A Wedding and a Premonition
Van sighed and looked out the glass doors that led to the balcony. The counselors around him were now insisting that he find a wife of his own choosing or that they were going to set up a betrothal for him. Van refused to argue with them. They were all full of the manure that fertilized the fields. They would never dare override him, especially when he had already told them that Hitomi was the one he was going to marry and that was final. He sighed again as they continued their rambling. He wished Merle was with him. Then she could chase this bunch of prunes away. That thought made him smile.
He sighed again. He wished the bunch of idiots before him hadn't bothered him. He had been having a wonderful dream about holding Hitomi in his arms and giving her the pendant so she could return to him. He lifted his hand to where the pendant had been. When he had awakened the pendant was gone. He couldn't take his gaze from the window. Hitomi could arrive at any moment.
"Van-sama be reasonable! Waiting for a girl from the Mystic Moon is lunacy! You know the people from there are cursed!"
"Van-oh, onne-gai! Chose another woman of noble birth!"
"This Mystic Moon woman is probably not even of royal birth."
"Van-oh you must not degrade yourself by taking that kind of woman to wife!"
Van's eye began to tick in annoyance. His fingers twitched by his blade.
"She'll probably never arrive to begin with!"
"Van-oh it is time you took a wife and had an heir to the throne of Fanelia!"
"The girl from the Mystic Moon left ten years ago and has not been back since! How can you wait for her, Van-sama!"
"She is not worth waiting for!"
Van grabbed his sword and was about to whip about and threaten the idiots into silence when a shaft of pink light suddenly appeared and shimmered for an instant before vanishing. Van's heart clenched in his chest. "Hitomi…"
He turned from the group of men before him and raced to the balcony, his cloak flying off as he tossed it aside and leapt onto the rail of the balcony. He opened his arms wide and took in a deep breath before he jumped down. The counselors came running after him in shock and fear. But Van had jumped into one of the trees below and from there jumped to the ground.
He gave a wave to one of the servants ahead as he raced toward them. The servant nodded and ran to the stable to grab Van's horse.
Merle, Millerna, Celena with little Rouen clinging to her skirt and the girls Hitomi-chan and Janelle blinked in surprise as Van raced by them and toward the stable where a young servant was coming out with a horse. Merle narrowed her eyes.
"Van-sama! Where are you going?! It's not time for riding yet!"
Van just gave a wave to her and leapt onto the horse, speeding into a gallop as he bounded in the direction of where the pink beam had been. The women blinked in confusion until Allen, Duke Chid and Dryden came running by them as well.
"Allen! Dryden! Chid!"
The men stopped in their tracks and turned to the women behind them. The women gave them bewildered looks but Millerna turned serious. "And where are you three going?"
Allen looked at her as if she was daft. She growled at him. He shook his head and gave her a confused look. "Didn't you see it?"
The women blinked. It was Celena who answered. "See what? We were doing something until Van came rushing out of here and galloped away in a hurry."
Dryden shook his head as Allen smacked his forehead. "Sometimes you all had better learn to pay attention." Celena's eye ticked in annoyance at Dryden. "It was a beam of pink light. Does that sound a little bit familiar?"
Celena blinked in confusion but Millerna and Merle's face lit up with realization and joy. Millerna gave a cry of joy and grabbed her daughter. "That was why Van went flying out of here in such a rush!"
"Nan de, Hahawe?"
"Hai, na-se, Millerna-oh?" Janelle asked repeating Hitomi-chan's question.
Merle jumped up. "Hitomi!"
Allen gave a sigh of relief, but before he could ask to be excused the women were flying by him and waving toward the servants to get the horses. The three men blinked in disbelief. Dryden burst out laughing as Allen rolled his eyes. Chid blinked and then took after the women. Allen and Dryden followed after him in a rush.
Hitomi sighed as she wandered about the woods, the pendant glowing in her hand. She had thought to use it to direct her toward Van, but she didn't know what part of Gaea she could be in. It wouldn't help her any if she were in Duke Chid's country. There would be no Van anywhere. But if the pendant still worked even in those conditions, it would be one hell of a walk.
She had left her mother with the packages just around the corner as she walked about looking for a clue as to where they were in Gaea and for some food. But as Hitomi found some berries and was about to pluck the first, she heard a startled cry that had come from her mother. She immediately broke into a run.
Van blinked down at the huddled woman and the strange packages around her. This was not Hitomi…
"Yamero!"
