Four Years Chapter 10, an escaflowne fanfic

A.N. So, we are all on the mend here and all is well but I was still behind on my writing/editing schedule, so, once more I'll have to ask you all be kind and inform me of any glaring mistakes I may have missed this week. I hope there are none, but I know I will miss something. Murphy's Law and all.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vision of Escaflowne, nor any of the characters therein, this is purely fan made.

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted."

-John Lennon

Chapter 10: Wasted Time

25 September, 1996

Gaia

Hitomi wiped the sweat from her brow and let out a breath as she set down the stack of wooden planks she and Merle had helped carry to the construction site. They had been in Fanelia for five days already, and in an attempt to be useful, and in a way, ingratiate herself to the people that she may one day return to be queen of, as well as try to understand the people and how things worked in Fanelia, she was determined to be involved in the rebuild.

"How are you feeling?" Merle asked genuine concern in her tone.

"I'm fine."

Merle's eyes narrowed as she examined her carefully. "You aren't pushing yourself are you?"

"What? No, I'm fine really—"

"I don't want to be blamed if you fall over."

"I'm fine!" Hitomi snapped, rolling her eyes. "That was one time—"

"Yeah and that was enough of a problem. Lord Van was beside himself, and it was terribly embarrassing for Millerna to explain what had happened and why he shouldn't worry…"

Hitomi's cheeks flushed at the reminder of what had happened just before they had left Pallas for Fanelia. Her period had started, and while she had gotten used to the cloth products they used here, she was still nervous and anxious about it leaking. In an attempt to keep her mind off of it, she had kept herself busy and had forgotten to eat. Mild anemia had always been a problem on her cycle and her lack of food hadn't helped matters. She had fainted, embarrassingly enough, and when she'd come to, the way Van had refused to meet her eyes and flushed every time he did had made her feel so much more awkward then having sex ever could.

Poor Van… I don't think he even knew before…

It seemed that the woman's monthly cycle was rather kept secret from the men of Gaea. It was all a little archaic but considering how much she didn't want to talk about it, she could understand how it had gotten that way. Van, having lost his mother at a young age had likely known even less especially seeing as the only woman close to him was Merle, who was two years younger than him and wasn't likely to talk of such things either. Of course, that didn't make her feel any less bad for Van's sudden induction into the ways of the world.

Is that why he's been avoiding me?

It wasn't like he was actually avoiding her. They still ate meals together and at night they had been sharing a sleeping space when they could, though it had been little more than that since her period had started. Not that should would have wanted to do anything during it she was still a little worried that he seemed hesitant to even hold her while they slept side by side. It was mildly insulting and upsetting and she was feeling more insecure than normal.

It had finally ended and her spotting had stopped as of yesterday, and she was actually a little eager to have some more intimacy if he was willing, but she was now worried that maybe he didn't. Had learning of her period scared him off? Grossed his out?

This is totally unfair! How can this world not have sex education?!

"Hitomi?"

"!" She jumped and then laughed a little awkwardly at Merle's look. "Sorry, my mind was… elsewhere."

"Uh-huh. Well, come on. We should go get the lunch from the kitchen and distribute it."

"Aren't their more planks to be brought down?"

"The men can handle that." Merle waved her hand dismissively. "Gaddas had only asked us to bring that load down because it was the last required for this building, remember."

"Right." She did remember that, she just liked being useful and while bringing food and water was helping, it didn't feel like enough. Everyone, Allen, Gaddas and the crew along with the men from Fanelia who had returned and several of those from Arzas and a traveling caravan were assisting with the rebuild. Van was busy with manual labor and was also often stuck talking about the trade routes, supplies, harvests and other such things that Hitomi understood but couldn't offer any useful advice on. It felt like meager action to do what she had been doing, when she was physically capable of doing more.

It highlighted how much she didn't know about this world and she was a little desperate to learn and feel as connected as she could. She wanted to return in four years. If she was going to do that she would have to find her footing now.

"I don't know what you are rushing for. There will still be plenty to do you know." Merle continued as she walked back up to the ruins of the old castle. They had made a temporary kitchen of sorts where their supplies and rations were stored and several temporary shelters had been made. They were working on a few rooms of the castle that could be salvaged. It was lucky that the walls and most of the roof were mostly made of stone and tiles which had survived the burning. Most of what needed to be done there consisted of cleaning and relatively minor repairs. Doors, fabrics and such were being placed and Dryden was apparently kind enough to send replacement items such as bed frames, blankets and cutlery. Hitomi could only assume it was on some sort of credit, but she had no real knowledge of how that would work.

There were a handful of rooms, including Van's inside the castle that were useable, and despite Van arguing at first, he had given in and started using it instead of the tents that were being used. She had the feeling he'd done so for her sake more than anything else which only added to her feeling of inadequacy. That and Dryden's comment about a king needing to be part of the people and still apart from them, she mollified herself by saying it had been Dryden's words more than anything else that had swayed him. Dryden was a good ruler, and Van had indeed listened to him more than anyone expected.

… had been, a good King. I still can't believe he left…

Hitomi felt saddened by the fact that after the war had concluded and they were planning to depart, Dryden had released Millerna from their marriage vows and abdicated leaving practically on the same day as they had. It had come as such a shock, Hitomi was still reeling from it. He'd been such a capable and good ruler. It seemed ridiculous that he would just leave like that.

But how could he stay when her heart is still confused?

Hitomi sighed, understanding only now just how devastating one's own indecision could be to another trapped in their strings. On one hand, it felt like the world had become a little unstable seeing as the leader who had first joined with Van was no longer officially King, but as he had returned to being a merchant, he had promised to make a few deliveries personally, which she supposed was a good thing. On the other hand, she felt reassured that Dryden would not remain in a loveless marriage and force the same onto Millerna simply for political aspirations. Besides, should they chose to renew their vows they could return to how it was. For now, this was just another issue that she could not change nor did she know enough about it to give any advice.

Perhaps we could talk more about those theories of his when he returns next.

"Hitomi!"

"Ah!" She jumped as Merle was suddenly in her face. "What are you doing?!"

"I should be asking you!" Merle rolled her eyes and crossed her arms letting out a sigh. "Is everything alright? You've been really distracted lately." For being only thirteen, Merle could be surprisingly sharp.

"…" She opened her mouth to lie but found she didn't want to, and Hitomi deflated with a large exhale. "Is it that obvious?"

"Lord Van has noticed."

"… are you saying Van is oblivious most of the time?" Her surprise must have shown on her face as Merle rubbed at her ear in a way that showed she was uncomfortable.

"When it comes to anything not involving battle or the ruling of Fanelia… yeah. He can be really oblivious."

