OoOoOoOo The Vision of Escaflowne: AU oOoOoOoO

Vision XXVIII: The Mystic Valley Part II

Blue, 22nd moon

The road is snowy. There is nothing here except for the barren wastelands of this neverending winterland. There's nothing here…nothing. It's cold. The fire in this cave grows weaker as my lips are blue. Through all of my research, there's nothing here. And yet…I am left with questions that are unanswered. Does the Mystic Valley exist? Or is it a mere tall tale told for the children?

I must see her again.

I have to see the Chikara Tenshino again. Was she the key to the Mystic Valley?

I don't care…I must see her again.

His hands gripped the book tightly. He bitterly turned the page.

Blue, 25th moon

I swear. I must be going around in circles! Still…I wonder where I could've gone wrong. I wonder why it isn't here…I must be missing something. Still, the libraries of Esto Gaza hold nothing on the legends of Atlantis. What is this power that it speaks of? The power to change fate?

The power of the Chikara Tenshino. Again, back to this girl. Back to Mia.

He frowned.

"Goddamnit, father…" Allen muttered, "You left mother for some girl who wasn't even the Chikara Tenshino. You son of a…"

Mia disappeared before I got to tell her…

"What are you doing in here?"

Allen jumped, dropping the book. Before Hitomi had come in however, he was seated on a barrel in the rooms located in the very bottom and back of the Crusade.

"Is it comfortable back here?" Hitomi joked. Allen struggled to find his words. Clumsily, he picked up the book and shoved it into his pocket, smiling at her.

"Nah, just…needed some alone time. So, how are you? You seem a lot better."

"Yeah…yeah, I am, actually," Hitomi smiled, "Just…kind of watching everything go by. Hey, what were you reading just now? I saw you with a—"

"Oh, nothing. It was nothing. Come, let's get out of here."

"Alright," Hitomi replied quietly, backing out so Allen could move through. She trailed behind Allen, who walked in front of her casually.

"It's good to see you back to your old self again, Hitomi. I was beginning to miss it."

"I'm not quite back to normal yet…" Hitomi sighed.

"What's that?" Allen turned his head slightly.

"Nevermind," she responded quietly. Allen nodded.

"I see."

I know, Hitomi…I know what you're talking about.

"Is Millerna washing your garments? I noticed you weren't wearing your usual attire," he grinned.

Hitomi laughed, looking at her pajamas that she had brought with her in her duffle bag, the fabric printed with purple rabbits and purple pin-stripes.

"Yeah," she laughed, "Well, there was blood all over it, you know…"

Millerna opened the door to the water closet right as Allen came upon it. The door opening suddenly stopped the two of them dead in the hallway, and they watched as Millerna's head came poking out.

"Oh, just the person I want to see," Millerna grinned at Hitomi. She held up her folded default attire, purple skirt and all, sparkling clean. Hitomi smiled, walking forward and taking them from her.

"Hurry up and go change."

Millerna's eyes fell upon Allen. Awkwardly, she filed out and closed the water closet's door, walking down the hallway behind Hitomi, who held her freshly washed garments.

O o O o O

Hitomi buttoned up the last button on the top of her shirt. She flipped her hair with her arms and turned around, opening her door. Her garments smelled fresh and clean, and it was a relief, because they hadn't been cleaned in a month. She had been wearing the same thing, day and night for a month.

A month. Has it really been that long since I came to Gaea? This all seems like a dream…

Her boots began to wear and were slightly scruffy looking, but she was walking down the hallway to see Van. A slight roar of conversation had traveled to her ears and captured her curiosity as she walked down the hallway.

She looked in the doorway of the room where they had taken Van. However, he wasn't on the cot and she looked to the crew for answers. In fact, there were only a few crew members inside the room, as if waiting for her to step in.

"They're on that….thing," one of them replied, not finding the right words. Hitomi nodded.

So that's where everyone is.

O o O o O

"LORD VAN! YAAAAAAAY!"

After navigating her way through, Hitomi came upon the small medical bay located after a flight of stairs onboard the ship. She bit her lip, looking at Merle pounce of the young king's form. Hitomi's eyes widened.

His shirt was off, revealing fit muscles along his stomach and chest, and she watched as a hand moved up and ruffled Merle's pink hair. He smiled. There wasn't a scratch on his body. No where. No bleeding, to pain, nothing.

