A/N: Chapter 4. I'm tired. Enjoy.

disclaimer:
don't own, don't care.

~the fourth chapter~

Celena sat in the sleek back convertible her brother had purchaced for this mission. Bull- Celena had seen it before on several of her previous missions. All in all, this wasn't the best day for her. She had gotten pulled over by a cop, who had tried to hit on her, she had nearly lost her fake I.D, and she was stuck in a car with Dilandau.

So, anyway, said Dilandau, wrapping his arm around the back of her seat. Celena resisted the urge to slap him straight across the cheek, and instead crossed her arms over her chests. I was thinking-

said Celena, turning her head away. She was parked in the lot of one of her brother's many shopping centers... what an idiot her brother was. Nothing made much sense to her anymore- her family's betrayal to the icy Dornkirk, a detirmened old man who was Allen's advisor, her emotions towards her brother... herself. Celena sighed and shook her head. She was fifteen and she had already killed, made herself invisible to the world, and had enough spy skills to walk straight into a top-security government building and have people smile and wave at her.

Come on, Celena, please? whimpered Dilandau, letting his arm slide down around her shoulder.

replied Celena icily. I don't know what it is that you want me to do, but, whatever it is, no. And get your dirty arm off of me, she replied, shrugging her shoulders. On the contrary, Dilandau tightened his grip.

But I want to drive. Celena nearly banged her head against the steering wheel of the car. Typical Dilandau.

No, Dilandau. You drive far too...

He offered with a devilish grin.

she replied, and then sighed, taking in his attire. Why must you insist on wearing that getup? It makes us more obvious. Rule number one-

Always blend in, recited Dilandau in a monotone. Celena, that's the thing that's wrong with you. You always play by the rules.

It's either you play by the rules or you die, she replied stiffly. In a second, Dilandau had his arms planted on either side of Celena, pinning her against the door.

You could have a little fun once in a while, you know, he said, his ruby eyes sparkling. Celena only stared up at him, her face a passive mask.

I prefer to live and-

Play by the rules? What rules? asked Dilandau. What about our profession has rules? Celena, we're fifteen. We're supposed to only be worrying about school and parties and dating. But, no, we worry about whether or not the bomb is going to go off, or if you'll be able to shoot the enemy, or even if you're going to live through the day. So, lighten up a bit. If we're living on the wrong side, we might as well enjoy ourselves because we're going to get killed anyway. Celena had rarely seen Dilanddau so serious. Suddenly, she cracked up. Dilandau's face twisted in confusion.

What's so funny? he asked.

This... got.... started... over an argument.... regarding who.... would drive, she said between giggles. Dilandau smiled a bit as well, and then sat up, letting Celena out from under him.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Pretty dumb, huh? he asked with a smile. Celena nodded, giggling, her hand over her mouth.

So.... can I drive?

replied Celena, still laughing.

Dilandau begged.

~*&*~

Hitomi tossed her hair, which was wet from her morning shower, out of her eyes and gazed out the street. Van was sitting next to her- eating, of course. She wasn't sure how he could eat so much and not get fat, but then again, that was Van.

So, anyway, said Van through a mouthful of Coco puffs, Merle was like no way,' and she was like you know it,' and then Merle slapped her and was so completley fuck off, bitch!' and then-

Van, does this have any relevance to anything? Hitomi asked. Van shrugged one shoulder, still cramming food into his cavernous mouth. Hitomi sighed and propped her arms up on her knees. Sometimes I really wonder about you, Hitomi sighed. Van shrugged again.

I know! he said, accidentally spraying Hitomi with masticated breakfast cereal, let's go to my house!

Sounds good, Hitomi said, wiping off her face in disgust. Hitomi made her way along the roof but stopped to stare as a sleek black car came zooming down the street, weaving. Hitomi could have sworn she heard cackling and STOP, DILANDAU, DAMMIT! YOU'RE GOING TO CRASH AND ALLEN WILL KILL US! over the sound of tires skidding over the asphalt.

yelled Van as they zoomed off down the street. We should completley do that some time.

