A/N: Okies, Worlds is coming and Okaeri is having a time out (please don't kill me, I'm trying but its muses are vacationing). So this is a set of 30 kisses one-shots to appease you and I love writing them, but depending on what you think some may become two-shots.

I tried for drabble length but I can't seem to stop myself from writing more. Hope you like! Reviews are always treasured and plastered around my room!

AND HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY SHAIF! *super huggles*

Suilsie xx

Awareness

Allen Schezar was very self-assured and unlike many jibes that were whispered about him, he was perfectly aware of it. He saw nothing wrong or shameful with being so. In fact, for a Knight Caeli it was a necessity. After all one could hardly go into battle filled with insecurities. Well, all Draconians aside.

But for some reason, all of Allen's ease disappeared around a fifteen year old honey haired female from the Mystic Moon. Most women would be doe-eyed and perfectly content to stay by his side, especially after his bestowing a kiss to them and paying enough attention to them.

But Hitomi wasn't like other women. It was clear when she ran off with Van in that strange guymelef of his back to a land filled with Dragons and returned with another member of the Fanel clan. One who had been trying to kill them all up until that point.

It was clearer still when his overly obvious hints of proposal went unnoticed, but she couldn't be that oblivious. Could she? Granted she had told him that on the Mystic Moon, fifteen was rather young to be getting engaged, but he wanted to protect her honour, to protect her.

These thoughts intensified especially when reckless members of foreign Royalty started brawls without a thought to the consequences or indeed Hitomi's safety.

But Hitomi wasn't oblivious to the Fanelian King. She could tell when he was angry or upset or tense. No matter how he looked at the King, Van still appeared to be the same broody teenager that he had known. Despite all this he was perfectly aware that Hitomi and Van were close in age, but he felt that Hitomi was older than her years.

Moreover, whilst Hitomi appeared unaware of his attempts to move her to a safer, more secure place where she would be free from the risk of kidnap or being dragged into danger, she was eerily accurate on understanding the moods of the brat that constantly dragged her into said danger. Allen was grateful to him for bringing Hitomi back to Gaea after her abrupt departure, but Hitomi no longer smiled at Allen in the way she had before. That innocent, shy way that told him she was completely devoted to him, and seemed shocked he reciprocated her feelings.

Heck, she barely looked at him.

However she noticed when the King entered the room; smiling to herself as they passed one another in corridors; knowing to extend a plate of food out to him when he walked into a room or look up to greet him. He could explain that easily he resolved, Hitomi was a seer after all. What he couldn't explain was the other gestures that occurred between Hitomi, who was technically his betrothed and the Fanelian King who couldn't look after a Kingdom, let alone a lady.

It irked him to the point of distraction where he seemed to watch the pair like an overbearing owl. Maybe he was spending a little too much time grooming Natal. He didn't walk over to Hitomi immediately anymore but watched who she looked to, walked towards, started a conversation with. And every time it wasn't him. It was Van. It was coming to a point where he couldn't explain away her behaviour.

Allen Schezar would never be described as a stupid man, he understood people's behaviour more than others thought he did. So when he saw Hitomi shoot up from a chair, assumedly dozing but crying out, tears streaming her cheeks as she mumbled she had had yet another vision; he saw it. Van walked over to her chair, knelt by it and reached out to her.

Watching as Hitomi leant into the unexpected embrace of the King, Allen Schezar needed no further evidence. Not when the apparently cold and emotionless King bestowed a kiss to the crown of his apparent betrothed's head and she in turn slumped against the King, her hand fisted in his plain red tunic.

Theme 1 - Evidence

Words: 666.

Yukari has all the evidence she needs when she finds two mugs instead of the usual one on her best friend's draining board. That and the highly ornate sword propped against a chair.

Inspiration

Hitomi Kanzaki stood in front of the blazing image in front of her and gawped. It was utter shock that travelled along her synapses, seemingly incapable of passing along any other information.

"Good isn't it? I'd say it's one of his best works."

