Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne so do not sue me!
Konnichiwa minna-san, and welcome to Chapter 12 of Escaflowne. I have nothing much to say but I'm sorry, sorry, sorry for the long delay. School once more interrupted me and I have to fully focus on it without a doubt. It's frustrating when you have to study for Finals and do projects at the same time that I am exploded with stress!! So I didn't come around this until now. But anyways, thank you all for the reviews and I hope you enjoy this chapter. As you know, this is the climax of the whole story…or is it the other chapter, but you get the idea ^_^;; But anyways, please review!!!
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When Dryden said those words, Hitomi suddenly leaped in joy and started to hug Dryden so hard that he was turning blue. Merle and Millerna, with the chain reaction started by Hitomi, who also jumped up and down like lunatics, screaming out in joy that everything is going to be okay.
Hitomi let go of Dryden and jumped around with the other two, screaming so loud that Van could hear them afar. He began to tense as he heard those screams. Slowly, he grew into his fighting stance, waiting for the evil lurking inside.
The scream soon died, and Van grew stiff. Could it be that the evil killed them? All he did is wait to see what will happen. Footsteps were heard and Van went back into his fighting stance cautiously. Behind, Allen came up to him, seeing the protective glare within the young King's face. Allen takes this as a warning of an upcoming evil and he too grew into his fighting stance.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" asked Kyoko, appearing out of nowhere.
"Shh," said Van, looking expectantly at the darkness in the door. Kyoko grew still as she heeded the warning that Van gave her. She backed away and hid behind the throne chairs.
The footsteps became louder, echoing through the depths of the halls. Out into the light, Van's stance eased to find Hitomi, Merle, Millerna, and Dryden with content expressions on their faces. "Hitomi, what is it? Why are crying?" he asked, noticing the tears streaking her cheeks.
"I-it's…just…that," began Hitomi, trying to ease her emotions down.
"What?" he asked, coming closer to her worriedly.
"…that…"
"You didn't find the cure?" asked Allen, fearing the worst.
"No…it's just that…that…" She couldn't stand to hold the suspense any longer. With strong move, Hitomi suddenly beamed with joy as she suddenly hugged Van so hard that they both tumbled down to the floor, Van oblivious from this sudden reaction. "We're going to the Mystic Valley to relive that curse, Van!" she said, nuzzling into his chest further, making Van blush furiously. "You're going to live!! We're going to the Mystic Valley!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 12- Kataiyakusoku no Hitomi (Solemn Promise of Hitomi)
~*~*~*~*~*~
With the happiness Hitomi has within, Van couldn't help but smile, sharing the joy with Hitomi as he delightfully hugged her back, easing her sobs of happiness. Merle laughed at herself, seeing that she is not the only one with the hard grasp. Yet, when she looked at the two, she was happy to see that things are going quite well between them. After Van has gotten sick, Hitomi stayed by his side through thick and thin. No longer she wields the depressing moods Hitomi was in few days ago. She is beginning to feel like her old self again.
Millerna was happy about this too. She was glad that her best friend from the Mystic Moon happy. But still, there was the concept of Kyoko, who was looking down at Van and Hitomi angrily. Millerna could see that she is trying to hold back the angry emotions within.
Hitomi slowly drew away from his hug and looked at Van with so much excitement and happiness. "I'm just glad that everything will turn out okay, Van! I…I…" An interrupted cough erupted between Van and Hitomi's moment. Folding her arms across her chest, Kyoko tapped furiously on the carpet, looking at Van and Hitomi, her left eyebrow twitching due to her ferocious self, trying to break the nice and demure Kyoko.
"Oh, Kyoko," said Van as he slowly got up from the floor. Hitomi looked away as she got up, easing her way out of Van's side and to Merle's side.
"What's with all the excitement about?" asked Kyoko with a fake, freaky smile.
"There's no time to talk about it," said Dryden. "We have to leave to the Mystic Valley right now."
"Why now?" asked Millerna.
"Well, at least tomorrow. The symptoms of the curse will start to take over Van's body, which includes the body temperature becoming colder, his eyes becoming duller, dozing off just one hour after waking up. It's not all bad, but Van's health will soon become only 50% strong. And besides, it will take at least 5 days to reach the Mystic Valley from Fanelia to there." He walked over to Allen and patted him on the shoulder. "Allen, can you get the Crusade ready by early in the morning tomorrow before…3:00?"
