Hey there! Before anything else, I want to tell you guys something. This is the story where I write the fastest because first of all, it is one of my favorite animes and lastly.for those of my friends in real life who are reading this right now.I incorporated my life into this. But please don't take all these at face value because of course I had to alter some details. I just decided to tell you guys this because I just want to explain that.if there are things that are a little too confusing or different from what you have expected, please don't judge the story right away. I'll try to write it in an interesting manner. Anyway.
Ruby, sprout, hitomi21, van lover, dilly's lover and Lani-Anela: Thanks so much for the reviews that you gave me. I really appreciated it. I hope you'll like this chapter as well. It's a little sad.just as the title hints. Hope you enjoy. Thanks so much.
Chapter 3 The Grim Reaper
"You are very observant, Allen." Folken said.
Van looked at Folken to see some approval.
When he got it, he finally said, "You are right. She has this gift. She had made us promise with our lives never to reveal it to anyone. We ask you to do the same."
"You have my word." Allen replied.
It was then that the girls returned.
Hitomi had gotten her pendant back.
As Hitomi looked at the guys, she knew there was something going on, based on their expressions.
Both Yukari and Hitomi sat.
Hitomi then asked, "Does someone want to explain to me what really is going on?"
The guys looked at each other.
"Allen." Hitomi said.
Allen faced her.
She then said, "You look like a sensible guy. I know you already know what I have and these guys here had confirmed it. But please...it is really important for me to have your word that you would never tell another soul. I don't think the world is ready for it just yet."
"Yes. You have my word. And just so that you won't get angry with them, they didn't tell me anything. They only confirmed what I told them."
Hitomi then smiled and said, "I know. I kinda heard it. Thanks."
They started to have lunch.
As Hitomi got the roll of bread Yukari was handing to her, she suddenly dropped it.
"What's wrong?" Yukari asked.
Hitomi stared at her, wide-eyed then at the others.
"What is it?" Van asked as he moved to her side.
Suddenly, Hitomi got another premonition.
"Hitomi, are you alright?" Yukari asked.
Hitomi still didn't reply.
She just got her tarot cards and started shuffling them quickly.
The others remained confused.
After arranging the cards, Hitomi gaped.
"The Grim Reaper…" She whispers.
Without another word, Hitomi dashed of towards the school.
The others followed her.
'Ryan, don't you dare die on me.' Hitomi silently pleaded as she made her way.
But what they didn't know is that there was someone else who heard everything they had talked about.
It was Miza Akiko.
She was the biggest mouth in the whole school.
She would spread gossip like fire.
No one liked her that much but people would often fall for her gossips.
With what she had heard, Miza knew that it was going to be big and it will destroy Hitomi's reputation somehow.
She liked to make gossips that would destroy other people.
She couldn't wait to spread the gossip.
As Hitomi ran, to her it felt like she was running forever.
She had a feeling that Ryan had gone to the swimming pool to train.
They followed her.
"Why is she running towards the swimming pool?" Yukari asked as they followed closely.
"Beats me. But I have a bad feeling about this." Folken answered.
They suddenly spotted Mr. Shinji, the gym teacher.
Hitomi suddenly stopped and asked Mr. Shinji, "Shinji sensei, have you seen Ryan?"
"Not now Kanzaki-san. There was an accident. I have to call an ambulance." He answered as he disappeared into the door leading to the school building.
'Accident.ambulance...no…' Hitomi thought.
She started to panic inside.
She then started to dash off again.
"Accident? Oh my…I hope whoever it is, is not badly hurt." Yukari commented.
"I don't think so. They wouldn't have to call an ambulance if it wasn't really that bad." Allen said.
"You're right. But I really have a bad feeling about it. I don't think Hitomi would be this affected if it wasn't someone she really cared about." Van said.
"Let's just pray that whoever it is, is all right before help arrives." Folken said.
They followed Hitomi.
They saw that Hitomi had suddenly stopped by the gateway leading into the pool.
Fear stricken, Hitomi waited for the others to catch up with her.
