AN: Well, Fanfiction is up again, and chapter 14 is here! Yay ^_^ I'm having a lot of fun writing this, I'm glad that you guys are enjoying it ^_^
Megumi of the Moon- In reference to your question...that'd just make it WAY to easy, wouldn't it? ~evil chuckle~ But he does find out, eventually. Rose has to go through some more stuff that she has to deal with, but I can't tell you 'cause I'd be wrecking the story :P Thanks for all the encouraging reviews, you guys are the best! (and the only two that review my story, extra thanks for that!)
Van glared at the girl that had her hand to his throat. 'If she wasn't evil, she could pass as pretty...' He promptly smacked that part of his brain until it passed out and whimpered in defeat. Focusing on the current situation, he frowned.
" I might be. Why did you want to talk to me?" Her smile only turned into a smirk, her eyes chips of ice. They looked familiar, somehow...
" Why would I want to talk to you?" He snorted.
" Because you stood out in plain view of the enemy and waited for me to follow you until we got here." Shaking her head slightly, she let him go, backing up a bit. He went to move from the wall, but for some reason his body didn't do what he wanted it to. He couldn't move.
" And so you see the power of the sorceress." She chuckled coldly, leaning against thin air, somehow supporting herself. Narrowing his eyes, he attempted to break free. 'Drat...why did she bring me here?'
" Anyway, enough small talk. You know, you should be thanking me." Blinking, he snarled quietly.
" And why would that be? Why would I thank you for pinning me against a wall, sorceress?" She merely rolled her eyes at him.
" Because, boy king, if you answer several of my questions right, I may consider letting you go. I could have also killed you by now, or taken you hostage. It's a wonder your kingdom is alive and well if it's ruled by a boy idiotic enough to follow an enemy into a most likely trap." 'Ouch...that had to hurt.' The annoying part of his brain was back, and sneering at him in full glory. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Then he blinked, moving his head again. Casting another glance at the sorceress, his frown deepened.
" Even if you do take me hostage, my people will not back down, and my friends will find me." She paused, looking as if she had just had a sword rammed through her stomach. Straightening, she stalked over and raised her hand to slap him. Instead of following through, it hovered just above his cheek, and her eyes were pits of fire.
" Are you so sure about that, boy king? Sometimes your supposed friends are not as they seem." A note of bitterness had entered her voice.
" Well, my friends are." She merely chuckled, the anger fading from her eyes.
" And if they DO come to get you? What then, boy king? They would merely be captured as well. Then I could have twice as much fun torturing and killing them right in front of you. Or better yet," her hand descended, tracing his jaw. He flinched away, disgust filling his eyes. She paused, her hand under his chin, and continued in a cold voice, " I could just take over your body and mind and get you to kill them with your own two hands." A small knife appeared in her palm, and she ran the blade lightly under his chin, just enough to make the blood well to the surface.
" So, now that we both know what I could do if you don't answer my questions, let's continue, shall we?" Van looked away, eyes closed. He wouldn't answer anything.
" I've heard a rumor, boy king. A rumor that you, of all people, loved the Seeress from the Mystic Moon." His eyes snapped open. So she had heard about her...of course she would have, it was only a year and a bit ago.
" Maybe I did." He replied cautiously, quietly. She smirked, pacing the room slowly, looking like a cat stalking its prey.
" I also hear that she left soon after the war was completed. What was the matter, boy king? Didn't she like Gaia enough to stay? Or perhaps it was you?" Glaring at her, he only let his eyes follow her as she moved. 'Why is she asking me this? Obviously she knows the answers already, and she's just wasting her time. Why not ask about Fanelia, the Alliance...anything but Hitomi?' A light tap of the knife edge brought him back to reality.
" We're not done talking boy. You have a nasty habit of tuning people out, you know that? It's not very polite."
" Yeah well, you're not exactly somebody I need to be polite to, sorceress." She tsked, shaking her head.
" You know, that title gets extremely cumbersome after a while. Please, just call me Koal. Alright? Alright." 'What and odd name...' She ran a hand through her hair, untangling some knots.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Rose sighed, glancing back at Van. She could see the hate and fury plainly in his eyes. 'So emotional...he always was though, wasn't he?' She didn't have time to think of that now. There would be only a few moments left before Dillandu showed up. And she wasn't done talking yet.
" Really boy king, I'm disappointed. I expected a better fight before I captured you. But enough of that, I still have more questions. I've also heard another, more interesting rumor. The Seeresses' daughter was supposed to have come here, wasn't she?" Van winced as if he was in pain. 'Perfect.'
" Yes...she was." She smirked again, cracking her knuckles and trying to quell the disgust she felt for him.
