Disclaimer:
Author: Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight...I wish I owned Escaflowne...
Pessimistic Dude: "Forget it kid..."
Author: BOO HOO! : (
A/N: It's fun revising this… I'm enjoying it and it doesn't take that much time either, so see, two out of two… Oh yeah, check out my newer fics, which are TOTALLY better, and the sequel to this which is much better written… Oh yeah, and congratulate me, I'm an eighth grader now! ^_^ Does anyone know how to set up Word Wrap? I'm really stupid and have no clue… I thought it was one of those things where you didn't have to do anything, but somebody told me it was more complicated than that… Please review, thanks!
Chapter 6: Together Forever
Van paced back and fourth in his throne room.
Darn it! Why did I let her go? Now I might never see her again!
He kicked at the floor with his boot and sighed.
"LORD VAN! Come on Lord Van, she's only been gone for a day, and already you're moping like you're dying of heartbreak!" Said the annoyed Merle who twitched her tail in irritation. When they were in a fight, Hitomi had once told Merle that when she had been left behind in Fanelia, he hadn't ever spoke of her or acted like he was concerned about her. This really made her mad. She cared about Hitomi and she wanted her in Van to be together. But
"Merle, how could you possibly understand how I'm feeling right now?"
"Because I know what it's like to lose somebody." Merle quietly replied.
Van remembered and inwardly kicked himself for not considering her feelings. She knew all too well what it was like to lose everything. Perhaps that's why she was his best friend. They were so much alike in the way of family members. They had none.
** Flashback **
"Mommy! Daddy! Brother! Sister! Don't leave me all alone! Mommy! Daddy! Where are you?" Squeaked a little frightened catgirl as her village was consumed in flames. She was the only survivor, besides two little gold and silver twins who escaped into the woods with their parents.
"That'll teach those meddling Catpeople! Don't destroy the forest, Ha!" A burly man told his comrades.
"Look what we got here!" Said a drunk soldier.
"She's the last one, if we kill her, we'll be rid of those damn cat people!" Said the first man as he went at the girl with a sword.
"Naria… Eriya…" Young Merle muttered, looking off in the direction her friends had gone.
"I hope… I hope you're safe… Please be safe…" She whispered, clutching her arm where it bled profusely and staring off into the dark sky.
"Stop!" Screamed a little boy.
"You guys are really mean! I, Prince Van Fanel of Fanelia, order you to stop this mad slaughter and to surrender the catgirl to me!" The small prince said in a commanding tone.
"Alright, your majesty." Said the thugs in a mocking voice.
"Here, take the little runt!" They said, kicking the little cat at his feet.
"Balgus! Arrest these men!" Cried the young prince.
"BALGUS? NO WAY!" Screamed the men as they ran away in terror before the skilled swordsman captured them.
"Balgus. They got away. After all they did, the bad guys still got away." Said the disappointed Van.
"I'm sorry young prince, but you can never right all the wrongs of the world, but you can help her." He said, pointing at the trembling Merle.
"My home…" She whispered, watching her village go up in flames.
"My family… My friends… They're all dead… Aren't they?" She looked up at Van for answers.
"Yes. I'm sorry. There is nothing to be done for them now. But come with me. I promise I'll keep you safe, all right?" He reached out his hand for her to grab.
She hesitated a moment, clutching the nail file her mother had bought for her at the festival that afternoon. She fingered it, thinking of her life before this horrible day, when the men had come upon the village because the guards who usually guarded the perimeter had been at the festival as well. She had a chance to start over again, but could she take it? Would it dishonor all who had died this tragic night that she went to live among the people who had slaughtered them. But… she wanted to live… So badly… She'd do anything just to live to see another sunrise… If those men returned, that would never happen… Yes, she should go with him… It would be best…
She reached out to grasp his hand with her small paw.
"Great." Van said in contentment.
"I won't let you down."
"I know…" Merle whispered as Balgus hoisted her on behind Van on the prince's donkey and they rode towards the capital.
I know…
** End Flashback **
"I'm sorry Merle. Sometimes I forget all you've been through."
"It's all right Lord Van. I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't forgive you." She whispered in return. Yes, Merle had matured a bit since Lord Van's fifteenth birthday. When he had gone on the rite of dragonslaying, and everything changed.
Suddenly a bright beam of light was seen in the gardens.
"Hitomi?" Van whispered.
