When the Demon Stirs ~ An Escaflowne Fan Fic ~
By: H. Zane
The stars are shinning bright.
Hopelessly devoured in light.
Love finally in sight.
Found in the dark of night.
~ H. Zane
~ Chapter 07- Reacquainted ~
A short distance away Hitomi sat alone in unfamiliar woods. Her left ankle throbbed, "I must have landed funny," she thought to herself. She looked at the sky and saw Earth shinning bright through the treetops. She felt a jarring sensation in her stomach, a sensation that told her she was no longer on Earth but on Gaea again. Tears started to pour from her eyes, they were tears of happiness, sorrow, fear, and excitement all rolled into one; it was almost too much for her to handle, she didn't know which emotion to feel. But that soon came to an end, as she heard the sound of hoof beats coming in her direction. She stood favoring her ankle, feeling her fear tremble on her skin as the rider approached, stopped and got of his horse. Hitomi squinted her eyes, even with the bright starlight; she couldn't identify person that was under the canopy of trees.
The air around the two still figures was serene and her heart was pounding, the figure took a step forward, "Hitomi is that you?" he said softly. Recognizing the voice immediately Hitomi jumped with delight and started to painfully run towards him. Seeing her movement he started to run forward as well. "Yes Van it's me, it's me!" She called as she held out her arms and was caught up in a sweeping embrace. "By the gods Hitomi… I can't believe it… you came back." Van said as he buried his head in her hair. "Oh, Van" was all Hitomi could manage; she started to sob in his neck. Van pulled his head away slightly making their lips dangerously close. "Hitomi," he breathed. He wanted to take her lips in his so bad it hurt, but his shyness still controlled him. "Hitomi…I…" he embraced her tighter sliding one of his hands up her back to her neck. In the darkness she couldn't make out his face but she saw his eyes shimmer with the stars, and the last of her tears fell from her eyes.
All Hitomi felt was bliss; she didn't even realize when Van held her that her feet dangled a good six inches from the ground. All they could do was stare in each other's eyes with their faces so close that their noses touched. Finally Hitomi broke the silence. "How did you know I'd be here?"
Van, who was in a daze, gently let Hitomi slide to the ground, though, still not letting their bodies split even an inch. He looked down at her. "I didn't" he said, "but I thank the gods that I was out here."
"Where is 'here' Van?"
Van smiled and touched her cheek. "We are near Urthas, three hours from Fanelia."
"Fanelia" she sighed and buried her head in his chest. She breathed him in deep, his scent filling her nostrils nostalgically. "Fanelia is rebuilt," she thought to herself, "I knew he could do it."
"Van…" Hitomi said aloud, regrettably pulling her face from his chest, "can we go home?"
"Home?" Van thought "she called Fanelia, home" his eyes scanned the ground and saw the familiar outline of her bag. He smiled inside "Does this mean she will stay with me…forever?" His eyes roamed back into Hitomi's and he suddenly realized that he hadn't answered her yet. Feeling a little foolish he ran a hand through his hair. "Of course Hitomi, we'll go now." Van then, regrettably, pulled his body from hers and fetched her gym bag and fastened it on the back of the horse's saddle. He turned to her again and held out his arms. She started to walk toward him when her ankle flared up again. She tried to hide her soft whimper from Van, but he had heard it and immediately was at her side. "What is it, are you hurt?" he asked sounding a bit panicked. Hitomi smiled "I knew he'd say that" she mused to herself. She stiffened up "Oh, its nothing to worry about, I think I just landed on it wrong."
"You landed wrong? Here, can I look at it?" Van started to kneel down but Hitomi grabbed his shirt and forced him to straighten up. "Van" she whispered close to his face, and he was memorized again, "let's just go home, I'm not in any pain right now."
Van frowned, "ok I'm just concerned…I'll have a healer look at it when we reach the castle."