" Good, you've decided to co-operate...it makes it much easier, you know. Where is she now? I didn't see her when I looked over the battlefield. She was supposed to be a good fighter too." He narrowed his eyes at her in puzzlement.
" How did you..." He trailed off, eyes widening. 'No, he couldn't guess!'
" Honestly boy king...are you not familiar with the usage of spies? No wonder you're such a pathetic wealing."
" Of course I know about spies. I just never assumed..." She resisted the urge to smack her forehead in exasperation. 'Foolish, foolish boy...' Idly, she bent down and picked up her sword and his. Glancing at the blade, she nodded.
" That's a good blade you have. Worthy of a king indeed." She stuck it into the ground near his feet.
" Was she your friend?" Glancing up at him from her crouched position, she toyed with the handle of her sword.
"....Yes. Yes, she was my friend." Standing, she brushed herself off, flicking her hair behind her shoulder.
" I see. So you meet people, lull them into thinking that they have your friendship, and then when they disappear you abandon them completely and leave them for dead, is that it? Of course, it all makes sense," she said bitingly, wanting to see him in pain again. She got her wish as he winced more and glanced to the side.
" I had to make a decision..." Rose let out a bitter laugh.
" A decision, boy king?" He whipped his head around, glaring at her once again.
" Yes," he spat out angrily, " yes, I had to make a decision. If I went to look for her, then my country would have been attacked when I was gone. If I left her...she could have died. But it's alright now, because she left." He closed his eyes, pain etched onto his face. Rose narrowed her eyes in thought.
" She left did she? On what grounds do you base THAT decision? Pure hope, or pure laziness?"
" Proof. Three days after she ran away..." He sighed, opening his eyes, looking like somebody had shot his dog, " after she ran away from me...from her friends...the pillar of light came and took her home." His hands clenched, and his body shook slightly. " It took her away before I even told her...." Rose backed up slightly, surprised. 'Pillar of light? That never....before he told me what?' She swallowed, forcing a look of contempt onto her face.
" Pillar of light? How ridiculous. But before I continue...told her what? What did you want to tell her?" He looked up, sighing, about to speak, when Dillandu walked in.
" Ah, Van. Remember me? I believe I have an old score to settle." Chuckling at Van's horrified expression, he advanced as Rose headed towards the doorway.
" You may take over Dillandu. But there are two conditions. Do NOT, under any circumstance, kill him. And also, only use the whip you have in your hand. Nothing else. Do not scar his face. Only his torso." Dillandu growled, but replied.
" Of course Lady Koal." Rose was about to leave when Van spoke up, very reluctantly.
" Well, I've told you everything else....I loved her. I loved her, but I was too afraid...like before, with Hitomi...I didn't realize it until it was too late." Rose gasped, taking a step backwards. 'No...no, this can't be true! There was no pillar of light, I didn't leave! I was stuck here, and Folken said he'd give Van a signal that I wasn't wandering around in the...' Suddenly everything clicked into place, and waves upon waves of anger mixed with terror and sadness filled her. 'They tricked me! Those...those...THINGS tricked me! And they tricked him....I'M GOING TO KILL THEM! How could he...and Naria and Dillandu and....' Her eyes widened even further.
" You seem surprised, Koal. Think it was impossible for a person like me to fall for somebody?" Rose ignored him, fighting tears. Waving her hand, she released the invisible ropes holding him.
" Dillandu...I leave him to you. If Folken asks, tell him I'm in my room and I'm not to be disturbed. This battle is over...for today." With that, she walked slowly out into the old hallway. Rain was starting to pour as the sounds of a whip cracking was heard, and the ends of a battle finished, with orders to return to base. She managed to get down the first hallway before she broke into a run, then gave up on running and teleported directly to her room, in tears.
" They all lied to me....Miguel...."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
He knew that something was wrong. First she had called off the battles, sending messages to the Allied forces that they had better watch their backs and that even though they were returning to the capital they were by no means surrendering. Then she had stayed in her room during the day, only coming out at night and during meal times. Often her eyes were slightly red. She had been crying, and he didn't like it one bit. That's why he was standing outside in the hall in front of her door, debating with himself whether or not he should go in.
" Come on...it's not that hard..." Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door.
" Go away. I didn't send for anybody." He sighed. Something had gone very, very wrong at the fight.
" It's me...Miguel." There was silence behind the door, and then it quietly slid open. Rose looked at him quietly, as if making a decision about him.
" What is it Miguel?" She sighed, standing aside once she took a look at him. 'I probably look twice as worried as I would like to...' he thought, before accepting her silent invitation and stepping inside.
" I just thought I'd come to check on you...I'm worried Rose, you're acting different. What's the matter?" She shook her head, sitting on her bed, motioning for him to have a seat as well. Gulping slightly, he sat beside her, fighting his nerves.
