Disclaimer and Author's note: Am I really supose to have one of these on each chapter, cause it's getting annyoning o.O Do I? Oh well I'm not taking any chances of me being sued or something! I don't own Escaflowne, but I do own the plot to this story..........kinda........I don't know really......- _- anyways (I'M BACK!!! ^-^) *sweatdrops* omg, it's been almost two months since I said I'd take a ONE MONTH break *pouts* Gomen mina-san!! *twitches lightly than sighs* Mou........I don't really have any excuse *sighs again* Oh well o.O

'Italic'= past things said or memories or just to make a word stand out (or in this chapter something someone said in one place and someone else is hearing in another) 'font'= thoughts (font)=author's note and lil things that I just HAVE to say o.o

Chapter 3

"Because......" He repeated again. 'Oh just get out and say it already you baka!'

This is seemed so hard to say for him and he had no clue why. His right hand reached out and clasped Hitomi's. He saw her glance from their hands to his face with a look of curiousty and confusion.

Finally figuring he wouldn't be able to say it Dilandou gripped her and pulled her foward wrapping his other arm around her back, to kiss her.

Shocked and not to mention stunned Hitomi stiffened in his embrace.

Feeling her stiffen he began to back out till something happened that surprised even him. Hitomi gripped his arms and held him in place while kissing back.

Closing his eyes slowly he deepened the kiss as he felt her lean against him. Leaning back a little as well he found himself easing back on the floor till he fell on his back. Still clutching Hitomi to him he took her with him letting her land on his chest and pin him down.

Opening their eyes they eased away from the other a little till Hitomi's face hovered two inches above his.

It was a very ackward postion that they were in when you looked at it. Hitomi's upper half was on top of Dilandou's while her legs were sitting in between his parted legs. But her left leg was tangled around his right making it slightly difficult to get up at the moment, so they didn't.

For a long time they stared at one in other, at a total loss for words. Hitomi shivered as Dilandou's hand ran up and down her side.

"So....you don't love V-"

A finger on his lips silenced Dilandou as he stared at Hitomi. She smiled at him and shook her head.

"No. At least not this part of me."

Even though he was slightly confused at her last statement he smiled back and kissed her again. It was strange in a way. He never imagined himself as someone romantic or even falling in love. Especially with someone that he once hated. But it seemed over the last few days she changed.

For the better.

*----------------------------------------------------------------*

Walking into a dimly lit room Merle quietly trotted over to the table with one candle lit.

Leaning over the table stood Van, Allen, Dryden, Gadess, and now Merle who clung to Van's arm while looking over the map.

"We could send scouts to Zaibach and see where they're holding Hitomi." offered Allen.

Van shook his head and frowned. "No, it's to large of an area to cover, she could be anywhere and even if they did find her they wouldn't be able to get out of there in time."

Suddenly a sharp pain came to Van, on his chest, right on his heart. He placed a hand over his heart with a slightly pained and confused look as a voice echoed in his head.

"No. At least not this part of me."

'What was that??'

"Lord Van?"

The tugging of Merle on his arm brought him back to reality as he crossed this arms than stared back at the map.

"We could always just send the crusade in. That should be enough people to fend soldiers off and we could get out of there fast." Gadess said. This time Allen shook his head. "No they would spot us to quickly and have to many troops by the time we would've landed."

"You need something small to send that they won't be able to see right away. Something fast." Dryden said while rubbing his chin.

Van perked up. "I can take Escaflowne."

"Not alone you won't, Allen should go with you." Dryden glanced at the knight. "Alright?"

Allen nodded. "Fine by me."

"Great. But you two will have to go fast. Get down there, find Hitomi and get out. We'll give you half an hour before come in after you two." Gadess pointed to them both as they just nodded back.

"Okay, you two will go out tomorrow, early. Be ready." With that said Dryden left followed by Gadess.

Allen folded the map back up before glancing at Van who was still and had a hand clutching his heart.

"Van? What's wrong?"

The pain was still there and it sent a chill down the king's back.

"Lord Van?" Merle pulled lightly on his arm while her blue eyes looked over him in worry.

"It's nothing." He said quickly before walking from the room and quickly down the hall. Allen watched confused before following silently.

*----------------------------------------------------------------*

Walking down a hall with her hand entwined in Dilandou's, Hitomi rest her head on his shoulder.

Dilandou slipped his hand from hers to wrap around her waist and he smiled at the warmth from the contact.

'I've never felt this way about anyone before. I've never loved or been loved before. It's a strange feeling......but.......I like it.'

Leaning down he kissed her forehead as she looked up at him with her dark green eyes. Smiling again he gave content sigh than listened to her hum a song.

It sounded different but beautiful in a way, nothing he had heard before.

"What song is that?"

She shifted in his arm and kept looking forward.

"It's a song from earth, called Yubiwa."

"Yubiwa?"

She nodded and smiled. "It's a pretty song, want to hear it?"

He shruged an okay. Clearing her throat she closed her song as she started the song out softly.

