Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Memories ❯ Fortunes ( Chapter 14 )

MemoriesChap 14

VAN!!

Warning; some strong languge!

"So did it work? What did you say to her?"

Shiden was waiting for a response. Everybody was tense and anxious.

"I saw her." Van finally gulped. "She was pleading with me to say something, but… I just stood there, staring at her. Why does she hate me so much?!" Van bellowed.

Shiden said it might have something to do with her. Because ever since they found out who was who when they first met, Hitomi had been nasty towards her for no reason. She wanted to talk to her to tackle this problem. But Hitomi would always stalk off before Shiden even had the chance. So Duo sat down with them, and slowly began to explain. He said Hitomi felt alone and unwanted ever since Shiden arrived on the scene, because everyone would just "flock" to be with Shiden. Van… Allen… Merle… himself… and now even Celena… Duo went on, adding that Hitomi wasn't angry because Shiden was getting all the attention. But rather, because she felt deserted by the man she loved. Kanzaki was beginning to think sacrificing everything she had back on Earth, for this, wasn't worth it. The point is, Duo stresses, Hitomi was starting to believe Van didn't love her anymore.

Van punched the floor, causing it to crack and his knuckled to bleed. A servant girl rushed to them with a clean cloth. The King shouted at her to leave. She ran away crying.

Shiden tried to calm him down. No use. Duo tried a man-to-man approach. Still no use. Van stormed out the room to the palace kitchens and grabbed a few wine flasks. Then to the stables and jumped on a horse. Rode to the cliff edge like a demon. On the way he passed a startled Allen. When he got there, Van went to sit under a big tree. Fanelia is finally rebuilt. His people were happy things were back to normal. Reunited with family they haven't seen in years. They could start over. Yet Van, the young King of Fanelia, was the opposite. He was unhappy because the woman of his dreams has just left him. Worried that it may be for good this time. But fear grips him with iron hands, cold and unnaturally strong. In his mind the vision of a lonely old man beckons. His friends will keep him company. Though not for every hour of the day, for they too must live their own lives. The strange man called Duo would find someone when he chooses to settle. Van can sense it. Duo is blessed with a happy-go-lucky nature people like a lot. Shiden has Allen to love her. Merle… well, who would have thought it? His good childhood playmate is engaged to another animal being. Last week to be exact. To a male leopard by the name of Clae Loksvak, who works as a left-hand man for Dryden's father. Loksvak is a kind leopard. Van relaxed at the knowledge he will always look after Merle. She still visits him from time to time.

Then there's Shiden; he was so relieved when he first saw her, Van had to pinch himself to prove it wasn't just an illusion. For as long as he can remember, would Van snuck into the library and take a scroll from the restricted area. This was done when Folken was busy. Unrolling the scroll, it revealed a pretty little girl with the most adorable smile. Judging by what she was wearing, she must have been very rich; lavishly dressed in the finest silks, with gold brocades, hand-sewn details, and gold and jade hair pins, and a pearl-spiked comb, adorned her long dark glossy hair. As a child, Van admired the skill of the artist. Even till this day he still does. To create a portrait like this was simply astonishing. One day, he gathered the courage to ask Folken who this little girl is. Firstly closing all doors and windows, it felt like he was going to be told an amazing secret. An excited Van couldn't wait. Folken had never looked so sad when he told his sibling who she was. Being so terribly young, he couldn't really understand why his big brother had cried as he spoke. Now older, Van understood at last. A secret, it definitely was. Leaning against the trunk, he gazed mindlessly at the sea. The waters sparkling as it met the horizon. Van inhaled deeply, breathing in as much fresh sea air as he could. And Hitomi, the only girl to have conquered his heart thinking to when he blurted out that her wanted her, and got punched as an answer… Them young king laughs at himself for being such an idiot. It should have sounded like "Will you stay with me?" But now she's gone. Maybe only for a short while. Or possibly for eternity. Shit - what has he done? Will he ever win her back? All those memories… He took a wine flask from his hip, and quickly drank it dry. Taking another from the horse's saddle, he finished that quickly too. Five flasks later, Van was quite drunk. He even swore at a bird that was pecking food at his feet. The sun was beginning setting now.

"Shall we send a search party to find him?"

Ever since Van left them earlier, the gang have been idly waiting for His Majesty to come back. When Allen turned up to see Shiden, he asked why Van was in such a hurry. So they repeated to the Knight Caeli what he missed that day. Merle was worried about Lord Van.

"Ah, I wouldn't worry about it Merle, seems like he needs to cool his head. Like Shiden said, a royal person means a royal temper. I don't wanna get roasted thanks. He'll be fine." Duo said.

