Disclaimer: *frowns impatiently as she stares at the computer screen. She scratches her chin and then shakes her head and then mutters*....Ah what the heck!!....It's the same as it was for the first 5 chapters.....Enjoy!!
Dedication: Okies....Taemyr...buddy ol' pal!! You still love me right.....? RIGHT!!! *shrugs* Meh! Anywho, this goes out to all who read and are actually kind enough to leave me a review.....if you don't leave me a review, then I'm going to consider you as mean, and pigheaded....*giggles* in Hitomi Kanzaki's words in the very first episode of Escaflowne when she meets....Van!!
~*~Chapter 6~*~
~*~A strange disappearing act~*~
Gabriella frowned lightly as she looked out at the stars from her balcony. She hadn't seen Van at supper time and that was very strange. Serge cleared his throat from inside the room, " Highness? I believe you're thinking of something. Am I right? "
She nodded and turned to look at him, " As a matter of fact, I am Serge. I need you to find out if Hitomi Kanzaki is in her room. Then I want you to go find some men who are willing to agree to a kidnapping plot. Alright? "
Serge scratched his chin, " Is that wise? Including if the wedding is tomorrow afternoon....", he pointed out.
She nodded, " Trust me. It should work out...now please...."
" Yes Highness, I'll be right back to inform you about what's happened. Alright? "
" That would be wonderful Serge. "
He nodded and slipped from the room. Gabriella turned back to look up at the stars, " This is just a little present for you...Hitomi Kanzaki! I hope you have fun being alone for the rest of your life, living in the dark with only rats to talk to....", she threw her head back and laughed evilly.
***
" How is she? "
Van's eyes flew open and his head came up from the arm of the chair. He watched as Allen crept quietly into the room. He yawned and stretched lazily, " She seems to be alright. I had Puck check on her. She said that it was probably just a fainting spell....but when I caught her, she had blood coming out of her mouth..."
Allen nodded as he looked down at her. The candle beside the bed casting eerie shadows across her face and he smiled, " Beautiful...ain't she? I came here to thank her, for saving baby Leon when she did...what do you think the blood was from? "
Van nodded as he watched her chest rise and fall with her even breathing, " I'm sure she knows how grateful you and Millerna are. You could thank her in the morning too you know? I have no clue what the blood was from...."
" I know. But I wanted to make sure she was alright, that's all. She gave me a fright when she fell into your arms..."
Van chuckled and waved a hand through the air, " I don't have anything for her anymore...."
Allen lifted an eyebrow and then snorted, " Uh-huh! That's why you've never left her beside since this afternoon? Your fiancée was worried and looking for you..."
Van shrugged as he continued to watch her breasts. He licked his lips and then shook his head, " I know....look, I'm going to go take a walk. Care to join me? I need to get out and away from here for just a while..."
Allen frowned as he studied Van's face, " Uh....sure, I wouldn't mind that at all..."
Van slowly stood up. He reached over and gently pulled the light afgan over her body, then he gently blew out the candle.
He turned and looked at Allen, who was watching him. He shrugged and headed for the door. Allen's frown deepened as he followed behind him, his hands claped behind his back tightly.
***
Serge watched in silence as Van and Allen quietly closed the door behind them. They turned from the door and walked down the dimly lit hallway. Serge motioned over his shoulder for the five hired men in the shadows to advance. They sneered, snickered, and nodded. Serge stood behind one of the marble pillars, watching as the five hired thugs slowly opened the door and disappeared into the room.
Serge snickered and turned down the hall, heading back to Gabriella's room to give her the good news.
***
Hitomi groaned lightly as she heard footsteps approach her bed. She opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked around. She frowned and then reached over to reignite the candle, but she was stopped as a firm hand clamped down on her wrist. A scream tore from her mouth, but it was quickly muffled as another hand fell onto her mouth.
She struggled against whoever was holding her. The hand was removed but in it's place a thick gag was placed over her mouth. Her eyes widened in fright as they tried to adjust to the darkness. She saw five tall, very built men, surrounding her bed. She blinked and lashed a foot out at the one to her right. He laughed lightly as her pathetic attack and he grabbed her leg and quickly tied it together with her other leg.
