Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Seriously, when have you seen ANY author on this site own something?
To all who reviewed: Thank you SO MUCH. I really appreciate all of your comments! I love every single one of you! THANK YOU! I know it's been a while…But, once again, BLAME MY EDUCATION…. especially physics (I'm still SO LOST in that class) Anyway, thanks for being patient!
Chapter Twelve
The ride home from Allen's and Millerna's castle occurred just as the sun was just past the midway point in the sky. They had stayed later than Van had hoped, but they were finally going back to his home…
…As far away from the three of them as he could get.
Hitomi and Merle talked excitedly about the stories that they heard and questions they forgot to ask them. "You were right! Yuki does look like Millerna more!"
"See, Hitomi? When will you realize that everything I say is true?"
Van stayed quiet, staring at the scenery as the carriage rolled by. He did not understand what was wrong with himself. I acted like a jerk to Allen…He was just trying to help…And why did I get so angry at Yuki for? It doesn't make any sense……Maybe I'm having a bad day…His mind concluded that it must have been stress.
Suddenly, the cart was silent. Van, brought out of his self-examination from the silence, looked up. Both females were staring at him. "What?"
"Why are you so quiet?" Hitomi asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No…" Van lied through his teeth. "I'm just…tired."
"Don't give me that, Van Fanel!" Merle scolded. "Something's up!"
Hitomi gave him a worried look. Van almost laughed, as he knew exactly what was going through her head. She probably suspects that I had a vision or something…I guess her fortune-telling abilities have grown to psychic ones. "Merle, really…I'm tired. I didn't get a good night's sleep."
He did have one! I know it! "Bad dream, Van?" Hitomi asked, seriously, hinting at what she knew.
Maroon eyes locked onto green. "No. Just restless." Hitomi was the first to look away. There was something in Van's eyes that made her uneasy. It was so cold and yet he was mocking her. She saw Van's smirk from underneath his hair. Something's wrong…I'll talk to him in private…
Merle grumbled. Oh! There is something going on all right! They know something that I don't! Van should know to NEVER keep secrets from me!
Van slouched back into his seat, arms folded and his head turned to the window. There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence until Merle started up another conversation. He barely registered what was being said, but all he heard was Hitomi saying, "We should go back."
Over my dead body.
Or hers
"Hitomi, what are you doing now?" Merle asked from the bed in her room. "I thought you said you finished rearranging your dresser already…" Blue eyes watched the girl from the Mystic Moon open and close her dresser drawers for the second time since they had arrived home.
Hitomi realized this and stopped. "Sorry, I'm just looking for my own clothes."
"I told the laundry people to clean them…They should be—" Before Merle could finish, the other girl cried a triumph, "Found them!"
"Those are your clothes?" The cat-girl asked. "Oh well, I guess that they are an improvement over that weird shirt and skirt combo you had last time."
"Yeah, I guess…" Hitomi proceeded to change quickly. Her track-pants and T-Shirt were much more comfortable than the dresses.
Quiet followed as Hitomi began to tidy her room again. Merle sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "What's wrong, Merle?"
"I think something's wrong with Van…He isn't acting like himself."
Hitomi nodded. "Yeah…"
"Do you have any idea?"
Shina…Her mind pushed. "Maybe he's having a bad day…Maybe it's the wedding…"
"Hitomi…" Merle whined, "…is there something going on between you and Van that you're not telling me?"
She froze. "Um…Uh…Merle…" Hitomi tried to gather her words. What do I say? Merle is my friend! She has a right to know…But will she like what she hears? "…I—"
"—Look, I know that Van went to the Mystic Moon. Why did he go? Why didn't you just arrive without him like last time?"
Hitomi stayed silent and busied herself with cleaning. "Tell me! I knew it! I knew that something was going on between you and him! Hitomi! Don't you dare keep secrets from me! I mean, I would tell—"
"—I've been having visions again…"
Merle instantly shut-up. In a quiet voice, she mumbled, "What of?"
"I don't know yet…" Hitomi folded a towel and placed it in its proper place. "But, me and Van think that if something's gonna happen, it's going to happen here."
