It's me again! *claps her hands* Ow, I was so happy when I read all your
reviews. Thank you so much! My mom wondered why I was grinning the whole
time. I could only reply "They like it!" and giggle.
LOVE WITCH: *giggles* Glad you liked it. Hope you'll enjoy this. And a big hug for you
for being the first one who reviewed. Thank you
Aylee the Dragon: *stands with her back to the wall hands raised* H-hope i- it's s-soon
e-enough. *sneaks a look at flame thrower* (lol)
Paige Moonsword: *blushes* Thank you! Was it that good?
Magicman/Smokegirl: Oh no, it isn't bad. Kennedy said this when he was in Berlin, didn't
he? We dealt with this topic in history but it was some time ago.
And as I said, I tend to forget a lot. I've a memory like a sieve. It's
terrible, I can tell.
Dirty-Faced Angel: *hangs her head* buhuhuhuhu Was it that predictable? *continues
crying* No, just kidding. I knew that it was too obvious. Hehe
Silver Magiccraft: Don't despair. My German doesn't take much. *cleans her throat*
Well, I know German because I am German. *waves her hands madly*
Greets from icy-cold Germany!
Sabineballz(): Thaaaaaaaank yooouuuuuuuu!!!!!!
Michelle Ann: No, no, this is a little misunderstanding. I said 5 pages. I only wrote 5
pages. I said that others wrote more than 15 pages, not me. Oh, I wished
that I could write so much, too. But I'm trying.
DISCLAIMER: Baah! Must I say this everytime? I don't own Escaflowne! *is annoyed*
Chapter 2 Unexpected Meeting(s)
Hitomi now was on her way into an uncertain future. A strange feeling had seized her some miles ago. She had realized that she had left her home. Her only home. She sighed. She didn't know when she would see her sisters again or even if she would ever see them again. What's gotten into her? She shook her head. She didn't know. Hitomi looked ahead. At that moment, endless fields were around her. She had left her forest behind, some hours ago. She hadn't known where to go. Besides, she still didn't know. 'It will lead you,' she remembered Thetis' words. What a nonsense! How could her heart lead her? She snorted. Just now, her nose was leading her. Straight ahead. How imaginative! Hitomi looked to the east. The sun attempted to break through the darkness. It begun with a shy orange glow. It seemed that the light was afraid of breaking a new day. But then the light grew more intense and suddenly, a fireball broke through the morning dust. Hitomi smiled. It was beautiful. At once, her mood increased.
In the distance, she saw the glowing of sunlight being reflected on the surface of a river. Thermodon. So, she finally reached the border of Skythia. Thermodon marked the border between her country and Thessalia. Hitomi had studied lots of maps and because of this she knew a lot about Gaea's countries and their history. Thessalia was the land of the Centaurs. Hitomi had read a lot about them. Mystic beings with the head, arms and upper torso of a man and the torso, forelegs and hind legs of a horse. Hitomi had never seen a single one. They were as warlike as the Amzons themselves. The Amazons respected the Centaurs, but didn't like them very much. It was the same contrary. They were rivals. They always were and always would be. Hitomi didn't expect to cross the way of a Centaur. They lived farther in the south, near the mountains. The Centaurs avoided the northern part of their country where she was actually heading on.
After some moments of thinking, Hitomi reached a huge old bridge. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind. Where were the guards? Usually, two Amazons were guarding this bridge. Hitomi looked in every direction but couldn't spot a single hair of an Amazon. She shrugged. Dust stepped bravely on the bridge. When they were in the middle of the bridge, they stopped. Hitomi spotted a forest ahead. 'Arkad,' she thought. And what next? Where should she go now? She never had never crossed the border of her country! Was she mad or something? Hitomi had never met a human being despite her Amazon- sisters and some dead men, the hunters brought along as a throphy! How should she act, supposing that she met one of them? She didn't know. Dammit, she didn't know! A brief moment, she looked back into the direction she had come from, sadly, but then took a deep breath.
"At first, let's take a rest and then, we'll see what's going to happen next," she said and spurred Dust.
Half an hour later, the two of them reached the forest. Hitomi knew it was Arkad, the one and only forest in whole Thessalia. It was huge. Almost the triple seize of her forest and completely different. The trees looked different and it even smelled different. Far in the south, the forest changed into huge mountains with snow-covered summits. And behind the mountains, there was the Endless Desert. In the east, there was the ocean. She had never seen it. She had been too young. Not until she reached the age of eighteen, she wasn't allowed to cross the border of her country.
Right before her, Hitomi saw a small brook. She decided to rest there. When she reached it, she got off Dust. The snow-white stallion headed towards the clear water and drunk. Hitomi let herself drop to the ground. What was Thetis thinking of? 'Help the dragon.' Great! And where was this damn dragon? She crawled towards the brook and looked at her reflection in the water.
"Where would I go, if I were a dragon?" she asked herself.
Suddenly, her pendant begun to glow. She was still looking at her reflection when surprisingly something swung from side to side before her eyes. Her figure vanished and was replaced by- lots of houses! She saw a huge city. It seemed that she was floating above it. In the distance, she could see the sun sparkling over the ocean. There was a giant tower at the port on the coast. It was a lighthouse. She tried to look around but as suddenly as it appeared, the vision disappeared. Hitomi gasped. What was that? She touched her forehead and looked to the ground. She noticed her pendant still glowing. Had it been an answer? Hitomi only knew about one city with such a huge lighthouse. Alexandria. Was the dragon there? Maybe she should go there. Was there anything left to lose? She yawned. But first, she needed some sleep. At first sleeping, then searching. She leaned against the trunk of a huge tree and was asleep at once.
.....................**.....................
Hitomi awoke when she felt something warm and really wet touching her face. She opened her eyes and looked into two dark holes. Dust's nostrils. She giggled.
"Leave me alone, Dust," she said and shoved the horse away.
Hitomi yawned aloud and stretched. Then she looked at the sky. The sun had moved far. It was already past noon. Lunchtime! She grabbed her backpack. She was hungry. Inside she spotted some bread and a bottle of water.
"That's all?" she said, disappointed. "What about fruits?" she asked the air.
-BONK-
"Ouch!" she exclaied angrily and rubbed her head. "What the..." Hitomi started to say but then noticed something lying beside her. An apple! "There you are," she heard a soft whisper. Hitomi stiffened.
"Thetis? Is that you?" she asked.
"Of course, it's me," the goddess anwered.
"What are you doing here?" Hitomi continued still angry.
"I'm just looking if everything is all right. You shouldn't waste too much time, Hitomi," Thetis remarked.
Hitomi jumped to her feet, outraged. "This is exactly the thing I hate of you Gods!" she yelled towards the sky. "You're so powerful and know everthing! And then you ask human beings for doing a favour? Okay, this isn't bad at all, but then you always interfere and give smartass remarks! Why don't you help the dragon yourself? Why do you tear a girl away from her beloved home instead? Why? Tell me!"
