Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.....unfortunately *glares at the creators who she has tied up and gagged in a corner*....
Dedication: To all who love me and my stories, and also to those that I love. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! *blinks* No, wait! Don't run away....*lip trembles* I didn't mean it THAT way....*begins to cry*...meanies...
~*~Chapter 3~*~
*~*If only he could love her one more time.....*~*
Thunder rumbled again in the far distance. The window panes on the small house shook slightly and Isabella shrieked. Hitomi looked over at her daughter and smiled lightly, " Honey.... nothing's going to happen. It's going to be alright. The thunder and lightning can't get us if we stay inside... ", she whispered in Isabella's ear.
Van cocked his head to the side and watched as mother and daughter smiled at each other. This was making him mad. He didn't know weither to go and strangle Allen or just leave it as it was, considering the situation was getting a little bit worse.
Hitomi looked over at Van and frowned deeply, " What? "
Van blinked and looked at her. He loved the way her hair slipped from it's place behind her ear to slide across the silky skin of her cheek. Her soft sea-green eyes sparkled in the light of the fire that crackled with life to her side, " Uh, nothing... I was just thinking. That's all.... nothing to worry about... ", he assured her lightly as he lowered his gaze from her face to the ground.
If only he could love her one more time.....
Hitomi's lips went together in a straight line and she sat back in the cushioned chair that she was sitting in. Isabella jumped from her chair and climbed up onto her mother's lap, resting her head against Hitomi's breast, using it as a pillow. Hitomi wrapped her arms around her daughter and gently stroked her silky hair and closed her eyes.
Van sighed heavily and then closed his own eyes as he leaned back in his own chair. Hitomi opened an eye and watched him. Watched the way the muscles in his cheeks relaxed, making his handsome face turn into the boyish one she remembered him having when he was only just a teenager.
' What should I do? Should I go back to the castle or should I stay here.... with her? ', Van thought in confusion as he sighed lightly.
Isabella's small pink lips opened as she yawned. She closed her eyes and slowly drifted off into a light sleep listening to the sounds of her mother's heartbeat in one ear and the fire crackling in the other. Hitomi opened her other eye and glanced down at her sleeping daughter.
Hitomi shifted in the wooden chair and it creaked against the floor as she stood up with Isabella in her arms. Van opened his eyes at the sound and looked at her, " Where are you going? "
" To put her in her bed... ", Hitomi whispered lightly, trying not to awaken the little girl.
Van nodded and stood up. He walked over to her and gently plucked the child from her arms. He placed her small head against his chest and cradled her body to his as he held her in his strong arms. Hitomi opened her mouth to protest, but Van shot her a look to not even bother with it.
Hitomi sighed heavily and then wrapped her arms around her chest, " I-it's alright.... I'll show you to her room... "
' How about your room? ', Van thought in amusement, but shook his head, trying to clear that thought.
Hitomi cocked an eyebrow, " What? You want me to do it then? "
Van blinked, " Huh? Oh... no. It's alright. I was just thinking of something else.... "
Hitomi snorted lightly and brushed past him to walk up the stairs. Van followed her in silence, holding his daughter carefully in his arms, loving the feeling of holding something that came from him. Hitomi stopped in front of a door and silently pushed it open. She walked into Isabella's room and went to sit down in the wooden rocking chair that was in the corner.
Van looked around the small room and then gently laid the child down onto the bed, brushing some of the soft black curls away from her cheeks. He reached over and silently draped the light pale blue blanket over the small body before turning around to face Hitomi's tear streaked face.
Van walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. He gently grabbed her hand in his and tenderly rubbed the top with the pad of his thumb, " What's wrong, Hitomi? Please.... tell me... "
Hitomi sniffled lightly and reached up to wipe away the tears, but Van reached up and gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand down onto her lap. He pulled her up as he stood up and wrapped her in his strong arms. Hitomi sniffled again and rubbed her face into his chest, " W-why are you here? ", she whispered lightly.
Van smiled lightly and held her close, " I couldn't leave you.... not again... ", he whispered back against her hair.
Hitomi sniffled and then broke down into tears again. Lightning flashed in the skies and lit up the entire room. Thunder followed closely and the windows trembled again. Van sighed lightly and pulled away from Hitomi to hold her out at an arm's length.
Hitomi looked up at Van through her tears and then looked down at the ground. Van reached out and placed two fingers under her chin. He tilted her face up and looked down into it. Hitomi looked at him and a nervous chuckle escaped her lips as he bent down and tenderly kissed her tears away.
" Come.... I think it's time we put you to bed... ", Van whispered as the kisses on her cheeks trailed down her neck slowly, leaving trails of fire in it's wake.
Hitomi swallowed and shook her head, then leaned it back as she closed her eyes, loving the feeling of his soft lips on her skin, " I... I don't think that's such a good idea, Van... ", she whispered as she felt his hand slowly slid over her stomach and then go around her back to press the small of her back towards him.
Van's tongue flicked out and teased Hitomi's neck lightly as he gently nipped at the flesh. He then reached down and scooped her into his arms, keeping his mouth on her neck the whole time as they left Isabella's room to slowly and quietly make their way down the hall towards Hitomi's room.
