Disclaimer: I don't own anything from or of Escaflowne...
Dedication: To ALL who read and review this weither it's from advice to flames...it don't matter to me....

(A/N** I'm sorry to say this to all you peeps out there who are liking this fic, but I need at least 6 to 10 more reviews so I can post my next chapter. *frowns* Again I apologize. I'd really appreciate it if you guys would let me know what you thought.....)

~*~Whispered Promises~*~


~*~Prologue~*~


~*~Dreams or Visions?~*~

The dreams are always the same. I don't know why, but they repeat, and repeat. Night after night. Week after week, month after month. I've been having these same dreams ever since the day my grandmother died. And yet to this very day, I can't figure out why they haunt my sleep. I've never told anyone about the mysterious angel with raven black hair and spellbinging reddish-brown eyes, or even about the heavenly Knight of Caeli, the one with the honey-gold long hair and piercing dark blue eyes. What do theses dreams mean? What are their purpose in my life? Who are th people that I see in the dreams? What is going to happen if these dreams actually come true?

The top of the brick building slowly fell, sliding off the base. Blue flames flew out from underneath it and disappeared into the air. The ground rumbled and then cracked open, as if it were glass and it had just been thrown against a well, shattering into hundreds if pieces.

" Ahhh! ", Hitomi's feet went out from under her as the ground gave way and she felt herself falling into a bottomless pit.

A bright light suddenly flashed overhead and then expanded. Out of it flew what appeared to be an angel...all male, strong upper torso bare and visible, topped off with long beautiful wings. His face was shadowed, but the light outlined his cheekbones and strong jawline. He reached out and grasped her hand, as if telling her that he wasn't going to let her fall. As if he were telling her that he was always going to be there for her, and that he would never leave her.

There he was, soaked from the heavy downpour of the rain overhead. Hitomi slowly walked up the path that led to the bridge to find a tall man, with a lean and muscular body walking towards her. His long honey-gold hair was matted to the sides of his head and dreanched from the rain. His dark blue eyes were open and full of raw emotions.

She looked at him, unsure of what was going to happen. He looked at her and walked right up to her. She never tore her eyes from his as they stood only a whisper away from each other. He suddenly reached out and encircled his arms around her waist, pulling her body to his.

The rain around them came down harder as he gently lowered his face to hers. She had no regrets about what was going to happen. She knew it was wrong, but it just felt so...right?

Hitomi's eyes slowly drooped as she quickly ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. Then it came. His lips brushing against hers. His arms tightening around her body. The need for each other growing. All she could do was return his kiss as the lightning and thunder danced to their own stormy duet.

And so it begins...the story of one woman's struggle to help a pigheaded King and a flirtatious and chivalrious Knight of Caeli in saving their home planet from a "innocent" Princess and Prince, who have other plans for the people of Gaia and for the the kingdom of Fanelia.


Disclaimer: I don't own anything of or from Escaflowne......
Dedication: To all who read and leave me a review......




~*~Chapter 1~*~

~*~The Beautiful Stranger~*~

" Dammnit Hitomi! Why can't you ever show up on time for your practices? ", Yukari Uchida muttered under her breath as she sighed lightly.

Yukari raked a hand through her light brown shoulder length hair as she searched the track area for her best friend.

" Always late, isn't she? ", a deep voice asked from behind.

Yukari spun around and looked up into Sumono Amano's rich brown eyes. She frowned lightly and nodded, " Y-yeah. She was supposed to be here about half an hour ago. Have you seen her? "

Amano shook his head, " Nope... sorry honey. I just got here myself. Maybe she's still teaching? "

Yukari nodded, " I can see that, you're still in your track pants.... did ya miss me? "

Amano smiled and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, " You bet I did. How's the baby doing? "

Yukari patted her stomach gently, " Oh... fine. "

Amano nodded and waved to her before he turned and left. Yukari waved back and then sighed as she sat down on the bottom bleacher, " Oh Hitomi.... come on!! ", she shouted.

" Coming!! ", someone shouted back.

Yukari lifted an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest as she watched her best friend run up to her. She bent over and rested her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. Hitomi Kanzaki pursed her lips and sighed as she stood up and gave Yukari a wink, " Hey! Sorry I'm late. One of my students needed some help with their homework....", she explained.

