Disclaimer: I don't own Mr. Shoji Kawamori's creation… It would be really sappy if I did… And I don't own "Sora" either, which is another wonderful Yoko Kanno song! A/N: Welcome! Here is the next chapter of "Winged Destinies" is here… The song Akai sings is "Sora" which is an AWESOME song that I love! ^_^ Read and review! Enjoy! Chapter 11: Intrigue "What?" Hitomi gasped, stepping back. Why does it seem like everyone's out to kill me? She sweat a bit, biting her lip. "Tsuto…" Van muttered, gritting his teeth in recognition. "You're the one… The one that killed my father…" He hissed. Hitomi's eyes widened as she gave her husband a disbelieving gape. "Yes Van Fanel, but how could you possibly remember? You were nothing more than a little pest at the time, as I recall!" She gave a haughty laugh as Van glared in hatred. ** Flashback ** "Lots of help you are to Daddy now? Eh brat?" The catwoman with blue hair sneered at the small boy as he watched his father receive a deep wound to the chest as his eyes rolled back and he collapsed in an unconscious state.
"You… YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Van shrieked, clenching his eyes shut. "Oh I doubt it, little man! I'd kill you, but that wasn't my assignment! What a pity…" He glared at her, eyes filled with rage as she continued. "I have places to be! But don't worry, I'll come back to play REAL soon!" She cackled as she flung a torch at a hut, which led to the neighboring buildings being consumed by flames, as she leapt away into the darkness. ** Backflash ** "Father… He died that night… Before Balgus returned from helping fight the fire…" Van muttered. "But I could never forget that laugh… That horrible despicable laughter." Van spat vehemently. "Poor little boy." Tsuto giggled.
"But my battle's not with you. I need that girl of yours. If she comes, I may spare your life… But I'm not making any promises…" She hissed. "If you so much as lay a finger on her, I'll…" Van threatened, before he was interrupted. "Van… Stop… I do this for you…" Hitomi whispered, running a hand down his cheek, kissing him softly. "Well this little lady has a brain!" Tsuto declared. "Come now, we're wasting valuable time!" She swung Hitomi over her shoulder, dashing off as Van pursued. "He sprinted off after them until he was out of breath. He leaned over panting, before slowly straightening. "Hitomi…" He muttered, staring off into the distance as she vanished into the mists of the forest. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* "What?" Dilandau muttered as they broke from their kiss. "I care for you… I always have…" She whispered, tenderly stroking his cheek. "What… What's wrong with you?" Dilandau whispered. "Nothing… Please… Kiss me… Take all the pain away…" She whispered. "Make my heart stop aching… Please… I…" She collapsed in his arms. Dilandau felt her forehead. "She has a fever." Dilandau grunted, standing up with her hanging limply in his arms. "So… What do we do now?" Rafael whispered in uncertainty. "We continue to the capital, of course." Dilandau shot back in annoyance he had to be asked. "But surely you don't intent to carry her all the way… Your arms will break off!" Rafael protested. "I can almost picture the girl shrieking obscenities at you for that remark…" Dilandau smirked. "And no boy, we won't be walking…" He grabbed the reins of a black horse that was tied to a nearby tree, climbing on and placing Selena safely in front of him. "Unless you wish to walk the many miles, I suggest you grab that one." He pointed at the bay that looks disgruntled that his companion had been taken away. "With all due respect, Dilandau-sama… That would be stealing…" Rafael commented in an uneasy tone. "For the love of God, boy! What were you doing when I "saved" you?!" A vein popped in Dilandau's forehead and he looked ready to strangle the boy. "Borrowing with no intention of return?" Rafael suggesting, sweating slightly. "Right, and I love Fanelia! Now get on and be quick about it!" He growled as the boy hesitantly led the horse away. He then simply stood there for several minutes, blinking at the horse as it grazed. "Well?" Dilandau gave him a patronizing look, riding over. "What would you say if I told you that the closest I've gotten to a horse is picking up its dung for a few coins?" Rafael asked, backing away as the horse turned its head towards him. "WHAT?! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE A FREAKIN' HORSE?!" Dilandau yelled in disbelief and rage. "Well in case you haven't noticed, LORD, we ain't exactly rich back there!" Rafael shrieked. "Well, you're just lucky I know the trick for overcoming fear of horses. Get on." Dilandau grunted. "Okay." He threw a leg over, pulling himself on top of the aggravated horse. "What do I do now?" He asked, turning to Dilandau for guidance. "Hang on tight…" Dilandau replied. "Why would I…? AUGH!" Dilandau slapped the horse on the behind and it galloped off into the distance. "DILANDAU!" "That's Dilandau-SAMA, to you!" The Adonis smirked, riding off after the terror-stricken horse and boy. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Millerna stared at the sky, watching the clouds pass. Birds flew by their mates, towards Basram, where they would stay, away from Asturia's chilly winter. "I should be having kids by now…" She groaned, knowing how worried her father was about her and Asturia's well being. "But I need to be with someone I love… I wish Dryden could see that I…" Her thought went unfinished as she saw the familiar merchant. "Princess Millerna!" He called, running out to her. He was dressed in his usual robes, his tinted glasses reflecting the sunlight. "Yes, Dryden? What is it?" She asked softly, standing up. "You know how we were discussing your marriage problems?" Dryden asked. "I do not have marriage problems!" She replied stubbornly, enraged that he thought she could not find a suitable husband. "Sure." Dryden nodded sarcastically as she gave him an angry look. "Why don't we have try-outs for you to find your husband?