"Is it bad?"
"I don't know…" She rose from her position on the floor and retreated to the washroom to get any more towels that were misplaced. As she returned to the dresser, Merle came from behind her and hugged her tightly, with her hands wrapped around her abdomen. "Merle!"
"Hitomi…I'll help you in any way I can. Just tell me who to attack, and I'll take care of it with my claws, okay?" The other girl smiled and placed her hands on Merle's, pulling her out of the hug. "Thank you…"
"And I want you to tell me! No more of this secrecy! I want to know…that way I can help!"
"Okay."
"Promise?" Merle held her hand out so they could shake on it. Hitomi nodded. "Promise." And they shook with smiles.
"How much does Van know?"
"He knows. We both have our eyes open."
"Hmph." Merle snorted. "I'll keep my eyes open for Shina…"
Hitomi chuckled a little. "Okay, you do that." She then lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. It reminds me of Amano and Yukari's cottage…Wood paneling...I wonder who the supply teacher for my class is. I wonder how the principal is taking this…I wonder if anyone is going to file a missing person report on me…
She heard the mattress crunch softly under the weight of Merle lying down beside her. It broke her thoughts, but Hitomi didn't really care. "What's the Mystic Moon like?"
Slightly taken back by that question, Hitomi paused. "Well, it's like Gaea…But just different. More machines and technology…"
"Do you have gymelufs there?"
"No…But we have other machines like them that are man-operated…Our animals are almost like yours too."
"Are there people like me there?"
Hitomi shook her head. "No…Just people like me…"
"The Mystic Moon must be one boring place then…" Merle concluded. "I mean, without felines like me anyway…A whole world of Hitomi's? Wow…That IS boring."
"Hey!"
"I'm just kidding." Merle laughed. Another pause. "Are there people like Van there?"
"No…" Hitomi closed her eyes, getting comfortable in her bed. "Not many people
believe in angels on the Mystic Moon…"
There was a knock on the door. It was a gentle rapping. "You may enter." Van did not look up from his desk as the door opened. "Your majesty."
Adverting his eyes away from the parchment he was reading, he noticed that it was the princess. "Your business?" He didn't say another word and returned to his reading.
"I was…" Shina entered gracefully and sat down in one of the chairs facing Van. "…just looking for you…"
"Yes…and?" Van mumbled, still not looking up. He leaned forward on the desk, trying to make sense of the letter.
"I was wondering if we could discuss the wedding…It is coming soon, you know."
"No, actually I don't."
"Oh, well, um, it is…In about seven days."
Van dropped the document and stared at the blue-eyed princess. It dropped soundlessly onto the desk. "Excuse me?"
Shina made fear trickle into her eyes. "Uh…In one week, sire."
"Impossible." Van leaned back in his chair. "Last time I knew, it was not scheduled to occur in a few months at the least. Why the sudden change?"
The woman sitting across from him did not like the calmness in his voice. He's too calm for this… "The advisors on your council…we met for lunch in the gardens and—"
"—without my consent, yet again." Van's tone dangerously low as he interrupted harshly. "You tell the advisors that I need more time."
"For what, my Lord?" Shina asked innocently.
"None of your business." He snapped. "Are you through? I have some matters to attend to." Van stood from his desk, deciding that he would read the letter at night before he went to sleep. His mind wasn't really focused anyway. I'll go to combat practice now…Maybe that'll relieve some tension…
"I don't think that they will comply with your wishes, your majesty." Shina bowed her head and stood as well. Van moved over to where she was and stared her down. "Why not?"
Looking up at him, their eyes finally met. They locked onto each other's gaze and Van's anger seemed to heighten the longer he stared. "Why not?" He asked again after an uncomfortable silence followed. He continued to stare her down when suddenly, Van felt very vulnerable.
Shina moved her body closer to his. Her head barely reached his nose, but his height would not be the advantage. They were now chest to chest and she could feel his racing heartbeat.
"Because…"
Van swallowed. "Because why?"
"Because I don't think I'll be able to wait that long…" Shina smiled at him in a way that made Van feel uncomfortable…
Not that he was complaining or anything.
