Merle saw that Van was feeling better so she asked him if she could leave for a couple of days, No doubt to see that Tom cat-m

Chapter III: Emotions

(*NOTE*: There are mature scenes in this so if your shy and not willing to read this, don't continue.  But don't worry it doesn't get too in to detail. ^_^)

Merle saw that Van was feeling better so she asked him if she could leave for a couple of days, no doubt to see that Tom cat-man who has been seen around the castle lately, how could Van refuse her, when he himself wanted to spend time with HER.  So she said that she would be back in one week.

As he sat in his study, looking over something's that his advisors left, there was a knock at the door.  He tensed up, knowing that it was Hitomi.

"Come in." Hitomi came in.  What could he say to her? He could feel the tenseness in the room.

"You wanted to see me?" She said looking away, letting her eyes wonder around the room.  Slowly her eyes came back to his, he still had his wings out, and he was still missing his shirt. She guessed that he was unable to retract them yet because of the hurt wing.

He gathered his courage and stood up, he started to come towards her, but then he quickly turned towards the window losing his courage as quickly as he found it.

"Van…" "Hitomi…" They both said in unison.  Hitomi decided to let him yell at her first, and then she would apologize.

"Hitomi I am so sorry…" That caught her off guard, she didn't expect him to apologize for what she had done last night.

"For what?  For hearing that I moved into your bed while you slept?  I'm the one who should…"

Van looked at her, startled. "What? You didn't move into my bed, I put you there."  He blushed at how blunt he was talking to her.  He realized what had happened, she thought that he was mad at her and he thought that she was mad at him. "I guess it was all a misunderstanding."   But I wouldn't mind making it a habit of waking up like that. He thought.

"Then who ate that huge plate of food?" Hitomi asked curiously.

"Ummm… I did. I was very hungry, I guess that's normal for a growing King." He said with a large smile.

"You are a PIG!" she said as the tension slipped from the room with her cheery laugh.

"Ummm... What's a pig?" he asked curiously looking at her.

"It's an dirty animal who eats a lot of food." She couldn't stop laughing.

Playfully outraged he said, "Ya well, you make funny noises while you sleep!"

"You drooled when you slept." They both were now laughing unable to stop.

"I'll get you for that!"  He said as he ran towards her.

"Catch me if you can!" She jumped out of his reach just enough.

"Oh I will," he said with a joking evil grin.

They both started to run around the large room, away from each other, laughing and playing. This is the first time that I've ever seen him laughing. She thought to herself.

Finally he played a trick on her and caught her around the waist and they both fell to the ground, laughing.

"I bet that you're very ticklish," Hitomi said as she started to probe his bare chest for ticklish spots.  Van started to wiggle uncontrollably; Hitomi had found where he was ticklish.

"Ha, I got you now! Does the King of Fanelia give up?" she asked him as he was still laughing very hard.

"NEVER!" he wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled over, so now he was on top of her, "Ha the table have turned!"  They started to roll over each other each trying to get the upper hand in the little game that they were playing.  They finally stopped when some of his advisors entered the study.

"Ahhh… Ummm your Majesty?" One of them said looking at their King, who had no shirt on, and some unknown woman on top of him.

Hitomi at long last rolled off him; as Hitomi lay on her back while Van sat up to look at his annoying advisors, smiling.  One of Van advisors – the one that bugged Van the most about marriage – walked up to him.

"Your Majesty… who is this?!?!"

"It's none of your business…but this is Hitomi Kanzaki.  Also did I not say that no one was to disturb me?  Now you can leave the room, knock and then enter if I say okay." Hitomi couldn't stop giggling in the background, laughing at the fact that he can do this.

"But your Majestyyyy…" he said as the guard literally dragged him by the collar of his neck, out of the room. 

"Instructions your Majesty?" the guard asked as he re-entered to escort out the rest of the advisors.

"I will see them later…I'm not sure when…or where, but not now."

"Yes your Majesty." he said as he bowed.  The guard had the biggest grin on his face while his other advisors stood with their mouths agape.

As soon as the advisors left the room Van burst out laughing. He only stopped because he was out of breath.  Hitomi was still giggling at what happened.

"That looked like so much fun."

"It was.  Although I've never really done anything like that before, I wonder how mad their going to be?  But to tell you the truth I don't really care at the moment…"  Van and Hitomi sat there, wondering who was going to speak next; once again there was a lot of tension in the air.