Hitomi looked in back of her.

the legendary guymelef stood, in full recovery. They had replaced a lot of parts, and it looked new, just like she had first seen it. Hitomi looked at Van again.

So you DID merge with it.

"Hitomi!" Allen called. Hitomi walked over, looking at Van, who watched her walk over.

"It's amazing," Millerna smiled, "he's healed! Completely healed!"

Hitomi starred at his form. Van looked at Hitomi. They made eye-contact for a few minutes, but Hitomi didn't give it much thought as she looked away. The hooded Ispano creature hobbled forward, bowing.

Hitomi's lips creeped into a smile.

"Thank you so much," she bowed, "Thank you."

The Ispano ignored her thanks and skipped right to business.

"Escaflowne seeks blood of draconian. Ispano can't garuntee."

Silence.

"W-what?"

"Ispano can't garuntee."

Hitomi stopped short.

Van got up and stretched, feeling better and energized then before. Merle let out a giggle and sat in front of him, looking at her child-hood companion. Hitomi eyed Van's structure worriedly. The talk of the crusade crew muffled out Hitomi's thoughts as she looked at Gatti, who was casually associating with one of the crew. She watched as Allen talked with Millerna about how it was funny that all of the scratches went away.

Van watched Hitomi again. Soon, Hitomi looked back at him again.

She shook her head slowly at him. Van glared at her. Hitomi walked forward, opening her mouth slightly, her hands clasped and against her chest.

"Van? Please…be careful when you pilot Escaflowne…'

"I won't let anything happen," he replied bluntly. Hitomi jumped at his response. Then, an even stronger emotion came over her.

"No," she took back her statement, "You can't pilot Escaflowne anymore!"

Silence. The extra conversations stopped as all eyes starred at Van and Hitomi.

"And who are you to stop me?" he replied coldly, "I know how to handle Escaflowne."

Hitomi jumped on him immediately.

"The Ispano can't garuntee that you'll come back alive! You don't want to go through this again, do you? C'mon Van, be serious! You don't seriously want to get hurt like this again! Please…don't make me go through that again!"

Van turned around.

"I know how to use Escaflowne."

O o O o O

Dalet starred out the window of his dorm, the empty bed that used to be Gatti's was lying off to the side. He sighed, wondering when he would meet Gatti again. His shoulders tensed at the thought of his rival.

His shoulder still stung from where Gatti had sliced him that one fateful night. The night that they had been declared enemies—officially. His thoughts drifted to the young girl, the general that took Dilandau's place. He bitterly thought of her resolve, her personality…if she wasn't careful, Dalet would hurt her. Bad.

Rafina killed Azalea. And there was nothing Rafina could do to take that back. Nothing. She would never be able to pay him back, or do something good. No. Rafina was still this conniving, putrid being that insisted on existing, and Dalet would refuse to take orders from her. He had almost lost it when Rafina made a snide remark about the night that Azalea died.

She joked about it. Like it was a game.

I loved Azalea, he thought bitterly, I loved her. You took her from me, you bitch.

O o O o O

In unison, a pair of women waltzed casually down the hallway. The two of them were twins; they shared each and every feature – with a few exceptions, that is. The first, a sassy and sly grin on her face, had a fairly tan face and cat ears – similar to Merle's – that had a black outlining. There were gold features around her face, to complement the golden cat - eyes that she had.

She was wearing a gold-colored body suit and a cape-like that started on her waist and came down to her ankles. Her boots weren't matching; one was longer and more high up than the other.

The other twin, however, was silver. Silver eyes and silver features made her a distinctly different from her twin sister; she had cat ears and a cat tail, alike of her sister, but a silver body suit. Again, her boots never matched.

They both had daggers at their sides. They funny thing was, was that these daggers were identical to Merle's, save the gold and silver colors of them, respective to each sister. The daggers, however, were slightly longer then Merle's.

They entered a small room with a huge window in the back, a large view of the Gaian plains from the vione.

Rafina leisurely rested in a chair, looking casually at her fingernails. Folken sat off to the side. He smiled at the incoming twins. Rafina looked up, but didn't smile. There was a faint look of skeptics across her face as she eyed the cat twins.

"Nariya, Eriya," came Folken's voice, "You know why you are here."

They smiled, bowing.

"Yes, Lord Folken."

"Your mission is to capture the dragon. Is that understood?"

