ACG: Interesting. School started. Kuja's cool, just he's nothing at all compared to Sephiroth. ^_^ Um. Jaren escaped Folken's guards because all the guards went after the rest of his gang who left earlier. 'K?

Disclaimer: By Kuja (since I finally beat Final Fantasy IX)

ACG: "Uh, Do I own Escaflowne, Kuja?"

Kuja: "Let's all commit suicide!"

ACG: O_o "No!"

Kuja: "Alright, I'll do it for you! Die!!"

ACG: *squeals*

Kuja: *twirls in his pretty dress*

ACG: x.x *dead*

Kuja: "Neither of us own Escaflowne." *winks gaily, emphasis on the 'gay'*

Summary so far: Celena kept changing appearance at strange moments when she was angry from herself to Dilandau, and the servants at the castle were getting superstitious. Folken (who isn't dead), with the Slayers' (who aren't dead) help, kidnapped the white-haired youth from Asturia and took her back to Zaibach. The Madoushi (who are new Madoushi), after a small mishap that almost killed Dilandau, changed Celena and Dilandau into two people again. Hitomi was taken from the Mystic Moon with the help of Van's stolen pink pendant to make sure that Zaibach and Emperor Folken win the seemingly forthcoming war with the alcoholic, womanizing King Allen of Asturia. Hitomi still loves Van, even though Van has decided to forget all about her. Dilandau has been enlisted (against his will?) to be Hitomi's bodyguard to prevent Allen or his cronies Merlot (rat-man) and Jaren (thief) from kidnapping her to Asturia's side. Folken has a tough diplomatic scene coming up at the masked ball in Palas, on Celena and Dilandau's birthday in a few days, and has decided to return Allen's sister to him to try to prevent conflict, even though Folken likes her. How will Folken stay alive, much less convince Hitomi to stay in Zaibach even though she is still childishly devoted to Van? *whew* (Oh, yeah… Hitomi/Dilandau, Celena/Folken, Van/Someotherchick, Allen/Allfemalesthatmove, Millerna/Dryden.)

Second Destiny By Another Cat Girl

Chapter 21

Celena woke suddenly from a light sleep, feeling that something was terribly wrong. She slipped out of bed and opened the door to the long hallway.

Dilandau's 'sister' glanced to her right and saw smoke billowing out of Hitomi's room like it was on fire. She raced to the door and saw the horribly still forms of Dilandau and Hitomi on the floor.

Her hands rose to her mouth, her throat filled with horror. They're dead! She shuddered for a minute before she got a hold of herself, ran to Dilandau and shook him.

"Dilandau! Wake up, Dilandau! Please! Don't be dead! What would I do! Dilandau! Wake up!" Her words mumbled into each other like a meaningless mantra, and she started to sob uncontrollably.

His eyes opened.

"Celena…" He tried to focus, but it was difficult, so he clenched her arm. "We were attacked. Where's Hitomi?"

"Here." Celena moved to Hitomi. Dilandau sat up painfully and rubbed his face.

"We have to get out of here." He stood up and his body shook weakly. He grasped Hitomi around the waist and pulled her to her feet, then almost collapsed under their combined weight.

He glared at Celena. "Come on!"

She ran forward to help. Dilandau put his katana in its sheath through his belt and the three slowly made their way out of the smoking room.

*~*~*

Shesta came awake instantly, unsheathing the sword that he kept perpetually at his side. The door to his room creaked open, letting harsh white light stream through. He squinted, then relaxed when a familiar voice spoke loudly.

"Shesta! Help with her, you idiot!" Dilandau and Celena limped awkwardly into the room supporting Hitomi between them. Shesta rushed forward to help them ease the Wing Goddess onto his bed.

Dilandau wiped his forehead, looking down at her and snapped, "She faints too easily."

Shesta glanced questioningly at Celena. "Why did she faint? What are you doing here, sir?"

Dilandau frowned testily and backhanded Shesta. "There's no time for stupid questions! There is a guy trying to kill us! Stop standing around and go get the Slayers!"

