Title: Intruder Alert
Author: Haze
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne so don't sue me…
Chapter Dedication: Pyro's girl, chibi-ken14, naria, Kat-Tastrophe, sir edward baka sama, dilandau samas lover, Divine Discontent, Fushizen na, anime_luver, scorpiochick, esca chick, Faraday, Waterwing_13, MysticalDreamer, aoao, Rina, Candyfloss, Yukishin, Moon Smurf, jess131346, Ledophole, GldDragnSR, windsoffortune, Blue Demon, Xelena
Chapter 6: Low Spirits to Event's Way High Turns
A time she hadn't counted passed, and her protector picked up her bag and walked towards her, leaving two delinquent students sprawled on the pavement struggling to control the pain their body was throbbing with.
He stopped in front of her, still holding her bag. "Now will you let me give you a ride?"
Green eyes looked back at red eyes. Hitomi struggled to say something but the shock of what had just transpired made her seem as if she lost her voice.
Dilandau sighed inwardly and tugged at Hitomi's hand.
"It's rather late and Hitomi's not home yet," Mrs. Kanzaki said worriedly as she looked out the verandah that provides a view of the front lawn till outside the gate.
Mr. Kanzaki made his way towards the side of his wife and asked in a soothing voice. "Did you call Celena?"
"Yes and she said that Hitomi isn't with her anymore. I was even trying to call Hitomi's cellphone but I can't reach her. Where could she be?"
Dilandau's motorcycle stopped in front of Hitomi's house's front gate. Hitomi disentangled her arms from Dilandau's waist and hopped down from the motorcycle, leaving her bag on Dilandau's lap. Dilandau on the other hand, stayed on the motorcycle.
For at least ten minutes, Hitomi stared at her shoes and Dilandau stared ahead. The silence was awkward and when Hitomi couldn't take it anymore, she decided to open her mouth and actually say something.
"Um," she started, still looking at her shoes. "Thanks."
Dilandau kept his eyes straight ahead. "For?"
"Um, you know. Those guys. And the ride home."
"Oh." Dilandau shrugged. "No problem."
Awkward silence came once more.
"Isn't that Hitomi?" Mrs. Kanzaki asked as she squinted her eyes to further focus on the two people outside the gate. "And isn't that your friend's son?"
Mr. Kanzaki stared for a long time and smiled. "Yes."
"Dear, why are you smiling?" Mrs. Kanzaki worriedly asked.
"I think Hitomi is finally getting over the fact that Allen---"
"It's not good to talk about Hitomi's boyfriend like that. You do that every dinner time. Please stop even for now."
"Alright. But I can't help it. Look at them. They seem to be talking shyly to each other or something in that manner."
Mr. Kanzaki still smiled as he looked at Hitomi and Dilandau who looked as if they were really talking shyly at each other. Mrs. Kanzaki shook her head and tugged at her husband's hand. "Let's leave them alone."
Mrs. Kanzaki had to take a time to convince her husband to go inside with her, but luckily she did succeed.
"Uh," Hitomi tried once more. "Want to come inside for a moment?"
"Am I welcome?"
"Of course. Why not?"
Dilandau shook his head. This wasn't supposed to happen. It felt weird to be with Hitomi and at the same time not have a squabble. Furthermore, it felt weird to be in a girl's presence having nothing to say to her and vice versa.
Besides, didn't he just want to annoy her to have enjoyment and at the same time crush her fiery spirit? If so, why then did he just keep quiet the entire ride to Hitomi's house?
'This is NOT good. I am NOT going to go easy,' he thought and turned his look on Hitomi who was still staring at her shoes. 'This is so cheesy and disgusting like some of the scenes in those movies Celena watches. No way am I going to end up like some pathetic guy.'
"You might just pounce on me again," he said, plastering a smirk on his attractive face.
Hitomi's gaze went abruptly from her shoes to Dilandau's smirking face. The sight immediately irritated her. He was being arrogant again.
"You're right. I might just pounce on you and kill you this time," Hitomi snapped, grabbing her bag from Dilandau.
"I'll haunt you if I die."
"Too bad. I'm not scared of ghosts!" Just then, something crossed her mind. "Tell me damn straight. Did you set me up?"
"Excuse me?"
"I said, did you set me up?!"
Dilandau's eyes narrowed in understanding and irritation. "You mean the two guys?"
"Yes! Now tell me straight, did you set me up?!"
