AN: Oh me, oh my, I'ya fella downa anda broke-a my-a elo bone. Hey, I have a question, when did I suddenly change Calypso's name? I just took a look at some of my old chapters and I realize that I originally called her Calysto, but now I call her Calypso. Huh…well, I like Calypso better...but still, I didn't like a lot of what I wrote a while back…maybe when I'm done writing , I re-write this story…you know, clean it up a bit. But that'll come later. Now, just read, cause it's taken me way to long to write this anywho and I'm sure your all restless.

Disclaimer: Nope, me no onies. I don't even own my broken elo bone.

Chapter Thirteen: Another Victim

"Actually, Van, I think you're quite familiar with what's inside Dragon's Canyon. Except the difference between you and I is I am going to wield that power inside the canyon, where as you destroyed it last time."

"Destroyed what?"

Again, he received no answer, so he thought. 'I destroyed something in Dragon's Canyon? I don't think so…maybe I destroyed something linked to Dragon's Canyon…wait! Zaibach's energist mine! During the Great War, I destroyed an energist mine. Maybe that's what Calypso is talking about, but, what sort of power was she talking about?'

He needed more information so he pretended to know what Calypso was referring to. "What does an energist mine have to do with anything?" Unfortunately, Calypso saw right through his attempt at confidence.

She shook her head. "Sorry Van, you asked the wrong question. You lose!" Calypso waved her hand in Van's direction and he suddenly collapsed to the ground. She was taking control of him again and Van was fighting to stay free.

"No…get out…of my head…" he gasped.

The new Queen smiled. "There's no use fighting me Van. You're only hurting yourself, and I'd rather you stay alive, at least for now."

Van grabbed his head with his hands growled from the effort of fighting her spell. "You…don't…control…me…"

Calypso walked around the bed, over to Van's side, and knelt down on one knee in front of him. She placed each of her hands on the sides of Van's face and brought her head to the level of his eyes. "Actually Van, I do." She leaned forward and kissed him on the corner of his mouth and Van's resisting was quenched.

Calypso stood and held out her hand. "Come, escort me to breakfast. I'm hungry." Van looked up at her with indifferent eyes and took her hand. He rose up, brought his other hand to her cheek, and said, "As you wish, my lady."

Once again, she was in control.

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

Breakfast came and went and still there was no sign of Van. Merle and Hitomi purposely ate slowly in hopes of seeing him enter the dinning hall, but he never came. Eventually they had to leave because if they stayed any longer, they'd be eating lunch as well with their breakfast. Hitomi and Merle decided to go out to the market since being cooped up inside the castle all day was far from their idea of a good time, especially without Van. Hitomi had assumed that Van had left without breakfast and was doing business elsewhere.

Hitomi and Merle wandered the streets for several hours, glancing at the new jewelry for sale (this time without finding a CD), watching leviships disembark, and playing tag with some young kids from the village. All and all, it was a good day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and there was no reason to be unhappy or upset at all.

But Merle was worried. She did a great job at hiding it. Hitomi didn't even notice the slight difference in her behavior, but still, Merle was worried. Dilandau's words constantly echoed in her ears, sometimes they threatened to explode out of her head. The wonder of why Van didn't show up for breakfast, the threat that Van was married to a sorceress, and the terror that Calypso may have another agenda besides a marriage alliance was almost unbearable. Oh how she wished she could make her worries known to Hitomi, but she didn't want to until she knew for sure that Dilandau was right. Also, she didn't want to be the only one to tell her. Merle needed Celina for moral support as well, but she wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Hours passed by until it was almost dusk, at which time the children whom Hitomi and Merle had been playing with had to return home to prepare dinner.

"Bye Hitomi. Bye Merle. See ya later." Waved one little girl as she ran home.

"Bye!" Merle and Hitomi shouted in unison. The two of them waved until the little girl turn her back and entered her house.

Hitomi turned back to Merle. "Come on, let's return to the castle before it gets too dark. Maybe we'll catch Van at dinner."

"Okay!" Once again, Merle jumped at the thought of food. "I hope we're having fish."

Hitomi laughed all the way to the castle.

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

Hitomi must have miscalculated the time because by the time she and Merle reached the castle, dinner had already started. Merle was practically pushing Hitomi all the way to the door, screaming, "Come on Hitomi, we're going to miss the fish."

Just to annoy Merle, Hitomi purposely walked slowly all the way to the dinning hall door. Eventually, Merle gave up and ran the last few feet to the door, shoved them open, and ran to her spot at the table. The rest of the occupants of the room paid the two late comers no heed and they continued to eat and talk with each other. However, Hitomi didn't take her place at the table. At first glance, she smiled to herself as Merle helped herself to some fish, but then she noticed that the head chair was empty.

'Van still isn't here…'

Hitomi looked at the chair beside Van's, the chair that now belonged to Calypso. It too was empty.

'Where ever he is, Calypso is with him…'

Without a word, Hitomi turned her heal and left. The door slowly closed on it's own behind her.

