Disclaimer: Don't believe everything you hear because contrary to rumor sadly *large sigh* I don't …..I-I don't own Escaflowne….

A/N Hey thanks to angelwarriar, Magicman, and Angel of Drama who continually review!! This story and Kel thanks for reviewing all my stories it means a lot! ^^ You made someone's day! I love the reviews and the one's like Magicman make me laugh thank you so much I need a good laugh once and a while! Sorry don't want to make you to mad though I'll work on that.



Results of Doubt

Rain. Water. It all came down in a fury, not the light patter that bids rest in the late afternoon. No this was a straight out horrid downpour. And Van was in it.

The drenched cotton tunic clung to Van's form, his tan skin was beginning to shift to shades of red due to the agitation of having his wet tunic rub against his skin continually. His pants melted to his legs and the icy coldness was seeping under his skin. Numb fingers clung to the precious hilt of his Fanelian treasure. Then it all crashed down. The lightening came in a blink and trees cracked splitting down to the roots. One roar erupted so close he was forced to the ground his ears ringing.

Exhausted Van began to push himself up when his heart froze. He clutched his chest as the burning sensation swirled cackling at his pain. The young king started feeling light headed due to the lack of blood flow and was sure he would pass out. But it disappeared. Just as quickly as it had come it fled to the depths of Gaea. After vigorously shaking his head a few times Van blinked in confusion, what was that? And like a blow to his face it plowed into him. Hitomi. Something was wrong. She had always occupied part of his heart. It felt whole, content and filling and now….it was gone. He couldn't feel her anymore. He watched in horror as the mental connection slipped away and he lost all trace of her ever being there. The sinking feeling grew. She couldn't be dead …could she???!!!

Van swayed at the thought and staggered through the downpour to a tree. He didn't care if he was to be struck by the fierce lightening, Hitomi had left and that only meant one thing. Her mind was gone, which led to the other thought. Van violently shook himself unwilling to believe the like and started through the horrendous weather again. There was no way Hitomi was dead. Not now. Not when they had just found the life together they had longed for. It wasn't possible. Not now, Van wouldn't accept it. She was alive.



Indeed Hitomi was alive, physically. However her status mentally was deteriorating with each passing second. The last bit of recognition uselessly pounded against the horrid control Perlis held over her. But the last strand of hope was continually beaten back, finally into intimidation, and Hitomi's last reasonable strand of thought watched as the hours unfolded. At first her tiny thought cried, then raged, and now was silent refusing to look anymore, it was more than she could handle. The control over the eyes left and buried itself in the dark empty regions that used to run with energy and life. There it buried itself to escape the terror and utterly repulsive sights it saw outside the eyes as Perlis's smile continually filled the vision.

Hitomi's lively emerald green faded and Perlis grinned in success as Hitomi's lips curved into another devious smile. She was his now. All his. And soon the Dragon would be in his possession and he could once again obtain his desire. Power.



Dawn hit the hills and carelessly poured light over fields caressing houses sending screaming shadows into the underworld. Doors burst open and the wonderful smell of fresh bread filled the market. Children giddy with the morning laughed as they chased each other. Mothers smiled in their shops and windows, the fathers right by their side helping customers here and there.

The soldiers snuck out behind the castle. No sense in scaring the people on the beautiful morning. It would send loved one's into fits of tears if they knew it was war all over again. King Erant was in his full glamour and looked beyond fury. Rested and dressed in his full gear, he was ready for battle and led the company alongside Merle. A sword gently clung to her hips and Merle led the Fanelian and Telan army through the forests. Guymelefs marched behind the soldiers, scanning over the treetops for oncoming hordes. A few leviships carrying supplies and more weapons brought up the rear crashing through the lush leaves.

