A chapter of revelations. Where Merle is, who Topaz, Hiko and Stelius are, and what happened to Hitomi as thus explained in here. I seem to be capable of keeping this pace, but if you think I'm rushing, I'll slow down.

I appreciate greatly all your reviews and recommendations and I'll try to pay attention to them. It happens to me when I'm excited that I rush. I'll try to keep it down. Thank you

From next chapter on I'll also try to answer your reviews directly, so if you have questions, ask them.

Well, enjoy!

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CHAPTER IV

Hitomi had been kissed before. But not enough times as to compete with him for the leadership. It wasn't that Van had any intentions of allowing her to, either. He made it quite clear when he pulled away again, after just a brush of lips, and stared at her intensely. Hitomi thought she knew what he felt, it what she felt was any indication, and wondered why he was backing out of it.

She was hardly aware of what he was doing when he brought her to him, settling one of his arms across her waist to keep her very close, and his right hand gently caressed her neck. He toyed with the hair there for a moment, examining the silky trends with an air of absentminded interest, before sliding his fingers further down her neck to her first vertebrae, that he massaged very gently.

As heat spread from where his fingers moved in little circles, Hitomi became very aware of his arm around her waist. Her own hands were both in his chest, the right directly over his heart that thumped violently against her fingertips.

He carefully lowered his face and placed a getle kiss on her forehead. Hitomi sighed and her eyes fell closed, as she relaxed further into his embrace and let him asume all leadership. She knew what he wanted, but could not offer to him any assistnce in attaining it as she herself had little experience. He didn't seem quite as innocent though, as he carefully slid his thumb under her chin and tilt her head up to meet his.

The second brush of his lips was feather like, and it tickled her. His nose brushed against hers, and she thought maybe she had mistaken his intentions, and it was just a playful, innocent approach. Maybe he just wanted to cuddle.

But a moment later, his lips returned, this time pressing onto hers, firm, but not demanding. He moved gently, caressing her, and only after a long moment did he part his lips and catch Hitomi's bottom between them, making a sensual movement. Hitomi was so lost in how well he handled himself it took her a moment to notice his tongue cautiously brushing the line of her lips.

She didn't hesitate to comply, but at the lack of knowledge of what to do exactly, let him take his time. He seemed more than satisfied to lead, and his tongue pressed down against hers in her mouth. It was a peculiar feeling, but she liked it, and liked it all the better accounting on the idea of it being Van that was doing it to her.

So she relaxed more into him, sighing. Her fingers curled on his shirt and she grabbed the fabric. He made a low sound in the back of his throat, and the arm around her waist tigthened bringing her flush against him, his pulse quickenning under her fingers.

He breathed in deep through his nose and Hitomi moaned when he deepened the kiss more, alternating between that and catching her bottom lip with both of his and his teeth. The soft sound resounded in the mouths strangely.

She supposed she would be swollen later, but really, she couldn't care any less.

Hitomi was aware that it had been several minutes before he finally pulled away, panting. She was gasping herself, but she was willing to sacrify more breath in sake of having his lips on hers again. Her blood ran like quicksilver on her veins, her heart beating three times quicker than it should. She couldn't get enough of him; he was all over her, around her, on her skin, he was bretahing him in, but still it didn't feel like it was enough.

They had spent so much time apart. They had gradually become strangers. She didn't know anything about him anymore; he wasn't the Van she had known, little was left of that boy. This was a whole different man, someone she had yet to get to know, but she didn't feel any regret at being in his arms. It felt right.

She didn'r regret it either when she tangled her fingers in his hair and brought him down for another kiss. Van seemed more than eager to comply, bringing her flush against his front.

A moment later, he pulled away again, only this time he didn't withdraw completely, He stayed there holding her and very close, his breath tickling her sensitive lips. Hitomi wondered about what he was doing, but decided it was the same, either way. If what he meant was to give her choice she'd seize it.

This time he did let her dominate, but he wasn't exactly chaste in his approach and Hitomi knew things were escalating quickly, when he made a low sound in his throat that made her moan in reply.

Just then someone tapped his shoulder.

Van had the composure not to jump, but he gasped and turned his head, breaking the kiss. He leaned his forehead against the cool wood of the door and gently let go of Hitomi, that leaned her back against it and stared at Topaz.

He regarded her with his apparently usual calm composure. "You two made me look as if I were the wrose chaperone to ever be named so. King Van, a little restraint." He scolded jokingly.

