Hitomi was of average height. Of average weight, average intelligence (though to some she would appear stupid and I suppose to others she would seem smart), average family, average looking. She was about as normal you could go without being oddly-normal. She had bright green eyes that swirled into emerald before meeting the blackness of her pupil. And they always had a shine to them that made them look like jewels, but of course her being plain and like the rest, that really didn't matter. Her hair was short, but no so short you'd think she was a male, but short enough to receive stares from the more feminine of people. And of course it was a chestnut brown that looked golden when the sun hit it. Only one thing set Hitomi apart from most of the girls from school. Her talent to run. She could run and run, faster than the wind, and not get tired. Her friend Yukari would sit on the bleachers by the track and watch Hitomi run around. Four laps to a mile. And Yukari, who had longer and darker hair, would sit in aw
e to her friends speed.
When Hitomi wasn't running, she was thinking.( Which she did quite a lot.) She would come home, take off her brown and tan uniform, set it upon the chair, change into something a little less stiff, sit at her desk and think. She would usually, a little before nine but no so close that the clock would chime, take off her red-stoned pendent and twirl in and out of her fingers. Weaving it and staring, like in a trance. You can't be quite to sure what Hitomi thought of, because her thoughts were private. If Hitomi was the sea, her thoughts would be the sunken ships thousands of feet below. Her expression was that of cat, watching a piece of string dance threw the wind, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But before she could pounce and strike, the alarm clock would go off, reminding her to take a shower and get to bed.
"Tick tock, goes the clock." Her mother sang while running the bath water. Hitomi could hear the squeak of the faucet. The bathroom was only a door away from Hitomi's ever-so-neat room. Most Japanese homes were plain and neat. Hitomi's bed was located in the middle of the room, her desk facing the window, and her dresser adjacent to the door. The room to the bathroom faced her bed in a mocking sort of sense, and Hitomi's mirror stood next to that door. "Hitomi! Your bath is ready."
"Coming." Hitomi had not raised her voice enough for her mother to hear, so she shuffled towards the door. Her mother looked tired. The older woman stood in her purple pants and a pink top that buttoned at the top. Her hair was back with a pink cloth headband. And her mothers age showed through the bags under her eyes and the wrinkles delicately placed along her cheeks and hands. In short, to Hitomi, her mother looked like a piece of cloth that folded neatly. Maybe, a sheet that hung on the drying line and blew in the wind. "Thank you."
"Uh-huh. Just be sure not to spill any? If you do, can you please clean it up Hitomi?" Her mother placed a kiss on Hitomis head before disappearing into the living room. Hitomi shut both doors (one to her room, the other to the living room) and began to undress. The steam from the bath had begun to rise and cling to the mirror. Hitomi, feeling like a child, took her finger and wiped parts of the steam away into a smiley face. She smiled back at her creation and stepped into the bath.
The bath was hot, exactly the way Hitomi liked it. At first it scalded her. And then she closed her eyes. She slowly fell into a state of slumber, yet was still aware she was quite awake. And then, Hitomi saw it. In her bath with her. A face, no a body that sat across from her. White. The eyes hollowed out and now black holes were where the eyes should be. Patches of skin hanging off and its teeth were sharp and white. And it b smiled /b at her before it reached out for her throat. And so she screamed. Nothing came out. No words. She was in a total state of panic. Her hands flew to the hand to try and release herself from its Death Grip. As soon as she touched it, she woke.
"What..What was.." Hitomi was shaking, her hands gripping the sides of the tub. The water had turned cold and her skin was wrinkled. Almost immediately, she checked her throat. Nothing. She was alive. "Weird.."
"Hitomi? Are you okay? You've been in there 45 minutes." She heard her mother call her, and slowly rose, her knees hitting each other as fear shook her body, and the chill tingled her bones.
"I'm okay." She stepped out of the tub and threw her white robe around her. Looking in the mirror, her smiley face and become a sad face. She reached her hand and wiped it away to see her reflection. She blinked when she thought she saw her dream-murderer in the mirror. "Nothing there."
---------------------------------------------Episode 1: The Haunting Dreams----------------------------------
Hitomi was still a bit shaken after her dream. She had almost been to afraid to go fall asleep in the safety of her bed. I Knock it off Hitomi, /I she silently scolded herself, I there was nothing there. Nothing and I mean, NOTHING is going to kill you in your sleep. /I She had dressed in her flannel pajamas and eased herself on the end of the bed. Feeling quite foolish, she lifted her feet from off the floor, afraid something might grab her and pull her underneath. The girl took a glance over at the clock. 10:00 p.m. Stretching her arms and plopping back on her twin-sized bed, Hitomi yawned and rolled over on her stomach. "Goodnight."
"Night, darling." Her mother flicked off the lights and shut the door by her dresser. Not at first, but soon after the door had shut, Hitomi scrambled under her blanket and squeezed her eyes shut. I Nothing there, nothing there. /I
After telling herself this a thousand times more, Hitomi drifted off into a soft slumber. There were no ghosts, no goblins or ghouls. Nothing trying to choke the life out of her. And for once, Hitomi believed she was right that nothing was there.
[Scene II]
After an, to Hitomis rejoice, uneventful sleep, she rose and greeted the morning sun with another yawn. She finished her silent yell and checked the clock, as she had done many a times, and to her delight, it was 6:00. This meant she had over an hour to get ready for school. So sluggishly she pulled on her uniform (first the short brown pleaded skirt, then the tan coat with brown trimmings over a white top, with her red bow and socks), and brushed her hair. The light brown locks listened and let her brush guide them to their proper place. "Ah crap. My calick is still up!" Hitomi cursed her first bad luck of the day before trudging into the kitchen for breakfast. Sniffing the air, she could already tell that her mom had made blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs, and was that a hint of French toast? "Mom, whatever you made smells delicious!"
"Ah. So you ARE up! I thought we had rats in the apartment when I heard the shuffling." Her mother chuckled at her little joke and placed a plate down on the table. Almost on instinct, Hitomi sat in front of it, her mouth drooling. "I made your favorite..Blue-"
"Berry muffins! Woo-hoo! You're the best!" Hitomi grinned and scarfed down the first one that landed on her plate. Her mother tsked tsked, but laughed when she saw Hitomi fanning her tongue. "Ooo. Hot."
"What time is Yukari coming over?" Hitomi stomped chomping on her muffin and swallowed. And as if she was in deep thought, she furrowed her brows.
"Uhm..erhm.." Hitomi twitched her eye in concentration. And magically by cue, the door flung open and in the doorway was a very hungry looking Yukari.
"B-b-b-blueberry muffins?!?!" If Hitomi was the speed of the wind, Yukari was the speed of light. Before Hitomi had a chance to protest, Yukari had gobbled down five muffins, two eggs, and a piece of toast. "Delicious! Scrumptious!"
"Yukari, those were mine." Hitomi pointed out. Yukari blushed and grinned.
"Don't worry, Hitomi-chan, I'll pay you back!" Yukari then grabbed her by the collar and pulled her along, grabbing both of their backpacks and waved goodbye to Mrs.Kanzaki. "But until than, we need to get to school."
"Bye Mom!" Hitomi called.
"Sooooo. Isaac Newton was the person who did gravity, ne class?" Hitomi was about to fall asleep. Science was the stupidest thing Hitomi had ever heard of. I Wow, gravity fascinating. And my teacher sounds like a complete moron! /I Hitomi thought. "Alright, since we are all sooo smart and know everything about Mr. Newton, take out your pens and a piece of paper. We will be having our test today."
"Awwwwwww." The class groaned, but complied and sat quietly as the test was distributed to each row. Hitomi leaned back and sighed. She knew she would ace the test and her mother would be so proud, but she felt a longing for something more. The days passed outside and she could see the leaves start to fall. Would tomorrow be the same as yesterday and today? A leaf hit itself against one of the windows and Hitomi stared at it. I How sad... I'm stuck in here and outside the leaves are dancing /I, Hitomi sighed. The leaf flickered against the glass, causing Hitomi to look past it. A small girl, pale white against the darkening skies. Her white face was full of sorrow, and her white hair fluttered in the wind, making Hitomi think back to the leaf.
