Dragon Burn
by
Amanda Wardropper
Forever and a day.
Chapter 3 - Forest clearing, castle of New Fanailia.
There was a light rain when Van skimmed off the high tree tops, at the
edge of the forest clearing.  When he saw the figure sprawled out and
unconscious on the forest floor, his heart started pounding. What if ...
he thought. No! he shook the notion from his head.   He landed, not far
from the body, walked over to it and knelt down on one knee.  It was
Hitomi, he would recognize her anywhere.  The rain had become slightly
heavier as Hitomi began to stir.  Her eyes were blurred but she could see
someone watching over her.  In a haze of fear she sat upright, Van
stumbled back to allow her room, and said, “Hitomi? Hitomi! It's all right,
it's me, Van.”
“Van?” Her eyes widened and she stood up.  She ran to him and burried
her face into his chest. “Van, it's really you!” she said blinking tears
of joy from her green eyes.  He embraced her lightly and stared down at
her, trying to hide his own tears. . . .if she truly loves me.
“Oh Hitomi, I've missed you so much.” He pulled her closer to him and
tightened the embrace, she lifted her head up to him so their eyes met.
She could see the rain dripping from his nose, she could also make out
that his head was moving closer to hers, she responded by meeting him
half way and there, under the Mystic moon and the rain, their lips met
and the two shared their first, passionate kiss.  I never want this
moment to pass, Van thought.  He lifted his lips away and stared longingly
down at her and smiled to himself.  Suddenly, the two were struck by
the same vision, although it affected Hitomi most.  Hitomi backed away,
“No, no! I don't want to fight again.” She shouted as she held her head.
Their vision was of Hitomi, standing in front of two, great dragons
fighting over the castle of New Fanailia.  To one side of the picture
there was a bright pillar of red light and Hitomi was surrounded by a ring
of fire.  Van stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders,
shaking her gently, “Hitomi snap outta it!”
“Huh?” She blinked out of the vision.  Her body began to lean forward,
Van caught her in his arms. Just like old times, he thought.  Now he
just had to get her back to the castle. He sprang upwards, heaving his
huge wings to give him enough downwind to lift him and Hitomi up to the
balcony.
 When he arrived on the balcony, Merle came running up to him as he
drew his wings back in. “Lord Van I'm so glad your alright.” She cried,
“Hitomi?” He nodded. She stood there in disbelief.
“Don't just stand there Merle! Help me with her, I'm freezing and wet.”
 “Gee OK! Jason! Tirone! Get your butts out here, now!” She shouted
down the corridor which was joined onto the balcony. A tall man, about a
head higher than Van, and a white cat boy came scurrying around the
corner.