" It's nothing..." He frowned.
" And that's a lie. I may not have special powers, but even I know that something is bugging you. You haven't overseen training all week, you've barely eaten anything, and you only go out of your room at night, refusing to see anybody." He put an arm around her, hugging her to his side. It was time to put his embarrassment aside for her sake. She stiffened slightly at the original contact, and then relaxed, leaning against him. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
" So, are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" She lowered her head, sighing.
" Nothing gets by you Miguel, does it?" He chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
" Nope. Not when it comes to you." She smiled slightly, looking up at him. A troubled look crossed her face.
" Miguel....if I was kidnapped...and you didn't know where I was....and you thought that I had gone back to the Mystic Moon...would you still look for me?" He blinked. 'Where did that question...?' He thought for a moment about the question.
" If you were kidnapped, of course I would look for you. I wouldn't stop until I found you. But if I was absolutely sure you had gone back home...and that you were HAPPY there...then I might stop. If I thought that you went involuntarily though, I would search until I found a way to get to you. Why the sudden curiosity?" She sighed again.
" No particular reason...just one of those questions that pops into your head late at night and it won't leave you alone." Looking down again, she swung her feet under her bed, her wings closing tighter about her to allow her to move closer to him.
" Miguel...am I somebody that a person could care about? I know I'm a tomboy, and I'm not nice, and I cut myself off from people, but-" He cut her off, kissing the top of her head, face turning an extraordinary shade of red.
" You have to be one of the easiest people to care about. When I met you...well...you instantly became my friend. And now...well..." he trailed off, hand going into the pocket of his pants. (He's in normal clothes, so it's not his armor 0-o) Pulling out the box he had meant to give to her before, he set it in her lap.
" I got this for you...I hope you like it." Sending a questioning look at him, she opened the oblong box. She gasped in delight, and he allowed himself a small smile. The silver necklace glittered in the moonlight streaming through her window, and an intricately carved tiger hung from the chain, holding a small opal in it's mouth.
" Oh Miguel...it's beautiful...and opal is my birthstone...how did you...?" He silenced her by placing his hand over her mouth.
" Folken told me. I got the necklace on my own though. The tiger reminded me of you. Deadly and having more emotions and thoughts than she shows, but devastatingly beautiful, sleek, and graceful." Tears rose in her eyes, spilling over onto his hand. He used his other hand to wipe them away, and hugged her close, removing his hand from her mouth.
" Miguel...I need this to be answered by somebody other than my mother....am I pretty?" He glanced down at her. She seemed so...unsure, insecure. He frowned mentally. That Van guy must have hurt her pretty badly to doubt even that.
" You're more beautiful than Aranor, queen of the Arethians and daughter of Charganya, goddess of beauty." Here her eyes widened in shock, but then they returned to normal.
" Thank you Miguel...thank you so much for the necklace...for everything. You accepted me when I first came here, no questions asked. Even when I got my wings...you still stayed by my side." She smiled up at him happily, but there was still a sadness in her eyes. His stomach fell slightly.
" But?" She closed her eyes in regret, standing up and bringing him with her, walking out to her balcony. Her hands gripped the rail as she looked over the capital.
" I can't stay here..." she whispered quietly, so quietly he had to strain to hear it.
" Why...?" She turned to him, hugging him tightly.
" They all lied to me...I talked to Van at the battle...they said that they sent a signal to him and that he chose not to come and get me..." Miguel sighed, keeping her close to him.
" I'm sorry Rose...I was part of it too.."
" I know." He blinked, looking down at her. She had put the necklace on, and was back to looking at Zaibach.
" It was your job, right? Your job to keep me stabilized if the experiments went wrong?" He stayed silent, nodding.
" How did you know?" Leaning against the wall, he waited for her answer. 'She's so beautiful...'
" Before I got my powers under control...when I hugged you....I...I'm sorry..." She rubbed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
" It should be me who is apologizing. You see, I failed in my job. I was supposed to act, and not let my feelings get in the way. But it happened anyway." She leaned against him, eyes closed.
" I fell in love with you Rose...and I want you to stay with me." He rested his head against hers, enjoying the smell of her hair. There was a tiny gasp in her direction, and he grinned, restraining a laugh at her response.
" Miguel, I...I just can't. If none of this had happened and we met on other conditions, maybe. But..." He shushed her quietly.
" I know, and I understand. I don't think I'd want to stay in a place where I'd been fed nothing but lies either. And if you want...I'll help you get away from here. Just...do me one favor...for a pathetic man in love with you..." She turned and blinked up at him, nodding slightly. He hugged her close to him, burying his face in her neck.
