Hi guys! I know, I'm slipping into bad habits again, but all of last week I
was generally dying of the flu. not good! Next week I have my mock GCSE
exams (o joy) so I took this 2 second break in between to update, because I
loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove you!!!!!
Chapter 2- Red Discovery (hint hint, lol...)
Merle hummed happily to herself, searching for something pretty to buy from the market.
"Ohhhh, what's that?" She asked as she picked up a disc with a hole in it. It was silver, but in the light it made lots of pretty colours like a rainbow.
"It's from the Mystic Moon, Miss. It would make a lovely necklace, don't you think?"
"Hmmm. Do you know what the people on the Mystic Moon used it for?" Merle asked, carefully turning the disc over and inspecting it at all angles.
"No, Miss. Not for sure."
Merle sighed. "I bet Hitomi would know," Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure. She turned her head so that she could see better. "Hitomi!" the cat-girl exclaimed.
She dropped the disc and rushed towards Hitomi, knocking over stalls and confetti stands. "Hitomi, Hitomi! Over here!."
Hitomi heard someone call her name. She stopped, and glanced over her shoulder. Merle!
She felt a surge of panic. She didn't want to talk to Merle, or see Van, or anyone she'd ever known on Gaea. The sight of the young cat-girl brought back so many memories and feelings that they threatened to engulf her, leaving her to drown in darkness and old promises of the past. She couldn't face it; She just wanted to leave and forget this ever happened. Forcing her legs to move, Hitomi continued running. Merle's annoyed shouts could be heard just behind her, but Hitomi ignored them.
"Hitooooomiiiii! Wait up, you stupid girl!" Hitomi felt a clawed hand grab her elbow and she was forced to skid to a halt. She turned round to face an angry looking Merle.
"What is wrong with you, you idiot?!" Merle demanded. "Did you have to run off?"
Hitomi felt an huge bubble of anger rise up inside her. "Shut up, Merle!" She said savagely.
Merle looked shocked, stunned into silence.
"You're one to talk about running off! My back is turned for barely a year and already Van has found someone else! I did everything for him and he just forgot about me! He used me!" Hitomi was shouting at the top of her lungs and a fairly big crowd had gathered, but she didn't care.
She paused for breath. "Hitomi! It's not like that, you don't under - "
Hitomi didn't let her finish. "Is she prettier than me? What happened?!" She laughed bitterly, her anger almost gone. "She may be a princess but there are more important things! Like love. And trust. Tell him, Merle. Tell him I loved him, and that he could have had it all, but he wanted it to be this way." Hitomi now spoke quietly, her anger had disappeared and left only sadness.
"Oh, Hitomi, please - "
"No, Merle. I don't want to hear you make excuses for him." Hitomi now sounded strangely calm but she was shaking and she had butterflies in her stomach.
"I'm going home, now. I never want to see you, Van, or anyone else from Gaea ever again. I'm going to forget Van just like he forgot me and then I'm going to do useful things with my time- like find a decent boyfriend. Good-bye, Merle. Have a nice life."
Hitomi started running again, willing the bright light to surround her and take her far away from this awful place. She heard the almost inaudible rip in the sky as it came, the blessed light come to take her home. She could feel herself being lifted off the ground.
"Hitomi! Wait!" Merle cried. Hitomi shook her head, and was gone.
"Hitooooomiiii!" Merle wailed, in vain; Hitomi was gone, and it was her wish never to come back. 'Lord Van!' She thought suddenly. 'I have to tell him!' She ran to the palace, shouting, "Lord Van! Lord Van!!!"
Van Fanel, King of all Fanelia, sighed and looked out of the window. "I don't want to marry her, Allen." He said.
"You have to. If you don't, the king of Paymere will declare war on Fanelia. Do you really want to see Fanelia in ruins once again?" Allen asked. He felt sorry for Van, and for Hitomi, but the lives of many people could be destroyed and he couldn't let that happen.
"Hitomi and Fanelia are the two things I love the most! How can I choose between them?" Van said despairingly.
"Fate has already chosen for you. Hitomi is on the Mystic Moon and you are on Gaea. You could never be together, even without this. You might be married to another, but it doesn't mean you don't love Hitomi."
"I can't do that to Hitomi - I care about her too much!" Van looked at Allen in anguish.
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her. It may not be very gentlemanly, but it would be better if she doesn't know. Besides, the wedding in nine days! You can't back out now." Allen said reasonably, though, he himself disliked the advice he was giving. "She's not all that bad, you know. She's pretty for one. And educated."
Van scowled. "Hitomi is beautiful. And not just educated; clever too. I don't love that Paymere girl," he said darkly.
"No, but maybe one day you will grow to love her, and you'll be happy. You'll be able to have children, a family- all the things you can't have with Hitomi."
"Hitomi and I could have a family. We'd be happy."
"And ask Hitomi to leave her mother and father? Remember what it was like to lose your family, Van. Could you really do that to her?"
"Then I'd go to the Mystic Moon." Van insisted, with his usual stubborness.
"What about Fanelia? Van, see sense."
Van opened his mouth to say something when Merle flew in.
"Lord Van!" She shouted.
