A/N: This was a fast update this time since i had this chapter wrote by time i got 2 reviews... please enjoy since i like this chapter a lot myself

Chapter 9 "A Fools game."

Hitomi found herself staring at a 19 year old Folken sat in his private chambers writing at the large, dark, wooden desk. He was distracted from his work by a knock on the door.

Folken lay down his pen and slowly rose, walking to the side of the grand table.

"Enter." He said in an all too familiar tone.

The door opened slowly as Ri walked in, she closed the door and stood slightly to the side. Ri stood in the stance of all soldiers when called before their superior – up straight hands behind the back.

"You asked to see me Lord Folken?" Folken smiled slightly.

"Yes… You leave for your first mission in a few days I believe?" He walked closer to the young assassin.

"Yes Lord Folken."

"Please call me Folken…" Ri lowered her gaze. Folken now stood only inches away from her. The once prince of Fanelia placed a warm and gentle hand on her cheek slowly moving her head so she looked him in the eye.

"Then I wish you the best of luck." Said Folken in an almost whisper.

Ri's eyes widened and her body tensed as Folken lent in to kiss her. Ri was stood right up against the wall her palms touching the cool wood which lined the lower half of the study. As their lips touched Ri held her breath from shear shock, never had she been kissed before.

Hitomi watched as Folken stepped back allowing Ri's body to relax, Folken's hand still resting on the pale cheek of the very surprised assassin. He slowly moved his thumb across her lips as she stood there staring straight at the young sorcerer.

"Take care." He whispered. Folken smiled and walked back to his desk.

Ri stood watching him as he sat back at his desk and continued his work.

"Erm…" Folken looked up at the blushing young woman, "why… why did you?" Ri bit her lip, her gaze was turned to the floor as the sorcerer's eyes examined her actions.

There came another Knock on the door, though this time they waited for no answer and entered taking a step back as they noticed Ri stood in the room.

The young man that had entered was none other then Garf, Hitomi noticed he did not adorn the scar on his face.

"Ri!" exclaimed the very surprised assassin.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Folken was still sat at his desk, from his voice Hitomi could tell he knew the man, and was annoyed with him for entering.

"Yes… I was told that I had to inform you that I; would be Ri-Sama's escort on this mission, considering her age and everything it is necessary that she have one."

Hitomi saw how Garf looked at Folken, there was something between them that created friction; she figured that Folken was not Garf's superior and that he was aware of Folken's feelings towards Ri and that he did not approve.

Hitomi lay on her small bed, in the small cabin room on the temporary crusade ship (since the other one suffered a lot of damage) thinking of the dream she had had.

She was going to tell Van about the dreams whilst they were still at the castle but with everything that had happened, it had slipped her mind. Now it would be harder to explain.

Hitomi sat up and made her way out of the small room; she stood at her door considering which direction to go in as she had forgotten which way led to Van's room. She looked down the right; then the left, she remembered that Dilandau, Garf's and R's rooms were to the left and made a guess that his was in that direction also.

As she walked down the hall she heard voices coming from one of the rooms, the door was partly open so she peered inside. In the room she noticed Ri was sat down, Garf stood leaning against the wall.

"It's been along time Ri; I see you haven't changed much apart from the haircut." From the sounds of things they had just started the conversation.

"Yes. Do you like it?" Ri stood and advanced towards her fellow assassin. "Of course you do, I bet you love it, just like you love me." She was closer to Garf now as he stood against the wall his eyes focused on Ri.

Ri rested her head on Garf's chest as he held her in his arms; Hitomi had not noticed how tall Garf was before. The female assassin pulled back slightly and laid a gentle kiss upon his lips. Hitomi saw how Ri slowly ran her hand down his side moving towards his pocket, as she released the kiss she pulled out a key and held it clearly in her hand to show him what she had done.

"Someone needs to be keeping an eye on Young Dilandau." She said with a smirk, she turned to head out of the door, Hitomi just managing to move without being seen.

Before she left she said one more thing, "It's nice to see you haven't changed either Garf. Still playing A Fools Game." With that she left the room walking into Hitomi, she stopped for a second and shot her a cold glance, then walked down the hall to Dilandau's room. Hitomi watched Ri until she had the strange feeling someone was stood behind her, she turned slowly and jumped slightly when she saw Garf looking down at her.

"How long were you stood at the door?" He asked plainly.

"Erm… I-I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Garf smiled and shook his head, just like a caring father thinking his wronged child was hopeless.

He had his hands in his front pockets as he strolled back into the room, to sit down in front of a bottle of wine; he casually poured himself a glass and rested his feet on the table.

"Is there something you wanted?" He asked Hitomi who was still stood in the door way watching.

"Huh? Oh! Erm… What did Saki-san mean by 'A Fools Game' I didn't quite understand." Hitomi walked slightly more into the room, and then sat down beside the red-haired assassin; he offered her a glass of the wine he was drinking as he poured himself another drink.

Hitomi shook her head. "'A Fools Game' is what Ri calls love," He downed the drink in one gulp. "She says love is a game that it doesn't mean anything." He sat forward in his chair. "She can seduce any man, and ultimately 'Fool' them into believing that she loves them in return. She's probably going to try it out on that Schezar guy; he's just the right type."

"So you're in love with Saki-san? And she doesn't love you, but I saw her kiss you; how can she kiss someone like that and not love them?" Hitomi thought back to her own kiss, her first kiss from Allen; it had meant something between then but it wasn't love, she loved Van perhaps it was the same for them.

"Forget what ever you're thinking Ri only cares for herself and the kid." By kid he must have meant Dilandau as they were a good six to eight years apart.

Hitomi noticed how sad Garf seemed as he talked; she thought it must pain him so much to know that Ri was only playing with him, like his heart was nothing but a toy.

"You know, I haven't known Saki-san for very long and I don't really understand your relationship with her but, I think she must care about you in some way or else she wouldn't bother playing these mind games with you. She would just ignore you." Hitomi looked up to find that Garf was actually listening to her but he soon scowled at her and went to leave to room.

"She does it because it entertains her; and occupies her time." He stopped as he reached the door way. "Oh! And by the way I wouldn't call her Saki-san if I were you. She hates it; and you haven't made a good name for yourself eavesdropping on our conversation."

"I was only trying to help." Hitomi mumbled, but he had gone.

Hitomi managed to locate Van in the end and was about to tell him about the dreams, but they were interrupted as the ship flew over the Chatal Mountains and the capital came into sight.

Disclaimer note: I do not own Escaflowne or anything related with it…But Ri and Garf are my own characters.