Van opened the door and then kicked it closed as he entered the room. He walked over to the bed and gently laid Hitomi down onto the softness of the mattress. She looked up at him and shook her head, " No, Van.... t-this isn't right... "
Van looked into her eyes and shook his head, " Was it right the night of that dance? "
Hitomi blinked and then sighed lightly, " It still isn't right, Van... not now... not ever.... "
Van sighed lightly and gently grabbed her wrists as she brought her hands up and placed them against his chest to ward him off. He brought them up and over her head as he climbed onto the bed and straddled her hips gently beneath his. Hitomi looked at his face and then squirmed underneath him as she felt his arousal rub up against her body.
" V-van.... please... ", Hitomi pleaded in a trembling voice.
' You know you want him again... ', something whispered to her in the back of her head.
Van looked at her and then bent over, lowered his mouth to her ear, " Hitomi... please. Don't leave me hanging... ", he whispered.
His warm breath flowed over her ear and down her neck, sending shivers through her body. She bucked her hips against Van's, " Leave you hanging? You're the one who left me hanging, Van! ", she reminded him.
Van's tongue flicked out and teased her earlobe as he gently guided it in his mouth and sucked on it softly. Hitomi bucked her hips against his again, " Van! "
Van lifted his head and looked down at her, " What? "
Hitomi blinked and saw the same look that burned in his eyes. She had seen the night of the dance; desire and hunger. Hunger for her, that is, " We can't do this. It isn't right for you to be here..... with me too, or Isabella. "
Van sat up and released her wrists, but he didn't got off of her, " Explain to me, Hitomi... why isn't it right for me to be here? "
Hitomi lifted her upper torso and sat back on her elbows. She looked up at him, " You're going to get me and Isabella killed, Van... "
Van lifted an eyebrow and then plowed a hand through his hair, " I'm not getting you, Hitomi.... how am I going to get you and Isabella killed? "
Hitomi shook her head, " It's rather hard to say.... and I'd rather not get into it... ", she muttered as she turned her head to the side and looked at the shelf of books against the far wall.
" Hitomi! ", Van nearly shouted in disbelief. " Don't go and keep things from me... "
Hitomi turned her head back and looked up at him, " And if I plan on doing so? "
Van sighed and slowly got off of her to move away from the bed, " You have to tell me, Hitomi. In case I need to protect you from something or someone... "
Hitomi sat up and hugged her arms to her stomach, " I don't need you to protect me, Van. I'm very capable of taking care of myself and Isabella. I've only been doing so for the past four years.... remember? ", she pointed out lightly.
Van flinched from her words and took a step towards her, " Hitomi.... please. I said I was sorry about that.... "
" And I said that sorry wasn't going to cut it this time.... "
" Hitomi, why do you have to be so hard-headed? "
Hitomi cocked an eyebrow and stood up, " Me? Hard-headed? Van Fanel! You have nerve of calling me hard-headed when it's you who's being the hard-headed one... "
Van cocked his head to the side and studied her expression of anger. He suddenly chuckled out loud. Hitomi lifted an eyebrow and then crossed her arms over her chest, " What's so funny? I don't find any of this funny! "
Van walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her slim waist. God how he loved this woman, " Hitomi, please....just explain it all to me....I'm here to listen... "
Hitomi placed her hands flat against his chest and pressed her ear to it as well, " V-van.... you can't stay here. You're endangering me and our child. You can't do this.... "
" Then let me listen.... "
" Alright.... "
Van smiled and gently rubbed her back, " I'm listening.... "
Hitomi swallowed and nodded slowly, " Well...after you left, Allen suggested that I moved in with him, because I was so distraught over your death and everything, like finding out I was pregnant with Isabella. After I was settled in properly, Allen and I started to get along really well... personally TOO well in my opinion... "
Van blinked, " E-excuse me? You too got along... too well? Would you mind going into that subject? "
Hitomi shook her head and reached up to gently rake her fingers through his hair at the back of his neck, " No... not just yet. It just didn't make any sense to me... or even Allen... "
" What didn't? "
" The fact that Allen received a letter in the mail explaining that if I didn't either kill Isabella, or give her up for adoption then they would come and kill her themselves, along with me if I didn't listen and did as I was told... "
Van pulled away from her and held her out in front of him, " Kill you and... Isabella? I won't allow it, Hitomi! Never will anyone lay a hand on you or even my own child! I swear, I'll die trying to protect the both of you.... "
Hitomi smiled lightly and gratefully, " Thank you, Van. I really appreciate and so does Isabella... but, while I was staying with Allen... something happened to him about two years after your disappearance... "
" What happened? ", Van asked, not wanting to fear the worst for the older man.
Hitomi bit her lip, " He disappeared as well... in the middle of the night, and never returned the next day. After that, Isabella and I had to move out of his castle in Asturia and we decided to come here.... "
" Why didn't you even bother to come to the castle? You know Merle was there.... "
Hitomi shrugged lightly, " I... I don't really know. In a way I was a little pissed at you for breaking your promise to me... "
Van quirked an eyebrow, " P-pissed? What does that mean? "
Hitomi smiled, " It's another meaning for being really mad at someone or something... or even about... ", she explained.
