Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, nor the characters.

CHAPTER SIX

: Confusion :

Wisps of air whisked past Van Fanel; his eyes carving into Hitomi's back as she faced Dilandau with a confident expression. Dalet and Chesta had resumed to restraining him a few feet from the trio affront him, as he stared ahead with a blank expression. Blanched and agape he was appalled and felt disgust dwelling in the pit of his stomach.

" Hitomi…." Her name left his lips in a pained hiss as Dalet roughly jerked him back as he had subconsciously stepped forward. Her back stiffened slightly, but her features remained stern. Dilandau arched a black brow in amusement before a malicious, toothy grin perceived his visage as his eyes swerved to Van.

" How could you do this Hitomi!?" Van bellowed in a hoarse voice, tinged in anger, confusion and evident hurt that lurked in his maroon eyes. Shutting her eyes she tilted her head slightly to the side, giving the King of Fanelia an askew glance with her magnificent green eyes that pierced his soul.

" I'm sorry Van," She began, turning away from him as her shoulders tensed visibly, fists clenching near her sides.

" But it's for the best……."

" Hitomi! How can you be so blind! He's--"

Dilandau raised a gloved hand in the air, signaling Dalet and Chesta to obey his prior orders. Van permitted the two dragon slayers to pull him down the corridors, quiet and reluctant as the three dispersed. Van kept his head down, eyes opaque and distant as they became an ominous shade of maroon.

" Where are you taking him?!" Hitomi demanded, flushing. Dilandau glanced down at her, a maniacal smirk lifting his lips near the creases.

" Don't concern yourself with where their taking him," He began, an annoyed expression gracing his features. She swiftly retreated a few strides back as his right hand extended affront her. Clutching the pendent from her neck, he tugged it forward, causing the clasp holding it together, to snap and break. Overlapping his fingers over the necklace, pooling in his palm he looked back up to her.


" You won't be going anywhere for now,"

" Give that back!" She shouted before her face jerked to the side as the back of his hand smacked into her now swelling cheek.

" Keep your mouth shut," He hissed. " If you want to live that is,"

Biting her lower lip she inhaled sharply, struggling to restrain the tears as her eyes flooded with the clear liquid. She snatched her face away as his left hand began to caress her bruised cheek. Grasping her face in his colossus hand, her cheeks jutted up slightly as he squeezed her face with his fingers, digging into her skin.

" Be a good girl, and I won't hurt your precious Van," He reluctantly released her face. She looked away, trembling with fear and wonder as his eyes lowered to her lips in contemplation.

" Stay in your room until your needed," He sneered as his hand harshly wound around her wrist before he threw her smaller frame into the bedroom.

" If you hurt Van I'll--"

" You'll what?" He hissed after locking the door and turning his back to her.

" Kill me?!" He laughed maniacally as the words echoed throughout the corridors with sheer mockery.

" Don't get over your head. You can do nothing,"

Dalet tossed Van's sluggish body into the dungeon.

" Stay put," He ordered as he locked the gate firmly, overlooking the slumped figure, pressed restlessly against the wall. Frowning he placed the key in the small pouch, strapped to his waist. He had been looking forward to a better fight from the King of Fanelia. But he had willingly followed them down to the cells with no hesitation.

Suspicions quirked a dark brow as he looked into the cell. Chesta sauntered beside him, concealing the sympathetic expression staining his features as he walked behind Dalet.

" We shouldn't stay here long," He began in a soft, tender voice. Dalet turned his head slightly but his eyes remained transfixed on Van's limp body.

" We need to guard the fronts," He reminded. Grunting his acknowledgment, the trio headed up the stairs.

Opening his eyes slowly, Van scanned his surroundings. From what it appeared, he was in a dungeon.

Just great…..

" Hitomi, how could you?" He murmured silently, cradling his head in his hands as he bowed his head down. His bangs flung down onto his knees as he silently cursed. How could he let this happen? How could he let Hitomi do this?

" Damn it," He muttered, turning his head to the side.

Chesta mimicked the defiant slayers steps, retreating from the underground area. Dilandau strode toward them, dreariness drowning his features as vague wrinkles tinged near his slanted eyes.

" We've securely locked him in one of the cells, Dilandau, Sir," Chesta provided the information as Dilandau hovered above them with questioning eyes.

" I don't think he'll be trying to escape either," Dalet piped with a sideways grin.

" Excellent," Dilandau murmured in a low whisper, dismissing the two slayers with a mere wave of his right hand.

The true fun begins tonight, Fanel. And your pathetic wench will be there to watch.

