Disclaimer: I didn't own anything in the last ten chapters…I didn't own anything in the last five chapters…What makes you think this chapter is any different? I don't own anything!

To all who reviewed: Thanks for your reviews and your praise and your advice of keep going! Unfortunately, exams! Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope you stay tuned!

Chapter Seventeen

The corridors were silent; except for the crackling fires, Hitomi's loud breaths and her feet hitting the wood floor. She took another left and then a right until she finally paused behind a wall that hid her from view. I…have to get…my breathing…under control…You can't keep running at these speeds for long…Although Hitomi was fit and able to run, she knew her limits.

And running at top speeds for more than ten minutes while dodging fights and bodies was definitely going overboard. The sword's extra weight wasn't helping much either. She had fallen over three times because of the darn thing and tore her pants at the knee.

Her knees were slightly bent with her hands on her kneecaps. While she focused on deep breathing and rest, Hitomi kept an ear out for anyone who would be coming her way. Green eyes darted back and forth to see no new shadows in the hallway.

She heard noises—probably from outside the castle—of people moving…very quickly. Maybe they called an evacuation…

Hitomi's heart lifted. If she could hear the outside, she must be close to the exit. I have to get out of this castle…out of this town…at least out on the streets where people can help…Sweat pooled at her brow. Oh God…This isn't right…This can't be—

A flicker of movement in the hallway distracted Hitomi's eyes. She stopped her loud breathing and held her sword steady. It was sticky and heavy, but now was no time to complain. I have to get both of us out of here…We need to find Merle and—

She saw the movement again.

Hitomi pressed her body against the wall, holding the sword to her right side so she could swing it around and hit whoever was there…Van…

She listened closely and heard feet drag on the floor. Shallow breathing was getting louder. Hitomi saddened, as she realized the breathing sounded like Van's…when he was asleep. No…God no…Hitomi's eyes strained to see behind her. She gulped as the sounds stopped. He's right here…adjacent to me…Oh God…He's right there. On the other side of the wall…

Her grip tightened. The thought of wounding someone, let alone killing someone, had never crossed her mind…and now, Hitomi was afraid that she would have to.

Neither her nor Van made any noise for a long time. Hitomi needed to get out of there. If I could just distract him…then run straight……Okay, one, two…Her mind was quickly made up. If she wanted to get anywhere, she had to distract him. Van was blocking her way out.

…Three!

Hitomi spun around and cried out to meet Van standing with his sword out to block her attack. Metal clashed with metal as both of them locked on to each other's gaze. His eyes…

There was no pupil left. Just one solid shade of darkened maroon.

She pushed all her strength into her sword to push Van away…just a few steps back so she could have a running start. But, she underestimated Van's strength as a fighter. Hitomi's sword shook with pressure while Van stayed perfectly still.

Glaring at her, he smiled wickedly. "This will be too easy." His voice…That's not…Van's voice was almost robotic. Each word was said void of emotion. With her slight distraction, Van pushed back on Hitomi's sword with the force of his arms, making her stumbled backwards with a yelp.

The sword bounced out of her hands and onto the floor to rest beside Hitomi who had landed on her back. Her head had hit the floor, but she pushed the dizzy feeling aside and quickly stood, grabbed her sword and ran straight.

She heard Van's feet closing in from behind her. "Hitomi…" He breathed, calling out to her, chiding her. Blood pounded in her ears as she desperately tried to lose him. She made two rights—or maybe three?—and continued straight down a winding corridor. Her breathing was loud and laboured. Please…Please…let there be…a hiding place…somewhere…

Her prayers were answered as a small alcove appeared on her left. She dashed towards it, looking behind her to see that she had lost Van. Good…Of course, there was something unsettling about not knowing where he was and it tied Hitomi's stomach into knots.

Brushing hair out of her face, Hitomi entered the small opening and sat facing the end of the hallway and little bit farther away from the opening so that the darkness covered her. Hitomi's whole body was shaking. Such…strength…I should of known he was stronger…

Tears stung her eyes. She wiped them away with a frustrated hand. Now's not the time…Stop it…You have to recognize…your surroundings, Hitomi…Her breathing was back under control and her muscles burned, thankful for the rest.

