And here we go. It's time to start the beginning of the end of this fun story. Man, it has been a lot of dreaming and planning, but I really love what has happened with Be Ready. When I first posted the prologue/first chapter, I would have never imagined how far I'd run. And now, standing at the cusps of the end, I just can't wait. It's gonna be very exciting!
This chapter was a long time coming and harder to write than most of the other ones due to the lack of action. It's a lot of transition, but TRUST ME we are going to have a lot of action coming up. The final showdown, friends.
Also, a LARGE thank you to Kerapal Bubbles for her care on these chapters and her advice on ideas. She makes me smart sounding!
Also, a HUGE thank you to Nanari for her continual support and input.
I would be lost in the dark without these two awesome peeps! Love ya guys!
The pieces are getting set, the board is almost ready...
Let's do this thing...
The man's tired voice sighed through the phone. "Ma'am, I've heard your twenty messages from this afternoon. Please, calm down."
"My daughter has been kidnapped and sold as a prostitute in some Joko slum! There are videos of her on the internet! How can you sound so uncaring!? Someone has taken my child, an upstanding citizen of Austuria, and is using her for Gaea-knows-what! And you have the nerve to tell me to calm down?! She's my precious baby girl!"
"Ma'am, please let me speak-"
"I'm tired of hearing your excuses and being put on hold! I demand the government do something about this! You hang up on me one more time and I will get my son to make this as public as social media will allow! 'Twitty' or whatever it is! You will be exposed for negligence! I will make you find her!"
"Look, lady, I'm just doing my job and I'm trying everything I can to push your case to the forefront, but there's only so much I can do here. It's the middle of the night. If you would wait till morning like I asked-"
"Don't you 'look, lady' me! We are talking about the life of a young girl; my daughter! Each hour you waste is another hour she is potentially tortured and forced to do despicable things!"
"I understand that, but like I said, there is only so much I can do." There was a silence on the line. Finally, she heard the man let out a defeated breath. "If you won't wait another day or two for the approval, I will give you the number of someone who might be able to help you track your daughter down right away."
Megumi's back straightened and her eyebrows furrowed. "And exactly why haven't you mentioned this person before?"
"To be honest, ma'am, he works outside our country and can bypass the paperwork. He's a private investigator of sorts."
"Pushing the job onto a mediocre P.I.?" Megumi growled, her clenched fist shaking at her side. "That's not good enough!"
"It's the only thing I can do at the moment. My hands are tied. The man is brilliant, but pricey. If you want answers now, he's your man; as long as you have the money for it."
Hitomi's mother tapped her fingernails against the back of her cell phone with her thoughts racing. Tired, ringed eyes racing around the living room in contemplation, she swallowed the sour feeling in her throat and felt her stomach clench with the inevitable. There was nothing else she could do with this insufferable government employee and she knew it. Maybe the private investigator was her best bet. Biting her bottom lip, she finally let her churning stomach settle with resolve.
"Fine," the word punctured through the phone receiver, "since the government is so helpless that they have to turn to P.I's… what is his name and number?"
The man actually let out a small laugh of relief. "Alright, ma'am, you've got a pen and paper?"
Megumi grabbed the white pad and pencil resting beside her elbow on the marble counter. "Go ahead."
"His name is Julius Hatchet. His number is…"
Grammy's snarling voice had finally cut through their planning and announced that even the fiercest hunt had to end sometime.
Hitomi had translated that as wolf-speak for it was time to go to sleep.
Bakura had nodded happily with a tired wag of his tail. He hardly laid out against the soft grass before a light snore began to tremble his lips. Grammy leaned forward, switched off the lantern, and settled back against the tightly pulled fabric, folding her arms. She looked more like she was in deep meditation than sleep.
Chordata, curled tight into a ball in the corner, twitched in her quiet dreams after only a few minutes of darkness.
Van had hardly glanced at Hitomi before attempting to lay out his long legs. They ended up sticking outside the open flap. The tent was just too small for him to fit completely. He let out a low sigh and closed his eyes. His sword pressing against his right side, he kept his left hand steady on the navy pommel.
And that left her.
Wondering where to lay down.
Glancing at the quiet figures around her for half a minute, she sucked in a deep breath and finally settled awkwardly with Van's left elbow at her back and Chordata's head at her feet. She positioned her injured leg as comfortably as she could, swallowed down a tense apprehension, and closed her eyes.
"Failure…" The vision of Folken, Van's tragic brother, instantly rose to greet her. His burning, curling lips smiled at her sickly as the flames licked his skin away-
Her eyes popped open immediately to darkness and the light snoring of Bakura.
Shivering lightly with the combination of the dewy night and the chilling vision, she closed her eyes to try again.
"So close…" The bloody red eyes of Dilandau locked onto her own. His face smoothed to the dead-eyed features of Sel – the tormented soul who fought so long in the shadows of her twisted other half. "Things are not always as they seem…"
Her body jerked her awake and she was sent back to the dark tent once more. Her green eyes could barely make out the woven patterns of the leathery fabric covering them. This was impossible. After all she'd seen, all she'd been through, how in the world could Grammy think she could just shut her brain off? Hitomi wondered if she would ever be able to sleep properly again. How long would it take for the burning, charred lips of Folken or the blank blue eyes of Sel to leave her in peace? How long would her destiny haunt her? Until the end?
And what would be the end? Making the wish on the machine? Changing destiny?
Van's elbow moved slightly against her back.
