Chapter One: Tokyo and Fanelia

Yukari sighed again for what seemed like the umpteenth time that afternoon. Her sighs were starting to catch the attention of the class, which she noted by the sideways glances the other students gave her, but the teacher continued to jabber on at the head of the room, oblivious to what was going on behind him. Today's lesson covered the intricacies of the Roman Catholic Church at the beginning of the Western Renaissance. It was a terribly dull subject, which Yukari had suffered through the previous year, and she could not understand the need to repeat it.

A shrill bell blared startlingly through the classroom, announcing dismissal for the day.

Read pages 210-230 on the involvement of the Church with the common people of England! the teacher yelled above the din of the class shuffling papers into their book bags. And don't forget, your essay on Martin Luther and the 95 Thesis is due on Friday! His words were lost amidst the hyper chatter of students at the end of the day.

Yukari stayed silent as she pushed her way past crowds, cliques, and gossip to her tiny locker. She pulled out a pair of clean running shoes and pulled them on, slipping her school shoes into their place.

When it had become apparent that Hitomi would not be coming back anytime soon (or ever), Yukari had taken up running as both a way to remember her dear friend and a way to get her mind off the dullness of life.

In the locker room by the gym, she was not fully aware of conversations going on around her, but a particular remark caught her ear.

. . . learn to use Tarot cards too.

Yukari kept her head down, but listened with interest at what was being said.
My boyfriend, one voice was saying, y'know Minotu? Well, he's going down to Kyoto at the end of the school year—that's where his university is. Anyway, he says he's loyal and all and I'm the only girl for him, but I think he's just trying to get away from me and knock up all the girls he likes.

said several other girls, awed by the soap opera-like drama of the couple.

the first girl went on as Yukari straightened up to pull on a plain t-shirt, if Hitomi were still here, I'd ask her to do a reading for me to see if Minotu's telling the truth, or if he's a big fat player like I think. But since she's still missing, maybe I should learn to do readings. It'd be a lot easier, though, if she were around to teach me.

The other girls ed in agreement. Yukari whisked off her pleated brown skirt and hunted through her bag for a pair of running shorts.

Where d'you think she went? asked a new voice somewhat under her breath.

I heard she was kidnapped and sold to a brothel, offered one girl.

I bet she ran away to the brothel, countered the second girl.

I thought she overdosed and flung herself in the river, came a fourth. Remember that body they found last year that no one could identify?

A lot of excited murmuring ensued as Yukari pulled up her shorts and began tying her shoes.

Well, I heard, started the girl dating Minotu loudly over the others, who sounded as though she were the group's leader, she ran away to be famous.

The other girls fell silent and Yukari tied her second shoe more slowly.

There's a city in America called Hollywood, where all your dreams come true, the leader explained, proud to have everyone's attention. Over there, they're always looking for girls like Hitomi to star in movies. I bet the next film from them that we get here will have Hitomi in it.

Yukari finished tying her shoe and turned around to the group she had been listening to. A sleek raven-haired girl, whom Yukari automatically took for the leader, had struck a confident pose amidst a group of four other girls, whose sparkling eyes and longing sighs gave away how much they wished to trade places with Hitomi for a world of glitz and glamour. If only they knew how far off their guesses are, Yukari thought to herself, rolling her eyes.

She stuffed her school uniform savagely into her bag and hurried out of the locker room. Outside, she made her way to the track field in a huff. She was so sick of the stupid rumors flying around the school about Hitomi's disappearance. No one for the last three years had ever been remotely close to guessing what had happened and Yukari had no intention of ever verifying the truth. She had been there and seen everything that had happened the night Hitomi was taken away, but even if she did tell, no one would believe her.

She brushed the troublesome thoughts aside as she reached the crimson colored track where her teammates were already stretched out warming up. Yukari dropped her bag and leaned over to begin stretching her calves.

Yukari ran for distance rather than speed. After Hitomi had disappeared, she would just take off and run to clear her mind. There was nothing quite like the pounding concrete beneath her feet to clear her mind.

She ran to get away from the troubles crowding into her life, living for an hour or so of solitude each day. When she was running, she did not think about Hitomi, or what problems would be going on at home later, or the track scholarships to various universities across Japan that she had neither accepted nor declined. All these thoughts would vanish until it was only she and the street.

The coach yelled almost incomprehensively for the runners of the 5K to take their places on the starting grid. In preparation for the meet tomorrow, he said, each person was going to beat their speed record today, no excuses. Feeling limber and slightly nervous, Yukari claimed a starting block in the middle of the track. Rolling her ankles, she bent over and got into a ready position. The coach placed a roll of blanks carefully into a small hand gun.

