Chapter 8: In Motion
When Hitomi awoke the next morning she dressed in record time. She had never felt so full of energy. Because she knew that when she descended from the second floor, Van would be there. He would be smiling, and he would grant her the kiss he’d promised. He would tell her he loved her.
She took the stairs two at a time and bounded into the kitchen where Van would be. As she’d hoped he was there, pouring himself a glass of water. Upon spotting her he set the cup aside and welcomed her with a tight embrace and an affectionate kiss. “Good morning, Hitomi,” he murmured thickly in her ear.
Two out of three isn’t bad. “Good morning.” She returned his kiss, delighting in the return of her feelings from the night before. Then she merely held him, grateful for his warmth surrounding her. She never wanted to leave that place close to his heart; she felt whole.
When Tatsumi could be heard coming down the stairs they finally separated. Van stayed close to her, much to her approval, with a hand either on her shoulder or back. She leaned against his steady presence, and stole a kiss from his lips when Tatsumi wasn’t looking. This surprised him---and her. Having him here was making her bold.
Van set out soon after Hitomi had left for school. It’s not good enough to sit and wait, he thought deftly. Allen knows something I don’t. I have to get Celena back to him, so he can help her.
But going back means leaving Earth, another part of him reasoned. I…don’t want to leave Hitomi. He frowned at himself. I’ve been selfish. Waiting for Jovey to heal was my excuse to stay here longer. This world is strange but it’s her world. Can I leave it, and her? When we’ve finally found some peace? He sighed, murmuring, “There won’t be peace until Celena is home. I…have to do this. For both of them.”
Van reached the hospital after a bit of uncertainty with the direction. He made his way swiftly to Jovey’s floor and found the room--he’d insisted the day before that Hitomi explain the man’s whereabouts to him. Thankfully, he came across the doctor that who was Hitomi’s friend along the way. The man reassured the guard at Jovey’s room and showed Van inside.
Jovey was awake, though from the look of him one might have suspected him dead. His skin was nearly white, and his eyes were cold and empty. In them Van had always seen a fierce flow, but not now. His listless gaze had never seemed so dull. Van felt a sudden outpouring of pity for this man, and he approached swiftly to his side. He sank into a nearby chair. “Jovey.”
The youth did not respond, save to blink slowly. Van licked his lips and went on anyway. “Jovey, I know you can hear me. I need to deliver a message to Celena, and you’re the only one that can help me.”
“Go away,” the former Dragonslayer muttered.
At least he’s listening. “I want to help her,” Van continued. “I know you do, too. I promised Allen that I’d bring her back to him.” He paused only briefly. “But in all honestly, I don’t know if it can be done. And if she tries to harm Hitomi again, I’ll kill her.”
Jovey flinched. “I know.”
“I don’t want to have to do that. So I want to settle our fight with just the two of us. I’ll be waiting for her tomorrow near the Alseides. If you don’t see her before then, I’ll also be there the day after. Every day, at noon.”
“She isn’t coming back here,” Jovey told him softly.
Van frowned. Something had happened, and he needed to know what it was. “Why do you think so?”
Not once did he shift his gaze from the ceiling. “She’s waiting until I’ve recovered. Then, I’ll find her. I know where.”
“Why? Why does she care if you’ve recovered or not?”
Jovey’s face twisted slowly into a pained expression. “I honestly don’t know anymore,” he said in a kind of hoarse, timid whisper. “I don’t know, Van. I’m not good to her.” He stopped speaking, and Van remained silent also, in respect for whatever had transpired between the two. After a moment the youth began again. “Allen Shezar was right, wasn’t he? Dilandau Albatou was always a lie.”
At last Van understood. Jovey had finally accepted the truth; his master had been nothing but a shadow, a mask. Everything he’d once believed in had been cruelly shattered. The king licked his lips and quietly replied, “Yes, Jovey. Allen was right.”
He could see that Jovey was trembling. “The Sorcerers used us. Lord Dilandau hated the Sorcerers, but they were the ones that created him.” Jovey closed his eyes tightly as if battling with some ancient memory. “Go away,” he said at last. “Go away or just kill me. I don’t have anything to do with Celena Shezar.”
Van debated momentarily with himself. “I’ll leave,” he said, “but I need you to do me a favor. You owe me.” A scowl twisted Jovey’s face, but he went on before being interrupted. “I spared your life, even knowing you could kill my someday. I gave you the chance to make your Alseides, even knowing you’d use it against me. All I as in return is that you stay here for three more days.”
