Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ You said you would never forget! ❯ The journey begins! ( Chapter 5 )

A/N Still don't own… I am not asking much… just all the rights and reserves for Escaflowne, with the ability to make a second series which I would have a hand in writing, with the ability to do anything I wanted to do. And with the profits I would set up my own anime TV channel and show all my favourite anime… its not much… really ::cough cough::

 

Allen sat on his bed with his head in his hands, just trying to get his head around what he just head. “Hitomi, here, back in Gaea? Since when, how? How come she has not tried to contact Van? Or has she already done that, but he has not heard because he has been travelling?”

“Or maybe he was just lying. That man was really drunk. He was probably lying.” But Allen was not that convinced. It was true that he couldn't head off to Fanelia because of his injury. But that was not the only reason he was staying in the inn for a little bit longer. If what that man said was true. Then Allen was hoping to see them pass through the village on their way to Westoni. Then, and only then, would he believe that Hitomi was back in Gaea and that she was getting sold to King Sai. He had to see her with his own two eyes first, before he started reaching to conclusions. Plus it only takes one day to reach Akina from the mid - way point.

“Gods, what will Van say of this is all true? He will be dumbfounded. Especially because he has been looking for her. What will happen if Hitomi and King Sai marry? But Hitomi is a strong minded woman. She always says what she feels. And she is bound to speak up if she is going to be wed against her will. She won't let herself be taken that easily, not if she still loves Van. And I know that Van still loves her. Otherwise he wouldn't look for her. This is troublesome.”

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Orito opened the door to his house. The hinges creaked at the action. He slammed the door behind him to let everyone know he was back. But he wasn't planning on staying long. All of his girls began to descend the stairs and gather in the hall way.

“HITOMI, AYA, KARA” Orito shouted at the top of his lungs. He saw the three girls emerge from the crowd. “Everyone else… you are dismissed” Slowly all of the girls dispersed to their rooms, apart from a small group who made their way to the kitchen to prepare Orito's supper.

He handed some money over to Kara and said, “Go to the stables up ahead and buy me a new buggy with a front and back seat. Get two of the workers there to bring it down here.” And with that she left.

“Aya,” he pointed to her and motioned her to come further, “I would like you to the market and buy Hitomi a new dress,” he shoved the money in her hand, she was just about to leave when he grabbed her wrist, “And make sure that it is a dress that would be fit for a royal to wear.”

He looked at Hitomi. She was like a gold mine. He didn't mind splashing out a bit, seeing as how he was going to get a payment that would keep him pampered for the rest of his life without him even having to lift a finger. “And besides these were necessary items. I do not think that the buggy would last any longer. And besides, Hitomi wouldn't be able to fit in the one I currently possess. And I won't be able to sell her if I can't get her up there. The dress was a must have. She couldn't go into the palace looking like a tramp!” he smiled contently to himself.

“Hitomi, I would like you to go and pack your things. We will be leaving tomorrow at sunrise. I will expect you to be down here in the morning waiting to leave”

[Flashback

Orito sat in the Councillors office. It was the man who was being extremely ignorant to him when he first entered the Chambers. His name was Mino. He was the councils superior. Even though they were all meant to have an equal amount of power, it was clear that he was in control. This was probably because he was an extremely intimating man. He was in his thirties. He was tall with large, broad shoulders. Even under the Westonian uniform you could tell that he had a muscular physique. It was also obvious that he was trained in combat. Even though he was a councillor, he carried with him a sword by his side. His eyes were dark and cold. His shoulder length blonde hair framed his hard jaw line.

“And why should I believe that you have the infamous Hitomi Kanzaki at your disposal?” Mino asked with a suspicious look about his face, still not positive about trusting this man.

“Well, I think that you will just have to trust me I s'pose. But I do have with me a few items that belong to her.” Mino looked at him in interest as Orito picked up a small bag that he had with him and placed it delicately onto his lap.

Orito unzipped the bag and took out what appeared to be a deck of cards. Then he carefully placed them on the desk in front of Mino. Mino carefully picked them up and started to look through the cards.

“Are these the cards that she used many times throughout the war?” He asked Orito

“Yes, they are”

“Well, this is not foolproof evidence that you do have her,” he said and placed the cards back onto the desk. “What else of hers do you have?”

“Well,” and he reached down into the depths of the bag once again. “I'm not quite sure what it is. But it does have here picture and her name written in the back,” he then handed it over to the man before him. Mino looked at the cover… passport. He flicked through, blank page after blank page. Then he reached the back and it had a picture of Hitomi. By the looks of the picture, it had been taken just before her first visit to Gaea.

“I think that this will suffice,” Mino said looked down at the peculiar trinket in his hand, before laying it down on the table. “Is Hitomi rebelling much towards the situation?” Mino enquired.

“Well, I haven't told her yet about the arranged marriage, because nothing is certain yet,” Orito answered. “Oh Gods, I am going to have to tell him…” he thought.

“It must be hard, keeping her calm about everything. Especially after the influence she has had, and still does have over Gaea.” Mino small talked.

