Rated: T just in case…

Author's Notes: First I need to say sorry I thought I had posted the chapter long ago….! It seems I got it finished but never uploaded it so here it is… hope you like it. The next chapter is about half done so it should be up pretty soon.

Wow Thanks again for the reviews It's great for people to actually enjoy twists and wait for their resolution!… Sorry again for the delay but here we go …Please leave a review! It would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Hitomi carefully tried again to slip out of his grasp without waking the sleeping King. After several failed attempts she finally managed to slip out of his grasp and out of the bed. She sat on the edge watching him get some much needed sleep. Hitomi chuckled as she remembered how he tried to be so careful earlier keeping his distance waiting on hand and foot. He was so worried that she was going to pass out or something…but after her bath became their bath when she pulled him in that all changed…She smiled at the memory as she brushed his hair back and kissed him on the forehead before getting up.

She walked to other side of the room and paused, staring at the small chest on the dresser of the far wall. She walked over and opened the small chest and smiled at the familiar sight. Escaflowne's energyst seemed to sparkle as if calling to her. Hitomi reached out and ran the tips of her fingers across the energyst. It was cool to the touch and had an almost slick feel as she rested her whole hand gently on energyst…

The flood of images and emotions were not something she had experienced in several years. Hitomi blinked several times as the vision faded. She took several steps back and looked down at her hand as she flexed her fingers…Rubbing her hands together she smirked slightly.

"I see so that's where all that came from…" she mumbled to herself.

Hitomi glanced at the clock as she dressed thinking this should be really fun and hopefully give her some peace it was a win, win in her book. It was still early in the evening as she left the room making her way to other end of the royal wing. She paused at the door deep in thought for a moment then smiling as she remembered that Marcus would be at the garrison this time of night. Knocking softly on the door she waited for a response…

The door opened and something Pink and orange wrapped around her in a crushing hug.

"Can't breathe…can't breathe Merle…." She gasped.

"Oh sorry" she replied as her grip loosened…

Hitomi felt the Neko begin to shake and sob…

"I am so, so sorry I had no Idea he had left it out…I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you…how could I ever face Van again…Van would not let anyone in…we didn't know you were awake until earlier this morning….Can you ever forgive me…" she rambled.

Hitomi pulled back and wiped her tears away and smiled "let's go in and talk".

"Van said you had a really rough time of it…" sniffling as sat down.

"That's an understatement…it seems that my power may have amplified the effects. It was so real to me…but" she paused in thought for a moment. "I believe some of it may have been caused by my own insecurities".

"What do you mean" Merle asked?

"It's kind of hard to even say but…" Hitomi tapped her chin as if deciding if she should proceed.

"Can I ask you something…ummm…something kind of personal" Hitomi asked nervously?

Merle tilted her head "sure, I guess so…"

"This is kind of hard to ask but here goes..." she began as she let out a breath before continuing. "Has anything ever …well you know…happened with you and Van over the years" she asked cringing slightly?

Merle sat motionless as one of her ears unconsciously twitched…

Merle blinked several times and swallowed hard

Hitomi raised an eyebrow…

…"WWWhy would you ask something like that" Merle stuttered?

"Merle" Hitomi called softly.

"I am sure I don't know what you're talking about" she replied looking away.

"Merle" Hitomi again called softly.

"How did you find out" she replied in a low voice as she looked back?

"You know visions and all…so what happened exactly…" Hitomi asked again.

Her ear began to unconsciously twitch again and she looked away.

"Well" Hitomi stated…

"Hitomi this is really embarrassing do we really have to talk about it" she replied softly as she covered her face with her hands.

"Merle this is important can you please just tell me" she replied.

"Fine…Fine like it would be possible to hide anything from the girl who has visions of the past and future…" she mumbled. "It was about a year after you left. We were in Freid for some trade conference or something I don't really remember. Van had been in a bad mood for a few days something about a fight you two had; he was all grumpy and seemed so distant. There was a party on the last night and Allen brought some vino from his private stock. We all had a little too much to drink that night" she paused. "Do I really have to do this" she asked hopefully?

"Yes now please continue" Hitomi replied in a firm tone.