Turning to meet the gaze of a surprisingly pink-haired woman, she could only nod and turn back to the painting, pulled by its raw emotion and feeling entirely unsure of what on Gaea was happening. The woman who stood beside her smiled at her reaction and continued, "I have to say we were all worried he'd never come out of his dry phase. It's been two years and all of a sudden he produces this masterpiece."

Hitomi swallowed at the apparent passion and excitement the pink-haired woman seemed to gather from the painting hung in front of them.

Her eyes had remained fixed on the representation from the second she had stopped in front of it. Yukari had left her in search of free champagne, but Hitomi's stomach twisted in a very confused fashion as she could only stare at what lay depicted in front of her. Pulling out of her daze, she asked the woman beside her as casually as possible, "You know the artist?"

Hitomi was bedazzled further by the utter beam that the pink-haired woman who seemed like a teenager in her glee as she nodded, bouncing on her needle thin heels, "Of course, I'm Van's sister."

The woman squeezed Hitomi's arm as if there was some secret reason for excitement that hadn't been told to her, "Ever since Dad died he hasn't touched a brush and all of a sudden he produces this…" her hand spread out in front of them, gesturing at the painting as if Hitomi hadn't noticed it, "…this work of art."

Hitomi nodded, smiling as best she could, wondering if the pink-haired woman had taken something. After all Yukari had told her in some galleries cocaine was passed out as freely as champagne. But Yukari did have a knack of over-exaggerating things, nevertheless this woman chatting to her as if they were old friends did seem slightly off. Why was she so amazed by the piece of canvas in front of them? It wasn't anything special really, was it?

Maybe it was just her excitement, Hitomi pondered. After all, this woman was the artist's sister and he hadn't painted anything for two years after a family bereavement. After her grandmother died, she had gotten a tattoo in memory, and rebellion; but she could still recall the aching sense of loss.

Still, the painting in front of her jarred and any sympathy she could have felt for the artist was lost as her eyes examined the face on the painting. So completely relaxed and carefree. As if they were unaware of being scrutinized from ever angle and being immortalized on canvas. "Just look at the background. It seems to give her a glow, doesn't it? As if the world around her is going to sleep in time with her. And the shadows!"

Hitomi would admit the painting was impressive. But it didn't mean she was happy with it, but the woman next to her had no relation to the painting itself, so she could look on it impassively and exult in the artistic genius she saw there. Hitomi still thought it was voyeuristic, and probably still would even if Picasso himself had done it.

A soft, masculine chuckle came from behind them, and both women turned to the noise; Hitomi in response to the abrupt noise amongst the quiet chatter, and the pink-haired woman with barely suppressed joy as she wrapped her arms round the startlingly handsome man who smiled down at her and then looked at Hitomi, his smile taking a secretive shadow that confused Hitomi further.

"Forgive Mereru-chan here, she's just extremely over-excited. I hope she hasn't mauled you."

"My name's Merle!" came from the pink haired woman but it didn't register in Hitomi's mind properly.

In fact Hitomi's phase of gawping had jumped from the painting to the man in front of her as he spoke. Maybe Yukari was right, she thought, coming here was worth it. Managing to shake her head, she smiled slightly, turning her gaze back to the painting so she wouldn't be shamelessly ogling the man whose dinner jacket was open, and shirt was unbuttoned to a degree that offered a charming view of his tanned, lean muscles.

"I was just saying Van," Merle piped up, "how long it's been."

"Yes, yes I know, the dry spell." Van responded, with a slight sarcastic edge to his words, "I've heard those words so many times tonight I think I won't paint anything more if I have to listen to people simper at me with such idiocy."

Hitomi flinched ever so slightly at the words of the very hot man who has slipped between Mereru and herself. If she had seen him in any other situation, she most likely would have blushed so hard, causing a haemorrhage somewhere. But the painting called out to her over and over again. Still she wasn't ignorant of how close he was standing to her and how her bare arm brushed against the sleeve of his no doubt expensive dinner jacket.

"So what do you think?" his voice had broken the new spell the canvas had put her in. Turning a fraction she met eyes that didn't qualify as brown or black but seemed to fit only as a shade of dark red that hadn't been discovered yet. His gaze was so wholly focused on her she didn't have the urge to stare at the painting again to check she wasn't hallucinating.