"I just hope he doesn't do anything he'll regret." Merle sighed.

"Shiden?"

"Mm?"

"Queen Millerna would like to meet you tomorrow. She says it is personal." Allen said with some concern.

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Frustrated at running out of wine, Van threw the emptied flasks over the cliff. Suddenly a huge flask was dropped in front of him. Van looked up to see who gave it to him. It was Celena. She seemed to be swaying on her feet. Giggling at nothing she plonked herself next to him, leaning on his shoulder as she continued to giggle.

"What is so funny?!"

"Y-hu… us… we're both pissed like pigs."

"I!! Am most cer-ERT-tainly… NOT (BUUUURRRPP) a PIG!!!" Van protested and Celena laughed out loud.

"No… of course not, you are but the King of Fanelia…" Celena cooed softly, "You are a very handsome boy your ma-HUST'sy. Did anyone ever tell you that? Oh yes… I just did!" Her fair hair fell over Celena's eyes, so she had to face up and look down on Van. "I'll tell you something… HICK… I want to kiss you." She whispered in his ear.

Now it was Van who laughed out loud. Celena pretended to be upset by this. She pushed him over in a playful manner. In turn, Van pinned her down on the grass. They gazed into each other's eyes. Celena pulled him closer but he turned away.

"I… I can't. I'm sorry."

"Can we talk then, like this? I mean it can't do any harm if we don't do anything, right?" Celena purred. Van couldn't think straight while drunk. Celena couldn't focus when drunk. So she took his not answering as a yes. She asked him about his life history. He spilled all; about his sister's "vanishing act" when they were really young; about his father's sudden death; and how he thought Folken would still be a friend when he became king. The Dragon slaying event was quite prestigious. It was important to succeed if one was to acquire the thrown. But for some mysterious reason, Folken vanished just like his sister did. his mother was very distraught to say the least. Any other women might have cried themselves to sleep every night. Or be driven mad by not knowing where they were, and why they haven't returned. Most days, Van found her sitting on a chair in her room, blankly staring out the window. Although she continued to care for her young son, she had changed. All the things he adored about her, were gone, just like every member of his family. Before he was old enough to try the Dragon slaying, his mother also "disappeared". Without warning and without a trace. She left no letter. Told no soul what she was doing. People say she went to search for her lost children, even though Balgus and his men had already tried searching for them countless times. She never came back. Not only has Fanelia lost their king, but their queen as well. Now they only had one heir, the five year-old Van Fanel. Rumour has it the queen was killed by a Dragon. Previous to her marriage to the king, she was stigmatized for being a Draconian. The king's entire council, advisors, and bishops tried to prevent this unholy union. The monarch always has the last word, so they were married. Little Van grew up an orphan, would have had a lonely childhood too if it weren't for Merle.

Moving onto a different subject, he asked about Celena. There was a long pause before she began talking. She was five at the time, playing with Allen in a filed while their mother watched on. She ran ahead to play hide and seek with her brother, when a vicious storm suddenly flared up. The sky became grey and lightning began striking randomly. But Celena was already very far away. Allen told her all about it when they were reunited four years ago; he was alarmed by the storm and called for her to come back. He wanted to look for her but his mother prevented him. Her mysterious disappearance caused their mother to waste away. She had already lost a husband; losing her daughter as well proved to be too much. Celena asked him what it was like to be loved…

Van knew where this is going and tried to get up, but Celena forced him to lie on his back. She kissed him. When their lips brushed they tingled. It was like eating the forbidden fruit in Eden. Celena said she was sick of being the sweet shy girl that everyone ignores. Everyone except her brother. And yes, she has friends, but its not the same as courting. Although Allen had changed to a one-woman man, women are still attracted to him like bees to a honey pot. She revealed she wanted to be like him, irresistible to the opposite sex. Because normally, she always curtsied properly, said the right things and only when spoken to. She didn't ever shout, raise her voice, laugh loudly, burped, having to pass wind as discreetly as possible, and she had to looked down if she did open her mouth to laugh. All these strict and stupid etiquettes were irritating. And that was just being polite. At this moment she couldn't care less about the consequences. Never mind what people will think of her afterwards. Celena just wants to have some fun, having grown tired of being the "good girl". No one ever noticed her. So she kissed him senseless. Van was too weak to resist. Under the circumstances or under the influence of alcohol, it didn't matter to them.

