AMBER & EMERALD

Author's note:

2nd chapter has finally being posted! Is everybody happy? (glancing around) And thank you very much to Xanthia Nightshade for her reply! It's the first reply I've got! To cut it short, let's go to disclaimer!

Disclaimer: Escaflowne is NOT mine. I wonder when I will get bored with this disclaiming routine.

CHAPTER 2: MEMORIES AND PREPARATIONS

Saturday, 09.00 p.m., Hitomi's House

Hitomi gazed around the small room, which was about the size of a small bedroom. Previously, it was a library, yet soon it was forgotten, for Hitomi never used it at all. Hitomi's parents worked abroad since she was thirteen, leaving her with a housemaid. She remembered clearly the day when her parents left her.

"Hitomi, this is the day to tell you the truth," Hitomi's mother said, her tone serious yet relaxing. Hitomi knew it instantly as a sign to pay attention carefully, very carefully.

"What kind of truth, Mom?" she asked curiously, trying to hide the concern that she knew well would appear. Her parents had not used that tone since she was three, when she did a big mistake by punching her friend because he mocked her.

"About us," her father replied grimly.

"Hitomi, we have told you for this long that we work in a big and rich company, haven't we?" the mother said gently. Hitomi nodded—a little stiffly, yet the parents didn't seem to notice.

"Unfortunately, dear, it is just half of the truth," her father said, sighing deeply as he did so. Hitomi frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"We are secret agents, Hitomi," her mother blurted out, nearly in a rush. "We work for a secret organization called SPEAR. We work as spies for them. We spy all the terrorists' movements and plans. We wait for the right time to jump out and catch them. It's dangerous, Hitomi."

"And… what are you planning by telling this now to me?" Hitomi questioned. She knew well that her voice wavered in mix of coldness and anger. 'How could they hide this from me?' she thought in fury. 'How could they?'

"We are going to a dangerous mission tomorrow," her father said in a forced calm tone. "And if we don't come back…at least you have known all of these."

"What…?" Hitomi tried to say something, yet her mother cut her softly, "We've prepared enough money for life-long luxury for you. I know that you must be angry of us, Hitomi." Her mother's eyes were filled with fresh tears. "But this secrecy is for your own safety, my daughter."

Hitomi didn't say anything, her facial expression remained cold. She hugged her parents and stated simply, "I'm going to sleep."

They never came back.

The next morning, Hitomi found the whole house was empty. She went to school as usual, accompanied by a new uncomfortable weight in her heart. When she got home, she found two letters waiting for her.

Her greatest horror had come true. She fumbled with the first letter, opening it as a chill ran down her spine. It said that her parents had died in a guns combat and all her parents' money had already been transferred to her account.

She didn't shed even a single tear. She just couldn't.

The next letter was equally surprising, though not adding any grief to her heart—which was already filled with too much grief.

'It is amazing how a person can find his or her greatest horror just by opening a letter,' she joked bitterly. 'And it is also amazing how a person can be recruited as a secret agent, even though she is just thirteen and just lost her parents, simply by reading a letter and send a 'Yes' as a reply.'

She shook her head gently, a smile forming on her lips, as if she had been laughing at her own strange behavior. She looked around the room, which had changed so much since she was recruited as a secret agent by SPEAR.

Many kinds of weapons were hanging on the walls of the room. Mostly were swords, knives, whips, and guns, though there were also several bows and quivers of arrows and some blowpipes with their small yet poisonous needles. There was a desk, with her laptop and many kinds of gadgets for her spying-activities on it. She picked up a Beretta from the wall and attached a whip to her belt.

"Time for Emerald in action," she whispered to herself in satisfaction.

Van picked up his loyal sword from its usual hanging place, right above the fireplace. He was dressed in his usual mission-outfit: a sleeveless red T-shirt, a pair of faded brown pants, a pair of brown leather gloves, and a pair of boots. He knew that his choose of weapon was strange and unusual, yet he also knew that it would take more than Heaven, Earth and Hell to make him to hold a gun.

He attached his scabbard to his belt and sheathed his sword. "Amber the Thief is ready," he said, grinning in mischief.

TO BE CONTINUED TO CHAPTER 3

There are some explanations here! At least this story has some plot now. More explanations will be coming. I know that Van has so small part here, yet it will grow bigger eventually. Well, see ya in the next chapter! Don't forget to R&R!

Celon Ierith