Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or its characters. Escaflowne is the property of Sunrise and Bandai Entertainment. I'm just an innocent person who happened to write a fanfic on Escaflowne.

A/N: So, what did you think of chapter 8? Dirty eh? Hahah Well, brace yourself for this chapter. There will be unexpected actions! (Not lemon related if that's what you're thinking, you naughty kids. Lol.)

Chapter 10

Languid Asphyxiation

A month—was it really a month? Or perhaps it was actually half a year. How long had it been? He couldn't tell. The days had stretched by listlessly and, even with all of Van and Allen's efforts into the search, Hitomi and Eni were still missing. There were too many tracks in the dirt leading in different directions. It would take months to follow the trails and who knew which one was the right one? For all they knew, there could've been more than one horse going different ways to throw them off. Van didn't sleep or eat as much as Merle tried to force upon him but it couldn't be helped. It was natural to worry . . . wasn't it?

Sometimes he found it so hard not to think of Hitomi, which was usually when he was asleep but even then he found himself looking for her in his dreams. Either it was his imagination or not, he even thought he caught the sweet fresh scent of her hair or her soft rose fragrant once in a while. But he would rather die than let any one know, especially Merle. She would assume that he was in love with Hitomi. Which, by the way, he absolutely was not. He only missed her presence. Yes that was it. He just missed her company.

Van kept himself busy by attending meetings with the Council of Advisors, though he normally dreaded going to the meetings. He almost gave himself a pat on the back after a week of lifeless meetings had gone by. Mostly, all that was discussed was gathering reinforcements for Fanelia's army. They clearly saw that Hitomi and Eni's kidnapping was a direct assault against the country. Van half agreed with them and the other half was the side that worried an awful lot about Hitomi's safety. He did worry about Eni too, but just not as often.

Van had seen to it that Merle receive the adequate training she obviously, and desperately, needed. The poor guard assigned under her care had a mild infection the day after she had treated him. However, he willingly let her tend to his wounds again because he was hopeful she would be able to cure the infection, which she did after attending a five hour long seminar that Van approved of. She had the notion of wrenching his limbs apart but she forgave him after seeing what her newly acquired knowledge had accomplished. Now she only had to attend lessons every other day for an hour.

He heaved a sigh and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. The Head Advisor frowned at him, but Van didn't care. What was his name anyway? Did anyone even know? "You know what? I think the meetings should be postponed for another day."

"W-what?" the Head Advisor stammered, his eyes wide with shocked. "But these meetings are absolutely necessary! If anything, they are extremely vital to our kingdom."

"It will be postponed. Meeting adjourned." Van got up from his throne and went up to bedroom. Once again, Hitomi's image had invaded his mind. He could see her as if she was standing right in front of him, and that was a lot to say. He found Merle sitting suspiciously on his bed with her hands folded on her lap, which was very peculiar of her. He had known her as the kind of person who slouched and sat like a gorilla at times. Very unlady like. "Hey you."

"What are you doing, Van?" she said impeaching.

"What am I doing? I'm standing."

Merle gestured with her hands at him. "This. You're rotting away like a useless log that someone flung in the lake."

He grinned. "Well, thanks for observing so keenly."

"It's not funny, Van. I'm worried. I think you . . ."

Van hoped she would not say what he though she was going to say.

"I think the meetings are wearing you down. I demand that you take me along! At least I'll give them something intelligent to talk about. They're so old . . . how do they live?"

"Merle!" He looked at her incredulously, but relieved at the same time. "The Council has been here for as long as I can remember. They have vast range of knowledge. Besides . . . my father trusted them."

She looked sidelong at him. "And how do you know that?"

"Balgus told me. I wonder how my father ruled his people. I hope I'm following in his footsteps." He sank into the comforts of his bed.

"Still no news of Hitomi or Eni?"

"No."

"It's strange how no one was there when it happened."

"Yes, I know."

Merle towered over him, her arms on her hips. "You should get out sometime. Your tan is such a hideous color."

He laughed under the pillow and tossed it at her. "Always so thoughtful."

She rolled her eyes but a smile crept to her lips. "Go ride out into the forest. The golden stallion is getting restless. He deserves a stretch. The stable boy's been complaining about him."