Something was slipped over her head. It was big and heavy. It was a potatoe sack. It scratched at her face as they tied a rope around her neck to secure it down. The inside of the bag scratched at her face and her face felt like it was being picked at by thousands of pins and needles. She was quickly flipped over onto her stomach. Her hands were harshly brought out behind her back and then bounded together tightly by think ropes. She tried to scream against the gag, but it was no use. No one could hear her. No one would hear her. She was all alone.
She heard men laughing as she was picked up and then thrown over someone's wide, broad shoulder. She began to struggle until she felt a hard hand smack her butt. She winced, ' Bastard! I swear, if I ever get out of this, I'm going to have you ass! '
She heard a door open and then close. She felt wet warm tears slide down her cheeks as she began to panic, ' They're taking me away! Away from the safety in the walls of the castle. But where? Where are they taking me? Van....please, come save me. I'm scared....don't make me go with them ', she thought in fear.
***
Van opened his eyes to the bright sunlight that shone into his bedroom. He groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. The warm breeze flowing in from the balcony caressed his bare chest and arms. A knock at the door made him frown, " Come in...."
Allen stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He crossed his arms over his chest and walked over to the bed. He looked down at Van, " You know Hitomi's missing? "
Van opened a gap between his fingers and peered up at him, " What are you talking about? "
" She's gone. Just suddenly disappeared in the middle of the night. No one knows where she went..."
Van frowned, " Maybe she went home. "
" Van! ", Allen cried. " Don you even care? "
Van sat up and slid his legs over the side of the bed. He scratched his head and looked up at Allen, " Of course I
care....it's just that..."
Allen drew his lips together and then back in an impatient line, " What? What's bugging you? "
" It's just that she doesn't remember anything so....she's better off just going back home...where she remembers everything..."
" Well...don't you think you should go and look for her? "
Van sighed through his pursed lips and raked a hand through his hair. He shrugged lightly, " Maybe she's just...jealous about the wedding, and she decided to pull some dumb disappering act.. "
Allen frowned. He was starting to get sick and tired of Van's pigheaded attitude, " That's the most stupidest thing I've ever heard in my entire thirty-one years of living on this planet! If she doesn't remember who you are, then why would she even care? "
Van stood up and began to pace the room. His bare feet loving the plush feeling of the carpet beneath his feet. He looked at Allen and bit his lip, " You didn't see the look of disappointment and hurt in her eyes. I was there Allen, I saw it clearly.."
" Then why don't you go break off the marriage to Gabriella and marry Hitomi? You guys were meant to be with each other. To grow old together and to die together. That's how it was destined for you two...think about it Van. Don't listen to your damn advisors....listen to what your heart tells you...."
Van sighed in defeat. He shook his head, " I'll send some guards out to look for her, but this wedding to Gabriella will go on. It was all arranged. That's how it's going to be and go..."
Allen threw his hands up into the aor, a cry of frustration followed, " Oh! Van...you're so....pigheaded! I swear sometimes I just want to beat you on the back of the head with the back of my sword! "
Van shrugged, " Yeah....I feel like doing that to you too at times Allen, and besides...you already got away with that once...remember? But, I'm going to go check her room out now. So, if you'll excuse me..."
He brushed past him and went to the door. Allen frowned and chased after him, " Hey! Wait up..."
Van stopped and cracked his bare toes as Allen rushed up to his side, slightly out of breath. Van looked over at him and chuckled, " Why are you coming? "
Allen scratched his head as he walked beside Van, " Because, I just want to check it out...to see if there's anything there...."
" How'd you know she was gone then? "
" Merle came and told me...", Allen replied.
" Oh...well, here we are...", Van said as he reached out and opened the door.
He stepped into the room and looked around. A pillow was discarded on the ground and the blankets were all messed up, half on and half off of the bed. Van frowned, " This isn't right...there's something wrong. "
" What do you mean? "
" Well, for instance....there's a note on the bed, and beside it is her pendant..."
Allen lifted and eyebrow, " That's very strange. "
Van nodded. He walked up to the bed and picked up the note. His eyes swept over the note a thousand times before he finally spoke up, " Allen? This is strange. It's wrong. The only way she's be able to get home is if she had her pendant, or a Dragon Energist....but that's right here...", he held it up in his hand. " And check this out. Here is what she wrote on the paper "
' Van, I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for your wedding.
