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CHAPTER 8 ...and sometimes join each other again
She couldn't see a thing. Her vision was blurred. Rivers of tears streamed down her cheeks and she could do nothing to stop it. Her right hand covered her mouth trying to stifle the sobs. She cried. She cried because of him. Because of knowing that she would never see him again. But...but...but she wasn't allowed to feel this way towards a man. She wasn't allowed to cry because of him, to show weakness because of him. She should be strong! Angrily she wiped the tears away. But it was useless. New ones rushed down her cheeks, at once.
She was such a damn traitor. She had broken the law. She had broken the law which was the basic of her life as an Amazon. Not the fact that he had kissed her made her know it. She had been forced to. In the beginning. He had intended to let her go and she had been supposed to kill him right then but instead she had kissed him back. Hitomi closed her eyes. She couldn't believe she had done this and less could she explain why! She didn't know! She didn't know what was wrong with her, why she suddenly acted that weird.
What should she do now? She would be banished if the Amazons found out what she had done. She would be banished from Skythia for her entire life. And what would Thetis say? Hitomi was sure the goddess knew about it. She knew about everything Hitomi did. She would probably leave her. Hitomi was a traitor. Nobody wanted a traitor to do them a favour! But it was better that way. Someone else would do the job much better than her. Someone else wouldn't let a man distract them. Someone else wouldn't break the most important law of their kind for a man.
Her right hand softly touched her lips. The lips he had kissed. So tenderly. With that thought the image of his handsome face appeared in her mind again and the memory of their kiss returned. She shook her head violantly. She was not allowed to think that way, to feel that way. She had to stop it! A new wave of sobs shook her.
"Dammit, Hitomi!", shouted an angry voice.
Gabriella! Hitomi froze. She had totally forgotten about her. She sniffed and wiped with her arms over her swollen eyes.
"Hitomi, what's gotten into you!", the young girl asked and pushed the last man who stood infront of her out of her way. Hands on her hips, Gabriella positioned herself directly infront of Hitomi.
The green-eyed Amazon turned her head away not wanting Gabriella to see her tear stained cheeks. "I just wanted to leave.", she whispered not able to speak louder without her voice breaking.
"But why so soon and overhasty?", Gabriella wanted to know. "They helped us all the time and you leave just like that!" Angrily, the girl snapped her fingers.
Hitomi sighed mentally. She didn't know. The girl hadn't seen what she had done, that she had betrayed her kind. At least she didn't need to explain that to Gabriella. Without answering the question Hitomi mounted Dust.
"Hitomi!", the blond-haired girl shrieked in disbelieve.
"Mount your horse, Gabriella.", Hitomi ordered. "We have something to settle or did you already forget that? If we had waited any longer we would have only wasted time. Thetis' wish is of prime importance.", she ended and heard her own voice call her a liar.
Gabriella muttered something under her breath mounting Rhea. "But I'll miss the two of them.", she said quietly knowing Hitomi was right. She was behind Hitomi and couldn't see the tear which silently tickled down her cheek. The Amazon shut her eyes tightly pressing the last bit of salty water out of them. Determined she then looked into the sky. The streams the tears had left would vanish as would the memory of him. She would forget him. She had to forget him. And therefore she had to leave this city. This city in which the air floating through the streets smelled so incredibly like him. Hastily she spurred Dust.
They followed the main street leading through the heart of Fanelia. It was a beautiful city she had to admit and she hoped they would soon reach the city gates. When they had arrived she hadn't noticed that the way from the gates to the marketplace was that long. Hitomi tried to distract herself from thinking of a certain someone without success. She tried to think of nothing but by the time she thought her mind was empty his smile appeared before her eyes and this warm feeling crawled through her again.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Soon everything would be over. Opening her eyes again she looked up and her heart twisted painfully. The gates. They were directly infront of her. Yes, it would end here and there would be no turning back. She entered the shadows the huge gates threw at the ground. A cold breeze disheveled her hair and made her shiver. The gates were wide open and she saw the fields lying behind them. Only a few steps and everything would end. It was when Dust stopped in the middle of his tracks. Hitomi nearly feel off him. She growled and tugged at the reins.
"Dust, what's wrong?", she asked angrily and continued tugging.
Gabriella made Rhea stop beside her and looked at Hitomi who was tapping Dust in his flanks with the heels of her boots. The stallion snorted madly and shook his head taking a few steps back.
"No, Dust!", Hitomi complained. "That's the wrong direction!"
But he didn't listen. His snorts grew even louder and he tripped from side to side as if he didn't know where to go. Hitomi was just about to yell at him when she heard the screams. Her head shot up and she looked around searching for the source of the screams.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?", Gabriella asked seeing Hitomi turning around in her saddle searching for something.
"Didn't you hear it?", Hitomi asked back.
"Hear what?", the girl replied looking at the older Amazon suspiciously.
"The-", she broke up when a cold laughter reached her ears. "What the...?" She wasn't able to finish the sentence. Acting on instinct she grabbed Dust's mane when he reared up. He fell back to the ground violantly only to rear up again neighing loudly. Hitomi clung to Dust's mane not wanting to fall down. What was wrong with him? He didn't freak out without a reason.
She gasped when suddenly her swinging pendant appeared before her eyes. A picture flashed through her mind but it was too fast. She couldn't see what it was. She blinked and at once another picture flashed and it felt as if a spear was rammed through her head. She saw chained hands. Blood covered them. Chained feet. A stifled scream echoed through dark, wet hallways sending shivers down her spine. She heard the laughter again and then it was gone. Slowly she opened her eyes and felt Dust still refuse under her. She spotted Gabriella standing infront of Dust trying to calm him. She must have dismounted her horse when she had had this...this whatever it had been. She wanted to say something but wasn't able to form the words. She was in a daze. The world was spinning before her eyes.
She hardly noticed the figure who pushed Gabriella away and grabbed the reins.
"Calm down.", said a melodic female voice.
Hitomi saw the woman drag Dust away from the gates and somehow he calmed down. He stopped snorting and finally stood still as if nothing had ever happened. Hitomi touched her forehead trying to stop it from spinning so damn fast. Groaning she jumped down and steadied herself at the horse' flank. The nausea which had nearly overwhelmed her faded away. Slowly she lifted her head in order to thank the person who had possibly saved her life. Her eyes widened by the moment they met sparkling brown ones belonging to a delicate face framed by shoulder-long, shining red hair. The world seemed to vanish around her only the red-haired woman and herself were left.
"Yukari!", she said in disbelieve.
....................**.....................
She was gone. Somehow he had known she wouldn't stay even if he kissed her. A little part of him had hoped she would. He had wanted her to stay so desperately. He had wanted to hold her until the end of time, had wanted to feel her warmth near him forever. But she wasn't his. And she had showed that quite clearly. It had hurt. Absently he touched his lips which were curved into a light smile. But she had enjoyed it, he could say. Sadly, he wondered if he would ever see her again.
"Oh Master Van, what happened to you?", Merle asked concerned when she reached his side spotting the red mark on his cheek.
"Nothing.", he replied quietly. Truly, it was the only thing which would remind him of her. "Let's go, Merle.", Van said and grabbed the reins of his horse, Merle had brought along.
Together they walked in silence through the streets of Fanelia. Merle rummaged through several stands flanking the streets while Van was dragged through the crowd by Tarik. He was lost in his thoughts. Thoughts of a certain green-eyed Amazon. He wondered what she was doing at that moment. He wondered if she was thinking of him, if she would miss him. He would miss her. He would miss their arguing. He would miss teasing her. He would miss her arrogant behavior, the way she studied him out of the corner of her eyes when she thought he didn't notice, the way she smiled, the way she smelled, the way he had felt when she was close, the feeling he had experienced when she had lain in his arms.
He smiled remembering the night he had held her in his arms. She was so fragile he had thought she would break if he held her tight. It had felt so wonderful. The warmth which had sourrounded them had been so comfortable he had wanted it to never fade away. Her hair had smelled like a forest in the summer. And never would he forget the feeling of her skin touching his one.
It made him remember the day when they had met. He had been amazed by the way she had 'thanked' him for helping her. He had liked her from that moment on. And later she had repaid it. She had saved his life for the first time, without knowing. He had lost Riad and with him the last person who had meant something for him. Again he had been too late. Again he hadn't been able to protect a dear person. Again he was the one to blame that an innocent person had died. And suddenly he had been all alone. All alone with his feeling of guilt and his boundless sadness in a forest he didn't know. He didn't know what he possibly would have done if she hadn't been there.
She had stood behind a tree watching him, her sandy blond hair framing her beautiful face. There had been this look in her stunning green eyes he loved so much. It was as if she had felt the same he had felt, at that very moment. And in some ways he was sure she hadn't noticed that. But she had been there. Someone who had needed his help -although she would have never admitted it- someone he could protect. Someone who had kept him alive. Yes, she had saved his life and she had done it again and again. She had kept him from falling into that hole full of nightmare memories. She had kept him from thinking about his past and thinking about his future.
And therefore he had thanked her. He had given her something he had never given to anyone else before. He had opened his heart for her. He had shown her his feelings but she hadn't understood this gesture. He smiled lightly. But he didn't regret the kiss and yet...yet there was this minute chance that she didn't regret it, too.
"Master Van, wait!", a shrieking noise made him return to reality.
He turned around and spotted Merle running towards him. She smiled widely when she reached him.
"What were you thinking of?", she asked seeing the absent look on his face.
"Nothing.", he lied.
"Hmm.", Merle replied and sighed. "Believe it or not but I miss them."
Van gave a laugh. He had expected everything despite this. Of course, she was missing Gabriella. The two of them had become very close friends. But the fact that Merle missed Hitomi was quite surprising. The same Merle who had wanted to scratch this Hitomi to pieces. He sighed.
"I miss them too.", he said quietly. They were silent again until Merle spoke.
"What will you do now?", she asked looking at him. And once again his look darkened causing Merle to frown.
"I'm here to speak with an old...friend.", he answered flatly.
"Oh.", Merle replied. "Maybe-"
"I'll talk to him alone.", he continued ignoring the fact that he had interupted her.
"Oh.", Merle said a bit startled by the unfamiliar sound of his voice. A cold sound. "Maybe-"
"Merle!", Van said seriously and grabbed her shoulders. "I said I'm going alone. Alone! And this time you won't follow me! Only this one time, you won't follow me! Did you understand?"
Merle nodded intimidated.
"No, Merle.", Van said and tightened the grip on her shoulders almost painfully. "Promise you won't follow me!"
"I-I promise.", she stuttered and he let go.
"Thank you.", he replied and smiled. "You and Tarik can wait here. I'll be back soon."
And with that he handed Merle the reins and turned around to leave. It was when delicate fingers grabbed his arm making him stop.
"Promise you will return.", Merle whispered and he heard her voice shake.
"I promise.", he said and smiled warmly stroking the cat-girl's pink hair. Then he turned around and walked away.
Hands in his pockets he slowly walked up the street leading to the palace. It had been such a long time since he last saw it. He looked around absorbing the city as it was now trying to remember how it once had looked like. It had changed. The houses which had been destroyed during the attack had been rebuilt. New houses had been added and new streets as well. A lot of families must have moved here. He sighed sadly. Thirteen years could change a lot. But despite all that the city hadn't lost anything of it's spirit, he thought smiling to himself.
The smile vanished when the walls of the palace suddenly towered infront of him covering the sun. He looked up. The walls were white again. They had overpainted the black colour the fire had left. There was nothing left that could remind of the events which had taken place a long time ago. Nothing was left despite the memories which returned right at that moment. They returned with such violance that he was knocked to the ground. The smell of smoke filled his nostrils. It was so intense that it hurt sending an incredible pain like a needle through his body. He felt the heat which emerged from the innumerable fires all over the palace. Fire. Everything around him was ablaze. He felt hot tongues sliding over his skin leaving trails of pure pain behind. He knew they would cover his whole body within the next seconds.
Hands clasped around his head, he shook it violantly. He didn't want these memories to return. Not now. He forced himself to open his eyes and the pain was gone. The shining white walls infront of him nearly blinded Van and the chirping of birds reached his ears. His breath was heavy and slowly he rose to his feet. His legs were shaking but he didn't notice. This old feeling crawled through him again giving him the strength to stand. The time had finally come. He had waited thirteen long years, had lost every person who meant something to him and now his brother would pay.
Like the Amazon queen a few days ago the young Novadi walked through the gates of the palace. But this time there were no guards. Of course he was awaiting him. Like Van felt his presence he could feel Van's presence too. He walked through the short tunnel leading to the courtyard. It looked exactly the same like he had last seen it. Memories of a better time returned, of a time when everything had been alright.
He crossed the courtyard and was overcome by an enormous sadness. Sadness because of the time that would never return, because of the moments he linked with this place, because of what had happened, because of what he would have to do. He looked around and spotted wide opened doors ahead and again there were no guards. Van smiled. Yes, he would accept this invitation.
