Disclaimer: Don't own nothing

Chapter 4

Hitomi slowly opened her heavy eyelids, she looked around everything was so blurry, she blinked her heavy eyes a few times to clear her vision. The sun was shining in through French doors, wait Hitomi didn't have French doors in her apartment. Hitomi's mind started to panic, she shot up which was rewarded with a spell of light headedness. Hitomi let her mind quit swimming and looked around the room. She couldn't remember anything, her memory was so blurry. She had never seen this room before, it was decorated with elegant furniture. The bed she was laying in was a queen size bed with four bedpost that were a golden oak, with white cloth wrapped around each bedpost. The chair that sat beside the bed was a chair meant for a king, it's wide arms were a smooth flowing oak that matched the bedpost. The white cushions that rested on the seat and back of the chair look soft and fluffy. Hitomi reached out a hand to touch the cotton cushion, her fingers lightly touched the soft cushion. Hitomi's eyes kept searching the room, there was a full length mirror across the room from a dresser and what looked like a walk in closet. Hitomi slowly draped her feet over the side of the bed, her toes touched the hard wood floor. She shifted her weight onto her feet as she stood, her right ankle started to throb the more weight she put on it. She ignored the dull throb in the ankle and walked to the great doors. She placed her hands on the golden knobs and yanked the twin doors open. The room behind the doors was indeed a walk in closet at least half the size of the main room. Hitomi gasped as she walked into the closet, reaching her hand out. Her fingers touched clothing made from lace, silk, and other fabrics she didn't know the names off. An emerald dress at the end caught her eye, it was absolutely stunning. She walked over to the floor length grown and ran her fingers down the fabric.

"I saw it one day in the market place, and I thought it would look beautiful on you," a strong velvety voice made Hitomi jump. The voice was so familiar but different, she turned to put a face to the voice. A smile spread across her face when she seen who's voice it was.

"Van," Hitomi's voice held doubt, she had so many dreams like this just to wake up and he was gone again. She stared at him trying to find the flaw that gave the dream away, but none could be found.

" I didn't mean to scare you," Van apologized as he took a step closer towards Hitomi. Hitomi broke down and lunged into Van's arms, she squeezed him close to her not wanting to let go.

"Oh Van its real, your real. I really made it back to you," Hitomi sobbed into Van's board shoulder. Van tighten his embrace around Hitomi, he hugged her closer to his chest.

"Yes I'm real," Van buried his face into Hitomi's neck, the scent of honeysuckles rushed into his nostrils. He gently placed his lips against her cheek, pulling her closer to him. He ran his hand through her long honey blonde hair, he could feel her body relaxing against his as she calmed her crying and cuddled into his chest some more.

"I missed you so much, there wasn't a day I didn't think of you," Hitomi said fighting back tears.

" I know everyday I would sit on the roof looking at the Mystic Moon, wishing you come back to me someday," Van confessed to Hitomi as he stroked her soft cheek with his calloused thumb. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead, Hitomi's cheeks exploded with a bright colour of red. Van smiled at the imagine, he loved every part of her, blushing and all. He placed another gentle kiss on her forehead, and smiled against her skin. He quickly picked her up like she was as light as a feather and carried her over to the bed.

"So you must be feeling better if your up walking around," Van inquired as he sat down beside her on the bed.

"Yes I'm feeling a lot better," Hitomi replied smiling up at Van, she couldn't get over how much he had changed. His face matured , his messy raven hair still hung in his bright maroons eyes. He stood at least 6'2", his shoulders had broaden, and his body was shaped with more muscle. Hitomi smiled widen as she looked Van up and down, her stare ended on his face, He returned the smile when he notice her eyes trailing his features.

"You've changed so much, your so beautiful," Van smiled as he examined her body. Hitomi's cheeks turned scarlet as she watched his curious eyes explore her new curves. He leaned in closer to her, she returned the gesture and leaned into him. His strong hand cupped her soft, flushed cheek, she could feel his hot breath against her skin. Hitomi's skin filled with goose bumps as his breath hit her exposed neck, her heart raced in her chest and her breathing quicken. She swallowed hard as she gazed up into Van's eyes, she dreamed of this night after night and it was about to happen. His lips were mere centimetres away from hers, she could feel them burning to be touched. She slowly started to close her eyes and close the distance that laid between their lips.