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

She had looked everywhere for him. She looked in the garden, in the weapons room, the roof, and even the bedroom but Van was nowhere to be seen. Hitomi was practically running down all the corridors since everyone was in the dinning hall. Soon, dinner would be over and Hitomi would have to resort to walking, which took way too long.

Hitomi stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She put her hands onto her knees and took deep calming breaths. She felt her heart beat slow down a little and some of her tension leave here. She stood upright and realized that she could hear footsteps. Around the corner a woman appeared and she turned in the opposite direction, not noticing Hitomi's presence.

"Excuse me!" Hitomi called.

The woman turned around and acknowledged Hitomi. "May I help you?"

"Hi, um, I was wondering if you've seen Va…I mean, Lord Van."

The woman pointed in the direction she had just come from. "He's in his study room with Queen Calypso. They've been in there all day, planning their honeymoon."

"Oh…okay…thanks."

"Your welcome."

"Oh, I'm Hitomi."

"Phoebe, nice to meet you Hitomi."

"You too."

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

Calypso sat on Van's study desk, playing with the pink jewel which hung from her neck. "Tell me, Van, how much longer is this going to take."

"I only have one more form to fill out."

"Good, I'm getting tired and I want to go to bed soon."

"Patience, my Queen."

Calypso grinned. "You know, a girl could get used to this treatment. After all this business is over, I may just decide to keep you around. You can be quite charming if I just pull the right strings."

'Don't you even think about it. I'd rather die than spend the rest of my life being controlled by you!'

Calypso shrugged. "Well if you keep up that attitude, you may just get your wish. And your precious seeress can join you." She said with a wave of her hand. "Now hurry up, I don't want to miss din…"

'Queen Calypso, I'm sorry to disturb you.' It was Phoebe. Calypso had told everyone that she was not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency. Calypso knew that no one would disobey her orders unless it was absolutely necessary. 

'No, that's alright Phoebe. What is the problem?'

'The seeress is on her way to the study. I just wanted to forewarn you.'

'Thank you Phoebe, continue with your duties.'

'Yes my Queen.'

Calypso looked at Van, who had stopped writing for a moment to stare at the new Queen. She had been in a middle of a sentence when she was interrupted by the mind link she shared with the other women from Circe.

"What happened?" Van asked. Even the suppressed Van wanted to know what had happened to Calypso.

"Apparently your seeress is on her way here at this very moment."

Van didn't like the new glint that had formed in Calypso's eye. She was up to something, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.

'You leave her alone!'

"Oh don't worry, I'm not going to do anything." She said innocently. "I'll let you be the judge on how to treat her." Calypso began to walk towards a dark corner of the room. "I'll just wait right here and watch the show."

'Calypso, stop! What are you planning to do? Calypso!'

Three sharp taps echoed from the door.

"Enter." Van said monotonously as he continued to scribble on the paper in front of him. 

The door creaked open as Hitomi immerged, looking left and right for any sign of Calypso. She didn't see any, so she stepped forward and shut the door behind her.

'Hitomi, go back. Calypso is planning something, please, leave!'

'She can't hear you Van, just give up.'

"Hi."

No response.

'Hitomi, can you hear me?'

"Um, what are you doing?"

Van continued to write on his paper, never looking up. "I am planning my honeymoon to Dragon's Canyon."

"Oh, I see." Hitomi looked away. "I didn't see you today, where were you?"

"I was busy." Van said shortly.

Van seemed a little too stressed, so Hitomi tried to lighten the mood.

"Have you been avoiding me?" Hitomi asked in a playful tone.

"Yes!" He snapped.

'No!'

Hitomi jumped slightly at his harsh tone. That wasn't the answer she was expecting. Nor was that the reaction she had thought she would get. Something wasn't right, and she could sense it.

"What's wrong?"

'Hitomi, Calypso has taken control of me!'

"Nothing's wrong."

Hitomi frowned. "You're lying to me. Tell me the truth."

Van pounded his fists on the desk. "Don't you give me orders woman."

Hitomi turned slightly pale. "Woman? Van, you've never called me that before."

Van looked up from his desk and sent a piercing stare at Hitomi. "Don't address me so in formal, woman. I am ruler of this county and that entitles me to some respect. You will address me as 'My lord' or 'My King', understand?"

'No! Hitomi, wait, I didn't mean that. Please, can you hear me?'

Hitomi stared wide eyed at Van. Her mouth opened but no words came out.

"Do you understand?" he shouted, making Hitomi jump again.

Hitomi bowed her head and spoke in a whisper. "I understand…my lord."

"Now get out."

'Wait, stay here!'

"I'm sorry I disturbed you…my lord." She bowed her head again and turned to leave.

'Hitomi, listen to me! I'm right here! Wait!'

Van caught one last pain stricken look from Hitomi before her face disappeared behind the closing door. Once he heard the click of the door, Calypso re-appeared from the dark corner of the room, smiling broadly and clapping her hands.

