Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of its characters

Chapter 3:New friends, Old enemies

Hitomis eyes fluttered painfully open but quickly closed them as light poured in. She was still lying on the street with a crowd of people around her. A man was placing his arms underneath her and lifting her frail body into his arms. A grown escaped her lips as she began to feel the intense rhythmic throbbing of her head.

"It's ok little miss you'll be alight" a voice comforted, but her consciousness was short lived as darkness once again filled her mind. She could feel a cool damp cloth stroking her face. She slightly shifted and raised her hand to grasp the cloth stroking her face, but came into contact with a hand.

"That's it now wake up" a voice whispered. Hitomi's eyes snapped open and came into contact with a man who was hovering over her. He looked around 23 or so, he had short black hair with icy blue eyes. He smiled at her only to receive a shriek accompanied by her leaping upwards. He quickly reacted by grabbing her shoulders and pressing her back down

"Whoa there calm down I'm not going to hurt you!" Hitomi saw the peace and sincerity in his eyes and relaxed in his hold.

"I...I'm sorry, I was frightened" he let out a small chuckle and released his grip on her

"That's all right it's understandable considering what you've been through" Hitomi placed her hand on her head and started to think

"What happened?"

"Well..."he began "I was reading my newspaper as I was walking to work just as I do everyday when a beautiful girl caught my eye she started to cross the street but then collapsed when I saw a car headed for her, and she wasn't getting up I ran out, grabbed her pulling her out of the way. I took the girl in my arms and then brought her to my apartment which was less than a block away in hopes I could wake her up and she'd be ok" Hitomi blushed slightly at being called beautiful but quickly recovered.

"Thank you, thank you for saving me um, uh"

"Anthony, the names Anthony"

"Thank you Anthony"

"You're welcome, I hope I wouldn't be out of place asking for your name"

"Oh no it's ok my name is Hitomi, Hitomi Kanzaki"

"Ah Hitomi beautiful absolutely beautiful" he said as he stood and stretched his long limbs.

"Would you like some water Hitomi?"

"If you wouldn't mind yes I would" she answered softly.

"Not at all" Anthony turned and walked out of the room to the kitchen. Hitomi sat up and pushed the blanket that was on her off. She began to stand but leaned over a moment and let the dizziness pass before proceeding forward to the door Anthony had passed through. Hitomi hadn't taken four steps before she heard loud thumping behind her; she turned only half way before being tackled. She shrieked as she hit the floor. She laid starring into a pair of big brown eyes attached to a snout, and tongue, which was sliding across her face. A crash echoed through the kitchen as Anthony ran out into the Living room to see his 95 pound Pit Bull on top of Hitomi

"Vision no!" Hitomi burst into laughter as she pushed the dog off her.

"Hitomi I'm so, so sorry"

"No it's ok" she giggled petting the dog

"She's so sweet" relief spread across his face after seeing her attach to the dog

"She's a pain that's what she is. I can't leave her alone for five minutes" Hitomi looked up at Anthony and smiled

"I think she's adorable" Hitomi then looked back down to the dog and kissed her furry forehead

"Aren't you vision, your so sweet" Anthony smiled

"Do you want her" Hitomi paused and a look of confusion spread across her face

"Oh no I couldn't she's yours!"

"Hitomi I've been trying to find a good home for her a couple of years, but she likes very few people, she obviously likes you though. If you would like you could have her" Hitomis fingers stroked down the short brown hair of the dog.

"I would love her" she whispered letting a tearstain her cheek

"Why Hitomi what on Earth is wrong?"

"I've been alone for the past few years, I'm just happy I won't be alone anymore" Anthony looked at Hitomi with pity and compassion. Why on Earth was such a beautiful girl was alone was beyond his comprehension. Hitomi turned and wrapped her arms around his neck

"Thank you, thank you so much" Anthony smiled and hugged her back

"If you want I can walk the two of you home"

"I would like that, I would like that a lot'

"Ok then let me go get Visions leash and we'll be on our way. Oh, by the way if you want to rename her I don't mind"

"Oh no I like her name it reminds me of something, something very special to me"

"All right whatever you say" he chuckled while walking over to his haltree to retrieve the leash, and then quickly return to hook it to Visions spiked collar.

"Lets go" Anthony announced handing the leash to Hitomi, and helped lead her out the door. They had been walking for thirty minutes when they finally reached the front of the apartment she was temporarily renting

"Well I guess this is it" Anthony said while brushing his fingers through his hair.

"Do you want to come in?"

"I can't I called my work and explained the situation, but I'm needed in a big meeting in less than 45 minutes. If I miss it could cost my company 1.5 billion. That wouldn't go well with the boss"

"I'd think not" Hitomi giggled slightly.

"So maybe I'll see you again?" He asked extending his hand.

"I would like that, I would like that a lot" Hitomi replied taking his hand

"Till then?"

"Till then" Hitomi watched as Anthony walked away. Vision let out a soft whine but was comforted by Hitomi's loving touch as she led her inside. Hitomi closed the door and headed straight for the couch where she dropped with a thud and closed her eyes.

"Welcome home vision" she said softly a flashback of things she saw while lying on the street earlier poured through her mind

"The vision, my God!" She gasped in remembrance.

"Dilandau he's back, Van he's in trouble!" She pulled Vision into a tight embrace.

"What do I do!"

"Nothing, nothing at all" a voice replied. Hitomi jumped as she watched a figure come from around the corner out of another room

"By the way I'm already here"

"Dilandau!" Hitomi screamed.

AN: cliffhanger oooohhhhh! Dilandau is back and has found Hitomi what now?

Find out in a couple of days in chapter4. Pleaaaase review.

Dragon Heart