A/N: Ohmigod you guys I love you all! Your reviews made me all happy and bouncy-like, especially because I just sat at my computer and every minute or so I'd get a new one. ^_^ yay! So, anyway, the climactic chapter 7! Parties and Trouble with Bad Guys!
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
~chapter 7~
Hitomi nervously fidgeted with her white, elbow legnth gloves. Tonight was the night she had been waiting for for all her life. She looked like a bride at her wedding- sweaty, nervous, and in a very uncomfortable dress.
Yukari, are you sure this dress looks okay? she asked nervously, plucking at the midnight blue silk skirt cascading to the floor.
said Yukari, fastening Hitomi's top. It was blue silk matching to the skirt, and lace up in the back. Suck in your breath, she said.
squeaked Hitomi as Yukari pulled the strings as tight as they would go. Are you trying to suffocate me? she asked, slightly woozy from the lack of oxygen.
No, just make you pretty, replied Yukari, knotting the strings. Hitomi took a deep breath and teetered unstably on her high silver heels.
You know what corsets did to women back when they had to wear them in England and stuff? she asked, looking over her shoulder at Yukari, who was doing something with Hitomi's hair (which had gotten extensions earlier that day due to Yukari's request.)
I know, said Yukari. But you're not going to get liver problems. This is only for tonight, she said, nearly singeing Hitomi's hair with her curling iron.
she said.
Yeah yeah yeah, muttered Yukari, grabbing some hair gel and raking it through Hitomi's hair with her fingers.
Um, Yuki, what are you doing? she asked.
Hold still, Yukari replied. Hitomi did as she was told, having had first hand experience with what happened when Yukari was doing your hair and you didn't stay still. The memory still brought tears to Hitomi's eyes- and it wasn't tears of laughter or sadness, either.
Ahh! Crap, that hurt! Hitomi squawked as Yukari pulled at some strands. But, of course, Hitomi wasn't allowed to cry because it would ruin the makeup that Yukari had so artfully applied.
Hang on, you big baby, said Yukari. I'm almost done.
squeaked Hitomi, her eyes moist with pain. She made a mental note to never let Yukari do her hair again. One final tug that made Hitomi feel like Yukari was ripping her scalp off, and Yukari let go and dusted her hands. Done. You should go look in the mirror, Yukari said. Hitomi teetered over to the full legnth mirror mounted on the inside of her open closet door and stared.
A beauty, two inches taller than Hitomi, stared at her through the depths of the mirror. She looked to be a goddess, with her pale, slim figure, over which a sleek, naby blue two peice gown was draped. It fit Hitomi's curves perfectly, and her now-longer hair was mounted on the top of her head in a curling bun. Several loose, curling tendrils hung down, shimmering slightly. Around her neck was her pink pendant, with matching earrings and a bracelet. Her eyes were powdered with light blue and her lips were plush and pink.
was all Hitomi could manage. Yukari stood back and admired her handiwork.
You look nice, she said. Might I say, you look to be maybe twenty or something. Hitomi smiled, pulling at the elbow legnth white gloves again, and then picked up her matching purse.
What time is it? Hitomi asked, looking through it. Lipstick, face shimmer, eye shadow, breath mints, money... everything that would fit that was useful.
It's almost seven, said Yukari, checking her watch. Hitomi shrugged.
Did my mom ever get back? she asked.
replied Yukari. Not yet. I think you should get Folken to drive you, or something. Or Merle if you don't use her jeep because it'll mess up your hair.
Eh, Van's supposed to come get me, replied Hitomi. Driving arrangements are his deal.
Watch him get a pink limmo, snorted Yukari. Van and Hitomi had come to an agreement to keep their relationship secret, and Yukari was the only one who was allowed to know. As far as anyone else was concerned, they were going as friends. Yukari stretched, her arms held high above her head, twisting her torso back and forth a bit. That'd be amusing.
said Hitomi. Van's not that stupid...
You sure about that? Didn't he start bouncing around singing about free food after you reminded him about the party? she asked. Hitomi blushed a furious shade of pink.
Well... yes. But that's just the way Van is, Hitomi said. Yukari shrugged and walked over to inspect the pictures of Van in drag from the first few days of summer, and laughed.
You sure about that? she asked, pointing to one of Van looking pissed with his lovley makeup on. He could be a lovley girl. Hitomi glared.
I already told you that I only did that to him because he made me say that I loved him.
But it's true isn't it? asked Yukari, shaking a finger and winking. Hitomi blushed redder, and then all color drained from her face when the doorbell rang.
He's here, Hitomi stuttered. Ohmigod, Yukari, do I look alright? Do we need to tighten my dress or anything?
