Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Return to the Mystic Moon ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

This is the second installment of this here story o' mine. Please let me know where I need improvement, I like to know! Thanks for reading!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. I still don't own my room and my own life is in question after the talk I had with my mother two Fridays ago. Please don't try to take anything else from me!

 

 

 

The Kanzaki family along with Van found themselves back at their house soon enough and they all sat in the living room at Mrs. Kanzaki's request. Van tried not to stare too openly at the strange things surrounding him and Hitomi tried not to look nervous because of the warning tone in her mother's voice. “Hitomi, I think some things need to be thoroughly explained.” Even Van could not ignore the way Hitomi's mother was glaring. An instinctive need to protect the young woman at his side rose in the young king and he submitted to it, placing a hand on her arm until she slipped her hand into his. He could feel her shaking slightly. Was she really so afraid of her mother?

“I don't think I understand Mom. What's wrong?”

The older Kanzaki woman practically ignored her daughter, turning instead to the man sitting next to her. “Van, although I won't deny that I know you truly are from Gaea— I've never tried to deny that— I don't know that I understand what you're doing here now. What intentions do you have toward my daughter?” Van's eyes widened slightly but he regained his composure quickly. His gaze flicked to Hitomi who was staring at him, green eyes uncertain and questioning.

“I don't know if you are aware Mrs. Kanzaki, but I have been the king of Fanelia since your daughter met me. It is a small country in comparison to some but it is still my homeland.” Van took a deep breath to calm the knots twisting in his stomach. “I have spent the time since Hitomi left Gaea rebuilding Fanelia after it was destroyed. I came today in the hopes that I could now bring her back with me and… and make her my queen.” That said Van felt a squeeze on his hand and heard the entire family's surprised gasp. Hitomi was watching him with adoration burning in her eyes, there was no mistaking it, and Van felt strong once more. “Fanelia is once again a beautiful kingdom and Gaea is no longer at war. I decided that now I may bring home my bride if she would only have me.” Another squeeze and a soft laugh. Van turned to Hitomi and bathed in the smile she gave him.

“Hitomi, have you agreed to this?” came her mother's voice to interrupt their moment of happiness. Hitomi turned wide green eyes on her mother, silently asking her if she was a raving lunatic.

“Did you ever expect me to say no? I know I told you almost as soon as I came back that I… I loved Van and that I wanted to go back to Gaea.” Mrs. Kanzaki nodded but her eyes were still hard. Hitomi was starting to wonder what on earth was going on. First Yukari was acting strangely and now her mother. `It's like they don't want me to see him again.' She attempted to brush aside the thought as absurd but knew that it would still bother her later unless she could find an explanation. “You don't seem pleased Mom,” she finally stated. A deep sigh left her mother as she shooed Hitomi's younger brother from the room. He left quietly though she could tell he was reluctant to go. Van held her hand tighter, placing his free one over top of their joined hands.

“It's not that I'm not happy for you Hitomi. I'm concerned. If you go with him to Gaea, there is no way for any of us to know if you're alright.” She turned her gaze on Van this time. “We won't know if you really get married. If Hitomi were not to marry you Van, she'd have no place to go.” Hitomi didn't even see the outburst coming.

“Do you imply that I would disgrace Hitomi? Dishonor her by making her a mistress or even use her and cast her aside?” Van shouted, rising from the couch in righteous fury. Hitomi saw the way his eyes glinted angrily and she rushed to calm him.

Despite his anger Hitomi's mother did not back down from her claim, whether that had been what she was implying or not. “All I am saying is that there is no way for her family here, on Earth, to know if you have truly respected her as you should. Hitomi trusts you but that doesn't mean that I do.” Hitomi felt a pang in her heart. Her own mother didn't trust her judgment about Van?

“Mom! How… how could you not trust me to make this kind of decision for myself?” The hard glare Hitomi received was enough answer. “You don't believe me. Mom, Van is a more trustworthy man than anyone I have ever known. If I can trust anyone to keep their word, it's Van.”