"Why would I set you up?" He countered, fighting off the irritation that might ruin his calm way of annoying Hitomi. "You don't really think I'd waste my time just to play hero now, do you?"
"How should I know if you really wanted me dead and in the last minute you changed your nutty mind?! I mean, you did smirk at me and looked past me before leaving!"
"Oh that? I saw them and I wondered how you would handle the situation."
She clenched her fists. "You mean you were watching me handle them before actually developing some bits of humanity and helping me out?! What if they had managed to kill me?!"
"Come on. You? An ogre? How would they even manage to kill a monster like you?" He asked calmly, regaining back the drift of his cool taunting.
Emerald eyes glared fiercely. "Shove off." Hitomi stomped angrily inside, leaving Dilandau to stare.
'Goodnight,' Dilandau's mind said before he realized it. Shaking his head and murmuring something about him getting crazy, he rode off towards home.
For the rest of the week, Hitomi was rather thankful that she had entered Kendo and was very tired after it leaving her to go straight to her room every time she goes home late in the afternoon.
She didn't want to think of anything as of the moment. Everything was just frustrating as the night Dilandau had given her a ride home. She had thought that they would be friends but he just had to be so egoistic and start being such a pain. That's not even the end of her frustration for as she entered her bedroom, a call from Millerna and Yukari gave her insights on the possible things that might happen with her relationship with Allen.
But now, the thought wouldn't leave her mind and she had to strain herself too much to bring about an emptiness of mind. When she had thankfully succeeded, the phone's persistent ringing brought Hitomi out of her forced emptiness of mind. She reached for her phone beside her bed and hit the speaker phone.
"Hello?" Hitomi mumbled tiredly, voice mumbled by the pillow currently covering her face.
"It's me."
"Celena?"
"Yeah. Are you alright, Hitomi? You sound weird."
"Just fine," she murmured louder, removing the pillow from her face and staring up the ceiling.
"You sound sick, Hitomi. Do you want me to go there and tend to you?"
"No thanks."
"Does this mean our usual weekend outings are off?"
"Huh?"
"You're sick and it wouldn't be good for you to be going out."
"I'm not sick, Celena. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Alright. Rest well, Hitomi."
"I will."
~*Two weeks later*~
"Dear, Hitomi had been depressed lately."
Mr. Kanzaki looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "What do you mean? Isn't she hanging out with Celena?"
"She is. But when Celena is not around anymore, she lapses into a depressed mood."
"Do you think she had a fight with Dilandau?"
"I don't think it's that. I think they are not even attached in a relationship that goes beyond friendship."
"What do you mean? Almost three weeks ago, we saw them outside the gate together."
"Well yes, but that's almost it."
"Did you ask Hiko about this?"
"Hiko says he thinks it is Allen. Come to think of it, Hitomi doesn't talk about Millerna and Yukari's news anymore."
"Hah! I knew it! That lad would do no good to our Hitomi. I think it's time that she stops pinning over him."
"But dear, Hitomi had been into Allen for a very long time. How do you suggest we stop this?"
"I may have a good idea," Mr. Kanzaki said with a glint in his eyes that told his wife this would be one heck of an idea.
Hitomi's plastered smile faded the moment she left the Kendo practice. Her mood had been anything but good since Dilandau escorted her home a couple of weeks earlier.
Why did her mind have to work overtime? Millerna and Yukari haven't exactly said that Allen was looking interested in some of the girls hovering about him. But her 'oh so over-reactive mind' just had to invent up images with Allen making out with some girl.
"Watch it!" A male hissed angrily.
She looked up and stared at the very angry eyes of one student from another school. She hadn't really noticed that she walked out of the school and a couple of blocks away.
"Sorry," she murmured.
She started to walk away, but two of the boy's companions blocked her path. She restrained the urge to roll her eyeballs.
'Just great,' her mind murmured sarcastically. 'I feel like brooding about my life with Allen and some jerks are standing in my way like they want to morph into fences or something.'
"I said I was sorry," she mumbled tiredly.
"But we didn't say you're forgiven," one of the boys said mockingly.
That did it. She was already about to brood before these guys crossed her life moments ago and now they are acting arrogant like they own the way. It reminded her of someone with red-eyes and someone with the name Miguel. Goodness, how she hated them! And now this? She didn't have to put up with all the annoyance they were giving her.
