Chapter Five
Three days have passed since Hitomi's abduction. Everyone had practically forgotten about the events of three days ago. Merle still tagged along where ever Hitomi and Van went, but Hitomi managed to keep her temper at bay. Van was in a great mood (or so they thought). Another part of Fanalia had been completed Allan and Yukari seemed to be getting closer and closer. Hitomi still got a sinking feeling every time that she saw them together but ignored it, saying that she worrying to much. They had all decided to take a horse back ride in the mountains. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone and the warm mountain air did everyone good. Van took the lead, then Hitomi, Millerna, Yukari and finally Allan. Yukari closed her eyes and let the sound of singing birds and the smell of the fresh air calm her. She looked at Allan behind her and smiled.
"Watch out." Van warned as he jumped over a log that lay in the path. They followed one by one. When it came Yukari's turn, her horse got spooked. It stood on it's hind legs and let out a horrible sound. Yukari screamed and clung to her horse as it turned and galloped off in the opposite direction. Allan, startled, took off after Yukari. As he disappeared out of sight, Millerna gave a happy smile.
"Isn't he great?" she asked to no one on particular. Hitomi sent her a sideways glance.
~*~
"Would - some - one - stop - this - thing!!!!!" Yukari screamed through clenched teeth as she bounced on her frantic steed.
"Yukari!"
"Allan!" she replied in a frantic voice. Allan grabbed for the reins and the horse slowed to a stop. She clung to the horse and refused to loosen her grip.
"Come on, Yukari. Let go!" Allan ordered. Yukari shook her head. Allan chuckled. Her appearance left something to be desired. Allan helped her off her horse and onto his. She sat behind him and rapped her arms tightly around his waist.
"Ah....." Allan choked out. "I...I can't breath!"
Yukari blushed and loosened her grip. A few moments later, they had caught up with the group. Everyone watched the two with curious eyes but made no comment. The rest of the trip proceeded pleasantly and they were back in the castle by supper.
They sat at the table, chatting and laughing. Hitomi glanced over at Van, he wasn't eating and looked upset. He sighed heavily and whispered something to Allan. Alan nodded and Van stood up and exited the room. Worry began to mount on Hitomi. As soon as supper was finished, she made her way to Van's room. She gingerly knocked on the door.
"Go away!" the King answered.
"It's me, can I come in?" Hitomi asked cautiously. Taking his silence as a yes, she stepped into the room. Van was sitting on his bed and gazed out at the setting sun. Hitomi sat next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. An awkward silence fell upon the two. Finally Hitomi broke it.
"Van, are you feeling ok?" hearing no reply she put her face in front of his, obstructing his view.
"I said, are you ok?" Hitomi asked more forcefully.
"Yah." he replied but she could see right through.
"No, you're not. You were so quiet at supper and you barely ate a thing."
Van let his eyes drop and focused on the detail in the comforter that covered his bed. "I...I'm just worried." he started.
"About what?"
"About you." he finished and caressed her cheek. "I can't help but think that something serious will come to you."
"What do you mean?"
"When you got kidnaped. People don't kidnap others just because they are board." he explained. Hitomi placed her hands on his cheeks and lifted his face up to hers.
"Van. You don't need to worry. It has been three days, three beautiful, peaceful days."
"I know Hitomi. But I love you, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I believed that and if you were taken from me again........" Van said as if he were talking things out to himself. " It has been so hard to live without you before, even when I knew you were safe and on the Mystic Moon. When I know you are in danger, and too far from me to help you, I wouldn't be able to bear it. I just can't sit by and knowingly let you be hurt.......or worse." Van said in an unstable voice.
"Oh Van." Hitomi said, her eyes tearing as she embraced him. When she loosened her grip, she blushed when she realized that Van still held her tight. She looked at him surprised. His eyes were full of sadness. At that moment, all she wanted to do was erase this feeling from Van's soul. She wanted to keep him happy, and lately, it seemed as if he was always hurt or sad.
One of his fingers ran along her bottom lip and they leaned into each other. Their eyes closed slowly the closer they got. Hitomi felt a tingling sensation up her back, just as their lips met. Then their kiss intensified as they poured all their love into it. She could tell how worried and maybe even scared he was. When they parted, Hitomi felt light-headed. She looked at Van and smiled, her cheeks flushed. He smiled back and held her in his arms for a long time before letting her go to her chambers for the night. In her room, she flopped onto her bed and recalled what had just happened. She hugged her pillow tight to her chest and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
~*~
The next morning, Hitomi bounded out of her bed, pulled on a shirt and skirt and brushed her hair. She left her room and ran right into her maid.
"Miss Hitomi, I was just coming to wake you." Hitomi looked at her curiously.
"King Van has invited you to a quiet breakfast in the flower gardens." At this, Hitomi's heart raced and she shook her head to clear her mind (which was still a little fuzzy from last night's happenings).
