Disclaimer: Don't own Escaflowne

A/N Thanks to all you people reviewing I love it!!!



Hitomi lightly shook her aching head back and forth to clear her vision. Groaning at the sharp pain she received after sitting up. Carefully scanning the room Hitomi found Allen leaning in a corner staring at her. His features were twisted in pain.

"Allen?" Hitomi almost whispered, "What's wrong?"

Allen blinked his glassy orbs a time or two then focused on Hitomi.

"Just thinking" his melancholy voice floated to her

"About?" she inquired

Allen hesitated and then crossed his muscular arms over his chest. "Van and Fanelia"

Hitomi winced in sadness at the mention of Van and crashed against her pillows sinking into her depression again. Van… she hadn't believed him and now he was beyond her reach. The awful thought of Van lying in a grave next to his brother sent chills down Hitomi's spine. Hitomi began to shake as the horrid thoughts and scenes of Van dead raced through her mind. Tiny droplets of crystal salt water loitered down her cheeks while she allowed the heart wrenching thoughts plague her. She had betrayed him, not the other way around and oh how it hurt. The words she had screamed the things she accused him of the anger she had felt all dissipated and reversed course hitting her full force. She was the one deserving to be on the receiving end not the young King. Hitomi felt the muscles in her stomach tense and relax several times and she had the feeling she might throw up. Allen made his way to the side of Hitomi's bed.

"Hitomi I know you're not feeling the best right now but I'm sure Merle would love to see you, it would mean a lot to her right now" Allen's soft voice comforted 'More like it will mean the world to Van' he smirked to himself

Hitomi turned to face him and gave a half smile "Of course I'll go see Merle!" the thought of seeing Merle was relieving and she had missed the cat girl.

"Good we leave this afternoon I'll drop you off at Fanelia and then I have to head out again. Diplomatic Relations and stuff" he smiled

Hitomi just nodded and hugged her blankets again. Allen gently closed the door behind him and left Hitomi to get dressed. A few hours into the morning Hitomi emerged from her room and gripped the railings as she trudged down the palace's vast stairs. Cheid, Celena, Millerna and Dryden were at the bottom waiting for her. Grim and faint smiles were her only greeting. Everyone had the far off regretful look in their eyes knowing they had distrusted and betrayed a dear friend. Hitomi almost tripped on the hem of her dress, Millerna had finally talked her into wearing one. It was plain and green. The silk fabric caressed the floor as she moved and the long sleeves clung to her arms stopping at the wrist. The material matched her eyes and a small V-neck revealed the skin around her collarbone. It was plain and simple probably the only reason Hitomi had relented and wore the dress however she had the idea if Millerna had approached her with the idea this morning of wearing the fanciest dress in Asturia she would have conceded. Her very soul just didn't have the stamina to argue or even talk today. Likewise with her comrades.

Celena sauntered over to Hitomi in her leather pants and blue shirt. Her trusty sword lay belted against her hips but the lively spark that seemed to radiate from the young warrior was gone. Her golden curls were bound in a ponytail and her stature seemed to slump as she walked.

"My brother…" Celena stopped seeming to choke on her words and then began again,

"My brother says to tell you we're leaving early" the escaped words came out in a gentle whisper.

Hitomi merely nodded and motioned for Celena to lead the way, she had nothing to carry with her. Millerna silently walked up and hugged her good bye letting a few stray tears escape onto Hitomi's shoulder. Cheid only frowned trying to maintain his regal position but failed when Hitomi wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"Tell Merle I'm so very sorry" the boy whispered shuddering at the thought

"Don't worry she'll understand" Hitomi assured

Cheid nodded and released Hitomi. Dryden approached her and pulled her into a hug.

"Please give my regards to Merle….and" Dryden's voice cracked he sounded on the verge of crying himself "tell her I just didn't know I'm sorry and I just didn't know" Hitomi nodded and hugged him back.

