Author's Note: It's been a long time since I wrote this fic… gomen if it sucks… sumimasen for posting it up late… I had to get some information for Van's flashback. For those who know that scene… yep… that's the last episode all right. For those who don't, that part can serve as a spoiler. Italicized words are character's thoughts. And C/C will be greatly appreciated. Reviews are always welcome! And uhh… I made this extra long because I'll be going on a vacation and I think I won't be able to type for a long time. If you review with your email there, I'll most probably email you when I'll post up the next chapters and even give you a teaser! But, that is of course, if you put your email address there. If you don't, well… too bad, you'll just have to be patient and wait! 

Many Thanks to dreamer18!!! Luv ya!!! I hope you enjoy college!

Chapter 9:  Internal Conflicts  By: Anne O. Nimus Same time: Hwang Ho's Room…

Hwang Ho is lying down on his bed, his arms folded under his head. He stares impassively at the ceiling. He then closes his eyes. A cool breeze caresses his cheeks as if the wind had its own hands. It calms his nerves down a bit. He gives out a sigh and slowly opens his eyes.

"Hitomi…"

Just then, a figure behind him starts to form gradually. Its silhouette stands still as the figure speaks.

"Hitomi? Isn't she the girl that Van guy likes?"

Hwang Ho makes tries to stay calm. "Go away Cauchon."

The figure acts surprised. "Why? Is that the way you treat a guest? Oh how rude…"

Hwang Ho sits up and starts walking towards the silhouette. "Are you a guest? If you are, why are you here?" It's obvious that Hwang Ho is losing his patience.

"Nothing. I just wanted to check on you. Isn't that what friends are for?" Cauchon answers coolly.

"Friend? Who or what told you we were friends? What in this big blue world gave you such an insane idea?" Hwang Ho raises his voice just enough to give Cauchon the idea that he is already angry.

"Ohhhh… why so touchy China boy? Is there a problem? Come on tell me. Si'l

vous plais?" Cauchon teases.

The next minute, Hwang Ho grabs Cauchon's collar and grips it tightly. He glares at Cauchon straight in the eyes as a red aura starts glowing around his body. His eyes start turning red as Cauchon gulps. "Look here Napoleon, I like my peace kept to myself and myself alone. Now if you don't go away, I will blow your head off just like a little balloon being popped by a tiny little pin and you will see your brain scattered all over the floor with your blood rushing out your neck like the Nile River and you would die such a horrible death that you would never ever want to experience in your life…ever! Now if you want to experience that kind of death, come on! Stay here for another second! I dare you…" Hwang Ho's voice was colder than steel and it was menacing. His eyes were red as blood and his aura was glowing like anything. Cauchon's expression is hidden behind the shadows. But it was obvious that he was shaking, scared like a little child being frightened by the thought of having the boogieman inside his closet, ready to jump out and get him.

Cauchon gulps and says meekly, "Okay…"

Hwang Ho releases him and Cauchon exits as quick as a lightning. The clouds in the sky started to part and the moonlight slowly entered Hwang Ho's room. His aura gradually starts fading away, as his eyes go back to its normal color. Then… silence envelopes him unhurriedly…

Fanelia… about the same time…

A person sighs. We can see that it is Van, who's in his usual position, which is lying down, on his usual resting place, which is the roof. He is looking at the Mystic Moon… almost… pensively. He sits up and slowly obtains something hanging from his neck. He looks at it in his hands. He held it carefully. It was Hitomi's necklace. He grasps it, closes his eyes and puts it near his heart.  Flashback:

They are by the grave of Folken and the Escaflowne is parked by the side of it.

 Van says, " Escaflowne should be kept asleep. My brother's wish was for a Fanelia...a Gaea...where no one would rely on it.... I want to see what that world's like."

Hitomi says in reply, "I want to see it with you, or can I? I like Gaea and Fanelia..."

Van smiles. "If you want it's fine with me."

Hitomi just looks up at him in return.

Van says, "But we can see each other anytime right? So long as our thoughts reach each other."

Hitomi starts tearing. "Van..."She holds up her necklace. "Here." Van takes her outstretched hand in his. "Keep it Van..." They hug each other. Hitomi says, "I won't forget u, even when I'm old, I'll never forget."

Van holds up his hand, the dragon-energist clenched in it, and a pillar of light surrounds them both.

As she's descending she calls out to Van,

" I won't forget you."

Van smiles,

"Hitomi..."  