"As my tears keep overflowing, I can't see your last smile through the blur. Don't go! Don't go! Stay with me. Light breaks through the sky.

I'm so insignificant but I loved you with all my soul, more than anyone. Thank you for ... all of the precious feelings that you gave to me.

At that time, I just ... watched for ages as the vapor trail vanished.

Don't forget ... you're not alone. Even if we part, our hands are still linked. It was my first love, when I first learned of sadness like this.

Even if something fades away, something will live again. The smile you gave as we parted was your message for me to triumph.

Someday surely we'll meet again and be together. No matter how far, we'll stare into each other's eyes. Bet all our hopes and dreams. Let's promise each other that we'll hold on to the intensity of that day, and live in the future that blooms in tomorrow."

As her voice faded out she nuzzled into Dilandou's side. The song sounded sad and it made Dilandou tighten his arm around Hitomi's waist.

She almost felt what he was feeling and placed her hand over his and smiled looking up at him.

"Don't worry Dilandou."

She reached up and gently traced his cheek. "I won't leave you."

Quickly grabbing her hands he stopped, made her look at him and said in a serious tone "You mean that Hitomi?" His voice still had a hint of doubt. "Don't lie to me..."

Her wide eyes looked at his face before she nodded.

"Yes, I love you Dilandou. I promise I won't ever leave you."

In a quick movement he crushed her body against his and buried his face the nap of her neck while wrapping his arms around her back. Gasping lightly she strained against the tight hold but than gave up and stood still. Hitomi than noticed his wet cheeks pressed against hers.

Looking up puzzled she found to her surprise that Dilandou was crying. She had never seen him cry before and didn't find him the kind to even shed a tear for anything.

Never the less he cried lightly while holding her tight. Lightly she wiped away some tears from his cheeks.

Stroking her back he took in a deep breath of her scent and let out a shaky breath. He couldn't get enough of her. It was still strange to him how fast he fell in love with this girl. This girl who he hated so shortly ago. But than again he never held her this close, he never really looked in eyes.

She was always with that Van. 'Van....' He growled the name in his head and held Hitomi tighter if possible.

"Stay...."

"Hmm?"

She looked questionable up at him.

"Stay with me always Hitomi. Don't go back to Van or the Mystic Moon. Just stay with me......please?"

"I will Dilandou. I'll stay with you forever."

Pulling back some he gave her a quick, clumsy kiss. She smiled at him. He blushed.

Shy. It was another thing he never thought he'd ever be. This girl was bringing out another side of him. Kinda like a lovey dovey push over.

But he didn't really mind. She was his. All his and no one, not even the heavenly knight or young king could change that.

He smiled back at her before reaching down and scooping her up in his arms. She squeaked, which made him smile again, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What are you doing??"

"What does it look like?" He winked and began to walk back down the hall. "I'm escorting my lady to her dorm for resting."

"But I'm not tried. Besides my room is the other way, we're go-" she was silenced by his mouth as they disappeared around a corner and a room.

From the shadows a pair of brown eyes watched the couple with disapproval before turning away sharply.

*----------------------------------------------------------------*

Waking up by a shiver Hitomi opened her eyes slowly in the dim room. Pulling the covers tighter around her she found she couldn't.

Opening her eyes more she glanced around to find her body still entwined around Dilandou's. She blushed harder at where his hands were so she moved them slowly as not to wake him.

Giving a sigh of relief she sat up in bed with the sheet wrapped around her bare form. The windows had their curtains drawn she so couldn't tell if it was light out or not. But she gave a guess that it was morning.

Yawning she ran a hand through her slightly frazzled hair and rubbed her eyes.

Beside her she heard the steady breathing of Dilandou. She just than suddenly wondered if what she did was right. Was it too soon? She was still a teenager after all.

Falling back on the bed with a soft thump she sighed than looked to her side. Some of Dilandou's bangs fell in his eyes. Smiling she brushed them away and tucked it behind his ear.

He only stirred lightly than reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. The feel of his skin on hers made Hitomi melt inside all over again.

Right there she didn't care what the consequences of what she did were. She loved this boy and she would do anything for him. Just than he woke up and yawned. Looking up with lazy eyes he smiled seeing Hitomi's emerald eyes.

Nuzzling her he kissed her neck and shoulders. Giggling she squirmed under him.

"Bout time you woke up. I thought you'd be out for the rest of the day."

"Well excuse me for being tired after last night." He mumbled against neck. She blushed brightly.

Just as he pinned her down on the bed a knock came from the door that made them both freeze.

Author's Notes: Dilly and Hitomi are gettin it on! ^-^ Wahaha, do you V/H fans hate me yet? *avoids various thrown objects* Well I hope you V/H fans still continue reading this. There are things yet to come! Bwahahahahahahahah*coughs and gags* x_x I hope you D/H fans liked that fluff I put in there ^-~ gomen about the OOC of it but it is kawaii, ne? ^- ^ Also sorry this chap is kinda short *sighs* mou....... It seems all I do is say sorry in these o.O