Okay I don't own Escaflowne or any of the characters, yadda yadda. The story and my orginal characters are the only ones that belong to me. Okay?

*****
Hitomi awakened abruptly as Van's feet gently touched the ground. Hitomi jumped from his arms, startled they were back in Fanelia already. "Wait, how did we get back here so fast?! Where's that figure we were chasing?!"

Van silenced her babbling mouth with a light kiss, his eyes checking over carefully. Pulling back, Van pushed a disobedient curl out of her lovely face. "Don't get bothered by it; it was too far ahead of us anyways. I was more concerned about you. You blanked out on me, and even screamed before you awoke. It was a vision, like the ones you saw before, right?"

Hitomi nodded melancholy, sobbing in Van's arms. "Van, I saw the dream again, but there was more to it this time. I also saw a woman who looked like your mother trapped in Zaibach cages; there were other prisoners trapped around her cage. Then you, Kaze, Joshu, and someone else were fighting against Zaibach troops. I heard my voice reciting a poem, but I can't remember it now. Our side was winning, but there was blood everywhere. It was terrifying...why I am I seeing things again?"

Van started to comfort Hitomi; her poor body was racking with sobs in contact with his bare chest.

"Lord Van? Lord Van!"

Van sighed as he turned from Hitomi to the official calling his name, who was starting to bug the hell out of Van. "Yes, General Endo, what is it?"

General Endo bowed respectfully, though he looked warily at Van's still outspread wings and Hitomi. "Milord, King Dryden and Queen Millerna have just arrived from Palas. They have urgent news for Sir Allen, but wish to converse with you and Fanelia's generals as well."

Van nodded reluctantly, and linked his arm with Hitomi's. "Are you willing to go?"

"Bu-But your Majesty!! She is nothing but a common girl; she cannot attend such an royal conference!!"

Van glared at the general contempt and roughly barked, "Show some respect to the future Queen of Fanelia!!"

General Endo cowered at Van's ferocity, sputtering, "You have my deep regrets sire. I was not informed that your wife was already chosen. You've have surely talked to the other officials about you decision, correct?"

Hitomi knew Van was too furious at the general to say anything, so she slid out of his arms and softly declared, "No, we have yet to announce our engagement to anyone. I wasn't planning on attending the meeting, for I have other matters to attend. Please excuse me, I wish to speak to Lady Millerna as soon as possible."

Watching Hitomi run off, Van regretted letting her go. He made a mental note to demote General Endo as the young king walked to the royal board room.

*****
"Hitomi dear! How nice to see you!" shouted Millerna, taking Hitomi into a friendly embrace.

Hitomi gently pushed back, taking in her friend's appearance. "It's nice to see you too Prin-I mean, Queen Millerna. How are you?"

Millerna giggled and sighed wistfully. "Hitomi, please don't call me 'Queen'; I haven't gotten used to the title yet. As for my well-being, I couldn't be happier. Dryden kept his promise and came back to me, and we love each other so much. I realized that Allen just wasn't the right man for me, and Dryden is just wonderful. We are expecting our first child soon."

Hitomi smiled at Millerna. " I can see that, and I'm so happy for you and Dryden. The pregnancy suits well Millerna; you're practically glowing!!"

Millerna blushed at Hitomi's sincere compliment. "I don't look that great..."

"Of course you do Millerna!" shouted Merle as she scurried up to the two other women.

Hitomi turned to Merle, grabbing the catgirl's paw in earnest. "Merle, thank goodness I found you. Kaze's twenty first birthday is in a few days, and I was wondering if you could recommend some shops in Fanelia to find a gift?"

Before Merle could answer, Millerna questioned, "Hitomi, who's Kaze?"

Hitomi blushed involuntarily. "Kaze is a friend of mine. He accidentally came with us when we came with us when we came to Gaea. Millerna, can you come with us, or do you have to attend the meeting?"

Millerna shook her head sadly. " I thought I was, but I can't face Allen again just yet. There's just too many painful memories..."