Hitomi's smile, which started due to the unexpected insult Merle had given him, faded as she remembered the crush Merle had nurtured for god knew how long, that Van had never acknowledged. It made her feel a little guilty. "… I'm sor—"

"So, what's bothering you? Or are you going to throw your bag at me again?"

Hitomi winced at the memory, and the direct cut off of her apology. Merle clearly didn't want to hear it, or talk about it. She took the hint and stopped trying to apologize.

"It's nothing really big, I just can't help but think that… well, for all the time I've been here, I don't… know anything."

"What are you talking about?"

"… I don't know what agriculture Fanelia grew. I don't know what kind of barter system is in place or if the same monetary system is in place here as it is in Asturia or Freid." Hitomi shrugged. "For having come through a war and being dragged across this world, I'm not even certain how the treaties work, or even what was done to Basram and Zaibach for their hand in damages."

"… woah. I didn't know you could think so clearly."

"Merle…" Hitomi grumbled at the cat-girl's attempt to lighten the mood. "I'm being serious here."

"Well, why does it matter?" Merle asked, tilting her head. "You are heading home anyway. What's the use in learning this now?"

"…" Hitomi wasn't sure how to address this. She wasn't sure how Merle felt about Van now, didn't know if she was aware of what she and Van were up to. She'd been jealous before and Hitomi didn't want to hurt Merle by revealing too much.

Perhaps she was selfish, but she was rather hoping Van would tell Merle about them so She didn't have too. Merle would need to know, moreover she had a right to know, but this was just not something Hitomi wanted to deal with

On top of that, she wasn't wrong. Hitomi was still planning to leave and despite what had been said the morning after Van and she had made love, there was nothing concrete. "It… just feels wrong to leave here as clueless as when I arrived."

It was a lame excuse, but it was all she could come up with.

"… is this because of what Dryden said before we came home?"

"?"

"You know… about how you could be connected to Gaea?"

Hitomi's eyes widened. She had not thought of that, but it was a good excuse. "… well, I can't ignore the facts. When Van appeared on the Mystic Moon… my friends couldn't understand him, but I had no problems."

"Dryden said it could have been the pendant—"

Hitomi shook her head. "I wasn't wearing it when Van arrived. Amano—my friend—was holding it. Besides, there have been plenty of times in which I handed it to Van and I still was able to understand everyone."

"Yeah… you handed it to Dryden then too." Merle put a hand to her chin. "You could also read that crazy tablet at the temple. None of us could. Maybe you're just weird."

Hitomi rolled her eyes. They had made it back to the make-shift kitchen and were picking up the meals to carry back down. Their conversation was halted until they were making their descent once more.

"Weird, though I may be, if there is a chance I'm connected to Atlantis somehow… it seems wrong to leave without knowing anything."

"Hmmm. I guess." Merle sounded unconcerned and Hitomi assumed that was it. They passed out the food in silence, with the occasional casual conversation with the workers. Merle dragged her to another place after the food had been distributed, loading her down with a large box filled with blankets and even more food items.

While a little disgruntled, Hitomi was a little relieved to be kept busy from her own thoughts and concerns, and felt even more so when they arrived at one of the mostly reconstructed buildings near the center of the town. It was a large building, rather nondescript aside from the numerous children running around.

Orphanage.

Hitomi stilled as Merle greeted the children and argued with them when they danced around pulling at her tail. The girl eventually dropped her own box to tear after the children leaving Hitomi standing there wondering what to do. A deep chuckle drew her attention to the doorway where a beast woman stood wiping her hands off on an apron. Her fur was mottled and dark and her eyes were a deep burnt honey color. The hair that hung in thick waves about her face was shot through with silver showing her age.

"That girl… where does she get the energy."

Hitomi smiled, and eventually followed the woman into the building to unpack the supplies she had brought. She might not have gotten anywhere speaking with Merle, but she could still speak with others from Fanelia.

"It does seem never ending." Hitomi smiled. "I'm Hitomi. It's nice to meet you..?" She trailed off hoping for a name.

"Shana." The beast woman responded with a firm hand shake and a smile. "And I am well aware of who you are."

"Oh?"

Shana's smile was warm and rather maternal. "The seer from the Mystic Moon who aided our King in this war. There is not one of us who does not know you."

Hitomi flushed uncertain of how to respond to that. Thankfully, Shana changed the subject.

"You can help set up the bedding and the meal." She had said without any hesitation, and Hitomi could think of no reason to refuse. She had been hoping for more work after all, and this kind of thing was both something she could accomplish as well as be a part of Fanelia. She didn't have to ask if the children were a result from the war, either separated from their families or all that had survived, it was a given. While it was sad to think about, she was also happy to know that the first building completed was for these children; the future of Fanelia.

"Do you care for them by yourself, Shana?"

"Oh, certainly not!" Shana laughed. "I am currently watching over them until things are put to rights. After things are back in order, the rotation will begin again."

"Oh… the rotation… uhm, what is..?" Hitomi felt stupid asking but she had no idea what any of that could mean.

"The children are under the protection of the Royal family. The entirety of Fanelia is expected to aid in this. Children without parents are raised here and taught what they need to know to make their way in the world. Each citizen takes part in their protection, education and care. It has always been this way… I suspect after this war, it will be even more evident on why such a thing is expected and necessary." Shana nodded her head to herself. "Lord Van has taken much effort to ensure this place was constructed and the children seen to first. It is only right that we all follow his initiative."

Hitomi was amazed at such a decent law and dictate. She knew that even back on Earth, orphans couldn't expect so much inclusion and consideration. She hadn't known any of this, and certainly didn't know that Van had been taking care of all of this on his own.

Van.

She felt a warm pride fill her at how great a man Van was. He had been an obnoxious boy when she had first met him; wild, unpredictable and more than a little arrogant. Over time she'd been forced to acknowledge that he was kind, sensitive and loyal. Now, she was seeing just how much she had missed. Van was a King; and a good one at that.

Looking over at Merle as she ran with the children, she wondered if this was how Van and Merle had met. Had she been a resident here at one time? Was that how she had come to be best friend's with the prince? If all the orphans were considered as wards of the royal family that would make sense.

"You seem surprised."

"Er… yes."

"Are things so different on the Mystic Moon?"

"…" Hitomi didn't know how to answer that. She honestly didn't know enough about how orphanages worked in her own world.

I… don't know much of anything do I?

Silence stretched for a while, but Shana seemed to understand that Hitomi wasn't going to answer and so she again changed the subject. Shana showed her where items were stored, the kitchen and the rest of the orphanage. She explained how it ran and how it was supplied. It was all very informative and Hitomi was greatful for the information. It wasn't until they walked back outside to call the children in for their meal that the conversation again became a little awkward.

"Rumor says our King owes you his life."

"… I'd say by this point, we each owe the other for that." Hitomi said uncomfortably, "He owes me nothing."

