... ~*~ ... Wanting to Forget, Wishing to Remember ... ~*~ ...

~By: Lauren~

-Chapter 3-



"Old Friends...And Foes"

"Hitomi...if this is some kind of joke..." Van wandered back from the door to sit down on the bed. Hitomi was curled up under the covers with her head poking out of the top. The nightgown she was in was very comfortable, for it was made of a soft material and it was short sleeved, giving her body an outlet for the heat that she felt. Who in their right mind would sleep under so many blankets? The neckline was cut across her torso and for the first time, she noticed the man sitting next to her was wearing light brown pants but he was shirtless. His tan skin was a stark contrast to her paleness but Hitomi didn't seem to notice. She was more intent on looking at the muscles that lined his arms, chest and stomach. Looking up at his face, she took note of the way his raven hair seemed to hang in his face, shielding his soft melancholy maroon eyes from the world. Hitomi was transfixed by those eyes. Pulling her gaze away from him, she managed to push herself up a bit so that she could lean against the backboard of the bed. Suddenly, the door swung open. At the sound of the noise, Hitomi crouched down so that her face was hidden behind Van's back.

"Oh Lord Van! Hitomi! You're both awake!" Merle stood in the open doorway, plastering a smile on her face. Yes, it was true that there was a certain cat boy she was currently seeing but the petite cat girl still harbored some feelings for the young king Van. After Hitomi left Gaea, Merle wasn't very worried about him marrying another girl for she knew he loved Hitomi. And Hitomi wasn't in Gaea anymore; therefore Merle didn't need to worry about somebody stealing her Lord Van. She knew he would never truly love her the same way she loved him and that she was only a little sister to him. So Merle began to meet other people and other men. Yet still, after two years, she held a small amount of true love for him. She always would, and seeing the two together like that was giving her mixed feelings. She was happy that Van had found his love but a tinge of jealousy was still in her heart. But now was not the time for petty selfishness, Merle had learned that from the past war. Hitomi needed friendship the most right now and Merle was ready to give it. The poor Mystic Moon girl had been through god knows what and Merle knew this would be a tough challenge for both Hitomi and Lord Van. "I brought you both some food. I figured you'd be hungry after sleeping all night and all day!" Merle exclaimed, holding out a tray filled with various foods and glasses of water. She was clad in a short brown sleeveless dress that was decorated with random swirls of black color. She didn't have any shoes on and an auburn ribbon held back her bouncy pink hair. The cat girl had grown quite a lot, not height wise though, but the rest was clearly shown in the curves of her dress.

Vans eyes widened in panic as he shook his head quickly, mouthing the word "NO!" But it was too late. Hitomi had poked her head out from behind Van and was now staring directly at Merle. Well, more like directly at her cat ears, fur and tail.

"EK!!!" A squeak of surprise left Hitomi's throat. There was a CAT GIRL standing RIGHT in front of her! And it appeared as if she knew Hitomi. But before Hitomi could either run away in fear or run towards Merle in curiosity, her body was wracked with pain. Her head pounded as Hitomi reminded herself to make no more sudden movements. Hitomi winced as she lowered herself back into the bed. So there was a cat girl; Hitomi had to be dreaming. It was simply either that or she had finally lost it. Soon she'd be living in a room with padded walls...

Van turned to Hitomi worriedly, not sure whether to help the girl sit back down. Something was wrong. How could Hitomi have forgotten about Gaea? About him? About what had happened to her?

"Lord Van...! What's going on...? Is Hitomi all right?" Merle nervously glanced between the man and the woman. Something was out of place here and they were acting weird. What was going on?!

