Disclaimer: I don't own any parts of Escaflowne. Well maybe a small piece torn from it's cape, but that's it. *sees lawyer type men driving up to her house* I didn't steal it I swear! O.o;; Anyways, the only characters that belong to me are the ones I made up. Translation? Please don't sue me!

*****


Echa's breath had caught in her mouth when she saw him again after all these years. Her heart skipped a few beats when he had first spoken. And now her eyes still stung, for her spirit was finally crushed.

Trai, I still love you, despite who you've become...

*****


He opened his eyes warily, unaccustomed to the bright light shining above his head.

"Ah, I see Sir Dilandau is finally awake. Good morning! Or should I say, good afternoon!"

Dilandau tried to get off the table but found himself strapped down. "Why am I pinned in such a manner?! Where's Chesta?! Gatty?! Viole?! Jajuka?! JAJUKA!!"

Trai stood by the table, unfazed by Dilandau's ranting. "You must calm down. Your comrades are dead; all were slain by the King of Fanelia and his allies. I will unstrap you, but you must think clearly."

Dilandau jerked himself the binds once Trai loosened them, and sat up, stroking his scar. "I remember now. Van, I'll punish you for what you and that whore from the Mystic Moon did to me!! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!!"

Ineguno came shuffling through the door at that minute, carrying old white bed-sheets. "Master, where you want Ineguno these put?"

Dilandau hopped off the table and walked over to Ineguno, ordering in a stern tone, "You there! Put those down and shown me to my quarters!"

Ineguno shook his head faithfully, wrinkling the sheets as he clenched them to his bulky chest. "No, Ineguno listen Master. No listen people Ineguno no like."

SMACK!! "I don't care if you like me; actually I prefer it because I detest you. Now do as I told you to, or do I have to slap you again?"

Ineguno led the way apprehensively, with Dilandau apathetically following behind him down the hall.

Trai smiled as they left the room. "I must report this to Lord Dornkirk. Then the Great War will begin anew."

*****


Van waited impatiently in the royal viewing box, shielding his eyes from the sun to look for Hitomi in the crowd. Before Tati and Merle retired to his rooms to change, they had informed him that Millerna had taken her shopping for an appropriate dress. Van personally didn't care what Hitomi wore, but Millerna's actions were well-intentioned; Hitomi and Van both had to make a good impression tonight, for they were to announce their engagement to the rest of Fanelia. Hitomi didn't know yet, but Van hoped she wouldn't mind. He just wanted his officials to get off his back about marrying a princess or another noble lady, and Van wanted to show what he thought about the idea.

"Van, we're back!"

Van jumped out of his chair when he heard Hitomi, but tripped over his feet when he saw her standing elegantly before him.

The hem of the cream gown swished softly against her ankles, causing the sequins sewn in the fabric to sparkle. The silver stitched bodice heightened the existence of her female curves, and a thin gauze-like scarf was draped across her shoulders to ward off the chills of an early summer night.

Hitomi's hair, which had grown longer over the past years, now framed her face closely. Her verdant eyes shone brightly with joy and love, and twinkled with a life of their own. Her lips had been dyed with a deep plant dye; a custom Van found strange, but was tortured by the way the tint made her mouth look like a forbidden fruit.

His staring made Hitomi feel self-conscious, and she became very flustered. "What, you don't like the dress? I knew it; I look awful-"

Van's sudden passionate kiss made her melt in his arms, and was unaware of the attention the couple was gathering. He ruefully broke from the kiss, and growled into her delicate ear. "I'm sorry I didn't compliment you right away, Hitomi. I was looking for words to describe what I thought of you while you were standing there, but I still can't; your beauty surpasses all imaginable words. I love you so much."

Hitomi's heart soared with exultation as she gazed up amorously into his eyes before settling her head into the hollow of Van's throat. She giggled when he gulped visibly, making her head bob, and causing them both to lose their earnest reserve. Suddenly very aware of the others in the room, Hitomi hesitantly backed away from Van a little, letting the cool breeze flow over their slightly heated bodies.

