Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of it's characters
Chapter8: Reunion
The nights panicked and hectic pace had slowed. Hitomi had been taken to a private room, and everyone was left sitting outside awaiting news of her condition. Most of the men were asleep in chairs, in corners, or on the floor. Van sat quietly on the windowsill with Allen starring out across the night's starry sky. Merle curled in a ball next to them.
"What's taking so long?" Van spouted.
"Patients Van. I know it's hard, but Millerna said the injury was deep and the damage great, They can't rush with her" Van ran a hand through his hair and sighed
"I know, I know I'm just..."
"Worried" Allen finished.
"Yes I am"
Gaddes had woken up a few minutes earlier and was walking towards the talking men. He stopped in front of them and crossed his arms.
"She was always strong the last time she was here; she'll be strong now to. She ain't gonna die" Gaddes though he had worried eyes gave an encouraging smile.
"I know" Van whispered looking over at the older man. Some of the men awoke at the sound of the door creaking open and a servant peeking out
"Queen Millerna wish's me to inform you all that you are allowed to enter" The servants head disappeared and the door opened further as a line of healers groggily walked out bowing to King Dryden who had just entered.
"Your Majesty our work here is done" one said.
"Go rest my friends you indeed earned it tonight"
The healers smiled and exited into the halls. Millerna was sitting in a chair next to the bed holding Hitomi's hand.
"I think she's going to be ok" she whispered. Relief swept through the men at her words. Everyone walked closer gathering around the four-post bed. Van starred at Hitomi's motionless form and the bandages covering her. Her skin was still ashened, but was no longer cold to the touch. The left side of Hitomi's face was swollen and bruised, but you could still tell it was Hitomi even through her condition and the significant changes in her features the past three years. Van grinded his teeth and clinched his fists
"I'll kill who ever did this to her!" He growled. Gaddes placed a hand on his shoulder
"We all will Van, we all will"
"Yeah no one mess's with our little lady" Teo agreed.
"You got that right" Reeden added. Millerna's eyes swept through the group's faces
"Allen where's Anthony?" Allen looked back at the crowd around him
"I don't know, I haven't seen him sense..."
"Last night" Van finished
"Not seen him but..." Millerna silenced as a tall raven-haired man walked through the door caring a large beast.
"Anthony!" Millerna gasped
"What is that?" Keo inquired. Anthony ignored the interrogation and knelt down placing the dog on the floor. Vision was slowly crawling across the floor her side bandaged were Dilandau had placed his knife, she whined softly as she approached the bed.
"What is this, what are you doing?" Van exclaimed moving forward to apprehend the dog.
"Van!" Van looked over to see Anthony pointing at him
"No Van!" He stopped though not understanding what was going on he watched with everyone else as the dog jumped onto the bed letting out a cry before lying next to Hitomi. She licked softly on her cheek and let out a mournful whimper. An arm wrapped around her and Hitomi pulled her close
"Vi...Vision" came a hoarse whisper.
"Hitomi?" Van breathed moving closer to Hitomi.
"Hitomi can you here us" Millerna whispered. Tears fell from her eyes and she began to sob into the dog's fur letting all the pain inside her out, ignoring the hands gripping her arms
"Hitomi?"
Her eyes closed even tighter
"Vision...it...it will be ok I...I promise"
Anthony walked passed the group and motioned for Van and Allen to let him next to Hitomi. Anthony sat down and gently unlatched her arms from Visions neck and roller her into his lap where he could look into her emerald eyes.
"A...Anthony I don't want to be alone" Anthony carefully held her close, stroking her head softly
"Your not alone I'm here" He looked up at the group around him
"From what I can see Hitomi it looks like I'm not the only one who cares for you" He swept her bangs from her face and kissed her forehead. This action brought a disapproving glare frame Van. A peaceful smile tugged on Hitomi's lips, but it was short lived. She let out a gasp and her features contorted into pain.
"Hitomi?" Anthony breathed.
"It hu...hurts" Anthony looked down on her in pity then up to Millerna who was stepping forward a syringe in hand. Millerna sat on the side of the bed, reaching over and gripping Hitomi's hand that now had a death grip on Anthony. She pulled her arm towards her and placed the needle in her upper arm pushing its contents into Hitomi's veins
"What is that?" Anthony whispered.