Van gave in and spoke. "Would you like me to give you a tour of the new Fanelia?" He asked slightly afraid of her answer.

"Yes please, I would really like that.  But what about your wings?"

Hitomi sounds really worried, which means that I still might have a chance with her.

"Oh ya." he retracted them with a bit of a wince.

"Are you okay?" she asked concerned.

"Ya, I'm still just a bit sore.  Are you ready?  I just have to stop at my room to get a shirt."

"Ok" she said with her bright smile that he remember, from long ago.

~*~*~*~

"I guess I'll start here, at the castle, because we're here now.  The rest of the city is done, but the castle will take a couple more years, we started to re-build right after the Great War, and ever since we never stopped working. I didn't want my people to go for so long without a home, so I left the least important for last. It's a beautiful day so I'll show you the castle gardens first."

He anxiously took her hand and led her around the gardens – which were in full bloom.  The smell of the flowers filled the air with the most wonderful perfume.

"Van it's so beautiful." Hitomi said all dreamy eyes.

"There's more." As he led her father away from the castle, there was a secret little garden, which held a familiar giant, covered in vines.  There sat Escaflowne, resting here, hopefully until the end of days.

"What happened? How did the vines grow so quickly?"

"I'm not sure how they grew so fast, but all I know is that I don't really mind because I don't plan to use it anymore, although it was fun to fly like that, I mean across countries, and with you."

"Are you happy here Van?  I mean being a king with all the responsibilities?"

"I truly wasn't happy before but I've come to be very happy.  I just really hated all the pressure with…" he suddenly stopped and turned around, blushing.

"With what Van?"

"…Well my advisors and my kingdom both wanted a Queen and a…heir.  I wasn't ready to give that to them.  I needed to find the right person." He paused looking away.  "Hitomi…will you stay here with me."

Hitomi was so red because she knew what he was implying.

"Ahhh… Van." she never got to finish because they both heard people coming towards them. 

Van moved in front of Hitomi ready to protect her with his life. He had his sword in hand, just incase.

A page appeared out of the bushes, and then suddenly moved back because there was a sword to his throat.

Van lowered the sword so that the page could speak. "Your Majesty?  King Van, the Duke of Freid is on his way to Fanelia again, because there has been more reports of attacks." Said the messenger.

"How long till he arrives?" Van asked, seething his sword.

"Two hours."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" he asked very calmly.

"Sire, we tried but you had the advisors thrown out of the study."

"I see.  That was the highlight of my day.  Oh well, prepare a feast, and some rooms for tomorrow night because I'm sure that they will be very tired for their trip.  Oh and I think that we should also have a small party, because we have something to celebrate."

"Thank you your Majesty," he bowed deeply then left.

"I guess we should go and prepare.  I'll give you the tour another day, you don't mind do you?" he asked, and she simply nodded her head, not minding at all.  "You'll need to see a tailor for a gown and a wardrobe.  I have to go and do some Kingly stuff.  Otherwise I'll be in my room, hiding from the advisors.  May I?" he asked as he offered his arm.  Hitomi giggled.

Van thought that it would be a better idea if he brought up his earlier question after the ball.

"Of course, Your Majesty." She said bowing and playing along.

"The King does get to dance with whom ever he wants, you know."

"Really, I didn't know." She said with a joking smile.

"Shall we be off?"

"Why of course."

~*~*~*~

Hitomi and Van finally went their separate ways, leaving the tour for another day.  Since it was the afternoon, they had barely enough time to make a dress and get her ready for tomorrow evening.  Hitomi had to get a gown; she really wanted to make a good first (or second) impression on the people of Fanelia. She thought that a blue dress would look nice but everyone else insisted on green.  She guessed to match her eyes.  She didn't really care as long as it made Van happy. 

She missed the dinner that night, still being fitted for her gown and other daily dress's.  She didn't even get to see Van before she went to bed, or even the next morning, before getting ready. She hadn't been able to leave the room to do anything.  She really wanted to see Chid after all this time but she was forbidden to leave her room. After trying to sneak out of the room and even getting out through the balcony she wasn't allowed to see Van until the dinner later tonight.

~*~*~*~

It was finally nighttime and she was so mad that she hadn't been able to see Van for almost two days.

