Escaflowne- Together Yoyokagirinaku (Forever and Ever)
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi everyone, here is Chapter 7 for ya. Just for your information, the plot through this story I DID not copy. Apparently, I just thought through this with my own mind that took me an hour to do in my room and I finally got it. So don't abuse me for any reason like that. Besides, mines leads to something more different. Just wait and see, and I hope you still stick with it and believe me. Thank you all for the reviews and I hope you enjoy the story. You can either e-mail me at LilasianKidd11985@yahoo.com or LilAznKuti@mail.dpinoyweb.com or AIM at the Screen name Gundamgrl (remember to not put an I in grl) if you are confused or just want a little chat. Please Review!!!!!!!!!
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Morning finally came to Fanelia. Peace is finally there as Van, the young King of Fanelia, has finally got out of his sickness and he is already up and ready to take any action. During that morning of Fanelia, Van got up bright and early and decided to take a walk into the gardens. Putting on his usual attire, a red, sleeveless shirt and pants, he started to walk down the steps, heading into the direction of the Garden Entrance.
Ever since that night when his illness was broken, Van went on thinking, wondering the sad and mournful feeling Hitomi had. She bowed and actually called him "Lord." Quite bizarre to his intention due to the fact that Hitomi never calls him Lord since he and her are good friends. And, through the stuff he knew, she would never be sad like this around him. He knows this because he loved the way she smiled and twirled around playfully whenever they walked around. But now, after just several minutes of seeing her, she went out of his room and took off. Van couldn't help, but feel hurt about this. Never in his days she would just smile and take off without any heed were she is going, even though that night she was really going to her room. He began to heave sigh and walked out the door to the outside, sniffing the morning air of that day.
A beautiful day it is with the sun shining upon the fresh, green plants growing in the fields. Van gave a good stretch and yawned, feeling all sleepiness leaving his body. Soon, he walked across the dirt path the gardens, looking at the growing Sakura Trees that Hitomi recommend planting. He has to admit, the Sakura trees truly blend in with the plants around Gaia. He sighed and kept on walking, pondering all thoughts about Hitomi, the girl that was once happy and carefree with her long honey hair, her skinny, yet curved body, her way of thinking through life as a positive way.
He rounded the corner and turned to the direction to the door of the hallways leading to the huge dining table. After just a walk, he felt his stomach grumble. Today, he made his mind up. He will spend a lot more time with Hitomi, no matter what Kyoko would say. Van has to know what is wrong with her.
As he opened the door to the hallways, he stepped in and backed into a wall, trying to think of how he is going to talk to Hitomi. He was there pondering when footsteps went in through his way and stopped. The mysterious sounds surprised Van and when he looked up, Hitomi was standing there, staring at him with a surprised look.
"All right. This is my chance," thought Van mentally. Slowly, he leaned off the wall. "Hito-"
When he was about to talk to her, Hitomi looked down and walked away, leaving Van standing in the dust. Desperately, he went up to Hitomi, trying to catch up with her speeding walk. "Hitomi, wait, can we talk?" he asked, trying frantically to make her stay and talk.
"What is there to talk about?" she asked, giving a pouting look.
"Hitomi, please, I really want to talk to you."
"I am not believing it. You have Kyoko to keep you company."
"But Hit-"
Hitomi wounded a corner and Van didn't notice anything when—
BAM!!!
First Strategy to talk to Hitomi…Quickly Failed…
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Chapter 7- I just want to talk to…
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Van moaned painfully as he rubbed his face after crashing into a wall. "Man, that hurt," he said, feeling that his painful crash started to subside. He looked beyond the wall to see that Hitomi was no longer there. He sighed sadly. His first day to talk to Hitomi was unsuccessful. He is going to have a hard time with this.
From behind, Merle looked at him curiously. "Lord Van, what are you doing?" she asked, cocking her head.
"I was going to talk to Hitomi when I accidentally crashed into a wall," he said, pointing to that wall that was severely etched with Van's body and face.
"Oh, that's going to leave a huge mark," said Merle. "But, you should give up, Lord Van. It's going to be hard to talk to her."
Van dusted his clothes. "Well, I'm not going to give up until Hitomi talks to me. I'm really worried about her."
Merle pouted and started to walk away. "Well, if you're worried about Hitomi that much, then how come you don't know how she feels?" she asked and took off, leaving Van completely confused by that.
