Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of it's characters
Hey Peps thank you, thank you so much for the reviews. I just needed to know if anyone was reading and cared. So now that you have given me inspiration again, I give you chapter 5. Thank you once again you all are great.
Chapter 5 Abandoned for the Sake of Love
Van was sitting in a chair next to Hitomi. His body was shifted allowing him to lay his head on the side of the bed. He was fast asleep still holding Hitomi's hand lightly.
"Van?" Hitomi groaned and then began to stir. Van's eyes shot open
"Hitomi!" He exclaimed leaning over her. He began to shake he shoulder gently, but stopped when Hitomi wrapped her arms around her sides, her face holding an expression of pain.
"Van?" she whispered again her eyes cracking open.
"I'm right here Hitomi" he answered in a soft tone. A faint smile pulled at the corners of her lips as she looked into Van's eyes, which held mixed emotions
"Are you alright?" she inquired. Van's eyes went gentle as he pulled Hitomi into an embrace
"I thought I was going to loose you" came his answer. Hitomi looked shocked by his sudden gesture, but did not anticipate to complain. Hitomi's mind was flooding with all the events of the past days filling her heart with despair. She gripped Vans shit tightly pulling her face into his chest searching for comfort away from her sorrow. She began to cry uncontrollably, her sobs becoming more and more muffled as she buried her face deeper into him. Van laid his head on her crown as he began to stroke her back gently, slightly rocking her in the embrace. He knew of nothing to say, he was absolutely horrible with words so he started to hum a song his mother used to sing to him when he was a child. Van continued this till her cries softened into nothingness and her mind was at ease and in peaceful slumber. Van gently laid her back onto the bed trying not to wake her. He looked at her sadly and touched her face. He was pained at the thought that his last words to her had been those of jealous anger. He ran his fingers down her bruised cheek and frowned angrily. Kevin had been right when he said that she did not deserve this, she was only a child even though his age she was not raised in such a place of war. He sighed inwardly he knew what he had to do for her. He would not let this happen a second time. Van brushed her bangs and he approached her face, he would never have a chance to do this again. He kissed her softly and then backed away. Van reached in his pocket and placed the pendant she had lost around her neck.
"I'm sorry" he whispered his voice strained. For the first time in years the stonewall he had placed over his heart cracked and a tear slid down his face
"I'm so sorry" he murmured again getting up and leaving the room his heart in agony. Van shut the door behind him, closing his eyes at the sound of the click
"I love you" he whispered sadly as he disappeared into the blackened hallways. Van sat with the others in the study. He stood up preparing to make his announcement.
"Van is there something wrong?" Millerna inquired. Van lowered his head.
"We need to leave immediately " Van whispered.
"What!" Allen spouted as a murmur spread across the table.
"Zaibach knows we're here. If we stay they'll burn Valonia just as they have burned Fanelia and Freid. Allen stood
"I believe your right Van. We can't risk another massacre" Allen agreed
"Gaddes prep the Crusade we're leaving." Gaddes nodded and began to stand.
"Wait I'm not finished. I have one more thing to say" Van began. All eyes averted back to him
"Greggory with your permission I would like to request that Hitomi stay here."
"Van you can't be serious!" Millerna gasped.
"What do you mean leave her here?" Allen shouted
"Please let me finish Allen" Everyone silenced.
"Kevin was right earlier when he said this wasn't Hitomi's fight. It is because of me that she is here and I have watched her get hurt more times than I care to remember, and she's not even the target. I refuse to watch them hurt her anymore it is best if she is left here. If you feel for her as I do you will understand this and not argue with me" Allen lowered his head into his hands
"I hate to admit to it, but he's right." Millerna's expression turned to shock
"You can't be serious, you don't think she's just going to let you leave her do you" Millerna protested.
"Millerna's right you tell her were leaving she'll never accept it" Gaddes added.
"That's why were not going to tell her. Hitomi's sleeping and I plan to be gone before she awakens" Van turned and left the room trying to hide the tears that threatened to creep up on him. He would not appear weak in front of them. Allen looked back at his men who exchanged confused looks amongst one another.