"Like I care if I'm damn forgiven of not!" She snapped. "Move out of my way!"
They raised a brow at her. "Oh. A spitfire."
"Either you move this instant or you'll get it!" Hitomi threatened, temper rising rapidly.
"Oh?" One taunted.
Before they could blink, a hand print was very, very obvious on the face of the boy who dared taunt an already fuming Hitomi Kanzaki. She walked past him but was grabbed on the arm by the other one. But unfortunately, he ended up with the same hand print on his face.
Five boys all had their egos trampled on. They were the known 'terrors' of their school and here was a girl from another school slapping two of them with such force and no hesitance at all.
The hand on Hitomi's arm tightened to the point that any other girl would beg with tears in her eyes to be released. But of course, Hitomi wasn't any other girl. She could be someone entirely different when she was provoked beyond her control of her temper.
The other side of the boy's face sported the hand print but he didn't let her go. He only tightened her hold on her arm, determined to break her bone.
"What's with this?" A voice mocked.
The five boys' gaze diverted to the owner of the somewhat familiar voice.
"This girl," the one holding Hitomi began. "Had the nerve and needed to be taught a little lesson."
"Oh? But that's my girl."
The boy who held her immediately released his grip on her and stepped back. He and the others all had fear and hesitance written on their faces.
"Uh, sorry. We didn't know."
Hitomi turned her glare from her offenders to her 'rescuer' who she decided she would let off for calling her his girl because of this rescue sort of thing.
"Hey, babe."
Green eyes flared drastically. It was as if her eyes would change to the same blood red that she was currently having the displeasure of seeing. "What are you doing here?!" She hissed.
The red-eyed boy looked at the five boys almost apologetically and said in an explanatory tone, "We had a fight. So you can understand why she's irritable."
The five nodded and backed off, muttering their final apologies before scurrying away.
Hitomi narrowed her eyes and stalked off menacingly towards her red-eyed 'rescuer-enemy'. She raised her hand but her wrist got caught just an inch away from his perfect visage.
"Always the barbarian," he said amusedly. "I was expecting you to fawn over me for being your knight."
"Damn you to hell, Dilandau!"
"No need. Just with you around, the place is hell." He smirked. "I've got to say, you sure can slap basing from the instant blush they had in a shape of a hand."
"Do you want the same blush on your pretty face?" Hitomi asked, downright sarcastic.
Dilandau laughed which only annoyed Hitomi even more. "I never had anyone touching my face nor hitting it. The day that would happen, is the day hell would freeze. And let me think about that," he paused and grinned. "That would happen when we both fall for each other."
Not that she found that amusing or anything like that, but her temper suddenly dropped as fast as the speed of light. Before she realized it, she grinned back at him. "Hell yeah."
He released her wrist and continued grinning. "I was expecting you to blow up."
Hitomi laughed. "After you actually swiped away your arrogance and make a joke with regards to my side? You've got to be nuts."
"Well, maybe I am."
"I think so. You're actually not being downright arrogant right now."
He shrugged. "It doesn't matter." He looked at her seriously then. "Aren't you supposed to be in a car on the way home?"
She looked confused all of a sudden and she looked around, finding herself in an unfamiliar territory. "I was just walking near the school thinking of some things. I didn't really notice where I was going."
"You shouldn't go wandering off in a daze, Hitomi. Especially to parts like this one."
They were near an abandoned building in some back alley where thugs and delinquents would usually be found. The place was quiet unnerving even when the sun had yet to disappear altogether.
Her eyebrows furrowed. "What are YOU doing here?"
"None of your concern," he replied coolly. "I think I'd bring you home before you get into more trouble."
His hand latched unto her wrist and he led her away from the place towards his motorcycle. He released her hand and waited impatiently for her to get on before he sat on his motorcycle.
"Remember the last time?" He asked over his shoulder. "I still ride with the same speed so better hold on."
She hesitated for a while but the moment her arms were fastened around his waist, they were speeding like they're being chased by giant mechs threatening to crush them.
The entire ride went by silently. Well, who could talk or even bicker when they were speeding by? But then, Hitomi was a little bit more than preoccupied with the thoughts on Dilandau.
'What was he doing there? Why had those boys seemed afraid of him? Was he hiding something? What was he up to? Will he go back there for something after I am home? What is this feeling that's telling me I'm missing something in the picture?' Her mind thought over and over again.
