Chapter 2: Memories
Hitomi ran out of the library upon hearing the news tears blurring her vision. She knew she had knocked over the chair in the process, but she didn't care she had to see Kotori. Running out the corridor and into the grounds she ran over to the tower she knew her friend lay in. Reaching the door she pushed with all her might to open the door put it wouldn't budge it was magically closed to her. Frantically looking round she noticed a tower that she hadn't seen before, must be the knights tower she thought and headed for it. Running along she noticed she was running faster than before, her former speed seemed to be returning to her. Dashing past the citizens who gave her strange looks as she raced on towards the tower. Turning several times and getting lost she finally came to the tower door and tried to open it. It wouldn't budge either until she kicked it open in a similar fashion to what she did to Kotori's. The second it opened she dashed through it and up the spiraling staircase. Upon reaching the second level towards the third she heard someone else run in and run up the stairs and guessed it was most likely Sir Plucki. Turning down the corridor to her room she skidded down it then ran into her room and bolted the door. Tears streaming down her face she collapsed onto the bed and let the waterworks go, so much for not crying. Grabbing a pillow from her bed she pulled it to her chest and rocked back and forth until a pounding on the door made her look up. She made no response just went on crying although not to loud she didn't want him to hear her. Leant against the end of the bed she cried until the knocking came again.
The banging persisted but Hitomi ignored it, she knew who was at the door and she did not want to speak to him. Minutes slipped and the banging stopped and for a brief moment Hitomi thought he'd left when on other side of the door he said, "Hitomi, please open the door"
She did not answer she didn't want to be near him now, he was willing to withhold information on her best friends condition something he knew she would want to know.
Again there was silence and Hitomi wondered what he would do if she did not open the door; only one way to find out. Drawing the pillow closer to her she buried her head into it and sighed. She knew he would be getting impatient now and wondered what he was up to she guessed he would either try her technique asking once more and giving a warning or just leave her for now. A strong gust of wind blew in and Hitomi suddenly realised she was sat in a freezing cold room in the dark. Crawling up to the top of the bed she reached out onto her draws and lit a candle that was stood there just as knocking came again on the door.
"Hitomi, open this door before I'm forced to break it down"
"No" she shouted back stubbornly.
Silence followed and with each passing second Hitomi grew more nervous and anxious. If he said he was coming in then he was coming in and there wasn't much she could do to stop that bolt or no bolt. Something heavy bashing against the door made her look, the bolt had nearly given way on that first shove. Another came even harder this time and then door flew open and Sir Plucki walked in. He marched over to the bed where Hitomi sat not looking happy at all. When he reached the foot of the bed she threw the pillow she had been holding at his head. It didn't work he caught it just before it hit, but he knew that was not in fun that had a lot of force behind it. Looking at Hitomi he saw she sat on her bed by the headboard with her arms folded and glaring at him. He was worried about Hitomi now he'd never seen her this angry with him and she'd never thrown anything at him with intent on trying to hurt him. He knew she had a right to be angry but he had never expected her to be this angry after all he was thinking of her best interests. He realised this was the first time he had actually seen Hitomi angry at them, when she was angry at Kotori that was obviously just in fun. Sighing he knew it was not going to be easy talking to Hitomi like this.
"Hitomi" he started and knew he had her attention. "I need to talk to you and I don't want you to interrupt" he said looking at her as she was about to speak.
She closed her mouth abruptly and let him continue she'd give him a chance to explain why he wanted to withhold information on Kotori from her.
"Hitomi, what you heard in library" he paused to see her face which had now become unreadable then continued. "I only didn't want to tell you because I knew you would worry"
"And when would you of told me?" she shot back.
He was slightly shocked at her harsh tone she'd never been like this, but he answered her," I would have told you in the morning once you'd slept"
"Why then?" she asked getting up from the bed her voice void of emotion.
"Because, I know you wouldn't sleep if you were worrying about Kotori" he replied growing more concerned she was becoming even harder to read.
"Well, that's my problem" she said stubbornly.
"Well, I'm not going to let you lie down and succumb to worry and grief" he replied.
"It's none of your concern"
"Yes, it is"
"Why?" she asked now stood in front of him.
That caught him off guard he hadn't expected the conversation to turn into this and there was only one answer to that question. He'd already told her once and knew she was asking now to make sure he'd still be there if Kotori did die.
"Because I love you" he answered.
Hitomi now stood before him struggling to keep her composure. Why did things have to be so complicated? Her shoulders sagging she let the tears come, she no longer had to hide from him. Feeling strong-arms go round her waist she fell into them, and cried her pain. Why couldn't she stop crying?
She felt herself being lifted and placed on her bed, looking she saw Sir Plucki heading for the door.
"Wait!" she cried out desperately.
He stopped at the open door and turned to her.
"Stay" he heard her whisper.