Her slender and pale fingers traced a line along his jaw bone but Van did not move at all. Instead, he went rigid and tried to move away from her touch. My gods, what is wrong with me? What is she doing to me?
Even though his mind wanted to move, he didn't. Not even when her hands trailed a path down his chest and abdomen. It left his skin cold. Iced.
Shina leaned in close to his ear—standing slightly on her toes—and whispered, "I don't think you'll be able to wait that long either…"
Van sucked in a loud breath. "You won't last…Will you?" She asked him, smiling in that way again. His throat suddenly went dry.
Choke
Shina looked away from him for a moment, but glanced at his arms moving her fingers along each protruding vein. I wonder how much blood will flow…if I prick this one…She dragged her fingers up his arms and over his shoulders. Not long now…
The time when she was fixated on his arms, Van had managed to turn his face away. Moving her other hand, she pulled it back into place…maybe a bit more forcefully than she meant to. "Will you, my majesty? Will you?" Blue locked onto maroon and it chilled the darker-eyed man.
What's happening to me? A familiar feeling in his throat became evident after his head was turned back. His body wanted him to respond, for fear that the dryness in his throat may continue to a dangerous level. Van felt as if he wasn't all there anymore…Something was clouding proper judgement…In a haze, he heard himself mumble, "No…I won't…"
You like it, don't you?
"No…"
Yes…
What's happening to me?
"ONE WEEK!" Merle shouted, loud enough for Hitomi to hear from the washroom. Merle and Van were talking outside in the hallway of the guest chambers and Hitomi managed to hear Merle's angry call WITH the water running.
She crept closer to the doorway of her room to listen in. "Merle, calm down…"
"Calm down? VAN! Do you know what this means? You'll be signing your soul to that—that horrible woman in seven days!"
"Merle…" Hitomi heard footsteps coming towards her. Oh! If Van sees that I was eavesdropping…She moved away from the door, but still heard Merle. "I don't want you to marry her!" The pink-haired one said in a demanding tone.
"I don't have a choice!" Van shouted—He shouted?—at Merle. She heard the cat growl. "I won't stand for this, Van Fanel!"
"Then sit!"
"I've known you for years! I know what's best for you! Shina definitely is not best for you!"
Before Hitomi could act busy, the door opened and slammed shut with Van entering. It closed right in front of Merle's face.
"I'm not finished with you!" They both heard Merle shout from behind the door. Van smirked and locked the door. Even Hitomi started to laugh as Merle pounded her fists on the wood. "Open this door now, Van Fanel! Open it NOW!"
"Don't worry; she'll get tired eventually…" Van smiled shyly at Hitomi.
"VAN!"
"Merle, I don't want to talk anymore!" He shouted through the door's crack at the cat.
"I'm going to make you talk! OPEN UP!"
"No!"
Hitomi laughed a bit more as the two friends bickered. Merle is so protective of him…She wants the best for him…She heard Merle growl. "I'm going to find you! Once you leave this door, I'm going to hunt you down and gut you like a fish! Do you hear me, Van Fanel? I'm going to slice you open until I get my answers!"
"Fine! Cut me up! Now, go away!" Van smiled back at the door, perfectly aware that Merle wouldn't touch him in a life-threatening way.
It's as if everything is normal with him again…Hitomi looked on, slightly unsure of Van's actions. How could he go from one personality to another? Finally, her good friend silence came as Merle left the guest chambers in a huff.
She looked down at her lap and began to rub them when a sudden draft entered the room. "I'm pretty sure you heard what was going on…right?" Van asked, leaning back on the door.
Hitomi nodded slightly. "I wasn't eavesdropping, Van…It's just that Merle's voice carries…"
Van chuckled. He's acting normal again…Or is it too normal? Hitomi watched him intently as he sat on the bed next to her. "Don't worry about it. I was going to tell you anyway, in private, but Merle sorta ruined the 'surprise'…
"The wedding's in a week now. I'm not sure how, but if everything goes according to plan, the wedding is in a week." He paused, staring at her. "I never knew my advisors would make such plans behind my back. I didn't even get a say in this…"
"Well, why don't you take action. I mean, you ARE king…can't you just demand your needs to be met?" Hitomi looked up and saw him staring. It was different…His eyes…
What colour are they?
