a/n: I'm updating. Shorter chapter. :D This chapter focuses mainly on looove. So if you don't like sappyness- don't read. Very little plot development (if I do indeed have a plot)
Her eyes burned from the sun. The heat must've jolted her memory, or to some degree caused her to faint and have a memory lapse. The world seemed so serene, peaceful. The gentle waves breaking upon the shore. The hot sand scalding her feet. The archipelago where the seagulls rested at noon. She stood, icecream melting down her hand and causing her skin to feel sticky, attracting bugs. She didn't recall ever agreeing to go to the beach with Yukari. And she didn't remember Amano leaving for England.
The deep pools of blue-green that stretched for miles, the white foam and the blue sky. This was not the scenery she remembered. The girl with tan skin, brown hair and big mud-puddled eyes and the wide smile. The goofy, odd embrace of the wind that tickled her exposed skin. The heat pounding against her bare back and the sand stinging her eyes. No, this was not right. The sun was way to hot for this time of year- the brilliance of the sun seemed hotter than anything she's ever felt or known.
"Van." She repeated, and her company stopped walking on the splintered boards. The boy, whom she just saw and recognized, sprinted passed her and into the loving arms of some blonde behind the two. Hitomi turned to Yukari and grabbed her upper arm, gripping it tightly. "Who are you?"
"Hitomi, what is this nonsense? I'm Yukari Uchida- your best friend!" The girl tried to shake free of the death grip. Such animousity was met, the confrontation between the two. Yukari hissed and pulled Hitomi closer for a private word. Her breath was hot, as she whispered, "What is the matter with you? For Christ's sake, Hitomi! I try to be nice and take you to the beach to get your mind off of Amano, and what do you do? Try to embarrass me? What kind of friend are you?"
Hitomi felt her heart race. Panic coursed throughout her veins, rich with fear. Her bright, shimmering, green eyes widened- her pupils dialated due to the brightness of the sun. Her eyes, pools of emerald green, swirled with anxiety. Her heartpace quickened with each and every anomaly of the world around her- this was not the world she knew. This girl was not her friend. Yukari had a blatant hate for the ocean, and they lived near a body of water- but she was nearly 99.9% sure it wasn't the ocean. The season wasn't summer, either. Her vision became beclouded- the pictures before her eyes became puddles of color. This confirmed her suspicions- this was just a dream.
There was no beatific feeling welcoming her after the vision melted around her. The air became stale and cold- adumbrating that something was not right. Her eyes stung with tears, leaking out of her eyes. Fear gripped her heart and she felt herself drowning within this fictitious world. The accretion of her fears caused her to thrash in wild panic. She slipped through the darkness, and found herself falling. Falling through her memories, like Alice down the rabbit hole. Would another Wonderland be at the end..or would reality finally be there?
She felt her skin grow cold and glow against the backdrop of darkness that engulfed her. She held herself, hoping to take hold of her sanity and muster up the courage to live through this nightmare. She would never allow herself to give up so easily- knowing there would be an arodyne for her. Her source of comfort. She held her heart, listening to the pulse echo throughout the corridors of the absence of light.
------------------------------------(Episode Seven: Adroit Albino)----------------------------------------------
He sat, with the patience of a teacher or mother, next to her bed. He watched as she snuggled against the blanket of goose feathers and the pillows of fur. She was laying on her side, and with wild abandon, he watched as she drew each breath. When she exhaled, a small, almost unaudible mew would escape between her lips. He decided when she woke, they would abscond from this place, using Escaflowne. But until then, he would allow her to becalm his war-torn heart. He took pleasure in watching her sleep. Even while she slept, she looked like a little girl- full of innocence.
That was her most attractive quality, he decided. Her innocence was contagious. Anyone who wished to destroy this would be considered blasphemous and would be killed. Her eyes reminded him of pools they used to baptize babies while they are still pure. He wondered if she has ever seen a dead body. He highly doubted it, but it would be interesting to know. She seemed adept in naivity.
Without hesitation, he reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. He smiled as she snuggled against his gloved hand, and wrapped her arm around his. He shifted his weight so he was kneeling next to her, and she pulled him closer to her- enjoying the warmth of his body. He was going to take her affection sparingly and in moderation. To much would cause him to be weak, but to little would drive him crazy. She smelled like autumn leaves. He decided right then and there that he was in love with her. He would be adamant in protecting her, and would berate those who did not respect her and recognize true beauty when they saw it.