"We're not really gonna leave her are we Commander" Pyle asked.
"We can't" Ort added.
"Get the Crusade ready" Allen ordered as he began to leave. He was walking away when he looked back.
"Take good care of her your Majesty, promise me" he said sorrowfully.
"You know I will, I promise young knight" Allen turned back and exited the room leaving the others in silence.
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Allen starred out the windows in the crusade, his soul weighing down to much for a man his age.
"Commander we're ready" Allen looked over to Gaddes who had placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Make sure everyone's aboard them close the doors and take off" Gaddes nodded and left Allen's side. Van stood silently in the back corner, his mind obvious to what was happening around him. He was jolted into reality at the loud roar of the Crusades engine and propellers coming to life. The ship began to slightly quake as the ship lifted off the ground.
"I can't believe we're doing this" Millerna whispered. Van walked slowly over to the window and positioned himself beside Allen. He starred out watching as Valonia began to drift away into the distance. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Allen starred at him silently though Van hadn't admitted to it he knew Van loved her and leaving her was crushing him. Van placed his hand on the glass as if reaching out to the fading country
"Forgive me" He whispered before leaving to be alone with his thoughts.
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Hitomi tossed and turned violently in her sleep as sweat began to pour from her body wetting her blankets and pillows.
"No!" she screamed
"Look out!" Hitomi awoke abruptly jumping up into a sitting position.
"He killed them, I saw it. I have to warn them!" she gasped. Hitomi toppled out of her bed and stumbled to the door exiting her room as quickly as her strength would allow.
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Greggory was leaned over his elbows on the table. he placed his index fingers on his head and began rubbing his temples
"What are we going to tell her when she wakes up to the fact that she has been left behind" Greggory said frustration growing in his voice.
"There is no easy or delicate way to tell her but…" Kevin stopped when the study's doors flew open and Hitomi stumbled through them gripping the stair rail tightly as she gasped repeated for air.
"Where are Allen and Van?" she breathed. Kevin rushed over to her lifting her off the rail and used his arm to support her helping her down the stairs. William pulled a chair up and helped Kevin sit her down
"Calm down Hitomi" Greggory said softly.
"I…I need to talk to Van" she said still breathing heavily. Hitomi tried to stand, but Greggory kept her back into the seat.
"Hitomi it is very hard for me to tell you this, but I have to and I need you to listen and try to understand."
"Wha…what?" she asked her voice uneasy.
"Allen and Van were forced to make a very difficult decision. They did not do this for themselves, but for your safety"
"I don't understand" Hitomi interrupted. Greggory placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed regretfully into her eyes
"They left about twenty minutes ago" Hitomi jumped up
"No! they wouldn't. I mean they haven't even asked me what I want. They would have said goodbye!" she shrieked frantically.
"They wanted a clean break. They wouldn't have been able to go if thy faced you, they are gone. I'm sorry" he replied. Hitomi put her face in her hands and began to cry
"They left me, no they abandoned me. How could they!" she choked
"How could they be so heartless, how could they think that I am not involved in this?" she yelled painfully. Hitomi stopped her frantic babbling and tapped her finger against her lips.
"No" she whispered as thoughts of her visions began to resurface
"Oh my God" She gasped.
"We have to get them back!"
"Hitomi please" William interrupted.
"No you don't understand"
"Hitomi just…"
"No!" she screamed pulling away from them and sloppily tripping out the doors clenching to her burning sides. She passed through the halls not paying attention to where she was going. All Hitomi cared about was getting away, getting away to find Asland the one soul on that world that seemed to understand and would listen at the moment. The doors of the castle burst open and Hitomi flew out with great running down the paths and crossed the front courts. She finally felt some relief as her feet finally met the soft dew covered grass of the Western fields. She could hear distant yelling they were calling her, but she paid them no heed. The tall grasses whipped violently against her legs causing them to sting. She took a leap over a small ditch in her way and landed hard into the forest her legs even her whole body seemed to scream for her to stop, but she did not obey.