"Yes, I'll tell Gaddes to prep the ship ready," said Allen and dashed back outside where Gaddes stood on guard.
"Okay, everyone pack your needs for the trip to the Mystic Valley. Everyone needs to be prepared for this. We will leave at exactly 3:00 tomorrow, early in the morning."
~^ ^~^ ^~^ ^~^ ^~^ ^~
With different varieties of food in her small backpack purse, Hitomi looked at each one observantly. Since she was in track, she would always keep power bars, chips, sports drinks, anything to munch as a snack in her duffel back and she never takes them out. This is merely a just-in-case method she has. Slowly, she looked through her duffel and took out a white scrunchy. She also took out her CD compact player and some CD's that she would want to listen to. Just when she took out two CDs, something fell off her bag and gently fell onto the carpeted room.
Hitomi noticed this and looked at it. The object on her floor was a locket, made in a shape of wings closed around each other. She smiled, knowing that her father who customized it himself gave this locket to her. Slowly, she opened slowly opened the locket to hear a sweet musical song played. As she slowly lifts the tops of the locket's wings, she could see the picture of her father, mother, and brother, smiling at her as the music kept on playing. In the middle, twirling around, was a tiny, single angel boy with black hair, his wings spread out beautifully. She knew that her father saw her drawings of Van. On the platform where the spinning angle is dancing, there was an imprint circled around it. The inscription said: "Follow your dreams…keep your promises...find your way to your love…remember, we'll always be there for you…Hitomi…Love, Chichiue…"
*flash
On the day of her 16th birthday, Hitomi embraced her father as he actually made it to her birthday after his business trip to America. "Happy Birthday Hitomi," greeted her father with a smile.
"Dad, I'm so glad that you made it!" she said, looking at her father.
"Hai, me too. Oh, I got something for you," he said, taking out a medium-small box. Hitomi looked questioningly at it. "Go ahead, open it."
She obeyed and opened it to reveal the Tsubasa Locket. She smiled so fondly that she hugged her father. "Dad, this is so beautiful! Where did you get it?"
"Well, actually, I made it just for you."
"Really?" she asked surprised.
Kanzaki-san nodded his head. "I know how much you love Angel wings, and I know how much you love to draw that Angel Boy that you speak of, Hitomi. So I made this."
Hitomi opened the locket to reveal a figure twirling around with the sound of her favorite music. "Dad, this is so beautiful!" She hugged her dad once. "I love you so much dad! Thank you!"
*Flash
A signal tear started to streak her right cheek as she stared intently at her locket. "Kimi o kimi o ashiteru…kokoro de…mitsumete…iru…" she sang, singing along with the little music sadly. "Kimi o…kimi o shinjiteru…samui yoru mo…" Slowly, she began to cry silently to herself as she remembered the times with her father. "Father…" she spoke sadly.
"Hitomi?" said a voice from behind. Surprised, Hitomi jerked and looked behind her, clasping the locket close to her heart. Behind her, Van looked at her with worry in her eyes. He kneeled next to her to look into her watery eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked, drying the tears away from her cheek.
"Van…" she trailed, looking away momentarily from Van. "I was just…thinking of my father…right now."
Van could completely comprehend the emotions she is going through at the moment. Sometimes, memories of a beloved one would come to one's mind absentmindedly and would remind them of the times they shared with each other. And Hitomi's very emotions were obvious to his eyes. Including him, in the past, would grieve for his parents and brother occasionally. "What made you think of your father, Hitomi?" he asked, putting his hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort the sadness deep within.
Shyly, she took out the locket that her father gave her and showed it to Van. "My father…gave me this locket when it was my 16th birthday, before the year he died in a terrible accident," she said. "He made this for me since he knows the things that I loved so much."
"Can I see?" he asked. Hitomi tenderly put it on his hands. He looked at it with interests, watching the little angel figure twirl around in rhythm with the music. "This must be your father," he said, pointing to the picture of Mr. Kanzaki on the left. Hitomi peered in and nodded. "And this is my mother, and my little brother Mamoru."
"You guys look so much alike," he said, comparing to Hitomi and her brother Mamoru. "What kind of song did you just sang few seconds ago?"
