Escaflowne: Yoyokagirinaku (Forever and Ever)
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
Okay, guys, here is Chapter 5 of my Escaflowne Fanfic. I hope you guys like this and thank you all for the reviews. Enjoy and Please review!!!!!
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The doors to Van's chambers opened the next morning of that very day. Behind the wooden oak doors came in Hitomi, holding a large bowl with warm water inside. Allen and Merle looked up to see Hitomi all rested and up early.
"Hitomi, shouldn't you still be resting?" asked Allen, grabbing the bowl from her hands and put it on a nightstand.
"Don't worry, Allen. I'll be all right. Right now, I'm only worried about Van's health, not mine," she said, kneeling before the nightstand and started to squeeze the warm cloth inside the bowl.
"I'll go get your breakfast, Hitomi. Since I you'd probably stay here all day," said Merle as she bounded to the door.
Allen rouse and started to follow Merle. "I'll go help her." With that, he went out the door and slid it shut. Smiling, she managed to squeeze the water out of the cloth, and started to fold the cloth. Slowly, with gently care, she patted it against Van's forehead. "Don't worry Van, I'll take care of you as much as I can and find a way to cure you," she said, dabbing the cloth all over his face and down towards his collarbone.
"Merle, wait!" called Allen, after walking away from the distance in Van's chambers. Merle stopped in her tracks and turned to Allen, making him catch up to her.
"What is it?"
"You are going to tell her, right?" asked Allen curiously.
The cat-girl just side and looked out the window, a sad expression coming upon her face. "I have to. Even though it may pain her, I have to tell her the truth."
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Chapter 5- Depression
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Hitomi slowly drew the curtains of the room open, letting the warm sunshine come in to the dark chambers of Van. She peered outside and smiled, feeling the sun's warmth penetrate her skin. Fanelia did become a beautiful kingdom. Van had such fond ideas in his mind that he created a place where people can go anywhere they desire. There were no strict rules or any laws that has to do with his people. He was reasonable and mature to a fault. Even though he is young, he has an imagination of a child and the wisdom of the ranks of Royalty. Van truly changed during the years. All those thoughts were just mere guesses that Hitomi have for Van. Slowly, Hitomi sat at the edge of his bed, looking intently into his closed eyes, no longer showing the pain within. "He must be relaxing now," she said, stroking his hair gently. "He looks like a child again when he looks like that."
A knock was sounded few seconds later, snapping Hitomi out of her thoughts of Van and to the person who is knocking. She stood up and went her way to the door. Just beyond the door, Merle, with several plates on a tray, started to come in with a smirk on her face. "Here, Hitomi. I finally got your breakfast," said Merle, exhausted. "Lord Van should give that stupid chief some manners."
"What do you mean?" asked Hitomi, sitting down on a chair where the food was put.
"The Chief here is a good cook and everything. But he has a bad temper when it comes to those who bother him just before the breakfast time starts. It's like him. But what passed it passed."
The warm, fresh food on the table made Hitomi suddenly hungry. The smell within it was the only source that she would eat it right away. Hitomi smiled and started to dig in, tasting each morsel with a huge happy moan of satisfactory. "You were right. This is good," she said, digging into the next plate.
"Is the food in your home good?" asked Merle, quite interested suddenly with the concept of the Mystic Moon.
Hitomi gulped down her food. "Maybe I should cook for you guys to find out," said Hitomi.
"You can cook?" asked Merle, surprised.
"Yeah. My mom taught what she knows about cooking. And once you eat mines down, you wouldn't get out of it." There was a hint of pride in her voice as she continued to eat away. Merle smiled, her thoughts running about through the concept of Van's condition to Hitomi cooking for them.
The food disappeared within minutes, and Hitomi was quite satisfied with the food she ate. She never had a good meal like that in ages only except her mother's cooking from yesterday. Fondly, she thought about her mother and her brother back on Earth, wondering how they are doing without her spending the time there as usual. Mamoru would especially miss her since he doesn't have anything to do. Slowly, she sank in her seat and stared into the invisible Mystic Moon in the daylight. The mystifying glow around the Mystic Moon was no longer visible due to the rays of the bright and warm sun. Yet, even then, she is happy that she could see the whole Fanelia country without the night to blind her vision to see the magnificent atmosphere.