"Who ARE you people?! Where AM I?! I want to go HOME!!! And who hurt me like this!?!?!" Hitomi cried out with frustration. She was sick of listening to these strangers talk about her as if she were their sister. And her body HURT. She didn't comprehend anything that was going on. "And WHY do you have cat ears and a tail?!" Hitomi pointed accusingly at Merle. When there was no reply, Hitomi only grew angrier. She turned her eyes to Van now. Maybe he would give her some kind of answer yet why should she trust him? She had woken up in pain in a strange bed with a strange man. Her face began to glow red with hate as she snarled out spiteful words. "DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?! WERE YOU THE ONE WHO HURT ME?!" Her glare was directed at Van even more now, pointing all blame onto him. But Hitomi's attention changed when a loud clatter echoed in the room. Merle had dropped the tray of food she had previously been holding. Now it's continents littered the floor in a frenzy of colors.

Anger sizzled from Merle. "How DARE you accuse Lord Van of doing this to you!! He saved your life- you should be thanking him! Lord Van LOVES YOU!!!" Merle paused suddenly, realizing what she had just blurted out extremely loud, to Hitomi while Van was sitting next to the Mystic Moon girl. Instead of shutting her mouth though, Merle kept on talking. "And you know how hard it is for me to admit that it's true! So stop blaming him and playing stupid!" Merle knew Hitomi had been through a lot but blaming Lord Van for it? That was absurd!

"H-how c-can he l-l-love me...w-when I d-don't even k-know...him...?" Hitomi murmured. Love? Nobody had ever said that word to her, besides her family. And it was never in the context that the cat girl meant it in. Hitomi's head pounded even more. She couldn't stand it anymore. Everything was so confusing. Who WERE these people? How did she supposedly KNOW them yet not remember? How could there even be such a thing as a cat girl? It was just too much for Hitomi to handle at the time. She let out a breath as she closed her eyes, relaxing into the bed and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.

~*~

"Did you give her the wrong medicine Millerna? Did she mess up her head from her concussions?" Van kept questioning Millerna, hoping to gain some kind of answer. How could Hitomi forget all they had been through? How could she forget their love? Then again, he hadn't contacted her for nearly two years. Shaking out the thought, Van awaited for Millerna's answer.

Millerna groaned. "Calm down Van. You have a meeting to attend to soon and I've already lied for you in explaining your recent absence. I don't know why Hitomi doesn't remember what happened to her but shouldn't that be a good thing? She won't have those painful memories..." She brushed back a strand of sandy colored hair.

"But WHY would she forget about Gaea?!" He demanded, his temper beginning to flare.

"I DON'T KNOW VAN!!! If I did then I'd tell you! The hits she took to her head WERE severe enough to affect her thinking about what happened to her but I have no idea why it would cause her to forget us! Gaea wasn't a minor part in her life so it doesn't make sense that she would forget us. It's like she has selective memory loss or something. But there's no explanation as to why. Just be patient with her and be gentle, there's no telling when her memories might return. Maybe, given time, she WILL remember. But please don't push her." Millerna gave the king a warning glare before softening her eyes. "I hope...everything works out between you two..." But before Van could respond, the queen had disappeared down the hallway. He could hear her call back to him. "I'll talk to Dryden about this. Maybe he'll find some kind of clue or explanation." And then she was completely gone.

Van let out a huff of annoyance. Ever since Hitomi left he had dreamed about seeing her again, of holding on to her tenderly, of confessing his love for her and never letting go of her. Of course, she'd confess her love back to him and would willingly stay with him forever. But now...this was not how he had planned their reunion. In fact, this was extremely far from how he had imagined it. Either way though, he would protect Hitomi. He would make sure she was ok. He would help her remember and if she wanted to return home, he would help her get there.

~*~

"Yes, I see. Send five of our troops out there tonight." Van ordered a grizzly looking man who sat in a chair diagonal from the king. "That should take care of the bandits." Van was sitting at the head of a long oak table while men and women of high stature sat in rows down both of the sides. The young king was clad in black pants with his normal style red shirt except this time it had been changed to the color of snowflakes- pure white. Black string held the top closed in criss-crosses while black gloves stitched with silver swirls adorned his hands. Lastly, he worse black boots and a thin chain that dangled around his neck. Of course the chain was the necklace Hitomi had given him that fated day she left. Tucked hidden within the folds of his shirt was the pinkish red jewel that had saved his life so many times, with Hitomi's help, of course.