"Hitomi," the voice said softly. "I would do it myself, but I'm not allowed to. We aren't allowed to influence Destiny ourselves. That's why we ask someone like you for doing our bidding. And then, we're helping you."
"It's forbidden that you influence Destiny yourself, but you're allowed to help me influence destiny? That's a little bit strange, isn't it?" Hitomi remarked sceptically.
"Well...," Thetis paused. "It isn't forbidden at all. To help you, I mean."
"Ah, I understand," Hitomi said. "It's some kind of loophole."
"Well...yes," the goddess replied.
"I can't believe it. The Gods outwit Destiny. I wonder, what's going to happen next," Hitomi said shaking her head.
"So you're going to fulfill my bidding?" Thetis asked slowly.
Hitomi sighed. "Do I have another choice?" she asked in defeat.
"Not really," Thetis answered.
"See," Hitomi said. "Now go. I need some time for myself. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"Of course," she said and Hitomi could swear seeing the goddess smile mischievously. "Goodbye, Hitomi," the voice vanished.
"I'm still hungry," Hitomi said to herself and grabbed her backpack.
.....................**.....................
"So she's gone?" Cassandra asked sadly, kneeling before her queen.
"Yes, Thetis sent Hitomi on her way to fulfil her destiny," Penthesilea answered.
Cassandra sighed. "And I never had a chance to get my revenge."
The queen laughed lightly. "Don't despair. You will see her soon enough, believe me."
Cassandra's head shot up. "Really?, she asked with hope.
Penthesilea looked out of her window. "Yes," her voice only a whisper. "She will cross our way again," she paused and added after a long silence, "One last time."
The young Amazon looked surprised at her queen. Cassandra had never heard her sound so sad. She wanted to ask her some more questions, but by the look of her, she decided that it would be better to leave now. She rose from the ground and bowed. When she turned to leave someone burst into the room. An exhausted Amazon-scout fell to the ground before her queen. She was on all fours and gasped for air. Penthesilea and Cassandra watched her in expectation.
"There's...there's...someone at the...at the...northern border," she said and swallowed. "He wanted to...talk to you and....he said...it's of extremely...urgency- "
Penthesilea interupted her. "Who is he, Lelia?" she asked angrily. She hated unexpected visitors.
"I...I don't know," Lelia replied. "But he said something...about a 'little contract', I think."
Penthesilea's face darkened. 'So, he's here,' she thought. This wasn't good. "Lelia, please prepare my horse. I'm going to meet him at the border," she said. "I won't let him place one of his dirty feet onto my land," she murmured.
Lelia rose and bowed. "As you wish," she said and left.
"Let's have a nice chit-chat," Penthesilea said sarcastically and followed her best scout.
.....................**.....................
"Come on, Dust. We must set out for Alexandria," Hitomi said angrily while tugging at Dust's reins madly. The horse didn't waste a thought of leaving this place. Dust didn't want to leave now. He wanted to rest a little bit more.
"Dust, please. I know you want to rest a little bit more-" the horse interupted her neighing, "but we must go now. It's really important. We must ride a bit farther before the night comes," she begged still tugging. Dust snorted. "Please, Duuuuust. Only a few miles. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!"
She was getting on his nerves. Extremely. Finally he gave up and trotted past her. Hitomi giggled and climbed up his back.
The sun was setting and they still rode through the neverending forest. She had gone on horseback nearly 30 miles without seeing anyone. The villages were farther in the east. At last, she had some more time to prepare herself for the first meeting with human beings. It would be interesting.
Because it would be light for only an hour, Hitomi decided to search a place, where they could stay the night. Dust walked slowly through the undergrowth. But then it happened.
-CRACK-
Suddenly, Dust neighed and reared up in pain. Hitomi was too surprised to react in due time. She couldn't hold onto the reins and fell from horseback. She hit the ground hard. She groaned and lots of white stars danced in front of her eyes. She tried to drive them away by shaking her head but this only caused a tremendous headache. Hitomi touched her forehead and looked up. Through the still dancing stars she saw her horse stomping madly. 'What happened?', she thought but then saw the answer. Her horse had stepped into a trap. His left hind leg was in a pair of thorn- sprinkled pincers. There was blood all over his leg and on the ground. It was an awful wound and certainly hurting like hell. She rose from the ground and walked slowly towards her horse. He glared angrily at her. She spoke to him calmly but it didn't work. When she outstreched a hand to touch him, Dust raised his head and hit her hard. Hitomi fell to the ground again. But this time she looked up she saw two mighty horselegs balancing precariously above her. Was he trying to crush her? What's got into him? Her thinking was interupted by two strong arms encircling the upper part of her body, pulling her to safety. Dust's legs stomped to the ground centimeters beside her. Dust reared up again. This time a cloaked figure appeared before her with protectively wide spreaded arms.
"Calm down, boy. It's all right," they said to Dust with an amazing voice.
Hitomi had never heard such a voice before. It was different from the voices she had heard for 17 years. It was deep and sounding but at the same time very melodic. Hitomi was stunned. What is it?
"What's his name?" the voice asked.
Hitomi was paralyzed. She wanted to answer but no word escaped her mouth. She was still enjoying the sound of the voice. It sounded wonderful in her ears. It was very pleasant. She wanted to hear it again.
"Are you mute? What's his name?" the voice asked again this time even louder. Hitomi snapped out of her dreaming.
"Wha...ow...D-Dust," she stuttered.
"Dust, calm down. I don't want any harm," the figure said with it's back to Hitomi.
They oustretched their hand to touch the horse. Hitomi wanted to warn the being but before she could open her mouth the figure touched the horse' forehead. Hitomi's jaw fell open. This was impossible! How could this be! Dust hated strangers. He allowed only her to come close to him. The figure stroked Dust's muscular neck. Hitomi looked at it in disbelieve. The figure stroked the horse' back and his leg. They kneeled beside Dust.
"It's all right," they murmured and then threw the hood off his head.
Black unruly hair appeared. It covered his view. And finally, Hitomi saw what this mystic being was. It was a man! A damn man! He tried to free Dust's leg. He grabbed the pinces and tried to open them. He didn't care about the fact that the thorns cut his fingers. They started bleeding but he kept trying.
Suddenly Hitomi's petrifaction dissolved. He had touched her! A man had touched her! She couldn't believe it. She grabbed her bow. She must do something. Hitomi grasped behind her back and took an arrow out of her quiver. She walked over to the man and posted herself in his back. The Amazon drew her bow and pricked the arrow-point in his neck.
"Let go of my horse," she hissed.
"I just want to help him," he replied.
"No!" Hitomi contradicted. "I can do it myself."
The man sighed. "You're really pig-headed. I just want to help," he said and with a sudden gasp of strain he opened the trap. Immediately, Dust stepped out of it. He snorted turning round and round. The man raised not caring about Hitomi's drawn bow.