Van breathed deep, straightened and stepped away from Hitomi. He blinked hard, but when he opened his eyes, they still were dark. His hair was a mess, but Hitomi didn't find it to be very different than his usual style, except maybe it stood on end at the back where her fingers had ben. In any case, she liked to think she had done it.

Presently she straightened herself, cleared her throat and looked at Topaz, aware of a raging blush creeping up her cheeks.

"If I can't leave you two alone for ten minutes, then so be it. Behave and go back to the table; the food is ready to be brought in."

Van and Hitomi sat one in front of the other on the table, and were half happy half annoyed at the arrangement. The kiss was still a lingering dominating thought in their minds and so they were awfully quiet as the food was brought in and set in front of them. It wasn't an awkward silence, but it was still there. Hitomi was more conscious of it on account of Topaz quietly studying them from his place by the door. She wanted to tell him to sit down with them, but she wasn't sure it was proper and she was quite certain he'd decline the offer.

"Did you find the Council men agreeable?" Van asked smoothly after a moment. It was a neutral subject, and Hitomi appreciated it. She also aprpeciated it was him starting the conversation.

"Very much. By the way Van, about the protocol rules, do Fanelian girls really behave like that?"

Van arched an eyebrow. "Behave like what? How did Karyn tell you to carry yourself?"

Hitomi explained him quickly what Karyn had told her and as much as she tried to disguise it, she knew it was obvious she had found it tedious and annoying.

It didn't matter. Van did too. He shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Those are supposed to be the protocol rules all over Gaea, but I think the only ones that actually follow them are the Asturians. Fanelian girls don't ever smile and nod, they're lively and enthusiastic. Most of them behave like Merle and you, which is perfectly appropiate, so just be yourself."

The firmness with which he said the last part touched Hitomi. She smiled widely at him before sipping from her glass of orange juice. She was exilaratingly happy, but she chulked it up more to the kiss that his very welcomed disregard of the protocol rules.

"Oh, so the Council." She remembered after a moment. "I think I cut them off a little when I left, I'm sorry. I hope I didn' upset them. I'd be lying if I say that if I see them in the hallway I recognize them, except for Stelius, Hiko and Phillip."

Van chuckled. "Yes, they are the first everyone remembers. About Stelius, did he remind you of someone?" he arched hie eyebrows suggestively to invite her to guess.

Hitomi frowned a little and tried to remember his sharp features and dark brown hair. After a moment she slowly shook her head.

"No, I didn't think so. You didn't spend much time with Vargas anyway. Stelius is Vargas' older son."

"Vargas had children?" Hitomi asked, halfway awed halfway happy. But once she did know who's son he was, Hitomi could see some resemblance in the powerful frame and the strong nose and jaw. She wondered why she was so surprised, if she had known nothing of the man after all. "How many?"

"Three." Van smiled. "Two men and a girl. I think the girl is in Cesario. They're all remarkable warriors, of course. Stelius and Hiko train out troops too. Everyone except Topaz, he's from elsewhere and didn't train with us."

"Huh?" Hitomi turned to blink at him. Topaz returned the gaze, but didn't seem inclined to answer, so she turnd back to Van. "He's not Fanelian?"

"Technically yes, he is, but from the forests. He's a gypsy; there's only seven clans in Fanelia, and no one knows much about them. It's quite an honor to have him here with us, I'll let you know."

Hitomi glanced at the quiet man over her shoulder. He slowly arched an eyebrow. She turned back. "So what about Hiko?" she offered happily.

Van smiled ans welcomed the change of subject. "Hiko was a commander already when the Great War started. What little of the Fanelian army that remained safe and managed to get the people across the mountains to safety in the secret caves of the cliffs was under his command, so he didn't join us in the war, however the much he regrets it. Stelius only joined us a couple of years ago; I don't know what he was doing before and I would suggest you better not ask him."

That thought hadn't even crossed Hitomi's mind.

"Phillip Argusson told me there are dignataries coming next week?"

"Yes, they're coming for the official international reopening of Fanelia, after its rebuilt. That's why the city is being decorated; you didn't see it yet, I'll take you for a ride later. It's full of colors, I think you'll like it." He drank a little of water and smiled widely at her. "According to the letters of confirmation, the first arriving will be Freid."

Hitomi was so happy she couldn't express her feelings, so she just laughed and trusted he'd understand. He did.

