III

A tomboy by nature, Hitomi hadn't packed many outfits that could be deemed feminine, deciding to go with mostly more casual wear; after all, it was much easier to travel and sightsee in a t-shirt and jeans than anything else. Thankfully had the foresight to bring at least one nice piece of clothing: a spaghetti strap sundress with a fresh floral pattern that accented the green in her eyes with a sash the same tint as her honeyed highlights. True, it wasn't anything formal or fancy, but as she finished putting on the rest of her light makeup, she felt assured she would at least make a good impression.

A good impression? For who? A nagging voice in the back of her head asked, and immediately a vision of dark black hair and scowling features appeared in front of her. She quickly shook it off, scoffing in disgust, "No way! This is because I'm meeting a king, not because of stupid-"

…She…she didn't even know his name! A soft wail raised in her throat at she stared at her reflection in the mirror with a mixture of horror and incredulity. He made her introduce herself but hadn't returned the favor! She had been so shell-shocked she didn't even realize it until now.

A myriad of possible situations rushed through her head, the majority of them not pleasant to say the least; what if there was a good reason the man she saved should have been killed? …No, she didn't like the idea of killing, no matter who was involved, but what if she was in trouble now? What if he was actually someone very dangerous to be involved with and he had taken her back to his country as a hostage?

"Calm down, Hitomi," she told herself, slapping the sides of her face lightly as she grew determined, "You're overreacting; you just need find out the truth."

The problem was, she had no idea where she could find him to drill him for answers, but she wasn't about to let that stop her. Throwing open the door, Hitomi stuck her head out into the hallway and looked both ways before deciding on a direction to explore. She was going on her gut feeling, hoping it wouldn't let her down.

For the umpteenth time Van readjusted his tie, easily imaging it as a noose tightening around his neck. He wasn't comfortable in the suits he had been forced into wearing whenever he made a public appearance. He was more relaxed in a plain pair of khakis and a polo shirt, not really caring how he looked to others. But while he was indifferent to what he wore, it wasn't proper for him to meet with the press in anything less than what was considered respectable. This explained why he had to change out of one damn suit for another, with a tie that seemed intent on choking him to death. Though, when considered, that wouldn't be necessarily a bad thing if it got him out of being hounded by the reporters.

"You're just making it worse, Van," Folken not so helpfully pointed out with a chuckle, stopping midstride and fixing it for his brother. "Eighteen years old, and you still don't know how to get dressed."

Van turned his face away, biting back a comment; he hated when his brother patronized him like that, but for some reason he never protested. "I just wish I could wear normal clothes."

"Be thankful it's just this and not the ceremonial robes, no?" Folken responded with an understanding smile, finishing the tie with ease. His hands didn't move however, his gaze lowering as he grew somber. "Van…after the press conference…what are you planning on doing?"

Unprepared for such a question, Van took a step back, looking at his brother curiously. "I told you, I will find out who did this. I don't know how yet, but I will."

"…Listen to me, there's others we can send out to do that, you don't have to worry and do it yourself." Folken moved his hands on his shorter brother's shoulders, gazing down at him intently. "What I want you to do to is this…leave Fanelia. Go someplace else while this whole thing cools down."

"…You want me to run away?" Van spat out, shrugging off Folken's grasp in disgust, his eyes filled with disbelief. His brother sighed as if he knew he would get this reaction. "Don't put it like that Van. Besides, when are you here anyways? It always seems like you are coming and going when you please. I think this is the longest amount of time you've been here for a long while."

That really hurt, stinging Van right to his inner core. Suddenly, all reserve he had (which was very little to begin with) snapped, and he shouted, not caring that they were in the hall where anyone could overhear. "And whose fault is that? You're the one that first sent me away after Mother and Father died to live in a country far from home!"

"I had no choice, Van!" Folken countered back, his usual calm demeanor disappearing for a brief moment. "When our parents died, I was only fifteen, but I was expected to take the throne and suddenly become a figurehead of a country. I had no idea how to do that, let alone take care of my five year old brother who didn't understand what was going on. So I panicked. I wanted you to have a normal childhood; away from the politics…I'm sorry…"

Inwardly surprised at this apology but not wanting to show it, Van turned away once more, starting to walk away without answering, but a voice from behind stopped him. "…Excuse me…"

Instantly whirling around, his eyes widened as he saw it was the girl from before, Hitomi. Damnit, how much had she overheard? "…Don't you think it's kind of rude to sneak around someone's home and eavesdrop on them?"

She pouted, putting her hands on her hips, making him notice that she had changed and that she actually looked…nice. "Isn't it rude to take someone to your home without telling them, leave them alone in a room, and not even introduce yourself? Besides, I wasn't eavesdropping!"

Her angry retort snapped him out of his fascination with her appearance, but before he could respond, he heard Folken's quiet laughter. "I apologize for my brother's manners towards you, especially since I believe I would be right in assuming you're the one that saved his life, Miss…?"

Her demeanor changed, as if she had just now realized Folken was there, blushing furiously. "H-Hitomi…Ah! You're the king, aren't you? I'm sorry…is it your Majesty? Your Highness?"

"Please, just call me Folken," he responded, clearly amused by her hasty bow and confusion over titles. "There's no need for that considering I am the one that is indebted for you. You do have my eternal gratitude, and Van's as well, even if he isn't competent at showing it."

