Hi again, everyone!*gives a big smile for all the reviews counted* Wow, over 50! Thanks for your patience with me in my postings. As I promised, this chapter is more exciting, so read on to find out if it is!



Chapter 12-
Van's Confrontation

Van sighed as they entered the palace. It had been a long voyage, especially across the ocean. He still felt a little nauseous as he led the procession toward the throne room. As usual he had sent a messenger on ahead to announce their coming, not wishing to be abrupt.

The inside of the palace reflected the impression one would have of the inside from gazing upon the outside. Surprisingly, it was cool and refreshing in the palace, especially when compared to the weather outside. Van began to feel a lacking inside his heart. This was such a grand palace, and Gendas could have anything he wished. Yet, in his heart, he knew that having many possessions would only increase his loneliness.

Some of the Genduta soldiers looked upon the coming crowd of Fanelians and bowed their heads in respect before they gestured them on. Van, for the most part, ignored everything, setting his sights ahead toward the throne. The grand doors opened to the throne room and the group stepped inside.

Van saw his messenger kneeling down in front of the king, just finishing his announcement. As they entered, King Gendas turned his face to them. Van flinched at the look on his face; it was a mix of shock and fury. The King stepped down from his throne and made his way toward Van, his billowing cape brushing against the bowed messenger as he did.

"Van Fanel, what is the meaning of this? Where is my daughter?" he demanded, stopping inches from his face. Hitomi stood beside Van, clutching his arm as if to hold him back. Van replied in his usual cool, diplomatic manner.

"Your Majesty." he said, trying to keep his voice even, "Your daughter..." Gendas's eyes widened. He grabbed Van's shirt and hoisted him into the air. "What have you done to my daughter, you bastard?!" Van held his ground, not struggling as the king continued to hurl insults at him. Hitomi gasped, but she did not want to cause trouble. Van's soldiers tried to persuade the enraged king to let go of Van. Finally Hitomi could stand it no longer. She leapt in between them, separating the two men.

"How dare you accuse Van of this!" she said dangerously, eyeing the king with contempt. "If you were half the king he was, you would hear him out, like a civilized human being!" Gendas stared at her in disbelief. Van gazed down at Hitomi, who stood in front of him, facing the king; he couldn't believe how bold she had been. He felt like he had lost that fiery temper that he once possessed, but it seemed like Hitomi had gained it instead.

"Now if you'll listen, your Majesty..." Hitomi calmed down, but still kept her eye on him. "King Van will tell you what happened." Upon saying this, she moved out of the way and nodded in Van's direction, smiling to encourage him. Van smiled back and faced the king, resuming his usual air.

"King Gendas... I'm sorry to be the one who has to announce this, but..." he wasn't sure how to tell the man, so he stepped back as the attendants rolled the casket into the room. He looked on as Gendas stepped up to the casket, circling it in confusion. "Wh-What is this?" he yelled, pounding on the casket, making Hitomi shiver.

"I'm truly sorry. But your daughter apparently... well, she committed suicide." Van explained, bowing his head as he did. The king gazed from Van to the box which held the remains of his daughter. He stood up straight, his eyes closed. He stood thus for awhile, until he finally spoke.

"What has this to do with me?" he asked, clenching his hand into a tight fist. Van lifted his own head, feeling a touch of impatience.

"We simply wish for her to be buried in her homeland, if that is approved by yourself." he explained. Gendas nodded. "I see. It is all right with me, King Van." With that, he turned around with a sweep of his cloak and sat down upon his throne again. Van was not finished, however. "Your Majesty, may I add...?" The King had put his head to his head, as if he were suddenly weary. "What is it, man?" he said into his hand. Van took a deep breath and spoke quickly.

"I'm just concerned that you may have known about her suicidal feelings." he said. "You were in Fanelia but days ago, and often spoke with her alone in that time." The King looked up at Van, as if he had just accused him.

"What do you mean? I know my daughter, she never showed any of these feelings." he replied. He stood up from his throne, making a final declaration, "Are you suggesting that I would let my baby daughter die? If I had known these things in advance, I could have comforted her." Van was beginning to grow angry with this detestable man. His hand slowly reached for his sword, which he always kept ceremoniously by his side. He controlled himself though, not wishing to cause a scene.

