AN: Sorry for not updating a while! Well actually it hasn't been a long time it's just I usually update often.... I might not update for another week because *gasp* PIANO EXAMS! I HATE PIANO. My teacher says I'll probably fail -_-;; ANYWHO, then I'll try to shove in as many chapters again, and then *sob* another dry spell will come! SCHOOL EXAMS! Ack! Anywho, here you go! Chapter 5 ^_^ And thanks to some suggestion, Dilandau will beat up Jacob! *hehehhee*
MaboroshiTsuki: Don't feel guilty! That's just making my story better!
Hehe... Jacob is going to become a bit of a jerk though in this chapter! Muahaha!
Well I have to kill him SOMEHOW, and I think killing him "literally"
would be too dramatic @_@
Paige Moonsword: Hehe, I love Dilandau in here too ^_^ And I'm not a
Jacob fan either XD I sort of winged the pairings ^^;; Hehe
Divine Discontent: *wishes she could just make Hitomi hate Jacob, and
then he'll go die for no particular reason* Because if he died while Hitomi
still sort of liked him, then I'd have to make her sad.... And then....Yeah....
^^;;
Rina: *cowers* Hehe, sorry! I'm a meanie ^_^;; Sorry to make you
emotional! *wails* ^___________^ Hehe
Ruby: Haha, I'm going to make Dilandau beat up Jacob.... Thanks for the
idea XD
Dariel: Hehe, Dilandau's gonna use his fists to beat up Jacob *matches
Dariel's grin with her own* Muahaha
LOVE WITCH: Muahaha, I'm getting rid of Jacob now! And yup yup, Dryden's
new girlfriend will be hot! XD
Storyteller: Hehe, thanko!
Magicman/Smokegirl: Haha, Dilandau's gonna get rid of Jacob, sorry
Smokegirl ;_; *hehe* And nope! Van and Hitomi have to fight a bit before they're
together XD
Candy Dragonstar: *is blushing like crazy, is very flattered* I will keep
writing more! ^_^ And the awkward dating is from personal experience ^^;; Oy.
Wing Goddess: Thanks for the advice about the conversations! I'll try to
clarify that a bit more... Hehe, I like how the guys are too XD And you can
still write a high school story! The story will be totally yours, as the plot
will be original ^-^
Shi no Miko: *bows before shi no miko* THANK YOU! I'm using that idea!
When I read that idea I was gobsmacked! Brilliant! Thanko! ^______^
PerfectSoldier09: *hires Van as a bodyguard* Muahaha.... Well, here's a
new chapter! Please don't poke me! ^^;; *clings onto Van*
James Holtrop: *waves Hockey flag* Hockey's my favorite sport XD Thanks
for the compliments! *blushes*
Dahee Fanel: Yeah, when I was writing I sort of wanted to slap Hitomi....
^^;; *hugs Van* It's okay! Jacob's going to die now! Hehe, thanko!
"Ladies and Gentlemen" came the booming voice over the arena. "Tonight, it's the Asturia Titans versus the Fanelia Black Hawks! Let the games begin!"
Hitomi cheered loudly, and she kept her eye on Van, who she spotted by his black jersey with the number "89" on the back, and the name "FANEL" written above it.
Van looked up at the stands for Hitomi, and smiled as he saw her, cheeks slightly pink from the ice. He looked back into the eye's of the Asturia High captain, and smiled.
"Good luck" he said.
"Not that I need it" said the captain snidely, and Van rolled his eyes. The Titan's were known to be a vicious team, and not very into sportsmanship. Still, Van had always wished the other team good luck before the game started, so he didn't see the point of stopping for them.
The whistle blew, and Van quickly passed the puck back to his team member. He skated up, keeping his eyes on the puck. The puck was being passed among Andrew and Lucas, and suddenly shot towards Van. Van received the puck beautifully, and made his way up the ice. He shot it over towards Fred, who began to pass it towards Ryuuji until the Asturia High captain intercepted it. Shooting a sneer at Van before skating towards the Fanelia net, Van skated angrily after the captain. Tommy was closer, and he picked the puck away from the Asturia captain. He shot it towards Van, and he quickly made his way up the ice. He quickly passed it to Andrew, who instantly passed it back to Van, and while the attention of the goalie was still on Andrew, he slapped it into the net.
