DISCLAIMER: I am suffering from multiple personality disorder and my other 'me', who wishes to stay anonymous, believes she owns Escaflowne. But do not fear; I keep her under sedatives.

Red eyes were observing the unaware girl.

It was Friday; the end of the first week in school and so far Hitomi had made several friends and also several enemies. During several classes her knowledge came to display and Hitomi, although reluctantly, agreed to help some of the guys that asked for assistance. As expected Van wasn't one of them, neither was the guy that was currently watching her every movement.

Dilandau grinned, he knew his royal friend had something planed for the unwanted chick that just wouldn't go away and he knew it was linked to the testing. He was sure no generation had such vicious planes for someone.

But the girl needed to go. And that was final.

Unfortunately they couldn't test her until a whole week had passed; that was tradition and then weren't breaking it just for the sake of scaring the girly away.

A strange glow appeared in Dilandau's eyes. The two days that remained till the test didn't mean he couldn't chase her away sooner.

Even if Hitomi at one point realized someone was observing her she didn't reveal that in any way. Green eyes remained focused on the board in front of her where the teacher was describing the difference between DNA and RNA. And although she knew a lot about the subject, probably more then the teacher himself, she remained focused and took notes. After all her mission was to pretend to be a normal teenager and not a genius she was.

A gentle poke in her back made her lean back in the chair and turn slightly towards the guy behind her "What is it Dryden?" she asked whispering not to attract the teacher's attention.

"I suggest watching your back. Dilly has been watching you since the bell ringed." Dryden whispered back "He is up to something."

Hitomi just shrugged "Your friend probably told him so."

"Van isn't stupid."

"No, he's just childish."

"He had a rough life."

"Well he should join the club."

The teacher seemed to notice their conversation, no matter how much quiet they have tried to be and asked "Is there a problem over there?"

Hitomi right away focused on the angry man in front of her "There is no problem sir." She said politely. Usually that would do the trick but this teacher wasn't falling on simple excuses.

"Do you mind sharing with the class what you two were talking about." He said. It wasn't a request; it was an order.

"We were discussing the possibility of-"

Dryden was cut off then a serious female voice called over a speaker "Hitomi Kanzaki, come to the directors office at once."

Hitomi looked at the teacher and he just pointed to the door with his head. She didn't wasted another moment but silently gathered her stuff and left the classroom.

As soon as the door closed the whispering started.

Everyone wanted to know why the new girl got called to the director. And as usual there were as many ideas as there were students in the classroom. And not all were… nice.

"If were lucky she just got transferred to another school." Dilandau leaned towards Van.

The young prince grinned "I seriously hope so. She should never even step inside this building."

"Wow, those are some serious words there Van. Even for you." Dilandau said seriously.

But the Fanelian throne heir disagreed "I'm not going to do the same stupid mistake again. I'm not going to trust some girl and have her abandon me. Not again."

"I get you completely, but still…"

"Hey, are you two done?" the teacher didn't appreciate anyone interrupting his class, even if it was the director. It didn't do well for his ego to know there is someone more important then him.

Hitomi walked in the main hall and from there she took the stairs towards the main offices. She had no idea why she would be called to see the director. Her presence in school was justified so that shouldn't be the reason.

The secretary was waiting for her. As Hitomi walked in the front office she pointed to the door and said smiling "They are waiting for you."

The confused girl overheard the 'we' part and simply nodded. The secretary must have noticed that because she observed the young girl with kindness.

"Ah, miss Kanzaki, it is pleasure to meet you." A serious male voice said as Hitomi walked hesitantly in the office.

Green eyes grew wide as a tall man stood up from a chair opposite of the school director. He looked a bit frightening but his eyes were kind and soothing. Dark bangs were covering his eyes slightly and thick beard made him look strict, something Hitomi didn't doubted about him. He was a respected man that demanded respect, she was sure although she didn't know who he was.

She had an idea though.

"Hitomi, this is king Gaou Fanel." The director presented the man. And the young girl finally realized why he looked so familiar.

"It is a honor to meet you your majesty." She said politely.

The king smiled slightly "I am glad to meet the one who is send to look after my son. Although I have a feeling Van is giving you a hard time to do your job."

"You could say it that way." Hitomi said honestly "He seems to have a grudge against every female."

Gaou Fanel sighed "I had a feeling that might be the problem. But there is not much we can do now. As I was informed you are the only one capable of fitting in without creating suspicion."

