Well it's been awhile, but I will try to get this up a little faster

Well it's been awhile, but I will try to get this up a little faster.

Van has found Hitomi, but she's not the same girl he parted from three years ago. Someone or something has changed her, and Van realizes just how much danger she is now in. He must find an answer before the Green Dragon is to be killed.

Chapter 17 Reunited

Van enters the clearing the Levi ship is anchored at. Allen and Merle rush up to meet him.

Merle: "What's happened?"

Van: "The dragon got away, but not the goddess. It's Hitomi, but someone or something has changed her."

Allen: "You found her, but how, where?"

Allen is staring, Hitomi the dragon goddess, something is very wrong.

Van: "Later, Allen, just get everyone away so I can get her inside without a lot of questions. I hit her with the dragon dust, she'll be out for a while, if not all night."

Allen leaves, going ahead to clear the way as Van approaches the ship.

Merle is staring at the changed Hitomi a mixture of curiosity and something else, maybe fear. Van wonders could this be the reason Hitomi was traveling away from Fanilia not to it?

Merle: "Is she OK?"

Van: "I don't know this is the way I found her. After the dragon dust, I was lucky she said my name, or I still might not know who she really is."

Merle: "Are you OK Lord Van?"

Van: "No Merle, No I'm not."

The way to the sleeping quarters is vacant. Van quickly takes Hitomi to the room the Empress vacated just this morning. As Merle is about to follow, Van turns to her, a strange intense look on his face.

Van: "Make sure no one disturbs Hitomi. I will stay with her. Do you understand Merle, no one."

Merle wants to say something to Van, but his tone is all the warning she needs, she shuts the door leaving the two alone. She only manages a few steps before almost half the ship descends on her.

Allen: "How is she, I can't believe it, it's Hitomi."

Merle: "He doesn't know. He's going to stay with her tonight. Lord Van doesn't want anyone to disturb her."

Millerna: "But she could be injured, I should at least take a look."

Merle: "Lord Van got her with the Dragon Dust, she'll be out for quite some time. Besides she didn't look hurt. She doesn't look like the Hitomi we know, but she wasn't hurt."

Millerna: " But."

Merle: "Do I have to spell it out for you, he wants to be alone with her, get it?"

Having spent the last few days with Van and his mood, they do understand. Everyone begins leaving to await news of these new events somewhere else.

Van is still leaning against the door holding Hitomi. At the sounds of everyone leaving he sighs, and heads for the bed. He gently lays Hitomi down, covering her with a sheet and a soft down comforter. Van pulls a chair to Hitomi's bedside and sits with her, deep in though as she sleeps.

Nathen crouches in the bushes near the Levi ship. One of the cargo doors is still open. He must make his move now or the Goddess will be lost to him. Taken by that man. A thought flashes thru his mind. 'Are you really doing this for her, or is it that your prize has been taken,' No he dismisses the though the honor he received in the village is not the reason.

Silently he enters the ship and finds a hidden area behind some crates. He will stay put till he can find a way to rescue Hitomi.

Van is awakened by a soft cry. Hitomi is moaning in her sleep so Van reaches a hand out to brush the hair back from her face and comfort her. In her sleep she reaches out taking a hold of his wrist. She pulls him down to her and won't let go. Van climbs into the bed; he will hold her for just a while till she settles. As he stretches out next to her, she moves closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. Van reaches to her face and again brushes back her long silver hair. She sighs contently and pressing herself still closer laying her hand across his bare chest. Van's stomach muscles tighten, he feels himself stirring at her closeness, and even as she sleeps she ignites passions in him. He sighs it's going to be one long night, how will he ever be able to sleep.

Dawn is just breaking as Hitomi begins to stir. She smells fields; it is Van's smell. She opens her eyes and he is here with her sleeping. She is held closely in his arms, her head resting on his bare chest. She sighs and starts to close her eyes when the memories of last night return to her. What has she done? But then one memory comes to her; it's like a far away whisper. Van holding her close and knowing she is the green dragon, the one causing so much destruction. Still he holds her and whispered his love for her. She is not alone.