Shesta rubbed his cheek and ran out of the room, calling over his shoulder, "Yes, Lord Dilandau!"

Dilandau took his sword out and motioned Celena back toward Shesta's bed. She obeyed, then Dilandau started to cough like he was going to die.

"Dilandau, what's wrong?" Celena called worriedly.

Dilandau's eyes widened. Was it poison gas? He looked at the comatose Wing Goddess, who was showing only vague signs of life.

No, I can't die now. I need to kill that guy, dang it! The young general resolutely made a fighting stance.

Celena sat on the bed, quivering and feeling useless. Are we going to die?

Another small metal sphere clinked against the floorboards in the hall. Celena's eyes grew large and Dilandau tensed, flinging his arms up defensively. The ball beeped threateningly and started to spew gas in the hallway. Celena deftly grabbed one of Shesta's shirts off the floor and gingerly wrapped the ball in it. The metal ball was very hot and immediately seared her hands through the material. Tears sprang to her eyes as she opened the window, threw the ball out, and quickly shut it again.

"Dilandau!" she screamed as three throwing knives slammed into the doorframe next to his head. He cursed and dodged as another two thudded next to the others.

"He's a coward," Dilandau sneered. "He just sits back and throws little knives!"

Another ball ricocheted off the doorframe into the room and detonated into a million shades of light.

*~*~*~*~*

Dryden sat at a giant desk surrounded on all sides by papers. He smoothed back his wavy brown hair and squinted through his glasses. He sighed suddenly, stretching until his back cracked. The young merchant heard something in the room and stopped stretching.

"Now what could that be?" Dryden said aloud to the mound of papers that was moving. The whole tower of documents toppled to reveal the mysteriously placed mole man.

Dryden looked puzzled and scratched his head. "Why hello, Mr. Mole. Come to help me with all this work?" He turned back to the papers on his desk, not disturbed in the slightest by the Mole's strange appearance.

Mr. Mole picked himself up and brushed himself off. "Oh, no, sir. Nothing like that. I have an important message."

Dryden perked up. "Hmm? Who sent it?"

The Mole shook his head like the most tragic thing happened to him. "It has been a very perilous journey to find you, Lord Dryden. I nearly died delivering this precious message from a beautiful lady!"

Dryden closed one of his eyes thoughtfully. "Beautiful lady, eh? If I pay you, do you swear this one'll be worth it?"

Mr. Mole nodded enthusiastically. The rich merchant opened a drawer of his desk and took out a small chest. He opened it to show it was filled to the brim with precious gems and stones.

Dryden patted the chest. "You think this'll be enough, eh?"

Mole Man's eyes started to gleam with avarice. "That would make the pains of my travels very worthwhile, Lord Dryden, sir." He handed the sealed envelope to the former king and reached for the stones. Dryden pulled the treasure box back from the Mole Man and put it back in the drawer.

"What was that for, sir?" Mr. Mole whined. "I want the stones!"

Dryden shook his finger at the mole. "I at least get to read it first, right?"

The mole sat back, dismayed as the merchant sat back and read Millerna's letter:

Dear D.,

I wish this letter could bear happier news, but Asturia is in grave danger that only you can save it from. A. is starting a war with Zaibach without any rational reasoning. He has made all of the social errors I can think of and I feel that his control over the country is becoming frighteningly tyrannical.

D., he will kill us all if he is not prevented. I need you to return to speak with me immediately. Please hurry, I need your help. You are the only one I have to turn to.

Love your wife,

M.

Dryden smiled and shook his head. "'Love my wife', eh?" He scratched his hair. "Well, I suppose Allen's no good for her, anyway. I was rather disappointed when she married him."

"Um…Lord Dryden, sir? Could I get paid now?"

Dryden grinned cheezily down at him, sure that the mole would run away as soon as he got his grubby paws on the loot. "I'm sure Millerna will be able to compensate you when we get to Asturia, Mr. Mole."

The mole man almost started to cry.

*~*~*~*~*

Jaren grinned from down the hall. I thought they'd gotten away, but it seems like they aren't as smart as I thought. They even stayed in the same building…

The thief prepared another flash bomb to follow the first, but stopped and raised his hands when he felt a sharp blade at the back of his neck.