Van entered the hallway which lay behind the doors. He slowly outstreched his hand and touched the wall. Feeling the cold stone under his fingertips he heard the laughter of a little boy echoing through the hallways coming from another time. He withdrew his hand from the wall and followed the way through the endless hallways. After all that time he still knew where the throne hall was. With every step he took the feeling of his brother's presence increased together with the only feeling Van felt towards him. Hatred. Only hatred and nothing else.
Finally, he reached a huge hall. The doors were wide open and he entered. Looking around Van spotted the throne at the left side of the hall. A small smile crept over his face when he remembered that he had often hide behind the throne in order to escape certain disgusting vegetables. The smile disappeared by the moment he spotted a figure standing infront of one of the windows flanking the right side of the hall. The curtains were closed and only a few rays of sunlight hit the ground inside the palace.
Van knew who it was and he was awaiting him. The young man stopped in the middle of the hall. He took a deep breath trying to calm down his unbelievable heartbeat. He hadn't seen his brother for a quite long time and he really didn't know what to expect.
"Folken.", he said and his voice sounded more demanding than he had intended.
The figure turned around. "Van.", whispered a male voice. "You finally came here."
Van only stared at him. It seemed like those years had never past. Folken looked nearly the same like thirteen yeas ago. His unique aqua-blue hair framed his long slim face and his brown eyes were as intense as they once have been. He was now taller and his shoulders were broader. The black cloak with the violet stand-up collar stressed that even more. If the circumstances had been different he would have flung his arms around his brother's neck right now. But they weren't different.
"You look so much like father.", Folken said warmly seeing his brother wouldn't take the first step. "It's good to see you again."
"Really?", Van spat out.
"I haven't seen my little brother for thirteen years.", Folken replied calmly. "Am I not allowed to be happy because I finally met him?"
"How dare you say such things?", Van hissed. "How dare you say such things when you were the one who tried to kill me!"
"Why are you so embittered, Van?", Folken said causing his brother to open his mouth in disbelieve. "Did you expect me to let you come here so easily when you were the one who could foil my plans?"
"What happened to you?", Van asked finding his voice again. "What turned you into the monster you are now? The monster which killed it's own parents?"
"Don't call me a monster!", Folken shouted. "You don't know me! It was their own fault, I hadn't intended to kill them!"
"You what?", Van yelled back angrily. "Mother was all alone when they came! She wasn't able to defend herself! She was nearly dead when I arrived. I was too late. Folken,", he said and clenched his fists trying to prevent them from shaking, "she suffered. Can you imagine the guilt I felt when I saw her lying there in a pool of her own blood knowing I could have prevented it?"
"Van, please-", Folken tried to say but was cut in by his brother.
"No!", he said sharply. "Don't say anything. Don't try to make me understand. I could never understand why you did all that."
"Of course, you can't understand.", Folken replied sadly directing his gaze to the ground away from his brother's accusing eyes. "Everything was given to you from birth on. You were the miracle. They had said that mother wouldn't be able to bear a second child. It seemed that I would be the only heir of Fanelia.", he stopped and gave a laugh.
Van could nothing but stare. He had never heard about that. Nobody had ever told him that his mother hadn't been supposed to bear a second child.
"But then you were born.", Folken continued. "You should have seen mother's and father's eyes. They shone so bright, it was wonderful to see. They were happy like never before and they loved you so much, even more than me. But I didn't mind. I was happy too. You were the brother I actually should never have and I loved you with all my heart. But then there was the prophecy. I should be king! I was born first! I got the education to rule this country!", he said passionately now looking Van straight into the eye.
"But destiny choose you.", Folken said and looked to the ground again. "A child. A child that didn't even know how to rule a country! You can't imagine how disappointed I was."
"And that's why you sent the army.", Van replied still not able to believe what he just heard.
"He gave me the possibility.", Folken said quietly. "He gave me the army and I gave the order to attack."
"Who is he?", Van asked coldly.
Folken looked up and turned to the side. As if it had been an order a person stepped out of the shadows. Curly, grey hair shimmered in the little light which filled the hall and a pair of dangerously glowing, violet eyes stared at him. Never would he forget these eyes.
"Isaac!", Van said and he couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.
It caused an evil smile on the advisor's face but he said nothing. He only continued staring at Van, studying him, trying to see through the young man's eyes straight into his soul. Van shivered but didn't turn away. He had never liked this man. He had distrusted him from the moment on, he had appeared out of no-where in Fanelia, from the moment on, he had become the closest advisor of his father.
"You deceived father from the first second on!", Van yelled and his angry voice caused a multiple echo to reveberate through the hall.
"No Van, that's not right.", Folken said calmly.
"What?", Van replied not sure if he had just imagined hearing Folken say that.
"Isaac didn't deceive father.", Folken continued. "He only acted for the good of Fanelia as well as myself."
"For the good of Fanelia?", Van repeated in disbelieve. That wasn't happening! That couldn't happen! It was a dream, a nightmare. Soon he would awake and everything would be over. He wasn't standing in the throne hall of Fanelia's palace. He wasn't listening to his brother, the traitor who killed his own family, letting him explain that he did it for the good of his country! He was just dreaming!
"Yes, Van. For the good of Fanelia.", Folken replied destroying Van's last hope. It wasn't a dream. "You would have never been able to lead the country! You were just a child! I was supposed to be king not you! And Isaac knew it, too. He gave me the army to become king."
"And you think that was right?", Van shouted. "You think it was right to kill mother and father and Vargas and even Riad who had absolutely nothing to do with that whole mess?"
He was angry. His emotions were nearly overwhelming him and this old hatred forced it's way to the surface wanting to break free. Van unsheated his sword. The cold steel shimmered in the dim light of the hall making Van's crimson eyes glow. The fire of hatred which had always burnt within their depths since the day, his life had been destroyed by his own brother was now burning so hard it seemed to create an ominous aura around him.
"Van, don't do anything you will regret sooner or later.", Folken said seeing his brother tighten the grip around the sword.
"I won't regret it, trust me.", Van replied icyly every emotion gone from his voice.
"If that's the reason you came here, go ahead.", Folken stated and spreaded his arms wide giving his brother the best possibility to kill him with one strike. Van's hands started to shake and he grabbed the hilt of his sword even tighter.
"Kill me.", Folken ordered his voice incredibly sad and signaled Isaac with a sweep of his hand not to interfere.
Van didn't move. He seemed to struggle and then slowly, he let his sword sink. He couldn't kill him. He simply couldn't kill him. But why? This traitor killed his family and even tried to kill his own brother. Was he still worth it to live? Didn't he deserve death? Shouldn't he be punished for what he did? Anger rose within Van. He was angry at himself. Angry for not being able to kill this traitor. But could Van be blamed for his incapacity, for his weakness? Folken was his brother after all. The same blood was running through their veins. He was everything Van had left of his family. Together they were the last ones of their kind. He couldn't kill him. Defeated he lowered his head.
"I'm glad you think that way.", Folken stated pride filling his voice. "Maybe there's hope for us."
Van's head shot up feeling the sudden presence of another one in the hall. But it was too late. Before he could turn around to see who stood behind him, an enourmous pain emmited from the back of his neck making the world before his eyes started to spin. The last thing he saw was Folken's smiling face and then everything went black. Van was unconscious before he hit the ground.
....................**.....................
His senses returned slowly after a few hours. His eyelids twitched and a moan came over his lips. He felt a cold and wet wall in his back and the air smelled musty, old and used. He opened his eyes and lifted his head but regretted it at once. By the moment, he moved his head a millimeter an incredible pain shot through it. Acting on instinct he wanted to clutch his head with his hands but it was impossible. Surprised, Van looked up and the pain increased. He moaned in pain and tried to lift his head again. It felt as if someone was hammering from the inside of his head against the top of his skull. Trying his best to ignore the pain he looked up. Although it was dark he saw something sparkle at his wrists. Perfect. His hands were chained above his head. Moving his legs he heard the sound of chains being dragged over the stony ground. Van sighed and leaned against the wet wall.
Of course, they had put him in chains. What had he expected? That his brother would let him go as if nothing had happened. Unlikely. He guessed he was in the dungeons under the castle. He had never been there before. Even as a child he had avoided this place. Sometimes he had heard the calls of the prisoners. It had been quite scaring. But now it was more than silent down there. Only the sound of water dripping from the walls and the sound of bare rat-feet skittering over the cold ground reached his ears. Looking around he saw stony walls and the outlines of bars in the not existing light of the dungeons.
He was in a rather painfull and hopeless situation. He was sure if they ever set him free, his arms would drop off at once. How had he gotten into this mess? He didn't know. And how would he escape this mess? He didn't know. 'Hell Van, do you know anything?', he wondered desperately but the answer was already on his mind. No. He smiled. Maybe there was something he knew. He bet he knew what Hitomi would say if she saw him like this! Men, you can't leave them to their own devices! He chuckled by imagining the look on her face.
Suddenly, he stopped chuckling when he heard footsteps. Oh, someone was visiting him? Maybe they brought him something to eat! He sighed. Unlikely. He narrowed his eyes seeing a light flickering over the stony walls of the dungeon. The footsteps grew louder and soon he could see the outlines of a figure. He heard keys rustle and then the door of his cell swung open with a disgusting squeaking noise. It was Folken who entered the cell. He was alone.
"Ah, His Majesty condescends to visit the prisoner in his dirty cell.", Van said sarcastically.
"Van, you know I could kill you right now if I wanted to.", Folken replied coldly putting the torch he had brought along into the holder. "So, guard your tongue!"
"And why am I still alive then?", Van asked mockingly.
"Can't you understand?", Folken asked passionately. "I want you to rule this country with me. Together we could make Fanelia the richest and most feared country of whole Gaea. Van, come with me!"
Van gave a laugh. "Come on, Folken.", he said coolly. "You know exactly that I would never do that, that I would never help you to make your insane dreams come true. What do you want from me?"
Folken snarled and Van knew he was right. Folken needed something from him that was for sure. He wondered what it could be. Actually Folken had everything Van once could call his own.
"Where is the sword?", Folken hissed.
"Huh?", Van said surprised. Well, he didn't expect that. "Which sword?"
Folken grabbed him by the collar and pressed him against the wall. "Don't play the idiot!", he said angrily. "You know what I mean! Where is father's sword?"
"Calm down, Folken.", Van tried to sooth his brother. "You have it already."
"What?", Folken replied his anger increasing. "This old thing isn't father's sword!"
"But...", Van trailed off. What the heck was going on here? His mother had given him this sword. She had said it was his father's one, it was the only legitimate proof. And now Folken was telling him it wasn't the right sword? Did it mean that he had travelled hundreds of miles in vain? No! His mother and even Riad had died to protect that sword! What was going on here?
"Van!", Folken yelled and pressed him harder against the wall making him snap out of his thoughts. "Maybe you don't know how important this sword is for me. You need it to prove that you're the legitimate king of Fanelia but I need it to prevent a war! Do you hear me? The sword is useless for you now! My coronation is in a few days and you are down here in the dungeons. Accept that you were too late! You can't prevent the coronation, anymore. So, give me the sword that I can prevent the war!"
"Which war?", Van asked confused. That was too much for him.
"The war against Freid!", Folken hissed. "The army Isaac gave me and an army of two-thousand Amazons are standing at the border to Freid!"
"A-Amazons?", Van stuttered. Did Hitomi know about that? She had never mentioned it.
"Yes!", Folken replied. "And they will soon attack if you don't give me the damn sword!"
"Why do you need the sword?", Van asked making Folken snort.
"The Duke of Freid has something which is mine!", he answered. "He refuses to give it to me. He said only the one with the royal sword of Fanelia has the permission to get it. The army was send as a threat but he simply didn't give in. Damn him!"
"You're trying to tell me that you want to prevent a war you instigated yourself?", Van asked amused.
Folken remained silent and a wide grin spread over Van's face. "Ah, I see.", he exclaimed. "It wasn't your idea. Let me guess, dear Isaac said you should send the armies?" Van's look darkened. "Folken, can't you see that this man is snake-in-the-grass?"
"Don't say that!", Folken growled. "This idea was right. And I can prevent the war if you only give me the sword!"
Van smiled making Folken furious. "What could be so important that you, who sent an army to kill his own family, now tries to prevent a war?", Van wondered out loud.
"That's none of your business!", Folken barked making Van chuckle.
"You can't imagine how often I heard that phrase within the last weeks.", he said smiling.
"Van!", Folken shouted just about to explode because of anger.
"What's your problem, Folken?", Van yelled back. "I said the only sword I took with me is the one you have! If you say it's not the right one then I'm very sorry but I can't help you along! Mother didn't live long enough to tell me everything about the sword!"
Folken glared at his younger brother and then let go of him. "If that's your last word...", he said sadly.
