Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
Author notes: Thanks for the reviews. Also I do want to apologize for the delay on this chapter. I am trying to spin this little tale without confusing the heck out of everyone. I have to say there are a lot of twists that may do just that. *Sighs* well hope you enjoy this and if you have questions feel free to email me at Hitomi_De_Fanel2001@yahoo.com I will answer all questions to the best of my ability. Ciao!
"Allen!" Van reached the door in a few strides. He saw Allen continue down the hall "Stop" he demanded. Allen stopped turning toward him. The ice in his blue eyes took Van aback.
"Do not test my patience, Van" Allen glared at him. His hand rested on his sword.
Van clinched his fists. "If Celena is with Alizon we will need to work together." He paused "Your not yourself. I understand how this could change you. But we need your help." His jaws flexed. "I am hotheaded enough for the both of us. We need your sensibility." Allen stood staring at the wall. His brows furrowed.
Allen closed his eyes for a moment. "We shall see" was his terse reply as he turned. He walked toward the castle entrance without a backward glance.
Van watched as the Crusade rose in the distance. A feeling of remorse surged through him. He knew that he had opened the floodgates on a tetchy subject. The consequences of which were still unknown. He would have to talk to Allen again. Perhaps when the effects of his drinking wore off. The idea of letting this alone, to just ignore what had happened came to mind. 'I have to talk to him' Van grabbed the bottle promptly draining it. It was a fact he never really liked Allen. He had seemed sneaky to him. Then again there was a time when he didn't trust anyone. He had become very bitter when he thought Allen had Hitomi's heart. He could imagine the thoughts going through Allen's mind right now. He would have to mend this somehow. The fact remained; he needed Allen as an Ally. If a war were indeed in their future, Allen would be a valuable asset.
Van walked to his room with a frown on his face. He entered quietly as not to disturb Hitomi. His mind pondered the future. Alizon was out there somewhere. If nothing else of that he was certain. The frown disappeared as he stared down at his love. He would protect her no matter what. He slipped in next to his beloved. As if on instinct she rolled toward him nuzzling into his chest. He wrapped his arm around her as sleep claimed his thoughts.
Elsewhere…
"Alizon" Celena called through the dark forest. The thick bush made it hard to see before her let alone walk. 'Where is he?'
She heard a soft sound right ahead. As she drew closer the sound became familiar. There was a river straight ahead that flowed through a small clearing. She could see the out line of a figure. It was that of a young boy no more than eight years old by the look of him. His shoulder length dark blonde hair blew in the breeze. "Alizon?" Celena approached carefully. The boy turned toward her slowly his blue eyes sparkling in the dusk sky.
"I told you not to call me that!" his voice was that of a boy, but the tone was so terse it sent chills down her spine. "My name is Kabutsu." He stood and walked toward her. He stopped just before her and starred into her sad eyes. "Always so sad mother" he looked away.
"Why do you prefer that name?" she knelt before him. For a moment he looked so lost that she pulled him into her arms. "You are not a-" He pulled away putting a hand to her mouth to quiet her.
"It fits me best" he smiled. It was not the smile of a child full of warm and spirit. It was a cold and evil grin that bordered on a snarl. Celena's face became grim at the bloodthirsty sparkle in his eye. Though he held the outward appearance of a child. There was something dark about him that scared her to the core of her being.
He broke eye contact as if reading her thoughts. "We must leave now mother" He started back through the woods to their camp.
"Where do we go now?" Celena followed him looking on in surprise as the brush parted for his passage leaving a well-cleared path behind him. His powers grew at an alarming rate.
"Austiria of course. It is time to visit Allen." He smiled at the end. He continued over her barely stifled gasp. Her thoughts easily read. "Don't worry Mother. I don't plan to hurt dear Uncle Allen, he is family after all." He laughed an awkward attempt at a child-like giggle that ended up with the sound of a cackle. "Just a family visit" he entered the camp. He turned to Celena "Sleep now mother" he whispered. On command she slunk to the ground falling into a deep sleep. "We have a long journey ahead," he whispered as he too fell into a shallow sleep.
To be continued.
Just a note: I know this is very short. I am going to add more to this when I get the chance. Until then you can consider this a teaser of things to come. Ciao!