Van looked up to see another, much younger, woman rush out of the forest. She was wearing a long dark green skirt and a pair of sneakers. She wore a white blouse and a green sleeveless shirt beneath it. She threw herself before the other woman, her arms spread a determined look flashing in her bright green eyes.
"What do you think you're doing? Scaring the devil out of my—" Hitomi cut herself off as she looked up at the man on the huge horse. His black hair hung in his brown startled eyes, his armored chest and shoulders glinting light off his features as the metal reflected the strands of light that were streaming through the trees. Hitomi's eyes widened and her heart began to pound.
Van stared into the glowing green eyes as the expression changed from one of outrage to one of shocked disbelief. His heart clenched. Those eyes… His eyes widened as he recognized the hair that had grown a bit longer but was still in the same short haircut, the flashing green eyes, and the pendant around the woman's neck. He jumped down from the horse.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi's mother blinked in surprise as she stood up. Hitomi's eyes filled with tears as she dropped her arms. Her breath began to come in on small gasps as she took a step forward. Her hands trembled as she gazed at the man before her, swallowing his appearance with her eyes.
"Van…"
He opened his arms and took a step forward as his body trembled with the familiar sound of her voice. She broke into a run and hurled herself into his arms, afraid he would vanish like all the ghosts of him that haunted her dreams. His warm arms wrapped around her and held her tightly against him as tears began to stream down Hitomi's cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his. They stared into each other's for an instant in time.
"Van…" His brown eyes flashed.
"Hitomi…" Her green eyes shimmered.
In the next instant his mouth met hers and began to devour the taste of her. She leaned up against him, her arms wrapping themselves more tightly around him as she kissed him back with all the passion and fervor inside of her. Van groaned against her mouth as he lifted her against him, one hand on her neck angling her head so he could kiss her more deeply, the other hand on her derriere pressing her against him. She gasped and raked her nails down his back as she gave herself up to his kiss. His wings suddenly exploded from his back and wrapped themselves around the two of them, swallowing her in the beauty of him, the feathers floating about them like the finale of an enchantment. They were lost in each other.
Suddenly, the thundering that came from the ground and the startled cry that erupted from her mother's throat interrupted their moment of bliss. Hitomi and Van turned their heads, both their eyes glazed and shining, their lips full with each other's kisses.
The group that paraded toward them were all grinning from ear to ear.
"Van-sama! Hitomi!"
Hitomi blinked and cleared her eyes. Coming right at them was Merle, Allen and Millerna, Duke Chid, Dryden and Celena, and two little girls. Hitomi's smile spread and she lifted her hand with an exuberant wave.
"Merle! Allen-san! Dryden! Millerna! Duke Chid! Celena-san!"
Van blinked and smiled, his wings once more going back into him. He waved at the group and rolled his eyes. It had been too much to hope that they hadn't noticed him leaving until later… or that they hadn't noticed the beam of light. He grinned as they all reigned in their horses to a stop. Merle bounded of her steed and straight toward Hitomi.
"Hitomi!"
Hitomi burst into laughter as she hit the floor, Merle on top of her nuzzling her in greeting. Hitomi hugged her close and grinned. "Merle! You're too big for me now! You're a woman already!" Hitomi burst out laughing.
Merle giggled and jumped off, helping Hitomi. Hitomi grinned at Merle and observed her. The cat girl had grown well. She was a beautiful young woman and probably still as mischievous. Hitomi grinned and hugged the girl quickly, then turning to the others.
"Allen-san, Millerna-san!"
Hitomi threw herself into their arms and they hugged her. Millerna giggled. "It's about time you returned to Gaea, Hitomi. Van has been so bored without you! And I miss all of our talks!" Millerna grew teary eyed and hugged Hitomi close. "Oh, Hitomi! I missed you so!"
"Me too, Millerna-san," Hitomi replied closing her eyes.
"Hahawe?"
Hitomi blinked and released Millerna to look down at the blonde, blue-eyed eight-year-old little girl who was staring up at Hitomi curiously. She smiled and guessed who the child was immediately. She bent down and smiled at the little girl.
"What is your name? My name is Hitomi."
The little girl blinked in surprise and then grinned at Hitomi.
"My name is Hitomi too!"
Hitomi blinked as she looked at the little girl's proud expression and the bubble of laughter that erupted from the child. Hitomi blinked again as another little girl with dark brown hair and blue eyes burst beside the blonde little girl.
"I'm Janelle-chan! Why do you have the same name as Hitomi-chan?"
