Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. I do, however, own the twisted little plot, and any characters I have created. Basically, if you don't recognize them, they're probably mine. In this chapter, I believe that I own Sari and no one else. (grins)

Re-Visions

Chapter 9

Being a cat, Sari was never a heavy sleeper. In truth, she knew that often people fell sick at night, or a baby decided that he wanted to be born, or any of a number of other things could happen. So she was not really asleep when the banging began on the infirmary door. She leapt up from her pallet immediately, and rushed to open the outer door, already running through what this visit could mean in terms of her knowledge and store of medicines.

She was surprised to see Van outside the infirmary door. He had been beating on it? Then she saw the pale figure he carried, the worry etched on his features. "Sire! What happened? Quickly . . ." She stepped aside. "Is she hurt?"

"I don't think so . . . but she needs your help anyway . . ." He laid Hitomi on the nearest cot and stepped back reluctantly, his eyes never leaving her. Sari noticed this in the instant before she bent to examine the girl.

"What strange clothing! How do I take it off? I can't examine her properly if she wears this heavy . . . fleecy thing. Well, I suppose we'll just have to pull it off." Muttering to herself, she pulled the girl up into a sitting position, and heard her moan softly. "Lady? Can you hear me?" There was no response, and Sari sighed. "Sire, pull this outer layer off her."

Startled and blushing, Van did as she asked, dropping it into a heap on the floor when he had done so. Sari laid Hitomi back on the cot and began to undo the buttons of her shirt. Now fiercely red, Van turned away.

Sari was trying to control her shock. She's so emaciated, she thought, and started looking for signs the girl might have been a slave. But there were none, only a black and blue mark encircling one wrist. The wrist itself didn't appear to be broken. She hardly needed the little half-corset that held her breasts. Despite the fact that Sari could see the outline of every rib beneath her skin, and the sharp edges of her collarbone, the girl appeared to be uninjured. She was breathing easily, in a very heavy sleep. She was shivering, but when Sari checked her brow, she wasn't feverish. The night was chill. Carefully, she pulled off the girl's shirt and shoes, and the heavy trousers she wore, still checking for hidden wounds, before covering her with a blanket.

When she looked at him, it seemed that Van was standing with his arms crossed, staring intently at the floor. His back was to her. When she said "Lord Van," though, he jumped and gasped, and she realized he was hugging himself tightly, as if trying to keep some strong emotion from finding its way out, and had had his eyes closed. He half turned to her, letting his arms fall to his sides. She kept her surprise inside. Sometimes, watching the maturity with which he shouldered the burden of his kingdom, it was hard to remember that he was still little more than a boy, whose 18th birthday was still a few days away. "Who is she?" she asked, seeing she had his attention. "Where did she come from? Why in the name of all that's holy is she so thin? She looks as though she's been starved."

"Sari, what tales do they tell of the war?" He closed his eyes and slumped onto the cot next to Hitomi's.

"You mean . . . about Escaflowne? About the . . ." Her amber eyes widened, and she glanced back at the still figure on the narrow bed. "That's her? The girl from the Mystic Moon?" Without even noticing his nod, she continued, "What could have happened to her there? What evil befell her?"

Van was silent for a long moment. He opened his eyes and stared at Hitomi's pale face. She was still smiling, faintly. Drawn by that smile, he stood again, and took the step that brought him next to her. He ran one finger lightly down her cheek, barely touching. In that simple gesture, Sari saw the depth of the stoic king's feelings for the girl from the Mystic Moon.

She thought he had forgotten about her when he said, "What has Merle told you?" He was still looking at the girl, still gently touching her face. His tone was soft, but Sari caught the underlying edge.

"Merle has told me nothing, my lord," she replied quietly.

Van straightened his shoulders and faced her again. His eyes were intense in the torchlight. "During the war, she saved my life, and I hers. We . . . we had a bond, of some sort. Even after she returned to her home, we were still able to communicate after a fashion. But a year ago, that was suddenly broken." She saw him clench his fist. "Today, we managed to reestablish it, and she called to me for help. I found a way to get to the Mystic Moon and brought her back. She . . ." he swallowed convulsively. "She had fallen into despair, and couldn't even bring herself to eat," he finished in a whisper.

