Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
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Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
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Chapter 90
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In Hitomi's chambers-
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Hitomi slowly stirred, letting out a gentle moan, expressing her satisfaction with her well-deserved rest. Having been on her side, she rolled onto her back and let her hand feel about the bed next to her, but all she felt were the blankets and sheets upon the full, soft mattress. Slowly, her eyes opened and sought to confirm what her hands had already told her. 'Van, how long ago did you wake up?' She slowly pushed herself up, looking towards the door as a deep sense of loneliness overtook her.
"Looking for someone?"
Hitomi quickly turned her head to see the man she loved sitting in the bay window. A broad, happy smile that went all the way up to her eyes lit up the young teenage girl's face. "Van!" She tossed the blankets aside and hurried out of bed, but the cold morning air sent a shiver through her body. Turning, she pulled off the top cover and wrapped it around herself. Then went over by the window, dragging the blanket with her.
"Van…" she whispered, standing next to him.
The young king, who had been staring out the window looking over his city, had his eyes on the object of his affections from the moment she stirred. Still sitting in the bay window, his back against the left side of it, he wrapped his right arm around Hitomi's waist and pulled her close.
The girl from the Mystic Moon offered no resistance, pressing up next to her true love and resting her cheek against the side of his head. "Mmm… good morning," she said softly.
Turning his head to face her fully, Van gazed deeply into her eyes. Hitomi returned his gaze and gradually tilted her head, bringing her lips ever so slowly towards his, but Van's hunger for Hitomi's lips matched her own. Tilting his head back a bit, he met her lips, gently, tenderly at first, but their passion for each other quickly overwhelmed them. As they deepened their kiss, Van brought his left hand up, running his fingers through her soft, silky hair. They indulged themselves in a long and passionate kiss that was only interrupted when Hitomi shivered violently, causing the two young lovers to smack their teeth together.
"Ouch!" Hitomi straightened up and placed her hand over her mouth. "Sorry, Van. It's just so cold by the window," she explained.
Van smiled, then stood up and drew the heavy curtains shut. Turning towards his true love, he took her hand and said, "Come, let's sit by the fire." He walked her over to the fireplace and gestured for her to sit down on the long sofa that faced it. Then he added another log to the fire and stoked it to get the flames going again. Adjusting the flue, he returned to sit at Hitomi's side.
The girl from the Mystic Moon opened the blanket, inviting her lover to sit closely beside her, which he happily obliged.
"Mmm… that's better," she whispered, snuggling up next to him a bit more then swinging her legs across Van's lap and lying her head upon his shoulder as she wrapped her arms, along with the blanket around him.
Van gave a small start, surprised by the girl's bold behavior, but a warm smile quickly spread across his face as he held her close in a warm, loving embrace.
"Mmm… I could just stay like this forever, Van," she softly said, nuzzling up to his collarbone. "I know it's silly of me to think this way… I just…" She grew silent as she tightened her embrace a little bit more.
"It's okay, Hitomi. I've missed holding you in my arms as well. The only thing that allowed me to get to sleep each night while you were gone was the thought of holding you just like this," he whispered lovingly to her.
After sitting in peaceful silence for several minutes, Van asked, "Are you hungry at all? I could have a meal brought here for you. You know, you've been asleep for two days and three nights," he informed her.
Hitomi ran her hands over his back and pressed the bridge of her nose up against the side of Van's throat as she struggled to keep from letting her tears escape her eyes. "That long?"
"Mmm hmm. I tried to wake you. I even had the castle healer take a look at you, but he said the best thing to do was just let you sleep."
"Mmm… I see. Well, actually, I'm not really hungry right now, maybe in a little while," she replied, then nuzzled a little closer to him. "I just want to sit here next to you for now."
Van smiled and gently rubbed his cheek upon her head. "Well, you'll get no complaints from me."
Hitomi smiled. Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath, savoring Van's fresh scent. 'I feel… I feel… like I'm finally… home.'
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Later that morning in the castle stables
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Van and the stable hand readied the two horses and loaded the supplies for the long day's ride. The enthusiastic stable hand secured the saddle onto Hitomi's horse, then asked hesitantly, "Is Lady Hitomi really back among us, my Lord?"
Van smiled and nodded while he finished securing his saddle. "Yes, she's finally returned to us."
"Begging your Majesty's pardon. It wasn't that I doubted your word, my Lord, but Lady Hitomi usually comes to the stables with you," the boy explained in a futile attempt to conceal his excitement.
Placing the saddlebags and bedrolls that would double as picnic blankets, Van informed the youth, "Lady Hitomi should be along shortly, she said she needed to change into her riding outfit."
