Escaflowne of the Sky

Cynic X

"..."- dialogue

'...'- thoughts

..... - scene change

Chapter 6- Zaiback

"Ouch...my head." Hitomi said as she woke up. 'Why do I always bang my head? Don't they know that I still need it to finish high school?' she thought with disgust.

"Hitomi, are you okay?" Van asked coming to her side.

"I...I think so. What happened?" She asked sitting up.

"We were captured by Zaiback." Van said with anger as he punched his fists into the floor.

"Don't worry, it will be okay Van." Hitomi said looking around the cell that they had been placed in to prevent them from escaping.

"We don't know what they are going to do to us Hitomi." Van said with a sigh of defeat.

"Everything will work out." Hitomi said with a smile. She looked up and inhaled sharply. Floating in front of her was a single white feather. When she reached out to touch it, it disappeared.

'Just like my dream.' Hitomi thought suddenly, remembering what had happened. 'Van...he...he has wings.'

"Van..." Hitomi asked, turning around to face him. "I...I'm not sure if I should ask this, and maybe I was going crazy and it never happened but...why do you have wings?"

She saw Van flinch as if she had slapped him. His eyes filled with pain, even though his appearance didn't show it.

"It's because...it's because my mother was a Draconian." Van said clenching his fists.

"Draconian?" Hitomi asked trying to tread on the topic very carefully since she knew it was awkward for him. Then it hit her, Allen had told her about Draconians. They were descendents from Atlantis who had wings. But she thought they had died out, as Allen had told her.

"Draconians are people who once inhabited Atlantis." Van continued.

"I know." Hitomi said softly.

Van looked up in surprise. "H...How?"

"Allen showed me his dad's journal that talked about Atlantis and Draconians." Hitomi said, thinking back to last night, even though it felt like it had been ages ago. "There was also this symbol in it, the same symbol you have on your hand." Hitomi said, her eyes going wide. All the pieces had started to fall into place. 'The symbol on his hand means that he is a Draconian. That is why he always wears gloves to hide it, and that was why he got so upset when I saw it. He was afraid I would find out his secret.'

"The symbol on your hand...it means that you are a Draconian." Hitomi said, happy that she finally understood what was going on.

Van took hold of his right hand and pulled his glove off. "Yes it does. It also means that people hate me for what I am." Van said staring at the mark with hatred. Hitomi knew why, Allen had told her that people on Gaea feared Draconians because of what happened on Atlantis.

"Don't worry Van, I won't tell anyone, and I won't look at you differently than I did before. Your still the same Van to me." Hitomi said with a smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"But you don't understand! People look at me with disgust and hatred. That is why I never show my wings. It would show people what I truly am. I never use them because I don't want people to know that I'm not completely normal...not completely human." Van said softly.

"But you're not like that to me Van." Hitomi said, tears falling from her eyes. She knew that he had to carry this secret with him everyday of his life, and she also knew how cruel people could be if you were different. "I...I think you're wings are beautiful...like you are." Hitomi said extending her arms around him and embarrassing him. She felt Van inhale and stop breathing as he suddenly went very still, then he spoke.

"You know...that is the first time someone has said that to me. Thank you Hitomi." Van said, embracing her back. 'I don't want you to be alone Van. No one deserves to ever be alone.' Hitomi thought, glad that he had let her in.

She lost track of how much time they had been in the Zaiback prison. All she knew was that after they broke off their embrace Hitomi had sat down to think, and a comfortable silence settled in between her and Van. Nothing had to be said because she accepted him for who he was, something no one else would do.

'I'm glad he told me. He must trust me if he told me. That was why when I was doing that tarot reading for him that night he made me stop. I had seen a feather, and he thought if I went on any further, I would find out about his secret.' Hitomi thought, recalling the night not long ago. The thought of her tarot cards made her think back to her original tarot reading. 'I understand now.' Hitomi thought happily as she understood what some of the other cards meant. 'The High Priestess...secrets, mystery. It had to be referring to Van's secret, and the reversed Empress, which means light and truth, means that I was going to eventually find out. Hmm...let's see...the Emperor...protection...most likely that Van will always be there to protect me from what ever Zaiback has planed. The Lovers...could...could it mean me and Van?' Hitomi though and them blushed at the thought. Now was not the time for such thoughts when there lives were threatened by Zaiback's forces.

