Lost and Found

Lost and Found

By: rainjewel

A/N: As we all know, Zaibach is going to be attacking sometime in the near future. And as we all know, rainjewel isn't going to write this so that it goes along with the actual events! ^.^ But, for a change, I DO know what happened, but I'm simply choosing to not go along with it. WARNING! Serious romantic fluff in this chapterbut don't worry, I'll atone for it.

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Migel

I could definitely get used to this.

It's truly amazing. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and was happy. Happy because I awoke with Hitomi in my arms. Of course, it's kind of a bittersweet joy since I woke up this early to send her back to her room before dawn, but happy nonetheless.

Hey, don't complain. Anything beats waking up at 4:15 a.m. to a cantankerous Dilandau who hasn't had his morning coffee. True.

Reluctantly I slip away from Hitomi and roll out of bed. I should probably wake her up, but she looks so peaceful sleeping that I'd rather walk myself into oncoming traffic then awaken her.

Softly I pad my way over to the bathroom. I have enough time for shower before I wake her up. I close the door and lock it, stifling a laugh over how odd it is to have a private bathroom. Everything on the Vione was communal, save for the rooming. Quickly I relieve myself and then jump into the shower. After fiddling with the knobs for a good 3 minutes, I manage to get a nice spray of boiling hot water. Quietly I mutter swear words in every language I know (English, Japanese, "Gaeanese", and Latin) and then put on some cold water.

I finally emerge from the shower (about 4 minutes later, I'm a pretty speedy when it comes to showering). It feels so good to be clean. My side feels 10 times better now that I've scrubbed away all the dirt and blood. And my hair's washed, though not combed. It has the nice just-been-toweled look. Oh well. With a sigh I look at my boxers, then resignedly slip back into them, not feeling so clean anymore.

Note to self, buy underwear.

Slipping into my pants (which were laying by the bed) I sit down by the slumbering Hitomi. Carefully I lean over her form, and whisper into her ear.

"Hitomi, wake up Hitomi. Rise and shine."

Suddenly her eyes snap open, and a wide-eyed, confused look passes through the emerald irises. I smile at her, and she grins back with recognition. Her honey-colored hair is mussed from sleeping, and I smooth it with a gentle caress of my hand.

"You are so beautiful," I whisper. I feel myself blush slightly. Hitomi smiles shyly and then kisses my hand.

"You look good in pink," Hitomi says, looking at my face.

"Thanks, I'll remember that next time I go clothes shopping," I reply.

"Hey," Hitomi whispers, "Come here."

She snakes a hand around my neck and gently pulls me down for a kiss. After, ahem, a few moments, our lips part, and the kiss ends. Propping myself up on my elbows, I lay down, resting my head on Hitomi's shoulder.

"Argh, it's too early," I complain. Actually, it's late compared to what I'm used too, but it's probably very early for her. Hitomi giggles at my comment, and I kiss the corner of her mouth, and then her neck, which creates more giggles. She gently runs her fingers through my still-wet hair.

"Ah, you smell good," Hitomi mutters into my hair.

"Like what?" I ask.

"Likerain. That's strange," Hitomi says, breathing deeply.

"Why is that strange? Do I usually stink?" I ask jovially.

"No! Yesterday you smelled like apples and woodfirewood to be precise," Hitomi says. She kisses my shoulder.

I laugh. "The apple smell is from Chesta's shampoo, I ran out the other day. And firewood? You got me." I smile at Hitomi reassuringly, for she frowns at the mention of Chess. Yes Hitomi, it still hurts to talk about himthem. But I'm getting over it. Now it's more of a dull ache. A dull ache the size of a land dragon.

"Ryan?" Hitomi asks after a few moments.

"Hm?" I mumble. If I'm not careful I just might fall asleep again.

"Would youkiss me again?" Hitomi asks in a very shy voice. In a nanosecond I'm propped on my elbows again.

"I think I can handle that," I say with a grin. I lean down and kiss her on the lips. Gently I wrap my arms around her, pulling her up to a sitting position. As the kiss goes deeper, more explorative, warning bells start dinging in my head. And the buck stops here, cowboy.

Suddenly Hitomi pulls away. For one absolutely terrifying moment I think I've overstepped my bounds. Then Hitomi giggles and leans in and kisses me on the nose.

