Destiny's Pawns---~Chapter 6~

[Hitomi Lei]

Hitomi and Ren ran to the doorway as a woman with long

white hair rode in fast ly on a horse.

"IT'S AN AMBUSH!!"' she yelled as she rode through the

small village. Hitomi watched as all the women went into

action, grabbing weapons and getting into defense positions.

"What?s going on?" Hitomi asked as she ran after Ren.

"We are going to be under attack, do you know how to use a

weapon?" Hitomi nodded. She had taken up fencing because it

made her fill closer to Van during college. Ren handed her

a plain sword saying,

"Use this to defend your self. Stay close to me and I'll

watch your back." Hitomi had no time to answer as the first

wave of attackers hit the village.


~~~~~<@ @>~~~~~


Merle walked through the village, she would have to go back

home soon.

"I really will miss it here, but it's time to go home." She

said to herself as she leaned against a tree and watched

some children play.

"When did you star talking to your self Lady?" came the all

to know voice from he other side of the tree.

"What are you doing here, Jako?" Merle's voice had lost

it's softness and become cold.

"It's my village, remember?" Jako raised one eyebrow,

knowing how mad that made her. Lady merle was so cute when

she was angry. He wasn't expecting to hear the bitterness

in her voice.

"Yes, Jako, You don?t have to remind me that I don't belong.

I'm an out cast...I know that. Why, I can't even speak my

native language." Angry tears weld up in her eyes.

"But, you know, I can't help it. I can't help that they

died in that fire. And I'm very thankful Van's family took

me in. I-I-I..." She couldn't go on as angry sobs tore

through her throat. She turned and began beating her fist

into something hard. She didn't notice Jako wrap his arms

around her. He whispered soothing words into her ears as

she wept. Jako was surprised, he had had no idea Merle

carried such pain in her soul. Anger burned inside of him at

whoever had hurt this gentle girl. Then he realized that he

had done so much to cause her pain, his anger deflated a

bit, being replaced by helplessness.

"Merls, Shhhh, listen to me, why don't you stay here? The

people would except you soon...." Before he could continue,

Merle jerked out of his arms, leaving him feeling strangely

alone.

"You don't get it do you?" she asked as she pulled away

more, turning to leave.

"I just don't belong here."

Jako felt desperation raise up inside him as he saw her

leaving. All of a sudden he couldn't let her leave. He

couldn't let her walk out of his life. With out much

thought he swung her around, to face him. Quickly he kissed

her, marveling at her soft lips. Merle was to surprised at

first to fight the kiss at first, but she soon pulled away

as much as she could. Jako pressed his forehead close to

hers.

"Please stay." he whispered. Suddenly the sound of palm

against flesh sounded loudly in the small glen. Even the

children stopped their play to look up. Merle stood there,

shaking with rage, her hand still out stretched

"Don?t you ever treat me like a common hore again. Don't ever

touch me." she whispered in a broken voice as she turned

and ran away. Jako placed his hand on his stinging face as

he watched the woman he had just found out he loved, ran

out of his life.



~~~~~<@ @>~~~~~



Ren and Hitomi stood back to back, in a battle for their

lives. Hitomi reached up quickly to whip some sweat out of

her eyes. She had never fought any where but in tournaments,

where there were rules. Her opponent didn't play by the

rules though. Hitomi was doing her best not to kill anyone,

but she knew her partner wasn't being so gentle. Hitomi

managed to hit her attacker with the hilt of her sword,

knocking him out.

Two more, from her right and left took his place and Hitomi

was beginning to feel over welmed. Ren turned and slashed

the one closest to her in one quick movement. Hitomi watched,

in fascination as the blood bubbled out of his chest and

dripped slowly on the ground. Ren saw Hitomi blanche and

watch helplessly as the other man ran toward Hitomi with

sword drawn. Ren knew it was impossible to get to Hitomi in

time, because the man she was fighting would surly take

advantage of that. So all she could do was yell.

"Hitomi! LOOK OUT."

Hitomi stayed transfixed for a moment watching as this

strangers life force dripped out. Ren yelled again and

Hitomi jerked around, instincts making her swing her sword

out. It caught him square in his unprotected mid-drift. She

watched as her attackers eyes glazed over, and time seemed

to stop as he slid off her sword. Ren saw Hitomi freeze,

and knew by the look in her eyes and the way she through

down her sword and started rubbing her hands up and down

her sides that she was going into shock.

She quickly tripped her attacker and stabbed him as he was

going down. Running over to Hitomi, she watched the girl

wrap her arms around herself and chant

"I killed him, I killed him, I killed him." over and over

again to herself. Ren could see no more men in the area so

she through down her sword and tried to comfort Hitomi.

The horse woman rode up then, trying to keep the nervous

beast in check. Ren looked up from her position, kneeling

over Hitomi's trembling form.

"Lady Asago." was all she said as a silent understanding

passed between them.

"The attackers are gone for now, but they'll be back soon.

With reinforcements." Ren turned to Hitomi and pulled at

her, trying to stand her up. She wouldn't move. Ren looked

at Lady Asago for help. With a sigh of impatiens Lady

Asago slipped off her horse to help Ren, kneeling in front

of the girl, she pulled up her face so she could speak

directly to her. What she saw shocked her. This trembling

girl was the great Lady Hitomi. She looked at Ren sharply.

Explanations would have to wait, for now. Lady Asago pulled

out a small boot knife and Ren cringed as she struck

Hitomi behind the head. Hitomi slumped over at the blow,

and Asago handed her to Ren. Mounting her horse she called

out instructions for her women to follow.

"Hurry, but don't panic. We need to get over the border to

Freid. We can get lost in the forest there. All of you who

are able, help the wounded. Remember, Do Not Panic." Lady

Asago moved on, trying to get the message to all. Ren stood

watching her leader for a minute, then she turned her cat-

like eyes on Hitomi, and with gentle movements she lifted

Hitomi onto her back. Ren followed the mass exodus out of

what was left of her home.


The End of chapter


A.N
I know I suck at writing battle scenes...but deal with it Minna-san!!!(~_*) This is the longest chapter yet. It took me a LONG time to type.

[blackrose]

**whines** but Fried isn't Fanelia.

**faints** Poor Hitomi.

And poor Jako. **glares at Merle** When good looking men kiss you, you accept it and be happy (well, when they do it nicely and love you, anyway).

BAH! Next chapter!

~Rose