Sorry I took forever! I have once again been busy and I'm STILL sick. And I'm STILL waiting for that locksmith! But Yami says I can take the reviews. (Sarcastically) Gee! Thanks Yami! Yami: watch it! You're lucky I'm letting you do this much! Me: Oh sure! Beaten by my own Yami....*Sigh * Well let's get those reviews huh? 50 REVIEWS! *Does victory dance * YA HOO! I luv you all... ^___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________^

Chicken stars: Me too! Baka school work! Lol I'm glad to hear from you...sorry I took a while. ^^

Dawn and dusk: You're so nice! ^____________^ Here's another cookie! Sorry about the cliffy! Here's the update. Thank you so much for your review! *Blush * Aww....you luv my fics? *Hugs dawn and dusk * Thanks! *Blushes really badly *

Sqeekers: I'm glad to hear you don't hate me sqeekers! ^^ I'm still in the Baka closet. -_-' Yes. Scaaaaary vision! AH! Here's the update. BAD YAMI! I'm glad you find it entertaining. Yami adds a twist to the plot very soon....I'M STILL TRYING TO GET OUT THOUGH! I WANT TO GET OUT BEFORE SHE DOES IT! *Whimpers * Poor Hitomi and Van. Yami: MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Me: Oh shut up Yami!

Dunk-Dunk: Thanks! I think this is your first review on this story....so here's a cookie! I'm glad you can't wait and now you don't have to! ^_^

Avelyn Lauren: Yami: YA HOO! YOU LIKE ME! Me: *Ahem! * Yes I know Yami means Dark. I got Yami from Yu-gi-oh kinda...Yami and fluff were the result of a cross between the Idea of a Yami and Shoulder angel and shoulder devil...Ya know...I am no Hikari anyway! Hikari of course, to the people who are reading this, besides Avelyn Lauren, It means light. Here's the next chappy! It's nice to hear from you! ^_^

KuraYami Robe: Yes! I do like your new name....It's kewl. You are Animecrazed! YAY! Nice to hear from you! *Gives cookie * Sorry you couldn't get the movie and I'm glad you liked the chapter. I have seen the movie and it's just plain Bizarre. @.@ Escaflowne is freakish. Hitomi looks different and They have magic! It's kinda...A lot more bloodyish if you understand. Eww...The blood pact thing is a little freakier. Here's my story! Enjoy!

Lyra Eyota: Glad you enjoyed poor Van's depression! I'm kidding! I'm glad that you did find it funny though. I was going towards that a little. I'm glad it made your day to see Hitomi's abilities in battle. Lol hehehe....she does have clause to be a little girlish when it come to battle though. Visions and people hit poor Hitomi so often. I mean she actually died in the series TWICE! Yikes! But it was pretty kewl...^^U. Anyway, here's the next chapter! Yes...lot's of complications. Postal Van...I blame Yami! Yami: He's cool when he's angry! Me: @.@U I luv getting reviews from you! Thank you!

Destiny7: No. I would kill Yami if she did that. But I want to kill her for what she IS going to do anyway. She wouldn't kill Van. We all agree that Van is our favorite character. Van: *Blush * Me: This is going to get good. I actually both hate and love dramatic and seemingly hopeless scenes. It's what I believe I'm best at. ^_^ Even though I always end up crying. I glad you don't hate me. ^__________________________^ I am happy to hear that. I know you are very nice. I just know that everyone has his or her limits! ^_^ I would defend him to the death too. I want to change it, but you have NO Idea what's actually going on. (And I'm STILL in the CLOSET!) Yami said she didn't want ANYBODY to figure it out. No one has. Yami: MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Me: *Powers up her own super sword * It's not Hitomi that needs comforting in this story...It's some one else....that's part of the plot twist. It's downright evil. Yami...You're so cruel....LEMME OUT OUTTA THIS BAKA CLOSET! Yami: Thank you and No. MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Me: -_-' She's practicing her villain laugh. *Sigh *

Disclaimer: Yami: I own Escaflowne because I say so, right boys? Bandai: Yes ma' ma! (I didn't spell mama if that's what you're thinking.)