And what of Van? What was he thinking? The cards had given him an option. An actual choice to make. Going back or staying here. God, if he chose to go back, Hitomi knew she wouldn't ever blame him. Hell, wouldn't the world mold so that he'd never arrived in her time in the first place? She wouldn't remember ever meeting him. He'd be a legend she'd read about in her history class. Never knowing that she knew the real man behind the books and stories. Never knowing that she was tied to him through other worlds. Never remembering how he carried her with his white wings to safety. A dissolved timeline. And she would remain oblivious. She wondered briefly if she would visit Fanelia in that lifetime just as she had done in this one. What would it look like? The Winged Palace standing beautiful and proud as it should. A beacon of stability. The city prosperous and strong. Would she gaze upon the portrait of a familiar face in the regal hallways, painted with that proud look in his mahogany eyes? Would a flicker of recognition flash in her mind?
Who was she kidding?
It was destiny. Unlike her other selves who were finding themselves displaced and lost, she knew she was the Hitomi who would have to pay the ultimate price: complete and utter separation from her… soulmate.
Hitomi blinked as the word came to her. Soulmate. The Two of Cups. Interwoven destinies across countless spans of timelines. That was her and Van together.
Soulmate.
Lifting her head, she carefully turned her body to curl the other way; facing the relaxed king. His breathing was steady. His long fingers peaceful, but still grasping the pommel of his sword. His tan arm draped gently over his thin stomach. Head back, his long black hair spilled off his forehead. His face was visible; as it was when he had been dressed as that dreadful pirate. His hair had been smoothed back for that ridiculous costume. Pressing her lips together in a smile, she remembered the backside of the costume had also been very… visible. It had all been Thaioden's idea.
Thaioden – a sour pang of sadness hit her stomach, and the smile wiped off her face – had saved their lives in spite of his own. Her own relation that she never even knew about until several days ago. If they succeeded, Thaioden would be alive. He'd be here to run his business and make his martinis.
Maybe her father would meet him during his journey to figure out their ancestry. Maybe Hitomi could see him again.
Her father… not only would he be alive, but their family wouldn't be broken.
So many things that could be fixed. All with one sacrifice. Van would have his world back, Hitomi would have hers. Everything would be fine.
Except… she knew it wouldn't. The woman in the hospital searching desperately for the red eyes made it so.
Still looking at Van's peaceful face, she couldn't help but wonder if he was actually sleeping. Was he stuck in the never-ending cycle of questions and choices just like she was? His face certainly looked untroubled.
One sleepy jerk of his knee told her she was all alone in the waking world.
Shivering, she tried once more to close her eyes.
The room was stuffy despite the breezy window at his right. As the tailor tugged on his tunic sleeve, his mahogany eyes studied the armor laid before him on the table. He had tried on the heavy ceremonial armor only once – when he had been approved to begin his Dragon Slaying Ritual. The young prince's mouth turned down in a grimace as he remembered the fight. His favorite lightweight leather jerkin had been ripped to shreds by the sharp point in the dragon's tail. The fiery heat of its raging breath was still burning slightly in the back of his throat. But with his sword and shield, he proved he needed no one but his own strength to overcome the dangers of Dragon Slaying. His young eyes focusing on the shining breastplate, a surge of pride made him straighten his shoulders – and caused the tailor fitting him to click his tongue in annoyance.
The breastplate beamed with the white dragon encased in flames. The symbol of fire. His country.
This evening at dusk, he would be crowned Van Slanzar de Fanel, King of Fanelia and seventy-fourth of his family to reign. He would be taking his late brother's place as the figurehead.
And he found that he was ready.
More than ready to feel the crown placed upon his head.
The mid-morning sun glinted through the window and a piece of sunlight shimmered onto the velvet window-seat connected to the balcony. A tiny shivering light twinkled into his eye and he blinked. Something was glowing from the seat.
Frowning and ignoring the scoffing tailor, Van's dark red eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity and he took a heavy step closer to the window.
"Your Majesty! Please don't move! The buckler still needs readjusting on the…"
Tuning out the man, Van took another step closer. And another.
Staring down at the seat next to his open window, his stomach twisted with an unknown heat. His heart pulsed hard in his chest and ears. There, on the velvet, lay a simple pink stone. Smooth and beautiful.
He reached down automatically; his fingertips brushing the crystal's surface.
And in that moment, the bright room turned dark. Hearing a small giggle to his right, he gasped and turned to see a pair of familiar green eyes twinkling at him. It was a young girl around his age with boyish short hair and a smart mouth. Her light-brown fringe fell into her startling beautiful eyes as she tilted her head in exasperation. Crossing her arms over a simple blue dress, she said, "Well, are you coming or not?"
Her high voice, such a familiar tone of annoyance, rang in his ears.
"Coming… where?" he asked hesitantly, his eyes wide with confusion.
"Don't be stupid. To be with me, of course!" She let out another cute giggle. "You'll have a choice to make, Van! But not yet! We have to meet first!"
Just as the words left her lips, the girl grew taller, her face matured into that of a young woman in her early twenties. The boy king's mouth fell open as the woman straightened her thick blue jacket and flicked her intelligent green eyes on him. A white fluffy hat covered her short hair. "I finally met you. It's not time yet to decide. We still have time together. And I will help you." Her voice was soft and kind. "I will help you, Van Slanzar de Fanel."
