Title: Promise Me Anyway

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Escaflowne is NOT my property, nor can I take any payment for this story -sorry, everyone, but your reviews are payment enough ;)

Let it be known, though, that Osha and Arashi belong to me. Any misuse of or harm to either of them, fictional or otherwise, will result in fictional prosecution.

Summary: Future fic, multi-part WIP. Hitomi is a student of international politics, determined to bring peace to Earth too, and already making a difference. Van is king of a happy, prosperous, peaceful rebuilt Gaea. They're still in love and still in touch. So what's the problem?

Dedication: To Sarah, who is at times more into this story than I am. Also to Kyle, who years ago cried while watching the parts about the tragic Fanel family.

A/N: This chapter could not have been written without a little Allen research, and this is proving true for all the other Allen-centric scenes I'm writing. So thank you very much to Dendera ?userid=7153 and The Allen Schezar Project website for all the bishounen trivia. FYI, the action is coming in the next chapter.

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Chapter Seven

"If you don't change direction, you'll end up where you're headed." - Chinese proverb

The leaders had assembled, and Barnabus narrowed his dark green eyes critically as he scrutinized those seated at the table before him. He paced a step or two away and then came back, motioning for silence. The whispered conversation came to a halt, and the collection of aging magicians turned almost in unison to face him.

"Strategos," he began, "you all know the reason for this assembly. The auxiliary is posted outside the gates. No soldiers or warships will be allowed to pass into our stronghold. Justice according to the Code calls for remediation suited to the crime. The Dragon was destroyed by one whom he loved, and we have arranged for the same fate to befall the murderer. Hitomi Kanzaki has been summoned as predicted from the Mystic Moon. She shared the blame for Lord Folken's death, and she will share in the punishment. The woman of the curse will carry out the penalty, as a reminder that this sentence would not have been necessary had she not assisted Van Fanel. She will know true guilt, and be condemned to the knowledge that the Dragon and his betrayor met the end of their existence due to her actions. Are there any objections, opinions, or motions from the Assembly?"

A murmur of assent rumbled from those seated around the table. Though they had hated Folken after his departure from the sorcerers' enclave, their laws were clear. To murder any one of them, traitor or not, was a crime that could not be permitted. Justice was necessary both to show their solidarity to Gaea, and to discourage any further attempts on the lives of the Strategos. Furthermore, and to most of them more importantly, their home had been destroyed. Only after several years had they recovered enough of Zaibach to even exist there- and a meager, bitter existence it was, at that. Indeed, not one among them would even think to disagree upon the need for proper retaliation.

Barnabus lowered his chin in a grim nod of approval. "Then the sentence will be carried out as planned. That is all; those of you who have a part in this action remain behind, and the rest of you are dismissed."

...

The hours passed with excruciating slowness, and while the crew of the Crusade milled around her Hitomi stood staring out at the night that was passing far below, feeling completely useless. She was not tired, despite the day's turmoil. She had tried to sleep but found it, of course, impossible. It was during these times between the drama and the danger that she found and lost her deepest thoughts. They drifted in and out of her head like clouds drifting across the moon, and she did not care to hold on to them. Thoughts that formed during times like these were painful, and of no use to keep. Memories swam up beneath her, reminding her of how much time had passed. She'd been a naïve high school girl so few short hours ago, and so many long years past. She was ashamed of her weaknesses then, afraid they would prove to be flaws with her still. The memories hurt, and the passage of time had always been troubling to Hitomi.

So instead of thinking, she clasped her hands together in prayer to whatever deity might hear. If she prayed long and hard enough, someone out in the distance was bound to tune in sooner or later. The power of her wishes… her faith in Van, and in herself… could save them. She knew this was true.

"Hitomi," came a quiet voice from behind her.

"Allen?" She turned to face her former beau. Her eyes were soft, and robbed by fatigue of their usual shine.

Allen didn't speak, he merely took his place beside her, his hands on the railing of the ship.

