Love is our Destiny
Disclaimer: Does any not know what a disclaimer is? Well, if you don't, it means I don't own escaflowne. :-P So there.*laughs*
A/N: Just a joke don't take anything I say offensively! Or seriously for that matter. *chuckles* ^_^ Enjoy!
Chapter Three
"Worries."
"Hitomi?" He asked.
No response.
"Hitomi?!"
No response.
Van placed his head on her chest and sighed in relief. "She's still breathing! Thank goodness! She's just asleep, I think." He said, a little worried, as he placed his hand on her forehead. "No fever. Good sign."
He picked Hitomi up, holding her like a baby, and took her to the room next to his.
"This is a special room I added just for you. It's connected to my room so I can make sure you're safe. I'll be the first to know if you're in trouble, or if you just need anything. I promise, I'll always protect you!" Van spoke softly to Hitomi as he closed the door behind them, Hitomi still in his arms.
He lightly laid her down on the bed when his eyes got heavy. Before he knew it he and Hitomi were sleeping on top of the covers of the bed, holding each other.
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"Where am I? How did I get here? Where's here? Why am I here?" Hitomi asked as she floated in a black abyss.
"I'm glad you made it back safely." A female voice said.
"Who are you? You sound... so familiar." Hitomi said weakly as she tried to move in circles, looking for the speaker.
"Behind you." The voice said, Hitomi did as she was told and turned around.
Hitomi gasped and then stared at the woman.
The woman was indeed familiar, with her long black hair that went beautifully with her white wings and those two dots on her forehead, how could Hitomi not recognize her.
"Varie... It's so good to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again too, Hitomi."
"I have a feeling you didn't call me here just to reminise."
"You're right I'm afraid." Varie said as she held her head down.
"What's wrong?" Hitomi asked, now very concerned.
"I'm not quite sure, yet, but I want you to be on your guard Hitomi!" Varie said with a very serious, almost deadly ( deadly, get it?), tone in her voice.
Varie looked into Hitomi's eyes. Varie had a cocerned and bleak look on her face. " For both your sake and Van's!"
"I will! But, how?"
"If anything major comes into play, I know you'll find out one way or another. But whatever you do, please, don't leave him again." Varie said, her eyes pleading with Hitomi.
"He asked me to stay forever, that was what he wished, and his wish is my command. I said I'd stay for as long as he wanted, and I ment every word of it!" Hitomi said reassuringly.
"I'm sure Van will hold you to that." Varie stated.
"I guess it's a good thing I already said my farewells on Earth, huh?" Hitomi said with an optimistic tone.
"So, you planned on staying by my son's side?" Varie asked with a smile.
"Only with your permission of course." Hitomi replied sincerely as she bowed a bit.
" You have my blessing seeress, along with Goau's." Varie said happily.
Hitomi gasped.
"Oh I'm so sorry! I almost forgot about Lord Goau! Wait a second..." Hitomi started apologetically, then trailed off as she began to think on the subject.
"What is it Hitomi?" Varie asked curiously.
"No offense, but, do we really need the consent of people who are, well, you know..."
"Dead?" Varie finished Hitomi's question.
"Yeah." Hitomi replied shyly.
"Not really, but it was nice of you to ask, even though I am. It makes me feel a little more... alive!" Varie joked, they both burst out laughing.
After a few minutes of hysterical laughing Hitomi spoke up.
"Now I know where Van got his sense of humor." Hitomi commented.
"What sense of humor?" Varie asked in a serious, yet sarcastic, mannor.
They couldn't help but start laughing some more.
"But seriously, if he does ask, I'm glad I have yours and Goau's consent! It makes me feel a lot happier that you both approve of me!" Hitomi said sincerely, tears of joy in her eyes threatening to fall.
"Thank you. Without you, Van wouldn't have survived the war, it's the least we can do." Varie stated softly.
' Yes, I remember the first time I met him. He was fighting the dragon when I had a vision that helped him to escape. Who knew back then that we would go through a war together? Who knew we would come out so victorious, not only in the fighting department, but the emotional one as well?' Hitomi smiled wider then ever at the thought of everything her and Van had been through.