"What in the Mystic Moon are you doing in here?" Viole demanded.

Jaren clutched the small ball in his hand. Interesting. What will happen now?

"Dilandau-Sama!?" Gatti yelled. "We caught him!"

Dilandau came out down the corridor, dragging his hand down the wall as he went because the flash ball was still affecting his vision. He angrily stared at the thief, rubbing his eyes.

"You idiot! How dare you attack me!" He slapped Jaren as hard as his deadened limbs would allow, then turned to Gatti. "Have him locked up and don't give him any food."

Jaren grinned suddenly, not fazed by the general's blow. He pressed the button on the flash ball, blinding them all. He disappeared like a magician, but not before receiving a slash on the back of the head by Viole's katana.

"No!" Dilandau roared. "How could you let him get away like that, Viole!?" He slapped Viole hard, then with great effort tried to calm himself. "We will find him, won't we?"

The Slayers all nodded in agreement. Dilandau started to choke and fell forward to his knees.

"What's wrong?" Celena asked worriedly.

Dilandau frowned and wiped his mouth slowly on his sleeve. "Nothing. I need to see Folken right now. You," he glared at the Dragonslayers, "go find that man and capture him."

They ran off in different directions and he gradually regained his feet, although his hands still hung limply. "Hurry, Celena. You have to get Folken. I think that gas he used was poisonous."

She looked anxiously from Dilandau to Hitomi's limp form on Shesta's bed. "I can't. I mean, I don't know…I don't know the way, Dilandau!"

Dilandau smiled weakly, his energy spent. "That idiot," he murmured. "He poisoned the Wing Goddess."

At this, Dilandau's eyes regained some of their clarity and he motioned to her with his hand. "Help me back in the room before you go."

She supported him to Shesta's bed, then sat him down next to Hitomi. "Hurry," Dilandau whispered harshly, closing his eyes.

"I'll…I'll be back, Dilandau!" Celena felt tears prick her eyes at how pathetic the general looked. "Don't die! Just don't!"

She ran out the door.

*~*

The white-haired girl ran until her breath stopped, then she tripped. She paused in the sudden silence, feeling her heart beating like life. The darkness of the city alley permeated her skin, making her feel fearful and weak. She no longer remembered that she was crying helplessly.

"Celena!"

She raised her head slowly to stare at Dalet, not really focusing on him. "Where's Folken?"

Dalet rushed toward her. "What happened!? Where's Lord Dilandau?"

"He's sick! I need to find Folken, or he'll die!" She stood up and grabbed Dalet's arm.

"Follow me!" he pulled on her arm and they went rushing off through the dimly lit streets toward the capital building.

*~*~*

The world was becoming strange for Dilandau, sitting in that room. He couldn't see very well, and was just able to put off falling into a faint because of his long years of practice. Whenever the Madoushi gave him a shot, he would fight to stay conscious as long as possible. Had it been a game? Or had it been a desperate struggle of a man for a freedom that was never fully realized? He couldn't remember.

But his thoughts were wandering dangerously, and he knew it. He didn't like the feeling of loosing control, and he was using every trick he knew to prevent him from fainting.

He stared at Hitomi, but the poison made his memories of her slip beyond his grasp, like vapor, smoke. He couldn't quite remember where he knew her from. She's beautiful, though.

He frowned. That wasn't right. She isn't beautiful…is she? Maybe?

Dilandau leaned his head back against the wall. No! Don't lose it! Stay awake!

He lost all coherent thought as he stepped unwillingly into the dark.

*~*~*~*~*

Folken blinked owlishly at the two desperate people standing in the doorway of his room. "What?"

Celena wiped her eyes, and Folken couldn't help but think she looked like a beautiful little girl when she was scared. Then he realized through his muffled, sleep-filled brain that she was scared, and he listened to her explanation of the attack attentively.