Like hell, Hitomi snorted, pulling herself in through her window. She landed catlike on the floor, and Van, who one would have thought would have mastered the art of climbing in through windows, tripped on the sill and came tumbling into the room and landing straight on Hitomi.

Umm, please get off me, she said awkwardly. Van jumped up as though he had been electrified (after all, she was wearing a small denim skirt and a purple, skintight tank top.)

Sorry, sorry, sorry, he said, bowing over and over again.

Hitomi said. It's okay, seriously. Just... don't land on me next time, okay? she asked.

meeped Van, his face beet red.

Especially not when I'm wearing a skirt, Hitomi replied, walking out of her room.

Like hell, Van mumbled, echoeing Hitomi's previous words. He suddenly grinned evilly and bounded down the stairs after her, wrapping his arms around her and swinging her in circles.

he sang.

Put me down! Hitomi half giggled, half shreiked, holding the bottom of her skirt down with her hands.

Not until you say you looooove me, Van sang, still swinging her about.

Hitomi laughed. Now put me down.

Say it! Van cried, swinging Hitomi quite suddenly in the other direction.

Never, never, never! Hitomi cried, her hair flying in her face.

Say it! Yelled Van again.

Fine! I love you! Now put me down! Hitomi yelled.

said Van, stopping suddenly and placing a woozy Hitomi on her feet. They both swayed and stumbled over to the couch, collapsing on it one on top of another and laughing dizzily.

If you ever do that again, said Hitomi, sitting up with a sway and poking Van in the shoulder(she had meant to poke him in the chest but had missed), I will personally kill you.

Right, right, said Van lazily, blowing a strand of Hitomi's hair out of his face and trying to regain his orientation. Suddenly, Hitomi dizzily hopped up.

Race you to your place! she shreiked and dashed down the hallway, weaving and nearly knocking over several expensive looking Vases. Van dashed after her and swayed to the front door, chasing her across the street. Suddenly, his heart thudded against his ribcage in warning. Van grabbed Hitomi by the wrist, his diziness gone, and pulled her back from the pavement just as the black car zoomed up again in a screech of breaks, previously just where she had been standing. Van yanked her into the house and locked the door, peering out through the peephole.

asked Hitomi, alarmed, from where Van had wrapped his arms protectivley around her.

I have a bad feeling about that car, he said, watching it's occupants converse and then drive away.

said Hitomi. Then realising that she had just escaped being run over by a car, and had Van not grabbed her at that last moment she would currently be blood and limbs on the asphalt, she did what was natural and expected of a young lady.

She fainted straight over onto Van.

~*&*~

Hitomi! Hitomi, hey, are you okay? Van asked, shaking Hitomi gently by the shoulders. Her eyes opened and she shook her head.

Good morning, she yawned, stretching. Is breakfast ready yet? Van skeptically raised an eyebrow.

Um, Hitomi, it's just after one. You've been out of it for an hour, you were nearly run over...

Oh yeah, she said, casually, sitting up. Thanks for that. Van was now greatly confused by her behavior.

said Van, peering out the window, that weird car has made a few more circles, but now it's gone. Want to go over to my place for lunch? he asked. We could watch a movie, or something, he offered. Hitomi pushed her covers off her slender frame and sat up, blowing a loose strand of her short hair out of her eyes.

she said, beginning to step out of bed but stopping. Her skirt had rolled up as she slept. Turn around, she commanded. Van gave her a weird look but turned around. Hitomi swung herself out of bed, pulled her skirt down, and stood up, slipping on her plain black flip-flops.

Can I turn around yet? asked Van. Hitomi poked him in the ribs in response.

she said. Van turned to her and grinned, and set off down the stairs with Hitomi behind him. They were almost out the door when the phone rang.

