Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Blood In Her Hands ❯ The Jerk and The Bastard ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Vision of Escaflowne.. However, the new/added characters and places in this fanfic that were not mentioned in the animated series are products of my imagination.. Any relation to real people/places is purely accidental..

Hitomi was lying on her bed. She was given her own room, though she reluctant to lie on the bed for some time. She studied the room, not failing to indicate the touch of royalty in them all. Van's a King. He owns this castle. She got up from the bed and went to the balcony. This is her favorite spot. She felt free to the world but protected by the walls of the castle. She's on top of the trees, gardens, houses…all. A breeze blew on her face gently. She fixed her hair, which was now past her waist. She intend to cut it short again, but she just plain lazy about it. Besides, why cut it when it would just grow back again? Why go through the hassle.

“Hitomi?” asked a voice she recognized as Allen's.

“Enter,” answered Hitomi while still standing in the balcony.

Allen entered the room tentatively and found Hitomi in the balcony because of the open balcony door. He approached her cautiously.

“Are you feeling better now?” asked Allen.

“I am not sick,” answered Hitomi.

“I know. It's just that you were feeling off these past few days,” said Allen.

“So?” snapped Hitomi. “What has that got to do with you?”

Allen was taken back. Remember the plan. Go slowly.

“Van's planning to have a meeting with all the leaders in Gaea. The meeting would be held here at Fanelia. Would you like to join us there?” asked Allen.

“Give me one good and valid reason why I should go to that stupid meeting.”

“This meeting would form alliance for the stability of the lands against enemies. It is very important for Fanelia to secure its place in Gaea after having just rebuilt recently.”

“You're a good swordsman, right Allen?” asked Hitomi.

“What? I do not consider myself good but that's what people tell me.”

“I'll go then.”

“What? Really? That's great Hitomi I ---”

“On one condition,” cut Hitomi.

“Condition?” asked Allen.

“Train me,” answered Hitomi.

“Train you? I'm not really into ethics Hitomi. I'm just a step away from where you ---”

“Not that trash. I mean train me in sword handling.”

“Hitomi…”

“Take it or leave it.”

Allen gave up. “Alright. Just be ready for the feast, okay?”

Hitomi merely nodded. She was not looking at Allen at throughout the conversation. She felt safe talking to Allen than anyone in this damn castle. The blonde boy still got his charms.

“The feast would start tomorrow morning at the castle gates. We'll pick you up,” said Allen.

Hitomi didn't answer. She just kept looking at the landscape spread over her. She wanted to get out, but at least Allen would train her to handle her kodaci well. Even if the price is to attend that stupid party. Allen was at the door when he dismissed himself. He was about to close the door when Hitomi spoke.

“Allen.”

“Yes Hitomi?”

“Thanks.”

“You're welcome,” said Allen as he totally closed the door.

Preparations for the meeting were almost finished to meet with the deadline of twenty four hours. The castle walls, usually in the color lines of gray and black, were now adorned with bouquets of flowers. The armors were shining in cleanliness. The portraits added color and design to the pale walls. The usual utensils were replaced with the finest silverware there is in the castle. The gardens were trimmed into perfection, paying attention to every infinitesimal detail. Everybody could be seen doing something, anything to beautify the castle more.

“Enough with the decorations. That will do,” said Van. He thought the castle was being over-decorated.

“Yes My Lord,” replied by the attendants.

“Argh! I never thought decorating the castle would cause me a headache,” argued Van as he settled on his favorite couch at midnight. The decorating process of the castle was finally, finally, done.

“It is normal Van. This meeting is very crucial,” said Allen.

“I know, I know,” said Van in an annoying voice.

“Van-sama, you should rest now. You have a very hectic day tomorrow,” said Merle, who was leaning on Van's chair. Millerna and Dryden have already retired to their quarters. Allen, Van and Merle were the only ones still up at this hour. Merle refused to call it a night when Van's still awake. Allen said that he wasn't sleepy enough.