I really wanted to see it, but I had to go back home. Tony
and my mother needed me, just as I needed them.
Here is my pendant. Consider is as an early wedding present.
I'll miss you - even though I've only known you for a while now.
I wish you luck with your marriage, you and Gabriella were
meant to be....'
Love you always,
Hitomi kanzaki
Allen frowned, " That doesn't sound like her. Why would she say ' Love you always'? "
Van bit his lip as he folded the letter and shoved it into his pocket. He took the pendant and slipped it around his neck , " I don't know. But it is obviously her speaking. Me, you, and her are the only ones who know about her baby boy Tony...", he pointed out.
Allen scratched his chin as he considered his words, " You're probably right Van. So then she's at home? "
Van nodded, " Yeah...."
" They why is her dress still here? And why is her bed this way? It's like someone came here in the middle of the night and - "
" No! I don't want to think of it that way! "
" Why? "
" Because...."
" Why? You just want to think that she's gone home and possibly hasn't been kidnapped? "
The words hung in the air like thick fog. Van swallowed, " I don't want to think of that at all. I don't even want it to come to that conclusion...."
Allen sighed, " Alright. So, she just went home..."
" Right. Look Allen...I'm going to get dressed. You can look around some more if you want, but I've got to meet Gabriella in the garden for lunch....."
" Fine....whatever. "
Van stared at Allen's foul expression and then turned to leave.
***
" Everything is going well? "
" Yes Highness. She has been taken away from the castle...", Serge answered.
" Good. Where'd she get stored? "
" In an old abandoned warehouse...."
Gabriella chuckled, " How far is that from here? "
" About three blocks. The thugs are still with her...."
" Did you get the information from her like I had requested? "
" Yes Highness...."
" Good work Serge. Let's just pray that the King has gotten or seen the letter and the pendant..."
" We left them on the bed after you wrote it..."
Gabriella smirked, " Well Serge. You deserve a reward..."
Serge bowed, " Thank you Highness. You are too kind. "
She shrugged, " You've been in the family since I was born. I love you like a father, Serge...now, go to your room. I shall
call you down later for your reward...."
He bowed deeply and left the room. Gabriella threw her head back and laughed, " Oh! Everything is going well. Tomorrow afternoon is the wedding and Hitomi Kanzaki won't be there to witness it...poor, poor thing! "
She walked out of the room and made her way down to the gardens where she spotted Van pulled petals from a blue-green flower. She walked up to him and forced a smile, " Why, you made it. How wonderful. "
He looked up and smiled, " Of course I did. Just as you had requested...."
She nodded and linked an arm through his. Her long blonde hair swayed in the breeze, " So...what shall we do? Spend some time together before we are wed tomorrow? "
He shrugged as he patted her hand gently, " Whatever you feel like doing is fine with me. But...I...have an important meeting to attend to with the King and Queen of Asturia in a bit.. "
She nodded, " Perfectly understandable. So, what's new in your life? "
He grinned, " Beside for our marriage tomorrow? Well...Hitomi has returned to her home, so she won't be attending the wedding..."
' Yes! So he did get the letter...'. " Really? How come? I wanted to get to know her more...."
Van nodded absentmindedly, " Yes.....I noticed! "
Gabriella lifted an eyebrow, " And that means what? "
" Huh? Oh...nothing love. Don't worry. I was just thinking, that's all. "
" About what? "
" Oh...just about our wedding tomorrow, and how I'm the most happiest man in the world..."
Gabriella giggled, " You're not the only happy one Van..."
He nodded, " Yes...I know. "
She smiled lightly and rested her head against his arm, " Van? Why'd she leave? "
She felt the muscles in his arms stiffen, " I...I don't know. I guess she missed her baby boy. That's what it said in the letter..."