"Merle! What are you doing here?" Van asked her, surprised.
Merle gasped, and waited a second to get her breath back. "Hitomi! She was here and she's found out!"
"Hitomi's here?!" Van exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Where?" "What did she find out, Merle?" Allen asked.
"About the marriage! Hitomi was so upset.she's gone now."
"Oh no." Von moaned, and sitting down, he buried his face in his hands.
"Lord Van?" Said Merle anxiously.
He lifted his face from his hands. His face was pale. "What did she say?" He spoke in almost a whisper.
"She said.er." Merle nibbled a claw, trying to remember. "Oh yeah! She said to tell you that she loved you, and you could have had everything, but you wanted all this to happen. She didn't let me explain. I'm so sorry, Lord Van."
Van groaned, and once again covered his face. She put an arm around him to comfort him, but he pushed it away. She whimpered, half offended and half unhappy for Van.
"I'm sorry, Merle," he said huskily.
"What else did Hitomi say?" Allen asked.
"Ahhh.she told me that she never wanted to see any of us again. She said she was going to forget any of this ever happened, like Gaea never even existed."
Allen looked shocked. "Hitomi." He murmured sadly.
Van lifted his head and stood up. "I've got to tell her," He said determinedly, once more a King. "I've got to tell her the truth!"
"Lord Van, please don't leave!" Merle cried.
"Van! Don't be a fool! Leave the poor girl be. She hates you now. If you love her, let her get over it, and let her get on with her life. Let her forget and be happy." Allen said sternly.
"What?! Allen, No! She has a right to know!" Van thundered, glaring at the blond knight in front of him.
"Look Van, in the end it's up to you. But I really don't think anything you can say will make things better for Hitomi. " Allen tried to keep out the commanding tone that seeped into his voice.
It was too late; Van had picked up on it, and he hated being told what to do.
"I don't remember asking your opinion, Allen! I'm going! I don't care what you say!" He shouted.
"When?" Merle asked miserably.
"As soon as possible. I just need to convince my advisers to cover for me for a few days, and I'm gone,"
Alan looked at the King, sadness shining in his eyes. He remembered a time when Van would have gone rushing off to the Mystic Moon for Hitomi at a moments notice, to hell with ambassadors and advisers. But Kingship had tamed Van's fiery, passionate nature; he had learnt to put his kingdom first.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The ground was rushing forward at a tremendous speed, and as she thought she'd be smashed, the light went and Hitomi was kneeling on the grass, breathing heavily. It was night, just as she had left. She stood up slowly, because she felt she couldn't trust her legs to hold her weight. She felt awful. She was tired from her anger, and there was a deep loneliness in her heart, a terrible sense of loss- not just as though she'd lost Van, but a part of her very being. She looked at the temple, and remembered the feeling of happiness she'd had when she was transported to Gaea.
'Huh! I shouldn't have bothered. What a jerk!' She thought bitterly. Best just go home and try to forget. Forget. if only it was that easy.
When she saw her Dad's car waiting for her she stopped in surprise. Her Dad saw her and rolling down the window, he called: "Come on, Hitomi! Your Mum'll be wondering where we've got too!"
"Huh?" She said, getting into the car.
"Sorry it took so long in the office, Hitomi, I couldn't find the right paperwork. Okay, lets go!"
'Paperwork?' Hitomi said to her self in a daze.
"Ohh! The paperwork!" She said in a flash of comprehension.
So much had happened in the past few hours she'd completely forgotten about her Dad, waiting to take her back home.
Her Dad gave her a strange look. "Are you alright, Hitomi?"
"Err..yeah, I'm great." She would never understand that whenever she came back from Gaea, barely anytime had passed from when she'd left.
"You feeling better now? Has the trip to the temple helped clear your thoughts about this boy you don't want to tell us about?"
It took her a few seconds to remember who he meant. When she did, she felt a pang of unhappiness.
"Yeah.we broke up. He was a creep. I never really liked him anyway," She said, looking out of the window so he wouldn't see her crying.
"Hitomi, I'm sorry. You should have told us. We could have helped you through this."
Hitomi smiled at her Dad, and suddenly felt a desperate need to talk about how she felt.
"When I met him I really thought 'Wow, this is it. This is the love of my life.' I was so stupid, Dad."
Her father glanced at her. He took hold of his hand. "Hey, don't think like that. That boy is the stupid one, not you. He was stupid to let my beautiful little girl go. You'll meet nicer boys and one day you'll find the right one and you'll stay together for the rest of your lives."
He smiled, his eyes still on the road. Hitomi smiled as well, though it was fake.
"Thanks, Dad. Was it like that with you and Mummy?" He looked at her quickly and nodded. " I love her and I always will. One day, I promise, you'll meet your man."
Hitomi sighed. 'I already have.only he doesn't want me in his life.'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Going out?! AGAIN?! What about your homework?" Hitomi's mother demanded.
Hitomi scowled. She had already done it. Ever since Hitomi had come back from her trip to Gaea, she hadn't stopped; as when she was doing something, anything, she didn't have to think about what had happened. Now she had exhausted the usual pile of coursework on her desk, she needed to find some other way to forget. And what was more normal and completely unrelated to Gaea than going clubbing on a Friday night?