Over the brow of the hill, a certain someone with a long ponytail could see everything. He was accompanied by a little beggar boy. Will they expose this sordid affair? Or keep quiet about it? Celena and Van were oblivious to them. Because regardless, their passion carried on well into the night…

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On Earth, things were getting more than complicated. Infact it was nearer to being surreal.

"A… father?" Amano was utterly speechless. The doctor smiled sympathetically.

"Yes, you're wife is pregnant,"

"But she's-"

"I know it must be a huge shock to you. I was like this when I found out my wife was carrying our first child. You feel fear and joy. Fear of the unknown. Joy at what could be. And worrying about how you'll cope once it's born. It's a big thing, having a baby. Although your wife's current status is critical, she will pull through. She just needs to stay here for a few days so we can keep an eye on her, and then she's all yours. Just take it easy ok?" The doctor offered, placing a reassuring hand on Amano's shoulder. Then he left them to it. Amano slumped back into his chair, gazing into space. Hitomi couldn't believe it.

"YOU'RE MARRIED?!?! WHY DIDN'T YOU EVEN TELL ME?!?! AND I THOUGHT YOU GUYS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS!!!!" Hitomi wailed.

"WE'RE NOT EVEN ENGAGED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!!!" Realising that he was almost shouting, Amano lowered his voice. His didn't want his private affairs to be public news. "The doctor just got the wrong impression about us. That's all." Amano insisted.

Hitomi gawped at him, desperate to know some answers. They were sucked so far in this debate that they failed to notice Yukari was awake. Having just regained consciousness, she watched them curiously.

"Have I got the wrong impression too then?! I thought we had all sorted this thing out, like who really liked who and what they were going to do about it years ago. I love Van, and I will never give my heart to another. You and Yukari know that. Just like I know you two are serious about each other, because when I left for Gaea there were letters, letters written to each and every one of you; my mom, dad, little brother, my college friends ,Yukari and to you; ARE MY FEELINGS THAT VAGUE?!" Hitomi's voice was unusually high and wobbly.

The long speech left her feeling very drained. Hitomi wondered how things could escalate to such proportions and in such little time as well. Yukari was the only person at school who befriended her on the first day. Then gradually Amano joined the girls and the three of them became best buddies. She was choking back the tears, as she tried to say it all at once before Amano could stop her. Amano finally turned to look at her. He tried to hold her hands, but she withdrew them.

Amano prepared admitting, what he should have admitted so long ago.

"Alright, I'll be honest with you; I have had inklings for you ever since you joined the track team back in yr 7. I thought you were really cute, but decided to get to know you before asking you on a date. I've done the mistake of just asking someone out straightaway and then not actually like them because they're different to how I'd thought they'd be. We were having such a laugh together, me, you and Yukari. Everyday felt like a day at the beach. Who wouldn't have the time of their lives with their best friend and the person they fancy? I didn't realise exactly how much you meant to me, until that day you disappeared. It dawned on me, and I decided I wanted to be with you. It just felt so…intense…the only thing I wanted to do the most, was to kiss you when you woke up. You scared me to death, suddenly fainting like that. Now that you're back, the…old feelings…are back, too." Amano struggled to find the right words.

But he was not willing to do the right thing.

"So you're saying I wrecked your relationship with Yukari?! Is that what you mean?!"

Hitomi felt hot with anger, but to pinpoint the core reason was hard to do right now. Her pale green eyes watered quickly to the brim, intensifying their acid green colour, and looking up didn't help nor did blinking. So she closed her eyes to stop them from falling. It only made them fall faster. She sighed deeply, but shakily too. This is getting too much.

"No! No that's not what I mean! Hitomi, please don't cry." Amano said helplessly, annoyed there was nothing he could do.

It pained him to see her cry. But not as much as it pained someone else. A nurse on night duty walked past.

"Erm… I'll try and make this as clear as I possibly can for you-" Amano began.

"It's not me you should be declaring your undying love to." Snapped Hitomi.

Her voice was still very shaky. Each word seemed to be uttered with extreme difficulty. She looked at him with bloodshot eyes.

He cupped her tear-stained face.

"D-on't Amano… I don't love you." She whispered as she removed his hands.

Silence. Beep.beep.beep.beep. Before they can look at Yukari, she quickly shuts her eyes. Amano and Hitomi observe the state she's in. At least her condition is stable. And it's the only thing that seems to be. Hitomi feels so responsible for all of this. Yet it was started, by someone else. By Isaac Newton. Isaac and his damn obsession with controlling fate. In the end, it claimed him, like it did so many others. Naria. Aria. Folken. Balgus. The late king and queen of Fanelia. The towns and cities caught in between Zaibach and its quest to dominate Gaea. Amano couldn't let it rest.