The jacket was whipped away and her torn pants left her body to reveal scandalous red undergarments. They hugged her breasts and hips as if they had been crafted just for her. His eyes followed the slender curves of her body and his mouth dropped further. A rush of heat instantly laced into his cheeks and made knots form in his stomach. The woman's face was the personification of perfection. Instead of her short hair, her glossy tresses fell in glorious waves down her back and shoulders. Her ruby red lips were twisted with anger – which only made her even more beautiful. "We have been through so much together and this is how you repay me? I feel like I'm being tricked! Is that it? All a plot to just use me and throw me away?! I said I'd help you, but not if you act like a spoiled brat!"
"Wait, I have not-" Van began, but was immediately cut off as the woman changed yet again. His words died in his throat as she reappeared in yet another revealing outfit; however, this time her expression was shy and blushing.
This one was several shades of green and had strange fins around her feet. Her hair was long and red, and it matched her rosy cheeks. Casting his eyes over her bare shoulders, he swallowed thickly in his throat and unknowingly took a step towards her. She was lovely.
"You have to make a decision. Our time is almost up. It's all on you, Van. I… I can't do anything except smile. Just like the play, remember? Capture what you want, or let it go?"
She gave a simple, graceful twirl, her long red hair fanning out. As she spun, her clothes changed once more. Her face became thin and taunt; her once luscious cheeks were sunken. The red hair faded back to her normal short locks, but this time it was uncombed and dull. A light blue t-shirt and tie-string pants draped her small, thin frame. She stopped her spin and faced him; her green eyes cloudy and her shoulders slumped with the weight of something unknown pressing against her. "I can finally see you, red-eyes." The woman's once full lips broke into a tiny, relieving smile. "I see you… I didn't take the medicine for a full week, and here you are!" Her smile lessened as her bagged eyes looked him up and down. "But… but you're so young."
The vision of the woman disappeared within the blink of an eye and Van instinctively ran forward to where she was.
"Wait!" he called in the darkness. "Wait! What do you mean a choice? Who are you? What do you want?" A sharp unexpected burn spiked behind his eyes as he wildly searched through the blanket of darkness for her.
"I will stand by whatever you decide."
He gasped and turned where he heard her voice. And there she was; sitting before him with her right leg braced to the side awkwardly. Her pale expression was a mixture of sadness and acceptance. Her head lowered to stare at the ground. She was in a simple gray t-shirt and dirty pants. Her green eyes looked rimmed red from crying. Her short hair was dirty, but her face was full and sweet. Like it had been before…
"I will stand by whatever you decide," she repeated with a tear sliding down her cheek. "I will support you until the end and beyond. I understand how much you want to go home, Van. This is who you are meant to be." The woman gestured to his body and Van glanced down to see the ceremonial breastplate armor buckled to his chest. "The choice is yours to make and it will come soon. Be ready to make your answer. Be ready."
At those words, his vision switched back to the familiar sunlit room of his chambers. His hand was outstretched to the velvet seat, but below his hand there was nothing, but sunshine.
Van's eyes opened.
He stared at the unlit swinging lantern; the image of her sad face clear before him. With a sharp breath, he swallowed down the thickness that was still in his throat and turned to the left to sleep on his side.
Hitomi, her eyes closed, her lips slightly puckered in blissful sleep, was right next to him. His heart did a back flip in his chest. He didn't know he had been sleeping so close to her. Retracting his gaze immediately, he considered turning back to the right side, but his blade made that an uncomfortable prospect. For once, he wished he hadn't buckled the sword to his belt. Unbuckling the belt would be too much noise for the others, and they all needed their rest, so…
Perhaps… perhaps…
Perhaps there would be no harm if they slept face-to-face. Grammy's tent was far too small for one's personal space, so if he was caught close to her then that reason alone was justified. Besides, he always slept on his side. There would be no more rest for the night if he tried to continue sleeping on his back. He juggled the rationality in his mind and concluded it sound. With that decided, he curled his arm under his head, shifted back to his side, and his mahogany eyes came back to the slumbering Hitomi. An unexpected smile crossed his lips as he thought of the young girl in the blue dress. Innocent and too smart for her own good. She looked a lot like that little girl now; sleeping so openly.
With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes and the picture of the broken woman flashed before him. 'Red-eyes' she'd called him.
'Red-eyes'… Grammy had mentioned those words before and Hitomi had gotten uncomfortable. She'd said she'd experienced that woman's life first hand through her eyes.
Life in a mental hospital. Van wasn't familiar with the way this world treated their mentally handicapped. Chordata had been careful to instruct that he remain as incognito as possible or he might end up in one. He had followed her advice religiously. The prospect of being considered crazy by others had been well drilled into his head. And Van was naturally level headed. He understood the personality of this world.
But that didn't mean that Hitomi was safe.
Van shook the impossibility from his head. Rolling his eyes at her for causing his bout of insomnia, he felt the drop of doubt curl in his mind before he could stop himself.
It couldn't be her.
Could it?
"Well, aren't we nestled sweetly? Like a pair of newly joined mates."
The sardonic scratchy voice burst through his warm oblivion. Eyes snapping open, all he saw was the tips of golden-brown short hair. His arm, which had been under his head when he went to sleep, was spread out and Hitomi's cheek rested comfortably on his bicep. She was curled to his chest, her body pressed lightly against his own. Her hands tucked under her chin, her shirt had lifted slightly to show the top dip of her hip. Van's other hand had, unknowingly, moved up to rest on that bare hip sometime during the night.
With a short Fanelian curse, he instantly moved his betraying hand as Hitomi stirred against him.
"Hmmm?" she murmured sleepily.
