Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne for the umpteenth time....
Dedication: To all I love and to all who love me and my stories....



~**~Chapter 10~**~ April 30, 2001/9:57:01 PM

*~*Troubles*~*


Gabriella smiled lightly to herself as she began to make her way down the aisle. Everyone's eyes were on her and her only. Van's eyes were on her as well, but there was something in them that caused Gabriella to quicken her pace towards the altar.

Doubt? Guilt? Regret?

The five priests stood quietly behind Van with long, tall staffs in their hands. They watched Gabriella with a strange look in their eyes as she continued to walk towards them. Van swallowed thickly and blinked, unable to tear his eyes from Gabriella even as he suddenly got a bad feeling about Hitomi.

Merle watched Gabriella in awe as she swept past her, " Wow.... ", she breathed the word quietly.

Gabriella stepped up to the altar and looked at Van, " Good-day, your Majesty... "

Van blinked and then nodded his head absently as he reached out to gently grab her hand and bring it up to his lips, " Good-day, Highness.... you look beautiful... ", he whispered.

' What are you doing? Think of Hitomi!! ', something shouted out to him in the back of his mind.

Van flashed her a light smile before kneeling down to a knee on the ground before the priests. Gabriella sighed inwardly and did the same. The tall priest in the middle of the five of them, slowly dipped the tip of his long staff inbetween the two lovers before touching it to both of their shoulders.

" Today is a special day for all of us, including these two people who have decided to come together. Van Slanzar de Fanel of Fanelia, and Gabriella Longarce of Floreria.... "

*****

Allen and Gaddeth both jumped down from their horses as soon as they came to a stop in front of the burning warehouse. People were gathering around it, gasping and pointing at the large front door that stood open and wide.

Allen looked over at Gaddeth and then noticed the doubt in his blue eyes, " Hey! Don't be thinking anything that might not be true... let's go! "

Gaddeth blinked and then nodded, " Right, commander... "

Allen pursed his lips together as he ran forward into the burning warehouse, an arm draped over his nose and mouth. Gaddeth followed closely, jumping out of the way of the flames and debris that fell from above or from the sides.

" Commander! Where would she be?! ", Gaddeth shouted over the roar of the flames as he tried his best to beat them away as they licked at him, tasting him out.

Allen's eyes squinted against the smoke as he scanned the area that was completely covered with flames, " She wouldn't be up here! Let's head down those stairs over there. ", he shouted back as he pointed to a set of metal stairs across the large room.

Gaddeth nodded and ran after Allen as he took off towards them. Together they quickly took the stairs two at a time, trying not to touch the railing in the process. They came to a stop in front of large metal door.

Allen cursed lightly as his eyes trained on the metal doorknob that was glowing a light reddish-orange, " We're never going to get in there.... "

Gaddeth began to cough, " It doesn't matter, commander. Just bust it open or something. We have to save Hitomi.... ", he reminded him as he began to cough again.

Allen quickly stripped himself of his blue Caeli jacket and stood in just his white loose shirt and pants. Gaddeth looked at him, " Commander? What are you doing? "

Allen wrapped his jacket around his right hand and then reached out to grasp the doorknob firmly. Gaddeth watched with worry in his eyes as Allen turned the doorknob all the way. The door clicked open and Allen quickly pushed it forward.

The room was completely ablaze. Allen had to place his arm over his eyes to shade it from the dark black smoke that hung in the air. He suddnly dropped to his knees and began to crawl towards the middle of the room.

The smoke stung his eyes and he had to close them against it as he continued to crawl forward, using his hands to feel for objects in front of him. His hand connected with something warm and thin. He wrapped his fingers around it and forced his eyes open.

Allen found himself looking down at Hitomi's soot covered face. Beneath the black smudges, pale, ashen skin was shown and Allen shook his head not wanting to believe she was dead. He reached out and gently dragged her into his arms.

Gaddeth appeared at his side and he let out a low somber note whistle, " Oh my God....is she..? "

Allen shrugged lightly as he slipped an arm under her knees and picked up as he stood up. He clamped his eyes shut against the smoke and began to quickly walk forward towards the door. Gaddeth's footsteps were heard following closely behind him as he stepped through the door and headed up the stairs.

" Commander! Watch out, above you!! ", Gaddeth's voice shouted from behind.