Time flies by, and Hitomi could feel the sense of change within Gaia. After the Great War that has befallen upon this world, all people from different kingdoms set aside all differences and set a new Alliance that has nothing to do with war. All those homes that were wrecked were able to rebuild, especially Fanelia, the very place where all the people of Gaia show sympathy to due its first attack from Zaibach, the highly advanced technology people who was ruled by Dornkirk, or Isaac from the Mystic Moon. People from Austria, with the help of Allen and his Crusade crew, helped Van and Merle rebuild Fanelia as Fried, who Prince Chid helped with the wood resource and supplies. Hitomi could clearly remember that day, Allen and Van helping out to rebuild the houses for the inhabitants, and Merle and herself helping out with the cooking and children. Those last few days were so much fun. Hitomi could still remember the long conversation with Millerna and Merle in the Austria gardens. And Van, suddenly out of his pig-headed attitude, with Allen and Dryden surprised them from the bushes, disturbing the girl's little chitchat.
And now, after those three years have passed, everything truly changed, not much at least. "Hey Hitomi," said Merle, snapping Hitomi out of her daze.
"Uh…yes?" she asked questioningly, looking at Merle with a smile.
"Do you remember the time when I pestered Lord Van to by me this and that?" Hitomi couldn't help but laugh at the situation.
"I still remember that," giggled Hitomi.
"Yeah, I would ask him if he could buy this and that. I even asked him to buy those expensive jewelry and junk."
"It's a good thing I was there to warn you not to spend or Fanelia wouldn't be rebuilt."
"But you were also gagging over that blue dress that you wanted. You know, the light blue dress?"
"Well, you got me there," said Hitomi.
The two girls looked away for a moment, absorbing those memories back into their minds. Slowly, Hitomi stood from her seat and kneeled beside the sleeping Van, seeing his face frown a bit and turned calm. She extended her arm and stroked his long bangs away from his eyes. Van suddenly flinched and Hitomi backed away, her eyes widened by that surprise. Van slowly eased down, his eyes still closed. Hitomi sighed sadly, stroking once more his hair. She wondered in her mind about Van facing so much pain. But why so suddenly and why right now?
"He suddenly collapsed without any reason," said Merle, kneeling beside Hitomi's left. "When he fainted right after, his last words that he spoke was your name."
"Yes, and it's my fault for making him this way, Merle," said Hitomi.
"No it isn't Hitomi," said Merle, trying to defend Hitomi's morale. "Don't say such things like that. Lord Van knew that you had unfinished business back on the Mystic Moon. He understands that you need to finish your life for education and other junk that you do on the Mystic Moon. But sometimes, when he says things about your reasons that you gone back to the Mystic Moon, he somehow pained himself for saying that. But, don't get it the wrong way. It isn't your fault."
"But why, why he suddenly turned like this?" asked Hitomi, stroking fervently his cheek.
"I don't know. All I know is that something pained him when he fell. His face read all emotions what he is feeling right now," said Merle.
Hitomi knew the answer, yet she could not bear to tell Merle, Allen, or the others. She wanted to keep the secret only to herself, Varie, and Van. She didn't want any more people to worry other than herself or consequences might happen.
"How long are you going to stay by his side?" asked Merle with a serious tone in her voice.
Hitomi shook her and shrugged. "I don't know. As long as how Van needs me."
"You really do care about Lord Van, huh Hitomi?" asked Merle with a smile. Hitomi smiled too and nodded. "That's what I like about you as a friend. You always care for others, no matter what the causes are."
"Thanks, Merle. You are like a little sister to me. Just like Van would compliment you," said Hitomi.
Both smiled at each other, knowing that their friendship shall go on and on. Merle turned and looked at Van, staring intently into his face. Somehow, deep in her mind, something aroused within her. Something guilty, something sad, that Merle could clearly understand. It pains her think of it, yet looking at Van triggered her to think of that very problem which Allen and Gaddes were discussing that night. Reluctantly, Merle stood up and sat down on a nearest armchair that overlooks both Hitomi and Van. Hitomi notice this and watched Merle walk sadly to the other side of the chair, thinking through her thoughts like Hitomi usually do. "Merle, what is it?" asked Hitomi, looking at her feline friend.