Sarah: *Sigh * This chapter is called...Yami? Do I have to?

Yami: YES!

Sarah: *Anime falls and sweat drops * Ok! It's called: Near Death...comes too close for Life. *Mutters * It would never have gotten this bad with L.W.K.

Yami: WHAT?!

Sarah: Nothing!

Recap:(After her vision in the last chapter)

in the real world Hitomi began shake and then to fall.

"Hitomi!" Sarah yelled. "Hitomi?! What's wrong?"

"Van..." Hitomi managed before passing out.

~@~@~@~@~

Sarah's POV:

Sarah caught Hitomi when she fell. Sarah heard he last words before passing out. Van. That was her last word. Sarah could plainly tell that Hitomi had just had a vision. She needed to wake Hitomi up and ask her what happened. But Sarah was afraid of what she would hear. It was plain that Hitomi didn't pass out if it was good news! The other thing was, it was about Van. Whatever was going to happen wouldn't be good. Hitomi had seen bad visions...but Sarah could tell that this beat them all. Sarah had to know though. She had to do something if it was that bad. She proceeded to shake Hitomi.

After a few good shakes, Hitomi did awaken. Sarah smiled, but then she remembered why she was waking Hitomi up in the first place.

"Hitomi....I know you had a vision...what did you see? What's this about Van?" Sarah said as calmly as possible.

Hitomi began to shake in fear. But she answered anyway.

"I saw soldiers, around Guymelefs. They were talking. Then a Guymelef had a malfunction. It accidentally shot a crima claw."

Sarah watched Hitomi tense. Her deep emerald eyes swirled with worry.

*A malfunction with a crima claw? * Sarah waited for Hitomi to finish.

"The crima claw tore through the walls and began to stop, just before it hit a person. They died." Hitomi finished and looked at the ground to escape Sarah's gaze.

Sarah could almost feel Hitomi's vision as she spoke. Sarah instantly knew who the person was. It could be no one else.

"Van."

Hitomi nodded, mute from her fear.

"We have to do something! How about creating a diversion that'll stop the malfunction from taking place?" Sarah said calmly, she was steeling herself to the goal ahead. She had always been good under pressure.

"There are too many soldiers for you to do that." Hitomi stated.

"Then I guess...we just have to get Van out of harms way." Sarah said.

"I'll go and look for the keys I guess." Sarah said this with little certainty because it would be like finding a needle in four sectors of haystacks! Not good odds if you're being realistic. Not as bad as Van getting through Zaibach, but not far off.

"Do you think you can...make it?" Hitomi said fear evident in her voice.

Sarah sighed. "I have to. For Van." She then motioned at the chained boy to emphasize her point.

Hitomi nodded and with out another word, Sarah disappeared into the fortress.

~@~@~@~@~

Hitomi watched Sarah go. She began to worry. Sarah had no idea who she was looking for. Of course Hitomi tried to keep a perspective of hope, but it didn't help much.

Actually, she was in the midst of a debate with herself, when she saw another vision.

FLASH

Sarah came sprinting in the room with a key. She found Hitomi sobbing. Why? Hitomi watched the vision version of herself and Sarah. Sarah asked Hitomi why she was crying. Hitomi pointed to a figure.

He was stained crimson and his head hung low. A metal pole seemed to disappear into the darkness.

He was Dead. Sarah couldn't make it in time. She couldn't save Van.

FLASH

Hitomi knew now what she had to do. There was no question left in her mind. She turned to the boy she loved. And she ran to him, embracing him.

~@~@~@~@~

Hitomi had just run up to Van and embraced him. (Yeah. I know. I'm Ms. Restate the obvious) Needless to say, Van was more than a little surprised. I mean, he didn't even know Hitomi was here, and now she had just ran up to him and hugged him? Not that he didn't want her to...it's just not what he expected. After Van got out of his shock, he wanted to hug her back. But he couldn't really move his arms. He looked up and it was then when he remembered where on Gaea he was. He silently cursed his restrains. Here Hitomi was, hugging him. And now that she was, he couldn't do anything!

