This story is for Merle, and Merle only. I only see fan fiction with Van and Hitomi and I think they belong together too but this story is for the sad cat girl who feelings are never taken seriously and are tossed to the side. If you flame me then you have no compassion for the under-dog (cat) in this love triangle, so SHAME ON YOU! On with the story…
As Van sat by Escaflowne he had no idea Merle was watching him longingly from the shadows…she sighed as she looked at his strong face with his jet black hair blowing across his crystal blue eyes. Ever since she could remember he was by her side, and he cared for her….But never the way she was hoping for.
"And now Hitomi is stealing him away from me". Thought Merle, but then she shook her head…
"Hitomi couldn't be stealing Van away from me because he was never mine in the first place." She thought.
Merle choked back a sob and let a tear run down her face.
"Always with me..so close... but he will never be mine…never.." she thought. She wiped a tear from her face but then felt a hand come down on her shoulder.
"V-Van…?" she choked "Oh no! I don't him to see me like this!" she cried in her head.
"Van I-I'm sorry I'll-I'll go now.." she sobbed as she tried to get up.
"Who said I wanted you to leave?" Van asked softly as he saw the tears in her eyes.
Merle looked up at him as she felt another tear run down her face.
"Well…um.. Sniff.."
Then Van did something unexpected, he took her in his arms like he was cradling a baby.
"Van…?"
"Merle I am so lucky to have a girl like you to care for me....your always there for me and I have never really cared about your feelings….sure I care if your hurt but I never thought you could be in pain emotionally…I'm so sorry…Merle please forgive me." then Van leaned down and kissed her, a short and innocent kiss. He drew back and looked at her.
All Merle could do was stair back at him in awe.
"I love you Merle." Said Van stroking her hair. "You've grown to be a wonderful young lady even if you're half-cat."
Merle's lip trembled.
"Oh..thank-you Van!" she whispered as he hugged him.
"Th-thank-you…"she said again threw there tears.
"Thank-you, you have no idea what this means to me.." she thought.
And then she cried…but for the first time they were tears of joy. She looked one more time at Van and at his blue eyes. She reached up and ran her fingers though his hair and snuggled up to his chest.
"I..I love you too Van."
And then she fell into a peace-full sleep as Van stroked her pink hair, happier then she had ever been in her entire life.
The end