"It's absolutely—" piped up Merle and a hand slid across her shoulders and closed over her mouth, "Yes, imouto-chan I know. You think it's wonderful, but you're biased. I want to know what your friend thinks."

"I…" Hitomi managed to utter, making the incredulously hard task of turning back to the painting, and seemed unsure of what to say.

And all of sudden it fit together. The mystery that had swirled in her mind evaporated. Her eyes widened and she whirled back to the man watching her, anticipating something intellectual.

"You're…you're the artist?" A small part of her crumpled inwardly at the utter stupidity of her comment, but the sheepish smile on Van's face didn't seem that foreboding, especially as it gave him a swift boyish charm. A charm that she berated herself for noticing, as well as hating the rapid increase in her pulse.

Holding out his hand, he nodded, smiling and gripping his sister's mouth tighter as she giggled at the shaken expression on Hitomi's face. "Van Fanel, pleasure to meet you. A pleasure, I'm sure."

Any tentacle of attraction that had slid into Hitomi's brain sank back as her anger took over and only out of politeness did she take his hand, wanting to let go almost instantly, muttering,

"Hitomi Kanzaki." At this point she remembered she had brought her best friend here and she needed moral support now dammit! She noticed a flash of pink hair as Merle slid from her brother's grip and danced off into the crowd.

But any attention on the gold dress and pink hair disappeared as her hand was elevated and her focus unwillingly swung back to the deviously handsome man who smiled, causing her traitorous brain to short circuit. Her heart almost joined it seconds later as she felt his undoubtedly warm lips brush across her knuckles in more than just a polite gesture, his eyes seeming to convey some heated message that her unavailable cerebral cortex failed to pick up.

"Piacere." He murmured, still holding her hand inches away from his face.

Any temptation to slap him stilled as he let go of her hand, gesturing to the painting, repeating his question. Managing to hold onto some scrap of calm, Hitomi raised an eyebrow and asked as she once again looked away from him,

"Isn't that wrong? For the artist himself to ask what people think? I'm sure there are hundreds of yes-men here willing to tell you the Sun shines out of your arse."

Hitomi felt stirrings of hate rise for this unknown man, this unknown man who seemed to enjoy riling her and torturing her as he laughed openly, once again rising above the brainless chatter of the others in the room. She gasped as her synapses woke from their lust-induced stupor and she spoke again, "You invited me!" turning to the living embodiment of evil itself as he smirked at her, his eyes following her movements back towards him as if she were a highly amusing dramatic monologue.

"I merely felt that the inspiration of my latest piece should be invited along to see the finished work. And I would be grateful for your opinion." In her inner-rage filled curses, she caught the words your opinion and a rather arrogant tone to his voice. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, with her fury clear in every word she muttered as her fists clenched by her sides so she wouldn't give him two black eyes.

"My opinion? I think it's sick. Voyeuristic, on the level of a pervert no less." She saw the surprise on his face and some other emotion flick through his eyes but she hadn't finished as she got to the point,

"You painted me—" turning back to the canvas gesturing at it, as if he had been unaware of it up to that point, "—without my permission or any form of request. More so you did this—," and Hitomi felt the need to poke him in the chest, what was covered by the shirt of course, she wanted to release her anger, not give him the idea she was feeling him up, "—this whilst I was asleep. Does any of this seem acceptable to you sir? Or have I been brought up with the wrong set of morals?"

Looking at him directly, as she had focused her tirade at his shoulder, not wanting to be put off by his admittedly extraordinarily handsomeness, she saw surprise in his face. As if he hadn't thought she would be angry or uncomfortable with the entire situation. So having being brought up by a very earthy woman who said things as they were, giving Hitomi a detailed account of sex aged nine, Hitomi said her words without a trace of embarrassment.

"Fanel-san, looking at this depiction of me whilst I was asleep, which was obviously painted without any awareness on my part; such a thing makes me feel as if I've been watched in the shower or getting undressed."