Merle did not answer as she looked out into the gardens with a melancholy facial expression on her face. "What am I going to say? Say directly to Hitomi that Van's…no…that wouldn't be nice or Hitomi wouldn't speak to me ever again. But how should I say it? I need to tell her the truth, but it would hurt her so much, much more hurt than Van lying there as if he was dead. I need to tell her. She's my friend and I can't hide any secrets from her." Merle took in a heave of encouragement in her behavior and stood up from her seat, looking intently into Hitomi's eyes. "Hitomi, there is something I want to tell you. Something that you should know," said Merle seriously.
Clearly, with the look that the cat-girl has, Hitomi knew it was serious. So serious that she could very well hear the tone of seriousness within Merle's voice. "Yes, what is it?"
"Just to tell you, if I told you this, promise you would still talk to me and be friends?" asked Merle.
"Of course I promise Merle. I would still talk to you. Tell me, what's on your mind?" asked Hitomi, agreeing with Merle's little deal.
Slowly, Merle clasped Hitomi's hand with both hands, showing sympathy in her eyes.
"I know this would hurt you a lot, Hitomi. But I have to come clean with it. Everyone, including Allen and the others, had known this for one year now, and I wanted to tell you. I was so sad when I heard this that I couldn't believe his words!" Anger penetrated within her eyes as tears started to rim the cat-girl's eyes.
"Who's he?"
"Van, Hitomi," said Merle reluctantly, her voice suddenly trembling from her dilemma. "I never expected he would ever do this. To us, and especially…to you."
"Tell me Merle. Tell me straight forward," said Hitomi, suddenly interested in Merle's sorrow words.
"Hitomi…Lord…Van…"
"What about Van?" Hitomi's voice sounded desperate.
"Lord Van…he's…" Something ringing in Hitomi's mind that something is going to happen here. Something that Hitomi doesn't want to hear. Her mind kept on tugging her, trying to direct her attention to the bad thought. And now, she could feel the same eerie feeling of what Merle is going to say. Hitomi stood stiff, listening to Merle's trembling words.
"Lord Van…he's getting…married…"
Shock ran through Hitomi's veins as her face suddenly turned pale, her emerald eyes widening every second Merle spoke those words. "He's betrothed to a Noble from Austria, a girl who lives in the castle with Millerna." Hitomi doesn't want to hear more. She couldn't stand that word, marriage, betroth; she couldn't stand it. "She's a good friend of Millerna and somehow, Van met her and suddenly fell in love with her." Her hand suddenly clenched Merle's with a hard and meaningful hardness that Hitomi couldn't explain. "And suddenly, he said from one year by now, they are betrothed by the degree of King Aston and her parents that they would betroth and be married one year, which is only a few months away. He and her gladly agreed. Allen and me were quite surprised by this decision and I was sure that he still…had feelings for you." Slowly, she looked into Hitomi's widen eyes, brimmed with the tears suddenly streaking her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry Hitomi that you didn't know that sooner. But there was no way to contact you. I only wish that something will change his mind someday."
"It…was… all a lie…" Merle looked up to see Hitomi bowing head low, her bangs covering her eyes.
"What do you mean, Hitomi?" Visions of Van, smiling at Hitomi in his transparent form, saying words that he missed her so much. All those precious memories that bestowed upon her mind, was it really just nothing?
"It was all a lie. Everything that I saw an hear during these past three years was a lie!" Her voice sounded dramatic than ever as she began to tremble fervently.
"Please Hitomi, don't be mad at me or any of us," pleaded Merle.
"Don't worry…Merle, I'm not mad at you or Allen or anyone." She suddenly wrenched the grasp from Merle's grasp, suddenly standing up. She looked up, with her tears flying into the air. "I'm just mad at myself for being so blind!! I so stupid to think that! I was blind! Blind! BLIND!" With that, she started to run out the door, sliding the door with her sorrowful emotions coming out.
Right at the door, just before he could open it, Allen saw Hitomi running into the direction to her room, sliding the door shut with a huge slam far in the distance. Allen was quite surprised with this sudden turn of events and went in Van's room to check with Merle. "Merle, what happened?" he asked.
