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

Chapter 11: Forgiven

Hitomi swam in the dark oceans of her mind an eerie presence caused a most uncomfortable peace.

"So easy to kill, so easy to kill you all" a voice echoed

"Who's...who's there?" Hitomi stuttered her eyes darting around in fear

A whistle and gust of wind past by her head for les than a split second sending her attention to the object that seemed to spin slower as soon as her emeralds locked onto it.

"Not again!" She whispered

faces appeared around her some familiar, some foreign all gathered around large tables in what seemed to be a meeting chambers. Glass shattered and arrows fell like rain forming rivers of blood on the now crimson stained marble

"No! Stop it! I don't want to see this!" She screamed bolting up in bed gripping the sheets tightly with her now ashened fingers. Vision looked up and cocked her head to the side giving Hitomi a look that could only be defined as what in the world.

Hitomi wiped the sweat from her face and slowly slid of the edge of the bed landing unstably on her wobbling legs. She quietly left the room a vacant look etched on her face vision prancing softly behind her.

She stopped at the nearest window and looked out side her emerald pools following the movements of a dark haired boy

"Van" she whispered a tear cascading down her pale cheek

"Why Van?"

"Your awake" a voice cracked behind her sending her nerves into a fit of panic

"A...Anthony you scared me"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to" He apologized

"It's alright I'm just edgy I guess"

"No one expected you to be up yet you took a nasty fall"

"Don't remind me please" she whispered

"I'm sorry"

"You can stop apologizing Anthony you've done nothing wrong"

"Sorry, I mean um...... I mean alight" Hitomi gave a brief smile and embraced him

"Why can't there ever be peace for me. Chaos seems to effect everything I touch" She whimpered

"Nonsense Hitomi... That's nonsense" Anthony kissed her forehead and slowly led her down the hall supporting her fragile frame.

"Can I be alone a while?" She requested as they started to pass the garden entrance

"If that is what you want, but know that I'll be right by your side if you call for me"

"Thank you Anthony I...I appreciate it" she whispered softly to his retreating form the furry mess of dog following behind him. As soon as they disappeared into the shadows she clasped the brass knobs of the double doors and exited to the luscious gardens. Slowly she made her way to the figure sitting on the bridge over a near by creek his back to her, his legs dangling off the side. Occasionally he tossed a rock skipping it across the calm surface a look a self disgust and sadness lurking over his young features. Hitomi stood watching him for sometime before approaching the small crossing. Van's ears caught the slight creaking of the boards behind him and with a swift move he was on his feet facing his stalker. Hitomi shrieked and stumbled backwards loosing what balance she had and started to tumble to the ground. Van sprung forwards without thought and caught her in his strong arms supporting her small body. His face went from worry for her to fear of her as he remembered the events of the past morning. He stood her up quickly, checked to see if she could stand on her own before he started to sprint away as quickly as his feet could carry him.

"Stop, Van Stop!" she cried reaching out to his retreating form.

"Please!" she chocked dropping to her knees tears filling her eyes

"Please stop" she whispered bowing hear head in defeat, her small hand raised to her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. Two hands gripped her shoulders from in front of her and squeezed them softly.

"Are...Are you all right" A soft voice whispered. Hitomi raised her head slowly and found her self-starring into a pair of crimson pools. Her tears began to fall freely down her cheeks as she started to sob uncontrollably. She leaned forward clinging tightly to the figure in front of her.

"Van" she choked "I don't understand why you did it Van and I probably never will, but I know you and I know you didn't mean to hurt me. Please don't push me away it'll kill me if you do" To arms slowly encircled her and Vans face came to rest on her crown.

"I'm sorry" was the only words that escaped his lips as he tried to hold back tears of his own. He held her silently till her tears ran dry and the only sound to be heard was the soft beating of her heart.

Van walked quietly through the hall a lightweight treasure in his arms. Hitomi stirred slightly nuzzling herself deeper into his chest. Van smiled he was forgiven maybe now with time we could forgive himself.

AN: PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE, Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase review I need some support. I drop to my knees and beg, I'll even welcome flames with open arms. I thought I'd let the people who are reading my fic Dragon's of Myth and Legend that my 10th and final chapter is to be posted in just a few days so
I hope ya'll will read and review what you all thought of my fic as a whole. I hope you liked this chapter though it was short an pointless, I have been battling serious writers block.

Dragon Heart

E-Mail: Felix4jc@aol.com