Disclaimer: I DON'T FREAKING OWN ESCAFLOWNE!!!!
A/N 0_0 ..okay I sorry selena I won't ask anymore, but thank you all soooo much the responses were *sniff* wonderful!! You all make me feel so good!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! ^^ WWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE!!!!! I don't need a bigger ego however so I won't let it go to my head don't worry!!! Thank you all so much again! I'm glad it was intense and very well liked. All you readers rock and I hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Sailor Hope ;)
Never give up hope my child.when the darkness comes and despair siezes your heart never stray..hope's light will see you through.
Hitomi fought to control her rapid breathing as her mother's words echoed throughout her mind. Never give up hope. In the end hope was what you had, it was the light, it was the way to keep on going. But as Hitomi began to shake she felt all her hope slipping away.
The heaven's cried out in a great fury and the rain started to slip and slide down leaves making their way to the tiny group. Fortunately the fire along with Soren and Caleb were under a thick tree with bushy leaves and the fire managed to survive the crystal tear drops of water. Trisha and Darice scurried next to their family to sit under the tree and hide from the cold sting of the rain.
Hitomi didn't move. She simply sat there her eyes wide an expression of disbelief plastered to her face as the raindrops flew down her skin. Darice shook her head scolding herself, she had likely sent Hitomi over the edge.
Hitomi slowly raised her head up to the sky letting the cold soothing rain caress her skin. Hope? Where was her hope?
Folken?
Hitomi snapped her eyes shut shaking vigorously. NO! Folken was dead!!!
'Listen to reason' a soft voice called out over the fields of her mind, 'No body was found, what is there to say he's dead?'
Hitomi kicked the voices away, NO!!! Folken was dead! He wasn't alive! And he most certainly was not in this cursed temple!!
The silence seemed almost never ending as everyone watched Hitomi sit in the rain shaking from rage rather than cold. They were on the verge of retrieving her when her head came back down the honey golden locks clumped together and clinging to her skin.
"NO!!!!" she cried out her voice full of anger. They would have believed she was truly in denial if her eyes hadn't given her away. The deep green emeralds sparkled with confusion, hurt, disbelief, and a little resignation as if she had known the truth all along.
"Folken is dead!!!" she cried defying her heart and concious, "FOLKEN IS DEAD!!!"
Darice felt the prick of tears sting the backs of her eyes as she watched her friend battle with the truth soaking wet shivering with rage as cold water clung to her clothes.
"Hitomi," Darice managed to call over the rain, "No he's not, Hitomi, Folken is alive and healthy"
The sudden flicker of fire that reflected in the friendly orbs was frightening and it took all of Darice's will not to jump back in surprise.
"I won't do it!! Fine you say he's alive!!! I won't fight him!!! I won't kill him!! Not for all of Gaia!! And you can't make me!!!!!!"
The hurt and angry seriousness in Hitomi's voice sent shock into each one of her friends.
"Hitomi," Trisha started furrowing her eyebrows, "You can't be serious!"
Hitomi's laugh wasn't the cheerful giggle they were used to it, this laugh was smothered with a crazed tint.
"I've never been so serious in my life!!! First you tell me the man I've respected and looked to up all my life is alive!!! ALIVE!!! And then you tell me you want me to kill him!!!!"
The tiny crazed laugh escaped Hitomi's lips again but half way through it slipped into tiny sobs as her head fell and shoulders shook.
"Hitomi will come walk with me?"
Hitomi turned her tear streaked face up to find the origin of the voice, though she already recgonized the deep voice. It was Soren. Nodding she stood up not caring that she looked like a drenched rat. Soren wrapped his blanket around her shoulders and pulled her under the tree and out of the rain.
Once he was satisfied that she was sufficently wrapped up he pulled her under the dry trees as they walked out into the forest to get out of hearing and seeing range. Hitomi clung to the edges of the blanket. Her head was rushing, it was nothing but a jumble of words, pictures and sounds.
Everything was just happening so fast, she couldn't believe Folken was alive, yet somehow she knew. She vowed over and over again that she wouldn't fight him yet she knew one could never avoid the inevitable. Everything was happening so fast she just couldn't make any sense of the mess.
But as Soren led her out to talk she focused on taking deep breaths and leaned against Soren's side. Soren was definitely a big brother type. She felt safe around him and the calm air he had about just seemed to clear her thoughts if even for a minute.
Hitomi closed her eyes and let Soren lead the way. The soft poudning of the rain aided in soothing her completely unnerved state. She felt Soren stop and opened her eyes to look up at him.
Her stomach did a flip flop as she felt the cold of an entirely different kind slide down her skin. Her brain didn't exactly register what was going on until the bite of the blade went too deep and blood poured forth. Snapping out of her disbelieving trance her instincts kicked in and she pulled away. Turning to her right arm she looked down as the dark thick crimson liquid slipped out over the slit cloth and joined the rain in its descent down to the ground.
Her heart stopped and she felt oxygen slipping away, she couldn't breath. Looking back up at Soren she was horrified to find a tiny dagger resting entangled with his fingers the stain of blood dripping off the tip of the steel.
Hitomi's mind couldn't work due to the shock so she just stood there her eyes wide and confused as she glanced from Soren to the blade.
After what seemed like an eternity Soren finally smirked and wiped the dagger off on his pants. Slipping it back up his sleeve he crossed his arms and frowned at Hitomi.
"Now," he said cockily as if content that he was scaring her, "Please repeat yourself I don't think I quite understood you."
Hitomi felt a small whimper escape her, nothing was as it used to be anymore. She felt like breaking down into a fit of sobs right there, blood, rain and all. Her world was flipping upside down in a matter of hours. Soren was scaring her, he had just cut her arm!!!!
She felt her throat dry up and she fought to speak, "W-What are y-y- you.repeat w-hat? w-what do you want me t-to"
"Oh cut the stuttering Hitomi"
The sudden coldness in Soren's voice made Hitomi want to bolt unfortunately fear had rooted her feet to the ground.
"Now what is this about not going to Surlina to seal the power?"
Hitomi blinked.
"Don't play ignorant with me you little brat"
Hitomi hugged the blanket closer, something was terribly wrong.
Soren heaved a great sigh as if truly distressed, "You're making this baby sitting job extremely difficult. Now you ARE going to go to Surlina and if I TELL you to you will fight Folken is that understood?"
Hitomi couldn't speak, the words just wouldn't come, shock had disabled all her bodily systems.
In a flash the dagger was again in Soren's hand and Hitomi cried out as the blade bit into her skin just under her chin.
"Soren, what..what are you doing?"
"I repeat YOU ARE going to Surlina. You will fight Folken and you will seal the power."
Hitomi tried to get a grip on herself but Soren was holding a knife to her neck, Soren. Just saying the sentence out loud to herself sounded crazy. This was definitely not happening.
"Soren stop this you're scaring me," she whispered shaking
Soren sighed and pushed against the dagger harder.
'Van!' she cried out in her mind, 'I'm so sorry I should have never left you!'
'Got that straight'
Hitomi looked to her right and then to left completely ignoring Soren. She had just heard Van's voice. But he wasn't around for miles.
'I'm with you Hitomi never forget that, draconians have special gifts I'm simply using one now don't you move I've found you and I'm coming'
Hitomi's eyes slowly rounded out in surprise. If this day got any stranger she would have a heart attack, right there in the forest, just fall over, the stress was just proving to be too much.
'Van?' she shakily called out into the darkness of her thoughts.
'On my way angel just STAY where you are!'
'How are we..'
'I'll tell you when I get to you just wait for me, I headed out a while ago after talking with your father.'