He nodded and closed the open door then walked over to the bed where she sat. She sat shaking and looked up at him; her eyes were sore and red but now dry of tears after she rubbed them with the back of her hand. Grabbing a blanket from the edge of the bed he wrapped it round her shoulders. Drawing it round her, and tightening it she then looked back up at him. He leaned forward and brushed her hair out of her face, then lay down on the bed beside her, gathering her up in his arms. Hitomi's head lay on his chest with her arms wrapped round him. He lay slightly propped up by the headboard with his arms around Hitomi. For an hour they lay there in silence wrapped in each other's embrace. Night wore on and the moon rose high and Hitomi's eyes began to droop, it was nearly midnight. Snuggling closer to keep warm she closed her eyes and surrendered to sleep. Night drew on and morning came bright and early for the two snuggled up together. Sir Plucki woke first followed by Hitomi a minute later they had moved slightly in the night so that now both lay on the bed side by side their faces only inches apart. Hitomi was surprised he'd stayed the night she thought he would of left after she fell asleep, not that she was complaining it was strange yet nice to wake up like this. Sir Plucki was also surprised he'd hadn't intended on falling asleep with Hitomi, but waking up now he saw she wasn't objecting in fact she seemed to like that he was here. Hitomi smiled at him warmly before moving forward closing the distance between them and kissed his lips. He returned it eagerly, it felt strange it was good but at the same time he knew it was wrong so ending the kiss he pulled back from Hitomi. It was strange he'd never felt anything like this, never had he experienced such emotions towards Hitomi and so early, usually he'd see Hitomi at breakfast and he'd feel something but waking up with her this morning had made him feel something different. Standing from the bed he told Hitomi it would soon be time for breakfast and that he needed to change so with that he left the room leaving Hitomi alone. Feeling cold at the loss of warmth Hitomi jumped off the bed and took out a jacket from her wardrobe. Looking out the window she noticed the sun was up and could smell the aroma of food wafting in through her window. Food, she still didn't really feel like eating so slipping on her boots she made her way out of her room and down the staircase. Upon reaching the bottom instead of taking the shortcuts that would lead her near the great hall she began looking for the secret door that Sir Plucki had brought her into this tower by. At this early hour there would only be one medic and she could sneak a quick peek at Kotori.
Placing her hands on the wall, she began to search for something that would allow the secret door to open, but so far there was no such luck. Curling her hands into fists she began to grow impatient and frustrated, why wouldn't the stupid door open?
Without thinking she lashed out, and kicked the wall, and immediately regretted it. Her mouth locked open; she tried to take the pain, and began to hop about the corridor, nursing her injury. Holding onto the wall for support, she heard the familiar scrape of an opening. Turning her head slightly, and grinding her teeth, she saw part of the stone wall sink further into wall, then slide sideways, revealing a secret door. Her pain forgotten, Hitomi ran in, the door scraping closed behind her.
Sneaking around in the darkness of the corridor, she remained hidden incase others should see her. Scarcely making a sound, she tiptoed along the corridor for quite a way, and then resumed to her normal pace walk. At the other end, she stopped and waited, her ear pressed against the door for any sounds. Hearing nothing, she pushed the door slightly ajar just enough for her to see if anyone was around. Finding no one, she opened the door, and slipping through, hid behind one of the pillars, the door she came from, scraping closed again. Staying cautious, she poked her head round the corner, and dashed to the side of the stairs. Gazing round, alert for anyone who should come down, Hitomi then raced up the stairs, and hid behind one of the tapestries. Now on the second floor, she knew Kotori was on the fourth level. Running along the corridor, strangely enough very quietly, she came upon third floor. Immediately on instinct she jumped out of the way, and behind the drapes, lucky not to be seen, as one of the gummi residents turned round in the corridor and walked in the opposite direction.Sighing in relief she whipped out from behind the drapes and shot up the stairs to the fourth level. Now on the fourth level she looked around and saw and heard nothing. Walking opening deciding it was safe she walked down the corridors. Nearing Kotori's room she smiled she was almost there, but due to this thought she missed the pattering noise on the stone floor so when turning the corner instead of finding it empty, she came face to face with a surprised and very quickly angry medic.
"Oops!" said Hitomi with large surprised eyes before running back to the stairs."Hito…" the medic started before gasping as Hitomi jumped over the stair banister and fell three levels.
Hitomi continued to plummet to the ground, arms lashing out she finally caught onto the banner and slid down a little, stopping halfway to the first level, she breathed a sigh of relief before risking a look up to see the once angry medic looking completely terrified.
"Bye" she said letting go of the banner and dashing out of the tower before the medic could raise the alarm.
Running blindly through the city her heart pounding in her chest she finally stumbled into a familiar corridor. The smell of food made her stomach growl and made her sick. Her stomach was empty and had been sine Kotori became ill except for the measly bits she ate last night. She was in the corridor that led into the kitchen, which meant she was on the other side of Gummadoon. A pained expression on her face she tried not to think of the memories that had been created there, but it was useless they came anyway.
