Chapter 6

A/N: Some new stuff in this chap that wasn't in it before

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of its characters.

Deré was excited, how long had it been since she had last set foot on land? Two to four months, maybe more. This morning Celena had rushed into her room with the good news. Dilandau-sama would be going to the nearby city of Gallardias, capital of Odean, for a few days and they were to accompany him.

Gallardias, why did that name sound so familiar? Gallardias . . . well, it wouldn't matter. She would be near him again, he might even talk to her; at least he would have to acknowledge her presence. Dilandau-sama, what is it that you want me to do? I don't understand . . . why can't you talk to me and just tell me. I only want to help you. She let out a sigh and began to pack some clothing.

It was a large city with many busy streets. Dilandau-sama and Celena were wearing cloaks to conceal their armor. She felt giddy like a child going to the fair. There were so many colorful items on sale in every store: hats, parasols, candy, kites, and so much more! Deré couldn't keep her eyes off it all. But what drew her attention the most was, this place was so happy. There were no dark alleys or suspicious looking individuals, well, except for Celena and Dilandau-sama, but the point was, everywhere she looked, people seemed to be smiling and enjoying what they were doing. The baker looked jolly in his shop, and the tailor was humming while sewing, even the messenger boy was licking a lolly pop.

The scene was so perfect that it was frightening. Then, they walked by a beautiful water fountain in the centre of the city. It was made of swirling pink and white marble and there was an angel standing amidst the spray. Her hands where held together in front of her chest and she was smiling, a sweet and innocent smile. Suddenly, an image came to her mind:

"Deré! Faster! You can't catch me!" The little boy with blond hair was calling back to the little girl. They were chasing each other around the water fountain, but without warning, the little girl misplaced her foot and fell into the water.

"ALEISTER!" she cried out to the blond little boy. He immediately turned to help her out of the water, she was soaked from head to toe, and there was still water flowing out of her clothes. The little boy began to laugh, and soon, the two children were rolling on the ground in uncontrollable laughter.

"Children! Your clothes are getting dirty! Get up this instant! And Deré sweetie, why are you wet!" A kind looking woman walked towards the children, she was holding two ice-cream cones, one in each hand . . .

"Deré, Deré!"

"What is it Aunt Lydia?" Deré said with a dazed look.

She looked for Celena, the girl and Dilandau-sama were standing some distance away, motioning for her catch up, "What are you talking about? Hurry up, Dilly-chan's getting angry!"

But what was that vision? Who was the little boy and the kind looking woman? Aleister, that name, so familiar, those voices, everything about that image. I know him, them, I know them, Aunt LydiaSuddenly, Deré raced off, she ran in the direction of the setting sun, autumn leaves crunching beneath her feet. She ran faster, she knew exactly where to go, there was a path, a gravel road up ahead. Westwood Drive, yes, it's getting closer.

Her limbs ached, but she didn't turn back; it was so close. Dilandau-sama and Celena were catching up; there was a house, a mansion. Deep blue paint, white balconies, ivy growing up the walls, it was, it was home. She walked, breathing hard, each step felt like a million years.

The window that Venice used to sneak out of, behind the shed where Aleister hid his telescope, and on the deck where she played teatime with Margaret; it was all coming back, all of it. Before she had a chance to open the latch, she felt Dilandau-sama grab her, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING! AND WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS!"

"It's my home! Dilandau-sama, I'm home! I've found it! After so long!" Tears began to pool in her sky blue orbs as more and more fond memories came flowing back.

She opened the large gate and walked in boldly. It felt so wonderful, to have found your family, to know you had a family. She couldn't help smiling; there were tears of joy, pure joy. The two cloaked figures walked silently by her side. Her hands shook as she reached for the silver doorbell.

The chimes rang throughout the house and a shadow came towards the door, "Who . . . ? Deré? Oh God, Oh Lord, Deré sweetie, it's you, it's really you!"

The woman was the same as in her vision, except she had aged over the years, there were lines on her forehead, around her eyes, and when she smiled, and her hair had also lost some of its younger brilliance.

"Aunt Lydia, I'm home . . ." The two embraced, a warm, loving hug that could only come from one's family. Aunt Lydia paid no heed that there were two dangerous looking, cloaked strangers by her door, instead, she welcomed them in with her niece.