"Things are so different here, now," Hitomi murmured after a few moments of leaden silence. She wasn't merely making conversation. She was trying to find surcease from her anxiety, and trying to learn what had transpired in Fanelia in the few years that she'd been gone.

"They are. Fanelia and Asturia have repaired the damage done to them by Zaibach. Both kingdoms have prospered under their new leadership. Gaea is at peace."

Hitomi looked up at him with a tiny smile. "And what about you, Allen?" she asked, confidence bringing new dimensions to the fondness she had always held for him.

The Knight of Heavens blinked once and looked at Hitomi in the light of the gaslamps. How strange, to have this young girl talk to him like the equal she now was. She had only been a child before, he could see that now. Yet while his protectiveness toward the girl from the phantom moon had not subsided, it had been infused with a greater respect and an instinctual trust for the strong young woman she had become. He returned her smile and allowed his gaze to turn back to the moonlit clouds.

"I'm doing well," he said. "Celena and I… it's nice to have been reunited. She does need some help, sometimes. I … we do what we can." His voice quieted as he allowed the novelty of having someone to confide in again. It had been a long time since he'd had someone to talk to so openly; really, only Hitomi made him feel so comfortable. He felt warm with appreciation. After a short moment though, he felt somewhat ashamed, as if he had been acting self-centered, and confused by the emotions that this topic of conversation brought to light. He took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully, frowning.

"I'm sorry, Allen-san. I didn't mean to delve into personal matters," Hitomi said immediately, perplexed. She began studying her fingers with a trace of her old shyness.

Wonderful. Now he had succeeded in making her feel awkward as well. Allen chuckled internally, recognizing the folly of the situation. This was Hitomi, not some stranger who was completely unfamiliar with his life. "Don't worry," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You know me very well, Hitomi. I don't mind telling you about… anything you ask."

She smiled and looked up at him again. "How is your swordsmanship?" she asked then, taking the cue. "Have you taken any students?"

Hitomi Kanzaki, you are a wonderful girl, Allen thought as he breathed a sigh of relief. Now here was a subject he felt comfortable with.

"Actually, I have. A young survivor of Zaibach, who shows the potential to be an expert some day. There's a lot to work on, though. So much fear and anger… Then, it's to be expected- after all that Dornkirk did to his people in the name of his 'perfect future'." His fist tightened and his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at those last words, and then he relaxed. "But… I trust that everything will come together, with time."

"Zaibach survivor?" Hitomi's eyes widened with incredulity. "How did you find…?"

Allen was quick to answer her question, as if it was a story he had told often- or had wanted to tell for a long time.

"When Celena returned to Asturia, after you left… she had a great concern for the citizens of Zaibach, the peasantry who'd had nothing to do with the actions of Dornkirk and his soldiers. She spoke to Dryden and Millerna, explained to them the plight of these survivors. They were homeless, desperate, and traumatized. Celena felt a tremendous burden to help them… an obligation, because of the suffering she felt she had caused while she was…" he trailed off with the barest hint of old anguish tainting his words, then lowered his head. His soft yellow tresses swayed with the motion, but when he looked up and saw Hitomi listening closely, he continued.

"Eventually, in addition to sending money and supplies for rebuilding, Asturia agreed to allow a certain number of refugees into its borders. Soon one such refugee, who had quickly gained a reputation for being troublesome, was threatening a street merchant. I came across the situation and tried to stop it… and this rebellious youth actually challenged me. I quickly won the match, and the loser begged for death. But the anger and the pain behind those eyes, Hitomi…it reminded me of myself, when Balgus found me... and I… " He sighed, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sounds like a challenging student," Hitomi reflected gently. "But he has a great teacher, so I know he'll excel. What's his name?"

Allen's eyes shifted in the opposite direction slightly, and focused on some invisible object in the distance. He cleared his throat; so much for comfortable conversation. But why was he suddenly feeling so exposed?

"Her name is Arashi."

Hitomi blinked once, then twice. For once, she hadn't seen this one coming, and was at a loss as to how to proceed with the conversation. Adding to the difficulty was the sudden guardedness Allen was displaying. His back was turned to her, and he held himself as if staring at something far away.