"Perhaps, but as a citizen of Fanelia, I believe I do owe you."

"…" Hitomi shook her head in the negative. "I didn't… I was just… I was trying to survive. That's all…"

"Hmm." Shana made an expression that said she didn't quite believe her. " Still, you are here now. Thank you for your help."

Hitomi bit her lip. She didn't know what to say. The words thank you felt wrong somehow, but denying the thanks seemed rude. Shana seemed to not need a response as she called out to the children and soon the kids were being round up and trickling inside the building.

"Hitomi." The voice that came from directly behind her was startling and unexpected and made her jump. She spun around to face the speaker, her heart fluttering in nervous excitement.

"Van!"

He stood casually behind her, hand on his hip. He looked weary and had some dirt smeared across his arms and face. He'd been putting some time into the manual labor himself, on top of all the paperwork and whatever else he was expected to do each day. She smiled as he approached and stood rather close, going so far as to place a hand upon her shoulder. The contact made her shiver pleasantly, warmth creeping through her chest.

"Lord Van." Shana said with a bow that Van quickly dismissed. "Lady Hitomi was helping me set up for the children."

"I was curious where you had gotten to." Van said to her, his nearness enough for her to feel the puff of his breath as he spoke.

"Merle brought me here for…" Hitomi trailed off, uncertain why she had been dragged here. She looked away to where she had last seen the teen, and was surprised to be caught in her gaze. Merle was surrounded by the kids, still laughing and playing even as they made their way indoors, but her expression was heavy with implication. Slowly Merle gave her a smile and a nod.

… did… did she bring me here… so I could learn a little bit about Fanelia?

Hitomi swallowed hard, touched by the sincerity and thoughtfulness in the action, especially since it came from Merle.

"Hitomi?"

"… I asked Merle to teach me about Fanelia."

Van frowned, confused though Shana's face lit up and she nodded sagely.

"Ah, then she brought you to the heart of Fanelia to start. Smart kid."

Hitomi nodded in agreement. "Yes. What better way to learn then from the people themselves."

Van was staring at her, his expression unreadable, but his grip on her shoulder had tightened and his hand had moved in a caressing hold that felt possessive to her, and she was surprised to find she liked it. She looked away, unable to hold that intense stare, her cheeks flaming.

Shana drew away the attention by speaking with Van about the children and listening in Hitomi was able to learn just a little more about the place Van called home. He kept close to her side the entire time, his fingers brushing her shoulders, arm, hand, any place that wouldn't be considered odd and she felt heat pool in her stomach pleasantly.

It wasn't much, but she felt that she had somehow made progress today. It might be a small step, but she had learned something integral to this place, and it seemed Van was over his irrational fear or whatever it was.

Too soon Van was called away and Merle and she were heading back to their own jobs. Before she could feel the loss however, Van leaned close, all but speaking directly into her ear, his breath causing shivers over her skin.

"Tonight…" It trailed off awkwardly but Van somehow managed to get the message across and despite his flushed cheeks he seemed so serious as he awaited her responding nod. Hitomi couldn't help smiling and flushing at the implied promise, nor could she stop the delighted smile that graced her features the rest of the day.

Sixteenth Day of the Ninth Month

7 year of Carusfatum

Gaea

The Mystic Moon hung heavy in the sky in the early morning hours. Soon it would set as the sun rose in the sky, but for now, it was clearly visible and Van found himself staring at it as though the woman he desperately sought could be seen on its surface if he just looked long enough. He could feel a near constant thrum from the link he shared with Hitomi; feelings of thankfulness, tenderness, and regret pulsed along his nerves and eased some of the tension and anger he'd been feeling for days now.

After putting Anil to bed he'd finally stopped hiding and had sat back and opened himself to Hitomi. At first there had been no change in the onslaught of feelings from her. She had been pushing trust and hope his way for so long now, and yet, he started to feel her anxiousness as his emotions were made known, and then he'd felt her shock before the flood of sorrow, regret and thankful tenderness had nearly drowned him. If he had to assign words to the feelings, he would guess she was apologizing and had understood what he was sending her.

It wasn't really a response, he still had no answers, however, he was mollified that she seemed to accept his anger and knew it meant he had found Anil. Her fear and sorrow had nearly dissipated completely after reaching out. He felt a little guilty for taking so long to do so now, feeling the relief he'd given her mind by simply reaching out.

Van let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair, leaning his head back to stare at the Mystic Moon. They needed to talk, and things were far from resolved. He still was making plans without her consent, she still needed to explain her actions, but he felt now, that they could work this out. He felt that there was a future now, for them. It might not be perfect or even what they wanted or expected, but there was a clear path forward now.

His heart felt lighter than it had in a long while; still burdened and sore, but he had hope.

How much of this could have been avoided if we…

Van closed his eyes and stopped that thought. They had both made mistakes. She had been secretive, he hadn't pushed, he missed the deadline, she failed to mention he had a son...

He reached for the emotional connection inside of himself, the one that he knew was Hitomi and felt the flow of her unguarded, unrestrained feelings. There were ephemeral and flickered in and out like fireflies. Little embers of light that danced and morphed almost constantly. It was reassuring to know she was making an effort now to be completely honest, though it was equally goading to know how much she'd held back before.

… Hitomi.

His mouth relaxed a bit, his tension easing as slowly, the light of dawn colored the sky in pastel bands. It was time to move forward now. There was no turning back. Anil was here, and Van was not going to miss this opportunity. If things worked out then he stood the chance of acquiring all of his dreams. All it would cost him was trust, forgiveness and a little bit of faith.

He waited a moment longer, wrapped in the feeling of Hitomi and their link before letting it slip from his grasp and standing with a stretch. Today, he was taking Anil into the garden and up into the woods of the mountain to learn to fly properly. Spreading his own wings in the early morning hours had been a cathartic exercise growing up and had enabled him to properly use them when needed. He was uncertain if Anil knew how to do much more than glide for short distances, and he was determined to correct that.

Carefully he made his way back into his room, and out into the hall. It was a short and quick trek to the room Anil was currently using as his own. Van wondered if he should simply set it up as Anil's official room or move him to the room that had been built to be the eventual nursery. The nursery was placed between his office and his bedroom with a door that lead between his room and the nursery so he would not need to move to the hallway to get there.

Van knew next to nothing about this kind of thing, this design had been made by those recommended by Dryden for the build. Millerna, upon her visit to Fanelia to trap Dryden, had been surprised by this layout but had not explained it to him. It was, ultimately unimportant, and now he simply didn't know which room Anil would prefer.

I'll ask him when we eat breakfast.

While he knew flying on an empty stomach was tiring, it was safest to practice before the sun was too high. He'd always practiced before breakfast, and he was certain Anil would be too excited to care much.