"This better be worth it." She mumbled as she went out her door to go to dinner.  She was almost late for dinner.  As she saw the entrance to the dinning hall she noticed that the doors were closed.  Oh crap! I really hope that I'm not late.

The two guards, guarding each door opened them so that she could enter with her gown flowing behind her.

~*~*~*~

The doors suddenly flew open; the soft music and talking stopped as a stunning goddess entered the room.  Van stood with his mouth wide open; By Atlantis she's amazing.  I feel like a peasant in comparison to her.  Van finally got his act together, and walked over to her, offering his arm.  All the other ladies stared as the King of Fanelia helped this unknown woman to her seat next to Van.  When the music and the chatter began again, Hitomi asked,

"Hitomi I'm sorry that I wasn't able to bring you down here myself, they kept me from going to you…" he apologized.

"Van, you don't have to apologize for anything…Van…is there something of my face or my dress?  Why was everyone looking at me?" She asked totally panicky.

"Hitomi, the ladies were looking at you because they're jealous; they've all been chasing me for years." He said with a sly grin.

"While the men where looking at the most beautiful thing they will ever set their eyes on." Said a familiar voice from behind her.  Hitomi turned around and saw that Chid was right behind her.

"Chid! Oh, you've grown. I'm so happy to see you.  How have you been?  Thank you for the compliment." She said so excited to see some of her old friends again.  Hitomi realized that Chid was becoming more and more like his real father, Allen, everyday, in looks and in personality.  I wonder if he knows that Allen is his real father…

"Hitomi, I'm so glad you came back to us.  How have you been?  I hope well."

"I've been very good.  I think that we should get everyone back together again, I would really like to see everyone again." Looking at Van, pleadingly.

"I've already arranged it, Queen Millerna and King Dryden will be arriving shortly – couple of days – and Allen and his sister - Lady Celena - will be here in two weeks. Although I just came back for seeing them, they're off again doing something for Celena, Allen will do anything she asks of him. It's really funny."

"Chid, when can we get together to catch up?"

"I was hoping that I might be able to steal you away from Van during the Ball for a couple of dances?"

"Of course" She said with a bright smile.

~*~*~*~

Dinner was exciting but it was over very soon.  Then came the dancing.  Hitomi was so excited.  Van came up to her when the music had just begun.

"Hitomi would you like to dance, with me?"

A look of horror passed over her face.

Van looked hurt when he saw her face, he said "Hitomi, if you would not like to dance with me, then…"

"Oh Van, it's nothing like that, it's just that…" she looked down really embarrassed, "I don't know how to dance."

"Oh, is that all?" Trying to get a reaction out of her.

"IS THAT ALL!?!"  She asked outraged.

Van's deep laugh calmed her down, but only a bit.  "I'll show you how. Don't worry, I promise, I'll make sure that you won't fall."

"But what if I do?  Van please nooooooOOOO…" she wailed and looked mortified as he took her hand, before she could finish her phrase, and led her into a slow dance. After a few minutes she got used to the rhythm. She put her arms around his neck and moved very close to him.  She rested her head on his chest, hearing that his heartbeat was becoming faster.

This is so perfect; Hitomi thought to herself I want to stay like this for the rest of my life.

As soon as that dance was over many other inquisitive men came over, wondering who the King of Fanelia was dancing with. They all had come up to ask her for a dance. The ladies who didn't have a partner, because their partners had all asked Hitomi, stood at the side and sighed.

She danced with many of Van's new friends and some of their old one's.  She had a long talk with Chid, as they danced, and they caught up on old times.  It was a bit awkward because he was a bit too small, but he has grown a lot since she last saw him.  She started to become tired and needed to get some air.

Hitomi excused herself and left the ballroom and went to a balcony, and took in the slightly chilled air and the beautiful starry scene.

The moons look beautiful from here.  Oh Amono, Yukari, brother, father, mother… I miss you all so much…  She leaned up against the rail to stair off in the distance.

~*~*~*~

Van had seen her leave the ballroom, and followed her to the balcony.  He saw her look up at the Mystic Moon; She must miss her family, her friends and her life. Van walked up to her and slowly wrapped his arms around her.

"Van…" she said as she leaned against him taking in his warmth and breathing in his scent.

"Shhhh… you can… go back anytime you want.  I'll always be waiting for you… here on Gaia."

Music could be heard from the background, she turned around in his arms and started to sway back and forth with music.

