Love can Change You 11
A/N: I'm back! And now I have a special announcement. A friend of mine asked me to write this in, so here we go:
*Cloud of smoke appears. When it disappears, a bewildered skinny guy in need of an overdose of Prozac is standing next to a grinning red head holding Harry Potter's wand*
Skinny guy (MM): What the hell?
Girl (Sgt. Lizzie): Yes! Finally! Revenge for all those times you've insulted Gundam Wing!
MM: Gundam Wing blows.
Sgt. Lizzie: Die! (Attacks MM and beats him up with Harry's wand)
Magicman: Now while my cohort is beating my other cohort senseless: Last time on Escaflowne, the Slayers went out into the woods. During a snowball fight, Hitomi and Dilandau kissed. But the tender moment was interrupted by a dragon attack. A pissed-off Hitomi decapitated the dragon and helped Dilandau back to camp. Now.
*** 1 week later. ***
Dalet's 'melef charged, sword drawn and slashing. Hitomi made a quick upward block, shattering the blade, then placed hers at Dalet's neck. "I win."
The cockpits of the two guymelefs opened. Out of the blue one stepped a longhaired boy, and out of the green one stepped a sandy-haired girl.
Jumping to the ground, the two clasped hands. "Good fight! You're getting better." Dalet's compliment was sincere, if grudging. "You're not the best yet though." Hitomi laughed.
"That's why I've beaten you five times in a row, eh?"
Dalet snorted. "You were just lucky."
"Right. And I'm queen of Asturia!"
The argument had been going on for the past week. Dalet kept challenging Hitomi to rematches, and Hitomi kept beating him. Each time he had insisted that it had been 'just luck'. And each time, he insisted on having a rematch, after which he would claim that her victory was just luck. 'I guess this proves that not all people are susceptible to change' Hitomi thought.
Before the fight could flare up again, a voice yelled, "LUNCH TIME!", and the two slayers ran like hell to be the first in line.
Hitomi was there first. She was the fastest slayer in the army! But the fight for second place was always interesting. Once Gatti had jumped on someone's back to keep him from getting there before him!
Today was a dull race however. The rest of the slayers were out training. Only Chesta, Hitomi, Dalet, and Dilandau were here. Chesta because he was the cook, Dalet and Hitomi because they were guarding their guymelefs, and Dilandau because he was still recovering his sprained ankle.
Today he managed to walk to the fire well enough. "Chesta," he growled, "What's to eat today?"
Chesta was as cheerful as ever. "Today we have stew that's made from carrots, potatoes, and leftover dragon meat." He smiled at Hitomi at that. "And I also made some brownies."
Dilandau's eyes lit up. "Brownies you say?"
Chesta nodded, and Hitomi giggled. Dilandau was so cute when he tried to pretend he didn't like Chesta's brownies.
"Well what are you waiting for? Serve the stew! Then we'll get on to the brownies." That last part was so low that Chesta could barely hear it. Masking his grin, he feigned mindless obedience. "Yes Lord Dilandau".
Everyone all but inhaled the stew. It wasn't just the brownies. The stew was good too. The meat was just chewy enough, the potatoes were perfect, and the carrots weren't squishy. Heaven alone knew how Chesta did that!
When everyone was done, they all sat back and watched Chesta with wolfish expressions. Feeling like he had a big steak hanging from his neck, Chesta brought out the plate. Everyone politely took a brownie, and scarfed it down. Chesta barely had time to get his hand out of the way!
After lunch, Dalet went off to find the others, and Chesta went to put away his cooking tools. Hitomi moved over and sat closer to Dilandau. Her heart stirred as it did whenever he was near. She sighed in contentment. She knew this feeling now. She loved him. It was too bad that her experience with Van had made her even shier about communicating this feeling. Being with Dilandau felt so.right! And she even had suspicions that he had feelings for her.
Her attention returned to the present, and she just felt the moment. Maybe she'd be able to tell him the truth later.
