Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne!! Some dude who had the nerve to
separate Hitomi and Van at the end does!! Some jerk that decided it would
be funny to never make them kiss!! Some guy who thought putting them
through all that hell and then never letting them be together would be a
cool idea owns Escaflowne!!! Some guy I would like to have a talk with -_-
A/N Alrighty yep he fainted ^^ Well I mean all the pressure about marriage and stuff and then seeing the girl he thought was dead you know just walk up I mean well he just passed out it was a little too shocking at the moment.
Hitomi and Flora gaped as the strong fighter, the King of Fanelia, the leader of the strongest kingdom on all of Gaia fell forward into Merle's arms. Hitomi blinked in silence, her eyes grew the size of apples as she turned to find Flora chuckling.
Merle looked from her brother to her friends and soon Flora's giggle burst out into a full-fledged laugh. Merle and Hitomi didn't see anything funny about it. Van? Passed out? Hitomi turned to face his unconscious body and blinked again. However, soon Merle started giggling as well. Hitomi looked up and glared at her.
"He will never believe us when he wakes up," Flora said in between her gasps for air
Hitomi did have to agree with her there. Van would never believe it.
"I think it better if we just act like nothing happened," Merle said trying to cover her own laughter
"Save his pride," Flora said giving leave to another round of laughter, "Poor Van," she said pushing his hair back and shaking her head at his face.
Hitomi felt the sudden nervousness sweep over her.
"This definitely wasn't a good idea," she whispered backing away.
Flora immediately ceased with her laughter and wrapped her fingers around Hitomi's arm in a death grip.
"Hitomi Van has been stressed lately, the marauder's attacks have increased, and Dilandu was here the other day giving him trouble about them. Dilandu insists burning down the forest to find them would be a great idea. The council members won't lay off about the wedding and he was up the other day till one in the morning signing stupid papers. Now he just thought he saw a ghost. He's just been under a lot of stress lately his body just finally said this was too much."
Hitomi looked over at the man in Merle's arms and then back at Flora.
"But he fainted!" Hitomi screeched
Merle hissed at her, "Keep your voice down, he just fell asleep before we got here understood?! If anyone found out he passed out he would never live it down."
"Let's take him up to his room, he'll be fine," Flora insisted opening the dining room doors checking for anyone.
The hallway was clear so Hitomi picked up his legs and helped Merle carry him up to his room. They settled him in his bed and headed out. Hitomi turned to see him sleeping and decided she would stay and wait for him to wake up.
Merle and Flora nodded and went down to eat closing the door behind them.
Hitomi pulled his desk chair up next to the bed and sat down. She soon found herself smiling as the brave king of Fanelia lay there on his bed, sleeping. It was rather ridiculous, I mean Van fainting? No one would ever believe. It was probably better that way, it would most likely hurt his pride too much. She would just tell him they were saying hello and he had obviously been so tired he had drifted off just as they were walking in. That's it, that would work, hopefully.
So hoping that Van would think he had fallen asleep she leaned back in the chair and listened to the bustle coming through his window from the market. She smiled as the familiar sounds surrounded her. It felt so right being back, and she wouldn't leave again.
Van groaned and sat up. His head was pounding. Opening his eyes he looked around and frowned, he was in his room. Turning to his window he saw it was about half way through morning.
"What happened?" he asked no one in particular as he stood facing his wall and stretching
The last thing he remembered was sitting down for breakfast when Merle and Flora had walked in. He knew he had been tired but he didn't think he had just fallen asleep right when they walked in. He opened the window and looked out just as it hit him.
Hitomi.
His fingers squeezed the wood of the window frames as he remembered. He had seen Hitomi. She had walked up in one of Merle's dresses smiling like she had never left.
"I need help," he muttered shaking himself, "I really was tired, I was starting to see things," he said closing the windows and turning around.
He froze.
There in his desk chair leaning against his bed was none other than Hitomi, his Hitomi. The Hitomi that had died a year ago. The Hitomi he had looked for, for over a month. Hitomi.
He felt his heart practically jump out of his chest as he ran around to the other side of the bed. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing before he looked down again. But she was still there, peacefully sleeping in his chair.
He hadn't been hallucinating, Hitomi was really there. All logic defied it but she was there! Right in front of his face! Smiling in her sleep! His fingers itched to touch her just to see if she was really there. Pulling off his gloves he threw them on his bed.
Slowly he reached out and shook when he felt her soft flesh under his callused fingers. She was real, she hadn't died. Merle had been right. Before he realized what he was doing his fingers brushed up her arm and against her cheek.
And his entire body relaxed. She hadn't died. It finally sunk in as his fingers danced through her soft hair relishing in the feel. His eyes traveled over her figure and he couldn't help but blush. A year had certainly curved her figure out in a few places.
He lost all his worries and duties for just a moment. For just a moment he was a young boy again admiring a girl he had liked for as long as he could remember. A girl now a woman that he had thought dead. Slaughtered or raped by those marauders.
It was a miracle, that was the only way to explain it. His eyes continued to dance over her figure. Finally they traveled up to her face and his hands jerked back. Dark green emeralds burned into his rubies and he felt like he had just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But the good part about it was that Hitomi didn't seem to care. She just stared at him.
They sat there for a while, staring in silence as they mentally laughed. The impossible had happened. She was alive and they were in the same room.
Van felt his heart starting up again and cleared his throat. The silence and her gaze were just a little much right now.
"Hello Hitomi," his voice came out in a low whisper Hitomi almost missed.
"Hello Van," she whispered back not moving a muscle
Van looked as nervous as she felt. But something snapped and he seemed to grow a little bolder.
"You're alive," he stated
Hitomi shook her head.
His eyes scrunched up in pain and confusion, "How?"
Hitomi swallowed hard, "When they shot Millerna I turned to look at her and must have turned just enough so that they missed my heart. It knocked me out," her voice was getting quieter and quieter as she went on, "And when I woke up I was in a gypsy camp"
Van didn't seem any less relieved, "So you lost your memory?"
Hitomi swallowed again, "No"
Van backed up as he stared at her, he looked like he had just been slapped.
"I don't understand"
Hitomi closed her eyes and sat up straight in the chair.
"I moved just enough so the arrow missed my heart. The marauders were too stupid to check."
Van sat there in silence staring out over his room. Hitomi knew she hadn't answered his question but she was avoiding it.
"The gypsy's fixed me up"
His gaze finally turned to her and she clamped her mouth shut. The pain and utter horror in his eyes was enough to bring the tears to her eyes.
"I don't understand," he repeated his voice slow and shaky
"I stayed with them," Hitomi started but Van interrupted
"I gathered that Hitomi, what I want to know is why you didn't come back?"
Hitomi jerked her eyes from his and took a sudden interest in the floor.
