Hi. Well review time! AIW: Thank you for the review and I'm glad that my errors doesn't disturb the story for you. XIX UNCREATIVE XIX: Thank you for the review and that's a really good suggestion but what could Van do to Hitomi that would make her slap him, I would put the example you put but that would be stealing. FITZ20: Thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you like my fanfic and I know how long you take to upload I mean I have been reading your fanfic, A Sylphe's Journey. Thanks to all that reviewed now let's get on with the damn thing.





Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. How many times must I tell you! *Starts banging her head on the wall. *





Hidden Wing



The Journey





Hitomi and Elise were packed and ready to go. They were to leave at dawn but neither of them were able to shut their eyes. Elise was spending the night at the castle to make things easier when dawn arrived. And like Van said, when they announced that they were going to Aklon Merle wanted to come and Folken was going to be in charge during his absences. Of course it wasn't just those four who were going to travel to Aklon. Kado was coming because he wanted to help (A/N: And protect Merle.) and Yukari and Amano were coming because Hitomi was their friend and in their dictionary friends stick together. Besides they were bored out of their minds, and no way were they going to pass up an opportunity like this. Hitomi wish dawn would arrive and quick but unfortunately it would be a few hours until that happens. Hitomi had no choice but to fall asleep, it would be easy for her if she didn't have the fear of having a vision when she dreams. But Mr. Sandman had his way and soon Hitomi fell into the familiar dark slumber.



*~*~*~*~*~*



(Allen's Fortress)



Mamoru, like Hitomi, was having problems sleeping. He had found out earlier that Allen's younger siblings; Dilandau and Celena would accompany them. He really didn't like the idea but when he saw the determination in their eyes he knew that no matter what he'd do it would never make them change their mind. Mamoru was wondering what Hitomi looked like now, he wished that when he had communicated with her he would have been able to see how she looked now. But he guessed he would have to wait until they arrive at Aklon.



*~*~*~*~*~*



(Dawn)



Elise quickly woke Hitomi up, which surprisingly wasn't hard like it usually was. 'Must be cause she wants to get to Aklon so bad.' Elise guessed. She watched Hitomi go behind the screen and change. Hitomi and Elise quickly rush down the stairs and to the stables. The others were waiting for them on their horses already. Elise got her horse, which Hitomi put in there last night so it'd be easier for her while Hitomi got Wind Blade. And so the 3 Fanelians, 2 Asturians and 2 Aklonians were off. Hitomi couldn't help but smile because 1. She was going to have another adventure like when she was younger 2. She was finally going to be reunited with her brother and 3. She was away from those damn advisors. She looked at Elise who was probably gathering all her will power just to not speed off leaving the rest of them in the dust while she rush off to see the man she loves again. Elise was wearing a navy blue shirt that was made out a rough material with a white collar and it's sleeves only reaching her elbows. She was also wearing black breeches and black boots that reached her knees.

"Don't worry Elise even if we don't get there first, Mamoru will wait for us." Hitomi whispered. Elise sighed.

"I know Hitomi but I just can't wait to see him again, after all I did spent 13 years thinking you guys were dead." She whispered back. Hitomi smiled at her.

"Hey Hitomi what was Aklon like, you know before the whole fire incident." Merle asked loud enough so that Hitomi could hear her from where she was.

"I guess similar to Fanelia in a way but I don't remember too much of it since I had to leave when I was only five." Hitomi answered.







*~*~*~*~*~*



(The Crusade)



The Crusade had already lifted off and was going towards Aklon. Mamoru was looking out the window watching the scenery pass by. He looked at Dilandau who was fiddling with his sword. He must be waiting for some action. He noticed that Dilandau had a lust for battles but it was the love for his brother and sister that kept him in check and from going insane with it. He had also noticed that Celena had some feelings for one of Allen's men. 'I think Allen called him Gaddes.' Mamoru thought. Unexpectedly the boy asked him a question.

"Who are you going to fight against, Mamoru?"

"The people who destroyed my homeland." he answered.

"I know that, but do you know where these people are from, like if they're Cesarians, Asturians or something like that."

