Hitomi Kanzaki and a Semester Abroad
Part 4- Ever Passing Moments
By: SeraphAnaesthesia
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, or the song Big Machine by The Goo Goo Dolls. AWESOME BAND!
A/N: Sorry, so sorry, so SORRY! I was slow in updating again, my beloved reviewers! But don't worry, I have a good reason this time, I promise. Well, actually, a few good reasons. 1.) I was reeeeeeeally sick in bed, I had a temperature of 103! I went to the doctor twice and it turns out I have a really bad virus. I puke, I get dizzy, I have a fever, I get headaches, and I had a really stuffed up nose and sore throat. Not to mention, I'm still a little sick and I just got back from spring break! We went to Ft. Lauderdale, it was nice there. 2.) I wasn't allowed to bring my laptop though. (sobs) I'm really sorry everyone, but it wasn't my fault! Please forgive me, and here's your chapter! Read and review!
Hitomi had just gotten back from grocery shopping for the sixth time because they eat too much, and lazily set the brown paper bags down on the counter of the small built-in kitchen to her and Dilly's apartment. She sighed, wiping imaginary sweat from her pale forehead. "Phew… Man, was that a pain in the ass." Something from her black backpack rang, and for once Hitomi was actually glad she had bought the little phone on their last trip to the mall. Only five people knew the number, Van, Van's sister Merle, Yukari, Millerna, and Dryden. Well, okay, Dilandau knew it too. But his lived with her, so it didn't really count. "Hello?" Hitomi flipped open the little gadget.
"Hitomi, Merle…Merle is dead."
She dropped the phone as it clattered on the floor.
Hitomi's emerald green eyes were now as huge as dinner plates. They glossed over with unshed tears, as she fumbled around on the floor to find the phone again, desperate to know what the heck this person was talking about. Merle couldn't be dead…could she? I mean, she HAD been really sick, but not ailing enough to…to die. It was impossible! No… Merle… Hitomi found the phone again and shoved it to her ear, holding back sobs. "Who is this! If this is some kind of sick joke, I'm going to hunt you down and kill you!" Hitomi literally growled into the receiver. She heard sniffling on the other line, and in her heart, automatically knew that it was true. Merle was dead.
"Hitomi, this Millerna. I swear this is no joke." Hitomi gasped as her childhood friend started sobbing on the other phone. She could hear the sadness in her voice. Hitomi started crying with her, pounding a hand on the granite countertop as she cried, sinking down on the floor with the phone in her hand. Pulling her knees up to her chest, the emerald-eyed girl tried to console Millerna and get her own emotions under control. But she failed. Wailing, Hitomi sobbed into her sweatshirt-covered arms. "Millerna, calm down. Everything's going to be fine. Just breathe." Hitomi whimpered in a somewhat-soothing voice to her friend.
After Millerna took a calming breath, she still couldn't control herself, and automatically started into sobs again. Then Hitomi heard Dryden's scratchy voice behind Millerna, grabbing the phone from her. Her spoke into it, and there was a finality in his voice that Hitomi had never heard before. She stayed quiet, fearing she would miss whatever Dryden was going to say. "Millerna is right, Hitomi. Merle has…passed away. She died at 12:45 this afternoon, from heart failure and difficulty breathing. I know this is hard to handle, but please. For Millerna's sake. You must remain calm. I'm going to put Van on the phone, he needs to talk to you. Please, be gentle, Hitomi…He's a wreck."
Hitomi held her breath and gulped as she heard the phone shift from one ear to another. Then she heard the new talker move into another room, and no other voices were heard except for them. "Hitomi…This is Van." Immediately, Hitomi could tell he was upset and crying. It made her so sad to know that Van and everyone was in pain, but even more sad to know that she would never see Merle again. No more times going to the carnival. No more movie nights. No more having young Merle confide in Hitomi with her deepest girl-secrets. But Hitomi couldn't think of that right now, she needed to help Van. "Oh Van… I am so sorry."
She could almost feel him break down.
"Hitomi, she's gone. Merle's GONE! What am I going to do? What is my mom going to do? What are we going to do…?" Van managed to choke out in a strained and strangled voice. He sobbed, and Hitomi felt so sorry for him. She could feel his pain. Hitomi had not a clue as to what to say except for, "Everything's going to be all right. I promise." Inside, Hitomi knew everything wasn't going to be all right. She was smart enough to know that wounds like this took time to heal. But on the upside, Van had his friends, his family, his music, and…her, to comfort him. Hitomi then made a silent promise. She would always be there for him.
"Okay, Hitomi. I believe you. But, I, I just don't know what's going to happen. I'm scared, I want you here." Van sighed, and Hitomi instantly knew what he was going through. The connection they shared was deep. What he felt, Hitomi surely knew how it felt. Sometimes they were thankful for that, other times they were sad. Hitomi knew she should at least go to him. He needed her. Hitomi knew Dilandau would understand. Or better yet… Why not bring Dilandau with her? Van could meet someone new and they could hang out together. Maybe it would get Van's mind off of Merle's death. Hitomi nodded to herself. So that was the plan. "You just tell me when, Van." Her expression was determined and stern.