She nodded, " Oh...I'm sorry she left. ", silently she added. ' Thank the gods, she's finally gone! '
Van frowned, " there was nothing between us. If there was, it is gone....", silently he cried out. ' Oh Hitomi, where could you be? I don't believe it that you're back at home '
" I see. How come? What happened? "
Van shrugged, " It's nothing. You don't need to worry about it. "
She frowned, " Alright. So, how's Merle doing? "
" She's alright. She was up late last night, so she's probably sleeping....", he lied.
" Oh. How's Keldorn doing? "
' How do you know about him? '
" He's busy as usual. Planning and making sure that everything's ready for the wedding tomorrow...."
She nodded, " I see. Shall we go now to have some lunch? "
He frowned lightly and then nodded, " Yes. No! Wait...we can't. I'm sorry, but I have to go see Allen now. If you'll excuse me...."
She frowned and narrowed her eyes. She nodded and sighed, " Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then? "
He nodded, " Of course....don't worry...."
She nodded and watched as he left her alone in the garden. She turned and looked down at the ground where the discarded petals were. She frowned as she read what was left. Someone's initials....H.K. She narrowed her eyes and then lashed a foot out at them, scattering them around the grass.
***
Allen watched as Millerna rocked Leon to sleep. He sighed as he raked a hand through his hair, " Millerna? What do you think? "
She looked up at him and frowned, " What do you mean? "
" About Hitomi going missing...."
" Oh...I don't think she went home."
" How come? Where do you think she went? "
Millerna shrugged, " She was probably kidnapped....that's what it looked like when you showed me her room. It was so out of place...it wasn't like her at all. "
Allen nodded, " You're right. I didn't even think of it that way...."
" Allen! This is getting to me....."
Allen looked over at the door to find Van standing there, panting, trying to catch his breath. Allen frowned and stood up,
" What are you talking about Van? "
He walked into the room and sat down on a chair with his head in his hands, " I mean....this isn't like her. I'm starting to believe that she was actually kidnapped...and I don't want to think of it that way..."
Millerna frowned as she walked away from the cradle. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Van, " Well...then what do you think we should do? "
" I think we should go on with the wedding...."
Allen knitted his brows and protested, " But Van! "
" Allen....it has to go on. But I will send guards out to look for her...." he repeated. " and if she isn't here at least by tomorrow morning, then I'm going to go out there and look for her myself..."
" Why don't you do that now? "
" Because...I just can't. I don't know why....", he confessed.
Millerna frowned, " Why? What's wrong? "
Van bit his lip, " I don't know. It's kind of strange....like there's something there. I have a strange tingling sensation all over my body....I don't know what it is either..."
" Hmm...does anything hurt? "
Van nodded, " Yeah....everything. "
Millerna lifted an eyebrow, " Could you be at least a little bit more specific? "
Van winced lightly, " It's like someone's hit me over and over with something hard....."
" Come on Van...you gotta help me out. "
" It's my....heart ", he placed a hand to his chest and then a hand to his head. " And also my head. They're throbbing....it's like a heartache and a headache all at once. "
Millerna lifted an eyebrow, " Very strange. Anything else? "
Van closed his eyes and winced again, " There! There it was again. It was like someone hit me....but there's only you two and me here..."
Millerna gasped lightly as her eyes widened. She looked at Van's face and covered her mouth with hand, " Oh my god
Van....y-you're bleeding! "
Allen knitted his brows and nodded as he walked up to him and gently wiped away blood from the corner of his mouth. He showed Van, " You are....you're mouth is bleeding..."
Van swallowed. He slowly stood up and looked at them. He brought a hand up to his cheek and gently rubbed it, wincing while he did so, " My cheek hurts..."
Millerna walked up to him and gently removed his hand. She knitted her brows as she examined the bruise on the side of his face, " V-van? Did you get in any fights on the way here? "
Van shook his head, " No....I didn't. Why? "
" Because...you now have a big bruise on the side of your face....."
Van squinted his eyes and then closed them, " I...I don't feel so good. I feel...sick. Everything is spinning now...and everything is going in and out of focus..."
He swayed to the side and bumped up against Allen. Millerna frowned, " Get him to a bed....we've gotta find out what's wrong with him..."
Allen nodded as he placed a supporting arm around his waist and half carried, half dragged Van to the bed. He laid him down and looked down at his face. He frowned as he reached out and touched his cheek. Blood suddenly oozed out from the corner of his mouth and dribbled down his chin. Van's head fell to the side.