"It's a mixture. It should numb the pain and induce sleep" Anthony looked down on Hitomi whose body had gone limp. He listened to her breathing, as it became softer
"Thank you Princess" Millerna stood and looked at the exhausted men
"I think it's safe to say we can leave now and retire to our rooms. She will be asleep for some time" Millerna let out a slight yawn and motioned for the others to follow. Anthony stood puzzled not really knowing what to do. Allen glanced over at him and smiled
"Anthony if you'll follow me I'll show you to your guest chambers"
"Th...Thank you Allen" Anthony walked past Van who was stepping toward the bed.
"Lord Van what are you doing?"
"Merle go on to bed. If you all don't mind I want to stay here tonight...alone"
"But..."
"Please Merle" Merle silenced and stepped back before turning and walking away following Millerna out the door. Allen nodded his understanding and goodnight to Van before leading Anthony towards his bedchambers leaving Van alone in silence. Van breathed a sigh of relief after the door had closed. He ran a hand through his raven hair as he stood silently looking at the form before him
"Hitomi" he whispered. He sat down slowly trying not to jar the bed. He reached over to a small cloth on the stand next to him. He dipped it in the cool water of the basin before ringing it out and softly stroking Hitomi's face, wiping away the small sweat beads from the fever.
"Oh Hitomi how I missed you" A tear slid down his face as his eyes began to skim across her slowly observing the changes in her facial features
"You're so beautiful. I never told you, but I love you." Van wiped the tears off his tanned cheeks and slowly leaned back against the headboard. Van gathered one of Hitomi's hands and closed his eyes tightly shut
"I'm to late aren't I Hitomi? You've moved on haven't you?" His questions were answered only by silence as he drifted of into sleep.
The sun began to rise and Vision began to crawl between Van and Hitomi unhooking they're hands with her nose. Van awoke abruptly to two chocolate eyes intensely gazing at him. He really didn't know how to react to the beast he had never actually seen anything like it before. It was like a Gaeian dog, but of no breed he knew of. Van's attention switched to the sleeping girl next to him. He raised his hand to touch her face when a low vibrating noise pierced his ears. He focused his gaze once again on the animal that was now closer it's face only a foot away from his a low growl coming from it's throat. When he retracted his hand the growl ceased and Vision laid down half way in Van's lap, but still in-between them. A knock at the door now had his attention
"Yes who is it?" Van asked. The door slowly opened and Anthony slowly crept in
"How is she?" Van began to speak but stopped as the beast in his lap jumped onto the floor and trotted to the young man.
"Hi ya girl, are you watch in over Hitomi for me" Van cocked an eyebrow as he watched Anthony kneel down and ruffle the dogs fur, then received a few friendly licks from the beast. Anthony looked up at Van a smile spread across his face. He stood and walked over to the young King
"Vision's been keeping you company I see" when Van stayed silent Anthony kept talking
"Has she awoken again?" Van looked over as Anthony brushed a stray lack of Hitomi's face and sat down on the other side of the bed. Van sighed and his frown deepened
"She hasn't moved sense last night" Anthony chuckled slightly bringing a strong look from Van
"I was about to think that I was receiving the silent treatment" Van stayed silent still, Anthony looked at him for a moment noticing the uncomfortable look the King had on his face.
"Van?"
"How, how did you..." Anthony silenced as Hitomi turned slightly and let out a soft moan. Her eyes opened slightly letting the morning light pour in. She let her Vision adjust and focused in on the figure next to her a tear slid down her face
"Van" she breathed
"So I wasn't dreaming" Van leaned in towards her and swallowed hard
"Hit...Hitomi" is all that escaped his lips. Hitomi pulled herself to him and buried her face in his chest her fingers clutching his shirt.
"Oh Van, I missed you so" came her muffled words. Van hesitantly wrapped his arm around her shoulder and laid his head on her crown. His heart pained when her body began to tremble as her wet tears soaked into his shirt. Anthony smiled as he watched Hitomi reunited with a man she obviously had been separated from. Feeling the sense that they should be alone he carefully stood and crept out, his actions going unnoticed by the embracing teens. Anthony shut the door and turned quickly only to run into Allen
"Anthony?" Anthony smiled
"Morning I was just checking on Hitomi" he whispered. Allen looked over at the door
"How is she?" Anthony ran a hand through his hair and sighed
"She has just awakened, but I don't recommend entering. I think...I feel they need a moment alone" Allen smiled a knowing smile before walking with Anthony down the hall.
AN:Yeah another chappie done and Van and Hitomi in the same place yippee! Please,Please (drops to hands and knees and begs) Please review. I'll even except flames with open arms:)
Dragon Heart