"Tell him I'd be glad to accept." Hitomi replied and the maid walked off to deliver her message.
~*~
Yukari was out in the fields with Allan and their horses. After yesterday, Allan had suggested a horse lesson first thing in the morning.
"Now, mount the horse like this." Allan demonstrated. Yukari attempted to imitate him but failed miserably. Allan got off his horse and made his way over to her. Yukari felt her cheeks get hot as she blushed from embarrassment.
"Let me help you." he offered and placed her hands around her waits to spot her as she tried again.
"Hey! Lookie at me!" she shouted. "I did it!"
"No!" Allan warned but it was too late. The horse had knocked her off. Allan helped her up to her feet.
"You have to be more quiet when your on your horse, at least until he gets used to you." Allan told her. Yukari paused for a moment, memorized by his eyes, the eyes she could drown in, when she was interrupted but the sound of approaching hooves on the gravel path. She turned to look behind her, only to see Millerna trotting up to them on a white horse. When she reached them, she jumped off and walked up to Allan, hugging him briefly and kissed him on the cheek. Yukari was astounded at the sight. She felt the tears coming on but forced them back.
"Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions." she told herself and ignored the two.
"Allan, I just wanted to know if you would like to have breakfast with me after your horse lesson."
"Sure, my lady. I'd be honored to." he replied.
Yukari was furious. Did he just spout all that to every woman?!
"Allan will be all mine. I won't let some girl take him away!" she thought. "He likes me. He has to."
~*~
The garden was beautiful. There were flower bushes everywhere. Roses and carnations. White lilies lined a tan, stone walkway that led to a fountain. She smiled when she saw Van, sitting on the ledge of the fountain, waiting for her. She walked up behind him, as quietly as possible, and gave him a big hug.
"Good morning." she chimed.
"Same to you. Why are you so happy this morning." Hitomi looked at him. Did he even have to ask?
"I don't know, but I'm in a great mood."
Van kissed her lightly and took out the basket. While setting up, she noticed that an extra serving of everything was packed. Van, noticing her questioning look, smiled.
"We have to expect Merle. She's bound to show up." Van explained. Hitomi suppressed a laugh.
Meanwhile:
Merle watched the two from behind a hedge. She smiled. "I won't be interrupting this time." she said in a hushed tone and went back to sharpening her claws on her favorite tree stump.
Three days have passed since Hitomi's abduction. Everyone had practically forgotten about the events of three days ago. Merle still tagged along where ever Hitomi and Van went, but Hitomi managed to keep her temper at bay. Van was in a great mood (or so they thought). Another part of Fanalia had been completed Allan and Yukari seemed to be getting closer and closer. Hitomi still got a sinking feeling every time that she saw them together but ignored it, saying that she worrying to much. They had all decided to take a horse back ride in the mountains. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone and the warm mountain air did everyone good. Van took the lead, then Hitomi, Millerna, Yukari and finally Allan. Yukari closed her eyes and let the sound of singing birds and the smell of the fresh air calm her. She looked at Allan behind her and smiled.
"Watch out." Van warned as he jumped over a log that lay in the path. They followed one by one. When it came Yukari's turn, her horse got spooked. It stood on it's hind legs and let out a horrible sound. Yukari screamed and clung to her horse as it turned and galloped off in the opposite direction. Allan, startled, took off after Yukari. As he disappeared out of sight, Millerna gave a happy smile.
"Isn't he great?" she asked to no one on particular. Hitomi sent her a sideways glance.
~*~
"Would - some - one - stop - this - thing!!!!!" Yukari screamed through clenched teeth as she bounced on her frantic steed.
"Yukari!"
"Allan!" she replied in a frantic voice. Allan grabbed for the reins and the horse slowed to a stop. She clung to the horse and refused to loosen her grip.
"Come on, Yukari. Let go!" Allan ordered. Yukari shook her head. Allan chuckled. Her appearance left something to be desired. Allan helped her off her horse and onto his. She sat behind him and rapped her arms tightly around his waist.
"Ah....." Allan choked out. "I...I can't breath!"
Yukari blushed and loosened her grip. A few moments later, they had caught up with the group. Everyone watched the two with curious eyes but made no comment. The rest of the trip proceeded pleasantly and they were back in the castle by supper.
They sat at the table, chatting and laughing. Hitomi glanced over at Van, he wasn't eating and looked upset. He sighed heavily and whispered something to Allan. Alan nodded and Van stood up and exited the room. Worry began to mount on Hitomi. As soon as supper was finished, she made her way to Van's room. She gingerly knocked on the door.
"Go away!" the King answered.
