Title: Intruder Alert: Take Two

Author: Frostmourne

Disclaimer: I don't own Vision of Escaflowne so don't sue me…

Chapter Dedication: fallen-dark-angel, Always Dreaming, the original esca chick, Smiles9, Diesty-chan, Fuzzie, T T, MysticalDreamer32, Night of the Raven, supergirl6, one_mean_rabbit, naria4, Izzy, blue ice2, SabrinaYutsuki, windsoffortune, anime_luver, Catelina, Princess Neptune, Magicman/Smokegirl, Kat-Tastrophe, dilly-sammas luver, Mad Meg Askevron, reimegami04,           , mel_88, Kisakino Ookami, My Silver Flame

Summary: Popular guy, Dilandau Albatou, had finally met his match in this green-eyed, short-tempered girl from America. Sparks flew between them from the start and intensified when they found out that they were actually engaged to each other. But when it seemed that they had settled the negative sparks between them, more embers glow from the outside.

Chapter 8: Knowing what there is

"Either you put a stop to this, Ganesha-san, or I will call her and her parents to my office myself."

"I will get to the bottom of this, Jajuka-san."

"Alright. Good day."

Balgus nodded and left the school president's office. This matter was sure getting out of hand. It was only a rumor that Ryu's daughter was cheating. But now, it is more than that. It was that she was changing grades of herself and other students as well.

Most of their students, including Mei and others who were reputedly against Hitomi, had gotten very low grades. But the teachers affirmed that the input they placed on the school's computer system were right. Now, it is all over school that Hitomi may be the one doing it. She is reputed to be the best in computer programming and hacking after all.

'I just can't believe this. Ryu's daughter would NEVER do this.'

She felt another part of her heart break off at the looks and whispers. It hurt but she'd have to put up with this.

Hiko glared at everyone. He was genuinely pissed off. "Hitomi?"

She continued to walk. "I'm alright. I'm not bothered. They're nothing to me," she said sternly and walked off towards her first class.

But he knew her well enough. She was hurt.

"You're not going to sunshine?" Van asked as they walked towards their first class.

"No. She'd be in more trouble if I do."

Van raised a brow. "Hmm, had a serious fight with sunshine?"

"Van, go suck a doorknob," Dilandau stated flatly and slumped on his chair, glaring at everyone with a silent message that anyone who'll bother him would really get it, suspension-threat present or not.

Brownish-red eyes filled with amusement. 'Good thing it was just a crush on Hitomi or else I'd be saying those things, too.' "So are you going to brood till the classes starts?"

Dilandau didn't even move. He just kept on glaring at everyone. He was confused to say the least.

Why did he hate everyone with so much more intensity than he could hate before? Why did he feel so upset when Hitomi said she loved Allen? Why was he so bothered by what he had read about Hitomi's feelings? Why was he beginning to care so much that even Van wouldn't leave the topic off anymore? Why was he minding Hitomi's business when they were just merely ordered to spend time together?

Their parents wouldn't know if they're together in school but why was he still keeping her by his side? Why was he so restless and well… worried… when she's not in his line of sight? Why was he still with Hitomi?

"F***!" He cursed loudly as he slammed his fists on his desk, startling his classmates.

Van raised a brow. "Does that have anything to do with me trying to be annoying? Because frankly, I thought you weren't even listening."

Dilandau continued to ignore Van and just slouched on his seat, glaring at the ceiling as he tried desperately to sort out what was within him as he did every night and lately, most of the time.

"Hitomi?"

She looked up from her lunch and raised a questioning brow at him.

"Don't you ever tire of pretending to be okay?"

Her brows furrowed in question.

"I could make them stop. I could shut them all up even if it gets me suspended or expelled."

She frowned.

"Tell me, I'll do it."

Putting her lunch away, she looked at him seriously once more. "You're strange, you know that? You can be so despicably awful and yet you can be so touchingly nice."

"I'm not trying to be touchy OR nice. All this fu**ing gossipers just piss me off."

"And you'd get yourself expelled because of that? How can you be so juvenile? Shouldn't I be the one pissed off? Really, Dilandau, you're mixing up everything. You almost act as if you're trying to make up for getting me in this position."