"Why aren't you in school?" she called. The classroom around her melted, and she too was standing outside with the little girl. The leaves flew around them and the swings by the school clanked. She watched the girl approach her and held out a hand.
"I'm lost." The girl said. Her voice was sweet and kind, but Hitomi felt there was more to this story. As she walked towards the little girl, the ground started to sink beneath her.
"H-hey! What's going on?" Hitomi felt herself being swallowed up, the ground took half her body. She struggled against it. "Help! Help me!!"
"No." The girl turned and started to hum and skip towards the swings. I She's ignoring me?! How can- how can she? Why..what's that in her back...blood? /I Hitomi struggled to get herself out of the ground. I Can't breath..can't..am I going to die? /I She stopped struggling and felt herself being shaken.
"Hitomi! No sleeping. Do your test first." Her teacher?
"Wha-?" Hitomi sat up. She had fallen asleep. Her crumpled form was hunched over her desk and there was a small puddle of drool on her sleeve. (yuck!) But...but there was no little girl, no earth-swallowing ground. No swings clanking, so darkened skies. Just a whole bunch of teenagers staring at her. Hitomi blushed. "Sorry."
"Hm." Her teacher sat down at his desk in the front of the room. She picked up her pencil and looked outside. I There is no little girl. There is no little girl. /I No little girl.
[Scene III]
"Sorry I'm late Yukari!" Hitomi jumped down the steps to the track, her balance making her look more of a ballerina then a runner. "Had to finish up a science test."
"Hitomi!!! You're making me look bad, and since I'm the manager, I have to take the blame." Yukari yelled, flailing her arms about like a rabid monkey. Hitomi paid no attention to her, but rather the other people at the track. There was the boys team still running. The sky was clear and the clouds were puffy. And the autumn leaves rustled in the wind.
"Have the boys team gone yet?" Hitomi asked, disinterested in her friend's apparent anger. Yukari sighed and took out her clipboard from a nearby bag.
"Yeah. This is there last run, and I'm pretty sure b HE /b's in it." Yukari chuckled as Hitomi stared in awe at one of the male upper classmen. His hair was short and dark brown, and he was tall and very handsome. He sported white running shorts and a red tank-top. To keep his hair out of his eyes, he put a white bandana on. Hitomi could see him stretching and smiled. I He's got to do great. I know he will. /I
"Alright Guys, this is your last run so make it count." The boy's coach motioned and the set themselves up on the running blocks. As the gun fired off, Amano was in front of all the others. He seemed to be a lot faster and stronger than the others.
"Yeah!" Hitomi cheered him from afar. Yukari was timing him, and when he was done, she jumped.
"Wow! 11 seconds! That's amazing. He did it!" Yukari hugged her friend in, what Hitomi thought, was over-enthusiasm. Hitomi was just smiling when Amano looked her way. She blushed and looked down. Instead of her normal school uniform, as Yukari was wearing, she had on some running pants and a coat to match. She slowly took off the coat to reveal a white..or maybe it was lilac, shirt. Loose fit. Yukari was already busy pulling down her pants, which made Hitomi turn a bright shade of red.
"Yukari!" Hitomi hissed and covered herself up. Yukari had a smug look plastered on her face.
"Better get goin'." Yukari giggled and watched Hitomi remove her pants the rest of the way.
"I know, I know." She walked over to the blocks and laced up her red running shoes and clasped her hand around her pendent that hung from her neck. The gold shimmered and reflected in some nearby bystanders eyes. She placed the necklace inside her shirt and bent over, her feet against the blocks. She looked up and down, up and down, and back up. Everything was in place.
"Go for it Hitomi!" Yukari called over from a close patch of grass. Amano stood next to her, a towel around his neck and a water bottle in his hand. She smiled to herself at her friends support and place her hands against the track. It felt hot and pricked her, leaving indentations of the small, red rubber pieces on her hands. I Now is not a time to wimp out. You signed up for track, and this is the only way to make the team, Hitomi./I The girl next to her was a blonde, with her hair pulled back into braids. On Hitomi's left was another girl with black hair that was hung loose in a ponytail.
"Ready...get set...GO." Hitomi pushed off the blocks and ran. She ran as fast as her long athletic legs could take her. She passed everyone. But something caught her eye. The world stopped as Hitomi looked to her left. By the tree. A boy, about her age.
Hitomi found herself standing still. The people around her disappeared, and the once lively setting was now gray. And black. And white. The clouds stopped moving, the birds stopped singing, and in short, the world stopped. It stopped because she looked to the left at the boy.
The boy was alone and leaned against the tree. His black, or what Hitomi thought because she really couldn't tell color now that there was none, bangs hung over his eyes. His eyes were closed from what she could tell. As she approached, he looked up. His shirt was a tank-top, but baggy enough to be a male's sort of clothing. The front part of the shirt, right below his chin, dipped in and out, creased and met the string that held the top part together. His pants were tight, and light from her point of view. It creased at his mid section and at the bottom tucked into his large, dark boots. Hitomi noticed the belt, and followed it to meet a hilt, and a sword. I A sword? Here? Nonsense. /I His eyes opened, and Hitomi felt herself absorbed in them. They sparkled, and were the only thing that had color. A lovely, deep, brownish red, that reminded Hitomi of a rich wine. She felt the world tumble beneath her. Everything became blurred. I Is this real? Or another dream? I can't have fallen asleep on the track..
.Could I? /I
Feeling much like Alice tumbling into Wonderland, Hitomi stretched out her hand as she fell into the deep blackness. The darkness swallowed her. I The earth is swallowing me agai-/I Before she could finish the thought, A pair of white wings floated down at her. A boy showed that the wings belonged to him. "An angel. An angel is going to save me. An angel is floating to me. Me."
The angel was the boy from above with the rich colored eyes. "Who....."
[Scene IV]
The locker room is damp but warm. Some girls are finishing up changing and shoving stuff into their duffle bags, making useless chit-chat. They are done and walk into an office that's attached to the locker room. Yukari leans against the desk, her butt resting on the edge. She looks at the records of the times and makes her final adjustments. The light wanders around, and Yukari has her back to the window. She can feel the heat radiate against her and she sighs. I Hitomi went to the nurse after she fainted..Did Amano check up on her yet? /I She thought to herself.
"I'm sooo thirsty!" One of the runners declares. She is standing not to far from Yukari with the other girls.
"Wanna go somewhere?" Another one questions. They nod and turn to Yukari.
"Yukari, are you gonna stop for some tea with us?" A third one chimes in. Yukari shakes her head.
"I have to finish editing these records." She explains. "I'll probably just go home with Hitomi."
"You shouldn't bother them." The first girl giggles. Yukari knew who they were talking about and became a bit jealous of her best friend.
"Really. You shouldn't." The second giggles with her and pats her stomach as it growls. Yukari jumps up and smiles wickedly.
"It's okay. I'll bother them." She gives a half-hearted chuckle. The other girls join her and giggle.
"You're, like, so mean Yukari!" says the third track runner. Yukari winks at her and smiles.
"Alright, let's go."
"Bye, Yukari."
"Seeya." They head out the office and Yukari calls after them.
"Good practice everyone!" She yells and sits back into her resting position, gazing down thoughtfully at the dust that was mustered in the sunlight. She looks sadly down at her records and the pencil that sits upon them. I Amano.../I
b At the Nurses /b
Hitomi lays in a bed. The afternoon light shimmers at the bottom of her bed. She slowly opens her eyes, those green eyes, and they adjust to the light. At first the picture is fuzzy, and her eyes adjust on the boy over her. Amano. She blushes, sits up, and pulls the covers over top of her.
"Captain Amano!" Hitomi says, half confused, half shocked. Her cheeks reddened even more as he put up his hands and gestured for her to lie down.
"You'd better get some rest, Hitomi." Amano explains. She nods, but doesn't comply. Instead she sits up as he sits on the edge of her bed.