Austria guymelefs had arrived during the night. Millerna had arrived with news that Freid and the New Republic of Zaibach were not far behind them. Millerna apologized for Dryden's absence but he had to watch Asturia, she smiled and then offered to watch Fanelia and sent Merle to go rescue Telan and it's people. Allen was most likely getting Rastine, a large kingdom off the ocean and the large kingdom of Westin, the desert people, to send armies as soon as possible. Westin and Rastine had been practically demolished after the Great War. After Fanelia had gotten back on its feet they had sent help to the weak and crumbling Kingdoms. Now two of the most powerful forces on Gaea, they had pledged loyalty to Fanelia. When they had found out about the contract Otis King of Rastine and Relim King of Westin both agreed it was fraud and had declared to stay out of the issue. They refused to join with Fanelia but wouldn't turn against it. So once word reached them that indeed Van had been planning to save them and he was dead, Merle was sure they would be outraged and wouldn't need any help from Allen in sending armies to Telan.

So Merle let the relief wash over her as Allen traveled acrossed Gaea quickly gathering armies that would hopefully intimidate King Perlis before there would be the need for bloodshed. But somehow Merle had a feeling it was much more complicated than that. She didn't know what but there was an horrid helpless feeling that had washed over her during the night, she had woken up gasping for air and knew something was wrong. She just couldn't put her paw on it. She had hissed for hours pacing as her tail twitched back and forth. She was still agitated with the thought, she knew it was right in front of her she just couldn't figure out what was wrong.



Van wearily shook himself awake, he didn't know where but somehow in the night he had fallen to ground in pure fatigue. As he shakily staggered through some more trees he froze and let his gaze wander off the ground. Mysterious clouds hovered around the now black and sharp like architecture that used to be the peaceful palace of Telan. The village was dead and void, no voices, smells, shops or people. No house stirred under the barely visible light and Van shuddered. King Perlis had one heck of a way to run a kingdom. Silently he flew to the shadows and crept alongside the darkness avoiding slit eyes of the gecko guards. He smirked when he slid through an open window into the dark castle. It was just as dead as the village.

'Is anyone even here?!" his mind bellowed

Quietly creeping down the hall he frowned when two young maids passed by. They were the only humans he had seen in the entire kingdom and that had him worried. Checking the hall for guards and finding none relieved him. He departed from the darkness and blocked the girl's path. Before they could scream in fright he covered their mouths and shook his head.

"Please I'm here to help." Van pleaded

The girl with straight blonde hair narrowed her eyes but as the recognition hit her she threw his hand aside and dropped to her knees.

"Catalina! It's King Van Slaznar de Fanel!!" she whispered roughly tugging her friends skirt attempting to get her to bow

Catalina shrieked in shock and flew to her knees.

Van buried his head in his hands, people would never learn.

"Up" he ordered "It's just Van I hate the title and no more bowing nonsense."

The girls flew to their feet. "Lord Van…"

Van put his hand up "No title" he gruffly stated

"Van" Catalina said nodding her head "It's a pleasure to meet you" she smiled brightly

"Are you two the only one's here?" Van inquired watching the hall

Danielle's smile turned to a pained frown "The people have been thrown into the dungeon's below they are crowded accept for the cell that held the Lady Hitomi, the rest of the Kingdom remains in the under ground caves under the castle with the soldiers standing watch."

Van smiled despite the terrible news, Hitomi was here and sounded alive "Hitomi?" he managed

"Yes milord"

Van's smile sobered

"Sorry Van" Catalina apologized "The Lady Hitomi was in the dungeon in a small cell, but she was just cleaned up and…" Catalina stopped and suddenly found interest in the floor

"What?" Van demanded feeling his blood boil, the panic rose and his heart sped up.

Danielle looked on the verge of tears, "She was just taken to…Perlis. She came out milord but….but it wasn't Hitomi we fear he's put a her under a spell, those beautiful emeralds of hers were.." Danielle did let a tear fall this time

Van stumbled back a few steps and balanced himself on the wall ignoring Danielle's 'milord' comment. A spell? She wasn't Hitomi? What were they talking about.

Catalina raised her head to finish for Danielle "Her emeralds…. were dead, no spark of life shone, no liveliness or sense of surroundings bounced in the orbs. They were black."

Van's head snapped up, black?? That didn't sound in the least good at all and King Perlis would pay for whatever he did to her. Van growled and ignored the numbing cold still seeping into him.

"Where is he?" Van demanded his temper flaring

"His solar"

"Alone" Van ventured

"Nay milord" Danielle mumbled

"Point me in the direction please"

Danielle and Catalina nodded and turned back the way they had come leading Van down the hallways. Several gecko soldiers peered at Van as if they were searching for his name. Like they couldn't put their finger on it. Catalina and Danielle would only glare, and soon the gecko's gave up and let them pass without so much as a glance.

