Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Return to the Mystic Moon ❯ Chapter 3

Another chapter. I realized as I was going through this one that all my chapters are really short. Three of four pages is hardly long and this one's still only five. Ah well. As long as you guys keep reading them, I'll keep trying to write them I suppose. I'm going home this week and I'm so excited. I haven't been to Minnesota in almost two and a half months! So Wednesday, I say “Adios Kansas!” and board a plane for home. I also get to go to a wedding, partially why I felt so compelled to post this chapter this week. Jabber, jabber, I know. Get on with the story!

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, its characters or its universe. I just get to dabble in it for a while.

 

 

 

He felt silly in this thing Hitomi called a tuxedo. Granted ceremonial garb was rarely comfortable, but really! She and her mother had continually told him he looked great in it, but it didn't breathe like his normal clothes did and he felt like a… Well he wasn't quite sure what he felt like but it wasn't anything comfortable. That is until Hitomi had looked on him with those shining emerald eyes and kissed him softly, telling him in a breathless whisper how handsome he looked. Simply seeing the look on her face and hearing the way she said it made wearing the stupid thing not so bad. It probably didn't help that Hitomi looked amazing. Wearing a light pink strapless dress that gently swept the floor in the back, only to show her feet in the front, she looked like the goddess some on Gaea had mistaken her for or at least a princess. Van could barely contain his excitement to bring her home to Fanelia so he could see her in her wedding attire for their own ceremony and consequently see her out of it… His mind was running away with him again. It had been doing that for a couple of years now but much more vivid daydreams had been plaguing him the last week since he had taken Hitomi into his arms again after so long apart.

According to what Hitomi had told him, Yukari and Amano had decided on an English style wedding because that was where they were moving. He didn't quite understand why their marriage practices were so dramatically different that she would make note of this but he took it all in stride, nodding faintly and grinning when she glowed at the very mention of their own wedding. She had to be as excited as he was. At the moment she was standing in front of him at Yukari's side while a man read through some long speech. Amano looked nervous and yet blissfully happy at the same time, his bride's hands gripped tightly in his own. Van smiled inwardly at the jittery groom and the way his bride had calmed him as soon as she reached his side. He knew he'd be a wreck until he had Hitomi in his arms and in the safety of their room after the wedding and crowning ceremony were over. His own coronation had been terrifying but he had refused to let anyone see his fear. With peace reigning over Gaea and Hitomi once more within his grasp Van admitted that he may have been turning a little soft.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the man finished, smiling brightly at the happy couple. Hitomi, her mother, Yukari's mother and several other women were in tears as Yukari and Amano sealed their vows with a chaste though exuberant kiss. Yukari also seemed to be crying though the smile on her face was undeniable. Amano grinned like a fool and rubbed noses with his new wife, turning them to greet their families and friends. Everyone cheered and threw flower petals at them, making the couple laugh as they exited down the aisle and out the door to the awaiting limousine. Hitomi found Van in the crowd and quickly made her way to his side. He was smiling softly at her, reaching up to gently sweep away her happy tears. He looked so handsome in his suit that Hitomi felt all the more drawn to him, though she had to admit that she preferred his breeches and worn old shirt that she had rarely seen him out of.

“You look lovely,” he breathed in her ear, grinning at her when she smiled up at him. Leaning down he placed a soft kiss on her lips, still wary of all the people standing around them. Hitomi took his hand in hers and led him down the aisle and out into the sunshine, waving to Yukari and Amano as they drove away in their limo to the hotel the reception would be held at. The pair waited with quiet smiles on their faces while all the other guests milled out of the building. Once everyone had moved to the parking lot or left Hitomi dragged Van into an alcove inside and giggled at the shocked look on his face. “Hitomi?” With another bright smile the strawberry blonde girl pulled the young king's face down for a slow kiss, nipping his bottom lip when he didn't respond right away. Quickly understanding what she wanted Van placed his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and taking control of their kiss. Hitomi sighed against him, bringing her arms up to hang loosely around his shoulders. They remained locked together like that for quite some time. Van's hand slid up Hitomi's back to bury in her hair, cradling her head so he could kiss her more forcefully. “I've waited so long to kiss you like this, hold you like this,” he muttered against her lips, crushing her against his firm chest. Hitomi smiled internally at his barely hidden passion, glad that she could bring out such a response from the normally in-control Fanelian king.