"Thank you." Hitomi tells him. I What am I thanking him for? Oh, being polite..right. /I she thinks. He gazes at her.
"It was fortunate that you didn't get hurt." He comments. Hitomi somewhat smiles at his comment.
"Right.."
"Your forms getting better, Kanzaki. I can tell you've been practicing since Junior High." Amano compliments. Hitomi scratches the back of her neck, feeling the sweat from being nervous.
"Not really." She contridicts, being modest perhaps. "I still can't beat thirteen seconds. I wish I was as good of a runner as you, Amano."
It's his turn to blush, ever so slightly, and gives his opinion. "It's the way you come off the blocks. Take courage, and step forward as far as you can go. Give it all you got."
"All I got?" Hitomi asks. She looks down. He notices her pendent as it glints in the sun.
"Hey, that's a really nice pendent." Amano smiles. She takes it off and clasps it in her hand.
"Oh this? It's my good luck charm. My grandmother gave it to me. It's really quite interesting," She holds it from the top so it hangs down, "because when you swing it, it acts as a pendulum. Always in perfect sync. Never speeding up or slowing down."
"Wow. Let me try." She hands it to him and he holds it as she did. He starts to swing it.
"One..." Hitomi starts the count.
"Two..Three..Four..Five..Six...Seven." Amano continues the count, looking at the overhead clock above the door. She watches him.
"Eight..nine..ten...eleven..twelve..thirteen..fourteen.." They count together now, both looking at the clock.
"Fifteen. Sixteen..Seventeen.." Hitomi is alone. Amano stops swinging and leans in very close to her, pendent in hand.
"Kanzaki..to tell you the truth..I.." He starts. She is blushing and stares directly into his brown eyes. I Amano../I
"I..." He falters for a moment. The door slides open and Yukari stands in the doorway.
"Hitomi..your bag.." She stops as soon as she sees them. Hitomi's bag is around Yukari, and Hitomi can't bring herself to words. Yukari is in shock as Amano just stares at her, in an odd manner. Hitomi feels like her world toppled over.
[Scene V]
"Yukari! Hey Yukari, wait up, will you?" Hitomi chases Yukari, who seems to be in a fit, down the sidewalk of a small street. The heavy smell of a nearby café is in the air, and trees align the sidewalk. "C'mon Yukari. Talk to me."
"Strawberry cake at Yugetsudo... Kamakuraya's cheesecake...Shonan Honpo's pancakes.. Jerrat's Classic Peppermint Ice cream, and one desert everyday." Yukari stops and nods her head in approval. "That'll be enough to forgive you."
"I didn't pass out on purpose you know." Hitomi frowns at her friends large appetite and shifts her weigh so that the bag doesn't strain her shoulder. Yukari laughs and places a finger on her chin.
"I wonder." She starts. Hitomi is pretty sure she's going to say something rude or ignorant. "If something wouldn't have happened if I hadn't shown up."
"Knock it off." Hitomi mutters. Her eyes become soft as Yukari walks next to her. The sun is now a red orb, and sits behind some of Japans small buildings. The sky is set on fire with variation of pinks, purples, reds, oranges, and yellows. The clouds remind Hitomi of something from a movie set as the gently drift east. Hitomi can see a few leaves twirl in the wind and pass her and Yukari. They stop right under a bridge. The roads are empty at this time of day. No cars, no people. Yukari and Hitomi were utterly alone.
"Hitomi ...do you ever think you and Amano..would. "Yukari pauses and closes her eyes. She breaths it, but it sounds like a shaky breath. The wind catches a part of Yukari's brown locks and tosses it about. Hitomi stares at her friend.
Yukari's eyes are soft and warm, like a soft fire in winter. They're a beautiful shade of brown. Hitomi thought that they reminded her of a mud puddle and that if Yukari should cry, it would rain and the puddles would splash. Hitomi has never seen Yukari cry, or upset really. I She is really quite a strong person../I Hitomi thinks. Her friend almost smirks, but it's a sad smirk.
"What's wrong, Yukari?" Hitomi places a hand thoughtfully on the other girl's shoulder. Yukari turns away. Hitomi thought something was wrong. "Yukari?"
"I'm sorry, Hitomi." Yukari says after a long pause. The green-eyed girl arches an eyebrow.
"What for, Yukari?" Hitomi can feel a lump in her throat. She's nervous. It was like she was breathing through a straw. The way Yukari looked at Hitomi. With sad, sad eyes. It made Hitomi want to cry. But she couldn't. All she could do was stand there and watch her friend wrap her arms around her.
"I heard some upper classmen talking. They say that Amano's leaving the country." Yukari starts to say. Hitomi tenses at her touch and bites her lower lip. "His dad got a job in England or something."
iAmano's leaving? He's going away? But..but he can't. No. Not now./I Hitomi feels her knees turn to jelly. An ocean crashes in her stomach and she felt like if she would open her mouth, thousands of butterflies would come out.
"He won't even be at the last track meet. Oh Hitomi, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel for him, and I think you should just tell him." Hitomi hears Yukari's voice, muffled and soft. "Just tell him before it's to late. You'll regret it, Hitomi, if you don't."
"Alright." She replies through a weak voice. Her throat is dry, and no butterflies came out. She feels like she's swallowed some cotton. Yukari pulls away and gives her friend a small, reassuring smile before she darts in one direction, waving. "Bye..."
It was the morning of the day Amano was set to leave. Hitomi was sitting on her bed, the sunlight resting at her feet, like a cat that had to much nip, and the dust dancing and weaving in and out of its beam. She looked out towards the small houses, and the roads, and the trees that gracefully aged. The town itself was ageless, but its people were not. She knew this, and in a fruitless effort had tried to stop time. Time would never stop, except in pictures.
Her gaze shifted from the outer world to hers. The colors blurred to form the picture on her desk. Hitomi had taken no notice to it, except for if it was not the fact Amano's face lingered there with her and Yukari. Hitomi had found herself looking at the camera when the picture had been taken, but Yukari's eyes sought out Amano. Hitomi had never taken notice to it, until now. A pang in her heart told her that Yukari loved Amano, but Hitomi listened to her head and assumed Yukari just glanced over past him.
"Don't be foolish." Hitomi muttered, as she laid back against her soft blue comforter and sighed. "A glitch. She just glanced over."
Hitomi muttered and walked to her closet, speaking only words she could hear. Maybe she said nothing, or maybe she was saying things that are not important. Slipping on her running gear, she stepped out into the afternoon light. Amano was waiting for her. Or she knew secretly, that he would be there.
Sprinting past the houses and endless telephone poles, the mid-afternoon sky was on fire with the colors of the sun. Hitomi knew Amano stood at the track, gazing outward and thinking of fond memories he had there. The day he won the school championship and won a scholar to a good school. The day he met Hitomi as a 7th grader. After classes practice. Before school jogging. The little things that consumed his time. Had he treasured them, as she treasured her moments on the track?
Some people spend their time drawing, some writing, some dreaming, and some living. But they were the minority that ran. They ran, and ran, and ran. They ran in anything, if the weather permitted. Why? Because, they wanted to go places. They wanted their legs to take their dreams and make them realities. And this was true. Hitomi runs. Amano runs. Yukari keeps track. Track of the track records.
Hitomi ran now. She let her legs carry her body without thought. Her heart beat in rhythm, and pretty soon, at a stead pace, she was at the track. And there he stood.
Maybe it was fate that led them there. Or maybe something above pushed them towards each other. I Don't wimp out now, Kanzaki. /I Hitomi gathered the courage to walk, actually WALK towards him. She felt butterflies soar within her. She was sure sweat was running down her face as she held out her hand, in a fist.
"Captain Amano." She stated. He acknowledged her and she continued, a bit more confident than before. "If I can run the 100 meter dash, in 13 seconds..."
"Hm?" He half questioned. She turned a deep shade of red and bowed.
