The Departure of Hitomi

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Hitomi marched straight through the long narrow corridors of the castle, with the borrowed purse clutched tightly in her hands. She left most of her possessions in her room, so that is wouldn't look as if she was leaving the castle permanently. Maybe out for something like a small trip. She could hear her footsteps echoing through the castle halls. I better not clomp too loud or else I'll wake up the whole castle, thought Hitomi then gingerly she walked on. She turned a sharp corner and then went down a couple steep steps and walked into a wide passageway. I seriously hope that I don't bump into any of the servants or anyone else for that matter, thought Melanie. She thought she heard a door creak open a little ways behind her, so she instantly quickened, her already fast, pace.

"Uh, Hitomi, where are going at this time in the morning?" said a tired voice curiously.

Oh crap! Of all the people to catch me leaving the castle, it just HAD to be Lord Van, she thought to herself. "Well Van, I felt like going out for a run to keep in shape and then I thought about heading towards the Country Market," said Hitomi quickly, sincerely hoping that Van wouldn't catch on that she was lying.

"Oh, well if you're going there anyways, I will come with you. Just let me get on my proper attire on," replied Van, oblivious to the fact that just a moment before Hitomi had lied.

"Um, no sorry Van, it's okay. I would rather that you not come. I really want to be alone for a while, okay? Well, best be off now, Bye!" said Hitomi hurriedly, for she thought that if she did not hurry up, she might miss her one ticket out of Fanelia.

"Oh. Okay Hitomi. Well if you want to talk about anything, I'm here," responded Van dejectedly.

"I know you are Van. Bye now!" said Hitomi quickly then ran swiftly towards the front of the castle.

Hitomi started running towards the rear of the stronghold. While she was running, she quite clumsily tripped on a piece of rock that was jutting out of the earth; she also hit her head on it. Luckily she did not have a concussion. She wiped the trickle of blood from her forehead and then picked up her purse, got to her feet and started walking again. Finally, she reached the back of the enormous castle. She sat down a little ways away from where the carriage was to collect her. She put her head in her hand because the cut was throbbing uncontrollably from the blow. There was still blood coming from the cut on her forehead, because it wasn't just a minor cut. Hitomi went into the bottomless purse and brought out a safety kit and a large hand mirror. In the safety kit, she found antiseptic and bandages so she carefully cleaned and fixed up the cut on her brow. She put the safety kit and mirror back into the safe-haven of the purse and then tugged up her sock because it was falling down. She stood up with the purse in her hand and waited timidly caressing the cut.

Hitomi heard the dirt road crackle as the carriage came up the drive. It was coming straight for her, so she gathered her purse and stood there, waiting for the carriage to approach her. As she was waiting, a cute little chocolate-brown Labrador puppy came right up to her leg and sniffed at her. And who in their right mind would let such a cute little puppy go on lost and alone? Not Hitomi anyways. So she picked up the puppy and looked for a collar or a tag, but found neither. "What's your name little fella?" asked Hitomi sweetly.

"Woof!" barked the puppy happily.

"I think I will call you. Chocolate! How about it? Do you like that name?" asked Hitomi.

"Woof! Woof!" barked the puppy very enthusiastically.

"Okay! Chocolate it is! Oh! Here comes my ride, would you like to come with me Chocolate?" invited Hitomi.

Chocolate wagged her tail excitedly and began to lick Hitomi's face.

"I will take that as a yes!" laughed Hitomi happily. Then the carriage stopped right in front of her.

"Ma'am, wouldst thou be Hitomi Kanzaki?" asked the cute Asturian carriage driver in an Old English accent.

"Yes, I am Hitomi Kanzaki," responded Hitomi pleasantly, with the little puppy wrapped in her arms.

'Aiight, Ma'am, thou must enter the carriage to get to thy destination," said the young tanned man.

Hitomi stepped into the beautiful carriage and placed her purse on one side of her and the puppy on the other side of her and then closed the carriage door. The carriage began moving. "Chocolate you be a good girl and sit there quietly as I read my book!"

"Woof!" agreed the dog.

Then Melanie opened her book ('Tales of Asturia.') I'm curious, to see whether Asturia is still the same since the last time I was there, with Van. I heard that Allen was training Prince Chid on how to fight, in his castle in Asturia. Hmm.I would like to have a little chat with Prince Chid when I get there, I hope he doesn't leave Asturia, and go back to Fried. There were so many questions running around in Hitomi's brain that she just gave up on trying to answer all of them at once.

"Chocolate, come here and sit on my lap!" directed Hitomi. The dog obeyed her command and rested on her lap. Hitomi then petted Chocolate and rubbed the puppy's soft head. Before long she fell asleep, because of the hard night before and the little sleep she had had!

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