"I suppose I have to go back to my room, don't I?" Hitomi asks resignedly. So that's the problem?

"Yes," I reply with a sigh. Gently I lift her up from the bed and place her on the floor. "Hold on for a second."

Briskly I walk over to the door, and then stick my head out. I check the Crusade's corridors (which are clear). I hear Hitomi walk up behind me, and then I feel her arms slip around my waist.

"Well, the Crusade is clear," I say.

"It's okay Ryan, I'm sure I'll navigate the castle just fine," Hitomi says, brushing past me. For a brief second I seriously considering dragging her back in to the room. I don't want to see her leave. But then reality and logic kicks in, and then I realize that would be a very stupid idea.

"See you in about an hour or so," Hitomi says. I smile and catch her hand, pulling her in for a quick kiss.

"Be good," I whisper. Hitomi laughs and then turns and walks quickly down the corridor. I look at her retreating back with what must be a wistful expression on my face.

I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.

With a quick snap of my hand I smack myself hard up the head, and pull the door shut. Damn! That actually hurt! I mutter some inventive swear words (think: "Sweet unholy monkey ass") under my breath. I turn and take a few steps into the room, when suddenly the door opens again.

"WAKE UP!" A large voice booms from the doorway. I jump a good 3 feet in the air and then turn around.

"Dear god Gadeth!" I gasp. He says nothing but chucks a sheathed sword in my direction. I catch it deftly, recognizing it as my own, and buckle the sheath around my waist.

"Godashim's under seige!" Gadeth explains hurriedly, "We're loading everyone onto the Crusade. Even the palace has fallen."

I feel a small dagger of terror impale my chest.

"Do you have everyone?" I ask brusquely, my no-nonsense soldier mode kicking in.

"Van-sama just ran to get Hitomi and Merle, and the Duke's meeting us at—"

That's all I catch for I'm out the door and out of earshot before Gadeth finishes his sentence. She's not there. She couldn't have made it back yet. Running down the halls at a breakneck speed, I'm off the Crusade in seconds. The minute I'm off the leviship, I here the telltale sounds of war; swords clashing, guymelefs fighting, and the screams.

Quickly I dodge into the palace, my heart pounding. After taking a couple of turns, I finally see Hitomi at the end of a horridly long corridor. She's running. I almost call out to her, but the sharp sound of a sword being unsheathed stops me. The sound has a very distinct ring to it.

Suddenly a pale man in fiery red armor steps in front of Hitomi. Dilandau!

Hitomi goes skidding to an abrupt halt, and stops a few paces in front of him. His hand is caressing the hilt of his sword. I quicken my pace, throwing everything I have into my gate. Almost there, almost there.

"You," Dilandau says, "You're the reason I have this scar." His hand flies to his face, tracing the scar in his trademark manner. Hitomi backs up a few steps, obviously fighting the urge to run.

Don't run Hitomi. Don't ever turn your back on him.

Dilandau's hand flashes out and catches Hitomi by the shoulder. She stands as still as stone.

"Well," Dilandau says in a bell-like tone, "Paybacks are a bitch." He removes his hand from her shoulder and raises his sword. With my last surge of adrenaline, I thrust myself infront of Hitomi and block Dilandau's blade before he has the chance to deliver the blow. We stand chest to chest, our noses almost touching, with our swords raised high above our heads. I pray to god he doesn't have a dagger.

"Migel?" Dilandau questions, then his eyes turn bright with anger, "What in the hell are you doing?"

"Run Hitomi," I say, not answering Dilandau. Hitomi doesn't move. I don't move my eyes from Dilandau's, whose own scarlet eyes are wide with interest.

"GO!" I scream as loud as I can, right into Dilandau's face. I hear Hitomi's footsteps and I know she's running off. Dilandau grunts and pushes me off him. I stumble back, then catch myself. I square my feet and anticipate Dilandau's attack, but he lowers his sword, and after a moment I do as well. Dilandau's face is still as stone, but his hands are clenched tightly into fists. He seems to be contemplating something. My death, most likely.

"If you were anyone else, you'd be dead by now," Dilandau says after a moment, his tone cool as ice. "Now, what the hell was that all about?"

Dilandau is not a stupid person. He knows damn well what's going on.

"You know Dilandau," I say, purposefully leaving out the honorary "-sama." Dilandau merely blinks as he notes its absence.