"It's finished. Is school all you think about? I am allowed to have some fun too, you know."
Her mother nodded. "Okay! I was only asking. I thought you said Yukari wasn't feeling well, isn't she coming? Who are you going with?"
Hitomi's scowl deepened. All this questions irritated her. Couldn't her mother see she wasn't in the mood for talking? She needed to get out, she didn't care how. "Friends from school. Don't worry; Sarah's boyfriend is driving us. We're meeting up at her house - "
"Sarah? Sarah Usaka? Isn't she that really popular girl you always said you hated so much? I remember you telling me she's always at some wild party or other, and how all the guys think she's easy."
"Well she's not, okay? She actually is a really nice person. Don't wait up - I'll be back by one." Hitomi said opening the front door.
"Well, if you're sure," Her mother said doubtfully.
"I'm sure."
"Hmmm. and you have been working hard recently, even if it IS the third time you've been out this week..."
"Exactly," said Hitomi, though she wasn't really listening. With or without her mother's permission, it made no difference to Hitomi - she was going out, and that was final.
"Bye, Mum," She kissed her mother lightly on the cheek, and before her mother had time to say anything else, she was gone.
By the time she arrived at Sarah's house, Dan, Sarah's boyfriend was already there.
"Hitomi! Glad you could make it!" Sarah exclaimed on seeing her. Hitomi smiled.
"Thanks for inviting me."
"Don't be silly; I wanted you to come," She took Hitomi's arm, pushing her gently towards the living room.
"The others are here already - we thought we might have a drink before we leave,"
Hitomi felt a clench of nervousness in her stomach, wondering who the 'others' were. Why did she have to be so shy? She thought miserably. Suddenly she pushed the thought away, an unexplained anger heating her. The shy Hitomi, the one who fell in love and gave everything for a King, was dead. She shouldn't be feeling this way. In her place, was a popular, successful party girl. The girl who got invited to clubs by one of the most popular girls in the school. And why not? She had every right to be here. This was the 'real' Hitomi.
'I'm bigger, stronger and better than my fears. I can do this,' She thought, and with these words she automatically drew her head up high, brimming with confidence. She plastered a smile over her face and stepped into the living room. There was a couple lounging lazily on the leather sofa, with their drinks in their hands. She recognised them from school: Kayko, and her jock boyfriend, Tai. On the other sofa, was a handsome eighteen year old - Sarah's boyfriend. It suddenly hit Hitomi that she was the only one who was alone. Her smile faltered. Before her unhappiness overwhelmed her completely, she suddenly became aware that Sarah was talking. Mentally, she shook herself, forcing herself to snap out of her dark, self-pitying mood.
"..Of course you know Kayko and Tai from school - Guys, this is Hitomi - and my boyfriend, Dan. He's in college," Sarah added, with just a hint of pride behind the words.
"Hi, everyone," Hitomi said, beaming at them all. She didn't feel nervous anymore - she'd forgotten who she was.
They smiled back at her, exchanging greetings. She sat down next to Dan and Sarah, who handed her a glass of vodka and coke. Slowly, enjoying the taste in her mouth and the warmth it gave her, she drank it while the others talked.
"So, Hitomi," Began Kayko conversationally, "What's with Yukari?"
Hitomi straightened as her name was mentioned. Trying to keep her voice level, she asked: "What do you mean?"
The others had stopped talking; she knew they were all listening.
"You mean you haven't noticed?! Come on - Look how aggressive she's become! What's happened to her?"
"I don't know," Hitomi said truthfully. "All of a sudden she started being really distant with everyone - even me,"
"How the hell does she manage to hold on to Amano?! He gave up America for her. No offence or anything, but he could do so much better than her. She's so moody!"
"Maybe she's pregnant," Sarah suggested helpfully. They laughed. Hitomi had forgotten how good it was to be with friends - in the past few days, with Yukari's strange behaviour and that nasty little incident in Gaea, she had been very, very lonely.
"No, seriously though," Sarah continued, finishing her glass. "They just don't make a good couple. I think you and Amano would look so good together, Hitomi,"
"Yeah," Kayko tilted her head to one side, considering. "They would."
"Guys! I do not fancy Amano!" Hitomi said, laughing.
"So? He's fine!" Kayko exclaimed.
"Hey!" Tai protested gently.
"Oh come on, you know I love you more!" Kayko said, laughing.
He grinned. "Yeah, but I'd need proof first."
She giggled as they drew together, and kissed. Hitomi averted her eyes.
"Get a room!" Sarah complained, rolling her eyes. They came apart again, eyes shining, mouths smiling. "Sorry sweetie, one at a time only," Tai teased.
"Whatever!"
Dan grinned. "That's my girl you're talking about," He glanced at his watch. Hitomi couldn't help but notice it was designer. "Isn't it time to go.?"
"Huh?" Sarah leaned over him, gazing at his watch. "Hell, yeah! We're late! Come on guys, let's go!"
They got up to leave, taking their coats and purses with them.