Dedication: Okies....Taemyr...buddy ol' pal!! You still love me right.....? RIGHT!!! *shrugs* Meh! Anywho, this goes out to all who read and are actually kind enough to leave me a review.....if you don't leave me a review, then I'm going to consider you as mean, and pigheaded....*giggles* in Hitomi Kanzaki's words in the very first episode of Escaflowne when she meets....Van!!
~*~Chapter 6~*~
~*~A strange disappearing act~*~
Gabriella frowned lightly as she looked out at the stars from her balcony. She hadn't seen Van at supper time and that was very strange. Serge cleared his throat from inside the room, " Highness? I believe you're thinking of something. Am I right? "
She nodded and turned to look at him, " As a matter of fact, I am Serge. I need you to find out if Hitomi Kanzaki is in her room. Then I want you to go find some men who are willing to agree to a kidnapping plot. Alright? "
Serge scratched his chin, " Is that wise? Including if the wedding is tomorrow afternoon....", he pointed out.
She nodded, " Trust me. It should work out...now please...."
" Yes Highness, I'll be right back to inform you about what's happened. Alright? "
" That would be wonderful Serge. "
He nodded and slipped from the room. Gabriella turned back to look up at the stars, " This is just a little present for you...Hitomi Kanzaki! I hope you have fun being alone for the rest of your life, living in the dark with only rats to talk to....", she threw her head back and laughed evilly.
***
" How is she? "
Van's eyes flew open and his head came up from the arm of the chair. He watched as Allen crept quietly into the room. He yawned and stretched lazily, " She seems to be alright. I had Puck check on her. She said that it was probably just a fainting spell....but when I caught her, she had blood coming out of her mouth..."
Allen nodded as he looked down at her. The candle beside the bed casting eerie shadows across her face and he smiled, " Beautiful...ain't she? I came here to thank her, for saving baby Leon when she did...what do you think the blood was from? "
Van nodded as he watched her chest rise and fall with her even breathing, " I'm sure she knows how grateful you and Millerna are. You could thank her in the morning too you know? I have no clue what the blood was from...."
" I know. But I wanted to make sure she was alright, that's all. She gave me a fright when she fell into your arms..."
Van chuckled and waved a hand through the air, " I don't have anything for her anymore...."
Allen lifted an eyebrow and then snorted, " Uh-huh! That's why you've never left her beside since this afternoon? Your fiancée was worried and looking for you..."
Van shrugged as he continued to watch her breasts. He licked his lips and then shook his head, " I know....look, I'm going to go take a walk. Care to join me? I need to get out and away from here for just a while..."
Allen frowned as he studied Van's face, " Uh....sure, I wouldn't mind that at all..."
Van slowly stood up. He reached over and gently pulled the light afgan over her body, then he gently blew out the candle.
He turned and looked at Allen, who was watching him. He shrugged and headed for the door. Allen's frown deepened as he followed behind him, his hands claped behind his back tightly.
***
Serge watched in silence as Van and Allen quietly closed the door behind them. They turned from the door and walked down the dimly lit hallway. Serge motioned over his shoulder for the five hired men in the shadows to advance. They sneered, snickered, and nodded. Serge stood behind one of the marble pillars, watching as the five hired thugs slowly opened the door and disappeared into the room.
Serge snickered and turned down the hall, heading back to Gabriella's room to give her the good news.
***
Hitomi groaned lightly as she heard footsteps approach her bed. She opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked around. She frowned and then reached over to reignite the candle, but she was stopped as a firm hand clamped down on her wrist. A scream tore from her mouth, but it was quickly muffled as another hand fell onto her mouth.
She struggled against whoever was holding her. The hand was removed but in it's place a thick gag was placed over her mouth. Her eyes widened in fright as they tried to adjust to the darkness. She saw five tall, very built men, surrounding her bed. She blinked and lashed a foot out at the one to her right. He laughed lightly as her pathetic attack and he grabbed her leg and quickly tied it together with her other leg.