"Three days from now. Wednesday. That's when the… funeral… will be." Van had to strain his deep voice to get out the one word, as if it was stuck in his throat. When he tried to say it, it just dug its claws further down into his already hurting heart. Hitomi's soul bled with his in sympathy. (I freak myself out with phrases like that… O.o;; ) "Van, would you mind if I brought my room mate with me? You could meet him, and we could all hang out. Get your mind at ease. Please, Van?" "Okay, Hitomi, okay."
Hitomi smiled lightly, hoping everything would work out okay in the end. "We'll be there, I promise." She tried to sound confident, but at that moment, inside she was feeling shattered. "Bye Van, I love you." "Bye Hitomi, I love you too. Thank you…" Then they hung up.
'Finally, he's home!' Hitomi sat on the couch, alone, eyes red and puffy from the hardcore sobbing that had gone on only a mere hour ago. Her frail and shaking hands clutched a photograph in a silver ivy frame. A tan girl with bright dyed pink hair was on Hitomi's shoulders, and looking down at her with admiration. Hitomi's eyes were sparkling, and she was laughing along with the girl. Tears dropped on the glass frame covering. When Dilandau through the door, he could automatically sense that something was wrong. He was kind of psychic or something. Or as he explained it, "He was just cool like that." Dilandau gasped when he saw Hitomi's state. He dropped his briefcase on the floor, and rushed over to her with a grim expression.
(A/N: I dunno why, but I imagine Dilandau as a lawyer in my fic. He's young, smart, and he'd look really hot in a black suit. He just likes to argue, and though he hides it, he's very loyal and would do almost anything to make sure his clients would be free. Plus, he makes a ton of money. Does anyone agree with me on this career choice or am I just stupid? -.-;; )
"Hitomi, what's wrong? What happened?" Then Dilandau noticed the photograph covered in tears. With a knowing expression, he pointed a black fingernail-polished nail at the pink-haired girl in the picture.
(A/N: Again, please do not ask why he's wearing nail polish. It's BLACK, so it doesn't count! Punk guys at my school wear black nail polish all of the time! And admit it, girls, he would look sexy in a rumpled black suit with his hair slicked back, crimson eyes glaring, and black nails straightening his red spade-patterned tie… (drools) Yeah, yeah, I have weird fantasies, so sue me!)
"She died, didn't she?" Dilandau's knowing expression now turned to one of sympathy as Hitomi nodded. He pulled her into a hug, and she gripped him tightly while sobbing into his black suit. Muttering phrases used to comfort her, he rubbed her back. The crimson-eyed boy sighed lightly while Hitomi cried. She didn't dare question how he knew that Merle had just died, just let everything out. Finally she had someone to comfort her. God, she missed Van, Millerna, Yukari, and Dryden. But most of all, Hitomi missed Merle. Knowing that Merle would never come merely sent Hitomi into another rack of heavy sobs. Dilandau pulled her back, lifting up her chin with his hands, gently urging her to explain what happened and when. Hitomi just nodded, and sniffled. Dilandau smiled lightly and wiped her tears with his thumb. Hitomi suddenly felt better.
No…she couldn't be falling for Dilandau… Not at a time like this!
"Her name is Merle… She was Van's little sister. This afternoon, she died… from heart failure and difficulty breathing. Oh God, I just miss her so much! I'm going home on Tuesday…The funeral's on Wednesday. Dilandau, please forgive me, but I…" Hitomi stopped short as Dilandau smirked, his red eyes holding pride.
"Told them I'd be coming with you? Yes, I know. And of course I'll come. You're my friend, Hitomi. Plus, I want to meet this "Van" of yours. I have to see if he's worthy enough for a sweet girl like you." He smiled at her, and got up to make some coffee. He could even sense Hitomi's blush from back on the couch, and proceeded making the caffeine drink. Walking into the living room, he handed her a cup. "I'll just need a full day tomorrow to go to work and get my affairs in order…You're lucky I don't have any bitchy clients this time." Dilandau winked at Hitomi as she blushed harder.
The emerald-eyed girl fumbled with the cup of coffee and took a big gulp. Getting up, she made her way to the bathroom. Brushing her hair away from her eyes, she sighed. "I'm gonna go take a shower, and wash this all away." Hitomi pointed up to her head. Dilandau nodded as she set her coffee down and slipped into the bathroom, locking the door. The blow of a shower turned on, along with the sound of the portable radio in the bathroom. The music was loud, but he could still hear Hitomi singing slightly along to the words.
"Ecstasy is all you need
Living in the big machine
Oh you're so vain
Now you're world is way too fast
Nothing's real and nothing lasts
And I'm aware
I'm in love and you don't care…"
Dilandau smirked, muttering to himself. "Well, that's appropriate." Sighing to himself, he hadn't noticed that Hitomi's shower had turned off and that she could hear him now. Inside, Hitomi was confused. 'What did he mean by that…?'
A/N: Did you like it? I am sorry for killing Merle, but it had to happen. As you can see, it's a big part of the plot and what goes on with Van and Dilandau. Whee, triangles… (mwahahaha) But you don't need to know what happens next! Anyway, read and review!