"GOAL FOR FANELIA!" the voice boomed across the ice. Hitomi stood up and cheered wildly.
"Go Van! Go Black Hawks!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, several people near her doing the same.
They started at center ice again, and this time the Titans got the puck, making their way towards the Black Hawk net. Van shot urgent glances at Tommy and Aaron, his two defense men. Aaron skated over and tried to intercept the Asturia captain, but he was too quick and passed the puck to one of his team mates. Tommy began to go after the Titan with the puck, but the captain cross checked Tommy into the wall, causing him to crumple to the ground. The whistle blew, and the referee made his way over to Tommy. Tommy put his hand to his mouth, and when he removed it the fingers of his glove were sticky with blood.
"Penalty!" the referee yelled.
"I didn't do anything!" retorted the Titan's captain.
"You cross checked the boy into the god damned wall! And you're saying you didn't do anything?" the referee said thunderously.
"It was an accident!" insisted the captain.
"Son, if this was the NHL and we could show instant play backs you'd see yourself cross checking the boy on purpose!" the referee replied calmly. The captain cursed, and made his way over to the penalty box, throwing his stick down. "Back to center ice!" the referee called.
"And the Asturia captain has just cross checked #13, Tommy Mast of the Black Hawks! Power play for the Black Hawks!" the announcer boomed. Hitomi sat forward on the edge of her seat, biting her lip. Again, the Titan's got the puck, and made their way rapidly over to the Fanelia net. Van intercepted the puck when it was being passed, and made his way up to the ice. He passed it to Lucas, and Lucas shot it at the top left corner of the net.
"Oh! Nice save!" the announcer boomed. "That was a close one! No goal!" The crowd rooting for the Black Hawk's groaned, while the crowd for the Titan's cheered. Hitomi was surprised to see most of the crowd was adults, not teenagers. Then again, Van -had- said not much school school support went to the hockey team. They started again, and Van faked a pass at Andrew before shooting it into the net.
"Another goal for the Black Hawks! That makes the score 2-0 in favor of Fanelia High!" the announcer cried. "Both goals for the Black Hawks made by captain, #89 Van Fanel." The crowd cheered wildly, while the other side of the arena, the side supporting the Titan's, booed.
The game progressed as the night passed away, and the Titan's eventually tied up the score, 2-2. It was the final quarter, and there were 10 minutes left. Hitomi's voice was slightly hoarse from all the cheering she'd done, but she felt good. She watched Van sitting on the bench, taking a sip from his water bottle, shaking his raven black hair. Coach Grava motioned for Van to go back onto the ice, while Andrew took Van's place on the bench. The whistle blew once more, and this time the Black Hawks got the puck. The two captains of the opposing teams skated side by side, dangerously close. Lucas passed the puck to Ryuuji, and Van was about to skate up more to join them when the captain raised his stick high into the air and brought it down crashing onto Van's back. Van fell to the ice, swearing in pain, and Hitomi gasped. However, Van smiled grimly as he heard the words of the announcer.
"Goal for Fanelia! Penalty for the Titans! 45 seconds to go in the final quarter... Will the Titans be able to tie the game up for over time, with a power play for the Black Hawks? Let's see!" the voice boomed. Van was escorted off the ice by the referee, and although Hitomi couldn't hear what the referee said to the captain after helping Van, she could tell it wasn't nice. The captain made a violent gesture, and scowled at everyone from the penalty box.
"The puck goes to Tommy Mast, to Ryuuji Mora-- Oh! Intercepted by Bobby Anderson from the Titans. 20 seconds to go! Anderson is making his way up the ice... 15....14.....13.....12....Oh, Anderson has passed to team mate George Rivers! 8....7...6...5....Dangerously close to the Fanelia net! 3....2....He shoots......1...HE MISSES! 0! AND THE GAME IS WON BY THE FANELIA BLACK HAWKS, 3-2!!!" Cheers and shouts erupted from the supporting crowd, and Hitomi got out of her seat as she saw Van making his way to the change room with the help of Coach Grava.
"Van!" she shouted. Van looked over at her, winced, then smiled slightly. "Are you okay?" she said worriedly.
"Nah, he'll be fine. He's gone through much worse, right Fanel?" Coach Grava chuckled. Van gave Coach Grava a look, causing him to laugh more and slap Van on the back. Van nearly fell to his knees, if Hitomi hadn't been there to catch him.