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Kevin had his horse by the reins and was pulling it out of the stables preparing to go after her. The others caught up to him panting heavily
"Wait for us!" William gasped
"No, let me go alone and talk to her"
"But…"
"No I go alone!" William backed off as Kevin mounted his steed and rode away. He entered the forests where he saw Hitomi disappear. Kevin slowed down to watch for broken branches where Hitomi could have brushed by them.
"Asland!" a voice echoed from far ahead.
"Hitomi?" he whispered kicking his horse into a gallop towards the familiar voice. Asland heard someone calling his name causing his eyebrows to perk up. It was Hitomi he knew that voice anywhere. It was becoming louder with each passing moment. You could now hear the distress pouring out of her. Asland exited his cave and peered into the forest waiting somewhat impatiently for her to appear. She leaped from the bushes falling to the ground grasping the grass around her as she sobbed
"They left me!" she cried
"Asland they left me!" Asland approached her
"Calm down child, what are you crying about? Did they hurt you?" he questioned. Hitomi gripped onto him and began to burry herself in his hands. Kevin hearing Hitomi dismounted early and tied his horse to a near by trees. He approached the clearing quietly trying not to make a sound. Kevin almost went into shock stepping behind some bushes. He peered out from behind the leaves
"The Dragon" he breathed.
"Asland I woke up and they were gone, they left me alone!" Hitomi cried.
"Surely they'll be back they…"
"No!" she interrupted
"Greggory said they weren't coming back. They had no right, no right at all to just abandoned me without even asking me what I wanted. What happens if they die and I could have stopped it from happening" She said her eyes holding the look of millions of thoughts and emotions pouring through her.
"Are they in danger?" Asland inquired.
"I had another vision Zaibach they killed them it was a massacre" she choked as more tears filled her eyes.
"Don't cry child it…" Asland's words halted as he jumped back and pulled Hitomi close to him growling protectively
"What!" she exclaimed turning around spotting Kevin holding out his sword.
"Kevin" she gasped.
"What the hell is going on?" he exclaimed
"I can explain she said pulling out of Asland's protective hold.
"You'd better" he whispered sternly. Walking towards her continuously his sword still extend in a battle ready position.
"Kevin please put your sword down" she pleaded.
"Are you kidding me" he said grabbing her arm and jerking her behind him causing Asland to grow angry.
"Don't touch her!" Asland growled. Kevin raised his sword
"I don't know what you are but…"
"Kevin stop! He's my friend!" she shrieked. Kevin looked at her in confusion
"But it's a Dragon" he said uncertainly
"So, does that matter?" she said angrily
"Because he's different to you does that make him any less my friend?" Kevin nervously lowered his sword
"Alright I'll listen to what you have to say" he replied. Hitomi put her hand on his shoulder, but his eyes stayed on Asland.
"When I was attacked that night in the forest by the thieves I ran from them, but when I was trapped at the top of the waterfall I had nowhere else to go. I got as close to the edge as I could but I knew the water was to shallow and I could not avoid the rocks below. From that point on I didn't remember a whole lot. I do remember the ringleader charging me and whatever he had in his hand struck the side of my head causing me to loose my balance and topple over the side. I don't really visually recall falling but the feeling of waiting for the ground to meet me. It never did because something had broken my fall though I barely saw his face in the moonlight I saw Asland. I was frightened at first, but I looked into his eyes. I did not see a monster in them so I lost all fear I had. That is all I remember the next memory I have is waking up day's later in my room" Hitomi pulled Kevin's face to where he could look into her eye's
"Why didn't you tell us?" he whispered
"I was afraid for him, have you already forgotten the way you just reacted to him? Can you imagine how the whole country would have reacted?" Kevin lowered his eyes
"I apologize Hitomi, and to you friend Asland"
"Thank you for understanding Kevin" she said wiping the tear trails off her cheeks. Asland moved his head down nearer to them
"Now that your friend is thinking with his brain and not with his sword. What about the situation at hand shouldn't we find away to locate and warn your friends of the coming danger?" Asland said with a slight smirk towards Kevin who simply brushed off the remark.
