A/n This is going to be a serious fan fiction, so there will be hopefully little to no mistakes in the story line, as I have spent a long time planning. It was also have a lot of depth to it with the decisions Hitomi must make, and of course a lot of V/H. However there will be a lot of tension, seeing as it's just going to be a huge flirt fest with all the characters. So it's really a fight to separate lust from love for most. Firstly, an important bit of introduction story line: the destiny war hasn't happened, but Hitomi did return home. However, now she has returned back to Gaea because of her feelings for Van. That's it, so I hope you enjoy reading the fan fiction and wish me to continue.

Betrayal of Hearts

'Live to other's expectations'

Deep inside the grand palace of Fanelia, a formal meal was taking place to support peace negotiations between Ziabach and the other nations. In the Dining hall, noble people of every nation sat around a circular table eating. The atmosphere was nervous between the nations but amongst themselves, discussions of peace were in full flow.

'Don't you find this all so strange Lady Hitomi?' Milerna asked, leaning towards her.

Hitomi looked out across the round, food-filled dining table. Noblemen sat laughing heartily with each other and the ladies played with the edges of their highly decorated gowns, trying to follow the talk of peace negotiations with the men. It warmed Hitomi's heart hearing of peace between Fanelia and the rest of the nations, but the spectacle before her was a false idea of peace. There was still a clear divide amongst the nations, even by the seating arrangements. Ziabach, mostly noblemen and generals sat one side and the other nations sat opposite. But between the rift, Van and Hitomi were trying desperately to stitch the two sides together. It seemed impossible. But at least peace negotiations were a start for a friendship that Van and Hitomi could build on. She sighed deeply as she smiled, her eyes glistening with hope.

'It is strange Lady Milerna. But it won't be so strange when events like this are more often. There will be no tension between us and Ziabach, and we'll finally be able to help each other in rebuilding the nations.' Hitomi spoke, as she gazed around the table.

'I wish I was as optimistic as you,' Milerna said doubtfully before turning to speak with Allen.

Hitomi couldn't believe that she was the only one that was putting faith into the peace negotiations. Disappointed with Milerna's distrust of Ziabach, she turned to Van for some hope to support her.

'Don't you think that it's great that we've finally got this far with negotiations?' Hitomi voiced to Van. He looked back at her blankly.

'I'm not too sure about that Hitomi. Ziabach are planning something, I just know it. They wouldn't stop the war and begin peace negotiations for nothing would they?' He said, crossing his arms as if in self-approval.

'Van you need to relax a little' Hitomi said sharply, but pleaded with her eyes for hope. 'You've been so used to being at war with Ziabach, that you've become narrow minded and unwilling to give peace a chance.' Van turned his head offended.

'Narrow minded!' He scorned under his breath.

'I'm sorry Van.' She paused waiting for a reply, but received none. She continued nevertheless for his forgiveness. 'You're King of Fanelia and you have to decide between peace and war. If you continue to think like this, then there may never be peace between Ziabach and the other nations.' Sensing the truth in her voice, he turned his glance towards her.

'You're right Hitomi. As long as you're here with me, everything will be fine.' He smiled as he placed her hand in his, beneath the table. She smiled in return, grateful for how lucky she was.

'I'm so glad I'm back Van,' she said with meaning, squeezing Van's hand.

'Me too Hitomi. You gave up your life on the Mystic Moon just to be with me,' he replied, before looking down apologetically at the floor. 'You even gave up your family for me. I'm so sorry-'

'We've spoken about this too many times before. It doesn't matter how many times you mention it, I'll still say it's okay. I want you and that's why I'm here.' She said reassuringly, as she lifted his chin to see him smile.

'Alright. I'll speak of it no more.'

'Good,' Hitomi beamed, before pulling her hand back and returning her attention to listening in on other conversations.

Peace was a dying subject between the nations, and now flirtations were amongst the noblemen and ladies. Panning her sight around the table, Hitomi came across a huddle of Ziabach Generals muttering in low voices to one another. She tried to listen in on their conversation, but nothing was to be heard but soft murmurs in the torrent of voices.

'I hope your not looking at that handsome guy over there Lady Hitomi, because I'm afraid I may have to hit you,' Kalise clumsily spoke, allowing drips of red wine to spill from her glass onto the fine, white table cloth. Hitomi looked in the direction of Kalise's glance, leading to a man in the middle of the group of Generals. She gave a nervous smile as she turned back to Kalise.