"Dryden… No… I will not have "try-outs" for my soul mate…" Millerna rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Hey! I'm just trying to help! Look, There's this one guy, his name's Tsumari. He's a friend of mine. He's a nice guy and handsome too." "And why should this interest me, Dryden?" She raised her eyebrows skeptically. "Because, he's here to meet you right…" He looked at the sundial. "Now. Goodbye." He dashed off as a boy about her age walked in. He had dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He was very muscular and was handsome. He smiled at her.
"Princess Millerna?" He asked politely. "Yes. And you are… Tsumari?" She asked hesitantly. "Yes. I've come because Dryden said you're looking for someone to court you. You are very beautiful. It would be a great honor." He kissed her hand softly. "I'm sorry Tsumari. But… I can't… You see… I…" She leaned over and whispered in his ear for a minute. His eyes widened and he nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was like that. Congratulations. Dryden will be a very happy man." He shook her hand, before walking away, smiling at her over his shoulder. "Oh… I don't know…" She muttered, rubbing her stomach for reassurance before heading back inside, wondering if she could ever tell him that she… ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
"Princess… You're crying…" Allen whispered, brushing a tear from her cheek with his stainless white glove. "No… No I'm not… I promised myself…" Eries muttered, looking away. "What?" He asked softly.
"After the trial… When father disowned me… When I lost the crown…" She whispered, bowing her head, a single tear running down her cheek. "You are crying." He murmured softly, looking at her in concern. "It's just that… I didn't kill Mother… It wasn't my fault… I don't deserve this kind of fate…" She whispered. "I know…" He consented.
"But no one believes me… It's been 18 years… Why won't they forgive me?" She asked softly.
"They won't forgive you because there's nothing for them to forgive you for. You did nothing." He muttered, his eyes closed in thought.
"But THEY don't believe that! I was going to be queen someday… Queen of Asturia…" She turned to gaze out the window as the sun set, casting faint hues against the glass. "I remember…" Allen murmured softly, gazing at the forgotten princess in sadness. ** Flashback ** "The Royal House of Asturia has accused Princess Eries Rachel Aston of the highest level of betrayal. She is accused of being the murderer of Queen Therese Gladys Aston, our late queen of Asturia." A man said, bowing his head in morn over the loss of the beloved queen, who's picture hung above the judge's bald head. "Bring in the princess…" The judge croaked, gulping down some of the water in his glass. The tall wooden doors creaked open, and two burly guards stepped forward. Each held a pike it their hand and were pointing it at a shadow. The spectators leaned forward to see what it was and were shocked and horrified when they saw the bloody feet of the small princess drag along a pair of heavy shackles as she entered. Her hair had gone unbrushed for several days and her face was covered in dirt. She wore a torn black frock, in morn for her mother's passing. Dark circles lined her eyes and she had a haunted look. Like she was waking up from a bad dream. Perhaps she was. "Is that the Princess?" A woman whispered to her wife, her eyes widening. "She looks like a ragamuffin." "An urchin." "A common thief."
"So we're in agreement." "Why isn't she wearing decent clothing?" "Queen Therese would roll over in her grave if she saw this!"
"Where is the poor dear's shoes?" "This is an act against God!" "Why is she in shackles?!" "She's a little girl, not a convict!" "This is ridiculous!" "Someone needs to stop this right now!"