"Who are you, anyway?" he asked. "All alone in the middle of nowhere."
Hitomi was stunned. Who the hell, was this guy? How dare he? Angrily, she let her bow sink.
"That's none of your business!" she barked.
"Okay, okay," Appeasingly, he raised his arms.
And that was the moment Hitomi noticed his eyes for the first time. They were indescribable. Brown and sparkling with a red, Hitomi had never seen before. His look was so intense, Hitomi couldn't turn away. It was as if he was looking through her eyes straight into her soul. She could only stare back. She inspected his face. He looked a little bit wild with his black bangs hanging into his face, but she had to admit really...really...handsome. Handsome?! What was she thinking of? What was this rising feeling? He grinned when he noticed her staring and she blushed extremely. Ek!! Why was she blushing?
"Never seen such a handsome man before, eh?" he asked, still grinning.
It made her livid. She snorted scornfully and turned away. She walked over to Dust and grabbed his reins.
"Come on, Dust. We leave this place," she said tugging on the reins, but the horse opposed. He would rather stay by this kind man.
"Hey, you can't leave! Let me see Dust's wound," he said walking towards her.
She turned around to face him outstretching her hand and pointed at him. "Don't you dare to follow me! I swear I'll kill you!" she said seriously. Then she pulled Dust's reins again. He followed her reluctantly.
The man smiled, putting on his hood and disappeared between the trunks of the trees.
.....................**.....................
"Everything settled?"
"Of course, my Lord. I sent him on his way. I think he had arrived, yet."
"Perfect. Finally, I get what is mine."
"Of course, my Lord. He won't manage it to come here in time. There are only a few weeks left. But we shouldn't underestimate him. He is quite dangerous. Maybe I should arrange for his death?"
"......"
"My Lord?"
"Do what you think is necessary."
"As you wish."
.....................**.....................
"It looks terrible," Hitomi said by the look on Dust's leg.
The wound had been infected during the night. Her medication wasn't successful. Maybe she should have let the man care for the wound. No! She shook her head. She didn't need a man's help. But what should she do, now? Dust needs help and the next village was quite some daily trips away. She let her shoulders hang hopelessly. It was when she heard the scream from behind the trees to her right.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!" it echoed through the forest.
Alarmed, she looked up. Who could this be? She decided to check it out. Hitomi walked over to a huge tree and hid herself behind it. Then she carefully looked around it and spotted- HIM!! This couldn't be!! There he was. The stupidst and most arrogant being she ever met. He kneeled on the ground, a badly injured wolf-man lying in his lap. What had happened?
"Riad, who did this to you?" he asked gently.
The wolf-man said something Hitomi couldn't understand. But the man did understand and he didn't like the answer, Hitomi could say. She heard that he inhaled sharply.
"He will pay for this," he swore hissing.
The wolf-man rose his hand. But before he reached his friend's face it went limp and fell back. Hitomi knew he was dead.
"No!" the young man contradicted. "No Riad, don't leave me. Please." He craddled the wolf-man like a baby. "Riad," he said again and kissed the wolf-man on the forehead. Hitomi was stunned, tears in her eyes. Why was she crying? Has she pity on the man? Angry about herself she wiped away the tears.
Meanwhile, the man took the dead body in his arms and walked over to her. Hitomi was to busy with wondering to realize his intension. She didn't notice him until he stood beside her. Startled she jerked back.
"Let me see your horse," he said, emotionless.
She looked at him. His eyes were so sad that she had almost cried again. He started to walk towards Dust who still stood on the clearing where Hitomi had left him. The young man lay his friend's body carefully onto the ground. Then he took off his cloak and covered the dead body. Hitomi was speechless. It was as if she could feel his pain.
"My name is Van," he said when he got up. Dust limped towards him and Van stroked his neck. "Hey Dust, let me see your leg." Van bent down and inspected it. "Oh, it looks awful," he remarked. He touched the wound gently and Dust neighed in pain. "Sorry," he apologized. "I need some herbs. I go get them. I'm back in a few minutes." And with that he walked away.
Hitomi still stood there, motionless. What was going on? What did this Van to her? Who was he, anyway? Her head started aching again. Too much questions. She decided to have a look at Dust. When she walked over to him, she glanced at the dead man covered by Van's cloak. She wondered what had happened to him. Was he murdered? And if yes, was his murderer still here? Startled she looked at her sourroundings but then shook her head. No. If there was someone, she would have noticed him.
Hitomi outstreched her hand to stroke Dust but before she reached him, Dust snorted angrily while stomping nervously.
"What's the matter?" she asked him. "I'm not allowed to come close to you, but he is? I can't believe it!" she said and threw her arms in the air, despaired.
"You can't believe what?" a voice echoed from behind her. She turned around and spotted Van standing at the edge of the clearing. Because he wasn't wearing his cloak she could have a closer look at him. He was quite tall and well built. She could see the outlines of his muscular arms under his shirt. It was brown with sleeves reaching his elbows, fixed by several ribbons. He wore beige pants and black leather-boots. Around his waist hung a dark-brown belt with a sword. She had to say his outfit suited him very much. And then, her eyes widened, noticing something she hadn't noticed when they had first met. His aura. It was an aura of sublimity. Pure sublimity. It was so intense that Hitomi suddenly felt very small. What was it? She blinked. This was impossible! He looked like...like...like a...- but before the idea got a shape in her mind, the aura was gone. Van was the ordinary vagabond again, she had met yesterday. He held some herbs in his hands. They were bandaged with a piece of clothing. Hitomi remembered that he had cut them when he had opened the pinces.
It didn't seem that Hitomi would answer Van's question in this century. He sighed and walked to her horse. When he looked at the body lying on the ground, he turned his head away, closing his eyes and clenched his fist. Reaching Dust, he put the herbs into his mouth. While chewing, Van cleaned the wound. Dust didn't move. Hitomi stared at him. Dust would have kicked her! Was he a magician or something like that?
After a while he spat the herbs out and placed them gently on Dust's wound. He took a huge leaf and covered the wound. Then he loosened one of his ribbons and fixed his construction. Satisfied with his work he got up and tapped Dust.
"Good boy," he said to him. "You were lucky. It'll take time but it'll heal," he adressed Hitomi. "Because of your stubborness, Dust almost lost his leg."
Hitomi's eyes widened. How dare he?
"How dare you!" she hissed but he interupted her with a gruff sweep of the hand.
"No," he said. "You know I'm right. And now, let's make a fire. It will be dark in one hour. We need some rest. Tomorrow, we will set out early."
Hitomi thought she must be dreaming. This guy was- unbelievable. "WE?" she nearly screamed it.
"Of course! Do you really think I'll let you go alone with an injured horse? I'll go with you," he said calmly.
"No, you won't! I don't need your help! I can take care of myself and Dust!" she said angrily. He was driving her crazy. He didn't take her seriously. Her! An Amazon! She could kill him if she wanted to! But then, why hasn't she done it, yet? What kept her from doing it?