"Because.Because I thought that..that," Hitomi took a deep breath as she stuttered over the words, "that . everyone would be mad"
"I don't understand your logic"
"I lived..but Millerna..she.she died. I was right there, I got shot too but I lived. I should have done something. I should have protected her.I thought I would be blamed.I couldn't handle that."
Her mind was a jumble and she felt the tears blur her vision. As she heard herself say her thoughts to another for the second time she felt an uncontrollable anger. It was as if she was finally hearing them for the first time and they sounded ridiculous. They sounded foolish and just plain stupid. She felt the tears start to run down her cheeks and wanted to yell at herself for being so dense.
She was about to run when she felt the warm hand come up against her cheek. Looking up she watched as Van got down on his knees again and brushed the tears away with his thumb. Hitomi's breathing was rather jagged now and as he brought his other hand up to her she heard herself break down sobbing.
Van pulled her down against him and wrapped his arms around her. Hitomi clutched his shirt as the tears poured out over and over again into his shirt. He stood up and sat in the chair pulling Hitomi into his lap. Hitomi wrapped her arms around his neck as he calmly ran his hand up and down her back whispering in her ear.
He just kept whispering "It's okay Hitomi, It's okay" over and over again. Hugging her close he let her cry into his shirt. She didn't know how long she sat there cradled in his arms crying in his chest mentally yelling at herself for being so stupid. Or crying because Millerna was dead and she lived. But Van didn't seem to mind as he held her close rubbing her back.
But eventually her crying stopped and her breathing slowed down. Hitomi felt exhausted so she just pulled herself tighter against Van and leaned against his shoulder. Another long silence passed as Hitomi curled against him letting her body recover from the crying. Van had stopped whispering in her ear but he was still rubbing her back his head lay atop hers.
When Hitomi finally felt the last tear vanish she reluctantly pulled back from Van. She gave a tired laugh at his now soaked shirt but Van didn't seem to care. Instead he sat there holding her in his lap half smiling at her.
"Hitomi, I know," he said sighing, "I was angry when my father died and I was hurt when my mother died. When Folken disappeared I couldn't understand why I was the only one left. Why they all died and I had to stay."
Hitomi had never actually bothered to ask how badly his family's death had affected him. She had just been there as comfort, as support to help him get over it. Now she understood how he must have felt.
Van brushed her bangs away from her forehead and gave her a smile, "So it's not as ridiculous as you think it is. I understand," he said leaning forward and kissing her forehead, "But don't you ever, and I mean ever, do it again"
Hitomi felt the laughter bubble up inside and she giggled. She couldn't help it, she felt so relieved. It was as if a rock had just been lifted, the stress that had been there before was gone.
"Promise," she smiled letting herself fall back against Van
Van wrapped her in a hug again, "I'm going to hold you to that"
"I would hope so"
Hitomi was about to start telling him about the gypsy camp and all her new friends when Van's stomach rumbled. Hitomi leaned back laughing as Van blushed and stood her up.
"You want to go get some food?" she offered straightening her dress
Van just playfully glared at her as he opened the door. Hitomi laughed a little more as she walked out into the hall turning to wait for him. Van shut the door and held out his arm.
"I thought you hated all that stuff?" she questioned wrapping her arm around his.
"I'll make an exception," he smiled at her
The two were silent as they made their way to the dining room and both mentally cheered when they found it empty. Van pulled out a chair for Hitomi, bending down he brushed a light kiss against her cheek before pushing her in.
Hitomi blushed clear to her roots as Van pushed her in. Folding her arms in her lap she turned to look at him her face a bright red. Van smiled, still clutching the edges of her chair.
"I'll be right back I'm going to go see if I can get us some food"
Hitomi smiled and watched him walk out of the room unable to pry her eyes from his disappearing figure. Once he disappeared into the shadows leading into the kitchen she let out a shaky sigh and leaned back against her chair closing her eyes.
"Oh my." she whispered to herself.
"Oh my indeed!"
Hitomi's eyes burst open and she came face to face with a bright smiling Flora.
"You scared me witless!!!!"
Turning to her right Hitomi found Merle giggling, "Like you would notice us with Van-sama here and all"
Hitomi's blush returned just causing the girls to laugh even harder.
"Told you he wouldn't be mad," Merle said breaking through the laughter
"And I told you it would be good for him! I haven't seen him smile like that! Ever!!" Flora said practically jumping up and down.
Hitomi leaned back against the chair waiting for Van to come back. The three could hear footsteps and they all turned to see Van walk out of the small doorway a servant or two behind him carrying trays of food and drink.
Van didn't mean to but as soon as he saw Merle and Flora his smile faltered. He immediately plastered it back on. He loved his sister and his fiancé couldn't have been a better friend but he had been looking forward to some time alone with Hitomi.
Flora just smiled at him, "We can tell when we're not wanted"
Van opened his mouth to protest but Flora stopped him, "Don't worry Van we understand"
But Merle ignored her and bounded up to Van latching onto his arm.
"I see you found what I lost a while ago?" Merle smiled up at her brother
Van bent down to kiss his sisters head pulling her into a hug, "Yea"
"Like it?" Merle asked
"Love it," Van answered casually turning to give Hitomi one of his knee buckling smiles
Hitomi turned around to face the table finding her blush COULD in fact get worse.
Flora knew Van wanted to be alone with Hitomi as he sat down and the servants set the food down. So running up she grabbed Merle's arm.
"Um Merle didn't you say you wanted to go shopping?"
"N-Yes! Of course!" she said catching herself, "Well sorry we can't join you two got shopping to do"
"I'm sure," Van grinned, "Have fun"
And with that Flora and Merle practically sprinted from the room gently closing the doors behind them.
"I have to remember to thank them one of these days," he said pulling out his silverware
"Me too," Hitomi whispered pulling out her own silverware
Van started eating mainly because he didn't know what to say. He thought talking about where she had been for the past year or so might make her cry again. So he decided bringing up Liara might be a step in the right direction.
"Oh Hitomi as soon as were finished here I'll have a messenger inform Liara, they'll be so happy to know you're alive."
Hitomi froze in mid bite and lowered her silverware.
'Then again maybe not.' He scolded himself
"Or we could wait a while?" he asked hoping to rectify the situation
Hitomi swallowed, finally she nodded and picked her silverware back up.
Van sighed in relief and decided it was probably better if he just remained silent. But as he was turning back to his food his gaze caught the pink glimmer on Hitomi's chest.
"Where did you get that necklace Hitomi?"
Hitomi smiled faintly and looked down at the necklace. For some reason talking about her friends didn't seem so upsetting now that she was there with Van.
"Darice"
"Who?"
"Darice, a friend of mine from the gypsy camp. It's a key to a book she bought me at the market."
Van smiled and took another bite of his food. Hitomi smiled back and went back to her food. But as she sat there eating with Van she began to realize how much she missed her friends. She was surprised it didn't upset her to think about them, much less talk about them. She was even more surprised when she realized how badly she wanted them to meet Van.