Hitomi, you're fine, replied Yukari with a sigh. Don't keep the poor boy waiting. Hitomi carefully made her way down the stairs and opened the door. Van was standing at the door looking very HOT in his tuxedo, though his hair was as messy as ever. He held a boquet of white roses.
Er, hi, he said, peering around Hitomi. I didn't know Hitomi was bringing another guest. So, what's your name? he asked, flashing her agrin. Hitomi put one white gloved hand over her mouth.
Oh, my name is Hitomi Kanzaki, she said casually. And you're nail gun boy, right? Van dropped the boquet of roses and stared.
You're Hitomi? he asked. Hitomi laughed.
Van, it's just me, she said. Van shook his head.
Sorry, you just don't look like Hitomi... he stuttered. She laughed and stooped to retreive the roses.
Are these for me? she asked, inspecting them. Van's cheeks flushed slightly.
Well, yeah...
Oh! Van, that's so sweet! Hitomi giggled, hugging Van. He grinned, his face flushed like a tomato. Let me put them in a vase...
I'll take care of that, said Yukari, taking the boquet. she said to Van.
he replied. and held out his hand to Hitomi. Shall we go?
Since when do you use words like shall? Hitomi asked Van. He shrugged. Hitomi peered around him, and saw the white limmo he had failed to notice.
she called back into the house, I win! It's white, not pink!
Yukari called back. Hitomi giggled and took Van's hand, closing the dor behind her.
Let's go, she said, climbing into the limmo after Van. He picked up a small, black velvet box on the seat and held it out to Hitomi, flipping the lid open.
Oh, Van, she gasped. He blushed.
Well, I was going to give it to you anyway, and I thought you might want it... he said as Hitomi took the box and inspected the simple silver band with an emerald embedded within it. It's a promise ring, he replied. Hitomi stared down at it. I'll understand if you don't like it, he replied, sounding downcast. Hitomi lunged at him, throwing her arms around his neck.
I love it! she squealed, squeezing him. Van grinned into her hair.
I'm glad, he said, and then pulled back. Hitomi removed it from the box and handed it to Van. He clumsily slid it onto Hitomi's ring finger on her right hand, and she smiled, lacing her fingers with hers.
So, Van, does the driver know how to get to this place? Hitomi asked. Van grinned.
Folken should know... he laughed. Hitomi giggled. Folken was driving their limmo? That was something that she didn't see every day.
~*&*~
Unbeknownst to Hitomi, Folken was laying, crumpled, in a bush nearly a mile away from the city, on the side of the road. He had gotten the limmo, but the second he had stepped into the agency a silver haired man had rushed at him, his ruby eyes glinting with danger. Folken hadn't had time to react, and had immediatley been knocked out. When he awoke he was bleeding heavily, his arms and legs were bound, and he was in a bush in the dark. Only one thing could explain this.
he croaked to the night sky, be careful. They're after you...
~*&*~
In the driver's seat, Dilandau cackled to himself. Everything was going even better than he had planned. He had killed that Folken man and dumped him outside of town, and was currently escorting the experiment boy and his girlfriend to the agency. He, Allen, and Celena had figured out that Van had informed Hitomi of his past, and therefore she was as big of a threat to the agency as he. So, they had devised a simple plan. They would brainwash her, send her back to the olympics, but make her an agent of Schezar Co. The income of her activities as a world-famous runner would boost Schezar Co. out of a debt it had recently fallen into. And, what was best, was everything was going according to plan.
~*&*~
said Hitomi in alarm, Why are we in the shopping center? Van looked out the tinted window, and realised that they were driving straight a brick wall.
yelled Van. What are you doing? there was no reply. Hitomi clung to Van.
he tried again. They were speeding up as they moved at the wall. Hitomi shut her eyes and buried her face in Van's suit. He wrapped his arms around her as well and closed his eyes, waiting for the impact. It never came. Van looked up, and saw that they were in a metal car lift.
he hissed. We've been kidnapped, he said. They're taking us to that science corporation.
said Hitomi, sounding almost hysterical. We're being idnapped by freaks who will do experiments on us. What a day, she said, clinging tight to Van's chest. Van held her tight.
I don't think they'll do much to you, he said. But they're greedy. They'll most likley brainwash you. You won't even remember me. You'll probably contribute your salary from the Olympics to the company. You won't even know what's happened until after it's too late, he replied. Hitomi, I want you to promise that if they start to brainwash you, you'll keep the ring no matter what, he replied. Hitomi gulped tearily as they pulled into a parking garage. She pulled it off and held it tight, clinging to Van. When the car stops, I want you to make a run for it, Van said quietly. Hitomi bit her bottom lip.
Van, I can't leave you here, he replied. Van looked out the window remorsefully.
I've known all my life that they would eventually bring me back. Hitomi, you can still escape. Hitomi nodded, and removed her sandals. She reached around her neck and unclasped her pendant.