"Yes, it is!", Van hissed.
"Then you're no longer of any use.", Folken replied coldly. "The people of Fanelia will watch their true king die and they won't do anything to prevent it."
"What?", Van asked confused.
"You will see.", Folken answered flatly and without saying anything else he turned around and left a dumbfounded Van behind.
....................**.....................
"Good to see you again, Hitomi.", the red-haired woman said smiling.
Hitomi opened and shut her mouth over and over again but no words came over her lips. She looked like a fish gasping for air. Her mind simply wouldn't accept that the woman infront of her was Yukari! Yukari! By the gods she hadn't seen her since that day two years ago. She had thought she would never see her best friend again. And now she stood right infront of her. In flesh and blood smiling patiently.
"Yukari!", Hitomi cried and threw herself against the surprised red-head hugging her tightly. "I thought I would never see you again. What are you doing here?", she asked still unable to believe that she was real.
"Well,", Yukari said hugging Hitomi back, "I live here."
"You what?", Hitomi asked in disbelieve.
"I live here.", Yukari repeated smiling. "Together with...", she added but trailed off by seeing Hitomi's look darken. "Don't look at me like that! We had discussed that in detail and I don't want to do that again. It was my decision and that's it."
Hitomi remained silent. She only stared at her best friend. She still couldn't believe that was happening. That was Yukari! She looked different in these clothes. She wore a dress which looked pretty much like the dresses the woman wore here in Fanelia. She had a cloak thrown on and all in all she looked like a normal Fanelian woman if there hadn't been her brown boots which destroyed her perfect housewife image. Some things never change.
"Hi Yukari.", a shy voice then said causing Yukari to turn towards the little girl who had watched the reunion curiously. "Can you remember me?"
Yukari's eyes widened. "Gabriella, is that you?", she asked surprised.
The question caused the girl to nod her head furiously. She took a few steps ahead and hugged Yukari's legs. "Where have you been all the time?", she asked quietly. "And why did you have to leave anyway?"
"Hitomi?", Yukari questioned looking at her friend confused. "Why is Gabriella here? She is too young!"
"That's a long story and this is not the right place to talk about it.", Hitomi said meeting Yukari's intense eyes.
The redhead nodded slowly. "We should go to my place.", she said. "You must be very tired. You can rest there and we can talk about everything you and I want to know. And this is quite a lot I think."
With that she grabbed Dust's reins and made an attempt to leave the gates. "Come on, you two.", she said turning around.
Gabriella joined her side and grabbed Yukari's hand. She trippled beside her like a little dog. Slowly, Hitomi followed them never leaving Yukari out of sight. She couldn't believe she had met her. Here out of everywhere. Here in Fanelia when she had been just about to leave the city. Hitomi frowned. It was strange. A light laughter interupted her thoughts. Yukari was laughing together with Gabriella about gods knew what. She seemed absolutely happy. But actually she shouldn't be.
Yukari was a Fallen Amazon. Banished from Skythia for her entire life. Banished because of betraying her kind. She had done the worst thing an Amazon could ever do. She could be glad Penthesilea hadn't killed her because death was the penalty you pay for choosing the life of a man over the life of an Amazon. Yes, that was what she had done. Hitomi could still imagine the picture clear infront of her eyes after what she had heard from Lea. Yukari standing infront of an injured man, her sword unsheatened protecting him. Another Amazon was standing infront of her, her sword unsheatened as well ordering Yukari to go out of the way. Yukari refused. The other Amazon was getting angrier and angrier with every second until the moment she had enough of it. She started attacking Yukari in order to kill the man who was a fleeing prisoner. Two seconds later she was lying on the ground, blood-soaked, Yukari's sword in her chest. She was dead.
Hitomi shook her head chasing the picture away. Yukari had left Skythia the same night, alone without saying goodbye. Lea had told her about Yukari's where abouts the next morning. Although she had known Yukari would have to pay for her doing and although she should have been happy that Lea had spared Yukari's life Hitomi had been shocked. She had tried to imagine what it would like if Yukari wasn't there for her but it had absolutely asked too much of her. She had felt so incredibly lonely. She had missed her best friend. She had missed to talk with her, to train with her, to laugh with her. All these thoughts rushed through her mind at that moment while she watched this certain friend walking infront of her laughing together with Gabriella.
She kept staring at Yukari's back until they stopped infront of a small house. It looked almost like the other houses along the street made of bricks. Hitomi could see them through the innumerable holes in the façade. The window frames were painted a dark green and they looked not as old and dilapidated as the rest of the house. But somehow it seemed the house had character. Yukari grabbed the iron doorknob and turned it around when suddenly the door was pulled open. Surprised Yukari stepped back revealing a brown-haired man standing in the doorway. He cupped Yukari's face with both of his hands bending down and kissed her on the lips.
"I'm sorry. Work. Must go.", was all he said before he ran down the street with an unbelievable speed.
Hitomi stared at his vanishing figure. Slender form, brown eyes, shoulderlong chestnut hair. So that was him. That was the man for whom Yukari had given up her life as an Amazon, the man for whom she had left her home, for whom she had left her family. She should be angry. She should hate him with all her heart. And she wanted, she really wanted to. He was the one who took Yukari away from her but seeing this smile on Yukari's face, so absolutely happy, she just wasn't able to hate him. She couldn't hate someone who caused such a wonderful smile on her best friend's face.
"Yukari, who is this man?", Gabriella asked making her snap out of it.
"This is Amano, my boy-friend.", Yukari answered. "I'm sorry I couldn't indroduce you but he seemed in a hurry. He will return soon I think. But now, come in. You can bring your horses to the stable. It's around the corner."
Gabriella and Hitomi slowly walked past Yukari who disappeared into the house.
"What is a boy-friend, Hitomi?", Gabriella asked making Hitomi inhale sharply.
"Nothing you should worry about.", she replied seriously signaling Gabriella not to ask any more questions. It wasn't healthy for the little girl to be close to Yukari. Hitomi would have to keep an eye on her.
The two Amazons circumnavigated the house and reached a small backyard. At the moment they placed a foot on it they could hear someone barking angrily. The barking grew louder and louder and suddenly a brown mongrel came running out of the stable. It stopped infront of the two girls and snarled his brown eyes glowing dangerously. Dust and Rhea were taking a few steps ahead while Hitomi and Gabriella tried to sooth them. The dog wasn't really big but it's teeth were impressive.
"Ben!", Yukari cried from the back door. "Would you please stop scaring our guests!"
At once the dog stopped barking and his tail swung happily from side to side. Gabriella was in raptures about the dog.
"Oh, Yukari.", she begged. "Please, can I play with him if I bring the horses to the stable?"
"Feel free!", Yukari replied and Gabriella shrieked happily grabbing Dust's reins and disappeared into the stable followed by a very excited Ben.
"You have a dog?", Hitomi asked suspiciously raising an eyebrow but Yukari only shrugged.
"One day, he sat at the front door and never left since then.", Yukari explained. "He is a tramp, that's all."
Hitomi smiled and entered the house after Yukari gave her a wink with the hand. It was furnished lovingly. Hitomi looked around and discovered something new and beautiful every second. There were so many details which made it unique. Yukari led her through a small corridor into the kitchen. The scent of fresh lilac filled the room. She spotted a bunch at the old wooden table. Looking around she spotted a lot of closets made of the same wood. Yukari pointed at one of the mighty chairs around the table and Hitomi sat down. Yukari sat down as well and looked at Hitomi. There was a brief silence until she spoke.
"Ask me, Hitomi.", Yukari said. "I know this question is on your mind for two years now."
Hitomi took a deep breath. "Why didn't you try to come back?", she then asked frankly. "You could have tried to come back! You could have proved that you're loyal! You could have-"
"Hitomi.", Yukari interupted her calmly. "The reason why I didn't came back is that I didn't want to."
Hitomi was shocked. "Why?", she asked quietly, disappointed.
"Look,", the red-haired woman said, "if I had come back I would have never had the chance to be with him."
"But Yukari!", Hitomi complained. "What about your sisters?"
"Hitomi, look around!", Yukari said and smiled brightly. "This house is wonderful. This city is amazing and the people are so friendly. I never ever dreamt of something like that. And he is here to share this with me. I love him with all my heart."
"Love?", Hitomi asked sceptically.
Yukari gave a laugh. "Of course you can't understand.", she said sadly. "You don't know this feeling. You don't know how it feels to love someone so much that you would die for him. Someone who makes your legs shake when you look into his eyes, someone who makes your heart beat so hard that you think it will burst by smiling at you, someone you want to be close to at any costs, someone in whom's arms you feel secure like no-where else."
Hitomi remained silent and stared at the ground, her eyes wide. Her heart was trying to break through her rib cage. Yukari's words reveberated in her mind. So she didn't know this feeling, did she? Did she? No, she didn't know it, she wasn't allowed to feel it. It was different with Van. She had never spoken to a man before nor had she ever met a man before. She had been confused when she had seen him. She hadn't known what to feel. It was different, okay?!
"Hitomi, everything alright?", Yukari asked concerned seeing Hitomi clench her fists.
Hitomi snapped out of her thoughts. "Yeah.", she said hastily afraid Yukari could read her mind.
"Do you hate me?", Yukari whispered.
"What?", Hitomi replied.
"Do you hate me for what I did?", Yukari repeated.
Hitomi sighed mentally in relief. Good, she didn't read her mind. Yukari didn't know what she had just thought. She didn't know what Hitomi felt for him, she didn't know that he -stop! What exactly did she feel for him? Hadn't she just said that she had been confused but that she didn't feel that way towards him? And was she now just about to admit...to admit that...no! No, she didn't feel anything for him! He was only a man. A man not worth to waste a single thought about. A man-
"Hitomi?", Yukari's voice reached her ears.
"What?", Hitomi asked her head shooting up and looked directly into Yukari's confused face. "Oh. No. No, I don't hate you. I could never hate you. But tell me what did you do after you left us?"
A bright smile appeared on Yukari's face. "Amano waited at the border for me.", she said. "We travelled across Thessalia to the ocean. Amano told me that we could start a new life in Fanelia. He said it was a beautiful city and well, he was right. We reached this city and I fell in love with it. We decided to stay here and you see we still do."
"Do you...do you regret anything?", Hitomi asked quietly.
"No.", Yukari said without hesitating. "It was the best decision I ever made."
Hitomi nodded. She should be happy for Yukari. She had left her whole life behind, her sisters, her teachings, her best friend. She had to leave her birth place without anything and had had the strength to start a completely new life. And she should be happy that he was at her side. Hitomi was sure if Amano hadn't been there for her, Yukari wouldn't have been able to do that. He wasn't the one to blame. Nobody was the one to blame. It had been Yukari's decision and only her one. And if she was happy Hitomi should be happy too.
"But now tell me what could be so important that even Penthesilea herself came here.", Yukari then wanted to know making Hitomi prick her ears.
"Huh?", Hitomi exclaimed surprised snapping out of her thoughts. "What do you mean with Penthesilea is here?"
"I thought you could tell me.", the red-haired woman said confused. "I thought you came here with them."
"Yukari, what are you talking about?", Hitomi asked slightly impatient.
"A few days ago,", Yukari began, "I walked along the streets and saw Penthesilea and Leda riding across the marketplace together with Lord Folken. You can't imagine how surprised I was. I couldn't believe they were here. Here in Fanelia! You can't really be farer away from Skythia. I wondered why they were here but I simply couldn't find an explanation. And then I saw you this morning and it only made me more confused. But I thought maybe Penthesilea took you along as an exception, you know? And then I saw Gabriella and I was...is there a comparison of 'more confused'?", Yukari asked but then shook her head. "Anyways, now tell me Hitomi, why is Penthesilea here?"
Hitomi didn't answer. She only stared at Yukari with wide eyes. Penthesilea was here? Here in Fanelia? It couldn't be! She wasn't supposed to be here! She should be at home, in Skythia! She should teach young Amazons and should talk with her tree but she should not be here! What could it mean? What had happened? Lea never left Skythia so overhasty. And how did she come here so fast? Hitomi had travelled a few weeks and had just reached Fanelia and Lea was already here? What was going on?
Events were coming thick and fast. At first Yukari and now Lea. Had it been planed? It couldn't be! Lea would have told her. She told Hitomi everything. Something must have happened after she had left. Something important.
"Hitomi?", Yukari whispered seeing the absent look on Hitomi's face.
"I don't know.", she finally answered and blinked. "I didn't came here with her."
"What?", Yukari asked getting more and more confused. "But-but..."
"Thetis sent me.", Hitomi explained making Yukari's eyes widen. "She asked me to do her a favour. She said I should find the dragon and help him. I left Skythia that night alone-"
"Thetis...?", Yukari interupted Hitomi but was cut in by her again.
"Gabriella followed me on her own. She caught up with me after a week or so.", Hitomi said skipping the fact that she had met someone else before. It was unimportant! She didn't need to know about him!