Something was slipped over her head. It was big and heavy. It was a potatoe sack. It scratched at her face as they tied a rope around her neck to secure it down. The inside of the bag scratched at her face and her face felt like it was being picked at by thousands of pins and needles. She was quickly flipped over onto her stomach. Her hands were harshly brought out behind her back and then bounded together tightly by think ropes. She tried to scream against the gag, but it was no use. No one could hear her. No one would hear her. She was all alone.
She heard men laughing as she was picked up and then thrown over someone's wide, broad shoulder. She began to struggle until she felt a hard hand smack her butt. She winced, ' Bastard! I swear, if I ever get out of this, I'm going to have you ass! '
She heard a door open and then close. She felt wet warm tears slide down her cheeks as she began to panic, ' They're taking me away! Away from the safety in the walls of the castle. But where? Where are they taking me? Van....please, come save me. I'm scared....don't make me go with them ', she thought in fear.
***
Van opened his eyes to the bright sunlight that shone into his bedroom. He groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. The warm breeze flowing in from the balcony caressed his bare chest and arms. A knock at the door made him frown, " Come in...."
Allen stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He crossed his arms over his chest and walked over to the bed. He looked down at Van, " You know Hitomi's missing? "
Van opened a gap between his fingers and peered up at him, " What are you talking about? "
" She's gone. Just suddenly disappeared in the middle of the night. No one knows where she went..."
Van frowned, " Maybe she went home. "
" Van! ", Allen cried. " Don you even care? "
Van sat up and slid his legs over the side of the bed. He scratched his head and looked up at Allen, " Of course I
care....it's just that..."
Allen drew his lips together and then back in an impatient line, " What? What's bugging you? "
" It's just that she doesn't remember anything so....she's better off just going back home...where she remembers everything..."
" Well...don't you think you should go and look for her? "
Van sighed through his pursed lips and raked a hand through his hair. He shrugged lightly, " Maybe she's just...jealous about the wedding, and she decided to pull some dumb disappering act.. "
Allen frowned. He was starting to get sick and tired of Van's pigheaded attitude, " That's the most stupidest thing I've ever heard in my entire thirty-one years of living on this planet! If she doesn't remember who you are, then why would she even care? "
Van stood up and began to pace the room. His bare feet loving the plush feeling of the carpet beneath his feet. He looked at Allen and bit his lip, " You didn't see the look of disappointment and hurt in her eyes. I was there Allen, I saw it clearly.."
" Then why don't you go break off the marriage to Gabriella and marry Hitomi? You guys were meant to be with each other. To grow old together and to die together. That's how it was destined for you two...think about it Van. Don't listen to your damn advisors....listen to what your heart tells you...."
Van sighed in defeat. He shook his head, " I'll send some guards out to look for her, but this wedding to Gabriella will go on. It was all arranged. That's how it's going to be and go..."
Allen threw his hands up into the aor, a cry of frustration followed, " Oh! Van...you're so....pigheaded! I swear sometimes I just want to beat you on the back of the head with the back of my sword! "
Van shrugged, " Yeah....I feel like doing that to you too at times Allen, and besides...you already got away with that once...remember? But, I'm going to go check her room out now. So, if you'll excuse me..."
He brushed past him and went to the door. Allen frowned and chased after him, " Hey! Wait up..."
Van stopped and cracked his bare toes as Allen rushed up to his side, slightly out of breath. Van looked over at him and chuckled, " Why are you coming? "
Allen scratched his head as he walked beside Van, " Because, I just want to check it out...to see if there's anything there...."
" How'd you know she was gone then? "
" Merle came and told me...", Allen replied.
" Oh...well, here we are...", Van said as he reached out and opened the door.
He stepped into the room and looked around. A pillow was discarded on the ground and the blankets were all messed up, half on and half off of the bed. Van frowned, " This isn't right...there's something wrong. "
" What do you mean? "
" Well, for instance....there's a note on the bed, and beside it is her pendant..."
Allen lifted and eyebrow, " That's very strange. "
Van nodded. He walked up to the bed and picked up the note. His eyes swept over the note a thousand times before he finally spoke up, " Allen? This is strange. It's wrong. The only way she's be able to get home is if she had her pendant, or a Dragon Energist....but that's right here...", he held it up in his hand. " And check this out. Here is what she wrote on the paper "
' Van, I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for your wedding.