Yukari nodded, " Uh-huh! You were suppose to be here half an hour ago Hitomi! "

Hitomi bit her lip as she looked down at the ground, " I-I know. I got a little side tracked on the way here...."

" By what? Who? ", Yukari demanded.

" A-amano. He told me that you were getting...just a little angry with me for not being here on time. I'm sorry Yukari...", she apologized.

Yukari sighed, " Alright.... you're forgiven. Better hurry up, the men's team is just about to start and then it's your turn..."

Hitomi nodded, " Yeah. Look! There he is....", she pointed to Amano.

Yukari smiled lightly and patted her bulging stomach, " Yeah.... there he is..", she replied dreamily.

Hitomi watched him as he knelt down and placed his feet on the blocks. Her eyes roamed over the muscles that flexed as he moved himself into position. The coach cleared his throat and held the gun pointed to the sky, " Ready, set...GO!! "

He pressed the trigger and the gun sounded. The five men pushed off their blocks and flew forward. Hitomi gasped in awe and fascination as she watched Amano. Her sea-green eyes never left his body. Yukari gasped as she pressed the stop button on the stop-clock.

Yukari looked down at the watch and gasped again, only louder this time, " Oh my god, Hitomi! Ten point six four seconds! Hitomi, Amano just beat eleven seconds! ", she squealed as she threw her arms around her friend's neck.

Hitomi just watched him and whispered in awe, " yeah..."

" Hitomi? Hitomi! ", Yukari yelled.

Yukari sighed and reached out to grasp Hitomi's track pants and then pull them down. Hitomi's eyes went side and she reached down to cover herself, " Hey! "

" You're up now. ", Yukari reminded her, smiling slyly.

" I know, I know....", Hitomi growled.

Yukari just giggled and stepped back as Hitomi pulled her feet from her pants. Her short pink track short and white t-shirt swayed to the side in the light breeze as she bent down and tied the shoelaces to her red shoes. She stood back up and raked a hand through her short sandy brown hair. She walked over to the track and crouched down to the ground. She reached inside her shirt and pulled out a pink pendant, hanging on a gold chain.

Hitomi wrapped her hand hand around it and closed her eyes as she began to pray silently. She then opened her eyes and tucked the pendat back into her shirt. She gave it a little pat for reassurance before she placed her feet in the blocks. She looked up at the coach and nodded. He returned her nod and pointed his gun to the sky, " Ready, set.... GO!! "

Hitomi grunted slightly as she pushed off the blocks. She could feel Yukari and Amano watching her closely. Sh smiled lightly, ' I can do this, I can beat Amano, or at least try to....'

Hitomi swallowed and bit her lip. The muscle in her left leg was beginning to cramp and she began to slow down, " No! I'm almost there...'

There was a sharp pain in her left ankle and she sucked in a sharp breath. She felt herself fall, but she never hit the ground. There was a bright light that dropped down from the sky and it then engulfed her. She closed her eyes and heard

Yukari screaming her name. She tried to open her eyes, but she couldn't, so she welcomed the darkness.
The bright light slid up from the ground and disappeared into the sky. Yukari gasped and ran to where she saw Hitomi fall, " A-amano? What's going on? Where'd H-hitomi go? ", she asked as she began to tremble.

Amano came up behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Yukari spun around and looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. He gave her a gentle smile before she threw herself into his arms and cried softly. He gently rubbed her back, " Hey, come on now Yukari. She'll be back. She didn't leave us...."

" What are you saying? You saw what just happened. ", she muttered against his chest.

" What I mean is, she'll be back. She won't be gone for long. You know that Yukari...."

Yukari nodded and remained silent. She turned her head to the side and looked up at the sky, ' Oh Hitomi... I hope you're alright....'

***

" What's that? ", a soft voice asked the sleeping person on the rooftop beside her.

" Hmmm? ", it responded.

Merle looked over at him and then frowned at his laziness. She reached out and gently pawed his face. His eyes flew open and he sat up, " What! "

Merle pointed to the column of light in the distant. He blinked his reddish-brown eyes and then scratched his head, " What about it, Merle? "

" Come on Lord Van! Shouldn't we go and check it out? ", she asked.