Hitomi suddenly blushed so red. Van actually heard her sing. She looked down and drew circles on the carpeting, trying so hard not to look into Van's eyes. "Well…umm…"
"Don't be embarrassed, Hitomi," he said with a smile. "I think you have a beautiful voice."
Did she heard right? He actually complimented her on her talent. And all Hitomi thought that her voice was horrible. Slowly, she scooted near Van and looked at the locket. "Well…basically, this song is saying: You…I love you…I'm gazing at you with my heart. You…I believe in you…even at the coldest night."
"Is there any more of it?" he asked, looking into her eyes.
"There is more. It's my favorite music." She paused and smiled to herself. "It reminds of someone I love so much."
"Who?" he asked.
Hitomi got up her feet and closed the locket. She then gently put it into the small pouch of her backpack. She didn't say a word as she started to head into Merle's room, without even asking Van's question, for she knew who she was referring to but she didn't want to say it in front of him. "He's getting married. I can't tell him how I feel. I feel so bad for walking away from him like that, but it hurts when I look at him," said Hitomi to herself as she headed to the right direction of the halls.
As expected, Van just sat there, watching Hitomi exited herself out of her own room, not even answering his question. He wondered with the sudden change of expression with Hitomi. When she left, he looked down sadly at the floor, somehow feeling guilty that he said something to insult her. "Did I say something wrong?" he asked himself. The very thought of Hitomi actions led to think negatively to the pass just three days ago at that night of the ball, her pain stricken words still striking him badly. "Does…she still hate me?"
~*~*~*~*~
Day swiftly gone by as night came into view, shadowing the light sky with its dark blue atmosphere, showing the Mystic Moon more visible than the day. On the rooftops of the castle, just a few minutes after dinner, Van started to do some sword moves alone, with the Mystic Moon silhouetting his body with its light blue and white light. He drew out his sword and aimed it at the stone-like wall 12 feet away from him.
He closed his eyes, concentrating on the powers that endured within him. With the Fanelian Sword strongly pointing at the wall, Van held it stiff as a board, still trying to sense the right time. He thought about the seconds of time as the pendant in his mind started to tick like a clock, ticking every dot, every number of that very clock. He could feel his heart in rhythm with the clock as it sang through the heart of the night. He could still remember the dowsing technique that Hitomi taught him three years ago.
As the time ticked 5 minutes, he was interrupted by Hitomi's hurtful expression on that night of the ball, showing how much emotion she poured into those eyes. "I…hate you! I hate you!"
Van opened his eyes with a start, gasping for breath as he heard those strong words from Hitomi. Her words kept on repeating in his mind as he could feel those words piercing his soul. He clasped his head, feeling the coldness deep within. "Why…? Why does it hurt so much when I hear her say those words?" he asked, kneeling his face against the hilt of his sword. Then, he sensed someone's presences lurking behind him. Van cautiously turned to see Merle waving to him.
"Merle, what are you doing here?" asked Van, standing up from his kneeling position.
"Oh, I was just checking up on you, Lord Van," she said cheerfully, coming up to him. "You know, Hitomi asked where you were. She was quite worried that you might feel faint or anything."
"Really?" he said, putting the sharp side of his sword on the concrete. "How come she didn't come up herself?"
"Because she thought you would be with Kyoko," said Merle bluntly, looking out into the nightlights of Fanelia. "Don't you feel it, Lord Van?"
"Feel what?"
"Don't you feel Hitomi's hurting feelings?" she asked, looking away from the city to Lord Van's downcast eyes.
Deep down, Van truly did feel the hurting feelings of Hitomi. He could still feel it, aching his heart and mind, bothering it from his thoughts about marrying Kyoko. He never thought that Hitomi would be always stick in his mind. But, he was truly glad to see her once more, seeing how much she grown into a beautiful young woman. She is a woman like no other. Why is he still following Hitomi's lead? "Yes, Merle, I do feel her feelings," replied Van, looking up into the Mystic Moon. "Merle…does she really hate me? Hate me for being who I am?"
Merle stood silently on the pavement, watching the stars glimmer in the dark sky. "…Do you remember what Hitomi said about people returning your feelings? What you feel right now is how she very well is feeling. This is how she responds to you for your feelings that you done wrong."
"But what feelings are you talking about, Merle? I do have feelings for Hitomi, but I have more feelings towards Kyoko than..."