"But how were you two able to cross the border?", Yukari asked. "What about the guards?"
"Don't ask me.", Hitomi replied shaking her head. "But I think Thetis had a hand in the pie."
"Wow.", was all Yukari could reply. "Thetis. I haven't heard that name for a long time.", she then said and for a brief moment a sad smile flashed across her features but then she smiled genuinely. "How have you been?"
Hitomi grinned back and started to tell. She told Yukari about Skythia, about Lea, about her Amazon sisters. They joked and laughed. It was like in old times. She had missed it. She had missed to talk with Yukari like she would miss the warm sunlight caress her face, like she would miss the wind disheveling her hair, like she would miss the scent of earth after a shower. Of course, she had had other friends but it hadn't been the same. She hadn't trusted them like she trusted Yukari. Hitomi trusted her with all her heart. 'Liar! Liar!', her own voice cried in her mind. 'You don't trust her with all your heart!' Yeah, yeah! Yeah, she knew it! She knew it, dammit! If she trusted Yukari, she would have told her. She would have told her everything about him. She would have told her about her feelings, about the confusion he caused, about his smile, about the way he looked at her and that it made her knees shake. But she didn't. She sat there at a chair in Yukari's house and listened to her telling about her life. Hitomi pressed her lips to a thin line while feelings of guilt were gnawing in the back of her mind.
It was when they heard a loud rumble from the back door. They turned towards the noise and a few seconds later Gabriella entered the room stumbling over Ben who was running around her legs. Hitomi smiled lightly. This girl could brighten everyone's day even without noticing.
"Can we go to the marketplace, Yukari?", she asked. "We stayed there only for a short time until Hi-"
"Yes!", Hitomi said hastily interupting Gabriella who was just about to mention a certain someone. "I think Yukari won't mind, will she?"
Why didn't she want Yukari to know about Van? And why was this extreme heat rushing into her face making her feel like her cheeks were on fire by only hearing his name or better by only thinking of his name? Why? Oh well, maybe she had done something she better shouldn't have done and maybe she didn't want Yukari to jump to conclusions. Maybe she didn't want to talk about him because...because...dammit, why did it hurt? Only thinking of him hurt so much it caused a burning feeling in the back of her eyes and her throat. She was confused. She shouldn't act that why, should she? Blinking hard she turned her head away from Yukari and Gabriella. She couldn't see the concerned look on Yukari's face with which she watched Hitomi.
"Let's go.", the Amazon said hastily raising from her chair and walked to the front door wich could be seen from the kitchen.
Yukari and Gabriella followed her and together they left the house. They walked side by side along the streets. Gabriella was pointing at every thing which seemed worth her attention and pestered the living daylights out of Yukari. But she didn't mind. She patiently answered every question the curious girl asked always a smile on her lips. The two of them didn't notice that Hitomi dropped back more and more until she was finally a few meters behind them wanting to be alone with her thoughts.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Yukari and Gabriella suddenly stop and bumped straight into them.
"Uff.", was all she said while stumbling back. "What's the matter, Yukari?"
"Look at all these people.", Yukari said and Hitomi looked around. Just then she noticed the people and the noises around her, she hadn't noticed while dreaming. There were really a lot of people at the marketplace and they were more than loud. Most of them gathered around the stage which had been prepared for the coronation.
"What's going on here?", Yukari mused. "These are too many people for the ordinary Fanelian marketplace."
"Are you searching something special, Yukari?", Hitomi asked watching her friend whirling round in a circle.
"Yes. The local newspaper.", Yukari replied and then cried outloud, "Maria!!!!"
"I'm here, Yukari!", a female voice then suddenly cried from aside trying to drown the other noises filling the air causing Yukari to turn around. "Have you heard the latest news?"
"No!", Yukari yelled back. "What's going on here?"
"An execution!", the woman answered. "A public execution! They will soon tell why."
"Oh.", Yukari said. "Thank you!"
Yukari turned back to Hitomi. "We haven't had a public execution for a long time.", she said more to herself. "I wonder what had happened."
"They really execute someone in public?", Hitomi asked surprised.
"Hmm.", Yukari nodded. "They use it to make an example. It won't be different this time."
"What's an execution?", Gabriella interfered not for the first time, this day.
"Someone will die because of doing something really bad.", Yukari replied. "They will probably-"
"People of Fanelia!", a male voice cried from the stage cutting her in and even the noises around them faded away. Yukari grabbed Gabriella's and Hitomi's hands and dragged them towards the stage.
"This morning, we caught an intruder in the palace of Fanelia.", the speaker continued earning a gasp from the crowd. "He had tried to kill Lord Folken!"
His voice reveberated through the streets causing a shocked whisper to rush through the crowd and even Yukari stiffened. The tense was visible now.
"He's an assassin from Freid!", the man standing infront of a group of soldiers said and it was like a punch in the face. An outcry echoed over the marketplace. Voices could be heard, angry and confused. Freid? It couldn't be! Yukari had taken a step back.
"Freid?", she whispered. "That can't be right. Fanelia is befriended with Freid for generations. It can't be right! It can't be right!" Yukari wasn't the only one who couldn't believe it. The people around them were looking at each other, discussing loudly.
"Freid will pay therefore but at first the assassin will die.", the man cried trying to calm the crowd. "He will hang in two days and..."
Hitomi didn't hear what else he said. She only stared at the chained person who had been pushed out of the group of soldiers and stumbled at the man's side. Hitomi's eyes were wide in shock. Chained and humilated but unbelievable proud he stood beside the man and glared at him with dark rusty coloured eyes, his raven-black hair sparkling in the midday sun.
"Van.", she whispered and her heart clenched painfully.
~And then I wonder if I would have agreed to go to the marketplace if I had known you would be there too. I know the answer and I'm afraid of it. I'm afraid of it because it's...yes.~
....................**.....................
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
TennyoAngel711: YAY! Thanks for the reviews and thanks for the cookie ^_^ I love them! And I'm glad that you still like it ^_^ I hope this chapter answered your question concerning Van's and Folken's feelings for each other. I hope I made it clear. Was it clear? And *laughs like mad* Nurse Tennyo!!! Hahaha!!! I liked that part!!! So funny!!!
Lk: *blushs* Thank you. I hope your heart liked the chapter ^_^
Amieva: Hehe. *imagines Van taking off his clothes* Oh my...*drools* ^_^ Glad you liked it!
CinderellaxVan: Yes, fluff rules!!!!! I really should write more ^_^ And Hitomi has quite a strange way to show her feelings, hasn't she? Hehe. Someone should tell her that she really shouldn't slap a cute guy who kissed her but cuddle him even more! More than ever if it's Van!!!! ^_^ And you girl, update soon or...*grabs a hockey stick which suddenly appeared out of no-where*...HOCKEY STICK FIGHT! En garde!
Fushizen na: ^_^ And I grinned the whole time while writing the last chapter ^_^ I love fluff too!!! Thx!!!!!
Azure: Of course, you stay with the hottie no matter what!!! *smacks Hitomi over the head* Why did you slap Van and then left him, huh? You stupid stupid...whoops! Er...I wrote that, didn't I? *erases end of chapter 7 and writes a new ending* ...Taking a deep breath Hitomi took a step back and looked up at him. She looked him straight into the eyes. And then without even thinking she flung her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his chest. They married and had a lot of little green-eyed Amazons and cute little black-haired boys. The end ^_^ See, it was better I made her slap him! My story would have been over.
fireangel: Believe me, I wouldn't have left as well! *imagines being Hitomi at that certain moment* *drools* ^_^ Thanks for the review!!!!
merlegirl: I don't think that too. I love Merle and I'm very sorry that you misunderstood it.
hitomi-chan: You don't need to be sorry because of not reviewing every chapter, I liked that review!!! ^_^ Hehe. And you like my story! YAY! Yeah, poor Van! He plucked up all of his courage and kissed her and she...she acts just like Hitomi! I really should make her apologize, shouldn't I?! ^_^ I really really enjoyed reading your review, thank you very much!!!!
Kiya: Wow, you read my whole story at once? *blushs* I feel honoured and I'm glad you think it was worth it. ^_^ Thankiez!!!!!
Ruby: I got it, you liked it! YAY!!! Fluff rules, right?!
Princess Neptune: You like long chapters? That's great! I hope you liked this one too. Thanx!!!!
CrazyCoolGurl25: Like your name!! ^_^ It's cool!!! And thanks for reviewing!!!
Ferai: One sitting? *blushs* Thank you!!!
Love Witch: YAY! FLUFF!! And don't worry, you're not insane. I often speak to the characters too. Or wait! Maybe this means that I'm insane too! ^_^ Noooo. And girl, you have a beautiful name! Sounds a bit like Garnet's one from FF9. And it seems that your first name will remain a mystery forever, won't it? ^_^ I can't imagine a name which could be that bad. Anyway, thanks for the review!!!!
CRAZY Dragon: Hey, da bist du ja wieder!!! *freu* Hab absolut nichts dagegen, wenn du deinen Senf dazugibst ^_^ Hoffentlich hat es dir diesmal auch wieder gefallen. Bis demnächst, hoffe ich ^_^
Heavens-Angel: *blushs* Thank you. I really really feel honoured. Wow, I feel good ^_^ Hehe. And did you like it?
Arwen: YAY! I love your cute reviews!! ^_^ "*beem*" - I like that!!! Thanks so much!!!!
van lover: It's you again!!! YAY!!! And no, it's not the last chapter!! Don't worry, I can't end there, can I? At least, she must apologize ^_^ Hehe.
Silver Magiccraft: ^_^ Thank yoooouuuu!!!! And was it incredibly long enough? Hehe.
Aeka-himme: IEK! *ducks her head because of a scolding Aeka* Okay, okay, I understood. I raise my expectation on the feedback, I promise. ^_^ After all you liked it! YAY!!!! And YOU ask me how I make it to describe a kiss? You can't be serious! I have two words for you: "Love happens"!!!!!!!!!!!! *sighs and swoons* Did I ever say that I love your fics? ^_^ But *glares* you didn't update for a long time! *shakes Aeka almost senseless* UPDATE!!!! I must know what'll happen next!!!! Update! Update! Update! *stops shaking Aeka* Okay, I'm calm. ^_^ And yeah, Hitomi this mule! Imagine Van kisses you and...*drools* Hehe. But hey, give me my Van back!!!!! You have your plushie and I have nothing!!! Let me have Van!!!! *runs over to Aeka and snatches Van away from her* My Van!!!! *hugs Van* ^_^
V/H~alwayz&4eva: *blushs* Thank you, thank you, thank yoooouuuu!!! I'm glad you like my little story that much. ^_^ And here is the little note: I try to update every third week. Up to now I always managed it. So probably, the next chapter will be out in three weeks. But you can also give me your e- mail address and I write you a mail when update the next chapter. ^_^
???: It's you! *grins* Hehe. It's nice of you that you don't tear my hair off ^_^ Glad you liked the ending. You see, I just couldn't let them be together. But I promise they soon will be *grins even wider*
SabineballZ: LOL!!!! Herrlicher comment muss ich schon sagen. ^_^ Tja, das ist eben Hitomi wie sie leibt und lebt. Aber keine Panik, sie wird's schon noch früh genug rausfinden. Hehe. Und das mit der Hochzeit würd ich mir nochmal überlegen, ich mein sie hat den armen Kerl geschlagen bloß weil er sie geküsst hat, nicht auszudenken was sie mit ihm anstellen würde, wenn er sie fragt ob sie ihn heiraten will!! ^_^
Brittney Burns: LOL That name! LOL And oh yes, I so waited for them to kiss in the series and they didn't! They didn't!!! Argh!!!! At least when she left he should have kissed her!!!! But noooo, he only hugged her *sighs* But I'm glad you like my story!!!! THANKS!!!!
Valerie AKA Fanelia Princess AKA BorinquenCaramel: - I like that ^_^ Thanks for the mail and I hope you liked this chapter too! Till next time!!! ^_^
Silent Guardian: *blushs* Thank you!!!! But why don't you publish your story? You think they are wonderful and your friends say they are wonderful so why not publish, huh? You really made me curious ^_^ And yeah, if ANYONE did this, but not if VAN!!!!! Hehe. ^_^
A/N: Well, that's it! Tell me what you think about it!!! Tell me!!! In the previous chapters I concentrated on Hitomi's thoughts and tried to make you see the world through her eyes. This time I tried to describe Van's thoughts, feelings and fears. I hope it was okay. It was kinda hard to write a guy's point of view (I wonder why ^_^) So tell me what you think!!! Please!!!!
YAY! Only one week and then: EASTER!!!! YAY! Two and a half weeks holiday time!!!!! I really need it. My mind is empty. Too many exams. *sighs* Well then, till next time!!!!! Bye bye
Dariel
DISCLAIMER: I don't own, okay?!