He felt lightheaded, giddy, like girls often said they felt about their first kiss. Granted this was not their first kiss by any means but Van felt like something had opened up between them, something that could never be closed again, a burning flame that could never be quenched. “Van,” Hitomi whispered while nuzzling the underside of his chin. “Ready to go to a wild Earth party?” Van cocked a smile at her playful tone and took hold of her chin so he could kiss her once more. Her mouth was instantly pliant under his, returning his pressure but allowing him the control he sought. His tongue swiped at hers quickly and dragged a soft groan from the back of her throat. After pulling from her lips Van kissed the end of her nose.

“Bring it on.” Hitomi laughed at him, linking her arm with his and leading him back to her mother's car. Her mother and younger brother were chatting with another friend's parents, obviously waiting for them to finish up inside and come out to the car. The knowing smile her mother sent her way had Hitomi blushing faintly. “Madam Kanzaki,” Van intoned with a bow in greeting. He turned and greeted the other parents as well, gaining a smile out of the mother before they took their leave and left for the reception. Hitomi lost her embarrassed flush and took on a much happier glow watching her love try his hardest to make small talk with her family.

Van was having a hard time keeping up with Hitomi's mother as she spoke. He understood her words but not always her meaning. Hitomi sat in the back seat with him, discreetly holding his hand in hers. Her thumb idly traced the softer backside of his hand in an all too distracting manner. Eventually her mother quieted when she noticed that he didn't really understand all that she was trying to tell him about marriage practices on Earth, picking up a conversation with Hitomi's younger brother instead. He wanted to know the customs, so maybe he could incorporate them into their ceremony on Gaea, but Hitomi's very presence distracted him from anything and everything else in the vicinity. Glancing over at her Van quirked an eyebrow at the faint smile on her face. What was she thinking about? Hitomi turned shining green eyes on him, still smiling to herself.

“Excited?” she asked in a secretive tone.

“For what? The wild Earth party?” he kidded. Hitomi pouted for a moment, obviously unimpressed with his teasing.

“No stupid, to go back to Gaea. I've missed it… and you,” she whispered, taking advantage of the fact that he was leaning toward her to steal a kiss. Van chuckled quietly to cover his surprise at her forwardness with her family in the front seat. She grinned up at him, her eyes daring him to do something forbidden that he couldn't even begin to guess at. `She's dangerous to my sanity,' he decided, stealing a quick kiss of his own.

“We'll go home soon,” he answered. Hitomi's lips twisted in a content smile as she leaned against his firm shoulder. Her warmth against him made his body twitch to hold her and he gave in to the urge, sliding an arm around her shoulders. The two of them sat silently, just enjoying each other as Hitomi's mother drove them to the reception. This would be their last day on Earth, the last full day Hitomi would spend with her friends and family. Part of her ached for what she would be leaving behind but she knew that she wouldn't be able to survive life without Van and he had made it clear that he had no intention of living his life without her. They needed each other and to her, it was as natural as breathing to need him so much. Hitomi sighed faintly and Van looked down at her with a concerned look on his face. “What is it?” he questioned her. Meeting his gaze the strawberry blonde girl smiled faintly.

“I love you,” she whispered, placing another soft kiss on his lips. Van smiled and leaned down to kiss her as well.

“I love you too Hitomi.”