Van raised an eyebrow, sceptically. "Really?" he asked.
"Yeah!" she replied. "Who, do you think, I am? Do I look like a helpless little girl, not able to take care of herself?"
"No," he answered. "But you look like someone who isn't able to take care of her horse."
"What?" Hitomi asked in disbelieve.
"You heard right," he nodded. "Stroke Dust, if you don't believe me."
Hitomi glanced at him. Van looked back at her, his eyes sparkled provoking. Fine. She started to walk over to Dust. But just her attempt of moving made the stallion neigh angrily. He started stepping nervously. Hitomi looked at Van. He just watched her. She glared daggers at him. No, he wouldn't defeat her. Never! She continued walking towards Dust but the closer she came the more Dust shrank back.
"Dust!" she said annoyed.
This was enough for him. Dust finally trotted to Van and a small smile flashed over his face.
"I wonder how you will care for him, if he doesn't let you come close to him," he said tapping the horse again. "The bandages must be changed every day. It doesn't seem that you will be able to do it. And now, let's make a fire. Help me searching some branches."
"No way!" she said. "I won't take orders from you!" But-
'I can't believe it,' Hitomi thought, looking at her scratched arms. The fire crackled, filling the place with pleasant warmth. It was dark already. Van was eating some kind of bird he had caught while they had searched the branches. Hitomi had eaten some of her bread, earlier. She looked at Dust. The stallion slept.
"Don't worry. He's all right," Van said, noticing her concerned look.
"I know," she replied quietly. Why was she talking with him?
"Would you like to tell me your name?" he asked.
"Hitomi," she told him, hoping he would be satisfied and stop talking.
"Nice to meet you, Hitomi," he said and bowed lightly. "Then, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same," she said instead of answering. He didn't need to know everything.
"But you didn't," Van remarked.
"Because I'm not interested in it," Hitomi replied.
"Why not?" he asked.
"That's why," she answered.
Van sighed. This girl was more than stubborn. Not caring about anything than herself.
"Was he your friend?" she suddenly asked out of the blue.
Surprised, he looked up but then, a shadow fell over his face by the memory of his old friend he, had burried under a huge tree after searching the branches. Slowly he nodded, his eyes sad.
"Yeah," he wispered, hugging his knees and resting his head on them.
"What happened to him?" she asked, her voice softer and more concerned than she had intended. It surprised her. What was he doing to her?
Van remained silent. Hitomi glanced at him. He looked like a vulnerable little child. She regretted that she had asked him. Why had she, anyway? She hadn't wanted to ask him. The words had come out of her mouth without her permission.
"I haven't seen them," he then said quietly without any emotion. "I was at the brook when I heard the voices. They were four and he was alone. He hadn't any chance. I was too late. When I arrived, they disappered between the trees and I spotted Riad on the ground," he stopped.
"Who are 'they'?" Hitomi asked. The thought of the murderers still being here alarmed her.
Van hesitated. "I...I don't know. Some robbers maybe," he finally said and by the look on his face, she knew he was lying.
But why? What was he concealing? Honestly, she didn't want to know it. Dammit! Why was everything going to be so complicated? It wasn't fair. Why can't she just find this dragon, help him and return home? Why not? So many questions and no answers. Despairing, she leaned onto a trunk behind her, looking at Van. He was deep in his thoughts, staring into the fire. 'But I won't sleep this night. Not in a stranger's presence!' Hitomi thought and was asleep at once. But her wasn't granted the privilege of sleeping peacefully. This night, her nightmares returned.
.....................**.....................
Darkness. There was nothing around her but darkness. Where was she? Was she dead? Was she still on Gaea? She sighed. It was just about time she had thought she was stupid. Didn't she know anything?
"Hitomi," a soft voice echoed through the darkness.
Surprised, she looked up. She wasn't alone? Who was there? She turned around but there was noone.
"Hitomi," she heard the voice again.
She looked to her right, to her left. Noone. Who was there?
"Hitomi, my little angel," nnd this time the voice was clearer. It was the voice of a woman. Hitomi's eyes widened in realization. Only one person had ever called here this.
"Mom?" she wispered, afraid the voice would vanish if she spoke louder. "Mom, is that you?"
And as if it was an answer, a figure appeared in a sphere of white light before her. The light was dazzling so that Hitomi closed her eyes a brief moment. When she opened them again, she saw her mother standing before her, a light glow around her. She was beautiful. She had to be an angel.
"Mom!" Hitomi cried, tears filling her eyes. "I thought I lost you!"
And with that she ran towards her mother. She wanted to hug her, to feel her, to smell her unique scent, to lie in her arms once more. Hitomi spread her arms and jumped into her mother's arms. But there were no arms. She jumped into nothing. Hitomi was stunned. Where was her mother? Had it been a dream? But she was sure that her mother had been there. What had happened?
"Hitomi," she heard the voice. It came from her left. When she turned her head she spotted her mother. Hitomi jumped to her feet and ran to her. But when she reached her mother, she disappeared again.
"Mom, don't leave me!" she cried and turned around.
There she saw her mother again. Hitomi outstretched her hand and she disappeared like the first time. "No!" she screamed. Her mother appeared again and again and Hitomi tried to reach her again and again. But she failed- everytime she tried. After countless attempts, Hitomi fell to the ground, exhausted and crying. She lay her face into her hands and cried harder, hearing her mother's voice echoing through her mind. "Mom, why can't I reach you? Do you hate me?" she repeated between sobs.
Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Don't cry, Hitomi," she heard.
She looked up and through the veil of her tears, she saw the glowing figure kneeling at her side. She crawled towards it, wanting to reach it before it could vanish again. And this time, she reached it. She encircled the body with her arms. She pressed herself closer to the body, wanting to never let go. Never. She felt the pleasant warmth and smelled the special scent. She felt save. She felt save like she never felt before.
"Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me, Mom," she begged between sobs.
She burried her face into her mother's shoulder and cried. Two arms embraced her waist, cradling her like a baby. Her hand stroked gently over Hitomi's hair. "Shhh. I won't leave you," the voice said softly. "I will protect you. I promise."
Hitomi was rocked back and forth. After a while, her sobbing stopped. She had fallen asleep in these protective arms.
.....................**.....................
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! *screams* I could embrace the whole world! I'm so absolutely happy! 4 hours ago (today's Wednesday, 11 o'clock), I had my driving test, and well I DID IT!!! I could scream again. At the moment, there is nobody at home accept me and I needed to give vent to my joy. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! But now, back to my story: That's it. I've written for my life although I had other things to do. *overlooks her room* *sweatdrops* Well...er...let's change the subject- I hope you liked it. Do things happen too fast? I mean Van-darling joining Hitomi (*is eaten up with envy*)? If yes, tell me. I can separate them whenever I want. Nyarharharharhar! No, just a little joke but I'm open for suggestions. I want that it takes some tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime to the end. P.S. Please, don't forget to review!