'Van there's a dagger at my throat'
'A WHAT?!?! WHO? WHAT? HITOMI ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!'
If Soren hadn't been glowering down at her Hitomi might have smiled for the care Van was showing. She didn't know how she was talking to him but currently she didn't care, it was a miracle. Too many things were happening she didn't have time to think them through right now, now she just had to accept them.
"Hitomi my patience is running very thin, now I'm sick of baby sitting your whiny self and I would really like to get this over with as soon as possible. So! What are you going to do when we get to Surlina?"
Hitomi gathered some of her courage about her, Van was coming, if she could just hold up till then, then everything would alright.
"I'll rip the building apart brick by brick"
The slice was quick and Hitomi screamed out in pain as the blood squirted from the cut again mingling with the rain the sickening scent flaring up into her nostrils.
"Wrong answer"
"Soren!!! What are you doing?! We're friends! I don't understand!"
Soren laughed the dagger still in his fingers shaking with his hands as peel after peel of laughter poured forth.
"I've never been your friend!!!"
Hitomi felt the sharp sting of the words much more painful than that of any blade, and her eyes went glassy as fresh tears gathered.
"I was sent to make sure all went well, truthfully I can't stand you!!! You are a weak pathetic excuse for a draconian and if I had my way I'd kill you right now! However Surlina is not someone to be trifled with therefore you live to do her will."
"Wrong!"
Hitomi looked up as towards the voice. Van came crashing through the trees his glorious wings stretched to their full length. Hitomi didn't hesitate, she simply listened to her instinct and reached up towards Van. Within the blink of an eye Hitomi felt the ground disappear. She could hear Soren's curses and screams as he faded into a black dot.
Clinging to Van Hitomi looked at his soaked wings and watched his muscles strain to lift the weighted feathers. She could smell the sweat so she was sure that there was more to the water running down his face.
"Van we can walk," she whispered in his ear
Van just smiled and kissed the top of her head, "I'll be fine we're actually not that far from Zaibach, Merle is waiting with Allen just on the outskirts. They were able to push the marauders back."
Hitomi didn't want to question anymore. She was safe with Van and that's all that mattered right now. She would sort the rest out later. So squeezing a little tighter she buried her head into his chest and let Van fly them to safety.
Soren threw his dagger into the mud letting it disappear in the increasing brown liquid. Growling and rubbing his forehead he calmed down and focused on taking deep breaths.
Closing his eyes he ignored the cold piercing rain and focused on who he was going to contact. He saw the fields, forests lakes, and villages rush past his closed eyes as they searched for their target. The figure was blurred at first due to the speed but as the sights rushed on the figure came into focus.
"Lorus!!!"
The figure sighed and Soren crossed his arms eyes still shut as he looked at the man. Michael turned away from the meeting he was having with his leaders and closed his eyes. Lorus soon appeared in the tiny black room they used for mental communication.
"What is it Soren?"
"Hitomi's gone"
"WHAT?! You fool how did you let that happen!?"
"Her stupid lover boy came and flew her away, I lost sight of them before I could do anything"
"Surlina is not going to like this!!"
"It can be fixed," Soren growled in irritation, "I just need you to do me a favor"
"What?"
"I know her pathetic king is going to head for the nearest town, which just happens to be where you're located."
"And?"
"Well if we do this fast enough then we can have Hitomi at the temple a few hours early"
"I'm listening"
"Well I know that annoying cat girl is one of Fanelia's generals"
"Indeed the wench cornered my army this afternoon"
"Well that foolish cat is also Hitomi's childhood friend"
An evil smile crept up Michael's face, "I'll have it done before they get here"
"Great I'll meet you at the temple"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Michael laughed as he faded from the room.
Soren let the tension out with a large exhale, he wouldn't admit the like but he had been nervous that Lorus wouldn't have been able to carry out his quickly thrown together desperate attempt to get Hitomi to the temple. If he didn't get her there on time Surlina wasn't going to be happy and if it was anything he was scared of.
It was Surlina.
Van felt his wings getting heavier and it was getting harder to push through the rain that was getting heavier itself every second. Looking down at Hitomi he pushed the anger back as he saw the blood run down her neck and arm. The thought that Soren had hurt her infuriated him!
Hitomi had trusted Soren! He had taken care of her when she thought no one else would! He shook his head lightly and focused on getting to town. But taking a quick glance down at Hitomi he could see the shock had disappeared and in it's place the heart wrenching betrayl was settling in. And it was eating at her.
Merle scrambled into the building jumping behind a pile of trashed chairs and boxes. A few of the marauders rushed past the opening their boots splashing against the puddles as the rain muffled their voices. She saw them split up and sighed a little breath of relief.
Allen was going to be so pissed.
So were the other generals.
After waiting for a good five minutes she slowly stood up. Clad in black leather pants with a hole for her tail she was wearing a tight black shirt with no sleeves and a warm brown leather jacket. Turning around to see her tail she frowned at the blood dripping from the middle. Those creeps had almost cut it off!!!!
Pulling out a hankercheif she wrapped up the cut and shook some of the water out of her tail. Her bright pink hair was tied up in a ponytail that now clung to the back of her neck instead of bouncing due to the rain. Sheathing her sword she snuck back to the entrance and carefully checked the empty streets.
She was in Tiraw one of the little towns on the outskirts of Zaibach, it had been evacuated, something Dilandu wasn't all to happy about she might add, but it had been evacuated and used for battleground purposes. Straining to hear she found the it clear and snuck out into the streets.
Some mud splashed to her right and she growled her fur jumping up as Lorus smiled at her wickedly sword in hand.
'Where did he come from?!'
"Come her pet!!!" he called over the rain.
A bright flash filled her bright blue eyes and Merle jumped at the sudden lightening. Thunder wasn't too far behind meaing it was closer than she would have liked. Deciding her pride would be spared later she turned and fell to all fours.
Lorus frowned and sheathed his sword as Merle disappeared into town. Breaking into a run he sped off after his prey.
Merle didn't know how many corners she turned the mud now clinging to her clothes and fur. But she wasn't worried about the mud right now, she knew she could outrun Lorus on all fours.
Again she knew Allen was going to have a cow, he would start screaming something about Van ripping his limbs off and such. She had tried to tell him that she was Fanelia's top general but that didn't seem to get through to the blonde knight.
Okay so her shift was over and she shouldn't have been out scouting. They were winning and she was scheduled for some sleep, she was exhausted, but the adreanline from all her anger and the battle wouldn't allow her to sleep.
Another reason Allen didn't want her out was that one of their spies had heard that Lorus was after Merle now, to use her as some pawn against Van. She knew she probably should have hung low for a day or so but she also had a promise to keep.
Of course she hadn't told anyone but the other day in one of the afternoon fights Merle and stumbled into a home. She ended up killing the three marauders and was about to leave when she heard a whimper.
Merle couldn't convince the little girl to come with her, the little brown haired child was determined to stay with her dieing mother. Merle didn't have the time to grab her before more soldiers rushed around the corner.
The battles had lasted all day and practically all night. She had used the scouting mission as an excuse to get back out. The girl had been sleeping next to her dead mother when Merle and some soldiers had found her. Thankfully they had gotten her with a team headed back to camp before Lorus and his gang had shown up.
Now all Merle had to worry about was staying alive and out of Lorus's reach. She knew he wanted her for some reason, she just couldn't quite figure out what.
She heard a quick splash of mud and her ears perked up, Lorus was faster than she thought. Crap this wasn't good. But if she could just lead him back to camp then they would ambush him and all this would be over. Without their leader the maraurders were likely to turn on each other and fall apart.