"Whoops" grinned Coach Grava. "Well, this pretty lady will take care of you" he smirked. Both Hitomi and Van blushed bright red, and Ryuuji gently nudged Van, winking, as he passed the 3 into the change room.
"Um...I'll meet you outside in 15 minutes?" suggested Van. Hitomi nodded, and he slowly made his way into the change room.
***
Van gently tapped Hitomi on the shoulder, who was staring in a dazed fashion at the vending machine. She whirled around, slightly startled, but relaxed when she saw him.
"You were great!" she yelled, jumping on to him.
"SHIT!" he cursed, crumpling to the ground. Giggles erupting from her mouth, and she bent down.
"I'm sorry" she laughed slightly, helping him up with her hand. "I forgot you were injured" she blushed.
"It's okay" he muttered, a small smile creeping up on his face.
"Maybe I should check out your back" she said, concerned. "I have some medical stuff at my place, my dad's a doctor..." she trailed off.
"No, it's okay--" he started, but a devilish gleam came to Hitomi's eyes.
"So you're perfectly fine?" she asked innocently. He nodded confidently.
"Then piggy back me to the car" she grinned impishly. Van groaned.
"Fine, fine, I'll let you check out my back" he surrendered, not before adding "I know you just want to check out my hot back" he grinned. Hitomi's eyes widened, and she playfully smacked him on the back, forgetting about his injury.
"AHH!" he yelled.
"Whoops" Hitomi sweat dropped, repeating Coach Grava's words. "Hehe?"
***
Hitomi opened the door of her house, and looked at her watch. It was 9:15, her parents wouldn't be home till 11 because they were out on a "romantic dinner".
"Okay, you sit there" instructed Hitomi, pointing at the couch, and she then made her way to the medicine cabinet. She returned, and after blushing slightly, stripped off Van's gray "It's Hockey Night" shirt. His back -was- hot, and she caught a glimpse of his structured abs. She gasped slightly at the vicious gash on his back, and gingerly applied some peroxide with a cotton ball. He took a sharp intake of breath, but kept still. Hitomi then applied a soothing "ice" gel to his back, and gently blew on the cut to lessen the pain from the peroxide and the sharp chill of the gel. Van stiffened like a bowstring when he felt her warm breath blowing gently on his back. His face was still warm from when she had stripped off his shirt. Her lips were incredibly close to his back, and with a small shiver from Van her lips accidentally grazed his skin. Both of them turned flaming red, and felt their cheeks burn.
With shaking hands, Hitomi smoothed a bandage onto Van's gash to prevent bacteria from getting in, and she slowly rubbed the bruises around it. The feeling of her hands massaging his back made Van take every ounce of self control he had to stop himself from whirling around and wrapping her up in a deep, passionate kiss.
Slowly, Hitomi almost disappointedly handed his shirt back to him. He slipped it on, and both were extremely quiet.
"So..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"I guess I should be going--" began Van, but Hitomi interrupted him.
"Stay" she blurted out. She turned bright pink. "I could make you hot chocolate......We could talk...." Her face was turning different shades of red and pink rather rapidly, and Van was stuck on a rather tomato red shade.
"S-s-ure..." he managed to stutter out. Hitomi practically ran into the kitchen, and after lots of crashes and clanging, she came out with 2 mugs of steaming hot chocolate.
Taking a slow sip, a thought clung onto Van's mind. Invite her to Dryden's New Years Eve Bash! DO IT! DO IT! a voice in his head roared at him. DO IT OR DIE!!!!! it bellowed.
"Wannagopartywithme?" he stumbled out.
"What?" Hitomi asked, bewildered. If his mind was a different person, Van would be beating it to death right now.
"Sorry, I meant, do you want to go to Dryden's New Years Eve Bash with me?" he clarified nervously. Hitomi blushed bright red, and found she couldn't speak.
Is he asking me out?
Uh, I think so, dumbass.
What should I say? What about Jacob?
Screw Jacob, you know you don't like him.
Yeah, but...
And you've been thinking of Van ever since you met him!
I have not!
Uh, Hitomi? I'm your brain. I know what you think.
Damn.
Still, Hitomi couldn't speak.