Looking up from her late breakfast she set her silverware down. Van looked up and his eyes softened, "Is something wrong?"
Hitomi felt the smile tugging at her lips, "Van would like you to meet them?"
"Who?"
"My friends"
"I'd love too," he said dropping his silverware his breakfast forgotten, "Now?" he asked
"Why not," she said happily
Van picked his napkin up off his lap and dropped it on the table pushing his chair out. Walking over he pulled Hitomi's chair out grabbing her hand and pulling her up. However as they walked out to the courtyard Van seemed a little nervous.
"They'll love you," she whispered before the carriage pulled up
Van smiled nervously and opened the carriage door.
"We're going in this?"
"Of course princess," he said holding out his hand
"Van I'm not a prin-"
Van put his finger to his lips, "Shush Hitomi while in Fanelia you are"
Hitomi couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, so she took his hand and got in the carriage. Van leaned in and got directions and told her to wait while he relayed them to the driver. As Van disappeared from the opening Hitomi felt the sudden fear sink in.
She hadn't even thought about it until now. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and sunk into the corner furthest away from the door. Images of the door flying open and the bodies lying on the ground flashed through her mind. She closed her eyes to block them but they kept coming.
Images of Millerna next to her bleeding with a weak smile. Tom battered and butchered outside the door. She felt the fear grip her heart and was about to bolt from the carriage when she felt a rough hand run down her arm squeezing her elbow.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi's eyes shot open and Van gazed into her fear stricken emeralds.
"Hitomi are you alright?"
Hitomi looked from Van to the courtyard outside the carriage door that was now shut. Shifting her eyes back to Van she let out a shaking breath as the carriage started its journey into the forest.
"Yea"
"You're a terrible liar Hitomi, you always have been"
Hitomi released her shoulders and folded her arms in her lap, "I am not"
Van pulled her over next to him and wrapped his arm around her shoulders letting her lean against him.
"Yes you are," he said giving her a quick hug, "Don't worry I'm right here nothing is going to happen"
"Okay," she said closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep surrounding in Van's wonderful field scent
Hitomi woke up to Van's voice.
"Hitomi we're here, I think," he added opening the carriage door
Hitomi looked out and saw the familiar clearing, "Yea we're here"
Van stepped out pulling Hitomi behind him. Turning he grabbed her waist and picked her up placing her on the ground. Hitomi clutched his shoulders and blushed at the special treatment.
Closing the door Van snaked his fingers in with hers and walked to the driver.
"Be back here in about an hour or so"
"Of course your majesty," the driver bowed his head and then kicked the horses into a go.
The cloud of dust was blinding but brief and once it settled Van turned to the clearing.
"Alright, now where?"
Hitomi squeezed his hand and pulled him forward into the clearing. It was small and Van found once he got in he had absolutely no idea which way was out. The trees looked as if they had moved completing the circle. But Hitomi knew exactly where she was going and pushed through the trees in front of her.
Van pushed the branches out of his face as Hitomi led him through the forest. Very quickly the branches stopped and he brushed his shirt off looking up.
"Wow," he managed
Hitomi turned to him smiling, "Yea I know"
The gypsy camp was enormous and the tents were propped up for what seemed like miles. Wagons were here and there and the chatter was almost deafening. Van wondered why he hadn't heard it sooner.
He was about to ask Hitomi if she knew everyone when a woman with dark black hair chatting at one of the wagons glanced at them out of the corner of her eye.
"Hitomi!!!" she screeched running forward.
Hitomi's fingers slipped from Van's and he watched as Hitomi jumped into the woman's arms.
"Hi Trish!!!"
Van watched as the woman clutched to Hitomi. She finally pulled back grinning.
"Well I know it's only been one day but I can't tell you how much we've missed you"
Hitomi hugged Trisha again, "Missed you too"
"Soren was up all night and Mark won't come out of his tent. And believe it or not Darice and Caleb didn't have their morning argument!! And he even put a cricket in her breakfast after she pulled apart his favorite shirt!"
Hitomi laughed and turned around reaching for Van's hand. Van grabbed her hand and let Hitomi pull him forward.
Trisha's eyes bugged out for a minute as she looked Van over, "And who do we have here?"
Van cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He started blushing and Trisha laughed thrusting her hand towards him.
"I'm Trisha and you are?"
"Van Fanel," he said shaking her hand
Trisha smiled and looked back over at Hitomi, she opened her mouth to speak when her eyes rounded in surprise. Looking back over to Van wide eyed her jaw slipped down.
"The King of Fanelia Fanel?" she asked
Van nodded and Trisha turned to eye Hitomi, "This is the Van you went to see?"
"Yep"
"The King of Fanelia?"
"Yea"
"Are you royalty?!" Trisha demanded
Hitomi rolled her eyes, "No! He's my friend! I've known him, Millerna and Merle since we were little"
Trisha eyed Van one more time before turning around heading into camp, "I have to go to the river and get Caleb. Darice will be back in a few minutes and Soren is at our circle."
"Alright see you there!"
Trisha waved over her shoulder and ran through camp dodging tents here and there. Van held fast to Hitomi's hand as she weaved in and out of tents, she seemed to know exactly where she was going. Van got a headache just looking at all the blurs of canvas.
She stopped a few feet in front of another circle of tents and tugged on Van's hand. Van stepped up next to her.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi pointed to the dark haired man in the middle of the circle reading a book.
"That's Soren, he's the leader of the gypsy's, and this is his camp."
"You know him?"
"Yea he's a friend"
Pulling Van into the circle Hitomi let go of his hand again and kicked Soren's foot.
"Hey!"
Soren looked up and dropped his book.
"Hey Hitomi! We didn't think you would be back for a long time!" he grinned jumping up and pulling her into a hug. Van watched and yelled at himself at the sudden jealousy that sprung up inside him.
Hitomi pulled away and pushed Van in front of her leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Soren this is Van Fanel, Van this is Soren,"
Soren shook the King's hand not at all surprised after seeing the statues.
"Thank you for taking care of Hitomi," Van said as another woman ran into the circle followed by a blonde male.
"Hitomi! We didn't think you would be back!" the woman cried pushing Soren and Van out of the way and pulling Hitomi into a hug.
"I told you I'd visit," Hitomi smiled as Darice disappeared followed by Caleb
"Is Merle coming?" he asked hopefully
Hitomi flicked his chest, "Hello to you too"
Caleb pulled her into a huge bear hug, "Oh Hitomi I didn't doubt you! It's only been one day I figured you'd settle back in stay there for a week or two before you came back to visit."
"Uh huh and no Merle isn't coming this time sorry"
Van decided this was the right time to interrupt, "Wait are we talking about my sister Merle?" he asked glaring at Caleb
"Who are you?" Caleb glared back
Hitomi wrapped her arm around Van's, "Darice, Caleb this is Van, Van, Darice and Caleb," Hitomi narrowed her eyes at Caleb, "This is Merle's brother, Van, the King of Fanelia"
Caleb's jaw dropped as he looked from Hitomi to Van in disbelief, "You're Merle's brother?"