Soren grit his teeth as he marched back to the little camp he had with the others. Pushing through the branches he ignored the little cuts appearing on his arms and face due to branches not so willing to move out of his way.
He burst into the tiny little camp and all three heads snapped up. He grumbled to himself and sat down in front of the fire.
"Where's Hitomi?"
Soren looked up and glared at Darice. Darice's eyes narrowed, what was with Soren?
"She betrayed us"
Caleb leaned forward eyeing Soren, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that weak little girl said she wanted to have nothing more to do with us and that she hated us all. Somehow her pathetic lover was near by and came out of nowhere. He was much faster than we thought he must have found her with their connection. Anyways they flew off towards Tiraw."
"Hitomi? She.S-she hates us?" the tears were swelling up in Trisha's eyes
"Forget her Trisha!" Soren snapped, "We have to get to Surlina"
"What's the point in going if we don't have Hitomi?" Darice's voice was low, the sadness radiated from her voice.
She had turned her friend away, it was her fault. Hitomi hated them now. She felt the depression sink in and the hope fly away. An odd bitterness snuck into her heart as she tried to push all thoughts of her past away.
"She told us to leave her alone, we can die in Surlina for all she cares," Soren lied smiling as he watched the pain slowly turn to bitter hatred in two of his comrades.
Surlina would like this, what a bonus. He smiled until he met Caleb's icy orbs.
"I don't believe you, Soren I don't know what's wrong but something's different. Hitomi would never say that."
"Why not Caleb?" Caleb turned to the forlorn Trisha, "Look at us? We dragged her out here to give up a life she just got back. She has friends and family that love her. Why would she care what happens to us?"
"Because it's Hitomi!!"
Soren frowned, Caleb always had to screw things up. Time for the mind games, they were vulnerable and saddened they could be easily manipulated.
"Caleb sure you knew the Hitomi that was loyal and friendly with us, but that was when we were all she had. She has her old life back and you didn't know her before the accident. You don't know her."
Caleb looked like he had just been slapped. The truth of Soren's words sunk in and Caleb turned to Trisha and Darice only to find a building bitterness.
"I knew she wouldn't understand," Trisha started pushing herself off the ground tears already falling
Soren covered his smirk, "We've all been through so much, so much pain, torture, betrayl. And now she just leaves."
Darice looked up at Caleb's defiant face but couldn't push back the awful pain of betrayl she felt. They had been through hell and now Hitomi was just leaving them. All of the pain, time, torture it was all in vain if Hitomi didn't come. Now! She didn't want to come all the sudden because it might mean she would have to deal with a problem!!
Caleb watched in disbelief as Soren fed the lies, and Darice and Trisha believed. Sure they had been through a lot, but so had Hitomi dang it!!!
"Wait are you guys forgetting how she lost her mother, sister, friends, and life all in one day?!"
"That's nothing compared to what we went through!!!" Darice snapped
She covered her mouth at first eyes wide with shock but as she continued to think about she couldn't seem to hold back the hurt and anger. It was like a fountain was overflowing and she was trying to push it all back with a net. The feelings just kept seeping through.
"It's exactly what we went through!!" Caleb yelled back, "In case your forgetting that you and Trisha both lost your loves, just like Hitomi lost Van that day. And what about family lost to fights and betrayl!! Sounding familiar?!"
Soren rolled his eyes skyward, why wasn't Surlina's bracelet helping!!!?!?! Then he felt the puzzlepiece fall into place. So maybe he hadn't hit home with Caleb yet and he needed to pick on him personally.
"What about Merle?"
Caleb froze his eyes not exactly focused. Slowly he turned his stiff body to fix his gaze with Soren.
"What about her?"
"Merle is Hitomi's childhood friend, she only met you this past year. Who do you think she'll choose, you or Hitomi?"
Soren smiled as he watched Caleb's defense crack a little.
"Merle wouldn't choose"
"Don't you remember that she was the only one to keep searching for Hitomi even when everyone else thought her dead? That's a bond not easily broken by some man."
"She loves me and Hitomi doesn't hate us!!"
Soren mentally laughed as he saw the little boy of Caleb come out.
"Are you trying to convince me? Or yourself?"
Caleb blinked as the realization of what he had just said, it did sound like he was trying to make himself believe. And then all the pain fell over, just like from a waterfall. He could only stand and watch as it fell, he had nothing to defend himself with. Words he was certain of soon faded and were washed away by the painful flood of emotion.
"You lost your brother, your only family since you were 5"
Caleb felt the sting of the truth and shook slightly.
"You lost your life to Surlina"
It was true, this past year was the only freedom he'd had in a while.
"Because of Hitomi you'll lose Merle"
His heart twisted and cried out pain. He didn't know how much more of this he could take.
"Then when it's all over you'll lose your body"
That's right, death was his destiny, give it all up and let his brother live or die and take his brother with him. Caleb fell to his knees grabbing his head in pain.
No!!! NO!!! He had never let these emotions bother him before. So life wasn't fair for him! It was much worse for others! He didn't believe this! Not for one minute!! Hitomi wouldn't betray them!!! She wouldn't leave them all to die!!! And Merle wouldn't turn on him!!!
'Yes she would'
Caleb shivered at the tiny voice echoing throughout his mind, he knew that voice.
'So much has been sacrificed for this girl and look how she runs away! Hate her Caleb! Hate!'
'NO!!' he screamed back
'Anger, vengance, the pain Caleb you've lost so much! You were so alone! Now that you've managed to grasp onto something she will take it away! Hate! Don't fight it!'
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
Darice rushed to Caleb's side.
Darice pulled him into a hug, "Caleb don't worry Hitomi betrayed us all it's not worth your pain. You've still got us, you've still got me. I won't leave you Caleb, I promise."
Caleb's glazed ocean eyes looked up into Darice's own orbs.
And the waterfall pushed him under.
Merle was panting as her burning muscles screamed for rest. Her chest tightened and she felt a knife like sting rush through her chest.
'Merle'
She heard Caleb's deep whisper brush across her ear.
'Focus' she scolded herself
Lorus was gaining and she was losing strength, this man didn't seem to ever tire.
Van screamed back at his burning wings as they shakily pushed up and down. Tiraw was just a few seconds ahead.
Three.
He watched as feathers trailed behind him.
Two..
He was going to fall if he didn't land, now.
One.
He was still too far off the ground, but his wings collapsed. Quickly turning as his wings slid back inside his back he smiled trying to ease some of Hitomi's fear.
"Van!!"
"Hold on!" he yelled pushing her head against his chest so she wouldn't see.
They were falling and Van held Hitomi close bracing her for the impact. Van closed his eyes and clenched his teeth together so he wouldn't accidentally bite his tongue to hard.
THUD!!
They hit the ground and went sliding. Van's mouth burst open as he choked due to the impact of his body along with Hitomi's. All the wind had been knocked out of his chest and he knew Hitomi could feel his chest quickly rising and falling as he struggled to breathe.
Then the sharp stab of his skin ripping as he slid over rocks and other loose objects hit. His shoulder blades automatically pushed forward as his shoulders pushed back, this only caused more skin to rip.
They eventually skidded to a halt and Hitomi scrambled off of Van's chest.
"VAN!!!"
Van blinked through the rain that annoyingly pounded into his eyes. Giving her a weak smile he pushed himself up on shaky arms.
Hitomi's gasp should have waken the entire kingdom of Zaibach.
She pulled Soren's blanket off her shoulders and wrapped it around Van. He tried to push her away but she wouldn't let him.
"Just until we find some bandages," she said her teeth chattering and voice shaky
He hated to see her like this, she had been through so much. She deserved a nice long vacation free of battles and surprises.