The door to the room flew open with a terrible crash, Van and Hitomi jumped away from each other in shock. A blur of orange speeded into the room, and there stood Merle.

"Hitomi! Your back!" Merle hugged Hitomi, Hitomi still embarrassed about the scene Merle walked in on she momentarily forget to hug her back. Hitomi snapped from her dazed and hugged her dear friend back.

"Yes Merle I'm back," she said as she continued to hug the cat woman. It has been years since she seen Merle, and she truly did miss her.

"I was worried you never come back," Merle hugged Hitomi harder, and wiped a tear from her eye. Hitomi returned the tight embrace, she didn't realize how much Merle really missed her. Van stood up from his spot on the bed, and cleared his throat, Merle pulled away from Hitomi and realized the situation she had walked in on.

"Oh," Merle burst , she smiled devilishly, "I'll leave you two alone," she snickered as she leapt from the room. Hitomi blushed a deeper red, and glared out after the cat. She really was the same old Merle, the one Hitomi somehow grew fond of.

"I need to return back to my study to finish more paper work," Van sighed as he moved back over to her and rested his forehead against hers.

"Do you have to go now," Hitomi asked as she pouted. She didn't want him to go, she just got him back and she wanted to spend all day with him.

" I don't want to go, I wish I could spend all day with you, but there is business I need to attend to," he forced himself to straighten to his full height. "You're free do what you want, I'll send Merle back up here to keep you company," he continued as he stroked her cheek. He smiled warmly down at her, he let out a deep sigh and walked out of the room. Once Van left the room and Hitomi knew he was out of ear shot, she let out a frustrated growl. Oh why did Merle have to burst in, as she normally does, it was so prefect. Hitomi blushed as she thought back to the moment, it wasn't like he was the only guy Hitomi kissed or even been with for that fact. During the six years she had been with a few guys, after all she had to try and move on even if she didn't want to. After three years, they had lost their connection to each Hitomi thought he had forgotten her or found someone else. She was sure that Van had been with other women, but just the thought made her jealous. She had no right to be jealous about his past six years, she hate for him to condemn her for what she did.

Hitomi stood from the bed and glanced around the room, a white door in the corner caught her eye. She walked over to the door and opened it, behind the door there was a lavish, white bathroom. A white tub it looked like the old antiques that stood on four golden feet, a huge, high rimmed sink, a full length mirror and fresh flowers decorated the bathroom. Hitomi was in heaven, she couldn't have been happier, it had been a long time since Hitomi felt this relaxed. Someone clearing their throat from the doorway caught Hitomi's attention.

Merle was leaning in the door frame, now that Hitomi actually got a good look at her she realized how much Merle had grown over the past six years. Merle was a little shorter then Hitomi, her curves had developed and now that Hitomi thought about it she actually looked a lot like Eriya and Naira. At the thought of them Hitomi's features dropped, she hated thinking about all the death and destruction that happened in the destiny war. Merle's laughter brought her back from her thoughts, she stopped and glared at the cat woman.

"What are you laughing at?" Hitomi asked sourly, as she continued to glare Merle down.

"Oh, just your dreamy expression, Lord Van really did sweep you off your feet this time," Merle teased as she smirked at Hitomi.

"Why you little pest," Hitomi growled as she rushed towards Merle. Merle laughed lightly and dashed into the bedroom, she bounced over the bed onto the other side. Placing the bed between her and Hitomi, she snickered to herself as Hitomi stood there fuming.

"Oh Van," Merle mocked Hitomi, bring her hands to her face and making a gushing face. Hitomi growled louder and grabbed a pillow from the queen size bed and threw it directly at Merle's head. Merle to busy with her mocking didn't see the object heading straight for her, the unexpected blow knocked her off her feet. Hitomi burst out laughing as the pillow hit the target, Merle threw the pillow back onto the bed and joined Hitomi in laughter. Hitomi sat down on the bed and snickered at Merle, Merle looked up at Hitomi.

"It's good to be back Merle," Hitomi smiled at her, she did miss Merle's company badly. It had been a while since she actually was able to enjoy herself with other people.

"Ya, I missed you. It was starting to get really boring without you around," Merle grinned back at Hitomi. "So are you hungry, because breakfast should be ready by now," Merle informed her.

"I kind of want to bathe before I go for breakfast, so I'll meet you down there then," Hitomi asked as she straighten from the bed.

