I'm afraid there was no beta for this chapter. So let me know what you think.
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Conversation had well and truly stalled between the siblings. They sat in silence, worrying about their mother and the new life they found themselves in. Life was all around them, but it was a different life, familiar but not the same. Though they knew there was nothing dangerous in their new home, they felt on edge, not knowing quite what to expect.
"Hitomi?" A voice called, surprise filling each syllable.
Hitomi turned, startled and found herself swept up into an exuberant hug. "It is you! It is you!" Smiling and laughing Hitomi returned the hug, not surprised at all when the air was filled with the sound of a purr.
"Merle! It's good to see you again."
"I'm so glad you're back, now maybe Van will stop moping around and have some fun! He really missed you, you know. We can have great fun to. There are all sorts of people you need to meet and things to do. We can visit the church again, like we did before. Hand out food, and stuff," even though it went unsaid, Hitomi could tell that Merle had missed her too.
"You're right we have to get together and do something." Sometimes it was hard to believe Merle was as young as she was. She had been through so much, had even faced down Zaibach's soldiers, alone, to protect Van. Still, she was only a child.
"Does Van know you are here?" Merle glanced around the garden as if expecting to see Van jump from behind a rock, instead her eyes landed on Yukio, who stood staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
"Of coarse he knows I'm here. He came and got me." Hitomi hadn't missed her brother's dumb founded look, but chose to give him time to compose himself. Merle was not so kind.
"Who's he?" Merle pointed rudely over at Yukio and turned towards him with her trademark grin. "Catching flies over there?"
Yukio's mouth snapped shut and his face began to turn red with embarrassment.
"Merle, meet my brother Yukio. Yukio this is Merle, practically Van's sister." Merle released Hitomi and stalked over towards Yukio. She circled him like a panther and Yukio stood frozen having not made up his mind if this was friend or foe.
"What is with your weird clothes? Do all you people from the Mystic Moon dress like idiots?"
Hitomi hid her smile behind her hand. She was well used to Merle now and knew she was just trying to get a rise out of Yukio. It was an odd way to make friends, but that was Merle, you either accepted her for what she was, or stayed as far away as you could manage.
As Merle was closed in on Yukio, she began to pick and tug at his clothes. Critiquing and dismissing what she found, then she saw something sticking out of his pocket and her interest was piqued. "What's this?"
Deftly she snagged the object and held it up to examine, nimbly dodging and evading Yukio as he frantically attempted to reclaim his prize. Hitomi recognized it at once, George Brett's rookie card, one of Yukio's favorite players. He must have grabbed it last minute to have placed it in his pocket where it could be so easily damaged.
"That's mine give it back."
Merle grinned evilly. "I like it, I think I'll keep it," and turning nimbly on one foot, she was away, leading Yukio on a merry chase through the gardens.
Hitomi couldn't help but laugh. Did Merle greet all new people like that?
Behind her the door opened. All signs of mirth disappeared as Hitomi turned frantic for news of her mother. Lady Atilda smiled gently as she recognized Hitomi's expression. "Don't you worry any about your mother, she is going to be just fine. She's laying down for a nap."
Hitomi breathed a sigh of relief. It was probably a good idea for her mother take a short nap, after all it had been dusk at home when they had left, here it was still morning. She didn't think that, with everything that had happened, her mother would be able to handle the rest of the day's events, whatever they may be, without some sleep to settle her mind. In fact, Hitomi suddenly realized, she was quite tired as well.
"Where's your brother?" Lady Atilda glanced around the garden, surprised not to see him waiting nearby.
"He just made Merle's acquaintance and is currently trying to run her down to get his baseball card back."
There was no way Lady Atilda could know what a baseball card was, but she smiled anyway, unsurprised by Merle's actions. "Those two will do well by each other. Now then, why don't you come in and have some wine and we can get to know each other."
"I really shouldn't . . . "
"Come now, you shouldn't turn down an easy repast, it's hospitality and shouldn't be refused."
