AN: *evil cackle* time for some fuuuun.. muahahaha! Um, to clarify on the last chapter was air conditioning. I was just tooo lazy to type it out. I'm sorry for any confusion that may have caused... now, for fluff, angst, and a few V/H moments! And tell me if the twist is too much. I might take it out.... . ^^ Lol please read.
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
~The third chapter~
Psst! Hitomi! Wake up! Hitomi rolled in her bed, aware of how comfy she was. Ah, sleep..
Hitomi! Wake up! someone's hands on her shoulders, shaking her.
Ohmigosh! I'm sorry professor, I really didn't mean to fall asleep in class, Hitomi said, thinking it was Yukari waking her up in the middle of a lecture. She looked around, and saw her room. And a laughing Van.
How did you get in here? she said, outraged.
You left your window open, pointed out Van. So, it was like an invitation.
And how do you know that my mom wouldn't come kick you out? Hitomi asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Your mom left about an hour ago.
said Hitomi, and she crawled back under the covers.
Come on, Hitomi, wake up, Van said.
Why should I? Hitomi mumbled into her soft pillow.
Because if you won't wake up of your own free will, I'll have to force you to wake up.
Whassat supposed to mean? Hitomi asked as alarm bells went off in her head. She felt two strong arms circle around her and lift her up.
EEK! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? She shrieked, flailing her arms and legs, half afraid that Van would drop her out the window. No, it was even worse. Way, way worse.
Stop! No, seriously, Van, don't! Hitomi screeched as Van hauled her to the bathtub he had filled up with ice cold water. No, no no no. Don't! Aaaaah! she screamed as Van dumped her in. She landed with a splash in the water and looked up, spluttering, at Van.
he asked in an annoying singsong voice.
Get. Out, said Hitomi, her voice deadly soft.
asked Van innocently. He was quickly answered when a metal bottle of shaving cream was flung at his forehead.
Van squealed like a little girl, shielding his face with his arms as various bath and shower products came flying him.
I'm going! he said, running out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him. Hitomi stood up, blushing pink. Her pajamas were well white. She grabbed the nearest towel, dried herself off, and pulled it around her middle over her now clear pj's.
Van, I'm going to kill you, Hitomi said, walking into her room and shaking her wet hair in his face as her sodden pajama pants dragged on the floor. Van was reclining on Hitomi's bed. Let me get dressed and I'll go outside with you or whatever it was that made you decide to fill up my tub with freezing cold water and then throw me into it.
said Van, suddenly, sitting up. Go swimming with me.
Um, okay, said Hitomi, taken aback. Let me get my swimsuit and cover up. She stepped into her closet and pulled the cover up off of a rack, snagging her swimsuit from a drawer built near the bottom of the closet. Hitomi walked into the bathroom, blushing slightly, and shut the door squarely in Van's face. She tore off her wet pajamas and pulled on her yellow bikini, looking at herself in the mirror.
I need a tan, Hitomi declared, poking her stomach, which was flat from so much running but a pale shade of white. She pulled out a bag of sun block from one of the bathroom drawers, and yanked her gauzy, pale blue cover up over her head.
Okay, Van, said Hitomi, grabbing a beach towel and walking into her room. Will we need to stop by your house to get your swimsuit? she asked. Van grinned and shrugged.
Sure, if that's what you want, but you have to help me clean out the pool.
You have a pool? Hitomi asked, her jaw dropping open. Why didn't I see it last night?
Because it was dark and you were looking at the sky, not the ground, Van said. Hitomi only nodded dumbly.
I never knew there was a pool over there,' she thought to herself as Van led her downstairs and out the front door. Hitomi left a note on the fridge and dashed after Van, closing the door behind her with a slam.
Wait up, she called, jogging to catch up with him even though she could have very easily outran him if she had so desired. Van held the front door open with a silly grin, and stood back for Hitomi.