"Before you say anything at all," Dilandau said the moment his motorcycle stopped by the Kanzaki gate. "I don't want you going anywhere near places like those. Clear?"
Hitomi didn't understand why he was being very commanding. But there was something in the way he said the words that made her felt compelled to agree. "Okay," she muttered uncaringly and plopped herself off the bike.
Dilandau looked at her seriously before breaking into a slow smile. "Well then. I guess I'll just see you in school for a little entertainment. You always do amusing things."
Once more, her temper flared. "Why you!"
Before she could do anything to him, he was already off, leaving her cursing him and fuming as if it was her last chance to do so.
"Damn! Why does he always manage to destroy the peace?! And here I was thinking that we'd probably get along after all. Argh! He's a damn hopeless nutcase! Why am I even thinking that we'd get along?!" She ranted to herself.
"So, Merle spilled the coffee on Viole accidentally and I was laughing so hard that I chocked on my orange juice. Then, Dilandau came in and he thought that we were nuts and---" Celena stopped her recounting of last nights events and looked at Hitomi closely. "Hitomi?"
"Huh?" Hitomi mumbled, staring at the food in her plate as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yeah."
"What did I say?"
Hitomi shrugged and poked her food. "Huh?"
Celena resisted the urge to slap her forehead. "Hey, you're spacing out. What's wrong?"
"Wrong?" Hitomi murmured. "I didn't have a quiz yet."
"Hitomi! What is wrong with you?" Celena asked in both a bothered and frustrated tone.
But her green-eyed friend continued to space out.
"Hitomi," Celena tried once more after a time.
Hitomi stared longer at her food before shaking her head and sighing. "What would you do if the absolute love of your life betrays you?"
Celena looked at her strangely. "What do you mean?"
"Like he's doing something behind your back."
The blue-eyed girl hesitated for a while. "Is this about your boyfriend? I mean, did your friends say something? Did he talk weird during one of his calls?"
"Actually, he didn't call me during the past week and my friends sounded as if they were trying to avoid any mention of him."
"So, you're saying that---"
"I trust him but yeah. I guess I do believe he's betraying me." Hitomi sighed once more. "Never mind. Let's just talk about other things. It would help me stop thinking about things I really am not sure about. And it would help me have a good mood."
Celena, being a concerned friend of Hitomi, wanted nothing more than to help her forget. So smiling, she retold her recount about the previous night.
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Mrs. Kanzaki asked anxiously.
"It's the best idea. I've had enough of Hitomi brooding around the house when she thinks no one is around to notice her down spirits."
"But dear, it could make matters worse."
"It will at the start. But I assure you that this would be for Hitomi's best. She needs someone who'd take care of her and her future. She needs someone who would be everything to her."
"Like Allen?"
Mr. Kanzaki grumbled a little. Although he hated to admit it, Allen did provide Hitomi with a type of inspiration and motivation that only a boyfriend could give. He helped bring out the best in Hitomi and also the worst. Like how she was now, secretly moping about and being moody.
Hiko was right. Hitomi should spend time with someone else. Besides, Allen is the type not easily tied down. Distance is of no object to anyone madly in love. But to put Allen and the phrase 'madly in love' would be beside unfeasible if not impossible.
Hitomi needs someone who would be there for her at the same time be what Allen had been to her – inspiration, happiness, and all those things. And as a father, he would do anything in his power to give Hitomi what she needed. Furthermore, this would not only do Hitomi good, but them and his friends and the 'solution' himself.
"Like Allen," he finally said. "But I'm sure he'd do her more good."
Mrs. Kanzaki sighed. "I suppose you're right. But don't you think this is too drastic?"
"Nonsense. This is the best idea Donkirk and I ever had. Think about it. Not only would it be good for the kids, but for us parents as well."
"Dear, shouldn't we wait a little longer?"
"Alright. A week more. If Hitomi continues to mop about---"
"Deal. Give Donkirk a call."
~*A week later*~
Dilandau had just revved up his motorcycle when his cellphone rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw that the call was from his dad.
Lately, he did notice that his parents were looking at each other meaningfully like they had a plan. And what more, they kept inquiring about his life like they were almost worried that he had resumed being a problem kid, like they were worried about him making a bad impression.
And now, as his cellphone rang persistently, he was having a very bad feeling. Well actually, he had that feeling since the start of the week. And now, it was worse than ever as if warning him that something major BAD is going to happen to him today.