"Damnit, I'm turning soft.." He chuckled, and in an atavistic way, he kissed her forhead. "I'm willing to be soft for you, Hitomi. You seem to alleviate all animus in the room with your smile. Damn me for loving you, and damn you for not knowing that I do."
[Scene II]
His composure the next day was quite the opposite of the day before. Instead of feeling giddy and willing to play games, Dilandau had a mission and he wasn't going to let some woman distract him. His every move beget sorrow. His every word would cause pain. He would burn Allen Schezar's fort down to the last man, leaving only the foundation left to serve as a warning to those who get in the way of the Zaibach nation. He would capture Van Fanel and spit in his face for ever thinking he could outdo Dilandau Albatou. He would steal Hitomi's heart, and if not, then her innocence. He would crush her and cause her to be so depedent on him she couldn't go a minute without his love. This would be easier if she was willing to be with him.
What if he killed Van and then obtain Hitomi while she was vulnerable? It would be much easier to get her to love him. Maybe brainwash her into forgetting Van? Oh, the possibilities are endless. But that would have to wait. Already he was being distracted! Folken had already acceded in the idea of smoking the Escaflowne out from the fort. Folken had, of course, admonished him about the consequences and briefed him on all that could go wrong- and probably would go wrong. He smiles, knowing well enough that Allen I'm-the-best-knight-ever Schezar will probably be expecting an attack.. Afterall, he wasn't dumb- just a blonde.
Dilandau relished in the thought of pain and misery- the only two sure things in the world. You could always count on the despair and lonliness felt on cold nights after a battle. And there was no doubt you would never feel more alive then when you're in pain. Pain is what made someone human. If someone didn't feel pain, then obviously they were not human. But, however twisted and saddistic Dilandau is, he would miss the comfort of fire. The warmth. The cloak of heat that embraced him when the cold set in. Battles would end, fires would burn out, but the memory of the warmth always soothed Dilandau. The only thing he wanted more than to kill, was to share the warmth with someone.
Monsters, no matter how big and bad they appear, always want company. Misery loves company. The albino allows, just for a moment, himself to relax- remembering the warmth of her skin. The smell of her hair- the burnt smell tinged with leaves and musk. The golden halo of candlelight reflecting off the strands of amber ochre. The honey-golden brown and the deepness of her eyes. Full of emotions he's never witnessed. Full of memories he only wish he could understand.
Fuck that Van Fanel. Dilandau's gorgeous smile turns into a look of disdain and hatred. He snarls at the thought of the raven haired menace. "I will kill him. Damn him to hell. Who cares if he is the 'dragon' we're looking for? Before the end of this, I will break him! I'll smash his skull in with the blunt end of my sword. I'll pierce his Escaflowne with a silver arrow and shatter his world before he can blink. His eyes, those god damn eyes, will be full of pain and misery."
"No. No. I'll fuck his woman in front of him- allowing her screams to echo in his thoughts-" Dilandau balked and his expressioned softened. "No, no. I couldn't do that to her. Damnit, I'm turning soft.. I'm willing to be soft for a woman? Damn. Damn Van Fanel. Damn me for idolizing the girl with green eyes and damn her for not knowing the pain she causes."
He turns, away from himself. His heart hardens once more, and he knows what he must do. "I'll smoke out the dragon, hand him over to Dornkirk and take that girl for myself. Yes, this will be fun. I have no room for failure."
He clicked his tounge- characteristic of someone with sharp words full of venom. He found himself wandering the Vione, and finally came to the large hanger where his guymelef settled. He looked around, making sure no one was there, and stepped into the moonlight that reflected off the red metal. The hanger was part of the Vione that was open to the world, where the wind was soft and the air fresh.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would get what he wanted.
[Scene III]
She opened her eyes, allowing soft light to enter into her pupil. Her vision, unfocused and clouded, became more and more clear with each passing second. Her head ached and throbbed like never before. "Ouch.."
"You're awake?" A gentle, concerned voice asked. She wrinkled her nose and placed a hand in front of her eyes to keep the light from blinding her. A warm hand took her other hand and gently massaged it. This person, so kind. He, or she (Hitomi believed it was a he from the deepness of his voice), treated her like a china doll- afraid she would break. Slowly, she sat up. "You look a mess."