"I told…her. I told her everything about last year. Of how Lord Van blindly chose to be betrothed to a Noble Woman from Austria," said Merle, her emotions are near the brink of tears of insanity. "I knew it would hurt her. I knew it would hurt me too. I just wish that there is someway to make things better for Hitomi!!" Tears finally spilled to the floor as she started to cry gently into her hands that felt the pain within Hitomi. Allen looked sadly, mourning softly to himself with this ordeal. He looked and stared intently at Van, who suddenly held a pain expression on his face.
"See, Van? Look what you've done. You've made a bad choice to ever marry that woman," Allen thought, holding deep sympathy towards both Van and Hitomi. "I know in that mind of yours you can feel Hitomi's pain."
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For the past few days, Hitomi never got out of her room all day. She lay there on her bed, looking up into the ceiling with her eyes looking sadly upon its wooden structure. Tears would always come whenever she thought about the good times she shared with Van, remembering how they use to be three years ago. "It was all lie. Everything I thought about him were all lies. Everything, everything about him is a lie!" Hitomi turned over to her side, letting the tears fall to her white, fluffy pillow.
"And I missed you, Hitomi…"
"Even those words were a lie. How can he do this to me without telling me the truth?" she asked to her self, fresh tears flowing onto the pillow.
During those past days, Merle would come in and try to cheer her up with some food directly fresh from the kitchen. Yet, Hitomi lay there, sad and emotionless with dull eyes that looked so mournful. Merle understood what turmoil she is going through, and she completely understands when she asks her to leave her alone for a bit for some time alone. Every lingering hour, Merle would stop by now and then asking how is Hitomi feeling. Every question, however, was unanswered, with Hitomi either lying there or sitting on a chair nearest to the window, her eyes never leaving the window or the ceiling. Within that space out times, it tells that Hitomi is reminiscing the past, the past that wholly pained her heart and soul, eliminating the pride she once held for her high spirits like it was ice melting away to nothing but water which soon dissipates in a long extended time period, leaving nothing.
The words that she hears, the voice that belonged to Van, the scent, and everything that reminded of him, made her despise him even more, calling him now and then a traitor, a liar, a pig-headed person. She would always think of him, thinking of things that highly told her that he never did changed after all. His behavior never did change after all these years. She would clench her hands in anger, grasping the sheets or the arm of a chair angrily and sadly, with her eyes spilling tears of mixed emotions of hurtfulness from her aching beating heart. She hated this feeling, feeling so weak and low self-esteemed. This was a burden that she would lastly feel before she dies. However, with the low confidence within herself, she wanted to disappear, she wanted to fade away into nothing. She wanted this drama in her to end. This drama that held so much mixed emotions that she couldn't endure anymore. All she wanted to do is fade away, because she doesn't want to feel this pain anymore. She wanted to hide, hide everything she is so no one will notice her like a mask wielding one's true self.
Allen, occasionally, would visit her, trying to put that frown upside down with a joke or a funny story he heard. Yet, nothing broke her sober feelings. Each time, her true bubbly feelings started to seal to be sealed away, sealing it into a mask that she reluctantly did not want to make. But it was her only choice to cope up with these feelings. She no longer cares if anyone cares for her or not. The one she truly cared about no longer cares for her, which triggered her to feel crummy and gloomy.
Just after sighing of defeat, Allen started to get up from his sit in front of her, looking at Hitomi's emotionless face starring off into the window, viewing the beautiful gardens. Allen sighed. "Hitomi, please snap out of it. We are all worried about you."
Hitomi glowered Allen. For the first time, Allen never has seen that look before on her face. "Why? Are you guys going to lie to me too?" she asked bitterly, looking back at the view. Allen was terrified, hearing that tone of voice that sounded so bitter, so queer, that it almost sounded like Dilandau.
"No Hitomi. We are worried that these feelings would hurt you and kill you. Can't you see? You're letting your kind feelings being eaten off by your bitter, cold one that you would never let it go to you. This is not the Hitomi I knew from three years ago," explained Allen with a worried expression on his face.
