Disclaimer: Don't own it you know it I own the characters I add and the plot line that's all

A/N enjoy

The rumbling grew, waves crashing against the shore that's what it was. Rapidly descending to the shore, only these were not water. The kitchen burst into flames, Escaflowne locked safely in the sanctuary not to be disturbed. He was helpless. It started again the low rumble. The fearful noise growing with each second like the pounding of drums. A warning of oncoming danger. Van helplessly organized his men to get the flames out. An old heart wrenching fear rose in his gut. The one buried deep inside his chest. The fear of fire. An enemy not so easily defeated.

Hot red flames licked at the air taunting him. 'Come and get me' they screamed. Van left the men to the hypnotizing flames to check the rest of his castle. Leather boots clashed violently against the stone as the pounding neared the rooms. Reaching the wing his worst fear bit out to stare him in the face. The blazing heat teased his feet sending him stumbling back a few feet. Screams erupted from the rooms.

"Quick down to the gardens!!!" his deep voice roared out orders to the maids and nobles within the castle

Women and Men peered out their doors and burst into a run at their King's order. No guards were presenting themselves yet and Van began to worry that the flames would spread too quickly. He turned on his heels to fetch some men to help when a painful whimper froze him in mid step.

Soon the sickening smell of singed fur reached his nose. Rubies grew in horror at the realization that something was terribly wrong. After the deafening time span of only the crackle and spit of monstrous flames the sound erupted.

"Van-Sama!!!!"

His stomach did a flip-flop "No please No" Van chided himself for starting to hallucinate at a time like this.

"Van-Sama!! Help!!"

No this wasn't a hallucination it was unfortunately real. "Gods no" he slowly turned on his heel to see a struggling Merle engulfed in the source of the flames.

A slimy gecko had his arms tightly wrapped around her body and was holding her in the fire. His silver eyes glistened in the flickering light, an evil glint that sent Van into a rage. The slimly intruder jumped out the window throwing the injured Merle sprawling to the ground. Tears streamed down the cat girls face as she stumbled to her feet. Every body part shook violently as she forced herself to stand. The intense heat was too much for her and she collapsed drenched in sweat.

Maybe if it weren't for the unbearable pain searing through her shoulder Merle could have jumped through the flames only slightly burnt. But she couldn't. There protruding from her shoulder was a flaming hot arrow. She could feel the fire leaking into her muscle sending tears to her eyes.

"Van……sama…" the cat girl gave out a whimpered plea for her brother before she passed out.

"Merle!!!!"

The arrow stuck out of her flesh sending shivers through his body, there was no way to get to her. The fire was eating everything in its way. Sheathing his sword he gritted his teeth preparing for the severe pain that was about to seep into his body. Shreds of red cloth fell scattered on the ground. Miraculous white wings spread across the hall.

Grunting Van lifted his body into the air trying desperately to avoid the snapping flames. He resisted the urge to cry out in pain as the leather of his boots began to melt to his feet due to the blazing fury below. He reached the middle his oxygen almost gone. Luckily where Merle lie in anguish was not covered in flames. Fluttering down to the ground Merle's breath began to quicken.

"Van….V-van…"

Pain seized him as the tiny jewels of white caught on fire. Quickly Van drew his wings into his back. The area was to small to spread his wings. This situation was looking grimmer by the moment. Carefully Van lifted Merle into his arms. He felt the tears slide down his face as her body began to violently shake with pain. Grimacing at the on coming pain he spread his angel wings again. The tips immediately caught on fire. His feathers started falling to the ground in ashes, faster than he had anticipated. The searing pain was too much but the defiant Van spread what was left of his wings and shakily flew over the flames. Sweat was pouring down his face by the time ground came to view. Merle wasn't looking much better, already he had to put out flames that appeared on her fur, slowing down his travel time.

Van clumsily stumbled to the ground his burnt wings only retaining maybe 50 feathers if he was lucky. Somehow he managed to lie Merle on the ground before his knees gave way to the pain and his body cried out in mercy. Merle managed to watch as her brother retracted his shredded and burnt wings. His pants were smoking cloth and his boots were a horrible sight in itself. She couldn't bare to watch as his body wearily fell to the floor.