On your marks . . . he shouted, voice steady. Yukari's heart was pounding in her chest.

Get set . . . The coach raised the gun high into the air as the runners shifted position. Her breathing came faster with anticipation.

BANG!

* * *

The sky was livid with explosions. To someone who did not know better, they might have been mistaken for fireworks. But the crackling reds and oranges in the sky were far from a sign of peace. The smell of sulfur and burning flesh was borne by the wind to all reaches of Fanelia. Soldiers and civilians alike were running madly for cover while the sounds of screaming pierced the once-still night air.

Hitomi was awake the moment the first of the sulfur rockets exploded above the palace. It took her only a second to realize what was going on. Pulling on a pair of sandals and a cerulean robe, she sprinted out of her room and down to the armory. As expected, it was already busy with servants bustling about preparing for retaliatory action. Hitomi's emerald green eyes narrowed as she spotted a familiar figure at the far end of the room who should not have been there. Clenching her fists, she stormed purposefully to the opposite wall of the armory.

Van Fanel! she shouted when she was within range. Take one more step toward that guymelef and I'll personally make sure you live to regret it!

Hitomi's commanding voice halted all movement around her. The figure she had been addressing, a tall, lanky young boy barely three months past eighteen, turned around with a sigh. He had messy jet black hair that should have been tied behind his head like the other soldiers', a complexion that had gotten rather dark after so much time outside, and a hot-headed arrogant air that fairly radiated from him.

The only part of him that seemed to have any trace of selflessness and good were his golden brown eyes. Sometimes, Hitomi caught herself wishing her boyfriend had these eyes that gave the illusion of compassion and caring. She shook the thought out of her head. Wishing for something that could not be only left you wishing, and there were other, more pressing matters at hand.

What do you think you're doing?! Hitomi demanded of the young man before her.

What does it look like?

It looks like you're trying really hard to get yourself killed, Hitomi answered sharply. If there was anything that put her in a bad mood it was Van's rash decisions.

Another sulfur rocket burst overhead, illuminating the armory for a moment in an eerie vermilion light.

Did you see that? Van asked her, waving an arm in the general direction of where the explosion had come from. That's what a surprise attack by Zaibach looks like. This is how it looks when Fanelia responds. Van turned back to his guymelef and prepared to climb in.

And this is how the king will look if he goes out there. Hitomi made a slashing movement across her neck and a strangled gurgle escaped her lips.

Van ignored her, jumping into the pilot's seat of the giant metal melef. Hitomi stamped her foot in frustration as the structure stood and walked slowly to the armory doors. She cursed under her breath and jogged after.

Van, don't be a fool! she shouted up at him. This isn't just some dumb surprise attack to make a dent in Fanelia's numbers! Zaibach is trying to lure you out so they can capture you or even kill you!

Van showed no signs of having heard her or of listening if he had. I may as well be talking to the guymelef for as much attention as I get, Hitomi grumbled to herself as she emerged outside.

The capital city of Fanelia was complete chaos. Buildings were burning, people were running every which way in fear, and every now and again another sulfur rocket would explode overhead. From the light of the fires, Hitomi could make out the shadowy silhouette of a Zaibach floating fortress hovered above the city. Its decks were teeming with soldiers in flying melefs, waiting apparently for a signal to attack. Hitomi tried to point this out to Van, but the fool-hardy king ignored her. Instead, he and a group of soldiers started into town. They would not accomplish anything by this except maybe to be blown up by falling rocks and bombs.

Hitomi took a deep breath and followed them. Surely they had to listen to reason when they started dying! But before she had taken more than a few steps, she heard the hum of machinery coming up very fast behind her. Before she had time to act, a Zaibach guymelef reached out and grabbed her gently around the waist. Without even slowing, it changed course and flew off into the sky toward the fortress.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rai: Hope you like our fic so far. ^_^ Reviews are welcome.
Destiny: So are flames, because Dilly loves them.
Dilly: *from his cage* Moerooooo!!!!!
Rai: I suppose I should put a little disclaimer in here somewhere: We don't own Escaflowne!
Destiny: And never will, considering our pitiful financial circumstances!
Rai: In case you didn't catch the summary, this is a Dilandau/Hitomi/Folken love triangle fic. We've planned out the whole story from beginning to end, but we still would love to hear your suggestions! ^_^
Folkie: So review! If you do, Rai will feed me a piece of chocolate cake!
Destiny: And we'll let Dilandau out of his cage!
Rai: Bye bye!