"But did you ever love me?"

"No and shut up! Yukari'll hear!! Plus it will kill her." Hitomi hissed.

"Yukari can withstand whatever life throws at her." Hitomi wanted to know how he can be so… so… uncaring about his girlfriend. Treating her as though she meant nothing to him. She couldn't stand this.

"IS THAT WHY SHE WAS CLOSE TO A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN WHEN I DISAPPEARED LIKE THAT?!?! IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU AMANO, SHE STILL MIGHT NEED THERAPY TODAY!!!"

"SHHHH!!!!! Be quiet! Its two 'o'clock!!" Came an irritated voice from the next bed. Hitomi turned to look, except she didn't really care but she still said sorry anyway. She sank back in her chair.

"Look, (sighs heavily) I know where your coming from, but she needs you. Loves you. Cares for you. Cares about you. Worships the floor you walk on. Yukari thinks the world of y-"

"Hitomi I don't care!! All I care about now is you! You and only you!! Get that in your head!" He puts a hand up to stop Hitomi from protesting, "I've gotta say this before I bottle it - I love you Hitomi Kanzaki. I always have and I always will."

Yukari turned over onto her side. Tears cascaded down both her cheeks. Betrayal can cut so deep, that the wounds may never heal. They say emotional pain hurts far more, and goes far deeper than physical pain. God they were right, and Yukari hated it.

And why do I believe you? Both Hitomi and Yukari thought. Studying the floor, Hitomi prayed for some kind of miracle to sort this hell of a mess. She loves Van; who's obsessed with Shiden; who comes from Earth; where Amano lived happily with Yukari; who cherished him; and he's just said he loves her; Hitomi. Kanzaki takes a big gulp of water but chokes on it. Running a hand over her face, her head feels as if a hammer is pounding it. A throbbing headache. The last she remembers, is looking at Amano to see what he's thinking, then falling asleep on Yukari's bed.

(Huh? Brrrr, it's abit chilly. The window might be open - it is. Strange, I don't remember opening it. And why's my sight all hazy? This must be a dream or something. Hmmm, I feel nice and warm. Wait a minute, who's that? Tee-hee, what's a jester… hang on, I'm in a hospital. There should only be nurses and doctors here. Amano! Amano wake up!! God, he's sleeping like a baby. Men, who needs them. Not me that's for sure. What… what the hell is that jester going? He's taking Yukari away! Hey! I… I can't move!! Why can't I move?! Hey you!! I said;

"STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!" Hitomi shouted at the top of her voice. A few people stirred in their sleep. Some woke and stared at her with a "how dare you" expression. Heart thumped so hard it hurt. Like it wasn't part of her. Stretching stiff limbs, she yawned once again. The early dawn streaked across the horizon. Tinting it with a soft light. Amano is still in the land of nod, in his chair. On the floor, is a little passport sized photo of a smiling couple with a small boy. They all had dark eyes and hair. She picked it up. On the back it said "To our darling boy, lots of love always, from your mummy and daddy."

"Who are they?" Hitomi wondered. It took a while for a drowsy Hitomi to notice the empty bed.

Instead of gently waking Amano like a normal person would, she skipped that and SLAPPEDhim awake instead. Amano jumped out of his skin like his arse was on fire. He nearly started shouting as well. So she explained to him about her dream, and showed him the small photo. Amano thought he should know who they are, especially the boy, but no names came to mind. Hitomi had decided; to return to Gaea. She had a strong instinct the jester has gone there with Yukari. Feeling for the pendant, she grasped it for comfort. Instantly she was reminded of all the good things about Gaea; how she thought Van was seriously cute when she first saw him. How she was completely swept off her feet by Allen's charming personality. And upon first impressions she thought Millerna hated her, but then discovered she isn't that bad, and admired her for going to all that trouble of learning medicine, just to become a doctor and help her people. All these things kept running through her brain as she walked with Amano to a quiet spot. They drove to his father's huge estate and parked on the front garden. They went round the back, and through the labyrinth garden, checking that nobody will see them as its ten am on a weekday. Hopefully everyone should be at work. Standing close, Hitomi could feel Amano's breath. Ignoring it, she used the pendant to wish they can go to Gaea. They waited. Nothing was happening. No pillar of light. No floating skywards either. She didn't get it. It should work. All she did before was wish to be somewhere. And then the pendant would take her there. Hitomi held the pink stone in front of her. Studying it on close inspection, she couldn't find any flaws, cracks, or scratches that may affect it. Then someone spoke to her.