She smiled and nodded; Hitomi was satisfied with this and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her sudden embrace surprised him, but was very much appreciated, he pulled her body against his, feeling her softness. They stayed in each other's arms for a few seconds until Van picked her up and put side saddled her on his horse. He climbed up and sat behind her. Nervously he slid his arms under hers, holding the reigns in her lap. When he saw that she didn't mind this he signaled his horse and they were off to Fanelia.
The pair road in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, letting the reality of Hitomi's presence on Gaea sink in. Finally out of the woods, the stars bathed them in light. "It's so beautiful here, I didn't realize till now how much I've missed it here." Hitomi said as she took in the gorgeous night. "There are so many stars here." Van looked about and smiled, "yes, it is beautiful, but I guess I can't appreciate it like you can, right Hitom-." Van stopped suddenly as he got a good look at the back of her head. "Hitomi!" he said loudly "what's this blood from?" He stopped his horse and started to examine her. "Oh, that, I forgot about that." Hitomi reached back and delicately touched her wound.
"Hitomi is there something I should know about, I mean you come to me all banged up like this, it makes me wonder."
"Um Van, do you think we could talk about this at the castle, it's kind of a long story." Answered Hitomi.
"Whatever you want Hitomi, but-."
He stopped and looked down. "But what Van?" Hitomi asked as she turned to face him. But as she did she was frozen in place. "Van" she gasped as he returned her stunned gaze. Neither of them had yet gotten a proper look at each other. To both their surprise they both had changed so much. Van eyed Hitomi up and down, in the two years she grew more feminine and graceful. She still had a solid body, but her curves had deepened and developed in all the right places. Her hair was a bit longer now too, falling slightly past her chin. He grinned his approval, as she looked him over too. She now noticed that he was much taller than last time she saw him, he was still lean but with more well defined muscles. His hair too was longer and pulled back in a low ponytail with a few tendrils that fell loose in his eyes. His face was older, manlier, and the signs of stress and sorrow that she thought had made a permanent home there had smoothened out into determination and triumph.
I-I don't understand," she stammered "when I saw you the other day you looked exactly like you had when I left. But now, I can see how much you've matured."
Van blinked, he still couldn't get over how beautiful she was. "Yes, when I saw you, you too looked the same, what do you suppose happened."
"I really don't know Van." She paused for a minute to think. "I could only assume that the pendent allowed us to see what we wanted to see. I couldn't know how you've changed so I saw you the only way that I have ever known you. And I figure the same goes for you."
"Yes that does make sense," he responded "but we could deliberate this for hours and still not know the answer."
"Yeah, you're right, who cares, I'm here now and that's all that matters." Hitomi turned back around and cuddled against his chest. "Damn does he look good." She thought to herself pleasantly. "I just wish I didn't have that vision to tell him about."
Van was happy that she snuggled against him, it felt so right, and nothing else in the world could be more perfect. He looked down at her; she had closed her eyes and was starting to fall asleep. He wanted to talk to her some more, but he decided to let her rest, they would have plenty of time later to talk. He took the reigns in his left hand and used his right hand to hold her slender waist more tightly and then continued on their way.
A few hours later they finally reached Fanelia, Van wanted her to see Fanelia in the light of day so he let her sleep until they reached the castle. The whole way there Van was getting strange looks from his guards and the few townsfolk that were still out and about. They couldn't help it; it was not like the king to be so close to a woman his age, and sharing the same horse nonetheless. Van tried to ignore it but he couldn't help being bothered by all of the curious eyes. "I should've gone through the back way," he said annoyingly.
They finally made it to the castle and Van gently shook her awake. "Hitomi," he whispered, "we're here."
"Hmm" Hitomi moaned as her eyes began to open. When she opened them completely she looked around at her surroundings and almost fell off the horse. "Oh, I forgot where I was for a second." She laughed nervously as Van helped her down. The stable boy looked at both of them peculiarly as he put the horse away. Hitomi ignored the boy and started to walk when Van came up fast behind her and picked her up to carry her to the castle. As much as she liked being so close to him she was a little embarrassed to be carried in like a child. "Van, I can walk you know." She could feel her face turn a shade of bright red.
