Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.

Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews. As I mentioned last chapter I am looking for a beta-reader for this story. If you are interested e-mail me and let me know. Well onto the story hope you like.

Chapter Six

Hitomi shook her head in disbelief as she closed her eyes. It was happening again, he was invading her mind. She felt a feeling of despair sweep over her as thought of their previous encounters came to mind. 'What twisted game has he planned for her now?' She thought as she braced herself for his first attack. She knew he was no mere man and his powers not to be underestimated.

The fact that she was stronger was of little consequence, considering she had not yet learned to control it. The last attempt at welding it had almost cost her life. The evil glint in his eyes, replayed in her minds eye. She wondered for a moment, why had he not attacked her yet, then a soft touch of a breeze on her cheek caused her eyes to snap open.

 The sight that met her eyes caused her jaw to drop. The scene before her had changed to one of a balcony, a field of wild flowers, stretched for miles before her eyes. The throne-room, that was once full of bloody, dismembered bodies was gone. All evidence of foul play was gone, vanished. In its place stood a room of blue, gold, and silver. The throne had twin dragons carved on it, with such detail they seemed real. Hitomi looked up to see a tall slender young woman standing beside the throne. She wore a gown of silver with a gold belt that hung loosely about her waist. Her long ebony hair was pulled up in a graceful bun, with only a few strands hanging loose about her face. To top off her appearance, atop her head sat a golden crown amidst her ebony locks. She was the picture of regal elegance and grace with every step she took. Hitomi stared as the young woman turned her eye to her. The eyes Hitomi stared into where the deepest green and somehow, so familiar. The woman smiled at her as she drew closer. "What has happened?" Hitomi asked looking about her "Where am I? Is this real?" she asked again.

"This place is very real," the woman said with a smile "I am here to tell you, I know you can defeat him, but you must believe in your ability or else all you see before you will never exist." She concluded her tone turning grave.

 "How can I? I can't even control it. What do I do?" Hitomi asked in frustrations

"You will know when the time comes," she stated with a wisp of a smile. Her eyes turned solemn " He is trying to take your life." She said her tone seething. "You must wake up now," she whispered. Hitomi stared eyes wide as the room faded into darkness and a final word was heard upon the wind.   

In reality…

"Hitomi! Hitomi, snap out of it!" Van yelled in mounting fear. She had passed out, an indication that she was having a vision. That worried Van, but did not scare him, but when she screamed 'No!' He could feel his heart race in his chest. He held her close to him shaking her lightly in an attempt to pull her from her vision. One moment she breathed, her chest heaving, the next moment nothing, nothing at all but the silence of death. He pulled her closer placing his ear to her chest as he closed his eyes. Then he placed his hand to her throat. "S-She's not breathing!" Van gasped in alarm. His brows furrowed as he laid her down on the floor of the temple. He placed his hands upon her chest, fingers intertwined. He began to push down upon her with a rhythm that was slightly slower than the racing thuds his heart made against his chest cavity. He could sense Allen's silent presents behind him. Allen then knelt beside him; his fist clenched before he reached out and clasped one of Hitomi's hands in his own. The tension in the air mounted to an alarming rate. Van continued pushing into Hitomi's chest "Hitomi!" Van yelled at her still form as tears started to fall. "Don't you, leave me!" Van yelled as he continued his voice harsh, chocked with emotions that threatened to tear his heart in two.

"Mother" Hitomi gasped as her eyes flew open, before she began to cough on the air her lungs now took in. She could feel herself encased in a pair of strong arms. A warm liquid dripped on her throat, the arms tightening around her. She lay there dazed for a moment. She could feel the rapid thud of a heart against her own. "Van" she whispered as her breathing became normal. She slowly put her arms around his neck.

 He lifted his face to stare into her eyes. She gently caressed his cheek and jaw as a smile went across her face. He looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What is it?" he asked her quietly.

"It's a girl," Hitomi whispered softly. She had a small smile on her face as she closed her eyes. She lay limp in his arms. The gentle raise and fall of her chest her only movement.

"What is she talking about, Van?" Allen asked still sitting across from him. His face was still more relaxed than before, though his brows furrowed. He held Hitomi's hand in his. The gentle pulse he felt in her wrist somehow calming his nerves. He turned to Van only to see a confused look on his Face.

"I'm not sure," Van admitted. He lifted Hitomi into a cradling position in his arms. He headed for the Temple door. "It sounded like, it's a girl," He thought to himself as he exited the room with Allen and Gaddes close behind.  The thought that Hitomi was having his child came to mind. He felt joy and dread all at once. Joy for the life they created together. The child created by there love. Yet the fact her visions were becoming life threatening filled him with dread. He could possibly lose them both if this continued.

He carried Hitomi to a room on the Crusade, placing her on the bed. He sat beside her. His fingers stroked the hair from her eyes. He looked at her for the longest time. She had not told him about the baby. That made him concerned "Why didn't you tell me, Hitomi?" he whispered as he caressed her cheek.  He would ask her when she woke. For now he was happy she was alive. His only concern for now was keeping her that way.

Back in Fanalia…

Van carried Hitomi to their room. She was still sleeping the ordeal having drained her. He placed her gently on the bed, pulled the bedspread up over her. He had many questions for her when she awoke, that he hoped she had the answers to. Van left the room sometime later. He walked into the hall rubbing the back of his neck.

"How is she?" Allen asked when he caught sight of Van leaving the room. He sat at a small square table in a guest room. Allen held a goblet in his hand full of wine.

"She will be fine, once she's had some rest." Van said tiredly as he took a seat across from Allen.

"She is a strong woman," Allen stated as he looked out the window. The cup in his hand now empty. He poured himself more and downed it.

 "The wall didn't tell us much about controlling the power Hitomi possess." Van continued.

 

"It did however give us some idea how to stop Alizon" Allen paused in thought " I don't want to trap him though. I want to KILL him." Allen concluded downing another goblet full of wine.

"We tried that before. It didn't work, besides it almost killed Hitomi. I can't let that happen again." Van stated in a stern tone. "There has to be a way for me to fight him," Van said in frustration.

Allen barely heard a word Van said. He was deep in his own thoughts "I don't know what hold Alizon has on Celena, but I will not allow him to hurt the women I love again." Allen said in deep concentration.

Van stared at Allen for a moment. His face paled slightly "You still care for Hitomi, Don't you?" He asked quietly bringing Allen from his deep thoughts.

 His face showed agitation and concern. His jaw drew tight. "Of course I care about her. Van gave him an angry look. Allen sighed and continued. "If you mean do I love her…no" Allen replied. He leaned back in his chair taking another drink.

"You're a liar, Allen" Van started glaring at him "I have seen the way you look at her. I know because when I thought she loved you. I looked at her the same way. I'm sorry Allen, but you should know that I will never give her up." He concluded. He looked to see Allen's face distorted with rage. "You might lie to me. You may even lie to her, but not to yourself," He stated in a stern tone.

 Allen looked at Van as he stood up knocking the chair over in the process. He clinched his fists as he leaned down on the table. " Yes, I love her" Allen stated in a harsh tone.  "I also know she loves you" he yelled his anger rising. He regained some of his composure "Thank you Van for your assistance. I will find Celena on my own," He stated turning toward the door. "You don't deserve her, you can't even protect her." Allen murmured under his breath as he walked out the door swiftly.

To be continued…

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