Hello, again! It's me, your long-suffering author(only kinda), hime-chan. I've finally finished another chapter and it took forever to write because I've been so busy! Well, here it is, yet another installment in this crazy(not really) fanfic o' mine. It's my longest chapter thus far. Please read it for my sake~!~




Chapter Twenty-
I Can't Die Yet...

The airship Crusade sailed through the fluffy clouds, drawing nearer to Freid with every passing hour. Shouts rang out from every corner, to raise the sails or lower them, and heat the stones so the ship would go higher. Many of the crew had shed their shirts, especially now that the climate was changing from a forest one to a desert one. Even Van had joined the crew as they took Allen's command, a switch from how they had been in Fanelia, where Allen had followed him. Van had never minded this work; he had longed believed that hard work helped build a king's character.

Now, as the sun set, sending its dim rays through the office where Allen Schezar sat at his desk, wrapping up his work. The crew had dispersed for the night, with only a few watchmen in the helm, keeping an eye out for a probable surprise attack or bad weather. Allen finished writing his signature across the paper, glancing up at his companion who sat across from him. Hitomi looked up as well, placing her bookmark inside her book. Smiling, he finished folding up his papers, saying to her, "How can you read fiction at a time like this?" Hitomi didn't answer, but put her book in her bag next to her chair.

"The same way you seem to be able to work on this..." She leaned over to get some idea of what he was doing, then she guessed, "...letter? Who are you writing to, Allen?" Snatching up the letter, he put it inside his pocket.

"I can't tell you now. It's almost strange... but I can't tell you. Forgive my secrecy, but now that Fanelia is going to war, this wouldn't be appropriate to announce." Allen stood up, pushing the chair with a loud scrape. Hitomi's eyes darted over to Merle, who lay sleeping nearby, as she stirred but didn't wake up. Coming to herself, she heard the door shut quietly as Allen left. He probably thought she would use his bed until they arrived in Freid, but right then, Hitomi didn't want to go to sleep. Wondering about the letter that Allen was sending, she got up and made her way to the helm. She didn't want to think about it though; there were too many other things to think about right now.

Inside the helm, Allen observed the environment they were approaching, thinking aloud to himself, "The landscape is changing. We should be reaching desert territory soon." Hitomi, who had walked over and stood next to the window, noticed this as well. "It sure does change quickly." she commented as she gazed at her reflection on the window, which merged with the surrounding environment. Just then, Van came to the window to look out as well. Hitomi noticed the pensive look on his face as he scanned the sloping hills of sand.

"What's wrong, Van?" she asked, when his eyes seemed to be set upon something. Following his gaze, Hitomi peered at an approaching dot in the distance. Edging closer to Van, she felt his body grow tense, as if ready for danger. When she touched him, a scene flashed through her mind. Shards of glass, pieces of aluminum, lay scattered across the floor. As she observed the mess, her hand flew to her mouth upon seeing the crew members lying dead at her feet, several bloody glass shards sticking through their bodies. Hitomi felt herself collapse in horror, as someone's arms came out to catch her. When she weakly looked up, she saw Van's concerned face gazing down at her in surprise.

"Hitomi! What happened?" he asked, as Allen and a few of the crew members gathered around the two of them. Picking herself up, she looked back out the window. The object was fast coming upon them; Hitomi knew somehow that this other airship had something to do with her vision. Whipping her head in every direction, her eyes stayed upon the windows. The glass inside the windows! It would shatter, killing everyone in the room! Thank God the majority of the crew was inside their windowless dorms, but what about everyone else in here...?

"Everyone, get away from the window, and get down!" she begged them. Van stepped beside her. "Let's do as she says." he agreed, taking her hand. Allen only nodded, waving the crew to the other side of the ship, where there were no windows nearby.

