Promise
Disclaimer: I suppose I should have at least 1 disclaimer just to make you people happy!! Jeez!! The only things I own of Escaflowne are MY characters and MY story!! Got it!! Well, on to the story...
"Come on Anaiya! I wanna show you something!" Cereya called over his shoulder.
Anaiya's amber eyes blazed.
"I'm trying you dummy!!" Anaiya yelled back, running up the steep hill as fast as she could.
When she got to the top of the hill, Cereya was laying on his back.
"That's all you wanted to show me!! You lying on your back!!"
Cereya just grabbed her hand and pulled her off her feet into the dewy grass.
Sitting up, he pointed down to the lake below the hill.
"Watch."
As the sun came up, a herd of land dragons emerged from the trees to drink. Anaiya's eyes softened. It reminded her of..
All that Cereya could see was Anaiya. She's so beautiful. But why does she look so sad? It reminds me of when we first met. She was kneeling over the bodies, with that same look on her face..
"What?" She asked snapping Cereya out of his reverie.
"I.. uh..um..Do you like the view?"
She smiled and brushed a piece of white blond hair out of his sky blue eyes.
"Yeah. It was worth you scaring me out of my wits to see it."
He squeezed her hand. "I really didn't mean to."
Anaiya laughed, tossing her gold hair out of her face.
"Did you think I didn't know that?"
He was silent. Then, "Anaiya, will you make a promise with me?"
"What kind of promise?"
"Will you promise that we'll always be together, and if we get separated, we'll try to find each other?"
Anaiya blushed. "Well.. I.. yes!!"
Cereya smiled.
Anaiya smiled as well. "Always and Forever."
"What?"
"It was a promise that my family and friends taught me. It's only used when it's a promise that's meant to be kept forever."
"Then I'll say it too. I promise for Always and Forever."
Anaiya just smiled more sincerely.
Cereya smiled again. "Thanks."
He bent down and kissed her.
Anaiya closed her eyes as he lingered, savoring the sweet starfire that coursed through her.
"Now it's sealed." He whispered.
As he let go of her hand, she saw a metallic glint. In her hand was a necklace in with a crescent moon.
"Happy Birthday." Cereya whispered, taking it from her and placing it around her neck.
They spent the rest of the morning together, holding hands, watching the stars disappear.
**..**..
"Move your feet!" Van called out, bringing his sword down to meet Cereya's.
Cereya was silent. He had to focus all his attention on his sword blocks and strikes, and it didn't help that Anaiya was watching.
He gets better every day. Hitomi thought, but out loud she said; "He's doing alright. What do you think Anaiya?"
"He's distracted. If he doesn't correct that, he might end up getting himself killed."
As if to emphasize her point, Cereya was caught off guard, disarmed, and had a sword at his throat in seconds.
"This match is mine." Van informed.
Cereya looked down, cheeks burning in shame. Dang it!! How could I have lost? I had him beat!! Man, she's gonna think I'm a total loser.
"It's alright Cereya, it's just one match." Hitomi called out.
Anaiya sighed.
"Van sama, may I try?"
Van raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you practice sword?"
"Just once, against Cereya?"
Van sighed. "Very well, come here. You can use my sword."
Cereya just stood there, speechless.
She assumed attack stance, and stood ready.
She makes me laugh. How could she possibly hold out against me? I don't want to hurt her feelings though, so I'll go slow.
Automatically Cereya went into guard stance, all his focus on Anaiya only.
Without warning, she attacked.
A thrust upward toward his throat, he blocked easily.
He threw a cross cut left to right. She stepped out of range and brought up the blade over her head and then down to his right shoulder.
Van's jaw dropped. That girl's going to get herself killed. She knows absolutely nothing of sword fighting. But then, that might be her point. I can tell that she's forcing Cereya to come up with new strategies, blocks and combinations. And at the same time, he's going slow so that she can learn. They're teaching each other. It's too bad that Cereya and I are leaving tonight for his training in magic. Those two have been inseparable since Cereya got over her getting more attention than him when they met.
