas parody by Fontina Blu Cent
Millerna and Hippie- A REALLY funny Romeo and Juliet Parody with Millerna and Dryden by Fontina Blu Cent
All poems by NekuraTak because they are dark, morbid, and good… Lol… LYLAS Amie-chan… ^_^;
Oh yeah, I will do call-outs for anyone who wants there fic to be read more! Comments or suggestions, feel free to email me at mihoshichan@hotmail.com !
I'll update soon! (Hopefully… ^_^;) PLEASE REVIEW!
I WANT 48-50 REVIEWS TOTAL BEFORE I'LL ADD UP THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!
Ja matta ne!
~Trunks Gal~