Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own anything in Vision of Escaflowne, or it wouldn't be a fanfiction. Don't sue me :D

synopsis: With their behind them, Van and Hitomi find they can't live without one another. So they get ready to go back to Gaia....seems almost too easy...To be a queen! Hitomi was almost in shock. She hadn't really thought that far ahead...But it sounded so nice and Van was being so sweet...maybe she should just fall right into this dream her life had become. But so many obstacles were in the path ahead of her...


Authors note: Song ~ Aoi Hitomi or Hikari no Naka e (Into the Light)

***

Evan decided her should humor Merle, and the unsuspecting couple. He smiled brightly and handed Van a drink of ale when he found him sitting on a bench watching the festivities with Hitomi. The boys chatted happily about meaningless things, such as Evan getting sword lessons, and when to get up the next morning. After a while of getting bored by their conversation, Hitomi left with her mother and walked around talking to Fanelians.


*

Later that night, Hitomi walked around some of the lovely trees that stood near the palace to get away from the party go-ers. The stars shown brightly, and she smiled up at Earth. It was beautiful, next to the slightly more than a sliver of the moon. She spied someone on the path ahead of her and hid behind a tree.

Silently, the man spotted her and moved towards her direction. He wore a white tunic, and held a dark coat in the crook of his arm. Hitomi smiled as she recognized his black hair and dark eyes, even in that terrible light. As he walked up to her, she took a bold approach. They were in the dark, why not? Hitomi wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him.

she whispered as her lips met his, and he kissed her passionately.

And it was at that moment Hitomi realized her mistake. He didn't taste like her fiancée, or smell like him, or kiss like him...

Evan!?!

Hitomi, wide eyed and startled pushed him back and fell into a bush. She scrambled to hoist herself up against a tree and blend into the night, to no avail.

Hitomi! I didn't mean to.. I didn't.. AGGH!! he said and yelled while trying to grab hold of her arm.

Hitomi, stunned and freaking at the same time, managed to get away from the shrubberys and turned to run. Hefting her skirts she ran until she was in her room. She was trying her best not to cry, and she leaned against her bedpost. She wanted to scream and yell... but didn't want to alarm anyone. She turned round and put her face into a pillow and screamed. Tears came, and she cried for a few brief moments out of frustration.

Why had he let her do that! Why had he kissed her back!?

Images of when she met Evan flooded her mind, in response. They had flirted over tea, even over wet clothes. If Van hadn't had been there looking for her...

Hitomi sat up and put her hand to her mouth, tears abating.

Oh Van...

Hitomi was glad her mother was here with her. The only other person she could trust with such information was Merle, and that would never bode well...

*

Adjusting her hair, Hitomi took long deep breathes. She couldn't worry Van. He musint know. Evan was his good friend from earth... he couldn't have meant anything by it. It was merely a moment of confusion and it would be forgotten forever. Standing up, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Letting it out, she opened her eyes and headed out the door returning to the festivities.

*

Sipping her wine, Hitomi's mother spotted her daughter the instant she reentered the room.

Something's wrong...

Although her daughter was hiding it well, she could just tell. She figured something was up, and she did not want to let it spread into vicious rumors. She swiftly yet gracefully got to her daughter before anyone else did, and gave her a knowing look. Hitomi grabbed onto her mothers arm and pulled her close.

Mother, I need to speak with you right away. She said as quietly as she could muster through all the noise and music in the hall.

Oh dear, you look slightly flushed! Let's take you out into the fresh air. Here take my drink! She said loud enough for others around them to hear, and led Hitomi outside.

Sitting Hitomi on the small bench in the outter courtyard, her mother lifted an eyebrow.

Hitomi shied from it, but spoke anyway, in a loud whisper. Mother.. I was in the darkness of the sidegardens.. you know the ones right near here.. and I thought it was Van.. I thought he had followed me. So i brought him in close for a kiss, and he kissed me back and... Hitomi looked away. it was Evan. They look so similar that in the low light I had no idea...

Sighing, her mother patted her daughters hands. Do not worry dear. Things will blow over nicely.. you will see. After all, You had no idea it was him, and he was probably overcome with emotion. He did like you did he not?

Hitomi nodded, and looked down. Her mother smiled at her.

Don't worry sweetie. Van is an intelligent man, and Evan is aswell. Things will come out ok.. I promise.

But... Van has a temper mother. Sometimes it controls him and...

Aaaaaah. I said it would be ok, didn't I? You have not seen him do anything too rash that has hurt anyone in over ten years, have you? She said grinning.

Hitomi smiled up at her mother and they stood and walked back into the party smiling.

The figure in the shadows, leaning against a pillar folded his arms across his chest and scowled. Certain measures had to be taken to insure this did not happen again. Adjusting the green and gold sword on his hip, he walked across the courtyard to enter the party from a different direction as the women had. He would not stand idily by.


***

OO angsty! Don't worry, its not what you think... or is it? *grins evily*

ahh you are a fun bunch to torture!

and Mrs. Kanzaki will NOT die! NEVA! That is a terrible thought. Utterly terrible! Luff you all :D