When she saw him rub his ankle, she asked, "Are you alright?" He shook his head.
"I'm fine. It just itches now and then." Dilandau shrugged and stroked his cheek. "I've had worse."
Hitomi stayed silent. She knew what he was talking about.
"I'm going to get him you know", Dilandau said suddenly. "I'll make him pay for ruining my face."
Hitomi saw the anger in his eyes, the fire in his eyes. "You know what I think?"
"What?"
Hitomi smiled and lightly brushed it with a finger. "I think it makes you look sexy."
Dilandau smirked. "At least someone thinks so." He looked at her suddenly. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Hitomi nodded enthusiastically. "Hell yeah! I could name lots of girls that'd throw themselves at you!"
Dilandau smiled arrogantly. "Well that's no surprise."
"It was a minute ago."
Dilandau frowned. "Must you be so annoyingly precise?"
"Yep. It's what makes me, me!" She laughed. So did Dilandau.
When the laughter ended, Hitomi felt a slight pain in her neck. She undid her collar, and felt the side of her neck. It was where Van had cut her. It still hurt sometimes, a reminder of what he'd done to her. She glanced at Dilandau, who was staring intently into the fire. "You know how you said you'd get revenge on Van for scarring you?" He blinked and looked at her in confusion. When he saw her neck, he understood. Hitomi had a scar of her own, now. Long and white, it traced from beside her throat to the back of her neck. You want to get him back too, don't you?"
Hitomi shook her head. "No. Something's wrong with him, and I want to find out what first."
Dilandau put his arm around her. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "Well, if it means that much to you, I won't kill him until you're finished with him."
Hitomi was startled. "Do you mean that?" Dilandau nodded, and she hugged him.
"Thank you Dilandau. You don't know how much this means to me." ' You don't know how much YOU mean to me.' They both thought that at the same time.
Then they kissed.
***
Chesta headed back in the direction of the fire. "Did we have to put the guymelefs and the tents so far apart?", he grumbled. He'd have to have a word with Miguel about this. After all, it had been his idea!
Maybe he'd spend the afternoon practising knife throwing. It was an interesting hobby that everyone was picking up. 'I wonder if I'm good?' He thought.
Rounding a tree, he stopped and stared. He did not see what he saw. He must be mistaken. He ran forward to get a better look. 'I am not seeing this.' He ran faster, and hid behind Dilandau's guymelef. He was now twenty feet away, and there could be no mistaking what he saw. 'Oh crap. I AM seeing this.'
What was he seeing? He was seeing Hitomi and Dilandau.
Hitomi was sitting on Dilandau's lap, hands buried in his hair and eyes half closed. Dilandau's arms had wrapped around her back, holding Hitomi's body close to his. Their lips were locked together, and even from twenty feet away, Chesta could tell tongues were wheeling and dancing within those mouths.
Chesta blinked three times and shook his head. No, they were still there, still locked in that embrace. He sighed silently. The two people he'd least suspected of getting together had got together. Maybe Guimel and Ryoun weren't such idiots after all.
He tried to collect his thoughts. Right now, his chances of living through the rest of the day didn't look too good. But if he was the only one who knew.then maybe Hitomi and Dilandau didn't want anyone finding out about them! In which case, he could probably exchange his survival for his help in keeping this quiet!
Chesta grinned. He just might live through the night after all!
***
Hitomi had rarely felt so happy. Here she was, making out with a hot guy she fell in love with. Too bad she was too shy and insecure to tell him.
Hitomi returned her attention to Dilandau, who was now sucking on her lower lip. When they pulled away at last, her eyes held a look of pure adoration. Dilandau saw that look and smiled. 'Life doesn't get any better than this.' He thought. The next few moments proved him right.
A cough drew their attention. In horror, they saw Chesta looking at them, a smile on his lips.