"Will you give me my very first kiss?" She blurted. The silence came, and Hitomi couldn't find it in her heart to look at him. In her hand, the pendent dangled. The pendent that kept perfect time. 13 swings for 13 seconds. He smirked, nodded, and took the pendent from her hand.
Her head shot up and looked at him. "Eh?"
"I'd be honored, Kanzaki." He told her. She grinned.
"Thank you." She smiled and felt grateful, relieved and a bit scared. "Thank you so much, Amano."
b Escaflowne /b
Sometimes, she didn't know what to say. Other times, she said too much. Right now, her words stopped at her mouth, died, and she swallowed them back down, to where they were remixed and jumbled about. Yukari was always good with words. She had a knack for just yapping on and on about today's gossip, or yesterdays fashion. Hitomi, however, fell silent when it came to saying important things.
Standing in front of the mirror, Hitomi checked herself out once more. She had long slender legs that were shapely, but as far as Hitomi was concerned, beauty was skin deep. She was very keen to noticing a wrinkle in her shirt, but when it came to her body, Hitomi felt there was no need to look good. I We are all made differently, but perhaps we are all the same, and the fact that makes us different is the fact we choose to be,/I she thought to herself. Nodding in approval, she set off towards the track.
As she walked towards her school, and small chill sent shivers down her back. It seemed that white faces appeared on the walls, where the shadows didn't dare to dance. Feeling a bit scared, Hitomi made a brisk pace. The moon was high, and brightly colored a blue white hue, with dimples that gave it charm. The stars twinkled and gleamed, sparkled and shone down; illuminating the small Japanese streets. The only sounds Hitomi observed was her short, quick breaths and thuds of her own heartbeat mixed with her steps. The warm air was pleasant, but there was an ominous chill in the air.
She felt like she was being watched, as she made her way. Her hair bobbed in the wind, and faintly, (or so she though) she heard whispers and echoes of "Help" and "No more", carried and modified to scare her. I Don't be silly, Hitomi, /I she whispered to herself. The leaves rattled and twirled. One spiraled down at her, and she saw a sad face morphed in the brownish leaves. "How sad...the leaf looks alone."
Hitomi squatted in front of the oak tree, and realized she was right in front of her grand school, that sat by itself away from the houses and stores, streets and playgrounds. She scooped up the leaf in a quick motion, and twirled it around. The face danced, and looked like tears trickling down.
"Please.." The face disappeared as Hitomi dropped the leaf and backed away.
"What-what-..." Hitomi held her hands up in defense. The wind picked up the leaf and carried it down the street, tumbling it with other debris.
"Hitomi!" A masculine voice yelled. She turned and saw Amano, waving at her from afar. She shook her head of her silly, stupid thoughts and jogged towards the track. "You're late."
"I like to make an entrance." She smiled, her eyes shining with the stars and reflecting the moon. She took her pendent and unclasped it from her neck and handed it to him, and walked to one end of the track.
"Ready?" He asked. She nodded, and the lights over the track flickered on. Hitomi's gaze fell to Yukari, standing by one pole, smiling and waving.
"Yukari." Hitomi said under her breath, barely audible to her own ears. Yukari had Hitomis bag around her and sat down on a local bleacher. Hitomi placed her feet on the blocks and got in the 'ready' position, for lack of a better term. Amano had the pendent clasped in his hand.
"Give it all you got. Focus everything.." He chanted her on, silently wanting to just kiss her, maybe Yukari. Hell, any kiss would be good right about now. I Give it your all../I
[Scene VI]
"So, what's that make?" A boy leaned against a tree, in an unknown place, where a blue moon and the other moon hung in the sky. The stars glinted and whispered secrets, winking at each other. He was a cocky teenager, about 15, with short black hair, and a short temper to match it. A sour face usually plastered with him, it was second nature to this boy to be cruel. Put up his defenses, and take it like a man that he was. To him, killing was just like breathing. You have to do, what you got to do. No questions ask. Someone attacks you- you kill them. Someone offends you- you kill them. Someone mocks your family- you kill them. Plain and simple. He balanced his sword on his palm and laughed. "Three in the last village, four before that, and...six was it? Six I believe in the first."
"Prince Van, walking around and killing people like they're your trophies is no way to behave." A tall, large-muscled man moved from the shadows. He was 4 times the size of the teen. His gray hair and mustache proved that he indeed was older, and wiser than the boy. A scar ran parallel to his right eye, across his left; starting from the forehead and ending near the nose. He was a master of the sword. You can tell these sort of things by the way a man carries and presents himself.
"Tch. They deserved it." Van snickered. The swords master felt disgusted with his pupil.
"How so, Lord Van?" The man questioned. A displeased look was in Vans eye, and his one snickering turned to bickering.
"They DARE try to take over my kingdom. They DARE and CHALLENGE me, Balgus," He started, walking and holding himself like he was the best thing since sliced bread. "The child, I do admit, was an accident, and I did try and save her."
"The blonde girl, whom you helped bury, you mean Your Highness?"
"Balgus, you know exactly who I mean." Van lost his patience. "Are we ready yet?"
"Yes, Lord Van. You know what you have to do in order to become king." Balgus walked towards a castle in the clearing of the forest. The leaves rustled as they brushed past some thorn bushes, and a wild rose bush. The flowers glinted and sent an eerie glow to meet Vans eye. He stopped and stared. Balgus too, stopped to see what his Lord was looking at. "My lord?"
"Balgus, I-I'm sorry I snapped at you." He turned and continued on, keeping his head down. His long black locks dropped in front of his eyes, and the shadows played on his face to make it almost seem Van was regretful.
In the clearing, a small town stood between to large mountains. The hill where they were was above the small village, and it led down to two large gates. In the middle of the glorious town, the castle stood and loomed above the houses and shops. It was quiet at this time of night, and only dim lit candles shown in some houses. Torches stood at the gates towers, with faint silhouettes of guards. The two mountains cradled the town, and protected it from the danger that lurked about.
Dragons. The valley of the Dragons town. Also known as Fanalia. The people poor, but humble. The Royal Family- all dead except the son of the mighty king Gaou, and graceful queen Varie, while being the younger brother of the noble Folken. The family name was passed on as Fanel, and it held honor, yet was a meek name. The town was nothing compared to the port Town of Asturia, that lay to the East. Or the temple mosques of Fried. It was a town though. It had a king, and shall continue to live on- day to day- until it perhaps, as many towns do, crumbles.
"Home." Van muttered. His red tank top rustled with the wind, and his locks swayed uneasily. He gripped the side of his sword- the royal sword- and smirked. "Looks like we finally made it back, eh Balgus?"
"It would appear that way, Lord Van. Now for us to get ready for your right of passage." Balgus instructed.
"Dragon-slaying." The boy knew. It had been that way. His brother had failed, and ceased to return almost 10 years ago. He had been thought of dead till this very day. His mother had went out into the forest to find him- but she as well- did not return. Ever since, Van has been alone. He held his head high, and didn't let the hurtful words of the townspeople affect his pride. And Van, as stubborn and hot-headed as he was, had great pride. "I'll go get ready, Balgus. And meet you in the weaponry in a bit."
"Yes, your highness." Balgus tilted his head in respect to the boy-king and walked towards one part of the castle. Van, on the other hand, walked towards a forgotten part of the castle.
In about a half an hours time, both the boy and the man met again in a dark, silent room. The wood was old, but still a soft cedar color. Small lanterns hung from the wooden pillars in the room. On the wall, spears, swords, daggers, crossbows, and other weapons decorated the plain wood planks. Van stood, in armor of green and gold over his red shirt. The breastplate was more of a bronze in this light, and the green sleeves tucked into his golden gauntlets. Van took a crossbow of the wall and snapped it onto his right gauntlet, and a hookshot on his left one. Securing his sword, Van turned back to Balgus and nodded.
"Are you sure you're ready, Lord Van?" Balgus asked, stepping into the light. The black haired boy nodded.
"I am." He responded, looking up at his teacher.
"I'm sure you can kill the dragon, Lord Van. Your brothers disgrace.."