“Well, here's the thing see,” Orito sat absentmindedly playing with his index finger. “She has appeared to have lost her memory about what happened in Gaea all those years ago.” This is the point were the deal could completely fall through. Would they really want the bride of the King to have no memories of how she is known as a heroine?

Mino looked up, his face was still as cold and emotionless as ever. “I will tell you the reason why I am considering this proposal,” he sighed and the continued, “Having the Kanzaki girl as Queen would boost Westonia's significance in Gaea. We will be more acknowledged by other countries. Having a Seer as Queen will also put Westonia and our allying country at rest during times of war and turbulence. Westonia as a country will also mean that we will be more respected. However, the fact that she has lost her memory, won't matter as long as no body finds out,” Mino said slyly. His eyes glistening as though that this was just a minor obstacle that has to be crossed to achieve his goal.

Orito looked at him, shocked by what he was saying. He was supposed to be a councilman. And didn't that mean that he had to be truthful and respectful. No. This is politics. Politics required for one to be sly and cunning to get what one wanted.

Mino persisted, “We could just simply say that any discussion involving the Geaean War upsets her greatly, reduces her down to tears for days! And of course no one would dare upset the Queen or try to distract her from her duties.” Now Mino was in a mind of his own. Imagining Westoni being put on the map. “This could just be our little secret. And, naturally, I shall pay you more, in return for your silence. So,” he rested his head on hi hands and looked directly at Orito with his onyx eyes, “do we have a deal?”

“How much are we talking here?” Orito's greed began to take over his entire body.

“I will double the amount that we discussed previously.” He said simply.

Orito reached out to shake the Mino's hand with his short stubby fingers. Mino mirrored the action and shook it firmly.

[End flashback

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Hitomi was lying on Aya's bed. Tears were welling up in her eyes.

“I can't believe it. I am going to be sold. I mean, I knew it was going to happen. But I didn't expect it to be this soon”

“Me neither.” Aya's face was distraught. Hitomi was he best friend. She hadn't been this close to anyone for many years now. And now she was leaving. And she would probably never see Hitomi again. “I think that this is a big one Hitomi,” Aya said

Hitomi was perplexed. “What do you mean a big one”

“What I mean is… I think that this is going to be a big sale for Orito. You are probably going to marry some one with money, power or influential. Or a combination of the three.” She sighed.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because… he bought the new buggy… well an expensive one. You know that he doesn't like to spend money if he can help it. And he bought you the dress. That's never happened before”

All of a sudden Aya broke down into tears. Hitomi was flabbergasted. She never shows any emotion… ever. Why now?

“Heyy, Aya… it's going to be OK. I promise” Hitomi moved from the bed. Well it couldn't really be called a bed, but a flat hard mattress on the floor with only a thin blanket and an old pillow for company. She sat beside Aya on the floor and put her arm around her shoulders for some reassurance.

“But - Hitomi… I might never see you again… ever… and I know I have never told you this… but you're my best friend you know. And I don't want to see you go. When I said that I wanted to get away… I meant for us to get away. You are like a sister to me.”

“I promise, I swear down on my family's grave that we will see each other again… ok?” Hitomi had never expected this to happen. That she would be comforting Aya. She thought that it would be the other way around. With Hitomi crying uncontrollably and that it would be Aya saying that everything would work out fine.

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Hitomi woke up just before sun rise. She slowly got changed in dead silence, not wanting to wake anyone in the house. She made sure that everything was packed… including her new dress, which she hoped she would never have to wear.

She sat down at her modest dressing table and began brushing her long flowing locks. She paused and looked at a small pad of paper and quill that lay near by. She tentatively picked them up and began to write.

To my dearest Aya,

She dipped the quill slowly in the pool of ink, thinking hard what to say. She continued.

I will miss you so much, you know that? You have made my stay here more enjoyable, even in the situation that we are in. Without you, I don't know what I would have done. Probably have given up. But you kept me going.

I promise that we will see each other one day. And just to let you know, I go out of my way to keep my promises.

In return I want you to make me a promise. Stay strong and never give up on yourself… ever. If you do then you will have me to answer to [. (Then she drew a smiley face)

You're my best friend, my only friend here on Gaea. And… I think of you as a sister as well.

See you soon!

Hitomi

Xxx

Tears fell from her face and landed on the paper, smudging the ink. She quickly wiped them from her eyes as soon as they appeared. “I have to be strong. I won't give up”

She walked barefoot down the stairs from her room. Her shoes in one hand and the letter in the other.

She placed her shoes on the floor. Then slowly, quietly, silently she opened the door to Aya's room. She placed the letter on a small table, and then turned to look at Aya. She looked so peaceful. Hitomi was going to miss her, more that can be expressed in words.

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“Got everything,” Orito asked gruffly. He was not a morning person

“Yeah…” Hitomi looked back towards the house as they traveled down the cobbled road. She couldn't believe that she wanted to go back to the Orito household. Not long ago, she thought that she would do anything to get out. But when the time came…

Slowly but surely, the house went out of sight. But not was did Hitomi take her eyes away from it.