Hitomi smiled and looked up at Millerna and Allen in surprise. Allen is the one who replied. "We had to name our daughter after you Hitomi."
Hitomi blinked at him. "Did you have twins?"
Millerna burst out laughing. "Iye, Hitomi. Janelle-chan is Dryden and Celena's eldest and Hitomi-chan's best friend."
Hitomi's eyes widened. "Nani?"
She turned to Dryden and Celena. Dryden was holding a little boy in his arms that had silver white hair and his father's dark eyes. Hitomi squealed in disbelief and hugged Dryden. The merchant prince burst out laughing and hugged Hitomi in return. Her eyes were full of question and she turned to Celena.
"Hai, Hitomi. I married Celena two years after you left. Surprised?"
Hitomi nodded and smiled at Celena. She took the woman's hands and squeezed them. "I didn't know you, Celena-san, though Allen had told me much about you. I hope we can become the best of friends!"
Celena smiled. "Hai."
"Hitomi-san!"
Hitomi blinked and turned to see a scowling teenage boy. "Duke Chid?" she murmured.
The boy nodded enthusiastically. Hitomi squealed with joy and rushed to him, giving him a hug. "Look how big you've gotten! You were such a wise little boy before! Now you must be a great Duke!"
He nodded. "Hai. Van-oh has been helping me."
Hitomi grinned, gave him a squeeze and turned a teary gaze to all her friends…and then to the man she loved. Van smiled at her lovingly. She smiled and blushed and took a step toward him. Then she abruptly stopped. Van blinked as Hitomi shook her head and rushed by him.
"Gomen nasai, Okasan! I forgot to introduce you to everyone."
"Iye, Hitomi. It's all right… It's not necessary…"
The group blinked as Hitomi pushed the older woman to the group. She grinned at them all and began the introductions.
"Minna… This is my Oka-san. Okasan, this is Millerna-hime and Allen-san with their daughter Hitomi-chan." Hitomi giggled. "They named her after me!" She then motioned to Dryden and Celena. "This is Dryden-san, the merchant prince, and his wife Celena-san, she's Allen-san's sister. They have little Janelle and…" she blinked. "What is your son's name Dryden?"
Dryden smiled. "Rouen."
Hitomi turned to her mother and smiled. "Rouen. Here is Duke Chid, and this annoying cat-girl is Merle."
"Oy, Hitomi!"
Hitomi grinned at Merle and stuck out her tongue. The young cat-like woman replied equally. She raspberried at Hitomi.
Hitomi then turned to Van and smiled. "Soshite, Okasan, this is Van. My love."
Her mother looked at her with a smile. "Hai, I noticed."
Hitomi grinned at her mother and then left her side only to leap into Van's arms. He laughed and whirled her about, their laughter filling everyone with joy and laughter. Hitomi was back. Everything would be fine from here.
"Yosh! From one celebration to another! Now we have a wedding!"
"Hai! Party, Oto!"
Everyone burst out laughing at Rouen's outburst and at the joy swelling among them.
* * *
"It is coming."
The young blue-haired cat-like man looked up from books he was replacing. He turned to the woman kneeling in the circle of white sand and white wax candles. Her massively long pitch black hair hung about her in endless waves of silk and the white sheer robes that clothed her shimmered in the dimming candlelight. Her closed eyes slowly opened and huge brilliant violet orbs shimmered.
"What's coming ne-sama?" the cat-like man said, his longish blue hair shifting in his gray eyes as he leaned away from the books and toward the woman he called sister. His ears twitched and he began to move toward her. "Ne-sama?"
"Hush, Rune." The woman closed her eyes again and whispered words without meaning into the air full of burning incense. She continued to whisper the words even as the candles burned low, the man called Rune watching her, the books forgotten. Rune started when he saw the tears slide from her closed eyes down her glowing cheek. His heart pounded as he got up to go to her.
"Stop there, Rune."
The blue hair shifted with his abrupt stop. "De-mo ne-sama…"
The woman's eyes opened, the amethyst brilliance glistening with unshed tears. She slowly moved in her place, her body shifting as her head moved forward in a slump. Her hair hung about her body and her tears slid to the white sand glistening beneath her.
"There is nothing I can do to stop it. Only the two…"
Rune blinked, afraid for the woman he called sister. Her heard the agony in her voice. What could be tormenting her so? "Ne-sama…"
Suddenly her head shot up, startling Rune. He blinked as she turned to him, her eyes shimmering with determination. It was almost as if the tearstains on her cheeks were of no import. She slowly stood, the white sheer robes floating about her like the memory of a dream. She turned to the young man before her and smiled.
