Disclaimer: Yeah, okay. The day I own anything is the day I actually get to go to Gaea…

To all who reviewed: (sniff) I LOVE YOU ALL! (hugs) I'm so happy you all liked my filler chapter…:D haha. Seriously though, thanks a lot for all your positive advice! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! (poke!)

Chapter Twenty Two

As Van laid there in sleep, his body was healing itself since the attack. Although his body was motionless, his mind was on overdrive. He remembered the stress on his heart and the pain he felt, but he could not understand how it stopped.

What was Shina doing to Escaflowne? His mind could not stay silent in a subconscious state as Van tried to figure out what happened moments before. It hurt so much…then it stopped…Hitomi was there and she…What did she do? How did she stop her? What is Shina doing on Gaea?……Does she know how Escaflowne works?

He was thankful that his mind did not have a definite answer to that. I have to go back to make sure she doesn't pull another stunt like that…that she does not totally figure it out…

The darkness under his closed eyelids shifted comfortably around him. He was not dreaming of anything for he was already partially awake. When he saw a blue light appear at random, Van's thoughts changed from the events of his pain to the light. What is that? He pushed his body into a deeper sleep to find out. Oh Gods! He recognized it instantly. It's her eye! Don't look at—!

But it was too late.

The blue eye got closer and closer to him. He saw the features on the creature's face, which were twisted in a dark smile. Something gray appeared underneath the eye, but before Van opened his mouth to question it, the eye anticipated this move and whispered, "We'll talk later…"
You have no right to know
Van's eyes opened suddenly and he did not blink for some time after that. He moved his gaze around the room to make sure that she wasn't there; the room was dark and Hitomi was asleep next to him.

Where…am I? He sat up in bed a bit disoriented and looked around. Van realized that he was still in the hospital. Except he was in a hospital bed next to a sleeping Hitomi…It was just him and her. No doctors, no mother…just them. It's okay…She isn't here…yet…

With his head in Hitomi's direction, something else caught his eye on that side. Screens with flashing green lights and numbers were stuck to the wall or on poles. What are these things? When Van's breathing picked up, he noticed that the screen changed its numbers accordingly. Oh Gods…how does it know that? Turning his head the other way, there was a bag filled with something clear attached to a long shiny pole with a dark blue box underneath it. Maroon eyes followed the path of the tube that came out of it and noticed it was attached to the side of his wrist.

On closer inspection of his wrist, he saw—in the poor light—that his hand was connected to a soft board with white strips. What are they doing to me? He shifted himself on the bed so that he sat perfectly upright. Van felt fine; he knew that he was going to be fine…When this happened last time, it had only taken a few hours after repairing Escaflowne for him to get up and move. He knew that everything was okay and that there was no need for any of these things.

These boxes might have known his breathing rate, but they didn't know everything. He knew though. I'm fine. I don't need any of this! I want them off!

Van's lack of knowledge of what these things did brought more fear into him. He brought his arm up closer to his face where he could see it. In an instant, he began to rip the white strips that joined his hand to the white board right off. There was a slight stinging when he did so, but he simply pursed his lips together and continued. You've felt more pain than that…

For a few minutes after that, the only sound in the room came from the ripping noise of the white medical tape leaving Van's skin. Stupid adhesive…He grumbled as he finally pulled the last strip off his hand with a loud exhale afterwards. Dropping the board that his hand used to rest on, Van focused next on how to get the tubes out of his wrist. I don't need any of this…I need to get out of here…
Leave

He stared at the little device that kept a steady flow of IV fluid to enter his system. Quickly taking off more of the tape that surrounded the needle, Van placed two of his fingers on either side of it. One…Two… He pulled it out quickly and exhaled loudly. He watched the wound release a thin red line. I tore skin…Great…On reflex, he put his tiny wound in his mouth and kept it there.

Looking back at the machines, Van noticed that the one in which the bag was attached to exchanged its green light for a red one. A beeping noise came soon after. Oh…what did I do? Van checked the box frantically. If someone walks in…they're going to make me stay…Stop! Come on, stop making that noise!

Checking the device that he took out of his wrist, he saw that it was leaking. He knew that in order to make the beeping stop, he had to put the device back in his wrist. I have to leave…I don't have time for this…
You belong on Gaea
I can't wait anymore…Shina is figuring things out. I need to prevent that… Forgetting about the machine, Van began to pull, rip and throw off anything else the hospital had attached to him. As a result, more of the machines made noises. I have to hurry… I have to go back…

It was still dark outside, but he used the weak street lights to look around. I have to leave before the sun rises…Before any one can see me leave…Van jumped out of the bed and walked as fast as he could to Hitomi's side. His ankle still hurt, but it was manageable. "Hitomi…?" We have to go back…We have to leave and fight her, once and for all…No more running…

She did not respond to him. "Hitomi…" He pushed her shoulder a bit. "Wake up! Hitomi!" Green eyes opened slowly. "…V—Van?" Still in a dream like state, Hitomi did not see the urgency in his face.