"I WON'T turn my back on the enemy, Balgus." Van turned his head down and emphasized won't. I Folken was a coward....wasn't he? /i
Authors note: Eee. Okay well I'm nowhere near done and stuff, but tell me what you think anyways. Sorta variation. Uhm im almost done this first chapter. Whoo.
Dedicated to: Charles, my lovely boyfriend :D GeminiDragon and Leah- who reviewed with the terrible layout. Hehe. RevieW
e to her friends speed.
When Hitomi wasn't running, she was thinking.( Which she did quite a lot.) She would come home, take off her brown and tan uniform, set it upon the chair, change into something a little less stiff, sit at her desk and think. She would usually, a little before nine but no so close that the clock would chime, take off her red-stoned pendent and twirl in and out of her fingers. Weaving it and staring, like in a trance. You can't be quite to sure what Hitomi thought of, because her thoughts were private. If Hitomi was the sea, her thoughts would be the sunken ships thousands of feet below. Her expression was that of cat, watching a piece of string dance threw the wind, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But before she could pounce and strike, the alarm clock would go off, reminding her to take a shower and get to bed.
"Tick tock, goes the clock." Her mother sang while running the bath water. Hitomi could hear the squeak of the faucet. The bathroom was only a door away from Hitomi's ever-so-neat room. Most Japanese homes were plain and neat. Hitomi's bed was located in the middle of the room, her desk facing the window, and her dresser adjacent to the door. The room to the bathroom faced her bed in a mocking sort of sense, and Hitomi's mirror stood next to that door. "Hitomi! Your bath is ready."
"Coming." Hitomi had not raised her voice enough for her mother to hear, so she shuffled towards the door. Her mother looked tired. The older woman stood in her purple pants and a pink top that buttoned at the top. Her hair was back with a pink cloth headband. And her mothers age showed through the bags under her eyes and the wrinkles delicately placed along her cheeks and hands. In short, to Hitomi, her mother looked like a piece of cloth that folded neatly. Maybe, a sheet that hung on the drying line and blew in the wind. "Thank you."
"Uh-huh. Just be sure not to spill any? If you do, can you please clean it up Hitomi?" Her mother placed a kiss on Hitomis head before disappearing into the living room. Hitomi shut both doors (one to her room, the other to the living room) and began to undress. The steam from the bath had begun to rise and cling to the mirror. Hitomi, feeling like a child, took her finger and wiped parts of the steam away into a smiley face. She smiled back at her creation and stepped into the bath.
The bath was hot, exactly the way Hitomi liked it. At first it scalded her. And then she closed her eyes. She slowly fell into a state of slumber, yet was still aware she was quite awake. And then, Hitomi saw it. In her bath with her. A face, no a body that sat across from her. White. The eyes hollowed out and now black holes were where the eyes should be. Patches of skin hanging off and its teeth were sharp and white. And it b smiled /b at her before it reached out for her throat. And so she screamed. Nothing came out. No words. She was in a total state of panic. Her hands flew to the hand to try and release herself from its Death Grip. As soon as she touched it, she woke.
"What..What was.." Hitomi was shaking, her hands gripping the sides of the tub. The water had turned cold and her skin was wrinkled. Almost immediately, she checked her throat. Nothing. She was alive. "Weird.."
"Hitomi? Are you okay? You've been in there 45 minutes." She heard her mother call her, and slowly rose, her knees hitting each other as fear shook her body, and the chill tingled her bones.
"I'm okay." She stepped out of the tub and threw her white robe around her. Looking in the mirror, her smiley face and become a sad face. She reached her hand and wiped it away to see her reflection. She blinked when she thought she saw her dream-murderer in the mirror. "Nothing there."
---------------------------------------------Episode 1: The Haunting Dreams----------------------------------
Hitomi was still a bit shaken after her dream. She had almost been to afraid to go fall asleep in the safety of her bed. I Knock it off Hitomi, /I she silently scolded herself, I there was nothing there. Nothing and I mean, NOTHING is going to kill you in your sleep. /I She had dressed in her flannel pajamas and eased herself on the end of the bed. Feeling quite foolish, she lifted her feet from off the floor, afraid something might grab her and pull her underneath. The girl took a glance over at the clock. 10:00 p.m. Stretching her arms and plopping back on her twin-sized bed, Hitomi yawned and rolled over on her stomach. "Goodnight."
"Night, darling." Her mother flicked off the lights and shut the door by her dresser. Not at first, but soon after the door had shut, Hitomi scrambled under her blanket and squeezed her eyes shut. I Nothing there, nothing there. /I
After telling herself this a thousand times more, Hitomi drifted off into a soft slumber. There were no ghosts, no goblins or ghouls. Nothing trying to choke the life out of her. And for once, Hitomi believed she was right that nothing was there.
[Scene II]
After an, to Hitomis rejoice, uneventful sleep, she rose and greeted the morning sun with another yawn. She finished her silent yell and checked the clock, as she had done many a times, and to her delight, it was 6:00. This meant she had over an hour to get ready for school. So sluggishly she pulled on her uniform (first the short brown pleaded skirt, then the tan coat with brown trimmings over a white top, with her red bow and socks), and brushed her hair. The light brown locks listened and let her brush guide them to their proper place. "Ah crap. My calick is still up!" Hitomi cursed her first bad luck of the day before trudging into the kitchen for breakfast. Sniffing the air, she could already tell that her mom had made blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs, and was that a hint of French toast? "Mom, whatever you made smells delicious!"
"Ah. So you ARE up! I thought we had rats in the apartment when I heard the shuffling." Her mother chuckled at her little joke and placed a plate down on the table. Almost on instinct, Hitomi sat in front of it, her mouth drooling. "I made your favorite..Blue-"
"Berry muffins! Woo-hoo! You're the best!" Hitomi grinned and scarfed down the first one that landed on her plate. Her mother tsked tsked, but laughed when she saw Hitomi fanning her tongue. "Ooo. Hot."
"What time is Yukari coming over?" Hitomi stomped chomping on her muffin and swallowed. And as if she was in deep thought, she furrowed her brows.
"Uhm..erhm.." Hitomi twitched her eye in concentration. And magically by cue, the door flung open and in the doorway was a very hungry looking Yukari.
"B-b-b-blueberry muffins?!?!" If Hitomi was the speed of the wind, Yukari was the speed of light. Before Hitomi had a chance to protest, Yukari had gobbled down five muffins, two eggs, and a piece of toast. "Delicious! Scrumptious!"
"Yukari, those were mine." Hitomi pointed out. Yukari blushed and grinned.
"Don't worry, Hitomi-chan, I'll pay you back!" Yukari then grabbed her by the collar and pulled her along, grabbing both of their backpacks and waved goodbye to Mrs.Kanzaki. "But until than, we need to get to school."
"Bye Mom!" Hitomi called.
"Sooooo. Isaac Newton was the person who did gravity, ne class?" Hitomi was about to fall asleep. Science was the stupidest thing Hitomi had ever heard of. I Wow, gravity fascinating. And my teacher sounds like a complete moron! /I Hitomi thought. "Alright, since we are all sooo smart and know everything about Mr. Newton, take out your pens and a piece of paper. We will be having our test today."
"Awwwwwww." The class groaned, but complied and sat quietly as the test was distributed to each row. Hitomi leaned back and sighed. She knew she would ace the test and her mother would be so proud, but she felt a longing for something more. The days passed outside and she could see the leaves start to fall. Would tomorrow be the same as yesterday and today? A leaf hit itself against one of the windows and Hitomi stared at it. I How sad... I'm stuck in here and outside the leaves are dancing /I, Hitomi sighed. The leaf flickered against the glass, causing Hitomi to look past it. A small girl, pale white against the darkening skies. Her white face was full of sorrow, and her white hair fluttered in the wind, making Hitomi think back to the leaf.
"Why aren't you in school?" she called. The classroom around her melted, and she too was standing outside with the little girl. The leaves flew around them and the swings by the school clanked. She watched the girl approach her and held out a hand.