"Um, Sarah," Hitomi said quietly as they got into the car, "Isn't the Cloud Nine nightclub an over eighteen's?"
Sarah grinned. "Yeah, but Dan knows the doorman. Don't worry, we're gonna have a blast."
Hitomi grinned back. "Great!" She sat back in the car, the vodka coursing through her, making her happy and relaxed. Then Tai said something funny to her, and they were all laughing and chatting together, like old friends. It was a drug; she needed it to fly higher than Van did. They didn't stop until they arrived at the club.
It was a tall, stylish building, and the very walls of it seemed to shimmer with money. Although she'd never been there before, she knew it was Cloud Nine. The long queue of designer-dressed people went right around the building, herded in by the bouncers. As she heard the distant beat of music from inside the building, she felt her stomach clench with excitement, and her heart quicken to the music's pace. Suddenly the night felt full of secret opportunities, tingling with the thrill of something new. Hitomi could almost smell a delicious hint of danger in the air. She breathed it in, loving it.
"Hitomi?" Someone was pulling at her arm.
"Huh?!" Hitomi turned her head, startled.
It was Kayko. "Dan's gone to park the car, he's meeting us inside. We're going in," She explained. Hitomi grinned. The three girls (and one boy) climbed the steps to the club's large, sophisticated entrance, casually skipping the huge queue. The doorman simply grinned.
"Welcome back, Sarah," He said, stepping aside to let them past. "Dan with you?"
Sarah laughed graciously. "Yes - he's coming. Could you tell him to wait here for us? We'll be back in a minute. Thanks, darling," She gestured for the others to follow her.
Hitomi stood for a few seconds in awe of the girl in front of her. Sarah knew the doorman so well that she called him 'darling' and was allowed in for free? Hitomi realised just how much power Sarah had. Could she actually become one of her friends - the elite? Suddenly afraid she might loose the others in front of her, she pushed past the thickening crowd to catch up with them. The interior of the club was just as snazzy as the outside, and the beat was becoming deafening.
Several minutes later, once they were rid of their coats and bags and with Dan again, they made their way to the dance floor. The beat was so strong Hitomi could feel it in her chest. She let go of all her stress, and let the music move her. Bright lasers skimmed over the throng, piercing the throbbing darkness. Strobe lights flashed and smoke seeped in from various hidden smoke machines. It was like another world. Hitomi could hear a faint voice in her ear. She turned her head, coming face-to-face with Sarah.
".going to get a drink!" Sarah shouted.
"What?"
"A drink!" Sarah mimed drinking.
Hitomi nodded, sudden comprehension dawning. She, and the others, slowly weaved their way off the dance floor, making their way towards the bar. The others slid onto a group of stools nearby, but Hitomi froze. Several meters away, was a girl with red hair, yelling at some guy. The girl was Yukari. Hadn't Yukari said she wasn't going out tonight? Was she avoiding her? And who was this man? Curiosity pricking her, Hitomi abandoned the group, and carefully neared the arguing 'couple'.
"What the hell?! Hey, lady, I was only asking for your name!"
"WELL I DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU, YOU FREAK!!" Yukari raged at the poor stranger. She was furious - it was as though he'd deeply insulted her in some way.
"Um..Yukari.." Hitomi lightly tapped the angry girl on the shoulder. Yukari whirled round, eyes blazing.
"WHAT?!" she yelled.
Hitomi recoiled, taken aback by the strength of Yukari's emotion. "Yukari. he was only asking for your name."
"Exactly!" Cried the man, exasperated. "You're a nutcase - I'm out of here!" Hastily he left, wanting to put as much distance as he could between the strange girl and her friend.
Yukari glared at Hitomi, with an expression not unlike hate on her face.
"Yukari, you can't just start yelling at someone for no reason! What's wrong with you?! Anyway, I thought you said you weren't going out tonight?"
Yukari rolled her eyes at her, and waved her away, uncaring and dismissive.
"Whatever."
It's strange how much just one word can hurt, when it is said in a certain way.
Yukari, bored with the current situation, turned to leave.
"Yukari, wait - "
Hitomi reached over, grabbing hold of Yukari's wrist. Yukari snapped her head round to face her.
"Don't you fucking touch me."
There was ferocity in her voice that Hitomi had never heard before. Yukari never swore. She found it vulgar. Hitomi found herself wondering whether this was in fact someone completely different, who simply looked like her best friend, but in reality was simply an impostor. Whoever she was, Hitomi didn't know her. Then Hitomi looked into Yukari's eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. Sound blurred out and all she could see or think about were those two eyes. She stood, and stared in shock. Yukari's eyes burned in hatred, like ambers from a roaring fire. Staring into those eyes, Hitomi was convinced that the person before her was capable of anything, and she feared for her life. Yukari's eyes were a deep, blood red.
Overcome with shock, Hitomi let go of Yukari's wrist. Yukari gave her a warning glance and whipped round again, walking with a brisk stride of determination that wasn't hers . it was Dilandau's.
Dum dum DUM!!!! Hows that for a cliffie?! Hope you enjoyed it, and please review so I know what to improve & what you'd like to happen next. I'll update when 5 peeps have reviewed so I have plenty of time to make sure the next chappie's gud enough. ok, lov u peeps but I gotta go revise 4 my exams.. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! !!!!!!