"It's me, can I come in?" Hitomi asked cautiously. Taking his silence as a yes, she stepped into the room. Van was sitting on his bed and gazed out at the setting sun. Hitomi sat next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. An awkward silence fell upon the two. Finally Hitomi broke it.
"Van, are you feeling ok?" hearing no reply she put her face in front of his, obstructing his view.
"I said, are you ok?" Hitomi asked more forcefully.
"Yah." he replied but she could see right through.
"No, you're not. You were so quiet at supper and you barely ate a thing."
Van let his eyes drop and focused on the detail in the comforter that covered his bed. "I...I'm just worried." he started.
"About what?"
"About you." he finished and caressed her cheek. "I can't help but think that something serious will come to you."
"What do you mean?"
"When you got kidnaped. People don't kidnap others just because they are board." he explained. Hitomi placed her hands on his cheeks and lifted his face up to hers.
"Van. You don't need to worry. It has been three days, three beautiful, peaceful days."
"I know Hitomi. But I love you, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I believed that and if you were taken from me again........" Van said as if he were talking things out to himself. " It has been so hard to live without you before, even when I knew you were safe and on the Mystic Moon. When I know you are in danger, and too far from me to help you, I wouldn't be able to bear it. I just can't sit by and knowingly let you be hurt.......or worse." Van said in an unstable voice.
"Oh Van." Hitomi said, her eyes tearing as she embraced him. When she loosened her grip, she blushed when she realized that Van still held her tight. She looked at him surprised. His eyes were full of sadness. At that moment, all she wanted to do was erase this feeling from Van's soul. She wanted to keep him happy, and lately, it seemed as if he was always hurt or sad.
One of his fingers ran along her bottom lip and they leaned into each other. Their eyes closed slowly the closer they got. Hitomi felt a tingling sensation up her back, just as their lips met. Then their kiss intensified as they poured all their love into it. She could tell how worried and maybe even scared he was. When they parted, Hitomi felt light-headed. She looked at Van and smiled, her cheeks flushed. He smiled back and held her in his arms for a long time before letting her go to her chambers for the night. In her room, she flopped onto her bed and recalled what had just happened. She hugged her pillow tight to her chest and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
~*~
The next morning, Hitomi bounded out of her bed, pulled on a shirt and skirt and brushed her hair. She left her room and ran right into her maid.
"Miss Hitomi, I was just coming to wake you." Hitomi looked at her curiously.
"King Van has invited you to a quiet breakfast in the flower gardens." At this, Hitomi's heart raced and she shook her head to clear her mind (which was still a little fuzzy from last night's happenings).
"Tell him I'd be glad to accept." Hitomi replied and the maid walked off to deliver her message.
~*~
Yukari was out in the fields with Allan and their horses. After yesterday, Allan had suggested a horse lesson first thing in the morning.
"Now, mount the horse like this." Allan demonstrated. Yukari attempted to imitate him but failed miserably. Allan got off his horse and made his way over to her. Yukari felt her cheeks get hot as she blushed from embarrassment.
"Let me help you." he offered and placed her hands around her waits to spot her as she tried again.
"Hey! Lookie at me!" she shouted. "I did it!"
"No!" Allan warned but it was too late. The horse had knocked her off. Allan helped her up to her feet.
"You have to be more quiet when your on your horse, at least until he gets used to you." Allan told her. Yukari paused for a moment, memorized by his eyes, the eyes she could drown in, when she was interrupted but the sound of approaching hooves on the gravel path. She turned to look behind her, only to see Millerna trotting up to them on a white horse. When she reached them, she jumped off and walked up to Allan, hugging him briefly and kissed him on the cheek. Yukari was astounded at the sight. She felt the tears coming on but forced them back.
"Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions." she told herself and ignored the two.
"Allan, I just wanted to know if you would like to have breakfast with me after your horse lesson."
"Sure, my lady. I'd be honored to." he replied.
Yukari was furious. Did he just spout all that to every woman?!
"Allan will be all mine. I won't let some girl take him away!" she thought. "He likes me. He has to."
~*~
The garden was beautiful. There were flower bushes everywhere. Roses and carnations. White lilies lined a tan, stone walkway that led to a fountain. She smiled when she saw Van, sitting on the ledge of the fountain, waiting for her. She walked up behind him, as quietly as possible, and gave him a big hug.
"Good morning." she chimed.
"Same to you. Why are you so happy this morning." Hitomi looked at him. Did he even have to ask?
"I don't know, but I'm in a great mood."
Van kissed her lightly and took out the basket. While setting up, she noticed that an extra serving of everything was packed. Van, noticing her questioning look, smiled.
"We have to expect Merle. She's bound to show up." Van explained. Hitomi suppressed a laugh.
Meanwhile:
Merle watched the two from behind a hedge. She smiled. "I won't be interrupting this time." she said in a hushed tone and went back to sharpening her claws on her favorite tree stump.