FlashbackIt was two days to Christmas and she had been in the kitchen sat at the table with a hot drink in her hands when Kotori walked in. She hadn't even noticed her there until she heaved a large goose on the table.
"Erm…Kotori, what are you do' in with that goose?" she'd asked.
"What does it look like I'm do' in, I'm making Christmas dinner"
"Aren't you supposed to have turkey"
"Well yeah, but I couldn't find one"
"Well, what are doing with that?" she'd had asked.
"Plucking it you can't eat with all the feathers on" Kotori had replied starting her work.
She'd just left Kotori to get on and it had been about an hour later once Kotori had finished. She had all the feathers in a bucket and then placed them on the shelf saying she'd deal with them later. But while placing them on the shelf knocked off a jar with a loose lid containing something sticky and it had landed right on Kotori's head. When that had landed on her head she had instantly let go of the bucket to see what had landed on her head. The bucket had fallen straight on Kotori who had been directly underneath it. She had turned round her head and shoulders decorated in some sticky substance and feathers.
She'd just sat there completely shocked at what had happened until Kotori had turned round and spit out some of the feathers, which had sent her into a fit of giggles. Kotori looked like a chicken!
Kotori had not been amused she had stomped out of the kitchen into the corridor passing some knights on the way who had looked at her funny she had turned round and said, "Don't even ask?"
End Flashback
She smiled fondly at the memory; oh Kotori had been teased for that that had been one of many good memories here. Leaning against the wall relaxing momentarily she decided being here wasn't that bad after all until.
Flashback
They ran down the corridor to the kitchens, Kotori for once managed to sneak up on her while she was reading in the library and pounced on her. She screamed out in surprise then seeing who it was had given chase and that's why they were running towards the kitchen. Kotori barged through the door completely forgetting gummi's would be in there preparing the next meal. She knocked countless trays onto the floor that would now need washing and bumped into the table. She had been running behind Kotori and slipped on some water on the way in and slammed into the back of Kotori. This then caused most of the food on the table to fall onto the floor. Kotori had then tried to make a quick escape but slipped on the water Hitomi had and crashed into the cupboards causing all the remaining clean cooking utensils and pans to fall to the floor. They had been lectured severely for that and separated for three days.
End Flashback
Hitomi shut her eyes she didn't want to remember the bad things that had happened, but the bad had to come with the good. Many more memories surfaced after that following one after the other most being bad and hurtful so that Hitomi hardly realised she had been stood there for the last four hours.
Feeling miserable she made her way out into a courtyard intent on going to the training grounds. The sun shined brightly and Hitomi scowled her eyes brimming with tears how could the day be so beautiful and joyful when someone's life was slipping away? Moving slowly and kicking up the dirt and stones as she went she made it to outside the training grounds in twenty minutes when usually it would have taken ten. Now stood outside she stared at the walls and wondered whether it was such a good idea coming here after all this where Kotori spent most of her time and many more painful memories existed there. She was spared from thinking anymore and jumped when she felt someone touch her shoulder and spun round to see Sir Plucki. He looked worried and with good reason never had been able to catch Hitomi off guard, she was always alert and focused but just lately she had become lapsed and prone to daydreaming.
"Hitomi, are you all right?"
"Ye…yeah" she replied hesitantly.
He nodded then asked whether she wanted to train she said yes otherwise it would arise suspicion if she didn't, so she followed him into the grounds. Picking up a staff from the rack she went over to the beam where he was waiting. Climbing on she dropped into a fighting stance ready for a training session but her heart wasn't in it and neither were her thoughts. All the time bad memories flashed in front of her eyes things that had happened, things she didn't want to remember. She barely concentrated and it did not go unnoticed she was struggling to block even some simple attacks and only occasionally would attack herself. Momentarily realizing how badly she was doing she attacked furiously, she needed to get out of here and the only way to do that was beat him or give one hell of a good training session. Using some of her regained speed and strength she was able to get in a good number of attacks and defenses before one of the most painful memories hit her.
Flashback
She and Kotori were training and none of the knights were in it was too early for them to be in yet. The sun hadn't even risen and it would be about an hour before it did but neither of them had been able to sleep so they went to train. They'd been training on the beams for some time and the first few knights were starting to appear in the grounds. Hitomi had lunged forward at Kotori causing her to move back suddenly and get hit by one of the spinning devices. She had gone flying off the beam and instead of landing in the unicorn trough like Sir Cubbi had she'd gone flying into the weapons rack. She'd been badly injured in that even if she wouldn't admit it till later. She'd sprained her wrist, broken two fingers, hurt her neck and knee. After that she'd had a ban for a week and Hitomi had felt guilty because she felt she was responsible.
