Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or the characters.

Boo: This chapter is pretty short sorry! But I will hopefully have the next bit up soon.

Dedicated to Nike, the best tent puter-uper, and of course the 'Behemoth'.

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Things seem to go on fast forward to Hitomi after wards as they were all soon packed and making their way out to saddle some horses. Pulling up the hood on the cloak Millerna had lent her, she watched as Van gave some last orders to some servants and senior advisers. Suddenly she noticed a familiar face watching all the commotion. Walking over to it they didn't realise she was there until she spoke.

"Excuse me?" Hitomi ventured. The maid jumped at her sudden hooded presence. Apologising for startling her Hitomi went on. "I'm so sorry about earlier I really didn't mean to explode at you like that." Much to Hitomi's relief the maid smiled at her.

"No need to apologise I realise you weren't yourself earlier." The woman replied. Looking at Hitomi's eyes there was no fear this time only concern.

"Well I wanted to apologise anyway. Just to let you know." As the other woman nodded Hitomi turned and walked away pulling up the hood again. She turned when she heard her name being called.

"Take care of yourself milady." The maid shouted at her. Hitomi nodded at her and turned walking over to the horses and mounting the one with her pack on.

As everyone mounted his or her horses Allen and Van had a quick conversation on the best way to go. The night air making their breaths come out as mist. During this brief moment Hitomi looked around the figures on horse. Her friends. A thin smile played its way across her face as she realised how lucky she was. Her friends who were willing to start out on a long trip in the middle of the night surrounded her. The support she felt gave her strength to keep the yawning craving in her stomach at bay. The discussion over they set out to the calling and waving of everyone at the palace. Hitomi looked at the moon, which was now high in the sky, before she trotted on after them.

It seemed like hours went by as they said a few words. Allen and Van leading at the front slowed down every now and again to check on Hitomi and the others. Hitomi felt fine in fact her senses were jingling. The world seemed to sharpen in contrast as she smelt the new scents of the forest around them. She could hear insects in the distance and with her new vision she could see everything. It totally blew her away. She looked at the world through new eyes absorbing everything around her. Looking up at the moon she gave a little gasp as her pupils dilated taking in every detail of the glowing disc.

After a while Allen told Van that they had to stop to set up camp as Merle was falling asleep. The cat woman fought as hard as she could against it but in the end she knew she was losing the battle and group soon stopped and started to set up camp. The girls went off to put up their tents as the men discussed how they were going to proceed in the morning. They could hear the occasional giggle come from their direction as they tried to put up their tent.

"Ok so where does this bit go?"

"Over here Millerna."

"Ow watch where you're putting that pole Hitomi."

"Sorry Merle."

The conversation went on for a while; interspersed with giggles, as they struggled with the tent they affectionately nicknamed the 'Behemoth'. The sheer size of it could fit all of the company but the women had been given it as the men would be staying by the fire taking a rest while one of them kept watch.

Standing back they survived their work. The tent was massive and they had successfully pitched it up. When Van and the others came over they looked it over impressed.

"Wow you did a good job and with practically no light as well." Van crossed his arms grinning as the women all stood hands on hips and flushed faces looked at their handy work.

"It was tricky but we did it in the end." Millerna proudly announced wiping her brow with the back of her hand. The other two agreed as they fanned their faces and pulled their hair back.

Dryden gave a little snort as he came over smoking a cigar. Millerna shot him a warning glare.

"You think you can do better?" She sniffed.

"Oh don't get me wrong Millerna I wasn't laughing at you. I'm just sorry I missed you three lovely ladies exerting yourselves putting it up." Everyone started to chuckle as Millerna shot him a death glare.

"Ignore him and his disgusting cigar and let's go into OUR wonderful tent and get some rest." Millerna said rather loudly. Shaking their heads smiling the other two women said their good nights and followed her inside.

"Goodnight Hitomi." Said Van as the other two walked away laughing loudly and Millerna was complaining to Merle about Dryden.

"Goodnight Van." She stepped out the tent and quickly walked gave him a brief but rather passionate kiss. When she stepped back she smiled at him. "Sweet dreams." She whispered ducking back into the tent.

"Sweet dreams." Van whispered back but was drowned out by Millerna repeating her complaints as Hitomi had missed them. Smiling Van turned and walked back to his two friends thinking about Hitomi's kiss.

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