~...words...~ - italics (Why is it impossible for me to write in italics? ARGH!!!)
CHAPTER 8 ...and sometimes join each other again
She couldn't see a thing. Her vision was blurred. Rivers of tears streamed down her cheeks and she could do nothing to stop it. Her right hand covered her mouth trying to stifle the sobs. She cried. She cried because of him. Because of knowing that she would never see him again. But...but...but she wasn't allowed to feel this way towards a man. She wasn't allowed to cry because of him, to show weakness because of him. She should be strong! Angrily she wiped the tears away. But it was useless. New ones rushed down her cheeks, at once.
She was such a damn traitor. She had broken the law. She had broken the law which was the basic of her life as an Amazon. Not the fact that he had kissed her made her know it. She had been forced to. In the beginning. He had intended to let her go and she had been supposed to kill him right then but instead she had kissed him back. Hitomi closed her eyes. She couldn't believe she had done this and less could she explain why! She didn't know! She didn't know what was wrong with her, why she suddenly acted that weird.
What should she do now? She would be banished if the Amazons found out what she had done. She would be banished from Skythia for her entire life. And what would Thetis say? Hitomi was sure the goddess knew about it. She knew about everything Hitomi did. She would probably leave her. Hitomi was a traitor. Nobody wanted a traitor to do them a favour! But it was better that way. Someone else would do the job much better than her. Someone else wouldn't let a man distract them. Someone else wouldn't break the most important law of their kind for a man.
Her right hand softly touched her lips. The lips he had kissed. So tenderly. With that thought the image of his handsome face appeared in her mind again and the memory of their kiss returned. She shook her head violantly. She was not allowed to think that way, to feel that way. She had to stop it! A new wave of sobs shook her.
"Dammit, Hitomi!", shouted an angry voice.
Gabriella! Hitomi froze. She had totally forgotten about her. She sniffed and wiped with her arms over her swollen eyes.
"Hitomi, what's gotten into you!", the young girl asked and pushed the last man who stood infront of her out of her way. Hands on her hips, Gabriella positioned herself directly infront of Hitomi.
The green-eyed Amazon turned her head away not wanting Gabriella to see her tear stained cheeks. "I just wanted to leave.", she whispered not able to speak louder without her voice breaking.
"But why so soon and overhasty?", Gabriella wanted to know. "They helped us all the time and you leave just like that!" Angrily, the girl snapped her fingers.
Hitomi sighed mentally. She didn't know. The girl hadn't seen what she had done, that she had betrayed her kind. At least she didn't need to explain that to Gabriella. Without answering the question Hitomi mounted Dust.
"Hitomi!", the blond-haired girl shrieked in disbelieve.
"Mount your horse, Gabriella.", Hitomi ordered. "We have something to settle or did you already forget that? If we had waited any longer we would have only wasted time. Thetis' wish is of prime importance.", she ended and heard her own voice call her a liar.
Gabriella muttered something under her breath mounting Rhea. "But I'll miss the two of them.", she said quietly knowing Hitomi was right. She was behind Hitomi and couldn't see the tear which silently tickled down her cheek. The Amazon shut her eyes tightly pressing the last bit of salty water out of them. Determined she then looked into the sky. The streams the tears had left would vanish as would the memory of him. She would forget him. She had to forget him. And therefore she had to leave this city. This city in which the air floating through the streets smelled so incredibly like him. Hastily she spurred Dust.
They followed the main street leading through the heart of Fanelia. It was a beautiful city she had to admit and she hoped they would soon reach the city gates. When they had arrived she hadn't noticed that the way from the gates to the marketplace was that long. Hitomi tried to distract herself from thinking of a certain someone without success. She tried to think of nothing but by the time she thought her mind was empty his smile appeared before her eyes and this warm feeling crawled through her again.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Soon everything would be over. Opening her eyes again she looked up and her heart twisted painfully. The gates. They were directly infront of her. Yes, it would end here and there would be no turning back. She entered the shadows the huge gates threw at the ground. A cold breeze disheveled her hair and made her shiver. The gates were wide open and she saw the fields lying behind them. Only a few steps and everything would end. It was when Dust stopped in the middle of his tracks. Hitomi nearly feel off him. She growled and tugged at the reins.
"Dust, what's wrong?", she asked angrily and continued tugging.
Gabriella made Rhea stop beside her and looked at Hitomi who was tapping Dust in his flanks with the heels of her boots. The stallion snorted madly and shook his head taking a few steps back.
"No, Dust!", Hitomi complained. "That's the wrong direction!"
But he didn't listen. His snorts grew even louder and he tripped from side to side as if he didn't know where to go. Hitomi was just about to yell at him when she heard the screams. Her head shot up and she looked around searching for the source of the screams.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?", Gabriella asked seeing Hitomi turning around in her saddle searching for something.
"Didn't you hear it?", Hitomi asked back.
"Hear what?", the girl replied looking at the older Amazon suspiciously.
"The-", she broke up when a cold laughter reached her ears. "What the...?" She wasn't able to finish the sentence. Acting on instinct she grabbed Dust's mane when he reared up. He fell back to the ground violantly only to rear up again neighing loudly. Hitomi clung to Dust's mane not wanting to fall down. What was wrong with him? He didn't freak out without a reason.
She gasped when suddenly her swinging pendant appeared before her eyes. A picture flashed through her mind but it was too fast. She couldn't see what it was. She blinked and at once another picture flashed and it felt as if a spear was rammed through her head. She saw chained hands. Blood covered them. Chained feet. A stifled scream echoed through dark, wet hallways sending shivers down her spine. She heard the laughter again and then it was gone. Slowly she opened her eyes and felt Dust still refuse under her. She spotted Gabriella standing infront of Dust trying to calm him. She must have dismounted her horse when she had had this...this whatever it had been. She wanted to say something but wasn't able to form the words. She was in a daze. The world was spinning before her eyes.
She hardly noticed the figure who pushed Gabriella away and grabbed the reins.
"Calm down.", said a melodic female voice.
Hitomi saw the woman drag Dust away from the gates and somehow he calmed down. He stopped snorting and finally stood still as if nothing had ever happened. Hitomi touched her forehead trying to stop it from spinning so damn fast. Groaning she jumped down and steadied herself at the horse' flank. The nausea which had nearly overwhelmed her faded away. Slowly she lifted her head in order to thank the person who had possibly saved her life. Her eyes widened by the moment they met sparkling brown ones belonging to a delicate face framed by shoulder-long, shining red hair. The world seemed to vanish around her only the red-haired woman and herself were left.
"Yukari!", she said in disbelieve.
....................**.....................
She was gone. Somehow he had known she wouldn't stay even if he kissed her. A little part of him had hoped she would. He had wanted her to stay so desperately. He had wanted to hold her until the end of time, had wanted to feel her warmth near him forever. But she wasn't his. And she had showed that quite clearly. It had hurt. Absently he touched his lips which were curved into a light smile. But she had enjoyed it, he could say. Sadly, he wondered if he would ever see her again.
"Oh Master Van, what happened to you?", Merle asked concerned when she reached his side spotting the red mark on his cheek.
"Nothing.", he replied quietly. Truly, it was the only thing which would remind him of her. "Let's go, Merle.", Van said and grabbed the reins of his horse, Merle had brought along.
Together they walked in silence through the streets of Fanelia. Merle rummaged through several stands flanking the streets while Van was dragged through the crowd by Tarik. He was lost in his thoughts. Thoughts of a certain green-eyed Amazon. He wondered what she was doing at that moment. He wondered if she was thinking of him, if she would miss him. He would miss her. He would miss their arguing. He would miss teasing her. He would miss her arrogant behavior, the way she studied him out of the corner of her eyes when she thought he didn't notice, the way she smiled, the way she smelled, the way he had felt when she was close, the feeling he had experienced when she had lain in his arms.
He smiled remembering the night he had held her in his arms. She was so fragile he had thought she would break if he held her tight. It had felt so wonderful. The warmth which had sourrounded them had been so comfortable he had wanted it to never fade away. Her hair had smelled like a forest in the summer. And never would he forget the feeling of her skin touching his one.
It made him remember the day when they had met. He had been amazed by the way she had 'thanked' him for helping her. He had liked her from that moment on. And later she had repaid it. She had saved his life for the first time, without knowing. He had lost Riad and with him the last person who had meant something for him. Again he had been too late. Again he hadn't been able to protect a dear person. Again he was the one to blame that an innocent person had died. And suddenly he had been all alone. All alone with his feeling of guilt and his boundless sadness in a forest he didn't know. He didn't know what he possibly would have done if she hadn't been there.
She had stood behind a tree watching him, her sandy blond hair framing her beautiful face. There had been this look in her stunning green eyes he loved so much. It was as if she had felt the same he had felt, at that very moment. And in some ways he was sure she hadn't noticed that. But she had been there. Someone who had needed his help -although she would have never admitted it- someone he could protect. Someone who had kept him alive. Yes, she had saved his life and she had done it again and again. She had kept him from falling into that hole full of nightmare memories. She had kept him from thinking about his past and thinking about his future.
And therefore he had thanked her. He had given her something he had never given to anyone else before. He had opened his heart for her. He had shown her his feelings but she hadn't understood this gesture. He smiled lightly. But he didn't regret the kiss and yet...yet there was this minute chance that she didn't regret it, too.
"Master Van, wait!", a shrieking noise made him return to reality.
He turned around and spotted Merle running towards him. She smiled widely when she reached him.
"What were you thinking of?", she asked seeing the absent look on his face.
"Nothing.", he lied.
"Hmm.", Merle replied and sighed. "Believe it or not but I miss them."
Van gave a laugh. He had expected everything despite this. Of course, she was missing Gabriella. The two of them had become very close friends. But the fact that Merle missed Hitomi was quite surprising. The same Merle who had wanted to scratch this Hitomi to pieces. He sighed.
"I miss them too.", he said quietly. They were silent again until Merle spoke.
"What will you do now?", she asked looking at him. And once again his look darkened causing Merle to frown.
"I'm here to speak with an old...friend.", he answered flatly.
"Oh.", Merle replied. "Maybe-"
"I'll talk to him alone.", he continued ignoring the fact that he had interupted her.
"Oh.", Merle said a bit startled by the unfamiliar sound of his voice. A cold sound. "Maybe-"
"Merle!", Van said seriously and grabbed her shoulders. "I said I'm going alone. Alone! And this time you won't follow me! Only this one time, you won't follow me! Did you understand?"
Merle nodded intimidated.
"No, Merle.", Van said and tightened the grip on her shoulders almost painfully. "Promise you won't follow me!"
"I-I promise.", she stuttered and he let go.
"Thank you.", he replied and smiled. "You and Tarik can wait here. I'll be back soon."
And with that he handed Merle the reins and turned around to leave. It was when delicate fingers grabbed his arm making him stop.
"Promise you will return.", Merle whispered and he heard her voice shake.
"I promise.", he said and smiled warmly stroking the cat-girl's pink hair. Then he turned around and walked away.
Hands in his pockets he slowly walked up the street leading to the palace. It had been such a long time since he last saw it. He looked around absorbing the city as it was now trying to remember how it once had looked like. It had changed. The houses which had been destroyed during the attack had been rebuilt. New houses had been added and new streets as well. A lot of families must have moved here. He sighed sadly. Thirteen years could change a lot. But despite all that the city hadn't lost anything of it's spirit, he thought smiling to himself.
The smile vanished when the walls of the palace suddenly towered infront of him covering the sun. He looked up. The walls were white again. They had overpainted the black colour the fire had left. There was nothing left that could remind of the events which had taken place a long time ago. Nothing was left despite the memories which returned right at that moment. They returned with such violance that he was knocked to the ground. The smell of smoke filled his nostrils. It was so intense that it hurt sending an incredible pain like a needle through his body. He felt the heat which emerged from the innumerable fires all over the palace. Fire. Everything around him was ablaze. He felt hot tongues sliding over his skin leaving trails of pure pain behind. He knew they would cover his whole body within the next seconds.
Hands clasped around his head, he shook it violantly. He didn't want these memories to return. Not now. He forced himself to open his eyes and the pain was gone. The shining white walls infront of him nearly blinded Van and the chirping of birds reached his ears. His breath was heavy and slowly he rose to his feet. His legs were shaking but he didn't notice. This old feeling crawled through him again giving him the strength to stand. The time had finally come. He had waited thirteen long years, had lost every person who meant something to him and now his brother would pay.
Like the Amazon queen a few days ago the young Novadi walked through the gates of the palace. But this time there were no guards. Of course he was awaiting him. Like Van felt his presence he could feel Van's presence too. He walked through the short tunnel leading to the courtyard. It looked exactly the same like he had last seen it. Memories of a better time returned, of a time when everything had been alright.
He crossed the courtyard and was overcome by an enormous sadness. Sadness because of the time that would never return, because of the moments he linked with this place, because of what had happened, because of what he would have to do. He looked around and spotted wide opened doors ahead and again there were no guards. Van smiled. Yes, he would accept this invitation.