Questions swarmed in his mind, as he sat solemnly in the cell.

How could she be so blind!? He's pulling her into one of his traps and she doesn't even know it!

Lifting his right arm, he gently placed his palm over the wound, scarring his left shoulder. At this rate, he'd bleed to death if he didn't aid the lesion soon. Eyes half lidded, he looked at his shredded shoulder, covered in thick warm blood that drizzled over old trails, hardened and darkened in color. Lowering his arm he ripped a piece of his shirt off, calculating the size to be enough to cover the wound.

Hissing through clenched teeth he bore with the ache as he moved his left arm up to allow himself to bandage it completely. Panting from the exertion his arm dropped to his side whilst his fingers of his right hand worked deftly on tying a knot.

Slumping his head back against the damp cell walls he silently listened to the droplets of water from a leak nearby.

" Do you think it wise not to watch over him, Dalet?" Chesta squirmed under the other slayers crude glare.

" He won't be escaping. Not knowing that that Kazanki girl is here," He grumbled. They were currently guarding the fronts, warily awaiting any sign of Fanel's troops. They would realize soon, if not yet, that their King had been gone for two days. Surely it would occur to them the possibilities that his belated arrival meant he was in enemies' hands.

I need a good fight…….it's been awhile.

Night began to fall as the orange sky took a drastic change, ominous clouds looming over Dilandau's castle as a light rain began to beset the slayers on guard outside.

Chesta moved under a canopy attached to the castle, keeping himself from getting wet. Dalet did as well while looking up at the slayers, climbing down the ladders from their spots in the watch guard towers.

" Fools! Stay put!"

" Dalet," A stern voice appeared as did the speaker. " I don't believe they'll be coming for Fanel anytime soon," Dilandau stated, moving from the entrance to under the canopy.

" But he's their King. Why wouldn't they come Dilandau, Sir?"

He unconsciously played with the pendant, moving in his clenched palm.

" Simple. They have no idea the Kazanki girl is on our side,"

" Why would that change their advances, Sir?"

" Don't ask stupid questions and retreat inside before you sleep here all night in the rain!" he screeched.

The two slayers quickly shuffled inside, as did the other guards and soldiers, crowded around near the entrance. Spreading his fingers back, the elastic of the leather glove stretched back as he parted his fingers and looked at the necklace.

" Even if they come, they won't bother fighting their precious Hitomi," he chuckled before jerking his head to the side to the sound of shuffling in bushes. Unsheathing his sword he stealthy neared the location the noise was coming from.

As the movement grew he shuffled around, advancing toward the figure with silent steps. Whomever it was obviously was looking for him as they slightly crouched higher and scanned the fronts. Hovering above them he waited for them to see his shadow. The armed man turned slowly, giving Dilandau an askew glance before he sputtered and stumbled around against the bushes.

" Well, well. Look what we have here….." He beset the man as though a lion, studying its prey as he walked around him partially in a circle.

" S-stay back!" He scrambled to his feet, but tripped on Dilandau's extended leg that had only appeared a moments before he had begun to rise.

" One of Fanel's men, hm," Dilandau lifted his sword, after removing it from its sheath on his hip, tucking it under the necklace, looped around the man's neck.

The symbol on his necklace was unmistakable. Definitely a soldier of Fanel's.

Probably sent by that blonde pretty boy buffoon…..

Sneering he jerked his sword back before lifting it up to the man's face, brushing the tip of his nose with his blade.

" Get-out," He grounded, glaring intently at the soldier. As the man scattered away, he pondered one thing.

Why.

Why had he let him go.

This wasn't like him. No. Definitely. He would've for sure have killed him. It was always blissful and fun to kill such innocent weaklings. Especially if they were on Fanel's side.

" Stupid fool," He mumbled, shoving his sword angrily in its sheath. He supposed he'd have to get his fun elsewhere.

Grinning maliciously, the creases of his lips twitched with utter excitement. If one soldier was already sent to see if their King was here, then a whole army would be here by dawn. A few eerie chuckles flooded from his lips with sheer joy.

Oh, how he couldn't wait.

Hitomi glared up at the ceiling. Dilandau had tricked her! Pawing at her forehead, she made a furious sound as she ruffled her bangs. How could she have been so stupid! Van had warned her! And she merely looked away.

Stupid, stupid, stupid……..

She chanted. All thought and worry vanished as the door to her room was unlocked, followed by the steering of the door.

Fear etched itself across her features as Dilandau entered with a grin. Throwing his sword aimlessly on a chair beside the door he slammed it shut with the back of his heel.