Soon Van found himself in front of a large black door with a serpent imbedded on the front. Van felt the evil floating through the cracks and shivered, it only added to his current drenched state. Catalina and Danielle had offered to get him fresh clothes but Van refused to leave Hitomi at this man's mercy longer than he had too. So angrily he waited until Danielle and Catalina fled around the corner, then with all his rage Van brought his sword down on the large door. Splinters flew in every direction and with one last heave he sent the door flying. Bursting into the room he smiled, Hitomi was on the other side of the room. But the darkness seemed to be covering her, he could only see her face and as he crushed the distance he noticed what Catalina had said. Hitomi's eyes were black and her pale lips were curled into a devious smirk. It sent chills down Van's spine.

"Hitomi…" Van softly called

"Yes Van" she replied a tinge of contempt dripped off her words and Van blinked trying to understand if he had heard her tone right.

"Hitomi let's go home now"

"No you traitor!" she snapped "I rather like it here!"

Van knew he was hearing things now. "Hitomi I love you" he tried

"Pity to your soul then for I do not love you" she spat

Van knew something was up now, but in spite of it all -and he scolded himself for letting an ounce of belief that this was Hitomi sink in – it hurt.

He felt the pain crush his heart and the sting increase as the shadows flew from the room. A giant gust of wind blew back the shades and bright sunlight flooded the room. And there standing behind Hitomi his arms encircling Hitomi's waist, brushing kisses against her neck, stood Perlis. The shock that he was a man would have been something indeed had it not been covered with the raging anger Van felt at watching the man kiss Hitomi's neck. She smiled and brought her arms around his neck sighing against Perlis.

Van wanted to retch.

And he thought he just might.

Luckily for him instead of tears the tiny thirst for battle that had descended into him from his race burst into a river of thirst and Van gripped his sword. His clench was so hard it began to crack his skin and draw blood. And it shouldn't have amazed him, but it did.

Perlis threw his head back and laughed.

"Draw your sword you coward!! I don't know what you did to Hitomi but you'll wish you never set foot on Gaea once I'm down with you!!!"

Perlis laughed again and bent his head to Hitomi's lips. Smiling as he heard Van gasp, he saw Van's sword droop a little as Perlis's lips made contact with Hitomi's. Hitomi smiled against his kiss and turned to face him drawing him in closer. Now Van was considering tears.

'No! It isn't Hitomi he did something! It isn't Hitomi!' his mind screamed but his lonely and shattering heart just wept.

Perlis finally let Hitomi go and told her to go sit on the couch. She smiled and obeyed waving to Van mockingly. Van's entire body now shook with rage and pain. What did he do to Hitomi? Or did he do anything at all? Hitomi did leave the Kingdom fairly pissed at his contract. But she had forgiven him! She loved him!! Van's heart raged with his ongoing thoughts while his body concentrated on Perlis. One man. One target. His heart. Van would make him pay for the trouble's he had caused. But Van didn't watch the level and soon anger and pure rage took over, and this was his mistake.

Perlis smirked at his stroke of pure luck. The brave dragon was letting his ancestors anger control him. His thoughts were blinded during the battle and movements would be sloppy. Perlis smiled and drew his sword.

"Just a moment love while I dispose of creature" Perlis shot to Hitomi

Hitomi smiled and stretched out on the couch "Take your time"

Van charged Perlis, his attacks definitely not lacking the aggressiveness they once did. Sparks flew as the men circled the room. Hitomi smiled as the swords crashed together. Van realized he was losing control of his rational thoughts but it was too late now. Perlis laughed and withdrew his sword missing the angered flick of Van's sword that would have sent the weapon flying. Van swiftly jerked his entire left arm and his sword came flying towards Perlis's abdomen. The still laughing King jumped and placed his weapon back up to his defense. Van's anger flared again and he swung to his right only to meet Perlis's sword. Van gritted his teeth as the nail biting screech of steel sliding against another filled the room.

Hitomi yawned.