For a moment, neither moved. Then Hitomi managed a, "Chesta. We didn't expect you back here." Dilandau couldn't say anything. He just sat there, that look of astonishment on his face.
Chesta nodded. "I suppose not." He walked over to them and sat down on the log. Silence reigned by the fire. Then Chesta spoke up. "First of all, I'd just like to say that I'm happy for you two. I really am. Second of all, please don't kill me."
Hitomi looked at Chesta oddly. "Why in the world would we kill you?" Dilandau mumbled something and Hitomi elbowed him in the ribs.
"Well, I thought that since you two were trying so hard to hide the fact that you'd." He left that thought unfinished.
Dilandau smirked. "You thought that we'd do anything to keep this quiet." Chesta nodded, miserably. "But you didn't remember that I'm your commander, and that if I ordered you not to tell anyone, you'd have to obey. Am I right?"
Chesta nodded even more miserably. "Does this mean that you're not going to hurt me?"
Dilandau looked dead serious. "No, we won't hurt you. But you will be punished." Chesta seemed to shrink. Hitomi caught the twinkle in Dilandau's eyes and grinned in anticipation.
Dilandau spoke slowly and deliberately. "Your punishment will be to make us three batches of your brownies." He laughed as hard as Hitomi at Chesta's stunned look.
"Are you serious Lord Dilandau?" Dilandau nodded, and Chesta hesitated. "You've changed a lot in the past week."
Dilandau smiled gently. "Yes I have." He gazed at Hitomi. "I fell in love."
Hitomi gasped. "Do you mean it? Do you honestly mean it?" Tears came to her eyes when he answered.
"Yes I do Hitomi. For the first time in my life, I love someone."
Crying for joy, she threw her arms around his neck. "I love you too Dilandau! I really love you too!" The lovers kissed warmly and Dilandau felt the loneliness in his heart melt at last. Chesta coughed loudly to get their attention. They just waved him away, and he knew not to press his luck.
As Chesta strolled away, he thought to himself about what he'd witnessed today and smiled. It was a good thing he wasn't going to tell the guys. They wouldn't have believed him!
Now, where was he going to find some knives? He really should practise.
***
The portable radio at Dilandau's belt buzzed loudly. "Shit." He swore, breaking his lips from Hitomi's. He picked it up and pressed the com button. "This better good", he growled. "What is it? I'm busy!"
Folken's voice came through the machine. "Dilandau. Have your troops pack up and return to the Vione."
"Weren't we supposed to stay out here for another week?" Hitomi asked.
"Yes Hitomi. Unfortunately more important business has come up. Duke Freid is hosting a ball for all the countries, and he hopes this will help keep back hostilities. He's invited representatives from Zaibach. Namely me and the Dragonslayers".
"A ball???" Dilandau was shocked. "What kind of excuse is that to call off a training exercise?"
"A poor one, I admit. But one that may work to our advantage. I'll expect you back here before the day is out". Then there was static.
Dilandau growled and threw the radio to the ground. As he stomped on it, Hitomi shook her head. Her boyfriend really had to work on his anger management.
***
"Hitomi?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you come to the ball with me?"
Hitomi frowned. "Dilandau, I'm coming to it anyway!"
"I mean with me. Will you come with me?"
Hitomi's guymelef dropped a good twenty feet when she understood what Dilandau just said. 'He asked you out! OHMIGOD!' "Yes Dilandau, I'd love to go with you." 'I'm going out with Dilandau! Yaay! Wait. I don't have a thing to wear! What'll I do???
Dilandau's guymelef didn't lose any altitude, but it stopped in midair. While the others were shooting past him, he was in fits. 'Hitomi said yes! Haha! My first date! .Oh crap! I DON'T HAVE ANY NICE CLOTHES! ARRGH! I HATE TRIVIAL DETAILS!'
"Uh, Lord Dilandau? Hitomi? Are you two alright?" Ryoun sounded worried.