" I want you to let Van go! You promised me you wouldn't hurt him!" Her face was flushed, showing her level of anger.

Irritation drowned the excitement on his visage. Of course. The little twit had to ruin the moment with her damn annoying voice.

" Did I?" He rubbed his chin in contemplation before walking beside her, leaning over her. She fell back, intent on keeping a good distance between them.

" You did!"

He snarled. " I still need my bait. Without Fanel, no fun will come of this game,"

" G-game!? All this!" She threw her arms out. " All this was for some stupid game!?"

" Keep your mouth shut or you'll end up in that dungeon with him!" He leered.

With Van….

The thought for a split second was almost tempting, but she immediately withdrew it. She had to remain outside, in the castle with Dilandau. If she ended up in a cell like Van she'd never be able to help him.

" I-I'm sorry," She mumbled. Hopefully her plan would work, and Dilandau would fall for it enough to leave her alone. He looked agape for a moment before backing away, displeased she hadn't given a fight.

Odd……indeed.

" Don't mock me you pathetic scum!" He ranted in a rather screechy voice. She noted suddenly that he was drenched. Hair plastered firmly to the contours of his face, while his clothing clung to his body.

" It's not good to stay in wet clothes long," She mumbled absently, completely forgetting who she talking to.

" You might catch a cold,"

" I don't have time for your motherly talk, wench," He spat. The fact that she had showed some significance of worry for him confused him.

She abhorred him. So why would she even bring up---

" There are some towels in the bathroom if you need to dry up," She reminded in a soft, meek tone. She was aware now that she was bluffing him with her faint smile and worry.

If she kept this up long enough he might release V---

" I know where they are!"

He felt like killing someone! He didn't get why she was talking to him like she cared!

Damn annoying brat!

" I'll go get you some," She climbed off the bed and prepared to head toward the bathroom before she was pulled against him rather harshly, his hand twisted under the collar of her gown.

" Don't- play- games -with -me," Each word came out alone, making his anger toward her sudden change in attitude known.

" I-I wasn't," She assured with large green eyes. " I was only--" Hesitation slightly evident she looked to the side.

" Worried,"

Please let this work!

" Do you think that by getting on my good side I'll let him go?" He breathed against her ear as he leaned close, letting the smell of rain that beset him, stifle her nostrils.

His body was close to hers, barely brushing, as he stood above her with his taller height, making her feel all the more vulnerable.

" I was being…..honest," She lied solemnly. His hand that was once bundled under her collar retreated to her shoulder, pulling her firm against him as he glared down at her. Lifting his left hand, he caressed the side of her lip with his thumb.

Numb with shock, confusion and fear, she remained still.

She blanched with a gasp as his lips roughly smeared themselves across hers. Restraining her with his other hand, balanced on her shoulder blade he continued to ravish her swelling mouth.

Everything about this girl was truly intoxicating. He didn't know why but he found himself unable to control his want to taste her lips again. She had tasted so sweet.

A sly grin lifted his lips, still planted against the honey haired girls.

He wondered what Fanel would do if he found out he had touched her again. She struggled and writhed till finally she broke free from his grasp.

Lips flushed and swollen, face pink and eyes large and vibrant, she stared at him.

" Hnn," He smirked widely, nearing her as she had backed away.

" Now what would little Fanel do if he found out I touched you, hm?"

A psychotic expression gifted his face. His fingers fiddled with the tips of her hair.

" What did Van ever do to you?"

He was caught by surprise by her question as his fingers stopped their movements.

" To deserve all this," She spread her arms out subconsciously. Turning his head to the side he backed away a few strides.

" Learn your place and stop asking questions!" Teeth bared he growled.

" Then tell me why! I just want to know why you hate him so much!" She demanded.

The door burst open, Chesta heaving softly with flushed cheeks. " We've spotted some troops near the front, Sir. We believe its Fanel's men,"

" Damn,"

" Dalet says one had long blonde hair, and was accompanied by at least a dozen others,"

" Hnn, well they want their King back, so be it,"

Shoving past Chesta, Dilandau stormed from the room, leaving Hitomi and Chesta to look at each other with a similar expression.

Fear.

A/N: Yes you may kill me for leaving it there. Lol. I know! I'm evil! But I had to update, everyone was getting so anticipated for the next chapter. I've been so busy, I haven't had time, so sorry for the long wait to all you readers. I'll try and update more quickly next time. And can you believe I never did the disclaimer!! O.o

Why didn't you guys tell me!? P: it's all your fault! Lol. Well you know the drill!

READ AND REVIEW. MAKE IT A RITUAL!! P: