"Van wanted to see you in the garden. He sent this dress up for you to
wear." Merle left the room so that she could get changed.
"Thanks Merle." She took the dress.
The outside gardens were gorgeous. They always took her breath away. She walked through some trees before she felt something following her. "Who's there?" Just then she felt a familiar and dangerous presence.
- - - -
Aradow- I'm glad that you like the story. I'm trying to come up with some good names for them. It should be interesting to see what kind of trouble they get into. I can't wait to create some for them. Just imagine about Merle's size in the Escaflowne movie and you will get the idea of the 'little kittens' crawling all over Hitomi.
Niffer- I hope that they story lives up to your expectations when are you updating yours? I can't wait to read the next chapter!
Officially obsessed with Pyro- Such a long name. I wonder which Pyro you're obsessed with? Would it happen to be Dilandau? Enjoy the read.
Twilight hacker- Thanks for all the support. Now I know that you like it. I'm happy to know that you have been thinking about it. I hope you like this chapter. I would have updated sooner except my Mama needed my help rearranging her house. We're still not finished yet. Gomen.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did I don't that they would actually have the Escaflowne that they have. I just have a lot of fun writing about all the characters.
Chapter 4
Hitomi turned around all her senses on full alert. "Van is that you? If it's you this isn't funny!" She called into the air around her.
She felt more than heard something come up from behind her. She turned around to find the black robed thing behind her. She started backing away as far as she could only to be backed against a rose bush. They were too many of them. They seemed to like to gang up on her.
"Why is it that you guys are after me?" She went into fighting stance. Unfortunately she was also in a dress and it was a lot harder to fight in one.
"If it hadn't been for that meddling prince you would have died and he wouldn't have been able to get here." The robed figure pulled out a knife, trying to circle her.
Hitomi roundhouse kicked the knife out of his hand. "You don't seem to be in the group that I had to fight the other day. You're too easy." She stepped out of the way when he tried to lunge at her once again.
"That's alright. He may be a bad fighter but I'm not." She turned to find another robed figure. He seemed to be the leader of the group.
'I can't fight all of these men. I have to get away from them.' Hitomi tried to find an opening for her to run, unfortunately finding none.
-Vanel-
Vanel was up before the crack of dawn, wanting to stretch his legs. He didn't know why. He saw Earth hanging in the sky as it was reflected by the remaining of the moon's light. What he had the most trouble believing currently was that his mother's stories were true.
He wondered for a moment what his friends were up to, what time it was over there, what movies were being showed, and of there were any new pretty girls in the school.
He let out a sigh before he slipped his shirt off. It was still night here technically. "Okaa-san, I know I promised but I really need to feel at least a little freedom right now. Gomen." He whispered into the air that was slightly chilled.
He stood on the window ledge letting out his beautiful white wings that his mother loved so much. He dropped down from the castle wall and let his wings catch the air. He liked the freefalling effect. It was definitely a great adrenaline rush. He flew into the air, climbing higher, always making sure that he kept the castle in sight.
-Flashback-
"Okaa-san please tell me how?" The little Vanel begged his mother.
She looked at him sadly. "I can't tell you how. I don't know how sweetie."
"Then how do you keep them from showing up Okaa-san?" The little boy looked at the white feathers that floated down around her.
"I can't tell you that either love. Your Otou-san is the only one that can tell you how to do that." She whispered the last line hoping he didn't hear.
He didn't let her know that he had heard her. "Then how will I know?"
She touched her hands on his little chest. "You'll know in here. Always follow your instinct."
He had been five years old but he understood more than he let on for some reason. "Yes mama." He wondered why he saw tears in his Okaa-san's eyes.
"Promise me that you will keep your wings hidden."
"Yes, Okaa-san." He looked at the floor, not wanting to see her crying.