She poked her head out quickly from the alcove and noticed that the hallway bended towards the left. Hitomi wasn't sure where it led afterwards, but she hoped it wasn't a dead end.

Unfortunately, she didn't recognize the area. The carvings on the wall were different from the ones she usually saw near the dining hall, or the entrance. She wished that Van had given her a tour of this place. No!……Okay, stay calm…every road had to lead to something right? Hitomi turned her head back into the area she was currently hiding in. Maybe this leads to somewhere. A secret passage maybe? Her hope dwindled, as all she saw was total darkness.

The darkness did nothing to soothe her. A cold sweat started and Hitomi felt the hairs on the back of her head prickle up. I have to get out of this…place…Something—
Someone
—is in here…Clutching the sword, she proceeded to turn to her side quickly to exit and continue going down the winding hallway.

But before she could exit the alcove completely, a hand and a long piece of metal winded around her and pulled her back into the darkness. Her breath caught in her throat as her momentum was reversed. Hitomi screamed as loud as she could and tried to grab the entranceway of the alcove with her hands. The sword fell with a loud clang onto the floor in front of her. Her fingertips grasped the edge of the entrance, but with a grunt from behind her, she lost contact.

"No! NO!" Hitomi's voice echoed around her until one of the hands snaked upwards and cupped her mouth. Her muffled cries were joined with tears as Hitomi saw the exit getting smaller. He's pulling me in!

The cool metal was placed right at her throat, leaving little room to swallow or speak without being cut. Her legs lashed out in all directions, but their strength had no use as he was behind her. Fingernails clawed at both of his hands as she desperately tried to get free. "Mmm! Mmph!"

Hitomi's struggle started to slow as the blade pressed deeper into her skin. A slight burning sensation was what she felt when her blood trickled forth from the small wound. Her cries got desperate. She began to sob in his hands; something she never wanted to do. He told her to be strong…And I can't be… "Mmph…" Hitomi mumbled in his hand.

Green eyes darted upwards to meet nothing but darkness. I can't see anything…but I can sure feel it…Not only was she thinking of the sword, but also, of the dark aura around them. She has him now…No, please…Hitomi tried to twist from his grasp, moving in all directions, but he held her steady with a chuckle. Her hands tried to move the blade away from her neck but it wouldn't budge; her fingertips were badly cut though.

Tears spilled from her eyes and wet the hand that cupped her mouth. He pulled her closer to his body and leaned his mouth to her ear. "If you're quiet, I'll make it fast."

Van's voice was still robotic. Hitomi felt his hair brushing against her cheek. Her body screamed for her to move. She cried out in response and shook her head, careful of the blade. "Come on…Do you really want me to finish you nice and slow?"

Hitomi struggled again, twisting her body again against his strong arms and legs. "Hitomi…Oh, Hitomi…" Van whispered in her ear. "Believe me, if you want it the hard way, I'll be happy to oblige." The blade pressed a little deeper, staining it with red again.

The burning sensation of her wound increased and a throbbing pain joined it. But she would not give in. If only I could get his hand off of my mouth…It was placed too awkwardly for her to bite it, her own hands couldn't pry it off…Hitomi! You idiot!

Amongst all the confusion that had occurred less than a minute before, Hitomi hadn't realized that her arms, not just her hands were free. The strongest point of anyone's body is the elbow…

Hitomi stopped struggling and lay limp in Van's protective grasp. She knew that the arm that held the sword to his throat must be at the height of his shoulder in order to get the angle he had. The blade, after all, was right under her chin. His midsection is totally exposed…

"There's a good girl…" Van mumbled again in her ear. "Shh…Shh…Not another word…"

Everything sort of stilled for a brief moment and Hitomi made up her mind. Clenching her eyes shut and gritting her teeth, Hitomi made her move. Three! Mustering up her adrenaline, she jabbed her elbow as hard as she could into the side of his abdomen. It wasn't as effective as a direct blow to the area near the diaphragm, but it caused Van's hands to falter.