…They're so cold…It is as if their frozen…His eyebrows were in a slight frown and his lips were quirked upwards in a small half-smirk. After all the other times he had looked at her, she always saw warmth and something special…Now it's if someone took all that away.
And replaced it with ice. Hitomi knew herself to only be afraid of spiders, snakes and the occasional lightning storm. But right now, there was something in his eyes that made her terrified of him.
"Hitomi? What's wrong?" He asked, snapping her out of their staring contest.
She shook her head and blushed slightly. "Nothing!" Van moved closer to her. "Did you know that you can't lie? Come on, what's wrong?"
Her brown eyebrows made a frown. "Hey! You can't lie either. When we were coming back here, you said you couldn't sleep last night because you were tired! You lied!"
He laughed. "Congratulations. You're right. I wasn't just restless…"
"You had a vision, didn't you?"
The smirk grew. Hitomi's eyes darted from him to the door several times. If he does something, I'll make it to the door in time…She pursed her lips for a brief moment before asking, "What did you see?"
He laughed and the smirk did not disappear. "Believe me, I'd rather show you…"
Her instincts made her jump up from the bed and stand a good distance away from him. Hitomi's heart was beating hard out of fear. Van noticed her actions, and looked up.
In an instant, his eyes—
They're so cold
—were full of concern…They're normal again...His eyes…But not even that comfort eased her stomach. "Hitomi?" He even sounds normal…
She wanted to believe, but her heart told her not to. "What did you see that making you act like this?"
"What?" Van stood, anger leaking into his eyes. "What are you saying?" He came close to her, eyes changing again.
What colour are they?
Ice cold…they've changed again…He stood close to her and chuckled again, noticing her nervousness of him standing so close. "What? You don't like me anymore? Don't you trust me?"
"Van! Stop it!" She shouted and pushed him away, managing to shove him a few steps back. When her hands touched his body, a chill ran through her… "You're not acting like yourself!"
"I am acting like myself, what are you talking about?" He asked, keeping his distance from her. His tone dropped a few octaves as he changed the subject. "Don't you want to know what I saw?"
Hitomi felt her own anger rising. "No! Get out! You can tell me when you're acting right! Go let Merle cut you up! Get out of my room! Don't speak to me until you've returned to normal!" She wanted to take back a few words that she said, but she knew it was too late. Even though she knew she was a bit harsh, she stood by what she said. Until you're the Van that I remember, I don't want to be in the same room as you! Van…I don't trust you right now…
They both stood there, silently for a few minutes. Without another moment of hesitation from him, Van turned and left Hitomi to stand alone, breathing hard. I don't know who you are…How could you of changed so quickly?
In an instant, her mind thought of an answer. Shina…She knew she would have to do her research on her.
"Lord Van…You are seven hours late for battle practice. I guess punctuality does not run in the royal bloodline…" A short man smiled as a familiar figure cast a shadow in the candle-lit room. The man folded his arms and listened as the material of his robes made a 'swoosh' sound in the room.
"Shut-up, old man." Van narrowed his eyes. "Not in the mood for your insults."
"Now, now…" The teacher chimed. "What can I do for you?"
"What do you think? I'm here for my practice…I may be seven hours late, but I need to let out some steam."
"My king, you have never used combat to relieve anger…"
"Let's just say I had a bad day…" Van unsheathed his sword hastily and glared at his instructor. "Well, what are we waiting for? Didn't you say I need my practice?"
"Yes. Let us start with our preliminary drills…" The man slowly stood and began to prepare the necessary equipment they would be using. My warrior, I said that you needed more practice because you are usually so peaceful and non-violent…The anger that stirs in your soul will not help you here…He looked at his pupil with sad, grey eyes. What troubles you, my majesty?
I wonder where Van is…Hitomi was currently lost in the maze of his castle, idly looking for the king. I don't care how scary he is, I…We need to talk. Both of us need to figure this out…Listening closely for any sounds of people, she heard some ruckus straight ahead. Even if that isn't him, I'll ask whoever to help me find him.
