Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I am so glad you liked the last chapter, yes, sorry about the cliff-hanger though! I can't help it! I love them so!
AnimEd once again, thank you for your work on the last chapter a lot of the things you pointed out for me, I feel like I have a proof-reader or something ^^ I have gone back and corrected grammatical errors and such. About Allen drawing his sword on Mamoru, I guess I forgot to mention that mamoru DID actually hit Allen with a rock...I made that clearer in the edited version too. Hitomi choosing a random direction made sense to me, because I thought she needed the pendant to dowse with? Maybe? Anyway, I went and switched chapter 2 again and did all chapter five corrections.
About the language thing, I guess you're probably right but I'll switch that later! Oh yeah, for josey(?) there will be no lemons in this fic. I don't even know how to write them 0_o or even think about them! I'm too innocent!! No, really!
I was reading all my favourite Escaflowne fics again and I realised that this section of ff.net has A LOT of talented writers! I have so many fics book marked! Anyway, I've just been inspired into writing by Buffy The Vampire Slayer and a song called 'Rainbow' and all so here goes nothing! *listens to Hitomi's 'is it you?' on computer and smiles*
Thanks again to everyone! I think this is my greatest number of reviews ever 0_o How do you spell Metalicca, as in the rock band? I need it for poor Mamoru!
Disclaimer: no own Escaflowne
* * *
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi smiled uncertainly at Van, who looked like she felt. His shirt was vacant, and the trousers he was wearing were the ones he had obviously slept in because they were crinkled, while his sword was in his hands rather than at his waist. His hair was also sticking out at awkward angles. Her pendant was hung around his neck.
He looked at her, as if making sure he wasn't dreaming, blinking several times. Then he closed his jaw and looked at her properly, taking in her changes and her companion.
He stood there for a few moments, everyone around had gone silent, waiting for a reaction. Even the Fanelians were silent for their lord to speak.
Allen broke the silence tactfully "I see you've noticed our companion your highness" he said delicately, pushing Hitomi forward, "Yes, we'd like to announce the return of the Seer from the Mystic Moon"
Van managed a nod before breaking into a smile "It's good to see you, Hitomi"
The whole crowd could be felt relaxing, and people began to bustle back to bed now that the King had spoken. Only the servants stuck around as Allen's soldiers began to dismount their horses, taking them away to rest. The Asturian people stretched and began to follow several guides to be shown where they could camp or stay for the night while Hitomi, Van, Mamoru, Allen, Merle and Celena stayed where they were.
Hitomi seemed to notice Celena for the first time and they shared a small smile, Hitomi saw the likeness between her and her brother and wondered if the same existed between herself and Mamoru.
"I think we'd better follow the men" Allen said, motioning Celena and then he bowed to Van once more "I'll be glad to speak more in the morning, of course"
Van nodded "Of course"
Allen and Celena bowed their way away after their troop and disappeared. Merle also made a quick exit, saying that her sleep was vital for her beauty.
So it was left at just Hitomi, Van and Mamoru. Hitomi did all she could to stop herself from looking nervous, locking her hands in front of her.
"So" Hitomi said, looking at the floor
"So" Van replied, "How have you been?"
"Fine. You?"
"Fine"
"Good"
"Who's this?" Van asked, nodding towards Mamoru pointedly
"Ah" Hitomi said, remembering her brother "Van, this is my brother Mamoru. Mamoru, this is Van Fanel who's the King of Fanelia" she watched them stand off silently
"A bit young for a King" Mamoru said quietly
Hitomi hissed at him to be quiet and said to Van "I think...well...can we talk? We need to explain everything. Well, I need to explain some things"
Van looked at her with one of those intense stares that made her feel like she was being looked straight into and then he looked away and shrugged.
Mamoru, who had been watching them closely suddenly said, "Hitomi, this wouldn't happen to be him, would it? I thought it might have been the blonde guy but then he treated you more like a sister than this one"
Van visibly bristled at the rude tone Mamoru was speaking with, he narrowed his eyes, and obviously he wasn't use to being insulted now he was King of his Castle.
Hitomi took the warning signs and kept quiet. Obviously Mamoru was smarter than she had taken him for, how well did he know body language to figure out the father! She put her hand on her stomach protectively, she didn't want a fight to break out. Mamoru and Van stared at each other.
"Well~" Hitomi began brightly but was cut off by her brother growling suddenly
Mamoru took a run forward punched Van straight in the face. Van fell back on his feet but didn't topple over as mamoru had expected, Hitomi's brother paused for a moment in surprise before landing another punch on Van's shoulder.
"Mamoru!" Hitomi yelled, "What are you doing?"
He'd be executed or something if this carried on, if Van didn't kill him himself.
Van didn't stay the punch bag for long and after the two punches he brought his own, more experience, fist up in a punch to Mamoru's cheek and well as two to his middle. They feel to the ground in a pile of kicks and punches.
Hitomi didn't really know what to do, was it natural for boys to fight like this? After a few moments of watching the tussle in amazement, Hitomi reached down and began to pull them apart. Finding this ineffective she looked around for something to help her.