-End flashback-
"Okaa-san, why didn't you tell me everything?" He sat on top of the treetops watching the sun rise. "I know why you love this place so much; other than the fact that Otou-san is here." He observed the very nature and gentleness of the place. It didn't have all the technology that they had on Earth. You could actually not worry about someone eavesdropping on the phone or hacking into the computer system. There were no automobiles driving around. These people rode horses or walked. If they needed to get somewhere faster, they went on levi ships.
The air was also cleaner and fresher here. When you inhaled you didn't smell the diesel fuels or the smoke from factory chimneys. You could take in a deep relaxing breath and never have the effects of the pollution here. He wouldn't change the world that his Okaa-san loved so much.
The trees seemed to harmonize as one in the wind while the birds flitted around the tops, with no thought to the young man that watched from above them. If anyone were to ever ask him what he thought of the place, he would never admit the whole truth.
"Ahh!!" He covered his ears as he felt a headache start.
"Okaa-san!" He spread his wings and flew as fast as he could to the castle.
He could see through his minds eye his Okaa-san being attacked by the same black figures from before. She had been fighting off some of them but too many of them were starting to appear. "Do they have to use the same tactics every time that they want to fight her?" He flinched as they pulled out a knife and started coming toward her. His arms circled around her just before they were able to touch her. He lifted her in the air getting her out their reach before they tried to get her again.
Hitomi looked at him surprised. "Vanel, see if you can bring me in lower. I want to see if I can get a good look at their faces."
He nodded before he dipped one more time. While he knew that she wanted to find out who these people were, she also needed to survive.
"Look there's a demon flying up there!" They pointed to where she was being flown by her son. "Run!"
She wasn't able to carry through with her plan to get at least one of them unhooded. Vanel landed on the ground exhausted. Hitomi was safe on her feet but it wasn't the same for Vanel. He was barely holding himself up with his hands on the ground. The tips of his wings lay softly on the ground as he caught his breath.
Hitomi was glad that he had landed in some trees. "Sweetheart, I think that you need to hide your wings. Someone is coming." She whispered as she touched her sons shaking shoulders. His wings disappeared into his back. Of course, there were the floating white feathers left to explain.
"Hitomi what's going on? I thought.." He looked at the feathers that landed softly on the ground. "He..." He paused, "He can fly?"
"Isn't it obvious to you?" Vanel answered. "I thought that Okaa-san was supposed to be Fanelia's queen. She should have had guards around her."
He was yelling at Lord Van once again. "In the castle and on the grounds we don't usually have guards with us." Lord Van answered coolly.
"She was almost killed again!" He took little heed to his father's words.
"I'm right here Vanel. You can calm down now." She placed her hands on his shoulder trying to reassure him that everything would be alright.
"He does have a point Hitomi. I'll post a guard with you when you're not in the palace itself.
"Van it isn't necessary." She tried to protest.
He surprised her with the next move that he made. Vanel watched as Lord Van placed his finger over her lips. "Hitomi, I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. I'll never let you go again." He whispered the promise in her ear.
"You know that you're son is watching right?" Hitomi whispered enjoying having his arms wrapped around her.
"I'm sure he knows what married people do." He kissed her before he let her go. Lord Van turned to find his son glaring at him. "I think that we need to give you something to do so that we can vent."
Hitomi smiled at her son's bewildered look. "I'll be fine." Vanel muttered, continuing to glare.
"No you won't. Besides we need to get your training started." He took Hitomi's hand. "I'll see you in a little while. The council wants to see you." Van squeezed her hand for reassurance before he led them out of the woods.
They parted at the gardens. The king and the prince went toward the training ground while the queen went to the council room.
-Lord Van and Vanel-
"You know I won't allow anything to happen to her." Lord Van had handed his son a blunt sword.
"You can't seem to stop these guys. They attacked her in the garden of your castle. She can only fight off so many people." Vanel went into the position that he was told to go in.
"Do you know who they are?" Lord Van asked.
"No I don't. You know that she is stubborn, right? She isn't going to allow you to just set some guards on her." Vanel swung his sword around some.
"Yes I know." Lord Van did a complicated move without even thinking about it.