"Oh," she faltered. Recovering herself, she added, "…that's a pretty name."

Allen straightened and turned to face Hitomi. "She has a lot to learn," he affirmed, "but she's a very… dedicated student."

The expression on his face made it clear that he no longer wished to follow this line of discussion, and the conversation ended abruptly. Questions still formed in Hitomi's mind: how had Allen come to accept a young woman as an apprentice? What about his duty to Asturia, as a Knight Caeli? What had happened to Arashi to cause her to be so troubled? But Allen seemed suddenly somewhat defensive, and Hitomi didn't want to exacerbate his discomfort. It was likely he'd taken criticism for training a young woman, particularly considering his well-known past and his reputation. So she said nothing further, and both of their thoughts centered once again on their concern for Van.

...

Dawn's approach found Merle and Osha leaning against a bulkhead, with the former fast asleep. Osha's long arms were folded protectively around the catgirl, and he stared into space. He'd surprised the crew of the Crusade by knowing how to work a ship, after all; or at least seeming to. A Babirye man was a master of improvisation. At least, his uncle had often told him so.

Merle stirred in his embrace, a small sigh escaping her throat. He smoothed her hair with the palm of one hand, glancing down at her in concern. She was the King's advocate, the one who made known the wishes of the king when Lord Van refused to speak them aloud. Osha had once marveled at her blatant disregard for any authority other than Van's, and at the command she'd somehow gained amongst the court. Now he knew that this was simply the way she worked. Her loyalty surpassed that of the highest knight, and her stubbornness made her as formidable a foe. He suspected she knew more castle gossip than any of the decorous ladies that frequented the gates of Fanelia, but he was also quite sure that she didn't care about any of it. It just wasn't her style. A faint smile traced across Osha's face as he fell into contemplation of the relationship between himself and his beloved cat-girl.

When he'd met her, she'd been sitting in Fanelia's commons, surrounded by four squirming children who didn't want to listen for all the world. Her determination to get them to obey, her obvious desire to teach them things she considered important, drew his respect and admiration immediately. But these were kids. They didn't care about numbers and maps. They wanted to play. Osha knew their family, had sometimes been invited in for dinner at the end of a long day of suffering for his art, and knew that the kids would remember his storytelling. He'd gone over to them and proceeded to stage an impromptu juggling act, capturing their attention and, more importantly, shutting them up. At the end of the five-minute show he'd bowed and informed them that there would be no further entertainment unless they behaved themselves and obeyed their teacher. He'd winked at Merle and wandered off, leaving her bemused and intrigued- just as he'd intended. After that, he'd made an appearance at her lecturing every day at about the same time, provided an interlude for her charges, and wandered off. He wasn't sure how long this had been going on when one day he'd found Merle there alone, smiling shyly and explaining that the children had the afternoon off. They'd spend the rest of that day together, and eventually…

"Merle, Osha. Good morning."

The young bard raised one eye and discovered the princess Millerna leaning over him.

"Is she alright?" Millerna asked, sotto voce.

"I think so, your highness," he replied. "She was pretty exhausted."

"Make sure she eats something for breakfast, okay?"

Osha nodded, and Millerna left them quickly, presumably off to do more important things. He respected the princess, having heard plenty of gossip about her that only made him like her more, and meeting her in person had done nothing but improve his opinion of the Asturian figurehead. He considered her good potential material good material for a future heroine in one of his songs.

After a few moments, Osha gently shook Merle awake, and the two of them joined the remainder of the crew on the open deck. The men had begun working, and Osha hurriedly joined them after making sure that Merle and her oddly-dressed friend Hitomi both ate a substantial portion of their morning meals. He was a firm believer in the goodness of food, having several servings of the ship's surprisingly decent fare himself before leaving the table.

None of them knew it as they worked (or stayed out of the way, according to their abilities), but the Crusade would not have quite the same passengers or crew by the end of that evening.