"What then, Your Majesty, do you think the cause of her death was?" he said quietly. "I saw with my own eyes; she thrust the dagger into her own breast. Why in God's name do you think that a weapon such as that was there?" He glared at the king, his eyes demanding an answer. The king stood where he was and uttered a simple answer. "I do not know." Van let out a cry as he unsheathed his sword, holding it erect in front of him, and marched up to the King. Hitomi quickly followed him, trying to hold him around his waist to stop him. However, Van continued and stopped feet from Gendas, holding the sword dangerously close to the man's throat.

"I want answers!" he shouted, inching his sword closer, as if this action would drag words out of this stubborn man. The King stood calm; his eyes seemed to be searching the young man's soul.

"Van, calm down!" Hitomi begged as she held onto him as tightly as she could. Van shook the girl off, knocking her to the floor, and moved the sword ever closer. Hitomi looked up from her place on the floor, terrified that Van would kill him.

"I loved Faye as well as you did. I don't know why she would have done such a thing as this, and the dagger she killed herself with was from this country!." With that, he took the jewelled dagger from the scabbard on his belt and threw it at Gendas' feet. "You see? That is a weapon from Genduta. Tell me why Faye had it." As Van held his weapon, it seemed to waver, as he did, with the intensity of his question. The King took his eyes from the weapon in front of him to the shaking young man in front of him, remaining silent.

"Answer me, damn it!" he cried out, as sudden, frustrated tears came to his eyes. The King softened, finally speaking.

"Take your weapon from my throat, sir. Your anger is clouding your judgement." Van lowered his sword, sheathing it as he turned his back to the King. He slowly made his way down the steps, carpeted in red. Hitomi watched as he passed by her, approaching the casket. He leaned his palms against it, his shoulders becoming hunched as he leaned. Everyone gazed at him as he stood there. The casket dimpled as Van let his tears fall upon it.

"Do you want to see what has become of your daughter?" he muttered to the ground. When he had said this, he whipped his body around and with a quick gesture of his hand, the top of the casket sprang up, displaying Faye's body to the occupants of the room. "Do you?" he declared again, facing King Gendas. A few gasps rose up from the Fanelians at their King's action; in Fanelia, it was against custom to see the body after the final rites.

"This, your only daughter, was alive and well not a week ago. All I want to know, Your Majesty, is why." Van stood, heaving in anticipation of the King's answer. The man atop the throne paced awhile, as if movement would help him come to a decision. Hitomi watched him, fearful of what he might do. Her vision of King Gendas giving the jewelled dagger to Faye still loomed fresh in her mind, and although it was only just that, a vision, she couldn't help but think that the King of Genduta somehow knew that she had seen what she had seen.

The man continued pacing while she dwelled on her foreboding thoughts. As she did, his intense blue eyes met her gaze, and her body gave an involuntary jerk. It had only been a moment in which their gazes had locked before he turned back to his pacing, but Hitomi bowed her head down so it wouldn't happen again. When she peeked up, she saw that he had stopped pacing.

"Van Fanel, have you ever been uncertain about your marriage? Have you ever felt doubt, that you would make the most of this political match?" He uncrossed his arms, turning his head in expectation of an answer from Fanelia's King. Van stared back, unable to respond. Upon seeing his expression, Gendas continued.

"Van Slanzar de Fanel," he began, using Van's full name, almost like a father would to his son in order to gain his attention. That was hardly necessary for Van stood rapt to the King's every word, "...I know that you love another woman, and in your indecision between these two maidens, you have shattered my daughter's pure heart." Van felt like a lead weight had been placed inside his chest. He staggered backward, bumping into the casket. Looking up to the ceiling, he whispered, "Could it be that... it's my fault Faye died?"

Hitomi placed her hands on her mouth. Shaking her head vigorously, she ran to Van and put her hand on his arm.

"Van, you know it's not true. Don't listen, he's lying, Van, he's lying!" she cried, leaning her forehead on his chest. Gendas looked on, with a sneer forming on his face.