Van shrugged and then nodded after studying it for awhile, " I guess I should, huh? "

Merle nodded, " Yes. "

Van Slanzar de Fanel scratched his chest and then stood up, " Alright, you stay here. I'm going to go check it out.."

" Be careful...."

Van nodded, " Don't worry... aren't I always? ", he joked lightly.

Merle shook her head and rolled her blue eyes, " Just go and see it..."

He waved a hand through the air and then disappeared through a hole in the roof. He landed on his feet in a stack of hay.

He groaned, " Oh great, now where's that horse? "

He bit his lip and then placed two fingers in his mouth. He whistled loudly. A horse responded by thumping his hooves against the ground. Van smiled and walked up to it, " Hey you! Been a long time, huh? "

He reached out and gently stroked the horses head, running his fingers through it's long silky hair. He then walked up to it's side and climbed onto the saddle. He clucked his tongue and the horse trotted forward. When they were outside the stable, he dug his heels into it's sides and it began to run. Van frowned as he watched the column of light suddenly climb up into the sky and then disappear. He pulled back on the reins and jumped off the horse.

He tied the reins loosely to a tree nearby and walked towards whatever was left by the light. When he spotted it, he frowned lightly. It was a woman. She was dressed in strange clothes that didn't look like they were from Gaia, and they revealed too much....leg skin. He peered down into the face and bit his lip. He looked up at the sky and then down at the person in front of him, ' Could she be the one? '

His eyes went over her body slowly, taking in the bare well-toned legs, the weird clothes, and then the face. Her shirt clung to her like a second skin and he could tell that she was cold. Her nipples were peaked and they strained against her lacy bra and shirt. He shook his head, " Get a grip, Fanel...", he muttered to himself.

He reached over and scooped her up into his arms, ' light... almost like a feather. ', he thought as he cradled her to his chest.

He walked up to the horse and gently laid the girl over it's back. He climbed up after her and then lifted her up. He sat her down in front of him, her head found his shoulder. He encircled his arms around her to grip the reins. Her warm breath caressed his neck and that made him smile lightly. He dug his heels into the sides of the horse and it trotted forward, towards the city of Fanelia.


***


" Princess Millerna. There's nothing I can do about it. Lord Folken Lacour de Fenal isn't going to be coming. He's dead! ", a tall man about the age of twenty nine replied.

Millerna frowned and turned to look at him, " I didn't mean him Allen, I meant Van...."

Allen Crusade Schezar sighed lightly through his lips as he pursed them together, " sorry...", he bowed deeply.

She smiled lightly and ran a hand through her long blonde hair. Her violet eyes twinkled lightly, " Allen? "

" Mmmm-hmm.... yes Princess? "

" Whatever happened to.... Zaibach? "

Allen looked at her and then raked a hand through his Honey-gold long hair, " I don't know. Maybe Dornkirk's dead and now Zaibach is leaderless...."

She turned her back to him, crossed her arms over her chest and looked out the window, " I don't know... maybe..."

Allen sighed. He slowly walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

She gasped, " A-allen...."

He shook his head, " Shh... don't say anything...", he whispered as he lowered his mouth to her neck and kissed it softly.

She leaned back into him, allowing him to continue. She entwined her fingers with his, " W-why? "

He pulled his mouth from her neck and slowly turned her aruond to look at him, " Millerna... please? "

She frowned as she noticed the gap between theit heads closely rapidly, " P-please what Allen? "

He turned his head to the side and closed his eyes. Millerna knitted her brows together as she reached up, placed a hand to the side of his face, and turned his head to she could look into his eyes, " What do you want to ask me, Allen? "

He swallowed and gazed into her eyes, " Millerna... I want to love... you, can I? "

She stared at him, completely speechless. She blinked and to her very own surprise, she nodded her head. Allen's eyes searched hers, " Is that a... yes? "

She nodded again, " Y-yes! "

He smiled and cupped her face. His fingers brushed at her bangs as he lowered his lips to hers. She smiled against his lips, ' Oh... he loves me! '

His lips brushed up against her in a passionate kiss. His hands slid from her face to slide down her neck, over her breasts, over her stomach to wrap around her waist. He pulled her to him and Millerna slid her arms around his neck. She moaned lightly as she flattened her breasts against his chest. The door quietly opened and someone cleared their throats.