They returned to the military building at breakneck speeds in Folken's black carriage. Folken, Celena and the Dragonslayers (when they returned from their fruitless search for Jaren), stood watch all night over the pair. Folken was able to administer the antidote in time, and the night passed slowly as their health improved.

Celena fell asleep late, after Dalet had already retired. Folken stayed awake for hours, until he was sure the two were recovering satisfactorily. As he was drifting off, Dilandau shuddered in his sleep and woke up.

"How are you feeling, Dilandau?" Folken asked.

Dilandau turned his head to face the former Strategos. "What happened?" he whispered harshly.

*~*~*~*~*

A few days passed, in which no sign of Jaren was found. Dilandau walked around in an even more fowl mood than usual, and everyone tried to spend as little time as him as possible.

Celena went to the library and played chess with Folken every day. They talked about everything together and she felt really safe with him, like nothing could go wrong when he was with her. She never managed to beat him, but she was getting better. He told her once that she would make a very good Strategos, which made her feel less insecure about her intelligence.

Dilandau and Hitomi endured each others' company tolerably well, even though Dilandau was in such a bad mood. He trained the Slayers constantly to work through his renewed disappointment in their skills, so Hitomi was forced to sit on the side and watch. Sometimes, Dilandau would have Hitomi practice dowsing with the Dragonslayers, and finally Dalet learned to find things without the pendant.

Once or twice, Celena and Hitomi had Dilandau follow them around the city, being more careful than they were even before, but enjoying themselves immensely.

Folken mentioned the ball to Celena a day before her birthday when they were in the library looking for books.

Folken glanced up at her. "The ball in Palas is for your birthday. Allen wanted you to come and celebrate it with him."

Celena wobbled on the ladder, almost dropping her books. "What?"

Folken nonchalantly slipped a book from the shelf and opened it. "We're going to a ball in Asturia for your birthday. Don't worry, I won't make you stay there," he lied. "Allen is allowing you staying here, but he would like to see you on your birthday."

Celena looked uncomfortable. "I can't see him again, Folken. He'll make me go back there, I know it."

The emperor turned a few pages and glanced at her. "You have to face your brother eventually, and he's not even making you live with him. The least you can do is this for him."

She grinned back at him. "I suppose so."

Folken smiled, relieved. "Good."

She laughed. "I forgot it was my birthday. Or, I should say, our birthday." she added, thinking of Dilandau.

"Hitomi and Dilandau are going, too. It's a costume party. I'll send yours to your room."

She handed down some volumes to him. "I wonder what I'll get for my birthday."

(A.N. T_T Hmm…does Folken have nothing better to do than hang out with her? He's the emperor of a highly industrialized nation, after all…)

*~*~*

Hitomi and Celena were thrilled with their costumes. The young woman from the Mystic Moon was dressed as the Wing Goddess, the deity of fate. Her dress was white with pale blue streamers and red sashes. Her neckline was diamond-shaped to show off her pendant, and the dress had two transparent, silken wings floating behind her shoulders. She didn't know how they stayed up; they looked heavy, but the dressmakers in Zaibach were very skilled and the wings flowed with no weight at all.

Celena found her costume laying on her bed in her room. The card that Folken attached to a tiny wrapped box that came with the dress was the short note:

Celena,

Have a wonderful birthday. You will complement Dilandau, who is the God of darkness. Your will be the goddess Lorethia.

~Folken~

Celena flushed when she read it; just reading Folken's name was enough to put her on cloud nine.

I reminded him of the goddess of light?

Hitomi twirled in her dress in front of her mirror, the fabric of the wings bending gracefully. "Oh, mine is so gorgeous."

Celena donned her costume; it was completely white with golden ties in the front. She really looked like a princess. The clothing she wore in Asturia was too rigid to be beautiful, but this dress was wonderfully soft.

Celena opened the small present from Folken slowly. The wrapping fell away to reveal a small blue box with a golden bracelet inside. The bright band had a blue ring of color circling around it. She slipped it on giddily, but was slightly disappointed that he hadn't given it to her in person.