Van entered the hallway which lay behind the doors. He slowly outstreched his hand and touched the wall. Feeling the cold stone under his fingertips he heard the laughter of a little boy echoing through the hallways coming from another time. He withdrew his hand from the wall and followed the way through the endless hallways. After all that time he still knew where the throne hall was. With every step he took the feeling of his brother's presence increased together with the only feeling Van felt towards him. Hatred. Only hatred and nothing else.
Finally, he reached a huge hall. The doors were wide open and he entered. Looking around Van spotted the throne at the left side of the hall. A small smile crept over his face when he remembered that he had often hide behind the throne in order to escape certain disgusting vegetables. The smile disappeared by the moment he spotted a figure standing infront of one of the windows flanking the right side of the hall. The curtains were closed and only a few rays of sunlight hit the ground inside the palace.
Van knew who it was and he was awaiting him. The young man stopped in the middle of the hall. He took a deep breath trying to calm down his unbelievable heartbeat. He hadn't seen his brother for a quite long time and he really didn't know what to expect.
"Folken.", he said and his voice sounded more demanding than he had intended.
The figure turned around. "Van.", whispered a male voice. "You finally came here."
Van only stared at him. It seemed like those years had never past. Folken looked nearly the same like thirteen yeas ago. His unique aqua-blue hair framed his long slim face and his brown eyes were as intense as they once have been. He was now taller and his shoulders were broader. The black cloak with the violet stand-up collar stressed that even more. If the circumstances had been different he would have flung his arms around his brother's neck right now. But they weren't different.
"You look so much like father.", Folken said warmly seeing his brother wouldn't take the first step. "It's good to see you again."
"Really?", Van spat out.
"I haven't seen my little brother for thirteen years.", Folken replied calmly. "Am I not allowed to be happy because I finally met him?"
"How dare you say such things?", Van hissed. "How dare you say such things when you were the one who tried to kill me!"
"Why are you so embittered, Van?", Folken said causing his brother to open his mouth in disbelieve. "Did you expect me to let you come here so easily when you were the one who could foil my plans?"
"What happened to you?", Van asked finding his voice again. "What turned you into the monster you are now? The monster which killed it's own parents?"
"Don't call me a monster!", Folken shouted. "You don't know me! It was their own fault, I hadn't intended to kill them!"
"You what?", Van yelled back angrily. "Mother was all alone when they came! She wasn't able to defend herself! She was nearly dead when I arrived. I was too late. Folken,", he said and clenched his fists trying to prevent them from shaking, "she suffered. Can you imagine the guilt I felt when I saw her lying there in a pool of her own blood knowing I could have prevented it?"
"Van, please-", Folken tried to say but was cut in by his brother.
"No!", he said sharply. "Don't say anything. Don't try to make me understand. I could never understand why you did all that."
"Of course, you can't understand.", Folken replied sadly directing his gaze to the ground away from his brother's accusing eyes. "Everything was given to you from birth on. You were the miracle. They had said that mother wouldn't be able to bear a second child. It seemed that I would be the only heir of Fanelia.", he stopped and gave a laugh.
Van could nothing but stare. He had never heard about that. Nobody had ever told him that his mother hadn't been supposed to bear a second child.
"But then you were born.", Folken continued. "You should have seen mother's and father's eyes. They shone so bright, it was wonderful to see. They were happy like never before and they loved you so much, even more than me. But I didn't mind. I was happy too. You were the brother I actually should never have and I loved you with all my heart. But then there was the prophecy. I should be king! I was born first! I got the education to rule this country!", he said passionately now looking Van straight into the eye.
"But destiny choose you.", Folken said and looked to the ground again. "A child. A child that didn't even know how to rule a country! You can't imagine how disappointed I was."
"And that's why you sent the army.", Van replied still not able to believe what he just heard.
"He gave me the possibility.", Folken said quietly. "He gave me the army and I gave the order to attack."
"Who is he?", Van asked coldly.
Folken looked up and turned to the side. As if it had been an order a person stepped out of the shadows. Curly, grey hair shimmered in the little light which filled the hall and a pair of dangerously glowing, violet eyes stared at him. Never would he forget these eyes.
"Isaac!", Van said and he couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.
It caused an evil smile on the advisor's face but he said nothing. He only continued staring at Van, studying him, trying to see through the young man's eyes straight into his soul. Van shivered but didn't turn away. He had never liked this man. He had distrusted him from the moment on, he had appeared out of no-where in Fanelia, from the moment on, he had become the closest advisor of his father.
"You deceived father from the first second on!", Van yelled and his angry voice caused a multiple echo to reveberate through the hall.
"No Van, that's not right.", Folken said calmly.
"What?", Van replied not sure if he had just imagined hearing Folken say that.
"Isaac didn't deceive father.", Folken continued. "He only acted for the good of Fanelia as well as myself."
"For the good of Fanelia?", Van repeated in disbelieve. That wasn't happening! That couldn't happen! It was a dream, a nightmare. Soon he would awake and everything would be over. He wasn't standing in the throne hall of Fanelia's palace. He wasn't listening to his brother, the traitor who killed his own family, letting him explain that he did it for the good of his country! He was just dreaming!
"Yes, Van. For the good of Fanelia.", Folken replied destroying Van's last hope. It wasn't a dream. "You would have never been able to lead the country! You were just a child! I was supposed to be king not you! And Isaac knew it, too. He gave me the army to become king."
"And you think that was right?", Van shouted. "You think it was right to kill mother and father and Vargas and even Riad who had absolutely nothing to do with that whole mess?"
He was angry. His emotions were nearly overwhelming him and this old hatred forced it's way to the surface wanting to break free. Van unsheated his sword. The cold steel shimmered in the dim light of the hall making Van's crimson eyes glow. The fire of hatred which had always burnt within their depths since the day, his life had been destroyed by his own brother was now burning so hard it seemed to create an ominous aura around him.
"Van, don't do anything you will regret sooner or later.", Folken said seeing his brother tighten the grip around the sword.
"I won't regret it, trust me.", Van replied icyly every emotion gone from his voice.
"If that's the reason you came here, go ahead.", Folken stated and spreaded his arms wide giving his brother the best possibility to kill him with one strike. Van's hands started to shake and he grabbed the hilt of his sword even tighter.
"Kill me.", Folken ordered his voice incredibly sad and signaled Isaac with a sweep of his hand not to interfere.
Van didn't move. He seemed to struggle and then slowly, he let his sword sink. He couldn't kill him. He simply couldn't kill him. But why? This traitor killed his family and even tried to kill his own brother. Was he still worth it to live? Didn't he deserve death? Shouldn't he be punished for what he did? Anger rose within Van. He was angry at himself. Angry for not being able to kill this traitor. But could Van be blamed for his incapacity, for his weakness? Folken was his brother after all. The same blood was running through their veins. He was everything Van had left of his family. Together they were the last ones of their kind. He couldn't kill him. Defeated he lowered his head.
"I'm glad you think that way.", Folken stated pride filling his voice. "Maybe there's hope for us."
Van's head shot up feeling the sudden presence of another one in the hall. But it was too late. Before he could turn around to see who stood behind him, an enourmous pain emmited from the back of his neck making the world before his eyes started to spin. The last thing he saw was Folken's smiling face and then everything went black. Van was unconscious before he hit the ground.
....................**.....................
His senses returned slowly after a few hours. His eyelids twitched and a moan came over his lips. He felt a cold and wet wall in his back and the air smelled musty, old and used. He opened his eyes and lifted his head but regretted it at once. By the moment, he moved his head a millimeter an incredible pain shot through it. Acting on instinct he wanted to clutch his head with his hands but it was impossible. Surprised, Van looked up and the pain increased. He moaned in pain and tried to lift his head again. It felt as if someone was hammering from the inside of his head against the top of his skull. Trying his best to ignore the pain he looked up. Although it was dark he saw something sparkle at his wrists. Perfect. His hands were chained above his head. Moving his legs he heard the sound of chains being dragged over the stony ground. Van sighed and leaned against the wet wall.
Of course, they had put him in chains. What had he expected? That his brother would let him go as if nothing had happened. Unlikely. He guessed he was in the dungeons under the castle. He had never been there before. Even as a child he had avoided this place. Sometimes he had heard the calls of the prisoners. It had been quite scaring. But now it was more than silent down there. Only the sound of water dripping from the walls and the sound of bare rat-feet skittering over the cold ground reached his ears. Looking around he saw stony walls and the outlines of bars in the not existing light of the dungeons.
He was in a rather painfull and hopeless situation. He was sure if they ever set him free, his arms would drop off at once. How had he gotten into this mess? He didn't know. And how would he escape this mess? He didn't know. 'Hell Van, do you know anything?', he wondered desperately but the answer was already on his mind. No. He smiled. Maybe there was something he knew. He bet he knew what Hitomi would say if she saw him like this! Men, you can't leave them to their own devices! He chuckled by imagining the look on her face.
Suddenly, he stopped chuckling when he heard footsteps. Oh, someone was visiting him? Maybe they brought him something to eat! He sighed. Unlikely. He narrowed his eyes seeing a light flickering over the stony walls of the dungeon. The footsteps grew louder and soon he could see the outlines of a figure. He heard keys rustle and then the door of his cell swung open with a disgusting squeaking noise. It was Folken who entered the cell. He was alone.
"Ah, His Majesty condescends to visit the prisoner in his dirty cell.", Van said sarcastically.
"Van, you know I could kill you right now if I wanted to.", Folken replied coldly putting the torch he had brought along into the holder. "So, guard your tongue!"
"And why am I still alive then?", Van asked mockingly.
"Can't you understand?", Folken asked passionately. "I want you to rule this country with me. Together we could make Fanelia the richest and most feared country of whole Gaea. Van, come with me!"
Van gave a laugh. "Come on, Folken.", he said coolly. "You know exactly that I would never do that, that I would never help you to make your insane dreams come true. What do you want from me?"
Folken snarled and Van knew he was right. Folken needed something from him that was for sure. He wondered what it could be. Actually Folken had everything Van once could call his own.
"Where is the sword?", Folken hissed.
"Huh?", Van said surprised. Well, he didn't expect that. "Which sword?"
Folken grabbed him by the collar and pressed him against the wall. "Don't play the idiot!", he said angrily. "You know what I mean! Where is father's sword?"
"Calm down, Folken.", Van tried to sooth his brother. "You have it already."
"What?", Folken replied his anger increasing. "This old thing isn't father's sword!"
"But...", Van trailed off. What the heck was going on here? His mother had given him this sword. She had said it was his father's one, it was the only legitimate proof. And now Folken was telling him it wasn't the right sword? Did it mean that he had travelled hundreds of miles in vain? No! His mother and even Riad had died to protect that sword! What was going on here?
"Van!", Folken yelled and pressed him harder against the wall making him snap out of his thoughts. "Maybe you don't know how important this sword is for me. You need it to prove that you're the legitimate king of Fanelia but I need it to prevent a war! Do you hear me? The sword is useless for you now! My coronation is in a few days and you are down here in the dungeons. Accept that you were too late! You can't prevent the coronation, anymore. So, give me the sword that I can prevent the war!"
"Which war?", Van asked confused. That was too much for him.
"The war against Freid!", Folken hissed. "The army Isaac gave me and an army of two-thousand Amazons are standing at the border to Freid!"
"A-Amazons?", Van stuttered. Did Hitomi know about that? She had never mentioned it.
"Yes!", Folken replied. "And they will soon attack if you don't give me the damn sword!"
"Why do you need the sword?", Van asked making Folken snort.
"The Duke of Freid has something which is mine!", he answered. "He refuses to give it to me. He said only the one with the royal sword of Fanelia has the permission to get it. The army was send as a threat but he simply didn't give in. Damn him!"
"You're trying to tell me that you want to prevent a war you instigated yourself?", Van asked amused.
Folken remained silent and a wide grin spread over Van's face. "Ah, I see.", he exclaimed. "It wasn't your idea. Let me guess, dear Isaac said you should send the armies?" Van's look darkened. "Folken, can't you see that this man is snake-in-the-grass?"
"Don't say that!", Folken growled. "This idea was right. And I can prevent the war if you only give me the sword!"
Van smiled making Folken furious. "What could be so important that you, who sent an army to kill his own family, now tries to prevent a war?", Van wondered out loud.
"That's none of your business!", Folken barked making Van chuckle.
"You can't imagine how often I heard that phrase within the last weeks.", he said smiling.
"Van!", Folken shouted just about to explode because of anger.
"What's your problem, Folken?", Van yelled back. "I said the only sword I took with me is the one you have! If you say it's not the right one then I'm very sorry but I can't help you along! Mother didn't live long enough to tell me everything about the sword!"