She let out a sigh "I still had the delusion that maybe there could be something between us and figured thanks to that damn vino tonight would be a perfect chance to make a move on him. I decided to sneak into his room…He had passed out by the time I got there so I slipped into bed with him" she paused shaking her head. "I watched him sleep for a little while and started to feel so guilty. I felt like I was betraying you, Van …everyone so I had decide to leave when he grabbed my hand. He begged me not to go as he pulled me in close as he ran his hand across my cheek and through my hair. I was so close I could smell the alcohol on his breath just before he kissed me. I froze not really knowing how to react but my body kind of went on autopilot" she replied blushing as only a neko could. "He pulled away and told me how much he had wanted this and how he wished he had not waited to so long. I couldn't even think, it …it was what I thought I want to hear but then it all changed" she paused and let out a breath.

"What do you mean" Hitomi asked not sure if she was ready for the answer.

"That's when he called your name" she replied looking away. "Van wanted it to be you, hell he thought it was you…He professed his love his desires everything his heart held for you to me. I couldn't get out of the bed and out the window fast enough. I was so ashamed and felt so stupid…he doesn't even remember any of it as far as I know. I guess he thought it was a dream or something" she stated.

"Thank you or telling me it really helps" Hitomi replied with a slight smile. Her second vision had let her see most of this but she was still relieved by Merles' confirmation. "My catnip dissolution was similar but much more umm intense and a lot worse I guess you could say… it was really a wild ride".

"Catnip" Merle asked raising an eyebrow…?

Hitomi chuckled "never mind. The real version is ummm much better than the dream, vision umm nightmare I had, if you can believe it".

"Wow" Merle replied cringing slightly. "I guess I'll just take your word for it. You are not going to tell him are you" she asked in a nervous tone.

"No of course not, it will be out secret" she replied with an honest smile.

Merle returned her smile and decided to change to a less humiliating subject.

"So I was wondering how you got back to Gaea this time? Van has your necklace and I thought an energyst of some kind was needed for the pillar of light" she asked?

"I guess not have as all I had one of Van's feathers and that seemed to do the trick" she replied with a smile.

Merle chuckled and shook her head. "I was hoping you would come by earlier" Merle stated with weak smile. "The little one is sleeping so can't meet him properly".

Hitomi nervously looked from Merle to the nursery and back.

"Is it ok if I just take a little peek…I have missed so much" she stated looking hopefully at the neko.

"Of course but if he wakes up you have to take care of him until he falls asleep again…deal" Merle replied pointing at Hitomi.

They walked into the nursery as Hitomi stayed several steps behind still fearing the kit would come flying across the nursery with wings like Vans'. She let out a breath as she looked down at the sleeping kit taking note that he had Merle's markings but his father's silver coloring.

"Merle he is just adorable" she whispered he looks like both of you…

"Yea and his little wings are so cute" she replied with smirk watching Hitomi's reaction while trying to stifle a giggle. "That's for making me tell you about that night you jerk" she stated as she continued to giggle.

"I …I… ok, ok good one but um it looks like YOU woke him up" she replied trying to muffle her own giggle.

"You think it's funny" Merle shot back as she picked up and handed Hitomi the now fussy kit.

Hitomi took the little bundle cradling him close to her as she looked down at the tiny little neko. He quickly calmed down as his blue gazed locked with her emerald green one. Hitomi gently rocked the kit as he eventually began to drift back to sleep, much to Merle's surprise. She placed her hand on Hitomi's shoulder as they watched the little kit sleep.

"Showoff" merle whispered…

The time for their return came as they prepared for the trip back to the mystic moon.

He placed a hand on her shoulder "it's time…are you ready" he asked?

She placed her hand on his "as long as you are by my side I am ready for anything. We will be able to stay four days correct…one to relax I guess, one for the rehearsal and the next for the wedding and one more to relax before we have to return".

"Yes then we will finish up our own preparations" he replied with a smile as he picked up their bag.

"You don't think I'm over dressed do you" she asked as she ran her hands down her long gown. I guess I do have some other clothes I could pick up if I need to…"

"You look beautiful just as a Queen should" he replied.

Hitomi giggled as she pinched his arm "I hope it all goes smoothly" she stated

"It will all work out I promise" he replied as the Pillar of light descended and with the soft rumble and low boom they were gone.