Although she felt safer, now that everyone had sank to the floor, Hitomi still shook with fear from the vision. What would happen, and would they still survive? "Hitomi..." she heard Van's voice close by, and she looked up into his face. "I- I had a vision that- t-the wind-" She stopped in horror, her eyes wide. Turning to Allen, who was keeping his eyes toward the windows, she stammered, "Allen! A-are there windows inside your office?" She closed her eyes and prayed that he would say no, but he answered, "Yes, and the panes are rather large..."

That was all Hitomi needed to hear. Turning around, she crawled for the office, remembering to keep her head down. As she passed Van, he put his hand on her arm. "Hitomi, what's going on?" She shook her head, gesturing for him to follow her. Looking to the crew first, he warned them to stay down until they were sure the danger had passed.

As they made their way to Allen's office, Hitomi began to explain herself. "I saw the windows break, as if the ship was going to explode, and I'm sure that other airship outside has something to do with it." She paused for a minute, to open the door to Allen's office cautiously. "A-And Merle is still in here!" she finished. Van nodded quickly in understanding as they continued crawling along the floor, stopping next to the couch where Merle slept.

Hitomi stood up to grab the sleeping cat, pulling her tail to get her to wake up. Swiftly, a paw flung upward, smacking her across the face. Her hand to her face, Hitomi looked down as Merle turned over in her sleep, clutching her pillow, unaware of the danger or of their efforts to save her. Reaching down, she pulled Merle up by her ear, shouting into it, "Get up you lazy cat! In case you haven't noticed, we're trying to save your life!" Merle jumped up with a cry and fell onto Hitomi, and the two girls both crashed to the floor, inches from Van. And not a moment too soon.

Just then, a deafening explosion was heard from outside, as the windows seemed to crumble from their panes. Several arrows had shot through the windows, piercing the wall on the opposite side, and splitting the wood. Hitomi cried out, covering her head with her arms. Merle finally realized the danger, curling up in a little ball to avoid the falling glass.

Van made his way over to the girls, thrusting his body over them. However, the pieces of glass pelted his back, ripping open his shirt. Hitomi moved her head to the side, glancing up in fear at the pain that filled his face.

"Van!" she called out, taking hold of his hand, as if comforting a child. He gripped her hand gratefully, his teeth clenched, sucking air into his lungs violently. Then suddenly, what remained of his shirt burst forth from his back, and as the material floated through the air, pure white feathers intermingled with the pieces. Hitomi and Merle both gasped as Van's wings stretched out, filling the room like a white blanket.

Quickly, Van fell back down upon the floor with them, wrapping his wings around the two girls. Arrows continued to rain through the shattered windows, still sending glass flying upon them. Despite their low profile to the floor, one of them managed to skim Van's naked back, making him wrench in sudden pain. Merle cried out for Van to leave her, and even Hitomi begged him to stop protecting them, but he kept his head bowed as he leaned over them, refusing to show his pain. Involuntary tears flowed to Hitomi's eyes as blood began to run down his wings, staining them. She closed her eyes from the sight.

Then, as suddenly as the onslaught began, it stopped. The last shards of glass fell from their panes, sprinkling the trio who lay nearby. When Hitomi felt it safe, she opened her eyes and looked up. Merle had her hands to her face, crying.

Van still bowed over them, using all the strength he had left to stay up. However, he gasped, finally submitting to exhaustion as he fell forward. Hitomi caught his limp body, looking into his face. His eyes were closed, and she started shaking him firmly.

"Van! Van, wake up!" she cried out. "No, you can't be dead! Not now!" At these words, Merle let out a fresh cry. "It's all my fault! If I didn't come, Lord Van wouldn't be like this!" Hitomi wanted to comfort Merle, but right now, the sight of Van in front of her barred any thought of it from her mind. But there was nothing she could do, except hold her angel and pray. Clutching him to her own body, oblivious to the blood from his back draining slowly onto her, Hitomi lay her head on his shoulder.

