Ratings/Warnings: Rating is PG.
Summary: The goddess of spring Hitomi has always led only the most luxurious life atop the mountain of Atlantis... until the day she receives a proposal of marriage from the dismal keeper of the underworld Van. Hitomi is convinced her life is over, but what if Van is not the cold-hearted person she thinks he is?
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Persephone: Chapter 10
by Katrina Kadabra
The next morning, Van called Hitomi in to speak with him.
"It's about you and Allen." Hitomi nodded to acknowledge him, nervous as to where this conversation was leading. Meanwhile, Van prepared himself for something more difficult than he ever had before.
"You'd be happier with him, wouldn't you?"
Hitomi gasped. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, would you be happier living with him on Atlantis rather than with me?"
"Of course not," Hitomi answered immediately, making Van all the more doubtful that she wasn't being completely honest with him.
"I'm serious, Hitomi. I don't want you answering just to please me. I have to know the truth. Where would you honestly be happier?" Hitomi now realized where this conversation was heading. She had been waiting and hoping for this opportunity and now that it was finally being offered to her, she was finding it difficult to accept.
"Let... let me think about it," she said quietly. Van nodded and left her.
"Very well."
Hitomi sat alone in the room, as the thoughts ran wildly through her head. Van was letting her go - she could return to Atlantis. She would never have to see this dismal lower world again. But then, she would also have to leave Van and give herself to Allen. Hitomi rubbed her head. Why did that thought bother her? Allen had everything - looks, charm, and a noble birth. There was no logical reason why she should not be happy with in. Only a single, perhaps somewhat illogical reason that had been there all along and that Hitomi now finally came to realize.
"I love Van," she whispered to herself. "I like Allen, but he isn't my love. I only wanted him to get me back to Atlantis."
Hitomi jumped up and ran out, searching for Van. When she found him, Hitomi ran crying into his arms.
"I'm sorry!" she cried. "Van, I'm so sorry for putting you through all that." Van smiled and stroked her hair.
"It's okay, Hitomi, calm down."
Hitomi took a few deep breaths and managed to get herself under control. "I do love you, Van," she said. "Very much. I don't want to be with anyone expect you. I'm just sorry it took me so long to understand that."
"It's okay," said Van, a smile beaming in his heart. "Hitomi, you've taught me so much. As cold as I was, yet you still opened up to me." He embraced her once again. "I love you. And I'm glad you've made your decision. But now, you will have to tell Allen." Hitomi gulped. This wasn't something she was looking forward to.
On the mountain of Atlantis, Hitomi stood directly across from her Gaian hero. Nervously, she gripped her hands together. Van was waiting for her at the gates, waiting for her to deliver her final decision.
"You've decided to stay with Van?" Allen asked, a bit shocked. Hitomi nodded.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"But what about us?" Allen took a hold of Hitomi's shoulders, forcing her to look him in the eyes. Hitomi wanted to cry; this was already hard enough without Allen being so forceful.
"Oh, Allen," she sighed. "You know I really do care about you, but..." her voice seemed to trail off. "But I love Van." At that, Allen released her arms.
"I see," he said quietly. "So that's what you came here to tell me." Hitomi nodded. She felt terrible for letting Allen down like this, but she couldn't go on pretending she had feelings for them both. At some point or another, one had to stay and the other leave. Now was that time.
"Then, I wish you two the best of luck," Allen said, surprisingly cheerful. He had been up and down the road of love a couple of time and had no regrets. Hitomi had made her decision, and there was no going back on it." Be happy, Hitomi," he said. And with that, Allen turned and walked slowly back to his chambers. Hitomi wanted to call out as she watched him leave, the weight of her heart sinking deeper into her chest. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Hitomi gasped and turned around.
"Millerna?"
"If you're think of feeling guilty, don't," the goddess instructed her. "This may be hard now, but Allen will move on. That's how love works. There's give and take, and gain and loss, and a whole host of other emotions mixed in there. The point is, you've found the man you want to be with. And you're happy."
Hitomi smiled and turned around to see Van standing at the gate waiting for her. Happy. Yes, that was the only word that could describe how she felt with him. Hitomi ran up and embraced Van in her arms, feeling his warmth. Their lips found each other in a passion that would never be severed. Although her former hero would always be dear to her heart, Hitomi treasured even more the love she had found in the one who had given her the freedom to choose.
The End!
Author's Notes: Well, that's it. What does everyone think? I know the ending was a little rushed, but it was that or leave it unfinished for six weeks while I'm away. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the reviews! They mean a ton to me!
-Katrina (www.katrinasforest.com)
