Destiny's Pawns--~Chapter 12~

[Hitomi Lei]

Merle watched Van carry Hitomi away, tear coming to her eyes.

"Why can't fate simply let them be?" she questioned the sky.

"If wish really do work here, if dreams come true, then I wish for their happiness, for their love to have a chance."

She turned to find a silver haired cat girl staring at her.

'This must me Ren, I'm heard about her...' Merle thought as she approached the girl.

"Lady Merle, "Ren bowed her head low, not sure what to do. Usually beast people hated her more than humans.

Merle bent low from the waist.

"Lady Ren. It is nice to finally meet you." Ren's head snapped up. She had been called many things, but never Lady.

"I-I-" was all she could stutter out as Merle waved to someone behind her.

"Jako, come meet someone."

"Okay, princess, I'm coming."

Ren could here foot steps coming up from behind her. Jako came and stood beside Merle.

"Who have we hear?" he asked taking in Ren's features.

"This is Lady Ren, and if I have heard right, She's the reason Hitomi is still alive now. ?Merle looked deeply into Ren's eyes before saying, ?Thank you. By saving one woman's life you have saved a whole kingdom from destruction."

Ren looked from one cat to the other, her ears twitched slightly. Her cold blue eyes appeared to unfreeze for a moment, then she bowed again allowing her silver bangs to hid her eyes.

"Your welcome." Then she backed away, leaving Merle to watch after her. Jako stood behind her and wrapped his arms around Merle. She let him hold her close, just this once, because she needed comfort right now. Merle lay her head on his shoulder and looked off toward where Van had taken Hitomi, "I wish...."


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


Van found a small glen, isolated from the chaos of the palace. He landed and drew his wings back in as he walked toward a tree in the middle of the clearing. Settling down, he lay Hitomi down beside him. Watching her sleep brought back all the love he had ever felt for her. It seemed to all most burst inside him. Van leaned forward and kissed her on the check softly. Hitomi's eyes fluttered open at the soft touch of his lips against her check.

"Van..." she whispered as she brought her hand up to cup his face. Van turned his face toward her hand and kissed her palm.

"I'm missed you, Hitomi. "Van said as he looked deeply into her eyes. Hitomi leaned forward a little to encourage him to claim her lips. When the kiss had ended van Set back, motioning for Hitomi to lean up against the tree too. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"How did you get back, Hitomi?" Van asked as he played with one of her shoulder length strands. Hitomi pulled out her pendent and told him about finding it in the old shop. About saying good-bye to her family and landing in Bashram. As her story unfolded, Van was amazed.

"You fought with these women?" He asked,

"Yes, there was o other choice. I couldn't leave them to come to you. Chid said when he went back to the capital he would contact you or Allen." Hitomi looked at Van trying to gage his mood. She hadn't ever been able to look at his face and tell. It was blank.

"Hitomi.... Did you come to stay?" Van asked needing to know for sure. Hitomi took a deep breath and turned so that she was knelling in front of Van.

"I have left home and family, friends and a whole world, to come and live among you and your people." she recited an ancient vow she had read long ago in Dryden's library. Van gave the answering words, his eyes shining with warmth for her to see.

"I accept you sacrifice; I will become family and friend to you. Let my people be your people." Tears dripped out of Hitomi's eyes as Van drew her to her feet to kiss and hold her close to his heart.

"When, Hitomi? When will you become my Queen?" He asked with his face in her hair.

"As soon as possible Van, very soon." Hitomi answered with joy coming to her voice. She looked off toward the sly and whispered. ?Thank you Lady Asago, for every thing..."


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



Chid watched as Ren walked into the room quietly. He was seated by Asago. Ren sat down close be side him and laid her head on his shoulder. At first Chid was surprised, then he felt the wetness of her tears go through his shirt.

"What's the matter Ren?" Chid asked as he gathered her close.

"I just don't know anymore. Aunt A is going to die. Miya died. I just don't know. Everyone is dying. Then come to find out you're a King, and what am I doing crying on the kings shoulder." As she said this she tried to set up from off his shoulder. Chid would have none of it.

"I told you I was just Chid. Now what?s this about Aunt A? Whose that?" Ren looked down at Asago's pale face and sunk in eyes.

"Lady Asago is my aunt. When my father, her brother, left my mother, she took us both in. When mother died, Aunt A. took me as her own. Even though she was a solder in the Zaibach army, she took care of me. Now she's going to die." Ren began to cry again, and Asago opened her eyes. She reached out and took Ren's hand. Then she took Chid?s.

"I want you to take care of my little cat, Chid. Don't let her become full of hate..." Asago coughed, then weakly laid back down. Chid looked at his hand holding tightly to the slightly furry one. He tightend his grip on her hand, and they set until the sun was almost out of sight, until the Mystic Moon hung in the sky, shining brightly in the eve's darkness.


End of chapter

A/N hmmmmmmm...what will happen next?? Does anyone want to guess?=)

[blackrose]

A WEDDING? Please say a wedding comes next.... **looks hopeful**

^__^

~Rose <--who's sadly, out of chapters yet again.