Keep it, she told Van, fastening it around his neck. He nodded and tucked it below his shirt. The car came to a stop. Hitomi tore off the bottom of her dress, yanked off her gloves, loosened the back of her dress and slipped her ring off.
Here goes, she muttered. Van, I love you, she stated, closing her eyes. Van nodded, too overcome with emotion to speak, and Hitomi suddenly yanked the car door open and dashed across the lot.
Tsk tsk tsk, what do you think you;re doing? came a female voice from the shadows. Hitomi ignored it and kept running, but suddenly she had been frozen in one place.
Who are you? she shreiked, unable to move. She felt someone link their hands under her arms to keep her from struggling, and suddenly it wore off.
Come on. I don't want to do this, either, said the woman. Hitomi kicked and struggled- all in vain.
she screamed reaching out to him. He was being yanked out of the car by two thugs in black, and he put up no struggle. He looked at her very sadly as the two thugs pinned his hands behind his back and walked him away.
Shut up, replied a man in silver who got out of the driver's seat. You're giving me a headache.
What did you do to Folken? Where are you taking Van? What do you want with me? Hitomi cried, no longer struggling.
You'll learn, all in due time, said the woman who was keeping Hitomi from struggling. Hitomi wept as she was led off down the same hallway as Van had been. They turned left and entered a maze of corridors. Right, left, right... Hitomi had trouble keeping track. Eventually, they came to a large cement room. Hitomi was thrown oughly tothe floor, and she skidded a few feet.
You will stay in here, said the woman. The silver haired man grinned.
We're not going to brain wash you yet. You will be given meals three times a day. Put those on, he said, pointing to what looked to be a lump of brown rags. The scientists are going to give you a physical. Hitomi only cried as the door slammed shut, leaving Hitomi in mostly darkness. She sobbed in the dark for a few moments, and then finally pulled herself together. She crawled over to the pile of rags and held them up- a brown, burlap shirt and burlap shorts. n disgust, Hitomi pulled them on, knowing that it would be better than this dress, even if it was slightly less comfortable.
Hitomi left her dress in a pile on the floor, and, figuring that the scientists would most likley remove any of her personal posessions from her, she took off all her jewelry. Hitomi fumbled with her ring for a moment, and then crawled over to what was presumably the toilet- a bucket. Wrinkling her nose, she picked it up and placed the ring under it. Not a moment too soo, either. The door burst open and Hitomi cowered. The least that could be said was who entered was not what Hitomi pictured.
said the woman with a smile. I'm here to do your physical for you. My name is Varie Fanel. The woman flipped on the light, exposing a large metal table on one wall, a tv on the other, the bucket in the lef corner and a small cot on the far right.
V-Varie Fanel? Hitomi stuttered. And there it was- the obvious resemblance between her and Van. Hitomi's eyes widened as the kind woman walked over.
I'm very sorry about this, she said, taking Hitomi's clothing and putting it in a plastic bag. But we cannot allow you to have any personal posessions.
Was all Hitomi managed. Varie put one hand in the small of Hitomi's back and pushed her towards the metal table with suprising stregnth. I thought you were dead, she stuttered out. Varie gave her a very odd look, and then laughed.
My original was assasinated, she explained. I was cloned.
stuttered Hitomi. This was too weird. Like, a sci fi movie or somethig. Unrealistic.
That's right, stated Varie simply. I work here. Not that I have a choice. If I tried to left, there's a sensor within me that would blow me up. And, plus, I work here so that I can help people like you, who are captured.
said Hitomi flatly as she pulled herself up onto the cold metal table. Varie proceeded to examine Hitomi's amrs and legs. She bent her legs, flexed and pointed Hitomi's feet, hinged bot hHitomi's arms and legs.... she had Hitomi wiggle her toes, flex her fingers...
Hitomi, I'm afraid I need you to take off your shirt, said Varie. Hitomi nodded and removed it, blushing a bit. Varie proceeded pushing on various places in Hitomi's torso, listening to her insides with a stethoscope. Hitomi was highly embarassed when she had to remove her shorts, and only managed to survive this by remembering that this was Van's mother... in a certain sense.
You may put your shorts back on, but I need you to lay facedown on the table, said Varie. Hitomi nodded and did as she was told.
Now, Hitomi, I'm going to buckle you down. I'm very, very, very sorry about this. I don't want to, but we have to implant a chip, said Varie. Hitomi tensed as leather straps went around her hands, waist, and feet. She felt a needle press into her neck, injecting syrum that made her limbs heavy and greatly dulled the pain. She felt the cold of the surgical knife, though, as it cut into the skin on Hitomi's back, just below her shoulder. She ignored it, though. It felt like no more than a mosquito bite. It was a very odd feeling, to Hitomi, as she felt her nerves and muscles pushed aside. And then, she felt the small chip embedded in her shoulder blade. Hitomi waited paitently as Varie closed it back up. However, Hitomi didn't feel any needle sewing the surgical opening shut.