Van pushed forward against Perlis's sword and the two were thrown into a face off. Perlis found himself gritting his own teeth in pain as the sweat poured from resisting Van's offense. Perlis taking full advantage of Van's anger brought his knee up into Van's stomach. Perlis seemed to move with the wind and with a flick of his wrist sent Van's sword flying, mind you only with a hard push for Van gripped his sword. His right forearm received a long gash for the action but the weapon didn't fly to far. Van winced in pain and fought to catch his breath but common sense was returning too late as Perlis's fist made contact with Van's jaw. Another blow sent the raven haired king flying. Van went to roll for his sword but felt the pain explode in his head. He looked to the source of pain and found Perlis's sword digging into his right arm. Van bit his tongue to the point of drawing blood to keep from screaming.

Hitomi walked over to Perlis and wrapped her arms around him.

Van looked up to see Hitomi staring down at him, the pain was racing up his arms and through his body. The shudders escaped his control and the pain racked his body. Perlis looked down at his victim leaning on his sword. Van screamed out in pain, a heart felt thick cry of pain of watching his love's jests and the swords steel. Hitomi reached over and pulled the sword out earning another roar from Van. The blood slowly slid to the floor.

"You've made a mess love look" Hitomi chided handing the sword back to Perlis

"I'll have it cleaned right away" Perlis apologized

Van groaned in agony as he threw himself into a sitting position and grabbed for his sword. With a quick jab he sent Perlis's sword flying. Perlis looked horrified for a moment, and that was all Van needed. He pulled up to Hitomi's side and tried to drag her along but she slapped his hand away and glared at him.

Van relented and let go of her arm, no use in trying now the blood flowing over his arm was increasing.

"Remember I love you Hitomi" Van leaned over and pecked her on the cheek "I don't know what he's done but I'll come back" with that Van threw himself crashing into the window.

Tiny glass shards sprinkled to the floor accompanied by small shreds of red cotton and tiny drops of blood. Hitomi's gaze shifted to the open window to see Van. And his wings. The ache started in her stomach and shot to her mind. The pain was too much and she cried out in sorrow. The wings had touched her somehow and a reversal of Perlis's process was proving to be painful. Hitomi managed to lift her eyes to the window to see Van's feathered form flying shakily into the sky.

And for a second emeralds pierced the darkness. The tiny thread of subconscious and hope rushed forward at the sound of her lovers name.

'Van!!! Don't leave' it cried into the void only to receive Perlis's arms forcing it to retreat once again. The strand of thought fought harder this time struggling to watch the glimpse of their only hope fly through the sky and take a dive for the forest. Hitomi walked forward and retrieved a tiny piece of his shredded shirt. The last thought managed to order Hitomi's body to stuff it in her dress before Perlis's arms encircled Hitomi and the thought was shoved into darkness again. The agony faded from her head and ebony orbs once again became the only means of sight.

"Don't worry love soon you won't have to worry about him at all" Perlis comforted

'Van……'



The wind blew the thick liquid back into Van's wings tinting the 'cursed' wings, Van would call them. Branches sliced his chest as leaves blurred his vision. The anguish and loss of blood had sent him diving into the forest and he was powerless to stop his descent. The young king crashed into the earth grunting again. When he tried to stand his body found it to be an exertion of too much energy. But Van knew if he didn't do something about his arm he was in serious trouble. He was able to retract the pearly wings. But the pain, the overwhelming agony was too much and darkness settled in on his sights. Van's only thought, being Hitomi smirking and smiling at his pain.

"Hitomi"



Merle bounced off her horse and fled to the figure in the distance. Her keen sense had picked up the smell and had she frozen in fear. The pleasant smell of field's belonging to Van was mixed and tangled with the smell of blood. Merle leapt from tree to tree, King Erant leading her horse. When Merle spotted her brother, time froze and she felt every organ she possessed jump to her throat. No.

"VAN!!!!!!!!" she screeched dropping her usual title

Nothing.

Merle jumped from her resting place and landed beside her brother the army pulling up her rear panting. She turned and ran into the forest at the sight of Van's arm. She lost her breakfast that day. And when she returned she found King Erant and some soldiers hovering over Van. The stunned cat girl simply walked forward and let everyone clear for her. Kneeling by Van's side she was happy to see his arm bandaged and dry. The blood flow had stopped. Turning to the hovering soldiers Merle pleaded with them for an answer.