"But do you really feel that way, Lord Van?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes. "Do you really think that this is just infatuation for another because of similarities? Can't you see that you are hurting Hitomi and yourself at the same time? Hitomi…responded to your feelings the way she is acting towards you right now. It seems as if you are a mere stranger to her now. Can't you see that your actions would lead Hitomi to her destruction?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
"We meet only to part," said Hitomi softly to herself as she gazed into the gardens through her bedroom window. It was like that when she first met Van three years ago. The journey with him flashed by so quickly that it was all ready time to part. Hitomi thought about those words that Van said to her before he hugged her. Those words held so much meaning within them that she kept it I her mind. She loved Van for the way he is, how kind he truly turned as he released those sealed emotions. If only Van could return those feelings. But it would never happen.
A knock suddenly snapped her out her reverie. "Come in," she said. The door slowly slid open to reveal Merle coming in.
"Hey Merle," said Hitomi with a smile.
"How you doing so far Hitomi?" asked Merle.
"I'm doing okay. I guess you can say I have a lot of things in my mind."
"I know how you feel, Hitomi. It's just that Lord Van needs to get his mind straight again," said Merle. "I mean, it isn't his fault he didn't see the true side Kyoko."
"…"
"Well, you better get some sleep, Hitomi. We're leaving pretty early tomorrow."
"I know, Merle. Good Night."
"Good Night, Hitomi."
Once Merle slid the door shut gently, Hitomi promptly stood and headed straight into the bathroom, locking her door and heading straight into Van's door. She was about to lock it when she heard loud yelling coming from his room. Hitomi nearly jumped out of her shoes when she heard so much complaining and bickering. She hated to eavesdrop, yet she wanted to know what's going on. Slowly, she opened the door a little and peeked in to see Van walking about, putting his things in a medium-sized carrier bag. And tagging along behind him was Kyoko, pleading.
"Please Van, let me come along," said Kyoko, with those puppy dog eyes of hers.
"Kyoko, you know how I get worried when you come along. What if something happened to you?" he said, still gathering the stuff necessary.
"But…I want to stay by your side," she said. "What if something happens in the castle? What if there was raging fire and I was trapped in it. Then who would be sorry?" She stopped in her pace and started to tap her foot. "Besides, I don't trust that psycho with you. She's just plain weird and freaky."
"Kyoko, will you stop insulting a dear friend of mine?" he retorted back, hating to hear Psycho being called to Hitomi. "She's coming along because she obviously is worried about me."
"How come you are spending more time with her than me?"
"Well, I don't know where you have gone to. Hitomi stays with me and takes care of me while I was sick in bed."
"What? Is she making you more sicker?"
"No, she's trying her best to make me feel better! Why can't you accept who she is?"
"Because she is a complete freak!"
"Is that all you can think of?"
"Why are you defending her more than me huh? It's as if you've fallen in love with her or something?"
Van stopped in his pace and looked out into the window. It's true, he did defend Hitomi more than Kyoko. But why is he defending Hitomi so much? He shook that thought away and continued to deal with his preparation. "Come on, Van, please let me come! I'll be…lonely…without you."
"All right," sighed Van. "Go and pack your things. But don't bring a lot." Kyoko squealed happily and hugged him.
"Thank you, Van! I promise that I would be by your side from now on!" With that, she ran out the door to hers, hearing her squeal happily in the background. Hitomi just rolled her eyes. This mission is not just some fancy pancy visit. It's a mission that concerns with another life to be rescued.
Hitomi just sighed and closed the door, only to be opened again by Van. He looked surprisingly at her, gazing at her curiously. "I was just locking the door," said Hitomi. "I'm going to take a bath now so…" Hitomi playfully shoved Van into his room. "No peeking…Peeping Tom." She closed the door, giggling to herself with the clueless look on Van's questioning face. The look on his face was priceless to see.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The winds coming southward started to pick up roughly. Standing outside the warm night near the entrance gates of Fanelia, Hitomi looked out into the city of Fanelia, with the whole high and low structure that remarkably looks like the old version of Japan. With her hair flowing through the beautiful sky around her, she could feel peace within her inner self. It's as if she sprouted wings to fly up into the sky. She lifted her head up high, pointing closely up to the Mystic Moon above. She wanted to laugh, enjoying this every second she stood there. However, the happy feeling she had was not just the wind. She was happy to go through Gaia once more. The lovely scenery down below her, the beautiful lush forests and mountains and the fresh air, she was glad that she would able to go through all this once more.
