Hi All

Sorry for the long wait, but I was knocked off my feet by COVID and still somewhat recovering.

Anyway, here's Chapter 16 for you all.

I've still got a few chapters left that are typed up and I'm working on more chapters as we speak.

But for now, as always, feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Enjoy x

Chapter 16

Dilandau watched with a neutral expression as he caught up on Hitomi's day. She looked exhausted even though she hadn't trained. If taking a break made her tired, she was pushing herself too far. She'd end up ill if she carried on like this. Though it seemed Chesta, Dallet and Viole had caught on. They'd taken over the redecorating by themselves, calling Guimel, Gatti and Miguel in. They had all the rooms painted by the end of the day and decided on an impromptu movie night. All 6 of his dragon slayers were taking care of her like she was their little sister. Part of him was annoyed but the other part of him was pleased they were already this loyal to her.

He quickly pulled up an image of Folken, seeing he was sat on a chair listening to music. He pulled the silver-haired man into the void, keeping his live feed of Hitomi up and staying seated on the floor.

"I wondered if you'd be pulling me here today," Folken mused.

"She's exhausted," Dilandau stated ignoring the comment.

"I noticed. Though your dragon slayers seem to be taking good care of her."

"Take some pressure off and reveal yourself to all of them."

"I'd already planned to tomorrow. She'll need my help to organise everything and explain the plan to them all."

"She needs to take another day off from training so getting this organised should distract her."

"And your side?" Folken asked.

"Going perfectly," Dilandau smirked, "All I had to do was mention Van wearing Hitomi's pendant and Celena crumbled. After that, planting the idea of stealing the necklace or demanding it was easy."

"Good. If all goes to plan, in a week's time you'll have your own body again."

"That's not my main concern," Dilandau stated, "We're successful as long as Hitomi's introduction as the Queen of Atorantisu goes without a hitch."

"We're prepared for any of the possible outcomes," Folken reminded, "Oh, it looks like she's close to falling asleep."

Hitomi was actually fighting to stay awake and all the men knew it. But with Chesta & Viole either side of her, she would be falling onto one of them. Dilandau was somewhat surprised Viole was proving to be as protective as Chesta even after the beating he'd given him and the lesson on Hitomi he'd been given. She'd obviously managed to worm her way into his heart.

"Are you prepared for being on Earth?" Folken asked.

"Between you, Hitomi and this place, I'll do just fine," Dilandau stated, "I'm going to send you back."

"I'll ask Chesta to check she isn't developing a fever," Folken said before he disappeared.

He watched Hitomi's head lull back and forth as she continued to fight the sleep she needed until Viole tugged her to rest on him. He chose then to pull her into the void, catching her as she fell into his lap.

"Idiot," he murmured.

"I was enjoying the movie," she answered.

"Just sleep. I've got you," he stated.

She smiled and fell asleep instantly. He couldn't help but smile softly at her. She was progressing with her training quickly but she was also starting to have fun with it. It was evident when she started creating games for them to play when sparring. They were getting closer everyday and for the first time in his life, he could say he had a friend.

When she woke, she found herself on a bed instead of Dilandau's lap. But she was still caged in his arms. With a smile, she buried her face into his chest. She always felt so safe when she woke up like this, especially now she was used to it. Briefly she wondered if he'd still do this once he was on Earth. She doubted it. He probably wanted to show he was still the ruthless leader he used to be.

"What are you thinking about?" Dilandau asked.

"Nothing important," she answered, "I didn't know you was awake."

"I woke up before you. I thought you'd fall back to sleep," he informed her.

"Sorry, I feel asleep as soon as I got here."

"It's fine. You needed the sleep."

She pulled back and looked up at him. Judging by the look on his face, he was in a serious mood. It was a little intimidating. She must have looked nervous because he put a gentle hand on her cheek.

"Nothing will change when I come to Earth," he stated, "If doing this helps you sleep, I'm still going to do it."

"But what about…"

"They won't say anything and since they're all overprotective brothers, they'll just be happy it helps you sleep. Besides they know what'll happen if they say anything."

"Are you sure?" she asked sheepishly.

"Would I lie to you?" He asked, "I'm Lord Dilandau, Commander of the Dragon Slayers. Me men know better than to question me."

"I guess I can't argue with that," she answered with a smile.

"Of course not. Arguing with me is never a good idea."

"You think so Lord Dilandau?" she taunted with an evil smirk.

He always liked when this side of her came out. To anyone else, they'd probably think she was as evil as he was, but for him it stirred something with him. He really needed to work on letting this side of her loose more often. With all the training, he'd forgotten about it.

"Yes I do," he stated moving his hand to her hip and pulling her tight against him, "I don't think you want to suffer the consequences from arguing with me."

"Oh really?" she challenged, "And you think arguing with me doesn't have consequences?"

"I think I'd enjoy them a lot more than you think," he retorted slyly.