Folken glared at his younger brother and then let go of him. "If that's your last word...", he said sadly.
"Yes, it is!", Van hissed.
"Then you're no longer of any use.", Folken replied coldly. "The people of Fanelia will watch their true king die and they won't do anything to prevent it."
"What?", Van asked confused.
"You will see.", Folken answered flatly and without saying anything else he turned around and left a dumbfounded Van behind.
....................**.....................
"Good to see you again, Hitomi.", the red-haired woman said smiling.
Hitomi opened and shut her mouth over and over again but no words came over her lips. She looked like a fish gasping for air. Her mind simply wouldn't accept that the woman infront of her was Yukari! Yukari! By the gods she hadn't seen her since that day two years ago. She had thought she would never see her best friend again. And now she stood right infront of her. In flesh and blood smiling patiently.
"Yukari!", Hitomi cried and threw herself against the surprised red-head hugging her tightly. "I thought I would never see you again. What are you doing here?", she asked still unable to believe that she was real.
"Well,", Yukari said hugging Hitomi back, "I live here."
"You what?", Hitomi asked in disbelieve.
"I live here.", Yukari repeated smiling. "Together with...", she added but trailed off by seeing Hitomi's look darken. "Don't look at me like that! We had discussed that in detail and I don't want to do that again. It was my decision and that's it."
Hitomi remained silent. She only stared at her best friend. She still couldn't believe that was happening. That was Yukari! She looked different in these clothes. She wore a dress which looked pretty much like the dresses the woman wore here in Fanelia. She had a cloak thrown on and all in all she looked like a normal Fanelian woman if there hadn't been her brown boots which destroyed her perfect housewife image. Some things never change.
"Hi Yukari.", a shy voice then said causing Yukari to turn towards the little girl who had watched the reunion curiously. "Can you remember me?"
Yukari's eyes widened. "Gabriella, is that you?", she asked surprised.
The question caused the girl to nod her head furiously. She took a few steps ahead and hugged Yukari's legs. "Where have you been all the time?", she asked quietly. "And why did you have to leave anyway?"
"Hitomi?", Yukari questioned looking at her friend confused. "Why is Gabriella here? She is too young!"
"That's a long story and this is not the right place to talk about it.", Hitomi said meeting Yukari's intense eyes.
The redhead nodded slowly. "We should go to my place.", she said. "You must be very tired. You can rest there and we can talk about everything you and I want to know. And this is quite a lot I think."
With that she grabbed Dust's reins and made an attempt to leave the gates. "Come on, you two.", she said turning around.
Gabriella joined her side and grabbed Yukari's hand. She trippled beside her like a little dog. Slowly, Hitomi followed them never leaving Yukari out of sight. She couldn't believe she had met her. Here out of everywhere. Here in Fanelia when she had been just about to leave the city. Hitomi frowned. It was strange. A light laughter interupted her thoughts. Yukari was laughing together with Gabriella about gods knew what. She seemed absolutely happy. But actually she shouldn't be.
Yukari was a Fallen Amazon. Banished from Skythia for her entire life. Banished because of betraying her kind. She had done the worst thing an Amazon could ever do. She could be glad Penthesilea hadn't killed her because death was the penalty you pay for choosing the life of a man over the life of an Amazon. Yes, that was what she had done. Hitomi could still imagine the picture clear infront of her eyes after what she had heard from Lea. Yukari standing infront of an injured man, her sword unsheatened protecting him. Another Amazon was standing infront of her, her sword unsheatened as well ordering Yukari to go out of the way. Yukari refused. The other Amazon was getting angrier and angrier with every second until the moment she had enough of it. She started attacking Yukari in order to kill the man who was a fleeing prisoner. Two seconds later she was lying on the ground, blood-soaked, Yukari's sword in her chest. She was dead.
Hitomi shook her head chasing the picture away. Yukari had left Skythia the same night, alone without saying goodbye. Lea had told her about Yukari's where abouts the next morning. Although she had known Yukari would have to pay for her doing and although she should have been happy that Lea had spared Yukari's life Hitomi had been shocked. She had tried to imagine what it would like if Yukari wasn't there for her but it had absolutely asked too much of her. She had felt so incredibly lonely. She had missed her best friend. She had missed to talk with her, to train with her, to laugh with her. All these thoughts rushed through her mind at that moment while she watched this certain friend walking infront of her laughing together with Gabriella.
She kept staring at Yukari's back until they stopped infront of a small house. It looked almost like the other houses along the street made of bricks. Hitomi could see them through the innumerable holes in the façade. The window frames were painted a dark green and they looked not as old and dilapidated as the rest of the house. But somehow it seemed the house had character. Yukari grabbed the iron doorknob and turned it around when suddenly the door was pulled open. Surprised Yukari stepped back revealing a brown-haired man standing in the doorway. He cupped Yukari's face with both of his hands bending down and kissed her on the lips.
"I'm sorry. Work. Must go.", was all he said before he ran down the street with an unbelievable speed.
Hitomi stared at his vanishing figure. Slender form, brown eyes, shoulderlong chestnut hair. So that was him. That was the man for whom Yukari had given up her life as an Amazon, the man for whom she had left her home, for whom she had left her family. She should be angry. She should hate him with all her heart. And she wanted, she really wanted to. He was the one who took Yukari away from her but seeing this smile on Yukari's face, so absolutely happy, she just wasn't able to hate him. She couldn't hate someone who caused such a wonderful smile on her best friend's face.
"Yukari, who is this man?", Gabriella asked making her snap out of it.
"This is Amano, my boy-friend.", Yukari answered. "I'm sorry I couldn't indroduce you but he seemed in a hurry. He will return soon I think. But now, come in. You can bring your horses to the stable. It's around the corner."
Gabriella and Hitomi slowly walked past Yukari who disappeared into the house.
"What is a boy-friend, Hitomi?", Gabriella asked making Hitomi inhale sharply.
"Nothing you should worry about.", she replied seriously signaling Gabriella not to ask any more questions. It wasn't healthy for the little girl to be close to Yukari. Hitomi would have to keep an eye on her.
The two Amazons circumnavigated the house and reached a small backyard. At the moment they placed a foot on it they could hear someone barking angrily. The barking grew louder and louder and suddenly a brown mongrel came running out of the stable. It stopped infront of the two girls and snarled his brown eyes glowing dangerously. Dust and Rhea were taking a few steps ahead while Hitomi and Gabriella tried to sooth them. The dog wasn't really big but it's teeth were impressive.
"Ben!", Yukari cried from the back door. "Would you please stop scaring our guests!"
At once the dog stopped barking and his tail swung happily from side to side. Gabriella was in raptures about the dog.
"Oh, Yukari.", she begged. "Please, can I play with him if I bring the horses to the stable?"
"Feel free!", Yukari replied and Gabriella shrieked happily grabbing Dust's reins and disappeared into the stable followed by a very excited Ben.
"You have a dog?", Hitomi asked suspiciously raising an eyebrow but Yukari only shrugged.
"One day, he sat at the front door and never left since then.", Yukari explained. "He is a tramp, that's all."
Hitomi smiled and entered the house after Yukari gave her a wink with the hand. It was furnished lovingly. Hitomi looked around and discovered something new and beautiful every second. There were so many details which made it unique. Yukari led her through a small corridor into the kitchen. The scent of fresh lilac filled the room. She spotted a bunch at the old wooden table. Looking around she spotted a lot of closets made of the same wood. Yukari pointed at one of the mighty chairs around the table and Hitomi sat down. Yukari sat down as well and looked at Hitomi. There was a brief silence until she spoke.
"Ask me, Hitomi.", Yukari said. "I know this question is on your mind for two years now."
Hitomi took a deep breath. "Why didn't you try to come back?", she then asked frankly. "You could have tried to come back! You could have proved that you're loyal! You could have-"
"Hitomi.", Yukari interupted her calmly. "The reason why I didn't came back is that I didn't want to."
Hitomi was shocked. "Why?", she asked quietly, disappointed.
"Look,", the red-haired woman said, "if I had come back I would have never had the chance to be with him."
"But Yukari!", Hitomi complained. "What about your sisters?"
"Hitomi, look around!", Yukari said and smiled brightly. "This house is wonderful. This city is amazing and the people are so friendly. I never ever dreamt of something like that. And he is here to share this with me. I love him with all my heart."
"Love?", Hitomi asked sceptically.
Yukari gave a laugh. "Of course you can't understand.", she said sadly. "You don't know this feeling. You don't know how it feels to love someone so much that you would die for him. Someone who makes your legs shake when you look into his eyes, someone who makes your heart beat so hard that you think it will burst by smiling at you, someone you want to be close to at any costs, someone in whom's arms you feel secure like no-where else."
Hitomi remained silent and stared at the ground, her eyes wide. Her heart was trying to break through her rib cage. Yukari's words reveberated in her mind. So she didn't know this feeling, did she? Did she? No, she didn't know it, she wasn't allowed to feel it. It was different with Van. She had never spoken to a man before nor had she ever met a man before. She had been confused when she had seen him. She hadn't known what to feel. It was different, okay?!
"Hitomi, everything alright?", Yukari asked concerned seeing Hitomi clench her fists.
Hitomi snapped out of her thoughts. "Yeah.", she said hastily afraid Yukari could read her mind.
"Do you hate me?", Yukari whispered.
"What?", Hitomi replied.
"Do you hate me for what I did?", Yukari repeated.
Hitomi sighed mentally in relief. Good, she didn't read her mind. Yukari didn't know what she had just thought. She didn't know what Hitomi felt for him, she didn't know that he -stop! What exactly did she feel for him? Hadn't she just said that she had been confused but that she didn't feel that way towards him? And was she now just about to admit...to admit that...no! No, she didn't feel anything for him! He was only a man. A man not worth to waste a single thought about. A man-
"Hitomi?", Yukari's voice reached her ears.
"What?", Hitomi asked her head shooting up and looked directly into Yukari's confused face. "Oh. No. No, I don't hate you. I could never hate you. But tell me what did you do after you left us?"
A bright smile appeared on Yukari's face. "Amano waited at the border for me.", she said. "We travelled across Thessalia to the ocean. Amano told me that we could start a new life in Fanelia. He said it was a beautiful city and well, he was right. We reached this city and I fell in love with it. We decided to stay here and you see we still do."
"Do you...do you regret anything?", Hitomi asked quietly.
"No.", Yukari said without hesitating. "It was the best decision I ever made."
Hitomi nodded. She should be happy for Yukari. She had left her whole life behind, her sisters, her teachings, her best friend. She had to leave her birth place without anything and had had the strength to start a completely new life. And she should be happy that he was at her side. Hitomi was sure if Amano hadn't been there for her, Yukari wouldn't have been able to do that. He wasn't the one to blame. Nobody was the one to blame. It had been Yukari's decision and only her one. And if she was happy Hitomi should be happy too.
"But now tell me what could be so important that even Penthesilea herself came here.", Yukari then wanted to know making Hitomi prick her ears.
"Huh?", Hitomi exclaimed surprised snapping out of her thoughts. "What do you mean with Penthesilea is here?"
"I thought you could tell me.", the red-haired woman said confused. "I thought you came here with them."
"Yukari, what are you talking about?", Hitomi asked slightly impatient.
"A few days ago,", Yukari began, "I walked along the streets and saw Penthesilea and Leda riding across the marketplace together with Lord Folken. You can't imagine how surprised I was. I couldn't believe they were here. Here in Fanelia! You can't really be farer away from Skythia. I wondered why they were here but I simply couldn't find an explanation. And then I saw you this morning and it only made me more confused. But I thought maybe Penthesilea took you along as an exception, you know? And then I saw Gabriella and I was...is there a comparison of 'more confused'?", Yukari asked but then shook her head. "Anyways, now tell me Hitomi, why is Penthesilea here?"
Hitomi didn't answer. She only stared at Yukari with wide eyes. Penthesilea was here? Here in Fanelia? It couldn't be! She wasn't supposed to be here! She should be at home, in Skythia! She should teach young Amazons and should talk with her tree but she should not be here! What could it mean? What had happened? Lea never left Skythia so overhasty. And how did she come here so fast? Hitomi had travelled a few weeks and had just reached Fanelia and Lea was already here? What was going on?
Events were coming thick and fast. At first Yukari and now Lea. Had it been planed? It couldn't be! Lea would have told her. She told Hitomi everything. Something must have happened after she had left. Something important.
"Hitomi?", Yukari whispered seeing the absent look on Hitomi's face.
"I don't know.", she finally answered and blinked. "I didn't came here with her."
"What?", Yukari asked getting more and more confused. "But-but..."
"Thetis sent me.", Hitomi explained making Yukari's eyes widen. "She asked me to do her a favour. She said I should find the dragon and help him. I left Skythia that night alone-"
"Thetis...?", Yukari interupted Hitomi but was cut in by her again.