At that precise moment Cereya saw an opening in Anaiya's defenses. He quickly and neatly disarmed her, his sword coming to rest on her neck, making her tilt her chin slightly.
"You're mine." He whispered.
Anaiya smiled. "You've found yourself."
"What?"
"You've found yourself. Your true self. If you can learn to be that focused with anyone, then you would be able to win." She explained quietly.
Van and Hitomi came over just then. Van took his sword from Anaiya.
"Well done, Cereya."
Cereya felt himself flush with pride. He'd finally gotten his father's praise.
"Anaiya, I'll be waiting for you over where we have your archery lessons." Van turned and walked away with Hitomi.
Anaiya came close after they were a few feet away.
"Thanks for the lesson, and since I didn't get to give you you're present earlier, here."
Cereya took the package and opened it. Inside was a double edged dagger with silver laid into the hilt and a carving of a winged dragon etched into the steel blade.
Looking to make sure Van and Hitomi weren't looking; she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed Cereya on the cheek.
"Happy Birthday Cereya. Thanks for giving the necklace to me and spending this morning together with me. Now we're both 14 and can keep the promise we made each other." **..**..
"Dad, could you tell us about the Angels?" Cereya asked.
It was the night of Cereya and Anaiya's birthday. Van was silent.
"Cereya, why would you want to know about that? You know it upsets your father." Hitomi scolded.
Cereya stood up. "What's wrong about knowing about them! About what you and Dad went through!"
"That time is past! You do not need to delve into old wounds long healed!!"
Meanwhile, Van sat reminiscing. I can almost hear the rustle of wings again. But, that's not my memory.
He looked up. Anaiya was watching him. The light of the flames and stars ignited her eyes, making them burn. Then, she started to speak so that Van heard her alone.
"Will you ever tell him the truth? He needs to know. All of us need to know. Hitomi won't understand. She came from another world. She can understand you and you alone."
Van drew a sharp breath. I've never seen her this way. And how does she know that language? She has a look like she knows everything.
Anaiya broke the stare by putting a hand on Cereya's arm and pulled him down beside her.
"Anaiya, what was that for?!"
"I'm not done with him Anaiya." Hitomi reprimanded.
Anaiya just ignored her.
"Cereya, if you want to know, I'll tell you all I know." She explained.
"And what would you know about it?" Hitomi asked.
"A lot more than you do."
"Anaiya." Cereya began soothingly.
"How could you know? All that know everything are either dead or far away. And that includes your parents." Hitomi sneered.
At that Anaiya started to shake. Cereya could feel the fury building within her. He put his arms around her, trying to quell her anger, giving his mother a withering glance.
"Just because you're the Wing Goddess doesn't mean you have the right to curse me or my people. You don't realize anything beyond what Van sama's feeling, so shut up."
"How dare you speak to me like that!" Hitomi raised her hand.
In one smooth movement Anaiya was out of Cereya's arms. Her hand caught Hitomi's wrist in mid slap. She then raised her eyes to Hitomi's. Her eyes widened and she took a step back.
Anaiya's eyes burned. White hot fury and hatred shone brightly. None of them had ever seen her like this.
"That's enough Anaiya." Van said quietly.
"Van sama, may I be excused?"
Van sighed and stood up. "You may. Cereya, go with her."
Anaiya was long gone by the time Cereya had stood up.
He found her by the lake. She seemed drained, as if she had been running. He walked up quietly. "Anaiya."
"Do you want to know or not?"
"Anaiya, I'm not her to hear the story, I'm here to be with you."
At this Anaiya turned, and looked out over the lake's stillness.
"What made you lash out like that?" he asked softly.
Silence, then a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Ana tahoea. Shitu no nea."
"What?"
Anaiya turned and looked at Cereya, her eyes glowing slightly in the moonlight.
"I'm lost. Please find me."
"What language was that?"
"Yours."
More silence.
"The Angels were a prosperous race. They were also called Draconians, after the Dragons that protected them. Your dad, Van, was their king. Then everything shattered. When your dad was 15, the Black Dragon Clan took their homes, their families, their lives." She leaned her head against his chest.