" I love you. I love you. I love you, Rose." (AN: Yes, I know I stole that from Fushigi Yugi...but it's ssuucchhh and adorable scene!) She hugged him back, wiping her eyes again.
" Thank you Miguel." He nodded.
" Now...are you going to go back to Fanelia?" She shook her head, and he felt some relief. At least Van couldn't hurt her if she didn't go back there.
" I can't go back...not yet. I have to think about a lot of things first." He nodded, taking her hand.
" Come on. I'll sneak you into a guymelef. I'll let you choose your path from there. Do you need food from the kitchen?" She nodded, looking like a small, lost child. He tugged lightly, heading to the mess hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken watched the two dark figures walk cautiously through the halls. He sighed, smiling wistfully. He knew that she'd figure it out soon enough. He just hoped that she eventually made the right decision.
" Um...Lord Folken?" He turned his attention back to the advisor.
" Yes?" The old man gulped slightly, pushing the betrothal papers towards him.
" Since our King isn't here to sign them...we need somebody of the Royal Family's blood to sign the negotiations. When Rose returns...then they shall be wed." The advisor looked disgruntled, obviously disliking the match for his king, but frankly unable to do a thing about it.
" Very well. And don't worry about it. Our sorceress is a nice woman. Her and Van will fit well together." With that, he took the offered quill and signed his name, sealing their deal.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Rose toyed with her necklace as Miguel landed in a clearing near the forests that divided the mountain region from Fanelia. Silently, he handed her a large pack full of food, enough to last her around a month, if she planned it right. She had her duffel bag over her shoulder, it's strap rubbing awkwardly against her left wing, and her sword was strapped in it's usual place in case she ran into trouble. She also had a hunting knife when and if she ran out of food. 'Miguel is so nice...I wish that I didn't have to do this...but right now, it's the only thing that I CAN do. I need to think about...everything. Particularly the aforementioned Aranor. That woman in my dreams...ugh, everything is so confusing!' Miguel paused at the feet of his guymelef.
" Well...I guess this is it Rose..." She smiled sadly at him, giving him a small hug.
" Thank you Miguel...from the bottom of my heart." Tilting her head, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and started walking, not looking back. 'I have to do this on my own. If I look back now then I'll cave in and follow him.'
" Good luck, Lady Rose." Soon after, there was the sound of the guymelef taking off, and then the air was silent. Putting the food pack in her duffel bag and shifting it on her shoulder, Rose started walking up a hill, recalling the words of a song that she had written in her spare time on the Mystic Moon. Smiling happily for the first time in days, Rose started to sing, making up the tune as she walked.
( AN: Me again. This next song is awesome, and I have the perfect vision of Rose walking when the sun is rising and singing this song, and I'll do my best to describe it, but it works better when you hear the song...it's called Luna's Boat Song, from the game Lunar, lyrics arranged by Jen something. I encourage you to try and find it, it's really pretty!)
Wishing on a dream that seems far off,
Hoping it will come today.
Into the starlit night,
Foolish dreamers turn their gaze,
Waiting on a shooting star!
Rose glanced at the dark sky, the bottom starting to lighten, the stars fading slowly into the light of the rising sun. She was fairly high up on the hill now, and she continued to sing.
But,
What if that star is not to come?
Will their dreams fade to nothing?
When the horizon darkens most,
We all need to believe there is hope.
Her face fell for a moment, and she thought about Aranor and Vargain again. 'I may not know who you are yet, but I know you're somebody important...Miguel mentioning you makes it even more important for me to find out...' Her thoughts took a turn again. 'Mother...I know I've made some mistakes, but I think they were supposed to happen. Without them I wouldn't have met Miguel or the others, and they're my friends...I know you're making sure I'm alright. I'm doing just fine, don't you worry!' Her hand wrapped around the tiger necklace and her mothers pendant as the sky started to turn pink and yellow with the suns' light.
Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see?
I know my heart should guide me but,
There's a hole within my soul.
Taking a break and sitting down at the top of the hill, Rose closed her eyes as a gentle breeze blew past her face, cooling her off and carrying the scent of herbs and flowers to her. Something nudged her elbow. Looking down, she saw the baby dragon she had seen earlier in the clearing. Sending her glance upwards, she saw the rest of the clan. 'Yes...this was meant to happen, I'm sure of it.' She stood, hefting her bag over her shoulder. One of the older dragons came forward and took the strap lightly in it's mouth, lifting it off of her and turning. The others looked at her, as if waiting for her to follow them. She smiled, before picking up the baby dragon and walking into the dark woods.
What will fill this emptieness inside of me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?
I wish then, for a chance to see,
Now all I need (desperately)
Rose sent one last glance down the mountain to the city below, looking like a tiny replica of Fanelia. 'Van...promise me you'll wait for me...I'll try not to be too long.'