Chapter 2- Red Discovery (hint hint, lol...)
Merle hummed happily to herself, searching for something pretty to buy from the market.
"Ohhhh, what's that?" She asked as she picked up a disc with a hole in it. It was silver, but in the light it made lots of pretty colours like a rainbow.
"It's from the Mystic Moon, Miss. It would make a lovely necklace, don't you think?"
"Hmmm. Do you know what the people on the Mystic Moon used it for?" Merle asked, carefully turning the disc over and inspecting it at all angles.
"No, Miss. Not for sure."
Merle sighed. "I bet Hitomi would know," Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure. She turned her head so that she could see better. "Hitomi!" the cat-girl exclaimed.
She dropped the disc and rushed towards Hitomi, knocking over stalls and confetti stands. "Hitomi, Hitomi! Over here!."
Hitomi heard someone call her name. She stopped, and glanced over her shoulder. Merle!
She felt a surge of panic. She didn't want to talk to Merle, or see Van, or anyone she'd ever known on Gaea. The sight of the young cat-girl brought back so many memories and feelings that they threatened to engulf her, leaving her to drown in darkness and old promises of the past. She couldn't face it; She just wanted to leave and forget this ever happened. Forcing her legs to move, Hitomi continued running. Merle's annoyed shouts could be heard just behind her, but Hitomi ignored them.
"Hitooooomiiiii! Wait up, you stupid girl!" Hitomi felt a clawed hand grab her elbow and she was forced to skid to a halt. She turned round to face an angry looking Merle.
"What is wrong with you, you idiot?!" Merle demanded. "Did you have to run off?"
Hitomi felt an huge bubble of anger rise up inside her. "Shut up, Merle!" She said savagely.
Merle looked shocked, stunned into silence.
"You're one to talk about running off! My back is turned for barely a year and already Van has found someone else! I did everything for him and he just forgot about me! He used me!" Hitomi was shouting at the top of her lungs and a fairly big crowd had gathered, but she didn't care.
She paused for breath. "Hitomi! It's not like that, you don't under - "
Hitomi didn't let her finish. "Is she prettier than me? What happened?!" She laughed bitterly, her anger almost gone. "She may be a princess but there are more important things! Like love. And trust. Tell him, Merle. Tell him I loved him, and that he could have had it all, but he wanted it to be this way." Hitomi now spoke quietly, her anger had disappeared and left only sadness.
"Oh, Hitomi, please - "
"No, Merle. I don't want to hear you make excuses for him." Hitomi now sounded strangely calm but she was shaking and she had butterflies in her stomach.
"I'm going home, now. I never want to see you, Van, or anyone else from Gaea ever again. I'm going to forget Van just like he forgot me and then I'm going to do useful things with my time- like find a decent boyfriend. Good-bye, Merle. Have a nice life."
Hitomi started running again, willing the bright light to surround her and take her far away from this awful place. She heard the almost inaudible rip in the sky as it came, the blessed light come to take her home. She could feel herself being lifted off the ground.
"Hitomi! Wait!" Merle cried. Hitomi shook her head, and was gone.
"Hitooooomiiii!" Merle wailed, in vain; Hitomi was gone, and it was her wish never to come back. 'Lord Van!' She thought suddenly. 'I have to tell him!' She ran to the palace, shouting, "Lord Van! Lord Van!!!"
Van Fanel, King of all Fanelia, sighed and looked out of the window. "I don't want to marry her, Allen." He said.
"You have to. If you don't, the king of Paymere will declare war on Fanelia. Do you really want to see Fanelia in ruins once again?" Allen asked. He felt sorry for Van, and for Hitomi, but the lives of many people could be destroyed and he couldn't let that happen.
"Hitomi and Fanelia are the two things I love the most! How can I choose between them?" Van said despairingly.
"Fate has already chosen for you. Hitomi is on the Mystic Moon and you are on Gaea. You could never be together, even without this. You might be married to another, but it doesn't mean you don't love Hitomi."
"I can't do that to Hitomi - I care about her too much!" Van looked at Allen in anguish.
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her. It may not be very gentlemanly, but it would be better if she doesn't know. Besides, the wedding in nine days! You can't back out now." Allen said reasonably, though, he himself disliked the advice he was giving. "She's not all that bad, you know. She's pretty for one. And educated."
Van scowled. "Hitomi is beautiful. And not just educated; clever too. I don't love that Paymere girl," he said darkly.
"No, but maybe one day you will grow to love her, and you'll be happy. You'll be able to have children, a family- all the things you can't have with Hitomi."
"Hitomi and I could have a family. We'd be happy."
"And ask Hitomi to leave her mother and father? Remember what it was like to lose your family, Van. Could you really do that to her?"
"Then I'd go to the Mystic Moon." Van insisted, with his usual stubborness.
"What about Fanelia? Van, see sense."
Van opened his mouth to say something when Merle flew in.
"Lord Van!" She shouted.
"Merle! What are you doing here?" Van asked her, surprised.