"All curled up together. Makes me wish I had thought of picking the spot between you two. I could do with a little dogpile nap."
Van, his left arm still not released from Hitomi's head, turned to give the chortling wolf a hard glare. Just then, Hitomi's green eyes opened slowly and she looked up at Van's face. Her lips curled into a brief sleepy smile before she realized where she was. With a torrent of red flooding her cheeks prettily, she immediately sat up and winced at her leg. He sat up as well, his left arm tingling from loss of blood. Her face was turned away, but he could practically feel the heat of her embarrassment radiating off of her.
"I-I'm sorry, Van! I guess… I got cold during the night."
Keeping his own nervousness off his face, he brushed off her apology with a wave of his hand. "I understand. The tent is quite drafty."
Grammy snorted under her snout and Van picked up on the words, "Drafty, my smelly ass…" before Bakura yawned loudly and announced he was hungry. Chordata also stirred, but not so audibly.
"Well, I gotta piss," Grammy groaned as she stood up on creaking hind legs. "I expect the rest of you to do the same. It's a long way back to Fanelia. Oi!" She turned to her grandson, who was busy scratching behind his long ear. "Do you have a map in that tin can piece of crap you call a car?"
Bakura tilted his head confused. "I think so, why?"
"We will need to head west to merge with the heavy traffic. Crossing the border to Fanelia should be uneventful if we take the highways. My worry would be hitting tollways. Those suckers will nail us if we aren't careful."
"We wouldn't take smaller routes?" Chordata spoke up softly.
"Of course not!" Grammy snarled and the velvet fur on Chordata's neck stood up. "They are easier to patrol than the busier streets. I know you three idiots took the runaway bus to Joko, but that route is closed for the Fanelian winter. Blending in is what we want."
Her grandson's tail wagged lightly. "Man, Grammy, you think of everything."
Grammy snorted and rolled her yellow eyes. "I can read your mind, imbecile. Something tells me you were less than suspicious the night you left Joko. If that damned machine is in Fanelia, you know those crotch sniffers are keeping the borders locked tight. I am surprised they haven't caught you already. It's been a blessing from the Moon Goddess that you even lived to find me."
"We have a house in the Arzaz Forestlands," Van said. "We have lived there for many years. I grew up in those woods. If the highways you speak of are close-"
"That's what a map is for, fool! Can you say for sure the wood is not going to be crawling with Zaibach bastards?"
"The house is deep in the woods. It should be safe," Hitomi piped in with a yawn. Van noticed bags under her eyes and felt a sting of concern. He instantly became annoyed with himself for worrying.
"Safe, she says…" Grammy grumbled with a quirked eyebrow. "Fine. We shall see if this house is acceptable. Meanwhile, get out of my way. I'm a wolf with a full bladder. I wouldn't be opposed to pissing on your things."
Van lifted the last of their packs and tucked them in neatly with Grammy's tent. Slamming the trunk closed with a heavy sigh, he brushed his hand through his long fringe while his eyes searched for familiar short hair. He spied her sitting against a tree trunk several feet away; the old kit of bandages and poultices lying beside her on the fluffy grass. She was facing slightly away him, her face a little dirty, but her cheeks smooth and soft. A flicker of the sunken green eyes hit him, and he frowned; shaking his head to clear the disturbing image.
Just his imagination.
Troublesome dreams…
Just as he was flirting with the idea of joining her, the stained white skirts of Chordata floated forward and he saw Hitomi's head lift to greet her. Seeing the strained look in her green eyes, Van turned his gaze away and rested his back against the car.
"I… not to… intrude…"
Broken pieces of whatever Chordata had said floated to his ears. Eyes narrowing with curiosity, Van casually straightened up and pretended to notice something on the front of the vehicle which would bring him closer to the women. His gaze flickered to Hitomi's face as he bent down to inspect the invisible problem and he noticed the smile on her lips.
"Chordata, please, come sit with me. I'm absolutely terrible with these laces."
"Of course, Lady Hitomi." Chordata immediately bowed and sat in her regal posture with her legs tucked underneath her. White fingers taking over the laces, Hitomi winced only once as the new poultice was set in place.
"Despite all that has happened between us, I am… glad to have met you. I hope to meet you again someday, Chordata." Her voice was soft and breezy. It gave the whispering hint as if something had been decided and she was now resigning herself to that fact. Van openly looked at the pair of women; his invisible problem with the car quite forgotten.
Chordata's amber eyes went wide with astonishment. Her fingers tied off the poultice and she sat back with a tilt of her head.
"What do you mean, Lady Hitomi?"
"When we make the wish and everything is set back into place, I'll never have met you. You'll probably be in Fanelia, Chordata. Living with parents you were supposed to have. I'll be in Austuria with my father and mother and brother." She closed her green eyes dreamily and rested her head against the tree. "I hope one day I will visit Fanelia just for a pleasure trip and that I end up running into you. And that Thaioden's martinis have made their way as a global sensation and that I'm drinking one with my best friend, Yukari. And I go to the Winged Palace and see it for what it truly was. And that I go to the Guymelef Arena and see actual Melefs still operational. And the Escaflowne in the Chapellieur al' Dragoon…"
"And a proud woven portrait of Master Fanel hanging in the castle," Chordata finished for her, her amber eyes closing with peace as if she could already see it. "It is what I have dreamed for him all these years. I never thought it possible until you came along. Now Master Fanel can finally fulfill his dream."
Hitomi's smile lessened considerably and she glanced down at her wounded knee with sudden interest. Van realized with a blink that he'd been listening a little too obviously and straightened up from the car. As he walked away, he didn't hear the other part of Chordata's sentence.
