trekker4life- I'm glad that you like my story. Makes me happy to see a wide variety of fans. holds up hand (live long and prosper!)

Gemini Wings- supper happy that you liked the last chap, more 'oops' to come, and hope this will work for you. And like I have said before; I'm not a writer, I can't spell to save my life, and microsft word is not the best editor.

LinkinParkFan16- yes naked van

maeko14- don't feel too sad for them yet, there's a lot more stuff that I'm going to put them through.

pure hope- thank you for the energetic review, and sorry but you're going to have to wait and see.

Mysisterthinksimasquijum- thank you for pointing that out, but you could have told me that in person. (little sisters, what can you do with them?)

Macky- thank you once again for your constant reviews!

A/N: thank you all for reviewing, it makes me happy to find that I have a review to read when I come home from school. it actually makes me want to write more. This chapter would have been up sooner except that I had to rewrite it about two times because it was starting to sound really lame. So I hope that you enjoy this!

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Chapter 11: Good-byes

"Hitomi, I want to see you at my coronation." Said Millerna as the two friends hugged farewell.

"Like I said before, I wouldn't miss it for anything in two worlds." Reassured Hitomi, stepping back. Millerna then went to say her good-byes to Merle and her family, telling Kain and Damasu to behave.

"Hitomi?" it was Celena.

"Yes, Celena."

"I know that we haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other, but I do hope that we will find so time before you leave again."

"Me too." Hitomi gave her a heart-warming smile as the platinum-hared girl bordered the Crusade.

"It has been a pleasure to see you again, Hitomi." Said Allen, in his usual smooth tone of voice, taking Hitomi's hand and lightly brushing his lips across the back of it.

"It is good to be back." Replied Hitomi, taking her hand back courteously.

"I do hope that you are aware of the ball that is to take place right after the coronation ceremony."

"It has been mentioned." Said Hitomi off-handily.

"May I ask that you save me a dance?"

"Of course." She replied. Unseen to the both of them was Van, standing on the other side of Merle and her family glaring daggers at the blond knight.

"Allen's lucky that looks can't kill," Teased Millerna. "Otherwise he'd be in intensive care."

"Oh, sorry Millerna." Mumbled Van.

"Don't be… you still love her don't you?"

"She's just staying for a visit, Millerna." Said Van in an attempt to keep Millerna from playing 'Match-maker' and half reminding himself.

"That may be so, but don't do anything stupid that you'll regret later." The blond princess-soon to be queen- warned, as she went to say good-bye to her nephew.

As the Crusade left for Palas, Van caught Hitomi's eye and she quickly looked away and waved to their departing friends, a faint blush slowly creep onto her checks. A look which made her look very becoming- at least to him. He smiled at the sight, and felt a blush start in remembrance.

When the Levi ship took off Kain and Damasu had run off in the direction of the kitchen, no doubt to start trouble or to find Cheatourus, who was in charge of the twins' sword practice. Once the levi ship was out of sight, Merle grabbed Hitomi by the hand and half dragged her to the market place.

"So, are you going to ask her?" Asked Cheatourus, who had popped out of no where, as the two girls disappeared around a corner.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to ask Hitomi to marry you?"

"Well you know as well as I do that she's only planning on staying for a visit."

"That's not answering my question."

He took a deep breath before simply answering "No."

"Why not?" demanded Chid.

"Like she's said, she's here just for a visit."

"But you two are soul mates, and your destined to be together. Every book that I have read says so!" said the young duke.

"That may be so, but we both live completely separate lives." Said the Mahogany - eyed king.

"But hasn't she come back to you? Like in The Tale of Two Worlds?"

"I think that you have been reading too many books." Stated the king who then turned to go to one of the practice rooms, "Come along its time for morning excursuses."

"Well, didn't the two of you could communicate with each other over long distances, and know what the other was feeling?" Asked Cheatourus.

"That was only at the end, and not all the time." The king reflected as he lead the other two down one of the halls leading to the practice rooms. "Pulse, it seems that she has worked hard to make a life of her own, and I shouldn't try and take that away from her."

"Fine, have it your way." Said Cheatourus who then turned down a hall and disappeared.

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Well it's time for me to start working on chapter 12!

Tell me what you peoples thought.

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