Second Strategy: Try talking to her at dinner…
Few hours have passed on and dinner has finally risen. As everyone else was "supposedly" busy, only Van, Merle, and Hitomi were eating in the huge dining table, eating the chief's latest terrific cuisine. In the room, the three were quiet as they continued to eat their own food. Van could see the two girls, conversing sometimes and eating the same time, yet quieted when he looked into their way. Seriously, he wouldn't eavesdrop or anything. Even though he is trying to talk to Hitomi.
"Hey Hitomi, you told me you know how to cook, right?" asked Merle, looking at Hitomi who just put her fork and spoon down.
"Oh yeah. I can cook all these things like Miso Soup, pastries, rice…"
"Even roast beef with baked potatoes on top of sour cream, with rice and all these delicious morsel fruits and desserts," said Merle, taking a sneak glance at Van, who suddenly came aware of his favorite food.
"Yeah, I can do that too," said Hitomi.
"Can you make…chicken dumplings?" said Van, butting into the conversation.
Quiet pervaded the room as Hitomi took one last sip of her soup and stood. "You know, I'm suddenly sleepy right now," said Hitomi. "I think I'll go to sleep."
Van's mind clicked and got up quickly before Hitomi headed the stairs. "H-Hitomi…wait, can't you just stay and talk with me for once!" Just when he was about to get out of his seat, he tripped over his own chair and splattered onto the floor.
He lay there for a while, defeated that his second strategy all ready bombed. Merle went by his side and helped him up. "And right now, I was trying to help you make a conversation with Hitomi," she said. "I guess she really is hurt."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Hmm? Oh I don't mean anything. You should be the one who is able to predict her feelings," said Merle.
20 Strategies later: Just wait until she arrives in the gardens…^^It is a few days later when Van tried many other strategies to talk to Hitomi, even though they were kind of small and useless. The third strategy, he first tried to ask Allen if he could talk to Hitomi by meeting him in Van's room. Yet, when Van was going up the stairs, he suddenly crashed into a corner that he didn't know about. Hitomi saw him there, staying on the wall and ran off into her room, leaving the strategy a failure once more. The other strategies are actually made by Merle and Allen, which most likely ended up in failure.
Van stood there near the lake, gazing fondly at the lake. He never has been this active before, even if it has to do with trying to make a girl that he hasn't seen for 3 years talk to him. All night, he couldn't sleep due to the fact that he tried all these strategies and trying to think through why Hitomi acted as if he never existed. Sure, she talks to Allen and Merle, but giving Van the silent and ignoring treatment was really making him feel left out and not mention quite hurt. Ever since Hitomi met his fiancé, she looked too sorrow and sad each time she sees him. It's as if she's jealous or something. "Jealous?" asked Van to himself. "Hitomi would never be that kind of person. She's too nice to be that way." When he looked to his right, Hitomi stood there, looking at Van with a surprise look in them. Reluctantly, she turned away and started to walk.
"Hitomi!! Don't go!" he said, trying to reach her. But, unsuccessfully, since he didn't watch were he is going, Van ended up falling into the lake. Hitomi noticed this and turned around, looking at Van who was rising above the lake, splattering water out of his mouth. Hitomi gave a slight smile and walked away, leaving Van in the lake water with another of his failure sighs.
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"Allen, what am I going to do?" asked Van, defeated all the way. They were in the sparring room, just finish with the second round of their match, with the scores Allen: 2, Van: 0. It was only thirty minutes after Van just fallen into the lake. All over, Van is drenched from head to foot, his clothes drying slowly as possible.
"I'm not really sure, Van. But you better be concentrating on your swordsmanship. After all, you are the King of Fanelia," said Allen.
"I know…but I just couldn't stop thinking about Hitomi," said Van, looking up into the ceiling. "I mean, when I look at her every time I see her, she would eventually walk away with a painful look. Is there something I said that made her mad at me?"
"Obviously, no, Van. It's something that you did that hurt her morale. You need to see through her feelings like you used to back then. Like feeling her pain or feeling her sadness. Look into the depths of her mind and find out what's going on."
Van sighed and looked at Allen. "Yes, but the only problem is, how am I going to talk to her?"
"Now that's a bigger problem. And not mention that you've been leaving Ms. Kyoko out in the dump for the few days. I would see her flirting with my fellow members of the Crusade." A flinch started to form in Van's face. "Don't worry, Van. I'll help you out," said Allen, patting the young king on his shoulder. "I want you two to stay as friends. The only reason Hitomi came here is to help you. She was hurt when she saw you sick like that."
