Disclaimer: I wonder....what would happen if I went to the creators of Escaflowne and bought every character from them...hmmm
Dedication: To......you, the reader and the reviewer...



~**~Chapter 8~**~

~**~Hitomi, I'll never let you -- ~**~

Serge looked down into Hitomi's wide eyes and a smirk came onto his lips. He reached out and softly caressed her cheek. Hitomi flinched and turned her head to the side. She didn't want to be here. Wherever HERE was. She wanted to be in her room, sleeping in the large bed, hugging her pillow to her chest as she thought about her baby boy.

' Oh, Tony....', she thought as silent tears came to her eyes. ' I miss you so much, baby.....'

Serge watched her and cocked his head to the side, " Well...what should I do with you, Hitomi? "

Hitomi looked at him and tried to back away, but Serge had her pressed into the bed now. She squirmed against him and he chuckled low in his throat as he lowered his mouth to hers. Hitomi shook her head and tried to get herself swallowed up by the mattress. His mouth was closing in on hers and she shook her head again. She let out a breath before leaning back into the pillows and then spitting at his face.

Serge let out a growl before he jumped off of her. Hitomi sighed in relief and sat up quickly as she began to back away from him and then press herself against the wall.

Serge wiped the spit from his cheek and then glared at her, " Hitomi! When will you ever learn? "

Hitomi lifted an eyebrow and brought her knees up to her chin, hugging them she looked at him, " L-learn what? I don't understand...."

Serge nodded, " I know you don't understand. How could you understand if you can't remember? "

Hitomi shook her head, " I don't want to remember...."

Serge sneered at her, " And why's that? You afraid of him or something? "

" Afraid of w-who? "

Serge laughed and then made his way towards her by crawling onto the bed, " It was him to put you in here. He didn't want you around anymore, so he got rid of you. Hitomi why can't you see that he doesn't want you anymore. You've forgotten about him, and he's sick and tired of you....."

Hitomi watched him, and shook her head. He smirked and then lunged at her, grabbing the front of her shirt and pulling her to him roughly.

Their noses were touching as he glowered at her, " First off, Hitomi, when you decide to drop by Gaia, you're always suppose to remember. Second, never EVER spit at a royal advisor....you're going to regret it later, believe me you will. Third, when royalty marries royalty, you're NEVER suppose to try to stop it from happening...", he shouted at her.

' I never did try to stop it! I was a little upset but not enough to go and stop it...'

Hitomi cringed. Her hand shot up to grasp his wrist. Hitomi wanted to be free, not to be some...toy for some psycho advisor. ' What's going on? I still don't understand any of it. My minds a blank at the moment.... ', she thought in fear.

Hitomi looked into his eyes and saw hunger. She began to tremble and then whispered hoarsely at him, " W-what do you plan on doing with me...."

" What do I plan on doing? ", Serge narrowed his eye. " Whatever I please to do to you, Hitomi...."

Hitomi swallowed thickly and shook her head, " I don't want you to touch me....just...leave me alone...", she pleaded. " Why can't you just go away? "

' This is all a dream. I'm going to wake up in two seconds with Tony jumping up and down on my stomach, whining for his breakfast..... ', she thought as she closed her eyes.

Serge watched her face for a second before pressing his lips to hers, kissing her deeply. She felt his tongue at her bottom lip and she tried to clamp her eyes shut against the feeling. She parted her lips and then felt his tongue invade her mouth. Hitomi flinched and then when half his tongue was in her mouth she bit down onto it.

Hitomi tasted the blood pour into her mouth and she wrenched her mouth from his. She bent over and began to gag, as she spit out the blood. Serge cried out and the grip he had on the front of her shirt was gone as his hands went to his mouth. His eyes flashed with anger as he reached down, grasped the back of Hitomi's shirt, pulled her up to face him as his hand lashed out at her face and connected.

Hitomi whimpered quietly and her hand went up to rub her cheek. Serge jumped off the bed and made his way to the door. Hitomi laid on the bed, curled up in a fetal position.

Serge sneered and then snorted in disgust, " Let's just hope you think you know what you're doing. For this night, my friend, will probably be your last..... "

Hitomi closed her eyes and tried to block the rough voice from her head. She heard the door slam and she was once again left alone with the dead corpses to keep her company. Her lower lip trembled and she felt tears sting her eyes. Silently she cried out, ' Van...how could you? How could you be so cold hearted? How could you put me in here...is it because I was a little mad at you for marrying that...w-witch? '

*****************************************************************************


Van cocked his head to the side as he watched Merle pace the floor in front of his bed. He sat crossed legged with a pillow on his lap.

Van frowned, " So...what you're telling me, is that you think that it really is Gabriella who kidnapped Hitomi? "

Merle stopped and nodded, " Yes, Lord Van....don't you see? "

Van lifted an eyebrow as he raked a hand through his hair, " See what? "

Merle sighed, " That....you should be out there...looking for her yourself. You shouldn't be here, talking with me about Gabriella..."

It was Van's turn to sigh, " I know...I know. But I don't think that I should..."

" Why!?! ", she nearly cried out in disbelief.