"I understand that but it is hard for me to do what I was send here to do if your son keeps behaving like I'm his arch enemy." Hitomi was bold but her words were nothing but true.

"I see the problem, unfortunately there is no real answer to it. You will simply have to remain here until the one who is sending the threat letters is caught."

"I understand." Hitomi said trying to hide the depression from her voice.

"My son will eventually get pass that grudge, you'll see. He will realize you are just one of the guys… um… even though you are a girl…"

At those words Hitomi even managed to laugh. The Fanelian king appeared to be a very friendly man despite his frightening look. It was more then obvious his son didn't inherit that line from him.

"Do you know if there is any leads on whom it might be?" she asked praying the answer would be confirmative.

"Unfortunately no. There are no prints, no anything." The king looked distressed "I honestly don't know how the perpetrator will be caught unless he tries to do what he mention in his letters. And that is where you come on."

"I know." Hitomi said nodding. It was her job to protect the prince, no matter what the cost.

With the last class over the students were free to do as pleased. Van was on his way towards the main hall when he saw two people he never expected to see together. It wouldn't really bother him if his father weren't behaving so friendly towards 'her'.

"Ah, Van, I was just talking to Hitomi here. I wanted to meet the girl that was having the strange luck and got send to all boys school." The king said smiling friendly.

"Right." Van muttered.

"I spend most of my free time for today." King Gaou said and then turned to Hitomi "It was a honor meeting you miss Kanzaki."

"It was a honor meeting you your majesty." Hitomi said back friendly.

Van rolled his eyes and barely heard his father saying "Don't forget, it's in two weeks."

Luckily he composed himself enough to hear his father and to answer "I won't forget. I will be there."

The Fanelian king nodded and left silently. Both Hitomi and Van watched the older man leave till he was out of sight. Then Hitomi turned to return to the dorm.

She was completely unaware of Van following her with a furious expression on his face. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. Waiting till they arrived in the privacy of their dorm was to long time. A plan formed in his mind.

The green-eyed girl yelped as someone grabbed her forearm and pulled her towards the door she was currently passing by. The large mass of black hair was revealing her who it was that was pulling her.

When Van opened the door it was a complete shock to Hitomi. They were in a toilet. For men. There were few guys there from the first grade and they were observing the pair with interest.

Van looked at them and growled "Out!"

They did as told without complaining and just moments later Hitomi found herself alone in a men's room together with a guy who hated every female that crossed his path. And although she was curious as to why he had done such a thing a part of her was feeling uncomfortable. Extremely uncomfortable.

"Why were you talking to my father?" Van asked strait out.

Hitomi blinked few times before she composed herself and answered "I was called in the director's office, you heard it yourself. Your father was there when I arrived. He said he wished to meet me."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Cause I'm a girl in a school only for boys?" the answer was a lie but a necessary lie.

Van seemed to feel Hitomi wasn't telling the truth cause he stepped closer to her and grabbed her forearms. The green-eyed girl was more then shocked by his obvious anger and tried to break free but Van wouldn't let go "Stay away from my family. You hear me? I don't want to see you anywhere near my father again."

"It wasn't my fault… your father…" Hitomi couldn't even form a whole sentence. She had passed everything that was thrown on her way while on the Ceali academy but she feared a regular guy that was just few months older then her "He wanted to meet me… I think you…"
"I'm not interested in your pitiful excuses! If you ever again see my father you will behave like you don't know him, is that clear? And from now on you will stay out of my way or regret it!" Van bellowed and pushed her so that she hit the wall behind her.

Hitomi waited till Van left the toilet. Once the door closed behind the young Fanelian prince she slid down and sat on the cold tiles finally allowing the tears to slide down her cheeks. It has been years since she allowed herself to break down and cry and yet this guy, this spoiled brat managed to hurt her so badly that she couldn't hold the salty droplets anymore.

Ten minutes later she walked in the dorm and without a word went to her room. Two guys in the community room just observed her silently. As her door closed Dryden sighed "I have a feeling this was only a beginning. Van won't cut it out till she leaves."

Allen nodded agreeing with his friend. He had a feeling as well. A feeling they will see the round 2 very soon, and once more Hitomi will lose. And get another wound on her heart.

With my other story finished I returned to writing this one. I hope you enjoyed in this chapter and that you will let me know what you think of it. With other words... review... please.