Hitomi felt reliefed of hearing Van say those three words.
Her body still ached but Van some how brought comfort and tenderness.
They hugged and embraced tightly then Van pushed away and smiled. "We'd better get you inside before you catch a cold.."
Hitomi smiled. Van had always been protective of her and she felt honored.
Van continued to smile as they walked back to the castle. They entered
the main room where everyone was eatting. She looked down, a bit guilty from running off.
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"Hitomi! Van! Your back!" Allen smiled cheerfully. "I hope your feeling better Hitomi, now come on you guys need to eat and fill your stomachs!"
"Lord Van!!" Merle squeeld. "Look at all this food they've prepared for us!" she gobbled down rice cakes.
Hitomis eyes widened and so did her mouth, "Im so hungrey!" Van turned to her, "Well sit down and eat." Hitomi smiled sweetly at Van and walked over to the table, sat down by Merle and began choosing things to eat.
Van grinned and turned around, heading for the door. "Lord van? Where you goimg?" questioned Merle. "Im going to practise, Merle."
Merle nodded and continued eatting. Hitomi blinked as she looked at Van walk out.
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Van swung the sword at the air. He repeated this task until he heard a sound behind him. "Van..?" It was Hitomi.
"Oh its you" Van sheathed his sword and stepped down to where she was standing. "I see your practiseing more then ever" Hitomi said with a sharp smile.
"Yeah well you never know when they might attack again..plus Dilandou got away and he's probably hitching up another plan to get you. But no need to worry Hitomi I will protect you." Van stared at the crest on his sword.
Hitomi smiled. "Van could you..I mean.." Van looked at her, "What is it?" Hitomi looked down with a shamefull look. "Could you teach me about swords? I know Im not much use in battle but if you teach me then I can defend myself."
Van smiled lightly. "Sure." He gave her an extra sword and went behind her. He put his arms around her and put his hands over hers to show her how to hold the sword properly.
Hitomi blushed. "Okay you hold it like this and aim it at your opponent. With your special skills it will be easy for you to sense all around you so your lucky." he smiled as he stepped a bit away from her.
"Now swing in front of you aggressively." Hitomi nodded, with a small sweat drop on her head. She swung it and is clashed to the floor. "o_O Um Van..I think its a little too heavy for me ^^;;" She bit her lip.
Van smiled again, "Dont worry, maybe hand to hand combat will work out better for you."
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Hitomi nervously stood about 10 feet away from Van. Her hands in fists and in a fighting position.
"Dont worry I wont hurt you" Van said before setting her up in a fighting style. Van looked at her, no stared at her with a serious look on his face.
Hitomi gulped. "Van..I" "Hitomi, dont let your guard down. If I swing at you use your reaction and block it okay?" Hitomi nodded still slightly nervous.
Van ran towards her, swinging a small punch at her. Her eyes widened and she put her arm up, blocking it. Van stood in front of her and smiled. "Not bad. You did it." Hitomi opened her tightly shut eyes and looked at her arm which was up.
o_o "Wow thanks Van." "Yes but now its getting a little late. We should go in and get some sleep." Hitomi nodded and walked beside Van, going into the castle, not knowing something
watching them from behind a rock. Hitomi slowly turns her head back and she looks around. Van stops and looks at her, "Hitomi you coming?" Hitomi shook her head and nodded.
"Yes Im coming" she smiled.
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Dilandou was looking out from behind the rock. "They're they go Lord Dilandou." one of Dilandous troops said.
"I know." Dilandou said coldly. "We'll wait until they are all a sleep then we will sneak in and kill her once and for all." Dilandou rubbed his hands evily together smiling.
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Allen and Millerna sit up from the table. They both walked out with a sly smile on each of there faces.
The others had sweat drops on there head. "Well I can guess where there headed" Merle said with a sly grin on her face. Dryden laughed, "Yeah me too."
Allen's troop were still drinking and eatting. Merle then stood up and yawned "Im out. Seeya, tell Lord Van I said good night!" She ran off.