She did it again, this time with her other elbow to the other side of his abdomen. Van grunted in the sudden blow. With the new distance between them, and his hesitation, Hitomi pulled forward, twisted, and thrust her elbow on what she hoped she would hit: his chin. Her blow connected smoothly and the metal was no longer at her throat…it had nicked her skin as it was being pulled away. However, this was not the time to think about pain.

With his hands no longer holding her down, Hitomi sprung forward on the balls of her feet and raced, as fast as she could move in a crouched position, to the exit.

She flew down the hallway, grabbing her sword from the ground as she left. With a quick look behind her, Hitomi realized that Van was not following her. He's knows this castle inside and out…that alcove must exit at another place. Van's trying to cut me off…

Hitomi turned the corner, breathing loudly through her mouth and holding her sword horizontally across her midsection. As she approached another entranceway coming from the left, she slowed down. The hallway…that I just came from…goes in a U-shape. That…alcove must exit over here…She backed up against the wall getting extremely close to the entrance.

Staying as quiet as possible, Hitomi listened. Her knees felt weak and her whole body shook, but her mind was still sharp.

He's waiting for me…
"NO! Let me go, now!" Merle shouted as the advisors tried to hold her back.

"Merle! Please! For your own safety!" Haru shouted, pulling at her arm. "You need to stay here, in the carriage!"

Merle glared. "But Lord Van—!"

"—Lord Van did not heed to the evacuation call. He is helping his soldiers fight off the army of Yoshidarians." Akira replied.

The cat-girl turned to face him. Her face furrowed with anger. "Then why aren't YOU helping your people, you cowardly bastard!"

"Merle!"

"NO! Let go of me! I need to help him!" Merle struggled again against the advisors, but they were stronger than they looked. Hitomi…Van…You're both in danger!

"Lord Van would want you to be safe from harm! Stop this, Merle!" Another advisor scolded.

The carriage sped away, making the smoldering castle that Merle called home get smaller. She paused as she watched the scene. The city around them was full of crying and screaming people, scrambling to get their things and get away from any Yoshidarian soldiers who'd want to kill them. No…Gods no!

Haru's hands lightened their grip on the girl as he watched her stare sadly at the castle. "My child, Lord Van will take care of himself."

Merle turned her head away from the scene and turned her body around to face the advisor who Van had trusted ever since he was a little boy. As the carriage bounced on the uneven ground, Merle raised her arm and slapped Haru, making his head snap to the right.

"Yeah, Lord Van will take care of himself…It seems that you guys can't do that, either."

A silence followed on the carriage, and Merle turned back around. Without warning, she bolted for the exit and jumped out of the moving cart. Landing in the sand with a roll, Merle went on all fours to get back to the castle. I don't have much time…

"MERLE!" The advisors called out to her, but she didn't dare look back.

Whatever Shina is planning, I have to stop it…Before they get hurt!
Hitomi's feet were stuck to the ground. I know you're there…Paranoia started to come into her mind and her heart sped up again.

The pendant, shining lightly, pulsed in tune.

She looked down. Huh? The…pendant has a—a heartbeat? Green eyes closed as she concentrated. The jumbled mess of a vision sprang into view, but one part started to slow down and played out in its entirety.

She was running…Hitomi could not see where, it was too dark…But, she was running at top speeds. When something silver caught her eye in front of her, she started to panic. I know this vision…No! Van! Her body continued to run forward as the silver light got closer, illuminating the frame of a body…Van! A wave of fear washed over her as she saw him, running towards her and—

Hitomi's eyes and mouth flung open in shock as if the sword had already punctured her. Her stance was no longer right up against the wall; instead, she was crouched down, almost sitting on the floor. The intensity of that vision…It's going to happen very soon…But that doesn't mean that I can't try to stop it…

Visibly shaking, Hitomi got back to her feet. She shut her eyes again and concentrated. Where do I go now? The pendant shone in her line of sight and it pointed to the entrance of the hallway she was next to. She knew it.

Hitomi clutched her sword tightly, holding it out in front of her to attack. Three! She spun around quickly with her eyes shut. Hitomi paused before peeking.

The hallway was empty.