"Hitomi..." came a voice next to her ear. Wrenching her head up, she looked into his face. He slowly began to open his eyes, fixing them upon her. Surprisingly, he was smiling. "You know me better than that, Hitomi. I won't die, not when we haven't even arrived in Freid yet." Hitomi looked down at him; he is strong as always. Relief flooded her as she let herself rest her head on his chest. Slowly, he folded his weakened arms around her body, and the two rested there upon the floor.

The lovers were torn from their embrace as the airship began to tip toward the left. Merle ran to the broken window and gasped, "The rudder's been destroyed! The ship's going down!" Sure enough, when Hitomi looked out, there were a great deal of arrows protruding from the rudder and the sails, which helped them stay level in the air. At that moment, they heard the sound of footsteps running toward the office outside.

The door swung open, and Allen stood there, breathless but otherwise unhurt. Hitomi helped Van stand up, walking slowly over to him. "Allen! Is everyone else all right?" she asked him. He nodded, replying, "Yes, but the ship will have to land if we want to avoid further damage or possible injury. Let's go." Hurrying after him to the helm, Allen ordered that the furnace be gradually put out.

By now, everyone had gathered in the helm, and was rushing about. Pile collected the rainwater buckets, and was slowly dowsing the coals inside the furnace. Eventually the ship began to sink to the ground. Allen took the opportunity to glance out the window, scanning the horizon for the ship which had shot them down. But it was no longer in sight.

Meanwhile, Hitomi had laid Van against the wall. Every few minutes, the ship would tip to the side. Van now closed his eyes, concentrating hard, and his wings disappeared into his back. Hitomi noticed his sudden loss of consciousness, and she sent Merle, who had followed her around for the last few minutes begging to help, to fetch a damp cloth and some water. She felt the ship shake violently as it hit the ground, not as gently as Allen would have liked.

Gadeth lowered the ramp, and the crew all filed out to inspect the damage. "Damn it, both sails have been torn to shreds!" Teo commented, as Allen circled the ship, peering at the arrows stuck inside the back rudder. Sighing, he declared, "There's nothing left for the Crusade. Did you check the cargo?" Gadeth nodded. "I did, sir. Everything seems all right. Lucky we strapped them in with the steel ropes." he commented, almost to himself as much as Allen. The captain gazed up at his once proud airship, and it gave him a heavy heart to see it in this condition.

"Sir, there's gotta be something we can do for the ship." Gadeth whispered to him, but Allen shook his head. "I'm afraid not. What's worse, there is no way we can get to Freid through this desert. I hate to say it, but we're helpless here." The crew, seeing their captain so down-hearted, began to feel hopeless as well. The environment around them was nothing but rolling hills of sand, and the sun had already set; only the moon provided light now. Because of the two countries' similarities, Allen wasn't even sure if they were on Freid territory or Genduta territory.

The crew made their way back into the ship, where the King of Fanelia had regained consciousness, and Hitomi and Merle had bandaged his wounds. Upon seeing the crew back, Van stood up awkwardly. "Allen! How's everyone? How's the ship?" Allen shook his head in reply.

"We're all right, however, the ship's in a bad way, Van; I won't lie to you about that." Hitomi stood up, supporting him physically when he heard these words. "I... I don't know what to say." he said softly, "I'm sorry Allen. It was probably me they were after and I-" Allen held up his hand, shaking his head.

"Don't apologize. I'm just glad everyone's alive." The crew all nodded. However, Gadeth came up and addressed everyone. "I'm not giving up hope for the ship. This is the great Crusade, and I won't let it die!" Amazed at his words, Allen nodded, but still couldn't believe they could repair the ship when they were in the middle of a desert.

"Listen, Boss," Gadeth said to Allen, although everyone else was listening as well, "The tarp you used to cover the guymelefs with; that would work for now for the sails, wouldn't it?" The captain placed his hand to his chin in thought, and then looked up. "I suppose it could. The tarp is made out of hard rubber like the sails... but what about the rudder?" Gadeth opened his mouth to suggest something, but stopped, unable to think of anything.

"I know something you could use, but you may not like it, Boss." Pile spoke up, stepping forward. Allen looked over at him, his eyes indicating that he was open to any suggestion.