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Hitomi and Van stood in front of Hitomis room. Van lightly bowed to her. "Good night Hitomi" he gave a faint smile. Hitomi then walked towards him and softly kissed his cheek and smiled softly.
"Good night Van" she turned around, opend her door and shut it quietly. Van smiled and walked to his room which was a little ways from Hitomis *of course*.
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Hitomi stripped herself of the dress and pearls, etc and put on a light night gowen. She peeled the blanket back from the bed and quickley got under the sheets and snuggled herself in.
Van on the other hand just sat on his bed looking at the crest on his sword, and about his brother. I shoudlnt of killed Folken Van thought.
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Dilandou stood outside of the castle, talking to his men. "I have changed my mind. Lets raid the castle. Kill as many of people as you can. You four come with me to kill Hitomi Kanzaki. Ready? Lets go!" a strike of lightning striked in the background.
Dilandou had about 20 skilled warriors with him. They burst into the castle with torches, swords, etc. A maid saw them and screamed. She ran away but one of the warriors grabbed her hair and pulled her back.
"Good night sweety." one of the ruthless warriors grinned and sliced her throat. Blood spewed everywhere and they laughed. They continued to kill the servants, guests, etc.
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Hitomi dashed out of bed and opened the door, she stood in the hallway as she listend to the screaming and yelling. She put her hands on her cheeks and shook her head, "No.."
Van ran out of his room to see Hitomi. He ran to her, "Hitomi whats happening?" Hitomi stared out, "There coming for me Van.." Van scowled. "Stay here." He ran down the hallway towards the screaming, yelling. etc.
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Van entered a big room where he saw the guards trying to fight Dilandous troops but they were too skilled. Vans eyes widend and his mouth hung open. "No stop it!" he yelled and unsheathed his sword. A couple of the skilled
troops dashed at him, he blocked with his sword and slashed there stomachs. As they fell to there knees and pushed them down. As Van was fighting four warriors and Dilandou snuck behind him into the hallway. "You two go down there and you come with me. Search for a tall girl, with short dirty blonde hair and green eyes."
They nodded and ran off, as did Dilandou and his troop.
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Allen and Merle came into the scene of the big right in the main room. Merle looked for her Van and found him, "Lord Van!" she scampered to him. "Merle! Get Hitomi and get out of here now!" Merle nodded and ran to Hitomis room.
Allen unsheathed his sword, "Ready Van? Lets do it!" Allen swung his sword, attacking a few warriors. Millerna then came down with her medical supplies. "Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed and ran to some wounded guards, trying to heal them.
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Merle ran down the hall only too see Dilandou and another soldier looking frantically around. She knew they were looking for Hitomi. Merle silently scampered behind them in a secret passage way.
She knew all the ways of the castle, since she lived there most of her life. She ran down a dark hall then out andopened a secret door and ran out. "Hitomi!" Merle yelled. She was bundled up in the corner of her room.
"Hitomi come on!" Hitomis eyes were wide and she didnt blink or move. She was scared. She was thinking about what Dilandou had done to her and how much pain she went through. Merle slapped Hitomi across the face, "Listen!! We've got to get you out of here now!"
Hitomis eyes glissend as she held her cheek, she then nodded and followed Merle out the secret door and Merle closed it silently behind them. "This way!" Merle exclaimed as she ran on her hands and feet. Hitomi ran, following her.
They came out the other secret door and ran to the main big room where they saw fighting, swords clashing, yelling, screaming etc. Hitomi gasped. Merle then tugged on Hitomi's night gowen. "Come on Hitomi we've got to get out of here!"
They ran down the stairs and started running to the exit when a big man stood in front of them. "Where do you think your going pretty lady." He laughed and grabbed Hitomis hair. Hitomi cringed and murmured, "Let me go!" She remember what Van told her about reactions and she lifted her knee up and slammed it
into the mans crotch. He groaned, letting go of her and he fell over, holding his crotch. Merle did a sly grin, "Woo Hitomi! Now lets go!" Hitomi smiled proudly and
ran out the door with Merle. The others, still battleing Dilandou's troops.
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To be continued.......