Hitomi stared at the white ceiling above her

Hitomi stared at the white ceiling. She had been lying in bed for a long time hoping to clear her mind of the events from last night. Van's here; I'm here; this is real. Nope, that didn't help at all. This still feels too much like a dream. The gentle creak of the door drew Hitomi's attention to the handsome dark hard man that had entered her room tentatively.

"Are you alright Hitomi? You've been in bed all morning."

"I'm fine Van. Just letting things seep into my head and for reality to register."

"Would you like some food? I can have some sent up. If not, everyone is about to eat lunch."

"That sounds great Van, I'll be down in a minute." Merle happened to walk by at this moment (or at least that's what she intended for the others to think) and came into the room and pushed Van out.

"Let her dress Van. Now go downstairs immediately." Van smiled and turned to walk away. But not before glancing at the Hitomi once more. Merle got Hitomi dressed quickly into a nice light blue dress.

"Merle, do I have to wear a dress?"

"You never minded before. Besides, it's best to make a good impression on everyone the first day."

"You sure have grown more mature."

"Motherhood does that to you." Merle told Hitomi that she had married another cat man, Natsuki, who was the head of the castle security for Van. Her child, Kireko was about Iori's age and Hitomi found herself thinking of her godson, Yukari, and Amano, but those thoughts were interrupted by Merle leading Hitomi outside down the stairs, making a right, then left, following another hallway.

"Ugh, one more turn and I'll get lost Merle."

"Don't worry, you get used to it eventually." Hitomi entered a small room with several people sitting around a table with food that Hitomi didn't recognize. Merle directed her to a seat next to Van. Hitomi recognized Kireko from last night sitting next to her with the biggest grin. She assumed the cat man next to her was Natsuki. Hitomi saw some older faces, probably generals under Van's command. What surprised her most was that she saw Allen at the end of the table with a large roguish grin on his face looking at her. Van noticed this too. After lunch, Van took Hitomi for a walk around the grounds of the castle to get a moment alone with her. Hitomi had been mulling over what happened last night and wondered why Van left her so abruptly.

"Hitomi," Van broke the silence between them, "I have to confess, I came back after you had fallen asleep and just watched you sleep."

"No wonder I slept so well." Van grinned sheepishly. "Van, what happened last night? You left so quickly."

"It's nothing you should worry about Hitomi."

"Stop being so secretive with me."

"It's better if you don't get involved. I can't stand it if anything happened to you."

"I've been through a war with you."

"And you'll go through another if you stay here."

"It doesn't matter as long as I'm here with you! I'll fight by your side if I have to. I'll pick up a sword; I'll do anything to protect you and what you love. Just don't push me away." Van sighed, there was no way for him to protect her this way was there now?

"Zaibach soldiers, seeking vengeance, have formed the Dragon Slayers once again. That's why it isn't safe for you to stay here. They blame you and me for Dr. Dornkirk's death, for the downfall of their country. Last night, they reached our borders and I had left to convene with the generals and plan out some defense plan. Asturia has agreed to help us but I fear their help will come too late. I'll have to activate Escaflowne again. I had hoped that I would never have to do that again." Van stood there quietly looking at Hitomi as he thought over everything.

She went up closer and held him tightly and whispered in his ear, "Now, that wasn't so hard was it?"

Van gave a small chuckle as he tightened his hold on her. They stood there for several moments enjoying the embrace when suddenly they heard the crack of a twig and the rushing sound of wings as bird flew off, scared away from the couple's vicinity.

Vans pushed Hitomi aside, grab his ever-present sword at his hip and stood between Hitomi and the sound that broke the silence.

Hey everyone, I want to take this moment to thank you for actually reading my silly little fic. And an extra THANKS! To those who reviewed my story. Once again, comments are always welcomed. I'm trying to get a chapter up a week. So bear with me and be patient. Thanks

Avalon