A bucket of water stood next to the castle door. Running to grab it she came back steadily and then tipped it all over the pile of arms and legs.
The both stood up in a hurry, drenched.
"What are you doing?" Hitomi cried, "You two are like children!"
"I'd like to know what he's doing!" Van replied, "You show up here and before I know it I'm being attacked! What are you doing here anyway?"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO GOT HER INTO THIS MESS!" Mamoru yelled at Van "THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE!"
Hitomi paled, the yell had echoed across the whole valley in the darkness. Van clenched his fist and looked at Hitomi "What mess? Hitomi?"
Hitomi swallowed, her mouth suddenly very dry "I'm..." she stopped "Mamoru, please go find Allen"
Mamoru didn't leave, and he was already sporting the beginning of a black eye.
"Mamoru!" Hitomi cried pleadingly "Go to bed"
He hesitated, the he went with a small mumble of how he was only worried for her and then Van and Hitomi were left alone underneath the hot torches of Fanelia Castle, the night air cooling their skin.
Hitomi felt her lip tremble and she said quietly "Can we start again please?"
Van nodded and said, "How have you been?"
Hitomi felt a tear slide down her cheek; she smiled, feeling a little foolish "I have had a pretty rough time lately"
Van smiled and came over to her, wiping the tear away but presently causing a flood to fall from her eyes.
"Oh Hitomi" he sighed, wrapping her up in his arms as she proceeded to sob uncontrollably
* * * * * *
"There's someone here"
* * * * * *
Van stood for what seemed like hours with Hitomi in the courtyard. The tears never seemed to stop, all he could do was to hold her and feel the rush of emotion that he had felt with her when she had left wash over him again. The smell of her hair, the shape of her small frame, the feeling that made him want to laugh all the time. It all came back to his mind in a torrent.
When she finally seemed to be calming down he said softly "Come inside, we're both getting cold and you're also getting me wet"
He heard her sniff and she wiped her eyes, which had gone red and puffy. It was sweet in a way, he thought, she looked so much younger like that. He felt fingers on the pendant's chain and found her studying the stone and it's companion on the chain.
"You put the ring on it" Hitomi said quietly, holding the small ring and stone in her palm together
"Yes"
Van pulled them out of palm, replacing the charms with his own hand and then began to pull her towards the castle.
"I think you have a lot of explaining to do," he said simply
Hitomi nodded and followed his lead. As she had guessed, there were steps in the castle door, a set of spiral staircase, she winced at the thought of some one falling down them and felt sorry for Van's descent of the flight. He led her up the steps and along a small wooden corridor, a few doors off one the side and windows looking out onto the city on the other.
He opened the door of a dark room and went in, the room suddenly coming a light as he lit a stick of candles. It seemed to be a library, though hardly full of books, it seemed like most of Fanelia's texts had been lost in the fires that had raged after the Zaibach attack.
He sat Hitomi down on a chair, putting a cushion on it for her then pulling up his own chair to sit right opposite her so their knees were almost touching. He then bustled around for food and water, managing to scrape up some fruit and a pitcher from his own quarters next door as well as finding himself a shirt and a blanket for Hitomi, who was still wearing her pyjamas from their run from the shadow people that very morning.
It seemed like weeks ago.
He sat down on the chair and waited while Hitomi engulfed the fruit and water, she realised what she was doing and then swallowed quickly. Finishing the rest of slowly, she tried to avoid his gaze. When she was finished though, she had no excuse to avoid his watchful eyes and ending up staring at his knees and wrapping the blanket tighter.
"I got here this morning with my brother" Hitomi said quietly, knowing that she had to start the ball rolling "We were at the shrine where I first met you, Van. We were in a bit of trouble...well, a lot of trouble actually. So I prayed for help from Gaea, and here we are. A pillar of light appeared and saved us"
"What were you in trouble from?" Van asked
"Some people, I'd been having visions and a run in with them since a little while ago when...and they broke into our home while our parents were out to get what they wanted, they chased us to the shrine"
Hitomi pulled at her fingers absently, how could she tell him? It seemed a little crazy, out of the blue, to just say 'oh yeah, I'm pregnant! It's yours, it has wings and everything, isn't it great?'. Yet what else was there to say?
"What were they after?" Van looked at her straight, "You don't need to hide anything from me Hitomi, I want to help you"
"I know that Van" Hitomi replied in a small voice, "Yet, it's hard to tell you what they want"
"Why?"
"Because you might be upset with me"
Van frowned "Hitomi, what have you done to make me upset with you?"
"Nothing, at least I don't think I have"
"What is it? Your brother told me I got you into this mess and I want to know what mess I got you into"
Hitomi was silent, she could hear Van getting agitated in his uneasiness over her story. He was worried about her, but it was so difficult to say something like this. She was still a child herself yet she was having a baby of another child. They were all children! It was unfair and confusing!
"Hitomi!"