Van growled in response, but said nothing; Folken had hit the proverbial nail on the head, but he didn't want to admit it. He caught Hitomi looking over at him and mouthing his name to herself, mentally reeling on how stupid he could have been, even in his terms; he really hadn't introduced himself? He replayed the day's events in his mind, and while he remembered getting her name, he didn't remember giving his. "…It's Van…my name is Van…"

"I think she already figured that out, Van," Folken quipped, ruffling his brother's hair as he glanced sympathetically over at Hitomi, who actually laughed a little. Van glared at the two of them, more willing to show his anger than his embarrassment. It was bad enough that the fun was at his expense, but the fact that she seemed to get along with his brother more, irked him slightly. Why?

Before he could even reply, Folken's tone grew serious again, and he bowed his head towards Hitomi remorsefully. "Also, I do apologize, Miss Hitomi, for sending you to the vultures now, so soon after you arrived."

"V-vultures?" Hitomi repeated, and it was obvious by the look on her face she was afraid Folken was being literal. Van sighed; didn't she have any sense in her head? Then again, if she did, she probably wouldn't have risked herself and he wouldn't be standing there. "The reporters. I told you that you would have a chance to talk with them soon enough. Now's your chance to answer the same damn question over and over."

The flashbulbs of cameras nearly blinding her, the multitude of voices ringing in her ears, Hitomi wondered how anyone could not be overwhelmed in the situation. But as she snuck a glance to the men sitting next to her, she was surprised to find both of them remaining calm and collected. Well, Folken was, she amended; Van was just as grim as his brother, but had an air of indifference around him, leaning back in his chair slightly in boredom.

They're probably used to this sort of thing by now, she thought as she slinked down in her chair as the reporters rapidly fired questions out; some of them she caught because of the broken English, but most of them were in the region's language and completely went over her head. She had only learned a few phrases on the flight over, originally going with the plan of finding an interpreter until she got a better hang of it, but-Wait a minute, she thought she recognized the word they were repeating now…'senhorita'…that meant 'miss', right? Her suspicions were confirmed when she realized everyone was looking at her expectantly, and she upright quickly. "A-ah, yes?"

"He was just asking what made you notice the shooter in the first place," Folken murmured to her, causing her to smile gratefully for his translation before she focused on the question on hand. "Well, you know those feelings you sometimes get when something is wrong? It's sort of like that…I guess it was just fate that I looked up?"

There were murmurs among the crowd as her words were recorded as another reporter stood up, this time asking a question in rough English. "You didn't know Prince Van before, correct? And yet, you risked yourself for him, why?"

Hitomi hesitated, her eyes quickly darting over to Van. He met her gaze, but just shrugged lazily, as if he didn't know why either…or really cared. Twitching a little at that response, she turned back to the crowd and forced a smile. "I don't really know what made me do it…I wouldn't do something crazy like that again though."

There, a very subtle jab at Van, but it looked like it went over the prince's head judging by no change in his facial expression. But Folken seemed to catch the implications, as well as of a few of the reporters, causing her quickly to amend. "But I'm glad I did it though! I wouldn't…wouldn't want V-Prince Van to be hurt…or…"

She didn't have to finish, her answer appeasing everyone, and soon more questions were thrown at them. Folken stood up, holding up his hands to placate the crowd. "Please, my brother and Miss Hitomi have told you everything they know. I promise as soon as there are more details, they will be reported to the press. Thank you for your cooperation."

While there was some protest at first, the three were able to leave the room without being pursued. As soon as they were away from the group Hitomi breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry…I've never done that sort of thing before."

"It's okay, Miss Hitomi," Folken replied with a light laugh, "I understand it can be a little overwhelming if you're not used to it. And no hard feelings about what you said; I probably would have said the same thing, even though Van is my brother."

"K-King Folken!" Hitomi gasped; even if he was joking, she couldn't believe he could say such a thing, and turned to gauge Van's response. But the prince just grunted, his eyes elsewhere, that lack of interest still around him. Folken smiled softly at her, his features softening with gratitude. "Van knows the truth; that I would do anything for him, but it's nice to see you be defensive for him. What are your plans now? Will you stay and visit?"

"She wants to go to Asturia-" Van started to answer Folken with an impassive voice, but Hitomi quickly interrupted him. "Actually, I wouldn't mind sightseeing the city…it looked so wonderful when we were driving here."

Van stared at her incredulously, as if he doubted the sincerity of her words, and she could understand why. But already she had grown curious about the country and the people that inhabited it, especially its royalty, and she couldn't just leave now.

"Very well then. I'm sure Van would be happy to give you a tour himself, hmm?" Folken replied, causing both Van and Hitomi to exclaim simultaneously, "What?"

"Now, don't be so shocked; it's the least he could do. Isn't that right, Van?" Even Hitomi could tell by Folken's tone that it wasn't really a question, and before she could protest that she would be okay, Van just nodded curtly before turning his face away again. "Fine."

She was going to have to spend more time with him…alone? Hitomi wondered if it was too late to change her mind and run away to Asturia while she still could.

Author's Note: First off, I want to apologize for this chapter taking so long! For one thing, I moved recently and I'm still unpacking, and really haven't had much inspiration to write. I also worry that my chapters are too boring; my wonderful beta reader (les amoureux) assures me this isn't so, but yet I still have some concern. I have some of the next chapter already written up that I'm tinkering with, so hopefully that will have some more action.