"Come on, we have to go!" Van continued to rock her shoulder back and forth.

It seemed that no matter how hard he tried to wake her, the drugs in her system made her fall back to sleep. "No! Come on! Hitomi!" The beeping noises from his machines were still persistent. Looking away from Hitomi's sleeping form, Van glanced at the door. Someone's going to come in here soon…We have to go! Now!

Returning his eyes to her body, he paused. He noticed all the machines and everything that was attached to her.His thoughts changed. ……We can't go…Hitomi still needs care…because of what I did to her…Van slowly retracted his hands away from her shoulders. Something told him that if he touched her again, she would crumble away into dust. These machines…they may not be of use to me, but to her…

She still needs attention…But how long will that take? The men in white said that she should not stress herself for a number of months…and with what we are dealing with will definitely be too much stress on her body…But, months? We don't have that kind of time anymore. I can't wait…They can't wait…We can't wait anymore. Shina knows now and it will not be long until she tries to get to me through Escaflowne again…

He stood in front of her with a sad look on his face. Hitomi…I hope you understand…You will not be able enough…We don't have time…I—I'm sorry. This is my way of keeping my promise; I said that I would protect you. If Shina is looking for me, I do not want you to get hurt because you are with me…The first time was too close, and I don't want the next time to be the last.

I said that I would stay with you and fight with you…but, I can't. If I wait for you, Gaea will be destroyed…If you come with me now, you wouldn't be able to fight without hurting yourself…No doubt that Shina will use that to her advantage…I know that you are strong and I know that you've been through tougher things, but I don't want you to get hurt over something that I could have prevented! I can't live with that! If something else were to happen…

…I'm—I'm sorry, Hitomi…Van leaned in and kissed her forehead lightly before reaching around her neck and unclasping the pendant's chain. He wanted, so badly, to wrap his arms around her and stay with her until she got better.

But he couldn't. He couldn't afford to risk that.

Standing upright again, he clutched the pink gem in his palm. If you aren't there, she won't be looking for you…she'll have to deal with me. No tricks. I will fight her, I will win…and I will make my way back to you…I love you Hitomi…Please understand…

He backed away from her bedside feeling a deep pang of regret in his heart. You're safer if you stay here, Hitomi…Your life is in good hands here; not in mine…I'm sorry… With one last look at her peaceful sleeping body, Van left the hospital room with a quick stride.
You belong on Gaea
He walked past many workers who paid no attention to him and by the time someone had ended up finding his beeping machines, Van had left the Emergency area and was running.
Leave

Shina sighed as she watched her favourite three prisoners. "Well, how much hope do you three have left?"

"Bite me." Merle glared, even through her fatigue. It had been quite some time since they had gotten food.

"Such vigor," She smiled, "for someone who doesn't have much time left…"

"Go to hell!"

"Oh, Merle…" Shina chided. "Give it up. Your precious Van is a coward and is never coming back to save you."

"You don't know Van! You don't know him!" The feline screamed, in her loudest voice, trying to convince herself. He IS coming back…I know he will! He will! He has too!

Shina walked up to the bars of Merle's cell and knelt down so that she was eye level with her. Oh, pity, she's crying… "Pathetic."

"Let us go…We are of no use to you…" Millerna mumbled quietly.

"Sweet princess, you are of great use to me." The creature smirked. "What I want is the angel…and you three are going to bring him to me. I will show him, through your example, what a bad boy he's been…He will come back, but only to die." She paused between the words 'only' and 'to die' to emphasize it.

Giving one last piercing look at Merle, Shina stood up. "Tell me. How much hope do you have, now that you know the likelihood of my idea?"

Silence followed.

"Hmph. Just as I thought."

The door to their cells banged shut and the lock was inserted quickly afterwards. Merle looked up to the door and let her anger boil. "I have plenty of hope. I have enough for everyone. Van is coming back. He told me that he always keeps his promises; to protect his home, his people…He will not back down. Not now, not ever…"

He looked up at the slightly lightening sky. Morning is coming…The stars were starting to vanish and the cool night winds were dying down. Van's heart pumped fast from all his running and he was trying to get it under control. Deeply breathing in and out, he paused for a few moments. His ankel was hurting again, but hepaid no attention to it.I hope I'm not too late…

Van looked down at the pendant and sighed. He channeled his wish to it and focused. I need to go back…to Gaea. Closing his eyes afterwards, he did not notice that one of the stars in the sky suddenly got very bright and big. The white column that would take him home surrounded him thanks to the shining pink light.

