Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ There's Not A Thing I Would Change ❯ My December ( Chapter 9 )

~*~OMG!!!! You guys are soooo wonderful! 154 reviews?!? Love you all!!!! I had a feeling you all would hate me for that last chapter. I can’t wait for the reaction I get after this one. Please don’t kill me… There are a lot of flashbacks, so there will be no warnings, just the italics. ~*~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~   Chapter Nine: My December   Snow started to fall from the sky as Van walked. He didn’t even know exactly where he was going, but he tugged his coat closer to him as he continued. Her voice still echoed in his mind. “I never want to see you again, Van Fanel.” “I didn’t change for him! I changed for you!” “Did you even see me at all?” **This is my December This is my time of the year** He never felt so low in his entire life. It was as if his life had shattered and was falling apart all around him. Van had done the one thing he never, ever thought he would do: he hurt his Hitomi. With that thought, Van stopped walking as realization hit him. His Hitomi? When did he start thinking like that? What was going on with him? The snow continued to fall, but Van didn’t notice. He was already numb on the inside. **This is my December This is all so clear** ‘How did I not realize this would hurt her? All this for some stupid job? I lost the one person who means the most to me in all the world, for a stupid promotion. I’m worse than scum.’ Van’s shoulders slumped forward as he continued to walk with no real purpose. His surroundings went by him unnoticed. With his head hung low, Van just continued on his lonely path. “Did you even see me at all?” ‘What did she mean by that? Of course I saw her. How could I not?’ **This is my December This is my snow covered home** “You are a complete idiot, Van Fanel! I can’t believe you would treat her that way! She would have done anything for you, even change herself completely.” “What are you talking about? I never wanted to change her.” “Then why did you ask her to?” Danielle was obviously frustrated, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk with him. Finally deciding on something, she turned back to him. “You know, she did it so you would finally see her.” “See her?” Danielle sighed. “For you to truly see who she is. Hitomi thought if that change was what you really wanted then that’s what she would become.” Van narrowed his eyes in confusion. “I don’t understand.” Shaking her head, Danielle looked at him with sympathy. “Of course you don’t. You don’t because you are blind. Look at her with unclouded eyes. That’s when you’ll understand.” Before he could question her again, the blond threw his coat at him, turned and walked away. “I can’t tell you, Van. You have to discover this on your own. Try to fix things before she’s gone forever.” After hearing her words and picturing Hitomi’s face, Van regretted everything. **This is my December This is me alone** The snow continued to fall, clinging to his hair, adding extra weight, but he didn’t care. Why the hell did he do this to her? For his own selfish gain? How could he have been so stupid? Van looked up to the dark sky above. Clouds were everywhere, covering the sky. ‘Apparently that’s me. What is being hidden from me? What could I have overlooked?’ “You’re such a guy, Van.” The said man stopped in his tracks upon hearing her voice in his head. Memories of the past flashed in his mind. “I was trying to help her, you macadamia nut!” Her fiery attitude amused him, causing him to practically stalk her, just to find out her name. Her emerald eyes just boared into his maroon ones, going straight to his soul. Van had to find out all he could about her. **(And I) Just wish I didn’t feel likethere was something I missed** “Come on, Hitomi. It’s just one tiny Junior Prom. Please come with me?” “Forget it, Sparky. I don’t do dances. Have fun though.” “Please? I really want to go with you.” “Van, don’t force me into it. Take Kaname.” “I don’t want to take anyone else but you. Besides, Kaname and Sousuke are going together.” The girl sighed. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” He understood later her reasoning, but he refused to go with anyone. Later that night, Van remembered being lonely and lost. It just wasn’t right without her. The door swung open slowly and an emerald eyed girl stared back at him. “Van? What are you doing here?” Van smiled as he brought a single white rose from behind his back, handling it to her. “I’m here for you.” “Very funny, Fanel. I’m not going to that prom.” “Didn’t say that. Want to go grab a bite to eat? My treat.” A weird look entered her eyes. “Really?” “Really. Come on.” They went out and drove around until they spotted a diner. After going inside and ordering, Hitomi turned to him. “Why did you leave the prom?” “I missed my best friend.” That weird look disappeared and… disappointment?... entered those emerald orbs. “Oh.” After a moment, she asked, “What was it like?” The evening went on with Van explaining everything in great detail for her. What he didn’t notice before was her grip on the rose. It was tight, as if she were holding onto something that she would never have again. Van paused. ‘How did I overlook that before?’ “Didn’t think thinking was your strong suit.” A smirk appeared on his face. ‘When did her voice start filling my head?’ “I never want to see you again.” **(And I) Take back all I said tomake you feel like that** That smirk slowly came off his face as his long walk continued. His surroundings constantly changed, becoming somewhat familiar. Van didn’t notice though, for he was lost in his mind.” “I so worry about you.” “Glad to know you care, ‘Tomi.” ‘Why didn’t I notice it before? She was always there, wasn’t she? Almost everything I asked, she did. But why?’ “I worry about your sanity level.” ‘Gee thanks. What am I missing? What big thing did I overlook that was so obvious to everyone else?’ **(And I) Just wish that I didn’t feel likethere was something I missed** “I’m really going to miss you. I don’t know if I can survive on my own.” Shaking his head, Van’s mind continued to drift back to old times he had come to treasure. Something crossed his mind from right before he and Danielle had broken up in college. It was right after Hitomi woke up from her coma. The blond sat on the park bench, looking up at him with a small smile on her face. A somewhat knowing look was in her brown eyes. “I know what we’re really doing, Van. We’re stalling time.” “Stalling time?” “Yes. We’re together to pass the time until we find what we are looking for.” She turned her gaze away from him and towards the side. “I believe a person has to go through a least one wrong before they find what’s right, their soul mate. They don’t really appreciate what’s so right for them until they have a wrong. Maybe that’s why we’ve never kissed. It wasn’t right.” Looking back at him, Danielle had that same look on her face. “I’m here stalling you until you figure out who your right is. But time needs to continue moving. It needs to move onto a new moment, and so do we. Our time is over, Van. I know you know it too. That’s why you came to me. It’s time to move on.” Only a brief moment passed as Van nodded in agreement. He did want to talk to her about all this, whether they should stay together or not. Danielle stood up, giving him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “I will be here to help whenever I can.” “Ditto.” She smiled as she walked away, but stopped and turned to him. “The hardest right to find is when it is right in front of you, where you love them with all your heart and soul without even knowing. Good luck, Van. Don’t take too long.” **(And I) Take back all the things I said to you** ‘Right in front of me?’ Frustrated, he continued his journey, letting his mind continue to drift. Van stood alone in front of a gray stone slab on that dark and rainy day. This was the worse day of the entire year, every year. Bowing his head, he let the rain pour down on him until he felt something on his shoulder. Turning slightly, Van saw a pair of shining emerald eyes. Before he could question her, Hitomi spoke. “Merle told me.” Slowly, she brought a white rose from behind her back and placed it on the gray stone, bowing her head slightly in respect. The gesture warmed Van’s heart greatly. He had only given her the ring maybe three weeks ago and here she was, paying respects to a man she never knew. The emerald eyed girl looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. Without a word, Hitomi did something they had never done before- she wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug. The action shocked and warmed him at the same time. It took him a moment before he returned the embrace, taking in all the comfort she had to give. Leaning up, he felt her lips by his ear as she whispered, “Happy Birthday, Van.” This was the one birthday that didn’t have Van lost in grief and pain. He held her closer to him, letting all the pain go at that moment. **And I give it all away Just to have somewhere to go to** The pain in her eyes