Author's Notes: You guys can thank for rayethis chapter. Because of her/him, I managed to find time between the track meet yesterday and the English paper I have due tomorrow to write this.
Drifting Destiny: Chapter 9: Intimidating Circumstances
I swatted at sleep like an irritating insect swarming around my head. Something seemed wrong to me as I drew my legs into my chest. Ah, the familiar pair of arms usually encircling me was missing. The sheets made for a poor excuse, and I kicked them off. The power of my legs seemed to be returning, and I sat up to rub the sore muscles.
Sounds started to assault my ears. Men were hammering away outside, their voices floating over their work. Children's laughter set an undertone mood, as they laughed carefree for the first time in months. Mothers cooked and shook out the laundry as they chatted with neighbors both right and left of their homes. Even the birds chirping from distances away failed to miss my undivided attention.
I slowly cracked open one eye as I gasped at the sight before me. All of Fanelia was hard at work as the reconstruction effort was in full swing. How long had I been out, and how did we get here? I thought we had agreed not to come back for a month or two more. Van might need to watch his back when I finally find him.
I heard the squeal before I saw her, and I braced myself for impact. "Hitomi!" Merle shrieked before launching herself at me. I found myself with armful of fur a few seconds later. She licked my face a few times, and I winced at the thought of cat slobber. She sat back on her haunches for a few moments and cocked her head to side to study me.
She raced out onto the balcony before I stop her. "Lord Van will be happy again! Hitomi's awake!" She shouted to all of Fanelia. I could feel the tinge of pink creep onto my cheeks as I pulled Merle back into the room hastily. She swatted at me as cheers rang out through the people before me. I couldn't be the only reason Van would be unhappy. After all, his kingdom had to be rebuilt from scratch.
I shifted my gaze back to Merle. She was sniffing the air for something unknown to me. Suddenly, she turned her glare on me. She stared at my pockets for a few moments before lunging at me. I stepped back in shock, but she got what she was after. She held up a perfect white feather in victory before taking a good long whiff of it.
"I'll be returning this to Lord Van," She assured in a huff as she dashed past me. The scene seemed familiar as I yelled after her to stop. The mangy cat ignored me deliberately, so I found myself in a starting position for the race. Runners take your mark. Set… Go! My heels lifted, and I found myself unconsciously on my toes once more.
Motions and people blurred around me as I focused on my target. It was as if I was running the relay at a track meet, and I had to catch up to the opponent. I felt myself starting to tire as I got within a few feet of Merle, and my breathing became labored. I hadn't quite recovered from previous events, and I had to take a risky move to catch her.
I dug my left toes into the hard floor, and brought my right knee up to my chest. My arms swung in a circular motion as I threw myself at her in an attempt to do something along the lines of a long jump. Unfortunately, I had done long jump for about a week before Coach said I was hopeless at landing and would never do long jump in a meet.
He was right. I landed on Merle, and we went in a diving spin that would normally have broken my neck and killed me. Merle had cushioned my fall though as I fought to pin her to the ground. It ended with me tackling her to the hard floor and taking back the feather in triumph. We didn't hear the shocked voices around us.
Van was looking on as he tried to hide his amusement. It didn't work as he let a chuckle escape. The other members of the council looked to scold us at any minute. "She started it!" We said simultaneously and pointed at each other. Merle stuck her tongue out at me, and I held mine in check. I had to show at least some semblance of maturity before Van's councilors.
I opened my mouth to explain, but Van cut me off. "Council dismissed," he announced with the wave of his hand. A few of them muttered before chairs scraped against the floor, and they left the room in a slow hurry. I smoothed the feather down to its original imperfection and pocketed it without another thought.
"So, we're back in Fanelia," I started, grand observant that I am. Van chuckled and I looked at him quizzically.
"Mother sent us here in a moment of dark humor," Van answered my unspoken question.
"Varie never seemed the dark type," I said dryly.
"She had her moments," Van replied mysetriously as he grinned at me. I guess I'll never know.
Merle pouted as she watched our small banter. I do believe she felt left out. Van leaned back in his chair lazily, and I fought off the urge to join him on his throne. It looked big enough for two people, but it probably wasn't as comfortable as a futon. Besides, I'd be half on top of him, and Merle would not appreciate the sight. I think we'd scar her for life.
"How long have I been out?" I asked casually as I looked at the table before me. A few people had food they left out, and I gratefully dove for something that looked like a pear. A sweet sensation flooded my senses, and I munched away.
"About three weeks," Merle said carefully as she took a place across from me.
I choked on the fruit I was eating. Merle grabbed a glass of water and accidentally threw the water on me in her haste. I sputtered for a few moments before glaring at her. She looked innocent for a few seconds too long before backing away from the table.