"Go to her Lord Van!" Merle told him forcefully, pushing him out the door and getting him running off towards the light.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Van had reached the gardens, he saw her. She looked like she was in a trance again. Her eyes were gray and she stood stiffly as though held up by the strings of a puppetmaster, unable to bow without permission. He took a sharp intake of breath as he noticed what grew from her back. The most beautiful, purest white wings any mere mortal could imagine. He doubted Aphrodite herself had ever looked as glorious as Hitomi did at the moment, clad in her skirt from the festival last night and a white undershirt to cover her upper region. Her shirt had probably been ripped to shreds. He blushed at the fact that it must be much more awkward for female Draconians than males…
It's so weird… They're just like mine, only… They're not cursed, wretched things… They're beautiful…
He thought to himself. When he ran up to touch her, he was sent sprawling backwards, since there seemed to be a force field around her. Then, her lips started to move, and Van noticed that with hers, so did move the lips of thousands of Draconians as they all spoke together. There seemed to be a circle of them, surrounding Van and Hitomi. Old and young, beautiful and hideous, male and female, all chanted together. Oblivious to the fact that they had all died thousands of years ago.
And then Hitomi began to speak…
"We, the people of Atlantis, known as the Draconians, greatly repent the acts we have committed. We ruled Atlantis, turning human will into energy. We then wanted to be gods ourselves. We sprouted wings on our backs and even changed our shape. The gods were angered by these acts and burned Atlantis to the ground. However, a few of our people survived and watched our creation, Atlantis, as is was engulfed by flames and the likes of it were never seen again. Some of the survivors stayed on the Mystic Moon; the rest were hurled to our earlier creation, Gaea. A beautiful planet embraced by the land and cradled by the sea. Our people became numerous, but most were hunted down and killed by their fellow Gaeans. For they knew that the gods hated us and they claimed that we brought bad luck. In some cases, it has been proved that the humans were not completely false in said belief since it was a common sight to see entire buildings collapse when a Draconian walked in. The gods wanted us dead. But we were like insects. Ever pestering, immortal creatures that would not die no matter how many times you try to squash them. There were once many Draconians, now there are few. You, Van Fanel," She said as they all pointed at him, "Are the last Draconian on Gaea." She then continued while Van recovered from the shock.
"Before our people dispersed, the knowledge of Atlantis was entombed in one sword that was once found in Freid then taken by Zaibach and one feather. This feather," she said revealing the feather in her palm, "contains the knowledge and history of the Draconians, and Atlantis. It belonged to my father. His mother gave it to him when she was forced to send him to Earth over forty years ago. So he would not forget the people he left behind. I give it to you now, so you will always know, where you belong in this world. Our power must never be reawakened, it's up to you now, Van Fanel, you're our last hope." Then, the ghost Draconians flew away leaving a trail of feathers behind.
Hitomi collapsed from the strain, the burden of the knowledge. It had taken a lot out of her. The message was very old and although bits and pieces were added as time went by, the oldest part was the hardest to repeat, and it was always longest. Van caught her, and her eyes fluttered open.
"Where am I?" She asked awkwardly.
"You don't remember anything you said?" Van asked.
"No. All I remember was being engulfed in the bright light and being returned to you on Gaea, Van. And of course the events before it." She smiled as he blushed.
"How is your family?" Van asked her.
"They're dead. Everyone, except my brother, is dead. My mother died in the hospital and my father died looking for his home, for Atlantis, my grandparents have been dead since before I came to Gaea. My brother went to live with some distant cousins who only are doing it so they get a bigger chuck of the inheritance. I've never even met them. He told me… He told me to be happy…" She whispered, a tear trickling down her cheek as she sobbed quietly.
"You and Merle," She said, "Are all I have left."
"Hitomi... I'm sorry..." He said, hugging her gently.
"Would you… Would you stay here?" He asked her quietly.
"What?" She asked,
My brain must be rattled… She dismissed her scatter-brained thoughts.
"Hitomi..." he said getting down on one knee, "will you marry me?" He asked, proposing for the second time.
Merle watched from around the corner.
"If that girl says no again… I will use her as a scratching post…" Merle hissed.
"Yes. I will marry you, Van Fanel." Hitomi replied without hesitation.
It was surprising how much happiness those few words brought to him. He spun her around and around and finally, Hitomi noticed.
"Van! I have wings!" She joyfully exclaimed.
"I noticed." He remarked.
"That must mean… That I'm a Draconian!" She whispered softly.
"I'M A DRACONIAN AND I'M GOING TO BE QUEEN OF FANELIA!" She shrieked.
"Let the whole world know why don't you!" Van whispered sarcastically, clamping a hand over her mouth.
She smiled at him and he asked, "Shall we return to the castle?"
"Yes, we shall." Hitomi said, placing her hand in his as they walked away.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van gazed at Hitomi, sleeping beside him. He had announced their engagement at the banquet last week, and now she was finally going to be his forever. The wedding was set for the day of his sixteenth birthday, and he could hardly wait. Their wedding clothes were being made, and the spring date assured them a sunny, outdoor wedding. The invitations had been sent and all their old friends were coming, minus Allen Schezar, who had been beheaded for trying to murder the king, and his guest. (A/N: Sorry Allen fans, I had to get him out of the way somehow!)
You saved my life so many times Hitomi, how can I ever repay you? He smiled at her.