Van nodded
"and Hitomi's Van? The King of Fanelia?"
Van nodded again.
"Well," Caleb said closing his mouth and clearing his throat.
Van was about to ask Caleb how he knew his sister but Trisha jumped in the circle now.
"Hey did everyone meet Hitomi's cute King?"
"Yea!" Darice called out, "I can't believe she's back so soon though I mean I definitely would have kept him to myself for a week or two."
Hitomi and Van both started glowing bright red at the women's conversation. Soren's deep laughter broke through the words as he pushed Darice towards Trisha.
"Trish stop you're embarrassing Hito-chan and Darice lay off I think the King of Fanelia is changing colors"
Van was beginning to regret taking Hitomi here so soon. They all seemed so close, he turned to look down at Hitomi. She was giggling and smiling. Hitomi must have felt his gaze because she looked up at him.
"You okay Van?"
He just nodded.
"Well I wanted everyone to meet Van but we only have an hour before Merle and Flora send out search parties"
Van chimed in here, "If they haven't already"
"Well come and sit Van," Soren called out gesturing to the logs carved out into little cavings that acted as chairs. Van walked over still clutching Hitomi's hand. Hitomi took her seat next to him stretching out and leaning back.
Trisha started to open her mouth but a tent next to her seat burst open.
"What's all the commotion?" the chocolate haired man asked yawning.
"Hey," Hitomi called
Mark smiled over at her, he seemed to be in a better mood. Maybe he just needed some sleep. Sitting down next to Trisha he put his arm on her shoulder.
"Hey weren't you going with that cat girl somewhere?"
"Yea I brought Van here to meet everyone," she said turning to Van
"Van this is-"
"Mark," Van finished for her staring at the man wide eyed.
Hitomi turned to frown at Van, "How did you know?"
Van's lazy smile had disappeared and was now a dangerous scowl. Hitomi could feel the anger radiating from him but as she was about to question him everyone spun to the front of the camp at the voices.
Hitomi and Van stood up to see Flora and Merle march into camp, Flora was smiling but Merle looked mad.
"They didn't even tell us they were leaving?! Just because we go shopping doesn't mean they can leave the castle!" Merle screamed looking out over the tents and growling, "I can't remember which one it is!" she screamed frustrated
Soren and Trisha stood up to see the intruders.
"Merle maybe we should just leave them alone I mean they need some time alone," she insisted scanning over the tents ignoring all the gypsies glaring at them
Darice, Caleb and Mark all jumped up to see who was barging in on their camp.
"Merle! Flora! We're over here!" Hitomi called waving
Hitomi stopped and jerked her hand back down when she felt the tension from Van. Looking at him she could see something was wrong. He looked like he was between anger and sympathy.
Flora smiled back and dragged the fuming Merle over to the camp. Merle wasn't allowed to fume long however, Caleb snuck up and pulled her from Flora giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Hello beautiful," he said cheerfully
Merle smiled goofily and hugged him back, "Hello"
Flora rolled her eyes and ran up to Van and Hitomi ignoring everyone else staring at her.
"Hey you lovebirds! Sorry I told Merle to leave you alone but she wouldn't listen I had a..feeling. Van what's wrong?"
Flora's brow scrunched in concern. Turning to Hitomi she received only a shrug. Van slipped his fingers out of Hitomi's grasp and brought his hands to rest on Flora's shoulders. Giving her a weak smile he glanced to Mark over her shoulder.
"Flora you're going to like this timing about as much as I do,"
Flora put her hands on her hips, "Van what are you talking about?"
Van slowly turned her around to face Mark and dropped his hands. Flora stared at Mark for what seemed like an eternity. The sounds of the rest of the camp faded away and the fire disappeared as her purple violets focused on the man she had lost so long ago.
Mark stared back swallowing hard as he looked his former fiancé over. He was trying to see the changes the years had wrought but instead all he could see was the innocent, beautiful, graceful woman he had thought bound to another those years back.
Flora blinked and looked around the camp.
"You've been here? All this time?" her voice was cracked and everyone's heart broke at the sound of her tiny voice, "Right outside of Fanelia?"
Mark opened his mouth to answer but found it wasn't working at the time. So he just nodded
Flora looked down at the ground and released a shaky breath.
"I waited for you," she started, "I waited all night but you never came" her hurt filled gems bore down on his.
Mark felt his guilt eat away as he pushed away the insane urge to rush forward and pull Flora into his arms.
"I was told, by your father, that you were married to another. He said he had you locked in the castle." Mark's own voice was cracking now, "He told me that- that if I entered Williams again he would have me run through"
Flora didn't look any more comforted, "You didn't come," she repeated
Mark's head bent in shame as his bangs waved lazily covering his eyes.
"I didn't come," he repeated back
Flora backed up and bumped into Van, spinning around she looked at Van for some comfort. But Van knew he couldn't help her here so he just brushed away the tears that were sliding down her cheeks and turned her back to face Mark.
Flora opened her mouth then snapped it shut, standing for a minute or two watching her love. Finally opening her mouth again she took a step forward.
"I missed you Mark," she whispered
Mark's head slowly rose to face her again as she took another step forward she ignored his own teary eyes as she tried to blink through her own.
Mark shivered, "I missed you too Flora, more than you'll ever know"
"Well what are you going to do about that?" her lips curved in an attempt to smile
Mark gave a tiny laugh and took a step forward, "I'm going to kidnap you," he whispered now nose to nose with his love
"Glad to hear it," Flora said shaking her head
Mark couldn't hold any more and wrapped his arms around her pulling her tight against his chest, "And I'm never going to leave you again"
Flora buried her face in his chest, "I was hoping you'd say that"
Mark laughed the laugh of a man truly relieved, "Never again Flora, not this time, life is too short to make this kind of mistake twice"
"Couldn't agree with you more," Flora said into his chest as her arms clung to his back holding on for dear life
Hitomi looked around to see Soren smiling, hugging Trisha at his side. Darice was wiping away her own tears smiling for all she was worth and Caleb was leaning on Merle's head grinning like an idiot. Merle looked like she had just figured out a life long puzzle and was looking at Van with a knowing grin.
Hitomi finally turned to Van and found him truly smiling. The same heart felt smile he had given her that same morning in his bedroom. Turning back to Flora and Mark she leaned against Van's shoulder and watched the two cry against each other.
She knew she had missed something special but even from where she sat in complete ignorance as to what had just happened, she could tell it was something beautiful.
A/N Hi I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I want to thank everyone for all the reviews for the last chapter!!! Oh my goodness I don't think I've ever gotten so many reviews for one chapter! Sorry this isn't a good cliffhanger here cause I know you all saw this coming but here it is!! Oh and sorry pretty senshi I like Hitomi with short hair so I don't think it'll be long for the wedding. I'm sorry I hope it doesn't make you too upset. Just picture her with long hair! Have a great day everyone!!!!