The car stopping brought the two out of their cocoon and they looked up to see the front of a tall building, very obviously a ritzy hotel. Upon entering the lobby, they could see the outside hadn't been just a front. Everything inside was polished to a high shine and soft carpets lined the floor leading up to the elevators. Yukari's parents had obviously gone all out when they rented the ballroom in this place. Van, Hitomi and her family made their way through the hotel and were ushered into the ballroom by a bellhop in a sharp red uniform. Hitomi laughed at the confused look Van gave the young man's outfit but managed to push him into the room before he could say anything. The two were awed faintly by the extravagance of the room and the decorations that covered the tables. A space had been left open for dancing just to the right of the table of honor where the bride, groom and their parents sat. Amano's father was as stately as Hitomi had thought he would be, she hadn't gotten a very good look at him during the wedding, dressed in an expensive suit and accompanied by his lovely wife on his right. Yukari's parents sat to her left, smiling like crazy.

“Congratulations,” Hitomi grinned as they stood to take her hands.

“Oh Hitomi, we're so glad you've been here for our Yukari. She would never have made it this far without you!” Yukari's mother gushed. Hitomi laughed, smiling as her cheeks tinted pink. Yukari's mother always had liked her and thought a little more highly of her than Hitomi felt she deserved. Being the only child of this woman had to have been a bit burdensome for her redheaded friend and she knew from her bouts of rebellious behavior that it was probably a correct assumption. The older woman had gone on to praising Hitomi for finding such a dashing young man for her daughter to marry. Hitomi stared in faint shock. “Oh dear! Yukari told us that you got them together and we couldn't have been happier.” Hitomi smiled and shook her head. Her friend was one interesting girl. Van's hand gripping hers tightly brought her attention back to him.

“Well congratulations again. Van and I are going to go say hello to the happy couple before we sit down to eat.” Yukari's parents nodded and waved as they made their way down the table. Yukari grinned and leaned across the table to hug her best friend and then on a whim, hugged Van as well. Amano and Hitomi laughed at the strangled look on Van's face. “Yukari, you're embarrassing him!” Hitomi giggled.

“Oh, sorry! I'm just so glad you guys are here. I heard my mother -Who doesn't, right? — And she's right you know. I don't know how I could have done all this without you Hitomi,” the newlywed smiled, gripping her friend's hand in her own small one.

“We're glad we could make it.”

“Congratulations,” Van intoned, smirking faintly when the couple turned to one another with soft looks in their eyes. They were so obviously in love. Was that how he and Hitomi looked to other people? He sure hoped so. Thinking about it reminded him of he and Hitomi's upcoming wedding and the Fanelian king grinned to himself. Music filled the room and drew his attention away from the happy newlyweds. He knew this song. It was slightly different, more and different instruments than he was used to hearing play it, but it was still the song his mother had always sung to him. It was her lullaby. “Hitomi…” He noticed that she heard it too. He had hummed it around her, perhaps whistled it on occasion, so she too recognized the old Fanelian tune. Looking down at her when she tugged on his hand she pulled him, along with the new couple, out onto the dance floor. Yukari and Amano were quickly swept up in the moment and the environment they created around themselves, dancing away from them. Van stared down at Hitomi for a few moments, his mahogany eyes aglow, before holding his hand out to her and pulling her into his arms to float her around the floor.

Hitomi knew Van was shocked to hear the song the orchestra had struck up, granted she was as well, but she noticed it gave him some small sense of peace in a situation he had felt awkward in. She was an admittedly bad dancer but Van was a very good leader, taking her through the steps until she felt as though she'd known them her whole life. After a few moments she laid her head against his chest, letting him take her wherever he wanted. Hitomi smiled when she heard him humming the tune under his breath, also hearing how calm his heartbeat was. He was actually enjoying himself. The strawberry blond girl sighed in contentment. She could stay with him like this forever and she fully intended to.

After the orchestra had changed songs, playing a bit more lively tune, Hitomi and Van took their seats at their assigned table. Amano and Yukari continued to dance, laughing and truly enjoying themselves. Hitomi smiled faintly as she watched them float around the floor, surrounded by their family and friends. Van's hand on her back startled her out of her daze and she gave him a little grin. “They will be very happy together,” he said with a tilt of his head in the direction of the newlyweds. Hitomi's smile widened and she nodded. “Just like we will be,” he whispered, leaning toward her for a short kiss. The young woman laughed, her eyes twinkling.