Chesta actually chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about them. I'd worry about what they'd do to you for insinuating that they need help!"
Ryoun thought about this. "Good point", he said, and his guymelef speeded up to escape the wrath of his compatriots.
When back on the Vione, Folken was waiting for them. "Well men," he began, "Since you're all here, it's time to tell you why you're not training right now."
As he filled them in, Hitomi was in dream world. A date! A date! A date! The words kept repeating themselves in her head. She snapped out of it when she heard Folken say, "You will wear your uniforms. Everyone will know we are from Zaibach." She almost wept for joy. Her clothes problem was taken from her hands! Being a soldier really had its upsides.
As the gang split up, Hitomi and Dilandau raced to their respective rooms. Guimel noticed and shook his head. "I keep telling you," He told Chesta, "They like each other!"
"And you figured this out by watching them go into their rooms?"
"Of course not! But just look at them: The way they sit together, the way one gets all dream-eyed when the other is mentioned, how Dilandau's nicer, how Hitomi's crazier-"
"She's not crazy!"
Guimel snorted. "Not crazy. CraziER! She was NEVER crazy!"
"So now she's crazier than before."
"Exactly! You've seen her fight Dalet. Does she seem sane then?"
"No. But when Lord Dilandau fights, he goes crazy too!"
"I won't argue there. But he hasn't slapped any of us since those two fought. And I don't know about you, but he's only yelled at me twice!"
Chesta sighed and rubbed his temples. "So from all this, you think that Dilandau and Hitomi are in love?"
Guimel nodded in triumph. "Love changes people. And those two have changed." With that, the slayer strode off, probably to prepare for the ball. Chesta was alone with his thoughts.
"I hope he's not as smart as he thinks he is, or Hitomi and Dilandau's secret won't stay secret for long!"
Magicman: Thank you for making it this far in my story. Next up is the ball. Guess who'll be there! Guess!
Sgt. Lizzie: (Brandishing a bloody wand) And don't forget to review!
A/N: I'm back! And now I have a special announcement. A friend of mine asked me to write this in, so here we go:
*Cloud of smoke appears. When it disappears, a bewildered skinny guy in need of an overdose of Prozac is standing next to a grinning red head holding Harry Potter's wand*
Skinny guy (MM): What the hell?
Girl (Sgt. Lizzie): Yes! Finally! Revenge for all those times you've insulted Gundam Wing!
MM: Gundam Wing blows.
Sgt. Lizzie: Die! (Attacks MM and beats him up with Harry's wand)
Magicman: Now while my cohort is beating my other cohort senseless: Last time on Escaflowne, the Slayers went out into the woods. During a snowball fight, Hitomi and Dilandau kissed. But the tender moment was interrupted by a dragon attack. A pissed-off Hitomi decapitated the dragon and helped Dilandau back to camp. Now.
*** 1 week later. ***
Dalet's 'melef charged, sword drawn and slashing. Hitomi made a quick upward block, shattering the blade, then placed hers at Dalet's neck. "I win."
The cockpits of the two guymelefs opened. Out of the blue one stepped a longhaired boy, and out of the green one stepped a sandy-haired girl.
Jumping to the ground, the two clasped hands. "Good fight! You're getting better." Dalet's compliment was sincere, if grudging. "You're not the best yet though." Hitomi laughed.
"That's why I've beaten you five times in a row, eh?"
Dalet snorted. "You were just lucky."
"Right. And I'm queen of Asturia!"
The argument had been going on for the past week. Dalet kept challenging Hitomi to rematches, and Hitomi kept beating him. Each time he had insisted that it had been 'just luck'. And each time, he insisted on having a rematch, after which he would claim that her victory was just luck. 'I guess this proves that not all people are susceptible to change' Hitomi thought.
Before the fight could flare up again, a voice yelled, "LUNCH TIME!", and the two slayers ran like hell to be the first in line.