Hastily she jerked her head to the right, but upon focusing her sight she wished she hadn't. Three slimy geckos were slowly creeping their way over to her. Their evil smiles gripped her heart. Helplessly she forced her head back over to her most likely dead brother. It was all because of her! She couldn't stand it. Focusing on the limp body she gasped as it began to move. Slowly as a shudder then shakily Van pushed himself off the ground. Involuntary crystal droplets streamed down his ash-covered cheeks.

He was obviously suffering a lot worse than her, yet he was standing, barely, but still. The undesirably horrifying creatures were inching closer to her flinching body. Van was trying to get to her side faster, sword in hand. One of the slimy geckos raised his bow and arrow aiming at Van's stomach. Van didn't move he just stared at the creatures. Another raised a cross bow and pointed the tip to Merle his smirk had her worried. All in one flick both arrows released. Van managed to glance the arrow and receive only a long gash across his side. However Merle hollered in pain as another steaming arrow sunk into her free shoulder.

The shriek escaped her lips, it was enough to render Van to the ground. The cries just poured from her throat. Van threw himself forward desperately struggling to reach his sister. Painfully one by one he struck them down. Guards raced up the stairs just as Van's sword slipped from his hand.

"Merle…" the guards raced to catch the King the other half rushing to Merle's side.



Hitomi squirmed in her seat as Van told his story. He stopped after the first She was curious as to what was going on now but was reluctant to push Van for any information. Hesitant eyes wandered up to Hitomi's face, his pale complection had Hitomi worried but she just sat there.

"The next day I learned that we were not the only one's attacked. Asturia's market was in flames and injured were scattered over the pavement. Freid's dock and most of its cargo were sent into blazes. Random other countries were forced into fire with many causalities."

Hitomi's mind stopped working. Everything had been attacked!!! This wasn't happening her heart started speeding up with each word from Van's pale lips. His head hanging over his knees as if he were sick didn't help.

His shallow breathing only increased her worry.

"Word was sent from Asturia. Allen was last seen fighting a large group of geckos, and is now in jail. Cheid is safe, Celena was in Freid at the time and got him to safety."

"Allen's in jail?! How did he get there? And you still haven't told me where Merle is?" Hitomi was now frantic as she gripped the chair for support as Van continued avoiding his comrades whereabouts.

"Things have only detiorated since then. These geckos's appear out of nowhere and attack about every week. There are so many, the kingdoms are in a state of shock. Millerna and Dryden are managing, however Millerna is pregnant. She can't do much although I'm sure she tries. Gaddes is the acting captain of the Crusade, he is leading the search party for Merle and Allen. Several small countries have been completely destroyed. These gecko's" Van spat in anger "Are slowly taking out each country on Gaia's Peace Treaty, one by one. Even Zaibach has been attacked."

His rubies bore into Hitomi's emeralds " Hitomi…it's not safe….please go back to the mystic moon."

"Van….I.."

"Hitomi please I don't want to send you back myself go please"

Van's eyes pleaded with Hitomi 'Looks like I'll send her myself..if she uncovers the lies….then..' his mind didn't finish the sentence he didn't want to think on that

"Van Fanel you can not send me back! I have a right to be here! I don't want to be caught in another war but I won't leave now! Not when my friends are in trouble!"

"Hitomi this isn't a request! You are going back!"

Hitomi couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You may be King over your people but not me! I'm staying!"

"No you are not!" he retorted

"Fine then I'll leave and go to Asturia!"

"Over my dead body!!" Van roared "Hitomi please! I don't want you to get hurt! Please go back"

"No Van" Hitomi's voice had settled to a low growl

"Hitomi this war is different. I haven't told you everything and I don't intend to tell you. Fanelia is not safe, leave at once."

Hitomi was in shock. Van wasn't supposed to tell her to leave right when she got there. He was supposed to hug her and smile. Tell her he missed her and take her on a tour of Fanelia and then have a picnic in the gardens. She was supposed to laugh with Merle and run through halls of the rebuilt castle. Instead Van if possible had grown bitter and was yelling at her to return home.