After you, he said. Hitomi scowled at him and walked in to the now nearly unpacked Fanel living room. There was only a stray box here and there, or something randomly thrown where it didn't belong. Van walked up to his room, and pointed at Merle's door.
Go keep her company. See if she wants to join us, he said. Hitomi shrugged and knocked over to Merle's door, rapping lightly on it.
Come in, called Merle. Hitomi stepped in, and quietly shut the door behind her.
Hey, Merle, Hitomi said. Merle turned away from her desk in her black, swiveling leather chair.
Hey Hitomi, she said as a random theme song echoed through the room. Sit down. Hitomi plopped onto Merle's bed and looked at the pink-haired girl.
Van and I are going swimming, in case you can't tell, Hitomi said, gesturing to her slightly translucent cover up, below which her yellow bikini was barely visible. Would you like to join us?
said Merle with a bright smile, swinging her long hair over one of her perfectly tanned shoulders.
Hitomi said as Merle rummaged through the closet. How did you get such a good tan?
said Merle, pausing her digging for a moment. I was on the soccer team back. Before, she said. I tanned a lot at practice after school.
said Hitomi. Merle resumed her rummaging, and exclaimed as she triumphantly came out of the closet holding what looked to be a black and neon green floral bikini.
Let me get changed, she said. Hitomi walked out of the room and let her arms dangle over the banister on the stairs. She looked down, and saw a man walk under. He looked up at Hitomi and smiled.
he said. You must be Hitomi.
said Hitomi.
Van's told me a lot about you. I'm Folken, by the way, Van and Merle's big brother.
It's a pleasure to meet you, she told him. Gosh. He was really young!
Thanks, Hitomi. And, also, thank you for putting up with Van for us. I know he can be
Hitomi asked. Folken laughed and nodded.
Yes. Well, I have work to do. I hope you don't mind, he said.
Not at all, said Hitomi, and Folken walked away.
Hey Hitooooomiiiii, Van called, running over and wrapping his arms around Hitomi, rocking back and forth.
Van, let go of me, Hitomi said, even though she didn't terribly mind Van's antics for reasons even she could not explain.
Stop strangling our guest, little brother, said Merle, ripping Van away from poor Hitomi's waist and dragging him downstairs. I want to go swimming.
Van said as he bumped a bit on each step on the way down. Just let go of me. Hitomi followed the siblings, giggling a bit. They walked out into the back yard, and Hitomi immediately spotted the porch where she and Van had been stargazing the previous night. She instantly wondered why she hadn't noticed the pool last night, but shrugged it off as Merle slathered sun screen on and lay down on one of the pool chairs to get even tanner than she already was- if it was possible. Hitomi hesitantly peeled off her cover up and smoothed sun block over her legs, stomach, and arms. Van ripped off his shirt and dove into the pool like a fish. Hitomi dipped her toe in the water, testing it out, and Van instantly reached up and yanked her foot into the water, causing her to tumble in.
Eek! Van, Hitomi spluttered, coming up and spitting some water out of her mouth. I'm going to kill you!"
said Van, and Hitomi couldn't help but blush a bit as Van eyed her bikini.
Nice swim suit.
Shut up, replied Hitomi, a lovely shade of pink. Van peered into her face, his brown eyes filled with concern.
Are you sun burning already? Your face is really pink, he said. Hitomi didn't hesitate to slap him and push him away, though she did feel dazed when her palms met his hard abs. Nevertheless, she pushed him away all the same, repelling herself backward through the water a few feet.
said Van, clutching his hand to his face. That hurt! Hitomi snuck a glance at Merle, who was reading what looked to be a smutty romance novel, and then glanced back at Van, who was fast advancing towards her. She swam towards a floaty noodle and began to bop Van ferociously over the head with it.