"Thanks." She muttered, with a soft laugh. She shook her head and her vision became fully focused on the small room that smelled of pine. She looked at the hand that held hers. "Allen?"
"Ah! For a moment I thought you might have forgotten where you were, little princess." He stood up, removing his hand from hers and sat down in a chair that was positioned next to her bed. He reached over to a small table adjacent to the wall and started pouring a liquid into a cup. After making sure it was full, he handed it to her. She took it, and greedily drank the contents. "Are you feeling better?"
"To be frank, my head hurts like hell." The girl explained, gripping her head once again. "Christ.. What happened? The last thing I remember... The last thing I remember, is that albino had his lips on mine. That Dilandau."
She sneered. Who, in their right mind, goes around kissing the first girl they see? She grimaced at the thought of his cold tounge making its way into her mouth. His hot hands, gripping her tightly with such hostility. His skin, the unearthly white glow and the strange warmth that went with it. His thin, silver hair that fell perfectly on his thick skull. Those eyes- those beautiful, ugly, red eyes tinted pink. Those eyes alone sent chills up and down her spine- making her weak in the legs. But she did not enjoy the feeling. She hated it. He made her feel weak, vunerable and exposed. His eyes, filled with hate and anger, that bore into hers. She brought her hand to her lips and bit down on her nail. She turned from Allen, ashamed at her inner thoughts, and muttered an inaudible insult.
"You fainted, or something of the sort. Van carried you here.." Her eyes lit up at his name "..We dueled with our mechas. He insisted on leaving this place, with you, once you woke up. I called him foolish. He can barely protect himself, let alone a woman as well. Angered, he challenged me to a duel. If he won, I would allow you two to go. He didn't win."
"Oh." Hitomi looked up, astonished at Van's rash behavior. She smiled inwardly, admiring his courage. She turned to the knight. "So where is he now?"
"Good question. One of my men came, carrying, apparently, a native from Fanalia. Some girl that knew Van personally. I would imagine that they are together now." Allen explained, nonchalantly. He watched as Hitomi fell back onto her bed, and rolled on her side to face him. He moved closer to her. "Is something the matter, Hitomi?"
"I feel hot. Like I'm burning up, " she told him, thrashing to kick off the blanket that covered her. He took off a glove and felt her forhead, causing her to blush at the proximity of their bodies. God, she thought silently, I'm so fickle! One minute Dilandau kisses me, next I think I like Van, and now this? The warmth of his body is so familiar. I'm just being stupid, Hitomi scolded herself, he just reminds me of Amano. His tall, masculine figure. Those warm, comforting eyes. Just like Amano. He looks so worried about me- I'm so much trouble to everyone. It's just like to me to mess up everyones lives..
"You do feel like you have a temperature," he noted, and looked down at her. He could see why Dilandau and Van were so attracted to her. She radiated happiness and innocence. Those things that men of war lost long, long ago.That essence, that anyone who realised what it was, would soak it up every chance available. This is what made her desirable. Her beauty was amplified by that aura of innocence. In no sense. All of the sudden, Allen Shezar was hit with the same feeling that seized hold of the two other warriors. The feeling that he needed to protect her, hold her, comfort her. He sat down on her bed, and gently pushed her down, "Hitomi, you should rest. If you do have a fever, the best thing you can do is rest."
"Uhm-" she mewed and squeaked at his bold behavior. She blushed and drew the covers over her, and he tucked her in the small bed. Little did either of them know, a black-haired boy carrying a small catgirl had just entered the doorway and watched their every move. Allen Shezar took a small piece of cloth from the same table he just got the drink from, and wiped Hitomi's forehead. "Thank you."
"It is my duty as a knight, a man, and a friend to make sure you feel better. We should really find out what caused your illness." His gentle demeanor melted her heart. Clearing his throat, he stood up and turned to leave, noticing Van. "Is your friend alright, Fanel?"
"Yes, Allen," Van hissed and walked into the room, setting down the girl on the bench opposite of the bed. He walked over to a closet (which Hitomi had not noticed before), and pulled down a blanket, and threw it over the girl before Hitomi got a chance to recognize her. "And her name is Merle."