Van nodded, " Oh.. I see now... "
Hitomi nodded, " Yeah.... but when we came here, we met Rutha and she decided to take me and Isabella in for awhile. But then her house was burnt down and we gathered a bunch of people to help build a new one for her and us. We still can't figure out who caused the fire though... ", she added as she bit her lip.
Van reached out and gently tucked back a loose strand of hair, " Don't worry... it's all fixed now.... ", he assured her.
Hitomi shook her head, " N-no... it's not... ", she whispered fearfully.
Van knitted his brows together, " What are you saying? What do you mean? ", he asked as he searched her face.
Hitomi looked up at him, " The terror isn't going to end, Van. Something bad's going to happen to us again... I can feel it.... oh no!! ", she practicaly wailed as he jumped away from him.
Van looked at her, slightly confused, " Again? Hitomi... you're hiding something from me... I can see it in your eyes. Please.... "
Hitomi looked at him and shook her head as tears came to her eyes blurring her vision and her glimpse of Van as she was cloaked in complete blackness. Van voice called out to her, but she didn't respond, she couldn't respond. She was back in time, she had to be....
She was tied clumsily, yet tightly to a tree with a thick and wide trunk. She could feel the crude, rough rope cutting into her wrists and into her ankles as she watched with wide, fear filled eyes as the hooded figures advanced on her, bearing torches in their hands and strange looking weapons in their other hand.
Hitomi swallowed thickly and tried to scream out, but the gag that they had stuffed in her mouth was stiffling her cries and pleas of help. She looked around nervously as the villiagers standing behind the hooded figures, watching her with evil looks deep down in their eyes.
The sounds of ripping and tearing were heard clearly to Hitomi's ears. A sudden draft of the cool air of the night caressed her semi naked body as she laid tied against the tree, her legs spread, her arms over her head. They even had a rope around tied around her neck.
Hitomi closed her eyes as tears of shame and embarassment coursed down her cheeks to land on her bare breasts that were peaked from the cool air. She shivered lightly as one of the hooded figures walked right up to Hitomi and ran a hand along her bulging stomach.
Into her seventh month. That's how far in she already was. The hand slid up to grasp her left breast and squeeze the nipple hard and harshly. White fluid flew through the air, but was quickly brought under control as a metal cup bearing Fanelia's symbol on the handle was placed under her breast to capture the fluid that seemed so precious to them.
Hitomi winced as she felt other hands on her body. She still wore her slip, but her top part of the dress she wore was gone and she couldn't find it anywhere as she tried to scan the crowds without scraping the rope up against her neck. A muffled cry of pain escaped Hitomi's mouth as she felt something hard and jagged bite down onto her right nipple.
Crimson and white mixed together as one as they both were placed in a metal cup. Hitomi closed her eyes against the hungry stares of the people around her. This wasn't right for them to be doing! Why weren't they doing this to the young girl about the age of seventeen who was standing in the front of the crowd, watching her with her violet eyes that burned with an unknown passion, her long blonde swaying to the side with the gentle movement of the wind.
Images flashed before her eyes as pain engulfed her body. Images of him.... her angel....
A shuddering sigh suddenly escaped her lips as he body trembled once before she slipped unconscious, still feeling the ice cold hands over her breasts, her stomach that held her baby, the jagged teeth that had bitten into her breast. It was all there to haunt her, and it still has always haunted her.
The entire scene changed though... the hooded figures were replaced with pink and sea-green lilies that grew proudly in a large field that stretched on and on, forever and forever. Hitomi noticed the change in the air and her eyes snapped open. She blinked and whirled around to look for anymore of the hooded figures.
She found none.
Hitomi sighed a long breath of relief as she sank to the soft grass, hugging her arms to her stomach. A light hand on her shoulder startled her and she snapped her head up to gaze into beautiful sea-green eyes like her own. Small black curls encased an angelic face that beamed and shone with proudness.
Proudness for what? For whom?
" Why are you sad? You shouldn't cry... momma always told me that crying could give me wrinkles at a VERY young age... ", the young girl of fifteen gentle spoke as she reached out to smooth back Hitomi's blood stained bangs from her forehead.
Hitomi blinked and looked at the girl, " W-who are you? ", she asked as she stood up, still hugging her arms to her stomach.
The girl blinked her sea-green eyes at Hitomi. The soft angelic features slowly changed into those of a man. Nicely chiseled features, caring, deep reddish-brown eyes replaced the soft sea-green ones. The curvy body of the young woman quickly changed into that of a powerfully and well built man who had fought many battles in his life.
" V-van? "
The man blinked his eyes at her and frowned deeply, " How dare you call me that!! Bow, peasent! You should call me Sire, or your Majesty... not this... Van!! ", he shouted at her, his eyes igniting a deeper flame at he spoke each word.
Hitomi flinched and backed away from him, " I... I won't do anything... just leave me alone! ", she cried out at him as she turned and fled quickly.
The man was utterly outraged at her courtesy for him, a King! He chased after her, matching her speed easily, even beating her to the edge of the cliff. Hitomi looked at him, beads of sweat rolled down her face as she tried to breath deeply.
" I said go away, Van!! ", Hitomi warned him as he took a step towards her.