Dilandau entered the room, straight from changing himself. Celena could tell he was pleased with his clothes, although he didn't say anything about it. He wore elegant ebony armor and a dark cloak and he seemed to look older and more mature than usual. Being the god of malevolence seemed to suit the bad-tempered pyromaniac.

He stood in the doorway impatiently for them to follow him, and Celena hurriedly grabbed her mask. She noticed that all their masks were large and tie-on, like Folken actually didn't want them to be noticed. The beautiful girl brushed this thought impatiently out of her mind when she saw Dilandau tapping his foot testily at them.

*~*~*

Folken, she was amused to note, was dressed in brown and black robes as the god of wisdom. She looked at them all together, and they really looked like the statues of the deities in the ancient temples.

It took them a few hours to arrive in Palas, and it took more time to travel to the castle in one of the emperor's black carriages. Celena and Hitomi talked, while Folken stayed mostly silent and Dilandau didn't speak at all. Celena felt a shiver of recognition flow through her as they passed the fortified gates, and felt as though they were swallowing her.

Folken helped her down from the coach, and she gasped when she saw the beautifully dressed elite. She felt very out of place, like she usually had when she attended Allen's parties, but feeling Folken's arm around her hand made her feel more secure than usual.

Many people stared at them, then turned to speak to their stuffy companions to report their suspicions of who they were. None of the other guests had as secure masks that Celena's party did. She blushed at the attention, but Folken tightened his grip and she didn't falter.

*

Dilandau escorted Hitomi directly behind Folken, as he told him to do. Hitomi was feeling strange. She was so exuberant about meeting Van, but she kept wondering the old question of why he stopped visiting her on earth. She had a terrifying thought of Van spurning her or forgetting her publicly.

What could have happened to make him not want to see me? But Folken said that he wanted to see me at the ball, so maybe I'm not trusting him enough.

She remembered suddenly that Dilandau was on her arm and she felt even more at odds. The Wing Goddess had absolutely no desire to get to know the scary man more than absolutely necessary. She had seen enough of his evil tendencies the last time she visited Gaia. Although, she had to admit that he didn't seem like he used to then. When he worked with the Dragonslayers he was harsh, but the Slayers seemed to expect it of him. Hitomi had never seen him be really cruel to anyone, although she couldn't agree with his bad attitude.

Staring up at his face, she thought about how many times he mocked her in the past. I wonder if he really thinks I'm Allen's lover, or was he just trying to make me mad?

Her mind went back to worrying about Van, and she didn't think about Dilandau any more at all.

*

Dilandau was not uncomfortable with any social situation; all he had to do was act maliciously aloof and people would think he was important, and that wasn't hard for him. Usually he spent his time at parties getting drunk.

Dilandau rolled his eyes behind his suspicious mask. With this thing on, there'll be no chance of that happening. It's my birthday, I don't want to spend it here.

A nasty little voice pointed out, What else do you have to do? It's not like you have any real friends.

He thought about that seriously for a moment. When he was in Zaibach, the Madoushi never told him when his birthday was. Folken had told him off-handedly that his birthday was coming up, and Dilandau had felt a strange feeling; he always assumed he didn't have one, that he was created to fight amusing battles and win wars for Zaibach. Now that he had a birthday, and he remembered his mother and Celena…what was he supposed to do…?

He decided rather lazily to do whatever his new sister was going to do, to escape having to think too much about the past.

(A.N. I don't really think Dilandau's much of a soul-searcher, anyways.)

*

Pleasant lights and laughter beckoned them into the ballroom, and fluttering people glinted through the magnificent windows that stretched to the ceiling. The revelers were spread throughout the gigantic room and the balconies that were open to the stars.

Dilandau felt Hitomi gasp, and he glanced down. She had halted in mid-step and was staring fixedly across the room. When she noticed Dilandau looking at her, she nodded in the direction of Van, who wasn't wearing a mask.

Dilandau's eyes widened behind his black mask at the sight of his belated nemesis, and he stared at him along with Hitomi, but with vastly different feelings.

Does he remember me? Hitomi wondered anxiously.