'Til next chapter
Dariel
LOVE WITCH: *giggles* Glad you liked it. Hope you'll enjoy this. And a big hug for you
for being the first one who reviewed. Thank you
Aylee the Dragon: *stands with her back to the wall hands raised* H-hope i- it's s-soon
e-enough. *sneaks a look at flame thrower* (lol)
Paige Moonsword: *blushes* Thank you! Was it that good?
Magicman/Smokegirl: Oh no, it isn't bad. Kennedy said this when he was in Berlin, didn't
he? We dealt with this topic in history but it was some time ago.
And as I said, I tend to forget a lot. I've a memory like a sieve. It's
terrible, I can tell.
Dirty-Faced Angel: *hangs her head* buhuhuhuhu Was it that predictable? *continues
crying* No, just kidding. I knew that it was too obvious. Hehe
Silver Magiccraft: Don't despair. My German doesn't take much. *cleans her throat*
Well, I know German because I am German. *waves her hands madly*
Greets from icy-cold Germany!
Sabineballz(): Thaaaaaaaank yooouuuuuuuu!!!!!!
Michelle Ann: No, no, this is a little misunderstanding. I said 5 pages. I only wrote 5
pages. I said that others wrote more than 15 pages, not me. Oh, I wished
that I could write so much, too. But I'm trying.
DISCLAIMER: Baah! Must I say this everytime? I don't own Escaflowne! *is annoyed*
Chapter 2 Unexpected Meeting(s)
Hitomi now was on her way into an uncertain future. A strange feeling had seized her some miles ago. She had realized that she had left her home. Her only home. She sighed. She didn't know when she would see her sisters again or even if she would ever see them again. What's gotten into her? She shook her head. She didn't know. Hitomi looked ahead. At that moment, endless fields were around her. She had left her forest behind, some hours ago. She hadn't known where to go. Besides, she still didn't know. 'It will lead you,' she remembered Thetis' words. What a nonsense! How could her heart lead her? She snorted. Just now, her nose was leading her. Straight ahead. How imaginative! Hitomi looked to the east. The sun attempted to break through the darkness. It begun with a shy orange glow. It seemed that the light was afraid of breaking a new day. But then the light grew more intense and suddenly, a fireball broke through the morning dust. Hitomi smiled. It was beautiful. At once, her mood increased.
In the distance, she saw the glowing of sunlight being reflected on the surface of a river. Thermodon. So, she finally reached the border of Skythia. Thermodon marked the border between her country and Thessalia. Hitomi had studied lots of maps and because of this she knew a lot about Gaea's countries and their history. Thessalia was the land of the Centaurs. Hitomi had read a lot about them. Mystic beings with the head, arms and upper torso of a man and the torso, forelegs and hind legs of a horse. Hitomi had never seen a single one. They were as warlike as the Amzons themselves. The Amazons respected the Centaurs, but didn't like them very much. It was the same contrary. They were rivals. They always were and always would be. Hitomi didn't expect to cross the way of a Centaur. They lived farther in the south, near the mountains. The Centaurs avoided the northern part of their country where she was actually heading on.
After some moments of thinking, Hitomi reached a huge old bridge. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind. Where were the guards? Usually, two Amazons were guarding this bridge. Hitomi looked in every direction but couldn't spot a single hair of an Amazon. She shrugged. Dust stepped bravely on the bridge. When they were in the middle of the bridge, they stopped. Hitomi spotted a forest ahead. 'Arkad,' she thought. And what next? Where should she go now? She never had never crossed the border of her country! Was she mad or something? Hitomi had never met a human being despite her Amazon- sisters and some dead men, the hunters brought along as a throphy! How should she act, supposing that she met one of them? She didn't know. Dammit, she didn't know! A brief moment, she looked back into the direction she had come from, sadly, but then took a deep breath.
"At first, let's take a rest and then, we'll see what's going to happen next," she said and spurred Dust.
Half an hour later, the two of them reached the forest. Hitomi knew it was Arkad, the one and only forest in whole Thessalia. It was huge. Almost the triple seize of her forest and completely different. The trees looked different and it even smelled different. Far in the south, the forest changed into huge mountains with snow-covered summits. And behind the mountains, there was the Endless Desert. In the east, there was the ocean. She had never seen it. She had been too young. Not until she reached the age of eighteen, she wasn't allowed to cross the border of her country.
Right before her, Hitomi saw a small brook. She decided to rest there. When she reached it, she got off Dust. The snow-white stallion headed towards the clear water and drunk. Hitomi let herself drop to the ground. What was Thetis thinking of? 'Help the dragon.' Great! And where was this damn dragon? She crawled towards the brook and looked at her reflection in the water.
"Where would I go, if I were a dragon?" she asked herself.
Suddenly, her pendant begun to glow. She was still looking at her reflection when surprisingly something swung from side to side before her eyes. Her figure vanished and was replaced by- lots of houses! She saw a huge city. It seemed that she was floating above it. In the distance, she could see the sun sparkling over the ocean. There was a giant tower at the port on the coast. It was a lighthouse. She tried to look around but as suddenly as it appeared, the vision disappeared. Hitomi gasped. What was that? She touched her forehead and looked to the ground. She noticed her pendant still glowing. Had it been an answer? Hitomi only knew about one city with such a huge lighthouse. Alexandria. Was the dragon there? Maybe she should go there. Was there anything left to lose? She yawned. But first, she needed some sleep. At first sleeping, then searching. She leaned against the trunk of a huge tree and was asleep at once.
.....................**.....................
Hitomi awoke when she felt something warm and really wet touching her face. She opened her eyes and looked into two dark holes. Dust's nostrils. She giggled.
"Leave me alone, Dust," she said and shoved the horse away.
Hitomi yawned aloud and stretched. Then she looked at the sky. The sun had moved far. It was already past noon. Lunchtime! She grabbed her backpack. She was hungry. Inside she spotted some bread and a bottle of water.
"That's all?" she said, disappointed. "What about fruits?" she asked the air.
-BONK-
"Ouch!" she exclaied angrily and rubbed her head. "What the..." Hitomi started to say but then noticed something lying beside her. An apple! "There you are," she heard a soft whisper. Hitomi stiffened.
"Thetis? Is that you?" she asked.
"Of course, it's me," the goddess anwered.
"What are you doing here?" Hitomi continued still angry.
"I'm just looking if everything is all right. You shouldn't waste too much time, Hitomi," Thetis remarked.
Hitomi jumped to her feet, outraged. "This is exactly the thing I hate of you Gods!" she yelled towards the sky. "You're so powerful and know everthing! And then you ask human beings for doing a favour? Okay, this isn't bad at all, but then you always interfere and give smartass remarks! Why don't you help the dragon yourself? Why do you tear a girl away from her beloved home instead? Why? Tell me!"
