"On a Wing and a Prayer"
An Escaflowne Fanfiction by aefrae21
The Dream
Author's Notes: On with the show! Sorry for the delay, but I've been busy and not really in a writing mood for a while. Anyway, back to the story. Hitomi's discovered something new about herself. Can she keep it a secret? And is Van keeping secrets of his own?
"Please, Merle?" Hitomi pleaded. "Please don't tell him. Promise me?"
She frowned, but nodded. "Alright. I promise. But you're going to have to tell him eventually. And trust me, he'll understand."
Hitomi looked doubtful.
"Now, get a shirt on and let's clean this up!"
The blush was back with a vengeance. Hitomi tried to think of a witty come back, but nothing came to mind. Besides, Merle had been entirely too nice to her today. Instead, she stepped off of the bed, defiantly tied the blanket around her like a dress, and started picking up feathers.
She had to ignore Merle's giggle.
vvvvvvvvvv
Hitomi threw her hands out to her sides, absorbing the warm sunshine into her windswept hair and skin. Her blond locks whipped around her face, lapping at her ears. On her lips, a pure, happy smile spread as she flew freely. She spread her wings wide. Her feathers stretched and flexed, finding a warm current to float along.
"Hitomi!"
The familiar voice rang cheerfully in her ear. With a gentle laugh, she wheeled left and drifted lower. Clouds became a mist wrapping around Hitomi as she flew faster and faster. Finally, the ground came into view. Flapping slowly, she fell until what had been only a spec in the grass a moment ago was now a handsome young man with raven hair in a field of heather. "Van." She breathed.
Van smiled and raised his arms to meet her. Their bodies pressed together like puzzle pieces, fitting together neatly in a tight hug. Hitomi felt herself being lowered to the ground. It was soft beneath her bare feet and hazily she realized that she was wearing something odd. The dress was very simple: white, knee-length, sleeveless, with a high neckline, and what had to have been a low cut back.
"Are you okay, Hitomi?" Van asked sweetly.
"Hmm? No, I'm fine. I just- like this dress." She smiled.
"Me too."
Hitomi blinked. With mild interest, she noticed that he was dressed in only a pair of khaki pants. A light blush spread through her warming cheeks. "I like these too." Gingerly, she put a hand on his hip, patting the coarse fabric.
Van's grin became a smirk. "So are we going to go or are you just going to steal my pants?"
"Maybe both?" Giggling, she lifted off into the air. "But only if you can catch me!" Her wings beat hard against the air, gaining altitude as quickly as she could. Matching their furious pace, her heart beat loudly in her ears.
Van patiently closed his eyes and started counting. "One, two, three-" After all, it wasn't fair to catch her without giving her a good head start first. "Eight, nine, ten!" With a whooshing sound, Van opened his wings and darted into the open skies.
Like a predator, he stalked her, twirling through clouds, staying just near enough to see her and remain hidden. After a few long minutes, Hitomi slowed. Still breathing hard, she started looking around, sensing for him. If he waited, she wouldn't be surprised. Where was the fun in that? He plunged forward.
Hitomi scanned the skyline. Nothing. Where had Van gone? Usually he would have found her by now. Surely- "Ah!"
Grabbing Hitomi by the arms, Van swung her around neatly. "Gotcha!" he grinned. "Now, about my pants."
"What about them?"
Van pouted.
Laughing, Hitomi said, "Aw, not the pouting face, you know I can't resist that." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled in her wings, dropping into Van's waiting arms. Still smiling, she tugged him closer. Everything was perfect.
At least until Van started shaking her by the shoulders.
vvvvvvvvvv
"Hitomi! Wake up! Are you okay?"
A blond-lined haze slowly cleared in Hitomi's vision. "Mm?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Millerna? What- what are you doing here? What time is it?"
"I came in this morning to check in on your condition. You're not hurt are you?"
"Hurt?" Hitomi puzzled as she slid into a seated position. "What made you think that I was hurt?"
It was clear at this point that something was wrong. Millerna was pale and her eyes continuously moved around the room. There was a timbre of panic in her voice that she wasn't hiding very well. The panic was slow to creep into Hitomi's analytic mind. A twinge of fear made its way to her brain as she urged her muscles to move. Reluctantly, she turned. "Oh no. But I thought we cleaned-" Clamping her hands over her mouth, Hitomi shuddered. There was blood, a lot of it. The fresh sheets she'd put on the bed last night were now bloodied again, and the feathers were everywhere.