He shook his head and was on her in one long stride with his long legs, " I'm not going anywhere. This is atrocious! How dare you not call me Sire! You shall be punished for your many crimes... ", he suddenly added.
Hitomi's eyes went wide as she felt Van's hand on the top of her dress. He suddenly pulled down hard and the dress was ripped from Hitomi's body. Hitomi gasped and brought her arms up to cover herself from his eyes.
" V-van!! Don't! Think about this first... "
He smirked as he stared at her body, " Oh... I shall have fun with you, little vixen... oh yes... ", he whispered ina dangerous, husky tone as he reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, pressing her nude body to his fully clothed one.
Hiotmi shook her head and began to pound her fists against his chest, " Van Slanzar de Fanel!! If you don't let me go, I'll -- "
" You'll what? There's nothing you can do, vixen... you're going to be punished. Every since my wife died I've always been a little lonely... ", he whispered at her as he lowered his face to her ear and trailed his tongue along he jawline.
Hitomi swallowed and struggled against him, but the more she struggled, the more he crushed her frail body to his powerful one. He suddenly reached out, grabbed her chin, brought her face around to face his, as he brought his mouth down to hers and thrusted his tongue through her lips before she could protest or even close them.
His tongue was everywhere inside her mouth. His hand snaked up her front to firmly grasp her breast and knead it harshly. Hitomi whimpered against his lips as hot, wet tears slid down her cheeks. She forced herself to return the kiss even though she knew that this wasn't the real Van that she knew.
He then quickly forced her to the ground, following her quickly, pressing his body to hers, squashing her between his muscles and the ground. Hitomi groaned in pain of the rock that was digging into her back. He pressed her down into it more and a loud cry left her lips against his lips as she threw her head back in pain, trying to gather some air before he wanted more.
' H-hitomi? Hey... hey!! Come back to me.... don't go just yet... come on! Think, Hitomi. Try and get out of it! ', a deep, distant voice shouted to her.
A little jingling sound caused Hitomi to open her eyes, even though she wanted to fall asleep and stay like that for as long as would live. A zipper unzipping followed quickly. The body released her for a second to strip himself of his pants before laying completely on top of her.
Hitomi looked at him and shook her head as she placed her hands on his shoulders - not that it would do anything, " P-please... you mustn't! ", she pleaded.
The man on top of her quickly spreaded her long legs with his knee and positioned himself at her opening. With one quick thrust he was inside of her. Hitomi moaned loudly from the pain and from the pleasure, but it was all too much for her. She blacked out completely.
Hitomi found herself in a strange room. Weird paintings decorated the walls as did multi-coloured rugs that hung from the ceilings. She blinked and looked around as she sat up and ran a hand along her jawline. She then stood up on shaky legs and began to walk around with her arms hugged to her chest.
She was back to normal for the most part. She had her clothes and she still had a large bulge for a stomach. Hitomi silently cursed her grandmother for passing down her special abilties to her. She sighed heavily and stopped suddenly as she heard her own voice echo throughout the entire room.
" ' Quick, Allen run! It's the invisible enemy!! ' "
" ' We... are the descendants of Atlantis.... ' "
Hitomi felt her eyes droop and she swayed to the side slightly. She was going to faint, she just knew it. But why? What was going on that was causing all this to happen? Hitomi's eyes closed completely before she fell back down to the hard ground, a hand over her forehead and the other resting on her now flat stomach....
" Hitomi!! Wake up... ", Van cried lightly as he shook her hard this time.
Tears of frustration blurred his vision and he shook his head. He wasn't going to cry. Not now and definitely not here. Van shook Hitomi again and her eyes snapped open. She blinked a couple of times before looking up into Van's tear streaked face.
" W-what happened? ", she asked, slightly confused.
Van let out a breath of pure relief as Hitomi sat up and stared into his face, " Y-you're crying? Why? ", Hitomi asked him as she reached out and gently wiped away another tear that had fallen with the pad of her thumb.
Van quickly reached up with both hands and wrapped them around her small one. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed her fingertips gently, tasting his tears and her soft skin all at once.
" I was crying for you... "
Hitomi shook her head as she reached out and slid her other arm around his neck, dropping herself into his lap, " I-it was all horrible... just... h-h-horrible!! ", she suddenly sobbed as she buried her face into the crook of his neck and clung onto him tightly.
Van's arms went around her waist and he picked her up in his arms gently and carried her over to the bed. He sat down with her still on his lap, " Would you care to explain what you saw? ", he asked softly as he brushed some hair from her eyes.
Hitomi shook her head, " N-no... just h-hold me.... just hold me.... ", she whispered into his neck as she broke down again, the memory of her haunting time here on Gaea over the past four years still flashed across her mind and she began to cry harder.
Van gently and slowly rocked her back and forth not really knowing what to say or do. The only thing he could do was to stroke her hair, whisper soft, tender, encouraging words into her ear, and kiss her temple everynow and then....
(A/N**: DUN DUNDUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!! What did that "vision" mean? Was the first part really from her past? Or is it just a future siting that she might have to go through AGAIN? What will Van do with her now? What will Van do to Allen if he finds him? Stay tuned for more chaptes from A little touch of Heaven next week... doooodidoooooooooo.....*waves* JA NE!!! whatcha'll think? Tell me what you honestly thought... pwease? )
Dedication: To all who love me and my stories, and also to those that I love. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! *blinks* No, wait! Don't run away....*lip trembles* I didn't mean it THAT way....*begins to cry*...meanies...
