VIII

"Hitomi...Hitomi? Wake up..."

I heard a voice calling me. My eyes were heavy but I tried to open them; all I saw was a blurred silhouette of someone looking down at me. I moved my eyes around and I saw feathers of the purest white gently raining down on me.

"Van..." I heard myself whisper before I passed out again.

A gentle breeze woke me up. I lay still, starring at the ceiling as images of what happened flashed through my head. I took a deep breath and pulled myself out of bed; a smile broke through my lips.

I heard familiar voices coming from the adjoining room outside. I walked silently towards the half-open door and slowly poked my head out. I felt a tug in my heart as soon as I saw them. Everyone looked familiarly different but nevertheless I know them; it had been ten years since.

"Hitomi!"

I was almost knocked off my feet.

Merle was hugging me. "I was so scared Hitomi."

My tears chocked my laughter, or were it my laughter that choked my tears; in any case I was crying tears of joy.

Merle pulled away and looked at me puzzled. "Are you crying or laughing?"

"Both." I said as I wiped away my tears. "Looks like you've grown out from your short hair, huh?" I smiled at her. Merle is a grown woman now, she reminded me of Naria.

She stood there somewhat frozen; her breath seemed to have been caught halfway. "Hitomi...do you..." her lips quivered.

I nodded. "Yes, it's back."

Her pink eyes grew wider. "You're memories are back!" she squealed, squeezing my shoulders ecstatically.

Not for long Princess Millerna and Celena joined in. It took about a minute before they calmed down; then Millerna cleared her throat. "I think we should leave for a while."

Of course everybody knew why. The door closed gently behind them. My heart pounded at my chest. Van was looking at me with those gentle eyes, the look that I know, the one I have missed so much.

He walked towards me and wrapped his hand around my neck, cradling the side of my face. I saw the longing, the pain and the happiness in his dark brown eyes.

"I missed you." he said softly.

Tears brimmed in my eyes, stinging it as I fought hard not to blink in fear of losing him when I open them again. His fingers moved to my cheeks, brushing the falling tears away. I flung myself at him, clutching at his chest like a child.

"Van..." I repeated his name in between my silent sobs. He replied by holding me, embracing me until my body no longer trembled.

He then gently pulled me away so he can look at my face. He was smiling now. He took my hand and I twined my fingers through his. He then tilted his head and kissed me softly; then firmly. My stomach fluttered, sending ripples of electricity throughout my body making my knees go weak. I gripped my other hand over his shoulder for support, and as I did, his other hand had tightened around my waist as his kiss went deeper.

"The king is no longer a boy I see." I said almost breathlessly and looked at him teasingly when he released me.

He didn't say anything but he looked pleased with that statement.

Then there were voices and footsteps at the door; a second later Allen came rushing in. He stopped dead on his tracks; a hint of red blush has started to form on his cheeks while the three ladies had bumped at each other behind him.

"He was just too eager to see you when he found out you've got your memories back." Merle said, followed by an awkward laugh.

After that embarrassing scene, everyone settled to their seats to hear Allen narrate what he and his men saw on top of the old bell tower.

"Don't look so grim Hitomi." Allen said. "The boy is unharmed."

"It's not your fault." Millerna placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I pursed my lips and looked at Allen. "I acted on impulse; it's just that I..." The boy's eyes flashed in my head again, sending chills up my spine.

"Hitomi?" Van moved to my side.

I shook the image out of my head. "I got startled and panicked. He must have just wanted to play."

"Hmm, I doubt it." Allen's voice was straight out sure that I am mistaken. "If his true intention was just to play; then I wouldn't have him put into prison."

"In prison?!"

Everyone was stunned; words seemed to have escaped us for a while.

"Allen...but why?" Millerna finally asked.

"Because he was holding this when we took him out of that cabinet." Allen pulled out a cloth from his pocket; wrapped inside is a dagger.

Everyone started talking at the same time. Merle and Celena tried to comfort me; Millerna gave orders at Allen to investigate the matter further before turning to me to offer her help, while Van and Allen made plans on what to do next.

I let them talk as I sank into my seat and blocked the noise while I assess the situation. Who is that boy? Did he really intend to harm me or maybe there's just a misunderstanding? And those eyes...had I just been mistaken?

I held up my hand, trying to bring some order to the commotion around me. "I want to see the boy."

Millerna looked worried; Merle and Celena were stunned, Allen seemed to be unsure and Van was clearly not in agreement.

"He's sleeping at the moment Hitomi. He passed out as he was struggling to escape." Allen answered.

I sank even deeper in my seat, rubbing my hand over my forehead; then a thought came to me.

I stood and faced Allen. "May I see the dagger again?"

Allen unfolded the cloth again and placed the dagger gently on my palms.

The vision came the instant the dagger touched my palms. I was in a dimly lighted place, like a tunnel. I can hear my footsteps echoing as I walked down the long empty path. I stepped through another passageway and saw a steel door. I pushed the door and entered the room. I found myself with a group of cloaked men looking down at a man lying still and silent on a metal table; glaring lights beamed over him.

It was Van, his eyes empty, almost lifeless.

"Choose." One of the men said to me.

Tears ran down my face as I tried to push my way through one of them. I need to help Van and save him, but I can only get my arms pass the man; he was stronger than me.

"You must trust me." Van's voice was weak but still commanding. He gave me one last look; the look of willing self-sacrifice before he turned his back on me. And then the cloaked men came down on him and he started shouting in pain.

My scream filled the room. I fell to my knees; my heart was beating wildly it's choking me. I was gasping for air.

How is it that just moments ago I was brimming with happiness and in an instant I am threatened to lose it all.

Tears streamed down from my unblinking eyes.