Hitomi had talked long with Merle afterwards. The cat told her that the only time she had ever seen him act out of his usual character was this one time where someone had insulted and threatened him and his family for being Draconian. "He thought he was a monster…I've never seen his wings since then…" Merle had told her. "Poor Van was really depressed after that for a while."
But even then, he was not acting THIS strangely. Merle had promised to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour from, "You know who…" and Hitomi did as well. She also asked Merle if Van had told her of any weird dreams he was having. Her reply was a 'no.' Both females went out to look for him and try to talk.
And now, Hitomi regretted saying, "Let's split up. We'll cover more ground that way." Usually, it would have worked, but not when one person doesn't know the grounds very well. But, Hitomi continued to move in the direction where the most sound was coming from.
Oh! Finally! A door! Hitomi had come across many handles—all of which were locked—but did not see a door for the past few minutes. This one was already ajar, so she peeked her head in and was about to ask if anyone knew where Van was when she saw him.
His back was towards her but she saw a person made of straw in front of him. Then, he charged. Swiftly, he brought his sword out of his sheath and in three quick strikes, the left arm of the dummy was cut off. It fell on the ground almost silently and Hitomi could hear Van's hard breathing.
"Good, my king. Now, a final attack." A voice from inside the dimly lit room ordered. Hitomi scanned the room for the man, but could not see anyone but Van. He was currently crouched a few steps behind the straw dummy and in the blink of an eye, his sword shot out and swung around…hitting the straw-man' neck.
It was so easily decapitated that Hitomi touched her own neck in shock that for some reason, her head would fall off too and land limply on the floor. Pieces of straw littered the floor and she continued to watch.
There was something about the way Van made his attack that reminded her of her worst vision.
And he crashed it upon her head
She was so transfixed in her own daze that she didn't even realize when Van was suddenly at the door. "Hitomi?"
Her eyes shot upwards and noticed that his eyes were as she remembered them. They've been melted… "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—!"
Van interrupted with a small chuckle. He's warmed up again… "Don't worry, Hitomi…I don't mind an audience when I practice. It makes me wanna use my good moves."
Hitomi blinked and nodded, smiling. "How are you feeling?" She asked, timidly.
He looked at her. "Much better, actually…It's okay to talk to you now, right?"
And this time, Hitomi saw that he was himself again; that the dark and cold cloud that had consumed him the few hours before had disappeared. She no longer felt scared in his presence. He's okay again…
The sound of his sword being placed back in its sheath interrupted Hitomi's thoughts. "Do you need a guide back to your room?"
"Yeah…"
"Does no one listen to me when I give the tour?" Van smiled and reached for Hitomi's hand.
They're so cold
It was warm. Just as she remembered it. Normal…It tingled her fingers and the heat from his body swept through hers, making her experience a feeling that made her just want to cuddle up in a blanket and fall asleep…
And for that instant, Hitomi felt safe…just like all the other times he touched her. But her mind warned her. We still don't know what made Van act that way…We still don't know if it'll happen again…
…Or if he'll be able to snap out of it the next time…
I KNOW! I'm, once again, LATE for updates. School has been a killer, and you should be happy that I used up some of my Thanksgiving holidays to write this 12-paged chapter! I hope you enjoyed it!
As you can see, Van's weird behaviour has seen to be cured by practicing his sword moves. Now that Hitomi and Merle are in on it, they'll both be on the look-out…Allen and Millerna may be coming back into the story later…Not sure about that—any ideas?
Next chapter preview: A vision, a confrontation and a plan getting into action (as of right now, anyway…I might change my mind…ha ha)
To all the Canadians who read this: HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
To the Americans: HAPPY TURKEY DAY…in one month and a bit…(ha ha)
Well, wherever you are from,
PLEASE REVIEW!
(now, I'm off to study for my history test…yeah!)
PS. OMG, it's almost my three-month anniversary for my surgery! WOOT WOOT! Oct. 11th marks three months since I went into the O.R. …that means only three months to go and I'll be able to do all the things I used to! Celebrate!