"There are holes in that story I could throw a horse through," Sari said evenly. He merely stared at her, keeping his expression neutral, but his eyes blazed, daring her. She met his glare, her own eyes calm as usual, but then looked back at the girl. "She couldn't eat? No wonder she's so gaunt. I'll make up some broth for her in the morning." Noticing how he was taken aback at her words, she said, "Well, it is late now, Sire, and she's sleeping peacefully. Right now, she's in no real danger, and as long as she takes food, she will recover." Fixing him with a piercing look, she said, "You would do well to follow your lady's lead and sleep." She smiled to herself as he flushed again, then she entered her room and shut the door.

After Sari left, Van stared down at Hitomi for many long moments. He realized he was holding himself in again, arms crossed and hands grasping his shoulders, and forced himself to relax. His heart was beating so hard, thumping against the walls of his chest, that it felt like it would tear out of him and fly away. The absolute joy he felt, just looking on her as she slept- it was so strong it was almost too much to take. He'd imagined it, but imagination was nothing compared to reality. He brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead. Hitomi, when you wake, I will tell you . . . I promise. Trying to be quiet, he dragged one of Sari's chairs over to Hitomi's cot, and merely sat beside her, holding her hand. Somehow, it was enough.

***

When Hitomi woke, something felt strange. The bed, she decided. It's not mine. Then she realized she was nearly naked under the blanket. She opened her eyes in shock and started uncomprehendingly at the stone ceiling, the stone walls all around. "Where . . ." she whispered. Then memory caught up with her and she smiled. Gaea. Van had come for her, and brought her back.

"You're awake, my lady?" The voice was low and kind, and coming from just to her right. When she looked, she saw what she first thought was an older version of Merle, but then she realized this cat-woman was much more leonine. She was all golden as the sunlight fell on her. "How do you feel this morning?" As the cat-woman bent to help her sit up, Hitomi felt the softness of her fur against her skin, and saw the grey streaks in her mane.

Sitting up was a bit of a chore, but when she was upright, she felt oddly better, though she held the blanket over her front. Sari handed her her shirt and she shrugged it on gratefully before answering. "I . . . I'm hungry," she said in some wonder, because it was true. It had been so long since she had even wanted to eat, that the growling she felt seemed strange.

"I'm not surprised." This time, the woman's tone was dry. As she spoke, she crossed the room to the hearth, and came back with a tray of food. It consisted of a bowl of broth, a small chunk of bread and a cup of water. She laid it on Hitomi's lap. "Here you go. Eat slowly, now," she cautioned. "Your stomach will need to get used to holding food again, after so long without."

"How did you know that?" Hitomi asked, her hand trembling on the spoon.

"My lady, I am a doctor, and, dare I say it, a very good one. I can tell just by looking at you that you haven't eaten a decent meal in months." Her eyes were stern as she stared at Hitomi, but after a moment, she smiled slightly and said, "His Majesty told me a few things as well."

"His Maj . . .Van?" How could Van know? I haven't told him anything . . . unless Grandmother . . . "Where is he?" she asked, suddenly terrified that this was a dream, and she'd wake back in her own bed. She felt tremors invade her body.

"My lady, calm yourself." The girl was shaking. Sari heard the abrupt fear in her voice, and took hold of one of her hands. "Lord Van is right here, asleep." She moved slightly, so the girl could see the next cot. Van was sprawled on it, facing her, a blanket draped over him. His breaths were deep and slow. "He sat with you all night. I had to threaten to knock him over the head before he would agree to go to bed." Her tone became pointed again as she said, "You can see how far my authority goes . . . I told him to go back to his room."

Hitomi smiled, both at the woman's words and her sight of Van. He was all right. This wasn't a dream, then. She looked back at the doctor and said, "Please, just call me Hitomi. You don't need to call me 'my lady' . . . I'm sorry, I don't know your name . . ." She trailed off, embarrassed.

Sari smiled again. "My name is Sari, and I think I will need to call you 'my lady', so please don't be offended." She nodded toward the tray. "Now, you really should eat."

The broth was delicious. She was full when she emptied the bowl, and could not eat the bread. Her shrunken stomach could hold no more. "That was very good," she said as Sari removed the tray.

Sari snorted. "I'm glad you like it, because you're going to get quite a bit of it before you're ready for anything else. I'm sure you'll be heartily sick of it."

Hitomi laughed at her, surprised at how light and happy she felt. It had been a long time since she'd felt so at peace. Then she yawned.

"Feeling sleepy?" Sari asked. When Hitomi nodded, she said, "Good. Just go back to sleep. You'll need to restore your body as much as you can . . ." The rest of what she said was lost as Hitomi felt her eyes drift shut again.