Merle gasped, and waited a second to get her breath back. "Hitomi! She was here and she's found out!"
"Hitomi's here?!" Van exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Where?" "What did she find out, Merle?" Allen asked.
"About the marriage! Hitomi was so upset.she's gone now."
"Oh no." Von moaned, and sitting down, he buried his face in his hands.
"Lord Van?" Said Merle anxiously.
He lifted his face from his hands. His face was pale. "What did she say?" He spoke in almost a whisper.
"She said.er." Merle nibbled a claw, trying to remember. "Oh yeah! She said to tell you that she loved you, and you could have had everything, but you wanted all this to happen. She didn't let me explain. I'm so sorry, Lord Van."
Van groaned, and once again covered his face. She put an arm around him to comfort him, but he pushed it away. She whimpered, half offended and half unhappy for Van.
"I'm sorry, Merle," he said huskily.
"What else did Hitomi say?" Allen asked.
"Ahhh.she told me that she never wanted to see any of us again. She said she was going to forget any of this ever happened, like Gaea never even existed."
Allen looked shocked. "Hitomi." He murmured sadly.
Van lifted his head and stood up. "I've got to tell her," He said determinedly, once more a King. "I've got to tell her the truth!"
"Lord Van, please don't leave!" Merle cried.
"Van! Don't be a fool! Leave the poor girl be. She hates you now. If you love her, let her get over it, and let her get on with her life. Let her forget and be happy." Allen said sternly.
"What?! Allen, No! She has a right to know!" Van thundered, glaring at the blond knight in front of him.
"Look Van, in the end it's up to you. But I really don't think anything you can say will make things better for Hitomi. " Allen tried to keep out the commanding tone that seeped into his voice.
It was too late; Van had picked up on it, and he hated being told what to do.
"I don't remember asking your opinion, Allen! I'm going! I don't care what you say!" He shouted.
"When?" Merle asked miserably.
"As soon as possible. I just need to convince my advisers to cover for me for a few days, and I'm gone,"
Alan looked at the King, sadness shining in his eyes. He remembered a time when Van would have gone rushing off to the Mystic Moon for Hitomi at a moments notice, to hell with ambassadors and advisers. But Kingship had tamed Van's fiery, passionate nature; he had learnt to put his kingdom first.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The ground was rushing forward at a tremendous speed, and as she thought she'd be smashed, the light went and Hitomi was kneeling on the grass, breathing heavily. It was night, just as she had left. She stood up slowly, because she felt she couldn't trust her legs to hold her weight. She felt awful. She was tired from her anger, and there was a deep loneliness in her heart, a terrible sense of loss- not just as though she'd lost Van, but a part of her very being. She looked at the temple, and remembered the feeling of happiness she'd had when she was transported to Gaea.
'Huh! I shouldn't have bothered. What a jerk!' She thought bitterly. Best just go home and try to forget. Forget. if only it was that easy.
When she saw her Dad's car waiting for her she stopped in surprise. Her Dad saw her and rolling down the window, he called: "Come on, Hitomi! Your Mum'll be wondering where we've got too!"
"Huh?" She said, getting into the car.
"Sorry it took so long in the office, Hitomi, I couldn't find the right paperwork. Okay, lets go!"
'Paperwork?' Hitomi said to her self in a daze.
"Ohh! The paperwork!" She said in a flash of comprehension.
So much had happened in the past few hours she'd completely forgotten about her Dad, waiting to take her back home.
Her Dad gave her a strange look. "Are you alright, Hitomi?"
"Err..yeah, I'm great." She would never understand that whenever she came back from Gaea, barely anytime had passed from when she'd left.
"You feeling better now? Has the trip to the temple helped clear your thoughts about this boy you don't want to tell us about?"
It took her a few seconds to remember who he meant. When she did, she felt a pang of unhappiness.
"Yeah.we broke up. He was a creep. I never really liked him anyway," She said, looking out of the window so he wouldn't see her crying.
"Hitomi, I'm sorry. You should have told us. We could have helped you through this."
Hitomi smiled at her Dad, and suddenly felt a desperate need to talk about how she felt.
"When I met him I really thought 'Wow, this is it. This is the love of my life.' I was so stupid, Dad."
Her father glanced at her. He took hold of his hand. "Hey, don't think like that. That boy is the stupid one, not you. He was stupid to let my beautiful little girl go. You'll meet nicer boys and one day you'll find the right one and you'll stay together for the rest of your lives."
He smiled, his eyes still on the road. Hitomi smiled as well, though it was fake.
"Thanks, Dad. Was it like that with you and Mummy?" He looked at her quickly and nodded. " I love her and I always will. One day, I promise, you'll meet your man."
Hitomi sighed. 'I already have.only he doesn't want me in his life.'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Going out?! AGAIN?! What about your homework?" Hitomi's mother demanded.
Hitomi scowled. She had already done it. Ever since Hitomi had come back from her trip to Gaea, she hadn't stopped; as when she was doing something, anything, she didn't have to think about what had happened. Now she had exhausted the usual pile of coursework on her desk, she needed to find some other way to forget. And what was more normal and completely unrelated to Gaea than going clubbing on a Friday night?