"Sir, we have a visitor." A guard stepped inside through the large double doors that sealed the room off from the outside world.

"Send them in." Van sighed. He was sick of uninvited visitors and right now all he wanted to do was run to Hitomi's side. He needed to watch over her and see how she was feeling.

"Hello Van. It's been a long time."

Van couldn't mistake that voice. It still held the same grating confidence it always had contained in the past. It had that annoying singsong note to it, the sound that would always taunt Van, even now. "Allen Schezar. Welcome." Van strained his voice to at least sound a BIT pleasant. "And do what do I owe this lovely visit to?" He forced on a smile when he said the word 'lovely'. He did not need that playboy showing up to whisk Hitomi away from him. At one time he would have been sure that she would pick him over Allen but with her memory gone, there was no telling what would happen. Van tried not to glare at the blond knight.

Allen stood at the far end of the room from Van. He was clad in the normal knight outfit he had always worn in the past except his straight blond hair had been loosely tied back in a ponytail. A few free pieces chose the perfect place to curl around his face, framing it with a gently halo of golden colors. Through his clothing, anyone could plainly see his muscles bulging slightly after years of training and fighting. Behind Allen, Van spotted a young girl cowering behind his bulk.

"Hello Celena." Van smiled warmly. Celena was a nice girl, yet she did scare him slightly. Well, she had been, at one time, Dilandu and he use to find her frightening but he had gotten over that a long time ago.

The girl peeked out from behind her brother before nodding a polite hello. Light yellow hair framed her face also, the same yellow as Allen's hair except hers had more of a wave to it and it had been cut an inch below her ears.

Allen spoke up. "I've heard...Hitomi has returned." The knight continued, keeping his gaze directed into Van's eyes sternly. "I wish to see how my dear friend is fairing. She IS well, am I correct?"

Van let out a grunt. "How do you know she's here?" He couldn't have word of her arrival spreading. That was the last thing he wished for. The girl was confused enough with only Van and Merle, so she didn't need more "familiar" faces around to get mixed up about.

"I...have my connections around the castle, as you might know. I only heard it from a friend who is working around here, that is all. Don't worry, I don't intend on blabbering her arrive to everyone I meet. If you want me to keep quiet, I will...although I can't imagine why she would want to remain hidden...unless something has happened." Allen gave Van an accusing glare. The tense in the room was thick enough to slice through with a knife and the other guests could feel it weighing down on them.

"Will you please excuse us?" Van turned towards the men and women, dismissing them with a quick smile. The group dispersed and soon all of them had disappeared from the room.

"What has happened to Hitomi?" Allen demanded. Celena meekly stepped forward, taking a seat in one of the abandoned chairs.

Van rubbed his temples. He could feel a headache coming on. "Apparently when Hitomi was in her world...she was...attacked." Van finished the sentence, his eyes showing the true meaning of the word 'attacked.'

Allen clenched his fists in anger while he bit down on his tongue. He could taste coppery blood in his mouth. Hitomi had been...? No...that was impossible. "Was she...raped?"

Van sorrowfully nodded yes.

"How is she coping?" Allen's eyes filled with worry over the girl from the Mystic Moon.

"I don't know." Van swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "She's lost all memory of Gaea and of being attacked."

Allen could do nothing except stare ahead in shock.