He pushed open his son's door and saw the little boy completely twisted around, with his feet upon his pillow and his head nearly buried under the blankets. It was both impressive and confounding. With a small smile and shake of the head, Van stepped over to the lump of blankets and gave a gentle shake.

"Anil."

"…mph…" Anil's face scrunched in displeasure and he rolled to hide in the blankets. There was a muffled sound of complaint but Van couldn't understand the words at all. A short, quite laugh escaped him and he reached out again, this time pulling the blankets from the child despite the whine and meager struggles to hold onto the warmth.

"… Mommy, I'm tired…"

Van paused, a slight pang of guilt eating at him at the words, but he pushed it away. He was doing all he could to reunite them, he could honestly admit that now. Dropping the blankets just out of the reach of the questing hand, Van set a hand on Anil's back and leaned close to talk to him.

"Anil, wake up. I have a surprise for you."

A pouting face turned his way, and eyes slowly opened and blinked at him in confusion for a while. "Daddy?"

"Un." The sound was enough to make Anil's eyes widen and he sat up rubbing his eyes.

"Daddy?" He looked around a moment, and having likely noticed the dim glow of the early morning, he turned to Van with his head tilted to one side, clearly confused. Swiftly though, the confusion was replaced with a large, excited grin. "Daddy! You came to get me first!"

Van was trying to quiet his voice but was quickly busy with catching his son as the child bodily threw himself into his arms.

If I knew it'd make him this happy, I'd have gotten him up each morning.

Van smiled and hugged the tiny boy, making a mental note that even after Anil had learned to fly properly, he'd continue to wake him in the mornings. It would be good for the both of them.

"Good morning, Anil."

"Why are we whispering?" Anil asked, in a whisper himself.

"It's very early and I don't want to wake anyone." He punctuated this by setting Anil on his feet and gathering the clothes that were folded upon the trunk at the foot of the bed. "We need to hurry."

"Hurry? Why?" Even as he questioned, Anil was throwing off his sleep shirt and struggling to pull his pants on.

"We can only go flying while everyone is asleep."

"…" Anil froze and looked at him, eyes large and with what Van thought was excitement dawning on his face.

"Anil?"

"… you… you'll teach me?" The voice was fragile and even Van could figure out just how important this was to him. He gave Anil a smile that was tinged with regret that he had been absent for so long, and tugged Anil's shirt over his head, ruffling his hair as he leaned close enough to stare right into his son's eyes.

"Of course."

Anil's smile was bright enough to light the night sky as he excitedly wiggled, suddenly a flurry of activity, trying to locate his boots. "Hurry! Hurry Daddy!"

"Shhh. Anil, if we wake people we can't practice."

Small hands slapped over his own mouth and he looked contritely at Van. Another quiet laugh escaped as he finished putting boots on his excited child. Once ready, he paused. He had intended to take Anil out through the castle, but looking at Anil's excitement, he wondered if it wouldn't be better to fly him from the window instead. He hadn't done anything like that in a long time—not including Merle's shove from the roof several days ago—it was a little reckless, but most already knew of his Draconian heritage and not many would be up at this time. Those that were would be busy in the shops and fields.

"Daddy?"

Van pulled his shirt from himself and swiftly lifted Anil into his arms. "Hold on."

Anil's grin couldn't get any bigger as Van used one arm to secure Anil to him and the other to brace himself at the window. Stepping out, balancing on the ledge Van felt himself grinning in excitement as he jumped from the window.

Anil let out a squeak as they free fell for half a second before Van's wings erupted from his back in a plume of white feathers. It was easy to navigate into a glide and then with little effort, Van pushed them up into the sky, well above the castle.

"Whoa!" Anil cried out, gripping him and laughing. Feeling free and lighter than he had in years, Van did a few silly acrobatics just to hear Anil laugh and demand he do it again. Laughing aloud himself, he did so, slowly making their way to the glade he remembered learning to fly in as a child.

There was a pulse of some emotion that was not his own; a feeling of happiness and curiosity. Hitomi could feel his excitement and joy it would seem. Van smiled and pushed more of his feelings her way, simply because he felt so happy before focusing solely on Anil.

A few more loops and Van landed effortlessly in the knee-high grasses, gently setting Anil down.

"That was awesome! Let's do it again!" Anil was jumping up and down.

"Maybe tomorrow." Van said, laying his shirt on the ground and reaching for Anil's shirt.

"Awwww…" Anil pouted, but obediently lifted his arms as Van removed his shirt. "That's going to take forever…(1)"

"Wouldn't you rather learn to do it yourself?"

"…" Anil seemed to think of this before vigorously nodding his head, arms tucked close to his chest, hands fisted.

Van nodded and turned to begin the lesson. "Alright, bring out your wings."

Anil nodded and hunched a little forward in a way Van recalled having to do when he had been small to keep from falling over as his weight was displaced due to his wings and the force in which they came out. His lips quirked and he was mildly surprised to find himself nervous.

He had stopped Anil before from showing his wings, but he was actually quite desperate to see them. He had no doubt that Anil was his child, but this would be a confirmation that was undeniable to all, and he had missed sharing this with those who shared this trait.

Anil sucked in a breath, likely to steady himself but before his wings were freed, he flinched and spun to look behind him as though expecting someone to suddenly stop him. Van could guess who that would be.

"Anil?"

"Huh?" Anil turned back with a wary expression.

"What are you doing?"

Anil turned back to look behind him and then behind Van; searching. "…Mom usually gets me good when I disobey her." Anil turned a full circuit.

Van was amused and reached out to set his hand upon Anil's head. "It's okay. No one will see us. I'll explain it to Hitomi when we get her."

Anil didn't seem convinced.

"She can't see us right now."

"Like that's ever stopped her…"

Van couldn't help the snort at that and shook his head. "I'll take the blame, promise."

Anil squinted his eyes but nodded his head holding out his pinky. "Pinky-swear."

Not entirely certain what this was, Van played along, linking his pinky with his son's. Appeased, Anil took the stance once more, closed his eyes and released his wings.

They looked large on his small frame, easily twice his height in length when combined. They were white and a little softer looking than his own, likely because of the extra down feathers. Van smiled and nodded his approval when Anil carefully looked up at him.

"Excellent." His praise made Anil straighten and beam.

"What do I do now?"

Filled with a pride he couldn't contain, Van began to recall and recite the lessons his brother and Mother had given him so many years before. It felt almost like a cleansing, remembering those warm and tender memories he had all but buried under the years of loss and hurt. He'd felt this way before, but it had never been quite as clear as it was in this moment, just how much his son had saved him; how desperately he needed this tiny child in his life.

Thank you… Anil.

"What do you mean, drop me?!" Anil squeaked as Van explained how he wanted to test the strength of his wings.

"I will catch you." He swore. "Do you trust me?"