Is my star to come?
Megumi of the Moon- In reference to your question...that'd just make it WAY to easy, wouldn't it? ~evil chuckle~ But he does find out, eventually. Rose has to go through some more stuff that she has to deal with, but I can't tell you 'cause I'd be wrecking the story :P Thanks for all the encouraging reviews, you guys are the best! (and the only two that review my story, extra thanks for that!)
Van glared at the girl that had her hand to his throat. 'If she wasn't evil, she could pass as pretty...' He promptly smacked that part of his brain until it passed out and whimpered in defeat. Focusing on the current situation, he frowned.
" I might be. Why did you want to talk to me?" Her smile only turned into a smirk, her eyes chips of ice. They looked familiar, somehow...
" Why would I want to talk to you?" He snorted.
" Because you stood out in plain view of the enemy and waited for me to follow you until we got here." Shaking her head slightly, she let him go, backing up a bit. He went to move from the wall, but for some reason his body didn't do what he wanted it to. He couldn't move.
" And so you see the power of the sorceress." She chuckled coldly, leaning against thin air, somehow supporting herself. Narrowing his eyes, he attempted to break free. 'Drat...why did she bring me here?'
" Anyway, enough small talk. You know, you should be thanking me." Blinking, he snarled quietly.
" And why would that be? Why would I thank you for pinning me against a wall, sorceress?" She merely rolled her eyes at him.
" Because, boy king, if you answer several of my questions right, I may consider letting you go. I could have also killed you by now, or taken you hostage. It's a wonder your kingdom is alive and well if it's ruled by a boy idiotic enough to follow an enemy into a most likely trap." 'Ouch...that had to hurt.' The annoying part of his brain was back, and sneering at him in full glory. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Then he blinked, moving his head again. Casting another glance at the sorceress, his frown deepened.
" Even if you do take me hostage, my people will not back down, and my friends will find me." She paused, looking as if she had just had a sword rammed through her stomach. Straightening, she stalked over and raised her hand to slap him. Instead of following through, it hovered just above his cheek, and her eyes were pits of fire.
" Are you so sure about that, boy king? Sometimes your supposed friends are not as they seem." A note of bitterness had entered her voice.
" Well, my friends are." She merely chuckled, the anger fading from her eyes.
" And if they DO come to get you? What then, boy king? They would merely be captured as well. Then I could have twice as much fun torturing and killing them right in front of you. Or better yet," her hand descended, tracing his jaw. He flinched away, disgust filling his eyes. She paused, her hand under his chin, and continued in a cold voice, " I could just take over your body and mind and get you to kill them with your own two hands." A small knife appeared in her palm, and she ran the blade lightly under his chin, just enough to make the blood well to the surface.
" So, now that we both know what I could do if you don't answer my questions, let's continue, shall we?" Van looked away, eyes closed. He wouldn't answer anything.
" I've heard a rumor, boy king. A rumor that you, of all people, loved the Seeress from the Mystic Moon." His eyes snapped open. So she had heard about her...of course she would have, it was only a year and a bit ago.
" Maybe I did." He replied cautiously, quietly. She smirked, pacing the room slowly, looking like a cat stalking its prey.
" I also hear that she left soon after the war was completed. What was the matter, boy king? Didn't she like Gaia enough to stay? Or perhaps it was you?" Glaring at her, he only let his eyes follow her as she moved. 'Why is she asking me this? Obviously she knows the answers already, and she's just wasting her time. Why not ask about Fanelia, the Alliance...anything but Hitomi?' A light tap of the knife edge brought him back to reality.
" We're not done talking boy. You have a nasty habit of tuning people out, you know that? It's not very polite."
" Yeah well, you're not exactly somebody I need to be polite to, sorceress." She tsked, shaking her head.
" You know, that title gets extremely cumbersome after a while. Please, just call me Koal. Alright? Alright." 'What and odd name...' She ran a hand through her hair, untangling some knots.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Rose sighed, glancing back at Van. She could see the hate and fury plainly in his eyes. 'So emotional...he always was though, wasn't he?' She didn't have time to think of that now. There would be only a few moments left before Dillandu showed up. And she wasn't done talking yet.
" Really boy king, I'm disappointed. I expected a better fight before I captured you. But enough of that, I still have more questions. I've also heard another, more interesting rumor. The Seeresses' daughter was supposed to have come here, wasn't she?" Van winced as if he was in pain. 'Perfect.'
" Yes...she was." She smirked again, cracking her knuckles and trying to quell the disgust she felt for him.
" Good, you've decided to co-operate...it makes it much easier, you know. Where is she now? I didn't see her when I looked over the battlefield. She was supposed to be a good fighter too." He narrowed his eyes at her in puzzlement.