"Damn. I was hoping I wasn't right. Now I have to kill you," Dilandau says. With that he charges at me, not wasting anytime on preliminaries. I block his blow, and we parry back and forth for a minute or so. He pins me to a wall, and I throw him off. I grimace as pain flashes through my left side from my wound.

"You're injured," Dilandau observes.

"I know," I reply. Dilandau's eyes flash.

"Don't be impertinent," he replies. He flicks his sword and the blade catches my shoulder, leaving a shallow cut. I swear darkly, then block as Dilandau advances again.

After more jabbing and some very interesting footwork, I find we're back against the wall with our blades crisscrossed. Now it's a game of strength. As I begin to push against Dilandau, he simply drops his sword and backs up.

"Catch your breath," he orders. I do so. I know Dilandau's not fighting his full potential. He's dragging this out, playing his beloved game of cat and mouse. Still, I can't help but admire how goddamn fucking flawless his every move is.

"Why did you leave me?" Dilandau asks after a moment. Nice choice of words. He knows I don't give a damn about leaving Zaibach. I left him, not that hellhole of a country.

"Because I love her," I say bluntly. Now is not the time for pretty words.

"And you don't love me?" Dilandau asks softly.

"I love you," I say very simply. For one brief moment, Dilandau looks stricken, and then fury rises in his face. I straighten up and block his charge. This time Dilandau is using every trick he knows. As a result, I'm faring much worse. Fuck.

Within a minute or two, I'm back at the accursed wall. My sword, I notice, isn't in my hand anymore. He's too fast. Too fucking fast. But damn he's good. Dilandau stands in front of me, his sword to my throat. He's breathing faster then usual, but that's about it. I, on the other hand, am bleeding, breathing raggedly, and can barely stand up.

And then Dilandau, as usual, does the most unexpected thing of all. He leans in and gently kisses me on the mouth. For a second my world dissolves, and all I can feel is Dilandau. A surge of ironic happiness flows through my veins, but then Dilandau pulls away and a tsunami of sadness takes its place.

"Now you know," Dilandau says softly, his eyes full of regret, "That I loved you too."

Dilanda kisses me one more time, then backs up. I say nothing, and don't even try to retrieve my sword. I feel a chilling numbness sweep through my body.

Dilandau raises the sword for the lethal blow. Then suddenly, just as the blade begins to come crashing down, he stops. His eys bulge, and his hand drops.

"Shot in the back," Dilandau mutters, "How utterly low." And with that he falls to his knees, his sword clattering to the ground. That's when I see it. I see the horrid arrowhead protruding from his chest, and I see the leather glistening with the bloodying of his armor.

"NO!" I scream. I drop to the ground, catching Dilandau as he pitches forward. My arms wrap around him, and I hug him to my chest like a mother would a child. Dilandau groans into my neck, then weakly pushes me away, leaning back in my arms. A small trickle of crimson blood trails down his chin. Gently I brush his silver hair with my fingers. Dilandau smiles at my touch. A genuine smile that I've only seen once before. It spreads across his face like the morning sun that is rising on this horrid day.

But then Dilandau's eyes close, and he moans in agony. His hand squeezes my bare shoulder as the pain washes over him. Then, he exhales slowly and slumps against my shoulder.

No!

"We are Dragon Slayers, we are immortal"

Desperately I feel for a pulse on his throat, but there isn't one.

"You're never going to die Migel. You are immortal. You are one of my best Dragon Slayers and you'll never have to worry about anything for I will always be there."

Frantically I take his limp hand off my shoulder and rip off his glove. I test his wrist for a pulse, but again, it isn't there.

"I will always be there for you."

With a frustrated cry I press my head to his bloodied chest, searching for the sound of his heartbeat.

"And now you know that I love you too

But it never comes, and the only sound in the darkened corridor are my screams.

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A/N: *winces* I know, I know. I can't write a story without killing someone. I'm sorry! I'm just a horrid depressing angsty individual who really doesn't mesh well with romance. I was going to have Dilandau just walk away after he kissed Migel/Ryan, but I couldn't leave it like thatoh well. I'm so freakin' morbid. Review, flame me, I don't care. And yes, there will be an aftermath/epilogue, in which I will hopefully perk up and be a spaz again. Oh and one more thingthe comment "Sweet unholy monkey ass" is credited to Mariah Crater. Toodles.

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