flashed in his mind again, causing Van’s heart to hurt. Had he not promised he would protect her, so she would never feel this kind of betrayal? And yet he was the one to cause it. The irony of it all. “Your dreams will become reality, but not on the course you see. Two roads will be set forth in front of you. One will lead to a false happiness at a high cost, losing someone close to you, while the other will lead to everything you’ve wanted, just different from the original plan. You have to find this other road or else you will lose the one you cherish most forever. Do not be so skeptical with this reading. The rest of your life depends on this decision, whether you pick one route or the other. Choose very wisely.” His eyebrows knotting together, Van paused in confusion. ‘That fortune teller… during our safe graduation. I had forgotten all about that. If only I had listened.’ “You do have a knack for talking without thinking… or just not thinking in general.” ‘Can’t argue with that.’ His feet crunched on the snow that lay on the ground. Van watched his feet move on their own, somehow knowing where they wanted to take him. He didn’t know where he was going or why he was walking to begin with. It was as if he had no where to go, as if he was lost. Never had he felt so alone. **Give it all away tohave someone to come home to** The door was kicked open as a large box with legs walked into the apartment. Boxes of all shapes and sizes were scattered all over the area, barely leaving enough room to more. Mr. Box fell to the ground and a human female stood there, looking back at the door. “Hurry up, Sparky!” Van came in, dragging a medium box along. Breathing heavily, the raven haired man looked up at the woman. “Sorry. That thing’s heavy!” Raising an eyebrow, Hitomi walked over and picked up the box easily, taking it over to a separate pile. “Maybe you should hit the gym more, Sparky. How the heck were so many people afraid of you in high school when you can’t even lift a small box?” “Hey! It’s not my fault you’re freakishly strong!” The emerald eyed girl smiled as she shook her head. “So, you gonna help me set up your apartment or are you gonna cry about your lack of muscles?” “Why did I ask you to do this again?” “You didn’t. It’s my way of saying thanks for helping me move into my own apartment two weeks ago.” “Ah! I moved more boxes that time, didn’t I?” “Well, you moved a few.” “How many?” “You don’t wanna know.” “Tell me.” “Two.” “And how many were there in total?” “A lot more then two.” Shaking his head, Van looked around the new place that was to become his apartment. “How many of these did I move in?” “Including the one you dragged?” “Sure.” “One.” “How did that happen?” “You couldn’t find the elevator. I did.” “There’s an elevator?” Laughing a bit, Hitomi picked up her friend off the floor and pointed out the door towards the left. “Go down there and the magical moving vertical box is right there.” “See? You really do learn something new everyday.” “I worry oh so very much.” “Someone has to.” “Why me?” “It’s in the best friends’ manual.” “Did I get a copy of this manual?” “It’s in the mail.” “Ah. Just checking.” Smiling at her, Van headed inside the very bare place. “Well, we better get started. How long do you think this is going to take?” “Depends. Does that couch turn into a bed?” “If you throw pillows and a blanket on it.” Smacking her forehead, the woman sighed. “Let’s get this over with. You so owe me food for this.” “Deal.” With that, the couple worked the rest of the afternoon and well into the night setting up the now full apartment, giving it character. As Van put a picture of him and Hitomi graduating on a shelving unit they bought, he turned towards the couch to pronounce them finished. To his surprise, the hyper Hitomi was now dead asleep on the apparently comfy couch. Smiling softly to himself, he picked her up gently and took her into the newly decorated bedroom, placing her on the mattress and bringing the blankets up to her chin. “Sleep sweet, ‘Tomi.” Taking a pillow and blanket, he went out into the living room and made the comfy couch into a comfy bed. ‘My first night in my new apartment spent on the couch. This is definitely a night to remember.’ Smiling a bit, the man soon fell asleep. **This is my December These are my snow-covered trees** By now, all the trees around him were snow white, due to the flurries falling at an increasing rate. None of that mattered. Van could remember going in that day to be interviewed for the job at Astoria. Hitomi had helped him by asking random questions and also ironing his shirt while he was in the shower. By the time he came out all dressed and prepared, she had a small breakfast waiting for him in the kitchen. The female had insisted he eat before going on the interview. “Just what you need, a grumbling stomach when he asks what you’ll bring to the job. Quick thinking, Fanel.” Sighing, Van continued his endless walk to where ever, thinking back on everything. He was originally in another department until Maaya presented his ideas to Mr. Aston himself. That was when he was shifted over to Allen’s department. How that blond crack head managed to get to head of the department was beyond comprehension, but that was beside the point. When did Allen dig his claws into him, controlling him like a puppet on a string? He should have realized earlier what was really going on. Because of his lack of intelligence, it cost him greatly. But, he loved his job… right? **This is me pretending This is all I need** Guilt coursed through him for the millionth time that evening. How had he though this job was worth selling his soul? Sure, the pay was nice and he enjoyed it in the beginning, but when he realized Allen was an asshole, he should have put a stop to it all. Why he didn’t, he had no idea. ‘I’ve never put anything before my friendship with Hitomi before. I just wanted this account so badly, I was blinded to everything else. Danielle was right about that much at least. Because I wanted so much at once, I lost sight of what was important, who was in important.’ Sighing, Van turned down one street and kept on walking into the night. ‘What am I supposed to do now, Hitomi? I feel so lost without you. What did you want me to see?’ **(And I) Just wish that I didn’t feel Like there was something I missed** Laughter filled the air as a raven haired male dragged a blind folded female down the sidewalk towards an unknown destination. “Van, you tell me what’s going on right now.” “But that’s no fun.” “Fanel…” “What’s the matter, Kanzaki? Afraid of what lies ahead?” “Ha! You wish, Sparky.” “Then shut up and let me surprise you.” As Hitomi grumbled, Van pulled her off the course and into a grassy area. “Are we there yet?” “Well, with that kind of attitude, I might as well take you home.” “After that long walk?! You must be kidding.” “I am. You can take the blindfold off now.” Quickly getting to work at removing the piece of cloth, Hitomi’s emerald eyes went wide at the sight in front of her. “A paint ball field?” “Not the kind with the guns, but still good.” She looked over at him while he got into a white suit with a bag by his side, goggles in his hand. “In this lovely pouch on my hip contains several small water balloon like balls containing various colors of paint. We proceed to run around like crazy people while chucking the said paint filled balls at each other, making a human canvas. Sound good to you?” To answer his question, Hitomi threw a nice violet one at him, hitting him right in the face. Luckily he had already put his goggles on by that time. Laughing at him, she took off into the gaming area, Van hot on her heels. “Oh, that’s gonna cost you, Kanzaki.” “Only if you can catch me!” “Oh, it’s on!” With that, the two ran around, pelting each other with the paint balls. At one point, Van had Hitomi trapped in one area of the field, bouncing the paint ball in his hand. “I think I’m going to enjoy this.” Putting on her most innocent face, Hitomi pouted a bit. “You wouldn’t do that to your best friend, would you?” “Oh, not the puppy dog look AND the best friend card! That’s just low.” Smiling, Hitomi walked up to him. “I know.” Before he could do anything, she smashed a bright pink one on top of his head. Laughing, she tried to run away, but his arm found its way around her waist, yanking her into a pile of hay as she shrieked slightly. Van pinned her to the ground as she looked up at him. “I don’t think pink looks that nice on me.” “You could start the new trend.” “I think not.” With that, he broke a nice orange one on her. She just smiled and laughed, obviously having fun. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Happy Birthday, Hitomi.” Her eyes went wide as she looked at him. “I never told you…” Smiling, he placed a finger over his lips. “I must not reveal my sources. I promised.” “And Van Fanel never breaks a promise.” “Bingo. Now, you want your present?” “This game was more than enough…” “Not at all! Come with me. We’d better change out of these.” Van got up and held out his hand to her, which she took. After they returned the suits to the man in charge, the maroon eyed man led Hitomi towards the lake, which was only a few minutes away. When they sat on the edge of the dock, she turned to him. “Now what do you have in mind?” “First off, it is very, very hard to shop for you. You don’t wear much jewelry so that’s out right away. You’re not into the pretty stuff most girls like, so a gift card to some expensive store is axed. Forget chocolates right away.” “Hey, why no chocolates?” “Well, I’d eat them before I came close to you.” “Good point.” “So, I decided on something you’d never imagine someone knowing about you. First is this,” At that moment, Van pulled out a small white rose from his pocket, which somehow stayed intact. “I had the man hang onto it for me during the game so it wouldn’t get damaged. I know it’s your favorite, so I thought you’d like one.” Handing it to her, he was rewarded with a beautiful smile. “And while I’m on a roll,” he pulled out a small rectangle box and handed it to her, seeing confusion take over her features. “You’ll have to open it to find out what it is.” Directing her attention at the box in her hands, Hitomi took off the wrapping paper which obviously Mrs. Fanel did for him. Opening the box, her mouth fell open and she looked up at him. “Van! How did…” Pleased with himself, Van answered her unasked question. “When you invited me into your room the first time, I noticed your small collection of ticket stubs. Might as well add this one to it.” “But Van, these are tickets to Phantom of the Opera!” “I should hope they are, or else they screwed me over.” Shaking her head, Hitomi looked away. “No, you don’t understand. This was the show my father was going to take me to.” The maroon eyed male looked at her more closely. “You never really told me anything about your dad.” It took her a moment before she was able to speak. “We had planned on seeing this show for weeks, but he wasn’t feeling well around that time. When he got worse, we took him into the hospital to see what was wrong. Turned out he had cancer. It was too far advanced for them to do much, but they put him on chemo anyway to try and by him some time. My father was dead by the end of the year. That was about four years ago.” Taken aback by all of this, Van sighed. “You were only twelve. I’m so sorry, ‘Tomi.” Waving her hand to dismiss his statement, she went on. “I think he would like me to see it with someone special, like a best friend. Since there are two tickets and all.” Hitomi smiled at him as her emerald eyes became glassy with unshed tears. A soft smile spread on his face. “I would be honored to.” “You know, he would have liked you, even if just for the fact that you’re my best friend.” “That means a lot to me. Thank you.” Smiling, they both sat there in silence, watching the sunset in front of them. Van smiled slightly at the memory, that being his very first real show. It was a part of her he hadn’t seen before, something he would have missed out on if he never tried to get to know her. “Did you even see me at all?” **(And I) Take back all the things I said To make you feel like that** ‘That’s what I don’t understand. I’ve known Hitomi what seems like forever. I know all her likes and dislikes, what makes her happy and sad, what makes her who she is. I’ve been there through all her hard times. I was there when no one else was.’ He could feel his cell phone vibrating in his pocket, but he didn’t care. He just wasn’t ready to talk to anyone at the moment, no matter who it was. If it was important, they would leave him a message anyway. Walking around the dark city, Van couldn’t even imagine what Hitomi was feeling at the moment. ‘I did something I promised I’d protect her from. What kind of friend am I? I used her in the worse way possible.’ Something just didn’t sit well with him though. Something she had said… “Everything I’ve ever done since you put this ring on my finger has been because or for you! How could you not see that?” **(And I) Just wish that I didn’t feel Like there was something I missed** ‘What did she mean by that? I just don’t understand.’ Shaking his head, causing some of the snow to tumble down his sides, Van continued his seemingly endless walk to nowhere, digging deep into his mind for memories that just might give him a clue. “Guys are so dense.” Smilingly slightly, he nodded. ‘For once, I’ll have to agree with this statement. What am I missing, Hitomi?’ “I didn’t know thinking was your strong suit, Van.” Sighing, his long walk continued as his mind kept picturing her face with different displays of emotion. When he first met her, Hitomi’s face was angry and hard, not letting anyone get to her. Day by day, her features softened, letting some happiness take over until her anger disappeared, or rather became dormant. The way her eyes lit up when she smiled was what made him want to see her smile more often. Those beautiful emerald eyes showed him everything, including the hurt and pain when the truth finally came out. Her tears flowed freely as she ran away from him, away from what had made her sadness reappear after years of happiness. Shaking his head once again, he kept walking. ‘What have I done?’ **(And I) Take back all the things I said to you** The ground was covered in the white flurries that fell from the sky, bringing with it more despair to the raven haired male wandering the streets. Bit by bit, Van became more guilty and depressed, but also very confused. What was he supposed to do now? ‘I really can’t picture my life without her. It would be so incomplete.’ The hour was drawing very late as darkness surrounded him. Whether that was from the air or his depression was debatable. All Van could see at the moment was her hurt face, her tears as she ran. Smacking his hand to his forehead, Van let loose something that could only be called a growl. “Why am I such an idiot?!? I give it all up just to take it back. I just wish I could take it all back.” His voice was defeated, not having the confidence it once held. “I don’t even know where to go now. Where do I go from here?” **And I give it all away Just to have somewhere to go to** “With you, I finally found a true friend. You were exactly what I was looking for, what I needed. I guess you could say you’ve saved my life, Van.” Some friend he turned out to be. That night on the boat, he swore to himself to protect her. Van never imagined he’d have to do so from himself. ‘What kind of person have I turned into?’ “Well, they would only see a person for what they are worth, as in what they could do to move themselves up in the world. They befriend them and eventually use them to get what they really want, then dump them off to the side. Truly horrible people.” Slamming his fist into a nearby building, rage entered him at that moment. ‘That’s not me! I never saw her as that. Hitomi was never something I sought to gamble with. Never would I have risked so much for something so stupid. But why? Why did I do it? Why did I throw it all away?’ Annoyance and despaired swirled inside him as Van pushed himself off the wall and continued his walk. The area looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it in his state of mind. ‘It doesn’t matter. My walk has not reached a destination or realization yet. Where do I have to go anyway? There’s no one to go home to. There’s nothing waiting for me in my lonely apartment.’ **Give it all away To have someone to come home to** Reaching deep into his pocket, Van’s fingers brushed up against something small and round as well as his vibrating cell phone. Stopping to pull the item out of the deep abyss, he looked at it with deep sorrow. ‘The Celtic ring I gave her all those years ago.’ After she had thrown it at his feet, he had picked it up, holding it in his hand as it seemed to burn a hole in him. It was at that point Danielle came up to him and let him have it. He had placed it in his pocket to hang onto, but had forgotten about it during his long reflecting walk around the city. A sad smile graced his lips. ‘I remember the day I gave to her, what I had said.’ “I guess you could call it a token of friendship. Basically, with this ring I’m saying you’re my best friend.” ‘Hitomi…Have I truly lost you forever?’ “I never, ever want to see you again.” Shaking his head as he clutched the ring in his hand, anger flowed through him. ‘No. I can’t accept that. I have to see her again. I can’t live without her.’ It was at that moment when the surroundings were way too familiar. Van looked up to see Hitomi’s apartment building across the street. Noticing her apartment light on, he was tempted to climb the fire escape and demand she listen to him. ‘She just has to.’ **This is my December This is my time of the year** Looking up, Van paused as his heart shattered at the sight he saw. Though it was small due to where he was standing, he could clearly see his precious Hitomi sitting beside the window in her tank top and plaid pajama pants, legs curled up with her arms around them, bringing them into her chest as her head rested on top. Her face held so much pain as well as tears, as if her whole world collapsed in the ultimate betrayal. Seeing her like that made him wish he could die, taking all her pain away in that one moment. Her ring still in hand, Van sank to the ground, sitting so he could still see her but she could not see him. All he could do was watch as each tear fell down her face. At one point, the strong, proud girl buried her face into her knees, shoulders shaking as she was obviously crying her eyes out. Leaning his head against the wall, Van could look at her no longer. His heart could not take seeing her so upset, especially knowing he was the one that caused it. ‘I’ve been such a fool. For something so petty and useless, I betrayed myself and Hitomi. She should not have to sit up there feeling this much pain. Why couldn’t I see and prevent this? Why did I throw away everything I love?’ “The hardest right to find is when it is right in front of you, where you love them with all your heart and soul without even knowing.” Van’s head snapped up as his thoughts finally caught up with him. ‘Is that it?’ **This is my December This is all so clear** ‘I love her. All those memories simply proved it. I’ve been in love with her since the beginning. Ever since the day I saw her beautiful emerald eyes glaring at him, I’ve loved her. I just never realized it until she changed. She changed to fit what she thought I wanted. Why would she do that?’ It didn’t take him as long to figure this one out. ‘She’s in love with me. Of course! Those weird looks in her eyes were clues, a hidden message into what she was really feeling. She wanted me to know, wanted me to figure it out. Back then, when she asked what her friend should do, Hitomi meant herself. After all this time, she never spoke a word.’ Looking over at her window once again, Van’s eyes softened. ‘I do. I’m in love with Hitomi. I always have been and I always will be.’ That’s when he remembered why he had begun this not so little walk. Smacking his head against the wall behind him, he groaned. ‘Why couldn’t I have figured it out sooner? Is it too late now? Have I truly lost her?’ Sighing, the man sat there as the snow continued to descend upon his head. ‘Everything I’ve ever done, everything I’ve worked so hard for… I’d give it all up if only to be able to make up for the wrongs I have done her. I am so sorry for it all.’ **And I give it all away Just to have somewhere to go to** Looking at the Celtic ring in between his fingers, Van stood and walked so he was just under her balcony. As he gazed up at it, the ring slipped from his hands and into his jacket pocket. ‘There has to be a way. I won’t give up, now that I know what I have missed. I only hope it will be enough and she will forgive me. I don’t know what I’d do if she didn’t.’ Feeling the ring in his pocket, Van turned down the street, leaving her apartment building. ‘Besides, I have something to return to her.’ As he walked the long trek back to the banquet hall to retrieve his car, images of her smiling face entered his mind. ‘Hitomi, I have to get you back. I’ve only just recently seen all I needed to see. I am in love with you. I have been since I was fifteen years old. Please tell me I still have a chance.’ A weird feeling entered Van’s side as he felt his cell phone vibrate again, telling him someone was trying to reach him. It didn’t matter at this point. All that mattered was trying to figure out how to get her back. ‘I’ll do all it takes, Hitomi. You are my right, my soul mate. I’ll make sure everything is made right again. I promise.’ With that, he headed back, eventually to go to an empty and distant apartment that held no warmth. ‘One day, maybe she’ll be there.’ **Give it all away To have someone to come home to** As his final walk of realization came to an end, the skies parted as the snow and clouds disappeared, showing off a brilliant clear sky, clear enough to see the stars. “Look, a shooting star! Make a wish.” Smiling a soft smile, Van closed his eyes and concentrated hard. ‘I wish we both fulfill our destinies and that not everything is lost for good.”     ~*~And that is Chapter Nine. Remember, killing the author is a bad thing. You won’t be able to find out what comes next. I’m sorry I had to torture poor Van. After everything that happened, it had to be done. Hopefully Chapter Ten will be out soon. The song “My December” is by the fabulously talented Linkin Park. In other news, this fanfic was nominated for the Elimination site! Basically that means this fic goes up against other fics and the voters get to decide which one is the best. There’s Not A Thing I Would Change made it to Round 2!!!! The link is in my profile if you want to take a look! Ja ne!~*~