"The Crusade" was written in retro cursive letters across the glitzy entrance, an exotic dance beat barely audible as Van offered his arm to Maddie at the door. Large, waxy green leaves framed bright tropical flowers as they entered the club, small lights sashaying on the dance floor. The drum beat mixed with the trumpet as the singer at the front swayed soothingly. Striking violet eyes were framed by deadly black lashes, a waterfall of bronzed blonde running down bare shoulders.

"Funny thing is when I look into your eyes, I sense something so sincere in your disguise," the woman sang in her smouldering voice, "You whisper secrets I hear only in my dreams... Then I wake up to your telesmoke screen. I wait patiently while you play your game, 'cause in the end, I'll be the winner all the same," she continued, cocking her head playfully. The purple orchid in her hair complimented the intense plum color on her long dress, the cut of it simple yet devastating.

"She's pretty," Maddie murmured to Van as they stood still, watching the singer, and Van agreed noncommittally with a tilt of his neck.

"You'll see clearly when the song comes to a stop, I'll be the one blowing kisses from the top," she cooed, blowing gently over her palm towards the audience. "So baby, stop... Stop, you're surrounded. I got my love, love all around ya." With a sharp turn of her head, the singer twisted her shoulders before sliding out her leg to the left, the high split in her dress accentuating the bared leg. "One wrong move, move and I'll down ya... And that'll end ya, you should surrender, you'll never win unless you give in," her voice grew in volume, repeating the chorus with enthusiasm as she pointed a gloved finger out to the entrance of the club.

"I feel so under dressed," Maddie complained as girls in pretty dresses of ivory, onyx, and sky twirled by.

"You look fine," Van assured, flitting his gaze from the singer to Maddie kindly.

"So won't you give our love a chance? Or do you only wanna dance?" the singer questioned, and Van followed the violet gaze towards the club entrance when his jaw dropped.

A killing low cut dress shot out in crimson red as toned calves played with the hem of the skirt. Green eyes blazed in coal colored smoke shadow, soft lips shiny and nude. The new presence was picked up by most in the club, and all eyes lingered on the figure who held a lot of power at that moment. The short silence was interrupted by the restarted drum beat, and everyone went back to chatting or dancing. Except for Van that is.

"She's pretty," Maddie breathed, and Van was frozen like a gawky teenager as the fatal girl started striding towards him.

"Hey you guys," Hitomi grinned, her lips spreading over pearly white teeth.

"Hi," Van mouthed, a wisp of a sound coming out of his throat.

"Hitomi, I hate you," Maddie half smiled half pouted, and Hitomi looked alarmed.

"Why?!"

"You just had to look bloody amazing, didn't you," Maddie jokingly accused, and Hitomi blushed humbly. Van felt like he was sinking in some sort of blissful yet suffocating goo, and had to grab onto Maddie's elbow to keep from falling down or breaking out into song.

"You both always look amazing," came a deep voice, and Van suddenly felt himself being shot out of the goo like a cannon on crack.

"This looks like a freaking ballroom, not a club," Van spat out, and three pairs of eyes swung at his sudden bitter outburst. "Um..."

"I like it," Maddie offered, and Allen kept his eyes on Van for a moment before looking at Maddie with a smile.

"It's different then the normal ones," Allen shrugged, and Hitomi leaned up and kissed the blonde on the cheek.

"It's amazing," she agreed, smiling at Maddie and then shooting Van a reprimanding look, who in turn shrugged defensively.

"You wouldn't by chance consider granting me a dance, Princess?" Allen grinned slyly, and Van's maroon eyes shot open lividly as his head made odd jerky motions, Maddie gripping his forearm tightly.

"Chill," she muttered as Hitomi was led to the dance floor giddily, and Van's mouth open and shut like a fish.

"Only I call her Princess!" he managed to stutter, his gaze narrowing into slits. "That bastard's going to have his jaw displaced!" he promised, moving his arm towards his sleeve as if to pull it up.

"Really?" Maddie said flatly, no amusement in her voice which Van didn't want. He wanted her support, hell he'd be damn right gleeful if Maddie offered to kick Allen in the side. "And then what? Do you think Hitomi will run to you? You're going to distance yourself from her."

"I already have," Van spat, and Maddie frowned.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing," Van corrected hastily, "A... Um, mulberry bath," he coughed, gazing with sudden interest at the floor.