*

All of the old fires that years of passive mental existence within Celena had put out suddenly took control of his mind again. Even the battle in Zaibach's streets didn't have the vicious affect on his self-restraint that Van's presence induced. He nothing more in the world to watch the young king die slowly, just to spite him for everything.

In the beginning, Dilandau had treated Van like anyone else he met in battle, until he cut his cheek and simultaneously tore the weak protective barriers in his mind.

After that, he realized how strange his life was…most other people could move wherever they wanted, could do anything. He was like a prisoner, a bug trapped in a jar with no way out and inadequate air holes, and he started to slip into insanity. Then, his little air holes were covered when the same man who made him realize he was a prisoner utterly destroyed the Dragonslayers.

Dilandau hated Van because Van destroyed his mind.

He wanted his blood.

He almost cried out his feelings were so intense. His whole memory and being were unified, screaming at him that that man must not live!

Dilandau gripped his sword.

*

Allen and Millerna were seated majestically on thrones on a dais. Many people were pressing in towards them, eager to procure the indifferent attention of the royals. Allen's features were tense because he was sober to prepare for a possible confrontation with Folken and because he was tired of the insipid creatures surrounding him. Millerna was bored, but mostly because she was thinking about Dryden's forthcoming reply to her letter.

A little man in front of Allen said, "Your majesty, it is an honor and a privilege to see you once again," but the king was ignoring him, staring across the room at a lovely woman. The little man talked for a while longer without noticing Allen's apparent lack of interest and went away.

Merlot hunched by him and whispered loudly, "Majesty, my people tell me that Folken has arrived."

Allen didn't look at him. "Where?"

The rat-faced man simpered, "Over there, my liege."

Allen looked for a minute, then said, "Very good. And the Wing Goddess?"

"There."

"Excellent. Prepare for stage two."

Merlot bowed obediently and went off to gather his men.

Van, oblivious to the two people who were so attentively watching him, stepped in front of Allen's throne.

He smiled. "Allen, my friend, I have to ask a favor of you…"

*

Hitomi saw Van speak to Allen for a moment, then Allen's expression changed to one of surprise and delight. He stood up and, patting Van's back, looked up at everyone and spoke loudly.

"Attention, my dear esteemed guests. Van Fanel, the King of Fanalia has asked me to allow him to make an announcement."

All the people stopped their conversations and turned their attention politely to the King of Asturia.

Allen smiled indulgently at his friend, and Van grasped the blonde-haired woman's hand affectionately.

No…

Allen continued, "Fanalia has told me that he is now engaged to be married to the Princess Veracia of the Kingdom of Drenoph."

Most of the aristocrats burst into applause, and the others turned and gossiped to each other about it.

Hitomi saw Van, the love of her life, lift the woman's hand to his lips and stare deeply into her eyes.

"No," she shook her head.

They love each other!

She felt her knees go weak, her vision became blurry with tears.

Turning, she ripped her arm from Dilandau's grip and ran out a side door into the gardens.

*

Dilandau had been distracted from immediately killing Van by Allen's announcement, and was reluctant to follow his charge. There was no telling when he would have such a simple opportunity to take his revenge. He wanted Van to be experiencing only pain, not pleasure, which was smeared across Van's face when he stared at his fiancé.

His eyes burned with hate, but he knew he had to go after the girl. Even when he was insanely obsessed with Van years before, he always acceded to Folken's judgment, and Folken said to not let her out of his sight.

Dilandau turned resolutely and went off into the gardens after the Wing Goddess.

*

Folken, of course, knew that Van had already been engaged and had guessed the impact it would have on Hitomi. He hoped earnestly that his brother's marriage would be the key to make Hitomi turn to Zaibach. The expressions the emperor saw on her face were encouraging. Love for his brother would no longer be a factor.

He turned back to Allen.

"Welcome, lords and ladies, to the Palas Ball. This year, it is being held in honor of my sister, dear Celena's birthday. Unfortunately, she cannot be here, for reasons beyond my control, so please forgive her absence."

At this everyone started conversing in low tones to each other about differing rumors on the subject, but it proved unnecessary when Allen continued.