Without hesitation or pause, Anil met his eyes and stated with conviction. "Yes."

He had never felt so pleased to bear the weight of someone's expectations and trust and he had never before felt the conviction he had to never give them a reason to doubt him. With a nod he lifted Anil back up into the sky and with a slow count gently threw him into the air, flying beneath Anil swiftly in case he couldn't hold himself aloft.

Anil, though clumsy, was indeed strong enough to glide. A few more tosses and Anil seemed to gain confidence in himself. Van was certain, Anil would master flying with little complication, and couldn't contain his smile.

"Can we do this tomorrow too?" Anil asked, a little winded from all the time spent gliding, falling and flapping his wings vigorously. He was tired, and his stomach was growling, but he was so happy he hardly cared.

"Of course." His father smiled at him, placing first his own shirt over his head blinding him momentarily with the fabric, before putting his larger one on himself.

"… aren't we flying back?"

Van shook his head. "The sun has already risen too high. Too many people could see us."

"Oh…" He looked down. So, it still wasn't safe to show them here. He knew that, of course, he'd just really hoped he'd been wrong.

"Anil." His father's hand on his shoulder drew his eyes back up. "Our wings are special. While many here won't care, not all people are good or understand."

Anil nodded sullenly. "I know. Mommy said so."

Van nodded his head. "There will be times when you need to use them. And times when it will be okay, but we can't be too reckless with them either."

"How… how will I know when it's okay?"

Van's smile was warm and reassuring. "That's what I am to teach you."

Anil grinned. "Okay."

Van offered his hand and Anil grabbed it eagerly as they began a slow walk back toward the castle. The birds were chirping, and the sun was warm and Anil was so happy he couldn't stop skipping beside his father. This was better than he had expected.

"So, you will wake me every morning to take me flying?"

Van nodded and Anil grinned swinging their linked arms back and forth. "I like you being my teacher!"

"Hm. Speaking of that… Anil, I will be assigning you a teacher or two."

"Huh? Why?!" Anil stopped, forcing his father to halt as well.

"… because there is a lot you need to learn."

"I want to learn it from you." He pouted.

"I am pleased to hear that, and I will do my best to teach you all I can." His father said, kneeling before him so they were eye level. "But I have a lot of work to attend to, and even I don't know everything."

"… I don't like teachers…" Anil looked down at his feet.

"Why?"

"…." Anil bit his lower lip. He didn't want to admit how much he was bullied.

Van sighed. "Anil, I can't read minds."

"…"

Van stood back up and Anil gripped his hand tightly and then moved to hug him, hiding his face and his anxious tears. His father was kind, and returned the hold, eventually lifting him up and letting him hide in his shoulder as he continued the walk back. It was quiet for a long time before his father spoke up again.

"I will hand-pick your teachers."

That won't make a difference… grown-ups lie… they will lie about me…

"Anil. I will always believe you first." He said heavily. "… so you mustn't abuse that. If you are being mistreated, I will find a new tutor."

Anil lifted his head to look at his father, a small kernel of hope filling his chest. His mother had tried to do just that, he'd changed schools so often, but there was a limit to what she could do. Could his father do more?

He is the King. And he doesn't have to be limited to a single area of people…

"… why do I need to have classes?"

"A prince has a lot he needs to know." Van looked at him from the corner of his eye and Anil felt the weight of the words and gaze. "How can I let you become King without all the knowledge and tools you will need to succeed."

King? Me?

Anil felt his chest grow tight with emotion. He knew his father loved him, knew he was wanted, but he still had that fear; that doubt that he wasn't good enough. His father was telling him, in this moment that he was. That he was in control of whether or not he would be worthy of being his son; of being king one day. All, Anil had to do was try.

Can it be that easy?

He stared at his father and found a steady gaze returned.

"Okay."

Van smiled at him and gave another nod of approval and Anil managed a brave smile. He could trust his father, he wouldn't let him down, so, he shouldn't let his daddy down either.

I can do this.

16 September, 2003

Earth

She woke up hot, sticky and feeling like she was going to throw up. Yukari groaned and slipped out of the bed she shared with Susumu, the night air felt like a blessing and she sighed, breathing deeply and slowly to try and stave off the urge to vomit. Her morning sickness was mild, and she had yet to actually throw up since arriving at Hitomi's place, and she didn't want to start now.

Once she was certain she could keep her stomach contents inside, she stood and walked silently from the room. It was very early morning, the sun had not even risen yet, and the glow of the street lamps and outdoor porchlights gave an eerie dingy glow to the windows and hall.

Be nice baby… please.

She was going to the kitchen for a glass of water, and maybe to raid the pickled ginger Hitomi kept in the fridge. So far, that more than anything had helped to stave off the nausea (2). The rooms were silent and her feet made barely a whisper against the floors, she would have made it to the kitchen and back without noticing anything if the silence hadn't been broken by the sound of a thick page being turned.

Yukari froze and turned in the direction of the sound. It was coming from the front room, and while she was startled and slightly worried, she knew it was most likely Hitomi and so, she made her way there to check.

She was relieved when she did indeed find her friend seated upon the couch, feet tucked under her in her pajamas and indoor slippers, slowly turning the large, thick pages of a scrapbook/journal Yukari would recognize anywhere. Her hands clenched and her teeth grit at the sight of the book.

Hitomi had started it just after finding out she was pregnant. It recorded all the important events in her pregnancy, Anil's birth, his milestones and included pictures and detailed entries. This was one of five that she knew of, but they all had the same construction and the same dark green binding. Hitomi had made those books for one reason; one person.

And he never bothered to show up.

She hadn't seen those books in nearly a year. She had assumed Hitomi had stopped writing in them when she had finally given up on the hope of her angel ever coming for her. It was both a sad and happy thing in Yukari's mind. Letting go of this could help Hitomi heal and move on from her broken dreams and promises, but it was also the end of those dreams and hope.

Seeing it now made her blood boil just a little.

"Yukari?" Hitomi looked surprised to see her there, and closed the book with a tender care that made Yukari's anger rise further. If it wasn't full of dear memories of a precious child, Yukari would wish to burn them in effigy.

… my hormones are really getting bad…

Yukari thought to herself and forced her hands to relax, and stepped into the room, only then noticing the dull illumination of a small lamp beyond Hitomi's figure.

"What are you doing up?" They asked in unison and both paused to laugh a little. It helped break the tension and Yukari managed to make her way to the couch to sit beside her best friend.

"I needed a glass of water." It wasn't a lie. After eating some ginger, she intended to drink some water before returning to bed. Yukari looked at the scrapbook and nodded toward it. "What about you?"

Hitomi looked at her, her eyes glassy with tears, but her smile was bright and far too happy to have just stopped crying. Worry and fear choked her and Yukari reached out to grip Hitomi's hand, determined to be there for her, to be of some help.

