Guess what all!!! We now own Escaflowne!!! We procured it last week!!! Isn't that cool?!?!

Disclaimer: We are prone to wild hallucinations involving owning things that we indeed do not own.

Chapter 6

Hitomi and Dragon were taken to separate rooms where they were questioned by the police. The policeman sat down across the table from Hitomi who was still handcuffed and in shock. The cuffs were chaffing her wrists. The policeman asked, "What exactly happened this afternoon?"

She explained about Dilandau following her and taking her from her lane by force. Then, she explained how Dragon had shown up unexpectedly, about the siren, and about getting the gun. She sounded quite upset, like she was overplaying her story to cover her guilt.

Asked the same question as Hitomi, Dragon answered, "I was doing my grocery shopping when I saw that big guy leading the lady into the back, and I could tell something was wrong. So, I followed them, trying to help the girl." He paused a moment, then asked, trying to sound concerned, "Is she okay, by the way?"

"Well," the policeman started, "Seeing as how she was carrying an unlicensed fire arm, not to mention pointing it at someone as if to kill. Take your guess."

"Aw, that's too bad..." He tried to sound genuine.

"You outta worry about yourself."

"It's like this," Dilandau started. "I was in the cereal aisle when the two of them came up behind me. The guy was carrying the gun and pointed it to my back. They led me back to the refrigerator. I've never been there, but the girl works there, so she knew her way around the place. When we got there, the guy handed the gun to the girl and then started punching me in the face." He made a punching motion then pointed to his eye - which was was now just about swollen shut.

The policeman listened carefully, then asked, "Why did they want to hurt you?"

"I'm not exactly sure, officer. Although a few days ago, I did see the girl, ya know - and she ain't so hard on the eyes, so I politely asked if she'd like to do something sometime. She didn't seem too dissatisfied with the proposition, either. Well, I guess the guy is pretty protective of his girl, one of those guys. I guess he wasn't too happy with me and decided to do something about it."

"Hm. Thank you for your time, sir. If we have any more questions, please leave your number with the secretary." The policeman showed him out.

The next thing Hitomi and Dragon knew, they were placed in holding cells next to each other. There were only the two cells. No one stayed here long. They either were sent home or up the river. The two were left alone. Even though Hitomi had used the opportunity to call Momaru, she still worried about him. Who knew how long she'd be held? Not to mention the neighborhood was rather rough. Through her thoughts, she kept silent - she had nothing to say to that annoying, selfish, no good...

"Well, it's a fine mess you've gotten us into," Dragon blamed.

"Um, two things. There is no 'us'. And it's all your fault - don't you remember, Mr. '86 Camry," she informed with an attitude.

"How can this be my fault? He was after you!"

"Then, you didn't have to show your ugly face," she huffed as she stood and walked to the wall of bars separating the two cells, hands on her hips.

He opened his mouth to say something. Then, he shut it again. Then finally replied with, "Well, I couldn't have Dilandau findin' out that I work at a grocery store, now could I? I had to take care of him."

"And how would he have found out, might I ask?"

"He coulda seen me... wench."

"Oh my word - doesn't it even seem fishier that you showed up there?" She paused as she turned away from the bars. With her back still to him, she added, "Oh - and don't call me that."

Dragon leaned against the bars and shrugged. "You don't like it? Well that's too bad now, isn't it? Maybe you shoulda just told me your name right off. Too bad, wench."

"Or you coulda just left me alone like a normal person would - apologized and let me live out my blessed life in peace!"

"Now that would be no fun..."

"And this is?!"

Dragon shrugged again and sat down, leaning against the back wall.

Hitomi sat down on the cot and was silent. A few minutes later, in a much calmer but very serious voice, she said, "You've got serious problems."

Dragon smirked and ran a hand through his hair. "You don't know the half of it, lady."

"Undoubtedly," she muttered.

He glared at her. "Just shut your mouth, will ya? I'm sorry my life hasn't been as pleasant as yours, Miss Hitomi. But, not all of us grew up in a normal home, so if you don't like the way I live my life. Then, just stay out of it, okay?"

"First off, I've been trying to stay out of it. But thanks to a you, that's been impossible. And second, don't even tell me about a pleasant life. Don't pretend to know me." Her voice was cold. What could she have been talking about?

"Oh right, sorry. I mean, what do I know, anyway? Just because you happen to have a place to live with a job to support you doesn't mean anything. It could be worse, ya know. You could be living out on the street, digging through dumpsters, and we all know how much you hate dumpsters," he replied, his red eyes narrow.

She ran her hands through her short, light brown hair. "You have no idea what you are talking about, do you? Life is not exclusively about having food and shelter," she huffed. Adding in an audible mumble, she said, "Not that I have much of that these days..."