"I'm having a baby, Van!" Hitomi yelled, standing up "See? It's a mess, Mamoru was right! But it's going to die and it's all my fault!" Hitomi burst into tears again
* * * * * *
"So. How have you been?"
* * * * * *
Hitomi stood, wrapped in the blanket, and bawled. Van did barely any better, he just stared at the place where she had been sitting, repeating 'a baby' over and over again as if making sure he'd caught the words correctly. Wanting Hitomi to say she was joking or he'd misheard.
He snapped his head up "Is it mine?" he gasped, finally taking in her words but distorting their meaning in confusion, what other thing might upset him?
Hitomi looked at him before pulling back her wrist and slapping him across the face, he didn't fall with it's force, and knew that his newly formed black eye from Mamoru was becoming worse thanks to his sister. He cursed himself for such a question, how could he doubt it? Of course it was his. A child. He wasn't ready for this, he was 15.
He put his head in his hands, what had he done? How could he have been so stupid?
Wait.
He looked up and found Hitomi sniffing, her tear blotched face even worse, her tears were dry and she was looking at him with a sort of fear of what he was going to do with her now he knew. She's afraid, he realised, she thinks I'm going to leave her.
Van pulled himself together for Hitomi and mustered his strength over the shock to smile at her warmly. She blinked then smiled back.
"How many months?" he asked
She rolled her eyes "Four, Van"
He leant back "Four, Gods. It seems like an age ago" his shock was settling in to become a faint bewilderment and a feeling of being dazed, he laughed a little and put his head back in his hands "A baby. That's why he punched me, well, he was right to I guess. If MERLE got pregnant now I'd do the same thing"
Hitomi sat back down opposite and put her fingers round his hand, he squeezed reassuringly.
"I don't know what to do" Hitomi said uncertainly "I only found out a few days ago"
"Really?"
"Then the visions started"
Van looked up, the dazed feeling replaced by a stab of fear "The visions of these people?"
Hitomi nodded and held out her burnt wrist.
Van looked at it, "They're after the baby then"
Hitomi nodded and said "And so is practically the whole of my world, Van"
He stared, what would so many people want with a baby? She looked genuinely afraid though and he noticed her held her hands over her stomach in a way she'd never done before.
"The baby has wings," Hitomi said "That's why they all want it"
Van looked at her, and then at her belly as if expecting wings to sprout out of the skin and flap at him. It was definitely his then, a little Draconian blooded baby, just like him. So her world was after it. Hope lit up inside him, maybe she would stay now, stay here with him.
"What would they do once they have it?" Van asked
Hitomi paled "I don't want to think about it, especially these shadow people who don't even seem human"
Van nodded, he pulled back his chair and knelt on the floor, taking his hand from Hitomi he placed his palms on her stomach. Hitomi blushed but said nothing and sat watching him, apart from the shock, Van seemed to glow. Whether it was from his touching her stomach and feeling where his own child lay or whether it was them being back on the same world, Hitomi did not know.
After a few moments Van got up and said "Right" with authority, "You need to get some rest. I'll send for sentries to be posted outside your room, we don't know whether these 'shadow people' will be able to track you"
As well as the guards, Van also sent for a sleeping pallet and bedclothes which he set up in the library where they were, Hitomi assumed it was for her but was surprised when Van said, "You'll be next door"
"What?" asked Hitomi, looking towards the door "Isn't that your room?"
Van shrugged "It has one of the best beds I've ever slept in"
"I can't sleep there, Van! Let me have the pallet"
"No. It's draughty and cold in here, you need warmth and comfort in your condition"
Hitomi frowned "Van, I don't want to be treated differently, I'm only at four months. There's barely even a bump"
Van began to lie down and said firmly, "Suit yourself" he shut his eyes and, to all appearances, seemed fast asleep.
"Van?"
No reaction. Hitomi watched him for a moment to see whether he was faking sleep but then as she saw his breathing slow it was clear that he actually had fallen asleep. Hitomi sighed, she didn't want everyone to treat her so differently at this stage, it was only four months and she could still see her feet.
Deciding to take the bed offered as a wave of tiredness swept over her, Hitomi yawned and made her to the room next door, finding what did seem to be the softest bed she had ever felt. The people of Fanelia had a knack for bed making it seemed.
Although he was in the next room, the ruffles and already slept in sheets made Hitomi feel closer to him than when they were even in the same room. His smell clung to the material and it soothed her as she fell asleep imagining his voice.
* * * * * *
The light filtered in through the material at the windows for early morning, the birds were singing once more as Hitomi had a sound night's sleep in Van's bed.
She woke up feeling refreshed, as if nothing had ever happened. Then she remembered the previous day's events and rolled over, hoping she wouldn't have to get up to face another day of things like that. A sudden feeling of nausea hit her and she pulled herself quickly out of the bed.
"Bowl, bowl, bowl, bowl!" she called out to anyone in particular who might be nearby
Forgetting Van was in the next room she cried out as the door flew in and a drawn sword appeared along with Van, still in the same clothes as last night but looking a lot rougher.