Sari trailed off as she saw the girl fall back to sleep. "Just sleep," she murmured. "I'm sure he'll still be here when you wake again." She looked at the pair of them, slumbering, and shook her head, still smiling. I suppose I'll have to find Merle and tell her where Lord Van is. Otherwise, she'll have a fit. Quietly, she slipped out the door, closing it softly behind her.

Van awoke with a start at the quiet click of the door. Disgusted with himself, he pushed his body off the bed. I only meant to lay down, he thought. But I guess I was tired.

Voices had invaded his dreams a short while before, soft womanly voices, and he was sure one of them had been Hitomi's. He studied her carefully, unaware of the grin he wore. She had put her shirt back on- he could see it covering her shoulders. There was a bit of color in her cheeks. As he watched, she curled up on her side, a look of contentment on her face. Unable to hold back anymore, he bent and caressed her face, then kissed her gently on the cheek. "If this is a dream, I never want to wake . . ." he breathed against her face, briefly touching his forehead to hers. Then, he quickly drew back, almost afraid of his own words. He walked over to the window and opened the shutter, needing to feel the sunlight on him.

Sometime during the night, Van had accepted the fact that the condition on his time with Hitomi would probably be her eventual return to the Mystic Moon. At first, he decided that if that were so, he would do his best not to get too close to her, so as not to miss her so much when she was gone. He would be strong, he would deny himself her company, and then, he might be able to let her go . . . Then he had felt the tear trickling down his face, even as he held her hand.

No, he had realized. That was stupid. If she wants to go, I'll let her, even if it breaks my heart. Wouldn't it be better . . . to spend every moment I can with her? To have something to look back on once she was gone? Just forget there's a condition, and reach out to her . . . maybe even tell her I love her.

Now, as he looked out at the morning, he couldn't help but feel it had been the right decision. His heart felt a little lighter.

He had told Sari that he was going to stay here, before she forced him to rest. She had nodded, and asked rhetorically, "And if I said no? Not that I expect you'd listen . . ." She had left, which probably meant he could expect Merle any moment. He moved to bar the door.

***

Hitomi knew it was hours later when she next opened her eyes. The shadows were long, and the light starting to fade. But none of that mattered. Van was there. She knew it was he holding her hand, could feel him through their link. When she looked at him, he was dozing, slumped in the chair beside her bed. Well, she thought wryly, it can't be much fun to watch a sleeping person. Sari said he sat with me all night . . . She smiled, and brought her head down to his hand where it grasped hers, and gave it a soft kiss. She had been curled on her side for hours, and needed to stretch that shoulder, but somehow, she knew if she made any such movement, it would wake him.

But I do need to talk to him, she decided finally. She studied his face as she started to send him happy thoughts, grins and laughter, reassurance and caring. He smiled before his eyes fluttered open.

"Well. That looks like a pleasant way to wake up," she said.

She had never before seen the expression he now wore. The closest she could recall was when she'd seen him sitting on the rocks at the bay, but the smile then had been tinged with sadness. Now, though, there was none, and for some deep reason she couldn't name, it filled her with joy.

"How do you feel?" His voice startled her, and she blinked, then grinned.

"Like I could just about burst from happiness!" She pushed herself upright as she spoke, and he pulled his hand away. Making a tent under the blanket with her knees, she leaned forward slightly and rested her arms on them. She laid her cheek on her arms and just looked at him.

He had changed so much! He'd grown at least six inches, and she guessed he was almost as tall as Folken had been. His shoulders were broader now, and she could see the same could be said for his chest. His face looked more mature. But- he hadn't changed at all. His hair still hung in his eyes, his eyes still burned in the right light, and he still had the fire and intensity she had come to love. Just to see him brought her such delight, she really thought she would explode.

Van became a bit uncomfortable under her scrutiny. He looked away, fearing he would get lost in her eyes. He stood, but before he could move further, to put distance between them despite his good intentions- she touched his hand. "I'm glad you're here, Van," she said faintly. He looked down at her, startled. Her fingers were gently holding his hand, and her green eyes were bright in her pale face. "If you weren't . . . if you weren't . . ." As he watched, stunned, tears started to spill down her cheeks.

Without warning, all the heartbreak she had felt this past year and more washed over her, and she couldn't keep herself from crying. She hid her face against her knees, and was struck by a memory. Was it only a couple nights ago when she had seen him in this very position? Her shoulders shook harder at the thought.