"Actually," Rafina interrupted abruptly, "Pardon me, Lord Folken, but it seems as though the Chikara Tenshino is of much more importance then your brother at this point, hm? The goddess is of number one priority," she finished. Nariya scowled at the blonde, but turned away. Folken stared back at the twins.

"Erm, very well then. The Chikara Tenshino and Escaflowne. I ask this because it seems as though our dragonslayers aren't getting the job done, you see."

"You can't blame them, Folken," Rafina smirked, while flicking something off of her nails to achieve perfection among the cleanliness of her nails, "the dragonslayers had a very poorly-trained leader. Elite soldiers like them are not to be left with leaders who have mental disabilities," she finished, while putting an emphasis on disabilities. Her eyes flickered at the strategist, who had a faint look of annoyance on his face.

"Nariya, Eriya, you are dismissed."

The cat twins turned on their heels in unison and left, the hissing of the door behind them. Rafina cleared her throat.

"Lady Rafina—"

"That's Lord Rafina," Rafina spat, "Lord, not Lady."

Folken sighed inwardly.

"Lord Rafina, excuse me, but what is the purpose of giving out orders to a special squad that isn't of your command?"

Rafina lifted herself off of the chair and walked casually over to the window.

"You forget that I am of a higher rank that Dilandau, and that I was ordered here by General Adelphos himself," she stated bluntly, "but you act as though I'm a child."

"You are a child."

Rafina turned around abruptly with clenched teeth.

"I am an adult," she hissed, "How DARE you compare me to a child."

Folken sighed, not wanting to push the matter further because of harmless comment that he made the mistake of saying.

"The dragon and the girl have not yet been tracked," Folken said, changing the subject, "we seem to have lost track of them when they left Goro."

"I thought," Rafina started towards the window, stopping a few feet in front of it, "that we had them pinned in Goro."

"It was a fluke. But it wasn't a very good trophy to add to the dragonslayer's resume."

Rafina let out a slight giggle as she turned around, shifting her weight and letting a hand rest on her hip.

"Gatti Lavareil lead to the downfall of that resume."

"Lavariel was one of our best fighters. Not only was it stain to our name, but it was real loss. He was a talented one," he sighed.

"Yes. He's good at concealing people…" Rafina trailed off.

"What are you talking about?" Folken had an odd look in his eye. There was a wiry smile upon her pink lips that came across her face. Her eyes shut, trying to remember the memory of her first encounters with Gatti. Folken had looked at Rafina intently. It was seem as though Rafina somehow knew Gatti before he even became a dragonslayer.

"I mean," Rafina said, turning around, "that he hid the last of the NOIR syndicate from us…"

Folken furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"What?"

"He found that girl – Azalea. He and his friend Dalet were responsible for concealing her from authorities."

"Azalea?"

"Azalea was one of the last NOIRs," a wicked grin formed from ear to ear, "but I took care of that real fast."

"So Gatti Lavariel, Zaibach's finest soldier, and his companion, Dalet Meridian, were responsible for a conspiracy crime?"

"It was a miracle the two of them were allowed to be apart of Zaibach after betraying it's empire," Rafina went on, "but I suppose they looked past that and wanted to take the both of them in because they fought well."

"I remember that whole NOIR fiasco," Folken reminisced, "but it ended with Azalea."

"Where do they suppose the goddess is located?"

"They're believed to be heading North of Goro, though no further confirmations have been made. Are the dragonslayers on call?"

"Like always," Rafina grinned.

He's going out there to pilot it. He's going out there to freaking pilot that thing. That monster. Escaflowne was once the protector of my life, but it now threatens Van. How does that work?

Hitomi sat on her bed, her head rested upon her hands, negative thoughts pouring into her mind. She was a wreck, not sure what do with herself. Van was in trouble, and he was being a stubborn jerk as usual and not taking her word for it.

If he doesn't take my word for it, then he will die. Van will die if he doesn't listen…

For a minute, Hitomi supposed that he knew, and that even though he knew, it never changed anything. He still wanted to pilot it, the memories of his fallen kingdom still lingering in his mind.

I've got to try and talk to him. Just one last time.

Hitomi wearily lifted herself off of her bed in her cabin and opened the door, walking out into the hallway and closing it behind her. She walked down the hallway towards the hanger, when she could see the Crusade men, making repairs to the Crusade, as usual. Van sat alone by Escaflowne, looking at it proudly.

Hitomi stiffened. She walked to the staircase that led down into the hangar and approached the boy carefully.