~*~Chapter 3~*~
*~*If only he could love her one more time.....*~*
Thunder rumbled again in the far distance. The window panes on the small house shook slightly and Isabella shrieked. Hitomi looked over at her daughter and smiled lightly, " Honey.... nothing's going to happen. It's going to be alright. The thunder and lightning can't get us if we stay inside... ", she whispered in Isabella's ear.
Van cocked his head to the side and watched as mother and daughter smiled at each other. This was making him mad. He didn't know weither to go and strangle Allen or just leave it as it was, considering the situation was getting a little bit worse.
Hitomi looked over at Van and frowned deeply, " What? "
Van blinked and looked at her. He loved the way her hair slipped from it's place behind her ear to slide across the silky skin of her cheek. Her soft sea-green eyes sparkled in the light of the fire that crackled with life to her side, " Uh, nothing... I was just thinking. That's all.... nothing to worry about... ", he assured her lightly as he lowered his gaze from her face to the ground.
If only he could love her one more time.....
Hitomi's lips went together in a straight line and she sat back in the cushioned chair that she was sitting in. Isabella jumped from her chair and climbed up onto her mother's lap, resting her head against Hitomi's breast, using it as a pillow. Hitomi wrapped her arms around her daughter and gently stroked her silky hair and closed her eyes.
Van sighed heavily and then closed his own eyes as he leaned back in his own chair. Hitomi opened an eye and watched him. Watched the way the muscles in his cheeks relaxed, making his handsome face turn into the boyish one she remembered him having when he was only just a teenager.
' What should I do? Should I go back to the castle or should I stay here.... with her? ', Van thought in confusion as he sighed lightly.
Isabella's small pink lips opened as she yawned. She closed her eyes and slowly drifted off into a light sleep listening to the sounds of her mother's heartbeat in one ear and the fire crackling in the other. Hitomi opened her other eye and glanced down at her sleeping daughter.
Hitomi shifted in the wooden chair and it creaked against the floor as she stood up with Isabella in her arms. Van opened his eyes at the sound and looked at her, " Where are you going? "
" To put her in her bed... ", Hitomi whispered lightly, trying not to awaken the little girl.
Van nodded and stood up. He walked over to her and gently plucked the child from her arms. He placed her small head against his chest and cradled her body to his as he held her in his strong arms. Hitomi opened her mouth to protest, but Van shot her a look to not even bother with it.
Hitomi sighed heavily and then wrapped her arms around her chest, " I-it's alright.... I'll show you to her room... "
' How about your room? ', Van thought in amusement, but shook his head, trying to clear that thought.
Hitomi cocked an eyebrow, " What? You want me to do it then? "
Van blinked, " Huh? Oh... no. It's alright. I was just thinking of something else.... "
Hitomi snorted lightly and brushed past him to walk up the stairs. Van followed her in silence, holding his daughter carefully in his arms, loving the feeling of holding something that came from him. Hitomi stopped in front of a door and silently pushed it open. She walked into Isabella's room and went to sit down in the wooden rocking chair that was in the corner.
Van looked around the small room and then gently laid the child down onto the bed, brushing some of the soft black curls away from her cheeks. He reached over and silently draped the light pale blue blanket over the small body before turning around to face Hitomi's tear streaked face.
Van walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. He gently grabbed her hand in his and tenderly rubbed the top with the pad of his thumb, " What's wrong, Hitomi? Please.... tell me... "
Hitomi sniffled lightly and reached up to wipe away the tears, but Van reached up and gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand down onto her lap. He pulled her up as he stood up and wrapped her in his strong arms. Hitomi sniffled again and rubbed her face into his chest, " W-why are you here? ", she whispered lightly.
Van smiled lightly and held her close, " I couldn't leave you.... not again... ", he whispered back against her hair.
Hitomi sniffled and then broke down into tears again. Lightning flashed in the skies and lit up the entire room. Thunder followed closely and the windows trembled again. Van sighed lightly and pulled away from Hitomi to hold her out at an arm's length.
Hitomi looked up at Van through her tears and then looked down at the ground. Van reached out and placed two fingers under her chin. He tilted her face up and looked down into it. Hitomi looked at him and a nervous chuckle escaped her lips as he bent down and tenderly kissed her tears away.
" Come.... I think it's time we put you to bed... ", Van whispered as the kisses on her cheeks trailed down her neck slowly, leaving trails of fire in it's wake.
Hitomi swallowed and shook her head, then leaned it back as she closed her eyes, loving the feeling of his soft lips on her skin, " I... I don't think that's such a good idea, Van... ", she whispered as she felt his hand slowly slid over her stomach and then go around her back to press the small of her back towards him.
Van's tongue flicked out and teased Hitomi's neck lightly as he gently nipped at the flesh. He then reached down and scooped her into his arms, keeping his mouth on her neck the whole time as they left Isabella's room to slowly and quietly make their way down the hall towards Hitomi's room.