Jovey opened his eyes slowly, meeting Van’s gaze for the first time. “What are you going to do?”
I can’t lie to him. He’s had enough. “There’s a Sorcerer in Fanelia who might be able to help Celena. Understanding what was done to her is the only way to get her back. I’m going home, to listen to him, but I’ll come back. In three days leave here and find Alseides. I’ll be there, and I’ll probably need your help.”
“I won’t hurt her,” he said immediately.
Van nodded grimly. He still holds that loyalty. “I wouldn’t ask you to. But you might be able to save her sanity.”
Jovey turned his head away, and inhaled deeply. “Alright. In three days.”
“Will you be all right by then?”
“Well enough.”
“Good. Thank you, Jovey.” Van stood, knowing better than to stay past his welcome. Without another word he exited the room, and assured the waiting doctor with a nod. He swiftly left the hospital. Now, I just have to tell Hitomi.
“Hitomi, what is up with you today?” Marko demanded on their way home from school. “You’ve been acting really weird.”
“Yeah,” Yukari agreed. “Are you on drugs, sugar, or Van?”
Hitomi stumbled in her gait at the abrupt comment. “Yukari,” she hissed in exasperation as her face flushed red.
“Of so it was the last,” Mariko snickered.
Hitomi turned her nose up.
“And so what? Is it so unusual
for someone to be distracted by a guy?”
“For you it is,” they replied simultaneously.
“Geez! Do you have to be right all the time?” She flashed them both a bright smile. “Well? Is that so bad?”
Yukari rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “You put down a couple rumors, at least. How far did you two go?”
The brown-haired girl nearly toppled once more. “You’re so nosey!”
“How far, how far?” Mariko insisted excitedly.
“Alright already! We just…well, made out a little, I guess.”
Her friends frowned in disappointment, until Yukari remarked, “You can’t make out a little. Guys can’t, anyway.”
“And I’ll tell Amano-sempai that you said that,” Hitomi retorted. “Come on.” She broke into a run. “I’ll beat you home!”
“Hey!” Both girls groaned and started after her.
--
They reached Yukari’s home first. After making Hitomi promise to call her later and discuss details, she allowed them to go on. Hitomi bid farewell to Mariko at her door with a rush, tying-not-to-look-rushed manner and then dashed inside. Van was waiting on the couch in front of the television. Hitomi quickly dropped her things and joined him. “Van.”
Van glanced up and smiled brightly, welcoming her under his arm. She accepted, blushing. “Welcome back,” he greeted. “I’ve been trying to make sense of this.” He indicated the news station he’d been watching. “Your world is huge, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess it is.” Hitomi wriggled closer. She didn’t care about the rest of the world right now--she was only concerned about staying here. “Were you bored today?”
“No. I helped with some chores, and went out for a bit.” His hand tightened briefly on her shoulder. Though the gesture should have been comforting, she could feel the tinges of strain in his fingers. Her anxiety heightened when in a serious tone he declared, “We have to talk.”
Hitomi withdrew so that she could look him in the face. He seemed remorseful but firm, as if having come to an unwanted conclusion. “What is it?”
Van visually rallied his courage. “I’m going back to Gaea,” he said, fulfilling her premonition.
She didn’t speak at first. Her mind and heart were reeling, and a thousand questions rang inside her at once. She could make any of them heard.
“I’ll be back in three days,” he went on, and she sighed thankfully. “There’s a Sorcerer with Allen now who can explain what happened to Celena, and I need to get myself a sword, anyway. I’ll be back as soon a I’m sure everything there is all right.”
“What about Celena?” she asked with concern. “While you’re gone, she might--“
“It’s been taken care of. Jovey will make sure.” Van paused, and licked his lips as a shadow of indecision passed over his face. “You’ll be fine, Hitomi. But then, when I come back, I’ll fight Celena. And then….” He forced the words through with some effort. She’d seen then hiding with in his mouth a moment before, but to hear them still caused her body to jolt. “…I’ll go home to Fanelia. For good.”
Hitomi’s breath caught in her lungs as she stared at him. Though what he’d said was the obvious outcome, it had never occurred to her that Van would be gone. Seeing him that morning had felt right, as she’d always awoken to his smile and always would. It didn’t make sense that he would leave.
“Why?” It was a stupid, obvious question, but she couldn’t stop her lips. “Can’t you stay?”