"What's happening?" he cried groggily, waving the sword around for the danger
Hitomi looked up at him from the floor and said, "I need a bowl, quick!"
Van hesitated for a moment but no longer as Hitomi suddenly turned green in front of him, yelling out into the corridor for a bowl but it was too late. By the time the bowl appeared the sheets had already been wrecked in its place.
An hour later Hitomi appeared down in what was called 'the mess hall' but wasn't more than lines of benches set up in the castle courtyard at the meal times. It was still early in the morning and Hitomi's watch (although she still wasn't sure it told her the right time in Gaea) displayed 7:45 to the world.
Van had told a maid to clear up her mess, and Hitomi couldn't apologise enough to the poor woman and to Van, it was his room after all. Van had left her to get dressed in some borrowed clothes that were apparently sent to her from Celena and said that he'd see her later, there was Castle to sort out etc.
Hitomi couldn't help feeling a little lonely, she knew he had things to do but she had thought that maybe they would have time to catch up. She didn't even know where all the other people she had come with were, Mamoru, Allen, Celena and all were somewhere else but she'd forgotten to ask where. So she'd just been sent along to 'the mess hall' for breakfast instead.
Luckily, by the time she arrived at the field, most of the garrison were assembled and, despite the disturbance last night, seemed in high spirits and were all talking rowdily, queuing for food and drink. There were around five benches with around 100 places on each side and a smaller table at the top of the field for around 20 or so, Hitomi assumed these were for the commanders and Van.
The field itself was enclosed in the Castle and four stone walls up to the height of one storey protected it form the wind, but the sun was shining brightly and so it was warm and sunny down on the dining area.
Hitomi joined the queue to where the food was underneath a canopy and grabbed a tray. Breakfast consisted of some fruit Hitomi didn't recognise, bread, cheese and some sort of grain mixture that looked like a type of Oatmeal. She didn't want to drink mead for breakfast like a lot of the soldiers seemed to be drinking, or the green tea, so she grabbed a pitcher of water and exited the queue.
She looked around the area with dismay, there were seats everywhere, but she knew no one. Suddenly a hand flew up from the small table at the head of the others, Hitomi squinted and discovered Celena waving brightly for her to join her. Hitomi smiled and made her way over.
"I've been hearing such a lot about you Hitomi, Seer from the Mystic Moon" Celena smiled, "I'd be honoured if you would join me for breakfast"
Hitomi nodded "Sure, I've also heard about you, you're Allen's sister right? Celena?"
"Correct" said Celena brightly, biting into an apple type fruit "I was lost, but now I'm found again. Now I'm here, were you lost?"
Hitomi smiled, unsure of what to say back, obviously Celena was just trying to forget the passage where she and Allen were separated. Hitomi couldn't blame her, she wouldn't want to remember that either. But lost? Hitomi didn't think she was lost, maybe it was a metaphor.
"I'm really sorry, I don't understand" Hitomi replied
Celena laughed "Sorry, I often don't speak clearly enough. I meant, were you lost when we found you? When you fainted?"
"Oh!" Hitomi grinned, "A little, you see, I used to be able to know which way to go by dowsing. But I don't have my pendant anymore so I was a little lost"
"Dowsing?"
"Yeah, it's a little hard to explain but it's sort of like a compass...but not" she smiled "I'll have to show you sometime if I ever find anything else to dowse with"
Celena smiled back "I'd like that. Your brother hit Allen with a rock you know"
Hitomi gasped, "He did? Allen never said! I'm so sorry, he seems to have been more violent lately," she remembered the fight with Van gingerly, although it seemed amusing now than it had last night
"Don't get upset, Hitomi. He was only protecting you" Celena said, "He was brave to stand up to Allen like that. Not many would"
So Mamoru was more like Van than Hitomi had thought. She smiled proudly at her brother, it seemed he was growing up fast, the little boy with a Metalicca T-shirt.
"So" Celena said, taking the finishing bite of her fruit "What will you do now you're here?"
Hitomi thought for a moment then replied "I'm not really sure, I only got to the part where I was transported here. I didn't really have a plan after that"
"I see"
"Maybe I'll be able to stay here for a while, until...well until something happens" Hitomi said
"I see" Celena began to pull her stuff onto the tray and stand up "I'm sorry to leave you Hitomi. But Allen is in conference with the King of Fanelia and I was requested to join them. Unfortunately I seem to have been distracted"
Hitomi ducked her head "I'm sorry I kept you!"
Celena smiled, brushing her shock of blonde hair from her eyes and said "Don't worry Hitomi, you didn't keep me, I wasn't planning to be there on time anyway"
"Are you sure?"
Celena began to walk away "I said don't worry! You shouldn't be worrying in your condition"
Hitomi's eyes widened as Celena disappeared from sight. Did Celena know she was carrying? How could she? Hitomi stared after her, it was impossible, and she had told no one but Van, her family and Yukari. Had she guessed? Hitomi looked at her stomach, was it showing already?
Hitomi shook her head and began to eat her breakfast, inspecting the fruit carefully, she'd talk to Celena later.