"Hitomi," the voice said softly. "I would do it myself, but I'm not allowed to. We aren't allowed to influence Destiny ourselves. That's why we ask someone like you for doing our bidding. And then, we're helping you."
"It's forbidden that you influence Destiny yourself, but you're allowed to help me influence destiny? That's a little bit strange, isn't it?" Hitomi remarked sceptically.
"Well...," Thetis paused. "It isn't forbidden at all. To help you, I mean."
"Ah, I understand," Hitomi said. "It's some kind of loophole."
"Well...yes," the goddess replied.
"I can't believe it. The Gods outwit Destiny. I wonder, what's going to happen next," Hitomi said shaking her head.
"So you're going to fulfill my bidding?" Thetis asked slowly.
Hitomi sighed. "Do I have another choice?" she asked in defeat.
"Not really," Thetis answered.
"See," Hitomi said. "Now go. I need some time for myself. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"Of course," she said and Hitomi could swear seeing the goddess smile mischievously. "Goodbye, Hitomi," the voice vanished.
"I'm still hungry," Hitomi said to herself and grabbed her backpack.
.....................**.....................
"So she's gone?" Cassandra asked sadly, kneeling before her queen.
"Yes, Thetis sent Hitomi on her way to fulfil her destiny," Penthesilea answered.
Cassandra sighed. "And I never had a chance to get my revenge."
The queen laughed lightly. "Don't despair. You will see her soon enough, believe me."
Cassandra's head shot up. "Really?, she asked with hope.
Penthesilea looked out of her window. "Yes," her voice only a whisper. "She will cross our way again," she paused and added after a long silence, "One last time."
The young Amazon looked surprised at her queen. Cassandra had never heard her sound so sad. She wanted to ask her some more questions, but by the look of her, she decided that it would be better to leave now. She rose from the ground and bowed. When she turned to leave someone burst into the room. An exhausted Amazon-scout fell to the ground before her queen. She was on all fours and gasped for air. Penthesilea and Cassandra watched her in expectation.
"There's...there's...someone at the...at the...northern border," she said and swallowed. "He wanted to...talk to you and....he said...it's of extremely...urgency- "
Penthesilea interupted her. "Who is he, Lelia?" she asked angrily. She hated unexpected visitors.
"I...I don't know," Lelia replied. "But he said something...about a 'little contract', I think."
Penthesilea's face darkened. 'So, he's here,' she thought. This wasn't good. "Lelia, please prepare my horse. I'm going to meet him at the border," she said. "I won't let him place one of his dirty feet onto my land," she murmured.
Lelia rose and bowed. "As you wish," she said and left.
"Let's have a nice chit-chat," Penthesilea said sarcastically and followed her best scout.
.....................**.....................
"Come on, Dust. We must set out for Alexandria," Hitomi said angrily while tugging at Dust's reins madly. The horse didn't waste a thought of leaving this place. Dust didn't want to leave now. He wanted to rest a little bit more.
"Dust, please. I know you want to rest a little bit more-" the horse interupted her neighing, "but we must go now. It's really important. We must ride a bit farther before the night comes," she begged still tugging. Dust snorted. "Please, Duuuuust. Only a few miles. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!"
She was getting on his nerves. Extremely. Finally he gave up and trotted past her. Hitomi giggled and climbed up his back.
The sun was setting and they still rode through the neverending forest. She had gone on horseback nearly 30 miles without seeing anyone. The villages were farther in the east. At last, she had some more time to prepare herself for the first meeting with human beings. It would be interesting.
Because it would be light for only an hour, Hitomi decided to search a place, where they could stay the night. Dust walked slowly through the undergrowth. But then it happened.
-CRACK-
Suddenly, Dust neighed and reared up in pain. Hitomi was too surprised to react in due time. She couldn't hold onto the reins and fell from horseback. She hit the ground hard. She groaned and lots of white stars danced in front of her eyes. She tried to drive them away by shaking her head but this only caused a tremendous headache. Hitomi touched her forehead and looked up. Through the still dancing stars she saw her horse stomping madly. 'What happened?', she thought but then saw the answer. Her horse had stepped into a trap. His left hind leg was in a pair of thorn- sprinkled pincers. There was blood all over his leg and on the ground. It was an awful wound and certainly hurting like hell. She rose from the ground and walked slowly towards her horse. He glared angrily at her. She spoke to him calmly but it didn't work. When she outstreched a hand to touch him, Dust raised his head and hit her hard. Hitomi fell to the ground again. But this time she looked up she saw two mighty horselegs balancing precariously above her. Was he trying to crush her? What's got into him? Her thinking was interupted by two strong arms encircling the upper part of her body, pulling her to safety. Dust's legs stomped to the ground centimeters beside her. Dust reared up again. This time a cloaked figure appeared before her with protectively wide spreaded arms.
"Calm down, boy. It's all right," they said to Dust with an amazing voice.
Hitomi had never heard such a voice before. It was different from the voices she had heard for 17 years. It was deep and sounding but at the same time very melodic. Hitomi was stunned. What is it?
"What's his name?" the voice asked.
Hitomi was paralyzed. She wanted to answer but no word escaped her mouth. She was still enjoying the sound of the voice. It sounded wonderful in her ears. It was very pleasant. She wanted to hear it again.
"Are you mute? What's his name?" the voice asked again this time even louder. Hitomi snapped out of her dreaming.
"Wha...ow...D-Dust," she stuttered.
"Dust, calm down. I don't want any harm," the figure said with it's back to Hitomi.
They oustretched their hand to touch the horse. Hitomi wanted to warn the being but before she could open her mouth the figure touched the horse' forehead. Hitomi's jaw fell open. This was impossible! How could this be! Dust hated strangers. He allowed only her to come close to him. The figure stroked Dust's muscular neck. Hitomi looked at it in disbelieve. The figure stroked the horse' back and his leg. They kneeled beside Dust.
"It's all right," they murmured and then threw the hood off his head.
Black unruly hair appeared. It covered his view. And finally, Hitomi saw what this mystic being was. It was a man! A damn man! He tried to free Dust's leg. He grabbed the pinces and tried to open them. He didn't care about the fact that the thorns cut his fingers. They started bleeding but he kept trying.
Suddenly Hitomi's petrifaction dissolved. He had touched her! A man had touched her! She couldn't believe it. She grabbed her bow. She must do something. Hitomi grasped behind her back and took an arrow out of her quiver. She walked over to the man and posted herself in his back. The Amazon drew her bow and pricked the arrow-point in his neck.
"Let go of my horse," she hissed.
"I just want to help him," he replied.
"No!" Hitomi contradicted. "I can do it myself."
The man sighed. "You're really pig-headed. I just want to help," he said and with a sudden gasp of strain he opened the trap. Immediately, Dust stepped out of it. He snorted turning round and round. The man raised not caring about Hitomi's drawn bow.
"Who are you, anyway?" he asked. "All alone in the middle of nowhere."