Hitomi's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening and the sound of footsteps approaching the cell where they were being kept.

"Hitomi get back." Van whispered as he jumped in front of her. Hitomi stood behind Van as a figure approached their cell.

"So, you are the one's who attacked our guymelf?" The figure asked. Hitomi couldn't see who he was since he was wearing a cape that covered his face.

"Release us now!" Van cried as he ran to the bars.

"I don't think so my brother. You are not going anywhere." The figure pulled back the hood to revel his identity.

'The man with the purple tear!' Hitomi exclaimed as she looked at the man's face...the same face from her dream, and the same purple tear that was tattooed under his right eye.

"You are no brother of mine." Van growled between clenched teeth.

"I would show you my hand." The man said, removing the cape further to show the metal mechanical right arm he had, "But obviously I can no longer do that. Instead, I'll prove it to you this way." The man said and turned around, dropping the cape on the floor, and pulled down his top. Two white wings grew out of his back just like Van's had.

"B...brother?" Van muttered, his eyes wide at seeing the wings form from the man's back. "But how is that possible Folken, tell me!" Van said, breaking out of his trance and lunging for the other man, but the bars held him back.

'Folken, is that his name. The man with the purple tear is actually Van's brother?' Hitomi thought, watching the scene unfold.

"You are supposed to be dead!" Van cried with anger.

"Join me brother." Folken said, his wings disappearing as he pulled his shirt back up. "Join Dornkirk, and work with me towards a better future for Gaea." Folken looked Van directly in the eye.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Van asked with confusion that soon turned to anger. "I'll never join you! I'll do everything in my power to stop you!" Van cried as he lunged at the bars once again.

"Van, my brother, someday you will be at my side, working towards a new future." He said as he walked away, and they heard a door close.

"Folken, come back here!" I'm not done with you!" Van cried.

"He's gone Van." Hitomi said softly.

"Hitomi." Van said turning around. "I'm sorry you're mixed up in all of this."

"That's okay. I don't mind. Van, could you tell me about Folken?" Hitomi asked, wanting to know more about the man she had seen in her dream, and what had drove the two brothers apart.

"All I know is that he went into the forest to complete the task of dragon slaying, and he never came back. We all assumed that the dragons had killed him, but evidently he wasn't. He must have run way to Zaiback. God! I have been so stupid! I always thought he gave his life trying to succeed my father as king for his country, and now I find out that he is a traitor to Fanelia. He will pay for his treachery dearly." Van said.

"Van, don't say that. No matter what happens, he is still your brother." Hitomi said softly.

"I no longer consider him a brother." Van stated, turning away. "Please don't get involved with it Hitomi."

"Van..." Hitomi whispered, upset at how he was acting. They sat a few moments in silence, until once again footsteps could be heard outside.

"What now?" Van asked as he got up and went over to the bars. Another figure approached the cell, this time not wearing a cape.

"Hello Van Fanel." The figure said as he smiled evilly. "I've come to ask you where the dragon is." The man, who seemed to be dressed in armor of some kind walked closer to the bars.

"I'll never tell you!" Van cried.

"That's all I needed to hear. Guards, please help King Van out of his cell."

Two guards approached the cell and opened the door. They grabbed Van, and lead him outside.

"Van!" Hitomi called with worry. She had no idea what they were going to do with him. Shackles hung from the ceiling, and they placed Van's hands in them so that his feet touched the floor, but his arms hung above his head.

'They are going to torture him into telling them where Escaflowne is.' Hitomi suddenly realized.

"Once again Van, where is the dragon?" The man asked, taking the whip off the buckle on his waist.