Van opened the door and then kicked it closed as he entered the room. He walked over to the bed and gently laid Hitomi down onto the softness of the mattress. She looked up at him and shook her head, " No, Van.... t-this isn't right... "
Van looked into her eyes and shook his head, " Was it right the night of that dance? "
Hitomi blinked and then sighed lightly, " It still isn't right, Van... not now... not ever.... "
Van sighed lightly and gently grabbed her wrists as she brought her hands up and placed them against his chest to ward him off. He brought them up and over her head as he climbed onto the bed and straddled her hips gently beneath his. Hitomi looked at his face and then squirmed underneath him as she felt his arousal rub up against her body.
" V-van.... please... ", Hitomi pleaded in a trembling voice.
' You know you want him again... ', something whispered to her in the back of her head.
Van looked at her and then bent over, lowered his mouth to her ear, " Hitomi... please. Don't leave me hanging... ", he whispered.
His warm breath flowed over her ear and down her neck, sending shivers through her body. She bucked her hips against Van's, " Leave you hanging? You're the one who left me hanging, Van! ", she reminded him.
Van's tongue flicked out and teased her earlobe as he gently guided it in his mouth and sucked on it softly. Hitomi bucked her hips against his again, " Van! "
Van lifted his head and looked down at her, " What? "
Hitomi blinked and saw the same look that burned in his eyes. She had seen the night of the dance; desire and hunger. Hunger for her, that is, " We can't do this. It isn't right for you to be here..... with me too, or Isabella. "
Van sat up and released her wrists, but he didn't got off of her, " Explain to me, Hitomi... why isn't it right for me to be here? "
Hitomi lifted her upper torso and sat back on her elbows. She looked up at him, " You're going to get me and Isabella killed, Van... "
Van lifted an eyebrow and then plowed a hand through his hair, " I'm not getting you, Hitomi.... how am I going to get you and Isabella killed? "
Hitomi shook her head, " It's rather hard to say.... and I'd rather not get into it... ", she muttered as she turned her head to the side and looked at the shelf of books against the far wall.
" Hitomi! ", Van nearly shouted in disbelief. " Don't go and keep things from me... "
Hitomi turned her head back and looked up at him, " And if I plan on doing so? "
Van sighed and slowly got off of her to move away from the bed, " You have to tell me, Hitomi. In case I need to protect you from something or someone... "
Hitomi sat up and hugged her arms to her stomach, " I don't need you to protect me, Van. I'm very capable of taking care of myself and Isabella. I've only been doing so for the past four years.... remember? ", she pointed out lightly.
Van flinched from her words and took a step towards her, " Hitomi.... please. I said I was sorry about that.... "
" And I said that sorry wasn't going to cut it this time.... "
" Hitomi, why do you have to be so hard-headed? "
Hitomi cocked an eyebrow and stood up, " Me? Hard-headed? Van Fanel! You have nerve of calling me hard-headed when it's you who's being the hard-headed one... "
Van cocked his head to the side and studied her expression of anger. He suddenly chuckled out loud. Hitomi lifted an eyebrow and then crossed her arms over her chest, " What's so funny? I don't find any of this funny! "
Van walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her slim waist. God how he loved this woman, " Hitomi, please....just explain it all to me....I'm here to listen... "
Hitomi placed her hands flat against his chest and pressed her ear to it as well, " V-van.... you can't stay here. You're endangering me and our child. You can't do this.... "
" Then let me listen.... "
" Alright.... "
Van smiled and gently rubbed her back, " I'm listening.... "
Hitomi swallowed and nodded slowly, " Well...after you left, Allen suggested that I moved in with him, because I was so distraught over your death and everything, like finding out I was pregnant with Isabella. After I was settled in properly, Allen and I started to get along really well... personally TOO well in my opinion... "
Van blinked, " E-excuse me? You too got along... too well? Would you mind going into that subject? "
Hitomi shook her head and reached up to gently rake her fingers through his hair at the back of his neck, " No... not just yet. It just didn't make any sense to me... or even Allen... "
" What didn't? "
" The fact that Allen received a letter in the mail explaining that if I didn't either kill Isabella, or give her up for adoption then they would come and kill her themselves, along with me if I didn't listen and did as I was told... "
Van pulled away from her and held her out in front of him, " Kill you and... Isabella? I won't allow it, Hitomi! Never will anyone lay a hand on you or even my own child! I swear, I'll die trying to protect the both of you.... "
Hitomi smiled lightly and gratefully, " Thank you, Van. I really appreciate and so does Isabella... but, while I was staying with Allen... something happened to him about two years after your disappearance... "
" What happened? ", Van asked, not wanting to fear the worst for the older man.
Hitomi bit her lip, " He disappeared as well... in the middle of the night, and never returned the next day. After that, Isabella and I had to move out of his castle in Asturia and we decided to come here.... "
" Why didn't you even bother to come to the castle? You know Merle was there.... "
Hitomi shrugged lightly, " I... I don't really know. In a way I was a little pissed at you for breaking your promise to me... "
Van quirked an eyebrow, " P-pissed? What does that mean? "
Hitomi smiled, " It's another meaning for being really mad at someone or something... or even about... ", she explained.