"Hitomi?"

A watery laugh escaped and Hitomi lifted a hand to rub at her eyes, the one under Yukari's twisting to grip her hand back firmly in a reassuring manner.

"… I contacted Van."

"!" Her jaw dropped and a sound escaped that couldn't really be described as a vocalization. Her shock was so great she couldn't do anything else, even as Hitomi laughed at her expression and pulled her into a hug that was filled with the tension of excited relief.

"He's okay! Anil made it to Van." Hitomi said happily, more tears falling to land on Yukari's shoulder and Yukari still couldn't respond.

Happy tears.

These were happy tears.

Oh, thank god… thank god! He's okay!

A slow tremble worked its way through her body and Yukari shakily managed to embrace Hitomi back, her own tears contorting her face and falling as she struggled to keep back her sobs of utter relief that were so great it was nearly worse than the fear had been.

" Anil is with him and… he's okay." Hitomi laughed again. "I can still feel him."

"Anil?"

"No. Van… he's… hurt and confused but… but he's telling me it's okay. That he knows and he's going to fix things."

So… he's coming here? When? And is he leaving Anil or taking Hitomi?

Yukari bit her lip as a curl of dread mixed in with the relief. Hitomi, oblivious to her concerns, continued to ramble on about this link she shared with Van.

"—I spent so much time trying to block it out… limiting it… I'd forgotten how nice it is to feel him. To know his feelings and know he's… there."

Yukari had nothing to say to that. She couldn't comprehend it and didn't really want to. She wanted to be happy for HItomi, wanted to be excited for this but, she was a selfish person, and now that she knew Anil was safe, that Hitomi would not lose him forever, her own worries and fears were mounting and twisting her insides into knots.

"Oh Yukari, I'm so—"

She didn't mean to cut her off, but a surge of nausea swept up, making her break out in a cold sweat and her mouth filled with saliva as the only warning of her impending expulsion of her stomach contents, and Yukari shoved out of Hitomi's arms and ran blindly for the bathroom.

She could only focus on being grateful she had made it to the toilet before vomiting. She gagged and spat as the heaving slowed and she rested her head on the cool ceramic of the bowl, reaching up to flush it with a shaky hand.

Oh god… I hate throwing up…

She thought, rising slowly and wiping at her mouth. She really needed some water now. The acidic taste of bile was making her stomach clench more and she was not going to repeat that. Leaning over the sink she rinsed her mouth before she realized she had a concerned audience.

"Yukari?"

She froze, mind blank. How should she address this? Should she lie and say she was so relieved she threw up? Did people do that? Could she lie straight to her face like that?

"S—sorry, Hitomi… I, erm…" She trailed off guiltily and bit her lip. She didn't want to lie, but she hadn't even told Susumu yet. She should at least tell her husband and the father of this little life first.

"Yukari…" Hitomi's voice was soft, hesitant with a wariness that made Yukari's stomach do flip flops. She had the feeling she didn't need to say anything at all. Hitomi had always been good at knowing things she couldn't possibly know. After Gaea she had even admitted to having visions of events in conjunction with her skills at card reading (3). It wasn't too far of a leap to think she'd be able to figure this out.

She was right.

"…are you pregnant?"

Sixteenth Day of the Ninth Month

7 year of Carusfatum

Gaea

"I am pleased to be so highly regarded, Lady Merle." Bora said with a smile, holding a cup of tea in the room he had been granted some days before. The young lady's ears curled in embarrassment at the title he'd bestowed and she laughed a little awkwardly which told him far more than she could know.

Merle had been raised most of her life in the palace, her mother having sought refuge after her husband had been killed by poachers in the borderlands between Fanelia and Freid years before. While the rampant mistreatment had been curbed in most areas, and nearly obliterated in central cities, the racism and murdering of beastmen for archaic potions and religious beliefs were still rampant in the territories that were on the edges of the Kingdoms and Duchies. Merle's mother had been traumatized to find that it had not been just humans that had killed her beloved, but some slave-born beast men. Having known the kindness of Fanelia's king and the circumstances of the queen and heirs, she had gone there. Merle, therefore had been raised primarily by humans and was rather ignorant of her own heritage and most of their customs and idiosyncrasies.

Bora pitied her but could not find fault with her either. She was a fine young woman. Strong in her sense of self and her loyalty to her king. In the more recent years, more and more beast men and women were choosing to make a permanent home within the walls of Fanelia's capital city. Still, she gave away much to those of her own species.

She was uncomfortable with formalities, and her having come to him was not the honored appeal he'd phased it as. Bora smiled, well aware that Lord Van had likely requested that she find a teacher for the young lord, and seeing as he was the most approachable of the six council members, she had come to him. He was hardly insulted, and actually felt it was intelligent of her to seek him out first. Most of the others had ulterior motives in the advice they gave, he was simply too old and did not have to concern himself with politics as much. He would give her honest and unbiased help that would benefit both Lord Van and the young Lord Anil.

"… yes. Well, do you have any recommendations?"

Bora sipped his tea and slowly considered all sides of the equation. "The most valuable lessons, the young lord will receive will be from Lord Van himself. As a ruler, there is no better teacher than that of a just and good ruler. Lord Van is both."

Merle smiled and nodded, looking out the window. It held a perfect view of the gardens and the wooded mountains beyond. Being an early riser, he was also granted the fine and encouraging view of two winged beings in flight the last two mornings; a parent teaching their child. He would bet that was likely what Merle was smiling about as well.

"I agree." Merle's smile was warm and kind. "However, Lord Van is the one requesting a tutor."

"Quite. Well, in that case, I believe it would serve Lord Van, and you by extension, best to recruit at least three instructors."

"Three?!"

"Indeed."

Merle seemed to struggle with this and looked at him like he had lost his mind. It was quite amusing. He waited, sipping his tea calmly as Merle slowly lost her composure her tail fluffing out until it was a thick bristle of irritation.

"Why?" She ground out, still desperately trying to control her temper. "Why would he need three? I mean aside from the fact that two will likely run away in fear from the little brat."

"Oh, my, is the young lord that unruly?" Bora smiled kindly as Merle quickly back-peddled aware that she had severely over-stepped.

"Ah! No, I mean.. that is—" She let out a large breath, her tail smoothing out. "… please explain why I should be looking for three."

"Ah. Well, to put it simply, to keep the balance."

"Balance?"

"Right now, Fanelia is showing an unprecedented time of growth and influence. Part of that can be attributed to the war and the reparations from both Zaibach and Asturia."

"Of course." Merle crossed her arms clearly wondering what his point was.

"But, the greater part of this success, is due to the varied voices on Lord Van's council." Bora paused to gather his thoughts. "Before the war, Fanelia's council was made up of only those influential within Fanelia's boarders. The nobility within the main city and in the smaller fiefs close to the main city."