Hang on, Van, she said. Van nodded and Hitomi sighed, walking over to the phone.

she asked, picking it up and placing it up against her ear.

Hey Hitomi! Came Yukari's familiar, bubbly voice.

Hey Yukari, said Hitomi, hoisting herself up onto the counter and swinging her legs. What's up?

Oh, nothing, sighed Yukari, snapping her gum. But can I come over tomorrow or something? Please? I'm really bored.

Fine with me, said Hitomi. So, what have you been doing?

Nothing. Reading magazines, shopping, sleeping... Yukari sounded bored. Hitomi laughed aloud, earning an inquisitive glance from Van, who had pulled himelf up onto the counter next to her.

Hey, Yukari, Hitomi said. Van's here. Wanna say hi?

Van who? Yukari asked in bewilderment before Van snatched the phone away.

Hiiiiiiii, it's me, Van! Van said, a lopsided grin adorning his features. Hitomi giggled into her hand at Van's antics. He paused and looked confused for a moment, and then said no... nail-gun boy. Remember?..... yes! Of course..... like hell......... no shit sherlock.... no.... hell no.... WHAT? no.... of course not.... well, sort of..... shut up!..... okay, that's it. Here Hitomi, Van said, his face crimson, handing the phone to Yukari. Hitomi laughed and took it.

I think nail-gun boy likes you, said Yukari calculatingly into Hitomi's ear.

Yukari, you analyze too much, Hitomi analyzed. Let me guess... cosmo? she asked dryly. Yukari giggled sheepishly.

Well.... yes. Okay, Hitomi, I gotta go. My mom is giving me death glares.

Seeya tomorrow, Yukari, Hitomi said.

Yukari called, followed by a no! wait! mooooom- in the background and a click. Hitomi laughed and hung up the phone, hopping off of the counter in the process. Van shook his head, faint traces of pink still evident in his cheeks.

You have one weiiiird friend, he said. Hitomi shrugged.

She over-analyzes things with the help of her Cosmopolitan magazine, Hitomi replied dryly. Van shook his head.

Poison, that thing is, he replied, with a grin, scratching his head. So, are we going over to my place?

said Hitomi.

~*&*~

Mom? Mom, I'm... I'm fine, stop worrying... how was I supposed to know that you were going to come home an hour early? No.... actuall, I called because... of course I'm not in jail! But, mom... Van snickered as he watched Hitomi try to get a few words in on a discussion on the phone with her mom.

But.... mom! Come on... I know I have track practice starting in 2 days.... it's just.... moooommmmm, Hitomi whined. Van laughed at her, and Merle looked amused. Can I sleep over at.... no, I'm not at Yukari's... no! With Merle!.. yes.... he's here, too..... no! Hitomi blushed pink. Of course not! Van was so overcome by a fit of the giggles' that Merle had to shove a pillow in his face to shut him up. Can I please? ..... yes, I'll go to bed by midnight.... please? Yes! Thanks, mom! ... okay, I'll be back by noon... okay. love you too. Bye. Hitomi hung up the phone, and looked to Merle with a smile, who was innocently sitting on the pillow that was suffocating Van, whose limbs were flailing about.

She says I can stay, said Hitomi as Van tried to pry Merle's backside off of his face.

Wow! Really? screeched Merle, hopping off Van at once to give Hitomi a hug. Van sat up, his face tinged blue and gasping for air.

he roared, chasing her around the room and hitting her over the head with a pillow. She squealed and took cover behind Hitomi, covering her head. Van glared at Merle and then at Hitomi.

Would you please kill her? he asked Hitomi sullenly, glaring at Merle and crossing his arms over his chest, his face still and odd blue color and his hair messier than normal.

Which way do you prefer? By poisioning or by pillow?

huffed Van, leaning back onto the couch. Merle peeked over Hitomi's shoulder and glared. Van chunked the pillow at her head, which she deftly caught and fired back at Van, who was caught square on in the chest and tumbled over the back of the couch.

he cursed, only his black and white nikes showing over the back of the couch. Hitomi giggled and Merle dashed up the stairs.