“I know. Are you hungry?” Van's face seemed to brighten considerably at the prospect of food making Hitomi laugh a little harder. “Let's flag down a waiter then,” she giggled. She smiled warmly when her mother and brother sat beside them. Mamoru was chatting about how scary Amano's father was and Hitomi grinned. “He is a big business man you know.”

“Yea! But even Van never looks that intimidating.” The Fanelian king looked up from the menu he couldn't really read to stare at his fiancée's younger brother in confusion. Him? Intimidating? He hadn't tried to keep up his royal attitude while he was with Hitomi's family but he supposed it had been ingrained into him for so long that it was habit at this point. Frowning, he looked over at Mamoru whose eyes widened. “See, that look!” Van sat back, glancing at Hitomi who was laughing at his expense.

“You do have a very serious look Van,” she laughed. “I can understand why he thinks you're scary.” Van quirked a grin but said nothing. He went back to trying to decipher the meaning of the symbols on the page in front of him but gave up. Hitomi seemed to read his mind, leaning over intimately to point and whisper the names of the dishes being offered. She explained a few of the ingredients so he wouldn't pick something he wouldn't like. He didn't know what half the things were but if Hitomi said they were edible that was fine with him. Van ended up ordering the same thing as his intended to save himself the embarrassment of eating something he would end up hating.

The pair continued to enjoy their time with Hitomi's family and friends, knowing after that night, they wouldn't see them again. Hitomi danced once with Amano, leaving Van grumpy at the table despite his statement that it didn't bother him if she danced with her old friend. The two were awkward dancers but their conversation was light. Amano wished her the best with Van and told her he and Yukari would think of them often. Hitomi smiled a little sadly as she said her goodbyes to her friend and first crush. Kissing him on the cheek as they parted, Amano gave her a brief hug and left her to snatch his new wife back from his father who was a terrible dancer and had probably had a few too many. Van came up behind her as she stood watching the two newlyweds interact with Amano's tipsy parent. “You'll miss them.”

“Very much.” Van sighed, placing his arms around Hitomi's waist.

“You don't have to leave Hitomi. If…”

Hitomi interrupted him somewhat harshly. “Don't be stupid. I'm not staying here without you and your people need you. I'll miss them but they'll always be in my heart,” she whispered the last while swaying slightly to the music with Van's arms wrapped tightly around her waist. He hugged her to him, watching her friends and family enjoy the evening. “I'm going to say goodbye to Yukari and then we should go. Mamoru…” she trailed off with a smile as they took in the sight of her younger brother completely passed out in a chair in the corner. Hitomi noticed he was much more adorable when he was asleep. Van chuckled, letting his love go so she could say her goodbyes and went to scoop up her younger brother so they could leave. Hitomi's mother gave him an appreciative smile, leading him out to the car where they waited for Hitomi to meet them.

As soon as Van saw her leave the hotel he could tell she was in tears. He waited for her to come to him, not wanting to smother her. Hitomi wiped her eyes a few times as she approached him where he was leaning against the side of the car. “Are you going to be alright?” he murmured to her as he swept her into his arms. She sobbed a few times into his chest before nodding. Van just held her as they drove home. There were no words he could say to ease her pain and part of him wished he wasn't making her leave her home. But he couldn't live without her and his country couldn't live without him. So he would tear her away from her family, her friends, her planet. `I really hope you love me as much as you say Hitomi. I don't want you hating me in the years to come.'

 

 

So that was a fun chapter. Everything is so lovey dovey. Make myself sick sometimes. Kidding. Anyway, thanks for reading, leave a review on your way out if you could. Hopefully I'll have another chapter out in the next month or so. Don't quote me on that…