"Merle! She's alright?" Hitomi asked, excited to find out that the annoying fluffball was okay. Van scoffed at her question and shrugged. He turned and left the room, swiftly and silently- ignoring Hitomi completely.
"What's with him?"
---------------------------------------------------
"Damn you, Allen Shezar." The warrior cleanched his hand into a fist and cursed. Sitting on the roof of the small outpost, under the falling sun and rising moon. Van, later, would find himself having an accretion of jealousy towards the knight. He looked down, closed his eyes, and sneered. The arable land, colored a brilliant green, stretched out for miles, but Van found his thoughts wandering to Fanalia. The lush forests, the vineyards and the acclivity of the hills. The soft wind that carried the calls of the wild dragons that roamed the lands. The people in their bedraggled clothing, but with hearts the size of Gaea itself.
He, in the way all men seem to , found his thoughts back on the company he was currently keeping. Allen Shezar, the noble Knight of Heaven. Merle, his childhood friend. Hitomi. His heart panged as he thought of her. If he had a softer heart, Van would've found himself with hot tears streaming down his cheeks. How could one girl crush his heart so quickly? He sat by her bed and yet she blushed when Allen Shezar was near her, and not him. Why didn't she have a nervous squeak to her voice when he protected her? What was better about Allen Shezar than he? Everything about Allen was affected- he clearly did not care for Hitomi the way Van did!
"Why..why do my thoughts wander to her? I shouldn't care about some damn woman! I should worry more about getting back my guymelef and returning to Fanalia! Fanalia needs me now, not her. She has," Van grumbled, "Allen Shezar."
She hurt him. It only took a heartbeat, but she had done it. Her heart wasn't arcane. He knew her intentions now- she loved Allen Shezar and not him. How could anyone love him? He was a monster! He was no better than Dilandau! He, too, killed. He, too, found pleasure in fighting and the screams of weaker men. It aroused him, not sexually but mentally, to know that he was powerful. He liked the dominating feeling he got when another's life was in his hands. Fate was funny.
"Van?" His thoughts were interrupted by the small murmer of the voice he knew belonged to her. Shaking off the gleeful feeling, he remembered the way she hurt him. "Van? Did you hear me?"
"I suppose I can't really ignore you and pretend I didn't hear you," he answered, watching the sun take its finally plunge into the horizon. The stars started to shine above, with the Mystic Moon hanging in the darkened sky. The girl clammered up on the roof, (how she knew he was here baffled him and moreso how she got up here while she was supposed to be resting was even more puzzling), and, with not that much grace, carefully made her way over to him. She, as if knowing it would make his heart race, sat down next to him, panting. "What are you doing here, Hitomi?"
"You seemed upset.. Van, did I do something to upset you?" She was looking at him. He could feel it. Her eyes, those brilliant green eyes, were boring into the side of his head. He ran a hand through his hair, and waved it in her face.
Nonchalantly he answered, "What makes you think you did something? You did nothing wrong. You women.."
"Van." She started, her voice above a whisper.
"Always thinking you do something-"
"Van.."
"When it's what you don't do-"
"Van!"
"What?" He looked at her and melted. This would be the end of Van Fanel, king of Fanalia. The moon, causing those beautiful orbs to shimmer like the stars themselves, also reflected off her soft, light brown hair. The wind, gently blowing those short strands over her thin face. Her lips, trembling with dissapointment- a pale shade of pink. Her skin- glowing. She looked like a goddess. Who ever thought- who would every imagine- that a girl with such simple looks could look like a fucking goddess? Her complexion, flushed and with pinks tinged red from her fever. She tilted her head to the side and Van knew.
He knew.
Right then and there.
He wasn't mad at her anymore.
He turned to her, and she knew.
She knew.
Right then and there.
She didn't want him to be mad at her. Ever.
And they placed their arms around each other, and held the other close. He looked up and whispered, "You're supposed to be resting."
She smiled, with that soft look in her eyes, "I'd rather be with you."
"Hitomi.." She placed her head on his shoulder, and snuggled closely, inhaling his scent. His hair, that looked so coarse- was actually soft as feathers. His eyes- those wine-colored eyes of deep brown and mocha, tinged maroon that looked at her adoringly. "I'll protect you."