A warm breeze blew his hair around as he was lifted upwards. I'm sorry Hitomi…He kept his eyes closed for the entire time, after to open them and have himself fall. …that I couldn't wait for you…They need me now, before Shina figures any more things out… The pendant continued to glow, but he could not see the strength it still possessed. He felt his body get lighter and lighter and soon, the breeze around him picked up as he was thrust in the alternate dimension of Gaea.

Just as strangely the man had come, he had left, leaving passengers in cars in awe. In a flash, the column of light had disappeared, leaving nothing.

Except one woman who finally awoke in her hospital bed. "V—Van?"

As Van touched the earth of his home, he finally opened his eyes. Quickly clasping the pendant around his neck, he looked around with the column of light obstructing his view. He recognized the fields that he had landed in. They were the same ones that Hitomi and he had landed in the first time they returned. A small smile touched his lips at the recollection of that time, but it was quickly lost as the pillar of light dissipated into tiny sparkles of stars.

All around him was destruction and chaos. No…The tall grass that had sheltered Hitomi and him from the farmers that night was burnt. There were raging fires turning the most beautiful structures and simple homes to ashes. Van's head turned back and forth between the east and the west to see no one on the streets…no one. Nothing.

Turning his body around to face his land, he noticed that nothing was spared. Everything that he remembered was no longer there. The marketplace, the temple, the fields of recreation…all gone. Everything that he had worked hard to rebuild was…nothing.

Except for one patch of forest, which stood out so much against the red and black.

Where Escaflowne lay.

Releasing a shaky breath, Van put all his emotions into fueling his adrenaline. Shina……If it is the angel you want. I'm coming. Once the initial shock had worn off, he sped off in the direction of the castle. He didn't know how he knew she would be there, but it was a lucky guess.

And today was his lucky day.

He took caution where the rocky slope went down steep, but kept pushing it. Van stumbled and slid down an eighth of the way on his back, however, he managed to land on his two feet. You have to move…now! Gritting his teeth, he walked forward towards the place he called home.

Rest assured, Shina. Your loving husband is coming. He thought as he ran through the deserted trails. The smell of burning flesh, wood, fabric and animals was overpowering and it surrounded him. It was everywhere. Bodies were strewn along the road; eyes open in a desperate plea for help. Don't look…

Van covered his face with his hand in an attempt to filter out the foul smelling air. What has she done? What have I let her do? He jumped over fallen carts and wagons and took sharp turns through dark alleyways to get to the shortcut he knew that would take him back to his palace. I'm the only one who can fight…The only one she wants…I can't let anyone else get hurt because of what I am…

Kicking up dirt and sand that lay on top of the stone walkways, Van turned another corner and skidded to a halt. His lungs were burning and his muscles ached. Deep breaths…In…out…Deep…Although the air around him was not pleasant, he forced himself to take it in.

And all the suffering that came with it.

You—You need to find a weapon… He leaned his body against the wall and sighed. You can't fight a supernatural being with your hands…Looking up and around him, the alleyway was empty. Great…Just as he started to trudge forward, he heard something behind him. Moving his head in the direction of the sound, he saw two black figures.

With swords.

As he looked forward again, he saw another black figure walking towards him, blocking off his escape route. He stopped midway between the three Yoshidarian guards and turned his body sideways so he could see them without having to turn his head. Keeping his breathing even and his eyes darting back and forth, Van took on a crouch position for a defensive stance.

One…

The men took a step towards him, hands on the handles of their swords. The two that were behind him were a bit closer than the one in front of him.

Two…

At once, all three swords were pulled out of their sheaths and that slicing sound echoed in the alleyway. It was subdued from the cackling fires, but loud enough for Van to hear.

…Three!

Just as Van predicted, the three men ran forward; two from behind, one from in front. Taking the logical step, Van turned his attention to the two coming from behind him, running fast to meet them. Two stab wounds in the back was worse than only one. Besides, the man in front of him had more distance to cover.

Van step-sided to the left to avoid being cut but lashed out with his left foot and struck one man in the face. As he stumbled back, the second man held his sword straight out to push it through Van's skull in an easy kill. Van ducked just in time to only get a gash on the top of his head; the soldier's momentum made his sword get stuck in the wall.

