Chapter Seven: Deception

I was talking to my friend they other day and she asked me what my favorite scene was in Escaflowne. Well of course I had to think for a second but then I remembered the episode "False Vows" where Millerna and Dryden are getting married and their attacked by the Unified Luck Soldiers. They demand that they hand over Hitomi to them. Hitomi feels bad that she told Millerna a false prediction and she runs out and says "I'm the girl from the Mystic moon and I am Hitomi Kanzaki! If you want me here I am!" That's my favorite scene. My heart was like thumping and I was screaming "No Hitomi! Don't do it!" Anyways thanks for reading my story this far. I appreciate all your reviews!!!

@}---- Angel_Fergie----{@

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The day was dark with clouds that covered every inch of the sky. Rain was pounding against the glass and lightning clashed, lighting the sky for a few short seconds. Hitomi sat in her room as she usually did. Van was out with Allen to meet an informant that had information on the mysterious man.

Hitomi let out a loud sigh that lasted a few seconds. She wanted to go with Van and Allen but they insisted that she stay because she would draw too much attention to them. Hitomi made an irritated face as she remembered them telling her. They could of at least gave her something to do.

Hitomi opened the window to let some fresh air into the room. She loved the smell of rain in spring, it was so refreshingly sweet. She closed her eyes as the moist air brushed her face. When she closed her eyes she saw a image of someone familiar and heard a voice "Hitomi." She open her eyes quickly and looked around the room to see if anyone was there.

"Is someone there?" Hitomi said looking around the room again. No one was there, but then who was it she heard. A transparent figure appeared in front of Hitomi and she jump at the sight of it. "Folken is that you?" Hitomi asked as she caught her breath. It was him, Folken was standing in front of her, but then he wasn't. He was like a ghost there but not really there.

"Hitomi your in terrible danger. He knows of you and will not let you get in his way. He is blinded with hatred and cannot see anything but pain and suffering" Folken said unveiling his wings.

"Folken I don't know what to do" Hitomi said moving closer to him.

Folken smiled at her "Listen to your heart. It speaks to you." Folken suddenly disappeared into the darkness of the sky. Hitomi ran to the window and looked out hoping to see him.

"I-I don't understand" Hitomi said as she was soon soaked by the rain. Her hand held out of the window hoping he would come back. Hitomi moved back from the window and stood still for a moment. She let herself slide to the floor in a puddle of water. Hitomi put her hand to her heart "What are you trying to tell me?"

Van and Allen were in a coach on their way to meet an informant. Gaddes was with them too. There were strength in numbers Gaddes said. For some reason Van had this unsettling feeling that something was not right. He dismissed it right away and went on to thinking of more important matters like preventing another war.

They had finally reached the tavern they were suppose to meet the informant. Then left the coach into the rain and up the steps. The tavern looked old and dirty. Noise roared from all the drunk men inside. They preceded in with out hesitation. Allen went first then Van and Gaddes.

The men paid no attention to them because they were to busy watching a fight that was taking place in the middle of the room. Allen sat down at one table and they others joined. "What would you gentlemen like to drink?" he bar maid asked. Van looked at Allen and Allen smiled.

"Some water would be just fine. We have business we must attend to" Allen said giving the bar maid a gentle smile. She walked away leaving them to their business, and returned with three glasses and a pitcher of water.

Van was very impatient and he began to tap his fingers against the table as Gaddes was telling a joke. Allen was leaning in his chair as calm as ever and he too was not listening to Gaddes rambling.

Suddenly a man with sat down at the table with a hood covering his face. This got the attention of the trio of men. You could only see the bottom part of his face but it look extremely familiar. Allen looked at him and he quickly drew the mans hood away from his face and to their surprise the face was a familiar sight. "Mole Man. I should of known" Gaddes said laughing.

"Why must we meet in a place like this? Why couldn't of you just approached us?" Van asked in a irritated voice. He didn't reply, his face looked almost sad, but why?

"What was it you wanted to tell us Mole?" Allen asked ignoring Van questions. Mole avoided eye contact with all of them. Something was wrong, this wasn't the typical way he acted.

Finally words came out of his mouth. "I'm sorry" Mole Man said looking directly at Van. Gaddes and Allen looked at Van with question. Van eyes suddenly grew wide.

"This was a diversion. Their after Hitomi. We must get back quickly" Van said dashing from the table to the front of the tavern. The entrance was block by a group of men who didn't intend on letting them go so easily.

Allen and Gaddes were beside Van. "This was a trap all along" Allen said pulling out his sword. Van and Gaddes did the same as they were about to fight.

"Van when you see an opening you run and save Hitomi" Gaddes said as the group of men started to attack them. Was that unsettling feeling was? Hitomi was in danger and she would be unprepared. Van hoped he would get there in time.

Hitomi was seated on the floor looking at her pack of tarot cards. She wondered how they got to be on Gaea. Just as she was about to pick them up she remembered what had happened last time she read tarot cards. Hitomi closed her eyes as she was about to pick them up.

Hitomi suddenly looked up as she heard a noise. The door knob was slowly moving. Who could it be at a time like this? She knew it wasn't Van or Allen they would still be out. Also they would of knocked before entering, actually everyone knocked before coming in. Hitomi suddenly grew cold.

Hitomi moved quickly and grabbed the knife that Gaddes gave her before they left. She moved behind the door and held the knife against her chest. Her heart was pounding, she could hear it. The door slowly began to open then a few moments it slowly opened wider.

Three men walked into her room and looked around. Hitomi though that maybe if she stayed still they would just leave. Hitomi knew that she wouldn't be so luck. She would have to make her move quick so that they would be surprised. That would give her a slight advantage.

When the last man came in he shut the door. This would be it Hitomi thought she clenched the knife and slashed the man and pushed him to the ground. The other two men turned around and faced Hitomi. Hitomi's heart stopped as she saw the look in those men's eyes. The only choice she has was to run for her life. Good thing she was a top athlete. Hitomi moved her hand blindly to find the door knob. When she found it she swung open the door and ran down the hall. The two men were in hot pursuit of her, but they were slower than she.

Hitomi looked around for help but their appeared to be no one around. When she finally did see someone she ran up to them shouting for help. He was unresponsive to her hollers. When she got closer she understood why. The guards neck was slashed open. Hitomi gasped and looked away. Her eyes were shut tight then she heard foot steps coming closer. She had to hide, but where? She couldn't hide forever, she didn't know when Van and Allen would be back. She would have to handle this alone.

Hitomi ran into the closest room ad hid under the table waiting for them to come in. Then she would make her move.

Van had gotten out of the tavern and was now running back to the palace. He ran like the wind, his heart pumping ten time its original rhythm. He paused looking around breathing in the air that didn't seem to be reaching his lungs fast enough. No one appeared to be following his. Good this he would be too exhausted to fight them anyways. His only fight was with those who would hurt Hitomi. He felt bad for leaving her there all alone. He remember the face she gave him when he told her to stay. He smiled a little at that image of her disappointed look. No this would not be the last time he would see her. Van starting running again determined to get to the palace in time.