"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" 

Hitomi awoke with a jerk unsure of what she had just seen.  Another vision?  It couldn't be possible.  I gave the pendent to Van.

Merle came running into the room with worry written all over her face.

"Hitomi what is it?"

"I don't know.  A nightmare, perhaps a vision.  Vivid, all too vivid. Must warn Van.  Leaving now!"  Hitomi attempted to get up at Merle held her back.

"Speak in complete sentences!"

"I just saw Van being ambushed by the Dragon Slayers.  I don't know if it was a vision or not.  It can't be…I don't have my pendant anymore.  But I have to be sure.  I have to go to Van right now."

Hitomi sprinted out of the room with Merle right behind her.  Hitomi ran for the stables.  Natsuki was there checking on the horses when he saw Hitomi run up to him.

"I need a horse right now!  I have to go to Van and warn him."  Before Natsuki even blinked Hitomi jumped onto a horse.

"Hitomi wait! You don't even know how to ride a horse!" yelled Merle catching up to the blond speed demon. 

"I learn quickly Merle."

"Oh what the heck, I have nine lives.  I'm going with you."

"No, you're pregnant!"

"She's right!"  Natsuki finally came back to his senses in time to stop his wife from rushing off while in her "delicate condition."

Merle smacked her husband on the arm. "Stop thinking about my condition.  It is not delicate."

"I don't care Merle, you can't come with me," Hitomi argued with her friend.

"I'll go with you then," interrupted Natsuki.  He got on a horse himself.

"Bye Merle, I'll come back soon.  You're in charge of the castle."  Natsuki leaned down and gave Merle a kiss goodbye.

"Let's go," Natsuki headed for the gates and Hitomi followed. 

It was a quiet journey but Hitomi kept pace with Natsuki all the way.

Van looked back at his army.  They looked tired but determined.  Twilight was upon them and still Van couldn't shake the unmistakable feeling that he was being watched…

Dusk, will we reach him in time?  Hitomi squashed such thoughts out of her head.  We will make it. 

Van was leading in Escaflowne, it was dark all around him as his thoughts wondered back to Hitomi.  Is the castle safe from attack?  Is Hitomi safe?  Van shook his head to concentrate at the task at hand.  It would do him no good if he went home dead.  Suddenly men around him screamed and Van turned to see what the commotion was.  Two riders were heading straight for Van.  The moon lit up the riders and they were identified as Natsuki and Hitomi. 

"What are you doing here?  Natsuki, I told you to watch over her!" yelled Van, angry at Hitomi coming with him.

"I am sir."

"I think I had a vision Van!  You were ambushed. I had to warn you.  It was too real to be just a…" 

Hitomi never finished, she saw where Van was standing, where the army was, where the trees were and she knew.  Suddenly Hitomi saw the shimmer that was all too familiar for her.

"Van behind you!"

Van swung his sword behind and hit solid air.

"What?"

A familiar guymelef materialized, as did several others surrounding the whole army

"It's a trap!!!  Stand and fight! Get into formation everyone!"  As on cue, all the soldiers form a barrier around each new gumelef.

"Hitomi, get on my shoulder, you'll be safer there.  Natsuki go join the left flank now!" Hitomi did as she was told and saw the battle ensue before her.  The guymelef that Van was fighting disappeared again and Van concentrated on finding it.  Hitomi did the same.  She closed her eyes and concentrated as she had done a decade ago.  The pendant flashed before her pointing to her right.

"Van right!"  Van swung his sword on command and hit his target not a moment too late.  The guymelef and fired off his liquid metal and Van managed to block the shot and cut the arm off the guymelef but that was the last thing saw as she fell from her place and hit the ground. 

Checking the guymelef once more to see that it wasn't moving, Van got out of Escaflowne and ran to Hitomi. 

"Hitomi! Answer me!"  Van reached Hitomi's side and found her unconscious. 

From behind him he heard a raspy voice, "All debts have been paid."

Van turned to see a Dragon Slayer getting ready to slice Van in half.

Thanks for being so patient and waiting for this next chapter to be up.  Circumstances and laziness got in the way.  *Ducks the look from Lady Knight* Anyways, enjoy and as always, comments are very welcomed.  Right P-Chan?

Hi Minna!  Sorry about the wait, but I have AP testing coming up and nothing new can be posted for at least the next three weeks.  I'll do what I can to finish this fic.  Don't worry, only two more chapters of this insane fic.  Thanks to all my loyal readers and to the people who took the time to review this story.