[authors note; I wanted to make 'em kiss but decided against it.]
Her eyes burned from the sun. The heat must've jolted her memory, or to some degree caused her to faint and have a memory lapse. The world seemed so serene, peaceful. The gentle waves breaking upon the shore. The hot sand scalding her feet. The archipelago where the seagulls rested at noon. She stood, icecream melting down her hand and causing her skin to feel sticky, attracting bugs. She didn't recall ever agreeing to go to the beach with Yukari. And she didn't remember Amano leaving for England.
The deep pools of blue-green that stretched for miles, the white foam and the blue sky. This was not the scenery she remembered. The girl with tan skin, brown hair and big mud-puddled eyes and the wide smile. The goofy, odd embrace of the wind that tickled her exposed skin. The heat pounding against her bare back and the sand stinging her eyes. No, this was not right. The sun was way to hot for this time of year- the brilliance of the sun seemed hotter than anything she's ever felt or known.
"Van." She repeated, and her company stopped walking on the splintered boards. The boy, whom she just saw and recognized, sprinted passed her and into the loving arms of some blonde behind the two. Hitomi turned to Yukari and grabbed her upper arm, gripping it tightly. "Who are you?"
"Hitomi, what is this nonsense? I'm Yukari Uchida- your best friend!" The girl tried to shake free of the death grip. Such animousity was met, the confrontation between the two. Yukari hissed and pulled Hitomi closer for a private word. Her breath was hot, as she whispered, "What is the matter with you? For Christ's sake, Hitomi! I try to be nice and take you to the beach to get your mind off of Amano, and what do you do? Try to embarrass me? What kind of friend are you?"
Hitomi felt her heart race. Panic coursed throughout her veins, rich with fear. Her bright, shimmering, green eyes widened- her pupils dialated due to the brightness of the sun. Her eyes, pools of emerald green, swirled with anxiety. Her heartpace quickened with each and every anomaly of the world around her- this was not the world she knew. This girl was not her friend. Yukari had a blatant hate for the ocean, and they lived near a body of water- but she was nearly 99.9% sure it wasn't the ocean. The season wasn't summer, either. Her vision became beclouded- the pictures before her eyes became puddles of color. This confirmed her suspicions- this was just a dream.
There was no beatific feeling welcoming her after the vision melted around her. The air became stale and cold- adumbrating that something was not right. Her eyes stung with tears, leaking out of her eyes. Fear gripped her heart and she felt herself drowning within this fictitious world. The accretion of her fears caused her to thrash in wild panic. She slipped through the darkness, and found herself falling. Falling through her memories, like Alice down the rabbit hole. Would another Wonderland be at the end..or would reality finally be there?
She felt her skin grow cold and glow against the backdrop of darkness that engulfed her. She held herself, hoping to take hold of her sanity and muster up the courage to live through this nightmare. She would never allow herself to give up so easily- knowing there would be an arodyne for her. Her source of comfort. She held her heart, listening to the pulse echo throughout the corridors of the absence of light.
------------------------------------(Episode Seven: Adroit Albino)----------------------------------------------
He sat, with the patience of a teacher or mother, next to her bed. He watched as she snuggled against the blanket of goose feathers and the pillows of fur. She was laying on her side, and with wild abandon, he watched as she drew each breath. When she exhaled, a small, almost unaudible mew would escape between her lips. He decided when she woke, they would abscond from this place, using Escaflowne. But until then, he would allow her to becalm his war-torn heart. He took pleasure in watching her sleep. Even while she slept, she looked like a little girl- full of innocence.
That was her most attractive quality, he decided. Her innocence was contagious. Anyone who wished to destroy this would be considered blasphemous and would be killed. Her eyes reminded him of pools they used to baptize babies while they are still pure. He wondered if she has ever seen a dead body. He highly doubted it, but it would be interesting to know. She seemed adept in naivity.
Without hesitation, he reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. He smiled as she snuggled against his gloved hand, and wrapped her arm around his. He shifted his weight so he was kneeling next to her, and she pulled him closer to her- enjoying the warmth of his body. He was going to take her affection sparingly and in moderation. To much would cause him to be weak, but to little would drive him crazy. She smelled like autumn leaves. He decided right then and there that he was in love with her. He would be adamant in protecting her, and would berate those who did not respect her and recognize true beauty when they saw it.