"Well, the armour we have stored in the back." he began, gesturing his hand toward the room behind him, "We could heat it, which would soften it and enable us to shape it. I could use my sledgehammer to shape it over the rudder. After all, it's only been cracked, but I know it still functions." He spun the wheel next to him in a circle, and sure enough the rudder at the back of the ship spun weakly.

"How 'bout it, sir? Shall we get started?" Gadeth asked. Allen lost his pensive look, his decision made. "I had no idea you guys were so resourceful." he said, smiling around at them. The crew chuckled at this comment as they dispersed, dividing themselves evenly to perform the two jobs. Just as Allen made ready to heat the furnace, Van approached him, Hitomi and Merle still by his side.

"What can I do, Allen? I want to help, it's my fault the ship is like this." Allen turned to the younger man, saying in a slightly scolding tone, "The first thing I want you to do is stop blaming yourself. I offered to take the King of Fanelia to Freid, and in doing so, I was fully aware of the risk, knowing that something like this might happen." Van was a bit taken aback, but he nodded.

"I understand." he said. Hitomi came up and begged to be of some use as well. "Allen, I can help. I know how to sew." Allen laughed. "You're probably the only one here who can." Merle's fur ruffled up. "I do too!" she retorted, glaring at Hitomi. "Leave the sails to us!" Hitomi smiled over at her.

Attached to the outside of the Crusade by a belt hitched to his pants, Van had offered to repair one of the broken sails. A whole night and day had passed as the crew slaved away to create the new sails and rudder. Now, using the extra material provided, Hitomi reached up toward Van, handing him the sail she had just finished. He took it, as Hitomi climbed the ladder to show him what type of stitching to use.

"The cross stitching will help secure it best." she commented when she saw the stitching he had already finished, which wasn't very well done. He continued struggling though, not able to pull the needle through the tough rubber material. Reaching out her hand, Hitomi gently laid it on his, silently leading him from behind. Van let his hand go limp, letting her guide him.

Hitomi smiled as she gazed at their handiwork, putting her hand on his shoulder. "That'll hold, at least until we get to Freid." Van replied. Hitomi nodded, saying, "Let's see how everyone else is doing." She made her way down the ladder as Van loosed his belt, following her.

When they went inside the helm, the crew was observing their own work. Even though a day had passed since they made their emergency landing, the ship looked like it would be able to run again. The only difference was the lack of panes in the windows.

"It may be a bit rough going," Allen said to the crew when they had all finally gathered inside, "but the winds are rather light, so it shouldn't be a huge problem." The crew, however, was still a bit unsure that their hastily made materials would carry them the rest of the way to Fried. Hitomi, however, smiled at everyone if she caught his eye, silently declaring that she believed in them and their work.

In only minutes, the sail was put to work as the wind rose steadily underneath it. Allen held his breath as he prayed the sail would take both the pressure of the wind and the ship's weight. He waved his hand down in command to have the levistones heated, as Pile waved the giant fan to raise the flames. Everyone seemed to share Allen's nervous feelings as the ship rose into the air again, hovering for a bit. The crew held their ground as the ship tilted to the side, as Keo attempted to level the craft.

Hitomi crossed her fingers, as her other hand clutched inside Van's was squeezed tightly, showing that he was nervous as well. Closing her eyes, she heard a great cheer rise from the crew, and her eyes flew open. The land outside the shattered windows was fast falling away from the ship and they were once again soaring through the air. A wide grin spread across Hitomi's face at their success, and she laughed, hugging both Van and Merle(who was standing there holding Van's other hand, of course). Van laughed as well, feeling as if the rise of the ship indeed rose his spirits as well.

Allen sighed in relief, running his hand across his forehead, and smiling at the jubilant crew. Gadeth called out, "And the Crusade rises from the ashes! I say we celebrate!" The remark was met with a positive roar from everyone.