Van looked down to the ground, his bang falling onto his left as usual whenever he is sad. "Was she? But she never ever told me that she missed me. I can't help but remember that night when she actually addresses me as "Lord." She never has spoken to me in that way before."
"Don't worry Van. I find out what's going on. By this afternoon, a plan would be set," said Allen confidently.
"I hope so," said Van hopefully.
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As the day grew to afternoon, Hitomi headed down the stairs to the kitchen room. She promised Merle that she would meet her there so she could teach her Hitomi's style of cooking. When she climbed down the stairs, Kyoko was heading up into the stairs towards her room when she spotted Hitomi, looking at her.
"What are you looking at?" asked Kyoko snobbishly.
"Nothing," said Hitomi, continuing down the stairs. Hitomi swiftly passed Kyoko.
"You know, you should bow to your soon-to-be-Queen," said Kyoko, folding her arms around her chest. "You are so disrespectful at times."
Hitomi turned around with a glare that held anger. "Well, obviously, I don't know your stupid customs. And besides, I'm not from around here. I'm from a planet in which all life forms are better than your snobbish attitude."
"You take that back," said Kyoko, glowering at her. "Or I'll tell Van that you said harsh things to me."
Hitomi turned away from the despicable woman behind her. "Go ahead and squeal. I don't really care if I did get in trouble," she said, putting her long hair on her right shoulder. "But, even though you have Van, and you have my eyes and looks, you are not as close as being me."
"Listen, you better stay away from Van," said Kyoko.
"You are not my mother, Kyoko. I can do whatever I please," she said. With that, Hitomi started to climb down the stairs, trying to walk faster so she wouldn't hear Kyoko's stupid bickering voice. Sad tears started to form in her eyes as she walked faster, trying to get away from her troubles. Just when she turned the corner, she bumped into someone accidentally. "I-I'm sorry," said Hitomi, bowing her head.
"Hitomi, are you okay?" said the person. Hitomi stood up, aware of the voice to see that it was Van in front of her.
"Van…" She slowly looked down to the floor below, trying not to show the blush and the tears in her eyes. Slowly, Van grabbed her gently with both of his hands on her shoulders.
"Are you alright? You don't look too good," said Van, looking worriedly at her face.
She sighed a bit, knowing that she couldn't avoid Van in this position. "I'm all right, Van. It's just that…when memories come in, I can get very sad at times."
Van smiled at her sadly. He could feel the sadness in her soul as she slowly gazed into his deep brown-reddish eyes. For the first time ever, Hitomi could fully see Van after a few days of trying to avoid him. Even though it has been three years, Van has grown into such a handsome man. His hair was more unruly than ever, and he grown so much taller. His face still wields a bit of his childish figure, yet he still looks like an 18 year old young man. "Don't let those feelings get to you, Hitomi," he said, smiling at her. "Like what you told me when I was sick."
Hitomi smiled slightly at him for the
first time, forgiving him. "Van, I'm sorry if I was acting cold lately. It's
just that…I've had a lot of things in my mind. Even with your fiancé who's
holding a grudge against me just because…I'm different."
"Hitomi, don't worry about her. Don't let any guilt come to you from her sayings. She really is a nice girl once you think about it," said Van. Hitomi looked surprisingly at him. Kyoko, a nice person? Ever since that night when she, with all the nerve, pushed Hitomi away from Van and giving her a pouting look of hatred. Didn't he see the truth within? Could he be blind himself?
"Yes, I know. But…whenever I see her with…" she paused and looked away. "I would feel this aching in my heart that tells me that I don't stand a chance."
"But, what's stopping you? Why are you hurting so much Hitomi?" asked Van concerned. Hitomi just smiled.
"It's not a big deal, Van. I'll be all right, don't worry. I got this kind of pain when my father died a year back. But…I can cope with it…I think," she said, looking at Van's eyes once more. The love she felt before within Van's inner feelings, she could sense that it no longer existed in him, as she expected to turn out.
Slowly, Van drew her into his arms, hugging as comforting as ever. "Hitomi, whatever it is, don't let those problems come to you. You can talk to me anytime you want," he said. "To me…it is a big deal…"
Hitomi nodded and hugged him lightly, knowing that if she hugged him tighter, a fight would be going on with her and Kyoko. Reluctantly, she broke the short hug, making Van curious. Hitomi started to walk into the direction in the kitchen. She turned around and smiled at Van. "Well, I better make dinner for you guys. Do you want me to make your favorite?"
"S-sure," said Van uncertainly.