Celena wearily waved to everyone and led Hitomi to Allen's recovered Crusade. The ship would make travel quicker and easier. Hitomi didn't remember much after watching the faces of her friends disappear. Allen ushered Hitomi and Celena to their rooms and left them their thoughts. But after the click of her small door sounded Hitomi felt the room swim again. Luckily she made it to the bed before her vision blacked out, her only thought being "I didn't believe him"



Van slid into the shadows for the 3rd time in the past two days. Another gecko had slipped into his room looking for evidence of the King's death. They had heard that he was being kept in the room and obviously King Perlis was intent of making sure Van was indeed dead. The snake like creature slithered in and around furniture searching the darkness for the young King's body. Van silently unsheathed his sword clinging to the shadows surrounding him. Moving with the darkness as his passing cloak Van snuck up behind the creature and let his precious sword fly. The creature slumped to the ground. It was shocked at first as it's shiny glass eyes bore into the gaze of the supposedly dead King. Van cleaned his sword and re-sheathed it once the gecko's eyes slid closed taking its last jagged breath. Another one, he groaned, he would never get any sleep. King Perlis was surely suspicious by now since none of his messengers had returned. Hiding the gecko's remains under a blanket behind his couch Van crawled back into bed. In the morning Merle would take care of it.

……….

Van felt the warm rays of sunlight dance across his face and smiled at the small joy the morning was bringing. Quickly the young monarch scanned the room for any more messengers to dispose of and sighed in relief when he found the room void of geckos. However at the foot of his bed curled in a ball he found his sister purring resting her head on his legs. He smiled at the second pleasant sight he received that morning but frowned when he realized he had moved and Merle was now shifting due to his disturbance.

"Sorry" he gently called down to the cat girl

Merle's flexible limbs stretched and she yawned sitting up in the bed. Smiling at him she just shrugged her shoulders.

"It's ok I need to get up anyways, man Van-sama you didn't tell me how hard this being the ruler thing is"

Van couldn't help but chuckle, Merle scowled and he just leaned back against his pillows resting his head on his folded arms. "It has its ups and downs"

"Van-Sama Allen should be back today or sometime tomorrow morning"

"Good he can tell me how it went in Asturia"

"Do you suppose he brought Hitomi back?" Merle was fidgeting with her hair and nervously gazing at Van and then the window.

"He might have" Van sighed

"Should…S-Should I bring her to you?"

The silence blazed in the room for what acted as an eternity. Van battled with the thought tossing around the idea of seeing Hitomi and keeping her at a distance until this was over.

"I don't know Merle, I really don't know," he admitted

"I'll think about it Van-Sama don't worry I'm Queen now remember" Merle winked and jumped off the bed. Striding to the door she stopped and turned to Van one last time.

"She didn't know Van-Sama I hope you can remember that"

Van just threw Merle a half smile and pulled the covers back over his body to head back into the land of dreams.

….

Merle fidgeted with her nails as the council continued blabbing about this and that it was the same old junk as usual, this time some had voted to raise taxes. Merle had flashed her needle like claws at the old man, he immediately trashed the idea. Merle was now digging her claws into the sturdy oak table. The council was actually suggesting she find a husband, they were badgering her into getting married. These men sure did have guts and Merle almost laughed once she realized how poor Van-Sama must have felt when the council would lead endless discussions on the finer points of getting married. The council room doors swung open and a squire scurried into the room and up to Merle.

"Queen Merle Sir Allen Head of Fanelia's Diplomatic Relations is here and should arrive in the room any moment."

Merle retracted her claws and glared at every single man surrounding the long table. The council members shrunk into their chairs and cowered at Merle's frown.

"You're saved," she hissed

Every head turned to the doorway at the muffled laugh coming from the tall knight as he soaked in the scene.

"Allen!" Merle smiled standing up and running to give him a hug.

"They are actually trying to marry me off! Already!" Merle screeched pointing to the grumbling council

This caused Allen to laugh again "Maybe after the war guys give your new Queen a break"

Slowly the grumbles subsided and Merle released her grip on Allen.

"Merle I have someone to see you"

"Hitomi!" Merle screamed

Allen nodded his head "She's down in the garden with Celena"

Merle started for the door but was stopped by the persistent voice of the council "Your Majesty we still have matters to discuss"

Merle turned and growled at the council "Later" she stated

"But Queen Merle I insist tha-….."