"We should talk more often." Varie commented.
"Oh yes, I want to go around saying "I see dead people!" That would go over well!" Hitomi said sarcasticly as she began to giggle.
"Well you don't have to tell them! You really are a blonde." Varie teased.
"Hey! What's that suppose to mean?!" Hitomi questioned with a very bleak look on her face.
"Oh, nothing."
"Um... Varie?"
"Yes."
"How did I get here?"
"You are now in a dream state."
"It was kind of sudden, don't you think. I do believe I might have scared someone." Hitomi said with a hint of regret in her voice.
"Yeah, you nearly gave my son a heart attack." Varie stated.
"Oh no!" Hitomi expressed as she clasped her hand over her mouth.
"Don't worry he's fine. You'll see him when you wake up." Varie clarified.
"Really?! Is he watching me?" Hitomi asked, now feeling better, with her hands at her side.
"Yes and no." Varie responded.
"What do you mean "yes and no"? It's either one or the other." Hitomi stated.
"Well if I'm sensing correctly, he's facing you." Varie answered.
"So is he watching me?" Hitomi asked.
"Sort of, though, he's asleep." Varie said hesitantly.
Hitomi raised an eyebrow a bit.
"Where am I sleeping?" Hitomi asked.
"In your bed." Varie gladly replied.
"And where is he sleeping?" Hitomi asked emphasizing he.
"Um..."
"Varie, where is HE sleeping?" Hitomi repeated the question.
"In your bed." Varie said casually.
"Oh, ok..." Hitomi said before what Varie had said set in, and when it finally did she screamed: " HE'S WHAT?!"
________________________
Hitomi woke up to find herself in Van's arms. Van was still fast asleep.
'Varie wasn't kidding! I don't want to wake him up, though, because he looks so peaceful. Just like the angel he is. My guardian angel and the man I love with all of my heart. I feel so peaceful, so safe, in his arms.' Hitomi thought.
Hitomi lightly brushed a few loose strands of hair away from Van's closed eyes. Then she gently kissed his the bridge of his nose and then drifted off to sleep once more.
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Van awoke to the sound of birds singing outside. Listening to their sweet melody he relized he wasn't in his room.
"What? Where am I?" He asked as he noticed he was still holding Hitomi.
'Did I fall asleep like this? Oh now I remember, I was taking her to her room, which must be where I am now, and before I could make it to my room I must have fallen asleep. I got to get out of here before...' Before Van could finish his thoughts he was interrupted by what he was hoping to evade.
The bedroom door was forced open. A familiar blonde knight stood in the doorway with a look that was both not surprised and a bit unbelieving.
"You weren't in your room so I thought you might be here, but I didn't expect to see this. Not on the first night at least." Allen said with a smirk.
"Um..." Hitomi mumbled as she stirred a bit and just rolled over, leaving Van free to get away.
'Good, she seems to be just fine. Thank goodness!' With that thought Van got out of the bed, carefully so he didn't desturb the sleeping beauty, and walked over to Allen.
"It's not what you think Allen!" Van said firmly after they had left the room and shut the door.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I mean, from what I saw you both still had your clothes on. If anything ever does happen you'll tell your closest friend, right?" Allen joked while grabbing Van's shoulder, his arm across Van's back, and walked toward the dinning hall.
"I don't think we should leave Hitomi alone. I mean she sort of fainted last night, that's why I was in there watching over her. Not to mention she doesn't know where anything is and..."
"Van stop worring! Hitomi fainted all the time when she first came here. She might have had a vision or something, you're going to worry yourself sick at this rate." Allen cut Van off. "Just like old times, huh? Both of us trying to protect Hitomi. Both of us trying to win her heart."
"I came out the victor in that battle." Van reminded Allen. "Though, you loved her more like a sister then anything, because at the time you didn't know what had happened to your sister. I..."
"You always loved Hitomi, not as a sister, but as a girlfriend. You always feeled that way though you didn't understand it, though you didn't show, I could tell. I tried to get past that, but her heart wouldn't let it." Allen commented.