"Hitomi if we go now we might be able to catch them in our levaship" Kevin informed
"Really? You think so?"
"No!" Asland growled interrupting Hitomi
"Wait a minute I won't let you endanger her!" he snarled
"Asland please don't do this I have to go" she pleaded
"Why? To save the very people that would leave you when you needed them" he sneered.
"They're my friends, and as their friend I can not stand by and do nothing. I love them like I love you that is why I must go. Friends are a great and wonderful thing Asland, and when you find them you are willing to sacrifice anything for them even your life" Asland shook his head
"I can not refuse you child" he said waving his hand in a shooing manner as if to tell her she could leave
"I'll be ok" she whispered softly reassuring him. She approached Asland and planted a delicate kiss in his nose before turning to Kevin who was pulling his horse into the clearing. He mounted and reached down offering his hand to Hitomi who grasped it. He pulled her up onto the horse in front of him. Hitomi took one more glance back at the troubled dragon before they galloped out of sight. Kevin trotted up to the castle stables and dismounted. He then reached up and pulled Hitomi off setting her on the ground. He bowed as King Greggory ran up to them the others close behind.
"Hitomi child you had me worried" he said pulling her to him. Kevin put his hand on the Kings back.
"Your Majesty, may I request the immediate dispatch of levaship"
"Why may I ask Sir Davenport?" he inquired.
"Hitomi has had one of her notorious visions we have heard about. It contained the deaths of all those aboard the Crusade If we don't warn them"
"My God, by all means you may have your ship" Greggory replied. The King waved his hand summoning a servant
"Yes Milord" the servant asked bowing
"Fetch twelve of my best tactical officers, pilots, and engineers. Tell them I have a mission of great importance for them"
"As you wish Milord" the servant replied bowing again before walking away.
"Kevin I want your men to go along and make sure no harm comes to Hitomi or her comrades" Kevin smiled
"It would be our honor your Majesty"
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Kevin stood talking to the pilot of the ship while watching several men running about loading the ship that stood before them. A young boy around the age of ten ran up to them and tugged on Kevin's sleeve
"The ship is ready Sir Davenport."
"Thank you son" he replied ruffling the boy's hair before he ran off. Hitomi followed Kevin up the ramp to meet the crew when all of a sudden a large tremor was felt. They turned around at the sounds of many screams
"Wait!" Asland exclaimed approaching the ship. Soldiers poured out of the gates with their swords drawn.
"No Greggory stop them!" she screamed running in front of Asland her arms spread out. Kevin ran up to her drawing his sword as if protecting the dragon, then ordered the knights to stop.
"Sir Davenport what is going on?" Greggory asked starring at the enormous beast
"I'll do my best to explain" he replied approaching him slowly. Hitomi turned to Asland
"What are you…?"
"I won't let you go!" he shouted sternly.
"What?" Hitomi exclaimed
"Let me finish child" he scolded
"I won't let you go, not without me there to protect you" Hitomi looked at Greggory who had walked up beside her.
"What an amazing story I've been told" he whispered "Greggory if you understand the situation I would like to request Asland's presence on this journey"
"How in the world could that possibly fit in a…?" Greggory stopped his question as Asland depleted in size
"I have many talents your Highness" Asland smirked walking into the cargo bay.
"Amazing" Greggory breathed
"Absolutely amazing"
"The ship has to go" came a yell from the ship
"Go on" Greggory said pushing Hitomi towards the door. Though he was skeptical on an alliance with a Dragon he trusted Hitomi's judgment and decided that he would not argue. The propellers started to turn faster and faster till lifting the ship off the ground and into the evening sky.
"Be safe, and God speed" He whispered as the levaship pushed forward leaving the castle behind.
AN: yeah chapter 5 is up I think my chapters are to long, talk about your finger cramps. enjoy the chapter? Please review and I'll post chapter 6 when I can.
Dragon Heart