“By the way, have you convinced Hitomi to join the meeting?” asked Merle.

“Yes. She will come to the feast. I said we will pick her up at morning,” said Allen. He didn't want to tell them the conditions Hitomi had stated a while ago before submitting to the offer.

“Great. Was it hard to convince her Allen?” asked Van.

“A little. But she came around,” said Allen.

“Excellent. I knew she would never want to miss this prestigious party,” declared Merle. Allen was reminded that Hitomi had called this meeting a `stupid party'. Hitomi would gladly miss this day for the world. But they didn't have to know about that, Allen thought.

“Maybe we should really rest now. We have to be up really early tomorrow,” said Van after yawning.

“Yes. Merle, you should retire as well,” said Allen, standing up. “Van, I ask your permission to leave the room.”

“You're dismissed, Allen. And please, enough with the formalities,” said Van.

“Alright. See you in the morning,” said Allen as he made his way to the door.

Merle still sat on her place, waiting for Van to stand up. He did, after some time and bid Merle good night. Merle scampered away but followed Van with her eyes as he entered his room. Satisfied that he was inside the room and lying on his bed, Merle smiled to herself and entered her own room.

Hitomi was awakened by the shrug on her shoulders. She opened one eye and saw the image of a maid waking her up. She threw a pillow at the maid's way and told her to mind her own business. The maid shaken by her actions, told her in a meek voice about the party today. Shit, said Hitomi. Today was that stupid party she agreed to attend. She got up and stared coldly at the maid.

“I'm awake now, you may leave me,” said Hitomi.

“I was instructed by the king to help you prepare you for the opening ceremonies, Lady Hitomi,” explained the maid, head bowed in case Hitomi decided to throw something at her again.

“Exactly what preparations?” asked Hitomi. Not dresses.

The maid held up some of the dresses Hitomi was to wear to the feast. Hitomi could only nod at the maid as she began to prepare her. Damn it Allen. You never told me about this. Your lessons must be worth all of this nonsense.

The opening ceremonies went alright. Van was able to meet with the respected leaders of the lands. He has already met with Dryden and Millerna, the leaders of Asturia. Prince Chid, now a king, was excited to see Van and the gang again. The leader of Boreal, Prince Hayase was not, however, how Van imagined him to be. The King of Boreal couldn't come himself so he sent his only son, Hayase as representative of his country to this meeting. Hayase had dark blue hair and a pair of cold, silver eyes. He's a little taller than Van if they were inspected further. They shook hands but talk a little. He appeared distant, even to his own advisers and delegates. After the welcoming party, the guests were ushered to the castle for the feast. At mid-afternoon, the leaders and delegates of the different lands were requested to join the King of Fanelia at the conference room to commence the meeting.

“You said I will only attend the opening ceremony,” argued Hitomi. Allen was pulling her towards the room.

“But Hitomi, you agreed to join the entire days of celebration. Come on, Van would like to see you there,” said Allen.

“No,” said Hitomi and released herself from Allen's grip.

“If you back out now, then I will not hold my part of the bargain,” threatened Allen, causing Hitomi to give in. Allen escorted her to the conference room.

There was silence when they entered the room. Hitomi deeply regretted agreeing in the bargain. She could find someone who could train her other than Allen. And there's nothing about going to a stupid party that is required to grant her that. Heads turned at the blonde knight and the woman in dress. I hate to be in dresses, Hitomi thought. She held her head up and walked to her place in the table.

Van was stupefied at the sight of Hitomi dressed. Her hair was left untouched, just flowing luxuriously. She was wearing a dress, not the usual gowns worn by the ladies in his court. But it looked elegant to her, with her head up and all that. She made her way to her place without any sound. Allen went to his place on the table.

“Van-sama, you should introduce Hitomi to them,” whispered Millerna.