" What? ", Van looked at her.

Merle shook her head and then walked over to the bed, " Lord Van. Where do you think you're place is? "

" Here...."

" No! What I meant was, who do you think fate has chosen for you to spend the rest of your life with? "

" Hitomi.... ", Van's reply came out as a whisper and he bowed his head.

Merle crossed her arms over her chest and watched him, " Then? What in Atlantis' name are you doing getting married to Gabriella? "

Van shrugged lightly, " Because to be forgotten is worse then death....", he replied softly.

Merle bit her lip, " I...I'm sorry, Lord Van. I don't know what to say..."

Van looked up at her, with pleading eyes, " You could always come in here and not talk about her....."

" Who? "

" Hitomi....."

" Why? Don't you remember your adventures with her? Her admitting that she loved you...."

Van looked back down at the bed, " I remember the adventures...the proclaimation of love, but...where is all that now? "

" I-it's obviously gone now..."

Van nodded, " Yeah. And why? Because she doesn't remember...who we are, what happened in the past...nothing... "

Merle sighed heavily, " I see....I still don't understand, Lord Van, why you never even tried to help her remember...."

Van shrugged and remained silent as he looked down at his hands. He bit his lip and the name cried out in his mind, ' Hitomi!! No.....I can't help you, I'm sorry...I wish there were something I could do. '

Merle scratched her head and then began to pace the floor once again, " Lord Van....I just don't see why you were never there for her... "

Van's head shot up and he blinked, " What do you mean, Merle? I was always there for her.... ", he defended himself.

Merle sighed heavily and crossed the room to the door, remaining silent. Van knitted his brows together in confusion at what she had said and he jumped off the bed, making his way towards her slowly, " Merle! What are you talking about? Explain it to me..... "

Merle stopped in front of the door. She pulled it open quietly and turned around to face him. Tears ran down her face and she sniffled lightly. Van stopped and looked at her. He outstretched a hand to her and Merle shook her head.

Van bit his lip, " Merle, what are you talking about? ", he demanded softly.

Merle flashed him a meek smile as the tears slipped from her eyes, " I-if you were always there for her Lord Van, then why aren't you there now? Hitomi needs you and you're sitting here, w-waiting for HER to return to YOU..."

Van blinked and took a step back as if she had slapped him hard, " Merle...I-I.... "

Merle shook her head and swiped at some of the tears with the back of her hand, " No! D-don't say anything. Hitomi could be dead for all we know and you don't seem to care..... "

Van swallowed and took a step towards her. Merle shook her head again only hard. She turned and ran from the rom crying softly. Van stared at the door and then felt his knees buckle. He crumpled to the ground, trembling softly, as tears threatened to flow.

Van shook his head, " T-this isn't h-happening..... ", he muttered as he clenched his hands into tight fists.

Allen walked past the door and looked inside. He saw Van hunched over on the ground and sighed lightly as he walked away from the open door. Van brought his arms up into the air and then slammed his fists into the ground hard, as Merle's words echoed throughout his mind.....

' Hitomi could be dead for all we know and you don't seem to care..... '

******************************************************************

Gabriella frowned impatiently as she sat out on the balcony, loving the feeling of the warm breeze caressing her face. Serge was late. He was suppose to be back with something on Hitomi, like some important information.

" Where is he? He's late and he's going to pay for making me wait.... ", Gabriella muttered under her breath as she sighed lightly.

Serge rushed in the room, slightly out of breath. He walked to the doorway of the balcony and bowed slightly, " Highness.... "

Gabriella looked up at him and smirked, " What took you so long? "

Serge stood up straight and cocked his head to the side, " I had some...fun.... "

Gabriella lifted an eyebrow, " Well, this is news...what kind of fun, Serge? "

Serge shrugged lightly, " Only the kind that you gave me permission to have.... ", he reminded her lightly.

Gabriella grinned and nodded, " Well done, Serge. But you're half an hour late...what do you have to tell me? "

Serge frowned, " I...there's nothing to tell, Highness.... "

" Really? She didn't confess anything? "

Serge shook his head, " No, Highness....why should she have to if we know everything about her? "

" Good point, Serge. "

" Thank you, Highness. So what's your plan for now? "

" Well....the marriage will take place tomorrow afternoon. So...we just sit here and relax. "

Serge bowed, " Thank you, High -- "

Gabriella lifted a hand, silencing him abruptly, " Not you, Serge. "

Serge lifted his head and looked at her, " Highness? "

Gabriella smirked wickedly, " Serge, I have a special job for you. It concerns Hitomia Kanzaki once again.... "

Serge stood up and clasped his hands behind his back, " Highness.... "

" I want you to grab the same henchmen who helped you kidnap her and go to the warehouse.... "

Serge cocked his head to the side and watched her. Gabriella suddenly laughed, "....go to the warehouse and make sure that it creates a wonderful lighting show for Fanelia...... "

" You mean....burn it down? "

" Precisely, Serge. And make sure that Hitomi doesn't escape....got it? "

Serge smirked and nodded, " Highness.... "

Gabriella nodded and leaned her head back against the chair and closed her eyes, " Make sure it's down right and that no one finds out.... "