"Later!" Merle stated again and headed for the nearest exit.

Allen just smiled and followed the bouncy cat queen. Merle raced down the stairs Allen's boots not far behind. When she burst through the kitchen doors into the garden she was disappointed to see nothing. A minute or two later Allen came up behind her.

"Allen where are they?" she asked straightening her dress

"Celena! Hitomi! Where are you two!"

"Hitomi!!!" Merle called "It's Merle!! Hitomi where are you!!"

"Lady Merle?" came a meek voice from behind the two

"Yes" Merle said politely facing the maid

"If you're looking for Lady Hitomi and Lady Celena they aren't in the garden milady"

"Where are they?" Merle asked quizzically

"They were considering visiting Van's grave" Merle froze, "But they found out Van was lying in his room and headed there about 5 minutes ago"

Merle and Allen stiffened and felt their skin crawl. Merle's head snapped to face Allen.

"This is not a good thing"

Allen shook his head and broke into a dead run Merle racing on all fours right by his side. Screams were heard as maids dropped their plates and guards cursed questioning what had just brushed against them but Allen and Merle kept running knocking vases here and there. Merle dug her claws into the floor as she made a sharp right and entered the royal wing, Allen right behind her. The queen's hair stood on end as she gazed on the open door at the end of the hall. No guards were in sight, that was good, but if they didn't get Celena and Hitomi quiet soon they would be in trouble. The two took off again and burst through the open door. The room was eerily silent and Merle couldn't make out any movement. Merle jumped up onto her feet and peered around the room. All the shades were pulled tight and the only light came from miniature rays of golden sunshine escaping through cracks against the shades. In other words the room was purged into darkness.

"Van-Sama" Merle called out softly

"Merle is that you?" came a muffled voice

"Yes Van-Sama where are you!" she demanded

Van stepped out from behind his couch and re-sheathed his sword.

"What were you doing there and why is your door open?" Allen asked

"Somebody tried to come in but the guards stopped them and escorted them downstairs."

"It was pro-…" Allen stopped short as the stern voice of Hitomi traveled to his ears.

"I don't care if nobody is allowed in there!! I'm going in!" Hitomi sounded angry

"Is that Hitomi?" Van whispered

"Yes" Merle replied

The three stiffened as they heard the sting of steel ringing through the air. "Let the lady through gentleman"

"Lady Celena I'm s-sorry b-but I can't do t-that Lady M-Merle said no o-one can e-enter"

"We'll talk to Merle later now move!" Hitomi ordered

"I'm afraid we can't do that Lady"

Merle and Allen snuck out of the room and shut the door behind them.

"Gentlemen put away those swords!" Allen boomed

The guards spun and found Allen glaring at them.

"I'm sorry Lord Schezar but they came at us we had to defend ourselves"

"Very well it is over now so put away your swords" he growled

The guards complied and re-sheathed their swords.

"Merle!" Hitomi called

Merle smiled and pounced over to Hitomi squeezing her, "Hitomi!!! I'm so glad you're here!!!" Hitomi for the first time in a couple of days smiled hugging her close friend. Merle let go and hugged Celena.

"Hi Celena!" Celena hugged her back with a "Hello Merle"

Merle dropped from Celena and waved the guards away "Gentleman you are relieved thank you we'll take care of it"

The guards bowed and fled down the stairs. Merle's smiled faded and she backed up next to Allen. Celena and Hitomi looked confused for a minute until Merle turned and headed towards Van's room.

"I'm showing them Allen"

Allen nodded his head "I was about to suggest the same thing"

"Show us what?" Celena questioned

"Van" Merle stated

"Oh," Hitomi's voice faded into the distance again.

"Come on Hitomi it won't be as bad as you think" Merle curled her arm around Hitomi's and led the girl to Van's door. There was awkward silence as Hitomi hovered in front of Van's door. After a goodly while she twisted the bronze knob and let the door creak open. Merle stepped in first jumping on the couch smiling. Hitomi stood there desolate gazing into the dark room.

"Merle are they gone?"