Hitomi was stunned. Who the hell, was this guy? How dare he? Angrily, she let her bow sink.
"That's none of your business!" she barked.
"Okay, okay," Appeasingly, he raised his arms.
And that was the moment Hitomi noticed his eyes for the first time. They were indescribable. Brown and sparkling with a red, Hitomi had never seen before. His look was so intense, Hitomi couldn't turn away. It was as if he was looking through her eyes straight into her soul. She could only stare back. She inspected his face. He looked a little bit wild with his black bangs hanging into his face, but she had to admit really...really...handsome. Handsome?! What was she thinking of? What was this rising feeling? He grinned when he noticed her staring and she blushed extremely. Ek!! Why was she blushing?
"Never seen such a handsome man before, eh?" he asked, still grinning.
It made her livid. She snorted scornfully and turned away. She walked over to Dust and grabbed his reins.
"Come on, Dust. We leave this place," she said tugging on the reins, but the horse opposed. He would rather stay by this kind man.
"Hey, you can't leave! Let me see Dust's wound," he said walking towards her.
She turned around to face him outstretching her hand and pointed at him. "Don't you dare to follow me! I swear I'll kill you!" she said seriously. Then she pulled Dust's reins again. He followed her reluctantly.
The man smiled, putting on his hood and disappeared between the trunks of the trees.
.....................**.....................
"Everything settled?"
"Of course, my Lord. I sent him on his way. I think he had arrived, yet."
"Perfect. Finally, I get what is mine."
"Of course, my Lord. He won't manage it to come here in time. There are only a few weeks left. But we shouldn't underestimate him. He is quite dangerous. Maybe I should arrange for his death?"
"......"
"My Lord?"
"Do what you think is necessary."
"As you wish."
.....................**.....................
"It looks terrible," Hitomi said by the look on Dust's leg.
The wound had been infected during the night. Her medication wasn't successful. Maybe she should have let the man care for the wound. No! She shook her head. She didn't need a man's help. But what should she do, now? Dust needs help and the next village was quite some daily trips away. She let her shoulders hang hopelessly. It was when she heard the scream from behind the trees to her right.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!" it echoed through the forest.
Alarmed, she looked up. Who could this be? She decided to check it out. Hitomi walked over to a huge tree and hid herself behind it. Then she carefully looked around it and spotted- HIM!! This couldn't be!! There he was. The stupidst and most arrogant being she ever met. He kneeled on the ground, a badly injured wolf-man lying in his lap. What had happened?
"Riad, who did this to you?" he asked gently.
The wolf-man said something Hitomi couldn't understand. But the man did understand and he didn't like the answer, Hitomi could say. She heard that he inhaled sharply.
"He will pay for this," he swore hissing.
The wolf-man rose his hand. But before he reached his friend's face it went limp and fell back. Hitomi knew he was dead.
"No!" the young man contradicted. "No Riad, don't leave me. Please." He craddled the wolf-man like a baby. "Riad," he said again and kissed the wolf-man on the forehead. Hitomi was stunned, tears in her eyes. Why was she crying? Has she pity on the man? Angry about herself she wiped away the tears.
Meanwhile, the man took the dead body in his arms and walked over to her. Hitomi was to busy with wondering to realize his intension. She didn't notice him until he stood beside her. Startled she jerked back.
"Let me see your horse," he said, emotionless.
She looked at him. His eyes were so sad that she had almost cried again. He started to walk towards Dust who still stood on the clearing where Hitomi had left him. The young man lay his friend's body carefully onto the ground. Then he took off his cloak and covered the dead body. Hitomi was speechless. It was as if she could feel his pain.
"My name is Van," he said when he got up. Dust limped towards him and Van stroked his neck. "Hey Dust, let me see your leg." Van bent down and inspected it. "Oh, it looks awful," he remarked. He touched the wound gently and Dust neighed in pain. "Sorry," he apologized. "I need some herbs. I go get them. I'm back in a few minutes." And with that he walked away.
Hitomi still stood there, motionless. What was going on? What did this Van to her? Who was he, anyway? Her head started aching again. Too much questions. She decided to have a look at Dust. When she walked over to him, she glanced at the dead man covered by Van's cloak. She wondered what had happened to him. Was he murdered? And if yes, was his murderer still here? Startled she looked at her sourroundings but then shook her head. No. If there was someone, she would have noticed him.
Hitomi outstreched her hand to stroke Dust but before she reached him, Dust snorted angrily while stomping nervously.
"What's the matter?" she asked him. "I'm not allowed to come close to you, but he is? I can't believe it!" she said and threw her arms in the air, despaired.
"You can't believe what?" a voice echoed from behind her. She turned around and spotted Van standing at the edge of the clearing. Because he wasn't wearing his cloak she could have a closer look at him. He was quite tall and well built. She could see the outlines of his muscular arms under his shirt. It was brown with sleeves reaching his elbows, fixed by several ribbons. He wore beige pants and black leather-boots. Around his waist hung a dark-brown belt with a sword. She had to say his outfit suited him very much. And then, her eyes widened, noticing something she hadn't noticed when they had first met. His aura. It was an aura of sublimity. Pure sublimity. It was so intense that Hitomi suddenly felt very small. What was it? She blinked. This was impossible! He looked like...like...like a...- but before the idea got a shape in her mind, the aura was gone. Van was the ordinary vagabond again, she had met yesterday. He held some herbs in his hands. They were bandaged with a piece of clothing. Hitomi remembered that he had cut them when he had opened the pinces.
It didn't seem that Hitomi would answer Van's question in this century. He sighed and walked to her horse. When he looked at the body lying on the ground, he turned his head away, closing his eyes and clenched his fist. Reaching Dust, he put the herbs into his mouth. While chewing, Van cleaned the wound. Dust didn't move. Hitomi stared at him. Dust would have kicked her! Was he a magician or something like that?
After a while he spat the herbs out and placed them gently on Dust's wound. He took a huge leaf and covered the wound. Then he loosened one of his ribbons and fixed his construction. Satisfied with his work he got up and tapped Dust.
"Good boy," he said to him. "You were lucky. It'll take time but it'll heal," he adressed Hitomi. "Because of your stubborness, Dust almost lost his leg."
Hitomi's eyes widened. How dare he?
"How dare you!" she hissed but he interupted her with a gruff sweep of the hand.
"No," he said. "You know I'm right. And now, let's make a fire. It will be dark in one hour. We need some rest. Tomorrow, we will set out early."
Hitomi thought she must be dreaming. This guy was- unbelievable. "WE?" she nearly screamed it.
"Of course! Do you really think I'll let you go alone with an injured horse? I'll go with you," he said calmly.
"No, you won't! I don't need your help! I can take care of myself and Dust!" she said angrily. He was driving her crazy. He didn't take her seriously. Her! An Amazon! She could kill him if she wanted to! But then, why hasn't she done it, yet? What kept her from doing it?