*This must be a new type of torture... *

Van did his best to return the gesture. He could smell the flower scent in her hair from her closeness. He felt her gentle embrace, that seemed just a little (But not little for long) tight. Van was enjoying her hug...it's just...He had to know something.

"Uh...Hitomi? Why are you...doing this?" Van said, disturbed with himself for breaking the peaceful silence.

Hitomi couldn't make herself look at Van at that moment.

"I....Can't tell you...If I told you...you wouldn't let me..." She managed and then she tightened her hold on him, pressing herself into him. (But not too hard, yet...)

Van began to feel his shirt being dampened by Hitomi's silent tears. She shook from her quiet sobs. For the second time Van cursed his chains. He not only wanted to return the loving embrace, but now he wanted to comfort her. What's happening? One minute she's not there, she ran up started hugging him and now she's crying?

What in Gaea in going on? I wouldn't let her? Why are you crying? Why wouldn't I let you hug me? I...is that possible? Why Hitomi? Why? *

"Hitomi..." Van murmured quietly.

Hitomi still couldn't look at Van, but she did have something to say.

"Van...I-I wanted to...say good-bye." Hitomi said quietly, unable to get her meaning out any blunter than that.

"You're going back to the mystic moon?" Van asked, not understanding. (I mean, would you? That's pretty vague.)

"No..." Hitomi managed. "Not like that..." Hitomi's tears continued.

"Hitomi?"

"I'm going to...miss you Van." Hitomi croaked.

"Huh?" Van was about to ask her another question, when a sound like gunfire rang out. People screamed. Van could see that from a far off room, (Through glass) That a crima claw was being fired. And what was worse is that the thing was coming strait at him! Or to be more precise, Hitomi.

Van's maroon eyes went wide.

"Hitomi! Move!" Van yelled in desperation.

For once Hitomi did look up at Van. Hitomi's deep green eyes had never been more serious. Hitomi looked him in the eyes and shook her head.

Van saw her shake her head and then he finally understood. He knew what she meant. He understood what she was doing. He looked at her terrified for her sake.

Hitomi's clutch on Van had gotten so tight that it began to hurt. Hitomi's eyes were a sea of fear. Her eyes were still shining from the salty steams. She bit her lip and waited for the impact.

A cold metal claw tore through soft white skin.

~@~@~@~@~

(I was tempted to just leave it right there and put so much suspense that it would make you all desperate for the next part, but The L.W.K WOULD kill me for that. *Sigh * ---Yami)

Van watched Hitomi's eyes widen with pain. A shock surged through her and he could feel it. The crima claw whipped back from Hitomi, as if satisfied that it had hit a target. Hitomi's body went limp. Her grasp began to loosen. She let go from the pain. She fell to the floor.

"HITOMI!" Van screamed. (A Guy's scream. Not a girl's scream.)

~@~@~@~@~

Sarah was having one heck of a time finding a key with 250 guards to search. Even with her skills, that was one disturbing feat. She had to race through Zaibach and at the 50th guard, (even though she didn't know that cause she had lost count) She FINALLY found the %$#@ Key. It had been a bit much for her. Now that she had the darn thing, she had to race back to Van. She had a gut feeling that she wasn't going to make it though, but she dismissed it as simple worry.

Her feet ached, her sides ached, and her heart ached. She pressed on though, as if being chased by hell fire.

*I just HAVE to make it! If I don't...Van is gonna die. He...But...would she? Then again, that would be just like her. WAIT! What am I doing? I have to run! I don't have time to worry! *

She ran even faster, as though she was flying through the halls. Sarah reached the door and sprinted in. She expected the hopeful face of Hitomi or a jump for joy. Or something at least!

She met with a sight that brought tears to her crimson eyes.

~@~@~@~@~

Sarah looked stunned. She went over to Van and unlocked the chains quickly. Sarah seemed to disappear so Van could be alone with Hitomi.

Van fell on his knees and went to Hitomi. He knelt over her crumpled figure. A small dark red pool was around her.