Um, what are you doing? Hitomi asked as she felt intense heat pressed against her shoulder. And even though she had been given a syrum, it hurt. Hitomi bit her lip, feeling her flesh fry, and then exhaled with a whoosh as the heat disappeared.
I sealed you shoulder with heat, said Varie. It leaves a scar in the shape of a tattoo. This will help to identify you as a member of Schezar Science Company.
Asked Hitomi, panicking. She started to attempt to move, but her shoulder was sore. Varie pressed two nodes to Hitomi's forehead. A small shock was issued through Hitomi's body, and in an instant, blackness consumed her.
~*&*~
Van sat, staring at the wall in his holding cell, cursing himself for his stupidity. If anything happened to Hitomi, it would be his fault.The door opened, and the same silver haired man that had driven them to this terrible place entered Van's room.
Hello Van, he said. Van said nothing in reply- he could hear the insanity in his voice. The silver haired man' stepped into the room, and Van realised that he was no older than Van. Are you ready for experiments to begin?
I will do whatever you say, replied Van in a monotone, if you don't brain wash the girl.
She means quite a bit to you, said the silver haired boy. We could have some fun with this.
Leave her out of it, said Van. But let her keep her memories.
I'm afraid that's not possible, replied the boy. She's already had the chip surgically implanted. She's currently out cold.
You didn't, Van growled.
I assure you, we did, he replied. Suddenly, a lovley, silver haired girl came down the hallway.
Stop playing mind games with the prisoner, Dilandau, she said, glaring at him.
But Celena... Dilandau whined. Celena shook her head. Go talk with Jajuka. He can get the new girl adapted to this. Dilandau glared, and then turned on one heel and stormed down the corridor.
I'm Celena, she said, looking at Van. There was no cruelty in her voice, no animosity, but there was no pity, either. You can come quietly with me to the scientists, or you can make this much more diffucult for the both of us. She fingered the gun hanging at her hip with fondness, and Van gulped. She was every bit as dangerous as that Dilandau character, possibly even more so.
I'll come, he said. Just... don't hurt the girl who was with me. Celena looked at him with sadness, but no pity.
As Dilandau said, she's already had a chip implanted. When she wakes up she won't remember anything.
What about her mother? asked Van in hoplessness. Surley, people will remember...
Her mother is dead, Celena said. Van bit his lip. A car wreck coming home. I'm afraid we had nothing to do with it.
Your sister will be arriving here shortly. We're still debating on whether to kill her or to brainwash her.
And what did you do to Folken? Van asked, his voice a whisper.
Killed him, of course, replied Celena with no sadness whatsoever. Tomorrow morning the police will find his mangled body a mile out of town. He will have no i.d. on him. Nobody will recognize him. He will be termed a homocide and buried within the week in the town cemetary. Van hung his head. There was no hope for him. None, whatsoever. Celena yanked him forward by a chain that had been fastened around his neck and led him down the corridor like a dog on a leash. Van followed Celena down the hallway and didn't even struggle when the scientists, who were all wearing black lab suits, buckled him down to a table. All he could think of was how his existence had wrecked so many lives. He looked up at the sorcerers, who were getting ready to inject him with a neon green fluid, and asked: what are you going to do to me?
We're giving you this fluid to see what the radiation dosage did to you. Now, to make this easier, would you mind telling us if you ever experience physical pain, and if so, where?
On my back, replied Van emotionlessly. The scientists looked at eachother, and then at Van.
We're going to have to ask you to roll over, and please, don't run away, said the scientists as they undid the straps on Van's hands, middle, and feet. He complied and rolled over so that he was facedown on the cold, metal table. He was fastened in, but he didn't move. There was nothing he could do, anyway. He felt a cold needle press into the skin at the base of his neck and suddenly, firey pain consumed him. He began to thrash and writhe about, and suddenly the pain targeted his back. He gave a bloodcurdling shreik and felt something explode behind him, out of him. White feathers rained down about his face and Van looked behind him in awe to the pearly white wings sprouting out of his back. But how could he have wings and not know about them? This wasn't some weird planet, this wasn't a crazy alternate universe. This was earth, where everything was conformist and never strayed beyond the bounds of reality. And even the scientists, with their equations and calculations, could not explain the beautiful, pearly white wings sprouting from Van's back. It was either a miracle, or a curse. At that very moment, Van felt as though it were both.
~*&*~
A/N: Kind of a short chapter, I know. And, hahaha, a cliffie! Anyway, review everybody. I love you and such, but I might not be able to publish daily during the week, due to cello tryouts and crap... I'll try, though!
Luv n stuff:
^.~ Azure