Gingerly, trying not to upset the cot, he sat beside her. He wrapped his arms around her awkwardly. Oh, how it hurt to see her cry . . . He was unaware he started rocking her, stroking her hair as she buried her sobs against his chest. "Please, don't cry," he whispered. "I'm here now, it's all right . . ." Somehow, he knew she was comforted by his presence, although he couldn't say why.

Her tears lasted only for a moment, and she stopped, sniffling. She had turned toward him, and twined her arms about his waist. She could sense their precarious position just by her slightly offset balance, but she didn't want to pull back just yet. Not when having his arms around her felt so good, after so long.

Nor did Van want it to end. He suddenly became acutely aware of her body pressed against him, and felt himself flush. He had never held a girl before . . . at least, not like this. Merle had usually been the one doing the holding. He had never been interested, being too young, and then they were fighting the war. After the war, there were a couple girls who'd tried to let him know they wouldn't mind . . . but he had ignored them until they went away. It had seemed . . . wrong, in some way.

"I still have something to tell you, Van," he heard her say quietly. He started to pull back, but her arms tightened around him. "No, don't. Don't move." He stilled, not taking his arms from her, even as she squirmed about. She ended up sitting facing him, her face inches from his. He stared at her, puzzled.

Was this the right way? Hitomi wondered. Yes, she decided. It is. She smiled gently at his confused frown, and reached up to brush his hair away from his face. It fell right back into place, but she had the satisfaction of watching his eyes widen in astonishment, seeing him blush as she cupped his cheek. "I love you." Then, before he could react, she closed her eyes and kissed him.

Her words shocked him, but not as much as the touch of her lips. A jolt ran through him, all the way to his toes, at her soft kiss. He shivered, and closed his eyes. Now he was the one who felt he could fly apart from the happiness. Her fingers were warm against his cheek, slowly sliding down to rest on his shoulder.

Even though the kiss was brief, Hitomi was still breathless then she broke it. After Allen's cold kiss, and the torture of Kenji's, it finally felt right. This was what she always imagined a kiss would be like. She rested her forehead against Van's, and was a bit amused and pleased to hear he was short of breath as well. She smiled again, eyes still closed. She knew her face was red, and from the heat she felt radiating from him, his was just as bright. His arms tightened around her, and she returned his embrace with all the strength she had.

"Oh, gods, Hitomi," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I have waited so long to hear you say that . . ." He drew her closer to him, bent his head to rest it on her frail shoulder, and felt her do the same. "I love you, Hitomi . . . but I could never find the courage to tell you . . ."

Her breath tickled his neck as she replied, "It's all right. After all, how long did I make eyes at Allen? I was so oblivious." He shuddered as her lips brushed the side of his throat. "It took me so long . . . and then . . . I couldn't tell you either. A fine pair we make." It was funny, she realized. All the times our minds have touched, love had never been mentioned.

He was actually a little relieved when she sat back again; it had been getting hard to think with her soft breaths stimulating the nerves in his neck. Another part of him missed the contact, and he reached out to run the back of his hand lightly down her cheek. She closed her eyes and smiled again.

When she opened them again, Van was frowning slightly, staring over her shoulder. "Van? Is something wrong?"

He blinked and looked back at her. "No. I just thought I saw something."

Uncharacteristically, Sari had spent much of the day in the rest of the castle. Well, she felt she had to, to keep Merle from bothering the sick girl or the king. When she returned, she'd opened the door and silently slipped in. She'd seen Van, asleep again, but holding the girl's hand. She'd smiled, and entered her room. A few minutes later, she thought she heard them talking, but was engrossed in her text. Then, there was the sound of someone crying. That caught her attention. It usually meant someone was in pain. She peeked around the doorway, and saw the king holding the girl- Hitomi, she reminded herself- as she wept. Then she kissed him. Sari smiled, watching them for a moment, and drew back into her chamber just as the king happened to look up. Despite their low tones, she heard the rest of their conversation, tuned in now in spite of herself.

She thought she had left Merle occupied for the entire afternoon, but it was not to be. She knew just who it was when the door banged open, and sighed.

"Lord Van . . . Hitomiiiiii!"

Sari heard a yelp from the girl, and a crash, then some loud groans. There was the sound of many slurps, and much giggling, and "Merle! Stop it!" from the king. She shook her head at the envisioned shambles of her sickroom, and hurriedly stepped out to stop the chaos.