Serge bowed and then left the balcony. Gabriella smiled and then sighed, " I haven't had this much fun since...well, I can't remember..... "

********************************************

Hitomi sniffled lightly as she finished crying to herself and to the dead bodies in the far corner. She looked around the dark room and then sighed quietly, " I want to go back home....I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't belong here..... "

There was a light rustling sound in the far corner where the bodies were and Hitomi held her breath. The rustling sounds died down and she was alone once again. She sighed again and then yawned lightly, " Maybe...I should just close my eyes and never awaken again. There's no point in me living....I mean, hey, I don't know anyone here but they know me.... "

' What about Tony....? '

Hitomi sighed heavily and fresh tears sprang to her eyes, " Oh, Tony, baby...I miss you so much.... "

' He misses you too.... '

" I know, I know.... ", Hitomi muttered as she closed her eyes slowly.

' ..........remember Hitomi! Don't you ever forget them......think of all the good, magical and romantic times that you shared with them. Remember what you told me, Hitomi!! Please! '

Hitomi's eyes snapped open and she stared into the darkness, " I've heard that voice before...m-mother? Where are you? "

Hitomi bolted up in the bed and looked around. She scratched her head and then frowned, " What the hell? What does she mean? Remember who? "

'....your angel, Hitomi.... '

" I don't have an angel....the only angel I have is Greig.... "

' You're wrong, Hitomi. You have another one...a real one... '

Hitomi blinked, " R-real one? "

' Yes... '

" Who am I talking to? "

' Your past..... '

Hitomi lifted an eyebrow, " P-past? How is that possible? I don't understand what you mean..... "

' Look into your heart, Hitomi..... '

" I...I can't.... "

' You can, you just don't want to..... '

" What will I find if I do? ", Hitomi asked softly.

' You'll find what you've been searching for... '

" What's that? "

' True love.... '

Hitomi shook her head and covered her ears with her hands, " I don't want to hear another word of it. My only true love is gone....dead!! "

' You're wrong..... '

" How do you know? "

' Just look into your heart.... '

Hitomi bit her lip. She didn't want to hear any of it anymore. Greig was her only lover. There would be no one else. Hitomi sighed lightly, " I still don't understand. How do I look into my heart.....? "

' First picture Tony, and then picture the King of Fanelia..... '

" Why? What does he have to do with Tony? "

' Just do it.... '

Hitomi sighed and closed her eyes. Van's face came into her mind and she looked at it. Then she brought Tony's small face into her head. Hitomi shook her head, " I don't see anything.... ", she muttered.

' Just wait...it'll come sooner or later..... '

Hitomi nodded, " You were saying...about my true love? "

' Forget about that for now, Hitmoi. You've got to remember..... '

Hitomi sighed heavily and scratched her head, " Remember what? "

' What happened before..... '

" Before what? "

' Before you met Greig.....remember, Hitomi..... ', the voice urged.

" Remember what?! ", Hitomi shouted. " I don't understand what you're trying to say! "

' Hitomi....what do you see when you look at Van? '

" I see a hard-headed King, who's to interested in himself....to worry about others. ", Hitomi muttered.

' What?! Why? You...alright....what else.... '

Hitomi suddenly smiled lightly to herself and looked at the far wall across from the bed, dreamily, " And I see, someone who's.....sweet, caring, and he someone who cares for his country very much.... "

' Aha! There we go....you're remembering.... '

Hitomi blinked, " What? No...I...I don't know what I just said.... "

' You said that Van was sweet, and caring, and he's someone who cares for his country very much..... '

Hitomi sighed and closed her eyes, " I.... "

' You what....? '

An image of Van reaching out to her came into her mind. There was some bright light that surrounded them and the wind ruffled his black hair. Hitomi gasped and she felt her heart do a flip-flop in her chest as she saw the look in his eyes. Was it love? For her?

Van was a lot younger from then he wsa now. He stared at her with kind and worried eyes, yet there was something else in them, " Hitomi, here! ", he shouted as he leaned over farther with his hand outstretched.

Hitomi outstretched her hand and smiled, " Van.... ", the name escaped her lips as a soft whisper of joy.

Van reached over and wrapped his gloved hand around Hitomi's and pulled her up to him on the Escaflowne. Hitomi stared into his deep reddish-brown eyes and he stared down at her, " It's alright. I've got you. You're safe now..... ", he whispered lightly as he pulled her close to him, their faces only centimeters apart.

Hitomi felt tears brim her eyes as she stared into his eyes. She didn't know what to say. Van leaned in closer, " Hitomi....I'll never let you -- "

" Van! ", Hitomi cried in happiness, cutting him off as tears slid down her cheeks and as she threw herself into his arms.

Hitomi blinked and shook her head, " W-what was that? "

' The past..... '

" P-past...? "

' Yes....that's the past that you've forgotten.... '

" We...seemed happy to be with....each other. But why? "

' Love..... '

Hitomi swallowed thickly and laid down on the cot. She shook her head and began to cry softly, " Love? For what? Who? "

' You....he loved you and he still does..... '