Merle grabbed Hitomi's and Millerna's hands, tugging them down the hall. "That settles it then, let's go. Oh, wait! Let me talk to Joshu before we go!"

Hitomi rolled her eyes as Merle rapped onto Joshu's door. "Merle, you just saw him an hour ago..."

Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open, and a voice snarled, "What?!"

Hitomi was surprised to see Tati standing in the doorway, bare chested except for his newly made bandage. His eyes were red from crying, and his fist was tightly clenched around a dark green shirt. "Tati? We were worried about you; why did you disappear this morning?"

Tati's voice was a deadly hiss. "I just felt like leaving; this morn's breakfast was useless to me. Now, what do want?!

Everyone was quickly taken back by Tati's mood, but Hitomi timidly persisted. "Are you okay? Do you change your bandage already? Do you need anything?"

"I'M FINE!! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Tati harshly shouted, angry flames dancing in his eyes.

Hitomi's lips trembled as she stepped away from Tati. "I'm sorry if this was a bad time to talk to you..."

She started to dazedly walk down the hall with Merle and Millerna, but a rough hand grabbed her upper arm sensitively. "Hitomi, wait! I'm sorry for being cruel..."

Hitomi brightened, and Tati's face softened as he continued to speak, "I apologize for being rude to you and your friends. I'm just no in the best of moods as of the moment. Maybe I should go out in the courtyard with Joshu and get some fresh air."

Merle whispered in Hitomi's ear, causing Hitomi to smile and nod. "Merle was looking for Joshu before you went out, but maybe you two would like to come with us. We are shopping for a present for Kaze, since his birthday is in a couple of days."

Tati became intrigued and grinned widely. "Really, is that so? In that case, I'll get Joshu and we'll join you three as soon as I finish getting ready."

Merle, half joking and half serious, asked, "Do you think you can control your temper while we're out?"

Tati laughed lightly as he bowed deeply, his hand over his heart. "I'll be on my best behavior. Scout's honor."

*****
He clumsily pushed away a wisp of hair from her prone face. Though her eyes were closed tightly, he knew they were the color of the bright blue sky. He liked her; he wondered why she was in this bad place.

"Ineguno, get away from her and to what I told you to!! Now!!"

Ineguno turned, startled by his master's sudden appearance. "But Master, Ineguno like girl. Think she pretty. What her name? Why she no wake?"

Despite Ineguno's massive size, his master pushed him away from the table where the girl lay. "Don't worry about her and do as you're told!! You didn't finish sweeping over there in that corner!!"

Ineguno reluctantly returned to sweeping, but dropped his broom in shock when he saw his master strapping the girl down on to the table. "No Master!! No hurt girl!! Ineguno no like!!"

WHACK!! Ineguno clutched his now red cheek in anguish as his master shook his finger at him. "What did I tell you!! If you not going to do your chores, go to your quarters, and don't come out until I tell you to!! Go!!"

Ineguno lumbered out of the room, still bawling like a three year old. But as he turned in the doorway, he tripped over his foot. Before he could put out a hand to balance himself, his sore cheek landed painfully on the stone floor. He let out a loud gasp, but covered his mouth in fear his master might hear him. When a few seconds past and Ineguno didn't hear his master coming to berate him, he slowly got up and secretly glanced back into the room.

"...yes, Lord Dornkirk, she is almost ready for transfiguration. Zaibach will have the infamous Dilandau Albotau back in it's power soon."

"Good, good. I knew I can trust you. Trai, we need him soon. The dragon has already allied himself with the earth and wind, and girl from the Mystic Moon has returned. We still have time; not all of them have realized their full destinies just yet."

Trai rubbed his chin in thought. "Yes, the earth knows subconsciously what they must do, but it will be too late when this information to light. That is, if I have anything to do with it."

Dornkirk chuckled evilly. "I believe you'll have your wish soon enough with that attitude. If you could resurrect myself and the Zaibach army with your own power, Zaibach no doubt has a winning chance."

Trai bowed deeply towards the screen as Dornkirk's image faded from it. "Lord, I would use all my power to help you. But not for the good of Zaibach. For something more personal."