Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

______The thorns bit into Hitomi's arm as she tried pushing the dead branches away from her face. She had been walking and walking for what seemed like hours now and she could find no clearing in sight. The place was like this gigantic labyrinth and it seemed hopeless to ever find a way out! Hitomi stopped and leaned against one of the trees, taking a deep breath. She heard a small snap behind her and she whirled around quickly. Peering into the darkness she made out a tall figuire coming towards her. She tried focusing her eyes on the figure, hoping it was someone she recognized but the person remained a shadow, as it walked closer and closer to where she stood. " Who...who are you?" she asked in fear.

______The man stopped a few feet from her and threw back his hood. " Your worst nightmare!" he sneered before charging at her. Hitomi screamed and turned to run away. She scrambled past a long line of trees, not caring anymore as the branches bit into her skin and dragged long cuts along her arm. Ahead of her, she suddenly saw a light and she tried running towards it, heavy footsteps following behind her. Hitomi saw another figure encapsuled by the light and she tried calling out to him for help.

______The person turned his head around and Hitomi realized that it was Van. She called out his name, and tried to run towards him when she felt herself trip over a large twig on her path and come crashing down to the ground. Van just stood there, watching her, his eyes opened wide as he started calling out to her. Her vision of him was blocked though as the dark hooded figure moved in front of her and grabbed her by the hair. He raised a small dagger above her and moved his hand to plunge it straight into her heart. Hitomi had a last vision of angel's wings before screaming weakly,

______" VAN!!! Help....me....

______Hitomi opened her eyes and sat up quickly, her breathing short and heavy as she tried to figure out where she was. An owl hooted near by and she jumped back, slamming herself against the bedpost. Looking around she realized she was back in her bedroom and that it was all just a stupid nightmare.

______" A stupid nightmare that seemed so real," she mumbled nervously to herself as she settled back in the covers. That was when she realized that her nightgown was drenched in cold sweat. Sighing, she got out of bed and was about to head towards the bathroom when a flutter of wings caught her eye. A large brown owl had landed by the windowsill and was busy looking at her now. For some reason, Hitomi thought she saw a sharp glint in his eye and she hurried into the bathroom to finishing changing. She turned back, realizing that she had forgotten to bring a fresh change of clothes, and she found the windowsill suddenly empty. Rushing to the place where the owl was only a few minutes ago she peered out and found...nothing. Shuddering she shut the window quickly and hurried to put on a new nightgown. Crawling back into bed she realized it was impossible to get back to sleep. Closing her eyes, she tried to think of nice thoughts. " Van," the name escaped her lips just after a tear rolled past. " Where are you?"

______" I've got to spend more time training now," Rin told her seriously as he swung his sword and assumed a fighting stance," They're planning another international competition later this month and I've got to be in the best shape for it."

______The girl just nodded absently as he continued through the basic maneuvers and sword exercises. " Do you think I have a chance at winning against Spain? I hear the fighters there are pretty good. I should add more hours to my training, shouldn't I?"

" Hmmm..."

______Rin dropped his sword in exasperation and focused his gaze on his friend. " You're not even listening to me are you, Hitomi?! What's wrong with you today? You seem a little bit...err, preoccupied." Hitomi glanced at her friend and sighed.

______" It's nothing. I just...well, I was just thinking, that's all. Now what were you saying?"

______Rin crossed his arms on his chest and shook his head. " I was saying Spain’s top swordsman looks pretty hard to beat. " Rin raised his sword and positioned it in an Eagle flight rotation. " How much time do you think I should spend perfecting the levels of this move, ne? I want your absolute honest opinion."

" Hmmmm…."

" HITOMI!!!"

______Hitomi’s head jerked up and she looked hazily in Rin’s direction.

______" Okay spit it out, Hitomi. I know you're keeping something from me. What is it? What's wrong?" Hitomi sighed and fiddled with the grass beside her before sighing again and looking up into her friend's eyes.

______" It’s nothing—I….Rin, do you ever feel like something’s watching you. Well not just something but something evil. I’ve been having these weird dreams lately and well, it’s kinda put me on edge for the past few days." Hitomi shook her head and shivered involuntarily. " I feel creeped out, Rin." she told him quietly. " It all feels so scary."

______Rin was surprised to find genuine fear in his friend’s eyes. He walked over to her and gave her a small hug. " It’s probably just the competition that’s getting you all freaked out, Hitomi. You have been working too hard, you know. Loosen up a bit."

______" It’s …it’s not that Rin," Hitomi said shaking her head. She sighed, pulling away and wrapping her arms around herself and drawing her knees up to her chest. Rin looked at her in concern.

______" Hey, tell you what," Rin said, an idea suddenly coming to mind, " Why don’t I run inside and grab us a couple of refreshments from the fridge. Grandmother’s stocked the place a-plenty when she found out I was going to begin rigorous training again. It’ll probably clear your head a bit."

______Hitomi raised her head and smiled softly at her friend. " Thank you, Rin. I’d…I’d really like that…"

______Rin smiled. " No problem. Nothing like an ice cold popscicle to make you feel better on a day as hot as this!" Rin wiped the sweat on his brow and sheathing his sword he proceeded towards the back kitchen.

______" Rin," Hitomi’s voice echoed behind him. He turned back. " Gomen nasai. I didn’t mean to worry you. Maybe I am really tired."

______Rin smiled and waved to indicate it was okay before pushing his way into the kitchen and rambling up the well-stocked fridge. Man, that Hitomi, he thought to himself, shaking his head, Sometimes I worry about her. She’s always got her head stuck somewhere in the clouds…like she’s on some different world or something…

______Grabbing the popsies, Rin struggled to close the refrigerator door when he suddenly heard a loud scream that chilled his blood cold. Dropping the popsicles he rushed outside to find Hitomi being dragged by weird animalike creatures, who seemed to be in a rush to get to this blinding white lightbeam which was shining down on his backyard.

______" Hitomi!" Rin shouted unsheathing his sword. He charged over to where they were trying to gag Hitomi out of consciousness.

______" Rin!" Hitomi screamed, struggling to get away from the creatures. It was no use. They were nearing the light column and the monsters seemed to have her firmly in their grasp. " Rin!" she gasped out with all her might," Find Van! Tel him--- mrghphl….." Unable to talk she put all her might into flinging a small object into Rin’s hands before the column took her up into the sky.

______" Hitomi!" Rin screamed, running to where she was being lifted off the ground. Too late, though as the light carried her far above the sky, leaving a helpless Rin, standing alone and staring unbelievingly at the place where he saw his friend only moments ago . He looked down at his hand. A brightly colored jewel glittered back at him. Rin’s eyes widened as the object started glowing brightly.

______" Wha-what’s happening here?" he thought nervously as the stone began to grow quite warm. Before he knew it another light column, similar to the one Hitomi had disappeared in had appeared, surrounding him. Rin felt the weirdest sensation of being lightweight and free. He looked down and almost dropped the stone as he realized that he was more than ten feet above the ground and still vastly rising. And in one swift jerk, his body began escalating into greater heights and at a greater speed.

______I think I’m going to throw up, was Rin’s last thought before he fell into unconsciousness.