Come on, Hitomi, she said, grabbing the younger girl's wrist. Before the demon-boy can strike back.

I'm not a demon! Growled Van, slinking haphazardly over to them. I'm an angel... a nice, innocent angel with pearly white wings and A FRIGGIN HALO! Merle squealed as Van made an attack at her heels, and dragged Hitomi up the stairs. Hitomi laughed as she was persued by her friend and dragged along by another one, and dashed ahead of Merle into her room. They both closed the door and leaned upon it, Van's pounding buffered by the brown wooden door.

Hold it back, laughed Merle as Van could be heard yelling LET ME IN! LET ME IN! out in the hallway. Hitomi smiled and nodded, an evil plot forming in her own mind. Merle went in search of a chair and Van began to push on the door in a futile attempt to open it. Hitomi waited until Merle was all the way across the room and Van was pushing his hardest before deftly opening the door, jumping over Van who tumbled in, and dashing down the hall into her friend's messy room, closing the door behind her.

yelled Van. What was that for?! Hitomi laughed as she heard Van prowling closer, followed by Merle, who Hitomi could just imagine sprouting angry cat ears and a tail.

It wasn't for anything, she said innocently. I just felt like paying you back for dropping me into an ice cold bathtub!

Drop this, said Van. Hitomi pushed on the door as hard as she could to keep him from opening, and to her suprise Van pulled open the door and she tumbled straight over onto him.

he laughed. Now I've gotcha. He began to tickle Hitomi relentlessly, and soon Merle leapt into the fight with a pillow, turning the group into a gigantic moving ball of laughter and feathers.

Stop Van! laughed Hitomi. Merle whacked Van on the head with a pillow, and he, in turn, tickled Hitomi even harder.

Say you love me!! he yelled over the noise of Hitomi's laugher.

Not again, she giggled as a stray swipe meant for Van's head landed in her face.

Say it! he said.

Fine! I love you! Now will you stop? Hitomi laughed.

cried Van, tickling Hitomi more. Somehow she managed to snag the pillow from Merle and beat Van off. He collapsed back onto the carpet, laughing, on Hitomi's right, and Merle laid on Hitomi's left. All three were occasionally reaching over to bop eachother, but for the most part they were trying to regain their breath.

You remember what I said earlier Van? Hitomi asked.

he replied.

Earlier today, when I said that If you ever do that again I will personally kill you.' Time to stick to my word, she cackled.

asked Van in bewilderment, before he found a pillow shoved in his face for the second time that night.

Merle! Get some rope! called Hitomi to her friend.

said Merle, and then stopped. Will a sheet work?

said Hitomi. Anything we can use to subdue him.

Merle cackled, and then dug around in a linen closet for a sheet. She emerged with an old choo-choo train sheet, and helped Hitomi bind Van's arms and legs to a banister.

What are you doing? Van asked in disbeleif. Hitomi smirked.

Death by makeover, she replied innocently.

Oh nooo, breathed Van, his eyes going wide. Merle cackled and skipped off to the bathroom, where she came back with a large supply of cosmetics.

I think we should start off with polished toenails, said Merle.

I agree, replied Hitomi. But I'm not going anywhere near his feet.

sighed Merle, and began to spread candy pink glittery polish over Van's rough toenails. Hitomi smirked, and grabbed a lurid red lipstick. Van began to panic.

No, no no no no no, he breathed, beginning to flail about. Hitomi sat on his middle, effectively pinning him down, and began to coat his lips in a bright, new color of only the most in-style red lipstick. That tastes nasty! Van shuddered after Hitomi had finished. Hitomi shrugged.

Get used to it, she replied, and reached for a glittery facial powder while Merle moved to work on Van's left foot. She dumped a small pile into the palm of her hand, and grinned at Van.