Allen looked up and watched as a large, thick wood pillar fell from the roof down onto him. He turned around to face Gaddeth quickly before he hunched over, protecting Hitomi from the object. The pillar of wood slammed into Allen's back and caused him to drop to the ground. Throwing Hitomi over to Gaddeth, Allen fell flat against the ground.

A loud cry of pain escaped Allen's throat as he felt the heat of the floor being pressed against his chest and the side of his face. Gaddeth slid Hitomi over his shoulder and rushed over to Allen. He bent down and peered into the soot covered face, " Commander! Are you alright? Can you move? "

Allen looked up at him and swallowed thickly, " I...I don't know... I can try. Hurry, we must get out of here... "

Gaddeth nodded and gently placed Hitomi on the ground. He then moved over and quickly lifted the wooden pillar off of Allen with lots of effort. Allen grimaced as he slowly stood up with the help of Gaddeth. He looked over at him and flashed him a smile of assurance, " Come on , Gaddeth! Let's get out of here, before it all burns down with us still inside... ", Allen shouted over the roar of the flames that licked at him.

Gaddeth nodded and stood up as Allen rushed over to Hitomi's figure and gently but quickly lifted her up into his arms. Together, Gaddeth and Allen both ran out of the smoke filled building out into the open where they heavily drank in the fresh air.

Allen looked down at Hitomi and groaned lightly as he ran towards the horses and jumped on, " She doesn't look good...quick, Gaddeth! "

Gaddeth nodded as he jumped onto his own horse and dug his heels into it's sides, sending it forward in a quick dead run. Allen did the same as he cradled Hitomi to his chest, silently praying under his breath that she was alive and wouldn't die on him before he reached the castle.

***

" .... and as long as you both shall live, in sickness and in death, your ties will last forever and forever... "

Van sighed quietly and closed his eyes against the fear and pain of losing Hitomi as it crept up into his back. He had glanced over at Gabriella once and noticed that she was carrying a small smirk to her perfect lips and it had confused him. The priest on the left side stepped forward and touched the tip of the staff to his and Gabriella's shoulders once again before clearing his throat and giving them the speech again.

' I'm so sorry.... ', a soft voice whispered to him.

Van's eyes snapped open and he glanced over at Gabriella. She had her eyes closed and her head bowed. Van shook his head, ' It couldn't have been her.... if not, then who? '

' I'm so sorry, Van.... I never believed you.... '

There it was again! Van blinked a few times before shaking his head to clear it. One priest on the right side frowned lightly, " Sire? Are you.... alright? ", he asked lightly.

Van looked up at him, " Huh? "

" Why were you shaking your head? Are you having doubts about this? ", the priest asked.

Van bit his lip and felt Gabriella's eyes on his face, " N-no.... please, continue. I was just thinking, that's all... you have no need to worry... ", he assured them as he bowed his head and closed him eyes.

Gabriella quirked an eyebrow and watched the side of his face before bowing her own head again and closing her eyes. Van sighed lightly and began to pray silently, ' Please, oh please.... let Hitomi be alright... please? She just has to be alright. I don't know what I'd do if she weren't alright... '

***

' He's planning to do it, youngin'. Go for it, and don't let her ruin everything for you. Think of all the things you had to sustain over the years.... and just to get where you are now... '

Gabriella smirked again and nodded her head. The priest knelt down in front of her and placed his thumb to her forehead. Chanting a very words over and over again, he finally stood up and then went over to Van to repeat the same thing he did to Gabriella. Suddenly it came.

" Gabriella Longarce? Do you wish to become one with Van Slanzar de Fanel? To become his proud wife? "

Gabriella lifted her head and looked the priest in the eye as she nodded her head slowly, " Yes... I do.... "

The priest nodded and looked over at Van, " Van Slanzar de Fanel? Do you wish to become one with Gabriella Longarce? To become her proud husband.... ? "

Van lifted his head and looked up at the priest. Gabriella watched him from the corner of her eye and noted that he was hesitating. She snorted lightly and continued to watch him. Van swallowed lightly and then looked down at the ground. The priest cocked his head to the side and watched the King.

" Sire? Do you wish to become one with Gabriella Longarce? ", he asked again.

Van took a deep breath, ' What if I make the biggest mistake of my life and marry someone other then Hitomi? What will happen to me then? Or her? Will marrying Gabriella make everything better? ', he wondered in his head.