Don't come near me, she squealed, hopping up onto a pool floatie- a fatal mistake. Van grinned an evil demon grin and disappeared below the water, red swimming trunks and all. Hitomi clung tight to the edges of the floatie as Van came up through the middle, capsizing poor Hitomi. She let go of the floatie as Van hopped up onto the top, and emerged, spluttering.
she coughed, and made her way over to a clear, floating ring, She dove under the water and emerged in the middle of the ring, her arms over the edges. She treaded water for a moment as Van posed dramatically like a model on the floatie, and then she made her way over to Van. She tried to get out of the ring, failed, and then submerged herself. She broke the surface of the water, glaring at Van, who had been watching her with a smirk of amusement. Hitomi hauled herself up onto the floatie and sat on her knees, across from Van (Merle was totally engrossed in her novel.)
What are you doing? Van asked nervously as Hitomi placed both hands on his chest- and pushed as hard as she could. Van went flailing off the raft and Hitomi smirked.
No, don't! she shrieked as Van capsized the raft on her. She only did the same to him, and he scowled at her below the water as she hopped back onto the floatie ring, grinning at him.
Ha ha, she said.
Why you- Van grumbled, and then dove below the water, tickling Hitomi's feet. She instantly began to giggle, and she propelled herself backwards as fast as she could.
Let go! she laughed, sitting on the step and yanking the ring away from her middle. She stood up, smiling, and walked the length of the pool. Van followed her with his eyes as she knelt next to Merle and whispered something. Merle looked confused for a moment, and them pointed to the house, muttering something to Hitomi. She nodded, and walked towards the house.
You're no fun! yelled Van. Hitomi tossed her hair and looked at him over her shoulder, and then walked inside. Van treaded water for a moment and swam the length of the pool a few times, and then grinned when Hitomi came back out.
Took you long enough! he smirked. Hitomi glared, and walked over to him. What happened next happened so fast that nobody saw it, but the next second Hitomi was floating towards the bottom of the pool, unconscious. Van dove down like a fish and retrieved Hitomi, dragging her dead weight body to the surface. He hauled her out of the pool, and Merle pushed her shades off her face in alarm.
"Ohmigod what happened?" she asked in shock.
"I think she slipped," Van said, putting his ear to Hitomi's chest. "Her heart is beating, but she's not breathing."
"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Merle, nearly hysterical.
"Go get Folken," Van said. "I'll perform CPR." He tilted Hitomi's head back as Merle rushed off and pinched her nose, sealing her mouth with his. He began the customary breathing technique, and stopped, tilted Hitomi's head back, and tried it again. On the third try, she rolled to the side, stirring, her chest heaving up and down, and coughed up some water.
"Hitomi, are you okay?" asked Van. She nodded, still coughing. Folken and Merle came running over, and Van helped Hitomi up, throwing her towel around her shoulders.
"I think that's enough swimming," Folken said as Merle ushered Hitomi inside for a cup of tea. Hitomi coughed and nodded, Van never taking away his protective grasp around her shoulders.
~*&*~
I'm fine, Van, rasped Hitomi after Van had popped his head into her room to see if she was all right for the fifth time in the past minute.
I'm just worried, he said, pouting. Hitomi glared at him, sitting Indian style on her bed and reading a book Merle had lent her.
Don't worry, Hitomi said. Come in. Sit down. I'm not about to go half-drown again. Van didn't look convinced. Hitomi sighed and stood up and grabbed Van's hand with both of hers.
Seriously, I'm okay, Hitomi said with a smile. Van grinned lopsidedly, and Hitomi pulled him into the room, pushing him down into her computer chair.
asked Van, puzzled. Hitomi hit a few keys, and immediately her MP3 player popped up.
Van squealed, clapping his hands together.
Get me some good music, Hitomi said to him, rolling her eyes and sitting back down on her bed, picking up Merle's novel, which was titled simply: My Secret Lover. Hitomi had to admit it was very entertaining, in a slightly sick and twisted sort of way, and resumed reading ( Vanessa, I could never leave you. I love you.)
Hey, Hito-chan? Van asked. For a reason that Hitomi couldn't comprehend, she didn't mind terribly when he called her that.
Yes Van, Hitomi asked, not looking up from her novel.