Out in the outskirts, Van watched Hitomi from the distance as the wind gusted its cool substance towards her. He liked it when she looks like that, happy to feel the fresh cool gusts coming through. He was about to walk over to her when a hand firmly wounded his arm. He turned around to find Kyoko smiling at him. "Hi, Van," she said fervently. "Let's get going."
Behind them, several servants started to go to the direction of the Crusade, with loads of trunks and luggage. Not just the luggage, but more like the whole wardrobe. Van looked at Kyoko strangely as she smiled innocently at Van as if she knew nothing. "Well, I better head into the Crusade," she said, unlinking her around his and pranced around like a little princess.
Van just sighed and started to Hitomi, where she stood there, feeling the wind lightly gust the sweet cold air of the early morning. "Hitomi, are you ready?" he asked, looking at her as she removed herself from her reverie.
"Oh…Van," said Hitomi, smiling to him as she turned around. "I thought you all ready went inside the Crusade."
"Well, I forgot something inside so I ran inside to grab," he said with one of his weak smiles.
"And what's with all the servants?" asked Hitomi, pointing to the poor little people who have to take the torture of carrying Kyoko's whole room.
"Didn't I say to Kyoko that it was only a FIVE day trip?" he asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes from that sort. Hitomi blinked for a moment, looking at Van and to the servants loading the stuff into the Crusade, hearing Allen yell in frustration. Her mouth suddenly turned and she began to chuckle her cute giggle. Noticing the smile upon Hitomi's face, Van chuckled with her after his sarcastic warning to Kyoko and Allen's bickering that all Kyoko's junk would be too much.
Slowly, Van wiped a tear out of his eye after so much laughter between the two. "It's…the first time I ever seen you smile and laugh," he said.
Hitomi agreed with him, smiling a wide grin. Without saying another word, Hitomi started to head toward the Crusade, leaving Van there to look out into his Kingdom. Slowly, he closed his eyes, letting the wind pass through his body, his loose red shirt floating up and down from the movement airstream. "Brother," he said, his voice echoing through the night's quiet atmosphere. "Mother…Father…." He looked up into the night sky, letting the loose leaves pass by him swiftly. "Please watch over Fanelia…please give me enough strength to last us until we reach the Mystic Valley, where the cure is held."
His voice echoed through the night, making Hitomi suddenly turn to see him just standing there, looking out into his Kingdom. She gently stared at him with sad eyes, standing there as he looked into the heaven's sky. "Van," she said silently, watching the wind cruse through him.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
From night till dawn, the night sky had died down after the couple of hours into the air. With Kio taking control of the steering, nothing can outwit his quick aggressive steering. "Kio, take it slow," said Gaddes, watching the speed meter rising up. "Even though we are speeding for Van's sake, we still have to be careful."
"Yes, sir."
Deep inside the Crusade, Millerna and Merle looked out into the world below, watching how beautiful the ocean look through the sun's morning rise. Merle wagged her tail excitedly, the urge of going down there for a closer look sparked her mind.
Deeper into the Crusade, where the rooms are held, Kyoko looked into the mirror after another of her good night sleeps, brushing her hair with all kinds of different brushes from different nations and her room all a mess from her dresses, shoes, and jewelry. It's as if she was already a Princess. The windows were covered with the long light curtains, blocking the beautiful scenery just beyond that point. Yet, she was too busy admiring how beautiful she is and how healthy her hair looks.
Leading up the deck to the outside of the Crusade, Hitomi was passing by, looking around to see if there's anything exciting. She could clearly smell the ocean better than in Fanelia. "We must be crossing the ocean now," she said, heading over to the nearest rail. She leaned a bit to see the view of the ocean. Hitomi smiled, familiar with the sea as it flicked passed her as the ship moved. "It's so beautiful out here," she said, feeling the cool wind sipping her body.
When she was about to lean back out into position, Hitomi was surprised by Van who was just sitting there without a shirt on. Hitomi looked curiously and started to go to him, popping the question that was in her mind.
Sitting there pleasantly, Van enjoyed basking in the sun. He didn't mind if he stayed here all day. Yet, the lingering sharp pain in his stomach told him to go off and rest. But he refused to leave. He is fondly enjoying the friendliness of the sun. "Hitomi…?" he said, sensing her presence from behind. He heard her little gasp and smiled, enjoying the sound of her surprised voice. Slowly, he sat up, turning around to look at Hitomi.