Gabriella knitted her brows together as she watched him, ' He's going to say no.... I can tell he's going to decline! No, this can't be right! I'm the only one meant for him.... unless he's thinking of that girl! That's it!! That's who he's thinking of instead of our marriage... '

' I'm so sorry, Hitomi..... '

Van clamped his lips together as he stood up, Gabriella following his every moves. He looked at the priest and slowly nodded his head, " I, Van Slanzar de Fanel, wish to become one with -- "

" WAIT!!!! ", a deep voice shouted over the crowd.

****

Allen stood there at the end of the aisle, breathing hard, his face covered in soot, his white shirt torn in places, burnt here and there. Gaddeth stood beside him, his own face covered in soot, but his clothes weren't torn. Allen closed his eyes and muttered a silent prayer of thanks for arriving in time.

" Allen! ", Van shouted as he turned around to face the Knight Caeli.

Allen nodded his head slowly and then looked down at Hitomi. She had gone completely limp in his arms as he was running up the stairs that led out to the courtyard. Gaddeth bit the inside of his cheek and then looked at Van. Allen's head suddenly snapped up and he looked at Van, tears sparkling in his eyes.

" Van... ", Allen called out again.

Van looked at Hitomi and he felt his heart stop completely. Her clothes were torn, her skin a slight red, bruises on the side of her face. He ran from the priests, the protesting Gabriella and the altar. As he ran down the aisle, he quickly discarded his thick robe, letting it drop to the ground with a loud plop.

Van slowed down as he approached Allen. He looked down at Hitomi and shook his head, " N-no.... she isn't... dead, is she? ", he whispered as he reached out to caress the side of her soot covered face.

Allen swallowed and looked away. Van looked at him, " Is she? ", he demanded.

Gaddeth cleared his throat, " We don't really know... "

***

" Hitomi.... "

Hitomi groaned lightly and opened her eyes to the soft tone in the voice, " Hmm... who's there? ", she asked groggily as she slowly sat up and looked around.

" Hitomi... "

' What's going on? Who's out there? Who's talking to me? ', Hitomi wondered as she stood up, brushing away some light mist that floated past her.

" Who's there? ", Hitomi called out again.

" Hitomi... believe in him.... believe in what you are fighting for... "

Hitomi blinked, " F-fighting for? What am I fighting for? "

" Love... "

" L-love....? "

" Yes... "

" Where am I? ", Hitomi whispered lightly as the torn limb of a human floated past her.

" You.... are.... dead, Hitomi... ", Varie replied calmly and lightly as she watched the expression of shock enter Hitomi's soft featured face.

Hitomi blinked not wanting to believe it and took a step back, " Y-you're kidding, right? "

" No... I'm not.... "

" B-but how?! "

There was a light that glowed a light green. Hitomi caught it out of the corner of her eye and she whirled around to face whoever it was. Varie de Fanel slowly appeared, her head bowed, her arms crossed over her chest in a sort of protection, her black robe flaring out behind her.

Hitomi swallowed, " Y-you're Van's mother... "

Varie slowly opened her ruby eyes and looked at Hitomi. She nodded slowly, her pitch black hair bobbing up and down with the movement, " Yes.... Hitomi Kanzaki... "

Hitomi shook her head, " W-what do you mean... that I'm dead? ", she asked as she wrapped her arms around her stomach.

Varie nodded, " You are... and you aren't... "

" This isn't making any sense to me... "

Varie nodded again, " I knew it wouldn't.... "

Hitomi knitted her brows together and cocked her head to the side, " B-but.... what about Van? "

" Van can... take care of himself... "

Hitomi shook her head hard, " I don't want him to be alone! "

Varie shook her own head, " He won't be alone, Hitomi.... he has Gabriella... ", she stated simply.

Hitomi's jaw fell, but she snapped it shut, as the memories of Van inviting her to their wedding poured into her mind, " I can't let him.... "

Varie shook her head sadly, " It is.... too late, Hitomi... what's done, is done... "

Hitomi shook her head, " I won't believe it! You're lying... I've got to go back... ", she said as she turned around and began to run.

But where would she go? And to whom?