"…Van?" she said silently. Van's movements shifted and he turned around to face Hitomi.

"Can I help you?" he said simply. Hitomi looked down and to her side, trying to find the right words.

"Are you okay?" she asked, but quickly regretted it. What a dumb thing to say. Of course he's not okay…

"I'm alright Hitomi, there's no need to worry about me anymore."

No need to worry about him anymore.

The thought was almost appealing to Hitomi. No more whining, or crying over the whereabouts and welfare of Van. And through everything, the more she felt anxiety for him, it seemed as though, by some sort of fluke, that something bad would happen to him.

In fact...that happens with everyone…doesn't it…?

"Why are you here? To tell me that I shouldn't pilot Escaflowne?"

Hitomi gulped. Of course that was why she was here, why else?

"Yes," she said firmly.

There was a strange silence between the two of them.

"Van, I know you want to do it because you feel like it's your duty, but—"

"It is my duty and I intend to keep that duty. Do you understand me? I will take revenge for Fanelia. And the only way I can do that is through Escaflowne," he said, an insane tone almost running in his words, "Do you understand?"

"Van," Hitomi looked at him strangely, "What is wrong with you?"

Van didn't answer.

"You changed. I don't like that change, Van," Hitomi said, almost in a pleading tone, "I don't like this new Van that Escaflowne morphed you into…"

Again, Van said nothing.

"Escaflowne morphed you into something that was much different from the Van I knew – and was starting to really like – just a few weeks ago. I thought you were getting better," Hitomi whispered, a small smile on her face, "like we were actually friends that would talk to each other. You were opening up to me."

Silence.

"It was something Merle never thought you would ever do, but you did."

Silence.

"Now look at you…" she said, her voice quivering, "…you're back to your same old self. You aren't telling me things…I don't want you to keep them bottled up inside of you, so please, just—'

"And who said that YOU weren't keeping things from me?"

Van snapped. Hitomi drew back, almost in shock.

"You're a damn hypocrite! You always keep things from me! So why should I give you more pain to worry about! Do you know how much it frustrates me when you're upset?"

You worry about me…when I'm upset?

"Damn it, Hitomi! You know that makes me pissed! Why should I waste my time bothering you with my problems when you've got your self to worry about? You don't know that I worry about you!"

You worry about me?

Van's fierce eyes gazed into hers.

"I think about you all the time! I wonder if you're sad! I wonder if you're happy! I wonder if you're angry! And you think it's going to help if I tell you everything? I want YOU to tell ME everything! I GIVE a damn about you!"

You…wonder about my feelings?

There was an awkward silence.

Hitomi took a few steps in the backward direction, bound to run away.

"Hitomi…I…."

Her pouty face turned around and ran back up the stairs, flailing the whole way.

"I didn't mean it to sound like that," he whispered, in defeat.

O o O o O

Hitomi wasn't sure how long she wept. To her, what seemed like hours was only minutes, but sometimes it seems like forever when you're depressed. She turned her head, still plopped on her pillow.

"Why me?" she muttered, talking to no one in particular, "Do you…really care about me?"

Hitomi starred blankly at the wall.

Do you…

Hitomi's pendant was glowing faintly. She put her hand to her chest to feel the small gem on her chest. It was warm.

"My pendant…"

"DAMNIT! YOU SON OF A—"

Hitomi blinked. She sat up, turning her head towards the direction of the shouting. There was lots of shouting, what sounded like two voices. There was a friendly laugh. Hitomi perked her ears up, walking towards the door, and creaking it open slightly. The voices were now out in the open.

"DAMNIT, DRYDEN!"

Hitomi knew this to be Allen's voice. Dryden was the one who was laughing. Confused, Hitomi opened the door and closed it behind her, walking towards the Crusade's Bridge.

"What's going on…?" she quietly asked herself. She stood in the threshold on the bridge, watching the scene unfold before her eyes. Hitomi stared, wide-eyed, her mouth open a little.

"DAMNIT, DRYDEN, GIVE THAT BACK, YOU SON OF A—"

"Allen, please, control yourself!" Millerna had two hands to his chest, slightly pushing him back. Dryden laughing, flipping through what looked like a book. In fact…

Hey! That's…

"Allen, I saw you reading a—"

"It was nothing."

That's…Allen's book! I saw him reading that in the cargo rooms below! Why is that so important to him?

"What's going on?" Hitomi's voice chimed in. Everyone went silent, and all heads turned towards her.