“Oh sorry,” said Van. He cleared his voice, stood up and presented Hitomi to the guests. They murmured their welcome and returned to their stony silence to await the start of the meeting. Hitomi merely nodded at the people around her, with a small forced smile on her face. Van could see Prince Hayase eyeing Hitomi from afar.

“So now we begin the meeting,” announced General Saigo.

This is really boring, Hitomi said to herself. She watched as the people speak around her, not really taking time to understand what the hell they were talking about. All she could think about was what she would learn from Allen in their training. I am wasting my time here. The meeting went for more than two hours and when it finally ended, Hitomi couldn't think of anything better to happen that afternoon. The guests were then guided to the dining hall to have their dinner. Then they all spent the night talking with the other guests and drinking wines. Van was busy talking with other guests and so is the gang. Hitomi was now making her way towards her room, her body itching to get the dress off her. She bumped somebody because she was so focused at going to her room.

“Watch out where you're going, will you?” shouted Hitomi. She was flat on the ground, having fallen from the bump.

“You're the one who should watch where you're going,” said the voice. Hitomi looked up and saw the man who has dark blue hair. Oh great, thought Hitomi. I bumped into one of the leaders. She got up and gave the man the coldest stare she could muster.

“Bakka,” said the Hayase as he continued to walk towards the hall.

“Jerk,” said Hitomi as she went up the staircase to her awaiting room.

“Stupid party.”

It was all Hitomi could say as she went straight to her bed. She quickly changed to her shirt and pants and threw the dress to the clothes basket. Then she went to the balcony. She sat on the railing and leaned on the wall. I shouldn't have agreed to come to that meeting.
“Hitomi?” asked Merle at the door.

“What do you want?” snapped Hitomi.

“Nothing.”

“Then scram.”

“Oh I won't,” teased Merle.

“Suit yourself. I'm going out,” said Hitomi while getting up and grabbing he jacket as she went towards the door.

“I'm coming with you,” said Merle, running to her.

“I forgot to mention, I'm going out alone,” said Hitomi.

“Oh no you won't. It's about time that you let someone in your life for once. You were always alone, now I'll break that trend,” said Merle.

“Try me.”

Merle just kept following Hitomi. Hitoimi locked her room on the outside, trapping Merle inside. But she knew that the balcony is open, so trapping Merle is useless. Hitomi continued to wander around the castle, stealthily. She knew that Merle would wait for her at the front gates, since it is the nearest exit from her room. So Hitomi decided to find another exit, using the kitchen back door. But that would make the cooks see her, and they could inform anyone about her disappearance. She spotted a window on the second landing. It's not that high, she could make the jump unscratched. She made the jump alright and the sight greeted her was an unexpected one. It was Hayase.

“Is it a common sight to see a lady jumping out from a window?” asked Hayase.

“Better get used to it,” said Hitomi, brushing the grass off her shoes.

“Your clothes are unusual. Where are you from?” asked Hayase.

“Asking too many questions is kind of annoying,” snapped Hitomi.

“But if you answer them then the questions will stop coming.”

“I am not obliged to answer any of your questions.”

“Are you always like that?”

“Like what?”

“Always trying to scare people off with your words?”

“You have a problem with that? If you have, then stay away from me for your own good,” said Hitomi as she started to walk out of the castle grounds.

“Where are you going?”

“None of your goddamn business.”

“That's rude for a lady to speak such words.”

“Why can't a lady use such words?”

“Where are you going?” asked Hayase again but Hitomi started running. He could follow her, treating himself to a visit in town. He didn't want to be confined inside the castle. So he decided to follow her, whether she liked it or not.

Hitomi roamed around the town for awhile. She looked around the stalls and just blended with the crowd. Although her clothing was different, she wrapped herself in a cloak before entering the town. She didn't want to draw attention to herself when she just wanted to be alone. Something caught her eye in one of the stalls. It was small box, shaped like a shell. She asked for its price then remembered that she didn't have any Gaean money with her, so she returned the box to its place. She kept on going until she saw the fields. She found a high place and rested under the shade of a tree. Farmers were tending to their fields while some are shepherds, tending to their sheep. Children are by the river, playing with the water. Why can't I be like them?