"You can bring Jacob" added Van hurriedly. "And I can bring Millerna...And Allen...And Yukari....And Dilandau...And Merle...And Gaddes" What the hell are you doing, Van?
"Uh, sure...." Hitomi finally found her voice. "How will we all fit into the car?"
"Um...Good point. We'll use Millerna's car too." replied Van, almost shaking with nervousness.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"So, um, I should go" Van said quickly.
"Yeah" nodded Hitomi. Neither of the two looked each other in the eye.
"So, uh.... I'll....See you.....At the party."
"Mmhmmm" Hitomi murmured. With a quick goodbye Van left the house at lightning speed, cheeks burning, bright red face, mirroring Hitomi.
***
Jacob had immediately jumped at the chance of going to Dryden's New Years Bash, knowing the most popular people in the school would be there. Why was he mean to Van then, you ask? Van, after all was the most popular guy in school, tying with Dilandau. Because deep down inside, subconsciously, Jacob knew that Van and Hitomi would end up together...
"Hey, Jacob, can you hold my jewelry while I help Millerna in the kitchen? She tried to make a desert or something....And well..." Hitomi trailed off, laughing. Jacob took an appreciative glance at Hitomi, who was wearing low slung vintage jeans, orange satin open toe sandals and a matching fitting orange satin tank top with a criss cross back.
"Sure" Jacob replied, smiling. She gently unclasped the charm bracelet on her wrist, took off her silver watch, and almost unwillingly handed the Clavagh ring Van gave to her over to Jacob. Hitomi made her way over to the kitchen, and Jacob slipped the watch and bracelet into his pocket. He stopped at the ring. He inspected it, and noticed a small engraving inside.
Thanks, Van.
Rage crept up Jacob, and he held the ring like it was a vile piece of junk. About to grudgingly stuff it into his pocket, a slow smile crept on his face. The hundreds of people at the party seemed to be absorbed in themselves to notice anything else, and he made his way over to a suede couch and slipped the ring underneath the cushion. He quickly edged away, and amused himself with a glass of punch. Though Jacob was a football player, and had a good amount of friends, not one face did he know as a "friend" at this party, except for Hitomi. Who's not just my "friend" but my girlfriend he thought smugly to himself. Slowly losing himself in the beat of the music, Jacob jumped slightly when Hitomi crept up on him.
"Hey" he greeted warmly. She laughed slightly, and gave him a small hug.
"Can I have my jewelry?" she asked, smiling.
"Sure" he replied, digging into the pocket of his jeans. He handed her a pile of silver. Hitomi clasped the bracelet back on, and put on her watch.
"Jacob...Where's my ring?" Hitomi asked worriedly.
"Didn't I give it to you?" he asked innocently.
"No, you didn't" she replied.
"Well, I don't have it" he said defensively. "It's just a bland old ring anyways, who cares?" he added, trying to wrap his arms around her waist.
"What the hell do you mean? Bland old ring? I love that ring!" she yelled, pushing him away. A scene wasn't being caused, because the music was blaring too loudly.
"It's just a damn ring! Calm down, Hitomi!" he retorted.
"How could you lose it??" she shouted, her voice agitated.
"I'll buy you another one! It just won't say Van--" he started, before shutting his mouth.
"What did you say?" she asked, a edge in her voice.
"Nothing. My point is, don't get so worked up. You were bound to lose it anyways, so it just happened to occur sooner than you thought! It was an old ugly ring--" he justified, until Hitomi slapped him across the face with so much force his head snapped to the side.
"It is NOT an old ugly ring, I like, no LOVE it a lot more than your stupid charm bracelet!" She unclasped the bracelet and whipped it at him, tears misting up her eyes. "You always give me strange looks every time I try to hang out with MY friends, and you constantly trash hockey, knowing I love it!" He caught the bracelet, and was about to interrupt her, but she went on. "You rarely listen to me, and every time we go out it's where YOU want to go! And then there's the rare occasion we do something I want to do, and you sit around, complain, make faces, and criticize everything!"
"Look, let's just work something out--" he tried, attempting to calm her down.
"....No. I don't think I want to work something out" she whispered.
AN: Haha, sorry to leave you there... But you know Jacob's gone! Just don't know what his reaction will be..... ^_^ Eck, so tired... Please Review! Thanks Shi No Miko for the "how to dump Jacob" idea! XD