What's your favorite band? Hitomi thought for a moment.
Anything that's loud with at least a little bit of music, some screaming, hard drums and a guitar, she said, and then looked back down at the novel.
Van replied, and then screamed a few moments later AAH! NO! THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH! Hitomi looked up, and sure enough, her windows, trusty as ever, had crashed in the middle of a download.
Did you break my computer? she asked in disbelief.
Well, no, he admitted, swiveling a bit. It more did it by itself
Van, my computer doesn't crash by itself
If it's a windows it does, he muttered under his breath. Hitomi smacked him on the head.
she replied, straightening out her baby blue blouse. You've got issues.
Van said, rolling around Hitomi's room in her chair. Your computer does. He grinned stupidly and then rolled straight back into the door.
he rasped. Hitomi sighed and turned back to her computer, typing several keys in quick sucession. The blue screen immediately disappeared and Hitomi grinned as all the downloads were completed.
she said, and clicked the play button. Immediatley, one of the most dreaded songs in the world (to Hitomi, at least) began to play.
It's getting hot in here,
So take off all your clothes!
I am getting so Hot I'm gonna take my clothes off To Hitomi's horror, Nelly began to blare from her speakers, and Van sang along. She prowled over to him like an overgrown cat about to pounce on poor innocent prey, and before Van knew what had happened Hitomi had picked him up by the shirt collar and rammed him against the door.
she growled, did you crap up my computer with NELLY? Van smiled and waved his hands about.
I swear, it was only that one song, he squeaked. Hitomi was about to bite his head off when she heard the familiar puttering of the mail truck outside. Hitomi dropped Van like a hot potato, slid down the polished round banister of her staircase, and ran out to check the mail as the truck zoomed away in a cloud of foul exhaust. Van followed Hitomi, looking confused.
What's the big deal? he asked as she ran to the round black box.
Shut up. This is important, she said, and pulled the door open, ripping out the wad of envelopes violently. She shoved the door shut and walked back into her house, slowly flipping through the envelopes, Van following her with a puzzled look on his face. Hitomi looked queasy as she reached the last envelope, and she set down the wad on a table on one side of the front hall.
Who's it from? What's it say? Van asked as Hitomi read. Her jaw dropped open, and she sat down, still staring at the letter with an awestruck expression.
Yo, Hito-chan, what's the letter say? Hitomi continued to stare, and then a smile lit up her features.
OHMIGOD, VAN! She squealed, jumping up and letting the letter flutter to the floor. She threw her arms around his neck and began dancing around.
What? Oh your god what? Van asked her, confused.
I MADE IT I MADE IT I MADE IT! She shrieked.
Made what? Van asked in confusion. Hitomi beamed.
I made the Olympic team! Van, I'm going to the Olympics for track and field! she screamed, running around in circles and crying. Van's jaw dropped open, and he could only manage one single syllable word.
~*&*~
Hitomi sat at the kitchen table in Van's house, Merle buzzing about with starry eyes.
You're seriuosly going to the olympics? she squealed. Hitomi nodded, still buried in the tacky novel Merle had let her borrow.
That's soo cool! she screeched.
said Folken in his deep baritone.
Hitomi said. Van was leaning back with his feet on the table, his hands behind his head.
Dude, Hitomi, what about track practice? he asked her suddenly. You've been here all day so far. Hitomi smiled.
My mom let me take two weeks off, for finals and a small break. Next monday, though, I start going to practice every morning, bright and early from 6 A.M. to noon.
Six A.M? Van squawked, falling over backwards. Folken gave an amused grin.
Unlike you, Van, there are people who are willing to sacrifice for something they really want.
said Van, reclining carelessly again, you must be insane.
Merle squawked, hitting him over the head with her novel. Hitomi gave a weak smile.
No big, she said, running one hand through her short, dissheveled honey hair. I'm just... a little nervous, she admitted shakily. What if me making the team was a mistake? Or what if I get there and I'm not good enough? Or what if I don't even make it past the first round in the Olympics? she stammered. Van threw up his hands.