"Well done, Van. That should keep her away for quite a while."

'You b…'

"Now now, Van, watch you language. It's not becoming of you to swear." She interrupted.

'Just…stop hurting the people I care about!'

"You see Van, normally I would, but it just so happens that they keep getting in the way of my plans. You should be thanking me that's all I did to your precious seeress. A few more encounters like that and I'll be forced to get rid of her, permanently."

'If you harm her, I will not rest until I see you dead on the floor.'

Calypso shrugged. "Empty threats." She walked towards the door, placed her hand on the handle and opened it. "Come, it's late and you need your sleep."

Van blew out the candles on his desk, stood up and made his way to Calypso. He linked his arm with hers and escorted her out of the room.

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

After first meeting the seeress, Phoebe only watched as Hitomi had walked away in the direction of the study room. As soon as she was out of sight, Phoebe remembered what she had to do, however revolting the duty was.

She had to let Calypso know that Hitomi was on her way.

'I hate to do this but…I have no choice.'

Phoebe's eyes glazed over and she felt as if part of her body was floating away, but the sensation didn't bother her. She was used to it; everyone who was from Circe was used to it. This is what you had to do in order to communicate with each other secretly.

'Queen Calypso, I'm sorry to disturb you.'

'No, that's alright Phoebe. What is the problem?'

'The seeress is on her way to the study. I just wanted to forewarn you.'

'Thank you Phoebe, continue with your duties.'

'Yes my Queen.'

How she hated to say those words. If she had been speaking them, she would have to exercise great control not to lash out or bite her tongue. Luckily, she was very skilled in the art of mental communication. Therefore, Calypso didn't suspect that the traitor was, in fact, Phoebe…

The world around her came back into focus as she came out of her trance. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to undo the knot that had formed in her stomach. All of the sneaking around, stabbing people she cared for in the back, and working for those…people…was all starting to wear on her. It wouldn't be long before she snapped, which meant that Calypso's plot needed to end…and it needed to end quickly.

In a matter of minutes, the blur of a running girl sped around the corner, completely oblivious to her presence. It was Hitomi, and she was crying.

Phoebe's heart went out to the girl, but Hitomi wouldn't know it. She just kept running, just running, and in only a few moments, she was gone. No doubt she was headed for the gardens. That was the place to be if you wanted to be alone.

Phoebe began walking in that direction, again trying to decide what her next move would be. When did she want this whole ordeal to be over? She definitely didn't want it to go on for more than a week. She vaguely thought of five days being the limit. Whatever it would be, it would have to be soon. And she would help it come closer if needed be.

She reached a window which overlooked the gardens. Moonlight flooded the dark corridor and Phoebe's silhouette was painted into the frame. She looked out into the trees and could barely see the huddled form of the seeress under a tree. Now she was a victim of the Circe plot, and she wasn't the last, nor the first.

'Maybe I should tell her what's really going on…'

But before she could even finish the thought, a pulsing light radiated from under her dress where a necklace lay hidden. It glowed brighter, then softer, then brighter again. It seemed to communicate a message that only the wearer could understand.

'Alright…not yet…'

Casting a last glance at Hitomi, Phoebe slowly walked back to her room.

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

After Hitomi had ran out of the castle, she found a secluded area in the trees where she could sit and think. The temptation to cry, at first, almost took over her emotions, but she didn't. Instead, she sat with her back to the tree trunk and pondered.

Thoughts such as 'Maybe Van was in a bad mood…' or 'Maybe someone was in that room and I didn't notice…' often popped into her head. Basically, she couldn't figure out why Van spoke to her in that way. Nothing made sense. The day before, he seemed perfectly normal, but now…he's different. Hitomi was confused, very confused.

Eventually, she resigned herself to confront Van again the next day. Hitomi stood up, brushed off the dirt that was on her skirt, and walked back towards the castle. Tomorrow, she would give him a chance to explain himself.

AN: I'm so sorry that chapter took so long. I really wish I had more time on my hands…actually, I wish a had a laptop, then I WOULD have more time on my hands…cause I only get to write when I'm home, and most of the time, I'm not home…so…HEY SANTA CLAUSE…I'M GIVING YOU A BIG HINT RIGHT HERE!!! Oh well, I don't think he can hear me.

No guarantees as to when the next chapter will be up, but I'll get it done as soon as possible. Thanks for all of your patience!!! It means a lot…oh, and feel free to yell at me via e-mail whenever you want. I've been getting a few of those lately and they actually give me inspiration. Without them, this chapter would have come a lot later than usual. I just need a couple kicks in the butt every now and then to get me writing again.

Thanks for reading!!!

Here's just a few shout outs to people because…um…because I can.

Harry, where's that HP story you were talking about? I can't wait to read it. I miss you a lot, oh, and I have a Christmas present for you, but I'm not going to tell you what it is yet…it's really cool, and I don't even need an owl to send it!!! Love, Prongs