TITLE : REMEMBER FOREVER

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne

Note: This story happens after five years Hitomi returned from Gaea.....

Chapter 1: Ruined Vows

'Today is my wedding day but still I don't know how or what should I suppose to be feeling right now... Should I be excited? Frightened perhaps? Or most likely be happy? Oh god! Am I not making the biggest mistake of my life? But I can't back out now.....too late.....Besides what would my family feel? Not only would I bring them shame, they're going to be disappointed at me as well.....And Kenji? He loves me so much... I couldn't do this to him.....after all he'd done for me.....No, I wouldn't run away.....I just can't.....There's too much at stake.....'

Hitomi had long since finished getting ready. And while she stared at herself in the mirror for the last minutes of her singlehood, her face contorted with all the emotions battling within her. But the mirror couldn't deny her beauty, a kind of beauty that is so enthralling every man in his sane mind would beg at her feet just to see her thin lips curved into a bright smile. Her deep forest green eyes any woman would envy to posses, such eyes that bore deep to one's soul to whoever she looked at. Those are not just her assets, for one she was blessed to have silky long sandy brown hair that reached the mid of her back which she had planned to cut short but her fiancé just wouldn't let her, and a perfectly sculpted nose that crinkles every time she's amused or gets irritated. Last but not the least, her body had blossomed to have the right curves at the right places merely noticeable from any type of clothing she wore.

However, at the moment she seemed unconcerned with any of those traits of her. Her mind was preoccupied with something far more important than anything else, something that would involve her life and future. And that is today's occasion..... a grand occasion if words be put correctly..... Her wedding day.....

But for the life of her, she couldn't make herself stand and finally go out of her room to meet with her waiting parents. It was as if her feet had been glued to the floor enabling her to do nothing else but sit in front of her wardrobe mirror and stare at herself.

'Why do I have to have doubts? I've known practically everything about Kenji. I'm sure I've nothing to worry about him being a good husband and all. But why am I having this strange feeling that what I'm about to do is something I would regret for the rest of my life? I really don't get it.....' Hitomi's deep eyes reflected confusion as her thoughts continued on.

Kenji was from a well-off family and a young promising architect at that. He was also handsome, with eyes the color of the sea and hair a thick mass of brown. Hitomi had known him to have such a kind heart and fine character. As a boyfriend, he was caring and loving, and a perfect gentleman. Not only that, he has a good sense of humor as well, which was what Hitomi most liked about him. He always has a way to make her smile even in her foulest and saddest of moods.

Looking back, she and Kenji had been together for almost three years now. She met him while she was still in college earning her degree as a teacher. They were classmates in her Philosophy class and became good friends. Not long after they took their blossoming relationship to a higher level; and thus had been happy and contented with each other.

And then came his proposal six months ago.....

He had proposed to her in a very typical way, one that always sees in fluffy romantic movies. It started out as a usual dinner at their favorite restaurant while an orchestra band was playing soft music in the background. And after having been stuffed with a luscious meal, suddenly, without warning he had slipped in her hand a red velvet box. At that instant, she had an instinct of what was about to happen; and was not mistaken the moment she slowly opened the box and met by a glimmering diamond ring inside, a very simple ring yet she knew better that it must have cost a fortune. Then the confirmation in Kenji's voice rang in her ears; he was asking her if she would marry him and that he'd be the happiest man alive if she agreed. For a minute there, silence took her, thinking hard while Kenji's expectant eyes were staring at her.....slowly almost like a murmur an answer came out of her lips and she saw Kenji's face lit up.....

And everything after that went so swiftly---from the announcing of their engagement to the planning of the wedding, and until now--- she was completely in a daze.

'I shouldn't have accepted his marriage proposal in the first place..... To spare me from what I'm going through right now. Oh what have I done? But.....I just couldn't hurt him like that either.....'

Much as she wanted not to admit it, no one should be blamed about everything but herself alone, these were all her fault; and now she have to bear with the consequences of her decisions. If only she had been more selfish and thought more about herself than minding hurting other people's feelings, she'll not be under this predicament. However deep inside, she knew that's not her character, she most likely would think more about other's welfare and least of her own good in any way.

She was pulled in her deep thoughts as the door to her room suddenly burst open, her mother walking in with a bright smile. "Hurry now Hitomi. You wouldn't want to be late on your wedding day now, would you?"

"Of course not Mom. Today is the best day of my life. I wouldn't do anything, lest let anything ruined it. Just give me a minute," she said pretentiously, plastering a fake smile in her lips.

'I just hope she won't get to notice. Nevermind if I'd be struck by lightning any minute for being such a fake.' She gave herself a final look in the mirror and then pivoted one last time.

Her mother looked her over. "You're so beautiful. That gown fits you perfectly," she praised, admiration and pride were visible in her eyes.

"Thanks for the compliment, Mom. To whom would I inherit such beauty other than my ever-so-beautiful mother?" She asked teasingly.

She did look very pretty in her crystal white chiffon gown that landed to the floor. It was a simple gown, with not so much of frills and ribbons but had thin straps exposing the porcelain skin of her shoulders and back. The gown fitted her upper frame and ballooning its way from her waist to her ankles. Her long hair was made into a bun left with charming tendrils on the side of her face. She had a crown of white lilies that held her long veil that also served as the train of her dress. On her ears were gleaming small round diamonds and a matching pearl choker surrounding her neck. She wore very slight make-up for she was really not that comfortable wearing them. Finally she had on glass slippers that accentuated her petite feet. All in all she was simply breathtakingly beautiful.

Hitomi's mother can't help the tears that started welling up in her eyes. Her baby daughter is now getting married and leaving them to start a new family of her own. And after all that happened since that terrible accident.....

Hitomi's seemingly cheerful voice startled her. "Mom please don't cry on me now.....I'll always be your baby girl, I promise."

"I know that Hitomi, it's just that.....oh don't bother. Let's go. Your father is waiting for us in the car".

With that they both held each other hands and started walking out the door.

'Brace yourself Hitomi,' she silently thought to herself.

"It is time....."

"Do we really have to this Mistress?"

"We have no choice....."

At the Church

The church was adorned with almost a hundred bundles of white tulips and pink carnations, their scent filling the air. Almost everywhere shades of pink and white could be seen---laces, candles, tapestries and the like, giving the impression that a wonderful and joyous event was about to take place.

Although, near the platform a groom clad in a white tuxedo went pacing right and left. Most people looking at him thought his attire suited him well. With a handsome face and well-built body women couldn't help but swoon secretly at him. Though he seemed oblivious to all these.

He felt like he had butterflies flying in his stomach. He's really nervous and frightened at the same time. Like his life was hanging in mid air.

But the minute he saw his bride at the entrance door, her most adorable smile flashed in her lips, all his unwanted feelings went straight out of the window. A broad smile replaced the frown and worried-look in his face.

And not for long, everyone grew silent as the entourage started their way down the aisle accompanied by the wedding march.

Everyone gathered to witness the affair held their breaths as they had a clearer view of the enthralling beauty walking past them heading straight at the anticipating groom. "Such a perfect pair" were words mutedly spoken around.

However, just before the bride completed her little journey towards the altar, a blinding blue pillar of light appeared right before her, engulfing her whole, leaving everybody around her shocked and confused.....

Hello minna! This is yet to be my first esca fic. Luckily I've been able to gather all the courage and guts I needed to write this one. Pls. help me improve my writing. I would gladly accept anything u had to say about this story. This is generally a romance kind of fic so this would tend to be kind of mushy in the coming chapters. Pls. bear with me.

Unmei Hime