" How did you..." He trailed off, eyes widening. 'No, he couldn't guess!'
" Honestly boy king...are you not familiar with the usage of spies? No wonder you're such a pathetic wealing."
" Of course I know about spies. I just never assumed..." She resisted the urge to smack her forehead in exasperation. 'Foolish, foolish boy...' Idly, she bent down and picked up her sword and his. Glancing at the blade, she nodded.
" That's a good blade you have. Worthy of a king indeed." She stuck it into the ground near his feet.
" Was she your friend?" Glancing up at him from her crouched position, she toyed with the handle of her sword.
"....Yes. Yes, she was my friend." Standing, she brushed herself off, flicking her hair behind her shoulder.
" I see. So you meet people, lull them into thinking that they have your friendship, and then when they disappear you abandon them completely and leave them for dead, is that it? Of course, it all makes sense," she said bitingly, wanting to see him in pain again. She got her wish as he winced more and glanced to the side.
" I had to make a decision..." Rose let out a bitter laugh.
" A decision, boy king?" He whipped his head around, glaring at her once again.
" Yes," he spat out angrily, " yes, I had to make a decision. If I went to look for her, then my country would have been attacked when I was gone. If I left her...she could have died. But it's alright now, because she left." He closed his eyes, pain etched onto his face. Rose narrowed her eyes in thought.
" She left did she? On what grounds do you base THAT decision? Pure hope, or pure laziness?"
" Proof. Three days after she ran away..." He sighed, opening his eyes, looking like somebody had shot his dog, " after she ran away from me...from her friends...the pillar of light came and took her home." His hands clenched, and his body shook slightly. " It took her away before I even told her...." Rose backed up slightly, surprised. 'Pillar of light? That never....before he told me what?' She swallowed, forcing a look of contempt onto her face.
" Pillar of light? How ridiculous. But before I continue...told her what? What did you want to tell her?" He looked up, sighing, about to speak, when Dillandu walked in.
" Ah, Van. Remember me? I believe I have an old score to settle." Chuckling at Van's horrified expression, he advanced as Rose headed towards the doorway.
" You may take over Dillandu. But there are two conditions. Do NOT, under any circumstance, kill him. And also, only use the whip you have in your hand. Nothing else. Do not scar his face. Only his torso." Dillandu growled, but replied.
" Of course Lady Koal." Rose was about to leave when Van spoke up, very reluctantly.
" Well, I've told you everything else....I loved her. I loved her, but I was too afraid...like before, with Hitomi...I didn't realize it until it was too late." Rose gasped, taking a step backwards. 'No...no, this can't be true! There was no pillar of light, I didn't leave! I was stuck here, and Folken said he'd give Van a signal that I wasn't wandering around in the...' Suddenly everything clicked into place, and waves upon waves of anger mixed with terror and sadness filled her. 'They tricked me! Those...those...THINGS tricked me! And they tricked him....I'M GOING TO KILL THEM! How could he...and Naria and Dillandu and....' Her eyes widened even further.
" You seem surprised, Koal. Think it was impossible for a person like me to fall for somebody?" Rose ignored him, fighting tears. Waving her hand, she released the invisible ropes holding him.
" Dillandu...I leave him to you. If Folken asks, tell him I'm in my room and I'm not to be disturbed. This battle is over...for today." With that, she walked slowly out into the old hallway. Rain was starting to pour as the sounds of a whip cracking was heard, and the ends of a battle finished, with orders to return to base. She managed to get down the first hallway before she broke into a run, then gave up on running and teleported directly to her room, in tears.
" They all lied to me....Miguel...."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
He knew that something was wrong. First she had called off the battles, sending messages to the Allied forces that they had better watch their backs and that even though they were returning to the capital they were by no means surrendering. Then she had stayed in her room during the day, only coming out at night and during meal times. Often her eyes were slightly red. She had been crying, and he didn't like it one bit. That's why he was standing outside in the hall in front of her door, debating with himself whether or not he should go in.
" Come on...it's not that hard..." Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door.
" Go away. I didn't send for anybody." He sighed. Something had gone very, very wrong at the fight.
" It's me...Miguel." There was silence behind the door, and then it quietly slid open. Rose looked at him quietly, as if making a decision about him.
" What is it Miguel?" She sighed, standing aside once she took a look at him. 'I probably look twice as worried as I would like to...' he thought, before accepting her silent invitation and stepping inside.
" I just thought I'd come to check on you...I'm worried Rose, you're acting different. What's the matter?" She shook her head, sitting on her bed, motioning for him to have a seat as well. Gulping slightly, he sat beside her, fighting his nerves.
" It's nothing..." He frowned.
