What's different about Hitomi today?

Merle and Hitomi walked down the hall chattering like a bunch of school girls. They turned left and went into the storage room for guymelefs where Escaflowne and Scherazade rested. Merle ran ahead and tackled Van, Hitomi watched with a smile then started back to her room. Van followed.

" Hitomi are you ready to go?" he asked.

" Well I don't have anything to pack so yeah I'm ready " she smiled.

" I'm not sure about that, Millerna said she had some stuff for you so you'd better go meet her. She should be in your room "

" Ok. Thanks " Hitomi walked a little faster, her curiosity getting the best of her.

When she got to her room she realized Van was right, Millerna had boxes piled high and clothes and more boxes sprawled on the bed. Millerna greeted her with a huge smile.

" I took the liberty of buying you some things Hitomi " and then she started opening boxes and showing her what she'd bought.

There were beautiful dresses of different lengths and styles and some were black or red others blue or green and their were about four different fancy cloaks of several kinds of fabrics. Jewelry littered the desk and bed and there were small necklace holders for them and ring boxes and bracelet boxes too. The shoes were beyond gorgeous, heels and slippers but a certain pair of knee high boots caught Hitomi's attention. They were black leather, sturdy and comfortable. Hitomi set them aside. Then she picked out a few bracelets and a few simple rings and a fancy dress or two to take with her. She picked two cloaks but one was for Merle. And Hitomi also picked out a nice bell sleeved shirt that was a little revealing but she loved it. And Millerna gave her an assortment of bags to pick from of which Hitomi picked a one strap satchel that was rather small compared to the others but it fit everything just perfectly and it even had a tie string to keep it closed. Hitomi told Millerna to store everything for her here in this room and that she'd surely come back then she changed into her chosen clothes and jewelry and put her hair up with a red ruby hair pin. Hitomi went back down stairs with the bag over one shoulder carrying Merle's cloak in her hand as she ran to show Merle.

Back in the guymelef storage room everyone was gathering their things and loading up on the horses Merle and Van were wandering around the outside of the group.

" Merle look what Millerna gave me, its for you " Hitomi smiled.

" Thanks Hitomi " Merle immediately threw it on and hugged Hitomi. Then she looked over her new outfit and laughed. Hitomi laughed too.

Van smiled when he saw how much she'd changed so quickly. He laughed a little then joined the two in walking outside. Moments later everyone was outside ready to go and they all waved Millerna goodbye then started galloping off on their horses. Hitomi's horse was a dark brown mare with a white stripe on his nose. Van and her rode next to each other with Merle sitting on the rear of Van's horse, the others were all traveling in a large group.

As they all were starting to slow to a trotting pace Merle and Hitomi fell to the back of the group so they could talk privately. Van continuously looked back and called for them to catch up getting annoyed as when he did say something they started laughing. Hours past and Hitomi grew bored just watching the sun start to go down, she glanced behind her and saw the earth and moon come into view. 'What will happen when I go home ' Hitomi took a quick look around and saw Allen staring at her.

"What" Hitomi gave a crooked smile.

" Were you daydreaming again or were you thinking about me" Allen let out a roar of laughter but stopped when Hitomi's fist rose in the air. Allen stopped and rubbed his bruised face while Hitomi caught up with the others. As they went along it got darker and Hitomi grew closer to Van, This was the same time of the day that Hitomi had a little adventure of her own.

(Adventure)

Hitomi walked behind the group by at least ten feet, she was tired and hungry but they weren't going to stop for a while. So she went back in the woods to a river only a few feet from the road, she scooped water in her hands and sipped the water savoring the taste. Though the night was dark she still had a sense of vision. Hitomi observed the area around her and noticed a shadow against the tree, she backed up towards the road but the shadow came a few steps closer and revealed itself in person.

"Dilandau" the name came from her in a whisper. He replied.

"Well well well look what I've found strayed from her precious Van" Dilandau drew his sword and came closer to her.

Hitomi backed up closer to the road; she crossed a leg over the other and whipped around darting up the road where she was before she walked off. Hitomi used her track skills and ran ahead where Van was coming from up the road.