"Damnit, I'm turning soft.." He chuckled, and in an atavistic way, he kissed her forhead. "I'm willing to be soft for you, Hitomi. You seem to alleviate all animus in the room with your smile. Damn me for loving you, and damn you for not knowing that I do."
[Scene II]
His composure the next day was quite the opposite of the day before. Instead of feeling giddy and willing to play games, Dilandau had a mission and he wasn't going to let some woman distract him. His every move beget sorrow. His every word would cause pain. He would burn Allen Schezar's fort down to the last man, leaving only the foundation left to serve as a warning to those who get in the way of the Zaibach nation. He would capture Van Fanel and spit in his face for ever thinking he could outdo Dilandau Albatou. He would steal Hitomi's heart, and if not, then her innocence. He would crush her and cause her to be so depedent on him she couldn't go a minute without his love. This would be easier if she was willing to be with him.
What if he killed Van and then obtain Hitomi while she was vulnerable? It would be much easier to get her to love him. Maybe brainwash her into forgetting Van? Oh, the possibilities are endless. But that would have to wait. Already he was being distracted! Folken had already acceded in the idea of smoking the Escaflowne out from the fort. Folken had, of course, admonished him about the consequences and briefed him on all that could go wrong- and probably would go wrong. He smiles, knowing well enough that Allen I'm-the-best-knight-ever Schezar will probably be expecting an attack.. Afterall, he wasn't dumb- just a blonde.
Dilandau relished in the thought of pain and misery- the only two sure things in the world. You could always count on the despair and lonliness felt on cold nights after a battle. And there was no doubt you would never feel more alive then when you're in pain. Pain is what made someone human. If someone didn't feel pain, then obviously they were not human. But, however twisted and saddistic Dilandau is, he would miss the comfort of fire. The warmth. The cloak of heat that embraced him when the cold set in. Battles would end, fires would burn out, but the memory of the warmth always soothed Dilandau. The only thing he wanted more than to kill, was to share the warmth with someone.
Monsters, no matter how big and bad they appear, always want company. Misery loves company. The albino allows, just for a moment, himself to relax- remembering the warmth of her skin. The smell of her hair- the burnt smell tinged with leaves and musk. The golden halo of candlelight reflecting off the strands of amber ochre. The honey-golden brown and the deepness of her eyes. Full of emotions he's never witnessed. Full of memories he only wish he could understand.
Fuck that Van Fanel. Dilandau's gorgeous smile turns into a look of disdain and hatred. He snarls at the thought of the raven haired menace. "I will kill him. Damn him to hell. Who cares if he is the 'dragon' we're looking for? Before the end of this, I will break him! I'll smash his skull in with the blunt end of my sword. I'll pierce his Escaflowne with a silver arrow and shatter his world before he can blink. His eyes, those god damn eyes, will be full of pain and misery."
"No. No. I'll fuck his woman in front of him- allowing her screams to echo in his thoughts-" Dilandau balked and his expressioned softened. "No, no. I couldn't do that to her. Damnit, I'm turning soft.. I'm willing to be soft for a woman? Damn. Damn Van Fanel. Damn me for idolizing the girl with green eyes and damn her for not knowing the pain she causes."
He turns, away from himself. His heart hardens once more, and he knows what he must do. "I'll smoke out the dragon, hand him over to Dornkirk and take that girl for myself. Yes, this will be fun. I have no room for failure."
He clicked his tounge- characteristic of someone with sharp words full of venom. He found himself wandering the Vione, and finally came to the large hanger where his guymelef settled. He looked around, making sure no one was there, and stepped into the moonlight that reflected off the red metal. The hanger was part of the Vione that was open to the world, where the wind was soft and the air fresh.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would get what he wanted.
[Scene III]
She opened her eyes, allowing soft light to enter into her pupil. Her vision, unfocused and clouded, became more and more clear with each passing second. Her head ached and throbbed like never before. "Ouch.."
"You're awake?" A gentle, concerned voice asked. She wrinkled her nose and placed a hand in front of her eyes to keep the light from blinding her. A warm hand took her other hand and gently massaged it. This person, so kind. He, or she (Hitomi believed it was a he from the deepness of his voice), treated her like a china doll- afraid she would break. Slowly, she sat up. "You look a mess."