~End of flashback~

He opens his eyes slowly and looks back up at the Mystic Moon, longingly, contemplatively, sadly…. He slowly turns to look at the pendant. He whispers despondently. "Hitomi…" He sighs and returns to his former position.

Hitomi's room…

The voice is gone now. I can't feel its presence anymore. Hitomi wipes away her tears and looks at her surroundings. She laid her hands on the table and buries her head on her hands. She was tired from all of the events that happened that day: from that surprise of Hwang Ho, to this very minute. It's just too much for her. She just can't bear all of it at the same time. Now… she is confused. She does not know how or even what to feel. Should she feel joy because her dream of being able to go to the Great Wall has now been reached? Or should she feel grief, for she can't be there, in Gaea, to protect her one and only love? All in all, she was just plain tired. Tired from the trip, tired from the voice that keeps bugging her, tired of everything!  She decides to change in her sleeping garments and proceed to her soft, beautiful big bed, the only thing that can ease her exhaustion. Just then

Knock! Knock!

"Who is it?" Hitomi answers, her voice still shaking from crying.

"Hitomi, its me, your mother. Is everything okay?" Hitomi walks towards the door and opens it. She lets her mom in. "What's wrong dear? It looks like you just came from crying…" Her mom says with a worried look on her face.

"I…I…it's nothing mom. I'm just… exhausted from the days events… that's all…" Hitomi says, smiling weakly. A tear escapes her left eye. 

"Oh Hitomi… have you been crying? What's the matter? You know I can help you." Hitomi's mom says. She gave her daughter that motherly touch that seems to comfort everyone or anyone for that matter.

Hitomi, seeing the worried look on her mother's face, reassures her mom, "No mom, there's nothing to worry about. I'm just *yawn* sleepy… that's all…"

Her mom then gives up. "Okay, Hitomi… But be sure to get enough rest, you hear? You look extremely tired. Come now, go to your bed and I will tuck you in."

"No--- mom--- I--- but----" Hitomi tries to retaliate what her mom just said, but to no avail.

"Hitomi, I insist. I want to see you go to sleep. I want to make sure that you rest. Go change to your sleeping attire."

Hotomi sighs. After she has changed, she went to her bed and lay down. She was relieved for a while. Just then, her mother comes and tucks her in. She sits beside her strokes Hitomi's hair and says,  "Don't stress your self out too much, okay? You know how much I get worried when I see you like that. You're my eldest, and only daughter. And, I don't want to lose you. If you need help, I'm always here, ready to help you. Don't hesitate to ask me anything. Okay?" Hitomi gives her a nod and closes her eyes. In less than a minute, Hitomi falls asleep. Mrs. Kanzaki kisses Hitomi's forehead and then caresses Hitomi's cheeks. "Goodnight Hitomi. Sweet dreams." She smiles, and then leaves Hitomi's room, closing the door as quietly, as she can.

It was already eight in the morning when Hitomi was awaken by a loud knock on her door. She gets up, rubs her eyes, and does some stretches, yawns and then proceeds to open the door. She smiles as she sees the person who knocked. "Hwang Ho!"

"Bonjour Mademoiselle Hitomi!" Hwang Ho says as he smiles back and enters the room. At the back of his head he says, "Why did I just speak French?! $h**?! Damn that French guy!"  But then again, he manages to keep his smile.

"So, what do we have for today, Hwang Ho?"

"The usual. Fruits and some juice." Hwang Ho starts setting up the table. Hitomi sits down and patiently waits for Hwang Ho to finish.

"So… do you have any plans for today?" She said as Hwang Ho takes a seat.

"No." Hwang ho said without hesitation. He eyes Hitomi playfully. "Why? You expect me to have a surprise for you huh?"

Hitomi was surprised and speechless. "Uuuuuh… no, no, no… Of course not! I just… uhh… thought you might…. Uhm… have another crazy plan. Yeah… 'cause you seem so unpredictable sometimes. Not that it's bad or anything… uhh… your just… full of surprises that's all…" Hitomi answered nervously.

"Really now? I'm full of surprises? That's a new one." Hwang Ho says with a smile playing on his lips. He stands up and goes behind the chair of Hitomi. Hitomi follows him with her eyes. He leans towards Hitomi and whispers gently, "You know Hitomi… I do have a surprise for you… take a look at this…" He moves his left hand towards Hitomi's side. His hand was cupped and held… air.