"Hey, I thought that I was supposed to be in training." Vanel protested, looking at his empty hand.
"Oops. Sorry." The king grinned.
"That's alright." Lord Van didn't have time to react. Vanel had done a spinning kick, aiming his foot for his father's sword.
Lord Van could only gape at the flying sword, which had somehow landed in Vanel's hand.
Lord Van dodged the sword that his son swung his way. He caught a glimpse of the other sword that Vanel had been using a few moments before. He rolled to the sword, landing on his feet while at the same time getting the sword that he needed.
The two men circled around each other courteously. "Where'd you learn how to do that?"
"On Ear... The mystic moon." He quickly corrected.
"Did she train you?"
"Okaa-san trains with me." Lord Van attacked and Vanel blocked. The fight went on for a few more minutes before Van managed to disarm his son. This time, though, he held the sword to the younger man's throat.
"You did a good job." Lord Van smiled.
"I try." Neither of them had noticed that they had an audience around them watching. "Uhh. Why are all these people here watching us?"
The king looked at his subjects that had gathered around. "It's over. You can go about your business." He ordered them.
"Let's go check on your Okaa-san." Lord Van put the swords away.
-Hitomi-
She walked to the council room, wringing her hands together for lack of anything else to do with them at the moment. At one time she would have been running on a track when she needed to calm down but there was no track on Gaia. They wanted to see her now. She stopped at a door where you could hear lots of voices coming from inside.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that she was married to the king 18 years ago."
"How do you know that it is her?"
"We're about to find out."
Hitomi timidly knocked on the door. "Enter."
All of them stood and bowed to her. "You're Highness." They all sounded so formal. She took the seat that she had occupied when she was here in her earlier years.
"Queen Hitomi, how have you been? It's been a while."
"Yes it has." She answered. "Would you mind calling me Lady Hitomi instead please?"
"We can't do that. You're our queen therefore we must call you by your title." The one that sat at the far end of the table said to her.
Hitomi recognized the voice. "Do you mind telling my why you wanted to see me?" She asked the men that sat around the table. They looked too official and stuffy.
"Yes." One of the younger ones answered. "We wondered about all of the gossip that there was about a queen joining our midst. King Van has refused to even look at another woman and then you come along and not alone."
"He didn't look because he was interested you fool." One of the men countered.
"Look at what he wanted to look at." The man was referring to the woman that sat in the chair in front of them.
"That's enough!" Hitomi stood up and glared at them. "Stop talking about me when I'm sitting right in front of you." She paused for effect. "You know that it is considered treason to talk about me or anyone else in the royal family like that." She continued saying.
"Yes your Highness. I'm sorry." He apologized. He sat down, looking towards the ground.
"Is he King Van's child?"
Hitomi could understand that question because she hadn't been here for 17 years. "Yes, he is. He's 16 years old and looks and acts just like Van." She sat back down.
"You two will have to be tested before you take the throne.
"My son will not play a puppet for you. He is a very independent boy and has a mind of his own." Hitomi informed them.
"There is also a wedding to plan. You haven't been here in 17 years. Many of the people do not know of your existence."
"Fanelia is a small country and last time I was here the gossip chain was better then what they have on the Mystic Moon." Hitomi answered.
"We also have one more purpose to you remarrying the king. We want to present your son at that time as well." The council members were saying.
The king and the prince walked into the room at that time. "Present him for what?" Lord Van's voice filled the room drawing the attention away from Hitomi.
The members of the council gasped at how alike the said men looked. "Your majesty, we want you to remarry the queen and to have your son's debut at the same time." There was a silent murmur at the shock of how much the two actually looked alike. They all seemed to be talking about it.
"That will be up to her and I to discuss later." His voice held the authority of his station. "When is their test going to be?" Lord Van joined Hitomi while he made the council member on the right go and sit in a back seat.
- - - - Okay guys I am sorry for the late update. I've been very bust lately. I will try to update sooner next time I promise. I have some other stories to edit and work on. Talk to you later. You know the drill. Give me a good and honest review.