"I suppose you'll enjoy the luxury of bossing people around while I'm gone?"

"Of course not. Why would I want to do that?" She added, "They need a little push here and there once in a while."

His grin returned. "Of course."

"Be careful."

He nodded. He mounted his horse and rode off in an empty direction, void of thought or control. He let the golden steed choose its own path. It took him along a lengthy river, picking its way along the bank. Van looked out into the trickling stream. It appeared as if no life was under the clear blue water. His thoughts traced back to the little fight between him and Dilandau. It surprised him how Dilandau became so worked up about the graze on his cheek. The pale boy had been careless and seemingly had let his guard down momentarily. Something had been bothering him.

And what was that about attacking Vione? That idea had never entered Van's mind, much less desired. He had no intention of doing that. He would leave Folken alone so as Folken did the same thing. But if Folken had a part in the kidnapping . . .

Van shook his head. Folken was too intelligent for something like that. He would not stoop so low as to resort to kidnapping. But still . . . it was possible. Van was indeed unaware of Folken's motives, what ever they happened to be but Folken was a dignified sort of man. He liked things nice and neat. Hell, even his hair looked nice and neat.

Van looked out into the river again and saw a distant figure treading in the water. As he neared he saw that the figure was fairly tall and lean and had short messy chestnut hair. The figure had a light, teasing manner of walking Van distinctly recognized. For a fleeting moment Van's pulse picked up, pulsating hard. He knew it was impossible but his hopes rose anyway, despite the chained grasp he had on it. He swallowed hard. The figure did not seem to notice that Van was approaching closer.

"Hitomi . . . ?" he whispered hoarsely.

Before he knew it, the figure was gone. Where did she go? Van sucked in his breath, his heart to stone. It had just been a goddamn mirage. He mentally kicked himself for letting himself think it had actually been her. When had he ever hallucinated? When did he ever want her so much? What was he thinking? He only loved her as a companion. He asserted this over and over in his brain.

He looked out again, just to make sure, and gave his horse a gentle kick in the side. A mild wind blew past him, unsettling the mass of raven black hair on his head. His eyes scanned the river once again. His breath caught in his throat. There she was again treading in the water just like before. He urged his horse to gallop faster. The figure moved down the river and disappeared around the corner. When Van reached the bend, the figure was sitting on a smooth flat rock in the stream.

His eyes widened as he caught a clear glimpse of the face. His eyes confirmed that it was indeed her but his mind refused to believe. She had Hitomi's face and body but something was different. He couldn't put a finger on what. She was smiling serenely at him but there was an unfamiliar quirk there. Her outfit was certainly thought provoking, however. The gown had an elegant yet dangerous cleavage lookout zone which he politely tried to avoid at all costs. It was black leather corseted at the waist. The bottom half of the red wine gown was soaked in the water.

Van dismounted from the golden stallion and waded into the river. He tripped several times in his haste and when he was finally close enough to touch her, he just stood there watching her tentatively. Her eyes moved up and down his body, her smile widening. She seemed to be waiting for him.

He crouched before her and cupped his hands around her face. "Is it really you, Hitomi?"

She nodded and laughed softly. "I'm here in person, aren't I?"

He joined her and kissed her forehead soundly. "Thank the gods."

"You missed me, eh?"

"Yea. I did."

She smiled again.

"Did he . . . he didn't hurt you, did he?" Van asked hesitantly.

"No."

"You've been lodging somewhere?"

"Yes. I've been staying with an elderly couple for nearly a week."

"I see. Will you take me to them? I'd like to thank them for their hospitality."

She furiously shook her head. "You-you can't. They made me promise not to reveal their location. They don't want people invading their privacy. They only took me in because I accidentally came upon their cabin."

He eyed her warily. "But won't they wonder where you've gone when you return to the castle?

Again she shook her head. "They said I could come and go as I please."

"Oh. What about your belongings? They're at the cabin, no?"

Hitomi smoothed her hands over the dress. "This is all I had with me when I escaped."

Van thought she seemed quite reluctant to take him to the old couple's cabin so he changed the subject. "So how'd you escape?"

A look passed over her and she said in a low, quiet voice. "I'd rather not talk about it."