"You'll barely recognize him, Hitomi." He shook his head smiling. "He's just about twice as tall as he was when we met him. I'll tell you one thing though, he didn't inherint any features from his father." Hitomi paled a little and covered it by sipping her water. Luckily Van was busy cutting a piece of his lamb, and it wasn't as if he was on guard watching for her reactions over this subject. He didn't know what she knew. Sadly Topaz wasn't as unguarded and he did notice. "If I didn't know different, I'd say he's a full blooded Asturian. He's also picked up on a series of mannerisms that he doesn't share with any other Freidian. I guess Marlene Aston's blood was stronger than Mahad's. I think he'll be arriving here the day after tomorrow if nothing happens before." He smiled fondly and glanced up at her. "He might be a little disappointed Allen won't be coming until next week, but with you here he'll quickly forget it."

Hitomi supposed the teachings Karyn had given her that very morning were great for occasions such as this. So she smiled happily, nodded her head and looked down to her plate. Van arched an eyebrow and glanced at Topaz, but the stoic gypsy had a completely absentminded look to him and didn't acknowledge the King. Van arched both eyebrows at that, shook his head and returned ot his plate.

Hitomi decided it was her turn to start the conversation, now. "Van, where did you send Merle to?"

Van reclined back in the chair. "About that. I'd appreciate you not bringing it up with the rest of the dignataries. It's a bit of a secret thing, until I can stand on more steady grounds." Hitomi blinked at him. What was he after? "The country she's gone to is called Meridiana, and it's the most Northern country of Gaea. It's very far away, across Zabach lands, about eleven or twelve days in leviship from here. Meridiana didn't participate in the Great War; for decades it's held an isolationist policy and hasn't related to any of the neighbouring countries. I believe there are records of it having relationships with Freid and Fanelia in ancient times, but nobody remembers anymore."

Hitomi frowned slightly. "But, why would you send Merle there? If it's an isolationist country, shouldn't you let them move first? Maybe they don't want to integrate back."

"I sent them a letter of invitation last month." Van explained. "They manifested interest in having relationships with Fanelia, and requested me to send a representative. Phillip said it was best for someone of my greatest trust to go, and I thought I'd send Stelius, but Merle wanted to go. She left twenty days ago and I expect her back next week, before the opening. The communications across such a distance are difficult, so I haven't heard from her in a while, but I'm not worried. I didn't send her alone."

"Why are you keeping it secret, though? If Meridiana had relationships with Freid maybe Chid would he helpful too. And Asturia is a powerful country, they could have weight as well."

"I thought about telling Chid, but Merle said in her last letter that Meridiana has very severe rules about age, and Chid wouldn't be allowed to present himself to the dignataries there." Van said, frowining slightly. "It's asomething of a way of them, and Merle is quite on the edge herself. Luckily she found a friend there right away, and he's been introducing her and making it all easier. And the reason I haven't told the rest of the countries is most of them are satrightforward against Meridiana. There are some old issues about them, and they got worse with their apparently neutral position in the War."

Hitomi thought about that for a moment. "But, if they're on the other side of Zaibach, and at a distance of twelve days of travel in leviship, how would they have helped us, if they had wanted to? The War istelf only lasted twenty days, right?"

Van shrugged. "Legend says they have very advanced techonology. In any case, we shouldn't discuss it with anyone until Merle comes back and tells me where the Meridiana Empress stands. It's an Empire, yes; and they used to be very important in the political layout before the folded into themselves. I have my reasons to want a firm link with them."

He didn't say anything else, and Hitomi got the feeling he wasn't going to, so she dropped the subject too, although she was full of questions.

The rest of the meal went on smoothly. Hitomi asked him about the dragons and from there Van skillfully lead the conversation on about the reconstruction not only of Fanelia but of Freid, Palas in Asturia and Zaibach, which had been the battlefield and the most damaged land.

When they were finally finished, Van asked her if she wanted to take a while before going out into the city, and Hitomi quickly dismissed the idea. She went with Karyn to her bedroom, fetched a heavy winter cape to place upon the light blue dress, and met Van in the hall by the door. Stelius was with him and they were talking with severe expressions in their faces, but when Hitomi hesitated to approach them, Van gestures with his head at her.

"What would you want me to do? You know what I think." Stelius was saying.

Van nodded. "The same goes for you. This is the only thing we disagree in, Stelius. There's no need to be so harsh; just tell them to mind their place."

"We've been telling them that for the last two years and it hasn't worked. They're becoming a nuisance, King Van. I'll do as you ask me, but start thinking it in depth, because I don't like they way they behave at all."