"Umm…well…you see, Van. Did you flew?" she asked, referring to his half nakedness and his shirt that he sat on. Van nodded his head and stood up, putting his shirt swiftly on.
"Van, you should know better," she scolded him lightly. "If you flew, what might happen to you if you fell asleep up there?"
"There's nothing to worry about, Hitomi," he said, walking towards Hitomi, his face once more paled. "It's just only a 5 minute-" Hitomi caught him just in time he fell limp on to the floor. Heavily, she landed on her knees due to his heavy weight.
"See, Van? What did I tell you?" she said, letting his head rest on the nape of her neck. "It's all ready been one hour since you took a peaceful sleep and the symptoms all ready started."
"Don't worry…Hitomi," he said again sleepily. "I can gather as much energy to stay strong."
"Oh now don't you say that," she said, slowly lifting his heavy body. "I don't want you getting sick because of that. Here, I'll help you get to bed."
It has been few minutes since Hitomi went clumsily into Van's room. She slowly put him in his futon bed, watching him sleep instantly as he hit the pillow. "Just like a child," she said, stroking his bangs back once and stood up. Merle came in, holding an empty glass and a pitcher of water. "Here's some cold water you asked for," said Merle.
"Thanks, Merle. Can you set it on that table for me please?" she asked, sitting on the floor once more and looking through her mini backpack.
"Hey, what's in that thing?" asked Merle, sitting next to Hitomi after she set the two things carefully on the table.
"It's all the necessary stuff I usually take when I'm on the rode," she said, taking out some chocolate candies. "Here, Merle. You can have one of these."
"Really?" she said, grabbing them
instantly from Hitomi's hands. "I remember these kind. These are the ones I
stole from you huh?"
Hitomi smiled and nodded. "But this time, I got more with me. It's more like my only energy resource whenever I do a lot of running."
"I would surly go to the Mystic Moon to get these," said Merle, munching on her snacks.
"If only…Van…could know how I feel," said Hitomi, looking distantly into the bright windows. "Did he really forget the promise he forgotten three years ago that he made to me?"
"What do you mean?" asked Merle.
"It's only between Van and me, Merle," she said with a smile.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I promise…for the both of us…that we wouldn't hurt each other, no matter what the causes are. I swear to my heart that I will not broke our bond…"
*Flash
"Are you willingly to survive this, Draconian? Are you willingly to live or die?"
*Flash
"I… hate you! I hate you!"
*Flash
"Do you truly want to go back to a world that is no longer your way?"
*Flash
"What do you mean?" asked Van, completely confused through these random questions he is being pound on.
*Flash
An image of his family started to crack in half, indicating a sign in which his family is gone forever.
*Flash
"Do you still love her?" asked Allen, asking the same question that keeps on repeating in Van's head. Van was still uncertain, and he couldn't help but be silent through this whole rhetorical question.
*Flash
Hitomi is running towards him, with horror stricken in her face. She was running frantically from a shadow lingering behind her. She tried to run faster, she tried to reach Van's floating body who was looking out towards Hitomi. The only solution that Van could do is extend his hand towards her, trying to help her up to him. She extended her arm and tried to reach him. But, the shadow behind her easily caught up to her, with its evil red eyes smiling sinisterly.
"VAN!" she cried as her body soon split into half.
*Flash
From the sudden event in his eyelids, Van suddenly woke up, feeling the sweat coming in his brow. The dream he just had, was it the curse trying to play tricks in his mind? With his vision blurred, he could see a figure looking down upon him.
"You're finally awake," said Hitomi with a smile.
He looked questioningly at Hitomi, his vision no longer blurry. "What do you mean?"
"You have been sleeping for a day now, and I was quite worried that you might of died," she said in relief. "It's surprising that Kyoko wasn't here with you. And she did promise that she will stay by your side." Van just gave an emotionless stare, looking out into her eyes as if it was a drug. Again, Hitomi smiled down at him. "Here, I brought you some food. It's nothing much, but it I hope it would give you your strength."