They had all been human as well.

"Uh-huh…"

"This limited what the King was aware of and the influence he could achieve to that within his boarders alone. Since the war has decimated the old council, Van has sought out the wisdom and aid from not just within his sphere of control, but has brought in Sorna and myself as well as two of those from common backgrounds within Fanelia."

"Right." It was clear from her furrowed brow and tone that she wasn't following him as well as she would like. Bora smiled and decided to take it easy on the girl. She was not politically inclined nor did she need to be.

"By bringing in Trent, Gaho, Sorna and myself, he now has the voices of not just the nobility of Fanelia but the common people, the thoughts and voices from Arzas as well as those from the caravan which are influenced and have influence on many more than just Fanelia itself."

"So… I should get three teachers to make Anil's training… varied?"

Bora chuckled. "In a way. I will provide a teacher from Arzas. You should ask Sorna and Emos for a recommendation as well."

"Uhg… do I have to ask him?"

Bora couldn't help his laughter at her response. "I know how trying he can be, but asking him will solve several problems for Lord Van and will go a long way to curbing any future complaints from their side."

Merle's cheeks puffed out with her breath but she deflated quickly. "… you're right. Damn, I was hoping this would be a quick process."

"Most things worth anything take time and effort."

"Yeah. Yeah." Merle took a sip of her own tea and sighed. He could tell she was already dreading having to approach the others. "So, do you know of anyone from Arzas who would be willing to teach Lord Anil?"

"… I can think of a few." Bora hid his smile in his teacup. There was a smart young man who was itching to see the world beyond Arzas' boarders. He also had a temperament that would work well with Merle. Bora wasn't one for meddling, however, his nephew would benefit from exposure to Merle and he did fancy himself a bit of a match maker.

Yes. Kenzo would be a good fit here.

"That's good." Merle relaxed a bit. "Lord Van would like to speak with him before placing him officially."

"Of course. I will send word for Kenzo to arrive with the next caravan."

Merle nodded her head and rubbed at her neck. "Well… that's one down I guess."

Bora smiled and returned to looking out the window. "It is pleasing to know that Lord Van has an heir. I know many in Arzas were concerned."

Merle nodded but didn't say anything. Her tail twitched a little though which once again told him that Merle had known of this, or at least suspected. Bora was fairly certain Van had lied or at least bluffed his way out of the argument a few days back with Emos. Van had actually said nothing on the subject, he merely posed a question and a statement, and skillfully side-stepped the inquisition.

By the time Emos managed to ask him again, Van will likely have an entire plan in place with evidence that will force Emos to accept his narrative, he was sure. He was also certain, that Merle knew at least some of the truth and was helping to keep it a secret.

Lord Van has good and loyal friends.

"Well, I guess I should go now. I have to hunt down two more people and ask them the same questions." Merle said, finishing her tea and standing. Bora stood as well, showing her proper manners and walked her to the door. "Thank you, Councilor Bora."

"I am glad to be of help, Lady Merle."

Her ears quirked again and she made a hasty exit much to his bemusement. Oh yes, he certainly hoped Kenzo was smart enough to see what was obvious to him. If he didn't, well, he didn't deserve the opportunity he was granting him.

Eighteenth Day of the Ninth Month

7 year of Carusfatum

Gaea

Merle was tired.

It was the kind of bone deep tired that she hadn't really felt since the first few years following the War. Her brain hurt from all of the names and locations of people she was charged with keeping track of and summoning for the sake of Van and his adorable demon-spawn.

The past seven days had been a flurry of activity and a giant test of her patience. She could only hope that all of this work paid off and Hitomi returned to Van's side. That was the only outcome she would accept as payment for the amount of trouble she'd gone through. Anil had calmed down greatly after Van had allowed him into his study. He'd ceased trying to run away once he was allowed to color in Van's office while he worked. He had also become much easier to manage once Van had started taking him out before dawn for morning flights.

Merle knew the boy just wanted his father's undivided attention, and those morning flights followed by breakfast together seemed to be just the right amount to guarantee his good behavior until lunch when she could again dump him off on Van. However, with that burden lessened came a whole new kind of torment; hunting down teachers for the little imp.

She honestly felt that the last two days had been the worst. While Councilor Bora was kind and easy to speak with, the same could not be said for Sorna or Emos. Sorna was by far better than Emos or Idus as she was not openly hostile towards her nor did she openly speak negatively about Van's draconian blood. She was, however, far too cunning for Merle to be completely comfortable around.

The woman saw almost everything, and sometimes, Merle was certain she had ears that simply walked the halls by themselves with all the intelligence and secrets the woman kept. She wasn't loose-lipped by any means with the information, it was simply that she was never surprised by anything, and it was unnerving. Sorna also had a pre-existing loyalty to the caravan and her nomadic family that no amount of words or actions could make Merle believe she'd let go for Fanelia and Van's sake.

The moment she'd entered the creepy old lady's room, she had been given a list of names of potential teachers, two of which came from her caravan. The others were from small settlements along the border and a few directly from Freid. The conversation had been little better and Merle had chosen to simply hand over the list to Van.

Emos, of course, had been the most intolerable, but thankfully had been the quickest and most efficient. He'd been polite and concise with her. The visit had lasted less than fifteen minutes and he had only handed her one recommendation; a member of his family that had studied abroad in Pallas and had only recently returned home. As Bora has suggested, it seemed her reaching out on Van's behalf had soothed some of his ruffled feathers. He'd preened about how his family was one of the oldest in Fanelia and how it was only "natural" that his family have a hand in the tutoring of the young lord.

Merle still felt nauseated just recalling it. Thankfully, it was Van's problem now and all she had to contend herself with, was meeting the honored guests who had just arrived on a very familiar airship.

"Merle! It's so good to see you!" Millerna was as happy and energetic as ever and Merle couldn't help smiling in return, despite how tired she was.

"Queen Millerna, I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."

"Oh, please, formalities are not necessary."

"Yes. We are all friends here." Chid said, exiting the airship. Merle was actually surprised to see the teenager as he was in the same predicament that Van was currently facing. He was the Duke of Freid and he also had no family to rely on when he was out of the Duchy. However, Freid, while damaged, was not burned to the ground, and Chid had been in a position of power long enough to still have those he could rely on. All the same, she was surprised to see him.

"The Duke is correct. So, where is our King?" Allen asked smoothly, coming out of the Crusade with the same suave grace he had always had. Merle raised an eyebrow at his appearance as a petite blonde girl followed him out. She reminded Merle of an odd mixture of Hitomi and Millerna, in the sense that she was currently wearing pants and a long flowing blouse, and walked out as though it were completely reasonable.