End Flashback
She still did feel guilty about that, so wrapped up in her thoughts she barely noticed her hands release her training staff and it go flying through the grounds or feel the spinning device knock her off the beam onto the hard ground, that got her attention. Standing up rubbing her sore backside she looked back to see Sir Plucki, he didn't look pleased. Hitomi's little tactic had attracted attention many knights were looking at her not angry but surprised that she would make such a mistake. Looking back at the obviously displeased gummi captain she saw him motion for her to follow him. Getting up from the floor she followed him out of the grounds guessing he probably didn't want the other knights to hear them. Stopping outside the doors he then turned to Hitomi, his expression changed from one of being displeased to one of worry.
"Hitomi, why did you do so badly at practice?"
"I…i…I just can't stop thinking about Kotori" she admitted.
He sighed and seemed to be thinking while Hitomi watched him knowing he would not be happy.
The sun started sinking and Hitomi looked up surprised was it really that late?
Her sudden surprised expression did not go unnoticed as she then looked down at her feet knowing she was in even more trouble now, he knew she hadn't eaten again today. The training incident for now forgotten as he remembered a more serious matter.
"Hitomi, what have you eaten today?"
Finding the floor very interesting she continued to look down trying to put off confession.
"Hitomi" she heard him say, he was becoming impatient.
"Nothing" she mumbled.
"Soon it will be time to eat and if I'm not satisfied with the amount you eat then I will send a medic to you"
She looked up then, he wouldn't? He would he wasn't joking he was serious. Feeling uncomfortable she quickly excused herself, knowing he wasn't happy she was slipping off so quickly she ran off into the nearest tower before he could say anything. Now away from him she gritted her teeth together then took her frustration out on the wall, great now she would have to eat because the last thing she wanted was a medic on her case. Stomping her way towards the knight's tower and her room many gummies moved out of her way, they did not want to be on the receiving end of Hitomi's temper.
The evening meal came and Hitomi again was missing, Sir Plucki turned just about to go and get her when she walked in. Striding in not at all lady like he couldn't help but smile that sure was his Hitomi, walks in late but completely stunning, wait his Hitomi where had that come from? She strode over to her place across from him and plonked herself in it then slid down so she was slumping in her chair; this was going to be a long meal. The food was served a moment later and everyone began to eat, except Hitomi. She still wasn't up to eating anything and was only here now because she knew what the consequences would be otherwise. Looking across from her she saw his disapproving glances so picking up her folk she stabbed into her chicken and lifting the whole thing up she began to tear strips off with her teeth. She didn't have to look at him to know that he was annoyed after all she was being very bad mannered but its not like she cared, she didn't want to be here. Finishing her chicken she licked her lips in satisfaction, maybe she was hungry. Placing her folk down she reached over and grabbed a cake from a plate near her then ate half of it in one go. Swirling her tongue round in the centre to taste the jam she glanced up. He looked at her angrily for a moment before his expression became unreadable, what was up with him? Shoving in the other half of the cake she grabbed another and repeated with it what she'd done to the other. Except this time she noticed he wasn't angry at all in fact it was hard to explain what he looked like she'd never seen him like that and guessed it probably had something to do with how she was eating. Finishing off that cake she had she licked her fingers one at a time then quickly excused herself and ran before he had time to react as he seemed somewhat dazed at the moment. Deciding it best not to go to her room as that's the first place he'd try looking for her she just walked around the castle in areas she seldom went. It grew dark and the corridors seemed a little scary in some parts of the castle at night so making her way to her room making sure no one saw her just in case he'd told them to look out for her she made her way to the tower. Getting in was easy but getting to her room unseen was near enough impossible. Three knights stood at the bottom of the staircase, two were walking down between the second and third level and five knights stood right by the archway down to her room. Sighing quietly she knew this would take some well-learned stealth skills and a miracle to get her all the way to her room unseen. Slipping in and closing the door quietly so it didn't make a sound she just got under the staircase as the three knights turned round thinking they heard something, but Thanking her stars Hitomi peered round the corner of the stairs and saw now she'd never make it up the stairs without being seen, so she was left with only one choice. Searching round for foot holes she grabbed hold of the stairs and with much difficulty made her way up the underside of the stairs. Swinging about nearly falling off a few times she made it successfully to the third level unseen the only problem now was getting past the five knights blocking the way to her room. Thankfully she was spared any difficulty as a few younger and inexperienced knights had trouble with some unicorns, which made the knights in the tower dash out to help. Smiling at her good luck she climbed over the rail and silently crept down the corridor then slowly opening the door she slipped in and closed it. Sighing heavily she made her way to her bed and collapsed on it, what a night she thought as she drifted off into sleep.
TBC…
Note to readers: I'm away now for 3 weeks, so I''m afraid there won't be any more updates until then, when I get back!
Plz R & R!