"It seems that dear Emperor Folken has kidnapped her to show his good will. I didn't think that it showed good esteem when he took my sister hostage, but he is not here to discuss this with, so we will have to make our own conclusions that Zaibach is a hostile nation."

Folken walked toward Allen as he was making this speech, and a confused Celena followed behind him. The emperor untied the straps on his mask and pulled it off slowly, then cast it to the floor in front of the evil king.

Folken spread his wings through two slits in his robes to add significance to his presence and to make it known to anyone in the room who he was, the cursed son of a Draconian.

"What did you have in mind to discuss, Allen?" he asked loudly.

Allen cocked his head to the side and angrily asked, "Where is my sister, Folken?"

"I was lead to believe that you disliked her. She told me so herself, and that you wanted her to go away."

Allen's face started to turn purple with anger. He never thought that Folken would talk at this confrontation. He'd always imagined exposing Folken to the aristocrats and then happily and finally engaging war.

"If you didn't mean for her to leave, then I was highly mistaken, and you will forgive me, I hope?"

Allen nodded curtly, at a loss for words.

"Then it is a good thing I brought her, too, or she would have missed her birthday party."

He stepped aside and cut Celena's mask ribbons with his claw hand. It fell to the floor, and Allen started to shake when he realized who it was. He never expected Folken to bring her back.

Folken never looked at Celena, he only stared at Allen. Celena was bewildered by what was happening. What is he doing? Didn't he say Allen knew about me?

The emperor stepped back, away from her, and she felt a shiver of suspicion at his grim countenance.

"Folken…?" she twisted her fingers together uncertainly, looking at him, then gazed up at her brother. Suddenly all the loathing she felt for him and his treatment of her cascaded back, and she knew with too much clarity how foolish it had been for her to come back at all. She was going to be trapped in Asturia once again.

Allen forced words out. "I will have her escorted to her new room, then, so she can get acquainted with it."

Two guards placed themselves at Celena's shoulders and she was on the verge of tears. How could he betray me! I told him I couldn't live here! He promised me!

"Folken." She clenched her fists. She said his name hatefully, accusing. How could you!

He didn't look at her as he turned indifferently and walked away. Celena thought about physically fighting the guards for her freedom, but then her shoulders slumped and she realized it was all pointless. She had been traded in like a sack of wheat, and Folken turned out to be another lying traitor.

She started to cry as she went off with the guards, wondering where in the world Dilandau was, and hating Folken. Above all, hating Folken.

*~*

Hitomi stumbled through the starlit hedgerows, looking for some kind of solace, but finding none. Her mask was suffocating her, so she tore it off and threw it on the ground. She tripped and fell to her knees and she stayed in that position, letting the tears fall freely to the ground.

I traveled here from another world for him! What do I do now! How could he do this!

She saw her pendant dangling from her throat, that tiny jewel that she gave to him so he would remember, glinting cruelly at her, reminding her that she was nothing.

"I hate you!" she whispered fiercely at it.

"Well, well, look who I found," a voice smirked at her.

She looked up, a mix of emotions colliding in her face.

Jaren and Merlot's cronies smirked back, their faces blotting out the light of the moon

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A.N. A bigger cliffhanger than last chapter. Nice. Finally got to the freaking ball. And the parts that I have been preparing for like 6 months. Great. Hope you like it. Hey, now it's the climax or something. Woot. What I like particularly is how and why Dilandau reacts to Van. That was good. But all the characters are now participating in some kind of emotional hardship, and that makes ACG sad.

Nihongo: I don't know why I was so worried about what they would wear - it didn't really matter. And I didn't read through it again (I want to go sleep) so if it sucks in the morning I'll be sad. Thanks for helping me, though. Hey…are we going on walks now?

the original esca chick: I think Dalet IS Joey from Friends. I'm just kidding, but he is, I think, my favorite Slayer. He just…can't…party…ever… ;_; Yeah, I think Dilandau liked Folken better when he was meaner to people. You don't picture Miguel as the smart one? I was pretty sure that he was the one who talked like a text book or something… Little jig! Woot! *claps* ^_^

WaTaShIwA ShInImEgAmI: Sorrysorrysorrysorry. I didn't catch your review the last time I was writing the review section, so I'm sorry. I love your ideas to get Dil and Hitomi together! I think I could write another story using the ones I don't use in my story. (I'm really bad at romance stuff…I always forget about it…) Thanks again for your ideas…I think I'll use the first one, but without Allen trying to marry her. The other two would be great, too, though. ^_^ You're the best!