"It's finished. Is school all you think about? I am allowed to have some fun too, you know."
Her mother nodded. "Okay! I was only asking. I thought you said Yukari wasn't feeling well, isn't she coming? Who are you going with?"
Hitomi's scowl deepened. All this questions irritated her. Couldn't her mother see she wasn't in the mood for talking? She needed to get out, she didn't care how. "Friends from school. Don't worry; Sarah's boyfriend is driving us. We're meeting up at her house - "
"Sarah? Sarah Usaka? Isn't she that really popular girl you always said you hated so much? I remember you telling me she's always at some wild party or other, and how all the guys think she's easy."
"Well she's not, okay? She actually is a really nice person. Don't wait up - I'll be back by one." Hitomi said opening the front door.
"Well, if you're sure," Her mother said doubtfully.
"I'm sure."
"Hmmm. and you have been working hard recently, even if it IS the third time you've been out this week..."
"Exactly," said Hitomi, though she wasn't really listening. With or without her mother's permission, it made no difference to Hitomi - she was going out, and that was final.
"Bye, Mum," She kissed her mother lightly on the cheek, and before her mother had time to say anything else, she was gone.
By the time she arrived at Sarah's house, Dan, Sarah's boyfriend was already there.
"Hitomi! Glad you could make it!" Sarah exclaimed on seeing her. Hitomi smiled.
"Thanks for inviting me."
"Don't be silly; I wanted you to come," She took Hitomi's arm, pushing her gently towards the living room.
"The others are here already - we thought we might have a drink before we leave,"
Hitomi felt a clench of nervousness in her stomach, wondering who the 'others' were. Why did she have to be so shy? She thought miserably. Suddenly she pushed the thought away, an unexplained anger heating her. The shy Hitomi, the one who fell in love and gave everything for a King, was dead. She shouldn't be feeling this way. In her place, was a popular, successful party girl. The girl who got invited to clubs by one of the most popular girls in the school. And why not? She had every right to be here. This was the 'real' Hitomi.
'I'm bigger, stronger and better than my fears. I can do this,' She thought, and with these words she automatically drew her head up high, brimming with confidence. She plastered a smile over her face and stepped into the living room. There was a couple lounging lazily on the leather sofa, with their drinks in their hands. She recognised them from school: Kayko, and her jock boyfriend, Tai. On the other sofa, was a handsome eighteen year old - Sarah's boyfriend. It suddenly hit Hitomi that she was the only one who was alone. Her smile faltered. Before her unhappiness overwhelmed her completely, she suddenly became aware that Sarah was talking. Mentally, she shook herself, forcing herself to snap out of her dark, self-pitying mood.
"..Of course you know Kayko and Tai from school - Guys, this is Hitomi - and my boyfriend, Dan. He's in college," Sarah added, with just a hint of pride behind the words.
"Hi, everyone," Hitomi said, beaming at them all. She didn't feel nervous anymore - she'd forgotten who she was.
They smiled back at her, exchanging greetings. She sat down next to Dan and Sarah, who handed her a glass of vodka and coke. Slowly, enjoying the taste in her mouth and the warmth it gave her, she drank it while the others talked.
"So, Hitomi," Began Kayko conversationally, "What's with Yukari?"
Hitomi straightened as her name was mentioned. Trying to keep her voice level, she asked: "What do you mean?"
The others had stopped talking; she knew they were all listening.
"You mean you haven't noticed?! Come on - Look how aggressive she's become! What's happened to her?"
"I don't know," Hitomi said truthfully. "All of a sudden she started being really distant with everyone - even me,"
"How the hell does she manage to hold on to Amano?! He gave up America for her. No offence or anything, but he could do so much better than her. She's so moody!"
"Maybe she's pregnant," Sarah suggested helpfully. They laughed. Hitomi had forgotten how good it was to be with friends - in the past few days, with Yukari's strange behaviour and that nasty little incident in Gaea, she had been very, very lonely.
"No, seriously though," Sarah continued, finishing her glass. "They just don't make a good couple. I think you and Amano would look so good together, Hitomi,"
"Yeah," Kayko tilted her head to one side, considering. "They would."
"Guys! I do not fancy Amano!" Hitomi said, laughing.
"So? He's fine!" Kayko exclaimed.
"Hey!" Tai protested gently.
"Oh come on, you know I love you more!" Kayko said, laughing.
He grinned. "Yeah, but I'd need proof first."
She giggled as they drew together, and kissed. Hitomi averted her eyes.
"Get a room!" Sarah complained, rolling her eyes. They came apart again, eyes shining, mouths smiling. "Sorry sweetie, one at a time only," Tai teased.
"Whatever!"
Dan grinned. "That's my girl you're talking about," He glanced at his watch. Hitomi couldn't help but notice it was designer. "Isn't it time to go.?"
"Huh?" Sarah leaned over him, gazing at his watch. "Hell, yeah! We're late! Come on guys, let's go!"
They got up to leave, taking their coats and purses with them.
"Um, Sarah," Hitomi said quietly as they got into the car, "Isn't the Cloud Nine nightclub an over eighteen's?"