Hitomi was there first. She was the fastest slayer in the army! But the fight for second place was always interesting. Once Gatti had jumped on someone's back to keep him from getting there before him!
Today was a dull race however. The rest of the slayers were out training. Only Chesta, Hitomi, Dalet, and Dilandau were here. Chesta because he was the cook, Dalet and Hitomi because they were guarding their guymelefs, and Dilandau because he was still recovering his sprained ankle.
Today he managed to walk to the fire well enough. "Chesta," he growled, "What's to eat today?"
Chesta was as cheerful as ever. "Today we have stew that's made from carrots, potatoes, and leftover dragon meat." He smiled at Hitomi at that. "And I also made some brownies."
Dilandau's eyes lit up. "Brownies you say?"
Chesta nodded, and Hitomi giggled. Dilandau was so cute when he tried to pretend he didn't like Chesta's brownies.
"Well what are you waiting for? Serve the stew! Then we'll get on to the brownies." That last part was so low that Chesta could barely hear it. Masking his grin, he feigned mindless obedience. "Yes Lord Dilandau".
Everyone all but inhaled the stew. It wasn't just the brownies. The stew was good too. The meat was just chewy enough, the potatoes were perfect, and the carrots weren't squishy. Heaven alone knew how Chesta did that!
When everyone was done, they all sat back and watched Chesta with wolfish expressions. Feeling like he had a big steak hanging from his neck, Chesta brought out the plate. Everyone politely took a brownie, and scarfed it down. Chesta barely had time to get his hand out of the way!
After lunch, Dalet went off to find the others, and Chesta went to put away his cooking tools. Hitomi moved over and sat closer to Dilandau. Her heart stirred as it did whenever he was near. She sighed in contentment. She knew this feeling now. She loved him. It was too bad that her experience with Van had made her even shier about communicating this feeling. Being with Dilandau felt so.right! And she even had suspicions that he had feelings for her.
Her attention returned to the present, and she just felt the moment. Maybe she'd be able to tell him the truth later.
When she saw him rub his ankle, she asked, "Are you alright?" He shook his head.
"I'm fine. It just itches now and then." Dilandau shrugged and stroked his cheek. "I've had worse."
Hitomi stayed silent. She knew what he was talking about.
"I'm going to get him you know", Dilandau said suddenly. "I'll make him pay for ruining my face."
Hitomi saw the anger in his eyes, the fire in his eyes. "You know what I think?"
"What?"
Hitomi smiled and lightly brushed it with a finger. "I think it makes you look sexy."
Dilandau smirked. "At least someone thinks so." He looked at her suddenly. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Hitomi nodded enthusiastically. "Hell yeah! I could name lots of girls that'd throw themselves at you!"
Dilandau smiled arrogantly. "Well that's no surprise."
"It was a minute ago."
Dilandau frowned. "Must you be so annoyingly precise?"
"Yep. It's what makes me, me!" She laughed. So did Dilandau.
When the laughter ended, Hitomi felt a slight pain in her neck. She undid her collar, and felt the side of her neck. It was where Van had cut her. It still hurt sometimes, a reminder of what he'd done to her. She glanced at Dilandau, who was staring intently into the fire. "You know how you said you'd get revenge on Van for scarring you?" He blinked and looked at her in confusion. When he saw her neck, he understood. Hitomi had a scar of her own, now. Long and white, it traced from beside her throat to the back of her neck. You want to get him back too, don't you?"
Hitomi shook her head. "No. Something's wrong with him, and I want to find out what first."
Dilandau put his arm around her. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "Well, if it means that much to you, I won't kill him until you're finished with him."
Hitomi was startled. "Do you mean that?" Dilandau nodded, and she hugged him.
"Thank you Dilandau. You don't know how much this means to me." ' You don't know how much YOU mean to me.' They both thought that at the same time.
Then they kissed.