"However, his dream has changed, Lady Hitomi. I also see another way for him to be truly happy."
Hitomi glanced up in surprise. "How?"
"I think you know how." Her eyes gave a strange feral shine before a corner of her lip curled up in a smirk. "He has never been more alive than when he first met you. You give him something that I think no one else in this world can."
"What's that?" Hitomi asked. The cat leaned forward and placed a soft hand on Hitomi's cheek.
"I think you know that as well."
The car was a squashed hot mess.
Being the designated team driver, Bakura was the most comfortable of the bunch. Grammy, in the passenger seat, snarled that since the wolves had thick coats, both she and her grandson deserved the most air conditioning. Though Chordata's own white fur had ruffled lightly, she had rolled her amber eyes behind the ancient wolf's back and settled herself for the middle seat in order to get at least some air.
As soon as they hit the road; however, she realized how much of a mistake she'd made. Lady Hitomi kept sighing quietly and her fingers would fidget distractingly in her lap. Eventually, her hands began to mess with a small hole in her jeans; plucking and preening and the hole grew bigger and bigger. Without having to look, Chordata's keen sense of smell picked up on Hitomi's nervous apprehension.
Master Fanel was even worse. With his legs crunched up and his back bent awkwardly to allow Chordata some space, the young king was a mass of different emotions ranging from frustration to anger to pain to sadness and - awkwardly enough – desire. The spicy sent was enough for Bakura to roll down the windows. Thankfully, Grammy had enough sense not to comment on it, but she did hear the old wolf begin to breathe through her mouth instead of her nose.
Poor Master Fanel…
Chordata settled herself in as best she could. The drive was going to be long and rough. Meanwhile, the hole in Lady Hitomi's jeans would grow wider and Master Fanel's emotions would just get smellier. She was almost thankful when a low, "…so…" escaped Grammy's lips and penetrated the hour long silence that had happened since they got in the car. Despite the appreciation for conversation, Chordata's ears perked forward as her apprehension skyrocketed to Master Fanel levels; wondering what that old wolf was going to say.
"Judging by the state of reality and all that mystical nonsense, I say we should use this time to plan our invasion to that damned yew tree. It seems we don't have much time left. This Chappy-mah-goo-"
"Chapellieur al Dragoon," Van and Hitomi corrected at the same time, and the air tensed as a slice of silence followed.
"…right, that thing…" Grammy continued. "It doesn't have a back entrance or anything, right? I don't see us getting very far if we try to stomp over the gate." The car fell quiet once more, but thankfully the smell was a little clearer. Grammy had given Van something else to worry about.
"I know of a way to the Winged Palace. Zaibach probably has not figured out its location," he finally said.
"Don't tell me it's sewers," the old wolf grumbled as Hitomi glanced at Van curiously. His eyes caught her looking and he cleared his throat. Chordata bit back the smile on her lips.
"It is an evacuation tunnel that was built long ago to spirit away my family in case there was an attack on Fanelia. A secret passage from the Palace to the Ridgeback Mountains. It was a secret only the most trusted knew about. I'm fairly certain no one could have found it since then. We can use that to get inside the grounds."
"It might be caved in," Hitomi injected. Van's shoulders tightened.
"That's true, but it doesn't hurt to check it out. Good memory, pup," Grammy complimented with a growl of approval.
"It will be difficult to get there," Van continued, ignoring Grammy's praise. "The tunnel empties out miles away from Fanelia. Closer to what is now called the Wastes."
"The Wastes? That's where the wild clans are! It's dangerous!" Hitomi cried.
"Buh-scuuuuse me?" Grammy growled, her dreadlocks swinging. "What wild beastman is more dangerous than me? I'll rip apart any bastard that tries to smell my ass!"
"We don't want to draw attention to ourselves, Grammy," Bakura explained gently. "We need to be as inconspicuous as possible."
The short-haired girl bit her bottom lip nervously. "So, what do we do if they attack us?"
"Simple," Van said quietly, still looking out the window. "We let Grammy kill them."
"The back streets are being patrolled hourly. Still no sign of them coming anywhere near Fanelia's border."
"They may be doubling back to Joko."
"There's no reason they'd go to Joko. If anything, they moved further south to Guitoma-"
"Keep the camera still!" A woman hissed at the two conversationalist and they instantly quieted. Turning the screen back to the table, it featured a spectacled thin man.
The boy was thinner than most his age. Hatchet actually had trouble keeping him from bleeding out. Glancing at the boy's crimson-stained uniform, the bespectacled man sighed as he remembered his days as a youth. He was never as puny as this little punk, but he'd had a bit of a complex with his height when he was in high school. That didn't matter anymore.
Now he was a Strategos. A king of knowledge. He had risen high and those that belittled him fell to their knees before him. Hatchet grinned. Well, they generally fell to their knees after he'd sliced their hamstrings-
Footsteps came up from behind him and a voice said, "Strategos Hatchet. We have received confirmation. The call should come any minute."
"Excellent."
The boy let out a small groan from his gag and Hatchet clicked his tongue. The small slit in the boy's stomach bubbled with blood once more. Looking into the boy's wild green eyes, his grin widened. "I know you don't have anything else to say. You're just here to keep me company until your old lady decides to call. It's funny. You both fell into the same trap. You were just a bit quicker."
The boy howled as the knife in Hatchet's fingers drove deep into his thin belly.