"Now you have Melerna, who loves you very much, and you don't love like a sister." Van stated.
"I wish she didn't love me so much! She chased me so much I thought that the only way she'd let up is if I purposed like she wanted. Sure I was going to ask her, but I didn't plan on it being so soon." Allen said with a hint of fear in his voice.
"You're afraid of her aren't you?" Van asked.
"Who wouldn't be?!" Allen said as they both started laughing.
"But going back to what I said earlier, Hitomi doesn't know her way around. A lot has changed since she was here last, and even then she didn't know her way around." Van was becoming quite concerned and tried to get Allen to let him turn back.
"Don't worry! I already told Merle to wait about ten minutes after I left and then go to Hitomi, just in case I found you two like I did..."
"I told you we weren't doing anything!" Van cut in defensively. "And you better not say anything to anyone!" Van said in a dangerous voice.
"Just kidding! I wont say a word, I don't want to ruin her reputation anymore then I have, so lighten up. Anyway, to get off that subject, Merle will take good care of Hitomi , don't worry." Allen said trying to calm his young, and very much in love, friend down.
'But I am worried. I love her so much I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to her!' Van thought.
________________________
About ten minutes later Hitomi woke up once more. She awoke to Merle whistling a beautiful melody. A melody Folken once whistled for Van to wake up to.
"That's beautiful." Hitomi commented, which startled Merle who seemed to be going through Hitomi's duffel bag. "Hey that's my bag!"
"Yep, and that's the outfit you're going to be wearing today." Merle replied while pointing out one of the prom dresses and a pair of shoes lying at the foot of the queen sized bed.
'This bed didn't feel so large last night... Oh yeah, Van was here, that must be why. Van's gone off somewhere so it feels bigger.' Hitomi thought as she got out of bed and sat down next to the cat-woman.
"Can I see my bag?" Hitomi asked Merle in a polite voice.
'That doesn' happen very often. Normally she says something like "Give that back you little cat-burglar!" and gets really angery.' Merle thought while reminising.
"It's yours isn't it." Merle replied while handing the bag over to Hitomi.
"Thank you."
"Anytime Hitomi! I'm just glad you're back!" Merle said with a big smile.
"Why thank you Merle. I'm glad to be back, and you don't know how much hearing you say that has made my day." Hitomi said sincerely, as she took out her make-up, lipstick and lotion. "Is there somewhere I can take a bath or shower?"
"I don't know what a shower is, but there's already a bath drawn for you." Merle said, while pointing to a room connected to hers.(Not Van's room. A room opposite of Van's room). "And I hung all your dresses in the closet. I'll wait in here until you are done so I can show you to the dining hall." Merle said in her cheerful voice.
"Yes, my next question was going to be "Where are my dresses?" Thank you for clarifying that for me. And, thanks for waiting. I'll try to be quick." Hitomi responded.
"Oh, don't worry. I think this will keep me busy." Merle said, while lifting up Hitomi's bag.
"Just don't break anything."
"Don't worry Hitomi. I will." Merle said with a giggle.
Hitomi ran to the bathroom with her outfit and everything so she could hurry before anything was damaged beyond repair.
________________________________
"You look great! Ready to go? I bet Lord Van, Sir Allen, and Queen Melerna can't wait to see you!" Merle stated.
"Melerna is here already?!" Hitomi asked. Merle just nodded. "Oh, I can't wait to see her again. Let's go!" Hitomi said as she grabbed Merle's arm and dragged her out of the room.
Hitomi had to be careful not to trip over her lavender dress as she nearly ran to the dining hall, Merle shouting out directions from behind her.
"Left! Right! Left! Stop! Here we are!" Merle said while jumping around as the guards opened the doors for the two young ladies.
"Hitomi!" Melerna screamed as she embraced her friend in a bear hug.
"Hi Melerna. It's so good to see you again. But you're about as bad as Merle!" Hitomi said, a little out of breath.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Merle asked defensively.