"I'll go call Margaret and Aleister, he's come home, and they moved in after you went missing." The woman rushed off and Deré guided herself towards the living room. There were many pictures on the walls, mostly of herself, Venice, and Aunt Lydia; there were also some others of Margaret and Aleister. Aleister, he came back.

Then she remembered who she was with, "Dilandau-sama! Celena! I'm so sorry! I didn't know this was going to happen! I . . ."

"It's ok Deré, we understand, right Dilly-chan?" Celena gave a reassuring smile, and squeezed Deré's hand, but Dilandau only grunted. Then, he growled when a handsome young man by the name of Aleister gave Deré a kiss on the lips.

"I missed you so much! We believed the worst! Deré, I can't believe it's you, how I missed you."

She was crying and she was running. I have to find him, my love, my one and only. First it was Venice, my dear older brother who died in the army, and now Aleister. No, I will not wait anymore, I will not sit here and wait for that damned letter like last time; I can't. I will search for him, find him, and we will return home together. You promised, you promised me to return, and where are you? Why are you not here, by my side, like you promised?

More than a year ago, I told you not to leave, to go. I said stay, stay with me, but you wouldn't listen, you said you had to follow your heart. It told you to take a chance, but what about my heart? My heart that beats for you. I cry, I cry during the day and during the night. And Margaret too, your older sister, even though she pretends to be ok, I know that she too, has tears. She comforts me, and tells me, again and again, that you will return. But have you? No you have not. You said one or two months, maybe half a year, but it's been more than a year! I am still alone and waiting. I cannot wait another day, I must take action, Venice is gone, but I will not loose you too. My dear Aunt Lydia, my only relative, pray you not worry, please, watch your health and keep safe. I will return, someday, I will find him.

I was only a little over 14 that raining day when I ran from home, from my Aunt Lydia and my best friend Margaret. I went in search for him, for Aleister. He left on a trip; it was a project, a search for the lost city of Atlantis. I hate it, that cursed city, that damned city of fallen angels; it's hell.

Ever since he was young, Aleister had been extremely engrossed in anything to do with Atlantis, he read books about it, looked at maps, asked anyone who could provide him with any information. Then the opportunity came, he was to go with a group of explorers all in search of the sacred city, they wanted to find it and the Desecrated Temple of Adur. It was stupid!

She tried to stop him, because there were many tales of men gone and perished, or simply disappeared. The year he left, he was 15 and she was 13; they had grown up together as children, being betrothed since birth. Ever since they first met, there had always been an intense attraction between the two, and when they reached a more appropriate age, he had declared his love for her.

She waited for him, for more than a year, but she just couldn't stay in the house and look at his picture anymore, she had to do something. So she decided to go find him herself, and she left without a word, without a notice. There were many days of wandering, as a young and naïve girl. She had quickly lost all her money and soon became lost. Roaming from town to city, city to town, she fell into a dream, lost and confused.

Soon, she began to forget and the memories drifted away on their own accord; the reason behind all this, behind everything, why she was doing this. Her depressed mind and torn heart did not want to remember, so slowly, it began to fade, all of it; everything to do with him. It was locked deep inside, in a place that would not be disturbed, or touched; sealed safely with the key thrown away. It remained like that for more than two years, until now, until today.

As the tales of the past were unfolded and retold, the General of the Dragonslayers rose quietly. He did not want to be a part of this. He did not want to experience this transfer of emotions. He wanted to hear no more; he would leave.

Unknowingly, something was burning inside of him, something painful. It was eating at his insides as he tried to suppress the urge to drag her by the hair back to the Vione and burn down this whole blasted town. But there was a fear, you could say that he was frightened, frightened of something that he did not understand, frightened almost of her. This fear was greater than the will to take that bastard Aleister and skin him alive.

She was his possession, his! Damn him for kissing her! Damn her and what she was doing to him. He wanted to crush her, take her out of his sight, be rid of her, but why does he hesitate, why couldn't he do it. It troubles him, this girl. Yes, he was walking out the front gate now, let her stay in this house, let her stay . . . besides, he had other things to tend to anyway.

Behind him, Celena followed, she too, felt out of place, "Dilandau, wait . . ."