"Um," Millerna started, but Dryden interrupted.

"Perfect timing, Hitomi!" Dryden said, a bright smile on his face, "You know what this is, don't you?"

Hitomi shook her head. Allen growled.

"Allen's father, Leon Shezar, the infamous explorer who hold the only known records to the Mystic Valley!"

Hitomi blinked. She stared for a while at Allen, who was looking away, and look of annoyance written all over his face. Millerna bit her lip, looking back and forth between the two males.

"Uh…where did you find that?" Hitomi nervously giggled. Dryden grinned again.

"Well, Allen obviously had it…"

"More like you stole that from me!" Allen muttered angrily. Hitomi cocked her head.

"The Mystic Valley?"

Hitomi furrowed her eyebrows.

"The Mystic Valley…"

Dryden frowned, looking at the features upon her face.

"Does this…sound familiar to you?"

"Yes…it does…" Hitomi said, in a distant voice that made Millerna and Allen both turn their heads, "It does…"

Silence.

"Guide your strength as you see fit…our secret lies in that of the Mystic Valley," Hitomi whispered. Dryden blinked, an insane grin growing on his face.

"YOU CAN READ ATLANTEAN?" Dryden exclaimed. Allen whipped his head around, looking at Hitomi. Millerna starred wide-eyed at the jade-eyed girl. Hitomi starred downward, the wheels in her brain turned furiously. Hitomi was thinking.

"THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS ON THE SEAL OF GODASHIM!" Dryden yelled. Millerna turned, angry.

"DRYDEN WOULD YOU SHUT UP FOR JUST A SECOND? QUIET!"

Millerna rushed over to Hitomi, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Hitomi?" she said quietly, "What are you thinking?"

"Millerna…you know…I'm acting…strange…right?" Hitomi said breathlessly. Hitomi's pendant glowed a faint pink. Her face became pale and discolored, "You know…I'm…not…feeling…my…best…"

Millerna starred at her.

"Hitomi? Are you alright?"

"When I'm angry…you know? When I'm angry…I…something very strange happens to me…"

Allen starred intently at Hitomi. He walked casually over to listen to her thought process.

"When I'm angry…I feel…so…powerful…"

"Guide your strength as you see fit…our secret lies in that of the Mystic Valley," Hitomi repeated herself, "The Mystic Valley, Millerna. That place holds…all of the answers…to my behavior, I mean!"

Allen and Millerna watch Hitomi curiously. Dryden blinked, almost dumbfounded at the scene unfolding before him.

"Van was right when he said the seal was affecting my angry, powerful fits…"

"But they're growing stronger, Hitomi," Allen put a hand on her shoulder, "It's getting out of control."

Hitomi looked up, tearfully.

"What is this feeling?" she asked, shakily, "Why do I feel so…"

Hitomi's pendant glowed brightly, enough for Millerna and Allen to take note of it.

"Allen, her pendant is glowing…" she whispered. Hitomi put a hand on Millerna's shoulder, almost trying to keep her balance.

"Hitomi, sweetheart, are you okay?" she whispered. Hitomi nodded shakily.

"I feel so strange right now…"

"Orange, 22nd moon," Dryden read, "There is snow everywhere I look. It's been cold for a few days now. Northern Gaea must have been colder then I imagined. By my research must not be off."

Allen looked back furiously.

"DO. YOU. MIND?" Allen shouted angrily. Hitomi jumped. Never before had she seen Allen act so violently over something so small…or was it really small in his eyes? What was the leather book, anyway? A diary?

Hitomi looked out the Crusade's windows. The environment was quite peculiar. In fact, it was just like Dryden read. The Crusade was indeed sailing through northern Gaea. Snow covered the ground, and mountains with perfect snow caps surrounded the area.

"The Mystic Valley is near," Dryden read on. Hitomi could feel Allen's anger radiating from him, "But I must see that girl—'

"ENOUGH!" Allen roared, and stormed angrily out of the room. Hitomi jumped at the sight of Allen marching through the threshold. Millerna turned to look at Hitomi, who starred worriedly after him.

"What's going on?" Hitomi whispered, "Why is he acting like that?"

Hitomi walked away from Millerna's grasp and walked after him, seeking to find out the mystery behind Allen's strange behavior.

"But I must see that girl…?"

O o O o O

The door hissed as Folken entered the room, and hissed again as it closed behind him. A slight buzzing sound filled the room, and the image of Emperor Dornkirk appeared on the screen. Folken nodded in respect towards the Emperor of Zaibach. Dornkirk greeted him.