"I'm lost." The girl said. Her voice was sweet and kind, but Hitomi felt there was more to this story. As she walked towards the little girl, the ground started to sink beneath her.
"H-hey! What's going on?" Hitomi felt herself being swallowed up, the ground took half her body. She struggled against it. "Help! Help me!!"
"No." The girl turned and started to hum and skip towards the swings. I She's ignoring me?! How can- how can she? Why..what's that in her back...blood? /I Hitomi struggled to get herself out of the ground. I Can't breath..can't..am I going to die? /I She stopped struggling and felt herself being shaken.
"Hitomi! No sleeping. Do your test first." Her teacher?
"Wha-?" Hitomi sat up. She had fallen asleep. Her crumpled form was hunched over her desk and there was a small puddle of drool on her sleeve. (yuck!) But...but there was no little girl, no earth-swallowing ground. No swings clanking, so darkened skies. Just a whole bunch of teenagers staring at her. Hitomi blushed. "Sorry."
"Hm." Her teacher sat down at his desk in the front of the room. She picked up her pencil and looked outside. I There is no little girl. There is no little girl. /I No little girl.
[Scene III]
"Sorry I'm late Yukari!" Hitomi jumped down the steps to the track, her balance making her look more of a ballerina then a runner. "Had to finish up a science test."
"Hitomi!!! You're making me look bad, and since I'm the manager, I have to take the blame." Yukari yelled, flailing her arms about like a rabid monkey. Hitomi paid no attention to her, but rather the other people at the track. There was the boys team still running. The sky was clear and the clouds were puffy. And the autumn leaves rustled in the wind.
"Have the boys team gone yet?" Hitomi asked, disinterested in her friend's apparent anger. Yukari sighed and took out her clipboard from a nearby bag.
"Yeah. This is there last run, and I'm pretty sure b HE /b's in it." Yukari chuckled as Hitomi stared in awe at one of the male upper classmen. His hair was short and dark brown, and he was tall and very handsome. He sported white running shorts and a red tank-top. To keep his hair out of his eyes, he put a white bandana on. Hitomi could see him stretching and smiled. I He's got to do great. I know he will. /I
"Alright Guys, this is your last run so make it count." The boy's coach motioned and the set themselves up on the running blocks. As the gun fired off, Amano was in front of all the others. He seemed to be a lot faster and stronger than the others.
"Yeah!" Hitomi cheered him from afar. Yukari was timing him, and when he was done, she jumped.
"Wow! 11 seconds! That's amazing. He did it!" Yukari hugged her friend in, what Hitomi thought, was over-enthusiasm. Hitomi was just smiling when Amano looked her way. She blushed and looked down. Instead of her normal school uniform, as Yukari was wearing, she had on some running pants and a coat to match. She slowly took off the coat to reveal a white..or maybe it was lilac, shirt. Loose fit. Yukari was already busy pulling down her pants, which made Hitomi turn a bright shade of red.
"Yukari!" Hitomi hissed and covered herself up. Yukari had a smug look plastered on her face.
"Better get goin'." Yukari giggled and watched Hitomi remove her pants the rest of the way.
"I know, I know." She walked over to the blocks and laced up her red running shoes and clasped her hand around her pendent that hung from her neck. The gold shimmered and reflected in some nearby bystanders eyes. She placed the necklace inside her shirt and bent over, her feet against the blocks. She looked up and down, up and down, and back up. Everything was in place.
"Go for it Hitomi!" Yukari called over from a close patch of grass. Amano stood next to her, a towel around his neck and a water bottle in his hand. She smiled to herself at her friends support and place her hands against the track. It felt hot and pricked her, leaving indentations of the small, red rubber pieces on her hands. I Now is not a time to wimp out. You signed up for track, and this is the only way to make the team, Hitomi./I The girl next to her was a blonde, with her hair pulled back into braids. On Hitomi's left was another girl with black hair that was hung loose in a ponytail.
"Ready...get set...GO." Hitomi pushed off the blocks and ran. She ran as fast as her long athletic legs could take her. She passed everyone. But something caught her eye. The world stopped as Hitomi looked to her left. By the tree. A boy, about her age.
Hitomi found herself standing still. The people around her disappeared, and the once lively setting was now gray. And black. And white. The clouds stopped moving, the birds stopped singing, and in short, the world stopped. It stopped because she looked to the left at the boy.
The boy was alone and leaned against the tree. His black, or what Hitomi thought because she really couldn't tell color now that there was none, bangs hung over his eyes. His eyes were closed from what she could tell. As she approached, he looked up. His shirt was a tank-top, but baggy enough to be a male's sort of clothing. The front part of the shirt, right below his chin, dipped in and out, creased and met the string that held the top part together. His pants were tight, and light from her point of view. It creased at his mid section and at the bottom tucked into his large, dark boots. Hitomi noticed the belt, and followed it to meet a hilt, and a sword. I A sword? Here? Nonsense. /I His eyes opened, and Hitomi felt herself absorbed in them. They sparkled, and were the only thing that had color. A lovely, deep, brownish red, that reminded Hitomi of a rich wine. She felt the world tumble beneath her. Everything became blurred. I Is this real? Or another dream? I can't have fallen asleep on the track..
.Could I? /I
Feeling much like Alice tumbling into Wonderland, Hitomi stretched out her hand as she fell into the deep blackness. The darkness swallowed her. I The earth is swallowing me agai-/I Before she could finish the thought, A pair of white wings floated down at her. A boy showed that the wings belonged to him. "An angel. An angel is going to save me. An angel is floating to me. Me."
The angel was the boy from above with the rich colored eyes. "Who....."
[Scene IV]
The locker room is damp but warm. Some girls are finishing up changing and shoving stuff into their duffle bags, making useless chit-chat. They are done and walk into an office that's attached to the locker room. Yukari leans against the desk, her butt resting on the edge. She looks at the records of the times and makes her final adjustments. The light wanders around, and Yukari has her back to the window. She can feel the heat radiate against her and she sighs. I Hitomi went to the nurse after she fainted..Did Amano check up on her yet? /I She thought to herself.
"I'm sooo thirsty!" One of the runners declares. She is standing not to far from Yukari with the other girls.
"Wanna go somewhere?" Another one questions. They nod and turn to Yukari.
"Yukari, are you gonna stop for some tea with us?" A third one chimes in. Yukari shakes her head.
"I have to finish editing these records." She explains. "I'll probably just go home with Hitomi."
"You shouldn't bother them." The first girl giggles. Yukari knew who they were talking about and became a bit jealous of her best friend.
"Really. You shouldn't." The second giggles with her and pats her stomach as it growls. Yukari jumps up and smiles wickedly.
"It's okay. I'll bother them." She gives a half-hearted chuckle. The other girls join her and giggle.
"You're, like, so mean Yukari!" says the third track runner. Yukari winks at her and smiles.
"Alright, let's go."
"Bye, Yukari."
"Seeya." They head out the office and Yukari calls after them.
"Good practice everyone!" She yells and sits back into her resting position, gazing down thoughtfully at the dust that was mustered in the sunlight. She looks sadly down at her records and the pencil that sits upon them. I Amano.../I
b At the Nurses /b
Hitomi lays in a bed. The afternoon light shimmers at the bottom of her bed. She slowly opens her eyes, those green eyes, and they adjust to the light. At first the picture is fuzzy, and her eyes adjust on the boy over her. Amano. She blushes, sits up, and pulls the covers over top of her.
"Captain Amano!" Hitomi says, half confused, half shocked. Her cheeks reddened even more as he put up his hands and gestured for her to lie down.
"You'd better get some rest, Hitomi." Amano explains. She nods, but doesn't comply. Instead she sits up as he sits on the edge of her bed.
"Thank you." Hitomi tells him. I What am I thanking him for? Oh, being polite..right. /I she thinks. He gazes at her.
"It was fortunate that you didn't get hurt." He comments. Hitomi somewhat smiles at his comment.
"Right.."
"Your forms getting better, Kanzaki. I can tell you've been practicing since Junior High." Amano compliments. Hitomi scratches the back of her neck, feeling the sweat from being nervous.