Sailor Hope
A/N Alrighty yep he fainted ^^ Well I mean all the pressure about marriage and stuff and then seeing the girl he thought was dead you know just walk up I mean well he just passed out it was a little too shocking at the moment.
Hitomi and Flora gaped as the strong fighter, the King of Fanelia, the leader of the strongest kingdom on all of Gaia fell forward into Merle's arms. Hitomi blinked in silence, her eyes grew the size of apples as she turned to find Flora chuckling.
Merle looked from her brother to her friends and soon Flora's giggle burst out into a full-fledged laugh. Merle and Hitomi didn't see anything funny about it. Van? Passed out? Hitomi turned to face his unconscious body and blinked again. However, soon Merle started giggling as well. Hitomi looked up and glared at her.
"He will never believe us when he wakes up," Flora said in between her gasps for air
Hitomi did have to agree with her there. Van would never believe it.
"I think it better if we just act like nothing happened," Merle said trying to cover her own laughter
"Save his pride," Flora said giving leave to another round of laughter, "Poor Van," she said pushing his hair back and shaking her head at his face.
Hitomi felt the sudden nervousness sweep over her.
"This definitely wasn't a good idea," she whispered backing away.
Flora immediately ceased with her laughter and wrapped her fingers around Hitomi's arm in a death grip.
"Hitomi Van has been stressed lately, the marauder's attacks have increased, and Dilandu was here the other day giving him trouble about them. Dilandu insists burning down the forest to find them would be a great idea. The council members won't lay off about the wedding and he was up the other day till one in the morning signing stupid papers. Now he just thought he saw a ghost. He's just been under a lot of stress lately his body just finally said this was too much."
Hitomi looked over at the man in Merle's arms and then back at Flora.
"But he fainted!" Hitomi screeched
Merle hissed at her, "Keep your voice down, he just fell asleep before we got here understood?! If anyone found out he passed out he would never live it down."
"Let's take him up to his room, he'll be fine," Flora insisted opening the dining room doors checking for anyone.
The hallway was clear so Hitomi picked up his legs and helped Merle carry him up to his room. They settled him in his bed and headed out. Hitomi turned to see him sleeping and decided she would stay and wait for him to wake up.
Merle and Flora nodded and went down to eat closing the door behind them.
Hitomi pulled his desk chair up next to the bed and sat down. She soon found herself smiling as the brave king of Fanelia lay there on his bed, sleeping. It was rather ridiculous, I mean Van fainting? No one would ever believe. It was probably better that way, it would most likely hurt his pride too much. She would just tell him they were saying hello and he had obviously been so tired he had drifted off just as they were walking in. That's it, that would work, hopefully.
So hoping that Van would think he had fallen asleep she leaned back in the chair and listened to the bustle coming through his window from the market. She smiled as the familiar sounds surrounded her. It felt so right being back, and she wouldn't leave again.
Van groaned and sat up. His head was pounding. Opening his eyes he looked around and frowned, he was in his room. Turning to his window he saw it was about half way through morning.
"What happened?" he asked no one in particular as he stood facing his wall and stretching
The last thing he remembered was sitting down for breakfast when Merle and Flora had walked in. He knew he had been tired but he didn't think he had just fallen asleep right when they walked in. He opened the window and looked out just as it hit him.
Hitomi.
His fingers squeezed the wood of the window frames as he remembered. He had seen Hitomi. She had walked up in one of Merle's dresses smiling like she had never left.
"I need help," he muttered shaking himself, "I really was tired, I was starting to see things," he said closing the windows and turning around.
He froze.
There in his desk chair leaning against his bed was none other than Hitomi, his Hitomi. The Hitomi that had died a year ago. The Hitomi he had looked for, for over a month. Hitomi.
He felt his heart practically jump out of his chest as he ran around to the other side of the bed. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing before he looked down again. But she was still there, peacefully sleeping in his chair.
He hadn't been hallucinating, Hitomi was really there. All logic defied it but she was there! Right in front of his face! Smiling in her sleep! His fingers itched to touch her just to see if she was really there. Pulling off his gloves he threw them on his bed.
Slowly he reached out and shook when he felt her soft flesh under his callused fingers. She was real, she hadn't died. Merle had been right. Before he realized what he was doing his fingers brushed up her arm and against her cheek.
And his entire body relaxed. She hadn't died. It finally sunk in as his fingers danced through her soft hair relishing in the feel. His eyes traveled over her figure and he couldn't help but blush. A year had certainly curved her figure out in a few places.
He lost all his worries and duties for just a moment. For just a moment he was a young boy again admiring a girl he had liked for as long as he could remember. A girl now a woman that he had thought dead. Slaughtered or raped by those marauders.
It was a miracle, that was the only way to explain it. His eyes continued to dance over her figure. Finally they traveled up to her face and his hands jerked back. Dark green emeralds burned into his rubies and he felt like he had just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But the good part about it was that Hitomi didn't seem to care. She just stared at him.
They sat there for a while, staring in silence as they mentally laughed. The impossible had happened. She was alive and they were in the same room.
Van felt his heart starting up again and cleared his throat. The silence and her gaze were just a little much right now.
"Hello Hitomi," his voice came out in a low whisper Hitomi almost missed.
"Hello Van," she whispered back not moving a muscle
Van looked as nervous as she felt. But something snapped and he seemed to grow a little bolder.
"You're alive," he stated
Hitomi shook her head.
His eyes scrunched up in pain and confusion, "How?"
Hitomi swallowed hard, "When they shot Millerna I turned to look at her and must have turned just enough so that they missed my heart. It knocked me out," her voice was getting quieter and quieter as she went on, "And when I woke up I was in a gypsy camp"
Van didn't seem any less relieved, "So you lost your memory?"
Hitomi swallowed again, "No"
Van backed up as he stared at her, he looked like he had just been slapped.
"I don't understand"
Hitomi closed her eyes and sat up straight in the chair.
"I moved just enough so the arrow missed my heart. The marauders were too stupid to check."
Van sat there in silence staring out over his room. Hitomi knew she hadn't answered his question but she was avoiding it.
"The gypsy's fixed me up"
His gaze finally turned to her and she clamped her mouth shut. The pain and utter horror in his eyes was enough to bring the tears to her eyes.
"I don't understand," he repeated his voice slow and shaky
"I stayed with them," Hitomi started but Van interrupted
"I gathered that Hitomi, what I want to know is why you didn't come back?"
Hitomi jerked her eyes from his and took a sudden interest in the floor.
"Because.Because I thought that..that," Hitomi took a deep breath as she stuttered over the words, "that . everyone would be mad"
"I don't understand your logic"
"I lived..but Millerna..she.she died. I was right there, I got shot too but I lived. I should have done something. I should have protected her.I thought I would be blamed.I couldn't handle that."