"Hey, you two! What are you doing 'er?" It was a security guard.

"Nothing illegal if that's what you're implying. We just phoned a friend." Hitomi replied, hastily stuffing the pendant in her pocket.

"What's that gold thing? Give it to me." He pointed at the fine gold chain dangling out the pocket.

"A necklace." Which was half true…

The security guard pulled a gun from his side. Then he directed it at Hitomi. "I said give it to me."

So she did as she was told. Not that she had much choice. He snatched it off her hand. And sprinted away. Amano bolted after him and when he caught up with the man, Amano wrestled him to the ground.

"Alrate! Alrate! I'll give you the bloody nucklace! Just lemme' get up furst!" Amano get a hold of the scruff of his collar while he stood. The "security guard" was in fact a thug dressed up to steal things. Then he did something neither of them were expecting him to do - he threw the pendant high into the air. It soared the distance of a football pitch then disappeared behind some bushes. He did a runner while Hitomi and Amano were distracted. There was a strange but quiet humming sound nearby. The tall hedge that encircled the house blocked their view. Hitomi was thinking about how the pendant seemed to fly up and away which brought her thoughts to Van. Her angel. As if by magic she snaps out of it and sprints in the direction she saw the necklace go in. the front lawn should be classed as a mini national park (it was big enough to hold a lake) stretching as far as the eye can see. Determined to stay focused on getting to Gaea, she just went for it. But fate was cruel; because when she got there, a lone magpie was motionless near to where it lay. She glared at the magpie to scare it. It just mocked her by cocking its head to one side. Then it hopped to the pendant, picked it up with its beak, and flew off with it. The pendant gleamed as it was carried away. A smart Hitomi took a few deep breathers, before running again just as Amano had caught up with her. Who was she kidding? There was no chance she could chase a bird.

It stopped and perched on a tree. Good. Thank god. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you… Was all she was thinking. Now, sighing in frustration, Hitomi is going to have to climb the bloody tree as well as running across the country. For all she cared the rear garden should have been a nature reserve even. The giant twig (she's angry ok?) was on private land, so it was allowed to grow free and wild with branches coming out from very low on the ground. The way she scaled it would make cat woman proud. At the very top, Hitomi balanced herself on the delicate branches. The magpie saw her and edged further out. Hitomi wanted to cry and beg and plead with it to remain still. A foot there… it wavered but did support her weight. Hold that bit… after what felt like ten years moving across the tree, she was finally close enough to the magpie. This must be a species thing, because it was still mocking her by shaking its head to make the pendant swing like a pendulum. Hitomi whimpered in 'please don't ' horror. Hitomi was silent for fear of scaring it. If she could "catch it" with both hands really quickly, she might be able to get her necklace. The anticipation inside her was getting worse. She was about to do it - when a cat launched out of thin air and bit into the magpie. It dropped the necklace in alarm onto the grey tarmac with a TINK.

And there was a car coming.

She can hear the quiet hum, yet couldn't tell which way it was from. The tree was only leaning over one side into the crossroad. Looking around, there was no sign of Amano. As she cautiously climbed down a sharp point scratched her arm. The cat seemed happy with itself, gracefully leaping from the tree and trotting away.

The humming was gradually getting louder. Hitomi knew she had to act fast. There was a gap in the thick hedge… going through that was like doing an assault course in the army. Relief swept over her as she got to the other side. She pelted towards where the pendant was for the few yards.

But just as she got there so did a land rover. It turned around the corner and crushed it. The pink stone shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces that went everywhere, bursting like a crushed light bulb. After the car was gone, Hitomi sank to her knees and picked up the fine chain. She kept stroking it as though it were a wishing lamp. Bits of the stone sparkled on the dull road, kind of like expensive confetti. Though this wasn't a celebration.

Hitomi gaped in disbelief. Her only means of returning to Gaea just went poof. Gone. Missed the bus. Finito! Her last chance, slipped through her fingers. Yukari's been kidnapped by a jester. Hitomi really wants to go home, her real home, but now its not possible. Amano ground to a halt when he saw what happened. They both knew they couldn't travel without the precious necklace. Her pale green eyes watered.

"VAAAN!"Hitomi cried. "I LOVE YOU!!"

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Van Van Van… ooooooh the scandal! And Amano! Hehehe! You can probably guess who it is spying on Van, but isn't it weird how they got there? And "Missed the bus." Is just an English expression used to say you missed an opportunity. Like it? Then please please please leave a review! Hate it? Even MORE reason to say why! Go on, be nice. ^ ^