"Rune-chan, ready the Antechamber with the black sand and candles. Mix them with the white ones. Place them all in the shape of this emblem." She turned and lifted her hand. From amongst the pile of books that remained out of place came a brooch with an emblem engraved upon it. It floated from its place and toward the woman's outstretched hand. Once there she tossed it to the young cat-like man. "Make sure there are no mistakes. Any mistake could be disastrous."
Rune looked at the emblem and then to the woman before him. "De-mo… are you sure about the black sand and candles? That is only when you speak to the dead. Why do you want to blend your magic white sand and candles with the black ones?"
The woman smiled at him. "Daijou bu, Rune-chan. It'll be all right. Just do as I ask. I must prepare my body and spirit for the trial that lies ahead. The fate of all of Gaea depends on my success. It is necessary."
The woman then turned and vanished into the shadows created by her white candles. Rune blinked and looked down at the seal in his hands. He slowly stood and lifted an eyebrow before turning to head for the Antechamber to do as he was told.
Why would the Sorceress Zaillah want to have both white and black sand and candles in the shape of the crest of Fanelia?
* * *
All of Fanelia was practically bursting with excitement.
The day they had all been waiting for had finally come. Van-oh, their warrior king, was finally going to marry and they were at last going to a have a queen.
Today was the wedding ceremony and celebration.
But while the entire country was bustling with energy and excitement, the castle was chaos. Servants were running to and fro, trying to make sure everything was in preparation. It had only been a month since the King had proclaimed who was to be his bride and that they would be marrying in a month. When the Council had tried to plead with him to extend the date he only shook his head and said that he could not wait anymore than a month. He had been waiting ten years for his bride, he would wait no more than a month.
It sounded perfectly reasonable to Millerna, Celena and Merle. Dryden and Allen were surprised he had made it a month and not a week or two. They were still marveling over Van's patience.
In the palace, while the servants in charge were slowly turning loony along with the members of the Council, Janelle-chan, Hitomi-chan and Rouen-chan were trying to be as playful as possible in their restricting formal clothing. Duke Chid was given the task to look after them while Dryden and Allen gave Van support. Totally unnecessary. Van was only edgy because he wanted Hitomi already in his bed.
The bride-to-be on the other hand was going batty. Millerna, Celena, Merle and her mother were having a time trying to get Hitomi to calm down. But Hitomi was not hysterical about her upcoming wedding. No, she was worried how she would get away long enough to get Yukari and Amano there in time for the wedding!
Hitomi was pacing back and forth in desperation, her mother trying to calm her down. Hitomi ignored the calming words of the women around her and looked out the window. She was already garbed in her wedding gown, a beautiful gown made of white silk, lace, pearls and opal jewels. It was also decorated with silk and satin lilies. The dress was off-shoulder and the sleeves long and delicate. The dress made a 'v' at the neckline, exposing quite a bit of cleavage. Enough to drive Van up the wall for he had not had the pleasure of seeing her yet. The dress billowed about her and a tail made the gown worthy of a queen. Her hair was decorated with a crown of lilies that was held there by the tiara of pearls and opals around her forehead. A silk, sheer veil hung down her exposed back. She did truly look like a queen.
But Hitomi was uncaring. Right now her only concern was getting Yukari and Amano there for the wedding… But how…?
Suddenly her eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. Celena, Millerna, Merle and Hitomi's mother's chatter suddenly died as they saw the gleam in Hitomi's eyes.
"Hitomi… what are you planning…?" Merle began but was cut off when she saw the woman reaching for the pendant gleaming against her breast.
Millerna shook her head as Hitomi's mother began to stand. "Iye, Hitomi! Don't! You don't know if you'll be back in time!"
Hitomi just grinned as she envisioned Yukari and Amano in her mind. "Daijou bu, Millerna-san! I'll be back in no time!"
The beam of light erupted. Merle shook her head and ran toward Hitomi. "De-mo Hitomi! Your dress… Eeeek!"
Both Hitomi and Merle were swept up into the beam, leaving a stunned Celena, Millerna and mother of the bride. Hitomi's mother then sighed.
"Oh, well. At least we know she wouldn't miss her wedding for the world. She's been waiting ten years for this. She'll be back in time."
Both Celena and Millerna sighed.
"I certainly hope so," was Millerna's only reply.
…On Earth…
"Eeeek!"