"I'm afraid I don't know, why do you ask?"

"Because it's best to know which county is against or with you, so when you seek refuge you won't get killed." Dilandau answered. Mamoru had to agree with him on that. He looked at Allen who was looking at a map.

"How long do you think it will take us to get there, Allen?" Allen looked up at him.

"Probably two days or so." The captain answered. Mamoru nodded and leaned against the wall. He might as well get comfortable since it's gonna be a long trip.





*~*~*~*~*~*



Hitomi and the rest were already out of the boundaries of Fanelia and from the looks of it, it would probably take them three days to get to Aklon. Van was leading the group, which Hitomi thought was wrong because it was Elise's and her homeland one of them was supposed to lead the group. But when Hitomi was about to protest against Van leading the group when Elise stopped her. 'Listen Hitomi, I know you don't like it but it isn't like we've got a choice, he is a king after all.' Her words still rang in her mind. Van was really pushing it. Hitomi gritted her teeth as she glared at his back. God how much she would love to punch his lights out. Elise saw this and whispered. "Calm down Hitomi, we're already going to have a war coming up we don't need one starting here."

"Sorry Elise, I wouldn't be doing this if he wouldn't get me so angry." Hitomi whispered back as she visibly calmed down. Elise just shook her head. Luckily the others didn't seem to notice what they were doing. They all continued their way towards the long forgotten country. Yukari and Amano would always be glancing at each other now and then. Kado tried to keep his eyes on the road and on Merle at the same time.

"Hey Hitomi what did your brother look like before you left your homeland?" Van unexpectedly asked her.

" Long pale white hair, light green eyes, tall and a muscular form." She quickly answered forgetting her grudge against him. Van nodded at her then continued their way on.



After what seemed like an eternity the sun was beginning to set and the group had gained a good distance between them and Fanelia. The group was soon in a village where they stayed at an inn. They only rented two rooms one for the girls and one for the men (A/N: guys hate it when they're called boys.). Hitomi was sitting on her bed looking out the window, Merle was filing her nails, Yukari was reading her book and Elise was fingering her dragon necklace. Then Elise looked up and asked, "Hey is anyone else hungry?" Yukari put down her book and said.

" I am."

"Same here." Merle replied. Elise looked at Hitomi.

" What about you, Hitomi?" Hitomi looked at her.

"Yeah, I guess." Elise smiled and went to order food. When the food arrived everybody sat down and ate to their heart's content. After she ate, Hitomi felt very tired so she pulled off her gloves, boots, and belt then she went to bed. Soon the other girls followed. The men were still awake a little longer before they went to bed. Amano was thinking about things, Kado was messing around with his dagger and Van was downstairs in the library reading a book. (A/N: Amazing, he reads!)



(The next day)



Hitomi was the first to wake up. She put on her gloves, boots and belt back on as she straightened out her hair. She was walking downstairs when she passed the library. She couldn't believe what she saw. Van was in a chair, with a book on his lap, sleeping. She carefully walked over to him and picked up the book. She placed it on a table that was near to them. Then she reached out a hand to wake him up but then before she could even touch him he grabbed her hand. To her surprise he pulled her towards him and Hitomi found herself sitting on his lap. She noticed that Van was half- asleep and half awake, so if she ever got out of this mess he hopefully won't remember anything. Van cupped her cheek making her look into his half- opened eyes, his thumb caressing her lower lip. Hitomi was worried about what was going to happen next. Then Van's eyes fully closed as his body went back to its slumber, which was uncomfortable for Hitomi because his head was lying on her chest. She carefully pushed Van's head off her and got off of him. Then she quickly rushed to the kitchen and got a cup of water, and then she went back to the library and threw the water in Van's face. Needless to say he woke up. "What the hell was that for." He shouted.

"Well you wouldn't wake up and be quiet this is a library." Hitomi answered with a smirk playing on her face.



AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Done with another chapter and I'm sorry if it isn't like my other chapters my head's a little fuzzy at the moment. Anyway what do you people think of the chapter, please answer. Well gotta blaze, see ya.





Sereneblaze