"I am."

She looked amused. "You're crazy and not to mention stupid. You're growing soft on me when I used to remember you hating me as much as I used to hate you."

"Used to hate. Past tense. Can't I have the past tense, too?"

"No. Because you're Albatou Dilandau and as far as I have learned, you don't care and don't forgive."

"Then why am I still here?"

"Because we were ordered around to spend time."

He stared at her seriously for a few seconds, getting angry as each second passed.

He had been trying so hard to kill the guilt and kill every emotion and change that Hitomi's presence brought along. And when he finally accepted that he was beginning to be a pathetic loser, caring and protective over the girl he used to hate, she was rubbing salt on his heavily wounded ego.

"So I'm here to save my ass, is that it?!"

She looked confused. "Why would you be spending time with me if not to stay out of your parents' wrath?"

He glared. "For someone so perceptive, you sure are stupid!" He immediately stalked out and left the rooftop with a bang.

Hitomi was left there thinking irately. 'What is wrong with him now?!'

They were chatting as if there weren't anything wrong in school that lunch time. He brought Hitomi back home like he wasn't bothered to be there, like he wouldn't be remembering the picture she held so tight, like he wouldn't feel guilt snaking through him as the words in her writings echo back in his head, like he wasn't confused about what he was feeling whenever Hitomi was the subject of thought.

"Let's eat. You're so thin I often wonder where you get your strength whenever you hit me. You scare me."

"Albatou Dilandau is scared?" She taunted and then realized what he said. "Do I look scary to you?!?!"

"No. But you look as if you'd break any moment. It's a wonder why you don't just crumble. You're so thin. Do you even eat when I'm not around? Do I have to be around all the time to make sure you actually eat food? You're such a problem." He rolled his eyes. "What do you want to eat?"

Hitomi slumped on her bed and looked at him amusedly. "Sometimes, you're so thoughtful. But I still find it weird. I always thought that you're so despicable and bad."

He laughed. "I am."

She just smiled. "Not really. Hey, let's take a couple of pictures?"

"What? So you can put up a gallery? We've been having too many pictures since you started wondering why I don't put pictures in my room."

"Well, so I can place a bunch of pictures there."

"Why do you love to torture me?"

Hitomi giggled. "Well, maybe till then I'd keep all the pictures so come---"

"You're bossing me around too much."

"That's alright. You're letting me anyway."

"You're really proving that I'm going insane. You're ruining my bad boy image."

"That image doesn't suit you."

"And why is that?"

"Because no matter what you say… I think you're not that bad."

Sitting on her desk, he looked at her. "So, that's a what?"

"That's my way of saying you're okay and I like you."

"Yeah, but 'like' is not enough to keep you happy like your Allen can."

Hitomi suddenly sat up and looked at him closely. "Excuse me?"

His eyes widened. 'I f***ing slipped!' "I said you're still not happy that you still insult me." He shrugged for additional effect.

"That wasn't what I heard, Dilandau."

"It wasn't? But that's what I said."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're hiding something."

"So are you. All people hide something." He noticed a part of THE picture frame sticking out of one of her pillows. Everything rushed back and his thoughts and emotions were starting to be messed up once again. He stood up and walked towards the door. "I think I'm going early. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

She stood up and walked towards him, holding on to his arm. "We talk today."

His brows furrowed and somehow, seeing the picture frame didn't help his already guilty mind to stop its pounding. "About?"

"Hiko told you something, didn't he? You messed with my things, don't you?"

"Something? Things?"

"Damn it! Quit acting clueless and tell me!"

He let his patience slip, guilt fueling his anger. "YOU tell ME. I wouldn't have to ask Hiko if you trusted me ENOUGH to TELL me."

"My life is out of your concern! You DON'T have any right! How dare you!"

He glared at her but she glared back and continued. "I didn't probe with your life! I respected your privacy! But YOU! You didn't! You are so untrustworthy! I bet you used to some juvenile delinquent before! Messing with things you shouldn't be messing with!"

Her words stung. He was so confused and he didn't understand why this fight was here. He didn't understand why he was getting so worked up and he felt himself getting so angry with every word she spoke against him. "SHUT UP!!!" He slammed his fist on her door, breathing hard from his efforts to control himself.