Hitomi regretted the analogy immediately at the raised eyebrow on his face. Some people really were too good-looking. Van nodded after withdrawing the widening smirk on his face, and inhaled before replying in what seemed a genuine reply,

"Forgive me Kanzaki-san. I truly was unaware that my painting you would leave you feeling so uncomfortable. I came across you in the park that day and I found myself spellbound by you. You were so relaxed, completely at peace with yourself that you had allowed yourself to fall asleep in a public place."

"And look where it got me." Hitomi replied, turning back to the canvas as once again it pulled her back to it.

She heard him clear his throat, seemingly uncomfortable which pleased her as he continued,

"You've heard from my sister that I haven't painted anything since the passing of my father. I thought I would never paint again. And coming across you and the sheer tranquillity you radiated, I couldn't help myself." The passion in his voice, that restrained emotion she couldn't place made her turn back to him and his staggeringly fixed gaze on her, consuming any retort she had.

Whatever they had shared in the moment between them came to an abrupt halt. Another man in a dinner jacket, looking decidedly stuffy and with all his buttons done up tapped Van on the shoulder and murmured something, gesturing towards a group of people who stood by the large Ezgardian windows. Van looked at him with what seemed to be barely repressed annoyance as he nodded, gritted his teeth and sighed as the man with long blonde hair turned on his heel without any acknowledgement to Hitomi and walked back to the crowd he had gestured to.

"Forgive me Kanzaki-san, but I'm being forced to exchange meaningless pleasantries with boring people. Will I able to speak to you later?" Hitomi wanted to immediately reply negatively and call him something her mother would hit her for. But a look of almost childlike expectation on his face left the comment floating in her mind, as she scrabbled to say anything.

It seemed some form of fate was laughing at her as Yukari returned with two glasses of champagne in each hand, looking decidedly merrier than when they had entered.

"Yo. I found the free booze." Stopping next to her, Hitomi could only watch her best friend as she looked at the painting and then said, "Girl sleeping on hill at sunset. Cool."

Yukari paid no attention to the laughter as both Hitomi and Van burst into fits of child-like hysterics. Hitomi had to reach out and grab his arm as she gasped for air between raucous laughs and Van's eyes watered as he tried to stifle his own laughter. Managing to calm themselves, Hitomi came to a stop from her body's shaking and found herself inches away from her personal, extremely handsome Anti-Christ. By the look on his face, he seemed to have noticed as well and gripped her hand on his arm before she could run,

"Please, I would like to have at least a proper conversation with you. Could I—"

"—Van! The Duke has waited two hours to speak to you. Are you coming or not?" Spoke the blonde man again, with increased irritation, his hand clasping Van's shoulder.

"Yes Allen. I'm coming." The defeat in his tone broke something in Hitomi and her hand tightened on his arm as she spoke quietly.

"Ok. We can talk. I'm guessing you have my phone number as you sent the invitations to my address." Once again his boyish smile stopped her breathing as the optimism rose on his face and he nodded.

"Van?" came the cutting tone from the man with feminine hair and the odd ringlet amongst his dead straight locks.

"Yes." Was the only word from Van's mouth as he turned to walk with the man who seemed to want to move him forcibly; but Hitomi could only focus on the feel of his calloused hand sliding over hers as he removed it from covering hers.

Her own arm dropped to her side, starting once more to turn back to the painting and her best friend. She wouldn't be surprised if she had worn a hole in the wood from turning back and forth so many times. As she moved back to face her very own portrait, her hand was enclosed in the warm grip of another and she watched as Van lifted her hand once more and kissed it, his eyes once again searching her face eagerly.

"Hitomi." he murmured and then walked away from her, leaving Hitomi floundering in confusion. What the hell had just happened?

"Told you this was a good place to pick up men. Seems that one was very hot for you, ne? Champagne?" came the words from her friend's slightly intoxicated conscious and Hitomi could only accept the glass and blush at the realization of her friend's words.

Theme 7: Muse.

Words: 2,620

It seems that whilst fighting rebel Zaibach forces Van finds himself at his lowest ebb as he parries and destroys another young man, someone older than him. Turning swiftly to catch the opposing blow from behind, the chain around his neck moves under his tunic and he finds his strength rushing back to him.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated!

Hope you enjoyed!

Sina xxxx