Once she was seemingly happy at the make shift bandage she had wrapped around his entire midsection she pulled his arm around her shoulders and wrappped her good arm around his neck careful not to touch his offended back.
Van smiled as she put on her brave little face and helped him into town.
Oh how he loved his little angel, he was never going to let her go, never again.
Merle gripped the hilt of her sword and growled at the man in front of her.
She hadn't made it to camp, in fact she'd been so caught up in just staying out of reach that she hadn't even left town.
"What do you want Lorus!?"
"You my dear little kitty!!"
"Drop dead!!"
Lorus gave a hearty laugh.
"Not today kitty, it's just you and me, no one here to save you and I think I'd like to take you with me."
"I don't need anyone to save me!"
Van and Hitomi entered the deserted town and frowned at the bodies and objects scattered everywhere. Looking at eachother before moving on they remained silent instantly aware that this was still a battleground.
"You think you can take me on?" Lorus questioned arrogantly
"What do you want with me?"
"I lied, I don't EXACTLY want you, I want your brother's cowardly lover."
"Hitomi?!"
"Bingo"
Van and Hitomi turned the corner and grew wide eyed at the scene.
Merle was standing with her sword in hand glaring at Lorus who was smiling like an idiot. Merle was covered in mud and soaked to the bone. She was panting and didn't look as energetic as usual. Lorus on the other hand seemed full of energy.
Van quickly pulled away from Hitomi and pushed her behind him drawing his sword out. Putting his finger to his lips he gestured for Hitomi to be quiet. Normally he would consider what he was about to do cowardly but he wasn't about to lose his sister for the sake of honor.
Sneaking along the walls edge he was just about to put the tip of his sword at Lorus's neck when Merle finally took notice and her eyes shifted. That was enough to warn Lorus, albeit unintentionally, and the leader of marauders spun around to meet Van's sword.
Van winced at the vibration that normally didn't phase him but due to his back the strain of his muscles was extremely painful.
Lorus noticed the wince and smiled, "Something wrong?"
Hitomi rushed over to Merle trying to drown out the sound of the swords clashing.
"Merle!"
"Hitomi what are you doing out here?!"
"It's a long story"
Merle hugged her soaked friend, "Later then now- wait."
Hitomi followed Merle's eyes and smiled at the glimpse of blue. Merle smiled too.
"ALLEN!!"
A laugh came out of the shadows and Merle watched one of Lorus's fighters step out into the street in a blue coat.
"I'm afraid not miss"
Hitomi felt like falling to her knees and crying right there, this day could not get worse.
Merle cringed as she watched the man look her up and down lingering where he shouldn't.
Unsheathing her sword she fell into a fighting stance. The man merley laughed.
Merle and Hitomi soon found out why as the street came to life as marauders fell into place piling out from who knows where.
Van pushed against the sword and with a grunt kicked Lorus in the knee sending the man back crying in pain.
Raising his sword to bring down the fatal blow Lorus smiled.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you"
"HEY! Your majesty!!!"
Van turned to the voice and lowered his arms. Hitomi and Merle were bound and gagged with swords to their throats. Hitomi looked ready to give mirth to an insane laugh at how unbelievably terrible this day was turning out and Merle looked ready to kill something, preferably the men behind her.
Van dropped his sword and stood still as about 5 men rushed forward and threw him to the ground tying his hands and kicking his sword away. Van bit his tongue so he didn't cry out when they ripped the blanket off and laughed at his ripped and bleeding back. They kicked him a time or two before pulling him to his feet.
Hitomi now had tears in eyes and was screaming against the gag, Merle looked so consumed by her fury she was likely not seeing straight. But it wasn't until the men took him to face Lorus that she saw his back. Screaming into the cloth it took about three extra men to keep her from running forward.
Lorus pushed himself to his feet and laughed at his wonderful luck.
"Well what do we have ourselves here? A king, his lover AND his sister? Well gentlemen I'd say this has been a fruitful day indeed!"
The marauders laughed in agreement. With a wave of his hand the men holding Van dragged him over to the group. Lorus crossed his arms and turned to the three tied and standing in a line.
"Bring the girl over here"
Hitomi was pushed forward and fell to the ground. The men laughed as she just lay there unable to move due to her bindings. A few men finally walked over and picked her up.
A few tears slipped out of her eyes as she was pushed in front of Lorus. He wiped the mud from her eyes and brushed away the blood now pouring from a newly acquired gash in her forhead.
Today was definitely not her day.
"It seems that you changed your mind about going to Surlina."
Hitomi blinked through the water, mud, and blood and glared at Lorus. Then it hit her. How could he have known that? The only one who knew that was Soren.
Her eyes grew the size of saucers as some of the puzzle started to come together. But how had Soren gotten the message to Michael so fast?
Lorus laughed at her confused expression, "I'm sure you're wondering how Soren got the news to me so fast, right? How about why is Soren working with me? You are so naïve my dear lady. Soren and I were never really enemies just really good actors, there are so many holes in these little stories you've heard. But for now let's get back to camp to pack. We need to head out as soon as possible, Surlina doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Hitomi was spun around as Lorus grabbed her arms and lead her down the street. She watched as Van and Merle were pushed and kicked down the streets the men laughing when they fell and her eyes watered up. There wasn't a thing she could do. These men had taken her sister and they would likely take her love and dearest friend before the week was over and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.
And Soren was working with Michael? It was too much for her to handle. As it looked now she would most likely go to Surlina and she didn't even want to think about how that would turn out.
She closed her eyes to block out the taunting and just walked.
Allen's fist hit the table with a thudnerous crash as papers and such went flying off the surface.
"I told her not to leave!!!!!"
"Sir Allen!!"
Allen looked up from the rest of the generals and glared at the nervous little messanger. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anything else. Merle had disappeared yesterday and then a group of marauders had been seen heading for the moutains.
"What is it?!"
The messanger scurried forward, "Ummm the marauders they well you see they didn't really I mean it wasn't a problem they just-"
Allen had niether the patience nor the time to deal with the man. Grabbing the paper from his hands he sighed as the man practically tripped out of the tent.
Unfolding the little paper he read the message. Everyone watched as his eyes grew wide with fear as he read on and on.
He looked up and everyone unconciously scooted back a few inches, his face was twisted with pure and raw fury. He crumpled the paper up and practically ran from the tent.
One of Fanelia's generals bent over and quickly uncrumpled the note to read it outloud.
"Dear leaders, It's been a pleasure to spend so much time with all of you but I'm afraid I've found what I came for. I'll be leaving you now but what is a goodbye without presents? I wouldn't be any sort of respectable host if I didn't at least leave you some parting gift. As it would be too much to part with two of my most prized trophies I'm afraid I have left you with Fanelia's young princess. As the king and his lover are of much use to me I'm afraid I'll be keeping them for a while longer. In the town square awaits your precious little cat fighter, she was alive somewhat when we left but I'm going to have to apologize once again for I know not her condition upon you reading this letter.
Lorus"
Allen threw his hair up in a ponytail and grabbed a coat before he jumped on his horse and sped out of the camp and into Tiraw.
It didn't take him long to reach the town square and he searched the rubble for some sign of his friend. Jumping down from his horse he froze to the ground as he caught sight of her limp body lying curled up in the middle of the square the rain persistently brushing the blood away.
"MERLE!!!!!"
A/N Hey sorry it took me so long to get this out I shouldn't even be writing this write now seeing as how I have to finish spanish but I knew I shouldn't keep you guys waiting too long so here ya are! Chapter 13!! Hope you all enjoy!!! And thanks for the reviews YOU'RE THE BEST!!!! Have a great day!!!!