*Is she? * Hitomi turned to Van.

"V-van?"

"Hitomi! It's okay...I'm here."

"Van...I'm so c-cold..." Hitomi shook from the icy floor.

Van picked up Hitomi and tried to envelop her in his arms. He was able to hold her now and it was going to be okay. It had to be okay. He held her carefully and mindfully of her pain. Her head rested on his shoulder and he had his arms around her back. Van felt something warm and sticky on his gloves. He didn't have to see it to know what it was. It was blood, Her blood. It horrified him.

"V-van?"

"Hitomi?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I....I'm sorry that...I'm leaving you."

"H-Hitomi..." Van's voice shook.

"You don't have to be sorry. You're going to be okay. We'll find some one who can help you." Van said trying to hold back the pain in his voice. He said those words for not only Hitomi's comfort, but for his own.

"I was really glad to have met you...Van."

"M-Me too Hitomi..." Van's voice was cracking...He could barely say anything above a hoarse whisper.

*I don't have any reason not to tell him. I guess I'll tell him now. I want to say before... * Hitomi thought.

"Van...?"

"Yes Hitomi?"

"I need to tell you something..."

(Me: I'M FINALLY FREE! I'M OUT OF THE CLOSET! WHAT? Hitomi is....I'M GONNA KILL YOU YAMI! Yami: HELP! Fluff: I guess I'll take over. Oh boy. )

"What's that?" Van said, still quiet.

"I-I-I....I love you."

Van's eyes went wide. Tears fell down his face from his ruby colored eyes.

"I love you too Hitomi." He said through his tears.

Van pulled away slightly from Hitomi and looked in her eyes. They found themselves coming closer to each other. They kissed. Hitomi felt Van's lips on hers. They were so warm and comforting. It was a passionate kiss, but gentle. All pain and sorrow melted away from thought. Van held her closer. Hitomi's arms were around his neck. Everything they felt for each other was finally expressed. Everything in the world seemed to disappear. All that existed to the pair were themselves and the kiss. It lasted for an eternity and a second. But even if death is pushed to the side, it still exists.

Hitomi felt herself being ripped away from the world. Ripped away from life. She was trying to return Van's kiss, but she felt weak. She was barely even returning it now. Everything got hazy. It all was disappearing. Everything was gone except Van. (That rhymes! Yami: Oh shut up! Me: DIE! Yami: YIPE!)

Now even Van was hazy. Everything finally went completely black.

(YAMI! I'M GOING TO GET YOU! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

~@~@~@~@~

Van eventually noticed that Hitomi wasn't returning his kiss. What was happening? Was she...? Van pulled back...Hitomi's eyes were closed. She wasn't breathing. She was dead. Hitomi was dead. Van's mind couldn't process that. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be!

~@~@~@~@~

Sarah was in the next room. She had leaned her back against the wall and slowly allowed her self to slip to the floor.

*Hitomi... *

Sarah had been taught all her life that soldiers and commanders weren't allowed to cry over the dead. If it was some one you knew well or they were dear to you, or even close to a person that WAS dear to you, You were to shed a single tear out of respect. The only other case is if they were your husband (Or wife). But for once in her life, Sarah broke the code of forbidden tears, and cried over her fallen friend.

_____________________________________________________________

Me: I'm SO sorry to end it there! I must continue! You see...The stupid story thing says it's getting to big for a chapter. I will start writing the next chapter soon! This one took me all day though! Ack.

Yami: *Walks in * Hey ther...*Sees me * AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *Flees in terror *

Me: DIE YOU EVIL YAMI! YOU'RE AS BAD AS Y. MARIK OFF YU-GI-OH!

Sarah: *Weeping * Hitomi...

Van: *Stunned *

Hitomi: *not doing anything. Duh! *

Fluff: Don't worry. The writer is pretty smart. We'll get some damage control in soon.

Dornkirk: HEY YA! LET'S PAR-TAY!

Everyone 'cept Hitomi: @.@U

Please R&R and don't kill me, I'm getting to it.