"Don't think about that.  I'm not leaving."  She leaned into him, and stood up on her tips toes as high as possible.  He's too tall. She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her.  At first she could only feel a light brush of his lips on her.  He leaned into her more, to make the kiss deeper.  He wrapped his arms gently around her, lifting her up to hold her closer.  They slowly moved back till her back hit the railing.  He lifted her up to sit on the railing, not separating their lips all the while.

"Mmmm…" she moaned as he ran his hands up and down her back.

Finally he broke off the kiss – only because they couldn't breath – and he rested his head against hers.  He could feel her shivering.

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm not cold."  She was shivering because of the intensity of their first kiss.  She really wanted to kiss him again.  She waited… and waited… but he didn't make a move to continue. 

"Your too slow." She mumble and took over, while she pulled down his mouth so that she could reach it.  She kissed him hard not wanting it to ever end.  He was taken aback by surprise but responded quickly, kissing her very deeply.  She started to lean too far over the edge of the railing and he just barely caught her before she fell off, but she never allowed him to break off the kiss.  To make sure that that didn't happen again she ran her hand through his hair, and took hold of it, and made sure that he couldn't break off the kiss again.  Minutes went by, but he did anyways.

"This is too good to be true." Van moaned too happy to move letting his lips brush against her's as he spoke.  Hitomi laughed, she was deliriously happy.  She hopped down from the railing; she stood in front of him.  He must be about 6'3".  He had grown out of the boy she once knew and into a man, who she looked upon.  "I think we should go back before they send a search party for us."  She said getting a disappointed look from Van; he did not want to leave her embrace.

"Well I think that I am starting to get tired, but I'll come down for a few more dances, then I'll go to sleep."

"Ok… but first…" he said as once again their lips locked, but only for a quick kiss.

"Mmmm…. you taste good" Hitomi said making Van blush.

~*~*~*~

They walked back, hand in hand, both with a smile on their faces. Both danced with other people for about another hour then Hitomi made her way to Van.  He immediately got up started to dance with her.

"Van, I'm tired now, so I just came to say good night and to excuse myself."  Not to mention trying to get another kiss out of him. She thought to herself.

"First, you know that you don't have to excuse yourself; second, tomorrow is going to be a very lazy day and lastly… Good night Hitomi.  Would you like me to walk you to your room?"

"You don't have to…"

"But I will anyways."  He said with a smile.  They stopped dancing and began to walk to the doors; Van quietly spoke to one of the guards. 

As they walked to her room, all the guards had grins on their faces, and everyone else gave them smiles, nods, and more grins.  They couldn't walk by somebody without them noticing the King.

"Van… where is your room?"

"It's about three doors down.  If you ever need me I'll be there."  They stopped right in front of her door; she looked down wondering what's going to happen next.  Van moved his hand to her chin and tilted her head up towards him.

"You are so beautiful, Hitomi." She blushed furiously.  He moved his down, and kissed her passionately.  Still out in the hall, she had her back against her door and she decided to try to go farther.   She moved one of her hands to the doorknob and turned it.  As the door opened they slowly moved in never parting.  He accidentally kicked the door too hard, to close it; startled, Hitomi jumped.

"What was…." she never got to finish because his lips were back on hers.  Her mind started to go very fuzzy.  They bumped into chairs and a table before they got to the bed.  She fell down, and he followed her down.  He had his hand under her, as he lay on top of her.  His hands started to undo her gown.  She stopped their kiss, afraid as to where this might lead.

"Van I'm sorry, but no.  I'm just not ready for that yet." His eyes came into focus as he realized what he was doing.

He got off of her and turned his back.  "I am so sorry Hitomi, I didn't realized what I was doing…"

"Don't worry. Van, please don't be mad." She hugged him from behind, and kissed his back between his shoulder blades.

"Good night Hitomi." He said as he was opening the door.  She spun him around with all her strength, looked at him intently.

"Van, please don't be mad.  I really enjoyed tonight… every part of it." She blushed.

He stood in the doorframe and looked at her.  "Hitomi, I missed you so much."

"Van, I really missed you too.  Good night Van, I will see you tomorrow morning.  I'll be right here." She smiled.

Van looked at her eyes, they were filled with love.  He left, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Hitomi flopped on her bed, thinking about Van.

I am so happy that I'm back with him.  I'm so happy that we're together.  Forever.

(A/N: I hoped you liked it!! Oki Miya)