"Well, this Hitomi changed! Time passes by and people change! I am one of those who changed and I will remain like this for the rest of my life!" said Hitomi, anger and angst within her voice. "This world is pathetic! This whole world is a lie! People would willingly hide their feelings to hurt the other without even knowing it. Even people would go so far than leave the ones they love and pursue their dreams." She suddenly stood up, looking angrily at Allen's face. "No one can read people's feelings. I was so blind that I couldn't even read his feelings! I wish I never met him. I never thought he would be this kind of person!" Tears started to form in Hitomi's angry face. "He left me, and he left me to wallow into his footsteps saying these lies that he misses me. I just can't stand it anymore."
The knight suddenly clenched his fist, quite angry and frustrated to the Hitomi who never knew. He flew right into her and slapped her right on the face, letting her angry face out of the picture to a surprise and tearful manner. "Wake up Hitomi!" yelled Allen with an anger he never showed to Hitomi. "Can't you see what you are doing to yourself? Can't you see you are being a hypocrite here? Not Van?" Hitomi didn't say a word as she looked shockingly at Allen. "Yeah, you are blind for sure. Blind to even see your own feelings too not just Van's. Unfortunately for you, Hitomi, the whole world is NOT a lie! There are people who care about you deeply you don't even know, no matter what the circumstances are. Merle cares about. I care about you. And most of all, Van cares about you so deeply! I think you're the one who is lying to yourself, Hitomi! You are the one who is holding your true self bottled up and putting it aside as if that feeling never existed! You were the one who left Van and pursued for your dream back in your home! You left Van mourn for you, leaving him miss you too much that he is in this state right now, sick as ever! I don't know what came over you, but you got to lighten up!"
Hitomi was now shock to the core, tears spilling more enthusiastically than ever. Never did Allen do such rash things on to her. However, there was a reason for this, and Hitomi knew that this feeling actually made her become. "Look, Hitomi. Look deep down your feelings and follow what your heart tells you. You should know that feelings of two people can reach each other, and you and Van are examples of those people. You miss each other, yes. But, you are there for each other no matter what. You just have to think of each other."
"You know what? We can see each other anytime we want, we just have to think of each other…" Those words that Hitomi heard were Van's words that held beautifully into Hitomi's heart and that it echoed through her mind always. "Just like Van's words…" She looked down shamefully, her hair shadowing her eyes. "You may not know this, but Van truly does miss you. Even though he may not show it at times, but deep down he misses you. Even though he is getting married, he will never forget you. He will never forget the feelings he has for you. Because he is the most important person in his life that ever happened to him who never left him alone in the dust. You saw through his feelings, and believed in him and his determination. It is true that it is hard to predict people's feelings, but you two can exactly predict what you guys feel deep within." He smiled at her, becoming more eased and gentle. "I'm sorry if I have to harsh on you like that. But it's the only way that can get your senses back together. But, one thing for sure, the person you care for is in that room sick, feeling your pain right now. His face reads it all, and he is beginning to slip away as we speak. Be the Hitomi that we all know, and stay by Van's side and help him as much as your heart can do. Be the Hitomi that we knew three years ago."
With that, Allen turned and walked away, leaving Hitomi standing there, absorbing the words that he spoke. When the door slid gently shut, Hitomi fell to her knees, tears falling from her eyes. "What just happened to me? What suddenly made me so bitter and cold deep inside?" she said quietly, regretting the feelings she composed in front of Allen in that very night. "What was I thinking?"
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"…Hitomi…"
Hitomi steered in her sleep, her tears still on her cheek.
"…Hitomi…" The voice kept on repeating her name, echoing through her mind that is sleeping peacefully. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see everything black except a figure, sitting on the ground with his legs covering his whole entire body, with its silhouetted white aura around him the only source of light within. Around him, a pair of white wings covered only his front. Hitomi stood where she lay, and walked towards the figure.
"…Hitomi…please stay by my side," said the figure, his voice quivering.
Before her, Hitomi was surprised that the figure before her was none other than Van, looking like a child shivering alone in this dark lonely place. She didn't say a word, stopping in her tracks as she looked away.