"Oh, no, I've gone and stabbed you too far, didn't I?" Hatchet sighed again. Turning to his pile of paper towels, he ripped off four sheets and draped them over the stab wound. "Try not to die just yet. I haven't even gotten started on your toes."
A phone resting on the desk buzzed loudly and Hatchet waved away the attendant that was reaching for it. Hurrying over, he snatched it up with bloodstained fingers and accepted the call.
"Hatch Investigations, this is Julius."
"Hi, I was given this number. They said you are a PI. I need to find a missing person; my daughter."
"Your daughter is missing?" Hatchet asked concerned. He walked slowly back to the bloody table and the boy, barely conscious, gave a low moan. Julius picked up the blade to wag it threateningly in his face.
"Her name is Hitomi Kanzaki. She was last seen in Joko. That's the only information I have."
"Joko… oh, my dear, what a nasty place that is. You must be so worried. Well, you have come to the right agency, ma'am. Finding missing people happens to be my specialty."
The woman sighed with relief. "I am so thankful you are willing to help me. I have tried for days to get an investigation started with the Austurian Police, but they kept putting me on hold. It's a nightmare!"
"Those government cronies are pretty useless. It's why I have a job."
"I will pay you whatever you-"
"I'll stop you right there. I don't collect payment until after the missing person has been found. It's my motto that unless they've been shot into space, they can be found. This world really isn't that big when you know where to look. However, I do want to meet you face-to-face if that is at all possible."
The woman was silent for a moment. "The person I got your number from said you work outside of Austuria."
"Well, isn't this lucky? I just happen to be in Austuria at this time. It should be no trouble at all to hop on a train. I can meet you at your home if you like."
His eyes narrowed as he waited.
He may have pushed a little too hard.
Been a little too eager.
No matter though. The woman was desperate.
And desperate people do very, very stupid things.
"That should work out just fine. I will be at home all day. My address is…"
Never before had Hitomi been so happy to get out of a car. Limping out of the sticky leather seat, she breathed a sigh relief at the two story, red brick house that stood like a silent, sleeping giant. With Grammy's announcement of no unusual scents around it, the process of unloading all of the old wolf's tent equipment went to Van and Bakura.
"Not bad, kitty," the old wolf croaked as she stepped around the vehicle; her yellow eyes moving as fast as her flaring nostrils. Chordata smiled as she walked the stone pathway to the front door. Hitomi followed the two of them as best she could.
"From what I know, it was an old inn long ago before the Forestlands swallowed up this part of Fanelia. It's got four small rooms and a large living area, but most of that spot has been taken over by Master Fanel's book collection. He loves his research." The white cat unlocked the front door and pushed it open carefully. "Be very wary of the doors. The hinges are rusted. The roof is surprisingly in good shape, though. Master Fanel is good at thatching."
"I'll be in the tent outside," Grammy announced just as Van and Bakura pulled out the thick heap of leather from the trunk.
"Out in this cold?" Chordata blinked in surprise only to see the wolf give a toothy smirk.
"You're cute, kitty." She growled a laugh and shook her head. Her dread locks flapped noisily. "I'll serve as watch dog out here. Also… I'm not a fan of solid walls. Also…" she lifted her large head and sniffed the air. Immediately her yellow eyes gleamed dangerously. "I smell rabbit… Be back with dinner… Don't wait up."
Without another word, Grammy dropped to all fours; her brown furs streaming behind her as she disappeared out of the clearing and into the tall forest. Bakura and Van watched her go, then Van turned to the dog-man. "She is your grandmother. Set up her tent. I need to go inside."
Dumping the rest of the heavy leather on Bakura, who staggered at the weight, the king followed Chordata into the house. Hitomi frowned as the door shut briskly behind him. With a sting of irritation and her shoulders squared, she limped to Bakura to give him a hand with the tent.
He nodded his thanks with a short flap of his ears.
"How rude to just leave you out here. You should bite him," she scowled, taking a corner and stretching the fabric out. "If I were you, that's what I would do."
The dog-man smiled hesitantly. "It's alright. I don't mind taking care of Grammy's tent. Your leg though…"
"I'll live," she waved her free hand dismissively and wobbled to the other side to straighten the wrinkles. "It's not fair you have to do this alone." Her hand accidentally brushed his arm and even in the darkness she could see his blush.
"Do you know much about the Wastes?" he murmured shyly. "I have never been this far northwest."
"Only a bit," she admitted. "I know it's a mix of barbarian clans, but that's about it. Strange how even in this modern day of phones and televisions there can still be those that live like it's the Warring Era."
"Grammy is a good example of someone who doesn't mind a more simple way of life. But I… I worry that this tunnel is a bad idea…" Bakura confessed with a whine in his throat. "I really don't want to go there."
"I can come with you to scout if you want," she offered kindly. Slipping the worn poles through the tent's sockets, she connected the corners and stood, groaning, to get the other one. Bakura's hand was suddenly on her shoulder.
"Please, don't trouble yourself. I'll take care of the tent. And, as for your offer…" she saw his tail wag slowly. "I would feel better if you stayed here where it's safe. There's no telling what might happen."
Reaching up, Hitomi patted his thick paw and she watched him blush again. "You're so thoughtful, Bakura. A nice change of pace from Van. He's so rude."
Bakura's blush grew redder and he turned away swiftly. "Van has his reasons for wanting to be alone." He said simply and bent down to continue connecting the tent together. "Don't hold it against him that he didn't want to help with the tent…"
Looking back to the house, a dim yellow light flickered from the dark windows. It seemed Chordata had lit the fireplace. Hitomi frowned and bit her lip curiously.