"Hitomi," Millerna cleared a space for herself on the bed and sat down. "I'm your doctor, but more importantly, I'm your friend. At least I hope I am."
"Of course you're my friend!" Hitomi burst.
Millerna put on a small smile. "I'm glad to hear it. But friends tell each other what's going on. So, could you please tell me what happened?"
Her concerned face was almost more than Hitomi could bear. "Millerna, I-" She stared down at her lap and took a deep breath. "I know more about what is happening to us than I told you before."
"Go on."
It was as though the dam of self-pity and worry she'd built up in her mind had been broken. Words and explanations spilled from Hitomi's mouth at a rapid pace. Everything flowed out; how she'd nearly died, how Van had helped her in the world beyond, how she could feel and hear things that he was thinking, how it was a great Draconian bond, even how she had suddenly sprouted wings. All the while, Millerna remained silent. She simply allowed Hitomi to tell her everything without question, without remark, and without judgment. In the end, Hitomi was unable to stop her tears from flowing. They trickled down her cheeks and dripped onto the marred sheets. Millerna pulled a handkerchief from her dress pocket and offered it with a gentle smile.
"Th-anks." She hiccupped.
Softly, Millerna asked, "Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"I mean, are you okay with all of this? Is this bond something you want?"
Hitomi was blindsided by the question. She hadn't really thought about it that way. Was this what she wanted? No. Of course not. She didn't want to force Van into a relationship. She didn't want to hear his thoughts and know his feelings. She didn't want to fly- Her fragile humility shattered. It was not what she wanted; it was exactly what she wanted. She remembered the dream she was torn from only a few minutes ago. It had all felt so right.
"You don't have to tell me right now. Just think about it." Millerna offered. "Now, I want to make sure that there is nothing physically wrong with you. Is it okay if I take a look?" She reached slowly for Hitomi's shoulder. Nodding, the younger woman turned around and lowered her nightgown; what was left of it anyway. Soft hands examined her back carefully. "Well, that's good at least."
"What is?" Hitomi craned her neck to look.
"It looks like there's no damage to your spine or muscles. In fact, aside from these tiny scars," she drew angled lines along Hitomi's shoulder blades, "you look completely unharmed." Millerna smiled and pulled her hands away.
Hitomi let out the breath she'd been holding.
"As far as I can see, Hitomi, you are fine. I'd like to run some tests on both you and Van though, just to be safe." She tried to make eye contact, but Hitomi turned away.
"Please don't tell Van."
"Hitomi, this concerns him too. He needs to know." She said plainly.
"But you shouldn't be the one to tell him."
Millerna grasped Hitomi by the arms. "Does that mean that you are going to tell him?"
She was slow to reply. "I'll tell him as soon as I'm ready."
"And when will that be?"
"I'm not sure." She hesitated.
Millerna relaxed her grip. There really was no arguing with her. This was between Van and Hitomi. "Then at least think about his feelings. The longer you wait to tell him; the longer you avoid him, the more pain that will come to both of you. I don't want that and I'm sure that you don't either."
Hitomi sat quietly.
Deciding that Hitomi had enough to think about, she continued. "Now, about the tests. I was thinking of running them tomorrow, since Van's out today-"
"Where'd he go?" Hitomi asked. Panic biting into her voice; her heart starting to race.
"He took Merle out to the fields to play, but he promised to be back by nightfall. Don't worry, you know King Van can take care of himself."
She smiled, but Millerna knew it wasn't genuine. "Hitomi, listen. If I were suddenly able to know what my husband was thinking or feeling, I would consider it a gift. Most women would kill to know if their husbands or boyfriends were really mad or just worried."
"But what about-"
"And don't you even start about that curse bit, young lady!" Millerna scolded. "We all know now that it's not a curse. Van is still our king, despite his heritage. He is respected and you are too. You should enjoy what you've been given instead of hating it. There has to be a reason after all. Really, who says that your wings are a result of the bond anyway?"
Hitomi remained still.
Millerna sighed. "You should get out today too, get some fresh air. Remember to have fun."
"Fun, right." Hitomi slid her feet over the side of the bed and kicked them aimlessly.
"I mean it; or else I might have to tell Merle to 'make' you have fun." Her grin could've overpowered the Cheshire cat.
"You wouldn't!"
"Would I?' Millerna stood up and straightened her dress.
She would. And Merle would enjoy it too. "Fine! I'll go for a walk or something."
"Good. And I want to see both you and King Van tomorrow first thing for a check up. Okay?"