Her mind was a jumble and she felt the tears blur her vision. As she heard herself say her thoughts to another for the second time she felt an uncontrollable anger. It was as if she was finally hearing them for the first time and they sounded ridiculous. They sounded foolish and just plain stupid. She felt the tears start to run down her cheeks and wanted to yell at herself for being so dense.
She was about to run when she felt the warm hand come up against her cheek. Looking up she watched as Van got down on his knees again and brushed the tears away with his thumb. Hitomi's breathing was rather jagged now and as he brought his other hand up to her she heard herself break down sobbing.
Van pulled her down against him and wrapped his arms around her. Hitomi clutched his shirt as the tears poured out over and over again into his shirt. He stood up and sat in the chair pulling Hitomi into his lap. Hitomi wrapped her arms around his neck as he calmly ran his hand up and down her back whispering in her ear.
He just kept whispering "It's okay Hitomi, It's okay" over and over again. Hugging her close he let her cry into his shirt. She didn't know how long she sat there cradled in his arms crying in his chest mentally yelling at herself for being so stupid. Or crying because Millerna was dead and she lived. But Van didn't seem to mind as he held her close rubbing her back.
But eventually her crying stopped and her breathing slowed down. Hitomi felt exhausted so she just pulled herself tighter against Van and leaned against his shoulder. Another long silence passed as Hitomi curled against him letting her body recover from the crying. Van had stopped whispering in her ear but he was still rubbing her back his head lay atop hers.
When Hitomi finally felt the last tear vanish she reluctantly pulled back from Van. She gave a tired laugh at his now soaked shirt but Van didn't seem to care. Instead he sat there holding her in his lap half smiling at her.
"Hitomi, I know," he said sighing, "I was angry when my father died and I was hurt when my mother died. When Folken disappeared I couldn't understand why I was the only one left. Why they all died and I had to stay."
Hitomi had never actually bothered to ask how badly his family's death had affected him. She had just been there as comfort, as support to help him get over it. Now she understood how he must have felt.
Van brushed her bangs away from her forehead and gave her a smile, "So it's not as ridiculous as you think it is. I understand," he said leaning forward and kissing her forehead, "But don't you ever, and I mean ever, do it again"
Hitomi felt the laughter bubble up inside and she giggled. She couldn't help it, she felt so relieved. It was as if a rock had just been lifted, the stress that had been there before was gone.
"Promise," she smiled letting herself fall back against Van
Van wrapped her in a hug again, "I'm going to hold you to that"
"I would hope so"
Hitomi was about to start telling him about the gypsy camp and all her new friends when Van's stomach rumbled. Hitomi leaned back laughing as Van blushed and stood her up.
"You want to go get some food?" she offered straightening her dress
Van just playfully glared at her as he opened the door. Hitomi laughed a little more as she walked out into the hall turning to wait for him. Van shut the door and held out his arm.
"I thought you hated all that stuff?" she questioned wrapping her arm around his.
"I'll make an exception," he smiled at her
The two were silent as they made their way to the dining room and both mentally cheered when they found it empty. Van pulled out a chair for Hitomi, bending down he brushed a light kiss against her cheek before pushing her in.
Hitomi blushed clear to her roots as Van pushed her in. Folding her arms in her lap she turned to look at him her face a bright red. Van smiled, still clutching the edges of her chair.
"I'll be right back I'm going to go see if I can get us some food"
Hitomi smiled and watched him walk out of the room unable to pry her eyes from his disappearing figure. Once he disappeared into the shadows leading into the kitchen she let out a shaky sigh and leaned back against her chair closing her eyes.
"Oh my." she whispered to herself.
"Oh my indeed!"
Hitomi's eyes burst open and she came face to face with a bright smiling Flora.
"You scared me witless!!!!"
Turning to her right Hitomi found Merle giggling, "Like you would notice us with Van-sama here and all"
Hitomi's blush returned just causing the girls to laugh even harder.
"Told you he wouldn't be mad," Merle said breaking through the laughter
"And I told you it would be good for him! I haven't seen him smile like that! Ever!!" Flora said practically jumping up and down.
Hitomi leaned back against the chair waiting for Van to come back. The three could hear footsteps and they all turned to see Van walk out of the small doorway a servant or two behind him carrying trays of food and drink.
Van didn't mean to but as soon as he saw Merle and Flora his smile faltered. He immediately plastered it back on. He loved his sister and his fiancé couldn't have been a better friend but he had been looking forward to some time alone with Hitomi.
Flora just smiled at him, "We can tell when we're not wanted"
Van opened his mouth to protest but Flora stopped him, "Don't worry Van we understand"
But Merle ignored her and bounded up to Van latching onto his arm.
"I see you found what I lost a while ago?" Merle smiled up at her brother
Van bent down to kiss his sisters head pulling her into a hug, "Yea"
"Like it?" Merle asked
"Love it," Van answered casually turning to give Hitomi one of his knee buckling smiles
Hitomi turned around to face the table finding her blush COULD in fact get worse.
Flora knew Van wanted to be alone with Hitomi as he sat down and the servants set the food down. So running up she grabbed Merle's arm.
"Um Merle didn't you say you wanted to go shopping?"
"N-Yes! Of course!" she said catching herself, "Well sorry we can't join you two got shopping to do"
"I'm sure," Van grinned, "Have fun"
And with that Flora and Merle practically sprinted from the room gently closing the doors behind them.
"I have to remember to thank them one of these days," he said pulling out his silverware
"Me too," Hitomi whispered pulling out her own silverware
Van started eating mainly because he didn't know what to say. He thought talking about where she had been for the past year or so might make her cry again. So he decided bringing up Liara might be a step in the right direction.
"Oh Hitomi as soon as were finished here I'll have a messenger inform Liara, they'll be so happy to know you're alive."
Hitomi froze in mid bite and lowered her silverware.
'Then again maybe not.' He scolded himself
"Or we could wait a while?" he asked hoping to rectify the situation
Hitomi swallowed, finally she nodded and picked her silverware back up.
Van sighed in relief and decided it was probably better if he just remained silent. But as he was turning back to his food his gaze caught the pink glimmer on Hitomi's chest.
"Where did you get that necklace Hitomi?"
Hitomi smiled faintly and looked down at the necklace. For some reason talking about her friends didn't seem so upsetting now that she was there with Van.
"Darice"
"Who?"
"Darice, a friend of mine from the gypsy camp. It's a key to a book she bought me at the market."
Van smiled and took another bite of his food. Hitomi smiled back and went back to her food. But as she sat there eating with Van she began to realize how much she missed her friends. She was surprised it didn't upset her to think about them, much less talk about them. She was even more surprised when she realized how badly she wanted them to meet Van.
Looking up from her late breakfast she set her silverware down. Van looked up and his eyes softened, "Is something wrong?"
Hitomi felt the smile tugging at her lips, "Van would like you to meet them?"