The blush was instant but she was giggling. Apparently she couldn't keep it up for long. He'd have to work on that but he'd be patient with it. Otherwise he'd never see the blush of hers again.

"How long have I got before you send me back?" she asked when she finally calmed down.

"We've still got time. Why?"

"I don't want to go back yet," she answered, "I feel like the odd one out when they're all together."

"It's not intentional."

"I know that. But it still sucks," she muttered.

"Just bear with it a little longer," he said, "You're strong Hitomi. Stronger than anyone gives you credit for. You'll overcome this."

"I hope so. I hate this feeling," she stated with a glare.

He sat up, pulling her up as well as he had the void bring up the image of when they first met.

"You know what I saw when we first met?"

"The odd one," she answered, "In odd clothing."

"It wasn't the clothes that caught my attention," he chuckled, "It was you yourself. You wasn't the odd one out. You was the one who stood out among many. Something else entirely."

"What are you trying to say?" she asked confused.

"You hate the feeling of being the odd one out but you aren't the 'odd one out'. You stand out but that's what makes you different from anyone on Earth and Gaea. It makes you special, so embrace it instead of resenting it."

"But what if I can't?"

"Then use that resentment for something else," he stated gently.

She smiled and tackled him with a hug, sending him sprawling onto his back. He smiled and put an arm around her, keeping her against him. He could get used to this.

"So what so you want to do while I still have time?" Hitomi asked with a smile when she pulled up.

"She's still sleeping?"

Chesta nodded as he leaned down and checked her temperature. She had a slight fever but as long as she didn't do much, she wouldn't be ill.

"You sure you're ok being her pillow Viole?"

"She was burning up last night and she's sleeping peacefully. We'd only wake her if we moved her," Viole answered.

"If you're sure. Dallet, Guimel and Miguel are doing the finishing touches upstairs. I'm going to make breakfast, but she's sleeping pretty hard so she shouldn't wake up if you want to get up."

"Well then help me move her," Viole said.

Chesta smiled. Carefully the 2 of them moved her so she was laid out on the sofa. Viole grabbed a blanket and covered her with it before they both headed to the kitchen to start breakfast.

"Oh, by the way, Hitomi's got a caretaker stopping in."

"The one her dad arranged to check in on her. I was wondering if we'd meet them," Viole answered.

"Well we're meeting him today," Chesta said.

"What about her dad?"

"He's been working in England since a week after her mom and brother's funeral. His time there keeps being extended but I think he's come back in time to help with the plan."

"I still can't believe that back water King made Hitomi wait for 3 years and then gave up," Viole grumbled.

"She deserves better than that. No one is hurting her like that again," Chesta vowed.

"No one's hurting her period," Viole growled.

They heard a knock on the door and Chesta went to answer it whilst calling for the other. They all congregated in the kitchen, waiting for Chesta to come back with Hitomi's caretaker wondering what was taking them so long.

"It's good to see you all together again."

They looked at the door and stopped in shock, ignoring how unaffected Chesta was.

"Lord Folken!"

"I hear you boys are all taking care of Hitomi like she's your sister."

"But how…"

"I was reborn on Earth like the rest of you. I had Hitomi and Chesta keep quiet until now to keep you all from being distracted. But with only a week left, I'm here to keep you all organised for Hitomi's plan."

"Does Hitomi know you're doing this?" Viole asked.

"Dilandau probably has her in the void still so I'm sure he'll tell her," Folken answered, "Anyway, you're all aware of the plan?"

"It's Hitomi's grand entrance as Queen of Atorantisu and when we get Lord Dilandau back," Miguel stated.

"But how we're getting there is a mystery," Dallet added.

"Get comfortable then. I'm going to give you the outline now. We'll go into more detail when Hitomi wakes and we go to the club," Folken stated, "Chesta, you might want to have something ready for Hitomi once she's awake."

"I've got a question for you," Dilandau stated.

"Oh, what is it?"

"If Van decided he wants you instead of Celena after all, would you forgive him?"

"Never," she answered, "I'd never be able to trust it was true or trust him. Same as if he hurt anyone I care about."

"What would you do if you ended up deciding to stay on Gaea and had to form an alliance?"

"Keep him on short leash," she answered, "And send you to do regular visits so he doesn't forget it."

"By visit you mean burn a building or two?"

"Maybe," she answered with a coy smile.

"I'm looking forward to it already," Dilandau purred, "But for now I should send you back."

"We ran out of time already?" Hitomi asked.

"For now. Folken should be done by now."

"Folken?"

"No more secrets to keep," Dilandau said, "Tell my men to behave."

She was gone before she could say anything and waking up in her lounge to Viole & Folken watching her with smiles.

"So that's what he meant," she said with a smile.

So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

For anyone who's a Beyblade fan, I've uploaded my latest chapter for my new Beyblade Story, 4 Queens - another slow burner but I'm partial to long stories.

As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.

Next upload is: 18th June

See you next month xx