Sailor Hope
A/N 0_0 ..okay I sorry selena I won't ask anymore, but thank you all soooo much the responses were *sniff* wonderful!! You all make me feel so good!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! ^^ WWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE!!!!! I don't need a bigger ego however so I won't let it go to my head don't worry!!! Thank you all so much again! I'm glad it was intense and very well liked. All you readers rock and I hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Sailor Hope ;)
Never give up hope my child.when the darkness comes and despair siezes your heart never stray..hope's light will see you through.
Hitomi fought to control her rapid breathing as her mother's words echoed throughout her mind. Never give up hope. In the end hope was what you had, it was the light, it was the way to keep on going. But as Hitomi began to shake she felt all her hope slipping away.
The heaven's cried out in a great fury and the rain started to slip and slide down leaves making their way to the tiny group. Fortunately the fire along with Soren and Caleb were under a thick tree with bushy leaves and the fire managed to survive the crystal tear drops of water. Trisha and Darice scurried next to their family to sit under the tree and hide from the cold sting of the rain.
Hitomi didn't move. She simply sat there her eyes wide an expression of disbelief plastered to her face as the raindrops flew down her skin. Darice shook her head scolding herself, she had likely sent Hitomi over the edge.
Hitomi slowly raised her head up to the sky letting the cold soothing rain caress her skin. Hope? Where was her hope?
Folken?
Hitomi snapped her eyes shut shaking vigorously. NO! Folken was dead!!!
'Listen to reason' a soft voice called out over the fields of her mind, 'No body was found, what is there to say he's dead?'
Hitomi kicked the voices away, NO!!! Folken was dead! He wasn't alive! And he most certainly was not in this cursed temple!!
The silence seemed almost never ending as everyone watched Hitomi sit in the rain shaking from rage rather than cold. They were on the verge of retrieving her when her head came back down the honey golden locks clumped together and clinging to her skin.
"NO!!!!" she cried out her voice full of anger. They would have believed she was truly in denial if her eyes hadn't given her away. The deep green emeralds sparkled with confusion, hurt, disbelief, and a little resignation as if she had known the truth all along.
"Folken is dead!!!" she cried defying her heart and concious, "FOLKEN IS DEAD!!!"
Darice felt the prick of tears sting the backs of her eyes as she watched her friend battle with the truth soaking wet shivering with rage as cold water clung to her clothes.
"Hitomi," Darice managed to call over the rain, "No he's not, Hitomi, Folken is alive and healthy"
The sudden flicker of fire that reflected in the friendly orbs was frightening and it took all of Darice's will not to jump back in surprise.
"I won't do it!! Fine you say he's alive!!! I won't fight him!!! I won't kill him!! Not for all of Gaia!! And you can't make me!!!!!!"
The hurt and angry seriousness in Hitomi's voice sent shock into each one of her friends.
"Hitomi," Trisha started furrowing her eyebrows, "You can't be serious!"
Hitomi's laugh wasn't the cheerful giggle they were used to it, this laugh was smothered with a crazed tint.
"I've never been so serious in my life!!! First you tell me the man I've respected and looked to up all my life is alive!!! ALIVE!!! And then you tell me you want me to kill him!!!!"
The tiny crazed laugh escaped Hitomi's lips again but half way through it slipped into tiny sobs as her head fell and shoulders shook.
"Hitomi will come walk with me?"
Hitomi turned her tear streaked face up to find the origin of the voice, though she already recgonized the deep voice. It was Soren. Nodding she stood up not caring that she looked like a drenched rat. Soren wrapped his blanket around her shoulders and pulled her under the tree and out of the rain.
Once he was satisfied that she was sufficently wrapped up he pulled her under the dry trees as they walked out into the forest to get out of hearing and seeing range. Hitomi clung to the edges of the blanket. Her head was rushing, it was nothing but a jumble of words, pictures and sounds.
Everything was just happening so fast, she couldn't believe Folken was alive, yet somehow she knew. She vowed over and over again that she wouldn't fight him yet she knew one could never avoid the inevitable. Everything was happening so fast she just couldn't make any sense of the mess.
But as Soren led her out to talk she focused on taking deep breaths and leaned against Soren's side. Soren was definitely a big brother type. She felt safe around him and the calm air he had about just seemed to clear her thoughts if even for a minute.
Hitomi closed her eyes and let Soren lead the way. The soft poudning of the rain aided in soothing her completely unnerved state. She felt Soren stop and opened her eyes to look up at him.
Her stomach did a flip flop as she felt the cold of an entirely different kind slide down her skin. Her brain didn't exactly register what was going on until the bite of the blade went too deep and blood poured forth. Snapping out of her disbelieving trance her instincts kicked in and she pulled away. Turning to her right arm she looked down as the dark thick crimson liquid slipped out over the slit cloth and joined the rain in its descent down to the ground.
Her heart stopped and she felt oxygen slipping away, she couldn't breath. Looking back up at Soren she was horrified to find a tiny dagger resting entangled with his fingers the stain of blood dripping off the tip of the steel.
Hitomi's mind couldn't work due to the shock so she just stood there her eyes wide and confused as she glanced from Soren to the blade.
After what seemed like an eternity Soren finally smirked and wiped the dagger off on his pants. Slipping it back up his sleeve he crossed his arms and frowned at Hitomi.
"Now," he said cockily as if content that he was scaring her, "Please repeat yourself I don't think I quite understood you."
Hitomi felt a small whimper escape her, nothing was as it used to be anymore. She felt like breaking down into a fit of sobs right there, blood, rain and all. Her world was flipping upside down in a matter of hours. Soren was scaring her, he had just cut her arm!!!!
She felt her throat dry up and she fought to speak, "W-What are y-y- you.repeat w-hat? w-what do you want me t-to"
"Oh cut the stuttering Hitomi"
The sudden coldness in Soren's voice made Hitomi want to bolt unfortunately fear had rooted her feet to the ground.
"Now what is this about not going to Surlina to seal the power?"
Hitomi blinked.
"Don't play ignorant with me you little brat"
Hitomi hugged the blanket closer, something was terribly wrong.
Soren heaved a great sigh as if truly distressed, "You're making this baby sitting job extremely difficult. Now you ARE going to go to Surlina and if I TELL you to you will fight Folken is that understood?"
Hitomi couldn't speak, the words just wouldn't come, shock had disabled all her bodily systems.
In a flash the dagger was again in Soren's hand and Hitomi cried out as the blade bit into her skin just under her chin.
"Soren, what..what are you doing?"
"I repeat YOU ARE going to Surlina. You will fight Folken and you will seal the power."
Hitomi tried to get a grip on herself but Soren was holding a knife to her neck, Soren. Just saying the sentence out loud to herself sounded crazy. This was definitely not happening.
"Soren stop this you're scaring me," she whispered shaking
Soren sighed and pushed against the dagger harder.
'Van!' she cried out in her mind, 'I'm so sorry I should have never left you!'
'Got that straight'
Hitomi looked to her right and then to left completely ignoring Soren. She had just heard Van's voice. But he wasn't around for miles.
'I'm with you Hitomi never forget that, draconians have special gifts I'm simply using one now don't you move I've found you and I'm coming'
Hitomi's eyes slowly rounded out in surprise. If this day got any stranger she would have a heart attack, right there in the forest, just fall over, the stress was just proving to be too much.
'Van?' she shakily called out into the darkness of her thoughts.
'On my way angel just STAY where you are!'
'How are we..'
'I'll tell you when I get to you just wait for me, I headed out a while ago after talking with your father.'
'Van there's a dagger at my throat'
'A WHAT?!?! WHO? WHAT? HITOMI ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!'