***
Chesta headed back in the direction of the fire. "Did we have to put the guymelefs and the tents so far apart?", he grumbled. He'd have to have a word with Miguel about this. After all, it had been his idea!
Maybe he'd spend the afternoon practising knife throwing. It was an interesting hobby that everyone was picking up. 'I wonder if I'm good?' He thought.
Rounding a tree, he stopped and stared. He did not see what he saw. He must be mistaken. He ran forward to get a better look. 'I am not seeing this.' He ran faster, and hid behind Dilandau's guymelef. He was now twenty feet away, and there could be no mistaking what he saw. 'Oh crap. I AM seeing this.'
What was he seeing? He was seeing Hitomi and Dilandau.
Hitomi was sitting on Dilandau's lap, hands buried in his hair and eyes half closed. Dilandau's arms had wrapped around her back, holding Hitomi's body close to his. Their lips were locked together, and even from twenty feet away, Chesta could tell tongues were wheeling and dancing within those mouths.
Chesta blinked three times and shook his head. No, they were still there, still locked in that embrace. He sighed silently. The two people he'd least suspected of getting together had got together. Maybe Guimel and Ryoun weren't such idiots after all.
He tried to collect his thoughts. Right now, his chances of living through the rest of the day didn't look too good. But if he was the only one who knew.then maybe Hitomi and Dilandau didn't want anyone finding out about them! In which case, he could probably exchange his survival for his help in keeping this quiet!
Chesta grinned. He just might live through the night after all!
***
Hitomi had rarely felt so happy. Here she was, making out with a hot guy she fell in love with. Too bad she was too shy and insecure to tell him.
Hitomi returned her attention to Dilandau, who was now sucking on her lower lip. When they pulled away at last, her eyes held a look of pure adoration. Dilandau saw that look and smiled. 'Life doesn't get any better than this.' He thought. The next few moments proved him right.
A cough drew their attention. In horror, they saw Chesta looking at them, a smile on his lips.
For a moment, neither moved. Then Hitomi managed a, "Chesta. We didn't expect you back here." Dilandau couldn't say anything. He just sat there, that look of astonishment on his face.
Chesta nodded. "I suppose not." He walked over to them and sat down on the log. Silence reigned by the fire. Then Chesta spoke up. "First of all, I'd just like to say that I'm happy for you two. I really am. Second of all, please don't kill me."
Hitomi looked at Chesta oddly. "Why in the world would we kill you?" Dilandau mumbled something and Hitomi elbowed him in the ribs.
"Well, I thought that since you two were trying so hard to hide the fact that you'd." He left that thought unfinished.
Dilandau smirked. "You thought that we'd do anything to keep this quiet." Chesta nodded, miserably. "But you didn't remember that I'm your commander, and that if I ordered you not to tell anyone, you'd have to obey. Am I right?"
Chesta nodded even more miserably. "Does this mean that you're not going to hurt me?"
Dilandau looked dead serious. "No, we won't hurt you. But you will be punished." Chesta seemed to shrink. Hitomi caught the twinkle in Dilandau's eyes and grinned in anticipation.
Dilandau spoke slowly and deliberately. "Your punishment will be to make us three batches of your brownies." He laughed as hard as Hitomi at Chesta's stunned look.
"Are you serious Lord Dilandau?" Dilandau nodded, and Chesta hesitated. "You've changed a lot in the past week."
Dilandau smiled gently. "Yes I have." He gazed at Hitomi. "I fell in love."
Hitomi gasped. "Do you mean it? Do you honestly mean it?" Tears came to her eyes when he answered.
"Yes I do Hitomi. For the first time in my life, I love someone."
Crying for joy, she threw her arms around his neck. "I love you too Dilandau! I really love you too!" The lovers kissed warmly and Dilandau felt the loneliness in his heart melt at last. Chesta coughed loudly to get their attention. They just waved him away, and he knew not to press his luck.