"Hitomi? What is it?" Yukari said, placing a hand over her shoulder.
Hitomi looked at her.
They could see the fear that was written all over her face.
"Yukari, Van, Folken, Allen." She called them.
"Please...don't leave me. I don't think I will be able to take what we are about to discover." Hitomi pleaded.
"We won't leave you, Hitomi." Van said to encourage her.
They saw that there was a crowd crowding what seemed like an unconscious person and the school nurse.
When the crowd saw Hitomi, they made way for her.
"No." Hitomi whispered.
Her friends heard her cry out.
As Hitomi made her way towards the crowd, she could feel her legs weaken beneath her.
She hadn't even realize that Yukari had to support her a little so that she won't fall.
The school nurse then blocked them.
"What's wrong? Is my brother alright?" Hitomi asked.
Her friends looked at each other.
The nurse didn't reply.
She hesitated but finally said, "I'm sorry, Hitomi-chan. It just happens sometimes. It cannot be avoided. He was just called home for reasons we may never know."
"No. That's not possible. He can't be dead. Please, I beg you, tell me he's alright." Hitomi replied as she began to cry.
"Hitomi..." The nurse whispered, trying to comfort her.
She then got out of the way and revealed the lifeless body of Ryan.
As Hitomi first laid her eyes on her brother, she felt her body become numb.
She froze in place for a moment.
She just thought that it was some kind of a nightmare and that everything will be fine in a moment when she wakes up.
She then slowly made her way to him.
She knelt beside him and took him into her arms.
"Ryan, please...open your eyes. This isn't funny any more. Ryan…Ryan!" Hitomi shouted.
She sobbed desperately as she hugged Ryan for the last time.
Yukari then knelt beside her.
She was also in tears.
She had known Hitomi's younger brother, Ryan, and had grown quite fond of him.
Soon, paramedics came.
They placed the body into a bag and placed it on top of a stretcher.
A paramedic then said to Hitomi, "Ms., his fall was an accident. The impact when he fell backwards had broken his skull. Even if we got here earlier, we may have not saved him. We cannot say now if the fall killed him or from blood loss. But…it looks like he had very little pain. I'm sorry for your loss."
Hitomi just bowed to him and didn't utter a word.
She then hugged Yukari and looked away.
She couldn't bear to see him being taken away.
By this time, the crowd had dispersed.
Van, Folken and Allen approached them.
No one knew what to say.
Hitomi couldn't stop her tears from flowing.
Finally Van said, "Hitomi, I don't think any of us could say the right words to make you feel better but we want you to know that we will always be here for you."
Hitomi the broke from Yukari.
She gave Van a shaky smile.
She then said, "Thanks, Van...everybody."
"You know guys, I don't need words right now. I just want to remove this curse." She added.
"Hitomi, don't blame yourself for what had happened." Allen said.
"You don't understand. I've been dreaming of water turning into blood for quite some time now. Look at the pool. Tell me what you see."
They took a glimpse at the bloody pool.
"It won't make a difference, Hitomi. You heard what the paramedic said. You couldn't have stopped this from happening. You tried." Folken said.
"That's the point, Folken. I didn't. I only knew what it really meant minutes ago when it actually happened. If I wasn't so stupid, I should have tried to warn him. And now my brother is dead. I saw it but I couldn't save him. That made it worse because I saw it. I feel his blood in my hands." Hitomi answered.
She raised her hands and looked at them.
It was stained with Ryan's blood.
Someone then held them.
Hitomi looked up and saw Van.
"Ryan's blood is in your hands but when you wash it off, it won't leave a mark as you may think right now. You have a gift. If you treat it as a curse, I don't think Ryan would want that." He said.
Hitomi smiled at him.
But suddenly, a painful premonition came.
Hitomi fell to her knees as she held her forehead.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?" They asked.
Hitomi then looks at Van and then to Folken.
Tears started to fall down her face again.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" They asked again.
She couldn't take her eyes from them.
She didn't know how to tell them.