"You don't understand, I really shouldn't . . ." Hitomi wasn't sure if she should tell anyone about her pregnancy. Who did Van want to know? Should she keep it a secret till after the wedding? You only had to count the months . . .
Unconsciously her hand strayed to stomach where there was as yet no external sign of the growing life within. Atilda's sharp eyes caught the gesture and her eyes lighted on the young woman before her with new interest. So much was suddenly clear.
"Something besides wine then, juice perhaps? Or maybe you would prefer tea? I have never really been fond of milk, but a hostess has her responsibilities."
Hitomi smiled, grateful for the reprieve. "Tea would be wonderful."
"Then tea it is. Now come inside and tell an old lady tales of far off world."
Lady Atilda led Hitomi to back to the fireplace where they began to talk. The lady had many questions about the Mystic Moon and listened intently to everything Hitomi described. Shortly into the conversation Yukio and Merle, promptly sat down on the floor in front of the fire, and joined them. They spoke for quite some time, Yukio carrying more and more of the conversation, until Hitomi finally nodded off.
"Is she okay," Merle asked concerned, "she never used to fall asleep like that before."
Lady Atilda with a kindly smile, nodded. "Why don't you get one of the blankets off the cedar chest in the bed chambers." Merle nodded and headed towards the bedroom door, "and don't wake the Lady Kanzaki, she is sleeping in there."
"Wow, is everyone is taking a nap?" Yuko said without a trace of fatigue in his voice.
"From what you have told me, things have been quite exciting for these two," Lady Atilda said with a smile at the indomitable spirit before her. "Besides, your sister needs all the sleep she can get. Things are not going to be easy for her."
Yukio looked at her in surprise. "But she's marrying a king. What more could she need?"
Lady Atilda could not stop the small laugh that escaped her lips. "Things are not any easier for royalty than they are for us little people. In fact they are ten times harder, more so when you have a legend to live up to as well. She will be constantly under the public's eye. When things go wrong the people, or worse the nobles, could place all the blame on her, she is known to be different already and that won't help her any. She is going to have to win the people over, and then keep them won over. Then she will have to live with every decision she makes affecting the entire kingdom." Lady Atilda studied the young man beside her, he still did not understand. She smiled to herself as Merle came back into the room with the requested blanket, Ah to be young again.
"What about you young man, you are old enough to take up a trade, what will you do now that you are here."
Yukio swallowed as color drained from his face. "I'm only 12."
Lady Atilda laughed outright, her voice soft and melodious enough not to wake Hitomi who slept nearby. "I didn't say we were going to kick you out to fend for yourself, merely that you should look into taking up a trade, an apprenticeship." Some of the color began to return to Yukio's face, "So my lad, what is it you enjoy doing?"
Yukio shrugged, "I play sports, soccer mostly, my best subject is History, not that that will help me much here." Yukio leaned back onto his hands and watched the play of light on the ceiling, "I'm best at annoying her," he gestured towards his slumbering sibling, "and knowing when to not annoy her."
"You can read and write already?"
"Well not your writing, that just looks like a bunch of funny shapes. Guess I should learn that, huh."
"I can read, Van taught me," Merle stuck her tongue out at Yukio from where she was lovingly spreading the blanket over Hitomi.
"I said I could read, just not your language." Yukio's voice contained an edge of anger but her kept it low for fear of waking his sister.
"Merle is still learning as well," this time Merle stuck her tongue out at Lady Atilda, "I think learning here starts a bit later than yours. Still you are right, reading will be a first priority for all of you, writing as well."
"I'm not even here a day and already they are putting me back in school," Yukio grumbled, almost quiet enough not to be heard. Lady Atilda ignored the comment and rose to her feet.
"I wouldn't worry to much if I were you. You'll have plenty of time to find your way around," Lady Atilda said as she went to a nearby table to pour herself a glass of wine. Almost immediately there came a knock at the door. Lady Atilda made her way to the door and opened it to reveal Van.
"Lady Atilda, I am very sorry it took me so long to join you. The cook tells me they are making us something for the noon meal as we have missed breakfast."