He looked at Hitomi, watching her bring the tray of food in front of him. "Here, let me help you up," she said, using one of her hands to lift him up. Van still didn't zone out of his dream. Hitomi being ripped apart gave him the shivers. Hitomi slowly lifted his whole upper body up, revealing the pendant once more swinging in the seconds of cloth. Her eyes widen as she set her vision to her heirloom. She still cannot get over the thought of Van still using her pendant after he is going to get married.
"Hitomi, what's wrong? You look suddenly pale," he asked, staring worriedly at Hitomi.
"Umm…really? Nothing's…wrong…Van…I'm sure of it," said Hitomi, smiling again.
"I hate you…! I hate you!" The linger strong words of loath still consumed the mind of Van as he looked into space without any thought whatsoever. All along he was confused, confused with Hitomi's behavior. First, she ignored him, trying avoid his presences. The second time, she was being her own true self. Yet, when the ball came around, she started to be cold as ice, almost like him when he tried to hide his weak feelings. Then, now, she is being herself once more. What could her feelings mean? He wondered everyday, trying to figure out the mixed behavior she is going through. She only acts this way if only she feels guilty for what she done or feeling great sympathy for the one who is sick. Van didn't want any sympathy. He wanted an understanding as to why Hitomi's personality keeps on changing.
Hitomi was just finish feeding Van the food when his hand lightly touched hers, making her stop in midair. By that time, she was just putting the tray aside so Van could have room to move. Slowly, she looked up to meet with Van's dark eyes. She blushed, feeling his touch upon hers. Tenderly, he intertwined her fingers with hers, feeling her soft warmness that soothed him comfortably. Her blush reddened even more as she gazed into his red-brown eyes. "Van…"
"Hitomi," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "Why do you still stand by my side? Even though I am going to marry someone else, and that you…hate me…for who I am?"
"Van, whatever do you mean?" asked Hitomi confused.
He sighed, knowing this is going to be hard to take out of his mind. "What I'm trying to say Hitomi is why are still taking care of me? Why are still standing by my side if you hate me so much?" He loathes the word Hate. He wanted to wince at the sound of the harsh word.
Hitomi was quite surprised with this sudden question he brought up. The words deep within his voice explain the sad and painful tone within it, with the confusion and the determination to find the answer lingered between the pain and sorrow. She could tell that Van truly wanted to know the meaning of her changing behavior. He wanted answers directly from her. Sighing, she closed her eyes and smiled.
"Van, don't take my feelings from a few nights ago seriously," said Hitomi, reopening her eyes to look in them. "I let my feelings take over me, my feelings of hate and resentfulness. And sometimes, when I let those go, I let my negative words speak out, without any truth within them." She looked away, her hands still intertwined with his. "Yet, I truly did hate you. Not in a harsh way or anything. I just hated you when you didn't tell me that you were getting married. I guess that triggered me to be blind." She paused for a moment, trying to figure out what else to say. "Once you fell on that night, I realized what I did was so blind…that I hurt you, Van. I left the most important part of why I am still here that made you this way, making you wish that you died sooner. I left the part that you were special to me in every way Van. You were the one who pulled me out of my infatuation, who created me the person I am today. Because, Van, you are so special to me. You are a friend like no other who I can always talk my problems to. You turn them into something that can always be remembered."
Somehow, when she spoke once more, her voice seemed reluctant to say. Yet, it is for Van's confusing sake. He wanted answers, and that is what she is going to give him. "Back then, when you were sick and realized that I hurt you when I left three years ago, I realized then what I must do. So, I made a promise to myself. I made a promise, back then, that I wouldn't forget you. And I never broke that promise." She paused for a moment, looking into Van's dim brown eyes. "And…now, I also made another promise to myself. I swear that I would never, in no circumstances, would ever leave your side again." Her eyes suddenly grew soft, showing the love within them as she gazed into his mystic eyes that drew her to him. "Because…I still…love you. No matter what, I'll stay by your side and I would never, ever let that bond break that keeps us friends, even though it is not strong anymore." Hitomi's grip around Van started to increase fervently. She leaned forward, looking intently into his eyes. "Van, I swear that I would never leave your side, even if love is out of the question."
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*End of Chapter 12- Kataiyakusoku no Hitomi (Solemn Promise of Hitomi)
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Aww, I love how I brought it up. Well, I hope you guys like this chapter. Please review or e-mail me or AIM me. I love it when I talk to other people. Thank you and Ja Ne, Minna-san!!!!
