Intricacy of the Heart

Chapter: Nine

Title: Another Kidnapping

Author: Talia (Cascata)

Genre: Romance

Rating: R (for future)

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne nor do I own any of the characters from the series or movies.

Author's Note: I know you're out there, I see the reviews go through the ceiling all around me… hehe, so you can't deny your existence. Oh well, guess I'm not good enough for ya, I understand, really I do –pouts- Oh well! Those of you who are reading and not reviewing, you've been very naughty readers! –shrugs- ON WITH THE STORY! If you've made it this far, YAY!!!!!! –gives you cookies-

~~~~~*~~~~~

Hitomi struggled to free herself from Nem's grasp, though instead of being rough with her he gently placed his hand over her mouth and held her still. "Shhh… I'm not going to hurt you…" Do you think Hitomi's going to listen to this? The guy is holding her down and has his hand over her mouth for the love of Isis! "Don't say a word, I need to…" before he could finish he let out a loud cry as Hitomi sank her teeth into the palm of his hand. Oh, and do you think Hitomi's going to stop there? Ehem, think again!

Slamming her knee upward she managed to make contact with the monarch's groin, earning an even louder cry followed by a whimper. As Nem fell to the side, Hitomi was already up and running for the door, only to be stopped by a force she knew nothing of. It sent her flying back onto the bed and the whimpering king was once again holding her down, though still gently. "You're the second person to do that in the past two days," he groaned. "What is it with women and inflicting pain there of all places?"

Before Hitomi could reply the door slammed open and a tall, rather attractive raven-haired man entered, drawing his sword. "Release her," he ordered strongly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Now… of all the times this order has been given, has anyone ever known them to actually comply? Think again. Nem simply pulled Hitomi to his chest and stood, a comfortable smirk plastered to his handsome features. "And if I don't?"

Koyo stepped in, his face dark with warning, "You will answer to me."

"Oh scary," Nem drawled, sarcasm dripping from his very voice. "What are you going to do, talk me to death? There's not much you can do from there."

Hitomi struggled against Nem's arms and began to grumble profanities below her breath. This asshole was really asking for it. Snapping her leg up behind her in attempts to nail his groin once again, Nem caught her ankle, earning a surprised squeak from her. Did anyone honestly think she'd get away with it twice?

Koyo had no response. All was silent as Nem continued to smirk and retreat towards the window. However, as soon as Celina poked her head around the corner Nem stopped, the smirk dropping from his face. It shocked him to see another woman present… not that he was suddenly interested in her, far from it. Silver hair at a young age… gesh! As long as there was color in the woman's hair she could pass as twenty in his opinion, but silver hair was most definitely not becoming of a woman to him. "Well, seems as though there really isn't much you can do, sorry for such a short meeting, I'm sure we'll meet again." With that he and Hitomi were out the window.

"Hitomi!" Koyo and Celina called in unison, both running to the window only to find them both gone.

"Shimatta!" Koyo roared startling Celina back into the room. Swinging around his eyes met with those of Allen's younger sister he sighed softly, "Allen's not going to be happy with me…"

"It wasn't your fault," Celina replied, her head bowing slightly.

~~~~~*~~~~~

Allen's eyes opened slowly and met with a fuzzy image of his rescuer. He blinked several times before placing a hand on his head, which was covered in the softest bandage he'd felt in his life. If only they had those back at his fort he'd be peachy with sparring more often. His eyes had somehow closed without his permission, not that he was complaining. Taking in his surroundings visually would have to wait until the world quit revolving around him.

A cold rag dabbed against his forehead, obviously being done for his comfort. It was working as far as helping him center his balance, even if lying down. However, his head was throbbing and his entire body felt as though it were ready to shatter if he moved.

"You're lucky you're alive," his savior's voice said softly, most likely knowing that his head was about to split at any sound… at least this wasn't as bad as it could have. Especially being who it was. He recognized the voice to belong to Talia and was rather shocked to find that she was being as gentle with him as she was.

"Talia," Allen said softly, though before he could say anymore Talia interrupted him sharply. Was she going to let this insane lunatic, who'd almost killed her in the process of rescuing her, speak to her informally? Hell no.

"Talia hime to you, Allen Schezar," she growled in response.

Allen winced at the increased volume of Talia's voice and placed his hand on his head, which was now throbbing harder than before. "Gomen, Talia hime…"

Talia sighed and dabbed his head with the cold rag again. "Much better," she said, once again lowering her voice to a gentle tone just above a whisper. She didn't plan on making him suffer, she was repaying him for rescuing her… even though he let his sister, Van, and Merle go at her before he attempted anything. Probably for the best, she wouldn't have taken too kindly to him trying to heal her being that at the time she didn't know he was a knight. However, his clothing was unmistakable, not only was he a knight… but a Knight of Caeli! "Perhaps you could tell me why you didn't inform me you were a knight, Allen Crusade Schezar?"

Allen's eyes snapped open and back to her face. "How did you…?"

"I know the names of all the Caeli Knights, there are only twelve of them after all. However, I'd never had the advantage of seeing them, so I was unable to recognize you," Talia explained as she gently dabbed more of the ice water on his head, helping sooth the pain. "You also pilot the Guymelef called Scherazade, or at least you did."