Hitomi took a step back followed by another until she ran into the wall behind her. Four words. Those four words had sent her world into a loop again for the third time this week she was sent into a confused abyss. Allen walked into the room and began jerking back the shades.

"Get some light in here Van"

"There have been three attempts on my life this week"

"Quit complaining you have guests and I think they are about to scream." Allen said turning to face the doorway.

Celena was next to the couch staring at Van, her bright blue eyes were growing with every passing second and Van was sure they would soon pop out of her head.

"I'm so sorry" she whispered

Van just smiled "You didn't know"

With that Celena ran up and wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. After a minute or two as her senses began to reel back she jerked away and glared at him.

"You're dead!" she screeched

"Hey not so loud!" Allen hushed

"Actually as far as anyone is concerned I am dead" Van stated, Celena got the hint and just nodded

"I can see the logic"

"I'll reappear after the war" he said turning to doorway, "Where did Merle go?" he questioned

"To help a friend" Merle's strained voice sounded from the hallway.

Seconds later Merle was helping a stunned and crying Hitomi. Merle hugged her and helped steady the shaking Hitomi. Van was about to say something but bit his lip at the sight of Hitomi. He felt his heart twist and turn as his eyes took the liberty of gazing at her up and down. She was wearing a dress, at first he was stunned but realized it didn't matter what she wore he still saw her as the most beautiful angel on Gaea. When his eyes met her emerald orbs he felt his spine straighten and his body stiffen.

"I have to check on the crusade, good to see you Van off to fix your problems" Allen smiled and ushered Celena out of the room

"Hey I'm Queen for now, have a meeting to get back to marriage suggestions to shred all that stuff" and with that Merle bounced out of the room shutting the door behind her.

Hitomi just stood there her arms slightly shaking, the tiny droplets caressing her cheek in their decent . Van didn't know what to say she had been caught up in the middle of another ugly battle and she had been hurt.

"You're n-not….n-not dead" she stuttered feeling her knees buckle

"No it was a small lie to get the countries back on Fanelia's side. Maybe their tempers will have cooled by the time King Perlis is dead to let me explain myself."

Hitomi just nodded and winced as she felt her knees snap and her body crash to the floor. Van raced to her side pulled her into his arms. It took a few seconds for Hitomi to regain somewhat of a composure. Once her mind shuffled out the fact that Van was still alive and he was holding her she broke into full-fledged tears. Her frail arms curled around his neck and she clung to him.

"Van I'm so sorry! I was scared and I didn't trust you! I'm so sorry I don't blame you if you never trust me again I'm just so sorry" she sobbed into his shirt and gripped his shirt vigorously trying to subdue the shakes. Once her eyes and stopped pouring rivers and she was able to listen to her surroundings she found Van rocking her. He had his strong comforting arms cradling her and he was clinging to her just as tightly as she was to him. He had his face buried in her neck whispering "Shush It's ok now Hitomi"

Hitomi felt her delicate fingers grip his shirt into clumps as she continued to cling to him. The thought of him betraying her and angered her and sent a crack down her heart the size of the Grand Canyon. Finding him dead and that he was in the innocent had shattered her heart sending the slivers to the very darkest regions of her soul. Seeing him alive and in her arms was more than she could handle. There was no heart to break, no shred of common sense to cut or anger to rage just pain. And an immense amount at that. Hitomi winced as she felt the slightly visible slivers of her heart reappear as he continued to hold her and rock her in barely lit room.

"Hitomi" Van's soft whispered tickled her neck

"I know this isn't the best time but I've lost you more times than I care to think about"

Hitomi lifted her head and shifted her tear stained face to gaze upon his.

"I love you Hitomi, I can't bring the words to express it and I just needed you to know. I love you Hitomi Kanzaki, more than you'll ever know"

Hitomi's eyes glazed over again and her slowly healing heart sped up the process. Hitomi tried to speak but she couldn't do it. Her lips refused to let words pass, the shocks she had received this week were traumatizing and her body was slowly refusing to answer her calls. Thankfully it listened to one and Hitomi leaned up to let her salt covered lips brush up against Van's. At first Van just sat there in disbelief but it didn't take him long to respond. As Hitomi's lips started to retreat Van realized what was going on and leaned forward capturing her mouth again. Hitomi pushed up against Van and let him tighten his grip. It wasn't long before her body began to beg for air and Hitomi reluctantly pulled her lips away breathing heavily against Van's neck where she settled her head. Once her breath caught up to her she leaned against Van's head and whispered in his ear.