"This is just the behaviour, Van Fanel, that drove my daughter to such desperate terms. Would you disgrace my daughter's memory by taking another woman so quickly?" Gendas knew, by the guilty look he saw etched on Van's face, that he had the young King of Fanelia wrapped around his finger. Van gently pushed Hitomi away. She gazed at him, but he turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

"Hitomi, don't touch me." he whispered. "I've already killed one woman, and hurt another. I don't want to hurt you any further." Hitomi stood, unable to believe his words, but she knew she couldn't change his mind.

"What will you do now, Van?" she asked, turning her head away. Van, instead of answering her, approached the King, halting at the foot of his throne. Then, he turned around and replied to her, "I will never love again. Because of my love for two women, one of them has paid the ultimate price. Hitomi, I don't want that to happen to you." Hitomi still didn't understand what he meant, and she stayed where she was, as if frozen in ignorance.

Van turned to King Gendas and announced, "Your only daughter is dead because of me. If there is anything I can do to repay you for your loss, tell it to me. I'll repent for my sin somehow." Van stood silent, thinking of a possible was to do so. Finally, he lifted his head, having made his decision.

"I'll go to the monastery in Fanelia. I'll ask God whether or not I'm fit to be King of Fanelia, and if I'm proven to be unable, I will..." He felt it to be a struggle to say this, "I will give you Fanelia to rule in my place, in exchange for my deepest apology. If I'm indecisive in love, I am bound to be indecisive in ruling a kingdom." A smile came to Gendas' face, one that did not suit him. The Fanelian attendants whispered among themselves, a few of them begging that he change his mind. However, as Van looked from Faye's still body to the King standing near his throne, he declared,

"I have made my decision. If you will excuse me, King Gendas..." At that, he turned on his heel and left the throne room. Everyone, including Hitomi, watched, thunderstruck, as he left. When she lost sight of him, the feeling seemed to come back to Hitomi's legs and she raced after him, her black hat and veil falling to the floor in her haste. She caught up to him quickly, catching him around the waist. He stopped, turning to her look at her in the dark hall. She kept shaking her head, as if this gesture would explain everything her words could not.

"Van, stop." she said, her voice muffled, as her face was pressed to his back. Slowly she took it away and explained in vain, "Van, this is just what he wants. He wants you to give up Fanelia, that's all he wants. Faye is the last thing on his mind." He finally turned around, and she finished what she was saying, "If you do this, you'll regret it, Van. You will." He slowly took hold of her shoulders, surprising her.

"Hitomi, you don't know what this whole ordeal has been like for me. I just need to get away from everything."

"But Van, it's not your fault. I know-" Hitomi stopped. Should she tell him about her vision? She was afraid; if Van found out about Gendas' plan, he would be enraged and,... Hitomi was afraid of what he might do. But how could she stop him from doing something as foolish as this?

"I don't know." she said instead, putting her hands to her face and weeping. "Just don't go. I- I promised that I'd stay with you. I will." She looked up, her face tear-streaked but determined. "I'm going with you to the monastery if I have to." In spite of his newly-made decision, Van smiled sadly at her.

"You can do whatever you want." he whispered, in those few words giving her his consent. Hitomi tried to smile through her tears. This was good, wasn't it? Now she could watch over him, if not closely, then from afar, as she had always been doing.


Van stood in his manor. It would be the last time he would see it for a long while. He held in his arms a bag, packed with the few belongings he was allowed to possess once he entered into monastery life. Although he was leaving, the manor still looked full. All he would be bringing along would be some clothes and food for the journey. After that, he was not sure. Hitomi must be getting ready as well. He knew she had made a promise to him, to always stay with him, but he was not sure that she would continue doing so. If he became a monk, living a life of chastity, what would happen to her? He decided he would wait to wonder about the answers to these and other questions that plagued his mind.

After gazing around the room awhile, he left heading out for the stable. As he mounted his horse, he saw that Hitomi was as ready as he was, atop her own horse. Van rode out, and was surprised to see that, right outside his manor entrance, the people of Fanelia had gathered there. Van's heart went out to all of them; they didn't understand what had happened in Genduta and why their King was leaving them. He had tried to get the people who had come with him to explain, but they were still unsure. Van sat up tall in his saddle, ready to address his people.