'That Lady Kalista is Lord Dilandau, and I think you've had too much drink to think that I would take him over Van.'

'I haven't had too much to drink Hitomi. I'm just trying to beat him over there, because we're having our own little private drinking competition. And I think I'm winning. Look at him, I think the red wine has already gone to his eyes.' Kalise pointed before shakily pulling her hand back and winking her forest green eyes at Dilandau. Hitomi chuckled at Kalise's inability to handle drink as she persisted to down another glass, trying to out class the man sitting opposite. 'He keeps on giving me that look Hitomi,' she said narrowing her eyes. Hitomi shyly grabbed a glance at Dilandau before looking back at Kalise confused.

'I'm not really sure what you mean Kalise?'

'He wants me, and you know what? I think I'll just go over there and show him a good time at this lame party. Then we'll see how much he wants me.' Gathering up the bottom of her long dress, she stumbled to her feet only to be dragged back down again by Hitomi.

'You'll do nothing of the sort you wild child. You'll never give the title of 'Lady' justice will you?' Hitomi snapped. Realising the stupidity of Kalise's plan of probably sitting on Dilandau's lap, she smiled at her and calmed her tone. 'This is meant to be a very formal meal for all the nations, which will help with peace negotiations and you're acting like this. I think you should go to bed.'

'Okay Lady Hitomi. As you long as you tell him my name,' she conditioned Hitomi, whilst smirking at Dilandau.

'He probably already knows, but I will tell him. And now you will go to bed.' Waving for a maid, she motioned them to take Lady Kalista to her room.

'Goodnight Hitomi,' she paused. 'Isn't it ironic? I used to do this job,' she continued, smiling at the maid who politely smiled back.

'Come this way Lady Kalista.'

'Lady indeed, ha!' Kalise laughed out, flicking her long brown hair back.

Hitomi watched them disappear around the corner as she fell back into her chair. 'It looks like she enjoyed her first night as a Lady,' Van said, interrupting Hitomi's moment of relaxation. 'It's a big step for a hard-knocked, off-the-streets girl to go from being a 'maid' to a 'Lady,'' he reminded.

'I know Van, but she's my best friend. She deserved better than just being my maid, especially when we became good friends. And I have you to thank for that.' She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, as if to say thank you.

'Well, as long as she doesn't cause too much trouble with her wild ways,' he replied, blushing to the kiss.

'I promise she won't. Well, I think I'll go to bed now. Everyone will be leaving soon anyway and I'm very tired,' Hitomi said as she rose from her seat, accidentally making eye contact with Dilandau. She felt that he had been watching her the whole time, waiting for her to give him Kalise's message. Hitomi never planned on telling him anyway. Kalise was too drunk to really know what she was doing, and it was him of all people. To Hitomi, he was an animal that had a thirst for battle. Having him in the same room as Van was difficult enough.

'It would just add stress to Van and complicate matters if Dilandau stayed in contact with Kalise. Then again, Ziabach was meant to be bringing the message of peace. But would Dilandau, the born elite soldier, give way to peace? It would be best to avoid him till peace is restored amongst all the nations,' she thought. But still, Dilandau sat there waiting. Hitomi couldn't walk away now because somehow, he knew that she had something to tell him.

'Are you alright Hitomi?' Van asked, concerned of Hitomi's worried expression as he followed her gaze.

'Yeah…I'm fine,' she sleepily replied, looking down at Van.

'It's him isn't it? What is he doing? I'll have him chucked out if you want?' Van questioned in a harsh voice.

'It's nothing Van. Goodnight' she said, as she bent down and lightly kissed him on the lips. Leaving Van behind, she made her way to Dilandau, who watched her intently. Hitomi was drawn to him, she had to tell him and there was nothing she could do. Standing behind his chair, she leaned down towards Dilandau who tilted his head to the side slightly to listen.

'The young lady who was sitting next to me, wanted me to tell you that her name is Lady Kalista,' Hitomi told him warily.

'And I suppose you told her mine?' He asked.

'Yes, I did. But she probably won't remember being as drunk as she was,' Hitomi replied, trying to dismiss Dilandau's attention to Kalise.