Merle crashed onto the couch beneath her as Hitomi glided to the ground. Hitomi grinned at Merle and shook her head. "Now Merle-chan! Why did you have to go and do that? I was only going to pick up Yukari and Amano. I told them I would bring them to my wedding." Hitomi giggled as Merle scowled at her and got up from the couch, the golden dress Merle was wearing floating about her. Her tail twisted in annoyance as she crossed her arms in a huff.
Hitomi giggled again and then looked around her. It was her old house. Amano and Yukari must be here somewhere…
"Yukari! Amano! Yukari! Amano! Hiya ku! I'm getting married in two hours!"
Hitomi winced as she heard a crash from upstairs. Merle lifted an eyebrow and leapt onto the couch looking toward the stairs. There was a rustle another crash and a door opening and slamming shut. Amano and Yukari rushed down the stairs in bathrobes to see a glowing Hitomi in the most gorgeous bridal gown they had ever seen… and a strange cat-woman in a beautiful golden gown.
Yukari's mouth dropped open. "Hitomi! Did you say what I thought you said? How did you get in here? And whom the hell are you marrying? The Emperor or something?"
Hitomi giggled. "Hai, you heard right, Yukari-chan. I'm getting married in two hours so you two better get dressed right away. I got here the same way I got to Gaea, with my grandmother's pendant. And I'm not marrying any Emperor. I'm marrying the King of Fanelia."
Yukari blinked in stunned amazement. Amano's mouth hung open as he pointed to Merle. "Who is she?"
Hitomi grinned. "This is Merle. She's one of my bridesmaids. Hiya ku, you two. I only have two hours."
The two newlyweds slowly nodded and went up the stairs to their bedchamber to get dressed in their finest. But before Yukari could get all the way to the top she rushed down and with a squeal of happiness and jumped at Hitomi and gave her a huge hug. Hitomi laughed and hugged her friend back. It was then that Yukari rushed upstairs to change clothing.
Merle waited till they were gone and then turned to Hitomi.
"Hitomi?"
"Nani, Merle?"
"They look like Allen-san and Millerna-san."
Hitomi grinned at Merle. "Hai, they do, don't they?"
…Half an hour later and back on Gaea…
"Merle! Hitomi!"
Celena and Millerna rushed to both to see if they were all right. Then the older women proceeded to check if the gowns were still in tact. Hitomi grinned and then turned to Amano and Yukari who were blinking in astonishment at their situation and the place they found themselves in. Hitomi wasted no time.
"Celena, Millerna, my dress is fine. I want you to meet my two good friends, Amano and Yukari," Hitomi grinned and turned to Amano and Yukari. "Amano, Yukari, this is Celena-san and Millerna-hime. Millerna is married to Allen and have a little girl they named after me. Celena is Allen's sister and she is married to the merchant prince, Dryden. They have a little girl named Janelle and a five year old boy named Rouen."
At that moment, the children made an appearance and Hitomi introduced them. It was Hitomi-chan that made the brilliant observation.
"Hitomi-ne, why does Yukari-san look like Hahawe and Amano-san look like Chichiwe?"
Hitomi grinned as everyone was shocked into silence except for Merle. Hitomi nodded at the little girl. "You're right. They do look like your Hahawe and Chichiwe, but these are my other friends. They just look like your parents."
"Oh."
Hitomi grinned and then told Duke Chid to take Amano to the other men and introduce him as they all finished getting ready for the wedding. Yukari was quickly taken into the fold and was told what she was to do at the actual ceremony.
When it finally began Van could barely look away from Hitomi. She was… ravishing. He was almost positive that every man present was staring at his bride. And who could not? She was murderous in her beauty and the dress… Van's eyes devoured her as he came up with so many different way to get the gown off of her in a hurry.
Hitomi could feel the burn of Van's eyes on her and she met his dark orbs boldly. They promised such delicious pleasures that had her trembling as she reached her place beside him. While everyone was thinking that it was her nervous wedding jitters, only she and Van knew that it was the sensual look in his eyes that was making her tremble with heat and pleasure.
The ceremony was long, boring, but beautiful. Hitomi wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. But as Priest before them blessed the union and dubbed them King and Queen and crowned Hitomi, her only thought was… "I'm married to Van! I'm finally married to Van!"
Her heart was already singing when Van clasped her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly before all of the people present. After the stirring, dazing kiss, he dragged her down the aisle where she had walked what seemed like only moments ago, dragged her onto a carriage that led them directly to the enormous courtyard immediately outside of the gigantic ballroom of Fanelia Castle. The celebration began.