" And that's a lie. I may not have special powers, but even I know that something is bugging you. You haven't overseen training all week, you've barely eaten anything, and you only go out of your room at night, refusing to see anybody." He put an arm around her, hugging her to his side. It was time to put his embarrassment aside for her sake. She stiffened slightly at the original contact, and then relaxed, leaning against him. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
" So, are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" She lowered her head, sighing.
" Nothing gets by you Miguel, does it?" He chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
" Nope. Not when it comes to you." She smiled slightly, looking up at him. A troubled look crossed her face.
" Miguel....if I was kidnapped...and you didn't know where I was....and you thought that I had gone back to the Mystic Moon...would you still look for me?" He blinked. 'Where did that question...?' He thought for a moment about the question.
" If you were kidnapped, of course I would look for you. I wouldn't stop until I found you. But if I was absolutely sure you had gone back home...and that you were HAPPY there...then I might stop. If I thought that you went involuntarily though, I would search until I found a way to get to you. Why the sudden curiosity?" She sighed again.
" No particular reason...just one of those questions that pops into your head late at night and it won't leave you alone." Looking down again, she swung her feet under her bed, her wings closing tighter about her to allow her to move closer to him.
" Miguel...am I somebody that a person could care about? I know I'm a tomboy, and I'm not nice, and I cut myself off from people, but-" He cut her off, kissing the top of her head, face turning an extraordinary shade of red.
" You have to be one of the easiest people to care about. When I met you...well...you instantly became my friend. And now...well..." he trailed off, hand going into the pocket of his pants. (He's in normal clothes, so it's not his armor 0-o) Pulling out the box he had meant to give to her before, he set it in her lap.
" I got this for you...I hope you like it." Sending a questioning look at him, she opened the oblong box. She gasped in delight, and he allowed himself a small smile. The silver necklace glittered in the moonlight streaming through her window, and an intricately carved tiger hung from the chain, holding a small opal in it's mouth.
" Oh Miguel...it's beautiful...and opal is my birthstone...how did you...?" He silenced her by placing his hand over her mouth.
" Folken told me. I got the necklace on my own though. The tiger reminded me of you. Deadly and having more emotions and thoughts than she shows, but devastatingly beautiful, sleek, and graceful." Tears rose in her eyes, spilling over onto his hand. He used his other hand to wipe them away, and hugged her close, removing his hand from her mouth.
" Miguel...I need this to be answered by somebody other than my mother....am I pretty?" He glanced down at her. She seemed so...unsure, insecure. He frowned mentally. That Van guy must have hurt her pretty badly to doubt even that.
" You're more beautiful than Aranor, queen of the Arethians and daughter of Charganya, goddess of beauty." Here her eyes widened in shock, but then they returned to normal.
" Thank you Miguel...thank you so much for the necklace...for everything. You accepted me when I first came here, no questions asked. Even when I got my wings...you still stayed by my side." She smiled up at him happily, but there was still a sadness in her eyes. His stomach fell slightly.
" But?" She closed her eyes in regret, standing up and bringing him with her, walking out to her balcony. Her hands gripped the rail as she looked over the capital.
" I can't stay here..." she whispered quietly, so quietly he had to strain to hear it.
" Why...?" She turned to him, hugging him tightly.
" They all lied to me...I talked to Van at the battle...they said that they sent a signal to him and that he chose not to come and get me..." Miguel sighed, keeping her close to him.
" I'm sorry Rose...I was part of it too.."
" I know." He blinked, looking down at her. She had put the necklace on, and was back to looking at Zaibach.
" It was your job, right? Your job to keep me stabilized if the experiments went wrong?" He stayed silent, nodding.
" How did you know?" Leaning against the wall, he waited for her answer. 'She's so beautiful...'
" Before I got my powers under control...when I hugged you....I...I'm sorry..." She rubbed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
" It should be me who is apologizing. You see, I failed in my job. I was supposed to act, and not let my feelings get in the way. But it happened anyway." She leaned against him, eyes closed.
" I fell in love with you Rose...and I want you to stay with me." He rested his head against hers, enjoying the smell of her hair. There was a tiny gasp in her direction, and he grinned, restraining a laugh at her response.
" Miguel, I...I just can't. If none of this had happened and we met on other conditions, maybe. But..." He shushed her quietly.
" I know, and I understand. I don't think I'd want to stay in a place where I'd been fed nothing but lies either. And if you want...I'll help you get away from here. Just...do me one favor...for a pathetic man in love with you..." She turned and blinked up at him, nodding slightly. He hugged her close to him, burying his face in her neck.
" I love you. I love you. I love you, Rose." (AN: Yes, I know I stole that from Fushigi Yugi...but it's ssuucchhh and adorable scene!) She hugged him back, wiping her eyes again.
