It was one day before the wedding when Astrid approached Van. He was in the great hall, helping organise the wedding decor.
"Sire, may I have a word with you?" she asked.
"Certainly, but if it's about the trade contract, I can tell you that it's already approved." he told her.
"Oh, it's not about that, although that is certainly good news. It's about Lady Hitomi."
"Lady Hitomi, what about her? Is she hurt?" Van asked alarmed.
"No, it's not that. Last night, I saw her creeping around the palace. She went into the woods." Astrid told him.
"And why were you spying on her?" Van sternly asked.
"Well...I... I... just heard a noise and wanted to see who it was." Astrid stammered.
"It couldn't have been Hitomi. She wouldn't creep around without telling." Van said dismissing Astrid's theory.
"I'm sure it was her. This morning, she came back at 7, and went straight to her room." Astrid challenged him.
"Listen, Princess, I don't know what you heard, but it wasn't Hitomi. She always sleeps late in the mornings."
"Oh yeah! I believe you! Then how do you explain that she's always so tired?" Astrid asked sarcastically.
"Maybe she doesn't sleep well," Van suggested.
"Why don't you come see for yourself tonight?" Astrid said defiantly and left.
A few moments later, Hitomi came in. She was indeed looking a little tired. Van glanced at her thoughtfully. Could Astrid be right?
"Hi Hitomi," Van greeted. "Is everything all right?" he asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Hitomi innocently asked giving him a kiss.
"Well, it's just that you've been tired lately. Maybe you're coming down with something." Van hinted acting under the influence of Astrid's suppositions.
"No, I'm fine Van, stop worrying so much," Hitomi smiled.
"Just so you know, if something's the matter I'd be glad to help," Van insisted.
"No, I'm all right Van," Hitomi said blushing. "Umm... I have to go. I'd promised Merle I'd help her with some wedding preparations," Hitomi excused herself.
She ran out of the room, her face red with blush. She felt that if Van would have insisted upon the subject of her tiredness, she would have spilled everything. It was bad as it was that she had to keep that from him, but Hitomi felt it was necessary. Somehow, seeing his attitude that day when she brought it up told her he wouldn't agree with her training. After all, it wasn't very besetting of a queen. She couldn't allow him to find out about her training until it was finished.
Van watched Hitomi leave. Something WAS wrong with her. The way she blushed when he insisted upon the subject, made Van suspicious. He hated giving in to Astrid suspicions, but he hated the thought of loosing Hitomi more. He'll just have to come out and see for himself.
That night, Hitomi woke up extra early. It was the last session of her training. She just had to apply everything she learned in a fight with Balgus. Making sure no one followed her, Hitomi headed to the forest and waited for Balgus. Van waited until she was out of his sight, and slowly followed her. He hated to give credit to Astrid, but the princess had been right. Where was Hitomi going? And what was she doing. Most importantly, why was she hiding from him? The fight had already begun when Van finally caught up to Hitomi. He saw her and Balgus fighting fiercely.
"Hitomi, Balgus, what is this?" he whispered in confusion.
Just as he was trying to figure out what was going on, Hitomi tripped and fell on the soft grassy ground. Balgus' sword shined in the soft moonlight, as he prepared to slash.
"Nooooo," screamed Van and jumped out of the bushes.
Hitomi took advantage of the interruption, and tripped Balgus. He hit the ground, and Hitomi's sword was millimetres away from his neck. It would have been a fatal blow, had it been real.
"Never, let yourself get distracted," she said and put away her sword. "Van, what are you doing here?" she asked turning to him.
"I was following you. Can someone tell me what is going on?" he demanded madly.
"Sire," Balgus began. "I was training Lady Hitomi in the art of sword fighting."
"Yes, it's all my fault Van..." Hitomi began.
"I didn't ask whose fault it is. I just asked what was going on." he said.
"It was my final test, that's why it was," Hitomi told him.
"Balgus, if you were training Lady Hitomi, why didn't you come tell me?" Van asked
"He didn't come tell you because I asked him not to." Hitomi reasoned.
"Why? How could you sneak around like that?" Van asked looking hurt.
"Balgus, would you leave us?" Hitomi asked before answering Van.
"Of course milady. Well done, you have passed your final test," he said and left.
"Van," Hitomi began. "I only did that because we need to be together when the war begins," she said.
"But, why did you have to sneak around, Hitomi, if you wanted to learn how to fight, I wouldn't have sat in your way." Van said gently.
"Forgive me, but when I saw your attitude that day, I was positive you wouldn't allow it." she told him.
"Well, I can't say I'm too thrilled, but Hitomi, you should have still talked to me. Better than me believing the reasoning of some mad woman."
"Van, did you think I was seeing someone else? Is that why you followed me out here tonight?" Hitomi asked shocked.
"Well, no, but I was still wondering what you were doing." he said.