"Okay. You can…come by and watch me if you want Van," said Hitomi hesitantly. "Well, I see you at dinner." With that, she turned and walked swiftly to the kitchen, leaving Van there in wonder with his thoughts.
"Something is different about Hitomi. There's something missing. But I can't point it out," thought Van. "Whatever it is, I'm going to find out why she is acting distant towards me."
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Sounds of chopping were heard in the kitchen area. The chief was bewildered to see that the Seer is making dinner by her own accord. "But, miss, please let me do the cooking. It isn't just right to let you cook," said the chief, trying to parry the thought of Lord Van yelling at him.
"Don't worry, I already told Van that I was going to cook," said Hitomi, chopping the vegetables. "Anyways, can you please get out of the kitchen? I'm going to need all my concentration."
"But…but…"
"You heard what she said. Go and take the rest of the day off," said Merle. Defeated, the chief bowed and exited the kitchen, leaving Hitomi and Merle to do their work.
As Hitomi went from chopping to tenderizing the meat, Merle looked thoughtfully at Hitomi, seeing her expression change every 5 minutes. Merle knew that she was thinking about something. "Hey Hitomi, is there anything wrong?"
Abruptly, Hitomi turned to Merle and gave a smile. "N-nothings…wrong…Merle. It's just…that…well…"
"You're thinking about Lord Van, aren't you?" asked Merle with a smile. Hitomi blushed and worked intently into her cooking, trying to avoid that question. "You are thinking about him! I can tell."
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Meanwhile, Van was just passing by to the studies when he heard his name through the kitchen door. Cautiously, he peered in to see who is mentioning his name. At this point, he sighted only Merle and Hitomi there, talking a bit. He could see Hitomi blushing from afar. He smiled, seeing how cute she is when she blushes like that. Looking at Hitomi one last time before going to the studies, Van was about to go when he heard Merle talking. "You are thinking about him! I can tell."
Averting his back to the door, he could see Hitomi working intently to her cooking, blushing redder than the first time.
Defeated, Hitomi looked wondrously up into the ceiling, knowing that Merle would not give up until she obtains what she desires. "Yes, Merle. You're right, I am thinking about him," said Hitomi with a sigh. "I mean, ever since I freed him from his illness, I guess you can say…my mind always wounds to him."
"Aw I see. But, if you keep on thinking about him, why are you trying to avoid him?" asked Merle. Van neared the door, standing beside it with his ear close to the slightly ajar door. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but he wanted to know the feelings within Hitomi since she couldn't speak her feelings in front of him.
"Because…Merle…I don't want to get anymore hurt as I did when my dad died long time ago." By then, Hitomi put down the mallet and clenched the counters with her hair covering her eyes. "You know how I said that my heart aches and you said it's probably heartache. I just found out…that it might be breaking because of my sadness."
"How can your heart break, Hitomi?"
"Each time I see Van with Kyoko, I get this feeling that I am no longer wanted here, Merle. I feel as if I no longer need to be in Gaia because I all ready fulfilled my wishes all ready. Yet, every single day I've been here, I kept on thinking and thinking, pondering about what is positive or negative. I don't know why, but I still think about him every hour. Seeing his smile, smelling in his scent, looking at his mystic brown-reddish eyes; I only wish that I could talk to him…not just as friends…but more-"
Merle gasped in excitement. "Hitomi, don't tell me you're still in love with…"
Hitomi shushed her. "Merle, be quiet. Someone might here us. What if it's Van?" asked Hitomi frantically.
"Don't worry. He's probably with Kyoko," said Merle with shrug. "Every day at this time night, he would be out in the gardens with Kyoko."
"Yet still, even if I still have feelings for him, I…wouldn't have a chance with him," said Hitomi. "I talked to him just thirty minutes ago. By now, he's probably with Kyoko." She started to put the meat in the basin, putting in some seasoning and spices.
"Hitomi, I'm sorry if she acted so rude. She is Millerna's friend after all," said Merle, getting up to make the rolls. "But I just can't see what Van sees in her."
Hitomi shrugged and gently put the basin inside the heated oven. "Merle, don't say those kind of things. It is what Van sees inside that counts. Who knows? Maybe you would like her when time comes by." Washing her hands in the sink, Hitomi started to make the biscuit batter. "To tell you the truth, when I looked at Van, I tried to avoid him because I hated him. I hated him for lying to me and never telling me the things ahead of time. Or I wouldn't have gone through this stage. I sometimes wished that I wanted to leave this place, but somehow I couldn't bear to leave." She started to put the dumplings inside the pan. "All I wanted in my life…is to see him. To be the way we were back then. But I guess not. Time moves on and people change everyday. I thought the fading image meant by Van's death. But it held one more meaning. The feelings he had for me were dying away. But it's strange, even though I want to forget him. I can't forget him at all."
