Disclaimer: Dammit, I don't own them.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to post this fic. Even after FF.Net was up again, I had problems with my computer. I was going to post the fic on Saturday night, but I was so sad about the death of Aaliyah. *sniff* I really liked her music.... But enough of my personal feelings. This is the chapter you all been waiting for. Will Dilandau and Hitomi kiss? I won't say. Read for yourselves. Anyway, I know that Dilandau is out of character, but this is an AU based fic. But don't worry, I have a surprise for all of you in the upcoming chapters. I can't say anything or it will spoil the story. Well, on to the fic!

Seasons of Loneliness
By Blue Shakira


Chapter Nine: Forgiven?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Their lips were millimeters away when Hitomi mentally scolded herself. 'Don't do it, Hitomi!'

Another voice came. 'He hurt you!'

'But….'

Hitomi was caught off guard as Dilandau captured her mouth with his. By pure instinct she closed her eyes. She slipped her arms around his neck and started running her fingers through his silver hair.

Dilandau placed his hands on the small of her back and pressed her body closer to him.

'She's not….afraid,' he noticed, as they continued their earth shattering kiss.

He had waited for three years and his goddess has finally returned to him. Dilandau had never been happier.

When they finally pulled away, crimson eyes met emerald one's.

Dilandau stroked Hitomi's cheek. "Hitomi, I….," he began.

His sentence was cut off when she claimed his lips once again. Their kiss was heated and passionate like the last one. Seconds flew into minutes as they kissed until they were left breathless.

They eventually parted and gasped for breath.

Hitomi rested her head on his chest. "I missed you so much, Dilandau," she whispered.

"I missed you too. More than you can ever imagine….I just wished, I had not hurt you," he replied, sadly.

Sighing, Hitomi reached out for his hands and held them close to her heart. She closed her eyes. "I wanted to hate you," she began. "I was so angry at you. I didn't ever want to see you again. I left Gaea hoping to never return." She paused. "I didn't even say goodbye to anyone. I just wanted to leave."

Dilandau was about to say something but she placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

"Don't say anything. Hear me out first," she said, looking into his eyes. She searched his eyes for a response. When she saw what she was looking for, she continued. "When I returned to my world, I pretended nothing had happened. Every morning I would wake up pretending that Gaea was just a dream….that YOU were just part of a terrible dream."

Dilandau lowered his head.

Hitomi sighed. "When I found out I was pregnant, I was scared. I wasn't sure what I wanted. I was eighteen years old and a freshman in college. I wasn't ready to become a mother." Pain flashed in her eyes and she added, "It even came across my mind to get rid of the baby."

Dilandau winced.

Hitomi continued, "But quickly realized that it wasn't the baby's fault. Dilandau, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy that I love with all my heart. From the day he was born….no, from the day I found out I was pregnant, even with all of my doubts, I already loved him. Julian is my life. He is what I live for."

She smiled. "Strangely enough, without trying, Julian helped me learn to forgive. The hate I had for you….it didn't last long. I don't think I ever hated you. Even if I forced myself to believe it sometimes….but I I realized that it was only disappointment."

Dilandau squeezed his eyes shut. "Hitomi…."

Tears spilled out of Hitomi's eyes. "Dilandau, I forgive you," she whispered. "Our son and I….we forgive you!"

Dilandau wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry for causing you so much pain," he said, shakily. "I don't deserve your forgiveness!"

"Don't say that, Dilandau! I forgive you," she said softly. "Lets put everything in the past."

"I love you, Hitomi," Dilandau said. "You don't know how happy I am. I feel so….complete."

Hitomi kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad," she whispered.

A strange look came over Dilandau's face.

Hitomi's wondered what was going through his mind. She squealed when she felt herself being lifted into the air. Dilandau twirled with her in his arms.

"I have a son," he exclaimed.

"WE have a son," Hitomi corrected him.

He paused. "A little you and me?"

Hitomi nodded.

"I have a son….," Dilandau said, thoughtfully. He bent down and kissed Hitomi. "A son!"

Hitomi nodded again.

The excitement began to make Dilandau's head hurt. He let go of Hitomi and stumbled to a nearby chair. He sat on it.

"Dilandau, are you all right," Hitomi asked, concerned.

He nodded. "I'm fine," he replied.

Hitomi studied him. "Are you sure? I mean, you hit your head pretty hard," she said.

He groaned. "How embarrassing." 'I'm going to kill you, Unknown!' he thought, angrily.

"I still don't know where that chair you hit your head on came from. It just seemed to have come out of nowhere," she said. "But I guess I really wasn't paying attention."

"Probably," Dilandau muttered. He paused. "Where is our son?"

Hitomi smiled. "He's with Chesta."

"May I see him? I mean, my son…."

"Yes, you may. But that won't happen until morning," Hitomi replied.

"But you just said he's with Chesta….," he began.

"You've been out of it for a while. It's past midnight and Julian has been asleep for a while. I asked Chesta to watch over him while I stayed with you," she said.