As Chesta strolled away, he thought to himself about what he'd witnessed today and smiled. It was a good thing he wasn't going to tell the guys. They wouldn't have believed him!
Now, where was he going to find some knives? He really should practise.
***
The portable radio at Dilandau's belt buzzed loudly. "Shit." He swore, breaking his lips from Hitomi's. He picked it up and pressed the com button. "This better good", he growled. "What is it? I'm busy!"
Folken's voice came through the machine. "Dilandau. Have your troops pack up and return to the Vione."
"Weren't we supposed to stay out here for another week?" Hitomi asked.
"Yes Hitomi. Unfortunately more important business has come up. Duke Freid is hosting a ball for all the countries, and he hopes this will help keep back hostilities. He's invited representatives from Zaibach. Namely me and the Dragonslayers".
"A ball???" Dilandau was shocked. "What kind of excuse is that to call off a training exercise?"
"A poor one, I admit. But one that may work to our advantage. I'll expect you back here before the day is out". Then there was static.
Dilandau growled and threw the radio to the ground. As he stomped on it, Hitomi shook her head. Her boyfriend really had to work on his anger management.
***
"Hitomi?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you come to the ball with me?"
Hitomi frowned. "Dilandau, I'm coming to it anyway!"
"I mean with me. Will you come with me?"
Hitomi's guymelef dropped a good twenty feet when she understood what Dilandau just said. 'He asked you out! OHMIGOD!' "Yes Dilandau, I'd love to go with you." 'I'm going out with Dilandau! Yaay! Wait. I don't have a thing to wear! What'll I do???
Dilandau's guymelef didn't lose any altitude, but it stopped in midair. While the others were shooting past him, he was in fits. 'Hitomi said yes! Haha! My first date! .Oh crap! I DON'T HAVE ANY NICE CLOTHES! ARRGH! I HATE TRIVIAL DETAILS!'
"Uh, Lord Dilandau? Hitomi? Are you two alright?" Ryoun sounded worried.
Chesta actually chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about them. I'd worry about what they'd do to you for insinuating that they need help!"
Ryoun thought about this. "Good point", he said, and his guymelef speeded up to escape the wrath of his compatriots.
When back on the Vione, Folken was waiting for them. "Well men," he began, "Since you're all here, it's time to tell you why you're not training right now."
As he filled them in, Hitomi was in dream world. A date! A date! A date! The words kept repeating themselves in her head. She snapped out of it when she heard Folken say, "You will wear your uniforms. Everyone will know we are from Zaibach." She almost wept for joy. Her clothes problem was taken from her hands! Being a soldier really had its upsides.
As the gang split up, Hitomi and Dilandau raced to their respective rooms. Guimel noticed and shook his head. "I keep telling you," He told Chesta, "They like each other!"
"And you figured this out by watching them go into their rooms?"
"Of course not! But just look at them: The way they sit together, the way one gets all dream-eyed when the other is mentioned, how Dilandau's nicer, how Hitomi's crazier-"
"She's not crazy!"
Guimel snorted. "Not crazy. CraziER! She was NEVER crazy!"
"So now she's crazier than before."
"Exactly! You've seen her fight Dalet. Does she seem sane then?"
"No. But when Lord Dilandau fights, he goes crazy too!"
"I won't argue there. But he hasn't slapped any of us since those two fought. And I don't know about you, but he's only yelled at me twice!"
Chesta sighed and rubbed his temples. "So from all this, you think that Dilandau and Hitomi are in love?"
Guimel nodded in triumph. "Love changes people. And those two have changed." With that, the slayer strode off, probably to prepare for the ball. Chesta was alone with his thoughts.
"I hope he's not as smart as he thinks he is, or Hitomi and Dilandau's secret won't stay secret for long!"
Magicman: Thank you for making it this far in my story. Next up is the ball. Guess who'll be there! Guess!
Sgt. Lizzie: (Brandishing a bloody wand) And don't forget to review!