"Thanks Merle." She took the dress.
The outside gardens were gorgeous. They always took her breath away. She walked through some trees before she felt something following her. "Who's there?" Just then she felt a familiar and dangerous presence.
- - - -
Aradow- I'm glad that you like the story. I'm trying to come up with some good names for them. It should be interesting to see what kind of trouble they get into. I can't wait to create some for them. Just imagine about Merle's size in the Escaflowne movie and you will get the idea of the 'little kittens' crawling all over Hitomi.
Niffer- I hope that they story lives up to your expectations when are you updating yours? I can't wait to read the next chapter!
Officially obsessed with Pyro- Such a long name. I wonder which Pyro you're obsessed with? Would it happen to be Dilandau? Enjoy the read.
Twilight hacker- Thanks for all the support. Now I know that you like it. I'm happy to know that you have been thinking about it. I hope you like this chapter. I would have updated sooner except my Mama needed my help rearranging her house. We're still not finished yet. Gomen.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did I don't that they would actually have the Escaflowne that they have. I just have a lot of fun writing about all the characters.
Chapter 4
Hitomi turned around all her senses on full alert. "Van is that you? If it's you this isn't funny!" She called into the air around her.
She felt more than heard something come up from behind her. She turned around to find the black robed thing behind her. She started backing away as far as she could only to be backed against a rose bush. They were too many of them. They seemed to like to gang up on her.
"Why is it that you guys are after me?" She went into fighting stance. Unfortunately she was also in a dress and it was a lot harder to fight in one.
"If it hadn't been for that meddling prince you would have died and he wouldn't have been able to get here." The robed figure pulled out a knife, trying to circle her.
Hitomi roundhouse kicked the knife out of his hand. "You don't seem to be in the group that I had to fight the other day. You're too easy." She stepped out of the way when he tried to lunge at her once again.
"That's alright. He may be a bad fighter but I'm not." She turned to find another robed figure. He seemed to be the leader of the group.
'I can't fight all of these men. I have to get away from them.' Hitomi tried to find an opening for her to run, unfortunately finding none.
-Vanel-
Vanel was up before the crack of dawn, wanting to stretch his legs. He didn't know why. He saw Earth hanging in the sky as it was reflected by the remaining of the moon's light. What he had the most trouble believing currently was that his mother's stories were true.
He wondered for a moment what his friends were up to, what time it was over there, what movies were being showed, and of there were any new pretty girls in the school.
He let out a sigh before he slipped his shirt off. It was still night here technically. "Okaa-san, I know I promised but I really need to feel at least a little freedom right now. Gomen." He whispered into the air that was slightly chilled.
He stood on the window ledge letting out his beautiful white wings that his mother loved so much. He dropped down from the castle wall and let his wings catch the air. He liked the freefalling effect. It was definitely a great adrenaline rush. He flew into the air, climbing higher, always making sure that he kept the castle in sight.
-Flashback-
"Okaa-san please tell me how?" The little Vanel begged his mother.
She looked at him sadly. "I can't tell you how. I don't know how sweetie."
"Then how do you keep them from showing up Okaa-san?" The little boy looked at the white feathers that floated down around her.
"I can't tell you that either love. Your Otou-san is the only one that can tell you how to do that." She whispered the last line hoping he didn't hear.
He didn't let her know that he had heard her. "Then how will I know?"
She touched her hands on his little chest. "You'll know in here. Always follow your instinct."
He had been five years old but he understood more than he let on for some reason. "Yes mama." He wondered why he saw tears in his Okaa-san's eyes.
"Promise me that you will keep your wings hidden."
"Yes, Okaa-san." He looked at the floor, not wanting to see her crying.
-End flashback-
"Okaa-san, why didn't you tell me everything?" He sat on top of the treetops watching the sun rise. "I know why you love this place so much; other than the fact that Otou-san is here." He observed the very nature and gentleness of the place. It didn't have all the technology that they had on Earth. You could actually not worry about someone eavesdropping on the phone or hacking into the computer system. There were no automobiles driving around. These people rode horses or walked. If they needed to get somewhere faster, they went on levi ships.