"Who?"
"My friends"
"I'd love too," he said dropping his silverware his breakfast forgotten, "Now?" he asked
"Why not," she said happily
Van picked his napkin up off his lap and dropped it on the table pushing his chair out. Walking over he pulled Hitomi's chair out grabbing her hand and pulling her up. However as they walked out to the courtyard Van seemed a little nervous.
"They'll love you," she whispered before the carriage pulled up
Van smiled nervously and opened the carriage door.
"We're going in this?"
"Of course princess," he said holding out his hand
"Van I'm not a prin-"
Van put his finger to his lips, "Shush Hitomi while in Fanelia you are"
Hitomi couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, so she took his hand and got in the carriage. Van leaned in and got directions and told her to wait while he relayed them to the driver. As Van disappeared from the opening Hitomi felt the sudden fear sink in.
She hadn't even thought about it until now. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and sunk into the corner furthest away from the door. Images of the door flying open and the bodies lying on the ground flashed through her mind. She closed her eyes to block them but they kept coming.
Images of Millerna next to her bleeding with a weak smile. Tom battered and butchered outside the door. She felt the fear grip her heart and was about to bolt from the carriage when she felt a rough hand run down her arm squeezing her elbow.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi's eyes shot open and Van gazed into her fear stricken emeralds.
"Hitomi are you alright?"
Hitomi looked from Van to the courtyard outside the carriage door that was now shut. Shifting her eyes back to Van she let out a shaking breath as the carriage started its journey into the forest.
"Yea"
"You're a terrible liar Hitomi, you always have been"
Hitomi released her shoulders and folded her arms in her lap, "I am not"
Van pulled her over next to him and wrapped his arm around her shoulders letting her lean against him.
"Yes you are," he said giving her a quick hug, "Don't worry I'm right here nothing is going to happen"
"Okay," she said closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep surrounding in Van's wonderful field scent
Hitomi woke up to Van's voice.
"Hitomi we're here, I think," he added opening the carriage door
Hitomi looked out and saw the familiar clearing, "Yea we're here"
Van stepped out pulling Hitomi behind him. Turning he grabbed her waist and picked her up placing her on the ground. Hitomi clutched his shoulders and blushed at the special treatment.
Closing the door Van snaked his fingers in with hers and walked to the driver.
"Be back here in about an hour or so"
"Of course your majesty," the driver bowed his head and then kicked the horses into a go.
The cloud of dust was blinding but brief and once it settled Van turned to the clearing.
"Alright, now where?"
Hitomi squeezed his hand and pulled him forward into the clearing. It was small and Van found once he got in he had absolutely no idea which way was out. The trees looked as if they had moved completing the circle. But Hitomi knew exactly where she was going and pushed through the trees in front of her.
Van pushed the branches out of his face as Hitomi led him through the forest. Very quickly the branches stopped and he brushed his shirt off looking up.
"Wow," he managed
Hitomi turned to him smiling, "Yea I know"
The gypsy camp was enormous and the tents were propped up for what seemed like miles. Wagons were here and there and the chatter was almost deafening. Van wondered why he hadn't heard it sooner.
He was about to ask Hitomi if she knew everyone when a woman with dark black hair chatting at one of the wagons glanced at them out of the corner of her eye.
"Hitomi!!!" she screeched running forward.
Hitomi's fingers slipped from Van's and he watched as Hitomi jumped into the woman's arms.
"Hi Trish!!!"
Van watched as the woman clutched to Hitomi. She finally pulled back grinning.
"Well I know it's only been one day but I can't tell you how much we've missed you"
Hitomi hugged Trisha again, "Missed you too"
"Soren was up all night and Mark won't come out of his tent. And believe it or not Darice and Caleb didn't have their morning argument!! And he even put a cricket in her breakfast after she pulled apart his favorite shirt!"
Hitomi laughed and turned around reaching for Van's hand. Van grabbed her hand and let Hitomi pull him forward.
Trisha's eyes bugged out for a minute as she looked Van over, "And who do we have here?"
Van cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He started blushing and Trisha laughed thrusting her hand towards him.
"I'm Trisha and you are?"
"Van Fanel," he said shaking her hand
Trisha smiled and looked back over at Hitomi, she opened her mouth to speak when her eyes rounded in surprise. Looking back over to Van wide eyed her jaw slipped down.
"The King of Fanelia Fanel?" she asked
Van nodded and Trisha turned to eye Hitomi, "This is the Van you went to see?"
"Yep"
"The King of Fanelia?"
"Yea"
"Are you royalty?!" Trisha demanded
Hitomi rolled her eyes, "No! He's my friend! I've known him, Millerna and Merle since we were little"
Trisha eyed Van one more time before turning around heading into camp, "I have to go to the river and get Caleb. Darice will be back in a few minutes and Soren is at our circle."
"Alright see you there!"
Trisha waved over her shoulder and ran through camp dodging tents here and there. Van held fast to Hitomi's hand as she weaved in and out of tents, she seemed to know exactly where she was going. Van got a headache just looking at all the blurs of canvas.
She stopped a few feet in front of another circle of tents and tugged on Van's hand. Van stepped up next to her.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi pointed to the dark haired man in the middle of the circle reading a book.
"That's Soren, he's the leader of the gypsy's, and this is his camp."
"You know him?"
"Yea he's a friend"
Pulling Van into the circle Hitomi let go of his hand again and kicked Soren's foot.
"Hey!"
Soren looked up and dropped his book.
"Hey Hitomi! We didn't think you would be back for a long time!" he grinned jumping up and pulling her into a hug. Van watched and yelled at himself at the sudden jealousy that sprung up inside him.
Hitomi pulled away and pushed Van in front of her leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Soren this is Van Fanel, Van this is Soren,"
Soren shook the King's hand not at all surprised after seeing the statues.
"Thank you for taking care of Hitomi," Van said as another woman ran into the circle followed by a blonde male.
"Hitomi! We didn't think you would be back!" the woman cried pushing Soren and Van out of the way and pulling Hitomi into a hug.
"I told you I'd visit," Hitomi smiled as Darice disappeared followed by Caleb
"Is Merle coming?" he asked hopefully
Hitomi flicked his chest, "Hello to you too"
Caleb pulled her into a huge bear hug, "Oh Hitomi I didn't doubt you! It's only been one day I figured you'd settle back in stay there for a week or two before you came back to visit."
"Uh huh and no Merle isn't coming this time sorry"
Van decided this was the right time to interrupt, "Wait are we talking about my sister Merle?" he asked glaring at Caleb
"Who are you?" Caleb glared back
Hitomi wrapped her arm around Van's, "Darice, Caleb this is Van, Van, Darice and Caleb," Hitomi narrowed her eyes at Caleb, "This is Merle's brother, Van, the King of Fanelia"
Caleb's jaw dropped as he looked from Hitomi to Van in disbelief, "You're Merle's brother?"