"I think Hitomi meant that she needs air! Melerna, let Hitomi breathe!" Allen stated just in time. Hitomi gasped for air.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Hitomi. I..."
"Don't worry about it! I'm okay! Really!" Hitomi said with a cheerful smile, while still trying to catch her breath.
"Now I'm starting to feel left out! Where's my hug? Everyone else has gotten one." Allen said, trying to look pitiful.
"Sorry Allen." Hitomi said as she gave him a bear hug.
Hitomi looked behind Allen and there stood the crew of the crusade. Along with Mr. Mole, Prince Chid, Princess Eries, Merle, Melerna, Van, a blonde haired girl, and a cat-man, all of them were standing at the table, waiting for Hitomi.
"Hey everyone!" Hitomi said as she ran over to the blonde girl and looked into her eyes. "Let me guess... You must be Celena."
"Oh, yes, I am Miss Hitomi." Celena said, hoping Hitomi didn't know about her past.
"Call me Hitomi. Miss Hitomi sounds too formal. I mean, I already know a lot about you and you're pretty much, like, my sister." Hitomi said with her cheerful attitude.
Celena stood there in shock, and scared out of her mind. 'She knows! Oh, no! She knows!' Celena thought.
"You know?" Celena asked in a near whimper.
"I know about you from before your disappearance. And now... Now is all I care about." Hitomi said in a comforting voice. "Don't worry." Hitomi added, whispering in Celena's ear.
Celena smiled and whispered, "Thank you."
Hitomi smiled back and nearly ran over to Van to check out the cat-man next to him.
"Good morning Van. Sleep well?" Hitomi questioned.
'Oh God. She's going to slap me. I just know it!' Van thought to himself, cringing at the thought of her slapping him a third time. "Yes, thank you." He said as he closed his eyes, waiting for the blow.
Hitomi gave him a light peck on the cheek. He opened one eyelid to see if it was safe to open the other. When he saw the coast was clear, he had both eyes open in a questioning look.
"Thank you for taking me to my room last night. Sorry if I scared you when I fainted." Hitomi said a little shyly while blushing.
"Anytime! You'd think I'd be used to that kind of thing. I mean, as much as you used to faint and all. Was it a vision?" Van asked. Everyone gasped at his question.
"Is that what it was Hitomi?" Merle asked, breaking the silence.
"Sort of." Hitomi said, not wanting to let on what she really saw. 'Oh, yeah. I really want to tell everyone I saw a dead person. They'd probably get worried.' Hitomi thought.
"Was it Mother?" Van asked.
"What do you mean Van?" Hitomi asked, shaking.
"Well, you said you saw a dead person. So, was it my Mother?" Van once again asked.
"Van, I hate to tell you this, but, Hitomi didn't say anything like that." Allen said with a worried look on his face.
'Van, look at me.' Hitomi thought. Van looked at Hitomi. 'Can you hear me Van? Can you hear my thoughts?' Hitomi thought. Van stood there with a look of horror on his face.
'How can I hear Hitomi's thoughts. I can barely make out my own.' Van thought.
'So, you can hear me.' Hitomi thought. 'And I can hear you Van.'
Suddenly, without warning, both Hitomi and Van collapsed.
"Hitomi!" Melerna screamed as she caught her.
"Lord Van!" Merle screamed as she ran to his aid, catching him. "Lord Van? Lord Van!"
Melerna took Hitomi and placed her head on Hitomi's chest.
"Merle, see if Van's heart is still beating." Melerna commanded. Merle complied.
"Yes it is. Is Hitomi's?" Merle asked.
"..."
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A/N: Oh my goodness! You guys, and girls, actually reviewed! Thank you! Thank you! Well I got the 5 reviews I asked for in less then 24 hours so here's the third chapter I promised. If I get 5 more reviews I'll put up chapter 4. It is already completed. *^_^* Because of all your reviews it inspired me to type more then I ever thought possible in one night! I'm the energizer bunny! I keep going, and going, and going... *^_^* Thank you again! *^_^* Oh and I got another fic out for Escaflowne called Demons and Angels if you're ever interested in AU fics.