I really wanted to see it, but I had to go back home. Tony
and my mother needed me, just as I needed them.
Here is my pendant. Consider is as an early wedding present.
I'll miss you - even though I've only known you for a while now.
I wish you luck with your marriage, you and Gabriella were
meant to be....'
Love you always,
Hitomi kanzaki
Allen frowned, " That doesn't sound like her. Why would she say ' Love you always'? "
Van bit his lip as he folded the letter and shoved it into his pocket. He took the pendant and slipped it around his neck , " I don't know. But it is obviously her speaking. Me, you, and her are the only ones who know about her baby boy Tony...", he pointed out.
Allen scratched his chin as he considered his words, " You're probably right Van. So then she's at home? "
Van nodded, " Yeah...."
" They why is her dress still here? And why is her bed this way? It's like someone came here in the middle of the night and - "
" No! I don't want to think of it that way! "
" Why? "
" Because...."
" Why? You just want to think that she's gone home and possibly hasn't been kidnapped? "
The words hung in the air like thick fog. Van swallowed, " I don't want to think of that at all. I don't even want it to come to that conclusion...."
Allen sighed, " Alright. So, she just went home..."
" Right. Look Allen...I'm going to get dressed. You can look around some more if you want, but I've got to meet Gabriella in the garden for lunch....."
" Fine....whatever. "
Van stared at Allen's foul expression and then turned to leave.
***
" Everything is going well? "
" Yes Highness. She has been taken away from the castle...", Serge answered.
" Good. Where'd she get stored? "
" In an old abandoned warehouse...."
Gabriella chuckled, " How far is that from here? "
" About three blocks. The thugs are still with her...."
" Did you get the information from her like I had requested? "
" Yes Highness...."
" Good work Serge. Let's just pray that the King has gotten or seen the letter and the pendant..."
" We left them on the bed after you wrote it..."
Gabriella smirked, " Well Serge. You deserve a reward..."
Serge bowed, " Thank you Highness. You are too kind. "
She shrugged, " You've been in the family since I was born. I love you like a father, Serge...now, go to your room. I shall
call you down later for your reward...."
He bowed deeply and left the room. Gabriella threw her head back and laughed, " Oh! Everything is going well. Tomorrow afternoon is the wedding and Hitomi Kanzaki won't be there to witness it...poor, poor thing! "
She walked out of the room and made her way down to the gardens where she spotted Van pulled petals from a blue-green flower. She walked up to him and forced a smile, " Why, you made it. How wonderful. "
He looked up and smiled, " Of course I did. Just as you had requested...."
She nodded and linked an arm through his. Her long blonde hair swayed in the breeze, " So...what shall we do? Spend some time together before we are wed tomorrow? "
He shrugged as he patted her hand gently, " Whatever you feel like doing is fine with me. But...I...have an important meeting to attend to with the King and Queen of Asturia in a bit.. "
She nodded, " Perfectly understandable. So, what's new in your life? "
He grinned, " Beside for our marriage tomorrow? Well...Hitomi has returned to her home, so she won't be attending the wedding..."
' Yes! So he did get the letter...'. " Really? How come? I wanted to get to know her more...."
Van nodded absentmindedly, " Yes.....I noticed! "
Gabriella lifted an eyebrow, " And that means what? "
" Huh? Oh...nothing love. Don't worry. I was just thinking, that's all. "
" About what? "
" Oh...just about our wedding tomorrow, and how I'm the most happiest man in the world..."
Gabriella giggled, " You're not the only happy one Van..."
He nodded, " Yes...I know. "
She smiled lightly and rested her head against his arm, " Van? Why'd she leave? "
She felt the muscles in his arms stiffen, " I...I don't know. I guess she missed her baby boy. That's what it said in the letter..."
She nodded, " Oh...I'm sorry she left. ", silently she added. ' Thank the gods, she's finally gone! '
Van frowned, " there was nothing between us. If there was, it is gone....", silently he cried out. ' Oh Hitomi, where could you be? I don't believe it that you're back at home '
" I see. How come? What happened? "
Van shrugged, " It's nothing. You don't need to worry about it. "
She frowned, " Alright. So, how's Merle doing? "
" She's alright. She was up late last night, so she's probably sleeping....", he lied.