If Soren hadn't been glowering down at her Hitomi might have smiled for the care Van was showing. She didn't know how she was talking to him but currently she didn't care, it was a miracle. Too many things were happening she didn't have time to think them through right now, now she just had to accept them.
"Hitomi my patience is running very thin, now I'm sick of baby sitting your whiny self and I would really like to get this over with as soon as possible. So! What are you going to do when we get to Surlina?"
Hitomi gathered some of her courage about her, Van was coming, if she could just hold up till then, then everything would alright.
"I'll rip the building apart brick by brick"
The slice was quick and Hitomi screamed out in pain as the blood squirted from the cut again mingling with the rain the sickening scent flaring up into her nostrils.
"Wrong answer"
"Soren!!! What are you doing?! We're friends! I don't understand!"
Soren laughed the dagger still in his fingers shaking with his hands as peel after peel of laughter poured forth.
"I've never been your friend!!!"
Hitomi felt the sharp sting of the words much more painful than that of any blade, and her eyes went glassy as fresh tears gathered.
"I was sent to make sure all went well, truthfully I can't stand you!!! You are a weak pathetic excuse for a draconian and if I had my way I'd kill you right now! However Surlina is not someone to be trifled with therefore you live to do her will."
"Wrong!"
Hitomi looked up as towards the voice. Van came crashing through the trees his glorious wings stretched to their full length. Hitomi didn't hesitate, she simply listened to her instinct and reached up towards Van. Within the blink of an eye Hitomi felt the ground disappear. She could hear Soren's curses and screams as he faded into a black dot.
Clinging to Van Hitomi looked at his soaked wings and watched his muscles strain to lift the weighted feathers. She could smell the sweat so she was sure that there was more to the water running down his face.
"Van we can walk," she whispered in his ear
Van just smiled and kissed the top of her head, "I'll be fine we're actually not that far from Zaibach, Merle is waiting with Allen just on the outskirts. They were able to push the marauders back."
Hitomi didn't want to question anymore. She was safe with Van and that's all that mattered right now. She would sort the rest out later. So squeezing a little tighter she buried her head into his chest and let Van fly them to safety.
Soren threw his dagger into the mud letting it disappear in the increasing brown liquid. Growling and rubbing his forehead he calmed down and focused on taking deep breaths.
Closing his eyes he ignored the cold piercing rain and focused on who he was going to contact. He saw the fields, forests lakes, and villages rush past his closed eyes as they searched for their target. The figure was blurred at first due to the speed but as the sights rushed on the figure came into focus.
"Lorus!!!"
The figure sighed and Soren crossed his arms eyes still shut as he looked at the man. Michael turned away from the meeting he was having with his leaders and closed his eyes. Lorus soon appeared in the tiny black room they used for mental communication.
"What is it Soren?"
"Hitomi's gone"
"WHAT?! You fool how did you let that happen!?"
"Her stupid lover boy came and flew her away, I lost sight of them before I could do anything"
"Surlina is not going to like this!!"
"It can be fixed," Soren growled in irritation, "I just need you to do me a favor"
"What?"
"I know her pathetic king is going to head for the nearest town, which just happens to be where you're located."
"And?"
"Well if we do this fast enough then we can have Hitomi at the temple a few hours early"
"I'm listening"
"Well I know that annoying cat girl is one of Fanelia's generals"
"Indeed the wench cornered my army this afternoon"
"Well that foolish cat is also Hitomi's childhood friend"
An evil smile crept up Michael's face, "I'll have it done before they get here"
"Great I'll meet you at the temple"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Michael laughed as he faded from the room.
Soren let the tension out with a large exhale, he wouldn't admit the like but he had been nervous that Lorus wouldn't have been able to carry out his quickly thrown together desperate attempt to get Hitomi to the temple. If he didn't get her there on time Surlina wasn't going to be happy and if it was anything he was scared of.
It was Surlina.
Van felt his wings getting heavier and it was getting harder to push through the rain that was getting heavier itself every second. Looking down at Hitomi he pushed the anger back as he saw the blood run down her neck and arm. The thought that Soren had hurt her infuriated him!
Hitomi had trusted Soren! He had taken care of her when she thought no one else would! He shook his head lightly and focused on getting to town. But taking a quick glance down at Hitomi he could see the shock had disappeared and in it's place the heart wrenching betrayl was settling in. And it was eating at her.
Merle scrambled into the building jumping behind a pile of trashed chairs and boxes. A few of the marauders rushed past the opening their boots splashing against the puddles as the rain muffled their voices. She saw them split up and sighed a little breath of relief.
Allen was going to be so pissed.
So were the other generals.
After waiting for a good five minutes she slowly stood up. Clad in black leather pants with a hole for her tail she was wearing a tight black shirt with no sleeves and a warm brown leather jacket. Turning around to see her tail she frowned at the blood dripping from the middle. Those creeps had almost cut it off!!!!
Pulling out a hankercheif she wrapped up the cut and shook some of the water out of her tail. Her bright pink hair was tied up in a ponytail that now clung to the back of her neck instead of bouncing due to the rain. Sheathing her sword she snuck back to the entrance and carefully checked the empty streets.
She was in Tiraw one of the little towns on the outskirts of Zaibach, it had been evacuated, something Dilandu wasn't all to happy about she might add, but it had been evacuated and used for battleground purposes. Straining to hear she found the it clear and snuck out into the streets.
Some mud splashed to her right and she growled her fur jumping up as Lorus smiled at her wickedly sword in hand.
'Where did he come from?!'
"Come her pet!!!" he called over the rain.
A bright flash filled her bright blue eyes and Merle jumped at the sudden lightening. Thunder wasn't too far behind meaing it was closer than she would have liked. Deciding her pride would be spared later she turned and fell to all fours.
Lorus frowned and sheathed his sword as Merle disappeared into town. Breaking into a run he sped off after his prey.
Merle didn't know how many corners she turned the mud now clinging to her clothes and fur. But she wasn't worried about the mud right now, she knew she could outrun Lorus on all fours.
Again she knew Allen was going to have a cow, he would start screaming something about Van ripping his limbs off and such. She had tried to tell him that she was Fanelia's top general but that didn't seem to get through to the blonde knight.
Okay so her shift was over and she shouldn't have been out scouting. They were winning and she was scheduled for some sleep, she was exhausted, but the adreanline from all her anger and the battle wouldn't allow her to sleep.
Another reason Allen didn't want her out was that one of their spies had heard that Lorus was after Merle now, to use her as some pawn against Van. She knew she probably should have hung low for a day or so but she also had a promise to keep.
Of course she hadn't told anyone but the other day in one of the afternoon fights Merle and stumbled into a home. She ended up killing the three marauders and was about to leave when she heard a whimper.
Merle couldn't convince the little girl to come with her, the little brown haired child was determined to stay with her dieing mother. Merle didn't have the time to grab her before more soldiers rushed around the corner.
The battles had lasted all day and practically all night. She had used the scouting mission as an excuse to get back out. The girl had been sleeping next to her dead mother when Merle and some soldiers had found her. Thankfully they had gotten her with a team headed back to camp before Lorus and his gang had shown up.
Now all Merle had to worry about was staying alive and out of Lorus's reach. She knew he wanted her for some reason, she just couldn't quite figure out what.
She heard a quick splash of mud and her ears perked up, Lorus was faster than she thought. Crap this wasn't good. But if she could just lead him back to camp then they would ambush him and all this would be over. Without their leader the maraurders were likely to turn on each other and fall apart.