"Please Hitomi…don't hate me…it was the only way I can cope," he said, increasing his hold around him. "I can't go through this alone…Hitomi. I need you there with me. I need you. I'm…lost…"
Hitomi felt sympathy towards Van, yet she turned away again, still holding a grudge for hurting her feelings. "I'm all alone. No one can feel the pain I'm feeling right now. I can't do this alone. I can't find my way out. I'm fading away everyday as I stay here in the Land of Memories that are trapped behind a door within my mind. I'm…scared…"
"But why me? Why should I help you even though…you don't have the same feelings towards me?" she finally said, finally looking fully at Van's trembling body.
"Because you are the only one who understands me. No one understands me except you. You were the one who believed in me when things get tough. You believed in me and you gave the courage to live on with my life as a person with great dignity and meaning to my life. You…changed me."
Slowly, Hitomi walked towards the figure and kneeled beside him, looking at his trembling body. "Van…I'm not really sure if I have the will anymore. I mean... I lost my pride and everything. I lost everything in me…when I realized that I lost you."
"Hitomi, you will never lose him," said a voice from a distance. Hitomi looked into that direction to see Varie, standing far distance from them with a smile of sadness.
"Varie…"
"Hitomi, the bond you have for him never truly died. You still believe in him. You do have the pride within you. All you need to do is break that bottle that holds your true feelings and become the person you once was."
"My bottled feelings?" asked Hitomi questioningly.
"The will to live is stronger than anything. If one helps, you will save an innocent life from dying. The will of love is stronger than life, and friendship stays forever. Even though love is no longer at sight, you can stay as friends no matter what the circumstances are. Push away the doubts you have within you. You can still have the feelings for him as long as you push aside the doubts and hatefulness within you. You are friends and friends help each other out, even if the feelings are different."
The words that Varie have spoken sparked Hitomi's depressed and gloomy feelings. The dark room surrounding them started to lighten as Hitomi's sad face suddenly turned to a determined one. She looked at Van, who was still holding himself. Hitomi smiled and wrapped her arms around him from behind, comforting him from his fearful body. "Van, I won't leave you. Not anymore. I can't let you die because you are special to me in all ways. And as a friend, I WILL find a way to free you!"
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Hitomi awoke suddenly from her dream from the sounds of commotion coming from the castle. Standing quickly from her bed, she opened the door slightly to hear so many voices at once.
"Hurry, get some blankets and water!" said one, telling a servant from the other.
"Come on, where is the healer?!" a voice yelled that made Hitomi recognize it easily. Opening the door wide open, she went with the flow of running people and stopped right into Allen, who was yelling orders towards all the people around scampering like lambs.
"Allen what's going?" asked Hitomi, quite curious and worried at the same time.
"Hitomi!" said Allen, surprised by her changed attitude. "Tell me this is the same Hitomi from three years ago?"
Hitomi had an annoyed look on her face. "Of course it's the real me! Why should I be acting like the way I was before? Anyways, tell me what is going on?! Why is everyone filled with worry on their faces?"
"Well, Hitomi, I don't know to how to say this, but-" Sounds of erupting pain and agonizing started to fill the whole entire area as it made the people frantic more. Hitomi instantly know that kind of scream, the scream she would willingly help as much as possible.
"It's Van! What's happening to Van?" asked Hitomi worriedly.
"His pulse is beginning to dim as we speak and all of a sudden he's in this turmoil! If we don't act now, Van is going to die any minute!" said Allen. Another death scream was heard in the direction of Van's chamber that made Hitomi couldn't think a second from just standing there. Turning around, she headed straight into her room, putting on her usual clothes on from her pajamas.
"Whatever it takes, I won't let you die. I promise myself that I would never leave your side no matter what circumstances are. I still love you and I will hold that bond together, even though it is not that strong anymore. I promise as long I live I will be there for you through thick and thin," said Hitomi, lacing the platform sneakers on her feet. Swiftly, she ran through the bathroom doors, heading south to where Van's room is held. Sliding the doors quickly, Hitomi could see a clear visual with Van moving frantically in bed with Gaddes and Reeden holding Van down from falling. Behind, Merle stood there, with tears flowing down her cheeks.
Giving a breath of confidence, Hitomi ran to Merle's side. "Hitomi!" said Merle surprisingly, happy to see that Hitomi finally got out of her room.