Disclaimer: Does any not know what a disclaimer is? Well, if you don't, it means I don't own escaflowne. :-P So there.*laughs*
A/N: Just a joke don't take anything I say offensively! Or seriously for that matter. *chuckles* ^_^ Enjoy!
Chapter Three
"Worries."
"Hitomi?" He asked.
No response.
"Hitomi?!"
No response.
Van placed his head on her chest and sighed in relief. "She's still breathing! Thank goodness! She's just asleep, I think." He said, a little worried, as he placed his hand on her forehead. "No fever. Good sign."
He picked Hitomi up, holding her like a baby, and took her to the room next to his.
"This is a special room I added just for you. It's connected to my room so I can make sure you're safe. I'll be the first to know if you're in trouble, or if you just need anything. I promise, I'll always protect you!" Van spoke softly to Hitomi as he closed the door behind them, Hitomi still in his arms.
He lightly laid her down on the bed when his eyes got heavy. Before he knew it he and Hitomi were sleeping on top of the covers of the bed, holding each other.
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"Where am I? How did I get here? Where's here? Why am I here?" Hitomi asked as she floated in a black abyss.
"I'm glad you made it back safely." A female voice said.
"Who are you? You sound... so familiar." Hitomi said weakly as she tried to move in circles, looking for the speaker.
"Behind you." The voice said, Hitomi did as she was told and turned around.
Hitomi gasped and then stared at the woman.
The woman was indeed familiar, with her long black hair that went beautifully with her white wings and those two dots on her forehead, how could Hitomi not recognize her.
"Varie... It's so good to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again too, Hitomi."
"I have a feeling you didn't call me here just to reminise."
"You're right I'm afraid." Varie said as she held her head down.
"What's wrong?" Hitomi asked, now very concerned.
"I'm not quite sure, yet, but I want you to be on your guard Hitomi!" Varie said with a very serious, almost deadly ( deadly, get it?), tone in her voice.
Varie looked into Hitomi's eyes. Varie had a cocerned and bleak look on her face. " For both your sake and Van's!"
"I will! But, how?"
"If anything major comes into play, I know you'll find out one way or another. But whatever you do, please, don't leave him again." Varie said, her eyes pleading with Hitomi.
"He asked me to stay forever, that was what he wished, and his wish is my command. I said I'd stay for as long as he wanted, and I ment every word of it!" Hitomi said reassuringly.
"I'm sure Van will hold you to that." Varie stated.
"I guess it's a good thing I already said my farewells on Earth, huh?" Hitomi said with an optimistic tone.
"So, you planned on staying by my son's side?" Varie asked with a smile.
"Only with your permission of course." Hitomi replied sincerely as she bowed a bit.
" You have my blessing seeress, along with Goau's." Varie said happily.
Hitomi gasped.
"Oh I'm so sorry! I almost forgot about Lord Goau! Wait a second..." Hitomi started apologetically, then trailed off as she began to think on the subject.
"What is it Hitomi?" Varie asked curiously.
"No offense, but, do we really need the consent of people who are, well, you know..."
"Dead?" Varie finished Hitomi's question.
"Yeah." Hitomi replied shyly.
"Not really, but it was nice of you to ask, even though I am. It makes me feel a little more... alive!" Varie joked, they both burst out laughing.
After a few minutes of hysterical laughing Hitomi spoke up.
"Now I know where Van got his sense of humor." Hitomi commented.
"What sense of humor?" Varie asked in a serious, yet sarcastic, mannor.
They couldn't help but start laughing some more.
"But seriously, if he does ask, I'm glad I have yours and Goau's consent! It makes me feel a lot happier that you both approve of me!" Hitomi said sincerely, tears of joy in her eyes threatening to fall.
"Thank you. Without you, Van wouldn't have survived the war, it's the least we can do." Varie stated softly.
' Yes, I remember the first time I met him. He was fighting the dragon when I had a vision that helped him to escape. Who knew back then that we would go through a war together? Who knew we would come out so victorious, not only in the fighting department, but the emotional one as well?' Hitomi smiled wider then ever at the thought of everything her and Van had been through.