* * *
How was this chapter? OK? Not OK? Please read, review and be happy all! Thanks for all your wonderful support!
AnimEd once again, thank you for your work on the last chapter a lot of the things you pointed out for me, I feel like I have a proof-reader or something ^^ I have gone back and corrected grammatical errors and such. About Allen drawing his sword on Mamoru, I guess I forgot to mention that mamoru DID actually hit Allen with a rock...I made that clearer in the edited version too. Hitomi choosing a random direction made sense to me, because I thought she needed the pendant to dowse with? Maybe? Anyway, I went and switched chapter 2 again and did all chapter five corrections.
About the language thing, I guess you're probably right but I'll switch that later! Oh yeah, for josey(?) there will be no lemons in this fic. I don't even know how to write them 0_o or even think about them! I'm too innocent!! No, really!
I was reading all my favourite Escaflowne fics again and I realised that this section of ff.net has A LOT of talented writers! I have so many fics book marked! Anyway, I've just been inspired into writing by Buffy The Vampire Slayer and a song called 'Rainbow' and all so here goes nothing! *listens to Hitomi's 'is it you?' on computer and smiles*
Thanks again to everyone! I think this is my greatest number of reviews ever 0_o How do you spell Metalicca, as in the rock band? I need it for poor Mamoru!
Disclaimer: no own Escaflowne
* * *
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi smiled uncertainly at Van, who looked like she felt. His shirt was vacant, and the trousers he was wearing were the ones he had obviously slept in because they were crinkled, while his sword was in his hands rather than at his waist. His hair was also sticking out at awkward angles. Her pendant was hung around his neck.
He looked at her, as if making sure he wasn't dreaming, blinking several times. Then he closed his jaw and looked at her properly, taking in her changes and her companion.
He stood there for a few moments, everyone around had gone silent, waiting for a reaction. Even the Fanelians were silent for their lord to speak.
Allen broke the silence tactfully "I see you've noticed our companion your highness" he said delicately, pushing Hitomi forward, "Yes, we'd like to announce the return of the Seer from the Mystic Moon"
Van managed a nod before breaking into a smile "It's good to see you, Hitomi"
The whole crowd could be felt relaxing, and people began to bustle back to bed now that the King had spoken. Only the servants stuck around as Allen's soldiers began to dismount their horses, taking them away to rest. The Asturian people stretched and began to follow several guides to be shown where they could camp or stay for the night while Hitomi, Van, Mamoru, Allen, Merle and Celena stayed where they were.
Hitomi seemed to notice Celena for the first time and they shared a small smile, Hitomi saw the likeness between her and her brother and wondered if the same existed between herself and Mamoru.
"I think we'd better follow the men" Allen said, motioning Celena and then he bowed to Van once more "I'll be glad to speak more in the morning, of course"
Van nodded "Of course"
Allen and Celena bowed their way away after their troop and disappeared. Merle also made a quick exit, saying that her sleep was vital for her beauty.
So it was left at just Hitomi, Van and Mamoru. Hitomi did all she could to stop herself from looking nervous, locking her hands in front of her.
"So" Hitomi said, looking at the floor
"So" Van replied, "How have you been?"
"Fine. You?"
"Fine"
"Good"
"Who's this?" Van asked, nodding towards Mamoru pointedly
"Ah" Hitomi said, remembering her brother "Van, this is my brother Mamoru. Mamoru, this is Van Fanel who's the King of Fanelia" she watched them stand off silently
"A bit young for a King" Mamoru said quietly
Hitomi hissed at him to be quiet and said to Van "I think...well...can we talk? We need to explain everything. Well, I need to explain some things"
Van looked at her with one of those intense stares that made her feel like she was being looked straight into and then he looked away and shrugged.
Mamoru, who had been watching them closely suddenly said, "Hitomi, this wouldn't happen to be him, would it? I thought it might have been the blonde guy but then he treated you more like a sister than this one"
Van visibly bristled at the rude tone Mamoru was speaking with, he narrowed his eyes, and obviously he wasn't use to being insulted now he was King of his Castle.
Hitomi took the warning signs and kept quiet. Obviously Mamoru was smarter than she had taken him for, how well did he know body language to figure out the father! She put her hand on her stomach protectively, she didn't want a fight to break out. Mamoru and Van stared at each other.
"Well~" Hitomi began brightly but was cut off by her brother growling suddenly
Mamoru took a run forward punched Van straight in the face. Van fell back on his feet but didn't topple over as mamoru had expected, Hitomi's brother paused for a moment in surprise before landing another punch on Van's shoulder.
"Mamoru!" Hitomi yelled, "What are you doing?"
He'd be executed or something if this carried on, if Van didn't kill him himself.
Van didn't stay the punch bag for long and after the two punches he brought his own, more experience, fist up in a punch to Mamoru's cheek and well as two to his middle. They feel to the ground in a pile of kicks and punches.
Hitomi didn't really know what to do, was it natural for boys to fight like this? After a few moments of watching the tussle in amazement, Hitomi reached down and began to pull them apart. Finding this ineffective she looked around for something to help her.