~*~

Hitomi furrowed her eyebrows together in deep thought. She had managed to pull herself out of her bed, with the support of the nearby chair, that is. Her long nightgown covered the bruises and cuts that littered her body except for the finger shaped ones on her arms. Tears clouded her eyes for a moment as she pondered all the possibilities for her injuries. She tried to push the thoughts out of her mind, for it only made her mood sink lower. She was in a strange place with strange people. Hitomi Kanzaki was scared. She wanted to go back home. She wanted to be in a place with familiar things. Hitomi sucked in a deep breath as she found a pair of slippers resting near the bed. She pulled them onto her feet before nibbling on some fruit and drinking a glass of water that had been conveniently left on a table nearby. Of course, she sniffed and prodded until she was sure it was safe to eat the food. Finally after making a quick trip to the bathroom, she felt she was ready to go. Mustering up all the strength she had left in her, Hitomi slowly and carefully edged her door open until she could poke her entire head out of the door. Glancing down both ends of the hallway, Hitomi made sure nobody was around. It was all clear. Her nightgown rustled as she wandered down random hallways, not sure where any of it would led her. The floor was marble, making her happy for the warm slippers. She could tell the palace was new for the walls and furnishings all seemed...fresh somehow. They weren't worn; they had the polish of being brand new. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Hitomi found a door leading to the outside world. Well, at least outside of the hallways. She made it there just in time before she was ready to collapse with exhaustion. It appeared to be a courtyard for across the distance Hitomi could make out solid walls that were built up high but when she looked upward, her eyes met the powder blue sky. Hitomi sighed happily. This was a place where she could relax. The girl wandered through the damp grass, all her weary senses alert for any noise. A few sparrows took off in flight as Hitomi brushed past them, wandering through a maze of colorful wildflowers. Soon Hitomi stumbled upon a large weeping willow that hung next to a stone white water fountain. The clear water spurted up out of a basket that a woman was holding. But this woman wasn't normal. She had huge white wings extending out from her back and she was draped with beautiful garments as each droplet of water sparkled in the sunlight. Hitomi sat down on the rim of the fountain, letting her hand fall into the cool water and rest there.

She froze as she heard footsteps. For some strange reason, her heart began to beat wildly with panic. Turning her head, she spotted a gruff looking man smiling down at her. He had wild dark bluish hair while rough stumble covered his chin.

"Hey their pretty little lady! I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" Gaddess held out a hand to shake Hitomi's, beaming down at her in surprise.

"Um...yes..." Hitomi stuttered, shaking his hand while her heart slowed down gradually. Did everybody in this place know her? Hitomi wanted some answers. "I'm sorry to ask but...who are you?"

"Huh?" Gaddess gave Hitomi a confused look, eyeing her suspiciously before he decided she wasn't joking. "I'm second-in-command for Knight Allen Schezar. Surely you remember him, right?"

Hitomi bit down on her lip. "I'm sorry but I don't remember a thing. I don't know what this place is, who you people are and why I'm here!" She finally let out some of her frustration. "And what is my relationships with everybody?"

Gaddess frowned. "Lost your memory, eh?" Maybe he wasn't as surprised for he had had seen some very odd things occur in his time but it was still a shock to discover that Hitomi, their Hitomi, had forgotten them.

"Yes...I suppose I lost my memory. That is, according to everybody around here." Hitomi moved her hand, causing ripples to move through the water.

"Poor Van..." Hitomi heard Gaddess mutter.

"What is my relationship with that man? This Van? And that...cat girl? And your master? And YOU? Will somebody PLEASE explain to me what is going on!!" Hitomi slammed her fist back into the water, splashing droplets onto her nightgown. They were soaked into the material almost as fast as they had landed there.

"Sorry Hitomi." Gaddess gave her a despondent smile. "But that's for you to discover on your own. I'm afraid I can't go revealing things where I shouldn't be revealing them. As for our relationship, you're just an old friend of mine." Smiling brighter now, he ruffled her hair, making Hitomi feel much like a little sister to this strange man. Somehow...she felt comfortable around him.

"Can you answer me one more thing though?" Hitomi hesitantly asked.

"It depends on the question, but go ahead and ask." Gaddess slipped one of his hands absently into his pocket.

"What is this place?" She muttered. "I mean...what is this world? Where is Earth?"

Gaddess gave her a bit of a startled look. "Why...you're on Gaea of course. See..." He lifted up his free hand, pointing up into the sky.

Faintly, in the distance, Hitomi could see the circular form of Earth and it's moon.

~*~

Author's Note: Hi! I've continued it, yes! And I know where it's going, I got it all planned out now. Well...except for what exactly will happen at the end but...that's a surprise for when it comes time for the end! Thank you so much for your support and all of the lovely reviews!! Enjoy!