"Hitomi! Hitomi!" Van said as he shakes her slightly.
"Van, Folken, listen to me. Van…when you held my hands…something came. Go now. Call home."
"Home? Why?" Folken asked as he knelt beside her.
"It is not my place to say but please call home. I may not have saved my brother but I won't let you suffer the same fate. Call before the wings of the angel takes her away forever."
Van and Folken suddenly looked at each other.
They knew exactly what Hitomi was talking about.
They quickly ran.
"What did you tell them? Are they going to be alright?" Yukari asked.
"I hope so, Yukari. I now know how much it hurts someone you love and I strongly wish that every thing will be alright." Hitomi answered.
Allen then offered her his hand.
He then said, "Come on. We better keep going. A lot of things will still happen."
Hitomi took his hand.
Allen helped her up.
"I know how it feels to lose some one close to your heart. I know how hard it is to deal with it." Allen said.
"You…have also lost someone?" Hitomi asked.
Allen handed her his handkerchief.
Hitomi took it.
She wiped her face.
"Yes. I've lost my father when I was younger. Then it was my sister that was lost and soon after, my mother died." He explained.
"Oh, Allen. I'm sorry." Hitomi said.
Allen just smiled at her and said, "It's ok. It was a long time ago anyway. I have learned how to live with the pain and I know you can do it as well. You are a strong person so don't you ever forget that."
Hitomi smiled and thanked him.
"Folken, do you think this is really it?" Van asked as they dashed to the nearest phone booth.
"I don't know, Van. I hope mother is alright." Folken answered.
As they were about to pass the principal's office, the door opened.
A man the stepped out.
They didn't recognize the man.
Then the man called out, "Folken."
They stopped and saw that it was Mr. Kanzaki.
"Mr. Kanzaki, this is my brother, Van. We want to give you our deepest condolences. We are really sorry for your loss."
Mr. Kanzaki patted their shoulders.
"You are great young men. Thank you for being there my daughter. You two are always welcome at our home."
"Thank you, Mr. Kanzaki. Now we really understand why Hitomi grew to be so strong and kind." Van said.
Mr. Kanzaki just offered a smile.
"Where is Hitomi?" Mr. Kanzaki asked.
"She's with Yukari and our new friend, Allen, sir. They may still be by the pool." Van replied.
"The pool?"
"Yes, sir. She 'saw' it sir. But even though she possesses a great 'gift' she wasn't able to stop it." Folken explained.
Mr. Kanzaki nodded.
"I suppose it was really meant to be. Would you tell her for me that I would pick them up after school? I have to join my wife at the hospital to wait for the results."
"Yes, sir. I will tell her." Van replied.
Mr. Kanzaki then smiled slightly and left.
They could see the grief in Mr. Kanzaki's eyes.
They even saw it increase when they told him about Hitomi.
They then walked to the phone booth nearby.
Folken got to the phone and dialed home.
"Hello. Good Afternoon. May I ask who's speaking?"
"Hello. This is Folken Fanel. May I please talk to my mother?"
"Oh, Your Majesty. I'm sorry Prince Folken. The Queen fell quite ill. His Highness, the King brought her to the hospital just a moment ago."
"When did she start to feel ill?"
"Since yesterday, Prince Folken."
"Very well. Please tell them that Van and I called. Thank you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Folken then turned to Van.
"Father took mother to the hospital. She's very ill." Folken said.
Van nodded.
"I hope she'll be alright." Van said.
Suddenly, the first bell rung…
"We better meet the others." Folken said.
Van just gave a nod.
They started to dash away.
They met Hitomi, Yukari and Allen as they were entering the school building.
"Are you sure you're up for class?" Yukari asked.
"You shouldn't push yourself." Allen said.
Hitomi just smiled at them.
"I'll be alright...I suppose." She replied.
"Allen's right. You shouldn't force yourself." Folken said.
"I understand your concerns but I need to do this." Hitomi answered.
They all had a bad feeling about it but they said no more.
They headed for class.
As Van opened the door for Hitomi and Yukari, they noticed that the class became quiet and looked at their direction.