Van nodded, " Oh.. I see now... "
Hitomi nodded, " Yeah.... but when we came here, we met Rutha and she decided to take me and Isabella in for awhile. But then her house was burnt down and we gathered a bunch of people to help build a new one for her and us. We still can't figure out who caused the fire though... ", she added as she bit her lip.
Van reached out and gently tucked back a loose strand of hair, " Don't worry... it's all fixed now.... ", he assured her.
Hitomi shook her head, " N-no... it's not... ", she whispered fearfully.
Van knitted his brows together, " What are you saying? What do you mean? ", he asked as he searched her face.
Hitomi looked up at him, " The terror isn't going to end, Van. Something bad's going to happen to us again... I can feel it.... oh no!! ", she practicaly wailed as he jumped away from him.
Van looked at her, slightly confused, " Again? Hitomi... you're hiding something from me... I can see it in your eyes. Please.... "
Hitomi looked at him and shook her head as tears came to her eyes blurring her vision and her glimpse of Van as she was cloaked in complete blackness. Van voice called out to her, but she didn't respond, she couldn't respond. She was back in time, she had to be....
She was tied clumsily, yet tightly to a tree with a thick and wide trunk. She could feel the crude, rough rope cutting into her wrists and into her ankles as she watched with wide, fear filled eyes as the hooded figures advanced on her, bearing torches in their hands and strange looking weapons in their other hand.
Hitomi swallowed thickly and tried to scream out, but the gag that they had stuffed in her mouth was stiffling her cries and pleas of help. She looked around nervously as the villiagers standing behind the hooded figures, watching her with evil looks deep down in their eyes.
The sounds of ripping and tearing were heard clearly to Hitomi's ears. A sudden draft of the cool air of the night caressed her semi naked body as she laid tied against the tree, her legs spread, her arms over her head. They even had a rope around tied around her neck.
Hitomi closed her eyes as tears of shame and embarassment coursed down her cheeks to land on her bare breasts that were peaked from the cool air. She shivered lightly as one of the hooded figures walked right up to Hitomi and ran a hand along her bulging stomach.
Into her seventh month. That's how far in she already was. The hand slid up to grasp her left breast and squeeze the nipple hard and harshly. White fluid flew through the air, but was quickly brought under control as a metal cup bearing Fanelia's symbol on the handle was placed under her breast to capture the fluid that seemed so precious to them.
Hitomi winced as she felt other hands on her body. She still wore her slip, but her top part of the dress she wore was gone and she couldn't find it anywhere as she tried to scan the crowds without scraping the rope up against her neck. A muffled cry of pain escaped Hitomi's mouth as she felt something hard and jagged bite down onto her right nipple.
Crimson and white mixed together as one as they both were placed in a metal cup. Hitomi closed her eyes against the hungry stares of the people around her. This wasn't right for them to be doing! Why weren't they doing this to the young girl about the age of seventeen who was standing in the front of the crowd, watching her with her violet eyes that burned with an unknown passion, her long blonde swaying to the side with the gentle movement of the wind.
Images flashed before her eyes as pain engulfed her body. Images of him.... her angel....
A shuddering sigh suddenly escaped her lips as he body trembled once before she slipped unconscious, still feeling the ice cold hands over her breasts, her stomach that held her baby, the jagged teeth that had bitten into her breast. It was all there to haunt her, and it still has always haunted her.
The entire scene changed though... the hooded figures were replaced with pink and sea-green lilies that grew proudly in a large field that stretched on and on, forever and forever. Hitomi noticed the change in the air and her eyes snapped open. She blinked and whirled around to look for anymore of the hooded figures.
She found none.
Hitomi sighed a long breath of relief as she sank to the soft grass, hugging her arms to her stomach. A light hand on her shoulder startled her and she snapped her head up to gaze into beautiful sea-green eyes like her own. Small black curls encased an angelic face that beamed and shone with proudness.
Proudness for what? For whom?
" Why are you sad? You shouldn't cry... momma always told me that crying could give me wrinkles at a VERY young age... ", the young girl of fifteen gentle spoke as she reached out to smooth back Hitomi's blood stained bangs from her forehead.
Hitomi blinked and looked at the girl, " W-who are you? ", she asked as she stood up, still hugging her arms to her stomach.
The girl blinked her sea-green eyes at Hitomi. The soft angelic features slowly changed into those of a man. Nicely chiseled features, caring, deep reddish-brown eyes replaced the soft sea-green ones. The curvy body of the young woman quickly changed into that of a powerfully and well built man who had fought many battles in his life.
" V-van? "
The man blinked his eyes at her and frowned deeply, " How dare you call me that!! Bow, peasent! You should call me Sire, or your Majesty... not this... Van!! ", he shouted at her, his eyes igniting a deeper flame at he spoke each word.
Hitomi flinched and backed away from him, " I... I won't do anything... just leave me alone! ", she cried out at him as she turned and fled quickly.
The man was utterly outraged at her courtesy for him, a King! He chased after her, matching her speed easily, even beating her to the edge of the cliff. Hitomi looked at him, beads of sweat rolled down her face as she tried to breath deeply.
" I said go away, Van!! ", Hitomi warned him as he took a step towards her.
He shook his head and was on her in one long stride with his long legs, " I'm not going anywhere. This is atrocious! How dare you not call me Sire! You shall be punished for your many crimes... ", he suddenly added.