"Lord Van?" Celena asked, looking around for him, and Merle couldn't hide her expression of unease. The young woman may not have any memories of her actions as Dilandau, but that didn't mean she had forgotten the madman. He had personally set fire to Fanelia nearly eight years ago, and he had been obsessed with Van, which hadn't seemed to have diminished with his gender change and memory loss.

"What is she doing here?" She asked bluntly, since they were all friends.

"… it's a long story—" Allen began, looking haggard but was swiftly cut off by Millerna's bright smile and almost cruel chipper explanation.

"She outsmarted Allen and locked herself in the bathroom."

"…" Merle looked between Millerna and Allen before snorting.

"We had a tight schedule to keep to." Allen said defensively which only made Merle laugh a little harder at the mental image of Allen screaming at a bathroom door. "If you are quite done, I would like to know where our host is, seeing as he requested our presence so urgently."

"Well, we weren't expecting you until later today at the earliest. So, Lord Van is…" Merle trailed off wondering how she should address this. They were outside the gated walls of Fanelia and still needed to make the trek up the winding streets of the city before they could make it to the palace itself. Anil's identity was still being held back from the people and while it was still early morning, there were enough inquisitive people to make Merle uncomfortable. "… completing his morning routine."

"Oh. Well, it can't be that bad then if he's able to maintain that." Millerna said, hopefully.

Oh if only…

"Celena, please remain here with Gaddas." Allen began and the girl turned to him with a rebellious glower that made Merle wince.

"Why?"

Allen let out an aggrieved sigh and for the first time ever, Merle felt like she understood exactly what the knight was feeling. Her week with Anil had taught her precisely what that sigh meant. "I need to speak with King Fanelia first. I promise I will send for you as soon as we are finished."

"…" Celena seemed to feel her brother was lying.

"Celena, sweetie, I will come for you myself." Millerna offered with a smile and a gentle touch to the girl's arm, which seemed to get through to her as finally she gave a sullen nod and made herway back into the leviship.

Merle forced a smile and began leading the group up and through the quiet streets after Allen had left Gaddas in charge of the Airship. Van had set up a dock of sorts to the side of the gated entrance, it was an off shoot of the wall and provided ample security for any leviships that came to visit, but it was still outside of Fanelia's first line of defense and as such, needed extra precautions regardless of how peaceful it currently was.

"So… anything you can tell us, Merle?" Millerna asked as they walked and she sighed, understanding the woman's curiosity. They had been traveling for the last five days to make it here so swiftly, but she couldn't actually say anything.

"Lord Van said he wanted to address you all himself."

"… and yet he sent you to welcome us in his stead." Allen quipped and Merle couldn't tell if it was a dig at Van or just a glib comment attempting to ease the tension.

"I'm sorry. I know this isn't the best place to talk about it." Millerna said diplomatically, adjusting her grip on a small document case she was carrying. "I figured it couldn't hurt to ask."

"Is it safe to assume that in the past five days, King Fanelia has come to some understanding regarding the issue that has brought us here?" Chid asked in a well worded manner that didn't divulge anything specific and required little more than a one word response.

"Yes. He still needs your assistance though." Merle stated. "I really can't say anything more until we are in the palace."

"Should we expect a summons later today or—" Allen was forced to stop talking as they reached the stairs that lead to Palace itself, as he was greeted by Trent.

"Sir Allen, it is good to see you!"

"Trent, I see you are doing well." The conversation continued in that vein of uselessness that Merle automatically tuned out as the knight followed them up the steps and into the main palace itself. She had been ordered by Van to take them to his office room to discuss the issues in a more private setting where Emos and Idrus would have a harder time eaves-dropping. Of course, she had also been ordered to keep Trent and Gaho away from the room as well, which was a problem seeing as how Trent was following along beside Allen like a lost puppy.

You know… this would be a whole lot easier if you had just gone to get Hitomi sooner!

Desperate to get this group into the office and send Trent away, Merle took them through the hall that lead to the breezeway and the garden. Her intention was to send Trent to retrieve Van from his morning flight with Anil. Anil might be a brat about it but at least she could accomplish her goals with as little issues as possible.

Of course it couldn't go to plan.

"Sir Trent, could you please alert Lord Van of—"

"Oh my!" Millerna's gasp was the first warning.

"… I had heard the stories but… I never knew…" Chid said in awed amazement just as Merle felt her stomach drop and her head start to throb with a headache.

The wind blew by carrying pure white feathers, one of which Allen caught effortlessly in his gloved hand. Merle watched him twirl it a moment before using it to point out into the garden to the forest the crept up the mountainside. She knew what she would see without looking, but she couldn't stop herself as she followed Allen's indication.

Above the line of trees, flapping to hold himself in place, was the small distant figure of Van, his wings clearly visible for anyone to see. He was just above the trees, looking up, arms extended, and just above him, the ungainly form of a child with the same white wings floundered his way into Van's awaiting arms.

Damn it, Lord Van…

She cursed him silently even while she berated herself for forgetting that while taking this path would give her the perfect excuse to get rid of Trent, it also meant this was a rather inevitable outcome. She blamed her exhaustion for this oversight, not that it helped her in anyway.

"You want to explain that, or should we just make our own conclusions?" Allen asked, his lips quirked up in a smirk though his eyes looked rather intense and hard, and Merle was reminded of just how protective Allen had been of Hitomi and her virtue. Hypocritical or otherwise, there was no doubt in her mind Allen had put the pieces together, and he was most certainly going to say something about Van's honor and morals.

"… damn." Merle pressed a hand to her face and wished for patience. Why was this her problem again? Why was she the one escorting these visiting dignitaries to the meeting with her King and fielding these questions and now trying to think of a way to save Lord Van's hide?

Oh, that's right. Because Van had made it her problem.

Sometimes, Merle really hated Lord Van.

A.N. So, Bora playing matchmaker was not in my original notes it just sort of… happened. I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed writing it. And no, I have no plans to actually write out this little matchmaking scheme. Though it is my personal head canon now that Emos's son will fall for Merle while tutoring Anil making a love triangle for Merle. Lol!

1) My five-year-old says this CONSTANTLY. For everything, and it is both adorable and annoying as all hell. Considering Anil isn't much older I thought it would be appropriate and well, I wanted to.

2) This is a personal experience of mine. With my first pregnancy I had mild nausea and nothing more, but with my second I felt sick all the time and only ginger helped. I used to HATE pickled ginger, but after my second pregnancy I now eat it like candy either because I got used to it or because my tiny minion changed me in more ways than I realized. LOL!

3) I always felt that Hitomi's visions and how she didn't talk about them to Yukari in the beginning was a little telling. Granted she wouldn't tell a complete stranger like Van, or the guy she's crushing on, Amano, about it, and perhaps it was a decision made to save on time, but it rather came across as she actively tried to hide her visions. So, I'm saying she did until she returned from Gaea.