Hitomi felt uneasy.
She stepped back.
"Hitomi, you don't have to do it." Yukari said.
"Yukari's right, Hitomi." Van said.
"No. I must. If I won't now, it won't be easier later." Hitomi firmly replied.
She stepped forward again.
She intertwined her arm around Yukari's and held Van's hand.
Van didn't mind it.
He knew how frightened Hitomi was.
They just led Hitomi to her seat between his and Yukari's.
Whispers broke around the room.
"Kanzaki-san, we're sorry for your loss." Some said.
But one student, Miza Akiko said, "Kanzaki-san, I'm sorry that your brother died. Even though you 'saw' it, you weren't able to save him. That is how fate works."
Hitomi's eyes flew wide open.
"What...what are you talking about?" Hitomi answered.
"Oh come now Hitomi-san, You know exactly what I'm talking about. Every one knows all about it especially Yukari-san and Van-san." Miza said.
Hitomi couldn't speak.
"Shut up, Akiko! Leave Hitomi alone! She doesn't need this right now!" Van answered as he glared at Miza.
"Oh, her little boy friend came to the rescue. How sweet." Miza said.
Hitomi couldn't take it any more.
She quickly stood and ran out the door.
Yukari was about to follow her but Van said, "Let me Yukari. It is partially my fault."
Yukari just nodded.
Van then ran after Hitomi.
But he encountered their teacher at the hallway by the class room door.
Van was about to explain but their teacher said, "I understand Fanel. Go after Kanzaki. She needs someone right now. I'll deal with Akiko later myself."
Van nodded and dashed off.
He looked every where.
He couldn't seem to find Hitomi.
Then he figured that Hitomi might have gone to the top of the school building because it was the only place that was surely without people at the moment.
He was right.
He had found Hitomi there.
Hitomi was crying.
Van approached her.
"Hitomi..." He said.
"I just don't understand Van. Why? I lost my brother then my secret is revealed. And to think…it all happened in one day. I don't think I could take it any more." Hitomi just answered, not looking at Van.
Van just stood by her side as they looked over the railings.
"Hitomi, why do you think you couldn't take it?" He asked.
"Because I am nothing, Van. I'm a nobody." Hitomi said.
"Nothing? Are you so sure about that? I don't think of you as nothing."
"Look at me Van. When I look at myself, I don't see someone special. I just see an empty space covered by skin."
"You know what I see?"
Hitomi looked at him.
"I see a very special young lady who is extremely blessed. She is brave and strong-willed. It disturbs me to hear that she thinks of herself as nothing."
Van looked at her.
"Hitomi, don't look down at yourself. You found great strength to face the class a while ago. That strength just didn't come out of nowhere."
Hitomi then hugged him and said, "Thank you, Van. Thank you so much for being here."
"I'm sorry Hitomi. It is my fault that the whole world now knows your secret."
Hitomi shook her head slightly and said, "No, it's not your fault Van. It was just meant to happen."
She then broke from him.
"You showed me why I shouldn't look down at myself and why I shouldn't blame myself. Don't you turn back now by showing me that you are blaming yourself." She said.
Van smiled and said, "And you say you're nothing. Do you think a nothing would say things like that?"
"I don't think so too. I trust you so much, Van. I know it wasn't your fault Akiko found out."
"Thank you for trusting me."
"No. Thank you. You're a true friend and I'm glad I met you."
Van just smiled at her.
"You sure know how to bounce back to your feet quickly when you fall." He commented.
"Well that's because I have great friends like you. It's not over yet especially for you and Folken." She said.
"I know but with what you've shown me, I know I'll be able to face it too." Van replied.
"I know you can. You are also strong Van. I can see that there is more to you than what meets the eye. But don't worry, I don't go deeper into people's lives when they don't want anyone to know it." Hitomi said.
"That's good to hear. Folken is right. You are no fool. You are wiser that what you seem to be." Van said.
"Wiser than what I seem? What do you mean by that?"
"Oh I don't know. Just saying…" Van teased.