"Go to hell!" Van responded and spit in his face. The man smiled cynically and wiped his face. "This is going to be more fun than I thought." With that, he raised the whip and brought it down hard on Van's bare back.

"Van!" Hitomi cried going to the bars of the cell. Van raised his eyes to look at her, and she could see that he was determined not to give into Zaiback. Again and again the whip struck Van leaving bright red marks that bleed all over his body. Hitomi looked on as tears filled her eyes. She knew Van was in a lot of pain, and Zaiback wasn't going to stop until he told them where Escaflowne was, or until Van was dead.

Van hung there, never making a sound, but clenched his teeth to bear the pain.

"Please stop!" Hitomi cried as the whip struck Van numerously.

"Why, don't you like seeing him suffer?" He struck Van until he finally fell unconscious from the pain. Van's entire body was covered with marks where the whip had hit him, and blood was running down his sides and dripping on the metal floor.

"Van..." Hitomi whispered at the sight before her.

"Lord Dilandau, he is unconscious." One of the guards spoke.

"I know that moron! If it were up to me, I'd kill him right now. But Folken would beat me if he ever knew I killed his brother. In fact, he doesn't even know I am here now!" Dilandau laughed like a mad man. "Throw him back in the cell." Dilandau called as the guards released the unconscious Van and threw his limp form back into the cell.

"Good-bye King Van, pleasant dreams!" And with that the two guards and Dilandau were gone.

Hitomi ran over to where Van had landed. "Van." Hitomi called softly as tears choked her throat. 'If I don't do something, he is going to die.' She took off her uniform jacket and tried the best she could to stop the flow of blood from the lesions covering Van's body. She felt Van's forehead; he was burning up with a fever. His eyes were still clenched, and he muttered sounds incoherently in response to the pain. 'What am I supposed to do?' Hitomi thought as she folded her jacket like a pillow and placed it under Van's head.

She sat there watching him and knew that he was getting worse because his whole body began to shake and twitch.

"C...can't" Van muttered, opening his eyes.

"VAN!" Hitomi cried as she ran to his side.

"C...can't h...hold b...back." Van said, as he was suddenly jolted up on his knees.

"Van, lay down!" Hitomi called going over to him. He was on his knees, face turned to the floor, and using his arms to support himself.

"C...can't AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Van cried out as he doubled over with pain. His arms going around his waist as his wings bursted forth from his back. They stretched to their full size, almost like they were trying to get away from the pain that racked his body. With a groan, Van feel over on his face, unconscious once again; his wings laying closely at his side, twitching slightly as if trying to cover him protectively from the anguish his body could no longer keep hidden.

"Van!" Hitomi cried, as she fell to her knees. 'What am I going to do? No one can see him like this. I have to get him to draw them back in. If someone walks in here and sees his wings we are going to die.' And with that, Hitomi drew herself closer to Van so that his head laid comfortably in her lap. 'We need help. I can't break us out of her, and Van might have been able to, but not in the condition he is in now.'

"Van...Van..." Hitomi called softly, trying to bring him back to consciousness. "Come on Van, you have to wake up." After a few minutes of trying, he finally started to come around.

"H...Hitomi?" Van asked his eyes glazed over from the pain.

"Yes Van, I'm right here. Listen to me Van, you have to draw your wings back in." Hitomi said softly as something wet fell into her hand. She looked down and saw tears running down the side of Van's face and falling silently into her hand.

"I...I can't" Van said, and looked away from her.

"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked in confusion.

"It takes a certain level of concentration to hold them back, and right now the pain is so consuming that I can't even think straight." Van muttered.

"Can we try Van?" Hitomi asked, taking hold of his hand. "Come on, I'll help you." Van shook his head "yes", and shut his eyes to concentrate. His wings moved around spastically, but didn't draw into his back.

"I can't do it Hitomi." Van cried in frustration. "I just can't do it."

'I can't keep making him try, it could kill him.' Hitomi thought solemnly. 'We'll just have to hope for the best in that no one walks past our cell.'