"Sure." Hitomi sighed, defeated.
"Now, if you need me, for anything, even to talk, let me know."
She nodded.
"And for now, I'll tell the maid to leave your room alone. Is that okay?"
"Okay."
Millerna walked to the door, and with a final smile, left the room. She prayed that Hitomi would tell Van soon, for both of their sakes.
vvvvvvvvvv
Van leaned back, easing himself against the ancient oak. This was always a fun spot. He and Merle used to play here when they were much younger. Now, it was the perfect place for a nap.
"Lord Van! Lord Van! I caught it!"
At least, it was supposed to be. Van reluctantly forced his weary eyes open as Merle bounded closer.
"Throw it really far this time, okay? I want to see if I can beat it to the ground." Merle chirped merrily.
"Okay, okay."
Merle's tail stopped mid-sway. "Lord Van? Is something wrong?" Crouching down, she surveyed her long-time companion.
"No Merle. It's nothing, I just didn't sleep very well last night."
"Bad dream?"
Van shook his head lightly. "Actually, it was kind of nice."
"Nice?" She cocked her head to the side. Suddenly, her eyes got wide and she smiled from ear to ear. "Tell me, tell me, Lord Van! What was it? Was I there? Oh! Were we playing a game or maybe you, me, and Hitomi were all on a picnic. Or-"
Van sighed.
Merle smirked, her feline cunning shining through. "It was a dream about Hitomi, wasn't it? One of those dreams."
"Merle!" His face burned red. "It was not one of those dreams! It was just a dream!"
"But you said it was a nice dream." She purred.
"Merle." He threatened.
"Okay. Okay. Tell you what. Even though this is supposed to be our time and you're supposed to be playing with me-" Rising to her feet, Merle began pacing. "I'm willing to cut you a break. You can take a nice afternoon nap."
Van stared, then the gears in his mind started to turn. He grimaced. "So what's the catch?"
"So nice of you to ask." She said. "I wanna know about your dream. Silly really." Merle shrugged. "Guess I'm feeling generous today."
"And curious?"
She plopped down in the grass beside him. "Naturally."
There was a long pause while Van considered her unusual proposition. He didn't really feel like telling Merle his dreams, but he did need the sleep. It would also be good to talk to someone about it, not to mention that Merle would likely drag it out of him sooner or later anyway. He could always leave the more interesting bits out, right? "Okay."
Merle smiled and reclined back into the plush grass. "All right. I'm waiting."
Taking a deep breath, he said, "I was in a gorgeous field, waiting for someone. I called to her and she flew down out of the sky."
"Hitomi?"
He peered over at his friend. Her eyes were closed, but she was still alert. Merle wouldn't miss a detail.
"Yes, I think it was Hitomi. She just appeared in the sky and then- she- um-"
"Lemme guess. She flew to you?"
Van blanched. Had she seen the dream? "How did you know?"
"Just a guess. Keep going! Remember that this is a deal, you gotta hold your end of it!" She sang, waving her finger in the air.
"All right. So it was Hitomi and she flew to me. She kind of reminded me of my Mother, you know? Flying down at me like that. It was like I had no control over my actions. I just stood there and caught her in my arms. Then I- we- uh-" He stuttered. "This is stupid!" Balling his fists, Van jumped to his feet. "It's all so ridiculous. Hitomi flying to me? Hah. I've never had bizarre dreams like that before. I must have eaten something funny yesterday. And I've been under a lot of stress at the palace lately-"
Merle sat up. "Lord Van."
"Let's just have another game okay? I'll sleep when we get home." He forced a smile. "Ready?"
It was wrong, she knew. Van was only hurting himself by hiding things, keeping his frustration and worry inside like always. To boot, Hitomi was doing the same thing. They really were meant for one another. Shaking the thoughts away, she decided that it would be better to comfort him by smiling. "Ready!" Merle ran ahead and waved. "Throw it really far, and we'll see who gets it first!"
"Right. Here we go!" Van launched the bright orange ball. It quickly shrank away into the distance and he spared a moment to look for Merle. She was already fifty yards into a run. "Hey! That's cheating Merle!" In a single, smooth motion, he launched himself forward, vaulting into a dash. It was strange, running for fun. He could feel the worries slipping away as his prime concern became beating a near-cheetah in a foot race.
vvvvvvvvvv
"The palace gardens really are beautiful. I wonder how they manage to have Japanese maples on Gaea?" Hitomi touched a nearby branch. "Maybe they are called Fanelian maples?" She giggled. That would be silly.