"Oh sorry," he said as he put her down.
"Good evening Van-sama" the castle guards said in unison. "Good evening" Van replied as they walked past the curious men. Everyone the couple passed gave the same questioning look. They finally reached the infirmary, where Van introduced the healer, Maura, to Hitomi. She looked Hitomi over, cleaned her wound and wrapped her slightly twisted ankle and tried to convince the king there was nothing to worry about. Maura wondered what kind of woman would cause the king to be filled with such concern, "I wonder if this is the same Hitomi from the Great war, the woman rumored to be from the Mystic Moon," she thought to herself, "yes, it must be the same."
They left the infirmary and Van walked Hitomi to her room. Hitomi looked through the halls of the castle and was very impressed. The foyers were wider and brighter with portraits and attractive artifacts decorating the walls, this was much more beautiful then the old, plain castle she remembered. "You've done such a wonderful job Van, I can't wait to see all of Fanelia."
"Thank you, I'll give you a tour tomorrow. Oh, and I almost forgot there is a festival starting tomorrow, there will be music, games, street venders and performers, and I think you'll like it." Van said as he flashed her a hopeful smile.
"That sounds wonderful Van, what's the occasion?"
"Actually we're celebrating the completion of Fanelia, the rebuilding was finished last month, but now I have another reason to celebrate." Van stopped in front of a large wooden door and looked deeply into Hitomi's eyes. She felt her face get hot; she knew that the other reason for celebration was her. Hitomi looked away from Van's pensive eyes, "Um, it only took two years to rebuild, you must have worked extremely hard Van." She looked at Van again and could still feel her body filled with heat. He boldly leaned in closer to her, "yes, we worked hard but I can't take all the credit, Millerna sent architects and groups of workers from Asturia to help with reconstruction. Fanelia looks very modern."
"You must be very grateful to her, how is she anyway?"
Van smiled again, "she is well, she has been remarried to Dryden for a year and the couple have been ruling Asturia for 3 months now, since Aston's passing."
"I'm glad to hear Millerna and Dryden are well. What about Alle-"
"Hitomi," Van interrupted quite suddenly, "this will be your room, mine is right next door." He pointed to his right, "that's where I'll be if you need me… it's late, we should retire for now, we can talk tomorrow."
Hitomi sighed, she was tired and was in no hurry to tell him about her vision, but she really didn't want to part with him so soon after being reunited. "Ok Van" she said with apparent regret in her voice, "I'll be looking forward for tomorrow."
Van could see her disappointment, he felt the same way but she would be right next-door and morning wasn't too far off. "I'll be looking forward to tomorrow too…" He leaned in close to her, trapping her between him and the door. He slid his arms around her waist, holding her in a tight intimate embrace, clutching her nightgowns fabric yearningly in his hands. "Good night Hitomi, until tomorrow," he whispered in her ear, sending sparks down her back. He pulled away and walked to his room, still looking at her, opened his door and walked in. Hitomi stood for a few seconds, thinking about Van's loving embrace. She thought that, although he was obviously still shy, he had gotten a little bolder with age. She hoped she was right.
Hitomi couldn't wait until the next day, but it would come sooner if she went to sleep. She turned and entered her room; she was awe stricken with its beauty. This room was much different then the first one she was given two years ago. This was defiantly no ordinary guest room; it was very large with a high ceiling and a small balcony, the bed was huge, probably a king size and there was a large gorgeous golden oak wardrobe in the corner next to a matching desk. There was a small red stuffed chair next to the bed and a small table with a pair of cushioned chairs on the other side of the wardrobe and desk. This room was defiantly fit for royalty. She walked over to the wall she shared with Van and put her ear up to it hoping she could hear him. The walls were thin to some extent and she could here a quiet rustling. "He must be changing," she thought as she started to get a mental picture, She then scolded herself for think such things and climbed into bed. Moments after she hit the pillow she fell asleep to the pleasant thoughts of Van.
