"Um… Hello Van" Hitomi answered nervously. Van took a few steps forward and engulfed Hitomi in a hug, a wide grin on his face.

'Wow I've never seen him smile like that… the peace must be doing him some good.' Van pulled back with that silly grin still written all over his face. He looked Hitomi from feet to head spending just a few seconds longer at her face.

'Just as I remembered.'

"So… um how have you been doing?" Hitomi asked feeling a little violated under Van's stare.

"I've been good. I had the Palace rebuilt and all of Fanelia has been working hard" Van answered proudly.

An advisor came to the door and whispered into Van's ear, he nodded. "Well it seems that my presence is required, Merle if you could show Hitomi around I'll meet up with you at dinner."

"Ok Lord Van, come on Hitomi!"

Merle took Hitomi's hand and dragged her down the hallway. With a last backward glance at Van she thought to herself 'I'm finally home.'

"So this is the guest wing." Merle pointed down a hallway. IT had been over an hour and Hitomi was counting down the minuets till dinner.

'Where did all this come from? I've only been gone for six weeks.'

Suddenly a familiar person stepped out of a guest room. "Oh yea he's visiting too." Merle said with disgust. She stuck her tongue out at the figure.

Hitomi was in shock, she hadn't expected to see him in awhile… maybe after things had settled down but not this soon.

"Who is this lovely lady you have with you Merle? I heard your voice all the way in my room." Allen brought his eyes to Hitomi's. "Hitomi" he took her hand and kissed it "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Hitomi blushed a deep red. Although she no longer had feelings for Allen he still had a smile to charm snakes.

"Allen it's very good to see you again too." Hitomi answered still very warm in the cheeks.

"So what brings you to Gaia girl from the Mystic Moon?"

"I….I … well I missed being here."

"Well we are glad to have you back."

"So Alan what are you doing in Fanelia?"

"Well it seems I picked a good time for a visit." He answered with his most charming smile.

Merle, Hitomi, and Allen made their way to the dining room. Finally the tour was over and she could eat. Hitomi hadn't eaten anything since yesterday at lunch… and after sleeping in the woods for a night she was starving. It had taken most of the day to travel through the city.

As they entered the room, Hitomi saw that Van was already sitting. Not sure where to sit she looked at Merle for help. Merle quickly shoved her to the right side of Van and sat on his left.

"So how was the tour, Hitomi?" Van asked politely.

"It was great… the Palace is beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it. Allen how was your night? I seemed to miss you this morning."

"Wonderful Van."

The talk continued at a friendly pace. How had everyone been doing? And so on. Van finally asked "So how long are you planning to stay Hitomi?"

"Um…" Hitomi was at a lost of words. That had been unexpected. "Well I guess as long as you guys will keep me I guess."

"You mean you aren't going back to the Mystic Moon?" Merle blurted out.

"Well… If you guys don't mind me staying…"

"How about we talk about it alone after dinner?" Van asked biting his tongue as if to make sure he could keep his happiness controlled.

Van and Hitomi sat on the roof. Everyone went on to their separate ways for the night and let them have time alone. Hitomi lay down and stared at the Mystic Moon, this time she felt no longing to go back.

Van turned his head towards hers. "So are you really planning on staying?"

"Yea… if you guys will keep me that is…"

"Oh, don't worry about that... you can stay as long as you want…" 'Forever if it were my choice' Van thought.

Hitomi sat up. "So how have you been doing Van?"

"I'm doing really well… the people of Fanelia are one worth leading."

"So is there anyone new in your life?" 'Please say no, please say no.'

"Not that I know of…" Hitomi sighed. "Is there anyone new in your life?"

"No…" 'But there are some old ones…'

With the moon light reflecting off of Hitomi she looked almost like one of those things she once called Van… an Angel. Van's hand slowly reached up and touched her face. "I missed you… a lot" he said softly.

Hitomi turned her famous shade of red answered kind of shakily "I missed you too."

With that answer Van gently leaned into Hitomi. His lips meeting hers for a brief second. Hitomi could have shouted with glee. That was their first kiss. A little short but wonderful in its on way. He had a gentle touch about him… even through the hard shell he tended to show.

Van gently backed away and made sure she wasn't going to slap him. Seeing that the coast was clear, he made his move. "I would be honored if you would stay with me and Merle for a long time. I already have a guest room set up for you." T

aken back with the generosity of this offer Hitomi had a look of shock on her face. He wanted her to stay… not only that but for a "Long time" this was her cue… she could have screamed at the world and danced around in circles… "It would be my pleasure." Hitomi answered holding her glee down on a very short chain

Van walked Hitomi to her new room and said good night. "I'll see you in the morning at breakfast?"

"Yes."

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight."

A/n look 4 chapters 3 days… that's got to be a record… ok this makes me mad… I posted this chapter and then went to preview it and guess what I have 3 count them 3 reviews… guess what I only got one email… and that came today… oh well .. anyway I would like to thank Esca-Lover for my very first review for this story… I know gods there.. and thanks a lot…Yes my chapters are short … this being the longest .. but see 4 chapters in 3 days… that's cool right… o well I'll try to make them longer but more space between them will occur. And I figured if I "gave up" on reviewers maybe some would come out of hiding… I know I've only been out 3 days.. but you can't blame a girl for trying thanks for your review it means a lot. AND hehe now that I checked SabineballZ… I know that's a tear jerker.. it hurt to write.. but yes double the fluff.. and see they have a few years of happiness together… I'll add lots and lots of fluff for you thanks a lot…