"K, I'll see you later then," Merle said as she dashed from the room. Hitomi walked into the bathroom, turned the brass knobs to the tub on, the sound of water filling the tub filled the room, she then started to undress. Only then did she notice the great bay windows in the bathroom, she quickly covered up.

"Who ever designed this room really wasn't thinking about that privacy," Hitomi mumbled to herself. She walked over the window and carefully peeked out of it, she was at least a story or two off the ground.

"Ok so maybe the person wasn't such an idiot after all," Hitomi laughed to herself. She finished undressing and stepped into the steaming hot tub, her aching muscles sighed in relief. For about an hour Hitomi soaked in the hot water, until her tummy growling reminded her she had to meet Merle in the great hall. She slowly and regretfully got out of the tub, wrapped a towel around herself, and walked into the main bedroom. There was a light knock on the door, as se walked in.

"Yes," Hitomi replied to the knock, in the back of her mind hoping it was Van.

"I'm here to help you dress, Lady Hitomi," a woman's voice sounded from the other side of the door. Hitomi stared at the door in curiosity, she opened the door a crack, and there stood a girl maybe a few years older then Hitomi. "May I come in, Lady Hitomi?" the girl asked politely.

"I'm fine…thank you," Hitomi told the girl as politely as she could, and started to close the door but the girl stopped the door from closing.

"But I was sent by Lady Merle and she'll be very upset if I don't do as she requested," the young girl informed Hitomi. Hitomi felt sorry for the girl, and opened the door as she cursed Merle under her breath. The servant girl went straight to the walk in closet and started laying dresses out on the bed. She went back in and grabbed a white corset, Hitomi's eyes widen in fear.

"You don't need to put that on?" she asked the servant hoping for the answer she wanted.

"Yes, my lady," the servant girl replied as she wiped Hitomi's towel off and started cinching up the corset. Hitomi didn't even have time to react, or say anything else to the woman girl. After about the most painful hour of Hitomi's life, she emerged from her room in a light pink, floor length dress. She could barely breath in the damn thing and she felt like her breast were going to fall out any second. Hitomi fought and fidgeted with the dress the whole walk to the great hall, she wasn't use to wearing such fancy clothing. She really hoped she didn't have to dress like this everyday, she just might hurt someone and that someone was named Merle. Hitomi glared at the air at the thought of the name, oh that girl was going to get it when she got there.

Hitomi spotted Merle sitting at the grand table on her own, a mischievous smile spread across Merle's face when she seen Hitomi.

"Why you look lovely this morning Hitomi," Merle grinned wider, as she grabbed some fruit some the centerpiece.

"You are going to pay when I get out of this thing," Hitomi threaten, shaking her fist at Merle. Hitomi attempted to sit down and failed horribly, Merle burst out laughing uncontrollably watching Hitomi struggle with such a simple task. Once Hitomi succeeded in sitting down she glared at Merle and then glanced down at her breakfast. It looked delicious, and her tummy growling reminded her how hungry she was but how was she going to eat with this corset on. A hand on her shoulder took her mind of her food situation to Van's dazzling smile, Hitomi felt her heart skip a beat.

"Oh hello Van," Hitomi greeted, as she struggled to breath even more, breathing normally was difficult it just got impossible when Van is around.

"Hello, you look lovely Hitomi," Van smiled at her as he took it all in, damn that smile again. He lightly kissed her forehead and took his seat beside her, Hitomi smiled and tried to contain her breathing.

"Thank you, Merle had sent me help this morning," Hitomi glared at the cat woman sitting across from her. Van glanced up from behind his wild strands at Merle and shook his head at her disapproving.

"Merle I'm sure Hitomi can handle dressing herself," Van said as he chuckled lightly.

"But I thought all visiting ladies must have a royal servant," Merle replied innocently. She batted her long eyelashes at Van and her ears laid flat against her hair.

"Merle quit being smart," Van laughed lightly at her, and threw a pink fruit at her, and with expected reflex of a cat she caught it. Hitomi couldn't help but stick her tongue out at Merle, the cat woman ignored the gesture and crossed her arms across her chest and pouted. Hitomi knew that she was plotting some grand scheme to get back at her, she smiled to herself and looked at van. He was busy eating his breakfast, she had so much she wanted to ask him.

"Van," Hitomi asked gently, she didn't want to interrupt his breakfast but this questions were bouncing around in her mind since the moment she got on Gaea.