She glared at him, stepped away and then turned back. "I hate you, Dilandau. I hate you so much," she said in a low, venomous voice.

"Hey," he said in the same venomous voice. "The feeling's mutual."

He slammed the door on his way out, leaving her back facing the door.

"What---"

"Shut up!" He said curtly to Van and passed by them to sit on his usual seat in the cafeteria the following day.

Gatti threw Celena a curious look as they entered the cafeteria. Celena shrugged. "He was pretty pissed off when he went home yesterday. He didn't eat dinner and breakfast and was brooding all the time. I didn't try to talk to him. He scares me even more compared to how he was back in junior high."

"Sunshine," said Van with a knowing smirk. "He must have had a fight with his sunshine."

"I think it's serious," interrupted Chesta.

He was about to say something, but the rest came and walked towards the table, having no clue that Dilandau was really in a bad mood.

"I think we need to rescue them," Gatti sighed. "I wouldn't want to escort anyone to the clinic."

Celena nodded. "You guys go ahead. I'm joining Merle and the others as usual."

"And Hitomi?" Chesta asked.

"I think she needs time to herself. She might think we're there on Dilandau's behalf," Van explained and stalked off towards Dilandau and the others.

~*Two days later*~

"We'll get to the bottom of this, alright?"

Hitomi nodded and sighed. "Thanks for the advice and assurance, Sir Balgus."

He smiled kindly. "It's my duty. Now trudge along."

She smiled and went out of his office. Just as she came out, Dilandau was walking down the hallway. She stopped. But he only passed by her, not even sparing her a look, like she didn't even exist.

~*Ten days later*~

"Kanzaki,"

Hitomi zipped her bag close and looked at her gorgeous coach. "Yes, sir?"

"Let's talk just a moment before you leave."

She nodded. "Do I need to practice something?"

"No. But your concentration is wavering."

"I'm sorry. There's just some matters that…" She shook her head. "I'll concentrate next time."

Folken nodded and walked towards Hitomi. "Kanzaki, we may be silent but we believe that you can't do anything remotely similar to what most here in school are accusing you of. Not that I needed an assurance, but Eries assured me that even if you're very good in programming and hacking, you wouldn't do anything like what the rumors say."

"She did?"

He smiled slightly. "She did. She believes in you, as I and the rest of the team do. But you have to understand that even when most of the faculty in school believes in you, we cannot put matters into our hands. It would be viewed as favoritism and that would be bad on you. And the team---"

"I understand their silence," she quickly assured. "I wouldn't want them to be in trouble with the rest of the school for defending me. It's not their fight."

The kendo coach nodded once again. "Yes. But they will be there for you. As well as I and Eries. Don't push them away too hard, alright? Talking to them once in a while won't hurt them."

She nodded.

"Good. Well, you should go home now."

Getting her bag, she said her goodbyes to Coach Fanel and walked out. But she was surprised to find someone waiting for her.

"I'll give you a ride."

She shook her head. "I don't think Dilandau would like the idea of you doing me a favor."

"He doesn't know that I'm here."

"He will if you talk longer to me. Someone would see you."

Viole just walked towards her and relieved her of her bag. "I think I'll live through Dilandau's wrath. But we need to talk and straighten things up."

"Merle---"

"Would be happy to have this settled," he finished.

Hitomi looked at him for a while before consenting with a nod. "Rooftop."

"Good enough."

"Finally, in just less than a week, we'd be seeing Hitomi!"

Yukari smiled at Millerna's enthusiasm. "Yeah, I know! Well, I think we'd better continue our preparation for school now. We've been talking for a while."

Millerna laughed. "Yeah. See you a bit later then. Oh, since Sarah's picking you up, tell her to buy me a couple of drawing pencils on her way to your place, okay?"

"Sure. Later then."

"So, what now?" She asked after a few minutes of silence passed between them.

Viole looked at the sky for a moment before looking back at her. "What happened?"

Hitomi hesitated for some time before relating to him what had transpired which took quit some time. By the time she had finished, he knew exactly that Hitomi needed to know something about Dilandau.

"What do you think of him?"

"Now?"

"Before the fight… when you two were getting along."