"I love you too Van"

Van's heart leapt about 2 miles high before he gazed back down at his angel. He didn't have the words to tell her how he felt to he let his head fall back down and rest his lips against hers. Hitomi was eager in receiving and smiled against his mouth. Something was actually going right and for a while he head was in the clouds as she sat enthralled at Van's touch. Hitomi was smiling and kissing when the world came crashing to again. Van gently pulled away not for a lack of air this time but for the steel tapping his neck. Hitomi felt Van's grip intensify and she felt the need to scream for air but as her eyes focused on Van's path she shuddered and found her self clinging against Van even with his impenetrable grip.

"Well Well looky what I found, the Dragon lives and his angel rests with him how touching" the snake like voice traveled through the empty room. The gecko snarled tapping Van's neck with the sword again.

"This is very good, very good indeed" it hissed

Hitomi became sick again the cold steel was running along her arm as the gecko circled the pair huddled in their vulnerable position on the floor. Van was sitting with Hitomi cradled in his arms leaving him wide open to an attack. However just as the sword made it to Hitomi's elbow Van smacked it away defiantly glaring at the gecko.

"Don't touch her" Van warned his angry rubies burning a hole in the gecko's face

"And he's protective too" the gecko taunted

"She would make a nice prize for King Perlis I'm sure he'd take a liking to her"

"Over my dead body" Van growled

"That should have been arranged a while ago your majesty"

"Don't touch her" Van warned again

The gecko raised his eyebrow and turned to Hitomi smirking "So angel how about you come with me?" he asked

Hitomi glared at the gecko but froze as he ran the deadly sword over Van's arm and up to rest next to his neck. Hitomi saw Van's rubies scream no she even felt his body language scream no. He had squeezed her hands trying to reassure her he would get them out of it but the odds weren't favoring them at the moment. Hitomi gazed back at the gecko.

"No" she curtly replied

In a flash there was blood. Not a lot just a line streaking down Van's neck. Hitomi gasped as Van winced but gave no other indication to the pain. Hitomi felt the blood slide onto her hand as it made it's way down Van's body.

"Now Lady you wouldn't be so rude as to reject a humble man such as myself would you?" the taunting voice was driving Hitomi mad

"Yes she is" Van answered coldly

The gecko snarled and in another blink of the eye Van's arm was slashed open. A long vertical gash ran down his right arm and Hitomi felt herself shudder. Van simply gritted his teeth and continued staring at the gecko.

"Now lady I hate to sit here and cut your love into pieces but if you are forcing me to do so"

Hitomi's eyes twisted with sorrow as she glanced at Van then back at the Gecko. Slowly she loosened her grip on Van and tried to pull away. But Van's grip was too firm and she couldn't slip out of it.

"He'll kill you Van"

"So be it" the young monarch simply stated

"Van I don't want to sit here and watch you get cut into pieces" Hitomi's whisper cracked

"Hitomi I won't let him take you" Van angrily whispered back

Hitomi's eyes softened and she winced as the impatient gecko slashed Van's other arm. Van had to grunt at this one this gash was deeper than the other one Van felt the blood gush from his limb. He began to feel a little lightheaded.

"Van you're going to bleed to death"

"Don't be ridiculous" he managed a half smile

Hitomi pried Van's arms away and stood up next to the gecko. Van immediately move to stop her but the gecko's blade forced him back into the sitting position. Van's rubies pleaded with Hitomi not to go. Hitomi just smiled at him. Van mouthed a silent 'I'm going to come get you'

Hitomi in return mouthed 'I know'

With that the gecko threw Hitomi over his shoulder and jumped to the windowsill. "Have a nice day King Van" with a cackle he was out the window with Hitomi. Van rushed to his window only to see the retreating form of a gecko carrying his love. They entered the forest and Van felt the rage swell up in him. Hitomi was gone.