*****
Kaze opened his ice blue eyes, watching at the stars glowing and twinkling in the dark sky. He tried to sit up, but his reeling head forced the rest of his body back onto the ground. He tore his eyes away from the Moon and Earth shining above him, and looked around for the others, but there was no sign of anyone. He scooted over to put his back against a nearby tree, holding his knees in arms as he rocked back and forth. I don't want to be here, thought Kaze. I'm alone again, in a place that seems unusually familiar to me...
The nausea hit him once again, causing him to retch violently. His brain was pounding in his eyes, his eyes sensitive to the stars' bright light.
"Hey, are you okay?!" Tati asked while coming out from behind a tree, shaking Kaze's shoulders lightly.
Kaze feebly shook his head, and turned as bile rose to his mouth again. Tati searched around the forest floor, and found what he was looking for; a tiny blue flower, covered by the taller green grasses. Tati picked a couple of the delicate petals, and roughly shoved them in Kaze's shaking mouth.
"Chew them, they'll stop the sickness." ordered Tati, his worried eyes watching Kaze's mouth move up and down slowly.
His stomach settled for the time being, Kaze tried to stand up, but his legs felt like rubber. He looked at Tati in shock, but Tati smiled back. "It's a side effect of the herb I just gave you; you are going to feel a little woozy. You should just rest; I'll figure out a way for us to get back. Don't worry."
Kaze still protested tiredly, but Tati gently forced him back down. Tati hummed a soothing melody that made Kaze's eyelids feel heavy with sleep. Before Kaze passed out, he heard Tati softly singing.
Soaring high as the turtle dove.
When your great adventure is done,
Fly back to your loved one...
Tati loaded Kaze's now still figure on his back, groaning from the weight as walked towards the glimmering lights over the horizon that was Fanelia.
*****
Hitomi looked fitfully over the ramparts of Van's castle, clasping Van's hand tightly to her chest. "Oh Van! Where can they be? Everyone else landed in your courtyard; why did Kaze and Tati land somewhere else?"
Van hugged Hitomi tightly to his chest, still overjoyed that she was there with him. " I don't know, Hitomi, but remember that Allen is out there looking for them. They'll be here soon and be perfectly fine, you'll see..."
Suddenly they saw forms hobbling near the castle gate, as Hitomi and Van rushed down to meet them, they saw it was Allen and Tati carrying a limp Kaze between them. Hitomi covered her mouth in shock, and Van questioned worriedly, "What happened? Is he going to be okay?"
"Kaze is fine, he's just knocked out by the medicine." muttered Tati as he laid Kaze gently down on a soft patch of grass.
Merle and Joshu ran up from the palace, crying out simultaneously, "Tati, are you guys okay?"
Tati nodded, but Joshu thought his friend was lying by looking at the older boy's appearance. Tati was breathing hard and haggard, and there was a dark spot forming on the chest of his shirt, one that only Joshu's skilled eyes could detect.
Without giving Tati any warning, Joshu ripped off the stained shirt, exposing a massive bloodied bandage wrapped around Tati's top midsection. When Tati breathed, the gauze shifted over the huge jagged laceration. Joshu stared at the wound, sighing, "Dammit Tati! You pushed yourself too hard, as always; you reopened it pretty bad."
Tati grimaced as Joshu gingerly tried to readjust the bandage, and seeing everyone else's stunned faces, weakly smiled. "It's not really that bad, it doesn't hurt like hell like it used to. Joshu, stop fussing over me! I'll help get Kaze into bed, and then I'll redress my chest..."
"Oh no! You are going to bed yourself mister! I just met you, and already I'm concerned for your safety! Now go!" ordered Hitomi, surprising everyone by her forcefulness, including herself.
Nurses from the infirmary had came down with a stretcher by this time, and Allen helped them load Kaze on to it and transport him to infirmary. Merle and Joshu helped Tati to the shared room, and Van impishly grabbed Hitomi's hand, leading her to his kingly quarters.
*****
Hitomi sat quietly on Van's bed, watching as Van locked the bedroom door. Turning, he saw Hitomi's confused look, and Van admitted sheepishly, "I just don't want anyone to barge in on us, like one of my advisors or generals. I only want to be with you, Hitomi."
He sat down next to her, taking Hitomi into his arms. They rocked back and forth, but then Hitomi carefully pushed Van away. Her eyes were glistening with tears, which caused Van to be alarmed. "Hitomi, what's the matter?"
Hitomi looked tearfully at Van, love shining in his eyes, and quietly asked, "Van, why haven't talked to me for the past month?"
"I've been trying to talk to you Hitomi, but I never got an answer." Van replied, surprised at what Hitomi said.
"Really? I thought that you were hurt, or..or.." shuddered Hitomi, unable to speak the unspeakable.
Van understood, and hugged Hitomi to him. He stroked her hair as her hot tears soaked his shirt. "Shh...Hitomi, that would never happen...I love you too much.." Van brought her head up for her to look at him, tracing the outline of Hitomi's face with his finger. "My god, Hitomi, you're beautiful...please say you'll marry me and be my queen."
Before she could give her answer, Van kissed her mouth awkwardly, but soon it deepened. Hitomi moaned as they fell back on the bed together, with Van pecking her temples, the nape of her neck, the ticklish spot behind her ears, and finally back on her already swollen lips. She opened her mouth slowly, but his tongue forced the entrance open, and he delicately rubbed her own tongue. Hitomi's bosom swelled under her shirt, and she could feel Van's manhood pressed against her. As to not break the moment, Hitomi thought Yes, Van. I will marry you. I..I love you..
Van looked up startled, but when he saw the fondness in Hitomi's eyes, he wrapped his arms around her and covered their bodies under his blanket.