"Fanelia, this is just a temporary retreat for me. I've been distressed for a long while, and the recent events have caused me to feel the need to escape to the monastery for awhile." Whispers rose in the crowd as to why Van would leave them. Van shook his head; they would never understand. "While I am away, I give this land to the father of my deceased queen, King Gendas of Genduta. Please obey him as you would for me." At first there was protest as Van and Hitomi passed by the crowd on their horses, but when Van had reached the end of the crowd and turned around, the protests had turned into nods of agreement, the love for their King was so strong that they would obey another ruler for his sake.

Still, Fanelia's King left his town with a heavy heart, even if his mind told him he was doing the right thing. The lone
figures rode to the remote monastery in silence for a long while. Van kept glancing at her; he was still not sure whether after he made his decision, she would chose to remain with him. Finally, he could keep it to himself no longer.

"Hitomi, if I- if I do decide to enter into religious life, what will you do?" he asked hesitantly. She rode quietly for awhile, and Van almost thought she hadn't heard him over the clatter of horses' hooves. However, she had and soon she gave him her answer.

"Van. I made a promise, didn't I? I would stay with you as long as you needed me, and I'll do anything to keep that promise. If you do decide to become a monk, well... I'll become a nun, just so I can keep my promise. Does that answer your question?" she smiled. He didn't answer, but rather smiled back as his response. The two soon reached the monastery and dismounted, leaving their horses in the care of a waiting monk. They entered into the building, travelling straight up to the abbot's office. When they entered, the old man looked at them in surprise.

"Abbot, I would like to have lodging here for a few months, if that is all right with you. I need to see what life is like here, if I do decide to enter your brethren." The old monk nodded, still looking unsurely at Hitomi.

"You may have it, Your Majesty." He stood up and embraced the young man, welcoming him to the monastery. Hitomi looked on, a smile on her face at the old monk's affection. Van glanced over at her and pulled from the monk's arms.

"My friend here, she would like the same lodging as well." The abbot gazed at her, his eyebrows knitted into a frown. Van noticed this and asked what was wrong. The old man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but we cannot accept her. Our monastery accepts only young men. If she would like to enter religious life, she should go to the convent for women in Asturia." Hitomi's eyes widened and she quickly stood up.

"Please, abbot, I can't leave Van. He is dear to me, and I want to stay with him." she pleaded. The old monk looked saddened, but did not sway in his decision. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave. Your Majesty," he said, turning to Van, "if you have a lover, we cannot accept you either." Van shook his head, gazing at Hitomi.

"She's not. She's simply my good friend." Hitomi knew what he was getting at.

"Yes, abbot. He's my dear friend as well." The old man nodded in understanding. Gently, he took Hitomi's hand and led her to the door. She glanced over her shoulder to catch one last glimpse of Van; he looked like he wanted to stop the old man from taking Hitomi away, but he remained in his chair. Hitomi's eyes grew misty.

"Goodbye, Van." she whispered to him. He looked on at the departing Hitomi and replied, "Farewell, Hitomi." The door clicked shut as the abbot made his way back to Van to discuss his lodging. He didn't hear much of the conversation. He only thought of what Hitomi would do, if he did decide to stay here.

Finally, he could think no longer. In his mind, he wished Hitomi well as he made his way down to the room he would use during his stay there, or perhaps, he now thought, it was the room he would use for life.




Betcha just loved that one... *walks away with a big smile on her face, then stops and sees everyone angrily looking at her, among them her sister, Zena, who loves V/H.* Oh, you didn't? Uh oh...

Zena: You're always separating Van and Hitomi! You're so cruel!

hime-chan: Didn't you read the title? It says, 'Though Time and Space Separate Us'! So there's gotta be some separation!

Zena: How about I 'separate' you from FF. Net! Then no one can read the continuation, except me! *evil laughter*

hime-chan: You're the cruel one! I can't leave these people hanging!*gestures to crowd, who turns on Zena*

Zena: I'll get you for this! When I get away, you'll be sorry for separating them!*is dragged off the scene*

hime-chan: Phew. Sometimes she is so bossy. Well, maybe I can post another chapter soon, so until then, ciao! *runs off as fast as she can to write the next chapter before physical violence is inflicted on her*