Merle put the pot filled with rice on the stove, putting the fire in medium height. "I'm sorry if you have to feel that way Hitomi. I guess Lord Van may not understand you since he has Kyoko to blind him from the truth. But I guess that's how love is. People can't really sort their feelings until the very end like you did when you found out that you like Van more than Allen. If only you can talk to Lord Van the same way you did back then."
Hitomi smiled, being comforted by her friend's words. "Thank you Merle. Come on, let's go set the table." With that, the two girls left the kitchen area to the dining room, leaving the kitchen all quiet. Van stood there still, trying to absorb those words within his mind.
"I hated him for lying to me and never telling me the things ahead of time. Or I wouldn't of gone through this stage. I sometimes wished that I wanted to leave this place, but somehow I couldn't bear to leave."
Those words that Hitomi have spoken out kept on echoing through his mind. The word hate was too strong for him to bear that he suddenly felt a surge of sadness within. He never heard Hitomi used the word Hate, and now, she used it due to her sadness that struck her so much pain. Van lifted himself off the wall, and headed into the study, where Allen was waiting for him.
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Allen was just looking through all the books when Van opened the doors to the study, his head bowing low, looking at the ground. Allen slowly put the book down, knowing that this concern was more important than just reading a book about the Draconians. "Hey, Van. What's wrong?" he asked, watching Van sit slumping down on the armchair. "It's looks as though you've been struck by the heart."
"Or more like struck by the truth in some ways," said Van sadly. "I just heard that Hitomi hated me. Hated me for not telling her about Kyoko sooner than before."
"Van, she doesn't hate you," said Allen. "She's just saying that because she is so sad right now."
"But…I never seen her so…negative. I never seen her so invulnerable that she couldn't stand her life anymore. I want to help her, but something is holding me back," said Van. "Did I really change Allen?"
Allen shook his head. "Only the fact when you accept the betrothal towards Kyoko. You did that without even conversing with yourself. You just decided absentmindedly and you were happy about it."
Slowly, Van abruptly declined. "But…I wasn't all too happy."
"But you were happy in the outside. Why didn't you show your inner self?" asked Allen.
"I…I don't know," said Van. "I think I was thrilled that we were getting married in one year."
"But didn't that happiness made you forget Hitomi?" asked Allen. Van's mind suddenly clicked with realization, remembering that day when he accepted the betrothal to Kyoko and her parents. He knew that something was missing and he didn't even know why he felt guilty and sad. Right in that moment of time, he had forgotten about Hitomi when his happiness and love blinded him like a bat. "Tell me Van, do you still love Hitomi?" The reoccurring question came into view once more. The feelings of love between two girls who he loved, Kyoko, a nice and kind beautiful woman who looks almost like Hitomi as Hitomi, a cheerful, exceedingly dependable woman who never gives up hope on anyone. Hitomi or Kyoko? He couldn't decide. If he says one of them, then it wouldn't be right. So, instead, Van kept silent, trying to pass that question away from his mind.
Allen nodded understandably and stood. "I know that you're feelings are not quite satisfied, but if you think through it, maybe you will find your right choice." Slowly, Allen took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "Listen, I got a plan that will work so you and Hitomi could spend time with each other." He slowly unfolded the paper to show a lot of scribbles with bunches of plans and invites. "Merle had this idea, and we confirmed that we should hold a ball. A ball to commemorate the welcome back of the Seer, Hitomi." He pointed to a long list of people. "Here are the people we are going to invite. Including Princess Millerna and Dryden. Everyone we knew will come since this party will be sort of like a reunion. It will take a few days to make, but I think we can manage."
Van nodded approvingly with a smile. "But what about Kyoko? I mean, she would fight Hitomi to the death if she sees me with her."
Allen had a big smile on his face. "I got that covered." Van just looked questioningly at Allen and shrugged.
"Okay, let's start preparing," said Van, reading the plans for the reunion ball.
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End of Chapter 7- I just want to talk to you…
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** ^_^; I'm sorry if the first half of the chapter was a bit quick since I had writer's block there. As you can tell, I am purposely making the character Kyoko a real fake…if still hadn't really figured out why I grabbed that Japanese name, which by the way means Mirror. But what do you think? I hope you guys like it. Until the next Chapter, Ja Ne, minna-san ^_^!!