End of Chapter 07
By: H. Zane
The stars are shinning bright.
Hopelessly devoured in light.
Love finally in sight.
Found in the dark of night.
~ H. Zane
~ Chapter 07- Reacquainted ~
A short distance away Hitomi sat alone in unfamiliar woods. Her left ankle throbbed, "I must have landed funny," she thought to herself. She looked at the sky and saw Earth shinning bright through the treetops. She felt a jarring sensation in her stomach, a sensation that told her she was no longer on Earth but on Gaea again. Tears started to pour from her eyes, they were tears of happiness, sorrow, fear, and excitement all rolled into one; it was almost too much for her to handle, she didn't know which emotion to feel. But that soon came to an end, as she heard the sound of hoof beats coming in her direction. She stood favoring her ankle, feeling her fear tremble on her skin as the rider approached, stopped and got of his horse. Hitomi squinted her eyes, even with the bright starlight; she couldn't identify person that was under the canopy of trees.
The air around the two still figures was serene and her heart was pounding, the figure took a step forward, "Hitomi is that you?" he said softly. Recognizing the voice immediately Hitomi jumped with delight and started to painfully run towards him. Seeing her movement he started to run forward as well. "Yes Van it's me, it's me!" She called as she held out her arms and was caught up in a sweeping embrace. "By the gods Hitomi… I can't believe it… you came back." Van said as he buried his head in her hair. "Oh, Van" was all Hitomi could manage; she started to sob in his neck. Van pulled his head away slightly making their lips dangerously close. "Hitomi," he breathed. He wanted to take her lips in his so bad it hurt, but his shyness still controlled him. "Hitomi…I…" he embraced her tighter sliding one of his hands up her back to her neck. In the darkness she couldn't make out his face but she saw his eyes shimmer with the stars, and the last of her tears fell from her eyes.
All Hitomi felt was bliss; she didn't even realize when Van held her that her feet dangled a good six inches from the ground. All they could do was stare in each other's eyes with their faces so close that their noses touched. Finally Hitomi broke the silence. "How did you know I'd be here?"
Van, who was in a daze, gently let Hitomi slide to the ground, though, still not letting their bodies split even an inch. He looked down at her. "I didn't" he said, "but I thank the gods that I was out here."
"Where is 'here' Van?"
Van smiled and touched her cheek. "We are near Urthas, three hours from Fanelia."
"Fanelia" she sighed and buried her head in his chest. She breathed him in deep, his scent filling her nostrils nostalgically. "Fanelia is rebuilt," she thought to herself, "I knew he could do it."
"Van…" Hitomi said aloud, regrettably pulling her face from his chest, "can we go home?"
"Home?" Van thought "she called Fanelia, home" his eyes scanned the ground and saw the familiar outline of her bag. He smiled inside "Does this mean she will stay with me…forever?" His eyes roamed back into Hitomi's and he suddenly realized that he hadn't answered her yet. Feeling a little foolish he ran a hand through his hair. "Of course Hitomi, we'll go now." Van then, regrettably, pulled his body from hers and fetched her gym bag and fastened it on the back of the horse's saddle. He turned to her again and held out his arms. She started to walk toward him when her ankle flared up again. She tried to hide her soft whimper from Van, but he had heard it and immediately was at her side. "What is it, are you hurt?" he asked sounding a bit panicked. Hitomi smiled "I knew he'd say that" she mused to herself. She stiffened up "Oh, its nothing to worry about, I think I just landed on it wrong."
"You landed wrong? Here, can I look at it?" Van started to kneel down but Hitomi grabbed his shirt and forced him to straighten up. "Van" she whispered close to his face, and he was memorized again, "let's just go home, I'm not in any pain right now."
Van frowned, "ok I'm just concerned…I'll have a healer look at it when we reach the castle."