"Oh," was all Dilandau said. He really wanted to see his son, but he didn't want to disturb his slumber.

Hitomi sat on a chair next to him. They sat silently for a few minutes.

He spoke first. "He has your eyes. Beautiful, emerald eyes….".

"Yes, he does," she replied. She smiled. "However, he looks more like you. He even has your hair."

Dilandau sighed. "I just hope he never makes the same mistakes like I did. I don't want him to be like me….I want him to be like YOU."

Hitomi stayed quiet.

Dilandau rubbed his head. "How did everyone take the news?"

"They took it pretty well," she replied.

"What do you mean? I thought they would hate me for what I did…."

"I….I didn't tell them everything. I left out some parts."

"Oh," Dilandau replied. "So, how did Van react? You know, about Julian…."

"He's a bit upset," she said, sadly. "He's angry at me for not telling him…." She sighed. "Dilandau, I don't want to talk about that right now. Why don't you go back to bed and we'll continue our conversation tomorrow. You'll see Julian by then."

Hitomi stood up from her chair and Dilandau did the same. They walked towards the door.

"I'll see you in the morning," Hitomi said as she turned the door knob.

"Very well," Dilandau replied. He didn't want Hitomi to leave, but she did looked a bit tired.

As Hitomi opened the door, she thought back on the passionate kiss they had earlier.

She wanted to kiss him again.

She left the door halfway opened and turned around. She gave a surprised Dilandau a quick peck on the lips.

"Goodnight, Dilandau," she said, blushing furiously.

Stunned, Dilandau replied, "Goodnight." He then reached out and stroked her hair. "I love you."

Hitomi nodded and exited the room.

Dilandau closed the door, but after a few seconds realization hit him. He quickly scolded himself. 'Idiot," he thought. 'I should have asked her which room she was staying in.'

He re-opened the door to go ask her but when he entered the hallway she was nowhere in sight. There were many doors and he wasn't about to go knocking on every single one of them. He gave a frustrated sigh and closed his bedroom door.

He went back to his bed and laid down. He stared at the ceiling for a couple of minutes. When he finally began to go to sleep, he only thought of only one thing….

Himself, Hitomi and their son Julian living as one happy family.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Van."

The ruby eyed king stirred in his sleep.

"Van…."

The voice continued to call him. He opened his eyes and stared into darkness. The only light in his room was the dim moonlight coming through the window.

"Who is it," he asked in a mere whisper.

"A friend," the mysterious voice hissed.

Van felt the hairs of his neck stand up. The voice sounded close to him; yet no one was in sight. He reached for his sword and quickly got out of bed. He stood in a fighting position.

"Show yourself," he demanded.

"Do not fear me," the voice continued.

Van looked around his room. He still did not see anyone.

"What kind of joke is this," he growled. "Show yourself or be exterminated!"

"Ah….but I'm not the one you want to kill," the voice replied.

"Van gripped his sword tighter. "I do not understand what you mean," he said, angrily.

"The man who took YOUR woman! HE is the one you want to kill! Van Fanel, King of ALL Fanelia, I can help you get revenge on the man who took away the purity of your beloved."

Van looked around dumbfounded. "I-I don't understand….," he began.

"I'll help you get your beloved back. SHE can still be yours!"

"But she loves…."

"YOU," the voice exclaimed. "She's only with HIM because she gave birth to HIS child! Trust me. Once HE is out of the way….SHE will be all yours. No one will interfere!"

Van dropped his sword and grabbed his head. "No! You are lying! You only want me to kill HIM! SHE will hate me!"

"Nonsense! I say the truth. Your destiny is to be with HER!"

"My destiny….," Van whispered.

"Yes. SHE is your destiny, Van! Believe me, I know!"

Van felt his hands begin to tremble. He didn't understand if it was out of fear or excitement. He fell to his bed and stared at his trembling hands. "How do I know you are not lying," he asked quietly.

"Because I am a friend," the voice answered. "Now sleep. You have a long day tomorrow…."

The ruby eyed king finally looked at a corner of his room and noticed a tall figure hidden in the shadows. He wanted to say something, but he felt tired of all the sudden. His vision began to get blurry and he soon felt the back of his head hit the pillow. As he closed his eyes, he saw a glint of crimson hair as the figure shifted in the corner where the moonlight struck a bit.

After a few seconds, the figure walked to the bed where the young king had just fallen asleep. He looked down at the floor were Van had dropped his sword. He picked it up and placed it carefully on the shelf next to the bed.

"Foolish man," the figure murmured.

He backed away and a smile crept on his face.

"This will be fun," he said, eyeing the sword on the shelf. "You will kill Dilandau for me. Then Hitomi and the brat will be at my grasp!"

Vladimir laughed before teleporting out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To Be Continued….

For those of you who think Vladimir is scared to kill Dilandau himself….think again. After reading the next few chapters you're going to want to kill Vladimir yourselves. Anyway, PLEASE read and review!!! The more reviews I see the sooner I will post the next chapter. Thanks for reading!