"I'm afraid we can't tell right now."

Merle shook her head and all were silent for a while. Until the Fanelian soldiers began to gasp at their supposedly dead King. Asturian soldiers frowned and growled. Merle glared at each one of them and hissed.

"If any one of you consider backing out I'll claw you myself. This man did all he could to help you and you didn't even offer him a moment to explain himself. If one word of this reaches beyond our army before I will it you will answer to me! Got it!"

Fanelians nodded and Telan soldiers already knew but Asturian soldiers still frowned and glanced at each other deciding if they should leave or stay. Merle rose and walked up to the general of the Asturian army.

"That man right there!!!!" she screamed tears streaming down her face " SIGNED TO SAVE YOUR SKIN!!!"

Grumbles and gasps fled through the crowd.

"Now Queen Merle I know he's your bro-…" the General started

"No!!! That's not why you pompous jerk! Maybe you'd all like to know now! I don't believe Millerna's told you has she?!?!"

"Told us what your majesty" the General mocked

Merle extended her claws and hissed, but King Erant grabbed Merle's shoulder and turned her towards Van. Merle softened and kneeled by her brother again pulling him into her lap and hugging his dangerously cold form. King Erant turned to the crowd.

"What you have been misinformed about is Lord Van's true intentions gentlemen. On a cold night longer ago than I care to recall my kingdom was seized and my people imprisoned. This small army and myself managed to escape and flee to Fanelia. This King Perlis wants blood and was going to have it. But Van made a bargain with him, telling him to spare your kingdoms and bring up a treaty instead. This treaty would unite the countries and then he could rule, no bloodshed. His objective was to lure King Perlis to Fanelia for a final meeting in which King Perlis would be seized and killed. That failed and my army and I remained in the forest, Lord Van provided food and blankets for us."

The General's smirk faded.

"Lady Merle was sent to retrieve the contract before it reached your kingdoms and take it back to Van. She was overthrown and you turned on your fellow neighbor. Such little trust resulted in his own bloodshed." King Erant turned and pointed to Van "This man loves his people and his friends, I have seen it in his eyes. Desperately trying to avoid bloodshed and war proved to be his demise, but you his people and even his love did not trust him. So news that he lives will not go beyond this army. Once the others arrive we will hide him or explain. Either way you will not jest at this man's expense, he threw his life in jeopardy to protect my kingdom and all of yours. Now set up camp for the night and I don't want to hear any talk"

Each soldier departed in silence setting up tents and building fires. Guilt swept through the armies and leaders. They hadn't believed their ruler and friend and now he was on the verge of death because of it.

King Erant built a fire and pulled out his tent, he pulled out his blankets and tucked the siblings in. Merle lay on her back clutching her brother close. Erant smiled at the sight. And when his gaze rose his smile grew even wider at the sight before him. All activity had stopped and fires flickered as soldiers stared in awe at the two. The sight was heart wrenching.

There in the midst of a cold forest, cut and shivering lay a brother and a sister. The shivering cat girl rested her head on her brothers chest refusing to let her grip up. And their leader, their King who had fought to protect them all lie bruised and scared dangerously fighting death. The siblings had fought for Fanelia, they had tried to keep it safe and not frighten the people. They had fought for Gaea, they had tried to keep the countries worries resting on its economy and such. They had taken on the planets burden and what did their neighbors do. Declare war on them. The people spat at the King's name and their friends cursed at them.

So in the forest in the midst of all the betrayal that they had endured lay two siblings. Worthy of all the gratitude of the world, and all they really asked for in return was trust and friendship the one thing others denied them in their time of need. And it was at this sight that the soldiers wept. Soft sniffles and muffled cries of the immense guilt they felt. And when they wanted to help it proved to be too late. So silently they retired to their tents to let the siblings sleep next to the fire in peace.

Even after the people of Gaea turned their backs on this small family they refused to turn their backs on the people.

The emotion actually put into the sight darkened everyone's hearts that night leaving only the stars in the heaven as comfort.





A/N Sorry if the chapter was kind of short have a great day!!! Sailor Hope