Hitomi's eyes went wide as she felt Van's hand on the top of her dress. He suddenly pulled down hard and the dress was ripped from Hitomi's body. Hitomi gasped and brought her arms up to cover herself from his eyes.
" V-van!! Don't! Think about this first... "
He smirked as he stared at her body, " Oh... I shall have fun with you, little vixen... oh yes... ", he whispered ina dangerous, husky tone as he reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, pressing her nude body to his fully clothed one.
Hiotmi shook her head and began to pound her fists against his chest, " Van Slanzar de Fanel!! If you don't let me go, I'll -- "
" You'll what? There's nothing you can do, vixen... you're going to be punished. Every since my wife died I've always been a little lonely... ", he whispered at her as he lowered his face to her ear and trailed his tongue along he jawline.
Hitomi swallowed and struggled against him, but the more she struggled, the more he crushed her frail body to his powerful one. He suddenly reached out, grabbed her chin, brought her face around to face his, as he brought his mouth down to hers and thrusted his tongue through her lips before she could protest or even close them.
His tongue was everywhere inside her mouth. His hand snaked up her front to firmly grasp her breast and knead it harshly. Hitomi whimpered against his lips as hot, wet tears slid down her cheeks. She forced herself to return the kiss even though she knew that this wasn't the real Van that she knew.
He then quickly forced her to the ground, following her quickly, pressing his body to hers, squashing her between his muscles and the ground. Hitomi groaned in pain of the rock that was digging into her back. He pressed her down into it more and a loud cry left her lips against his lips as she threw her head back in pain, trying to gather some air before he wanted more.
' H-hitomi? Hey... hey!! Come back to me.... don't go just yet... come on! Think, Hitomi. Try and get out of it! ', a deep, distant voice shouted to her.
A little jingling sound caused Hitomi to open her eyes, even though she wanted to fall asleep and stay like that for as long as would live. A zipper unzipping followed quickly. The body released her for a second to strip himself of his pants before laying completely on top of her.
Hitomi looked at him and shook her head as she placed her hands on his shoulders - not that it would do anything, " P-please... you mustn't! ", she pleaded.
The man on top of her quickly spreaded her long legs with his knee and positioned himself at her opening. With one quick thrust he was inside of her. Hitomi moaned loudly from the pain and from the pleasure, but it was all too much for her. She blacked out completely.
Hitomi found herself in a strange room. Weird paintings decorated the walls as did multi-coloured rugs that hung from the ceilings. She blinked and looked around as she sat up and ran a hand along her jawline. She then stood up on shaky legs and began to walk around with her arms hugged to her chest.
She was back to normal for the most part. She had her clothes and she still had a large bulge for a stomach. Hitomi silently cursed her grandmother for passing down her special abilties to her. She sighed heavily and stopped suddenly as she heard her own voice echo throughout the entire room.
" ' Quick, Allen run! It's the invisible enemy!! ' "
" ' We... are the descendants of Atlantis.... ' "
Hitomi felt her eyes droop and she swayed to the side slightly. She was going to faint, she just knew it. But why? What was going on that was causing all this to happen? Hitomi's eyes closed completely before she fell back down to the hard ground, a hand over her forehead and the other resting on her now flat stomach....
" Hitomi!! Wake up... ", Van cried lightly as he shook her hard this time.
Tears of frustration blurred his vision and he shook his head. He wasn't going to cry. Not now and definitely not here. Van shook Hitomi again and her eyes snapped open. She blinked a couple of times before looking up into Van's tear streaked face.
" W-what happened? ", she asked, slightly confused.
Van let out a breath of pure relief as Hitomi sat up and stared into his face, " Y-you're crying? Why? ", Hitomi asked him as she reached out and gently wiped away another tear that had fallen with the pad of her thumb.
Van quickly reached up with both hands and wrapped them around her small one. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed her fingertips gently, tasting his tears and her soft skin all at once.
" I was crying for you... "
Hitomi shook her head as she reached out and slid her other arm around his neck, dropping herself into his lap, " I-it was all horrible... just... h-h-horrible!! ", she suddenly sobbed as she buried her face into the crook of his neck and clung onto him tightly.
Van's arms went around her waist and he picked her up in his arms gently and carried her over to the bed. He sat down with her still on his lap, " Would you care to explain what you saw? ", he asked softly as he brushed some hair from her eyes.
Hitomi shook her head, " N-no... just h-hold me.... just hold me.... ", she whispered into his neck as she broke down again, the memory of her haunting time here on Gaea over the past four years still flashed across her mind and she began to cry harder.
Van gently and slowly rocked her back and forth not really knowing what to say or do. The only thing he could do was to stroke her hair, whisper soft, tender, encouraging words into her ear, and kiss her temple everynow and then....
(A/N**: DUN DUNDUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!! What did that "vision" mean? Was the first part really from her past? Or is it just a future siting that she might have to go through AGAIN? What will Van do with her now? What will Van do to Allen if he finds him? Stay tuned for more chaptes from A little touch of Heaven next week... doooodidoooooooooo.....*waves* JA NE!!! whatcha'll think? Tell me what you honestly thought... pwease? )