Hitomi couldn't see how the crew could celebrate, but she did know that she couldn't. She was exhausted after staying up until all hours sewing. As everyone broke out the drinks, Hitomi rubbed her temples with her fingers, excusing herself to go to bed. Van felt her hand leave his, and gazed after her as she left. Then his line of vision was invaded by Merle, as she popped up in front of him.

"Lord Van! Aren't you going to come have a drink?" she demanded, waving her hand in front of his face. Smiling, he put his hand on her head, replying, "Of course, Merle. Let's go." She stopped jumping under his touch, which seemed to have a calming effect on the hyperactive cat. Though it didn't last long, since she grabbed his hand atop her head and dragged him over to the table where drinks were being served. Van nursed the drink Reeden handed him as he gazed around the smashed windows, which seemed out of place especially with all the celebrant men around him. He again looked up to the hall Hitomi had made her way down. Maybe he should go to bed too; after all, they would arrive in Freid the next day, and he didn't want to be tired, possibly causing more international incidents at a time like this, despite his close friendship with Freid.

Suddenly, he turned to see where Allen had gone to ask him how the guymelefs had made it through the attack, but the man was no where in sight. Shrugging, he went back to his drink, not giving it another thought.


Hitomi pulled off her sweaty dress she had been wearing the previous day, as well as that day. After slipping on a fresh housecoat, she opened the door to the balcony, where the laundry line was swaying gently in the night breeze. Hitomi pinned the dress up, turning around to get into bed. She was just about to lift the covers when a knock came to the door.

"Come in." she said, turning her head toward her guest. Allen stepped in the room, and Hitomi noticed his expression was different than usual. His eyes seemed to be almost shining with the help of the moonlight outside. He didn't smile, but Hitomi couldn't help but sense the happiness inside him.

"Allen, you look happy. I know, I am too. We really did a great job today, working together." Hitomi clasped her hands thinking about it. She didn't notice that he had come closer to her.

"Hitomi, I am happy. But that's not the only reason why." Hitomi gazed questioningly at him.
"Why is that?" she asked. He settled down on the bed, patting the spot next to her. Obediently, she sat down beside him, trying to hide her eagerness about what he was going to say. He began.

"Hitomi, when we were attacked today, I was afraid. I thought we were going to die." Hitomi turned away from him, nodding silently. "I thought that I would die without anyone, alone. And without telling the one I love that I love her. Hitomi..." Hitomi's heart skipped a beat; was he saying what she thought he was saying? She thought he had moved on, knowing that she now loved Van, but what was he saying...?

"Yes?" she prompted. He turned to her, an almost sad smile lighting his features. "I thought I would keep it to myself, but today's events showed me otherwise. Hitomi, the letter I wrote today was addressed to Princess Eries. We are engaged!" Hitomi's mouth dropped open, the message being so different from what she had thought. Allen was getting married? And to Princess Eries? It was so strange. But Allen looked so excited, especially since he had finally gotten this off his chest, that Hitomi couldn't help but smile back, hugging him. He hugged her back.

"That's wonderful, Allen! But why did you tell me of all people?" Allen let go of her, a solemn look now on his face. "Hitomi," he explained, "for the longest time, I thought it was you I loved. Even after you had gone, I still believed it. But the one I loved was in front of me all this time, watching over me from the corner. Eries is that woman." Hitomi nodded, answering, "I'm glad that you've found her. But I don't think you should tell anyone until after the war, especially Van. He might not know what to think of it in this situation." Allen nodded, rubbing his hand through her hair as he stood up. She smiled as he left, wishing her good night.

"Good night, Allen." she replied, as he shut the door. Lifting her legs up onto the bed, she wrapped her arms around them, feeling somehow both uplifted and disappointed at his news. How long would the war last? Would Allen have to wait many years to wed Princess Eries? She shook her head, beads of sweat flying through the air. He has been waiting for years to find the one he loves; Allen would be fine. We all will be fine. Hitomi looked through the cracked panes of the balcony window, starlight glaring in her determined eyes. We will be all right, no matter what.