He studied her. There were no signs abuse shown on her body and she seemed healthy enough. Maybe it was too much right now. After all, knowing Dilandau, he had probably hurt her where the bruises wouldn't show. "It's fine. You can tell me when you're ready."

Hitomi smiled gratefully at him. Van thought she seemed to have mellowed out from the traumatic experience. Perhaps her buff, and sometimes hurtful, vigor would return after a few days. The sun was starting to set. He whistled to his horse and he rode home with Hitomi sitting in front of him. He thought she smelled different too but it was probably because he hadn't been around her for such a long time.

Merle practically bowled Hitomi over as she ran to embrace Hitomi in a crushing bear hug. However, Merle's reaction to Hitomi was much different from Van's. She unexpectedly dropped her hands and her expression was masked with evident mirth and mixed confusion. Van couldn't tell which she was feeling. Merle approached him after exchanging greetings with Hitomi and small talk to the townsfolk.

"Van," she began in a lowered voice. "There's something different about her."

He nodded. "I noticed but after something like that it is bound to change you."

Merle shook her head impatiently. "That's not what I meant. I mean there is something clearly unusual about her. I felt it."

"And you're certain of this?"

"Yes!"

Van frowned. "She seems fine to me. Look, we'll just wait and see if she's on our side."

Merle flashed him a look of annoyance and stalked off into the crowd of people swarming around Hitomi near the palace gates. Van beckoned to Hitomi and led her inside. Merle was no where to be seen. He decided to deal with her later. Right now the only thing on his mind was Hitomi. She stood in the lounge and stretched.

"It feels good to be back."

"Yes, I'm sure it is. Why don't you get some rest? You're room is still there."

She nodded and walked up the stairs as Van watched her. She stopped and turned around. "Will you . . . will you sleep with me tonight? I'm afraid to sleep alone."

Van almost blushed, which was something almost new to him. She had asked him so easily. He would have most likely fainted dead away if he had to ask her that. He raised his hand to his forehead. "Sure, if you want."

She smiled at him and continued her way upstairs. Van followed nervously after her. What the hell was this? He was nervous? He was on the verge of laughing aloud. He couldn't remember a time when he had been nervous. When he entered the room, Hitomi was changing into pajamas. Embarrassed, Van immediately turned around and waited for her to finish. After waiting longer than necessary, just to be on the safe side, he went into the bathroom to change out of his clothes and slip on night pants. He searched in the cupboards for a shirt but couldn't find any. He didn't want her to think he meant anything by sleeping shirtless.

When Van finally exited the bathroom, he found Hitomi lying on the bed. He carefully climbed on the bed and lay as far away from her as possible. He didn't want her to assume he was some horny bastard. After a while, she shifted and placed a hand on his chest. He stiffened. He wasn't sure she was awake or not.

"Guess what, Van?" she whispered.

"What?"

"Did you know I've thought about you every day I was on Vione? Being there made me realize that I had feelings for you. And I think I love you."

Van felt a strange tugging at his heart. He faced her. He knew she was going to say that and surprisingly, he was overjoyed to hear it coming from her. He brushed back a lock of her hair. "I think I love you too."

She smiled sweetly at him. She hovered over him for a second and slowly brought her lips down on his. He had also anticipated this and he kissed her back hungrily. She tasted sweet like honey. His mind wandered to Eni. Eni's favorite delectable was honey. Hitomi's body had somehow crawled on top of his and she was straddling his hips between her legs. Her fingers were clenched around his hair. Van's hands roamed under her shirt and held her tight. Hitomi slipped her tongue between his lips. A soft moan escaped her lips. Suddenly the door exploded open.

"Van!" Merle shrieked, positively aghast. "What are you guys doing?"

Van hastily pulled his hands out from under Hitomi's shirt and gently pushed her off of him. He caught her disappointed expression. "Merle, what is it?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to come in to check on Hitomi," she spat angrily. She was hurt. He could tell. She dashed out of the room. Van got up to follow her but Hitomi held him by the arm.

"Wait, Van. Stay with me."

"I'll come back." He ran after Merle and found her sitting on the steps outside the palace. He sat down beside her but she scooted away. He inched closer only to have her do the same thing again. "Merle."

She turned her head. "Go back to Hitomi."