A bucket of water stood next to the castle door. Running to grab it she came back steadily and then tipped it all over the pile of arms and legs.
The both stood up in a hurry, drenched.
"What are you doing?" Hitomi cried, "You two are like children!"
"I'd like to know what he's doing!" Van replied, "You show up here and before I know it I'm being attacked! What are you doing here anyway?"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO GOT HER INTO THIS MESS!" Mamoru yelled at Van "THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE!"
Hitomi paled, the yell had echoed across the whole valley in the darkness. Van clenched his fist and looked at Hitomi "What mess? Hitomi?"
Hitomi swallowed, her mouth suddenly very dry "I'm..." she stopped "Mamoru, please go find Allen"
Mamoru didn't leave, and he was already sporting the beginning of a black eye.
"Mamoru!" Hitomi cried pleadingly "Go to bed"
He hesitated, the he went with a small mumble of how he was only worried for her and then Van and Hitomi were left alone underneath the hot torches of Fanelia Castle, the night air cooling their skin.
Hitomi felt her lip tremble and she said quietly "Can we start again please?"
Van nodded and said, "How have you been?"
Hitomi felt a tear slide down her cheek; she smiled, feeling a little foolish "I have had a pretty rough time lately"
Van smiled and came over to her, wiping the tear away but presently causing a flood to fall from her eyes.
"Oh Hitomi" he sighed, wrapping her up in his arms as she proceeded to sob uncontrollably
* * * * * *
"There's someone here"
* * * * * *
Van stood for what seemed like hours with Hitomi in the courtyard. The tears never seemed to stop, all he could do was to hold her and feel the rush of emotion that he had felt with her when she had left wash over him again. The smell of her hair, the shape of her small frame, the feeling that made him want to laugh all the time. It all came back to his mind in a torrent.
When she finally seemed to be calming down he said softly "Come inside, we're both getting cold and you're also getting me wet"
He heard her sniff and she wiped her eyes, which had gone red and puffy. It was sweet in a way, he thought, she looked so much younger like that. He felt fingers on the pendant's chain and found her studying the stone and it's companion on the chain.
"You put the ring on it" Hitomi said quietly, holding the small ring and stone in her palm together
"Yes"
Van pulled them out of palm, replacing the charms with his own hand and then began to pull her towards the castle.
"I think you have a lot of explaining to do," he said simply
Hitomi nodded and followed his lead. As she had guessed, there were steps in the castle door, a set of spiral staircase, she winced at the thought of some one falling down them and felt sorry for Van's descent of the flight. He led her up the steps and along a small wooden corridor, a few doors off one the side and windows looking out onto the city on the other.
He opened the door of a dark room and went in, the room suddenly coming a light as he lit a stick of candles. It seemed to be a library, though hardly full of books, it seemed like most of Fanelia's texts had been lost in the fires that had raged after the Zaibach attack.
He sat Hitomi down on a chair, putting a cushion on it for her then pulling up his own chair to sit right opposite her so their knees were almost touching. He then bustled around for food and water, managing to scrape up some fruit and a pitcher from his own quarters next door as well as finding himself a shirt and a blanket for Hitomi, who was still wearing her pyjamas from their run from the shadow people that very morning.
It seemed like weeks ago.
He sat down on the chair and waited while Hitomi engulfed the fruit and water, she realised what she was doing and then swallowed quickly. Finishing the rest of slowly, she tried to avoid his gaze. When she was finished though, she had no excuse to avoid his watchful eyes and ending up staring at his knees and wrapping the blanket tighter.
"I got here this morning with my brother" Hitomi said quietly, knowing that she had to start the ball rolling "We were at the shrine where I first met you, Van. We were in a bit of trouble...well, a lot of trouble actually. So I prayed for help from Gaea, and here we are. A pillar of light appeared and saved us"
"What were you in trouble from?" Van asked
"Some people, I'd been having visions and a run in with them since a little while ago when...and they broke into our home while our parents were out to get what they wanted, they chased us to the shrine"
Hitomi pulled at her fingers absently, how could she tell him? It seemed a little crazy, out of the blue, to just say 'oh yeah, I'm pregnant! It's yours, it has wings and everything, isn't it great?'. Yet what else was there to say?
"What were they after?" Van looked at her straight, "You don't need to hide anything from me Hitomi, I want to help you"
"I know that Van" Hitomi replied in a small voice, "Yet, it's hard to tell you what they want"
"Why?"
"Because you might be upset with me"
Van frowned "Hitomi, what have you done to make me upset with you?"
"Nothing, at least I don't think I have"
"What is it? Your brother told me I got you into this mess and I want to know what mess I got you into"
Hitomi was silent, she could hear Van getting agitated in his uneasiness over her story. He was worried about her, but it was so difficult to say something like this. She was still a child herself yet she was having a baby of another child. They were all children! It was unfair and confusing!
"Hitomi!"