Varie outstretched a hand to her, " Hitomi.... be wary of the danger that lies ahead. Don't get caught in it's trap. "

Hitomi didn't really hear what Varie was shouting out to her. Her only concern was to get back to Van and quick...

***

Van blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. He reached over and tenderly traced her cheekbone, " Come on, Hitomi.... don't leave me... you have to come back.... ", he whispered as he gently reached out with his other hand and gave her shoulder a light shake.

Allen watched him and then looked at Hitomi, " V-van.... try something, please... ", he pleaded.

Van nodded and then leaned over. He licked his lips before he softly pressed them to Hitomi's. Allen looked over at Gabriella and he could've sworn he could see steam shooting out of her ears. Something stirring in his arms caused him to bring his attention downwards.

Hitomi moaned and her eyes fluttered open slowly. She looked at Van's closed eyes and suddenly inhaled deeply against his mouth causing him to jerk back, completely taken off guard, " H-hitomi! ", Van shouted in happiness and relief.

Hitomi blinked and looked at him, " V-v-van? Is that you? ", she whispered hoarsely.

Van felt his heart constrict with happiness. He nodded, " Yes! You're back... you with me... safe... ", he assured her.

A deep frown crinkled Hitomi's forehead and she looked at Van, " Where have you been? ", she demanded.

Van quirked an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, " I... I've been here... Where have you been? ", he shot back at her.

Hitomi's frown disappeared and her chin and lower lip trembled. She closed her eyes and a single tear slid down her soot covered cheek, revealing a single long trail of pale, flushed skin, " I-it was horrible... everything... ", she whispered in pain as more tears quickly followed the first one that fell.

Van knitted his brows together and reached over to scoop her out of Allen's arms and into his, " H-hush now.... don't you cry, Hitomi. I'm here now... I'll always be here for you... please... ", he whispered against her temple as he felt her wrap her arms around his neck.

Hitomi broke down into his shoulder, " I... I remember... ", she whispered through sobs.

Van's heart stopped again, " You... r-remember? "

Hitomi nodded, " Y-yes... Everything... "

" C-can you stand? "

Hitomi nodded her head slowly, " I-I think so... "

Van nodded as he gently set her on the ground, his arms automatically went around her waist and he pulled her close, placing a hand to the back of her head. Stroking her hair, he whispered, " Hitomi... you don't know how worried you've had me.... "

Hitomi swallowed hard and sniffled lightly, " Oh, Van... I've missed you so.... I-I'm sorry for what happened... "

Van shook his head, " No... it's completely alright. You did have me confused at first when you didn't remember me, and also you had me... saddened. But, here you are, in my arms.... ", he added in a happier tone.

From the other side of the altar, Gabriella narrowed her eyes and clenched her hands into tight fists as she watched the two pre-destined lovers embrace, ' This isn't going to go on for long! I swear, Hitomi Kanzaki, you will not live to remember this day... ruin my wedding is the biggest mistake you ever made! '

Allen and Gaddeth both slowly slipped away from Hitomi and Van. The crowd watched them as they stood there in perfect bliss. Hitomi lifted her head and looked up at Van, " I can't believe I forgot about you.... "

Van flinched lightly, but then looked down at her, " It's alright, Hitomi... You're forgiven.... "

Hitomi managed to smile lightly. Van felt his eyes droop slightly as he slowly lowered his face to hers. His warm breath fanned her lips and she shivered slightly as it sent chills down her spine. His arms tightened around her waist as he brought the length of her body flat against his own.

" Hitomi.... ", Van whispered softly before pressing his lips down against hers in a passionate kiss that went so deep and long it lasted for more then a few minutes.

After Hitomi splayed her hands and fingers over Van's chest, she gently pushed him back a few centimeters and looked up at him as she tried to catch her breath, " V-van... what are Gabriella? "

Van glanced over at Gabriella over Hitomi's shoulder and blinked, " S-she's gone.... ", he whispered in surprise.

Hitomi whirled around and found out he was right. The five priests looked at Hitomi and then at Van, they shrugged lightly and Van frowned deeply.

" This isn't good, Hitomi.... something's not right here... ", Van whispered as he gently grabbed her hand and led her up the aisle towards the castle so he could get her cleaned up

(A/N**: I'm soooooo sorry that this is taking so long, I really am... I hoped you enjoyed this chapter and I'm sure that it was probably confusing... *frowns* Again I apologize.... )