I suggest you close your eyes and exhale, she warned. Van looked panicked but complied, shutting his mouth and eyes and sending out a giant gust of air through his nose as Hitomi blew the sparkles into his face.

Are you done yet?he asked, disgraced as Hitomi began applying lavender eyeshadow.

Say you love me, Hitomi said on impulse.

replied Van calmly. I love you. Now, will you stop?

cackled Hitomi, dusting Van's cheeks with blush as Merle pulled back from his feet.

I think it turned out rather nice, don't you? Hitomi asked, getting up. Merle smiled, and Hitomi could just imagine her with fangs.

It needs something, she said calculatingly.

asked Hitomi, smiling like a vampire as well. Merle rustled through the box of makeup she had brought out, and exclaimed before pulling out with a bright red bow in hand. She clipped it neatly on top of Van's head and stepped back.

Merle yelled down the stairs. Get the polariod camera!

Ohno ohno ohno ohno ohno! exclaimed Van, wriggling around desperatley. Folken came up the stairs, smiling, his purple teardrop tatoo crinkled.

Oh, Van, he laughed. You look so pretty.

Shut up, Van growled angrily as his brother stood back and looked on with a smile. Hitomi cackled and grabbed the camera, shooting several shots.

Smile for the camera, she laughed. Come on, you're going to be a model! she giggled. Merle giggled as well, and Van scowled.

You show those pictures to anyone and you die. Hitomi, of course, would later pin the majority of those pictures up on her wall, but she would never admit to anyone other than herself that, even in drag, Van Fanel looked absolutley, positivley, one hundred percent and completley hot. Well... except to Yukari.



So, what do you want to do? asked Van after he had scrubbed off all the makeup Hitomi had so lovingly' applied.

I don't know. We could watch another movie, or look at the stars, Hitomi said as Van scrubbed at his face with a rag.

Let's watch another movie, Van said, wrinkling his nose and shaking his head like a dog, sending stray water droplets flying all over Hitomi. She brushed the water off her shirt like dust, and stood up from where she had been sitting on the counter next to Van.

Cool. What do you want to watch? she asked.

I don't know... Hey, Merle! he yelled, knocking his fist against the bathroom wall. Merle poked her head out of her room and around the corner into the bathroom.

she asked.

What movie should we watch? Van asked innocently, drying his face.

Uhh.... Monty Python and the Holy Grail, she randomly said. Van made an approving face and nodded.

I've never seen that before, said Hitomi thoughtfully. Is it good? Van looked mortified, and dropped the towel.

You've never seen Monty Python? he asked in horror. Merle gave her a sympathetic look.

You poor thing, she said, and walked after Hitomi, who was being dragged down the sairs by Van by now.

asked Hitomi curiously as she bumped slightly on the steps.

Monty Python is the best, Van insisted. There's a killer rabbit, and a castle of whores, and an armless, legless knight and a three headed man...

And a witch who weighs the same as a duck and singing, dancing, knights of the round table! added in Merle, clapping her hands together. I'll make the popcorn! Van, you get the movie started.

said Van as he hopped the last few steps, tossed Hitomi on the couch and rushed over to the entertainment station, which Hitomi had decided to steal once she got the chance. Van walked over to the black cabinet next to the DVD player and ran his fingers along the spines of the DVD boxes. Eventually, he exclaimed and pulled out a box labled MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, with a large cartooned hand holding up a grail from which a rabbit sprouted. Hitomi raised her eyebrow at it, and Van gleefully slipped the disk into the DVD player. Merle hopped over the back of the couch and sat on Van's other side, placing the bowl of popcorn in her brother's lap. Van pushed the play button on the DVD remote, and within five minutes Hitomi was laughing hysterically alongside Van.

Bring out yer dead! Van imitated a man on screen with a cart, making his way through a meidevil town and calling out for corpses. An old man was led out.