"Folken," he gruffly said, "a strange dream came to me the other night."

Folken cocked his head in interest, wondering where Dornkirk was going with this thought.

"…My lord?"

There was a slight pause.

"I dreamed that a wonderful, tremendous power was in my hands. Because of the goddess from the Mystic Moon, you see. However, it was strange. I felt myself grow weaker and weaker, and when I finally came to, I made the realization that…the dragon and the girl were the source. But why the dragon, I wonder? Why is it that whenever the come near, there is a strange but powerful sensation the destiny prognostication engine gives off?"

Folken furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out what it was that Dornkirk was saying.

"The destiny prognostication engine has located both the dragon and the girl. However, they are some place sacred."

"Sacred?"

"They are within miles of the Mystic Valley, a place that I was never able to find in my earlier days of life."

"The Mystic Valley, My lord? Does it really exist, like they say?"

"The Mystic Valley, I discovered, could only by opened by the goddess herself. Her importance to this empire is vital, Folken. If they get to the Mystic Valley before we do, I don't want you to try anything."

Folken nodded his head, almost understanding what Folken was getting at.

"If we can get that girl – Hitomi – to open the gate to the Mystic Valley, then all we need to do is get to the gate when it's open."

Dornkirk paused, almost in silent approval.

"They are north of Goro, currently."

"My lord?"

"Yes, Folken."

"What is the connection between the Chikara Tenshino and the destiny prognostication engine?"

A smile small – a rare sight – came across Dornkirk's face.

"You will see in due time, Folken. All in due time."

O o O o O

"SLAYERS ASSEMBLE!" Rafina roared. She turned around, looking at the young boys filing in, one by one, kneeling and at attention. Dalet couldn't focus. He was lost in the thoughts of his mind, Rafina's roaring fading as it hit his eardrum. He stood up as instructing, watching Rafina pace back and forth to brief them on their upcoming mission. It never changed.

"Dilandau isn't here anymore," Rafina added, "And he won't be for a while. Don't think that just because I'm female, that I'm any less dominant that General Adelphos, is that clear?"

Dalet gritted his teeth. It was too hard for him to set himself down and try to force himself not to launch himself at Rafina with all he had. The memories of Azalea were too strong for him. Maybe that's why he felt like he had to hurt Gatti.

"Dalet," Rafina sharply spoke. Dalet jerked his head up at her.

"You are in charge of the dragonslayer division until further notice, is that clear? You're heading out to North of Goro, coordinates 13° North and 45° East."

"Yes ma'am."

Rafina turned her back for a second. Chesta chimed in.

"Lord Rafina?" Chesta's quivering voice came, "Where is Master Dilandau?"

Rafina was silent for a few seconds. She let out an aggravated sigh.

"He's ill," Rafina snapped, "We've been through this. I don't know that you even want a horrendous leader like him, anyway—'

"HEY!" Miguel shouted. Rafina turned her head, almost shocked that Miguel had the guts to even speak like that to a high officer.

"Dilandau is more of a soldier then you'll ever be, you pathetic woman!"

Dalet winced at his comrades sudden outburst. But deep inside, he wanted to cheer him on so badly. Rafina waltz over to him and her fist met his face dead on his cheek bone. Miguel staggered back, letting out a yelp of pain as he did so.

"I do not tolerate insubordinance, you fool," Rafina hissed, poison dripping off of her words, "you dare talk back to me in such a tone, you will have your salary revoked and you will be stripped of your title as dragonslayer, is that clear?"

Miguel smirked.

"Hell, I'd rather go join Gatti that listen to you, you son of a bitch."

Dalet looked away, biting his lip.

Rafina punched him again. Miguel feel to the ground.

"Not so tough now are you, my little boy?" she spoke sarcastically.

"Who gave you permission to throw around my dragonslayers like that?"

Rafina turned to the figure standing in the doorway.

"Dilandau Albatau," she smiled, "a pleasure."

"A sickening sight," he spat, waltzing casually in, "Who gave you permission to order around my dragonslayers?"

There he was, in the flesh. Though something was off, he still had his leather jacket on, though unzipped, revealing the laced, lavender shirt underneath. His tiara shinned proudly at each step he took. To the slayers, he didn't look anywhere near ill.