"Not really." She contridicts, being modest perhaps. "I still can't beat thirteen seconds. I wish I was as good of a runner as you, Amano."
It's his turn to blush, ever so slightly, and gives his opinion. "It's the way you come off the blocks. Take courage, and step forward as far as you can go. Give it all you got."
"All I got?" Hitomi asks. She looks down. He notices her pendent as it glints in the sun.
"Hey, that's a really nice pendent." Amano smiles. She takes it off and clasps it in her hand.
"Oh this? It's my good luck charm. My grandmother gave it to me. It's really quite interesting," She holds it from the top so it hangs down, "because when you swing it, it acts as a pendulum. Always in perfect sync. Never speeding up or slowing down."
"Wow. Let me try." She hands it to him and he holds it as she did. He starts to swing it.
"One..." Hitomi starts the count.
"Two..Three..Four..Five..Six...Seven." Amano continues the count, looking at the overhead clock above the door. She watches him.
"Eight..nine..ten...eleven..twelve..thirteen..fourteen.." They count together now, both looking at the clock.
"Fifteen. Sixteen..Seventeen.." Hitomi is alone. Amano stops swinging and leans in very close to her, pendent in hand.
"Kanzaki..to tell you the truth..I.." He starts. She is blushing and stares directly into his brown eyes. I Amano../I
"I..." He falters for a moment. The door slides open and Yukari stands in the doorway.
"Hitomi..your bag.." She stops as soon as she sees them. Hitomi's bag is around Yukari, and Hitomi can't bring herself to words. Yukari is in shock as Amano just stares at her, in an odd manner. Hitomi feels like her world toppled over.
[Scene V]
"Yukari! Hey Yukari, wait up, will you?" Hitomi chases Yukari, who seems to be in a fit, down the sidewalk of a small street. The heavy smell of a nearby café is in the air, and trees align the sidewalk. "C'mon Yukari. Talk to me."
"Strawberry cake at Yugetsudo... Kamakuraya's cheesecake...Shonan Honpo's pancakes.. Jerrat's Classic Peppermint Ice cream, and one desert everyday." Yukari stops and nods her head in approval. "That'll be enough to forgive you."
"I didn't pass out on purpose you know." Hitomi frowns at her friends large appetite and shifts her weigh so that the bag doesn't strain her shoulder. Yukari laughs and places a finger on her chin.
"I wonder." She starts. Hitomi is pretty sure she's going to say something rude or ignorant. "If something wouldn't have happened if I hadn't shown up."
"Knock it off." Hitomi mutters. Her eyes become soft as Yukari walks next to her. The sun is now a red orb, and sits behind some of Japans small buildings. The sky is set on fire with variation of pinks, purples, reds, oranges, and yellows. The clouds remind Hitomi of something from a movie set as the gently drift east. Hitomi can see a few leaves twirl in the wind and pass her and Yukari. They stop right under a bridge. The roads are empty at this time of day. No cars, no people. Yukari and Hitomi were utterly alone.
"Hitomi ...do you ever think you and Amano..would. "Yukari pauses and closes her eyes. She breaths it, but it sounds like a shaky breath. The wind catches a part of Yukari's brown locks and tosses it about. Hitomi stares at her friend.
Yukari's eyes are soft and warm, like a soft fire in winter. They're a beautiful shade of brown. Hitomi thought that they reminded her of a mud puddle and that if Yukari should cry, it would rain and the puddles would splash. Hitomi has never seen Yukari cry, or upset really. I She is really quite a strong person../I Hitomi thinks. Her friend almost smirks, but it's a sad smirk.
"What's wrong, Yukari?" Hitomi places a hand thoughtfully on the other girl's shoulder. Yukari turns away. Hitomi thought something was wrong. "Yukari?"
"I'm sorry, Hitomi." Yukari says after a long pause. The green-eyed girl arches an eyebrow.
"What for, Yukari?" Hitomi can feel a lump in her throat. She's nervous. It was like she was breathing through a straw. The way Yukari looked at Hitomi. With sad, sad eyes. It made Hitomi want to cry. But she couldn't. All she could do was stand there and watch her friend wrap her arms around her.
"I heard some upper classmen talking. They say that Amano's leaving the country." Yukari starts to say. Hitomi tenses at her touch and bites her lower lip. "His dad got a job in England or something."
iAmano's leaving? He's going away? But..but he can't. No. Not now./I Hitomi feels her knees turn to jelly. An ocean crashes in her stomach and she felt like if she would open her mouth, thousands of butterflies would come out.
"He won't even be at the last track meet. Oh Hitomi, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel for him, and I think you should just tell him." Hitomi hears Yukari's voice, muffled and soft. "Just tell him before it's to late. You'll regret it, Hitomi, if you don't."
"Alright." She replies through a weak voice. Her throat is dry, and no butterflies came out. She feels like she's swallowed some cotton. Yukari pulls away and gives her friend a small, reassuring smile before she darts in one direction, waving. "Bye..."
It was the morning of the day Amano was set to leave. Hitomi was sitting on her bed, the sunlight resting at her feet, like a cat that had to much nip, and the dust dancing and weaving in and out of its beam. She looked out towards the small houses, and the roads, and the trees that gracefully aged. The town itself was ageless, but its people were not. She knew this, and in a fruitless effort had tried to stop time. Time would never stop, except in pictures.
Her gaze shifted from the outer world to hers. The colors blurred to form the picture on her desk. Hitomi had taken no notice to it, except for if it was not the fact Amano's face lingered there with her and Yukari. Hitomi had found herself looking at the camera when the picture had been taken, but Yukari's eyes sought out Amano. Hitomi had never taken notice to it, until now. A pang in her heart told her that Yukari loved Amano, but Hitomi listened to her head and assumed Yukari just glanced over past him.
"Don't be foolish." Hitomi muttered, as she laid back against her soft blue comforter and sighed. "A glitch. She just glanced over."
Hitomi muttered and walked to her closet, speaking only words she could hear. Maybe she said nothing, or maybe she was saying things that are not important. Slipping on her running gear, she stepped out into the afternoon light. Amano was waiting for her. Or she knew secretly, that he would be there.
Sprinting past the houses and endless telephone poles, the mid-afternoon sky was on fire with the colors of the sun. Hitomi knew Amano stood at the track, gazing outward and thinking of fond memories he had there. The day he won the school championship and won a scholar to a good school. The day he met Hitomi as a 7th grader. After classes practice. Before school jogging. The little things that consumed his time. Had he treasured them, as she treasured her moments on the track?
Some people spend their time drawing, some writing, some dreaming, and some living. But they were the minority that ran. They ran, and ran, and ran. They ran in anything, if the weather permitted. Why? Because, they wanted to go places. They wanted their legs to take their dreams and make them realities. And this was true. Hitomi runs. Amano runs. Yukari keeps track. Track of the track records.
Hitomi ran now. She let her legs carry her body without thought. Her heart beat in rhythm, and pretty soon, at a stead pace, she was at the track. And there he stood.
Maybe it was fate that led them there. Or maybe something above pushed them towards each other. I Don't wimp out now, Kanzaki. /I Hitomi gathered the courage to walk, actually WALK towards him. She felt butterflies soar within her. She was sure sweat was running down her face as she held out her hand, in a fist.
"Captain Amano." She stated. He acknowledged her and she continued, a bit more confident than before. "If I can run the 100 meter dash, in 13 seconds..."
"Hm?" He half questioned. She turned a deep shade of red and bowed.
"Will you give me my very first kiss?" She blurted. The silence came, and Hitomi couldn't find it in her heart to look at him. In her hand, the pendent dangled. The pendent that kept perfect time. 13 swings for 13 seconds. He smirked, nodded, and took the pendent from her hand.
Her head shot up and looked at him. "Eh?"
"I'd be honored, Kanzaki." He told her. She grinned.