"We should talk more often." Varie commented.
"Oh yes, I want to go around saying "I see dead people!" That would go over well!" Hitomi said sarcasticly as she began to giggle.
"Well you don't have to tell them! You really are a blonde." Varie teased.
"Hey! What's that suppose to mean?!" Hitomi questioned with a very bleak look on her face.
"Oh, nothing."
"Um... Varie?"
"Yes."
"How did I get here?"
"You are now in a dream state."
"It was kind of sudden, don't you think. I do believe I might have scared someone." Hitomi said with a hint of regret in her voice.
"Yeah, you nearly gave my son a heart attack." Varie stated.
"Oh no!" Hitomi expressed as she clasped her hand over her mouth.
"Don't worry he's fine. You'll see him when you wake up." Varie clarified.
"Really?! Is he watching me?" Hitomi asked, now feeling better, with her hands at her side.
"Yes and no." Varie responded.
"What do you mean "yes and no"? It's either one or the other." Hitomi stated.
"Well if I'm sensing correctly, he's facing you." Varie answered.
"So is he watching me?" Hitomi asked.
"Sort of, though, he's asleep." Varie said hesitantly.
Hitomi raised an eyebrow a bit.
"Where am I sleeping?" Hitomi asked.
"In your bed." Varie gladly replied.
"And where is he sleeping?" Hitomi asked emphasizing he.
"Um..."
"Varie, where is HE sleeping?" Hitomi repeated the question.
"In your bed." Varie said casually.
"Oh, ok..." Hitomi said before what Varie had said set in, and when it finally did she screamed: " HE'S WHAT?!"
________________________
Hitomi woke up to find herself in Van's arms. Van was still fast asleep.
'Varie wasn't kidding! I don't want to wake him up, though, because he looks so peaceful. Just like the angel he is. My guardian angel and the man I love with all of my heart. I feel so peaceful, so safe, in his arms.' Hitomi thought.
Hitomi lightly brushed a few loose strands of hair away from Van's closed eyes. Then she gently kissed his the bridge of his nose and then drifted off to sleep once more.
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Van awoke to the sound of birds singing outside. Listening to their sweet melody he relized he wasn't in his room.
"What? Where am I?" He asked as he noticed he was still holding Hitomi.
'Did I fall asleep like this? Oh now I remember, I was taking her to her room, which must be where I am now, and before I could make it to my room I must have fallen asleep. I got to get out of here before...' Before Van could finish his thoughts he was interrupted by what he was hoping to evade.
The bedroom door was forced open. A familiar blonde knight stood in the doorway with a look that was both not surprised and a bit unbelieving.
"You weren't in your room so I thought you might be here, but I didn't expect to see this. Not on the first night at least." Allen said with a smirk.
"Um..." Hitomi mumbled as she stirred a bit and just rolled over, leaving Van free to get away.
'Good, she seems to be just fine. Thank goodness!' With that thought Van got out of the bed, carefully so he didn't desturb the sleeping beauty, and walked over to Allen.
"It's not what you think Allen!" Van said firmly after they had left the room and shut the door.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I mean, from what I saw you both still had your clothes on. If anything ever does happen you'll tell your closest friend, right?" Allen joked while grabbing Van's shoulder, his arm across Van's back, and walked toward the dinning hall.
"I don't think we should leave Hitomi alone. I mean she sort of fainted last night, that's why I was in there watching over her. Not to mention she doesn't know where anything is and..."
"Van stop worring! Hitomi fainted all the time when she first came here. She might have had a vision or something, you're going to worry yourself sick at this rate." Allen cut Van off. "Just like old times, huh? Both of us trying to protect Hitomi. Both of us trying to win her heart."
"I came out the victor in that battle." Van reminded Allen. "Though, you loved her more like a sister then anything, because at the time you didn't know what had happened to your sister. I..."
"You always loved Hitomi, not as a sister, but as a girlfriend. You always feeled that way though you didn't understand it, though you didn't show, I could tell. I tried to get past that, but her heart wouldn't let it." Allen commented.