And she still couldn't put her finger on it but he was hiding something. She could see it, and like he said he was determined not to tell her. It was unnerving to say the least.

"Fine Van I'll leave, you want me to go! Fine I'll go! In fact I wish I had never come back! You are yelling at me! Telling me to go home! This wasn't supposed to happen! My lonely apartment was better than this!"

"Hitomi it's just that…I-I"

"No Van I don't want hear it. Send me back, I need to take care of that thief anyways." Hitomi was sucking in all the information she had just received. This certainly wasn't her dream return.

"Thief?" Van asked his face reflecting concern

"Not that you would care just send me back home" Hitomi snapped

"Hitomi you can come back as soon as it's over" Van comforted

Hitomi's glare sent Van a new wave of guilt.

"H-Hitomi.."

"Shut up and send me home."

Van was hurt to say the least that Hitomi had told him to shut up. But he was being a jerk about it, he knew it. It just couldn't be helped if she stayed, she would get drawn into the big picture and there was no way he wanted that to happen.

So bowing his head in defeat Van weakly smiled at her. Hitomi gave him a defiant snort and turned around to have her back facing him. Wincing Van raised the pendant off his neck and started concentrating on the blue pillar of light. He concentrated on Hitomi going far away, far away where she would be safe. The faint flow began to pulsate from the pink jewel.

"Lord Van!!! Hurry they're here!!" guards voices and cries erupted from the silence of the night.

"No" Van whispered

Hitomi whipped her head around. Van looked truly in pain he wanted her safe. He hadn't meant to yell, the stress was just finally breaking him. She could see it and now that she had argued with him it was too late and she was too weak to do anything. This wasn't good.

The familiar red glow began to surround the castle the smell of rich smoke reaching their noses.

"Van….I'm sorry I should….. have listened"

Van just looked at her his emotions swirling around in his eyes. He knew she meant well but darn the girl she had screwed up everything now. Van frustratingly stomped his foot on the stone.

"Oh Hitomi it's too late now, now you've done it. You're stuck again." A few disgruntled sighs escaped Van's lips.

Hitomi lie there in confusion. This definitely wasn't supposed to go like this.

Giving out a final growl Van turned to Hitomi.

"Well you wanted to stay. So be it, Welcome back to Gaia Hitomi this is the year of the serpent. War of their decedents"

Hitomi scrunched her brows in confusion.

"Van why are you making this sound so complicated"

"Because Hitomi, if you only knew" he sighed running his gloved hand through his raven locks.

Van shifted his gaze to the glowing window. Hitomi scooted over to the little opening and pushed herself up to view the city. Gasping in horror Hitomi took in the sight. Flames licked houses and cackled as they fell to ashes. Screams filled the streets and evil laughs were thrown in the night by the black shadows she could see hopping around from house to house.

Tears threatened her and she felt her body shudder in utter horror.

"Van…." Quietly she called for him. She had forgotten his yelling, his anger, and rudeness, she just wanted him to hold her. The fear was more than she could bear. It was another war. Another one.

Van felt on the verge of tears himself. Shifting his feet he slowly made his way over to the bed and slipped down onto the sheets. Crawling over to Hitomi he gently wrapped her in his embrace. Now this, she thought. This was how it was supposed to be.

"It's okay Hitomi…..I won't let you get in this one…ssshhhh…it'll be better by the morning" Van carefully caressed her cheek rocking her back and forth.

The screams drifted away and Hitomi sunk into his chest. For a moment it was pure bliss as she thought maybe she imagined the fire and geckos and screams. Van's field smell surrounded her sending all the horrible images away. She felt his arms tighten though and looked up to see his eyes battling rage and silence. Following his gaze to the door she knew this wasn't a dream. There, silently cackling stood two gecko's crossbows in hand.

This wasn't a dream. It was another war, one that Van had tried to get her out of. Foolish girl that she was though , she argued. And now Hitomi's delicate fingers clutched to Van's shirt as she remembered what he had said.

"Welcome back to Gaia Year of the Serpent. War of their decedents."

A/N yea I'm sorry this chapter is short and just kinda talk please review and tell me what you think.