"Thanks." She muttered, with a soft laugh. She shook her head and her vision became fully focused on the small room that smelled of pine. She looked at the hand that held hers. "Allen?"
"Ah! For a moment I thought you might have forgotten where you were, little princess." He stood up, removing his hand from hers and sat down in a chair that was positioned next to her bed. He reached over to a small table adjacent to the wall and started pouring a liquid into a cup. After making sure it was full, he handed it to her. She took it, and greedily drank the contents. "Are you feeling better?"
"To be frank, my head hurts like hell." The girl explained, gripping her head once again. "Christ.. What happened? The last thing I remember... The last thing I remember, is that albino had his lips on mine. That Dilandau."
She sneered. Who, in their right mind, goes around kissing the first girl they see? She grimaced at the thought of his cold tounge making its way into her mouth. His hot hands, gripping her tightly with such hostility. His skin, the unearthly white glow and the strange warmth that went with it. His thin, silver hair that fell perfectly on his thick skull. Those eyes- those beautiful, ugly, red eyes tinted pink. Those eyes alone sent chills up and down her spine- making her weak in the legs. But she did not enjoy the feeling. She hated it. He made her feel weak, vunerable and exposed. His eyes, filled with hate and anger, that bore into hers. She brought her hand to her lips and bit down on her nail. She turned from Allen, ashamed at her inner thoughts, and muttered an inaudible insult.
"You fainted, or something of the sort. Van carried you here.." Her eyes lit up at his name "..We dueled with our mechas. He insisted on leaving this place, with you, once you woke up. I called him foolish. He can barely protect himself, let alone a woman as well. Angered, he challenged me to a duel. If he won, I would allow you two to go. He didn't win."
"Oh." Hitomi looked up, astonished at Van's rash behavior. She smiled inwardly, admiring his courage. She turned to the knight. "So where is he now?"
"Good question. One of my men came, carrying, apparently, a native from Fanalia. Some girl that knew Van personally. I would imagine that they are together now." Allen explained, nonchalantly. He watched as Hitomi fell back onto her bed, and rolled on her side to face him. He moved closer to her. "Is something the matter, Hitomi?"
"I feel hot. Like I'm burning up, " she told him, thrashing to kick off the blanket that covered her. He took off a glove and felt her forhead, causing her to blush at the proximity of their bodies. God, she thought silently, I'm so fickle! One minute Dilandau kisses me, next I think I like Van, and now this? The warmth of his body is so familiar. I'm just being stupid, Hitomi scolded herself, he just reminds me of Amano. His tall, masculine figure. Those warm, comforting eyes. Just like Amano. He looks so worried about me- I'm so much trouble to everyone. It's just like to me to mess up everyones lives..
"You do feel like you have a temperature," he noted, and looked down at her. He could see why Dilandau and Van were so attracted to her. She radiated happiness and innocence. Those things that men of war lost long, long ago.That essence, that anyone who realised what it was, would soak it up every chance available. This is what made her desirable. Her beauty was amplified by that aura of innocence. In no sense. All of the sudden, Allen Shezar was hit with the same feeling that seized hold of the two other warriors. The feeling that he needed to protect her, hold her, comfort her. He sat down on her bed, and gently pushed her down, "Hitomi, you should rest. If you do have a fever, the best thing you can do is rest."
"Uhm-" she mewed and squeaked at his bold behavior. She blushed and drew the covers over her, and he tucked her in the small bed. Little did either of them know, a black-haired boy carrying a small catgirl had just entered the doorway and watched their every move. Allen Shezar took a small piece of cloth from the same table he just got the drink from, and wiped Hitomi's forehead. "Thank you."
"It is my duty as a knight, a man, and a friend to make sure you feel better. We should really find out what caused your illness." His gentle demeanor melted her heart. Clearing his throat, he stood up and turned to leave, noticing Van. "Is your friend alright, Fanel?"
"Yes, Allen," Van hissed and walked into the room, setting down the girl on the bench opposite of the bed. He walked over to a closet (which Hitomi had not noticed before), and pulled down a blanket, and threw it over the girl before Hitomi got a chance to recognize her. "And her name is Merle."