"Don't worry about it Van. Just rest...I won't let anyone find out." Hitomi said with a smile that was mirrored back by Van in response to what she had said.

"T...thank you Hitomi." Van whispered softly as he fell into sleep once again.

'I just hope I know what I'm getting myself into.' Hitomi thought as she brushed back a piece of hair that had fallen in Van's face. 'He protected me, now I have to protect him.' Hitomi thought in determination. Suddenly the entire room shook.

"What the hell is going on?" Hitomi cried, as she carefully placed Van's head back on her jacket and walked over to the bars. The entire structure shook once again, this time more violently and caused Hitomi to grab the bars so that she wouldn't lose her balance. Alarms sounded around her and she could hear banging coming from above. 'This place must be under attack, but from who?' Hitomi thought, as she tried to peer out fro the bars. There was a door at the end of the hall, and through the small window at the top, she could see people fighting with each other.

With a yelp Hitomi moved her head away from the bars. "If they are that close, they might come in here and see Van. What am I going to do? I have to find something to hide him.' She looked around their cell, but the only thing she had was her jacket, and that wouldn't be much of a help. Hitomi had to choke back tears. 'I just gotta find something.' Something in the corner caught her eye. 'Could it be?' Hitomi went over to the black object. 'Yes! It's Folken's cape! He must have forgotten he dropped it. Too bad for him. Now I just have to get it.' Hitomi thought as she tried to reach her hand through the bars. 'Come on.' Hitomi though a she extended her arm. 'Just a little bit more.' Her fingertips brushed the cloth. 'Come on...please.' She extended her hand further through the bars, and was able to grasp it. "Yes!" Hitomi cried happily as she pulled it through the bars and into the cell. Just as she was about to stand up to place it on Van, the door at the end of the hallway opened.

"Allen!" Hitomi cried in surprise. "What's he doing here?' Hitomi thought. She ran over to Van and placed the cape over him. It wasn't the best, but at least it covered his wings.

"Hitomi, Van, are you in here?" Allen called as he walked down the hall.

"Yes!" Hitomi cried as she ran over to the bars. Allen ran down the hallway to where she was.

"Hitomi, are you okay?" Allen asked as he reached the cell. He was breathing heavily, and his sword hung at his side dripping with blood.

"I'm fine Allen, but Van's not." Hitomi said as she pointed to his sleeping form.

"What happened to him?" Allen asked.

"Zaiback tortured him into telling them where Escaflowne is. He wouldn't do it, so they beat him with a whip." Hitomi said.

"What?" Allen asked in disbelief. "Okay, don't move, I'm going to get the two of you out of there." Allen said as he ran down the hall. He came back a few minutes later with someone else.

"Open the cell." Allen commanded, his sword held at the man's throat. The man, who was dressed like he worked for Zaiback, fumbled a few second before producing the keys to the cell.

"That will be all." Allen said as he stabbed the man in the leg. The man fell to the floor clutching his wounded limb.

"Allen, why did you do that?" Hitomi asked, as she watched the man roll around on the floor in pain.

"So he won't be able to follow us." Allen said as he turned the key in the lock and opened the cell. He ran over to where Van was and picked him up.

"Please be careful with him Allen." Hitomi said as she watched Allen place Van over his shoulder. "He's hurt really bad."

"Don't worry. Come on Hitomi." Allen grabbed Hitomi with his free hand and the two ran out of the cell and down the hallway.

"Do you know the way out of here?" Hitomi asked him.

"Yes, the crusade is waiting for us. We have to hurry." Hitomi followed Allen, and after making a few turns, they came to an opening that led out into the sky.

"What's that?" Hitomi asked looking at the hole, which appeared to be more of a huge doorway or a dock of some kind.

"That's where the crusade is waiting fir us." Allen pointed.

"Why are we up so high?" Hitomi asked, going over to the edge and looking down. She immediately stepped back.

"You're on Zaiback's floating fortress." Allen replied.

"Boss!" A voice called from the direction of the ship. "The crusade is all ready to leave."

