Escaflowne: Together Yoyokagirinaku (Forever and ever)
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or its characters!! All right, I said it. How many times do I have to say it? But, please don't sue me. I'm just fan who wants to get plot ideas outta my mind.
Hi everyone, and here is Chapter 4 for you. I'm sorry for making a little depressed, but this is how the plot starts off so far. Then, hopefully it will get better. I got this whole plot set up, so it will probably go faster. Thank you all for the reviews!!! So please review and enjoy the story!!
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Commotion started to flood the whole Fanelia after the sudden light that looked like lightening. Every inhabitant's home's lights are all lit, making the whole kingdom all beautiful with their fantastic lights. Even in the Fanelian Castles. All the lights are all on, due to the people's fear of ghost or monsters lurking through the halls.
Beyond the opened doors of each room down and up, Merle ran on all fours, running down to the long stairway, climbing down carefully yet fast. Just when she was about to turn a sharp one, she accidentally bumped into Allen, who was up all night scouting the castle grounds. "Merle, what's the rush?" he asked, watching getting up from all fours onto two.
Merle had a smile beamed on her face as if something spectacular hit her like lightening. "She's back! She's back! I recognize that light just now!" said Merle excitedly, jumping up and down.
Allen just shook his head. "It's just a thunder strike, Merle."
"Well, smart guy, explain why the sky is clear?" asked Merle, pointing at the nearest window that perfectly viewed the dark, starry sky. Allen sighed and looked up to see that the sky was clear as ever. Dumbfounded, he stumbled. He couldn't believe it. Merle speaks the truth. Satisfied with the look of Allen, Merle got on her fours and started running, kept on repeating the same words. "Hitomi's back, Hitomi's back, Hitomi's back!!!!!" yelled Merle excitedly, passing by Gaddes who couldn't believe his eyes.
"What is up with Merle? I never seen her this excited ever since Hitomi left. Wait…what does she mean by Hitomi's back?" asked Gaddes, coming up to his commander.
All Allen could do is smile. "You may as well find out. Let's prepare to say a welcome back," said Allen, walking off with a grin plastered on his face. Gaddes scratched his head and shrugged. Then, he turned to give the other Crusade members of Allen's next command, even though it was quite pointless.
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Chapter 4- Emotional Reunion…
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The pillar of light died down, and the light dimmed to the color of the night. Floating lightly down to the ground on both feet, Hitomi could instantly recognize the smell of the whole place. The smell that she fervently placed it in her heart, the scent that smelt like wild flowers with the lingering hints of orange blossoms. The Sakura leaves started to drift down gently like in Japan, surrounding Hitomi in the night. The sea scent from far away consumed the air along with the wild flowers. She knew this scent. The scent that always make her mind think about. It was Van's scent. Hitomi opened her eyes slowly and was awestruck to find that this is Fanelia. "I…I'm in Fanelia. I'm back in Fanelia," said Hitomi happily.
She wasn't exactly standing in front of the whole village of Fanelia, but she was standing in front of the gates of Fanelia Castle. With the familiar blue top roof and the Japanese-style buildings. She smiled and closed her eyes once more, whiffing the smell of Fanelia she is so fond of and never get tired to smell.
Out in the distance, the doors of the huge castle opened to show a faint light in Hitomi's view. Coming out, a figure, bonding on all fours, came running at her with full speed. "HITOMI!!!" it yelled, the scream suddenly becoming louder every second. Hitomi knew instantly who it was and she waited for the impact.
Right then, a huge orange blur slammed into her, pushing Hitomi to the ground, and hugging her tightly. "Hitomi! You're back! You're finally back!!!"
"It's great to see you too, Merle," said Hitomi, smiling. "I can see that you've grown so much."
Merle looked up and smiled. "Look who's talking? You've grown too. I'm pretty sure Lord Van would-" Merle cut herself off as she looked sadly down to the cobbled ground.
"Merle…what is it?" asked Hitomi, looking at Merle with worried eyes. "Van, is he all right?"
