A note from your Author: I don't own any Escaflowne, and I don't own any of the literary items in this chapter.

Chapter 4

Allen waited just as he had promised, outside Hitomi's door ever since the moment he woke up. The sun had risen a few hours ago, but the spring dew was still left on everything. Allen found a good place where he could stand and be out of sight, while still keeping Hitomi's front door in view.

Allen had noting to keep him busy, so the next four hours were dreadfully boring. He thought about where Hitomi was, and how she made him feel. He thought about what the girl had said the other day, did he really have enough strength to stand by her side? Forgive me, Hitomi I'm not ready yet, I'm still too much of a coward.

"Yo," a voice made Allen jump out of his skin when he heard it behind him, "you waiting for Hitomi?" Alan turned around to see Dilandau glaring at him.

"Yeah, why should you care?" No matter what kind of tenderness this boy had shown towards Hitomi, it had all disappeared. Allen didn't fear those eyes anymore, but they still made him nervous.

"Well seeing as how I know where she is and you don't, you're going to have to be nice to me for a change."

"What if I say please?" Dilandau's lips curled back to reveal a terrifying smirk.

"You know I really don't like you. But Hitomi has been asking about you all day, so I really don't have any choice." The boys face went from a terrifying smirk to pure disgust. He didn't even wait for Allen to follow him, he just tuned around and started walking.

They walked for about twenty minutes (A.N. Remember Gaea is a town, its on the side of a mountain and there are woods everywhere) until they reached a small river where Allen saw a figure sitting watching the flowing water.

"Hitomi!" Allen stopped when he saw the girl close up. Gauze covered half of her left arm, and part of her leg. The bruises Dilandau had helped were now brown and red, much more defined along Hitomi's pale skin. When Allen called out, Hitomi looked up and smiled. It was the same smile that made Allen want to stay by her side forever. Allen now understood why Hitomi's mother didn't seem surprised when she came home beaten up.

"Did the girls we saw the other day come back?" It was barely a whisper but Hitomi heard.

"Nah, they don't like me, but it takes a special kind of hate to go at someone like this." She looked around for Dilandau but the boy was nowhere in sight. He told me he had to go and do a few things, I hope he isn't in trouble, she thought briefly, then turned back to the guy standing by her.

Allen had absolutely no idea what to do. He knew to stay by his sister's side when she was ever sick, but this was much more serious than that. In fact, when though this was only their third meeting, Allen felt waves of guilt when he looked at Hitomi. I know I don't know her very well, but why does it seem like I let her down?

Hitomi watched Allen, wondering what was going on inside his head. She didn't have long to wonder tough, because Allen sat down and threw his face in his hands.

"I don't know you why do I feel this way?" He looked at her though his hair and fingers. What Allen saw was a look of such compassion he felt his eyes well up.

"You don't have to feel guilty about anything, not unless you were the one holding the bat." She laughed lightly. Alan was completely amazed to see the smile on her face, I've gone through things half as tough as this and I wasn't able to smile like that for weeks. Am I just really selfish?

"Allen, what's wrong?" Hitomi was immediately concerned when she saw the look on his face.

"It's just, you're just…. I know I wouldn't be able to joke or even smile. I'm so selfish." Allen felt arms wrap themselves around his shoulders.

"Stop, will you please just stop. You haven't run away, Amano would never look at me when I was like this. You have more courage than you give yourself credit for, and as for being selfish, you stood by my side the other day when you could have easily gone home and left me with a good conscience. You're not selfish. You're one of the most decent guys I've ever known." She grimaced when she tried to raise herself up. Allen's protective embrace came around her instantly. Instead of putting her back into her chair Allen sat down and held her tightly.

They sat there for a while, just watching the water. Hitomi had never had such an enjoyable time with one person. They hardly spoke for hours except to ask if the other was comfortable.

Dilandau, who had been watching from behind the couple turned away in disgust she's happy, tell yourself that. With that he walked away.

Another figure had carefully hidden himself across the river. He watched with an eagle eye at the happenings going on across the water. So do you actually have feelings for this man? He thought and then turned his back, he had seen enough besides he had someone waiting for him. The next time I see you I'll confront you about this secret love affair.