Meant for Each Other
Hey~ I am deeply sorry for updating at this slow speed, but hey! It's faster than the last time I updated. *laughs* Okay, I'm just rushing this chapter out because it is the end of the Easter weekend and tomorrow and on, I would be bugged by homework and social activities again. *sigh* I went biking with my friends today, and now my legs are aching. Ouch. Ach. Tomorrow comes with regular routine. I hate it. At least the weather is starting to get better. Oh well, no need to bore you people. ^^ So…disclaimer time!
Disclaimer: *cough* I have a serious case of the sniffles and the sore throat, so I am going to talk as minimal as possible. *gasps* Escaflowne…NOT…belong…to…writer. Anything from…the series…or…the…movie or…anything…else…isn't…the…writer's. The…extra characters, as well…as…any other…things, that…are not…included…in any…Escaflowne merchandise, etc, are…the…writer's. Escaflowne belongs…to Bandai…or Sunrise (I think I am wrong), or anything else…that made it.
Now…story time! ^^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 15
Privacy Broken
Hitomi had to drag a tired Van Fanel back to the cabin. Pain that Van had managed to lock up in a compacted area of his mind had recently sprung out after being imprisoned for ever so long. Causing havoc and creating past forgotten images, he could only watch in fear as this pain showed him everything saddening. The pain finally pierced his heart, letting loose sweet memories and swallowing them, becoming larger as the loss from his life displayed again and again. He could not suppress it this time. He realized as soon as it broke the barrier that holding it down only made the old pain grow stronger, and that what happened just before was the perfect chance to break out. His heart shouted in anguish as the pain consumed the sweet memories, but could do nothing. Right now Van needed an extra supply of energy to restrain this unbearable pain eating away at his heart. Or rather, someone to assist him. That help was Hitomi.
And she was certainly aiding.
"Van…?" Hitomi had whispered his name worriedly.
"Huh?"
"You lie down here and just rest," she said, helping him onto the bed, at the same time, trying to warm it for him.
He rested and slipped into the land of sleep. There, he dreamt of a beautiful emerald-eyed girl chatting casually with him, her hand is his. Her eyes. They glistened with delight and interest. At him. Hers…locked with his.
Worry…Hitomi did not like this feeling. It made her feel weak and easily vulnerable. Especially about this man whom she had only known for a few weeks. Time was flying by and she knew it. Soon this happy moment would end and she would go back to her country, probably vowing to never marry. Love had that much of a hold on her. Of course, she didn't know it, but her heart knows otherwise. To have true happiness nowadays was bringing too many difficult problems. This emotion was sadness. To never experience true love was a saddening thought; why must she be born of a royal house? Surely the commoners live a heartier life? To possess skills that a normal woman of royalty doesn't gives pride to Hitomi, but to wither away without an equal…what was the use of these skills anyway? She felt self-pity. A tiny place in her sore heart wishes for herself to stay with Van, if not for the future, then for now. She wishes to find an equal. Wishes for the chain of predetermined marriage to finally come to an end. This little feeling was hope. It was highly contagious but no one fights against it. No one. Hitomi cannot deny this feeling; however, she chose to ignore it.
She flipped a book absent-mindedly and was about to read its contents when she realized that the pages were blank. She flipped a couple of pages back and found human Gaean writing. She looked at the book cover: The Journal of Van Slanzar de Fanel. She slammed it shut and took a few steps back, staggering. His diary? Where he keeps his thoughts and emotions? Like he has any. Hitomi's eyes widened in shock. But…just a little peek at what he wrote about me…it's not prying or anything. She took in a deep breath and stopped at a random page. It read:
Things about Hitomi Kanzaki, the princess of Kanzakia that I'd probably hate:
No knowledge except dressing up Snobby Bossy No material for position of queen Selfish Cowardly Babyish Mean/cruel No manners Not my typeShe fumed. Mad. Angry. Furious. Deadly. No knowledge except dressing up? Well! She knew how to disguise herself, cook, fight, shoot arrows, swim, use a sword, write, etc…most of the women's handiworks she could do, and she can do some of the skills the men do as well. She didn't consider herself bossy…or at least that bossy. Why was Hitomi not capable of being a queen? She had had the proper training…well, not exactly mastering the part where the queen does nothing except joining balls, but she was fairly sure she didn't need that skill. Selfish? She should hope not. Most of the riches that the suitors have presented she gave freely to the commoners. Cowardly was one thing she was determined she wasn't. She faced dragons, thieves…and she conquered. Facing her future and problems though was harder; she would flinch at the mere thought of marrying a lazy king. And men…despite how many men she has spoken to, she was nervous when they get too close for comfort. Hitomi admitted, so I'm cowardly…but babyish? Sure she could be so very childish at times when her temper is raging, but usually she is rather mature, wasn't she? She was not cruel, she was sure. Manners? Well, manners she does have, but when facing a rude situation, she can be nasty right back. Lastly…not Van's type. What did he mean by that? Does he already know of my true identity? I think I'm at least worthy to be one of the candidates…what am I thinking? She thought. Why would I want to be one? Hmmm…he is sweet and caring, once you get to know him, she added, eyes sparkling true happiness. And he's different from the other royalties…not to mention cute! She laughed out loud, holding his hand after sitting beside him. Such an innocent face…
Van was startled out of his sleep by the sweet-sounding laughter. He opened his eyes sleepily and saw Hitomi clasping his hand and looking straight at him. She blushed and looked away, dropping her hand. But Van's own held hers tightly, unwilling to let go. Hitomi pretended to be furious at him and threw at him his own diary.