Her walk around the castle had proven to be quite pleasant, but not entirely distracting. The thoughts of her wings kept bleeding into her consciousness. What was causing them to appear? Could she really call them if she wanted? Why was she flying in her dream? "The dream-" She whispered. "What if it was a vision?"
She spotted a bench and decided it would be best to sit down. A quick glance proved that the gardener's had ended their work for the day. She was alone. "Now Millerna knows too." Hitomi sighed. "It's like the only person I'm really afraid to tell is Van. I know I have to tell him. I just don't know how he'll react." Memories of the previous night flooded her mind. "I can't tell him yet. Not with him cursing his heritage and our bond." She stood and started walking. "Still-" Hitomi stopped. Ever since last night, she'd been curious. "Maybe I don't have to tell him about the wings. He won't know if he never sees them."
It was almost night. The sun was slowly sinking down behind the horizon. Surely, no one would see if she- "No." Hitomi shook her head sternly. "I shouldn't." But her curiosity nagged loudly. "It can't hurt to try it once, right? I mean; I have to learn to control it." Nervously, she looked around, confirming her solidarity. "I'll just go over behind that tree. No one will see me. I'll just give it a try, just a little try." She rationalized. Slinking behind a full fir tree, Hitomi tried to calm her racing pulse. "Okay. Now, just think about the wings, right? Just like putting them away. I should think about bringing them out." Slowly, she was able to calm herself down.
"Okay. Wings, come on out." She whispered under her breath, attempting to focus. Nothing. She tried again.
And again.
And again.
"Damn it. Why won't it work?" Hitomi cursed, slumping. "It figures that it wouldn't work when I want it to. Oh well. It's probably for the best, with my luck, someone would have seen me." Resigning herself to failure for the evening, Hitomi headed back to the castle. Van would be returning soon and she was probably already late for dinner. "I don't know if I can face him tonight." She stopped walking, head hung low. "But Millerna's right, I can't keep on avoiding him. That just makes things worse." With new resolve, she forced a smile and marched forward.
vvvvvvvvvv
Even Van seemed more relaxed at dinner; his day with Merle must have been beneficial. He even laughed at one of Allen's poor attempts at humor. "You look much better today, King Van." Millerna said.
"Thank you."
Merle smiled then turned to Hitomi. "Hitomi? Have you had any weird dreams lately?"
"Huh?" Hitomi abruptly dropped her spoon completely into the soup bowl. "N-no. Of course not."
Millerna eyed her suspiciously. 'Great.' Hitomi thought. 'Now there'll be questions galore. And in front of Van too-' She blushed. Van was staring. The gaze pierced right through her defenseless façade and into her heart. If she didn't know better, she'd swear that he could read her mind. Fear bubbled up from the pit of her stomach and she found her appetite to be totally gone.
"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you've been sleeping well. You've got puffy eyes." Merle let a fang peek out over her smirking lip.
Hitomi grimaced. "Well at least I don't have dirt all over me. What were you doing today, rolling around in the mud?" She folded her arms in triumph.
Merle bounced from her chair, hair bristling. "Hey! At least I get out. I don't mope around all day in my room. Poor, sad little Hitomi." She put her hands together and held them close to her chest, giving her best Hitomi impression. "Alas, I'm so sad. Everything always happens to me. Boo hoo!"
That pushed Hitomi over the edge. She bolted from her chair and ran after the cat girl. Merle stuck out her tongue and bounded away, leaving Hitomi, literally, eating her dust. Hitomi coughed. "See what I mean, fur ball! That's it! Time for a bath!" Running like she was in the world finals, Hitomi dashed down the hallway.
"Well, so much for a nice dinner." Millerna sighed. "Van?"
His eyes were still focused on the bend in the hall where Hitomi had gone. It took a snap in front of his face to bring his attention back to those around him. He bowed a little. "Sorry. What were you saying, Millerna?"
"I want to run a few more tests on you and Hitomi. I've already discussed it with her."
"That shouldn't be a problem." He consented. "When?"
"Tomorrow morning, before the daily court meetings. I'll need you and Hitomi to meet me in my chambers." She replied.
Van nodded. "Very well." Glancing at the small crowd, Van realized that he had to finish out dinner before he could go after Hitomi. "Let's eat. Best not to let this wonderful feast go to waste, eh?" Smiling, he pulled the platter of meat over and shoveled a few pieces onto his plate.
"You'd better get to it quick, or I'm gonna eat it all!" Merle chorused.