" Oh. How's Keldorn doing? "
' How do you know about him? '
" He's busy as usual. Planning and making sure that everything's ready for the wedding tomorrow...."
She nodded, " I see. Shall we go now to have some lunch? "
He frowned lightly and then nodded, " Yes. No! Wait...we can't. I'm sorry, but I have to go see Allen now. If you'll excuse me...."
She frowned and narrowed her eyes. She nodded and sighed, " Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then? "
He nodded, " Of course....don't worry...."
She nodded and watched as he left her alone in the garden. She turned and looked down at the ground where the discarded petals were. She frowned as she read what was left. Someone's initials....H.K. She narrowed her eyes and then lashed a foot out at them, scattering them around the grass.
***
Allen watched as Millerna rocked Leon to sleep. He sighed as he raked a hand through his hair, " Millerna? What do you think? "
She looked up at him and frowned, " What do you mean? "
" About Hitomi going missing...."
" Oh...I don't think she went home."
" How come? Where do you think she went? "
Millerna shrugged, " She was probably kidnapped....that's what it looked like when you showed me her room. It was so out of place...it wasn't like her at all. "
Allen nodded, " You're right. I didn't even think of it that way...."
" Allen! This is getting to me....."
Allen looked over at the door to find Van standing there, panting, trying to catch his breath. Allen frowned and stood up,
" What are you talking about Van? "
He walked into the room and sat down on a chair with his head in his hands, " I mean....this isn't like her. I'm starting to believe that she was actually kidnapped...and I don't want to think of it that way..."
Millerna frowned as she walked away from the cradle. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Van, " Well...then what do you think we should do? "
" I think we should go on with the wedding...."
Allen knitted his brows and protested, " But Van! "
" Allen....it has to go on. But I will send guards out to look for her...." he repeated. " and if she isn't here at least by tomorrow morning, then I'm going to go out there and look for her myself..."
" Why don't you do that now? "
" Because...I just can't. I don't know why....", he confessed.
Millerna frowned, " Why? What's wrong? "
Van bit his lip, " I don't know. It's kind of strange....like there's something there. I have a strange tingling sensation all over my body....I don't know what it is either..."
" Hmm...does anything hurt? "
Van nodded, " Yeah....everything. "
Millerna lifted an eyebrow, " Could you be at least a little bit more specific? "
Van winced lightly, " It's like someone's hit me over and over with something hard....."
" Come on Van...you gotta help me out. "
" It's my....heart ", he placed a hand to his chest and then a hand to his head. " And also my head. They're throbbing....it's like a heartache and a headache all at once. "
Millerna lifted an eyebrow, " Very strange. Anything else? "
Van closed his eyes and winced again, " There! There it was again. It was like someone hit me....but there's only you two and me here..."
Millerna gasped lightly as her eyes widened. She looked at Van's face and covered her mouth with hand, " Oh my god
Van....y-you're bleeding! "
Allen knitted his brows and nodded as he walked up to him and gently wiped away blood from the corner of his mouth. He showed Van, " You are....you're mouth is bleeding..."
Van swallowed. He slowly stood up and looked at them. He brought a hand up to his cheek and gently rubbed it, wincing while he did so, " My cheek hurts..."
Millerna walked up to him and gently removed his hand. She knitted her brows as she examined the bruise on the side of his face, " V-van? Did you get in any fights on the way here? "
Van shook his head, " No....I didn't. Why? "
" Because...you now have a big bruise on the side of your face....."
Van squinted his eyes and then closed them, " I...I don't feel so good. I feel...sick. Everything is spinning now...and everything is going in and out of focus..."
He swayed to the side and bumped up against Allen. Millerna frowned, " Get him to a bed....we've gotta find out what's wrong with him..."
Allen nodded as he placed a supporting arm around his waist and half carried, half dragged Van to the bed. He laid him down and looked down at his face. He frowned as he reached out and touched his cheek. Blood suddenly oozed out from the corner of his mouth and dribbled down his chin. Van's head fell to the side.