"But…" Allen started, his head now hurting much worse due to the excessive information Talia was pouring into his head. How did she know all of this? She was doing this on purpose!

"Drink this," Talia interrupted, gently lifting his head and supporting it on her arm. She had to press the cold metal rim of the chalice to his lips before he'd drink. She smirked when he actually swallowed it without so much as a word of complaint, though it was harder for him to mask his opinion of it. "Probably should have warned you," would she really have warned him? Hell no! This was too much fun! "But it'll help you heal sooner."

Allen gave her a half smile before allowing his eyes to close to relieve the extra stress on his poor head. Before Talia knew it he was asleep again, his head still resting on her arm. Did she dare move her arm and disturb him? Give her some credit! She wasn't that cruel. Propping her head upon her free hand she watched the golden-haired knight sleep.

~~~~~*~~~~~

Merle's eyes fluttered open and she gazed up at the tops of the trees of which allowed little sunlight in. It appeared as though she were somewhere deep within the woods. Her eyes scanned her surroundings in search of Van… then they fell across a lonely figure with the usual red tunic. Struggling to sit up she muttered his name, earning his attention. "Van-sama…"

Van's head snapped up and in almost the same moment he was at Merle's side. "Merle, are you all right?"

The pink-haired cat nodded and rubbed her head softly. Those bastards were really begging to be scratching posts that's for sure. She smirked at the mental image of a bloody soldier from Iniquity… the very one who'd knocked her out, the dim-witted asshole. "Van-sama… where's Talia? I saw her come into the battle… but…"

"She's fine. I'm sure we'll see her soon," 'I hope' He'd obsessed over her for the past 6 years… she was the reason he had a hard time admitting his feelings to Hitomi. He'd told Talia that he loved her only a week before Patina was attacked. They were even planning on having the wedding a month later!

Merle looked up at Van and noticed that he was lost in thought again. Sighing softly she stood and stretched with her feline grace before walking to the young monarch. "Van-sama…"

"Van? Merle?" came a familiar young woman's voice, "Is that you?"

Van and Merle's heads instantly snapped up in the direction the voice had come from only to see the youngest princess of Asturia and her new husband. Millerna dismounted her horse quickly and rushed to hug the two of them. It was then that Merle noticed the bulging belly… and she smirked. "Preggy?"

Millerna smiled brightly and nodded, placing her hand on her belly. It was kinda obvious by now, of course, though she was still momentarily shocked that they would notice. "Six months in."

Merle, in her kawaii excitement, threw her arms around Millerna once again and grinned brightly. "That's great!"

Van stood off to the side trying to ignore a pit he had in his stomach he recognized to be longing. He'd wished before that he and Talia could have a child… then she supposedly died. After a while… the desire to be a father returned upon he and Hitomi being reunited. Once again… that faded upon seeing Hitomi and Allen kiss… though now he knew why they had.

"I hear Hitomi's returned," Drydon said in his regular booming voice, "Have you seen her?"

Van and Merle's eyes snapped to the new King, their faces devoid of emotion besides that of troubled. Van bowed his head and the cat spoke for him, "She's at Allen's."

Millerna narrowed her eyes when she noticed the troubled expressions, then the answer to her husband's question. What has that playboy done this time? "What happened?"

"Fanelia was attacked, I left her there," Van interrupted, not mentioning WHY he left from embarrassment… that and he couldn't blame her now for what she'd done, he realized what it looked like.

"And Allen just stayed?"

"No, he was at the battle," Van replied before Merle could speak. At this point the pink-haired neko was about to scream at him for breaking through her words. "Though… I don't know his current state of health… he was crushed under part of the castle…"


Millerna, Merle, and Drydon gasped. "Is he okay?"

"I just told you, I don't know…"

"Did he get out?"

"I don't know…"

Drydon opened his mouth to speak but was shot a glare by the king. "I said I don't know!"

Drydon smirked, "I was going to ask of the Lady Hitomi, Van."

Van blushed slightly feeling semi-stupid for yelling at him. A chill pill about then probably would have been nice… had they been invented. "What about her?"

"How do you think she's taking to this?"

Van blinked as he realized that she probably wouldn't take too kindly to finding out about Allen's probable death. "I honestly don't know…"

"Van-sama, you need to tell her…" Merle started, then earned a quick glare from Van. He still hadn't told Merle why he had insisted upon leaving so early the previous night…

"Do you want to tell her?" he demanded, suddenly snapping upon the thought of how hurt she'd be that her beloved Allen would be hurt. He scowled when Merle took a step back, then turned his attention back to Millerna. "Or would you?"

Millerna stared at Van in disbelief. Was he jealous of Allen? He had to be! "Why don't you? What's wrong with you telling her?"

Van's scowl never faded… he couldn't handle it, to see Hitomi upset that her beloved was possibly dead… the way she should be worrying about him for even fighting! He couldn't tell them why… he knew he was jealous, though he'd never outwardly admit to it. Especially to them. However… Hitomi did have a right to know, no matter how jealous he was. She also had a right to know what really happened with he and Merle…

"I'll tell her, but you all have to be there with me," Van said finally. Was he happy about this? No. Was he actually going to do this? Maybe… did he love Hitomi or Talia more? …