Woah, woah, woah, wait. The next Olympic competition isn't for another 3 years, he said. Hitomi nodded.
I know, she said reasonably. But, still...
You have three years to train with the best in the country, said Folken. You should be more than ready for the Olympics when they roll about.
Yeah, I guess so, smiled Hitomi. Then, her eyes widened as realization hit her.
Oh my god, I forgot to tell my mom, she said. Can I use your phone?
~*&*~
The steady clicking of a woman's heels on tile echoed through the hallway. A woman with light, almost silvery white blonde hair stepped into a room cradled in deep shadows and murky light. She closed the creaking metal door behind her and let it clang shut, trying not to cough at the wreath of cigarette smoke that encircled her upon stepping into the room.
she said, bowing before the desk.
Hello, my dear Celena, came a foreboding voice from the shadows. A single, glinting, ice blue eye moved into the murky beam of light, followed by a pale face and blonde hair.
You sent for me, sir? she asked, straightening up.
Yes, I did, replied the man. I need you to capture somebody for me.
asked Celena. The man slid a file of papers across the desk. Celena picked it up and opened it up.
Van Fanel, said the man. Age fifteen. He's a major potential threat to this organization.
Sir, what threat does he pose? He's only a boy. Celena asked cautiously.
My dear Celena, you're the same age and you're one of the best trained spies and assassins in the world. Celena remained silent, and the man in the shadows continued. His mother and father worked here once. But when one of the scientists dosed him with radiation they were mortified. They turned on us and fled, and then worked against the organization. They have, of course, been assassinated, but we need to bring the boy in for monitoring. If anyone learns of what has happened to him, our way of business will be put into jeopardy.
Celena asked again, carefully examining one sheet of paper. It says here that he is living with a brother and sister...
Kill them, said the man in the shadows. They pose as much of a threat as he does. We cannot let word of this get out. Be as subtle and quiet as you can about this, make it a quick clean job, and use whatever means necessary.
I'm going to need some equipment, said Celena, closing the folder. And an assistant.
Take whatever you need, said the man. And, as for assistant... take Albatou.
choked out Celena. He's a bloodthirsty monster! He'll botch it.
Do as I say, my sister, said the man in the shadows.
Yes, Allen, she said, bowing her head. She turned and walked from the room, her heels clicking again on the tiles. How had she gotten into this business in the first place? Her brother, Allen Schezar, owned one of the largest top-secret organizations in the country, whose cover was a series of shopping centers. They performed genetic experiments, cloning, DNA alterations... you name it, Schezar Science Corporation did it. Especially if it was illegal. And Allen had done a very good job of keeping his business hidden from the government- nobody suspected.
Celena stopped in the brightly lit staff room, sitting down on the couch and flipping through the folder of pictures and papers again. She sighed. She never liked bringing in kids- maybe because she had been one of them, once. She couldn't remember what had been altered within her, but somehow Allen had managed to get it fixed. Celena stood up with a sigh and walked into the room where she knew Albatou would be. Of course, there he was, playing poker with his dragon slayers as they called themselves for reasons Celena could not comprehend. She tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and eyed her. The two weren't on the best terms- being rivals and all, and Celena sighed.
Come on, she said to him. We've been assigned a case.
Who do we get to take out? he asked thirstily, eying her up and down. Celena resisted the urge to slap him hard across the cheek and instead said, We're going on a capture and kill mission. Capture a radiation victim, kill anyone involved.
Sounds fun, said Dilandau, tossing his cards down on the table. Lets get the equipment and have some fun, he stretched.
~*&*~
Van put his hand to his forehead. There it was again- that pain. It would spread from his temples down to the base of his skull, twine it's way down his vertebral column and explode in his shoulders. He resisted the urge to scream in pain and instead contented with scratching his shoulder blades incessantly.
Like a dog,' he thought to himself. He often wondered why he had these pains. Folken couldn't figure it out, doctor that he was, and Van didn't feel secure taking it to someone else.
