Hi guys! In the end, I decided to continue with the story. Things may not make scence at the beginning, but that's because this is a new phase of the story- things will be explained in the next chapter, I promise! (which will be coming soon, as it's the holidays at the moment, and I've got the storyline all worked out). V. TOMMORROW, THE 18TH OF FEB, IS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: MY 15TH BIRTHDAY!!!!! : )!) enjoy! Lots of Love, Aren't Tuesdays the best?! Anyway, sit back, relax, and (hopefully Very Evil (well, not so much @ the mo- can't be evil all the time, can you? ne way, it's my b-day!) Daughter of Lord Voldemort.

Chapter Twelve- Return and Exile

Sobbing. Like the soft ebb of the tide, somewhere deep in the darkness, there was the sound of tears. "Mum." she murmered. No.it was the cry of a child. "I'm sorry," the little girl sobbed. "I'm sorry." There was sorrow and fear in the child's voice, and Hitomi's heart ached with the pain of it. "Shhh.don't be scared. What's your name?" She whispered. The girl didn't answer. Wouldn't answer. Somehow she knew the girl couldn't hear her.was that because this was just a dream? Maybe the girl wasn't even real, though her pain was real enough. A thought flittered across her mind- maybe she wasn't even here, in body at least. Or maybe, she was the one who wasn't real.the thought scared her so badly she didn't even notice what was happening until it was too late. Another place was calling her, pulling her back.. "Hitomi!" The girl cried. "Hitomi!" She needed Hitomi, she was only a child. Hitomi tried to fight the force that was pulling her away, but the more she tried to stay, the harder it got. Somehow without her noticing, the world had shifted. Voices and images were floating and wavering in front of her. They were distorted and confused, as though she were looking at the world from underwater. She felt herself be lifted towards the strange, busy visions above her. Her head broke the surface, and she rose, gasping with shock. "Hitomi!"

That voice.it sounded familiar.

Slowly she opened her eyes, but they didn't seem to be working the way they used to. She waited for a few painful seconds for the room to stop moving, and became aware of a face staring at her. She squinted, trying to make out who it was. "Mum.?" She asked, sounding unsure of herself. The face flooded with relief, and briefly, a smile flickered on her mother's face. "Thank God, you know me. The doctors said that you - " "The doctors? Mum, where am I?" Her whole body was aching and even though she had just woken up, she was incredably tired. She had so many questions to be answered. "Shh, it's okay. You're in Hospital. You're going to be fine." Hitomi tried to nod, but the pain hit her head like a hammer blow. She whimpered, screwing her face up against the hurt. "Hitomi! Hitomi, what's wrong?" Her mother cried, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Mum." Hitomi whimpered. She fidgeted irritatedly, as though trying to wriggle away from the pain. "It hurts!" She complained. Why was she hurting so bad? Why wasn't she at home? How did she end up at this hospital? Her complete inability to answer these questions made her angry. She was tired, and hurting and confused. But most of all, she felt under attack. All these people she didn't know, in a place she didn't know, while she was so defenceless and weak.strong feelings of agression stirred up inside her, the first she'd ever had. "What are you all standing there for?! Go away! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" Ignoring the pain, she thrashed in her bed and yelled at the people around her - her mother, the nurses, a doctor.Hands were pressing on her, forcing her back down onto the bed. She vaguely heard her mother's panicked demands for something to calm her down, and strained voices she didn't regonise. She screamed as the hands gently, but firmly tipped her head forward. She struggled even harder, but whoever was holding her down was too strong. Her mouth was forced open and a foul smelling liquid was poured down her throat.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Asharmi sat on the floor, in a room with no furniture and a dry, dirt floor. Light was streaming through the window above her, but did nothing to lighten her heart. She was sobbing, bitter tears of repentence. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.." She wept bitterly. How she regretted the day that she let her stupidity and arrogance take over her actions. She heard a door open, and looked up to see Lady Tollarna staring dissaprovingly down at her. "The Royal Circle of Seers have gathered, and come to a decision. Hear this, your fate: you are guilty of grave misjudgment which led to the destruction of several Ziabach buildings, and several people seiously wounded. You have therefore committed treason." Her face was stern, but her eyes shone with pity. Asharmi felt a sob rise in her throat. 'No,' she thought fiercely. 'I've got to take this like a grown up.' "However." Just that one word was enough for hope to exist once again in Asharmi's heart. "We have acknowledged the fact that you are just a child, and have decided against using the traditional laws of this land. Instead, you will be stripped of your title as a member of the Royal Circle of Seers. Never again will you be allowed to take part in any of your former activities as apprentice Caster, including all spells and rituals that consist of chanting in the sacred, ancient languages, potion brewing, and Spirit Healing. Tomorrow at dawn you will be released and be sent away from this country to live in exile. As from then you will be prohibited from using your powers in any form." Asharmi gasped, new tears falling from her eyes. Lady Tollarna crouched down so that she was eye level with the little girl, her own eyes wet. "Little Lady, you have made a mistake, and have paid dearly for it. Too dearly, perhaps.but the King loves his country too much to put it at risk just for one little girl like you. I'm sorry, Asharmi. Maybe one day, when you are older it will be different.." She kissed Asharmi lightly on the forehead. "Please don't grow up hating us, Asharmi. We did the best we could." "Lady Tollarna, how can I leave here? This is my home!" A huge sence of panic gripped her. Life at the palace was all she'd ever known. She'd lived in a house with a family once, when she was very small, but she remembered very little of it. All the family she knew were all here, and now she had to leave! What was she going to do. "Don't worry," Lady Tollarna said, as though reading her mind. "I may not be with you, but I will still be caring for you. I have discussed the matter with His Royal Majesty and his aunt, Princess Millerna of Fried, despite what has happened, as agreed to take care of you for the time being. You are very lucky, you should be grateful. Try to be happy." Asharmi shook her head desperately. "It's not were I belong! I belong here, with all of you." She grabbed hold of Lady Tollarna's hands, pleading, begging. "No!" Lady Tollarna pulled her hands away, suddenly tall and proud like a swan. "Goodbye, little lady." She smiled slightly, a flicker of emotion in a face whose responsibilities had always ruled over feeling. With that last, shy smile, Lady Tollarna swept out of the room, and once again Asharmi was left alone.

Like it, Hate it? How can I improve it? Please review- your comments are really useful, and help keep me going! (