"Softly Van," Lady Atilda hushed, "your lady is sleeping." Van's mouth snapped shut as Lady Atilda gestured towards the chair where Hitomi slept.
"And her mother? How is she doing?"
Lady Atilda's eyes rested on Yukio as she spoke, "She has had a shock to her system, but with time, all will be well."
Van nodded and approached Hitomi. Merle grinned and grabbing Yukio by the arm began to drag him from the room. "Come on, I'll show you my room, then we can join everyone in the dinning hall for dinner."
"But . . " What ever Yukio was about to say was cut off as Merle's claws extended in warning, barely pricking his arm where she held him. Without another word the two of them disappeared out the door.
"She needs her rest, and should probably sleep as long as she can," Lady Atilda said as she softly closed the door.
Van's eyes never strayed from the figure in front of him. "She told you?"
"No, I knew what to look for, and so will others. Are you sure you know what you are doing? You could wait untill after the child is born, adopt it then. You are king, you are not supposed to make the same mistakes the rest of us do."
Van finally glanced away from the figure he never thought he'd see again. Behind the Lady's words, there was old pain deeply buried.
"I am king, and am more responsible for my actions than any other. I have to set a good example by rectifying my mistake. Besides," His eyes again rested on Hitomi's wonderful face, "don't you think she'll make a great queen?"
"I know you love her, and she love you, but you are not just anyone. Kings don't always get to marry whom they wish. You marry for your people, they must be satisfied."
Van's shoulders slumped, "I know. But how can I deny my heart, when it's desire wants me too, and is so very close," Van looked up at the woman who had stepped in as his mother when his own was unable to do so, and again, they were they eyes of a lost little boy who only wanted to be loved.
Atilda sighed. "Just be aware Van. This is not going to be easy, no matter what happens." Without another word, she turned and left Van to wake Hitomi.
As silence filled the room around him, Van found he heard only Hitomi's breathing. For the first time since he had finally brought Hitomi home, he thought about what had happened, and what they had created. A baby.
Reverently Van kneeled before Hitomi, smiling up at her. He hadn't before noticed how tired she looked. There were circles under her eyes, but also, there was a peace about her. He vowed he would keep it that way. She didn't need to know all that was going on, that way she wouldn't worry. She had enough going on just keeping herself together.
Running his hands over her arms Van rose to his feet, and decided it was time to wake his sleeping bride. Gently he cradled her face, bringing his lips down to touch hers. Lightly he brushed his lips across hers, feeling her breath caress his skin. Then he leaned in kissing lightly moving his lips across hers just the way she seemed to like it.
There didn't seem to be any immediate response to his actions, and smiling to himself he tenderly kissed the corner of her mouth, lovingly, he traced the shape of her lips with his own, marveling each time at how soft her lips were, and how he could never dream of kissing another.
Hitomi rose from sleep gradually, first responding to the kiss, then escalating it. Her hands came up to wrap around his back, pulling him down towards her. His surprise at her actions caused him to nearly fell on top of her and had to drop his hands from where they cradled her face to catch himself on the arms of the chair.
Despite his increasing desire to see where this might lead, the others were waiting on them. So resolutely he lifted himself up and away. It wouldn't do for Mrs. Kanzaki or Lady Atilda to walk in on this.
"Unfortunately it is time to eat, and I don't know how much time we will have alone."
Hitomi groaned and leaned back into the chair. "Nice way to wake up, though."
Van grinned at her, his lips felt abandoned but he knew now wasn't the time. "Come on," Van helped Hitomi out of the chair grinning as he purposely pulled her hard enough so she lost her balance and fell against him. "We have a meal to get to." His voice held no conviction. With his arms wrapped around her, her body pressed against his, and her face looking into his with so much trust and love, dinner no longer seemed important. As far as he was concerned he could stand here for the rest of his life and be happy, his stomach on the other hand, felt differently.
A low growl echoed through the room and Hitomi locked down at his belly in surprise. "I didn't eat today either," she said a laugh sparkling in her eyes.
"Well that settles it then. Let's eat before we do anything else."
Hitomi grinned as, hand in hand, they left the room together.
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