Reluctantly, Merle shook her head, trying to hold the tears
starting to spill from her eyes. "He's hasn't opened his eyes, Hitomi. He's
been unconscious for 7 days now." Merle stood up and started to drag Hitomi
hurriedly to the castle. "Hitomi, he needs you there."
"I know, Merle. That's why I'm here," said Hitomi. Merle whirled around and looked at Hitomi dumbfounded.
"You…knew?"
"Just tonight, Merle. I sense the distress in Van and I think I might be able to help. I don't want Van to die," she said. Tears almost broke in her eyes, remembering the faded image of him disappearing into oblivion. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Hitomi dashed off into the castle, with Merle tagging along side her. Merle knew all this time that Hitomi cares for Van so much, and she knew she couldn't win over Van's love. Merle and Hitomi long ago decided not to hold any grudges against them and decide to become friends. Upon this, Hitomi and Merle became best friends after just a few days before Hitomi left in this world. As Merle looked at Hitomi's determined face, she knew that this was the Hitomi she remembered, always willing to help others in distress, including her friends.
They ran on, opening the doors to the castle. Just when Hitomi was about go straight, a whole group of men blocked the whole entrance away, making her stop in her tracks as did to Merle, who was smiling at them.
"Welcome back, little lady!!!" they all yelled, all cheering in unison. Hitomi almost fell to the ground as she realized that these men are the men from Allen's group. In front of all the group, Allen and Gaddes stood there, with a big smile plastered on their face.
"Allen!" she said, hugging him. "Gosh, it's really great to see you!"
Allen returned the hug, smiling. "It's great to see you too Hitomi."
"It's been a boring three years since you last left," said Gaddes.
"It's great to see you too, Gaddes. Everyone, it really makes me happy to see you all!" The whole group agreed with a mighty cheer. Hitomi smiled and giggled a bit, but not as long as she expect when she thought about Van. "Allen, I'm sorry to break the reunion so quickly, but I need see Van. I need to see if he's okay."
All heads sank low, knowing that she would mention the young King of Fanelia. "It was one week ago since he didn't wake up. He slept in bed all those passed days, never opening his eyes or even moving his whole body," said Allen, giving her the states in more depth than Merle's. "He only mumbles something once in a while and jerks."
"Van…" she said, looking down at the floor. Allen looked intently into her sad, emerald eyes that once held happiness and lifeness within them.
"Van's been mumbling your name out for quite sometime now. He calls out to you every time night has come."
"He needs my help. Not only I want to see you all, I want to take care of Van as much as possible. Is there anything I can help with?"
Merle started to drag Hitomi up the stairs. "You can help by standing by his side," she said, running as Hitomi tagged along, leaving the whole Crusade group in the throne room.
Allen turned around and all the members gave him his attention. "Okay, guys, while Hitomi takes care of Lord Van, let's go and get to our assigned duties. All keep your guard up at all times."
"Yes, sir!" yelled everyone as they all scattered around to their original watch out post.
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The whole floor in the western facilty of the castle was all lit with fluorescent lights in the long, lonely halls. Hitomi could see that these halls were quite the same halls as Fanelia was back three years ago. She could clearly remember the first time she came to Fanelia, chasing Merle in the halls to retrieve her necklace back. Van did a great job rebuilding the place like it was once, except more larger and more accurate for room to walk through and more decorative rooms that each held it's own private bathroom. The halls were all brown and red, etched with designs that make it look fancy and nice. In every four part, there would red carpeting, showing a cross with the crest symbol of Fanelia in the middle. Hitomi turned right as Merle climbed another fleet of stairs, to reveal a more decorative hall with huge, crystal windows viewing a beautiful garden with a huge water fall cascading down a crystal clear lake. Hitomi smiled, seeing that Van truly made this country beautiful than before. She even noticed some Sakura plants somewhere around the garden. Hitomi remembered that she gave him seeds of Sakura Trees to plant in the garden. She remembered he told him that the garden would look beautiful with the Sakura Trees leaves blossom in the spring.