“Don't let a girlish fantasy…”

“Van and I have crossed who knows what span of space and time to see one another Mom. I hardly see that as a mere infatuation. I care about him deeply and trust him with my life as I know for a fact he trusts me with his own.” Hitomi let out a pained puff of air. Van's large warm hand wrapped around her much smaller one to lend her the strength she apparently needed. “If you can't understand that Mom, then I'm sorry. I'll leave with or without your blessing.”

Pride filled Van's heart at the strength that Hitomi showed in defending him. She had been somewhat shy when he'd first met her, afraid to stand up for herself and had startled easily. That she had so much trust, so much faith in him, was astounding to the young king. More love than he thought possible filled him to the brim, leaving no room for anything but absolute adoration for the amazing green-eyed woman who stood at his side. `Right where I hope you'll be forever, Hitomi.' Van watched his love's mother war with herself. She seemed to want to resist Hitomi's words and yet there was no denying the complete confidence that Hitomi had in him. Hitomi had never been a silly girl so it couldn't be that she was simply enamored with the idea of being in love. “I see. And what about university Hitomi? Do you plan to study anything or will you just leave?”

“You make it seem like I'm just dropping out of school or something.” Hitomi had to admit that to an extent she was leaving her life here behind. But it wasn't intentional and she didn't want to leave on a bad note if it could be helped. “I know you worry Mom, but honestly, anything I would learn in university would be more or less useless on Gaea. Gaea is so different from here, you know that. You told me the stories Grandma told you and I've told you all about when I was there. They don't have the same kinds of professions we do here and getting a degree wouldn't help me there in the least.” Her mother nodded softly but Hitomi could see she was still upset. She was at a loss for an explanation that would soothe her mother's fears but Van came to her rescue.

“Madam Kanzaki,” intoned Van, hoping to convey the utmost respect. “Hitomi will be more than taken care of. She will want for nothing in Fanelia. My people highly anticipate her return to the kingdom as my bride.” When she didn't seem to be convinced Van let a violent light into his eyes. “I will not leave this world without her,” he added with all the ferocity he could muster.

Mrs. Kanzaki saw the determination in her daughter's intended and felt a relieved smile flood her face. Hitomi and Van looked particularly confused, as well they should. She hated to have to trick them like that but she had to know for her own peace of mind that her daughter would be taken care of so far away from home. Forget home, she wouldn't even be on Earth anymore. “I'm glad to hear that Van. Or should I call you Majesty? Your Highness?” The dear boy was speechless, staring at her as though she'd lost her mind. Lifting herself gracefully from the chair she occupied she stepped to her daughter and hugged her. “I do trust you. I just had to be sure dear.”

Hitomi wasn't sure if she should be happy or angry with her mother. She'd tested them, tricked them. She guessed she appreciated it on some level but she'd been worried that her mother really didn't approve of their plans, wanting her to stay on Earth without Van and unhappy. With a tentative embrace to the man at her side, her mother left her and Van alone in the living room, both in astonished silence. Finally Hitomi collapsed on the couch, a shocked smile on her face. Van sat facing her on the cushions, confusion still evident in the frown creasing his forehead. Hitomi lifted her hands to his face, cradling it between her palms. Her thumbs smoothed the lines from his brow and she brushed her nose against his, a silent acceptance of all the things he'd promised and admitted. Probably long before he was ready to admit them. She saw Van forget his confusion for now in exchange for the mischievous glint that lit his eyes.

Van reveled in Hitomi's breath fluttering across his lips as her hands continued to hold and trace the lines of his face. His own large hands fell to her hips, gripping them tightly as he pulled her body closer. Everything was perfect. Her eyes dropped shut slowly, as though she were drugged and Van felt a flood of heat at the vision of beauty she presented. `My Hitomi,' his heart whispered. Van gently placed a kiss on the side of Hitomi's mouth and smiled at the shudder that trickled down her spine. To have such an affect on her inflated his ego and stroked his pride. She had chosen him. Over Allen, Amano from her school, who looked just like Allen, and any other she might have met along the way. Him, despite his flaws, his heritage. “I… I love you Hitomi.”