Soren grit his teeth as he marched back to the little camp he had with the others. Pushing through the branches he ignored the little cuts appearing on his arms and face due to branches not so willing to move out of his way.
He burst into the tiny little camp and all three heads snapped up. He grumbled to himself and sat down in front of the fire.
"Where's Hitomi?"
Soren looked up and glared at Darice. Darice's eyes narrowed, what was with Soren?
"She betrayed us"
Caleb leaned forward eyeing Soren, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that weak little girl said she wanted to have nothing more to do with us and that she hated us all. Somehow her pathetic lover was near by and came out of nowhere. He was much faster than we thought he must have found her with their connection. Anyways they flew off towards Tiraw."
"Hitomi? She.S-she hates us?" the tears were swelling up in Trisha's eyes
"Forget her Trisha!" Soren snapped, "We have to get to Surlina"
"What's the point in going if we don't have Hitomi?" Darice's voice was low, the sadness radiated from her voice.
She had turned her friend away, it was her fault. Hitomi hated them now. She felt the depression sink in and the hope fly away. An odd bitterness snuck into her heart as she tried to push all thoughts of her past away.
"She told us to leave her alone, we can die in Surlina for all she cares," Soren lied smiling as he watched the pain slowly turn to bitter hatred in two of his comrades.
Surlina would like this, what a bonus. He smiled until he met Caleb's icy orbs.
"I don't believe you, Soren I don't know what's wrong but something's different. Hitomi would never say that."
"Why not Caleb?" Caleb turned to the forlorn Trisha, "Look at us? We dragged her out here to give up a life she just got back. She has friends and family that love her. Why would she care what happens to us?"
"Because it's Hitomi!!"
Soren frowned, Caleb always had to screw things up. Time for the mind games, they were vulnerable and saddened they could be easily manipulated.
"Caleb sure you knew the Hitomi that was loyal and friendly with us, but that was when we were all she had. She has her old life back and you didn't know her before the accident. You don't know her."
Caleb looked like he had just been slapped. The truth of Soren's words sunk in and Caleb turned to Trisha and Darice only to find a building bitterness.
"I knew she wouldn't understand," Trisha started pushing herself off the ground tears already falling
Soren covered his smirk, "We've all been through so much, so much pain, torture, betrayl. And now she just leaves."
Darice looked up at Caleb's defiant face but couldn't push back the awful pain of betrayl she felt. They had been through hell and now Hitomi was just leaving them. All of the pain, time, torture it was all in vain if Hitomi didn't come. Now! She didn't want to come all the sudden because it might mean she would have to deal with a problem!!
Caleb watched in disbelief as Soren fed the lies, and Darice and Trisha believed. Sure they had been through a lot, but so had Hitomi dang it!!!
"Wait are you guys forgetting how she lost her mother, sister, friends, and life all in one day?!"
"That's nothing compared to what we went through!!!" Darice snapped
She covered her mouth at first eyes wide with shock but as she continued to think about she couldn't seem to hold back the hurt and anger. It was like a fountain was overflowing and she was trying to push it all back with a net. The feelings just kept seeping through.
"It's exactly what we went through!!" Caleb yelled back, "In case your forgetting that you and Trisha both lost your loves, just like Hitomi lost Van that day. And what about family lost to fights and betrayl!! Sounding familiar?!"
Soren rolled his eyes skyward, why wasn't Surlina's bracelet helping!!!?!?! Then he felt the puzzlepiece fall into place. So maybe he hadn't hit home with Caleb yet and he needed to pick on him personally.
"What about Merle?"
Caleb froze his eyes not exactly focused. Slowly he turned his stiff body to fix his gaze with Soren.
"What about her?"
"Merle is Hitomi's childhood friend, she only met you this past year. Who do you think she'll choose, you or Hitomi?"
Soren smiled as he watched Caleb's defense crack a little.
"Merle wouldn't choose"
"Don't you remember that she was the only one to keep searching for Hitomi even when everyone else thought her dead? That's a bond not easily broken by some man."
"She loves me and Hitomi doesn't hate us!!"
Soren mentally laughed as he saw the little boy of Caleb come out.
"Are you trying to convince me? Or yourself?"
Caleb blinked as the realization of what he had just said, it did sound like he was trying to make himself believe. And then all the pain fell over, just like from a waterfall. He could only stand and watch as it fell, he had nothing to defend himself with. Words he was certain of soon faded and were washed away by the painful flood of emotion.
"You lost your brother, your only family since you were 5"
Caleb felt the sting of the truth and shook slightly.
"You lost your life to Surlina"
It was true, this past year was the only freedom he'd had in a while.
"Because of Hitomi you'll lose Merle"
His heart twisted and cried out pain. He didn't know how much more of this he could take.
"Then when it's all over you'll lose your body"
That's right, death was his destiny, give it all up and let his brother live or die and take his brother with him. Caleb fell to his knees grabbing his head in pain.
No!!! NO!!! He had never let these emotions bother him before. So life wasn't fair for him! It was much worse for others! He didn't believe this! Not for one minute!! Hitomi wouldn't betray them!!! She wouldn't leave them all to die!!! And Merle wouldn't turn on him!!!
'Yes she would'
Caleb shivered at the tiny voice echoing throughout his mind, he knew that voice.
'So much has been sacrificed for this girl and look how she runs away! Hate her Caleb! Hate!'
'NO!!' he screamed back
'Anger, vengance, the pain Caleb you've lost so much! You were so alone! Now that you've managed to grasp onto something she will take it away! Hate! Don't fight it!'
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
Darice rushed to Caleb's side.
Darice pulled him into a hug, "Caleb don't worry Hitomi betrayed us all it's not worth your pain. You've still got us, you've still got me. I won't leave you Caleb, I promise."
Caleb's glazed ocean eyes looked up into Darice's own orbs.
And the waterfall pushed him under.
Merle was panting as her burning muscles screamed for rest. Her chest tightened and she felt a knife like sting rush through her chest.
'Merle'
She heard Caleb's deep whisper brush across her ear.
'Focus' she scolded herself
Lorus was gaining and she was losing strength, this man didn't seem to ever tire.
Van screamed back at his burning wings as they shakily pushed up and down. Tiraw was just a few seconds ahead.
Three.
He watched as feathers trailed behind him.
Two..
He was going to fall if he didn't land, now.
One.
He was still too far off the ground, but his wings collapsed. Quickly turning as his wings slid back inside his back he smiled trying to ease some of Hitomi's fear.
"Van!!"
"Hold on!" he yelled pushing her head against his chest so she wouldn't see.
They were falling and Van held Hitomi close bracing her for the impact. Van closed his eyes and clenched his teeth together so he wouldn't accidentally bite his tongue to hard.
THUD!!
They hit the ground and went sliding. Van's mouth burst open as he choked due to the impact of his body along with Hitomi's. All the wind had been knocked out of his chest and he knew Hitomi could feel his chest quickly rising and falling as he struggled to breathe.
Then the sharp stab of his skin ripping as he slid over rocks and other loose objects hit. His shoulder blades automatically pushed forward as his shoulders pushed back, this only caused more skin to rip.
They eventually skidded to a halt and Hitomi scrambled off of Van's chest.
"VAN!!!"
Van blinked through the rain that annoyingly pounded into his eyes. Giving her a weak smile he pushed himself up on shaky arms.
Hitomi's gasp should have waken the entire kingdom of Zaibach.
She pulled Soren's blanket off her shoulders and wrapped it around Van. He tried to push her away but she wouldn't let him.
"Just until we find some bandages," she said her teeth chattering and voice shaky
He hated to see her like this, she had been through so much. She deserved a nice long vacation free of battles and surprises.