"I can't believe this. Van, I did this because we need to be together when that war begins. How could you not trust me? I don't believe this! We need to be together when that war begins." Hitomi stressed.
"No, I'm not risking you getting hurt. You will stay in Fanelia where it's safe." Van said flatly.
"Oh, how can I make you understand?" Hitomi sighed.
Suddenly, she got an idea.
"Van, give me your hands," she told him.
"Why?" he asked.
"Just do it. I'll show you." she ordered.
Van did as she told him. Hitomi took Van's hands in hers, and concentrated on the last vision she had. She made it play in her mind again, making sure that Van got the exact same message and feel of the vision. Hitomi concentrated harder, keeping the vision pure as it was, and not mixing it with her own emotions. Van, the bystander, saw everything, down to the last scream as Hitomi had seen it. It was indeed a frightening sight.
Gaea was once again at war. There was a terrible threat coming from Zaibach forces. He could feel the darkness wrap around Hitomi. He, Allen and Gaddes were desperately trying to fight it off. Escaflowne was still, and there was nothing Hitomi could do. She was locked in a high tower of the castle.
"Let me out!" he heard her yell. But there was no use. Then it shifted to a war room. All the countries had come together, trying to find some way to prevent the terrible destruction. There was no use. He saw her locked in that tower because of him, and they were helpless without her. They were like blind mice walking straight into the cat's paws.
The vision ended and Van finally understood why Hitomi kept the sword training from him. He saw her reasoning now that he had shared the vision.
"Hitomi, I'm sorry," he said looking down at the grass.
She was still clasping his hands. Van looked at her, and saw rivers of tears flow down her cheeks. Hitomi looked ghostly pale, almost as if she were to fall down any minute and die.
"What's wrong?" he asked hugging her.
"Oh Van, I must never do that again. I must never share my visions with anyone," Hitomi sobbed.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Well, I don't know how you received that, but I felt all the pain, and the misery ten times the original blow. It just shook me, and now I can't stop crying," she explained tears still rolling down her cheeks.
"Hitomi, oh Hitomi, I'm so sorry. Now I understand why you had to do what you had to do." Van hugged her and helped her on the grass beside him.
"It's ok, you were only doing that out of love, but Van, next time trust me," she told him, tears still flowing down her cheeks.
"I was a fool, I never meant to hurt you Hitomi. I was just too scared to lose you. Come on, stop crying," he kissed her passionately.
"I wish I could Van, but that vision just took all my power. My grandmother was right when she told me that I must never share my visions with anyone."
"Come on, you'll have puffy eyes for the wedding tomorrow," he joked.
"Yeah, I certainly won't look anything like a queen," Hitomi laughed weakly.
"I just want you to look like yourself. Hitomi, I'll never let that vision come true. No matter what. I promise." Van whispered to her.
"I believe you. Now do you understand?"
"Yes, and that's why you will accompany me when that war starts," Van told her and kissed her again. "Now let's go back to the castle. You need rest for tomorrow."
"Yeah, it's late already," Hitomi agreed.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
Hitomi shook her head. "I don't think so, that vision took all my power, I feel weak, and drained. Maybe we should wait a little more."
"Well, we do have alternate modes of transportation," Van said.
"You're not going to carry me all the way to the palace are you?" Hitomi asked.
"No, that's not exactly what I had in mind," Van said pointing to his back.
"But Van, what if someone sees you?" Hitomi asked.
"Don't worry, it's night," Van said and picked her up. He opened his wings and carried Hitomi to her room.
As they were floating through the night's sky, Van felt Hitomi cling to him. He gave her a reassuring hug, when he felt her shiver from the cold. She was indeed very scared by that vision. Now that Van thought about it, he wasn't too cheery about it either. However, first thing's first, and he needed to make her safe and at home again. They got to the balcony, and Van placed her on her feet. Hitomi wobbled a little, but then stood up by herself.
"Are you ok now?" he asked. Van wouldn't have liked to leave her there all alone, but he also didn't want to do anything to displease her. If he wanted him to stay, she should ask.
Hitomi nodded, a methodical nod that told Van she wasn't that well. He prepared to take off, with a sorrowful heart. She did not look good at all.
"Wait, Van, don't go, please stay with me tonight, I'm afraid to go to sleep," she said slowly.
"Very well," he agreed. He folded his wings in, and came beside her to support her. Hitomi just leaned on him, like he was her last pillar of strength. Slowly, and carefully, Van got Hitomi inside. Hitomi just collapsed on the bed. She was exhausted. Van tucked her in and lay beside her. He hugged her when he felt her shivering. In a matter of minutes, she fell asleep in his arms.
"Hitomi, it's ok, no need to be scared, I won't leave," he said and tightened his grip around her. "I'll never let you go," he whispered.
With that he fell asleep too, exhaustion wrapping around him like a warm blanket.