Summer Maxwell: It sucks that you were off the computer for the summer…I'm full of compassion for you. ;_; I went into a sleeping coma during the summer. Hope you like the update!

One-Mean-Rabbit: Alright, I can admit that I don't like Harry Potter as much as I used to (because they killed off my favorite character!!! -but let's not get into that one!!!) but it's still not bad. Ah…now you know Van's involvement and I didn't even have to tell you! *wink* But seriously, he's going to be in it not very often from now on, I think. Dilly IS the best! I concur!

Neko-Metallium: Where does your name come from? If you tell me, I'll forgive you for not reviewing! Hey…. I LIKE Merlot's redheaded underling…never mind…"Rape their belly buttons w/a sharp pointy object," eh? I'll add it to my list of "How to kill underlings!" And, uh, yeah...-_- No one harms the Dilly-chan and/or his future love interest and lives. Wow! You said, "Woot!" I'm impressed… Thank you for staying up and reviewing…I don't know about you, but I'll die happy..

Macky: Hey! I really like it when you review…Yeah, the C/F relationship was 'interesting' especially with the turn they took now. But be assured, I'm still sticking with all my pairings. The book…I'm not sure…All I know is that Toshishiro Obata translated it from Japanese.

Shannondoah: ^_^ You act like I do when I make fun of my sister for complaining! Ha! But, anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I hope you keep reading. Who is your favorite character?

My Silver Flame: ;_; You were all sad that my story ran out. That's sweet. O_o Your reviews are long…thank you! Um…let's see, now. I hope you like how the ball turned out, and Van will come back in to get some Dilly smacked when it becomes appropriate. Celena or Millerna kill him? Now that sounds hilarious…what would they do? Poison him? Sorry I keep cliff-hangering. My chapters just kind of end up that way. ^_^ I LOVE Kingdom Hearts! If only it had no Disney…Oh, well. I love Seph, so I would buy anything that has him in it anyways. I'm just mad that *NSYNC* guy did his voice. So…soo…sooo very angry at that one. But a good game. Why is your brother so bad? No, I don't have a plan to make another fic. (This one is time-consuming enough as it is) but maybe a KH fic could be cool. I'm not going to see Akira. I'd rather watch Vampire Hunter D anyway. Yeah, go ahead and borrow ze Allen quotes.

Ryuko-chan: Hey! I'm sad that Celena all hates Folken right now. What do you think about it? The dowsing scene came to me in a vision. *winks*

ViolesDragonGurl: I really don't think that I would want to have Dilandau as my dad! -_- Those poor Slayers! I liked when Dilandau was making fun of Dalet (because Dalet is my favorite, and he likes to party). You don't like Merlot? I think he's hot! Just kidding *shudder* O_O You got really mad at Jaren…remind me not to call Dilandau a "white runt" anymore…

Rai Dorian: Yes, Folken won the chess game. I was thinking she could, but that's too OOC. Yes, if I were Merlot's mother I would drown both the child and father (because the father would have to be ratty, too) Carrot Top! Muahaha! "No, Dilandau, you can't dial collect! Dial CALL-ATT for collect calls!" Dilly: *blinks* *flamethrowers*


Feye Morgan: You know how long it takes to type 5000 word chapters! I'm just sorry I can't do it well going fast. Sorry about the overwhelming amount of cliffhangers, but I think they make stories more interesting. I think that Allen IS behind the kidnapping attempts, although Jaren isn't too good at kidnapping as opposed to assassinating.

Anime Obsessed Raye: Yeah…he's a good guard…he just…loses consciousness a lot. He's got to win in the end, though, so it's okay.