"Oh Dicha, the powerful, the mighty! Have mercy on our souls!" "This is a disgrace for Asturia!" "The King is a damned fool!" The crowd began to yell in protest, demanding the girl be set free. "SILENCE IN THE COURT!" The judge barked. "She may LOOK like a mistreated little girl! But REALLY, she's a DANGEROUS MURDERER!" He continued to rant, as everyone continued to be unconvinced. He was interrupted when they heard a small sound. "Please. Just let me go home…" The child whispered, tears rolling down her dirt-stained cheeks as the people began to feel pity and anger on her behalf. A guard whispered into the judge's ear. The judge nodded in gratitude. "My Lords and Ladies. The king is here." Everyone dropped to their knees, even Eries, sobbing as she did so. "For Mother…" She murmured, closing her eyes so he wouldn't see that she was crying. "So this is the little wench I raised! Ain't so high and mighty now, are you, princess?" The king asked softly in a mocking tone. "Daddy… I want to go home…" She whispered. "Please just take me home…" Then she collapsed, as her father sneered at her. Allen ran over to her, shaking her, asking her if she was all right before the guards took her away, and he watched helplessly by his mother's side. Eries woke up days later to find that she had half-won the trial. She would not be executed or be cast-out of her family. But she would never become Queen. Never. This was her fate and the cause of her tears for the rest of her unhappy life. ** Backflash ** "Princess Eries… I…" He said softly, telling she was remembering as well. "Please…" She whispered, her tears going unchecked. "Please just leave me alone… I… I can't love anymore… I… can't… I'm sorry… I regret…" She turned and ran down the hall as Allen watched her silently, noticing a flower that had fallen from the book she had been carrying. "If I remember correctly, the name of this flower means, "One who cannot be forgotten"…" He muttered absently, walking down the hallway silently, thinking of the forgotten princess. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* "Win dain a lotica En val tu ri Si lo ta Fin dein a loluca En dragu a sei lain Vi fa-ru les shutai am En riga-lint Win chent a lotica En val turi Silota Fin dein a loluca Si katigura neuver Floreria for chesti Si entina Lalala… Fontina Blu Cent De cravi esca letisimo Lalala… De quantian La finde reve Win dain a lotica En vai tu ri Si lo ta Fin dein a loluca En dragu a sei lain Vi fa-ru les shutai am En riga-lint…" Akai sang softly as they trudged through the deep forest. "Not that you aren't good, but Van looks like he's ready to kill you…" Rhum nudged the catwoman in warning. "Hitomi's gone. Yes, it's bad. I know it. What will me singing harm?" Akai muttered nonchalantly. "I dunno… Maybe he thinks that mutant cat who took Hitomi is afraid of noise or something and won't return her unless we all are as silent as the wind…" Rhum murmured sarcastically. "I doubt she'd bring her back if we stopped breathing altogether." Akai replied in annoyance. "Oh whatever. That's Van for you. Let's just stay out of his way. I'm sure we'll figure out where that psycho stalker went anytime now." "You're lying, aren't you?" "Through my teeth…" Rhum replied. "You know I can hear you back there." Van called behind him as the two sweatdropped nervously. "We'll find her. I'm sure she's right under our noses!" He then crashed into someone as they fell from the sky. "Or, she could have been hiding in a tree…" Rhum sweatdropped as Sa-Sa and Kii-Kii walked over to blink in puzzlement. "Hitomi?" Van asked in confusion and bewilderment as the girl sat up, rubbing her head. "Hey! I'm back!" She grinned widely. "But… How?" Van asked, scratching his head in confusion. "Well you see, that Tsuto, despite her dazzling good looks is a REAL wimp! She was doing that tree leaping thing and I kicked her really hard and she's lying somewhere out there unconscious. I couldn't get out of the tree and I didn't know where I was. Then I saw you guys, and kinda got over excited and leaped from the tree and sorta landed on you." She quickly explained. "That was strangely resourceful…" Akai said in awe. "I'm glad you're alright, Hitomi. I'm surprised you're here, but I'm glad." He smiled, kissing her softly. They broke apart, smiling at each other.
"Shall we go?" Hitomi asked, much too happily for someone who'd just been kidnapped. "Why not?" Van agreed, as everyone mounted their horses and they headed down the northern road.
Akai was confused. First, Hitomi was kidnapped, then they looked for Hitomi, then Hitomi somehow beat up her captor and somehow managed to return to them within an evening. Something wasn't right. She suddenly lifted her head to sniff the air. There was a strange smell wafting in the breeze. It was the smell of… She sniffed the air again. A demon? No… It couldn't be… There hadn't been one in this area for years… Could it really be a…? She sniffed the air again. She bowed her head in acknowledgement. It was a Katachi Youkai.
"A Shape Demon…" She whispered so softly no one else in the group could hear her. It was close. It was… She turned in Van's direction and her senses went wild with the smell of demon.
"Oh Ragu… Protect us…" She whispered. For she was looking at the girl riding behind Van. The girl with green eyes and light brown hair. This girl was not Hitomi Kanzaki.
A/N: Ooh… I'm sure you just LOVED that one… Hehe… Anyways… Big plans ahead, I think I'm gonna crank out another five chapters and then it'll probably be finished. We've got a few more twists and turns and what's the deal with "Hitomi"? And what is a Shape Demon (Katachi Youkai)? Find out in the next edition of WD! Read and Review! Arigatou and Sayonara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~