"Wanting revenge, Van sama sought the Legendary Dragon Armor Escaflowne. Your mother's the Wing Goddess, the one able to summon Escaflowne. That's all I know. Since you're the son of Hitomi Kanzaki and Van Fanel, you should be able to summon and pilot Escaflowne as well." She whispered. "And when the time comes, I hope we rise again." She added silently in her native tongue, tears starting to stream down her face. **..**..
At the edge of the mountain range where they grew up, Cereya and Anaiya looked out to their new lives. The wind picked up, and they could almost hear the music of wings all around them.
Mother has been acting strange lately. Usually she isn't this moody. But then again, she's never lashed out at Anaiya either. But then again, it might be because Anaiya's leaving today.
"Anaiya, it's almost time for you to leave!" Van called out.
Turning to Cereya, she smiled.
"Why're you leaving?"
She shook her head. "How many times do I have to tell you? I feel like I have to.. well.. fly. To find myself. Come on, let's go back."
Anaiya hugged Hitomi tight to her astonishment. "You banished all the amber sadness from my heart and were a mother to me. And despite what you said, I don't hate you."
She then turned to Van. "Van sama, I'll see you again when to time is right. Thank you for taking me in."
Van knelt down and traced her jaw. "No, I thank you. You were the daughter I never had. Be careful and take care."
She smiled and turned to Cereya.
"Remember our promise alright?" Cereya said, wrapping his arms around Anaiya.
She pulled away and smiled even wider. "I will."
Helping her onto her horse, Cereya said his last goodbye. "I promise I'll find you again, count it."
"I look forward to it. Remember, when you leave, find yourself, and be true."
And with that, Anaiya spurred her horse down the trade route, with only her bow, dagger, pack and the necklace she got from Cereya, chasing her dreams and life.
AN: Sorry if I screw things up Esca fans!!~,~ If u've seen the movie and I don't have something right, pleez tell me so I can fix it in the future.~,~ well, gotta go!!! See ya next chapter and pleez review!!!
Disclaimer: I suppose I should have at least 1 disclaimer just to make you people happy!! Jeez!! The only things I own of Escaflowne are MY characters and MY story!! Got it!! Well, on to the story...
"Come on Anaiya! I wanna show you something!" Cereya called over his shoulder.
Anaiya's amber eyes blazed.
"I'm trying you dummy!!" Anaiya yelled back, running up the steep hill as fast as she could.
When she got to the top of the hill, Cereya was laying on his back.
"That's all you wanted to show me!! You lying on your back!!"
Cereya just grabbed her hand and pulled her off her feet into the dewy grass.
Sitting up, he pointed down to the lake below the hill.
"Watch."
As the sun came up, a herd of land dragons emerged from the trees to drink. Anaiya's eyes softened. It reminded her of..
All that Cereya could see was Anaiya. She's so beautiful. But why does she look so sad? It reminds me of when we first met. She was kneeling over the bodies, with that same look on her face..
"What?" She asked snapping Cereya out of his reverie.
"I.. uh..um..Do you like the view?"
She smiled and brushed a piece of white blond hair out of his sky blue eyes.
"Yeah. It was worth you scaring me out of my wits to see it."
He squeezed her hand. "I really didn't mean to."
Anaiya laughed, tossing her gold hair out of her face.
"Did you think I didn't know that?"
He was silent. Then, "Anaiya, will you make a promise with me?"
"What kind of promise?"
"Will you promise that we'll always be together, and if we get separated, we'll try to find each other?"
Anaiya blushed. "Well.. I.. yes!!"
Cereya smiled.
Anaiya smiled as well. "Always and Forever."
"What?"
"It was a promise that my family and friends taught me. It's only used when it's a promise that's meant to be kept forever."
"Then I'll say it too. I promise for Always and Forever."
Anaiya just smiled more sincerely.
Cereya smiled again. "Thanks."
He bent down and kissed her.
Anaiya closed her eyes as he lingered, savoring the sweet starfire that coursed through her.
"Now it's sealed." He whispered.