The air was also cleaner and fresher here. When you inhaled you didn't smell the diesel fuels or the smoke from factory chimneys. You could take in a deep relaxing breath and never have the effects of the pollution here. He wouldn't change the world that his Okaa-san loved so much.
The trees seemed to harmonize as one in the wind while the birds flitted around the tops, with no thought to the young man that watched from above them. If anyone were to ever ask him what he thought of the place, he would never admit the whole truth.
"Ahh!!" He covered his ears as he felt a headache start.
"Okaa-san!" He spread his wings and flew as fast as he could to the castle.
He could see through his minds eye his Okaa-san being attacked by the same black figures from before. She had been fighting off some of them but too many of them were starting to appear. "Do they have to use the same tactics every time that they want to fight her?" He flinched as they pulled out a knife and started coming toward her. His arms circled around her just before they were able to touch her. He lifted her in the air getting her out their reach before they tried to get her again.
Hitomi looked at him surprised. "Vanel, see if you can bring me in lower. I want to see if I can get a good look at their faces."
He nodded before he dipped one more time. While he knew that she wanted to find out who these people were, she also needed to survive.
"Look there's a demon flying up there!" They pointed to where she was being flown by her son. "Run!"
She wasn't able to carry through with her plan to get at least one of them unhooded. Vanel landed on the ground exhausted. Hitomi was safe on her feet but it wasn't the same for Vanel. He was barely holding himself up with his hands on the ground. The tips of his wings lay softly on the ground as he caught his breath.
Hitomi was glad that he had landed in some trees. "Sweetheart, I think that you need to hide your wings. Someone is coming." She whispered as she touched her sons shaking shoulders. His wings disappeared into his back. Of course, there were the floating white feathers left to explain.
"Hitomi what's going on? I thought.." He looked at the feathers that landed softly on the ground. "He..." He paused, "He can fly?"
"Isn't it obvious to you?" Vanel answered. "I thought that Okaa-san was supposed to be Fanelia's queen. She should have had guards around her."
He was yelling at Lord Van once again. "In the castle and on the grounds we don't usually have guards with us." Lord Van answered coolly.
"She was almost killed again!" He took little heed to his father's words.
"I'm right here Vanel. You can calm down now." She placed her hands on his shoulder trying to reassure him that everything would be alright.
"He does have a point Hitomi. I'll post a guard with you when you're not in the palace itself.
"Van it isn't necessary." She tried to protest.
He surprised her with the next move that he made. Vanel watched as Lord Van placed his finger over her lips. "Hitomi, I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. I'll never let you go again." He whispered the promise in her ear.
"You know that you're son is watching right?" Hitomi whispered enjoying having his arms wrapped around her.
"I'm sure he knows what married people do." He kissed her before he let her go. Lord Van turned to find his son glaring at him. "I think that we need to give you something to do so that we can vent."
Hitomi smiled at her son's bewildered look. "I'll be fine." Vanel muttered, continuing to glare.
"No you won't. Besides we need to get your training started." He took Hitomi's hand. "I'll see you in a little while. The council wants to see you." Van squeezed her hand for reassurance before he led them out of the woods.
They parted at the gardens. The king and the prince went toward the training ground while the queen went to the council room.
-Lord Van and Vanel-
"You know I won't allow anything to happen to her." Lord Van had handed his son a blunt sword.
"You can't seem to stop these guys. They attacked her in the garden of your castle. She can only fight off so many people." Vanel went into the position that he was told to go in.
"Do you know who they are?" Lord Van asked.
"No I don't. You know that she is stubborn, right? She isn't going to allow you to just set some guards on her." Vanel swung his sword around some.
"Yes I know." Lord Van did a complicated move without even thinking about it.
"Hey, I thought that I was supposed to be in training." Vanel protested, looking at his empty hand.