Aunt Lydia dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief as Margaret stood by the window and looked at the cloudy sky. The family was reunited once more. Deré and Aunt Lydia were family to Margaret and Aleister, as they were childhood friends who always did everything together. It was too good to be true, that Deré had finally returned. However, Margaret knew that things would not stay like this; she had seen how the two cloaked figures had left. They were soldiers who carried swords.

Many did not know, but the cheerful city of Gallardias was actually a large weapons exchange port. It was where airships came to restock, especially Zaibach floating fortresses. She hadn't failed to recognize him; it was Dilandau Albatou of Zaibach. The others were oblivious of the fact that they had just invited one of the most dangerous persons on Gaea into their home. The frail girl with long blond hair and cinnamon eyes might not look like it, but Margaret was actually a trained swordsman. She had taken it up after Deré's disappearance. It eased her somewhat to know that the two soldiers had left, but even so, she knew it would not be the end of them.

Deré laughed and laughed and laughed. How good it felt to talk to him again about those times when they were young, just to talk to him. There were so many fond memories to be shared. Aunt Lydia had gone to prepare her room, she would be staying here tonight, maybe not just a night. It was then that she realized that her master and Celena were missing, they had left. When?

She had been so indulged with her family members that she hadn't noticed their absence. Deré stopped chatting and went towards the window where Margaret was looking at the sky. "They left, a few minutes ago."

There was a long pause, "I see . . ."

Of course, why should they stay, they must have felt awkward and out of place. She felt guilty, all this time Dilandau-sama and Celena had taken care of her and now, she had forgotten about them.

"It's alright Deré. You won't need to worry about them anymore."

Yes, perhaps he would return, he cares for her enough to return right? Only, she was unsure.

The rain was falling heavily outside and all through the night, preventing her from having a good nights sleep. Aleister had also come into her room at least six or seven times that night to check on her. Things were somehow complicated. It was strange; she knew that once there had been an immense attraction between the two of them, but now, after three and a half years, it just wasn't the same.

She found it harder and harder to talk with him, at first it had been casual, just recalling things of the past, but now, there was nothing else to talk about. They often found themselves tongue-tied with nothing to say. She was beginning to worry; Margaret was distant, as if she was afraid to get close to Deré from fear of loosing her again. Only Aunt Lydia was the same sweet, gentle aunt who was always there for her when things got rough.

They were in the drawing room where Margaret was playing the piano and Deré and Aleister were seated across from each other. She was thinking about Dilandau-sama and what he and Celena might be doing at the time, when he noticed Aleister staring at her. It was a very uncomfortable gaze, so intense, so lustful. She shifted away uneasily towards Aunt Lydia. There were many times like this were she felt nervous and tense. It was not how one should feel with her family. As the second and third day passed by slowly, Deré began to miss him, her master.

"This is our supply list, get it and it had better be ready by morning."

Dilandau, I know he's upset, I can tell. God, Deré loves him so much, even though she doesn't realize it yet. Why can't people learn to express their feelings? Why does everyone have to hide their love for others? It would be so much better, and easier, for all of us.

It's getting harder now, to pretend, I find myself losing. The darkness draws over me once more, and he is here, in my mind. His voice, his cold demeanor, it brings me back to who I am. His blackness seeps through to me, but it only exists because he believes in it. Why can't he let go? God, just leave it behind, it's not your fault, you've changed. I'm waiting, waiting for you to tell me, to say to me. Every time you call my name, my heart skips a beat, and I yearn to hear it, to hear you say it, three simple words, I love you . . .

"Celena, let's go. These bastards aren't going to cheat us, they're scared shitless." With a graceful turn of his head, Dilandau stalked off in the direction of their inn.

"Dilandau, shouldn't we go see Deré?"

"What are you talking about! That little bitch left, didn't she? Well, let her go! I would have killed her sooner or later anyways." He was bluffing. It was so obvious and Celena knew it.

"She loves you."

"SHUT UP! You don't know anything and I don't give a damn about love! I DON'T love." Then, he punched the wall and she heard the bricks crack under the pressure of his blow.

"Sure."

It was a dangerous night in the city of Gallardias, as all nights were. The darkness had a life of its own. The moon cast mysterious and sinister shadows across the land, warning mothers to tuck their children safely in bed. Every window was shut and every door locked, because the night was the time for blood; it was the time for evil and deception.