As he let go of her hand, she saw a metallic glint. In her hand was a necklace in with a crescent moon.
"Happy Birthday." Cereya whispered, taking it from her and placing it around her neck.
They spent the rest of the morning together, holding hands, watching the stars disappear.
**..**..
"Move your feet!" Van called out, bringing his sword down to meet Cereya's.
Cereya was silent. He had to focus all his attention on his sword blocks and strikes, and it didn't help that Anaiya was watching.
He gets better every day. Hitomi thought, but out loud she said; "He's doing alright. What do you think Anaiya?"
"He's distracted. If he doesn't correct that, he might end up getting himself killed."
As if to emphasize her point, Cereya was caught off guard, disarmed, and had a sword at his throat in seconds.
"This match is mine." Van informed.
Cereya looked down, cheeks burning in shame. Dang it!! How could I have lost? I had him beat!! Man, she's gonna think I'm a total loser.
"It's alright Cereya, it's just one match." Hitomi called out.
Anaiya sighed.
"Van sama, may I try?"
Van raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you practice sword?"
"Just once, against Cereya?"
Van sighed. "Very well, come here. You can use my sword."
Cereya just stood there, speechless.
She assumed attack stance, and stood ready.
She makes me laugh. How could she possibly hold out against me? I don't want to hurt her feelings though, so I'll go slow.
Automatically Cereya went into guard stance, all his focus on Anaiya only.
Without warning, she attacked.
A thrust upward toward his throat, he blocked easily.
He threw a cross cut left to right. She stepped out of range and brought up the blade over her head and then down to his right shoulder.
Van's jaw dropped. That girl's going to get herself killed. She knows absolutely nothing of sword fighting. But then, that might be her point. I can tell that she's forcing Cereya to come up with new strategies, blocks and combinations. And at the same time, he's going slow so that she can learn. They're teaching each other. It's too bad that Cereya and I are leaving tonight for his training in magic. Those two have been inseparable since Cereya got over her getting more attention than him when they met.
At that precise moment Cereya saw an opening in Anaiya's defenses. He quickly and neatly disarmed her, his sword coming to rest on her neck, making her tilt her chin slightly.
"You're mine." He whispered.
Anaiya smiled. "You've found yourself."
"What?"
"You've found yourself. Your true self. If you can learn to be that focused with anyone, then you would be able to win." She explained quietly.
Van and Hitomi came over just then. Van took his sword from Anaiya.
"Well done, Cereya."
Cereya felt himself flush with pride. He'd finally gotten his father's praise.
"Anaiya, I'll be waiting for you over where we have your archery lessons." Van turned and walked away with Hitomi.
Anaiya came close after they were a few feet away.
"Thanks for the lesson, and since I didn't get to give you you're present earlier, here."
Cereya took the package and opened it. Inside was a double edged dagger with silver laid into the hilt and a carving of a winged dragon etched into the steel blade.
Looking to make sure Van and Hitomi weren't looking; she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed Cereya on the cheek.
"Happy Birthday Cereya. Thanks for giving the necklace to me and spending this morning together with me. Now we're both 14 and can keep the promise we made each other." **..**..
"Dad, could you tell us about the Angels?" Cereya asked.
It was the night of Cereya and Anaiya's birthday. Van was silent.
"Cereya, why would you want to know about that? You know it upsets your father." Hitomi scolded.
Cereya stood up. "What's wrong about knowing about them! About what you and Dad went through!"
"That time is past! You do not need to delve into old wounds long healed!!"
Meanwhile, Van sat reminiscing. I can almost hear the rustle of wings again. But, that's not my memory.
He looked up. Anaiya was watching him. The light of the flames and stars ignited her eyes, making them burn. Then, she started to speak so that Van heard her alone.
"Will you ever tell him the truth? He needs to know. All of us need to know. Hitomi won't understand. She came from another world. She can understand you and you alone."
Van drew a sharp breath. I've never seen her this way. And how does she know that language? She has a look like she knows everything.
Anaiya broke the stare by putting a hand on Cereya's arm and pulled him down beside her.