"What the…?" he exclaimed.
Hitomi pouted. "How-how can you speak of…o…of her like that?"
"Who?"
"Hitomi of Kanzakia!"
"Well, she isn't exactly you so-" he didn't finish what he was saying; he trailed off when Hitomi turned her back to him.
"Girl?" Van whispered cautiously, trying to get a glimpse of her face. He received no reply and Hitomi turned her back to him again.
Van did not get her. She was beautiful, stunning, and brilliant…just lovely and is nothing like the Princess Hitomi he thought he knew. So why was she mad at him for writing something bad in his diary? Why was she even reading it? Ah, he got it now. She is one of the Kanzakians, and was of course proud of her country. Besides, she might be one of the princess's good friends, although he doesn't think they would have anything in common; he would dislike it also if someone ignorant dared to talk about Merle badly. Except he wasn't ignorant; he was unknowing.
Hitomi was disappointed. If he thought about a princess so negatively, especially the Princess of Kanzakia, he wouldn't be exactly happy when she does tell him of her identity. No wonder he didn't come along as one of the many suitors; he wasn't interested in me, Hitomi thought. So why hope? He will never—wait! Who said anything about…? She argued to herself.
She felt gentle, but firm hands steadily wrap around her and she unconsciously leaned back to the warmth, eyelids closed and enjoying the embrace. She grew stiff though when she remembered the journal entry. Darn that entry. If only she didn't read it…she would have remained hopeful and happy. Tears started to form.
Van felt relieved for a second, as he smelt the faint scent of honey on Hitomi; she looked as if she was no longer mad. He was wrong. She suddenly grew stiff and struggled to get out of his embrace. He wasn't about to let go. Not now. "Girl…let me explain it to you…" he muttered into her ear, tickling her with his breath. He whispered many calm and soothing words as she slowly calmed down. He rocked her as a mother does a child, back and forth. He was surprised at himself. He was unfamiliar with this tenderness to another. Still, he hugged her to him. One crystal tear dripped down her face and landed on Van's arm. He didn't wipe it away; he just held Hitomi more firmly.
"Tell me why you wrote that?" Hitomi finally said, anger melting at the foot of affection for this king.
"Sure." Van was glad she was back to the energetic and enthusiastic girl he knew. He told her all: How his advisors had been scheming the proposal to Kanzakia. How his faithful advisor whose mind was clear told him. How, in a way to release his anger, he wrote what he had written. How, he decided to come to the training grounds. And how by pure luck, he met her.
"Whoa…I never knew," Hitomi exclaimed, fascinated.
"Well…now you do," Van smirked, eyes sparkling a happy red.
Still leaning into him with her back to his chest, she stroked his check tenderly. They drifted off to sleep in that position, the hugger holding the hugged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maniac bubblicous: Hey! So how was the chapter? Good? Please state your opinions and suggestions in the form of a review or an email. Thank you! ^^ Happy April Fools! Oh and if you're wondering, the ending is coming soon, so don't worry! And sorry, for those that want just a bit of NC-17 events happening, I am sorry to say that I am not that type of writer, so I am sorry that I do not have the interest to write those type. I apologize. Until next time, see you! ^^
Maniac bubblicous ^^~ ^@^
April 1, 2002