"Stop", Dilandau paused and listened, "we have company."

Celena had heard it too. It came from above, "They're on the roofs."

He felt a suddenly brush of cool air by his left ear and jerked instinctively to the right, just in time to dodge a silver dagger.

As well, a flash of silver flew at Celena's chest, but she drew her sword as fast as lightning, deflecting it with the blade of her sword.

He was getting agitated from the disturbance, not to mention thinking of that girl, "SHOW YOURSELVES, YOU COWARDS!"

"We do not have time for such insolence", hissed Celena, after escaping another sharp dagger.

Then the swords of at least ten cloaked figures came crashing down on them on all sides. Dilandau and Celena stood together, back to back, ready to fight. There was even a slight grin on his face, as if this was exactly what he had been hoping for.

They attacked, five to one. But even though the two Zaibach soldiers were greatly outnumbered, they seemed to have no problem killing the first two attackers within minutes. Although a bead of sweat had trickled down Celena's brow and his blood-red eyes held a glint of anxiety, the two were standing their ground and ready to disassemble more bodies.

"COME AND HAVE A TASTE OF MY SWORD!" yelled Dilandau before he and Celena moved apart, taking on three dark figures each.

She blocked a deadly blow to the right and with her left elbow, broke the nose of the man on her left. He stumble backwards in pain and dropped his weapon. Another swing of steal aimed at her neck proved useless as her quick reflexes were highly superior to that of her enemy. She swung around in what seemed like a millisecond, sinking her blade into his neck. However, a swift dagger from behind caught her slightly unawares, grazing the side of her shoulder and ripping the leather of her armor.

Her anger ignited, Celena did a graceful back flip, landing behind her attacker with her sword embedded in his head. And even as another cloaked figure rushed at her from the left, an immediate reel to the side and appearing suddenly behind him ended any chance of his assault. The man let out a yelp before finding his own blade protruding from his back.

Removing her sword from the bloody head, Celena searched for Dilandau. She didn't have to look long because a piercing scream from one of his attackers twitching helplessly told her exactly where he was. She saw them up on the roof. The man was trying to edge back, except, another shuffle would cause him to fall to his death.

Dilandau's eyes were more red than ever, hypnotizing the terrified man. "Tell me, who sent you, and what you want?" he whispered in a low, eerie voice, pointing the tip of his sword gleefully at the neck of his attacker.

Shaking his head like he'd seen a ghost, the man began to mumble incoherently while Celena watched from below. She sheathed her sword and with one magnificent leap, joined Dilandau's interrogation of their frightened attacker.

Upon seeing another dragonslayer, the man almost fainted in fear, but Dilandau's impatient roar brought him back to his senses, "TELL ME WHO THE FUCK SENT YOU AND WHAT THE HELL YOU WANT NOW! OR I WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE AND TORTURE IT OUT OF YOU!"

Hearing this, the man began to wail, "No, no, please! I beg you! I'll tell you, I'll tell you anything, just don't kill me!"

Before Dilandau could scream at him again, Celena placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him, and spoke in a gentler tone, "So who is it?"

"MISS MARGARET! IT WAS MISS MARGARET! SHE DIDN'T WANT DE—" He was dead before he could finish his sentence.

"DILANDAU! YOU DIDN'T LET HIM FINISH!"

"I KNOW WHO IT IS!" he screamed in anger, "IT'S THE DAMNED WOMAN SHE WAS WITH!"

Celena thought for a moment and realize as well, that it must be the Margaret who Deré had embraced today, "The woman with the long blond hair."

When Celena turned around, Dilandau was already on the streets below, walking stiffly towards their awaiting inn.

Letting out a sigh, she thought no more of the subject, or what she could do to solve this problem without hurting Deré. Instead, she tried to link her arm in Dilandau's, before he pushed her away roughly; but that was okay, because that was the way he is.

"Dilly-chan, you're so mean! Anyways, let's go celebrate! We just killed TEN people! I know it's not a lot compared to usually but STILL! I WANT A CELEBRATION! . . . "

O4o86

A/N: As you can tell, my fight scene lacks a certain spark. And I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT! Anyone know some basics to writing stuff like that? I never read about it or write about so it's kinda tough . . .