"Now you have Melerna, who loves you very much, and you don't love like a sister." Van stated.
"I wish she didn't love me so much! She chased me so much I thought that the only way she'd let up is if I purposed like she wanted. Sure I was going to ask her, but I didn't plan on it being so soon." Allen said with a hint of fear in his voice.
"You're afraid of her aren't you?" Van asked.
"Who wouldn't be?!" Allen said as they both started laughing.
"But going back to what I said earlier, Hitomi doesn't know her way around. A lot has changed since she was here last, and even then she didn't know her way around." Van was becoming quite concerned and tried to get Allen to let him turn back.
"Don't worry! I already told Merle to wait about ten minutes after I left and then go to Hitomi, just in case I found you two like I did..."
"I told you we weren't doing anything!" Van cut in defensively. "And you better not say anything to anyone!" Van said in a dangerous voice.
"Just kidding! I wont say a word, I don't want to ruin her reputation anymore then I have, so lighten up. Anyway, to get off that subject, Merle will take good care of Hitomi , don't worry." Allen said trying to calm his young, and very much in love, friend down.
'But I am worried. I love her so much I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to her!' Van thought.
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About ten minutes later Hitomi woke up once more. She awoke to Merle whistling a beautiful melody. A melody Folken once whistled for Van to wake up to.
"That's beautiful." Hitomi commented, which startled Merle who seemed to be going through Hitomi's duffel bag. "Hey that's my bag!"
"Yep, and that's the outfit you're going to be wearing today." Merle replied while pointing out one of the prom dresses and a pair of shoes lying at the foot of the queen sized bed.
'This bed didn't feel so large last night... Oh yeah, Van was here, that must be why. Van's gone off somewhere so it feels bigger.' Hitomi thought as she got out of bed and sat down next to the cat-woman.
"Can I see my bag?" Hitomi asked Merle in a polite voice.
'That doesn' happen very often. Normally she says something like "Give that back you little cat-burglar!" and gets really angery.' Merle thought while reminising.
"It's yours isn't it." Merle replied while handing the bag over to Hitomi.
"Thank you."
"Anytime Hitomi! I'm just glad you're back!" Merle said with a big smile.
"Why thank you Merle. I'm glad to be back, and you don't know how much hearing you say that has made my day." Hitomi said sincerely, as she took out her make-up, lipstick and lotion. "Is there somewhere I can take a bath or shower?"
"I don't know what a shower is, but there's already a bath drawn for you." Merle said, while pointing to a room connected to hers.(Not Van's room. A room opposite of Van's room). "And I hung all your dresses in the closet. I'll wait in here until you are done so I can show you to the dining hall." Merle said in her cheerful voice.
"Yes, my next question was going to be "Where are my dresses?" Thank you for clarifying that for me. And, thanks for waiting. I'll try to be quick." Hitomi responded.
"Oh, don't worry. I think this will keep me busy." Merle said, while lifting up Hitomi's bag.
"Just don't break anything."
"Don't worry Hitomi. I will." Merle said with a giggle.
Hitomi ran to the bathroom with her outfit and everything so she could hurry before anything was damaged beyond repair.
________________________________
"You look great! Ready to go? I bet Lord Van, Sir Allen, and Queen Melerna can't wait to see you!" Merle stated.
"Melerna is here already?!" Hitomi asked. Merle just nodded. "Oh, I can't wait to see her again. Let's go!" Hitomi said as she grabbed Merle's arm and dragged her out of the room.
Hitomi had to be careful not to trip over her lavender dress as she nearly ran to the dining hall, Merle shouting out directions from behind her.
"Left! Right! Left! Stop! Here we are!" Merle said while jumping around as the guards opened the doors for the two young ladies.
"Hitomi!" Melerna screamed as she embraced her friend in a bear hug.
"Hi Melerna. It's so good to see you again. But you're about as bad as Merle!" Hitomi said, a little out of breath.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Merle asked defensively.