She sighed. "I… well… I thought that he was beginning to be a friend… that he was beginning to um… care. And I liked him then," she paused and frowned. "But I certainly don't now. He was just playing with me, pretending that he cares, pretending to be a friend," she said with disdain.

"I don't think he was pretending. Or more like I KNOW he's not pretending."

"Please, don't try that on me."

"I'm serious. I know so. I've been around him longer than you and I should know if there's something up with his attitude. And from what I've seen of him this past few days and your side of the story, I know that you hurt him more than you know."

She couldn't help but glare. "He betrayed my trust."

"He didn't betray anything, Hitomi. You didn't trust him. He was just concerned about you."

"He could've damn straight asked me. He's shameless anyway that I find it hard to believe he didn't ask me outright."

"You're clueless, you know."

"What?!"

"You don't know your effect on him. Don't you notice he's not THAT outright with you as he is with other people? That he chooses his approach on you and does not go on being so tactless just to get some answers?"

Hitomi just stared at him.

"I guess you don't. No matter how you see it, Hitomi, Dilandau cares for you. I think he knew whatever it is you didn't want him to know. But he kept it, didn't he? I think he waited for you to tell him. But things just didn't turn out right."

"Why are you so loyal to him?"

"It's not just about loyalty, Hitomi. We've been through a lot. It may just be me, but I think Dilandau's better the way when he's with you. Don't you notice how scared others are when he's not in such a good mood? A lion is still a lion whether or not he is caged. But you seem to have this effect on him that makes him as if he's a house cat."

"So?"

"I'm saying you have him in your hands. You can make him happy or hurt him the most."

"So, you're trying to ask me to go to him and apologize so he'd be freaking happy?! Goodness! He can be so juvenile!"

"No. I'm trying to ask you to understand him."

Hitomi let out a frustrated breath and stared at him. "How can I understand him if he can't understand me?!"

"I think he does understand you. Well as much as you allow him to understand, that is. Besides, the problem is you hurt him and provoked him to hurt you. You did say he wanted to go home straight away when you were starting to question him. He was avoiding a fight with you. But you provoked him. It hurts much when you know that someone you care for doesn't even trust you."

"I'm not the only one who's not doing any trusting here," she snapped. "He's also in that term. He won't even tell what the mall fight was all about!"

His brows furrowed as the more of Dilandau's late attitude became clearer to him through this talk. "He was trying to keep you."

"He's what?"

He sighed wearily. "He might be thinking that you'd leave him if you know."

"Know what?"

"Know how he was."

She looked at him questioningly. Then she remembered her harsh words and his reaction thereafter. Something dawned on her. "I was just spurting things out because I was mad. But his reaction… he's had a very bad past, didn't he? What I said was true, aren't they?"

He leaned on the metal railings of the rooftop and looked remorseful. "I don't think I should be the one telling you this but what the hell." He fell silent and looked thoughtful.

"Well what?" Hitomi asked impatiently.

"Gang."

She raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

Viole sighed. "Gang. You know, a group of gangsters."

"I know that. But could you be more specific or detailed?"

"We used to mess up people we hate. We do a lot of cutting classes, picking fights, drinking, smoking, even drugs and… bed stuff. In short, we were immature bastards who didn't realize that we're not only destroying other people's lives but ours as well. Trust me, you wouldn't want to hear details so I'll skip that part. But after that scenario, we all wanted to just forget those memories. Then again, the way you just reminded him of everything he wanted to get away from must've hurt him so much. You know, I think you're the only person who can make him forget but I guess you're also the one who can make him remember the most."

Her green eyes looked elsewhere but him. In his eyes, she must have been uncomfortable with the new knowledge. She must have been bothered knowing that all the time she was with Dilandau, she was in a lot of danger of getting herself trampled.

"You'll leave him now that you know those things, won't you?"

She sighed. And he knew he just blew it for Dilandau.

"No."

He straightened up and looked at her closely. "What?"

"I said no. That's the past. He regretted it the mere fact that he wanted to forget. He's not that person anymore."

"So you're saying---"

"I'm still angry at him for not respecting my privacy. But that doesn't mean I despise him for his past." She closed her eyes and leaned on the door. "It's not that I didn't trust him. I'm just not ready to share that part of me just as he is with this delinquent stuff."