I'm not dead yet, he protested, and an argument ensued between the caller and the Old man's son. The old man was hit in the head and slumped over onto the cart, and the son smiled and thanked the caller. Then, a woman dressed up as a witch was ushered out for trial. Hitomi laughed as they decided if she weighed the same as a duck, she was a witch. Hitomi wasn't sure when, but sometime during the movie she had slumped over onto Van's shoulder to watch from there, and he had looped one of his arms around her waist. Hitomi couldn't say she minded terribly, in fact she was more comfortable here than she had ever been before, and sighed a bit, taking a handful of popcorn out of the bowl nestled between Van's knees.

That's just nasty, Hitomi commented as the rabbit which had been on the cover of the movie flew at the throats of the members of the round table, drawing blood in graphic reality. Van laughed a bit, causing Hitomi to bob up and down a bit on his shoulder.

Yeah, but it's funny, he replied, shoving some popcorn into his mouth. Merle had long since fallen asleep on the arm of the couch, and Hitomi was suprised that the noise didn't wake her up. She shrugged. Oh well. More Van to her.

Hitomi mentally slapped herself. Since when did she care about having Van's attention all to herself.

Ever since he saved your life for the first time,' came a little voice in Hitomi's mind. She ignored it, and did her best to concentrate on the movie. Unfortunatley, she was distracted greatly now by the thoughts of Van raging in her mind and his smell, like a feild, wafting through the air around her. Hitomi relaxed. She was safe here- nothing could get here as long as she was with Van. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep, completley oblivious to the scream of dying knights on screen.


Van looked down at Hitomi with a smile. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder, a faint smile gracing her lips in her sleep.

Van hissed. Go sleep on the floor.

Okay Van, Merle yawned, still in a mostly-asleep state. Van smiled as the rest of the couch was cleared off. He turned off the tv and fell asleep against the pillow Merle has previously been leaning against, Hitomi sleeping lightly on his chest.

I'll find out what you really feel, Hitomi, Van swore to himself before the comforting warmth and smell of Hitomi lulled him to sleep.

~*&*~

Any luck? Celena asked Dilandau. He was peering into the house with a pair of binoculars.

he said.

Celena cursed, striking the top of the steering wheel with her open hand.

It's only getting worse, Dilandau commented. They're getting closer.

But how'll we explain the death of an olympian, disappearance of her boyfriend, death of her boyfriend's family?

I never said boyfriend, said Dilandau, tossing the binoculars into the back of the car. I only said they're getting closer. We can still pull them apart.

You have an idea, said Celena suddenly, a smile alighting her features. What is it?

Re-direct her affections, of course, replied Dilandau, stretching in his seat. Celena turned on the car and u-turned in the middle of the street, making her way back to the shopping center.

Cool. So, what exactly is this bright idea you've got? she asked, driving at a brick wall. At the last moment it folded up like a garage door and Celena drove into a metal car lift.

We simply find a substitute for her feelings, of course, Dilandau said as the lift began to go downwards. And who better than-

asked Celena skeptically. Ha. We'll have to get the o-kay from the boss first, dumbass. Celena drove out of the lift as it came to a shuddering halt, and parked the car in a space marked just for her. She stepped out of the car, stretching her legs.

admitted Dilandau, but I think he'll say it'll work. After all, we can't risk getting this company uncovered, and what better way than by murdering someone famous?

I agree, replied Celena, stashing the keys in her purse. I'm going to hit the sack for tonight... meet me in the staff room at seven tomorrow morning, she said.

Seven sharp, confirmed Dilandau, heading off in the direction of his own dorm. Right. See you then. Celena turned a corner and knew she was out of ear shot.

Oh, trust me, she said sarcastically. I can't wait.

~*&*~

A/N: AAAAAND, thus ends the fantastic chapter four! Gyahaha! And I finally got myself out of the pit I wrote myself into in chapter 5, so you can expect it right on schedule tomorrow. I'm not sure about 6, though, because I haven't even started it, and also because I'll be GONE all day on thursday, so I may not update anything... anyway, I love you all!

^.~ Azure