Van glanced at him with a frown. He nodded stiffly and Stelius bowed his head to Hitomi and left with firm strides. Topaz's eyes followed him all the way.

"Is something wrong?" Hitomi asked and glanced briefly at Topaz before taking the arm Van was offering her. He lacked any reaction.

Van shook his head slowly. "Zaibach activists. There's still a few of them left, and they're particularly vicious against Fanelia because of my role in the War. They're not really strong, and they're not an acknowledged threat by the international board, but they're still annoying. I try to keep them in peace, but Stelius has his own particular reasons against them. It's the only thing I dare say he can't be objetive about."

Hitomi thought for a moment. "Is it because Zaibach killed Vargas in the initial attack?"

Van nodded. He looked ahead without any more signs and Hitomi got the eerie sensation that Van did know what Stelius had been up to before joining the Fanelian forces, and had judged it best not to tell her. She wasn't ready to argue with him about that just yet. For a reason she couldn't quite place, she turned and look directly at Topaz.

His impressively light eyes turned to her a moment later and she had the feeling he was waiting for an order. Hitomi didn't have one to give him, so instead she offered a smile, which he might or might not have returned, since she couldn't see the bottom of his face, and then turned back to Van.

They mounted a dark blue carriage, simple and comfortable, and headed down the path towards the city. Topaz rode a horse beside the carriage, having refused to mount it.

The city of Fanelia was indeed a beautful thing. It had the exact same peaceful, rural air to it that it had had before the Zaibach invation, and no traces of that painful episode were visible any more. The houses were low and familiar, invitingly simple, and there were colors everywhere, in hangings from the windows, in flags on poles over the door or on the roofs, on the Fanelian national flag that danced in the cold air above the houses in higher poles here and there. There was much people out in the streets and the carriage moved slowly. Topaz moved behind it as to not take more space off the walkers and take advantage of the path the carriage opened, so he wouldn't have to throw his horse over the people to advance.

Hitomi looked out the window marveled, while Van supplied useful tips about the changes the people had decided to take to make the city more open and beautiful; larger streets, houses that weren't blocking the sun, fountains and green squares very close to each other to make it fresh and clean. They soon left the smaller streets to circulate the greater ones where there were actual sidewalks. The carriage bounced happily in the even stones of the streets and Hitomi had to grab onto Van's arm when it headed down a small ramp into an avenue where there were more horses and carriages circulating.

"There's theatres and such places here. I come down only when I can, but I get invitations constantly. We can come if you'd like, they don't put on boring pieces like in Asturia. Allen took me to one there once and even though he didn't notice, I snoozed. I forget the name now."

Hitomi laughed. She was having the best time she had in years. The easy familiarity with Van was recomforting; she didn't feel awkward once in the whole tour. Van was a fun partner; he knew what to point out and when, and he made her laugh so much! She was quite certain that the people around them knew who was in the carriage, because they glanced at it and smiled fondly, which she caught more than once, but no one bothered them.

It felt fairly natural, when she grabbed his hand to point at something, for him to hold it and not let go of it. After a moment he shifted it, and intertwinned their fingers gently. It felt right.

Hitomi turned a little and rested her head in his shoulder. The top of her head touched his throat and she felt him chuckling low. He rubbed the top of her thumb with his slowly. It was so tender it made Hitomi sigh.

"Van, what do you think are the chances of Topaz figuring out if we kiss again?" she asked in a whisper.

Van laughed out loud. "There's no chance he won't. Besides, if what happened earlier is any sign, we'll need him to chaperone us. I can't think straight around you, you know."

Hitomi lifted her head and her eyes were twinkling with amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment, Your Highness."

Van winced jokingly. "Don't call me that. No one calls me just Van anymore, like you did. I miss it."

Hitomi smiled widely. Van reached up to brush a lock of blond hair behind her ear and leaned down to her face without hesitating. Hitomi readily accepted the kiss, and brought her hand up to touch his cheek softly as a feather. Van cradled the back of her neck, but kept it chaste.

He pulled back a moment later and brushed his lips to her cheek before fixing his eyes in the rider by Hitomi's window. He could only see from the middle of his chest to his thigh, but he could guess what Topaz's expression was.

"You ought to keep talking." Topaz said. "Whatever I know about chaperoning duties, and indeed I know very little, leads me to assume I'm not supposed to allow you to do anything more intimate than holding hands."

"How did you know?" Hitomi questioned blushing.