No sooner did those words pass the young king's lips then Hitomi appeared at the stable entrance in her Spanish equestrian outfit, her sombrero in her hand.
Van was speechless at the sight of her.
It was the young stable hand that spoke first. "Whew! You look prettier than a show pony, ma'am," he blurted out.
Hitomi couldn't help but blush and giggle softly. She held up her sombrero to conceal part of her face, replying, "Thank you, Samuel," adding mentally, 'I think.'
"Uh… I… guess I should get about my chores." Samuel bowed low and made a hasty exit.
Hitomi walked the rest of the way into the stables. Stopping a few paces in front of Van, she turned all the way around slowly to give him the total view of the outfit, then she asked, "So Van, what do you think?" She smiled hopefully.
Having taken the time to admire his true love's slender figure in this unique outfit, Van finally replied, "Well, I don't think I have words quite as eloquent as Samuel's to describe your appearance…"
Hitomi giggled and blushed again.
Van stepped forward and took Hitomi's free hand into his. "You look stunning, absolutely incredible. Is this the type of riding outfit everyone on the Mystic Moon wears?"
Hitomi smiled happily, then shook her head. "No, this equestrian outfit is native to a country called Spain. There are a few other countries that use this type of riding outfit, but not many. It isn't really worn on a daily basis, not even in Spain. Well, not anymore, I don't think. It's usually worn for special occasions, festivals, holidays, and such."
Van smiled and asked, "So, what's the special occasion that warrants wearing such an outfit now?"
Hitomi smiled and tilted her head slightly. "Being here with you. That's always a reason to celebrate as far as I'm concerned."
Van's face took on a very serious expression as he gazed into his lover's emerald-colored eyes. Softly, he whispered, "Hitomi."
Hitomi mirrored the king's serious expression as she felt herself drawn closer to him. Like a moth to a flame, Hitomi drew ever closer to Van until they were in each other's arms, their hearts racing, their breathing shallow and rapid, their lips just a hair's breath apart. And with the next beat of their racing hearts, their lips met.
'Oh God, I love his lips,' Hitomi sighed, squeezing her eyes tightly shut and savoring Van's taste, his aroma, his very essence.
'I want you, Hitomi… I want you with me always.' Van released a low, passionate moan as he pulled Hitomi into a tight but loving embrace.
After several long moments, Van slowly broke their kiss. His breath both heavy and labored, he whispered, "I think I may have wrinkled your new outfit."
To which Hitomi, whose breathing was just as labored, replied, "Uh-huh."
"I guess we should get going. That is, if we hope to reach Arzas before nightfall," the young king added, his eyes hooded and his breathing still difficult.
Hitomi's only response was, "Uh-huh."
They stood motionless for several long seconds; Van, with his eyes only slightly opened, gazing upon Hitomi's flushed complexion, Hitomi, her eyes still closed, unwilling to release this reality that felt more dreamlike than any fantasy she ever experienced, day or night.
A moment later, Van pulled Hitomi back into his arms, kissing her with all the love and desire that welled up in his heart for the girl from the Mystic Moon.
Hitomi gave herself willingly, sharing fully in the passionate embrace.
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AN: I'm so very sorry for taking so long to update this story. I finished a version of chapter 90 a several weeks ago, but based on the recommendation of my beta-reader and after re-reading what I wrote, I decided to abandon that version of chapter 90 and write this one instead. I hope you liked it. While this chapter for the most part simply serves as a bridge to the adventures that lie ahead for our lovely young couple, I felt it was important to lay to rest any notion that Van's feelings for Hitomi may have in someway wavered after that accidental kiss with the sleeping Merle. While that incident will be revisited at a much later time, it doesn't play a significant part in what is currently taking place.
I searched and searched to try and find out the name of the village that the wolf people are from. According to the Escaflowne Compendium website, Arzas is one of the cities within Fanelia, but I was unable to determine if this was the city of the wolf people. According to the Vision of Escaflowne website, Adon is Merle's home village in the Escaflowne Movie, but the movie plays no part in the series and this bit of information can be ignored. If anyone knows for sure the name of the city that the wolf people are from, please let me know, otherwise I will assume it is Arzas.
Thanks as always needs to go to my wonderful beta-reader, Janice, who once again has done an incredible job of editing for me. Unfortunately, for both of us, real life has intruded in our attempts to get this story to you as fast as we can so all I can do is ask for your patience and understanding, and to reassure you that I will not stop writing this story until it is complete. I would also like to thank all my wonderful readers. It's your reviews that keep the fire burning inside of me and inspire me to write. Thank you all so very much.
A. Amishi