"Hitomi what are you..." Van cut off mid sentence when he saw Hitomi running and not slowing down with Dilandau not far behind.

"Allen come quick we've got company" Allen and his gang came down the road next to Van.

"Gaddess get Hitomi " Allen waved him towards her.

Hitomi ran right into him and slid down to the ground panting in deep breaths, Gaddess helped her up and jogged her up to the rest of the group. Dilandau stopped about 18 feet away and sheathed his sword.

"DAMN YOU VAN FANEL...I'LL BE BACK FOR HER SOON" Dilandau had resisted a fight; a guymelef came down by the ground and lifted him off and away.

They all went back with everyone else, Van carried Hitomi because now she was more tired than ever so she held on and didn't much care.

(End of adventure)

Hitomi was right next to Van as she started to drift into sleep, Van halted the group and tapped Hitomi on the shoulder.

"Hey we're going to stop to camp here tonight ok so just sit somewhere while we set up. Can you stay awake a little longer"?

Hitomi nodded weakly and dismounted from horse, the group was finished about 20 minutes later and Hitomi could not stay awake at all. Van showed her to herbed mat by the fire, which was by Merle and Gaddess. Van continued helping the others get settled before he too went to sleep.

(Hitomi's dream world)

Hitomi stood shrouded in darkness, a beam of light seem to surround her as a low mist hung dankly over the ground. Everyone appeared in the dark staring down at her as if they were high above and as big as giants. All of their faces seemed sad but somehow laced with anger like Hitomi was at fault for what had been done. As they faded away Merle came into the darkness crouched over her precious item she held and crying.

"Merle are you okay" Hitomi called out but there was no reply from the image in front of her.

Hitomi came closer and crouched down next to Merle, tears streamed down her bruised face. Hitomi noticed Merle held a boy just like her in her arms so preciously as if he would break at the lightest touch. He was covered in blood, which soaked Merle. He was dead, beaten and killed. Hitomi saw a man come into view with a sword and two other men their faces etched with fury. Merle only looked up seconds before the sword lifted into the air and stuck right through her as blood trickled like tears from her face. She collapsed in a heap above the boy, as they lay there lifeless. The whole thing faded away as Hitomi cried out into the darkness around her.

"MEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEE" Hitomi once again stood in her dimmed spotlight.

Then she saw two coffins next to each other along with two tombstones that in each were carved the ownership of them. Both read the names of Millerna Ashton and Dryden both memorable and kind people. Hitomi walked closer but the closer she got the more it faded away to nothing but darkness again.

"What's going on" Hitomi could only wonder until the truth was revealed.

Allen came into view as he stood in front of a guymelef that swung a whip in anger at him... He blocked the attacks several times but he grew weary. Allen made one last sigh as the guymelef flung the whip at him. It struck right through his heart, as he fell to his knees he reached out to Hitomi before he breathed a final breath then nothing. Only blood surrounded his dead body as she ran to him but there was no one to run to anymore. Allen was gone.

Hitomi could only wait as she watched for Van to show up because he was the only other person left.

And he did but he was surely not alone in the battlefield, as Dilandau also came into view both entangled in a battle. Swords clashed and blood leaked but each move that Dilandau made Van blocked. He swung his sword at Van again and he blocked but as he raced to hit him back Dilandau had already returned the volt. Dilandau's sword was sticking through Van's chest and out his back. It had gone all the way through him. He glanced at Hitomi before he fell to the ground, Dilandau grinned wickedly at his victory.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Hitomi cried and raced to him only this time it didn't fade away.

She took Van into her arms and held him dearly as blood poured from his body and life seemed to slip away from him.

"Van please don't die Van I..I...I love you" Hitomi clung to him and gripped tighter as she heard the steps of a murderer.

Dilandau stood above her with his sword aimed as he shoved the sword through Hitomi like it was nothing but air. Hitomi saw blood and it seemed to surround her, as all she could see was red then nothing.

Hitomi sat up covered in sweat, as the darkness seemed to shadow everything but the glow from the fire. She thought to herself 'Am I truly alone in this world'.