"Merle! She's alright?" Hitomi asked, excited to find out that the annoying fluffball was okay. Van scoffed at her question and shrugged. He turned and left the room, swiftly and silently- ignoring Hitomi completely.
"What's with him?"
---------------------------------------------------
"Damn you, Allen Shezar." The warrior cleanched his hand into a fist and cursed. Sitting on the roof of the small outpost, under the falling sun and rising moon. Van, later, would find himself having an accretion of jealousy towards the knight. He looked down, closed his eyes, and sneered. The arable land, colored a brilliant green, stretched out for miles, but Van found his thoughts wandering to Fanalia. The lush forests, the vineyards and the acclivity of the hills. The soft wind that carried the calls of the wild dragons that roamed the lands. The people in their bedraggled clothing, but with hearts the size of Gaea itself.
He, in the way all men seem to , found his thoughts back on the company he was currently keeping. Allen Shezar, the noble Knight of Heaven. Merle, his childhood friend. Hitomi. His heart panged as he thought of her. If he had a softer heart, Van would've found himself with hot tears streaming down his cheeks. How could one girl crush his heart so quickly? He sat by her bed and yet she blushed when Allen Shezar was near her, and not him. Why didn't she have a nervous squeak to her voice when he protected her? What was better about Allen Shezar than he? Everything about Allen was affected- he clearly did not care for Hitomi the way Van did!
"Why..why do my thoughts wander to her? I shouldn't care about some damn woman! I should worry more about getting back my guymelef and returning to Fanalia! Fanalia needs me now, not her. She has," Van grumbled, "Allen Shezar."
She hurt him. It only took a heartbeat, but she had done it. Her heart wasn't arcane. He knew her intentions now- she loved Allen Shezar and not him. How could anyone love him? He was a monster! He was no better than Dilandau! He, too, killed. He, too, found pleasure in fighting and the screams of weaker men. It aroused him, not sexually but mentally, to know that he was powerful. He liked the dominating feeling he got when another's life was in his hands. Fate was funny.
"Van?" His thoughts were interrupted by the small murmer of the voice he knew belonged to her. Shaking off the gleeful feeling, he remembered the way she hurt him. "Van? Did you hear me?"
"I suppose I can't really ignore you and pretend I didn't hear you," he answered, watching the sun take its finally plunge into the horizon. The stars started to shine above, with the Mystic Moon hanging in the darkened sky. The girl clammered up on the roof, (how she knew he was here baffled him and moreso how she got up here while she was supposed to be resting was even more puzzling), and, with not that much grace, carefully made her way over to him. She, as if knowing it would make his heart race, sat down next to him, panting. "What are you doing here, Hitomi?"
"You seemed upset.. Van, did I do something to upset you?" She was looking at him. He could feel it. Her eyes, those brilliant green eyes, were boring into the side of his head. He ran a hand through his hair, and waved it in her face.
Nonchalantly he answered, "What makes you think you did something? You did nothing wrong. You women.."
"Van." She started, her voice above a whisper.
"Always thinking you do something-"
"Van.."
"When it's what you don't do-"
"Van!"
"What?" He looked at her and melted. This would be the end of Van Fanel, king of Fanalia. The moon, causing those beautiful orbs to shimmer like the stars themselves, also reflected off her soft, light brown hair. The wind, gently blowing those short strands over her thin face. Her lips, trembling with dissapointment- a pale shade of pink. Her skin- glowing. She looked like a goddess. Who ever thought- who would every imagine- that a girl with such simple looks could look like a fucking goddess? Her complexion, flushed and with pinks tinged red from her fever. She tilted her head to the side and Van knew.
He knew.
Right then and there.
He wasn't mad at her anymore.
He turned to her, and she knew.
She knew.
Right then and there.
She didn't want him to be mad at her. Ever.
And they placed their arms around each other, and held the other close. He looked up and whispered, "You're supposed to be resting."
She smiled, with that soft look in her eyes, "I'd rather be with you."
"Hitomi.." She placed her head on his shoulder, and snuggled closely, inhaling his scent. His hair, that looked so coarse- was actually soft as feathers. His eyes- those wine-colored eyes of deep brown and mocha, tinged maroon that looked at her adoringly. "I'll protect you."
[authors note; I wanted to make 'em kiss but decided against it.]