* * *

The sharp sound of a low, long whistle pierced the air as Dilandau Albatou entered "The Crusade", pulling at his crisp shirt. The boy exuded control, power, a sort of sarcastic humor that if manipulated right could make a girl bow to his knees.

"No fighting tonight boys, too many ladies to have fun with," the silver haired boy smirked, his eyebrow arching as his gaze fell on a girl with dark brown hair and cobalt eyes. She was laughing, her cheeks flushed as she fell into the arms of some guy. Boyfriend? It didn't matter. Dilandau would steal her from him either way. Walking, some would say strutting, towards his target, Dilandau frowned in surprise as he saw the guy the girl was dancing awkwardly with. It took a moment to register the face, but the raven hair and maroon eyes were unmistakable.

"Speak of the devil," came a voice, and Van looked up from stepping on Maddie's foot into wine colored eyes.

"Well if it isn't Dilandau," Van replied. Then after a pause and a once over, he added in a monotone voice, "You strutted over here didn't you."

"Me? Strut?" Dilandau asked in mock innocence, "That would require tons of self confidence and a touch of arrogance!"

"Of course you have none of those," Van grinned, "Why are you in this freak house?"

"Supposed to be expensive, and hard to get into. My kind of deal," Dilandau said with a slight cock of his head, "Are you dating this lovely girl?" he asked casually.

"No, she's just my friend," Van replied carefully, his eyes dancing devilishly as he could read the albino like a book. "Maddie, I think he wants you," Van teased as the brunette flushed bright red.

"That I do," Dilandau smiled disarmingly, "Just a dance," he bowed his head quickly, like a gentlemen.

"Think I'll survive, Van?" Maddie joked, and Dilandau laughed as he turned to face the raven haired boy.

"Of course," Van said seriously, "But any more and he may start going freaky and doing the funky chicken or something," Van added quickly, dodging Dilandau's punch.

"Lay off the funky chicken, you just wish you had my mad skills," Dilandau grinned, before extending his hand to Maddie. "Shall we?"

"If I'm not back you can send out the search team," Maddie called over her shoulder playfully as Dilandau escorted her to the dance floor.

* * *

I said a 4,5,6,

Come on and get your kicks...

The quiet roll of tires smoothed over a paved driveway until the car pulled to a stop. Doors of a well polished car opened hesitantly as the passengers of the car slid out.

Now you don't need the money,
With a face like that, do you honey?

Something clinked inside the bags one of the people were carrying, and the others put their fingers to their lips. Looking up at the quiet house, it's lights out, a wicked smile lit up one by one on each face. They'd make her regret it.

***

Watching everyone dance through dark violet eyes, the club singer took a break as her lips enclosed over the edge of a glass of water, the liquid sliding down her parched throat. To be honest, she'd rather by anywhere but here, but a job was a job, and this one paid.

Typically speaking, most of the other singers the owner Dryden, had hired, loved to sing. She, however, sang because she had the talent. Not the passion. Drumming her fingers on her thigh, her gaze panned the room. There was a small hope that he'd be here, but if he wasn't, the blonde wouldn't be surprised. He wasn't predictable.

The sound of a woman gasping caught the singer's attention, and her eyes followed as a woman was dipped devastatingly low to the ground. Locks of mahogany hair brushed the ground before she was brought up again to her dance partner, her electric blue eyes sparkling with laughter. They spun around deftly once before she locked eyes with the Casanova.

Dilandau.

A smirk played on the singer's lips as she cocked her head, and it took a few moments for the albino to register who the pixie was. Auburn eyes squinted in a mock expression of outrage as his lips formed the words 'hold on'. The shrill of the trumpet blared through the air as the song began winding down to it's close, and as the silver haired boy dazzled the brunette with his charm, the blonde drew her teeth over her bottom lip mischievously.

Game time.

***

Several couples had left the club by now, the selection of music growing softer and more mellow. The lights had dimmed as well, the pumping, bright atmosphere now romantic and dreamy. A few floating candles skimmed the bottom of a fountain near the entrance, and the crooning of a man's voice weaved through the club.

There you see her
Sitting there across the way

"Do you know where Dilandau is?" Maddie asked nonchalantly, involuntarily hooking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The brunette was charmed as the albino had made no move to touch her anywhere she deemed uncomfortable, and had stayed with her dutifully for several songs.