"Exactly how bad is this past you've tried hard not to let him into?"

"Very."

He raised a brow. "I find that hard to believe. You don't strike me as someone who'd---"

"No. That wasn't what I meant. It's just very bad for comparison." She sighed and opened her eyes. "I don't want him to feel bad when he starts comparing. Because even if he portrays uncaring and cocky attitudes, I know he still has a heart… somehow."

Viole suddenly felt the urge to smile. "You both try so hard to keep each other from getting hurt that in the end, you hurt each other more. Just like me and Merle when we were still starting our relationship."

She looked at him. The tension had just broken. "She didn't always like you, did she?"

He smiled even more. "She hated me. You remember Blake, don't you?"

"Yup. The guy in the concert?"

He nodded. "She hated me when Blake was still her boyfriend. She wasn't exactly happy when Blake and his group had an encounter with us in the past. He was hurting her, but she was still in love with him."

"I don't think it's only that."

He grinned sheepishly. "Well, Blake was two-timing her. So they broke up. By then, she hated playboys with such a passion. You do remember the first day when Miguel---"

"So, you were dared to make her your girl but she hated you so much. In order to save your pride, you pursued her but in the end you realized that all the time you went after her, you were slowly but surely falling for her. And she saw that so she gave you a chance until the time came when she returned your affection."

"How---"

"Just a wild guess," she said, giggling. "I thought that would be great on you two."

"For a moment, I thought you could see the past."

She smiled and shrugged. "So what happened then?"

"Just as I said earlier, we also tried to keep each other from getting hurt that we ended up hurting each other more. We weren't always an item you know. We often had cool-offs. But then we realized that that was because we didn't trust each other enough. A relationship is based on trust. If you can't trust the other, you can't love him fully. When you are in a relationship, you are as one. You share both pains and happiness with each other."

"You talk as if Dilandau and I should do just that."

"Actually, I would say you should both do that."

She snorted. "Like we're really committed to each other."

Viole gave her a disbelieving look. "Please. You really expect me to buy that you two are not hooked up? Dilandau's all over you."

Rolling her eyes, she replied. "He isn't all over me. He still insults and aggravates me."

"In a teasing way, yeah. But not really in a way that would really hurt you. When you pounded him and a couple of us had to restrain you, he didn't even defend himself from you. Back on the mall fight, he almost had himself beaten to death just because he couldn't fight back since he had you to protect. Heck! He's more subdued than he could ever be. He lets you boss him around when he doesn't allow anyone else to do that. He---"

"Please, Viole, don't make it sound like he's really falling for me, okay? It creeps me out."

"Why?"

"Because just the thought of having to put up with a demonic old man pursuing me is not really a good thought."

"To be fair with him, pursuing a green-eyed ogre isn't a good thought, too."

She stuck out her tongue. "I guess I owe him an apology, don't I?"

He nodded. "And I guess he owes you one, too."

"By the way, what do you mean he was trying to keep me and the part that I'd leave him?"

Viole looked incredulous. "You don't get those parts?"

"Yeah."

"Keep you and not make you leave him… No break ups."

"Break ups? What's there to break up? We're just friends."

"Friends? With the way Dilandau is around you, you're telling me you two are just friends?"

"Yeah. He's not even courting me," she added. 'Well, I'm his fiancée anyway so there's really no need,' she thought, restraining herself from shaking her head.

"Whatever you say, that isn't what everyone can see."

"What does everyone see?"

"That Dilandau and you are more than friends. He's practically a different person around you."

Hitomi looked like she was going to laugh. "You don't know what's behind that. What would you say if I tell you that our parents were responsible for us spending time together?"

"I don't know. But if both your parents had Dilandau become your guardian or something, he sure is taking his job to another level."

"Implying what?"

Viole smiled. "Damn, you're blind. Well, I think we're through here. Now, let me give you your ride home."

"Tell me about you and Merle on the way. And drop the subject about Dilandau and me because I'd really pound you hard enough to send you to a hospital if you don't."

He smiled and nodded.

He paced the room and finally slumped on his bed. He had been doing that for the past twelve days, trying to exhaust his agitation and frustration.