"Thank you Gades. Ready Hitomi?" Allen asked, Hitomi shook her head "yes" and the two ran up the ramp that led to the crusade. Once on board, Hitomi stopped to catch her breath.

"Raise the Sails!" Allen commanded, taking his spot on the bridge. "Heat the levi-stones and cut the anchor!"

"Hey Allen, how did you know where we were?" Hitomi asked as she followed Allen into another room. Allen placed Van down on a bench, brushing away the hair that had fallen in his face.

"We found Escaflowne on the ground. It was banged up a bit, but really didn't show signs of too much damage from a fight, so we assumed they had captured you. After that, it was only tracking down the fortress to find the two of you." Allen said with a smile.

"Thanks Allen. I don't know what would of happened if we stayed there any longer." Hitomi replied softly.

"You're more than welcome. Why don't we see how Van is doing?" Allen asked, as he went to take the cape off of him.

"No Allen, that's alright." Hitomi responded. 'I can't let him see Van.' "You did so much already, why don't I take care of him?" Hitomi smiled hoping he would buy it.

"Alright Hitomi, there's some clean water and bandages over there. If you need any help, let me know. Once we get to Pallus, Astoria's capital, we'll get him a doctor." Allen said as he got up to leave. Hitomi waved good-bye and the door closed.

"That was close." Hitomi muttered under her breath. "I can't believe I did it!" Hitomi cried happily that Van's secret had not been found, and that she was able to keep her promise. She walked over to where Van was and removed the cape that was wrapped around him. His wings fell slightly off the bench, and the bottom most tips brushed against the floor. He was sleeping soundly curled up in a ball. Hitomi went over to get the water and bandages and she placed them on the floor besides the bench.

"Van." Hitomi called, trying to wake him up. He stirred but did not wake up.

"Van." Hitomi called again, this time he jolted awake. She had to duck to avoid getting cracked in the head with one of his wing.

"What...what...Where am I?" Van asked looking around. "Hitomi." Van said as he saw her with her hands over her head. She removed them and smiled.

"You're awake." Hitomi proclaimed happily. "Why don't you lay back down and relax, and I'll tell you about what has happened.

Van shook his head and laid back down on the bench. Hitomi dropped the cloth in the water and began to clean his wounds. Van squinted his eyes in response to the pain.

"How are you felling?" Hitomi asked.

"I fell numb all over." Van replied sleepily.

"You can go back to sleep. I just wanted to tell you that you are safe." Hitomi replied with a smile.

"Thank You Hitomi, but where are we?" Van asked as he clenched his teeth. The more she tried to clean his cuts and bruises the more pain she caused him.

"Sorry." Hitomi replied and tried to be more gentile.

"No, that's okay, I've had worse." Van said as he tried to muster a fake smile.

"We're on the crusade." Hitomi said happily.

"The what?" Van asked.

"The crusade, Allen's ship. Allen came and got us." Hitomi said.

"That's good." Van responded.

"We're going to Astoria." Hitomi replied. "They'll be able to give you better medical attention there."

Van opened his eyes wide. "Did anyone find out?" He asked, looking to his wings.

"No...no one found out. Just like I promised." Hitomi said with a smile.

Van relaxed, "Thank You Hitomi. You don't know how much this means to me."

"No problem. I just don't know what we are going to do now. They're going to get a doctor to look at you once we land in Astoria." Hitomi said, the smile slipping from her face. Van's face twisted with worry. There was still too much pain for him to concentrate on keeping back his wings.

"Don't worry Van, I'm sure you'll be able to draw them back by the time we get to Astoria." Hitomi said. She had to keep him from losing hope.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll-" But Van was cut short as the door opened.

"Hitomi, I brought you something to give Van so that he can sleep better." Allen called as he opened the door. He was holding a glass that shattered as it hit the floor.

"Allen no, don't come in!" Hitomi cried, jumping up and standing in front of Van.

Allen's eyes went wide; there was no hiding what he had seen.

"He's...he's a Draconian." Allen muttered in disbelief.