"Gabriella followed me on her own. She caught up with me after a week or so.", Hitomi said skipping the fact that she had met someone else before. It was unimportant! She didn't need to know about him!
"But how were you two able to cross the border?", Yukari asked. "What about the guards?"
"Don't ask me.", Hitomi replied shaking her head. "But I think Thetis had a hand in the pie."
"Wow.", was all Yukari could reply. "Thetis. I haven't heard that name for a long time.", she then said and for a brief moment a sad smile flashed across her features but then she smiled genuinely. "How have you been?"
Hitomi grinned back and started to tell. She told Yukari about Skythia, about Lea, about her Amazon sisters. They joked and laughed. It was like in old times. She had missed it. She had missed to talk with Yukari like she would miss the warm sunlight caress her face, like she would miss the wind disheveling her hair, like she would miss the scent of earth after a shower. Of course, she had had other friends but it hadn't been the same. She hadn't trusted them like she trusted Yukari. Hitomi trusted her with all her heart. 'Liar! Liar!', her own voice cried in her mind. 'You don't trust her with all your heart!' Yeah, yeah! Yeah, she knew it! She knew it, dammit! If she trusted Yukari, she would have told her. She would have told her everything about him. She would have told her about her feelings, about the confusion he caused, about his smile, about the way he looked at her and that it made her knees shake. But she didn't. She sat there at a chair in Yukari's house and listened to her telling about her life. Hitomi pressed her lips to a thin line while feelings of guilt were gnawing in the back of her mind.
It was when they heard a loud rumble from the back door. They turned towards the noise and a few seconds later Gabriella entered the room stumbling over Ben who was running around her legs. Hitomi smiled lightly. This girl could brighten everyone's day even without noticing.
"Can we go to the marketplace, Yukari?", she asked. "We stayed there only for a short time until Hi-"
"Yes!", Hitomi said hastily interupting Gabriella who was just about to mention a certain someone. "I think Yukari won't mind, will she?"
Why didn't she want Yukari to know about Van? And why was this extreme heat rushing into her face making her feel like her cheeks were on fire by only hearing his name or better by only thinking of his name? Why? Oh well, maybe she had done something she better shouldn't have done and maybe she didn't want Yukari to jump to conclusions. Maybe she didn't want to talk about him because...because...dammit, why did it hurt? Only thinking of him hurt so much it caused a burning feeling in the back of her eyes and her throat. She was confused. She shouldn't act that why, should she? Blinking hard she turned her head away from Yukari and Gabriella. She couldn't see the concerned look on Yukari's face with which she watched Hitomi.
"Let's go.", the Amazon said hastily raising from her chair and walked to the front door wich could be seen from the kitchen.
Yukari and Gabriella followed her and together they left the house. They walked side by side along the streets. Gabriella was pointing at every thing which seemed worth her attention and pestered the living daylights out of Yukari. But she didn't mind. She patiently answered every question the curious girl asked always a smile on her lips. The two of them didn't notice that Hitomi dropped back more and more until she was finally a few meters behind them wanting to be alone with her thoughts.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Yukari and Gabriella suddenly stop and bumped straight into them.
"Uff.", was all she said while stumbling back. "What's the matter, Yukari?"
"Look at all these people.", Yukari said and Hitomi looked around. Just then she noticed the people and the noises around her, she hadn't noticed while dreaming. There were really a lot of people at the marketplace and they were more than loud. Most of them gathered around the stage which had been prepared for the coronation.
"What's going on here?", Yukari mused. "These are too many people for the ordinary Fanelian marketplace."
"Are you searching something special, Yukari?", Hitomi asked watching her friend whirling round in a circle.
"Yes. The local newspaper.", Yukari replied and then cried outloud, "Maria!!!!"
"I'm here, Yukari!", a female voice then suddenly cried from aside trying to drown the other noises filling the air causing Yukari to turn around. "Have you heard the latest news?"
"No!", Yukari yelled back. "What's going on here?"
"An execution!", the woman answered. "A public execution! They will soon tell why."
"Oh.", Yukari said. "Thank you!"
Yukari turned back to Hitomi. "We haven't had a public execution for a long time.", she said more to herself. "I wonder what had happened."
"They really execute someone in public?", Hitomi asked surprised.
"Hmm.", Yukari nodded. "They use it to make an example. It won't be different this time."
"What's an execution?", Gabriella interfered not for the first time, this day.
"Someone will die because of doing something really bad.", Yukari replied. "They will probably-"
"People of Fanelia!", a male voice cried from the stage cutting her in and even the noises around them faded away. Yukari grabbed Gabriella's and Hitomi's hands and dragged them towards the stage.
"This morning, we caught an intruder in the palace of Fanelia.", the speaker continued earning a gasp from the crowd. "He had tried to kill Lord Folken!"
His voice reveberated through the streets causing a shocked whisper to rush through the crowd and even Yukari stiffened. The tense was visible now.
"He's an assassin from Freid!", the man standing infront of a group of soldiers said and it was like a punch in the face. An outcry echoed over the marketplace. Voices could be heard, angry and confused. Freid? It couldn't be! Yukari had taken a step back.
"Freid?", she whispered. "That can't be right. Fanelia is befriended with Freid for generations. It can't be right! It can't be right!" Yukari wasn't the only one who couldn't believe it. The people around them were looking at each other, discussing loudly.
"Freid will pay therefore but at first the assassin will die.", the man cried trying to calm the crowd. "He will hang in two days and..."
Hitomi didn't hear what else he said. She only stared at the chained person who had been pushed out of the group of soldiers and stumbled at the man's side. Hitomi's eyes were wide in shock. Chained and humilated but unbelievable proud he stood beside the man and glared at him with dark rusty coloured eyes, his raven-black hair sparkling in the midday sun.
"Van.", she whispered and her heart clenched painfully.
~And then I wonder if I would have agreed to go to the marketplace if I had known you would be there too. I know the answer and I'm afraid of it. I'm afraid of it because it's...yes.~
....................**.....................
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
TennyoAngel711: YAY! Thanks for the reviews and thanks for the cookie ^_^ I love them! And I'm glad that you still like it ^_^ I hope this chapter answered your question concerning Van's and Folken's feelings for each other. I hope I made it clear. Was it clear? And *laughs like mad* Nurse Tennyo!!! Hahaha!!! I liked that part!!! So funny!!!
Lk: *blushs* Thank you. I hope your heart liked the chapter ^_^
Amieva: Hehe. *imagines Van taking off his clothes* Oh my...*drools* ^_^ Glad you liked it!
CinderellaxVan: Yes, fluff rules!!!!! I really should write more ^_^ And Hitomi has quite a strange way to show her feelings, hasn't she? Hehe. Someone should tell her that she really shouldn't slap a cute guy who kissed her but cuddle him even more! More than ever if it's Van!!!! ^_^ And you girl, update soon or...*grabs a hockey stick which suddenly appeared out of no-where*...HOCKEY STICK FIGHT! En garde!
Fushizen na: ^_^ And I grinned the whole time while writing the last chapter ^_^ I love fluff too!!! Thx!!!!!
Azure: Of course, you stay with the hottie no matter what!!! *smacks Hitomi over the head* Why did you slap Van and then left him, huh? You stupid stupid...whoops! Er...I wrote that, didn't I? *erases end of chapter 7 and writes a new ending* ...Taking a deep breath Hitomi took a step back and looked up at him. She looked him straight into the eyes. And then without even thinking she flung her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his chest. They married and had a lot of little green-eyed Amazons and cute little black-haired boys. The end ^_^ See, it was better I made her slap him! My story would have been over.
fireangel: Believe me, I wouldn't have left as well! *imagines being Hitomi at that certain moment* *drools* ^_^ Thanks for the review!!!!
merlegirl: I don't think that too. I love Merle and I'm very sorry that you misunderstood it.
hitomi-chan: You don't need to be sorry because of not reviewing every chapter, I liked that review!!! ^_^ Hehe. And you like my story! YAY! Yeah, poor Van! He plucked up all of his courage and kissed her and she...she acts just like Hitomi! I really should make her apologize, shouldn't I?! ^_^ I really really enjoyed reading your review, thank you very much!!!!
Kiya: Wow, you read my whole story at once? *blushs* I feel honoured and I'm glad you think it was worth it. ^_^ Thankiez!!!!!
Ruby: I got it, you liked it! YAY!!! Fluff rules, right?!
Princess Neptune: You like long chapters? That's great! I hope you liked this one too. Thanx!!!!
CrazyCoolGurl25: Like your name!! ^_^ It's cool!!! And thanks for reviewing!!!
Ferai: One sitting? *blushs* Thank you!!!
Love Witch: YAY! FLUFF!! And don't worry, you're not insane. I often speak to the characters too. Or wait! Maybe this means that I'm insane too! ^_^ Noooo. And girl, you have a beautiful name! Sounds a bit like Garnet's one from FF9. And it seems that your first name will remain a mystery forever, won't it? ^_^ I can't imagine a name which could be that bad. Anyway, thanks for the review!!!!
CRAZY Dragon: Hey, da bist du ja wieder!!! *freu* Hab absolut nichts dagegen, wenn du deinen Senf dazugibst ^_^ Hoffentlich hat es dir diesmal auch wieder gefallen. Bis demnächst, hoffe ich ^_^
Heavens-Angel: *blushs* Thank you. I really really feel honoured. Wow, I feel good ^_^ Hehe. And did you like it?
Arwen: YAY! I love your cute reviews!! ^_^ "*beem*" - I like that!!! Thanks so much!!!!
van lover: It's you again!!! YAY!!! And no, it's not the last chapter!! Don't worry, I can't end there, can I? At least, she must apologize ^_^ Hehe.
Silver Magiccraft: ^_^ Thank yoooouuuu!!!! And was it incredibly long enough? Hehe.
Aeka-himme: IEK! *ducks her head because of a scolding Aeka* Okay, okay, I understood. I raise my expectation on the feedback, I promise. ^_^ After all you liked it! YAY!!!! And YOU ask me how I make it to describe a kiss? You can't be serious! I have two words for you: "Love happens"!!!!!!!!!!!! *sighs and swoons* Did I ever say that I love your fics? ^_^ But *glares* you didn't update for a long time! *shakes Aeka almost senseless* UPDATE!!!! I must know what'll happen next!!!! Update! Update! Update! *stops shaking Aeka* Okay, I'm calm. ^_^ And yeah, Hitomi this mule! Imagine Van kisses you and...*drools* Hehe. But hey, give me my Van back!!!!! You have your plushie and I have nothing!!! Let me have Van!!!! *runs over to Aeka and snatches Van away from her* My Van!!!! *hugs Van* ^_^
V/H~alwayz&4eva: *blushs* Thank you, thank you, thank yoooouuuu!!! I'm glad you like my little story that much. ^_^ And here is the little note: I try to update every third week. Up to now I always managed it. So probably, the next chapter will be out in three weeks. But you can also give me your e- mail address and I write you a mail when update the next chapter. ^_^
???: It's you! *grins* Hehe. It's nice of you that you don't tear my hair off ^_^ Glad you liked the ending. You see, I just couldn't let them be together. But I promise they soon will be *grins even wider*
SabineballZ: LOL!!!! Herrlicher comment muss ich schon sagen. ^_^ Tja, das ist eben Hitomi wie sie leibt und lebt. Aber keine Panik, sie wird's schon noch früh genug rausfinden. Hehe. Und das mit der Hochzeit würd ich mir nochmal überlegen, ich mein sie hat den armen Kerl geschlagen bloß weil er sie geküsst hat, nicht auszudenken was sie mit ihm anstellen würde, wenn er sie fragt ob sie ihn heiraten will!! ^_^
Brittney Burns: LOL That name! LOL And oh yes, I so waited for them to kiss in the series and they didn't! They didn't!!! Argh!!!! At least when she left he should have kissed her!!!! But noooo, he only hugged her *sighs* But I'm glad you like my story!!!! THANKS!!!!
Valerie AKA Fanelia Princess AKA BorinquenCaramel: - I like that ^_^ Thanks for the mail and I hope you liked this chapter too! Till next time!!! ^_^
Silent Guardian: *blushs* Thank you!!!! But why don't you publish your story? You think they are wonderful and your friends say they are wonderful so why not publish, huh? You really made me curious ^_^ And yeah, if ANYONE did this, but not if VAN!!!!! Hehe. ^_^
A/N: Well, that's it! Tell me what you think about it!!! Tell me!!! In the previous chapters I concentrated on Hitomi's thoughts and tried to make you see the world through her eyes. This time I tried to describe Van's thoughts, feelings and fears. I hope it was okay. It was kinda hard to write a guy's point of view (I wonder why ^_^) So tell me what you think!!! Please!!!!
YAY! Only one week and then: EASTER!!!! YAY! Two and a half weeks holiday time!!!!! I really need it. My mind is empty. Too many exams. *sighs* Well then, till next time!!!!! Bye bye
Dariel