Millerna pulled her mouth from Allens and buried her face against his shoulder. Allen turned his head to the side and he watched as Millerna's oldest sister, Princess Eries, walked into the room, closing the door behind her. She waslked up to them with her hands clasped in front of her gown.

She looked at Allen and nodded, " Millerna... can I speak with you? For just one second...? "

Millerna looked up from Allen's shoulder to peer into her sister's tear streaked face. She immediately pulled away from him to hug her sister tightly, " What is it? What's happened? "

Eries sniffed lightly, " F-father's dead. He died about a few moments ago..."

Millerna swallowed and blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. She looked at Eries then at Allen. He was looking at the ground with his hands clenched into fists, " A-allen? "

He slowly looked up at her, " What is it Princess Millerna? "

She stared into his eyes and then unexpectantly threw herself into his arms. He hugged her hard and Eries watched him, " Is something wrong Allen? "

He looked at her as he gently stroked Millerna's hair, " Well.. the King of Aston is now dead. That's ont thing that is bugging me...."

" And the other? "

" And.... the other is... nothing..."

She nodded, " I understand. Millerna, it would be best if you went for a walk. I need to talk to Allen, alone..."

Millerna pulled away from Allen and left in silence with her head bowed. Eries looked at Allen and crossed her arms over her chest. She brushed past him and went to stand by the window. Allen watched her and followed. He stood bsdie her and looked down into the courtyard.

" You love her...don't you? ", she spoke up quietly.

He nodded, " yeah...."

" Are you sure this is wise, Allen? "

" What do you mean? ", he turned and looked at her.

" What I mean is, do you plan on hurting her just as you did with Marlene? "

He blinked hard, " I... I.. no! I wouldn't do that. And I never did hurt Marlene in any way at all! "

" But you did! Chid is the result of that! "

Allen shook his head, " Chid is not the result of that. He's the result of the love that we once had for each other. "

Eries lifted a light brow, " Is that so? Allen, King Aston was almost on the brink of dying the last time that Millerna went off without permission. The reason why she left was because of you. It was you that she wanted. Allen, you're leading her into a lovegame.... and she's going to lose. "

Allen uncrossed his arms and turned fully to look at her, " What are you saying? The love that I have for her now is real. I'm sure of it. Princess Eries... why do you accuse me of this? It isn't my fault that she's in love with me. I'm on love with her also... why can't you realize that? "

She turned to look at him. She lifted an eyebrow, " If you're so in love with her, Allen Schezar, then you'll leave the castle and never return. "

He shook his head, " I'm sorry Princess Eries... I can't do that this time. I won't be running away from it all again..."

He turned his back to her and walked out of the room before she could even respond.


***


" Sire? Are you alright? "

Van opened his eyes to the dark room. He blinked and then wiped at the sleep that was still lodged in his eyes. He looked around the room and realized that he was in his bed. There was a knock at the door, followed by a voice, " Sire! Are you alright? "

" Y-yes! Come in Keldorn...", he called out as he ran a hand through his hair.

Keldorn stepped into the room. He looked at Van and bowed slightly before stepping away from the door to walk up to the bedside, " Sire, the young woman is awake and she's... well very confused. "

Van frowned. He pushed the covers to the side and then stepped out from the bed. He stood up slowly and stretched. He looked at Keldorn and nodded, " Of course she would be confused, she isn't from around here..."

Keldorn lifted a light bow, " S-sire? "

Van shook his head, " Nevermind. Where is she? "

" She's in her room..."

Van nodded, " Alright... have you seen my shirt? "

Keldorn bent down and picked it up off the ground. He handed it to Van, " Here you are, Sire. Shall we go and see her? "

Van took the shirt and didn't bother to put it on. He nodded and headed for the door. Keldorn frowned, " You're going like that? "

Van turned and looked at him, " Yes... it won't matter now. Let's go before she wakes up the entire castle. "

Keldorn nodded, followed, and muttered, " She already had done that, Sire..."