Hitomi just shook her head.
"You sure are very mysterious Van Fanel. From your gentle expressions, who would have known that there is a dragon that lies within." She commented.
"Now look who's talking." Van replied.
"Yeah well at least I'm admitting it. Besides, I'm not hiding anything from you. You know everything...all my secrets...some that even Yukari doesn't even know. If you know what I mean."
"Yeah. And I suppose you want me to return the favor?" Van said further.
"Someday perhaps. But right now there are things that even I shouldn't know about…am I right?"
Van just nodded.
There was a moment of silence.
Van couldn't stop thinking of what Hitomi said earlier, "…call before the wings of the angel takes her away forever."
"Um, Hitomi…" Van started.
Hitomi turned to him.
"With regards to what you said earlier, could you possible tell me what is going to happen to our mother? We called and we found out that she's ill and father had brought her to the hospital." Van said.
"I'm sorry, Van. If I tell you now, you will suffer greatly. Besides, it is not for me to tell. You will find out soon enough." Hitomi answered.
"I understand. I suppose you are doing the right thing for not telling me now." Van answered.
"I'm sorry."
"There's no need for you to apologize." Van replied.
He smiled at her to reassure her.
"So, are you ready to go back in now?" He asked.
Hitomi then smiled and nodded.
"Oh and before I forget, your father is going to pick you and your sister up after school. You don't have to worry about telling the bus driver. Folken and I will handle it." Van said as he offered his hand.
"Thanks Van." Hitomi answered.
She then took his hand and allowed herself to be led inside.
That afternoon…
Folken had invited Allen to come over their house to work on their science project.
Van, Folken and Allen were waiting for the bus to arrive.
Yukari joined them.
She then said, "So Van, what happened? What did you tell Hitomi? She didn't seem so frightened or sad when you guys came back."
Folken and Allen looked at each other.
Since they were two levels older than the three, they didn't know what had happened.
"Wait hold on. What did happen when you guys went to class after lunch?" Folken asked.
"Well, one of classmates, and I'm sure you are already familiar with Miza Akiko, right?" Yukari started.
"Yeah. She's the big mouth around school isn't she?" Allen said.
"Yeah, that's her. Well, she overheard our conversation during lunch and found out Hitomi's secret. She stepped all over Hitomi when we got in. Hitomi couldn't take it so she dashed off out the door. I mean, who wouldn't? After losing her brother, the least she needs someone to walk all over her." Yukari explained.
"Man, am I going to kill her when I find her." Folken said.
"You don't need to waste your energy on her." Van replied.
"I know but I promised Amano that I would watch over Hitomi for him." Folken replied.
"Come down, Folken. Van's right. You shouldn't waste your energy on someone like her. It won't get you anywhere. You told me all about Amano and I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes to keep your promise to him. But I'm also certain that we should trust Hitomi to deal with her herself." Allen commented.
"Yeah that's right. I want to strangle that Miza Akiko myself but Hitomi passed a note to me saying that she's going to deal with Akiko herself soon enough. She said she's going to give her a taste of her own medicine in her own way." Yukari said.
"Fine. I give up." Folken replied.
"Anyway, Van would you be so kind enough to tell us what exactly happened?" Yukari said.
Van hesitated as all eyes were on him now.
He then said, "Well, I found her on the roof, crying."
"And?" Folken asked.
"And she told me that she couldn't take it any more." Van replied.
"That was to be expected after Miza Akiko told the whole world about her secret." Yukari commented.
"And what did you say?" Folken asked.
"I asked her what made her think that she wouldn't be able to handle it."
"And?" Allen asked.
"And she told me that she was nothing…that she was a nobody." Van replied.
"A nobody? What did you tell her after that?" Yukari asked.
Van hesitated.
He wasn't sure if he could tell them what he had said to Hitomi.
(To be continued…)
Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I know it was a little sad and depressing but it should always come in one's life isn't it now? And oh how close they are getting! Please review and tell me what you think. I hope to hear from you soon.
Michiko