Van nodded
"and Hitomi's Van? The King of Fanelia?"
Van nodded again.
"Well," Caleb said closing his mouth and clearing his throat.
Van was about to ask Caleb how he knew his sister but Trisha jumped in the circle now.
"Hey did everyone meet Hitomi's cute King?"
"Yea!" Darice called out, "I can't believe she's back so soon though I mean I definitely would have kept him to myself for a week or two."
Hitomi and Van both started glowing bright red at the women's conversation. Soren's deep laughter broke through the words as he pushed Darice towards Trisha.
"Trish stop you're embarrassing Hito-chan and Darice lay off I think the King of Fanelia is changing colors"
Van was beginning to regret taking Hitomi here so soon. They all seemed so close, he turned to look down at Hitomi. She was giggling and smiling. Hitomi must have felt his gaze because she looked up at him.
"You okay Van?"
He just nodded.
"Well I wanted everyone to meet Van but we only have an hour before Merle and Flora send out search parties"
Van chimed in here, "If they haven't already"
"Well come and sit Van," Soren called out gesturing to the logs carved out into little cavings that acted as chairs. Van walked over still clutching Hitomi's hand. Hitomi took her seat next to him stretching out and leaning back.
Trisha started to open her mouth but a tent next to her seat burst open.
"What's all the commotion?" the chocolate haired man asked yawning.
"Hey," Hitomi called
Mark smiled over at her, he seemed to be in a better mood. Maybe he just needed some sleep. Sitting down next to Trisha he put his arm on her shoulder.
"Hey weren't you going with that cat girl somewhere?"
"Yea I brought Van here to meet everyone," she said turning to Van
"Van this is-"
"Mark," Van finished for her staring at the man wide eyed.
Hitomi turned to frown at Van, "How did you know?"
Van's lazy smile had disappeared and was now a dangerous scowl. Hitomi could feel the anger radiating from him but as she was about to question him everyone spun to the front of the camp at the voices.
Hitomi and Van stood up to see Flora and Merle march into camp, Flora was smiling but Merle looked mad.
"They didn't even tell us they were leaving?! Just because we go shopping doesn't mean they can leave the castle!" Merle screamed looking out over the tents and growling, "I can't remember which one it is!" she screamed frustrated
Soren and Trisha stood up to see the intruders.
"Merle maybe we should just leave them alone I mean they need some time alone," she insisted scanning over the tents ignoring all the gypsies glaring at them
Darice, Caleb and Mark all jumped up to see who was barging in on their camp.
"Merle! Flora! We're over here!" Hitomi called waving
Hitomi stopped and jerked her hand back down when she felt the tension from Van. Looking at him she could see something was wrong. He looked like he was between anger and sympathy.
Flora smiled back and dragged the fuming Merle over to the camp. Merle wasn't allowed to fume long however, Caleb snuck up and pulled her from Flora giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Hello beautiful," he said cheerfully
Merle smiled goofily and hugged him back, "Hello"
Flora rolled her eyes and ran up to Van and Hitomi ignoring everyone else staring at her.
"Hey you lovebirds! Sorry I told Merle to leave you alone but she wouldn't listen I had a..feeling. Van what's wrong?"
Flora's brow scrunched in concern. Turning to Hitomi she received only a shrug. Van slipped his fingers out of Hitomi's grasp and brought his hands to rest on Flora's shoulders. Giving her a weak smile he glanced to Mark over her shoulder.
"Flora you're going to like this timing about as much as I do,"
Flora put her hands on her hips, "Van what are you talking about?"
Van slowly turned her around to face Mark and dropped his hands. Flora stared at Mark for what seemed like an eternity. The sounds of the rest of the camp faded away and the fire disappeared as her purple violets focused on the man she had lost so long ago.
Mark stared back swallowing hard as he looked his former fiancé over. He was trying to see the changes the years had wrought but instead all he could see was the innocent, beautiful, graceful woman he had thought bound to another those years back.
Flora blinked and looked around the camp.
"You've been here? All this time?" her voice was cracked and everyone's heart broke at the sound of her tiny voice, "Right outside of Fanelia?"
Mark opened his mouth to answer but found it wasn't working at the time. So he just nodded
Flora looked down at the ground and released a shaky breath.
"I waited for you," she started, "I waited all night but you never came" her hurt filled gems bore down on his.
Mark felt his guilt eat away as he pushed away the insane urge to rush forward and pull Flora into his arms.
"I was told, by your father, that you were married to another. He said he had you locked in the castle." Mark's own voice was cracking now, "He told me that- that if I entered Williams again he would have me run through"
Flora didn't look any more comforted, "You didn't come," she repeated
Mark's head bent in shame as his bangs waved lazily covering his eyes.
"I didn't come," he repeated back
Flora backed up and bumped into Van, spinning around she looked at Van for some comfort. But Van knew he couldn't help her here so he just brushed away the tears that were sliding down her cheeks and turned her back to face Mark.
Flora opened her mouth then snapped it shut, standing for a minute or two watching her love. Finally opening her mouth again she took a step forward.
"I missed you Mark," she whispered
Mark's head slowly rose to face her again as she took another step forward she ignored his own teary eyes as she tried to blink through her own.
Mark shivered, "I missed you too Flora, more than you'll ever know"
"Well what are you going to do about that?" her lips curved in an attempt to smile
Mark gave a tiny laugh and took a step forward, "I'm going to kidnap you," he whispered now nose to nose with his love
"Glad to hear it," Flora said shaking her head
Mark couldn't hold any more and wrapped his arms around her pulling her tight against his chest, "And I'm never going to leave you again"
Flora buried her face in his chest, "I was hoping you'd say that"
Mark laughed the laugh of a man truly relieved, "Never again Flora, not this time, life is too short to make this kind of mistake twice"
"Couldn't agree with you more," Flora said into his chest as her arms clung to his back holding on for dear life
Hitomi looked around to see Soren smiling, hugging Trisha at his side. Darice was wiping away her own tears smiling for all she was worth and Caleb was leaning on Merle's head grinning like an idiot. Merle looked like she had just figured out a life long puzzle and was looking at Van with a knowing grin.
Hitomi finally turned to Van and found him truly smiling. The same heart felt smile he had given her that same morning in his bedroom. Turning back to Flora and Mark she leaned against Van's shoulder and watched the two cry against each other.
She knew she had missed something special but even from where she sat in complete ignorance as to what had just happened, she could tell it was something beautiful.
A/N Hi I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I want to thank everyone for all the reviews for the last chapter!!! Oh my goodness I don't think I've ever gotten so many reviews for one chapter! Sorry this isn't a good cliffhanger here cause I know you all saw this coming but here it is!! Oh and sorry pretty senshi I like Hitomi with short hair so I don't think it'll be long for the wedding. I'm sorry I hope it doesn't make you too upset. Just picture her with long hair! Have a great day everyone!!!!
Sailor Hope