"No! He's still Van!" Hitomi cried, tears forming in her eyes.

"But...but...how is that possible?" Allen asked, still in shock. "I thought they were all gone."

"Please Allen..." Hitomi whispered. "Please don't do this, it's not his fault."

"No, Hitomi, it's alright." Van said trying to get up.

"Van, don't move." Hitomi said, going to help him. "I'm so sorry." She whispered as tears stained her face.

"It's not your fault. I have to face what I am." Van said, fumbling to his feet. He leaned on the wall with one hand and stood upright.

"Yes Allen..." Van said, trying to keep from falling unconscious from the pain. "I am a Draconian."

Allen stood there staring at him, his eyes not believing the sight before him. Van looked down, trying to hide the embarrassment he felt from the other man. His wings twitched nervously, even though his expression was stoic. Allen broke the silence.

"Van, please lay down." He pointed to the bench. "You can barely stand." Allen said with a smile. "You need medical attention, and once we get to Astoria, I'll see that you get it." He turned towards the door to leave. "And Van..." Allen said, facing them once again. "You don't have to worry. You're secret is safe with me."

"Thank you Allen." Van said, collapsing on to the bench once gain.

"I'll get him something to help with the pain." Allen said exiting the room. Hitomi let out a sigh of relief. 'I'm so glad that Allen is taking this so well.'

"Van ...are you okay?" Hitomi asked, looking over to where he was laying on the bench.

"I...I feel so hot...like my whole body is on fire." Van muttered between his teeth as his whole body shook.

"What?" Hitomi asked, going over to his side. She placed her hand on his forehead.

"Van, your fever has gotten worse." Hitomi said. "You're wounds must have gotten infected." She went to the door, opened it, and looked out into the hallway. Allen was walking back with another glass in his hand.

"Allen, Van's really bad, he needs help now! He has a fever, and we have to get it to come back down." Hitomi cried.

"This should help a bit, but we should be into Astoria within the hour. After that, we'll rush his straight to the doctor." Allen said pointing to the glass.

The two entered the room, and gave Van the glass. He was now breaking out with a cold sweat and was shivering.

"Van, please hang on." Hitomi whispered taking his hand as he fell back to sleep, even though the shaking did not stop. Allen left a few minutes later, saying that he had to be on the bridge when the ship landed. Hitomi stayed by Van's side and tried to make him as comfortable as she possibly could. Every once in a while, she walked over to the window and looked out, and could see the forest turning into a city that bordered the ocean.

'We must be approaching Astoria.' Hitomi thought, as the door opened. "Allen." She said with surprise.

"Here, help me get Van on to this." Allen pointed to an object, that to her looked like a stretcher. They were able to get Van on the board without much trouble, and wrapped him in blankets to hide his wings.

"What are we going to do Allen...you know about." Hitomi asked as she pointed to where his wings would be had they not been hidden by the mound of blankets covering them.

Allen strapped Van in, and looked up. "Don't worry, the doctor is a personal friend. We shouldn't have a problem."

"That's good." Hitomi said as she left the ship sway.

"I guess we have landed, come on, let's get Van off." Allen said, going to the door and calling, "Gades, will you please come here, we have to get King Van off."

A man who Hitomi recognized from before appeared before her. They lifted Van and Hitomi followed them as they traced their way back off the crusade and out on to the dock. Hitomi had to squint, as she was meet with an onslaught of bright sunlight.

"Allen!" A voice called, and Hitomi rubbed her eyes so that the stars would disappear.

"Princess." Allen said, as he kissed the back of her hand. "So good to see you again."

The princess smiled, and turned to Van. "I'll need you to bring him to the castle. There is a room there where you can place him, and I'll get my tools to examine him."

"But we have to get him to a doctor." Hitomi protested.

"Millerna is a doctor." Allen said with a smile as they carried Van towards the castle.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know." Hitomi bowed in embarrassment.

"That's alright." Millerna said with a smile. "I've never seen you before, who are you?"