"Thank you." She smiled and felt grateful, relieved and a bit scared. "Thank you so much, Amano."
b Escaflowne /b
Sometimes, she didn't know what to say. Other times, she said too much. Right now, her words stopped at her mouth, died, and she swallowed them back down, to where they were remixed and jumbled about. Yukari was always good with words. She had a knack for just yapping on and on about today's gossip, or yesterdays fashion. Hitomi, however, fell silent when it came to saying important things.
Standing in front of the mirror, Hitomi checked herself out once more. She had long slender legs that were shapely, but as far as Hitomi was concerned, beauty was skin deep. She was very keen to noticing a wrinkle in her shirt, but when it came to her body, Hitomi felt there was no need to look good. I We are all made differently, but perhaps we are all the same, and the fact that makes us different is the fact we choose to be,/I she thought to herself. Nodding in approval, she set off towards the track.
As she walked towards her school, and small chill sent shivers down her back. It seemed that white faces appeared on the walls, where the shadows didn't dare to dance. Feeling a bit scared, Hitomi made a brisk pace. The moon was high, and brightly colored a blue white hue, with dimples that gave it charm. The stars twinkled and gleamed, sparkled and shone down; illuminating the small Japanese streets. The only sounds Hitomi observed was her short, quick breaths and thuds of her own heartbeat mixed with her steps. The warm air was pleasant, but there was an ominous chill in the air.
She felt like she was being watched, as she made her way. Her hair bobbed in the wind, and faintly, (or so she though) she heard whispers and echoes of "Help" and "No more", carried and modified to scare her. I Don't be silly, Hitomi, /I she whispered to herself. The leaves rattled and twirled. One spiraled down at her, and she saw a sad face morphed in the brownish leaves. "How sad...the leaf looks alone."
Hitomi squatted in front of the oak tree, and realized she was right in front of her grand school, that sat by itself away from the houses and stores, streets and playgrounds. She scooped up the leaf in a quick motion, and twirled it around. The face danced, and looked like tears trickling down.
"Please.." The face disappeared as Hitomi dropped the leaf and backed away.
"What-what-..." Hitomi held her hands up in defense. The wind picked up the leaf and carried it down the street, tumbling it with other debris.
"Hitomi!" A masculine voice yelled. She turned and saw Amano, waving at her from afar. She shook her head of her silly, stupid thoughts and jogged towards the track. "You're late."
"I like to make an entrance." She smiled, her eyes shining with the stars and reflecting the moon. She took her pendent and unclasped it from her neck and handed it to him, and walked to one end of the track.
"Ready?" He asked. She nodded, and the lights over the track flickered on. Hitomi's gaze fell to Yukari, standing by one pole, smiling and waving.
"Yukari." Hitomi said under her breath, barely audible to her own ears. Yukari had Hitomis bag around her and sat down on a local bleacher. Hitomi placed her feet on the blocks and got in the 'ready' position, for lack of a better term. Amano had the pendent clasped in his hand.
"Give it all you got. Focus everything.." He chanted her on, silently wanting to just kiss her, maybe Yukari. Hell, any kiss would be good right about now. I Give it your all../I
[Scene VI]
"So, what's that make?" A boy leaned against a tree, in an unknown place, where a blue moon and the other moon hung in the sky. The stars glinted and whispered secrets, winking at each other. He was a cocky teenager, about 15, with short black hair, and a short temper to match it. A sour face usually plastered with him, it was second nature to this boy to be cruel. Put up his defenses, and take it like a man that he was. To him, killing was just like breathing. You have to do, what you got to do. No questions ask. Someone attacks you- you kill them. Someone offends you- you kill them. Someone mocks your family- you kill them. Plain and simple. He balanced his sword on his palm and laughed. "Three in the last village, four before that, and...six was it? Six I believe in the first."
"Prince Van, walking around and killing people like they're your trophies is no way to behave." A tall, large-muscled man moved from the shadows. He was 4 times the size of the teen. His gray hair and mustache proved that he indeed was older, and wiser than the boy. A scar ran parallel to his right eye, across his left; starting from the forehead and ending near the nose. He was a master of the sword. You can tell these sort of things by the way a man carries and presents himself.
"Tch. They deserved it." Van snickered. The swords master felt disgusted with his pupil.
"How so, Lord Van?" The man questioned. A displeased look was in Vans eye, and his one snickering turned to bickering.
"They DARE try to take over my kingdom. They DARE and CHALLENGE me, Balgus," He started, walking and holding himself like he was the best thing since sliced bread. "The child, I do admit, was an accident, and I did try and save her."
"The blonde girl, whom you helped bury, you mean Your Highness?"
"Balgus, you know exactly who I mean." Van lost his patience. "Are we ready yet?"
"Yes, Lord Van. You know what you have to do in order to become king." Balgus walked towards a castle in the clearing of the forest. The leaves rustled as they brushed past some thorn bushes, and a wild rose bush. The flowers glinted and sent an eerie glow to meet Vans eye. He stopped and stared. Balgus too, stopped to see what his Lord was looking at. "My lord?"
"Balgus, I-I'm sorry I snapped at you." He turned and continued on, keeping his head down. His long black locks dropped in front of his eyes, and the shadows played on his face to make it almost seem Van was regretful.
In the clearing, a small town stood between to large mountains. The hill where they were was above the small village, and it led down to two large gates. In the middle of the glorious town, the castle stood and loomed above the houses and shops. It was quiet at this time of night, and only dim lit candles shown in some houses. Torches stood at the gates towers, with faint silhouettes of guards. The two mountains cradled the town, and protected it from the danger that lurked about.
Dragons. The valley of the Dragons town. Also known as Fanalia. The people poor, but humble. The Royal Family- all dead except the son of the mighty king Gaou, and graceful queen Varie, while being the younger brother of the noble Folken. The family name was passed on as Fanel, and it held honor, yet was a meek name. The town was nothing compared to the port Town of Asturia, that lay to the East. Or the temple mosques of Fried. It was a town though. It had a king, and shall continue to live on- day to day- until it perhaps, as many towns do, crumbles.
"Home." Van muttered. His red tank top rustled with the wind, and his locks swayed uneasily. He gripped the side of his sword- the royal sword- and smirked. "Looks like we finally made it back, eh Balgus?"
"It would appear that way, Lord Van. Now for us to get ready for your right of passage." Balgus instructed.
"Dragon-slaying." The boy knew. It had been that way. His brother had failed, and ceased to return almost 10 years ago. He had been thought of dead till this very day. His mother had went out into the forest to find him- but she as well- did not return. Ever since, Van has been alone. He held his head high, and didn't let the hurtful words of the townspeople affect his pride. And Van, as stubborn and hot-headed as he was, had great pride. "I'll go get ready, Balgus. And meet you in the weaponry in a bit."
"Yes, your highness." Balgus tilted his head in respect to the boy-king and walked towards one part of the castle. Van, on the other hand, walked towards a forgotten part of the castle.
In about a half an hours time, both the boy and the man met again in a dark, silent room. The wood was old, but still a soft cedar color. Small lanterns hung from the wooden pillars in the room. On the wall, spears, swords, daggers, crossbows, and other weapons decorated the plain wood planks. Van stood, in armor of green and gold over his red shirt. The breastplate was more of a bronze in this light, and the green sleeves tucked into his golden gauntlets. Van took a crossbow of the wall and snapped it onto his right gauntlet, and a hookshot on his left one. Securing his sword, Van turned back to Balgus and nodded.
"Are you sure you're ready, Lord Van?" Balgus asked, stepping into the light. The black haired boy nodded.
"I am." He responded, looking up at his teacher.
"I'm sure you can kill the dragon, Lord Van. Your brothers disgrace.."
"I WON'T turn my back on the enemy, Balgus." Van turned his head down and emphasized won't. I Folken was a coward....wasn't he? /i
Authors note: Eee. Okay well I'm nowhere near done and stuff, but tell me what you think anyways. Sorta variation. Uhm im almost done this first chapter. Whoo.
Dedicated to: Charles, my lovely boyfriend :D GeminiDragon and Leah- who reviewed with the terrible layout. Hehe. RevieW