"Well, we can't have that." Millerna returned her enthusiastic grin with one of her own. In seconds, everything was back to normal.
On the surface, anyway.
vvvvvvvvvv
Van had every intention of talking to Hitomi after dinner. Unfortunately, good intentions have a way of getting lost in the shuffle of the day. Several ministers and court officials had snagged him after dinner. The price for spending a day away from his kingdom was mountains of paperwork and complaints. Despite its size, Fanelia required a lot of attention to keep it running smoothly. By the time he finished dealing with only the most important issues of the day, it was late. Hitomi had long since gone to bed. Defeated, he sighed. "It'll have to be tomorrow then, I suppose." Sleepily, he lumbered away to his room for the night.
vvvvvvvvvv
The world was quiet and black and Hitomi drifted through it lazily. Her body moved with the gentle ebb and flow of the dream world. It was peaceful, relaxing, and about to be interrupted.
In a flash, the empty void of black was replaced by an open sky that Hitomi instantly recognized. Her ears buzzed and her mind felt foggy for a moment, but then everything cleared. A pair of strong arms held her to a firm, bare chest. She twisted her hands around a muscular neck, fingers twirling gently against a mass of ebony hair. Grinning brightly, Hitomi looked up at her captor. "You caught me."
"Yes, I did." He kissed her gently on the forehead. "So what do I win?"
She twisted in his arms. "Well, you did say something about pants."
He pulled her closer still. "Yes, I did."
Warm breath ran over her neck and Hitomi couldn't suppress a shiver. It was all so right. Everything was just as it should be. So why was she so nervous? Van leaned into her neck and pressed kisses up from the base. She melted.
"V-Van?" She whispered, but he didn't stop. Instead he moved along her cheek, dotting butterfly kisses on them before pausing at her lips.
His bangs trailed down against her skin, but she ignored them. There was something in her very near future. It was something that needed her full attention. If she didn't concentrate, then consciousness would win and she would lose this perfect moment in time.
"Hitomi?" Van reached out and cupped Hitomi's chin in his hand, tilting it slightly upwards. Her jade green eyes glistened in the afternoon sun; Van could have drowned in them. He gulped. What had been on the tip of his tongue was becoming more and more difficult to say.
His eyes focused on her slightly pursed lips. This shouldn't be so hard. He felt like he'd done it a thousand times before.
"Van." Hitomi breathed, the air hitching in her throat.
Every ounce of his body wanted to kiss her, and finally, he surrendered to its command. Swallowing any doubt, Van leaned forward and met her lips with his own.
'Please let this be real.' Echoed in the open air.
vvvvvvvvvv
"It's amazing!" Millerna exclaimed as she lifted herself from the chair. "I've never seen anything like this. Your pulse, breathing, just everything!"
"What do you mean?" Van and Hitomi answered simultaneously.
"I mean that all of your functions are becoming the same." She explained. "It's like you two are one person."
Hitomi stared vacantly at the wall. 'But, what does that mean?' She thought to herself.
'It means that the bond is near unbreakable.'
"But can it still be broken?" Hitomi replied aloud.
Millerna looked confused. "Can what be broken?"
"The bond."
Van's surprised expression was more than enough to tell her that he hadn't planned for the bond to be an open topic. Hitomi reached a little and noticed that there wasn't any anger behind his actions, so she continued. "I told Millerna."
Hurt. 'Why?'
"Because she's a doctor and might be able to help." Hitomi said.
"Did I say something?" Van asked.
Millerna sat back in her chair. "I didn't hear anything."
The pieces began to click into place in Hitomi's brain. She tried to press down the fear in her voice before talking. "Hold on one second." Facing Van, she stared and thought as hard as she could, 'CAN YOU HEAR ME?'
Van stared back. 'Of course I can? You're shouting.'
Reality smacked them flat in the face. Neither of them was moving their lips. "Uh oh." Hitomi managed.
"Great." Van slumped.
Millerna looked expectantly from one face to the other. "What is it?"
'You want to tell her, or shall I?' Hitomi's voice rang clearly in Van's mind.
'Go ahead.'
She shrugged. "Now we're reading minds."
"What?"
vvvvvvvvvv
A/N: And I'll end it there for now. (Because I'm evil.) I hope to give you another update soon, but I don't get much time to write, sorry! Next time: with everything revealed, how will it turn out? And what about that strange dream? Find out in the next (hopefully last) installment of 'On a Wing and a Prayer!'
!Reviews Welcome!