"Oops. Sorry." The king grinned.
"That's alright." Lord Van didn't have time to react. Vanel had done a spinning kick, aiming his foot for his father's sword.
Lord Van could only gape at the flying sword, which had somehow landed in Vanel's hand.
Lord Van dodged the sword that his son swung his way. He caught a glimpse of the other sword that Vanel had been using a few moments before. He rolled to the sword, landing on his feet while at the same time getting the sword that he needed.
The two men circled around each other courteously. "Where'd you learn how to do that?"
"On Ear... The mystic moon." He quickly corrected.
"Did she train you?"
"Okaa-san trains with me." Lord Van attacked and Vanel blocked. The fight went on for a few more minutes before Van managed to disarm his son. This time, though, he held the sword to the younger man's throat.
"You did a good job." Lord Van smiled.
"I try." Neither of them had noticed that they had an audience around them watching. "Uhh. Why are all these people here watching us?"
The king looked at his subjects that had gathered around. "It's over. You can go about your business." He ordered them.
"Let's go check on your Okaa-san." Lord Van put the swords away.
-Hitomi-
She walked to the council room, wringing her hands together for lack of anything else to do with them at the moment. At one time she would have been running on a track when she needed to calm down but there was no track on Gaia. They wanted to see her now. She stopped at a door where you could hear lots of voices coming from inside.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that she was married to the king 18 years ago."
"How do you know that it is her?"
"We're about to find out."
Hitomi timidly knocked on the door. "Enter."
All of them stood and bowed to her. "You're Highness." They all sounded so formal. She took the seat that she had occupied when she was here in her earlier years.
"Queen Hitomi, how have you been? It's been a while."
"Yes it has." She answered. "Would you mind calling me Lady Hitomi instead please?"
"We can't do that. You're our queen therefore we must call you by your title." The one that sat at the far end of the table said to her.
Hitomi recognized the voice. "Do you mind telling my why you wanted to see me?" She asked the men that sat around the table. They looked too official and stuffy.
"Yes." One of the younger ones answered. "We wondered about all of the gossip that there was about a queen joining our midst. King Van has refused to even look at another woman and then you come along and not alone."
"He didn't look because he was interested you fool." One of the men countered.
"Look at what he wanted to look at." The man was referring to the woman that sat in the chair in front of them.
"That's enough!" Hitomi stood up and glared at them. "Stop talking about me when I'm sitting right in front of you." She paused for effect. "You know that it is considered treason to talk about me or anyone else in the royal family like that." She continued saying.
"Yes your Highness. I'm sorry." He apologized. He sat down, looking towards the ground.
"Is he King Van's child?"
Hitomi could understand that question because she hadn't been here for 17 years. "Yes, he is. He's 16 years old and looks and acts just like Van." She sat back down.
"You two will have to be tested before you take the throne.
"My son will not play a puppet for you. He is a very independent boy and has a mind of his own." Hitomi informed them.
"There is also a wedding to plan. You haven't been here in 17 years. Many of the people do not know of your existence."
"Fanelia is a small country and last time I was here the gossip chain was better then what they have on the Mystic Moon." Hitomi answered.
"We also have one more purpose to you remarrying the king. We want to present your son at that time as well." The council members were saying.
The king and the prince walked into the room at that time. "Present him for what?" Lord Van's voice filled the room drawing the attention away from Hitomi.
The members of the council gasped at how alike the said men looked. "Your majesty, we want you to remarry the queen and to have your son's debut at the same time." There was a silent murmur at the shock of how much the two actually looked alike. They all seemed to be talking about it.
"That will be up to her and I to discuss later." His voice held the authority of his station. "When is their test going to be?" Lord Van joined Hitomi while he made the council member on the right go and sit in a back seat.
- - - - Okay guys I am sorry for the late update. I've been very bust lately. I will try to update sooner next time I promise. I have some other stories to edit and work on. Talk to you later. You know the drill. Give me a good and honest review.