The windows soon turned to very large, and decorative oak doors, with designs that look exactly like Japan's designs. Hitomi notices that these rooms were for guests. Merle climbed another fleet of stairs to the next right, with windows all over in the hallways. Hitomi notices that they are crossing the gardens down below, with the view of the waterfall and lake still in her sights. "This place is so amazing. You guys must have been so busy these past three years," said Hitomi, looking to every window.
"You noticed? Lord Van had so many ideas to renew this place, that he turned the old Fanelia into the most magnificent Kingdom in Gaia. He was so fond of his success that he added more buildings to the castle. I should show you the ball room, it's so huge that you could hear your voice echoing."
Merle jumped over three steps and headed into a carpeted area with gold and white etches decorated on the walls with fancy candle lanterns on the walls. Merle suddenly stopped and turned to Hitomi. The scene before her shows six people, lined up patiently near a door in front. One maiden looked at them and smiled. "Milady, you've returned," she said, bowing her head.
"What is the condition of Lord Van?" asked Merle, walking up to them with Hitomi tagging along shyly.
"Not too well. He's fever is rising every hour," said the maiden. "But he didn't move a budge."
Merle approved and pushed Hitomi gently in front of her. "Who is this?" asked the maiden, looking at Hitomi's strange attire.
"This is Hitomi, the Seers of Gaia," Merle said bluntly.
All six people's attention caught Hitomi with murmurs coming among them. "Hitomi, the Seers? The one who stopped the Great War in Gaia?"
Hitomi nodded. "It's very nice to meet you all," she said.
Everyone bowed their head slightly to her. "We are grateful to meet you in person, Milady," said the maiden. "We will prepare your room at once." The maiden turned to Merle. "Mistress, where would you want to Lady Hitomi to stay?"
Thoughtfully, Merle looked around, wagging her tail. "Umm…what about…the room next to Lord's Van room just down the hall," said Merle.
Smiling, the servants bowed to Hitomi and Merle and took off into their work.
With the six people gone from their positions in front of the door, Merle pushed Hitomi towards the door. "Go on, open it. This is Lord Van's room. No one will stop you," said Merle.
As Merle let go of Hitomi, she stood there, looking at the closed door in front of her. Hitomi felt the surge of fear running through her mind. Will he disappear in front of her eyes like the vision? Will he be just ghost that can't feel anything? Will he ever open his eyes to look at her? Hitomi began to shake fearfully, trying to pray the thought of Van, his skin white as a ghost, his warm hands wield the coldness within. "I…I can't do this," she said, tears forming in the rims of her hands.
"You can do this Hitomi. I know you can," said Merle, trying to comfort her friend.
"No, Merle. Can't you see? What if he is just an image? What if he vanishes in front of me? I'm afraid to confront him, Merle. It's been so long, I don't even have the courage to face him."
"Hitomi, don't worry. believe that this is real. You are really back on Gaia, Hitomi. This isn't a dream." Hitomi looked into Merle's blue eyes. The cat-girl smiled and motioned her. "Go on," she encouragingly. "I'll be right behind you."
The shiver didn't consume her body anymore. She smiled and nodded, grasping for the square door knob. Her heart started to beat fast, thumping in each second of the clock. She clearly hear it, bumping against her chest as if it was coming out. Frowning determinedly, she took one last breath and slid the door open.
The room was dark and dim, the heavy curtains covered all the windows in Van's room. Not much light was lit in this room, even though night is still there. Hitomi looked around and took one step into the room, smelling the scent of Van everywhere. In the far side of the room, a huge king size bed was placed there, near a window that was slightly ajar to let a dim light of the Mystic Moon fall inside the dark room. And right in that bed, was none other than Van, lying there with a expression of pain within his face.
Hitomi's eyes suddenly widened at the scene before her, fear striking her strong as ever. Her duffel bag suddenly dropped heavily onto the red carpet floor, her hands trembling due to the scenery. Tears started to form, streaking gently her cheeks. Suddenly, she started to run to his side. "Van!!" she cried, falling to her knees at his right.
There, lying on the bed, Van's whole expression showed the pain and anguish in them. His whole tan facial was still there, yet his face was pale, as if it was turning green. His black hair was more disarrayed as ever, sweat all over his body.