He laughed ruefully and grabbed her around the shoulders to keep her from moving away from him. "I'm sorry, Merle. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"But it did."

"I know." He wrapped his arms around her and forced her to place her head on his shoulder but not without much struggling. "It just sort of happened. What can I do to make it up to you?"

Merle gave a defeated sigh, ignoring his question. "I still think there is something wrong about her."

"Well, I can tell you that she is much bolder than I had anticipated. She kissed me first." He grinned at her.

She playfully slapped him on the arm. "Gee, thanks for telling me. But I know something's wrong."

"I don't know. Maybe you're just imagining it."

"I'm serious!" Merle frowned.

"Let's just wait it out."

She merely nodded and got up, going back inside. Van returned to Hitomi's room and saw that she was asleep. He quietly slipped out and went to sleep in his own bedroom. For the next week, Hitomi insisted that he sleep with her and he did, but she didn't kiss him again. He began to notice strange habits from her. She was much more aware of her appearance. He had caught her looking in the mirror more than a few times. She had picked up the notion of eating daintily and frequently wiping her mouth after a few bites. She also wore long dresses of dark colors. He didn't let it bother him too much though.

Merle, on the other, seemed to be on the prowl every second. She noticed everything Hitomi did and seemed to be making mental notes to herself. Other than those mentioned above, there was nothing unusual about Hitomi. Merle seemed to have realized that and gradually dropped her guard.

Van was seated in his chair when a servant interrupted him. "Lord Van, Balgus has requested it of you to come down and greet him."

He stood up. "He's back?"

The servant nodded. "Yes, my liege."

"Thank you. You may go." Van hurriedly threw a cloak over his shoulder and ran down the stairs in an undignified way. He entered the hall and found the big man grinning with the rest of the men. "Balgus, you're home."

"Quite right, my dear boy." Balgus stood up and gave Van a warm hug. He grinned again. "You've gotten taller."

"It has been a while. Where have you gone all this time?"

"Oh here and there. Look, I've brought back some rare silks and better military equipment. I also acquired much knowledge, of which I would like to discuss privately with you. It concerns Hitomi. By the way, I heard that she was kidnapped and Eni too."

Van nodded. "Yes, they were. Hitomi made it back safely but she hasn't told me how. I believe she is out with Merle. Shall I have someone bring her home?"

"No, there's no need for that. I'll wait until she returns. Meanwhile, tell me about that wall! It looks as if a murderous lightning bolt struck it. Is everyone all right?"

"Yes, Balgus. We have reason to think that the Zaibach forces may have something to do with it. We aren't sure. There was no evidence around the site. Balgus, Eni is still missing. We've been searching for some time now. If I knew the location of Vione..."

"But you don't," Balgus finished for him. "I suggest we apply my newly obtained knowledge to Fanelia's armed forces in case of sudden danger. How is our dear Allen faring?"

Van shrugged. "He's the same. Not much news about him. But he did say he found scorch marks about a mile away from the blown wall. I'm not sure how that ties in with everything."

Balgus was already turning to the door. "Shall we investigate?"

Darkness cloaked her mind like a heavy black cloud. She knew her eyes were opened but it was pitch black every where she looked. She couldn't see her body. She couldn't feel it either. Her hands where restrained somehow. She couldn't move. Her legs couldn't move. She breathed in deep gulps of air but no matter how hard, she was suffocating. Where was she? Was she trapped in her mind?

She shut her eyes and knew she had been walking in a river. She did not remember actually going into the river . . . she just knew she had. She saw herself kissing Van but she didn't remember that either. She didn't remember how it had felt . . . but she just knew it had happened. She saw glimpses of herself several times, each time a hazy blur. When had she done all those things?

It was then that a chilling fear gripped her. It spread from her chest, extending spidery arms to trample over her soul. Someone must have taken over her body and invaded her mind. But that was impossible . . . wasn't it? No one had that kind of knowledge or technology to pull such a delicate procedure. Who was the other soul inhabiting her body? If she could cry in this lonely, light forsaken pit her tears would have flown until she drowned in it.

Someone save me.