"Okay, I admit that Allen is very affectionate on her. But he's still a playboy!" Hiko exclaimed with passion. "And I'm not giving him any chance of hurting my sister!"

"She's not telling me anything."

Hiko sighed. "I think she doesn't want you to compare. Even though you're not Allen, she cares for you unknowingly. She doesn't want you to start feeling you can't match up to her Allen and all that. You might start to feel bad that you can't seem to treat her like her friends does in America even when she tries to get along with you. You might feel bad that you reduced her to this zero popularity and yet you still act cocky."

However he hated to admit it, he owed her an apology. But even as he admitted that, it doesn't mean that his pride would allow him to apologize. Dilandau glared angrily at the ceiling. He couldn't even allow himself to help her with the cheating and hacking rumors that had been circulating in school.

He wondered if Hitomi did her closet-hiding habit during the past days. And he wondered if she really did hate him. He groaned in frustration. When will he ever break his pride down?

The moment she entered the school building, she noticed that the students were eyeing her more closely now and they were all whispering more than usual. She felt her stomach twist. Something was going to happen.

She saw Sir Balgus walk towards her. By the look on his face, she knew it. She was going to have to visit the school president's office.

~tbc~

Author's Note: Sorry that there wasn't much D/H interaction here and those involving the two of them were definitely NOT sweet or anything. By the way, Jajuka is human here just like Merle. No furs and all. I was tempted to just stop when Viole came to talk to Hitomi but I'm taking advantage of my time now. It's been hard trying to sneak and write for anything. When I start typing, my father would interrupt. My sister is even annoyed that she can't finish her story because he'd lecture us about writing stuff. About not updating for more than a week, I do apologize.

      To the original esca chick, it's a good thing I had changed my name beforehand or else, I may have been as upset as you in changing my name. I'm glad the previous chapter helped lighten your mood up.

      To Smiles9, try changing your name retaining the 'smiles' part. But anyway, number or not, the name is still cute so don't get too bothered. ^_~

      To MysticalDreamer32, seems like so many have to change names. Don't worry, I'd recognize you even with another number. ^_^

      To Night of the Raven, I'm still thinking about the trio. It's gonna be a disaster. Wish me luck on the plan.

      To supergirl6, it's hard to make them kiss. I always manage to mess up the mood. I suck at that stuff.

      To Izzy, I really am NOT a good writer. I just got lucky on this. But the compliment makes me smile like some possessed weirdo.

      To SabrinaYutsuki, I'm not much for rushing this one coz it might turn out confusing if I did. And it would make it harder for me to finish. But not rushing is also becoming a problem. I might need to extend this one.

      To windsoffortune, beating up Dilandau? Lolz. I'll see about that.

      To Catelina, I almost didn't recognize you but when I got to the last part, I knew it then. You had changed your name. Well, good thing for your signature 'Cai' ^^, next time I'm talking, I'd just use that, k? Anyway, I guess I got you carried away back at the journal but I'm glad you liked that part.

      To megami-sama, don't burn me for the long update.

      To           , she was hiding in the closet coz she didn't want others to see that she missed her friends too much and that she was very vulnerable.

      To mel_88, don't be upset. If it makes you feel better, I'd try super hard to sneak away and write so I could update faster.

      To Kisakino Ookami, no need to thank me. I just do my part and acknowledge those who help me a lot. Reviewers have a very great role and it just wouldn't be right to not give them credit. Publish? Nah… no one would buy the book. Lolz.

      To My Silver Flame, lolz. I didn't expect anyone to get addicted on my stories. But anyway, I think you ought to read Intruder Alert first coz this one is already the sequel. About some stories, I'm having ideas on two more.

      To those who enjoyed the park thing last chapter: I really apologize for the not so sweet chapter.

      To those who left their e-mail: I added you to the list of those I sent e-mails to when I update. I decided that I'd e-mail those who leave me their e-mail add from now on.

      This is it for now then. Thank you so much for the feedback. I greatly appreciate them. And to those that I might have missed out in the chapter dedication, I do apologize. Not all reviews appear on FF.NET and it's really hard for me. But you are welcome to berate me for that.