"Anaiya, what was that for?!"
"I'm not done with him Anaiya." Hitomi reprimanded.
Anaiya just ignored her.
"Cereya, if you want to know, I'll tell you all I know." She explained.
"And what would you know about it?" Hitomi asked.
"A lot more than you do."
"Anaiya." Cereya began soothingly.
"How could you know? All that know everything are either dead or far away. And that includes your parents." Hitomi sneered.
At that Anaiya started to shake. Cereya could feel the fury building within her. He put his arms around her, trying to quell her anger, giving his mother a withering glance.
"Just because you're the Wing Goddess doesn't mean you have the right to curse me or my people. You don't realize anything beyond what Van sama's feeling, so shut up."
"How dare you speak to me like that!" Hitomi raised her hand.
In one smooth movement Anaiya was out of Cereya's arms. Her hand caught Hitomi's wrist in mid slap. She then raised her eyes to Hitomi's. Her eyes widened and she took a step back.
Anaiya's eyes burned. White hot fury and hatred shone brightly. None of them had ever seen her like this.
"That's enough Anaiya." Van said quietly.
"Van sama, may I be excused?"
Van sighed and stood up. "You may. Cereya, go with her."
Anaiya was long gone by the time Cereya had stood up.
He found her by the lake. She seemed drained, as if she had been running. He walked up quietly. "Anaiya."
"Do you want to know or not?"
"Anaiya, I'm not her to hear the story, I'm here to be with you."
At this Anaiya turned, and looked out over the lake's stillness.
"What made you lash out like that?" he asked softly.
Silence, then a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Ana tahoea. Shitu no nea."
"What?"
Anaiya turned and looked at Cereya, her eyes glowing slightly in the moonlight.
"I'm lost. Please find me."
"What language was that?"
"Yours."
More silence.
"The Angels were a prosperous race. They were also called Draconians, after the Dragons that protected them. Your dad, Van, was their king. Then everything shattered. When your dad was 15, the Black Dragon Clan took their homes, their families, their lives." She leaned her head against his chest.
"Wanting revenge, Van sama sought the Legendary Dragon Armor Escaflowne. Your mother's the Wing Goddess, the one able to summon Escaflowne. That's all I know. Since you're the son of Hitomi Kanzaki and Van Fanel, you should be able to summon and pilot Escaflowne as well." She whispered. "And when the time comes, I hope we rise again." She added silently in her native tongue, tears starting to stream down her face. **..**..
At the edge of the mountain range where they grew up, Cereya and Anaiya looked out to their new lives. The wind picked up, and they could almost hear the music of wings all around them.
Mother has been acting strange lately. Usually she isn't this moody. But then again, she's never lashed out at Anaiya either. But then again, it might be because Anaiya's leaving today.
"Anaiya, it's almost time for you to leave!" Van called out.
Turning to Cereya, she smiled.
"Why're you leaving?"
She shook her head. "How many times do I have to tell you? I feel like I have to.. well.. fly. To find myself. Come on, let's go back."
Anaiya hugged Hitomi tight to her astonishment. "You banished all the amber sadness from my heart and were a mother to me. And despite what you said, I don't hate you."
She then turned to Van. "Van sama, I'll see you again when to time is right. Thank you for taking me in."
Van knelt down and traced her jaw. "No, I thank you. You were the daughter I never had. Be careful and take care."
She smiled and turned to Cereya.
"Remember our promise alright?" Cereya said, wrapping his arms around Anaiya.
She pulled away and smiled even wider. "I will."
Helping her onto her horse, Cereya said his last goodbye. "I promise I'll find you again, count it."
"I look forward to it. Remember, when you leave, find yourself, and be true."
And with that, Anaiya spurred her horse down the trade route, with only her bow, dagger, pack and the necklace she got from Cereya, chasing her dreams and life.
AN: Sorry if I screw things up Esca fans!!~,~ If u've seen the movie and I don't have something right, pleez tell me so I can fix it in the future.~,~ well, gotta go!!! See ya next chapter and pleez review!!!