Blood moon Chapter 4
Hitomi left Gaddess. The poor guy! How was he going to explain why Hitomi wasn't with him and where she was going? Hitomi shuffled around the huddles of people and squeezed through the crowds. Dodging had become an art when she entered middle school and on through high school. She had less on her mind with her being graduated. But she realized that the teachers were actually right. You did use what they taught you, even history. Hitomi was at the same part of the market she had been when she had to run after Van. The bridge incident. There was an old man, more like wolf man who was sitting cross legged with another wolf man standing next to him. The old man was smoking a long pipe decorated in a rainbow of colors and shapes. The younger man was standing with his arms crossed watching the the crowds. Instantly she recognized them. The old man was the chief she had met when she had come to Gaea for the very very first time. The younger one was the one who brought her and Van to Fanelia. Hitomi walked past a few more men and stopped in front of them. The younger man held his arms out.
"Lady Hitomi! How good it is to see you again" He said smiling.
"Yes, it's been a long time" He hugged her. Why? She didn't know.
"Why is Lord Van not with you?"
"Oh um"Hitomi stammered. He held up a hand.
"It is none of my business. But I ask if I could help you. It would be very unkind of me not to offer my help"
"Yukuchi"
"Please Lady Hitomi let me help you"
"Alright. Right now I just need to find someone who can help me figure some stuff out"
"My grandfather" He motioned to the old man sitting on a woven carpet.
"Sit child" The old man said. He handed the pipe to Yukuchi. He held out his hands to Hitomi and she put a her hands in his.
"Now what is it that you wish to know?". The old man was smoothing his fingers over the palms of her hands.
"I was kidnapped by Folken. I heard voices"
"You are leaving something out child"
"I grew wings"
Yukuchi gasped " But that means you really are-" The old man put up a hand to Yukuchi.
"Hush Yukuchi" He said and he did. "Hitomi, what did the voices say?"
"They said that I was the true wing goddess but I had to believe in myself. I didn't understand them really"
"Then it is true. You are what they say you are. But Hitomi when they say only if you believe in yourself do you understand?" He asked.
"No not really"
"A butterfly cannot fly if it believes it can't. A butterfly could fly around the world if it believed it could. Do you understand now?"
"Sort of"
"Children today" He looked at Yukuchi and Yukuchi smiled brightly. He knew what the old man meant. Hitomi sat there waiting for him to continue.
"Hitomi, you can do anything if you truely believe that you can. You can save Gaea from Zaibach as long as you truly believe in yourself"
Yukuchi helped Hitomi stand. "Stay with us tonight Hitomi and tomorrow we will return you to the palace"
"How did you know?"
"Obviously you do not know anything about this world and its land. Us traders hear stuff here and there. Word gets around."
"I think I'll stay as long as you don't tell anyone about this"
"Of course. Come, this way" Yukuchi opened up a door that she hadn't known was there.
Hitomi followed him into a room about 10ft by 10ft. It had three bed mats, food crates, and supplies. They lived out in the forests so they packed up stuff and stayed here on business. Hitomi sat down on a blue bed mat and Yukuchi handed her a pillow and a blanket. The pillow was soft like fur and the blanket was hand made, soft, warm. Hitomi stayed there that night with Yukuchi.
It was late noon when she woke up. Yukuchi was leaning against the wall.
"My you humans sure do sleep a lot"
"I was tired"
"Ri-ight" He handed her a chunk of bread, some cheese, and a wooden cup. "Here"
She wolfed down the food and sipped what was in the cup. "What is this?" She asked.
"Tea. Now when you are ready I will take you back to the palace"
"Ok" Hitomi finished the tea then went outside. The old man was sitting there like he had been yesterday only today he had a very short table with trade goods on it. Yukuchi was behind her.
"This way" He walked a foot ahead of her and she followed him down the streets and around the large crowds. Suddenly she realized that though she knew where she was that she didn't know how to get back". Yukuchi took his time and they were at the palace by evening.There standing my the gate with the guards was Gaddess looking around like a maniac. He spotted her and came running. He looked mad but he hugged her with one arm around her shoulders.
"Thanks Yukuchi" Gaddess said.
"You are most welcome. When I saw the radiant Hitomi walking alone I was worried"
"Did you want to see Van?"
"Oh no. I have to get back to my grandfather. I don't want him rantig and raving at random people or hitting someone with his walking stick"
"He'll never change"
"Yeah. Goodbye Gaddess, Hitomi" He waved and bowed.
"Bye" Hitomi said. Gaddess waved as Yukuchi left. As soon as he was out of sight Gaddess hurried Hitomi into the palace
"Did you get in trouble?" Hitomi asked as they neared her room.
"Kind of"
"I'm sorry"
"It was as bad as I expected"
"How so?"
"You'll see" He ushered her into her room and closed the door behind them. In her room was Van, Merle, Allen, Millerna, and Dryden. Merle was asleep on the corner of the bed. Millerna and Dryden were leaned up against the bed on the floor, They were asleep. Van and Allen were waking up.