To Hitomi it was like a dream. The joy with her friends, the kisses and touches passed between her and Van, the dancing, the singing, the laughter and the music…it all seemed so surreal and so blissful. She almost never wanted it to end…until she saw the hungry look in Van's eyes that melted her insides.
As the night grew on, the celebration was ended with a parade throughout all of Fanelia, Van and Hitomi showing their affection and love for each other openly to the people in their open carriage. By the time they returned to the castle, Hitomi was giggling hysterically for she and Van were practically being drowned in a sea of flowers that had been tossed to them by the people. Van lifted her from the carriage and carried her all the way to their bedroom.
They would not be disturbed for the next week or so, except to be brought food.
Hitomi was practically tingling with expectation. Van could feel her excitement and gave her a slow wicked grin, which held all the promises of the night before them. Hitomi's senses were practically bursting. Everything felt slow and thick, her blood heavy within her as Van approached her, tossing his cloak and shirt aside. Hitomi's breathing was ragged by the time he reached her, and he stared down into her eyes, the heat in the glowing orbs igniting her desire. Van bent his head and kissed her long and deep, making the flame of her passion and love for him consume her so that everything she felt took her beyond the edge of bliss.
Van slowly wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his body and his heart began to beat wildly. The kiss transformed from one of seduction to one of ravenous need. Van's kiss consumed Hitomi, his tongue and lips possessing her, claiming her. She grabbed onto him, her knees giving out with the force of his kiss. Their mouths were a fury of blending lips, with each second growing more and more carnal with their eager passion. The two fell to the bed in a flurry of limbs, Van's hands tearing at Hitomi's garments until the beautiful gown was tossed aside and she was lying nude before him. Hitomi gasped in surprise as her body felt the cold rush of air that came from the open window, her body tingling with the cool air and Van only watched her reaction. The look he gave her quickly vanished the coolness and replaced it with an insatiable heat. Hot and eager, her hands quickly went to his waist to remove the pants he still wore. He aided her quickly until they were both blissfully nude against each other, hot skin on hot skin. Her breath was hot against his and all Van could do was groan as placed his mouth against her heated flesh.
Hitomi moaned with desire, her hands digging into his hair as his mouth made hot love to her. Her cries of passion drove Van over the edge as he kneaded her breasts and took them into his mouth. Hitomi cried out as her legs parted, opening for him, her eyes glazed. Van groaned with desire as he dragged his mouth down her body. He slid his hands up the insides of her thighs, bringing her knees up as his lips and tongue caressed her belly. His caresses drove her over the edge; her nails dug into Van's shoulders as she chanted his name. Van dipped his head lower and Hitomi's scream of pleasure vibrated through the walls of the room.
He caressed the heat of her with his tongue, kissing and licking her as she panted, her eyes dazed and blazing with passion. He drove her over the edge and her scream frightened the birds on the balcony, outside the open window. Van lifted his head and moved languidly over her, her breathing harsh. She slowly opened her eyes to gaze into his, his eyes as dark as sin in the night. Hitomi smiled and dragged her hands over his body making him groan with desire as he lowered his mouth to hers. She kissed him madly, carnally, as she found the heat of him and began to guide him into her body. She caressed him and Van heaved wildly drunk on desire. Hitomi guided him into her, but the moment Van felt the heat of her entrance, he gave a low groan and thrust into her with one powerful stroke that had his wings bursting from him and Hitomi crying out his name and wrapping her limbs about him. Her legs were tight around his waist and her arms around his chest, her nails digging into his back desperately as if she would fall into oblivion if she didn't hold onto him tightly enough.
He held himself within her, until he was certain her pain was gone and began the slow thrusting that was the timeless dance of life. Hitomi returned the thrusts eager and in a mad frenzy of desire they both fell headlong into the abyss of bliss, their screams of a long awaited completion of their love echoing throughout the walls of the palace.
The lovers drifted back to the world and Van held Hitomi close to him, his feathers drifting about them in a silent applause. He had waited so long for her; he would never lose her again. Hitomi lifted her face from his chest as stared into his loving eyes. She lifted her head for another kiss on swollen lips and whispered the words engraved in her heart.
"Ai-shi-te-ru, Van."
Van smiled down into the beautiful eyes and whispered back the same truth that had burned in soul for ten years. "Ai-shi-te-ru, Hitomi."
They kissed once more beneath the moonlight that streamed from the open balcony door and were once again lost in each other and the pleasure brought forth by their awakening bodies.