Title: When I Talk To You
Author: Lady of the Ink
Pairing: V/H
Category: Suspense/Romance, with some good angst thrown in for flavor.
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne, but you knew that. I hope. But I do own this story and all the plot twists it contains.
Dedication: To all the reviewers who have taken the time to read this, and tell me what they thought.

Chapter Eight
No Need To Pretend

Merle made her way through the nearly silent town after parting from Lord Van and Corey Kanzaki. Many of the citizens were probably just sitting down to breakfast before getting to an early start. She was grateful that there were few people out and about to question her departure. It was rare for her to leave the townhouse before noon an any given day, and even more infrequent for her to go to this morning's destination; the swampy lands that surrounded the thickest forest on its eastern side.

As she started to leave the clusters of houses behind, her mind began to mull over the behavior of Hitomi's brother. He had been strangely adamant about not getting help, even though it would have sped up the search significantly. If she hadn't already been convinced he was related to their old friend from the Mystic Moon, the stubborn look he'd donned would have clinched it. It was identical to the one Hitomi had worn many times during her visit. And if the temperament behind it was the same, there'd be no changing Corey's mind from his set path.

Leaving the well-worn path to move through a field, Merle chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. It was fairly obvious that he knew something that they didn't, but he'd chosen not to tell them. Was Hitomi really hurt, and he didn't want to worry them?

That idea was discarded almost as quickly as it was brought up. He'd told them he was pretty sure she was okay for the moment, and she'd sensed that that was the truth. He really thought his sister was okay. Or as okay as she could be, given the situation.

Shaking her head, Merle scolded herself. "If you're willing to accept the fact that he's right about Hitomi being all right, then you'd better also accept that it's for the best to have just the three most involved people trying to find her." She adjusted the bag on her back, and then muttered, "Even if it does seem stupid."

The knee-high grass was still wet with drops of dew, and Merle could feel a slight chill setting into her skin. Pausing in her forward hike for a moment, she looked around. Recognizing a few landmarks, she knew there was a small clearing not far from where she stood. If someone had found themselves wondering around this area as darkness fell, that spot would have been the best place to camp for the night.

Hoping with more eagerness than she would admit that the older girl would be there, Merle quickly pushed forward. As she cleared the last few small trees and bushes, she began to scan the area. Seeing nothing, her shoulders drooped and disappointment washed through her. She'd wanted so much to find Hitomi . . .

The sound of a twig snapping directly behind her made Merle tense. Breathing shallowly, she raised herself onto the balls of her feet, ready to make a quick dash to escape. When a hand landed on her shoulder, she whirled around, a scream tearing from her throat as she saw who stood there.

Van's feet pounded onto the path with as much force as was possible without causing pain. The heavy clumping sound was only vaguely satisfying to his dark mood. This was the one thing he despised above all else. That was having the knowledge that something was wrong, and being unable to immediately jump into action to fix the problem.

He kicked viciously at an unsuspecting rock, watching as it hurtled through the air and into a tree with enough forced to break in two pieces. Sighing, he rubbed his hand over his gritty eyes, blinking a few times to clear them. He hadn't been able to fall asleep last night, or rather, this morning, and it was catching up with him. Added to the point of exhaustion that he'd pushed himself to for the past few weeks, it was amazing that he'd even made it out of bed.

As he'd laid there in the dark room, all he could think about was Hitomi. Seeing her for the first time, watching as she proved her bravery and good heart again and again. He'd known for a long time that there was no other that he could love in the same way. She had taken possession of his heart, and he was happy to have her there.

Their time apart had been difficult, but in some ways, necessary. It had cemented in his mind that what they had wasn't some romance born in the heat of the moment, quick to flare and just as quick to burn out, but one that had been slated for centuries to come to pass. They were supposed to be together, and it was as simple as that. While they were separated, the worlds would continue to turn, the sun would keep shining, and they'd both go on living, but it was all a little less vibrant for their distance.

Raking a hand through his already disheveled hair, Van began to walk again. That same hand dropped to his neck, where the repaired pendant hung once more. Holding the little pink stone tightly in his fist, Van allowed his mind to focus solely on Hitomi. The curve of her cheek, the exact shade of her eyes, her smile . . .

'Van . . .'

Van jerked to a stop, his head whipping from one side to the other, trying to see who it was that had spoken his name. There was no one there. He was alone on the rutted path leading through one of the more barren areas outside of the main town. The lack of obstructions made it easy to see for dozens of feet in all directions, and the only other living thing he saw was a small furry animal that darted into the undergrowth. There was no one that could have called his name.

As he thought about it, he realized that both the voice and the way it had come to him had seemed achingly familiar. "Hitomi?" he whispered to himself, almost afraid to believe. He waited, straining to hear the slightest sound.

There was nothing.

For a long moment, he just stood there, unmoving. Had he imagined the sound of her voice? Was it merely another memory flitting through his mind, so real as to fool him? He frowned. Memory . . .

The instant before the voice had come, he'd been thinking about Hitomi. His fist tightened on the necklace, the stone biting into his hand. Could it possibly mean . . . Closing his eyes, he began concentrating on her again. The sound of her laughter, the way she tilted her head, the feel of her hand in his . . .

'Van . . . I'm here . . .'

Forcing himself to maintain his concentration, he tried to get a feel for where her voice was coming from. 'Hitomi, I'm coming. Keep talking.'

'Find me.'

'I will. I promise.' Following his instincts, he moved in the direction that felt right. As he worked his way forward, he soon left the flat, bare area behind for a rocky section rife with steep inclines. Making his way down one such bank, he slipped, breaking his concentration and forcing him to cover the rest of the ground on his rear. As he finally came to a stop, he regained his feet only to face an astonishing sight.

Before him lay Hitomi, resting on her side. One hand was pulled beneath her chin, pillowing her head. Her eyes were closed, and there was a peaceful expression on her face. Slightly confused, Van paused. If she was asleep, how had she called to him, letting him know where to find her? Did she even know that he was there, or was her subconcious working on its own while she dreamed on, completely unaware?

Pushing all those thoughts from his mind, he allowed himself a moment of relief. She was here. His Hitomi had come back to him, and she seemed okay. All the worries and fears that had assailed him for the last several months seemed to melt away, leaving him feeling lighthearted. A soft smile crossed his face as, moving closer, Van cautiously touched her cheek with gentle fingers. A part of him was half afraid that the vision before him would dissolve into nothingness. But she remained, her flesh warm to his touch.

Unable to resist, he pulled her into his arms, holding her gently but firmly in his embrace. Her face came to rest on his shoulder, her warm breath brushing over his neck. He knew he should get her to his house, should tell Merle and Corey that he'd found her, should do something . . .

But in that moment, he couldn't force himself to move. There was no place he wanted to be more than at the bottom of that hill, cradling her in arms, secure in the knowledge she was fine and that he could keep her safe. Sighing in satisfaction, he rested his head on hers. Time passed unnoticed as he sat there, just holding her close to his heart, determined never to let her go again.