Her breathing picked up again. Where is he! She walked forward, cautiously, holding the sword out, ready to slash anyone.

But no one was there.

There were no doors, no alcoves…no hiding places. This is…This is impossible…Hitomi continued to walk straight ahead.

Until she met a wall.

Oh no…dead end…No…Fear resounded everywhere in her body. Hitomi's palms got sweaty and she almost dropped her sword. No way out… Seemingly defeated, Hitomi pushed her head against the wall.

That's when she heard it.

She put her ear to the door and heard voices…a lot of voices…and wind.…The exit to the castle is behind this wall!

She cursed every single god she could think of. Not even a window…From her angle, with her head against the wall, her eyes could see all the bruises and cuts she had gotten from this little game of cat and mouse. Her knees and elbows were scratched, fingers bloody and her neck…She put two fingers to touch her wounds and found it to be sore and red. Tears sprang to her eyes as she turned around and ran towards the only exit. Her legs were tiring out…everything hurt…

But the pendant continued to pulse.

Faster and faster.

Hitomi stretched her legs out to cover as much ground as possible. She made it back to her previous position, slammed her body against the wall and sat down. Her heavy breathing was cracking her lips and drying out her throat. It felt like it was on fire.

There must be something I'm missing…Hitomi stared at the ceiling. Where is he? Her eyes darted back and forth down the hallway. The pink light helped her see, but it did not illuminate what she wanted to see. Where is he? Her mind choked as she began to sob again. He's supposed to be here to finish me off!

Faster and faster.

A new thought hit her. But why? Shina is behind this…But why does she want me dead? Maybe it's just because she wants to, but…why?

She slowly stood up and began to drag her feet towards a new stretch of passageways. I need to get out of here…Before he finds me…before he—he…

Hitomi did not finish her thoughts as she started to pick up a tired pace. I need to find the exit…Tears fell from her face. Please…I need…to find an exit! She started to get hysterical as her brain got fuzzy. I need to get out! I need to leave! Let me leave! I want to leave! Let me go!

Her eyes could barely take in her surroundings; everything was fading to black. Her heart was pounding so hard; she thought that it would explode.

Faster and faster.

Her feet hit the pavement, but she could no longer hear it. She swallowed thickly but continued to move unaware through the hallway.

Her vision got cloudier. But she could not mistake what she saw for anything.

A silver line coming towards her.

The pendant shone brighter as Hitomi ran mutely.

Faster and faster.

She thought she heard a yell, but her mind was no longer there. Her muscles worked on stray impulses and continued to do so even as the silver line came closer. She was totally unaware of her danger.

Faster and faster.

The light from the pendant was shining so brightly that Hitomi could see Van's outline. She could barely register what was going on.

Faster and faster.

And then…

It stopped.

The light from the pendant suddenly disappeared. She was left in the dark, blindly running until she felt something push through her. It burned. Oh, how it burned. Hitomi could barely feel it, but it was there. Pain shot through her nerves and delivered the feeling to every part of her body.

She was dimly aware that she was falling backwards and that his sword was removed from her. Her head hit the stone floor hard. Before she lost consciousness, she felt sticky and warm.

With a shallow breath, she wrapped herself in her warmth and fell asleep, not wanting the cold to catch up with her.

There was a pause in the darkness. Everything in the hallway stilled. One body crouched over the other with a marvel at what he had done…Shh…Hitomi…that's a good girl…
You like the blood don't you?
Yes...
Finish her...

He wordlessly put a leg on either side of her body and positioned his sword above his head. He held his stance—
And he crashed it upon her head
—and waited. And waited.

As continued to stare at her, something stirred deep inside him. Something was wrong with this picture. He felt himself coming back to reality…The haze had lifted; reuniting his soul with his body...and mass confusion and fear set in. His position dropped and the sword was placed beside them.

Van furrowed his brow as he looked at Hitomi's sleeping form.

"…Hitomi…?"

Omg. This chapter turned out worse than I thought it would. Oh God, I think I've hit another writers block.

Arg. Not much to say here…Please, critic me! Only you can save me from my hideous writing…grr…

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