Once she was seemingly happy at the make shift bandage she had wrapped around his entire midsection she pulled his arm around her shoulders and wrappped her good arm around his neck careful not to touch his offended back.
Van smiled as she put on her brave little face and helped him into town.
Oh how he loved his little angel, he was never going to let her go, never again.
Merle gripped the hilt of her sword and growled at the man in front of her.
She hadn't made it to camp, in fact she'd been so caught up in just staying out of reach that she hadn't even left town.
"What do you want Lorus!?"
"You my dear little kitty!!"
"Drop dead!!"
Lorus gave a hearty laugh.
"Not today kitty, it's just you and me, no one here to save you and I think I'd like to take you with me."
"I don't need anyone to save me!"
Van and Hitomi entered the deserted town and frowned at the bodies and objects scattered everywhere. Looking at eachother before moving on they remained silent instantly aware that this was still a battleground.
"You think you can take me on?" Lorus questioned arrogantly
"What do you want with me?"
"I lied, I don't EXACTLY want you, I want your brother's cowardly lover."
"Hitomi?!"
"Bingo"
Van and Hitomi turned the corner and grew wide eyed at the scene.
Merle was standing with her sword in hand glaring at Lorus who was smiling like an idiot. Merle was covered in mud and soaked to the bone. She was panting and didn't look as energetic as usual. Lorus on the other hand seemed full of energy.
Van quickly pulled away from Hitomi and pushed her behind him drawing his sword out. Putting his finger to his lips he gestured for Hitomi to be quiet. Normally he would consider what he was about to do cowardly but he wasn't about to lose his sister for the sake of honor.
Sneaking along the walls edge he was just about to put the tip of his sword at Lorus's neck when Merle finally took notice and her eyes shifted. That was enough to warn Lorus, albeit unintentionally, and the leader of marauders spun around to meet Van's sword.
Van winced at the vibration that normally didn't phase him but due to his back the strain of his muscles was extremely painful.
Lorus noticed the wince and smiled, "Something wrong?"
Hitomi rushed over to Merle trying to drown out the sound of the swords clashing.
"Merle!"
"Hitomi what are you doing out here?!"
"It's a long story"
Merle hugged her soaked friend, "Later then now- wait."
Hitomi followed Merle's eyes and smiled at the glimpse of blue. Merle smiled too.
"ALLEN!!"
A laugh came out of the shadows and Merle watched one of Lorus's fighters step out into the street in a blue coat.
"I'm afraid not miss"
Hitomi felt like falling to her knees and crying right there, this day could not get worse.
Merle cringed as she watched the man look her up and down lingering where he shouldn't.
Unsheathing her sword she fell into a fighting stance. The man merley laughed.
Merle and Hitomi soon found out why as the street came to life as marauders fell into place piling out from who knows where.
Van pushed against the sword and with a grunt kicked Lorus in the knee sending the man back crying in pain.
Raising his sword to bring down the fatal blow Lorus smiled.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you"
"HEY! Your majesty!!!"
Van turned to the voice and lowered his arms. Hitomi and Merle were bound and gagged with swords to their throats. Hitomi looked ready to give mirth to an insane laugh at how unbelievably terrible this day was turning out and Merle looked ready to kill something, preferably the men behind her.
Van dropped his sword and stood still as about 5 men rushed forward and threw him to the ground tying his hands and kicking his sword away. Van bit his tongue so he didn't cry out when they ripped the blanket off and laughed at his ripped and bleeding back. They kicked him a time or two before pulling him to his feet.
Hitomi now had tears in eyes and was screaming against the gag, Merle looked so consumed by her fury she was likely not seeing straight. But it wasn't until the men took him to face Lorus that she saw his back. Screaming into the cloth it took about three extra men to keep her from running forward.
Lorus pushed himself to his feet and laughed at his wonderful luck.
"Well what do we have ourselves here? A king, his lover AND his sister? Well gentlemen I'd say this has been a fruitful day indeed!"
The marauders laughed in agreement. With a wave of his hand the men holding Van dragged him over to the group. Lorus crossed his arms and turned to the three tied and standing in a line.
"Bring the girl over here"
Hitomi was pushed forward and fell to the ground. The men laughed as she just lay there unable to move due to her bindings. A few men finally walked over and picked her up.
A few tears slipped out of her eyes as she was pushed in front of Lorus. He wiped the mud from her eyes and brushed away the blood now pouring from a newly acquired gash in her forhead.
Today was definitely not her day.
"It seems that you changed your mind about going to Surlina."
Hitomi blinked through the water, mud, and blood and glared at Lorus. Then it hit her. How could he have known that? The only one who knew that was Soren.
Her eyes grew the size of saucers as some of the puzzle started to come together. But how had Soren gotten the message to Michael so fast?
Lorus laughed at her confused expression, "I'm sure you're wondering how Soren got the news to me so fast, right? How about why is Soren working with me? You are so naïve my dear lady. Soren and I were never really enemies just really good actors, there are so many holes in these little stories you've heard. But for now let's get back to camp to pack. We need to head out as soon as possible, Surlina doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Hitomi was spun around as Lorus grabbed her arms and lead her down the street. She watched as Van and Merle were pushed and kicked down the streets the men laughing when they fell and her eyes watered up. There wasn't a thing she could do. These men had taken her sister and they would likely take her love and dearest friend before the week was over and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.
And Soren was working with Michael? It was too much for her to handle. As it looked now she would most likely go to Surlina and she didn't even want to think about how that would turn out.
She closed her eyes to block out the taunting and just walked.
Allen's fist hit the table with a thudnerous crash as papers and such went flying off the surface.
"I told her not to leave!!!!!"
"Sir Allen!!"
Allen looked up from the rest of the generals and glared at the nervous little messanger. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anything else. Merle had disappeared yesterday and then a group of marauders had been seen heading for the moutains.
"What is it?!"
The messanger scurried forward, "Ummm the marauders they well you see they didn't really I mean it wasn't a problem they just-"
Allen had niether the patience nor the time to deal with the man. Grabbing the paper from his hands he sighed as the man practically tripped out of the tent.
Unfolding the little paper he read the message. Everyone watched as his eyes grew wide with fear as he read on and on.
He looked up and everyone unconciously scooted back a few inches, his face was twisted with pure and raw fury. He crumpled the paper up and practically ran from the tent.
One of Fanelia's generals bent over and quickly uncrumpled the note to read it outloud.
"Dear leaders, It's been a pleasure to spend so much time with all of you but I'm afraid I've found what I came for. I'll be leaving you now but what is a goodbye without presents? I wouldn't be any sort of respectable host if I didn't at least leave you some parting gift. As it would be too much to part with two of my most prized trophies I'm afraid I have left you with Fanelia's young princess. As the king and his lover are of much use to me I'm afraid I'll be keeping them for a while longer. In the town square awaits your precious little cat fighter, she was alive somewhat when we left but I'm going to have to apologize once again for I know not her condition upon you reading this letter.
Lorus"
Allen threw his hair up in a ponytail and grabbed a coat before he jumped on his horse and sped out of the camp and into Tiraw.
It didn't take him long to reach the town square and he searched the rubble for some sign of his friend. Jumping down from his horse he froze to the ground as he caught sight of her limp body lying curled up in the middle of the square the rain persistently brushing the blood away.
"MERLE!!!!!"
A/N Hey sorry it took me so long to get this out I shouldn't even be writing this write now seeing as how I have to finish spanish but I knew I shouldn't keep you guys waiting too long so here ya are! Chapter 13!! Hope you all enjoy!!! And thanks for the reviews YOU'RE THE BEST!!!! Have a great day!!!!
Sailor Hope