She smiled and nodded; Hitomi was satisfied with this and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her sudden embrace surprised him, but was very much appreciated, he pulled her body against his, feeling her softness. They stayed in each other's arms for a few seconds until Van picked her up and put side saddled her on his horse. He climbed up and sat behind her. Nervously he slid his arms under hers, holding the reigns in her lap. When he saw that she didn't mind this he signaled his horse and they were off to Fanelia.
The pair road in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, letting the reality of Hitomi's presence on Gaea sink in. Finally out of the woods, the stars bathed them in light. "It's so beautiful here, I didn't realize till now how much I've missed it here." Hitomi said as she took in the gorgeous night. "There are so many stars here." Van looked about and smiled, "yes, it is beautiful, but I guess I can't appreciate it like you can, right Hitom-." Van stopped suddenly as he got a good look at the back of her head. "Hitomi!" he said loudly "what's this blood from?" He stopped his horse and started to examine her. "Oh, that, I forgot about that." Hitomi reached back and delicately touched her wound.
"Hitomi is there something I should know about, I mean you come to me all banged up like this, it makes me wonder."
"Um Van, do you think we could talk about this at the castle, it's kind of a long story." Answered Hitomi.
"Whatever you want Hitomi, but-."
He stopped and looked down. "But what Van?" Hitomi asked as she turned to face him. But as she did she was frozen in place. "Van" she gasped as he returned her stunned gaze. Neither of them had yet gotten a proper look at each other. To both their surprise they both had changed so much. Van eyed Hitomi up and down, in the two years she grew more feminine and graceful. She still had a solid body, but her curves had deepened and developed in all the right places. Her hair was a bit longer now too, falling slightly past her chin. He grinned his approval, as she looked him over too. She now noticed that he was much taller than last time she saw him, he was still lean but with more well defined muscles. His hair too was longer and pulled back in a low ponytail with a few tendrils that fell loose in his eyes. His face was older, manlier, and the signs of stress and sorrow that she thought had made a permanent home there had smoothened out into determination and triumph.
I-I don't understand," she stammered "when I saw you the other day you looked exactly like you had when I left. But now, I can see how much you've matured."
Van blinked, he still couldn't get over how beautiful she was. "Yes, when I saw you, you too looked the same, what do you suppose happened."
"I really don't know Van." She paused for a minute to think. "I could only assume that the pendent allowed us to see what we wanted to see. I couldn't know how you've changed so I saw you the only way that I have ever known you. And I figure the same goes for you."
"Yes that does make sense," he responded "but we could deliberate this for hours and still not know the answer."
"Yeah, you're right, who cares, I'm here now and that's all that matters." Hitomi turned back around and cuddled against his chest. "Damn does he look good." She thought to herself pleasantly. "I just wish I didn't have that vision to tell him about."
Van was happy that she snuggled against him, it felt so right, and nothing else in the world could be more perfect. He looked down at her; she had closed her eyes and was starting to fall asleep. He wanted to talk to her some more, but he decided to let her rest, they would have plenty of time later to talk. He took the reigns in his left hand and used his right hand to hold her slender waist more tightly and then continued on their way.
A few hours later they finally reached Fanelia, Van wanted her to see Fanelia in the light of day so he let her sleep until they reached the castle. The whole way there Van was getting strange looks from his guards and the few townsfolk that were still out and about. They couldn't help it; it was not like the king to be so close to a woman his age, and sharing the same horse nonetheless. Van tried to ignore it but he couldn't help being bothered by all of the curious eyes. "I should've gone through the back way," he said annoyingly.
They finally made it to the castle and Van gently shook her awake. "Hitomi," he whispered, "we're here."
"Hmm" Hitomi moaned as her eyes began to open. When she opened them completely she looked around at her surroundings and almost fell off the horse. "Oh, I forgot where I was for a second." She laughed nervously as Van helped her down. The stable boy looked at both of them peculiarly as he put the horse away. Hitomi ignored the boy and started to walk when Van came up fast behind her and picked her up to carry her to the castle. As much as she liked being so close to him she was a little embarrassed to be carried in like a child. "Van, I can walk you know." She could feel her face turn a shade of bright red.