“There you are.” It was Hayase.

“Look who decided to grace me with his royal presence,” said Hitomi.

“You really are not the friendly type, are you?” asked Hayase as he sat beside Hitomi. “Well, you're not the only one who has the right to get out of the castle.”

“Aren't you supposed to be accompanied by your guards? You're a King right?” asked Hitomi.

“I'm the Prince not the King. My guards? I escaped them. Even royalties desire some time alone,” said Hayase and he lay on the grass. Both of his hands were under his head, serving as pillows. Hitomi remained seated to where she was and kept watching the farmers and shepherds do their tasks.

“So, I hear you're a special guest of the King,” started Hayase.

“I'm just a… an acquaintance,” said Hitomi. She almost said the word `friend'.

“I see. Are you staying in the castle or just passing by?”

“I guess, just passing by.”

“Where do you plan to go?”

“Anywhere. I don't know where I want to go, I just want to keep moving, traveling,” explained Hitomi. Hayase got up and sat beside Hitomi again, his back leaning on the tree they were under.

“You want to be like the wind.”

“Excuse me?”

“Like the wind. Just going and passing through places. You don't stop at any place, just moving at all times. If the wind stops moving, it dies.”

“Yes. Like the wind,” said Hitomi.

“You may want to remove that cloak of yours. You're perspiring.”

“NOYB.”

“Pardon?”

“None of your business,” said Hitomi.

“Gee, I was just helping.”

“Don't you have anything to do today than bother me?” asked Hitomi. She whirled around and faced him coldly.

“Am I bothering you?” asked Hayase with a smile.

“If you aren't, then I wouldn't ask you that question.”

“Oh really? Am I now…”

Hitomi couldn't take it anymore. Hayase here is getting on her nerves. Why can't he find somebody else to bother? Why me? Hitomi got up and left Hayase in the tree. “Oh, now we're walking out?” teased Hayase as he stood up.

“Would you please leave me alone?” begged Hitomi, not turning to face the Prince of Boreal.

“Now you're speaking politely. What's with the sudden shift?” said Hayase.

“Why do you---,” said Hitomi but she suddenly felt weak. She could feel her stomach turn and she has the urge to throw up. Her head was spinning and she couldn't stand straight. Hayase, busily laughing to himself, failed to notice Hitomi and continued to tease her.

“Well, you're not so cold, are you Miss? Just a little teasing and your defense breaks down. I should tease you often then, maybe you will ---” said Hayase. He stopped when he saw Hitomi on the ground, unconscious.

“Miss! Miss! Are you alright? Of course she's not alright Hayase!” said Hayase to himself as he hurled Hitomi to face him. She was pale and a little clammy. Hayase carried Hitomi to their place at the tree and cloaked her.

“She's shivering? A fever perhaps?” breathed Hayase. She groped for Hitomi's forehead and compared the temperature to his. Normal. Maybe she's just tired.

Hitomi shook and she slowly opened her eyes. Silver eyes met her gaze. What happened?

“What ---?”

“I should be the one to ask you that, My Lady,” said Hayase as he helped Hitomi got up. “What happened? Are you ill?”

“I don't know. I just felt … weak, I guess,” said Hitomi. She put her hands on her face and cleaned her face with her sweat.

“Maybe we should return to the castle then, what do you think?” offered Hayase. He extended his hand to Hitomi, which was accepted by her. He helped her walk back towards the castle. When they're in the castle gates, Hitomi let go of Hayase's hold and said she can walk by herself. After entering the castle doors, they turn to walk at different directions.

“Yuki Hayase,” said Hayase.

“Kanzaki Hitomi,” replied Hitomi.