Van raised an eyebrow, sceptically. "Really?" he asked.
"Yeah!" she replied. "Who, do you think, I am? Do I look like a helpless little girl, not able to take care of herself?"
"No," he answered. "But you look like someone who isn't able to take care of her horse."
"What?" Hitomi asked in disbelieve.
"You heard right," he nodded. "Stroke Dust, if you don't believe me."
Hitomi glanced at him. Van looked back at her, his eyes sparkled provoking. Fine. She started to walk over to Dust. But just her attempt of moving made the stallion neigh angrily. He started stepping nervously. Hitomi looked at Van. He just watched her. She glared daggers at him. No, he wouldn't defeat her. Never! She continued walking towards Dust but the closer she came the more Dust shrank back.
"Dust!" she said annoyed.
This was enough for him. Dust finally trotted to Van and a small smile flashed over his face.
"I wonder how you will care for him, if he doesn't let you come close to him," he said tapping the horse again. "The bandages must be changed every day. It doesn't seem that you will be able to do it. And now, let's make a fire. Help me searching some branches."
"No way!" she said. "I won't take orders from you!" But-
'I can't believe it,' Hitomi thought, looking at her scratched arms. The fire crackled, filling the place with pleasant warmth. It was dark already. Van was eating some kind of bird he had caught while they had searched the branches. Hitomi had eaten some of her bread, earlier. She looked at Dust. The stallion slept.
"Don't worry. He's all right," Van said, noticing her concerned look.
"I know," she replied quietly. Why was she talking with him?
"Would you like to tell me your name?" he asked.
"Hitomi," she told him, hoping he would be satisfied and stop talking.
"Nice to meet you, Hitomi," he said and bowed lightly. "Then, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same," she said instead of answering. He didn't need to know everything.
"But you didn't," Van remarked.
"Because I'm not interested in it," Hitomi replied.
"Why not?" he asked.
"That's why," she answered.
Van sighed. This girl was more than stubborn. Not caring about anything than herself.
"Was he your friend?" she suddenly asked out of the blue.
Surprised, he looked up but then, a shadow fell over his face by the memory of his old friend he, had burried under a huge tree after searching the branches. Slowly he nodded, his eyes sad.
"Yeah," he wispered, hugging his knees and resting his head on them.
"What happened to him?" she asked, her voice softer and more concerned than she had intended. It surprised her. What was he doing to her?
Van remained silent. Hitomi glanced at him. He looked like a vulnerable little child. She regretted that she had asked him. Why had she, anyway? She hadn't wanted to ask him. The words had come out of her mouth without her permission.
"I haven't seen them," he then said quietly without any emotion. "I was at the brook when I heard the voices. They were four and he was alone. He hadn't any chance. I was too late. When I arrived, they disappered between the trees and I spotted Riad on the ground," he stopped.
"Who are 'they'?" Hitomi asked. The thought of the murderers still being here alarmed her.
Van hesitated. "I...I don't know. Some robbers maybe," he finally said and by the look on his face, she knew he was lying.
But why? What was he concealing? Honestly, she didn't want to know it. Dammit! Why was everything going to be so complicated? It wasn't fair. Why can't she just find this dragon, help him and return home? Why not? So many questions and no answers. Despairing, she leaned onto a trunk behind her, looking at Van. He was deep in his thoughts, staring into the fire. 'But I won't sleep this night. Not in a stranger's presence!' Hitomi thought and was asleep at once. But her wasn't granted the privilege of sleeping peacefully. This night, her nightmares returned.
.....................**.....................
Darkness. There was nothing around her but darkness. Where was she? Was she dead? Was she still on Gaea? She sighed. It was just about time she had thought she was stupid. Didn't she know anything?
"Hitomi," a soft voice echoed through the darkness.
Surprised, she looked up. She wasn't alone? Who was there? She turned around but there was noone.
"Hitomi," she heard the voice again.
She looked to her right, to her left. Noone. Who was there?
"Hitomi, my little angel," nnd this time the voice was clearer. It was the voice of a woman. Hitomi's eyes widened in realization. Only one person had ever called here this.
"Mom?" she wispered, afraid the voice would vanish if she spoke louder. "Mom, is that you?"
And as if it was an answer, a figure appeared in a sphere of white light before her. The light was dazzling so that Hitomi closed her eyes a brief moment. When she opened them again, she saw her mother standing before her, a light glow around her. She was beautiful. She had to be an angel.
"Mom!" Hitomi cried, tears filling her eyes. "I thought I lost you!"
And with that she ran towards her mother. She wanted to hug her, to feel her, to smell her unique scent, to lie in her arms once more. Hitomi spread her arms and jumped into her mother's arms. But there were no arms. She jumped into nothing. Hitomi was stunned. Where was her mother? Had it been a dream? But she was sure that her mother had been there. What had happened?
"Hitomi," she heard the voice. It came from her left. When she turned her head she spotted her mother. Hitomi jumped to her feet and ran to her. But when she reached her mother, she disappeared again.
"Mom, don't leave me!" she cried and turned around.
There she saw her mother again. Hitomi outstretched her hand and she disappeared like the first time. "No!" she screamed. Her mother appeared again and again and Hitomi tried to reach her again and again. But she failed- everytime she tried. After countless attempts, Hitomi fell to the ground, exhausted and crying. She lay her face into her hands and cried harder, hearing her mother's voice echoing through her mind. "Mom, why can't I reach you? Do you hate me?" she repeated between sobs.
Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Don't cry, Hitomi," she heard.
She looked up and through the veil of her tears, she saw the glowing figure kneeling at her side. She crawled towards it, wanting to reach it before it could vanish again. And this time, she reached it. She encircled the body with her arms. She pressed herself closer to the body, wanting to never let go. Never. She felt the pleasant warmth and smelled the special scent. She felt save. She felt save like she never felt before.
"Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me, Mom," she begged between sobs.
She burried her face into her mother's shoulder and cried. Two arms embraced her waist, cradling her like a baby. Her hand stroked gently over Hitomi's hair. "Shhh. I won't leave you," the voice said softly. "I will protect you. I promise."
Hitomi was rocked back and forth. After a while, her sobbing stopped. She had fallen asleep in these protective arms.
.....................**.....................
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! *screams* I could embrace the whole world! I'm so absolutely happy! 4 hours ago (today's Wednesday, 11 o'clock), I had my driving test, and well I DID IT!!! I could scream again. At the moment, there is nobody at home accept me and I needed to give vent to my joy. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! But now, back to my story: That's it. I've written for my life although I had other things to do. *overlooks her room* *sweatdrops* Well...er...let's change the subject- I hope you liked it. Do things happen too fast? I mean Van-darling joining Hitomi (*is eaten up with envy*)? If yes, tell me. I can separate them whenever I want. Nyarharharharhar! No, just a little joke but I'm open for suggestions. I want that it takes some tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime to the end. P.S. Please, don't forget to review!
'Til next chapter
Dariel