Finally answering the phone, "Hey, what's up, Dad?"
"What took you so long with the phone?" His dad questioned impatiently then changed tone into one of worry. "Are you in a date with a girl?"
"Actually, I'm just about to BE in a date with a girl."
"But I told you to keep this day free."
"Yeah, but for what?"
"For something important. Now, I want you to cancel your date and be here in fifteen minutes or else."
Before he could argue, the call was cut.
When his dad wouldn't allow anything to contradict his decision like just moments ago, it was for something really, really important; as important as it would change one's life. And when he goes with the 'or else' tirade, it's really big and he doesn't go back on his threats.
"Damn!" He murmured irately before dialing a certain number.
Just a single ring was what it took for the other person to answer the call. "Dilandau? Why aren't you here yet?"
"There's a problem, Van. My dad wants me in his office ending it with the 'or else' phrase. This would obviously take some time so I'd be a little late."
"Well, it wouldn't matter. The girls are always at your beck and call anyway." Van chuckled. "And speaking of which, I'm going to have a little fun now that there's less competition on the girls."
"F*** up," Dilandau mumbled with annoyance. "You can get them all like hell I care. It's just that I've a very bad feeling about my parents."
Van's suppressed amusement was evident in his voice. "Since when did you have a bad feeling about your parents? You almost went to a rehab with me and the others and you didn't even give a damn."
"Van, my man, I've gone straight. Not like some ass I know."
"Coach Sakima? If kids manage to wreck my new car like what we did back in junior high, I wouldn't exactly stick to the phrase 'forgive and forget'."
"Coach Spitfire does, though it's a bit revised into 'I'll never forgive myself if I forget to make those damned kids' life a living hell'."
"Got to agree on you about that. So, anyway, good luck," Van mocked. "Tell me if you're actually going to get yourself sent off to the moon."
Dilandau grinned. "Why of course, Fanel Van. I'd have to leave my sister to your care before I go. And maybe you'd be so nice as to make me your best man."
"F*** up," Van retorted. "I'm not into incest."
"Yeah, go on denying," Dilandau teased.
"He's in the conference room, Mr. Albatou," his father's secretary said.
Dilandau nodded and headed for the conference room, the bad feeling increasing with each step closer he took. The moment he entered the room, he noticed that the only people there were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kanzaki, and Hitomi.
'Somehow, I think this is going to be very drastic,' he mused as his brows knitted together.
"Ah, finally," his father said, with a hint of impatience in his voice. "Sit down, Dilandau. We'll all have a very important talk."
Hitomi gave him a look similar to 'what is going on here?' which he answered with a look similar to 'how should I know?'
They both stared at each other before shrugging and both unconsciously saying, "We'll find out soon enough."
They didn't notice the smiles that lit both their parents' faces when they looked at each other and then said the same thing as if they were truly in a deep understanding.
"What?!" Hitomi exclaimed indignantly and looked at her parents with accusing eyes. "Could you say that again?!"
Dilandau on the other hand was staring at his parents as if he was trying to see if they were joking. But by the serious looks on both his father and mother, he knew he could commit suicide the next moment. Well, change that into something like he could kill someone the next moment.
Donkirk Albatou took a deep breath and looked at his long-time friend and business associate who nodded for him to continue. He turned his attention to Dilandau and Hitomi who looked as if they were ready to kill someone.
"You two are engaged."
~tbc~
Author's Note: Okay. I finally placed some fluff like anime_luver asked for. I'm really sorry if this chapter sucked big time. It's all that I can do in a rush. I mean here are all the nice people reviewing the work and I am here not going on-line because I'm rushing many things. I'm really so sorry. I hope even if this chapter is not that good, I hope it still makes up for the slack I was doing in updating the thing. I really apologize coz I have to rush so much stuff. And I don't think I'll be on line or in front of the pc for a time.
About Donkirk, I couldn't think of any name. He was supposed to be the school owner but I made him Dilandau's dad. The characters are really off tangent. Sorry. And yeah, people can still be part of the mailing list.
Finally, I'm thanking all those who reviewed. It's inspiring and it makes me SOOOOOOOOO happy. Uh, by the way jess131346, was that supposed to be a flame? Sorry if I disappointed you in the last chapter. Really so sorry. But for all the positive feedback, I was practically grinning. I didn't expect that this would reach 100 in reviews. Thanks A LOT for the feedbacks ^^