"I see, so you're one of those that needs more than the simplest of things to live. You just won't be happy until you have a nice house and a husband to go to work for you so you can stay at home all day."

She stood up from the cot, almost livid. "You couldn't be more wrong! You have no idea what I'm talking about. I don't need nice stuff - stuff doesn't make you happy. Trust me." She sighed and took a few steps closer to the bars.

Dragon stood as well and walked over to the bars. He leaned against them and said, "Oh really? And how would you know, Miss 'My Life Is So Hard'?"

She crossed her arms and looked at him. "How would I know that stuff doesn't make someone happy, you ask. Well, I used to have stuff - and lots of it, and I wasn't happy. Okay? That's how." Her green eyes narrowed, and then she looked away, heading for the back wall where she leaned.

He studied her for a second before saying, "Well, who woulda thought that someone like you came from royalty? How'd you come to wander among us mere peasants, then? Did ya get bored or were you kicked out by an evil stepmother, Princess Hitomi?"

He disgusted her. "My parents died," she said coldly. "Not that I cared."

"Aren't we bitter? What made you hate them so much? Did -"

He was cut off. "Because they hated me," she spat angrily.

The gang leader raised an eyebrow. "Why? I'll admit you're annoying, but that's a little different."

She rolled her eyes his direction. "I think it all began with my birth - well, before it, really. I interrupted their partying schedule. My parents were rich from inheritance. Neither had ever worked a day in their lives. All they did was travel around the world living it up at whatever cost. Yes, I was more than provided for - even though they never remembered my birthday or even my name sometimes. They procured me a nanny who didn't even speak English. She hated us because she was just in it for the money, really." She sighed. "So, yeah, after the big accident heretofor referred to as Hitomi, my father got his tubes tied. Let's just say that the mistake called Momaru came along anyway a few years later despite their precautions. I guess my father didn't take into account my mother fooling around with other men at those parties. Oddly, he didn't even seem to care." She walked forward and looked White Dragon in the eyes. "In all of my life, I only remember seeing my parents for a total of one hour when I was sick in the hospital with pneumonia for a week - and that's only cuz they were headed to a party for the children's hospital anyway," she concluded sadly.

He shrugged. "At least you had it easy. But how did you end up here, anyway? I know your parents died, but that doesn't explain it very well."

"When they died in the car accident which, I believe, was more a successful suicide attempt, it was found out that they had spent a million dollars that they didn't have. They were completely bankrupt. So, it fell on me - the heir - to repay it. Yeah, like I have that kind of money. Everything I had was taken, any money that I saved or jewelry. So, my brother and I left to find a new life. Well, that hasn't gone so well, now has it?" she asked, insinuating that Dragon's existance wasn't helping.

"Hey, don't go blaming me!" he snapped. "Things were finally starting to go my way when you showed up and ruined everything. Had you not been here, Dilandau would not have shown up at my work, and I would not be stuck in jail. Not to mention I haven't even done anything this time. If they figure out who I really am, though..." He glared at her. "If they even have a clue, you are so dead."

She threw her hands up. "This is so not my fault - and you know it." She pointed at him. "This is all your doing. I have completely minded my own business!"

He straightened up, fists at his side. "Look, I haven't had any problems with anyone else," he growled, "just you. Somehow you are constantly getting in my way. Why is it you can't seem to stay out of my way!?" He unconciously fingered the ring under his shirt. "Better learn how to and soon."

"Have you ever thought that maybe - just maybe - you get in my way?"

"I have lived on these streets my whole life! I practically own them! This is my territory, and you trespassed on it!" Dragon shouted as he angrily grabbed at the bars with his free hand, his other around the ring.

She smirked annoyingly. "Oh, what are you saying? That such a big, strong person such as yourself can't just get around a nobody like little old me?" Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"Trust me, I could get you out of my way permenantly if I wanted to. That, however, can get messy," he said with a smirk, regaining some of his composure.

She humphed and glared at him. He still had his hand clutched around that ring. After a while of silent staring, she finally asked, "What's with the ring?"

The gang leader glared at her for a moment longer before answering. "It was my mother's," he replied simply.

"Where's she now?"

"She's dead."

"Oh." Hitomi crossed her arms and looked at Dragon. He had a faraway look in his eyes. "Sorry."

He closed his eyes and smirked, pulling out the ring from under his shirt. He seemed to study it for a second as he said, "I don't need your sympathy. Especially since I was the one that killed her."

to be continued...

A/N: (T4) Golly gee willigers. Who knew he killed his mom? I just knew he was screwed up, but THIS screwed up?! Now, that's a shocker. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the story is... oh wait - I've written this story. I already know... nah nah!!! ::sticks out tongue and wiggles fingers in an antler position:: Sorry, y'all, my bad. Tell us in your review what you think the story is behind this. We love to hear your ideas! But we still would appreciate your other comments even if you don't have any ideas.