Why did Van need to be alone?
"You have got to calm down, Master Fanel."
Chordata shook her head slowly as she heated the pot of water for tea. The kitchen, though slightly dusty, was just how she'd left it. Four lit candles wiggled lightly and spread enough light for her glowing eyes to see him press his face into his hands. He sat on one of the mismatched wooden chairs at the small, square, wobbling kitchen table which leaned slightly to the left with his weight. He groaned quietly and rubbed his eyes till he saw stars. Chordata leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "I thought I taught you better than this. Conceal your feelings. We all could smell you the entire ride home. It is a blessing Grammy didn't comment on it."
"I just do not know what to do… How will I even know when to choose? This is too vague and confusing…"
Catching herself before she sighed, the white lady straightened her spine and swallowed down her pity. "I noticed you heard me speaking with Lady Hitomi early this morning."
Van shrugged his shoulders. He was caught. Why deny it?
"What did you think of our conversation?"
"What does it matter?"
"I think it matters a great deal."
"How?"
The cat raised a hand and brushed it through the smooth fur on her cheek to hide her frustration. "She hopes that one day she'll come to Fanelia and see you for what you really are: a ruling king."
Van's face lifted from his hands and he glanced at Chordata. His eyes, which recently had been a little warmer, were frosted with indecision.
"What does that matter?"
"You still do not understand. She wants to see you even after you go back to your time. She wants to remember you even though she knows she never will. Hitomi has made her peace with it because she is mature enough to understand this is your choice… but she also wants you, Master Fanel. She wants you just the same as you want her. Granted her scent is much less vibrant than yours..." The cat couldn't help the small giggle that came out. "…She wants you to choose her. She wants to be with you. But, of course, she'll never tell you that."
Van glanced at the table, suddenly unable to look at his adopted family member in the eye anymore. "I'll miss you, too…"
"Not like her," Chordata shook her head slowly. "I love you like you are my own. I will always love you no matter what, but she is your one. You know it. I know it. Bakura and Grammy especially know it." Van rolled his eyes and another low groan escaped his lips. With her amber eyes twinkling, she said, "I am happy to see you finally admitting it."
"Admit it if you want, but that still doesn't stop the car from stinking," Grammy growled, coming from the doorway. The old wolf tossed three large, dead rabbits onto the counter. Van sat up sharply and looked past Grammy to see if anyone else had heard. She barked a laugh.
"The little bitch is cleaning the table of all your crappy books. She can't hear a thing." Her yellow eyes narrowed. "Actually, why don't you go help her? We've got plans to make and dinner to cook."
She gathered the books carefully. Each stack was at least two feet high. Her eyes brushed over the spot where she'd ate breakfast the first day she was with Van and Chordata. He'd started studying her father's journal without her permission.
She would never have thought she'd go further than her father's detailed notes. She would never have thought she was actually the one destined to save the world. That she'd found the King of Fanelia and together they would fix what had been broken so long ago.
Man, her life was insane.
"Do you need some assistance?" Van's voice broke through her thoughts and she jumped in surprise. A large tome slipped off the pile in her arms and collapsed loudly back on the wooden table. Trying to recover, she placed the stack safely back down and moved to pick up the one that had fallen. Little did she know, he'd rushed forward to help her-
His hand covered hers on the spine.
They stood frozen in that moment. Her body tight and nervous, and his chest brushing up against her shoulder.
He was so warm.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, letting go of the book quickly. She gasped softly as his hand left with hers; still clutching her fingers gently. A shot of heat ran up and down her spine as his head lowered closer to her ear.
"Do not be sorry," he breathed quietly. "They are only books…"
A sliver of desire followed the heat, and she found herself unknowingly leaning towards him. His lips brushed up against the back of her ear, and she shivered as a wash of pleasure rushed through her body. Closing her eyes, Hitomi's brain was on auto-pilot as she turned her head slightly and his lips moved to her right cheek. She felt his other hand slowly creep to her waist while the other one kept a steady grip on her fingers…
"A-HEM!"
They sprang apart like guilty puppies, each blushing terribly. Fingers fumbling nervously , Van picked up the dropped book and placed it on the pile. As she moved to pick up the stack, he stepped up and brushed her aside with his long arm.
"I will take care of it. Sit on the sofa and rest your leg."
With a tense swallow, she nodded and headed towards a broken, pink flower-printed sofa that sat facing the red bricked fire. Hitomi noticed Grammy's yellow canines shining through her smile as she shambled up to join her.
They both sat; the older wolf letting out a soft groan as the couch squeaked with the new weight. She draped her furry arm over the top of the couch lazily while Hitomi wrung her fingers in her lap; her hand still warm where Van had touched it.
"I want to go to the Wastes tonight," Grammy said softly, her gravelly voice sounding almost guilty.
"So soon?" Hitomi asked just as quietly.
The wolf leaned her head back and rested her feet on the concaved coffee table. She let out a long sigh that blew out her lips. "We are running out of time. I feel as though the machine is about to affect something much greater than we could possibly imagine. Not just a world beyond ours, but an entire galaxy."
"An entire galaxy?" she glanced up in surprise. "Do you know which one specifically?"
The old wolf blew out her lips again. "You say it like galaxy is a trip to a mall with different little shops all lined neatly in a row. No, little bitch, this is effecting the heavens. We have to go to the Wastes tonight. We cannot doddle here like its vacation weekend in Britonnia."
