Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
Chapter 12
Aboard the Lady Vari, 10 days at sea
---
Hitomi sat on a pickle barrel, secured to the port side of the ship, looking out over the gently rolling sea. Drawn into a mild trance by the sound of the waves lapping up against the side of the ship. So enthralled by the sights and sounds of the sea, she failed to hear the sound of familiar footsteps approaching her.
The gentle touch on her shoulder caused her to jump in shock. "My goodness!" She turned to smile at her host.
"I didn't mean to scare you." Van assured her, rubbing her shoulders gently.
She leaned up against his side. "It's okay."
"Were you in the midst of a vision?" He enquired.
"No, just enjoying the sea." She grinned.
"I never knew you were such a lover of the sea." The king seemed pleased to learn something new about his guest.
"Neither did I." She saw the confusion in his expression and went on to explain. "I've never been on the sea till now. I've never even been on a boat before. But I must say, I do love it." She took in a large breath. "It's so peaceful and the air is so fresh. It's just beautiful."
Van gave a skeptical smile.
"Sorry, I guess you don't share my love for the sea. How are you feeling? Better I hope, since you're up and about."
"Hmm, I think I've finally found my sea legs but I don't think I'll be eating any big meals anytime soon."
"You hardly eat as it is. I eat more than you do. It's embarrassing." She informed him.
"Then don't make such a pig of yourself." An obnoxious voice said from behind.
Turning she found herself face to face with Merle who was sitting cat-like on the barrel behind hers. "You're one to talk. You eat more than Lord Van and I combined." She snapped.
Merle stood up straight and placed her hands on her hips, pointing her nose in the air. "That's because I'm a growing girl, I need my energy."
"Keep eating like that and you'll be growing in the wrong direction." Hitomi whispered. This drew a mild chuckle from the king and a glare from the feline.
"I heard that!" She snarled.
"Calm down Merle. I'm sure Hitomi didn't mean anything by it." Van assured her.
"Hmm." She huffed as she turned around and dropped down in a normal sitting position.
"Tell you what, why don't you ask the captain how much longer it will be before we reach Palas? Can you do me that favor Merle?" Her king asked.
She instantly jumped off the barrel and onto the deck. "Anything for you Lord Van." She smiled and ran off towards the helm.
"I wish you two would learn to get along better." Van said with a hint of sadness.
"Oh," Seeing his expression, she frowned for a moment as well but quickly recovered her smile. "But we do get along." She assured him. "We just enjoy some good natured ribbing once in awhile, that's all."
"Seems like the ribbing is more than just once in awhile." He voiced his opinion.
"Mmm, well, I guess I can try to be more civil." Hitomi said looking away momentarily.
"I'd like that. You know she's been with me since we were just children." He looked over his shoulder up at the helm to see Merle talking to the captain. "I suspect she'll be with me till I die."
"Oh." A look of surprise and disappointment crossed the teens face.
"Is something wrong?" The king asked turning his attention back to the young woman at his side.
"Well, it's just." She considered her next words very carefully. "Don't get me wrong. I like Merle, really I do. But, well, I guess I never thought about what it would be like to have her around, always." She turned back toward the sea. "It just wasn't a prospect I had considered."
The young king sat next to her on the barrel and pulled her closer to him with his arm around her shoulder. "You once told me you had a little brother. Can't you think of Merle as your little sister?"
"Hmm," Hitomi gave him a crocked smile. "Yeah, the sister who has a crush on the man I love."
At that instant, his expression changed.
'It's that look. The one he gave me on my first night back on Gaea. That beautiful look.'
Lost in his eyes, Hitomi found herself drawn towards Van and he towards her. Slowly as their lips drew closer, their eyes slowly began to drift shut.
'What a more perfect moment than this for our first kiss? One more reason to love the sea.' She thought as they drew even closer.
And just as their lips were about to touch, Merle jumped up on the barrel they were sharing and yelled right into their ears. "Seven more days to Palas!"
Van, who was sitting on the edge of the barrel, fell unceremoniously to the deck. Hitomi nearly had a heart attack as she jumped off the barrel. Having lost her balance, she nearly fell over the side of the ship except for the quick reaction by Merle who grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Why you!" Hitomi spun around and slapped Merle so hard she sent the catgirl flying off the barrel and into a pile of ropes.
Getting back up quickly the feline jumped back up on the barrel and snarled at the shorthaired teen. "What was that for!?" She yelled. "A fine way to express your gratitude for saving your life!"
"You wouldn't have had to save my life if you didn't scream in my ear in the first place!" The teen yelled back.
"I was just doing what Lord Van asked me to do!" Merle retaliated.
"He didn't ask you to scare the living crap out of us!" Hitomi shot back.
"Well, if you weren't acting all googlie-eyed with him, you would have heard me coming!"
"You're just jealous because Van was about to kiss me!"
"PLEASE! You're not enough of a woman to make me jealous!"
"What did you just say!?"
"What are you deaf now too!?"
"Probably, after you screamed in my ear like that!"
"ENOUGH!" Van yelled, standing between the two women. "Hitomi, Merle, stop this!"
Looking from one then to the other, he saw the utterly hurt expressions on their faces caused by his loud outburst. Slowly, he turned and started walking way.
"Van" Hitomi reached out for him.
"Lord Van" Merle ran up beside him. "What's wrong?"
"I'm, just tired. I don't feel well. I'm going back down below to rest." He continued walking.
"Do you want me to bring you anything?" The catgirl offered, placing her hand on his arm
"No. I just want to be left alone." He gently removed her hand from his arm and went below.
Standing dumbfounded for a moment, Merle spun around and glared at Hitomi. "See what you did! You got Lord Van upset!"
"What I did!? You're the one that caused him to hit the floor! You're the one who's acting like a jealous little brat!"
"At least I have a reason for my behavior! I'm still a child! What's your excuse!?"
Hitomi gasped. That comment caught her off guard.
Seeing she gained the advantage, Merle turned her nose up at the teen, turned around and headed up the quarterdeck taking a position next to the ship's master.
Still in shock, Hitomi just stared at the feline for a moment longer until she saw the young catgirl stick her tongue out at her. "Humph!" She turned around and plopped back down on the barrel, cupping her left hand under her chin. "Stupid catgirl ruined everything." She muttered to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Okay, I've got to say, that was lots of fun to write. ^_^ I hope it was just as much fun to read.
Again, thanks for all the wonderful reviews. By the way, if your as much a catgirl fan as I am, go to my website at www.noscams.org and check out the fanfiction section where my story "The Rise before the Fall" is. It's an Outlaw Star story featuring a Pre-Outlaw Star Aisha Clan Clan. It was my very first anime fanfic and I still love it very much. ^_^ Well, I'm pretty busy this weekend so I don't know if I'll be able to update till next week, but I will try.
AmishiPS: Just 42 days till ACEN'03