“I have a kingdom, Hitomi.” His voice was filled with regret. “You know I’d stay if I could, but I can’t abandon my people. You know that.”
“Yes, but….” She bit her lip, and fidgeted uncertainly. “But…but I don’t want you to go.”
Van returned her gaze with a look of pain. “I’m sorry,” was all he could say.
No.. No, he can’t. Hitomi felt her insides curling, revealing that cold dark pit that rested within her. It was a place of sorrow and regret and loneliness--the last most of all. She’d suffered from that hole three long years, even if she hadn’t realized at the time. She didn’t want to feel that way again.
“No. No, you can’t go.” Hitomi stood, her bottom lip trembling. “What about last night? Wasn’t that…?”
Van also stood, facing her. His hands took her shoulders. “Come with me.”
The words barely penetrated her brain. “What?”
“Come with me,” he repeated urgently. “Can’t you? I can’t leave Fanelia, but you can--“
“No.” Hitomi started at the force in her own words. She stepped back, loosening his hands from her. “What are you saying? Stay on Gaea forever?”
“Why not?”
The front door opened suddenly, and Hitomi spun around. Tatsumi had entered and was placing his shoes by the step. He glanced at Hitomi and Van suspiciously. “You two look cozy.”
Hitomi wasn’t strong enough to insult him just then. Instead she turned and headed for the stairs. She could already feel her eyes watering as she bolted to the second floor. Van, you can’t ask that. It’s not fair.
Someone was coming up the stairs behind her. She escaped to her room, hoping he wouldn’t’ follow but knowing he would. She sat down on the bed as the door closed behind them. “It’s not fair,” she blurted out, though she could not bear to lift her head.
“I know,” Van replied in a slighter higher tone. “But--but if you think I can just go home and forget everything--”
“I can’t do that either!” Hitomi glared at him. The tears leaked past her defenses; she did not try to stop them. She didn’t know what she was doing, or what she wanted Van to do or feel, but she kept talking. “I was stupid to think that I could just go home and keep living. We had something and I ruined it.”
Van took a seat beside her. He reached, tentative and unsure, to wipe her tears away. “No you didn’t,” he murmured.
“Yes, I did.” She gently urged his hands away. “Van I belong in this world. It’s my home--I can’t just leave my family, my friends.”
“I know.” He was having difficulty in making the words audible. “But Hitomi…I love you.” She shuddered and tried to draw away, but he wouldn’t let her. “I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone else.”
Don’t say that. Hitomi wrapped her arms around his neck and began to cry, unable to control herself any longer. Don’t talk for both of us. It’s not fair.
Van pulled her into his lap, cradling her tenderly against his chest. Somehow he must have heard her silent plea; he said nothing more. He only held her until her eyes ran dry.
When Hitomi had run out of tears she only held him tighter. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
“Me too.” It was odd, hearing those words; he’d never admitted a weakness to her. “But whatever happens, I won’t forget what you mean to me, Hitomi.”
She nodded, then slowly uncoiled herself from him. “You’d better go,” she said quietly. “Allen must be worried.” She faced him directly. “Go on. I’ll be okay. Celena’s more important right now.”
Van looked as though he might contradict, then decided against it. His eyes had grown dull and rueful, and she nearly began crying again at the sight of them. “All right.” He eased her out of his lap and stood. There he paused, if only to stare at her a moment more. He licked his lips unconsciously. After a bit of indecision he bent down and kissed her briefly. “Take care, Hitomi. I’ll see you soon.” He managed to smile encouragingly before quietly exiting the room. The door clicked softly as it closed behind him.
Hitomi stared at the door long after he’d gone. Gradually she regained her senses. Three days, she told herself, cleaning her face of tears. That’s all I have to think. And to prepare to say goodbye.
As soon as Van returned to Fanelia’s capital Merle was waiting to pounce on him with a hug. He accepted and returned her enthusiasm at his homecoming. “I was so worried!” she exclaimed. “We didn’t know what was happening, or if you were okay. Don’t do that again!”
“I’m sorry I made you worry, Marle.” He patted her head, and gently eased them apart. “Now where is this Sorcerer? I have to speak with him immediately.”
“He’s pretty nice,” she said, leading him to the man’s reserved quarters. “He said I was clever for figuring it out.”
“Well, that’s good. Maybe you can help explain it to me, too.”
“Okay!” Merle took him by the hand and led him along.