"Yes," Van stopped what he was doing and looked at Hitomi, I seemed like she had something that was bothering her.

"How is everyone," Hitomi asked, she was dying to know how everyone was doing.

"You'll get the chance to talk to them soon," he smiled at sweetly, bringing his hand to her cheek and brushing it softly.

"Oh, what do you mean," Hitomi wondered if she was missing something, was there something going on that she didn't know about. Van laughed a deep throaty laugh Hitomi had never heard him laugh like that before, it something she could get use to.

"I have sent letters off telling them of your return, and invited them to come to Fanelia," Van announced to Hitomi, she smiled at him brightly.

"Really," Hitomi exclaimed, she was so excited. How long would it take them to get here, how long were they going to stay for. Hitomi was bursting with even more questions, but decided they could wait till later on. Merle had finished her meal and had left, saying she had to do some errands.

"I should get going, I have to travel to a near by village," Van explained as he stretched from the chair. He smiled as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, "So I'll see you later on then." He started to walk from the table, Hitomi struggled from her chair and chased after him.

"Van," Hitomi called him back, he stop and turned back to her, she awkwardly ran up to him, breathing heavily. She didn't really think that one through, running with a corset on was not the most brightest idea she had.

"Do I have to dress so formally all the time," Hitomi questioned, she really hated this dress and she was really uncomfortable. Van let a chuckle escape from his lips, the sound gave Hitomi shivers. It was a strange sound coming from him, she could remember how serious and angry he use to be.

"No you can dress however you please, and if anyone questions it you just tell me," Van smirked at her. He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. "But you do look beautiful in that dress," he whispered into her ear. She smiled into his shoulder as she hugged him back, she was very content in his arms. He sighed as he pulled away from her, " I really do have to go, but I promise we'll have a day to spend together soon," He promised as he kissed her on the lips and quickly dashed away.

Hitomi didn't trust her legs to move, so she stood there like a statue. Hitomi heard snickering from behind her, she quickly turned around expecting it to be Merle. Merle was no where in sight, only an old man in royal robes standing in the shadows. He started to snicker louder as he stepped from the shadows towards Hitomi, Hitomi took a step back. She squinted her eyes to view the face under the hood better, she wished she never did. The old man's face had scars all over, it looked like he was burnt and whatever burnt him also tried to claw his face off as well.

You're a brave woman, those kind of actions with the king are punishable by death," the old man sneered as he walked around Hitomi, he was eyeing her up. "Ah, I recognize you now, the girl from the Mystic Moon," the old man snickered louder.

"I don't know who you speak of sir," Hitomi tried to play dumb, but her terrified expression gave her away.

"Don't even try me girl, I know exactly who you are," the old man squinted at her. He reached out a tattered, blistered hand and grabbed Hitomi's hand, his touch was cold and unforgiving. The old man in front of Hitomi faded away and she was surrounded by black.

"Oh no, another vision," she said a loud to the darkness, the darkness was swallowed whole by flames. " No, no not more fire," Hitomi coughed the black smoke filled her lungs. She could make out a winged figure coming towards her through the haze and the fire. "Van coming to save me," Hitomi smiled brightly, but it faded as she was showered in black feathers. "Folken," Hitomi question the tall black winged man that stood in front of her. Hitomi blinked and was blinded by the sunlight that poured into her sight, she blinked a couple times to clear her vision and the old man still stood there.

"So this is what the seerer sees," the old man's eyes were wide in excitement and amazement. "Folken will return from the dead," he snickered greedily and released Hitomi's hand. He turned to leave but stopped, " Watch young seerer there is a lot of people who still strive for your power, Gaea is not at peace no more," he warned as he walked into the shadows and disappeared.

Hitomi collapsed onto her knees, her whole body was shaking violently. Her visions were getting worse, they drained her of her energy but they never did this before. How did the old man see her vision, the last person that could look into her vision was Dornkirk and that was only with his machine. Hitomi tried to move from her kneeling position but her body would shake more, she leaned herself up against a column. She only wanted to closed her eyelids for only a second, she closed them and her mind slipped into darkness.

A.N- So what do you think? Sorry it took so long to get posted life been crazy lately. Let me know what you think of Van's and Hitomi's relationship if it's to much to little. I might have to fix a few spelling and grammar errors later. Hope you enjoy!