"I'm Hitomi, Hitomi Kanzaki." Hitomi replied as the group walked into the castle.

"Nice to meet you." Millerna replied with a smile. "Follow me." They followed her through the castle until they stopped in front of the door. Millerna opened it, and pointed to a bed where they could place Van.

"Millerna, I have to talk with you for a moment." Allen said as he pointed to the door for Gades to leave. After a few grumbles, the he left so that it was only Hitomi, Van, Allen and Millerna in the room. Allen went over to Millerna and whispered something in her ear that made her head shoot up and her eyes go wide.

"I see." Millerna said as she went to Van and began removing the blankets.

"If you need any help Millerna, we're here." Hitomi said, trying to break the awkward silence.

"It shouldn't be a problem. I can tell by looking at him that he has a high fever, and his wounds need to be treated. But he should pull through with no problem." Millerna said with a smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to treat my patient." She motioned for the door, and the two left.

"Well, that went better than I expected." Hitomi said softly as the walked down the hall.

"Millerna will take good care of him, and she won't tell anyone." Allen said with a wink.

"Thank You Allen, I know this means a lot to Van, and he would thank you right now if he could." Hitomi said as she studied her shoe in embarrassment.

"Van's a good warrior, and the King of Fanelia. By the laws of chivalry, I can't let him die. And plus, he's a good friend. How about we go get some food? You must be starved." Allen said with a smile.

"Sure." Hitomi said and followed him. "I'll check on Van when Millerna is done with him.'

After getting a bite to eat, Hitomi made her way back to the room where Millerna had placed Van. She knocked on the door and waited until Millerna opened it.

"Hitomi, come on it." Millerna said she entered the room.

"How's he doing?" Hitomi asked as she walked over to the bed. Van was all bandaged up, and looked like he was sleeping peacefully.

"Much better. I gave him something to make his fever go down, and all his wounds are cleaned and sterilized. It's just healing that has to be done now. With some rest, he should be back on his feet in no time." Millerna said as she sat in a chair across from where Hitomi was sitting.

"Do...do you mind if I stay with him?" Hitomi asked softly.

"Of course not. I could use a break anyway. He should be okay to spend the night by himself, but I'll have to come in occasionally to give him medication for his fever. I'll see you later Hitomi." Millerna got up to leave.

"Millerna..." Hitomi said, as she bowed before the princess. "Thank you."

"I don't mind Hitomi...people can't control who their parents are. It's not Van's fault. I'm glad to help him." Millerna smiled and waved good-bye as she closed the door.

'Allen and Millerna seem to accept Van, why can't everyone else?' Hitomi thought as she moved her chair so that she was besides Van's bed. 'I don't want him to be alone...he shouldn't feel like he's an outsider.' Hitomi's thoughts were interrupted as Van stirred in the bed before her.

"Van!" Hitomi called happily. He opened his eyes, and his face went into a smile.

"Hitomi...what happened?" Van asked as he moved so that he was facing her.

"We made it to Astoria, and princess Millerna treated you." Hitomi said with a smile.

"Millerna...I didn't know she was a doctor." Van responded.

"Yeah, she seems to be really good too." Hitomi replied.

"She must be, I can hardly feel the pain anymore." Van said happily.

'He's on that medication Millerna was giving him, that's why he feels so good. But if it takes away Van's pain, then I'm happy.'

"Hitomi, what time is it?" Van asked.

"It's a little after ten, why?"

"No reason, I can't believe I slept the whole day." Van answered, his voice hinted at amusement.

"Yeah, today was pretty eventful, not like my life back home." Hitomi smiled.

"Yeah...real...eventful..." Van said as his eyes drifted closed.

"Sweet dreams Van." Hitomi whispered as she carefully exited his room. He needed to get some rest, and there was no use in her being there when he wasn't awake or in pain. Hitomi made her way down to the room she had been given and practically passed out from exhaustion. She was so worried about Van that she completely ignored how tired she was. She kicked off he sneakers and let sleep fall upon her.

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