"Lord Folken. You can refer to him for further details. The dragonslayers are know under my command, is that clear?"

"Is that clear?" Dilandau spoke sarcastically, almost mocking her, "You pathetic woman…"

"Dilandau, you forget that I outrank you."

"That doesn't change anything," he spat bitterly, "this is my chain of command."

"Not anymore," Rafina said loudly, "You'll do wise to step down, Dilandau. You've been deemed incompetent and therefore you've been replaced."

There was an eerie pause that made everyone in the room shiver slightly. Dilandau's eye twitched insanely as he watched Rafina roll the last word off of her tongue.

"You can't replace me," he hissed.

"It's too late, Dilandau," Folken came into the room, "you've been disbanded from your position until further notice. General Adelphos believes that Lord Rafina will do a more sufficient job."

Dilandau let out angry roar.

"YOU FIENDS!" he shouted, "THESE ARE MY DRAGONSLAYERS!"

There was a moment in time where Dalet wished anyone would replace Dilandau. There were times that he was so annoyed with his leader that if he wasn't careful, Dalet would stab his sword right through his back. But there was strange, unyielding allegiance to this so-called leader, like Dilandau fueled his revenge at the world.

The world? Dalet thought dully, Is that where my revenge lies now? Am I just out to take my anger on anything? Maybe that's why I'm a dragonslayer. Because I'm angry at Azalea. Because Azalea left me.

Gatti…where are you when I need someone to talk to on a rainy day?.

O o O o O

I remember reading those Tarots cards a month ago. The reading about Allen. About his parents. I remember he had stopped me short and I thought he was mad at me. But really, his past is a tender subject. I think I'm about to find out why.

"Alle—AH!"

Hitomi crashed into a male who was walking down the same hallway. Hitomi looked up at the blonde.

"You should pay more attention," Gatti looked down at her thoughtfully. Hitomi giggled.

"Sorry," Hitomi apologized, "Say, do you where Allen went to?"

"Can't say I've seen him. Why?"

"Uh, I wanted to talk to him about something."

"Speaking of which," Gatti looked to the side strangely, like he was trying to find words for this thoughts. Hitomi could almost see the wheels in his head turning rapidly.

"Are you okay?"

"I…have…something…to…tell…you…" he muttered. Hitomi blinked.

"Huh? Oh, Gatti, can't it wait? I'm really busy right now. I'm sorry, I'll talk to you later, I promise. If it's about the Mystic Valley, I think I've got this whole mystery figured out," she went on excitedly, "If we can just find the Mystic Valley—"

"It's not about the Mystic Valley."

"Oh," Hitomi said dejectedly, "Sorry."

"It's alright."

"I can't talk to you right now, though. I've got to find Allen. There's something really important that I have to talk to him about."

"Yes, but I have something important I want to tell you, too…"

"It's going to have to wait," Hitomi repeated herself, "Gatti, it's important, I have to talk to Allen."

Hitomi gently brushed past the ex-slayer to find her father-figure. Gatti brushed his hand past her arm, almost in mid action to stop her from going. He looked after her, watching her walk down the Crusade's hallway.

Can't that wait? I want to tell you now…

O o O o O

A/N: So, if you haven't already figured out that Gatti is in love with Hitomi, then you are a COMPLETE DUMBASS. Just kidding! I love you all! Alright, so how about that. Took me a while, but I finally finished Chapter 28! Chapter 29 will be exciting, I promise. I'm almost through this boring Atlantis-Allen's-past-stuff, and then we'll get into some interesting stuff…dealing with Hitomi's silver eyes… XP But you'll just have to wait until then! Stay tuned!

Reviews:

Jossi-31: Wai! 3 Thank you so much for reading, even after I took forever to update. Thank you for reviewing!

Inda: Bah, I tried, but failed! Sometimes, the words just don't come as quickly as we want them to and sometimes, it results in long updates like this. >. Sorry! Thanks for reading and reviewing, though!

Macky: Thanks for reading!

Aoi Dragon: YAY! NEW READER! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! 3 Well, you'll just have to keep reading and see what happens!

whitetiger0809: Oh, thank you! I could always use some encouragement now and then. I'm glad you enjoy this! I hope you keep reading!

Sakuya Kaleido: YAY! NEW READER! I'm so glad you enjoy this! I'm glad it's your first esca fic, too! 3 Thank you for reviewing andI hope you keep reading!

Until next time-

- (c) FullMoonBunny, September 19th, 2005