“I love you too Van. More than you know.” Tears trickled down her cheeks as their words mingled in the small space between their lips. His gentle kiss to the side of her mouth hadn't been enough. She wanted to feel his lips on hers, his mouth drawing on her as she showed him what he meant to her. She pressed forward, about to initiate a soul-searing kiss when the doorbell rang. Hitomi and Van froze in the midst of their moment, unable to believe they had been interrupted twice in one day. When it rang again and no one seemed to hop up to get it Hitomi finally growled something under her breath and rose off the couch, her hands sliding softly through Van's hair as she left him. Van quickly followed, unwilling to leave her side for one moment.

“Yukari.” Van could hear the faint surprise in Hitomi's voice as she opened the door to reveal her friend. Her usual hip adornment, Amano, was not in attendance and she seemed even more upset when Van automatically placed his hand on Hitomi's hip. He wasn't sure why he was being so affectionate, he was usually so closed off, but it was different with Hitomi. Now there was no need to worry about her rejecting his affections. Plus he felt the need to reassure himself that Hitomi was really there by his side and not on an entirely different world. “Come in. What's wrong?” The question of Amano's absence went unasked. The three of them trailed back to the living room without Yukari having said anything. Van worried that something had happened but the girl appeared to be angry with Hitomi, and perhaps himself as well, as opposed to upset about something someone else had done. Fidgeting nervously he sat on the couch where he and Hitomi had last been while Yukari took up the armchair her mother had been occupying during her earlier interrogation.

A few more minutes of uncomfortable silence followed, Hitomi trying not to show her impatience for her long-time friend to get on with whatever she had to say. “So you're going to go back there,” Yukari spat the word “there” as if it pained her. Both Hitomi and Van frowned, unsure of where this vehemence had come from. Yukari didn't seem to want to explain her anger but she was compelled to when neither of them appeared to know what she was so angry about. “You'll just abandon your friends and family so you can traipse off to this other world! Are you even thinking of anyone else Hitomi? No one will know if you're alright! How can you be so selfish?” Hitomi sat in astounded silence before an enraged flush crept up her cheeks.

“And what are you doing Yukari? You and Amano are running off to England! Half way around the world! And you were planning on that long before now. I didn't think Van was going to come back at all and yet you were willing to leave for another country, you and Amano, my only friends, were going to abandon me here!” Hitomi huffed angrily before continuing. “Don't you dare talk to me about abandonment Yukari, don't you dare!” She felt Van's warm, dry hand take hold of hers and squeeze lightly. Hitomi felt like she was being attacked from all sides. She was glad that her mother wasn't truly against them but with the upset from before still fresh, Yukari's accusations were not to be tolerated. Yukari looked contrite but Hitomi was still distressed. Van's soothing touch was the only thing keeping her from flying off the handle.

She was so tense. Van could feel the irritation roiling through her and he sought to calm it. Her friend had outright attacked her and though he wanted to berate the girl for yelling at Hitomi, Van knew he had to let her deal with the redheaded girl on her own. “I'm sorry Hitomi. I guess I never thought of it like that. Amano and I talked about inviting you to visit us in London so often that I never felt like you would be away from us.” She glanced up from her lap, an apologetic smile on her face. “Will you be here for our wedding?” she asked softly, tucking a strand of long red hair out of her eyes. Hitomi sighed raggedly beside him, drawing his attention back to the strawberry blond woman at his side. She turned questioning emerald eyes to his.

From what he'd overheard during their conversation earlier, Amano and Yukari were to be wed in a week or so, leaving them plenty of time to pack before they left the country. That wasn't so long to wait but he was impatient to get Hitomi back to Gaea and alone if possible. `Once I get her back to Fanelia they'll never leave us alone. She'll be in fittings for gowns and I'll have to be measured for my wedding apparel, since they wouldn't do it before I left and I'll have to address the council.' Now that he thought about it, keeping Hitomi here for a while might not be such a bad idea. He could at least have more alone time with her here than he could in Fanelia. The council as well as propriety would demand they not be left alone together until after the wedding and coronation. “We will stay if that is your wish,” he told her softly, grinning at the smile she gave him. Hitomi placed a quick kiss on his cheek before both girls were in each other's arms and laughing. Van sighed, touching his cheek where the feel of Hitomi's lips still tingled.