"I'm having a baby, Van!" Hitomi yelled, standing up "See? It's a mess, Mamoru was right! But it's going to die and it's all my fault!" Hitomi burst into tears again
* * * * * *
"So. How have you been?"
* * * * * *
Hitomi stood, wrapped in the blanket, and bawled. Van did barely any better, he just stared at the place where she had been sitting, repeating 'a baby' over and over again as if making sure he'd caught the words correctly. Wanting Hitomi to say she was joking or he'd misheard.
He snapped his head up "Is it mine?" he gasped, finally taking in her words but distorting their meaning in confusion, what other thing might upset him?
Hitomi looked at him before pulling back her wrist and slapping him across the face, he didn't fall with it's force, and knew that his newly formed black eye from Mamoru was becoming worse thanks to his sister. He cursed himself for such a question, how could he doubt it? Of course it was his. A child. He wasn't ready for this, he was 15.
He put his head in his hands, what had he done? How could he have been so stupid?
Wait.
He looked up and found Hitomi sniffing, her tear blotched face even worse, her tears were dry and she was looking at him with a sort of fear of what he was going to do with her now he knew. She's afraid, he realised, she thinks I'm going to leave her.
Van pulled himself together for Hitomi and mustered his strength over the shock to smile at her warmly. She blinked then smiled back.
"How many months?" he asked
She rolled her eyes "Four, Van"
He leant back "Four, Gods. It seems like an age ago" his shock was settling in to become a faint bewilderment and a feeling of being dazed, he laughed a little and put his head back in his hands "A baby. That's why he punched me, well, he was right to I guess. If MERLE got pregnant now I'd do the same thing"
Hitomi sat back down opposite and put her fingers round his hand, he squeezed reassuringly.
"I don't know what to do" Hitomi said uncertainly "I only found out a few days ago"
"Really?"
"Then the visions started"
Van looked up, the dazed feeling replaced by a stab of fear "The visions of these people?"
Hitomi nodded and held out her burnt wrist.
Van looked at it, "They're after the baby then"
Hitomi nodded and said "And so is practically the whole of my world, Van"
He stared, what would so many people want with a baby? She looked genuinely afraid though and he noticed her held her hands over her stomach in a way she'd never done before.
"The baby has wings," Hitomi said "That's why they all want it"
Van looked at her, and then at her belly as if expecting wings to sprout out of the skin and flap at him. It was definitely his then, a little Draconian blooded baby, just like him. So her world was after it. Hope lit up inside him, maybe she would stay now, stay here with him.
"What would they do once they have it?" Van asked
Hitomi paled "I don't want to think about it, especially these shadow people who don't even seem human"
Van nodded, he pulled back his chair and knelt on the floor, taking his hand from Hitomi he placed his palms on her stomach. Hitomi blushed but said nothing and sat watching him, apart from the shock, Van seemed to glow. Whether it was from his touching her stomach and feeling where his own child lay or whether it was them being back on the same world, Hitomi did not know.
After a few moments Van got up and said "Right" with authority, "You need to get some rest. I'll send for sentries to be posted outside your room, we don't know whether these 'shadow people' will be able to track you"
As well as the guards, Van also sent for a sleeping pallet and bedclothes which he set up in the library where they were, Hitomi assumed it was for her but was surprised when Van said, "You'll be next door"
"What?" asked Hitomi, looking towards the door "Isn't that your room?"
Van shrugged "It has one of the best beds I've ever slept in"
"I can't sleep there, Van! Let me have the pallet"
"No. It's draughty and cold in here, you need warmth and comfort in your condition"
Hitomi frowned "Van, I don't want to be treated differently, I'm only at four months. There's barely even a bump"
Van began to lie down and said firmly, "Suit yourself" he shut his eyes and, to all appearances, seemed fast asleep.
"Van?"
No reaction. Hitomi watched him for a moment to see whether he was faking sleep but then as she saw his breathing slow it was clear that he actually had fallen asleep. Hitomi sighed, she didn't want everyone to treat her so differently at this stage, it was only four months and she could still see her feet.
Deciding to take the bed offered as a wave of tiredness swept over her, Hitomi yawned and made her to the room next door, finding what did seem to be the softest bed she had ever felt. The people of Fanelia had a knack for bed making it seemed.
Although he was in the next room, the ruffles and already slept in sheets made Hitomi feel closer to him than when they were even in the same room. His smell clung to the material and it soothed her as she fell asleep imagining his voice.
* * * * * *
The light filtered in through the material at the windows for early morning, the birds were singing once more as Hitomi had a sound night's sleep in Van's bed.
She woke up feeling refreshed, as if nothing had ever happened. Then she remembered the previous day's events and rolled over, hoping she wouldn't have to get up to face another day of things like that. A sudden feeling of nausea hit her and she pulled herself quickly out of the bed.
"Bowl, bowl, bowl, bowl!" she called out to anyone in particular who might be nearby
Forgetting Van was in the next room she cried out as the door flew in and a drawn sword appeared along with Van, still in the same clothes as last night but looking a lot rougher.