Hitomi slowly leaned in and looked at Van, grabbing the nearest comfortable stool. She sat there, looking at Van's closed eyes, noting that he is not waking up. "Van…please open your eyes," she said in a whisper. No sound came within that moment, as he lay there, immobile as ever. "Van, can you hear me? It's me, Hitomi. Please answer me."
Merle walked to her and kneeled, looking at Van's face from afar. "Please, Van, open your eyes. I'm here, Van. Don't yourself like that." Tears streamed down her face. "Van…please…wake up, please." In that lingering moment, Hitomi gently stroked his cheek, feeling his coldness within. Slowly, she broke down into sobs, wailing so dramatically that she put her head against his bare chest, burrowing deeply into his soft flesh with her cold tears striking against it.
Allen and Gaddes just came in when they found Hitomi all ready crying so sadly into Van, hearing her moans of sadness and deep regret for leaving him. She clutched tightly the quilts that covered Van's cold body. "Oh Van. I shouldn't of known about this. But I was too blind because I missed you so much!" she said, paining striking her crying words.
The pain that shot through the whole room made Merle cry as well, feeling the pain in Hitomi's anguish and desperate voice. Allen and Gaddes could clearly understand the feelings she has, going through so much turmoil in her life especially losing a loved one. Hitomi cried there for a few minutes. She slowly lifted her head and nuzzled her cheek against his, tears coming to streak her face. After nuzzling his cheek ten times, she laid her forehead against his, looking into his closed eyes that looked so childish even though pain was stricken within.
"Why…why all things happen to you? You were so lonely without your parents or your brother. And now, with your memories of me, I created even more of your pain, making you pain even more. I thought I would move on and think of you everyday. But all this time, it pained you more than it pained me. I wish there was someway I can help."
Slowly, Allen laid a gentle hand on Hitomi, making her look up to him with tears streaking her cheek. "Hitomi, you need to rest and think through this. You just came and you must be tired from the whole trip here," he said, trying to cheer her up with a smile,
"What if…Van needs me? What if…if…"
"Hitomi, don't worry, we will watch him for you," said Gaddes. "We'll wake you if anything happens."
"But…but…"
"Hitomi, relax. We've been doing this for the pass seven days. Don't worry, trust us."
Slowly, she looked down at Van, glancing at his face. Smiling sadly, she kneeled in and kissed him gently on his cheek, stroking it lovingly. "Van, please don't die on me. I need you," she whispered, slowly getting up. Slowly, she turned to Allen and Gaddes, Merle standing by her. "Allen, Gaddes, thank you. In the meantime, I'll try to find way to open his eyes again. When he feels better, we would spend time like old times."
Both men did not say anything as the both suddenly bowed their heads down, somehow, not quite happy what she said. Hitomi didn't take heed of their glances, and started to pick up her bag and headed into her room to the left.
Merle was about to follow when Allen stopped her. "Merle…are you going to tell her?" he asked sadly.
"But, commander, would it pain her more if we told her?" asked Gaddes.
"That's the only thing. If we do, she would be devastated," said Allen.
"But we have to tell her. If we don't tell her now, she would be angry with us. She doesn't like the kind of people who would tell things last minute," said Merle. "Even though it pains me to say this, but, I'll tell her right now."
"It is good to for you to tell, Merle, but not right now. What about tomorrow?" suggested Allen. "She would come calm down by then. At least, not that much."
Merles nodded and started to head towards Hitomi's room, leaving the two men ponder what will happen next.
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Hitomi opened the doors to her room and found it was gorgeous. Besides the queen size bed with the red covers with golden designs and white pillows that are plain, it has the great view of the garden and its attracted water. The room was all basked in the moon's light, with the tall and larges windows and a balcony over looking the gardens. Hitomi dropped her duffel bag and started to gather the hygiene accessories.
"You brought more strange stuff than ever," said Merle, coming up to her and peering into the bag.
"Yeah. This time, it's not only school clothes, but my stuff to wash myself in," she said, taking out a face wash for acne. "Even though I don't really need this, but it is the only way to take out oil. Hmm…here's my toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, shampoo and conditioner…"
"Oh, this smells good," said Merle, sniffing the conditioner that smelt like a tropical- like smell.