"Oh sorry," he said as he put her down.
"Good evening Van-sama" the castle guards said in unison. "Good evening" Van replied as they walked past the curious men. Everyone the couple passed gave the same questioning look. They finally reached the infirmary, where Van introduced the healer, Maura, to Hitomi. She looked Hitomi over, cleaned her wound and wrapped her slightly twisted ankle and tried to convince the king there was nothing to worry about. Maura wondered what kind of woman would cause the king to be filled with such concern, "I wonder if this is the same Hitomi from the Great war, the woman rumored to be from the Mystic Moon," she thought to herself, "yes, it must be the same."
They left the infirmary and Van walked Hitomi to her room. Hitomi looked through the halls of the castle and was very impressed. The foyers were wider and brighter with portraits and attractive artifacts decorating the walls, this was much more beautiful then the old, plain castle she remembered. "You've done such a wonderful job Van, I can't wait to see all of Fanelia."
"Thank you, I'll give you a tour tomorrow. Oh, and I almost forgot there is a festival starting tomorrow, there will be music, games, street venders and performers, and I think you'll like it." Van said as he flashed her a hopeful smile.
"That sounds wonderful Van, what's the occasion?"
"Actually we're celebrating the completion of Fanelia, the rebuilding was finished last month, but now I have another reason to celebrate." Van stopped in front of a large wooden door and looked deeply into Hitomi's eyes. She felt her face get hot; she knew that the other reason for celebration was her. Hitomi looked away from Van's pensive eyes, "Um, it only took two years to rebuild, you must have worked extremely hard Van." She looked at Van again and could still feel her body filled with heat. He boldly leaned in closer to her, "yes, we worked hard but I can't take all the credit, Millerna sent architects and groups of workers from Asturia to help with reconstruction. Fanelia looks very modern."
"You must be very grateful to her, how is she anyway?"
Van smiled again, "she is well, she has been remarried to Dryden for a year and the couple have been ruling Asturia for 3 months now, since Aston's passing."
"I'm glad to hear Millerna and Dryden are well. What about Alle-"
"Hitomi," Van interrupted quite suddenly, "this will be your room, mine is right next door." He pointed to his right, "that's where I'll be if you need me… it's late, we should retire for now, we can talk tomorrow."
Hitomi sighed, she was tired and was in no hurry to tell him about her vision, but she really didn't want to part with him so soon after being reunited. "Ok Van" she said with apparent regret in her voice, "I'll be looking forward for tomorrow."
Van could see her disappointment, he felt the same way but she would be right next-door and morning wasn't too far off. "I'll be looking forward to tomorrow too…" He leaned in close to her, trapping her between him and the door. He slid his arms around her waist, holding her in a tight intimate embrace, clutching her nightgowns fabric yearningly in his hands. "Good night Hitomi, until tomorrow," he whispered in her ear, sending sparks down her back. He pulled away and walked to his room, still looking at her, opened his door and walked in. Hitomi stood for a few seconds, thinking about Van's loving embrace. She thought that, although he was obviously still shy, he had gotten a little bolder with age. She hoped she was right.
Hitomi couldn't wait until the next day, but it would come sooner if she went to sleep. She turned and entered her room; she was awe stricken with its beauty. This room was much different then the first one she was given two years ago. This was defiantly no ordinary guest room; it was very large with a high ceiling and a small balcony, the bed was huge, probably a king size and there was a large gorgeous golden oak wardrobe in the corner next to a matching desk. There was a small red stuffed chair next to the bed and a small table with a pair of cushioned chairs on the other side of the wardrobe and desk. This room was defiantly fit for royalty. She walked over to the wall she shared with Van and put her ear up to it hoping she could hear him. The walls were thin to some extent and she could here a quiet rustling. "He must be changing," she thought as she started to get a mental picture, She then scolded herself for think such things and climbed into bed. Moments after she hit the pillow she fell asleep to the pleasant thoughts of Van.
End of Chapter 07