Balgus spent an eternity happily staring at one patch of scorched grass. Van sat under the shade of a large oak tree. His thoughts drifted to Hitomi again. For some reason, he hadn't been as lustful for her as he thought he'd be. She didn't seem to want to come on to him anymore after that night. Maybe she was afraid to upset Merle again. Yes, that had to be it. She didn't even seem to be around him as much as she used to. She didn't even seem concerned about him or Merle. He shook his head. He was being too hard on her. She was still recovering.

"Van, take a careful look at this and tell me what you see."

Van bent over the same spot Balgus had been eyeing for the last ten minutes. "They are burn marks?"

"No, Van. Look closely at it." He pointed to the shape the burned grass made.

He raised an annoyed eyebrow. "It looks like a giant bean."

"Yes! That's what came to my mind too."

". . . and that would be vital because?"

"Someone, or rather something, was definitely here."

"Obviously. Okay, Balgus, what's your point?" Van slouched against the tree again.

"These prints were made by Guymelefs and not just any, but by Zaibach Alseides. I've seen enough to recognize them any where," he said grimly.

Van straightened up. "Can you make certain of that? After all, I don't want to make assumptions and have a whole army of Zaibach fleets raging our country. As Allen once quoted, 'To provoke your enemy by sheer ignorance is a hazardous action.' Which I have interpreted as, 'Better safe than sorry.'"

He laughed a loud thundering sound. "Of course I'm right. But I advise we build up our defense now before we are too late. I'd rather have an army ready than lie like a bunch of dead logs."

"Makes sense to me, I guess. Balgus, I've been meaning to ask . . ."

"Ask me what, boy?"

"Hey, watch who you're addressing, old man."

They laughed. Balgus sobered up and said, "Well, what is it?"

Van thought for a moment. "Can you observe Hitomi for me?"

"Yes, I can but why? You trust her, I presume?"

"Yea . . . but lately, I've noticed . . . things about her I've never noticed before."

Balgus looked a little concerned. "Well, sometimes that happens. She has been gone a long time, no?"

"Yes, but so have you. You seem the same to me though."

"Hah! Don't make me laugh, boy. I've only been back for an hour or so. You expect to notice strange conducts of mine so soon? Just wait a couple of days. You're bound to see the difference."

"I hope so," Van said softly.

Dilandau sat on top of a roofed bungalow under the shade of a hovering Floating Fortress. A smile curled on his lips. Good girl, you made it. Folken's ingenious scheme had proved its worth once again. The damned Madoushi men would have something to ponder for a while now. He wouldn't be the center of attention anymore. Poor little Hitomi. He almost—almost—felt sorry for her. He tried to imagine what she would be thinking right now and nearly laughed. His thoughts would never match her newly experienced relinquishing fear.

He was fairly used to the fear by now but once in a while his fear would flood fresh and searing. He could not understand why Reinse despised his albino skin so much. Sure it was sensitive to the sun's UV rays but what was so horrible about that besides sun burning easily? He could deal with that. He just couldn't deal with the constant experimental procedures. He was injected with unearthly fluids only to lie motionless and on the verge of death. His skin nearly melted off his body from untested acids. Some genius thought that would change the texture of his skin. It took him a long time to recover from the severe burns, and thanks to Folken's blend of rare herbs ointment his skin miraculously healed without any trace of scars. It was as if the goddess of beauty was on his side. He scoffed. As if he believed in her.

Well, Hitomi . . . do you like where you are right now? Do you enjoy the feeling? I have felt it for so long . . . I think it has become a part of me.

He had only looked in on Hitomi once the whole interval of three months. He felt an extreme pity for her. The blood transfusions had taken a lot out of her, instigating a second nature in which she slept to and fro from the fragile balance of life. He had felt a stir of anger as he watched the Madoushi perform the procedure but he didn't want to risk his own very much violated soul. Perhaps, under better circumstance, even he, Dilandau Albatou, the unabiding, often cruel soldier of perfection . . . yes, even he might have saved her.

A/N: This here marks the end of chapter 9. How'd you like it? Don't you feel sorry for her? Give me your opinion when you review! This chapter took a while . . . at least to me it did. Well, I'm getting my own computer soon, at least I hope I am, and I'll be able to produce more and more chapters! Wheeeee, I'm getting so excited. My own computer at last!