"Hmm?" Van replied blankly, his eyes focused on a certain green eyed girl. Following his struck gaze, a grin played at Maddie's lips as she patted Van on the shoulder.

"I'll find him myself," she smiled, walking away as Van nodded numbly.

She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her

She was holding a glass of something, peering into it as a graceful blush was streaking her cheeks. Long eyelashes fluttered shut, giving her a doe-like, innocent look. Her lips were moving softly as she spoke with someone, each curved movement imprinting Van's control and sanity. He felt slightly nauseous, but in the way that you've had too much candy, coffee and daytime television combined.

Gulping, his eyes shot open as her green eyes lifted and met his across the room. He impulsively clutched at the air, as if to grab a nearby person and fling them in front of him. A tiny voice in the corner of his mind wailed, 'I'm melting!' while another voice screamed for him to do something inconspicuous. Macho time.

Shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants casually, Van cleared his throat and leaned against a nearby structure. Suddenly, he wished for an earthquake. Hell, if every single male looked at Hitomi for more then two seconds he wouldn't need one, there'd be a public crisis. He could see it now in the headlines: Male population wiped out from heart attacks after seeing green eyed beauty.

Man, he was obsessed. Sighing, Van was about to get up when a slender pair of arms encircled his waist.

"Do I look that awful that you have to stay that far away?" a voice teased, and as Van looked down into the hugger's eyes he resisted the urge to panic.

Panic visibly.

Smushing down the hysterical meltdown wailing inside of him, Van put on a half cool half strangled smile before tilting his head.

"Sorry babes, but the truth's the truth," he replied as Hitomi swatted at his head.

"Well, want to take pity on sad little old me and dance?"

"Heh, sure," Van nodded, his eyes warm despite his knees screaming, 'Mayday! Mayday!'

Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do

A slow tune had struck up, and as Hitomi rested her hands around Van's neck, she frowned.

"Are you alright? You feel really warm."

"I'm fine," Van said casually, his heartbeat skyrocketing as she leisurely played with the hairs at the nape of his neck. 'Okay Van, calm yourself,' he thought silently, shutting his eyes for a moment before gaining his composure. "Where's Allen?" he tried, feeling all the gods in the sky raise their weapons to chuck at his head. 'Nice move, dumbass.'

"He's getting something from the car, I think," Hitomi replied, nibbling on her lip slightly.

She was blushing, the color like the inner petals of a dusky rose. His face was so close to hers, his eyes bearing into hers in a soul searing way that insured they'd meet again in the next lifetime. A connection rivalling Romeo and Juliet's thickened the air, and a great urge compelled Van to say something fitting.

"Those damn jello pigs."

"...What?" Hitomi asked blankly, staring up at Van. Shit, shit, shit. Maroon eyes hardened slightly as Van's jaw set, his mind frantically searching for something intelligent to back it up with. Where the hell did you get JELLO PIGS from you moron!! his mind screamed at him as his left eye twitched slightly.

"Temporary insanity" was all he could offer, and Hitomi shook her head amusedly.

"More like permanent," she smirked. "Sometimes I think you make a fool out of yourself because you love me that much," Hitomi teased, and Van slid on a smile.

"Shh, don't tell," he whispered into her ear, his hot breath playing on the soft angles of her face. Planting a luxurious kiss on the apple of her cheek he pulled away, slipping into the crowd.

AN: Sooooorry for the slow update, just I've been really busy, confused, stressed, and trying to work on an original story as well. Thanks to all those readers who supported me, I'm terribly sorry for the long wait ^^;; Pfft. You were probably all glad you were rid of me *bawls* Oh yeah? WELL I DON'T NEED YOU!! *silence* WAIT! I WAS LYING!! *cries* Without you all I have no purpose in my feeble life XD I have some other chapters nearly done of other stories, just, I can't figure out how to finish the other scenes I need to link two important scenes together. Also working on a V/H one shot, so far referred to as "Painters" but it won't be the final title. Hope you liked this chapter, and just so you know, the last chapter that I had before was deleted, this is replacing it :P Ugh. Don't ask why. It had a pretty okay story line but if I followed the Rinoa line this story would never finish n_u;; Have a luffly day!! ^_____^