"What's happening?" he cried groggily, waving the sword around for the danger
Hitomi looked up at him from the floor and said, "I need a bowl, quick!"
Van hesitated for a moment but no longer as Hitomi suddenly turned green in front of him, yelling out into the corridor for a bowl but it was too late. By the time the bowl appeared the sheets had already been wrecked in its place.
An hour later Hitomi appeared down in what was called 'the mess hall' but wasn't more than lines of benches set up in the castle courtyard at the meal times. It was still early in the morning and Hitomi's watch (although she still wasn't sure it told her the right time in Gaea) displayed 7:45 to the world.
Van had told a maid to clear up her mess, and Hitomi couldn't apologise enough to the poor woman and to Van, it was his room after all. Van had left her to get dressed in some borrowed clothes that were apparently sent to her from Celena and said that he'd see her later, there was Castle to sort out etc.
Hitomi couldn't help feeling a little lonely, she knew he had things to do but she had thought that maybe they would have time to catch up. She didn't even know where all the other people she had come with were, Mamoru, Allen, Celena and all were somewhere else but she'd forgotten to ask where. So she'd just been sent along to 'the mess hall' for breakfast instead.
Luckily, by the time she arrived at the field, most of the garrison were assembled and, despite the disturbance last night, seemed in high spirits and were all talking rowdily, queuing for food and drink. There were around five benches with around 100 places on each side and a smaller table at the top of the field for around 20 or so, Hitomi assumed these were for the commanders and Van.
The field itself was enclosed in the Castle and four stone walls up to the height of one storey protected it form the wind, but the sun was shining brightly and so it was warm and sunny down on the dining area.
Hitomi joined the queue to where the food was underneath a canopy and grabbed a tray. Breakfast consisted of some fruit Hitomi didn't recognise, bread, cheese and some sort of grain mixture that looked like a type of Oatmeal. She didn't want to drink mead for breakfast like a lot of the soldiers seemed to be drinking, or the green tea, so she grabbed a pitcher of water and exited the queue.
She looked around the area with dismay, there were seats everywhere, but she knew no one. Suddenly a hand flew up from the small table at the head of the others, Hitomi squinted and discovered Celena waving brightly for her to join her. Hitomi smiled and made her way over.
"I've been hearing such a lot about you Hitomi, Seer from the Mystic Moon" Celena smiled, "I'd be honoured if you would join me for breakfast"
Hitomi nodded "Sure, I've also heard about you, you're Allen's sister right? Celena?"
"Correct" said Celena brightly, biting into an apple type fruit "I was lost, but now I'm found again. Now I'm here, were you lost?"
Hitomi smiled, unsure of what to say back, obviously Celena was just trying to forget the passage where she and Allen were separated. Hitomi couldn't blame her, she wouldn't want to remember that either. But lost? Hitomi didn't think she was lost, maybe it was a metaphor.
"I'm really sorry, I don't understand" Hitomi replied
Celena laughed "Sorry, I often don't speak clearly enough. I meant, were you lost when we found you? When you fainted?"
"Oh!" Hitomi grinned, "A little, you see, I used to be able to know which way to go by dowsing. But I don't have my pendant anymore so I was a little lost"
"Dowsing?"
"Yeah, it's a little hard to explain but it's sort of like a compass...but not" she smiled "I'll have to show you sometime if I ever find anything else to dowse with"
Celena smiled back "I'd like that. Your brother hit Allen with a rock you know"
Hitomi gasped, "He did? Allen never said! I'm so sorry, he seems to have been more violent lately," she remembered the fight with Van gingerly, although it seemed amusing now than it had last night
"Don't get upset, Hitomi. He was only protecting you" Celena said, "He was brave to stand up to Allen like that. Not many would"
So Mamoru was more like Van than Hitomi had thought. She smiled proudly at her brother, it seemed he was growing up fast, the little boy with a Metalicca T-shirt.
"So" Celena said, taking the finishing bite of her fruit "What will you do now you're here?"
Hitomi thought for a moment then replied "I'm not really sure, I only got to the part where I was transported here. I didn't really have a plan after that"
"I see"
"Maybe I'll be able to stay here for a while, until...well until something happens" Hitomi said
"I see" Celena began to pull her stuff onto the tray and stand up "I'm sorry to leave you Hitomi. But Allen is in conference with the King of Fanelia and I was requested to join them. Unfortunately I seem to have been distracted"
Hitomi ducked her head "I'm sorry I kept you!"
Celena smiled, brushing her shock of blonde hair from her eyes and said "Don't worry Hitomi, you didn't keep me, I wasn't planning to be there on time anyway"
"Are you sure?"
Celena began to walk away "I said don't worry! You shouldn't be worrying in your condition"
Hitomi's eyes widened as Celena disappeared from sight. Did Celena know she was carrying? How could she? Hitomi stared after her, it was impossible, and she had told no one but Van, her family and Yukari. Had she guessed? Hitomi looked at her stomach, was it showing already?
Hitomi shook her head and began to eat her breakfast, inspecting the fruit carefully, she'd talk to Celena later.
* * *
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