Van ignored him and walked up to the open door. Guards and servants crowded it. They were looking at the strange girl. Van lifted an eyebrow and cleared his throat, " Excuse me...but don't you have things that you're suppose to take care of? "

One of the maids with brown hair frowned, " Sire! She's crazy! She's been throwing things aorund... mostly at us...", she pointed to the broken glass on the floor.

Van chuckled and shook his head. He took a step forward and everyone cleared a path for him. He took a step into the room and spotted the woman sitting on the ground. Her room was a mess. He looked at her and watched as she gingerly touched her swollen ankle. Her short sandy brown hair fell in front of her eyes and she whimpered as she pressed down on the skin.

Van watched her in fascination, " Um, excuse me, miss? "

Her head shot up and her frightened sea-green eyes made contact with his warm reddish-brown ones. She looked at him and swallowed. She immediately looked at the ground.

Van took another step towards her with his hand outstretched, " Do you need help? ", he asked gently.

She looked at his bare feet, then her eyes trailed up to his pants, then his six pack, to his chest, to his mouth, then to his eyes.

She gasped lightly, " I-it's you! "

Van stopped. He scratched his head and looked at her, " It's me? Yes....I know, it's me! But.... who might you be? "

She smiled lightly and he felt his heart melt, " My name is... Hitomi... Hitomi Kanzaki. Who are you? "

Van walked up to her and then outstretched his hand again. She reached up and grasped it tightly. He pulled her up effortlessly. She cried out in pain as her foot touched the ground and her left leg gave out on her. She fell back and Van's arms encircled her waist and he pulled her to him, holding her up.

He looked down at her and blushed slightly, " Uh, my name is Van Slanzar de Fenal. I'm the uh, King of this country and you are resting in my castle...what's wrong? Did I hurt you? ", he asked softly, completely concerned.

She shook her head, " Uh... I, no. I hurt myself when I was running. My ankle, I can't step down on that foot... my uh, left one...", she explained as she looked up into his eyes.

Van swallowed, ' What is she doing to me? I don't even know her... and look what's happening. I remember meeting her sometime... but when? Where? '

He felt his eyes slowly droop as he lowered his face to hers. Hitomi looked at him, ' He's the one from my dreams. T-the mysterious angel. He's gorgeous! He looks about my age...twenty eight, twentey nine... Who would've thought? '

His mouth was only a whisper away. Hitomi slid her hands up his bare chest and linked them behind his neck. The servants and the guards at the door all held their breaths and watched in silence and anticipation. Hitomi licked her lips and then
Van lowered his face to hers completely. His lips brushed against hers in a soft, tender manner...as if her were afraid of what else might happen.

Hitomi returned the kiss, but then pulled away. She looked up at him and swallowed thickly, " I... I can't! I'm sorry. I don't even know you..."

Van bit his lip and turned his head to the side, " But, we do know each other......"

Hitomi stared at him, " How? "

Van sighed and whispered in an almost pained voice, ' Dreams..."

She knitted her brows together. Van's face was replaced by darkness. She outstretched a hand and felt around in the dark for him, " V-van? Where'd you go? Where is everyone? "

There was a distant rumbling and then the ground shook. She spun around and found herself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes. She swallowed and backed away. She then turned and began to run until a harsh hand clamped down ont oher elbow. She was spun around and then roughly slapped across the face. She gasped. Thered was laughter and then it died down. The ground rumbled again and then cracked out. She cried out as she fell. A bright light suddenly flashed overhead and expanded. Out of it flew what appeared to be an angel... all male, a strong upper torso bare and visibly, topped off with long beautiful wings.

His face was shadowed, but the light outlined his cheekbones and strong jawline. He reached out and grasped her hand, as if telling her that he wasn't going to let her fall. As if her were telling her that he was always going to be there for her, and that he would never leave her.

Van watched in confusion as Hitomi's eyes rolled back into her head and she sagged against him. Her began to slide down his body until he reached down quickly and gathered into his arms. He carried her over to the bed and gently laid her down. He went over, grabbed a chair, and sat down in it with a look of concern etched in his eyes and across his face.