Hitomi lightly shakes Van to wake him. He opens his eyes and as they focus on the women next to him, they widen. Then he remembers and a smile lights his face erasing all doubts left in Hitomi's mind. Hitomi should be upset finding herself in bed like this with Van, but all she allows herself to feel is safe. For the first time in days she feels warm and protected, but they must talk, he knows, he knows about the dragon.

Hitomi: "Van I wanted to see you, find you, but I didn't know if I could, if you would still want me like this after what I have done."

Van: " I don't know what is happening or why, but I will be with you. I have told no one of the connection between you and the green dragon. Till we know more the dragon will be our secret if you want it that way."

Hitomi: "Thanks. Are we still in the village? I was told the Elders might be able to help me. That is the reason I agreed to come here. I'm so confused. The dragon, I have killed, it was so terrible."

Hitomi is starting to cry now all that she has done is too much for her. Van takes her hands in his and looks into her face. He realizes that even if she had not spoken last night he would have realized who she was.

Van: "Don't cry for those men Hitomi, we have been following the green dragon since it appeared in Gaea. The village the dragon was at last was saved not destroyed. The bandits there had no intention of leaving anyone alive when they had finished. Those people would all have died if not for you."

Hitomi: "I know the men I attacked were bad, I could feel their emotions, their greed and hate. I can still feel the emotions around me now. If I had felt hate or fear from you I don't think I could take it anymore. First Visions and now emotions, I just want it all to stop."

Van: "You've had visions?"

Hitomi: "Yes right before I disappeared from earth and…"

Hitomi is silent, she had almost forgotten about Van and that other woman, about them kissing.

Van: "And when?"

Hitomi: "Nothing."

Van sees the sadness in Hitomi's eyes. He wants to hold her again to ease the pain he sees in her, but she starts retelling the vision from earth to him.

Hitomi: "I saw three hooded men trying to steal an energist for its power. The energist wasn't red it was blue/green. The energist shattered. I believe that they eigher brought me here or I came because of what they had done."

Van: "The three dark lords will shatter the light of balance. The energist you saw must be the light of Balance. Folken came to me in my dreams. He told me of a prophecy coming into play. The dark lords, the light of balance, and the dragon are all parts of the prophecy. We were expecting something to happen on the night of the Firestar and then the green dragon appeared. We have been following it, you ever since, and we are trying to decipher to meaning of the prophecy. Gaea is in more danger now the it was from Dornkirk."

Hitomi: "Van, there was more to the vision, someone is going to try to kill me, though I'm not sure if it's me or what I become. It's like I'm living in one of my grandma's stories, the one about the dragon and the stone. I really hoped that the Elders here would help, the cat man I was traveling with thought they would be of more help, then a king who kills dragons."

Hitomi smiles at Van, and lays a hand to his lips before he can argue. Van realizes Hitomi is trying to make him feel better. She is in more danger than she can possible realize and her concern is for him.

Van: "Allen and Dryden can go speak to the Elders, if they will see us after last night. We did chase their goddess away."

Hitomi: " Have a guard came here to me. I will speak to him and then I'm sure they will help. Or maybe Nathen will do it."

Van: "Who?"

Hitomi: "The hunter I told you about, the one who brought me here."

Hitomi stretches, and her wings extend, one hitting Van square in the face. The look of surprise on Van's face is just too much for Hitomi, she starts to giggle and soon they are both laughing.

Hitomi: "At least yours go back in when you don't need them. I'm hungry, but I'm scared to leave this room, Van. This is the Crusade, so Allen and the crew are hers and you mentioned Dryden, who else is here?"

Van: "Millerna and Merle and… They are all your friends, besides Merle saw you last night, I'm sure everyone already knows by now."

Hitomi: "Oh no, who else saw me?"

She peeks under the covers at herself to get her point across.

Van: "Allen. Sorry they were waiting for me when I returned."

Hitomi can feel herself blushing even though it can't be seen. She wants to change the subject and fast

Hitomi: "Where do we go from here?"

Van: "I don't know. You could do a reading."

Van smiles at Hitomi then leans forward and kisses her lightly on the head. He gets up and heads for the door.

Hitomi: " Wait where are you going?"

Van: " I'll be right back. I have a surprise for you."

Please read and review thanx Fanilia