"Oh, that one makes your hair feel nice," said Hitomi, taking out her container that contains all other accessories.
"I should try out these stuff sometimes," said the cat-girl, helping Hitomi out with her full loaded accessories. "Van would be surprised with all these stuff here," said Merle.
Questioningly, Hitomi looked her way and cocked her head. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you're sharing this bathroom with him," said Merle, opening the doors to the bathroom.
"What?!" Once Merle turned on the lights, cleverly created by the Energist's power resource for light, Hitomi was astounded with the whole bathroom. Even though it was quite small, it is still nice and huge, with a Jacuzzi-like bathtub and its crystal-glassed shower. There were two sinks in the marble counters, with a huge mirror. Across from it, three huge windows viewed the scenery of the gardens once more, with a little hint view of Fanelia. Hitomi smiled, knowing that she would enjoy staying here. On the south side, there stood another huge door, which leads to Van's room. "Van really made everyone's stay more comfortable," she said, putting her stuff neatly on the white marble counters.
"Yeah, he wanted to make up for neglecting Fanelia for a while. And he did have a great imagery line," said Merle, putting Hitomi's other stuff on the counters.
"Merle…can I ask you something?" asked Hitomi, looking out into the gardens of Fanelia Castle.
Merle turned around and joined her. "Sure, Hitomi, what is it?"
Hitomi sighed silently, looking out to Fanelia, recognizing the huge houses that are built in a stack like position. "Did…Van…ever thought about me?"
The cat-girl knew Hitomi would ask that question. Due to their distance from each other, one of them would likely to ask that question. Not likely, but definitely ask that question. And Hitomi, after 3 years, has entered that question habit. Merle felt sad for them, seeing that Hitomi's love for Van still grew like a blossom growing and growing through the spring. Merle smiled sadly into the dark night of Fanelia, knowing the visible pain within Van. Everyday, he would be going up onto the roof of the castle, looking hopefully into the Mystic Moon for Hitomi to return one day. And now, in the way Van's condition is, Van wouldn't have chance to see her first hand. She really wished the Van was better. "Lord Van…really did miss you, Hitomi. He thought about you every day through every month of the past years. He would always ask me if you return one day, wondering if you remembered him still. Of course, I told him that you would because you are not the kind of person to forget friends. But, nowadays, he would look up into the sky, looking at the Mystic Moon from dawn till early morning of the next day. Sometimes, I would see him sleeping there on the roof. Through those three years, the only thing he could do is remember. Remember everything precious to him. From the day you first met him to the days before you left Gaia and went back home. In his sleep, he would call to you, hoping that his words of pain would reach you." Merle bowed her head sadly. "Until one week ago, Van collapsed suddenly after coming out of nowhere. I don't know what's wrong with him, but it looks as though he would never wake up."
Hitomi nodded her head, looking intently at the Mystic Moon.
"You don't seem so worried, Merle."
"Because…I knew you would come and save Lord Van. I trust you all the way, Hitomi. Because I know you wouldn't let anyone down," said Merle with a smile. "And since I know you very well, I believe you will bring him back."
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Later that night, Hitomi laid in her huge bed, rethinking the words that Merle has spoken to her. Merle, acting mature? Hitomi shook her head and smiled. Merle, the little annoying, curious cat-girl acted so mature for her age, 15. Merle truly did grown after those years, while Hitomi felt the same. She turned her position and looked at the ceiling, as if daydreaming without a thought. People change through time's flow. IT scares her that the same person she knew changed from insane to a mature, sane person. Sometimes, time is cruel to lead a person to such a fate as Van is right now.
She turned to her side. Every lingering moment, her mind would always be caught thinking of Van. "Van…" she said silently, drifting to sleep with the Mystic Moon basking her in its pale, blue rays.
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End of Chapter 4- Emotional Reunions…
Sorry if this chapter is boring, but I couldn't think of any other way to bring up that she is on Gaia once more. Hopefully this is good for you. Well PLEASE REVIEW!!!!