Much later Yukari had left and Hitomi insisted that he come sit with her outside and watch the sunset. He smirked at the romantic nature of the request and agreed without complaint. The pair settled onto the back porch with a joint sigh, Van's arm settling around Hitomi's shoulders as she leaned into his side. The sky was filled with swaths of color, radiant shades of red, oranges and soft pinks. As the sun continued its way down into the horizon the air cooled and the oranges and reds faded to purples and the deep blues of night. Hitomi turned her eyes on him and he smiled while squeezing her to him for a moment. The playful light in her eyes intrigued Van and he had a giddy feeling that he knew what she had in mind. Slowly Hitomi slid from under his arm but instead of pulling away she kneeled over him, straddling his lap. Van tried not to be shocked and covered it by trailing his hand against her face. Her eyes closed like before and he sighed at the lovely expression of contentment and love on her face.

Her arms came up around his shoulders as she leaned against him, their lips barely far apart enough to breathe. “No more interruptions,” she whispered as Van lifted his mouth to finally claim hers. Hitomi had never been kissed before Allen, nor had she been kissed since, and she knew now that something about that had been wrong to begin with. Van's lips were perfect against hers, wavering between hard and soft as they worked to bring her into the kiss. She fell to his whim easily enough, unable to deny herself or him. Gently biting his lip opened his mouth to her and he allowed her to control their movements for now at least. Hitomi let her tongue run along his teeth a moment before taking her time to caress his tongue. He pressed back eagerly, unable to hide his desire to dominate once more. She allowed him without question, trusting him to do what he wanted yet take her wishes into account. His hands trailed softly down her back before resting solidly on her hips and pulling her against him. A soft moan left him and Hitomi smiled, loving the result of her proximity to him. Fingers dug tenderly into flesh as Van tried to restrain his desires. Hitomi couldn't blame him. Her hands were buried deep in his unmanageable hair in an attempt to keep him as close as possible for as long as possible.

When Van finally pulled away, leaving a trail of kisses over Hitomi's jaw, he felt truly happy for the first time in ages. Nuzzling her throat he laughed as her arms tightened around his shoulders. “That was too long in coming,” he whispered against the curve of her shoulder. He felt her smile into his shirt and the embarrassed flush on her cheeks. One large hand lifted to caress her hair while Van continued to embrace his love. “You will marry me Hitomi?” he asked quietly, needing to hear her agreement again. She pulled away from his shoulder and grinned impishly at him.

“Of course you silly king,” she whispered affectionately while allowing her lips to encounter his for a languid kiss. He met her full force but knew that there was no need to rush. His tongue darted into her mouth once more to taste her and he felt the luxurious sensation of Hitomi sucking on his tongue. Fire shot through his veins and the young king knew it was time to stop. He nipped her jaw as he pulled back, smiling when she laughed. Her smile, the sparkle in her bright green eyes had been haunting him since the day she appeared in his life, scattering his sensibilities to the wind. Somehow this young woman had changed him, brought him from the hard shell he had created around himself. One had to be firm when one was the ruler of an entire kingdom at such a young age and when one happened to be born half of a supposedly cursed race. But Hitomi showed him that he didn't have to be hard all the time, that even half-demon kings had their soft side. “You alright?” she asked Van softly. He tilted his head to the side, grinning softly up at her. He gave her a fierce nod and she grinned at him, running her delicate fingers through his wild bangs, brushing them away from his eyes. `By the gods I love her.'

 

 

“Fluffy mcfluff fluff” as my friend CJ would say. Hope everyone enjoyed that chapter. It was only mildly angsty. That's one thing I have a big problem with. I can never make angst last for very long because I personally hate when it goes on for pages and pages or for several chapters. My sappy little heart can't take it! Anyway, please review. Thanks to those who reviewed so promptly! I love being told what people think of my stuff. Lucky for me I haven't gotten a terrible review yet. Probably because people don't want to hurt my feelings. <Cheeky smile>