The front door shut and Bakura's hunched figure could be seen in the dark entry way. He shook his head with his ears flapping and walked into the living room to join them.
"You made a mess of my tent, you fool," Grammy growled at her grandson. He just shrugged in response; his long ears pulled back. The short-haired girl turned to give him a small smile, which he returned with a blush.
"What if Zaibach knows about the escape tunnel?" Hitomi asked turning back to Grammy.
"Impossible," Chordata answered swiftly as she entered from the kitchen. She carried a tray of empty cups and a pot of tea. She set it on the side of the table and Grammy withdrew her laced feet with a grunt of approval. Pouring a bit of tea into each cup, she continued. "Master Fanel has told me how secure it was even back in the day. More than likely, the tunnel has collapsed."
"But it will be dangerous going to the Wastes, especially at night. We've been traveling all day. Everyone's exhausted. Why not wait until morning?" Hitomi asked.
"What and have brunch with the beast clans?" Grammy snorted. "Don't be an idiot and get clouded in your head. We have to get to that damned yew tree as soon as possible. We have the advantage. They haven't found us yet and we have a secret tunnel or some bullshit. We need to get going before the going gets gone."
Hitomi blinked at the nonsensical alliteration and nodded slowly. A shadow fell over her as Van suddenly appeared in front of the fire and knelt on the ground to spread out a rolled paper on the coffee table. Leaning forward with green eyes interested, Hitomi noticed it was a map of the upper side of Fanelia.
The Ridgeback Mountains.
"It is dated, but the demographics should still be correct," Van said softly. His tan finger pointed at a thin red line that traveled several miles from the northern edge of Fanelia's capital to a valley between the peaks. A marker was on the map indicating The Wastes. "I know the tunnel empties around here. I walked the tunnel only once with my brother, but I should recognize the opening."
"That's all well and good, but how can we trust that Zaibach or the roaming beast men haven't found/destroyed it?" Grammy asked with a bored tilt of her head.
A miniscule smile touched Van's lips. He let go of the map and touched his hip where his faithful sword was buckled. "My family crest. There is an indent in the mountainside. It will open for the Sword of Fanelia."
"Well, butter my butt and call me bread, I say we send the scouts. Cat, little bitch, you two stay here. We need a driver, a member of Fanelia's Royal whatever, and someone to take down the local hostiles!" The old wolf stood up so fast from the couch, the lopsided loveseat knocked Hitomi off-kilter. She had to grab hold of the armrest to not slip over the side. "Let's get this show on the road!"
"Without dinner?" Chordata asked motioning to the fresh pot of tea sitting next to the map.
"Call it incentive to get the job done," Grammy smirked evilly.
"Wait! I want to come!" Hitomi cried as soon as she'd recovered from the shaking couch. Standing awkwardly, she clenched her fists at her side. "I want to come, too!"
Chordata stepped forward and glanced at Van. As if reading her thoughts, Van shot the cat a quick look and immediately shook his head. "No," he said, his mahogany eyes slipping to Hitomi's face through his long hair. "There only needs to be a few of us. You are injured. There is no reason for you to come."
"But-"
"We will wait behind for you to return, Master Fanel. Please be safe." Chordata interrupted kindly. Turning to Grammy, she nodded her head. "Please protect him."
"But wait I-"
"I will take care of him like my own litter." Grammy vowed.
"Please let me-"
Grammy turned away to head to the entry hall. "Bakura! Get the car ready! Don't run over my tent!"
Bakura nodded swiftly and avoided Hitomi's eyes.
Hitomi scowled and her fingernails dug into her palms. "Stop ignoring me! I want to-"
With a squeal, she didn't realize Van had stood up and was now beside her until she felt his large warm hands on her shoulders. Her tongue froze with her indignation on her lips as he carefully turned her around to face him and his fingers moved up to cup her face. "You are staying here," he whispered, his deep red eyes filling hers. "I will be back."
Her fists clenched harder and she felt the rush of burning tears. "I hate you sometimes," she hissed slowly.
His mouth quirked up into that annoying smirk.
"I know."
The doorbell rang and she paused the TV. Hurrying to the door, she looked through the keyhole. Standing on her doorstep was a thin man with spectacles. He had on a dark brown fedora with a tan scarf. A genteel smile was on his thin lips. Unlocking the chain and deadbolt, Megumi opened the door and asked, "Julius Hatchet?"
"Yes, ma'am." He took off his hat and his simple brown hair stood up a bit on his head. "I hope I'm not too late. I apologize that I couldn't come earlier this afternoon. I'm letting my associates handle another case, but I needed to make sure they were doing it correctly."
"You're alright, sir. I just put the kettle on if you would like some tea."
He nodded with his smile growing wider. Megumi instantly felt her lips curling into a returning smile. His grin was so open it was surprisingly infectious. Making room, he entered the house and as she shut the door, she said:
"My son should be home any minute. He'll be happy to meet you."
Rutilus is getting worked on, Be Ready already has scenes ready to go... also, there's might be a rating change for the next coming chapter on this story - juuuuust pre-warning yous guys.
Well, hope you are excited for the upcoming showdown. There's probably only two or three chapters left of this story. This chapter was a lot of transition and moving the characters where I need them to be. Trust me, as mentioned before there will be PLENTY of action coming up soon enough.
Thanks again for reading! I appreciate everyone who reads, reviews, likes, follows, and just feels like my work is worth their time. It means the world to me as a writer.
I hope to see you guys next time!
Tootles!
blue...