Although the blood was falling over his eye, Van made his left hand stiff and straight and brought it down on the inside of the man's elbow. As a reflex, the man's grip on the sword was gone as his entire arm bent upwards. Positioning his body correctly, Van turned slightly and thrust his elbow into the man's face.

Pulling the sword out of the wall, Van moved to meet with the one man who hadn't been touched yet; the one who came to him from the front. He was close to the scene and had his sword out, ready to strike.

But this time, Van had a sword of his own.

Metal clashed as Van blocked the man's attack by holding his sword horizontally. Hearing the man who he kicked come back, Van dropped his weight so that he was close to the ground. Letting the man push him down with his strength, Van ended up on his back in the sand. Smirking at that man, Van brought his knees towards his chest and put each foot under the soldier's ribcage. Pushing up and backwards with his legs and arms, he successfully sent the man flying overhead in the direction of his fellow soldier.

They landed with a groan and a thud as Van got up quickly, breathing hard. In their hesitation, he raced forward, sword held straight out in the direction of their bodies. With quick steps, Van pushed the sword through one of the soldier's necks and into the other soldier's side. Since they were on top of one another, they both felt the effects of Van's sword. Knowing that the first man was dead, Van pulled out the sword, stepped over him and delivered a final blow to the second man by the same move. Hitting a main vein, blood sprayed on him.

The last man, dealing with a broken nose, stood there, watching. In a blink of an eye, two of his fellow comrades were gone. He watched as the fugitive stood over their bodies, chest rising and falling quickly with blood all over his front. The third soldier had no weapon to protect himself, so he took a low crouch position—mimicking Van's move from the beginning.

Van looked at the last man sadly. "Run. I do not wish to fight."

The man kept his position.

"I do not wish to fight." He repeated; but the man made no move to accept his offer. Waiting for some time after that, Van threw down his sword in the red ground beside him. "If you wish to fight, I will do so, evenly matched."

The last soldier frowned and walked forward slightly, still keeping his crouch. Van, on the other hand, walked upright, meeting the man halfway. In a sudden attack, the Yoshidarian soldier turned his body on the balls of his feet, shifted his weight to the right side, and struck Van's chin with his left foot.

His head snapped left and he almost lost his balance. Regaining whatever was left of his orientation, Van dodged another blow with the man's right fist. It would of connected with his left ribs, but he ducked lower; he was on all fours in the dirt. Pulling his left leg out, Van made his boot flat and connected it with one of the man's shins. At such close range, Van thought he heard something snap.

The man did not flinch and stepped back. Van stood upright again, but soon opted for another defensive position. He put his fists and his arms in front of his torso for protection. Van's eye was becoming irritated with the stream of red, but he did not have the time to wipe it away. The man tightened his frown and moved to attack with a kick from his right leg.

Seeing that the move would worsen the bruises on his abdomen, Van's reflexes acted fast and caught the man's foot. Twisting it quickly and sharply, both of them heard the 'pop' sound; the solider let out a small grimace of pain.

With the foot in his hand, Van pushed the man with the strength in his arms in a backwards direction, making him stumble as his balance on one foot was not good. The man landed awkwardly on his other foot but tried to get up. Van walked over to him, feeling the effects of his bruised and possibly broken jaw. He had pain coming from both sides now, and his ankle was starting to hurt again. It was protesting against all the movement he did, but Van did not listen.

With a small limp, he made it to the man's side. He saw the damage he had done to him. A dislocated ankle like that is not going to get him far…Van noted. He squatted down so that he was almost eye level with him. The man froze. Removing his helmet from his opponent, Van stared at him. His nose was bleeding and badly broken from his elbow, but nothing else.

"You should take the opportunities that are given to you." Falling silent and no longer looking at him, Van grabbed the sides of the man's head with his hand and slammed it down on the ground where the sand did not cover the stone; it was not hard enough to kill him, but hard enough to render him unconscious.

Van stood slowly and shakily. Turning his gaze in the direction of what used to be his castle, he frowned. Ignoring the pain and finally wiping his eye, he pulled the sword out of the ground where he left it.

Picking up the pace of his walk, Van remained silent. Around his neck, the pendant pulsed silently as it bounced up and down fron Van's running. The sounds of the fires became louder again now that that alleyway was quiet. …Is that the best you've got?

TA-DA! How do you like them apples?

Hurray for my first lengthy fight scene! Thanks to Tekken (and stories ABOUT Tekken) and other wholesome video games like that, I thought I did pretty good!

I hope that the whole reason behind Van leaving first was clear! Ack!

Hope you guys liked it! The final showdown is coming up! Watch out Shina!

PLEASE REVIEW!