"Good morning Van." She murmured as she awoke.
"How are you?"
"Fine." He said, stretching while changing into his clothes. Hitomi kissed him, slipped off her nightgown, and changed into her green dress smiling brightly at her Fiancé who still blushed whenever she changed. It amused her to no end as she ruffled his hair and headed out the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next few weeks were filled with happiness. Van and Hitomi never let the other out of their sight. Then the big day finally came.
"HITOMI! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WORK WITH YOU? YOU'RE SO PICKY!" Merle practically screamed at the bride-to-be.
"Well, I've told you before, I look bad in red!" Hitomi yelled at the annoyed catgirl.
"But I have something that is perfect." Hitomi said, reaching into her bag. She pulled out her grandmother's wedding kimono. It was green with little red flowers embroidered on it. Green hair chopsticks went with it along with green silk slippers. Her grandmother and mother had worn this outfit on their wedding days, now it was Hitomi's turn.
"Ooh...Pretty!" Merle exclaimed, feeling the lovely kimono.
"But are you sure I can wear it? This is a big deal… If I screw this up, Van will never forgive me…"
"Oh, relax… I'm supposed to worry, but I mean… Who cares about what they think Hitomi? This is your day… Not there's… I won't let them ruin it for you. No matter what." Merle said reassuringly, placing a hand on Hitomi's shoulder and smiling.
Hitomi's wedding dress had arrived, but looked horrible on Hitomi, so Merle and Hitomi had been reduced to finding something else at the last minute. She wore Varie's pendant, which glowed a bright pink. Her hair was longer now, and she was truly a beauty.
"So, Merle, is it true that you have a boyfriend now?" Hitomi asked curiously, while arranging her hair.
"Yeah…" Merle said, blushing.
"His name's Rune. He's from Asturia. I met him about three months ago in the marketplace."
"Well, that's great Merle, I'm glad you found someone special."
"Thank you." Merle muttered quietly.
"I'm the one that should be thanking you, without all your help, Van and I would have never gotten together." Hitomi happily replied, putting on some emerald earrings.
"Well, Matchmaker Merle always gets the job done!" Said Merle as she gloated.
"I guess so." Hitomi playfully responded, grinning.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van looked at his wedding suit.
"It's just not me." Van replied, quickly changing into his normal attire.
"But Milord! This is your wedding day! Shouldn't you wear something a bit more formal?" The royal master of wardrobe commented timidly, looking at the red shirt, tan pants, and dragonhide gloves with disapproval in his eyes.
"I want Hitomi to see me the way she always sees me, and besides, I've always worn this outfit." He stubbornly replied, walking out the door as the 'master' grumbled in annoyance at all his time wasted over boys who would wear the same thing every day without complaint.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Finally, the wedding began. The maids of honor seemed upset that there was no royal train for them to carry, there was no train on a kimono after all. Hitomi blushed as she smiled, fanning herself with a white fan detailed with red flowers. The best men were mad, because their black and white suits clashed with Van's outfit that he had decided to wear at the last minute.
Hitomi and Van had an idea. They both had cut slits in the back of their clothes and after a few moments, they unfurled their wings. The wedding guests gasped, all except for Merle, Dryden, Milerna, and the Crusade. The had already known that Van was a Draconian, what surprised them was that Hitomi was a Draconian too.
"I always knew that little lady was weird." Gaddes muttered as the rest of the Crusade murmured in agreement.
"Hush!" Milerna commanded them as she gripped Dryden's hand. They had been remarried, and were very happy together.
"How come Van and Hitomi have wings Aunt Milerna?" Asked Prince Chid.
"It's just a lovely illusion for their wedding. Be quiet now." Millerna pet the boy on the head as he shrugged.
Hitomi and Van flew up to the altar and landed in front of it. And the priest began his sermon.
"Children of Atlantis. Van Fanel and Hitomi Kanzaki. Today, before the people of Fanelia, Asturia, Bazram, and Freid, we will bind your hearts together forever. May the gods of the north, south, east, and west guide you and keep you safe. May you be blessed with as many children as there are stars in the sky. May there never be a day when you do not wake to the sight of the other's smile. May you rule Fanelia wisely and keep her and her people safe. May you live to see your children grow old and then die a peaceful death. May you always be together. I hope you shall keep these words close to your hearts young ones. For although you may face many a trial, I know your love will overcome it. With these words said, I pronounce you man and wife, queen and king, until death do you part…"
They kissed softly as all who had known them when they had just met oohed and ahhed. Nudging each other, they commented how those two had always been lovey-dovey and they knew they'd get hitched.
"Will you spend forever with me, Hitomi?" Van asked quietly, brushing back a strand of hair from her face.
"For longer than forever…" She replied, as they kissed once more.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Yep, they're married, wasn't it special? Aww… *Sappy author moment* Review and tell me what you think!
~Trunks Gal~