"You only been unconscious one week since the trials," Van added helpfully as he offered me the biggest puppy dog eyes he could muster up.
"Van?" I asked sweetly as I padded over to him, clothes dripping and all.
"Yes?" he asked as he shrunk back into his chair a little. Merle watched with interest now that the attention was focused away from her.
I smacked him upside the head, and he fell out of his throne rubbing his head. "That's for getting us married without my knowledge."
Merle sweatdropped as she backed out the door before things got violent. "Uh, married isn't the word I would use Hitomi…" Van stuttered as he scrambled out from between the throne chair and me. He tried to get closer to Merle, but I stopped him in his tracks.
"Darling, what word would you use?" I asked as I flung my hair behind me. I could feel every cool droplets slide down my back, and I knew there would be payback to Merle later. I was just starting to love this shirt too.
"So, the reconstruction is going well," he tried. I glared at him, and he gulped. Merle attempted to slide out of the door, and I turned glare on her. She wisely decided to stay in the room.
"Van Valero de Fanel, what would you say instead of marriage," I managed to grit out. He was hiding something from me, and I needed to scare it out of him. I had him right where I wanted him, and he wasn't about to flee the scene.
"Hitomi, we're bonded," he said in a near-whisper. I almost didn't catch it. Bonded? As in placed together, but not married bonded?
"You have fifteen seconds to clarify that statement," I told him. Hm… if I could scare the king like this, terrifying subjects would make for great entertainment. No, must not think like that. Bad Hitomi. You shouldn't scare the little people.
He winced. "Uh, we're bonded by Atlantean tradition. We can feel what the other person's feeling. I think Mother also mentioned being able to communicate on some level, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Legally, we're not married by Fanelia's laws and customs." Can I blame wanting to terrify the subjects on this?
"Basically, I can read your mind, you can read mine, and there's nothing we can do about this?" Oh, this could be fun. Especially with all the council meetings Van is going to be in. Down, Hitomi. Down, girl.
Van gulped. "I suppose so," he answered nervously. I kissed him on the cheek and bounded out of the room in a lighter mood.
I could hear him mutter to Merle, "Does she seem to have too much energy for someone who someone whose been in a near-coma for three weeks to you?"
I could practically see Merle shrug at the thought. Actually, I was feeling a little tired, but sleep could wait. I had some things to ponder over. Does this mean we're telepathic now? How far did this go?
I managed to find my way to the kitchens where lunch was being hurriedly put together. One of the cooks took one look at me before hurrying over to shove an armload of food in my hands. I poked at the meat, and it fell nicely off the bone in a tender fashion. I smiled at the cook thankfully, and she waved me so she could continue on with her duties.
Following one of the servants out the back way, I found myself in beautiful gardens that had been reconstructed. No wonder people talked so much about the walkway here. They could eat while they looked at the sights. What more could a person want in life? A little nook in the side beckoned me forth as my mouth started to water from the food in my hands.
I decided to dive in the meat first. Realizing she hadn't given me any utensils, I looked to both side of me for anyone coming before I picked the meat up with my hands and ate it sauce and all. I did get the scrumptious chance of licking my fingers clean. That's how Van found me ten minutes later.
"Hitomi, put the meat down. I'll get you something to eat with," Van told me slowly as he approached cautiously with his hand raised.
I put the food behind me. "Mine. Get your own," I growled at him. Yes, I realized I had become Cavewoman Hitomi. I am at peace with myself over this.
"Ok, ok," Van muttered as he backed away. I watched him leave with surprising satisfaction. He'd probably join me in a few minutes, offer some utensils, and I'd be apologizing. I could hold the guilt at bay until then, right?
Something resembling a carrot was halfway to my mouth before I realized something. Where was Folken? Where were the twins? I munched on the carrot-like-thing as I watched Van come back laiden with food.
I swallowed my food before asking him, "Where's Folken, Van?"
He stopped in mid stride, dropped his food, and sprinted back in the direction he had come from. I don't think I've seen Van use such colorful language before. I shrugged before seeing what I could salvage out of Van's food.
Author's Notes: I tried to be serious on this chapter. Really, I did. Well, it looks as if this story is actually going somewhere! I have some semblance of a plot! Wahoo!!!! This really was a fun chapter to write. Yes, I realize that some of these things are not actually possible. Hitomi would not normally have been able to catch Merle in her state. Oh, and Van hasn't figured out the whole emotions thing yet either. Otherwise, Hitomi wouldn't have been able to intimidate him the way she did. I know I said I would thank everyone personally in this chapter, but I think you guys actually want the chapter sometime before tomorrow. sweatdrops Ja ne Insane Pineapple from Naboo