"Excuse me sire, but I have a important package for Merle that requires her direct attention," Kenji announced from the door.

Van looked over towards Merle and Millerna to acknowledge their presence, and then nodded back to Kenji. "Okay, bring it in."

Kenji bowed respectfully, but he smiled mockingly to Merle. "I'm going to have to charge you delivery charges, big sister." he yelled as he walked back out of the viewing box.

An abrupt commotion was heard outside, followed by angry hisses and violent clamor. "Gah! What are you doing?! Let me go, Kenji!! Ouch!!"

A unhappy Joshu was pushed through the door, and Kenji placed the cat-boy in front of Merle for inspection. She nodded appreciatively at the choice of clothing; black pants and a turquoise-colored mandarian jacket with an orange tiger appliquéd on the back. "Thank you, Kenji. Joshu looks much better; the outfit suits him very well."

Joshu nervously tried to loosen the tight collar of the silk jacket, clearly uncomfortable with it. "I don't know how I'm supposed to fight in the tournament while wearing this."

Van shook his head bemusedly. "I'm sorry my friend, but only those who've reached their 18th year are allowed to participate. Don't worry, you and Tati are coming with us when we leave."

Joshu shrugged dejectedly as his eyes searched around the chamber. "Where is Tati anyways?"

"And where's Kaze?" Hitomi added.

Van went to the window and pointed down at the warriors' training area. "They're both probably getting ready for the contest. Allen had mentioned that Tati fights very well; and Kaze wanted to prove himself capable of coming with us, instead of staying here with you."

"He 'wanted to prove himself'?! 'staying here with you'?! Van, what is going on?!" Hitomi shouted.

"Urm, we'll leave you two alone to talk. Merle? Joshu? Kenji? Can you join me outside please? Now?" Millerna softly interrupted.

As they all left the room, Kenji shut the door quietly and took a deep breath. "I think Lord Van is in trouble."

"You have no idea," Millerna muttered.

*****


Allen watched impassively as his crew loaded Escaflowne into the back off the Crusade next to Allen's Schezarade. His mind was on other matters, and he didn't even notice when Gadeth coughed three times to get his boss's attention before shouting, "Sir! Besides Escaflowne, all other supplies have been packed on the leviship's storage. Is anything else you want us to do?"

"What? Oh, no, there is nothing to do but wait. Take the men and go to a pub or something. Just come back around dawn. Got it?"

"Yes Commander!"

After the last man left, Allen put his head in his hands as his bitter tears stained his white gloves. Why was it that everyone close to him always left him alone? He had thought that he would have Celena forever, but once more he had lost his baby sister.

Celena, I hope wherever you are right now that you are safe.

*****


Dilandau had collapsed in the bed in the bed as soon as Ineguno led him to a room. He didn't know that the large servant had stayed in the room and watched the young boy; an act which would severely disturb the former Dragonslayer leader.

Ineguno put the bed-sheets down on a nearby chair, and turned back to the sleeping Dilandau. He did not like the cruel boy when he was awake, but while he slept, he looked sort of like the pretty girl Ineguno had saw earlier.

Ineguno hovered near Dilandau's head, breathing in the scent deeply. He almost reached out to brush the silver hair out of the boy's face, but a moan escaping Dilandau's lips startled him. He stepped back awkwardly at the same time Dilandau's moan turned into words. "No...please..get away...Jajuka...Jajuka...JAJUKA!! NO!!"

Dilandau woke screaming, panting heavily. As he continued to pant, his shoulders shook violently, and a strange sound resonated from the inner hollow of his chest. The sound grew louder and louder until Ineguno could identify it as laughter. With a crazy glint in his eye, Dilandau stood up abruptly, causing Ineguno to fall backwards in surprise. "Scared you, didn't I? You idiot, why are you still here? I thought 'Ineguno no like' me? Never mind, you might be useful. I don't know or care why I was brought back to Zaibach, but I know I have some things to do. I demand you lead me to the hangar where my old guymelef is kept. They better still have it, or I'm going to be in a very bad mood. Now move!"

Ineguno didn't hesitate as much this time.

*****