Hitomi tries not to giggle. She gives him a smile. "Hwang Ho! You're not holding anything!"

Hwang Ho acts as if he was taken aback from Hitomi's reaction. He gasps. "Hitomi! I… I never knew… it hurts… it hurts so much… oh the pain! The truth does hurt!" Hwang Ho does this funny expression with his playful and amusing acting. Hitomi giggles as she watches her friend continue performing. Hwang Ho goes on speaking, "You… you're just like the…. The emperor in that story… The Emperor's New Clothes? I'm sure you know that story…. That only means one thing… you… you're obtuse!"

Hitomi starts giggling. "Hwang Ho! Stop it! I can't stop laughing!"

He breaks out a smile. "So, did I make your day?"

"Of course you did! You were so funny!" Hitomi says, still laughing heartily.                

"But, then, Hitomi, look beyond what you can see. Try to see the invisible." He kneels down, still with his hand cupped, as he looks at Hitomi, straight in the eyes.

Hitomi looks at the empty hand questioningly. "I really can't see anything… What is he trying to say?" 

Somewhere in Beijing… same time…

Gerlain and Cauchon are staying in a coffee shop. They are having their breakfast there.

Cauchon speaks up first. "Gerlain, that bellboy of yours? I don't like him. The minute I saw him, I told myself 'this guy is nuts! He can't be trusted!'. I suggest we continue the mission by ourselves. Three's a crowd you know…"

Gerlain scoffs and snickers. "You're just saying that because he almost killed you last night."

Cauchon was taken aback. He stammers. "O… Of course not! I have this ability to tell if a person can be trusted or not! And I say-"

"You know Cauchon… if I were to take out one person from this group… it would be you. You're nothing but a weak, pathetic and distorted rodent." Gerlain interrupts Cauchon.

"Then why did you get me in the first place? To mock me? That's just downright low of you." Cauchon says, glaring at the German.

"Why did I get you? To give you some use in this world of course! Besides, the more, the merrier. I wanted to share some poor soul like you, the feeling of glory." Gerlain takes a sip out of his brewed coffee.

Cauchon sighs. "Fine, fine, fine. Just remind me once again, why are we going to attack Fanelia?"

"So that people from earth, will not suffer the pain that I, Hitomi and Hwang Ho experienced. We are not war freaks. We are peace-loving people. We care about our fellow citizens here on Earth. We are doing this for their sake. By destroying Fanelia, the people of earth will live a better life, knowing that they will not get sucked in by a mysterious red light and be brought to some place they do not know, which eventually makes their family and friends worry here on earth, while that person, that person in Fanelia will wander about and think of a way to get back to his motherland. We will end all of this Cauchon. We will end all of this…" Gerlain's eyes show his ardor for the mission at hand.

Hitomi's room…

Hwang Ho smiles at Hitomi. "You're not trying hard enough Hitomi. C'mon, try once more. This is your last chance."

Hitomi breathes in. "Okay… let me see… you're holding… oxygen. What is he trying to do? Make fun of me? No… I'm sure he's not like that…"

Hwang Ho shakes his head from left to right smiling. "Nice try Hitomi. But before I tell you what it is I'm holding, imagine that there is a cup of rice sitting on my hand now."

Hitomi does as she is told. "Okay… now what?"

"Try feeling the top of the rice."

"Like this?" Hitomi puts her hand on top of Hwang Ho's empty hand. 

"That's just fine. Now, what do you feel?"  

Hitomi smiles. "Nothing. What's there to feel?"

Hwang Ho smiles back. "No, Hitomi not physically. Emotionally."

"Oh. I feel quite contented… and very suspicious." She eyes Hwang Ho playfully.

Hwang Ho, in return gives her his… smile. "But, overall Hitomi, if you were to gather all your emotions together, would you say that you're sad?"

"Oh no… well… not really sad… I'd say that… I would be longing for… something." Hitomi looks down.

Hwang Ho gets up, his hand still cupped. "That's why, I brought you this." He "sprinkles" something on Hitomi's head. "Happiness." A smile is plastered on his face.

Author's note: Is the plot clearer now? Hopefully it is… uhh… also, is this format better? It's easier to do. Hopefully you understand the story. Sumimasen again for posting this chapter up so late. And standard disclaimers apply. (You know I don't own Escaflowne, ne? I only own my own characters and the plot!) Oh yeah, I almost forgot… don't mind the past author's notes… this is a very old story… so don't mind the PAST A/N's okay? Thank you very much!