" Thank you Miguel." He nodded.
" Now...are you going to go back to Fanelia?" She shook her head, and he felt some relief. At least Van couldn't hurt her if she didn't go back there.
" I can't go back...not yet. I have to think about a lot of things first." He nodded, taking her hand.
" Come on. I'll sneak you into a guymelef. I'll let you choose your path from there. Do you need food from the kitchen?" She nodded, looking like a small, lost child. He tugged lightly, heading to the mess hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken watched the two dark figures walk cautiously through the halls. He sighed, smiling wistfully. He knew that she'd figure it out soon enough. He just hoped that she eventually made the right decision.
" Um...Lord Folken?" He turned his attention back to the advisor.
" Yes?" The old man gulped slightly, pushing the betrothal papers towards him.
" Since our King isn't here to sign them...we need somebody of the Royal Family's blood to sign the negotiations. When Rose returns...then they shall be wed." The advisor looked disgruntled, obviously disliking the match for his king, but frankly unable to do a thing about it.
" Very well. And don't worry about it. Our sorceress is a nice woman. Her and Van will fit well together." With that, he took the offered quill and signed his name, sealing their deal.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Rose toyed with her necklace as Miguel landed in a clearing near the forests that divided the mountain region from Fanelia. Silently, he handed her a large pack full of food, enough to last her around a month, if she planned it right. She had her duffel bag over her shoulder, it's strap rubbing awkwardly against her left wing, and her sword was strapped in it's usual place in case she ran into trouble. She also had a hunting knife when and if she ran out of food. 'Miguel is so nice...I wish that I didn't have to do this...but right now, it's the only thing that I CAN do. I need to think about...everything. Particularly the aforementioned Aranor. That woman in my dreams...ugh, everything is so confusing!' Miguel paused at the feet of his guymelef.
" Well...I guess this is it Rose..." She smiled sadly at him, giving him a small hug.
" Thank you Miguel...from the bottom of my heart." Tilting her head, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and started walking, not looking back. 'I have to do this on my own. If I look back now then I'll cave in and follow him.'
" Good luck, Lady Rose." Soon after, there was the sound of the guymelef taking off, and then the air was silent. Putting the food pack in her duffel bag and shifting it on her shoulder, Rose started walking up a hill, recalling the words of a song that she had written in her spare time on the Mystic Moon. Smiling happily for the first time in days, Rose started to sing, making up the tune as she walked.
( AN: Me again. This next song is awesome, and I have the perfect vision of Rose walking when the sun is rising and singing this song, and I'll do my best to describe it, but it works better when you hear the song...it's called Luna's Boat Song, from the game Lunar, lyrics arranged by Jen something. I encourage you to try and find it, it's really pretty!)
Wishing on a dream that seems far off,
Hoping it will come today.
Into the starlit night,
Foolish dreamers turn their gaze,
Waiting on a shooting star!
Rose glanced at the dark sky, the bottom starting to lighten, the stars fading slowly into the light of the rising sun. She was fairly high up on the hill now, and she continued to sing.
But,
What if that star is not to come?
Will their dreams fade to nothing?
When the horizon darkens most,
We all need to believe there is hope.
Her face fell for a moment, and she thought about Aranor and Vargain again. 'I may not know who you are yet, but I know you're somebody important...Miguel mentioning you makes it even more important for me to find out...' Her thoughts took a turn again. 'Mother...I know I've made some mistakes, but I think they were supposed to happen. Without them I wouldn't have met Miguel or the others, and they're my friends...I know you're making sure I'm alright. I'm doing just fine, don't you worry!' Her hand wrapped around the tiger necklace and her mothers pendant as the sky started to turn pink and yellow with the suns' light.
Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see?
I know my heart should guide me but,
There's a hole within my soul.
Taking a break and sitting down at the top of the hill, Rose closed her eyes as a gentle breeze blew past her face, cooling her off and carrying the scent of herbs and flowers to her. Something nudged her elbow. Looking down, she saw the baby dragon she had seen earlier in the clearing. Sending her glance upwards, she saw the rest of the clan. 'Yes...this was meant to happen, I'm sure of it.' She stood, hefting her bag over her shoulder. One of the older dragons came forward and took the strap lightly in it's mouth, lifting it off of her and turning. The others looked at her, as if waiting for her to follow them. She smiled, before picking up the baby dragon and walking into the dark woods.
What will fill this emptieness inside of me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?
I wish then, for a chance to see,
Now all I need (desperately)
Rose sent one last glance down the mountain to the city below, looking like a tiny replica of Fanelia. 'Van...promise me you'll wait for me...I'll try not to be too long.'
Is my star to come?