Sarah grinned. "Yeah, but Dan knows the doorman. Don't worry, we're gonna have a blast."
Hitomi grinned back. "Great!" She sat back in the car, the vodka coursing through her, making her happy and relaxed. Then Tai said something funny to her, and they were all laughing and chatting together, like old friends. It was a drug; she needed it to fly higher than Van did. They didn't stop until they arrived at the club.
It was a tall, stylish building, and the very walls of it seemed to shimmer with money. Although she'd never been there before, she knew it was Cloud Nine. The long queue of designer-dressed people went right around the building, herded in by the bouncers. As she heard the distant beat of music from inside the building, she felt her stomach clench with excitement, and her heart quicken to the music's pace. Suddenly the night felt full of secret opportunities, tingling with the thrill of something new. Hitomi could almost smell a delicious hint of danger in the air. She breathed it in, loving it.
"Hitomi?" Someone was pulling at her arm.
"Huh?!" Hitomi turned her head, startled.
It was Kayko. "Dan's gone to park the car, he's meeting us inside. We're going in," She explained. Hitomi grinned. The three girls (and one boy) climbed the steps to the club's large, sophisticated entrance, casually skipping the huge queue. The doorman simply grinned.
"Welcome back, Sarah," He said, stepping aside to let them past. "Dan with you?"
Sarah laughed graciously. "Yes - he's coming. Could you tell him to wait here for us? We'll be back in a minute. Thanks, darling," She gestured for the others to follow her.
Hitomi stood for a few seconds in awe of the girl in front of her. Sarah knew the doorman so well that she called him 'darling' and was allowed in for free? Hitomi realised just how much power Sarah had. Could she actually become one of her friends - the elite? Suddenly afraid she might loose the others in front of her, she pushed past the thickening crowd to catch up with them. The interior of the club was just as snazzy as the outside, and the beat was becoming deafening.
Several minutes later, once they were rid of their coats and bags and with Dan again, they made their way to the dance floor. The beat was so strong Hitomi could feel it in her chest. She let go of all her stress, and let the music move her. Bright lasers skimmed over the throng, piercing the throbbing darkness. Strobe lights flashed and smoke seeped in from various hidden smoke machines. It was like another world. Hitomi could hear a faint voice in her ear. She turned her head, coming face-to-face with Sarah.
".going to get a drink!" Sarah shouted.
"What?"
"A drink!" Sarah mimed drinking.
Hitomi nodded, sudden comprehension dawning. She, and the others, slowly weaved their way off the dance floor, making their way towards the bar. The others slid onto a group of stools nearby, but Hitomi froze. Several meters away, was a girl with red hair, yelling at some guy. The girl was Yukari. Hadn't Yukari said she wasn't going out tonight? Was she avoiding her? And who was this man? Curiosity pricking her, Hitomi abandoned the group, and carefully neared the arguing 'couple'.
"What the hell?! Hey, lady, I was only asking for your name!"
"WELL I DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU, YOU FREAK!!" Yukari raged at the poor stranger. She was furious - it was as though he'd deeply insulted her in some way.
"Um..Yukari.." Hitomi lightly tapped the angry girl on the shoulder. Yukari whirled round, eyes blazing.
"WHAT?!" she yelled.
Hitomi recoiled, taken aback by the strength of Yukari's emotion. "Yukari. he was only asking for your name."
"Exactly!" Cried the man, exasperated. "You're a nutcase - I'm out of here!" Hastily he left, wanting to put as much distance as he could between the strange girl and her friend.
Yukari glared at Hitomi, with an expression not unlike hate on her face.
"Yukari, you can't just start yelling at someone for no reason! What's wrong with you?! Anyway, I thought you said you weren't going out tonight?"
Yukari rolled her eyes at her, and waved her away, uncaring and dismissive.
"Whatever."
It's strange how much just one word can hurt, when it is said in a certain way.
Yukari, bored with the current situation, turned to leave.
"Yukari, wait - "
Hitomi reached over, grabbing hold of Yukari's wrist. Yukari snapped her head round to face her.
"Don't you fucking touch me."
There was ferocity in her voice that Hitomi had never heard before. Yukari never swore. She found it vulgar. Hitomi found herself wondering whether this was in fact someone completely different, who simply looked like her best friend, but in reality was simply an impostor. Whoever she was, Hitomi didn't know her. Then Hitomi looked into Yukari's eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. Sound blurred out and all she could see or think about were those two eyes. She stood, and stared in shock. Yukari's eyes burned in hatred, like ambers from a roaring fire. Staring into those eyes, Hitomi was convinced that the person before her was capable of anything, and she feared for her life. Yukari's eyes were a deep, blood red.
Overcome with shock, Hitomi let go of Yukari's wrist. Yukari gave her a warning glance and whipped round again, walking with a brisk stride of determination that wasn't hers . it was Dilandau's.
Dum dum DUM!!!! Hows that for a cliffie?! Hope you enjoyed it, and please review so I know what to improve & what you'd like to happen next. I'll update when 5 peeps have reviewed so I have plenty of time to make sure the next chappie's gud enough. ok, lov u peeps but I gotta go revise 4 my exams.. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! !!!!!!