'She will, as I will always remember your name Hitomi. I would have given you my full attention by turning around and listening to you, but it seems Van has become over protective and won't allow you to wear low cut tops anymore.' Dilandau smirked as he returned back to a conversation with another Ziabach general. Hitomi turned a shade of red that only spelt anger. If they weren't at a formal meal, Hitomi would have slapped Dilandau so hard that he would have turned the same colour. However, controlling her anger, Hitomi made her way out of the Dining room into the hallway before exploding.

'How dare he, the pervert?! I'll make sure Kalise doesn't remember Dilandau's name!' Pausing momentarily, she tried to remember what else Dilandau had said that had annoyed her. 'And since when did Van keep me on a lead?! I can wear what I want, when I want!' Hitomi shouted but quickly calmed, as she saw two noblemen pass around the corner and into the hallway where she stood. Feeling hot in the face, Hitomi opened the glass double doors and entered the courtyard.

Outside there was a smooth breeze, carrying an air that seemed to wash away Hitomi's rage. Looking upwards at the stars, Hitomi could finally feel at peace. It seemed that now the war was on pause, they were on a one-way road to pacification. The stars glistened, as if in celebration of the feeling that swelled in Hitomi's heart; at last happy. But looking closely, beneath the shimmering stars and the blanket of the night sky, was her home. She turned her gaze away from the sky back to Gaea, knowing that searching to see her home would only bring regret of leaving it and deter her away from Van. Hitomi loved Van, but she loved Earth and her family too.

'I made up my mind on Earth to be with Van, and now I must live happy with the decision I made,' she spoke aloud to the soothing breeze.

'Talking to yourself I see Hitomi?' Merle sarcastically spoke, disturbing the silence.

'Oh, what do you want Merle?' Hitomi replied, without turning to face her.

'Well, it's just that you've been acting very strange since you came back to Gaea.' Merle answered as she walked forwards, her hands clasped behind her back.

'How can I never not be strange in your books.' Hitomi said, crossing her arms in annoyance as the cat girl proceeded to walk around her.

'You've been acting strange in anyone's books. Let's start with you making 'Kalise the maid,' 'Lady Kalista.''

'She's my friend Merle. She deserved better than just being my maid. I'm sure you would do the same if you had a friend,' Hitomi coolly answered, a sarcastic smile spreading across her face.

'Ironically, me and Lord Van have been friends since we were kids and I'm not a 'Lady,' Merle replied unimpressed, her hands held at her hips.

'I'm sorry Merle, but I can't explain that-'

'Secondly, you've been speaking to Lord Dilandau. How you managed to bring yourself to talk to him, I'll never know. Then, there's the whole idea that you're back on Gaea to contend with,' Merle interrupted, dismissing Hitomi's apology and sympathy.

'About Dilandau, I was giving a message that doesn't concern you. And anyway, we're at peace with Ziabach at the moment in case you've already forgotten. And what's so strange about me coming back to Gaea? You know I came back here because I love Van,' Hitomi replied, confused and slightly upset.

'It's strange, as I think you came back to Gaea because everything hasn't worked out well for you on the Mystic Moon. You knew Van would welcome you back with open arms because he thinks he loves you-'

'Merle!' Hitomi yelled, turning red again.

'I haven't finished yet Lady Hitomi. You came back and you play with his feelings because he'll do anything for you. So now, you're treated like a queen compared to whatever rubbish life you had on the Mystic Moon, and you don't even love him. You're just using him!' Merle shouted back as loud as her small frame could take.

Hitomi struggled to find the words to throw back at Merle in response to the accusations, and floundered in her anger. It all made sense as to why Merle would think that way, but it was all false. Cooling her rage, Hitomi reflected and spoke calmly back to her. 'You're jealous aren't you Merle?'

Merle fell back a few steps, shocked at Hitomi's confident question. Screwing up her nose to regain control of the conversation, she answered. 'If you think I love Van, you're right; but only as a friend. I just don't want him to get him hurt by people like you that will just use him during this fragile time in his life!' Before Hitomi could answer, Merle fell forward on to her arms and ran out of the courtyard until she was eventually out of sight.

A/n Thank you for reading to the end of this chapter. If there aren't enough or even any reviews, I'll discontinue this story.

Lady whitewolf

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ladywhitewolf_inabluemoon@hotmail.com