Hitomi poked Van in the ribcage, and he swallowed his pain and grinned at her.
Hello there, he said, poking her back. Hitomi smiled.
she said, you seem like something's wrong.
That was blunt,' Van blinked. He swallowed, and then said Nothing's wrong.
If you're sure, she said, patting him on the head. Do you want something to eat? Food! That was always a pleasing prospect for Van.
Hell yeah! he yelled, dashing past Hitomi down the stairs of her home (which they had returned to after Merle's gushing had become too much) and ripping open the fridge door.
Um, Van, this time please don't eat out everything, Hitomi said nervously. Van waved a chicken leg over the fridge door to show he had heard her, and continued shoving his face with food. He never knew why he would eat so much, but it would make the pain go away sometimes. Plus, he just loved food. Hitomi went to the window.
The sun'll be setting in a few minutes, she said, leaning her head on her wrist and looking outside. Van looked up over the door of the refrigerator, a few stray chinese take-out noodles hanging out of his mouth, and then he swallowed.
We can watch it from your room, he said. Hitomi turned around, shrugging.
she said, obviously surprised that he hadn't eaten out every last bit of food in her house. Van bounded up the stairs and spun in circles for a moment, releasing some of his pent up energy. Van took a staggering step forward and fell flat on his face. Hitomi giggled a little bit and then pushed open her window, climbing out into the cool twilight air. Van smiled goofily and awkwardly hopped out after her, all pain forgotten. She was sitting with her arms resting on her knees, staring out into the sunset. Van took the opportunity to study her- her beautiful, delicate features. One of the reasons Van had been so drawn to her, as pathetic and naive as it was, was her gentle beauty but inner strength and spirit. He smiled, and poked her in the side, turning to watch the sun fade below the horizon as well.
Whatcha thinking about? he asked playfully.
Lots of things, and nothing in particular, she sighed. Van leaned back on his elbows as the last of the light disappeared.
he said. Care to mention them?
Not particularly, she said. Van nodded, and stared out into the rapidly darkening sky.
It's just, she suddenly exploded with, my mom and dad and me and my brother all used to live together. But my dad and my mom started having arguments, and then they got a divorce. My dad took my brother, and every few weeks he comes to visit- and every few weeks I go to visit my dad. But I've been wondering if he'll be proud of me for getting into the olympics, or if he'll even care. And I'm afraid that he and mom broke up because of me.
Don't worry, said Van, putting a comforting arm around her as the sky turned a startling deep blue. Your dad and mom just had differences. He'll be proud of you, he comforted. Hitomi looked into his eyes.
You sure? she asked.
Van replied, staring up at the stars beginning to appear. Look, a shooting star, he exclaimed. Make a wish. Hitomi closed her eyes, her dark, thick lashes resting gently on her cheek. Van drew in a deep breath and made a wish of his own, and in unison, his eyes and Hitomi's eyes opened. Van smiled.
What did you wish for? he asked.
It's a secret, Hitomi giggled. Van smiled, nodded, and stood up, making his way to the tree he so frequently used as a ladder. Hitomi grinned and crawled back inside her window. Van hopped down from the tree branch by branch and walked across the dark street and into his house. He called out a greeting to Merle and Folken who were fighting over some odd thing or another in the kitchen (all Van heard was flamingos' and pineapple'), hopped up the stairs two at a time and walked into his room, which was still a haphazard mess of boxes and junk. He looked out his window and waved at Hitomi, who was gazing out her own window. Her mother came into the room and said something. Hitomi nodded and threw a last glance at Van, and then drew the curtains on her window. Van smiled and pushed a pile of junk off his futon, splaying himself over the cushion and not bothering to undress.
he muttered to himself before falling asleep and traveling to a land of wings...
~*&*~
A/N: Well, another psychotic chapter if I do say so myself... *examines lurid pink nails* so, tell me what you think and I'll most definitley continue!
^.~ Azure