"I did." Topaz limited to answer. Van reclined back against the carriage cushions and chuckled low. "But I'm not a severe man." He continued placidly. "I'll let you go as far as touching her hair, King Van."

"How generous." Van said sarcastically.

Hitomi leaned back too, her arm touching his, their hands still locked together, and watched as Topaz fell behind them again to unblock her window and let her see outside.

There was a moment of silence, and Van contented himself with continually stroking her thumb and humming low that old melody Folken used to whistle. After a moment, he began whistling it himself.

Hitomi relaxed further and thought of the older Fanelian prince. He had been so unlucky. He could have been happy, but it was never allowed. And he had been essentially so sensible…

She suddenly made up her mind. She turned to Van, who gazed languidly back, so relaxed he seemed almost sleepy. But he ceased his whistling, sensing she was going to say something.

"I never knew my father." She said flatly. Van snapped to attention so quickly his pupils contracted. He assumed a cautious, curious look to him. "He died when I was a year and a half. Mom re married, and had Mamoru. They separated shortly after, I don't know where he went. Mom and Mamoru—they died three years ago, Van."

He was watching her attentively, listening. His demeanor was calm, and his eyes deep and soft. It comforted her that he kept himself in check, because if he hugged her now she wasn't sure whether she would be angry at him for feeling pity or so touched she'd crumble and cry again like in Earth.

But what she saw in his eyes wasn't pity at all, but understanding, and it made her feel at ease. She felt peaceful.

As it was, Hitomi didn't still mourn for her mother and brother. It had been a long time since, and she had gone through the pain and the despair. She had still felt lonely, abandoned even; but she was alright. Life kept going, and she couldn't get stuck in her pain and let it stream by her side. She had to live it.

She wanted to tell him everything, and she struggled to help him understand. "You know how you have leviships? Well, back in the Mystic Moon we don't have those. But we have something similar, with long wings, that we call airplanes. They work essentially like a leviship. Mom and Mamoru were traveling to a nearby country named Singapour, for a thing Mom had to do about her job. I couldn't go because I had to study. The airplane—it crashed in the sea. There were no survivors."

Van nodded slowly, and lowered his eyes to her hand before staring back at her eyes. "Are you alright?"

Hitomi swallowed and nodded. She was. And in a ny case, if she hadn't been before, she was now. She had cried when he had returned to her because she had been praying he would sometime, and the fact he had when she needed him so much had caught her off guard and vulnerable.

But she was alright.

"Do you want me to make them a memorial next to Folken's and my parent's?" he asked gently after a pause. "They won't be there, but a place to mourn them when you need to might help. It helps me." He offered simply.

Hitomi thought about it for a moment. Finally she nodded. "Yes, I think I would like that. Thank you, Van."

He smiled softly. After a moment, he asked, "What happened to—Yukari?" he tested the name, unsure.

Hitomi sighed. "We grew apart. She moved to America—very far away—and we just lost contact. I guess it happens." That didn't hurt Hitomi so much, on the basis of it being normal. People grew apart; they followed different paths. It was the way of Life. It wasn't always pretty, and it was generally difficult, but that was how it was.

Van shifted in the seat and slowly leaned forward. He was giving her time to reject him if she wanted to, but Hitomi let him hug her. She closed her eyes and sighed against his neck.

The implied self confidence in his demeanor soaked into her, and she felt so safe with him. Nothing could touch or hurt her, nothing could harm her. Van wouldn't ever allow it. But her pains were hers, and he wouldn't try to minimize them by saying it would pass, because he understood them all too well. The only thing he could offer was this; a place to lay them down next to his, and a shoulder if she wanted it. The things that comforted him. Maybe, if it worked for him, it would for her too.

Hitomi appreciated it, and loved the fact that he had grown into someone that could lead and take the decisions when she chose not to. He had started that transicion before she left, and it had wind up in a man strong enough to hold someone who could generally hold herself. It wasn't easy to balance his love and his respect; it was his instinct to keep her close all the time and shelter her, but he knew she didn't either need it or want it, because if she had wanted a sheltered life, she would had stayed with Allen.

Hitomi briefly wondered how long he thought he would destine to court her. Because she knew he didn't need to make her fall for him; she had already, that very same instant, in the coach.

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How about it? I hope you liked.

I'm very flattered with all the alerts I've received of people placing this in their alerts. It's a big pelasure! I'll try to keep up so yiu don't have to wait too long

Namariel, out!