"I think Hitomi meant that she needs air! Melerna, let Hitomi breathe!" Allen stated just in time. Hitomi gasped for air.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Hitomi. I..."
"Don't worry about it! I'm okay! Really!" Hitomi said with a cheerful smile, while still trying to catch her breath.
"Now I'm starting to feel left out! Where's my hug? Everyone else has gotten one." Allen said, trying to look pitiful.
"Sorry Allen." Hitomi said as she gave him a bear hug.
Hitomi looked behind Allen and there stood the crew of the crusade. Along with Mr. Mole, Prince Chid, Princess Eries, Merle, Melerna, Van, a blonde haired girl, and a cat-man, all of them were standing at the table, waiting for Hitomi.
"Hey everyone!" Hitomi said as she ran over to the blonde girl and looked into her eyes. "Let me guess... You must be Celena."
"Oh, yes, I am Miss Hitomi." Celena said, hoping Hitomi didn't know about her past.
"Call me Hitomi. Miss Hitomi sounds too formal. I mean, I already know a lot about you and you're pretty much, like, my sister." Hitomi said with her cheerful attitude.
Celena stood there in shock, and scared out of her mind. 'She knows! Oh, no! She knows!' Celena thought.
"You know?" Celena asked in a near whimper.
"I know about you from before your disappearance. And now... Now is all I care about." Hitomi said in a comforting voice. "Don't worry." Hitomi added, whispering in Celena's ear.
Celena smiled and whispered, "Thank you."
Hitomi smiled back and nearly ran over to Van to check out the cat-man next to him.
"Good morning Van. Sleep well?" Hitomi questioned.
'Oh God. She's going to slap me. I just know it!' Van thought to himself, cringing at the thought of her slapping him a third time. "Yes, thank you." He said as he closed his eyes, waiting for the blow.
Hitomi gave him a light peck on the cheek. He opened one eyelid to see if it was safe to open the other. When he saw the coast was clear, he had both eyes open in a questioning look.
"Thank you for taking me to my room last night. Sorry if I scared you when I fainted." Hitomi said a little shyly while blushing.
"Anytime! You'd think I'd be used to that kind of thing. I mean, as much as you used to faint and all. Was it a vision?" Van asked. Everyone gasped at his question.
"Is that what it was Hitomi?" Merle asked, breaking the silence.
"Sort of." Hitomi said, not wanting to let on what she really saw. 'Oh, yeah. I really want to tell everyone I saw a dead person. They'd probably get worried.' Hitomi thought.
"Was it Mother?" Van asked.
"What do you mean Van?" Hitomi asked, shaking.
"Well, you said you saw a dead person. So, was it my Mother?" Van once again asked.
"Van, I hate to tell you this, but, Hitomi didn't say anything like that." Allen said with a worried look on his face.
'Van, look at me.' Hitomi thought. Van looked at Hitomi. 'Can you hear me Van? Can you hear my thoughts?' Hitomi thought. Van stood there with a look of horror on his face.
'How can I hear Hitomi's thoughts. I can barely make out my own.' Van thought.
'So, you can hear me.' Hitomi thought. 'And I can hear you Van.'
Suddenly, without warning, both Hitomi and Van collapsed.
"Hitomi!" Melerna screamed as she caught her.
"Lord Van!" Merle screamed as she ran to his aid, catching him. "Lord Van? Lord Van!"
Melerna took Hitomi and placed her head on Hitomi's chest.
"Merle, see if Van's heart is still beating." Melerna commanded. Merle complied.
"Yes it is. Is Hitomi's?" Merle asked.
"..."
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A/N: Oh my goodness! You guys, and girls, actually reviewed! Thank you! Thank you! Well I got the 5 reviews I asked for in less then 24 hours so here's the third chapter I promised. If I get 5 more reviews I'll put up chapter 4. It is already completed. *^_^* Because of all your reviews it inspired me to type more then I ever thought possible in one night! I'm the energizer bunny! I keep going, and going, and going... *^_^* Thank you again! *^_^* Oh and I got another fic out for Escaflowne called Demons and Angels if you're ever interested in AU fics.