"Merle, when did this happen?" she asked, looking at Van's painful expression.
"Just two hours ago," said Merle questioningly.
"Oh no, I better hurry and find some way!" With that, Hitomi made her way passed Gaddes and climbed on the big bed beside Van's right side. His whole body was squirming everywhere, like he was before when the monks of Ispano started to repair Escaflowne.
"Hitomi, what are you doing?!" asked Gaddes. "You shouldn't be up there!"
"Can't you see I'm trying to help Van? Now let me think," said Hitomi, looking at Van's features thoughtfully.
A glint started to consume Hitomi's mind as she directed her eyes to look at a pink teardrop pendant hanging onto Van's right hand. At that moment, Hitomi realizes that it was her pendant that she gave to Van from three years ago. "He still kept it?" she asked wonderingly, looking at Van and the pendant at the same time. "Allen was right. He did miss me after all. He never threw away my pendant." She wanted to cry right now, but it wasn't the good time to cry over feelings right now. "Even though I regret it, but the only way is to use my pendant is to hack into his mind. That's the only way to heal his pain deep down."
Opening her eyes, she grasped for Van's hand with both of her hands, clasping the pendant in between Hitomi and Van's hands. Slowly, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the powers of the pendant and the powers of their wishes. "Van, can you hear me? It's me Hitomi," said Hitomi out loud, making everyone's attention avert to Hitomi. "If you can hear me, please stop moving."
"What is she doing?" asked Gaddes, scratching his head.
"Hey, Sergeant, take a look!" said Reeden dumbfounded, pointing at Van's squirming body relaxing suddenly.
"What the heck is going on?" asked Gaddes, once more scratching his head.
Merle climbed the bed, and kneeled beside Hitomi, peering closely at her closed eyes. "Lord Van heard her. He heard her," said Merle, quite excited.
From that point, Allen came in just in time to witness Hitomi using her powers once more. Smiling, he turned to the servants who anxiously wondering what is going on. "Okay, everyone. You did a fine job. Let the seer do her work and I promise you that she will bring King Van back." The servants' worried faces soon turned to satisfactory as they all went back to their original jobs before the mishap has come. Allen closed the door and turned to Gaddes and Reeden. "Come on, let's go back to our post and leave Hitomi alone with Van. Merle, you help her by watching her move. If she needs water, give her water. Be there as her aid."
Merle smiled and nodded, agreeing with his plan. As the doors slid gently shut, Merle turned to her attention to Hitomi, who was content that Van heard her. "Merle, I'll be unconscious in a little while. Just in case if I am dying, try everything you can to wake me up," said Hitomi, her eyes still closed and her hands still clasping Van's inside with the pendant.
"Okay, Hitomi. Good luck," said Merle.
Hitomi nodded and resumed to her concentration. "Van…please open your mind. Please let me in so I can guide you back here. I promise that I will never leave your side from now on. It doesn't matter if the circumstances are different, it doesn't matter if our feelings are not the same. I need you to live so I WON'T feel hurt for losing you. You are special to me in more ways than you ever thought." Light started to consume Hitomi's closed eyes as she felt her self, leaving the premises of her body to Van's body. "Please Varie, the Gods, and Grandmother, please give me the power to help one in need. Please help me bring back Van alive!"
The light suddenly became bright as ever when the pendant suddenly glowed immensely, coloring the whole chamber with its mystifying glow. Hitomi smiled inwardly to her soul as she began to slip away. "I'm coming Van. Don't give up on me now."
The light from the pendant suddenly died in a blink of an eye. Merle looked questioningly at Hitomi who was still kneeling before Van. In that moment after the light dimmed, Hitomi's whole body suddenly went limp and landed onto Van's chest, her hands still clasping with his own, which was firmly grasping hers as if his consciousness was back.
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*End of Chapter 5- Depression
So, what do you guys think? I'm sorry if I made it too dramatic, but hey, it will get better, and I will get to the point of my story. If have any questions or confusing things that need to be cleared or problems, feel free to e-mail at LilasianKidd11985@yahoo.com or review this story. I hope you guys like it!! Ja Ne, minna-san ^_^
