Still working on buying Escaflowne but I don't own it still! ;)

Okay hopefully you guys don't feel this chapter was a complete was of time I almost scratched it and rewrote it. But I decided, if I did that this story would of never existed as it was because I really have a hard time liking anything that I do because I think I could just think of something so much better (if that makes any sense to you other writers haha)

Thank you for the reviews they mean A LOT! Like A LOT! I cant tell you how much they help me.

BTW chapter 10 I posted the link but the youtube part never showed up so if you put infront of that it will link you to the video I had wanted to go with that flash back with flashback with future vision with flashback (I hope I didn't confused you!)

BTW the Hitomi scene in this chapter – A lot of the writing was inspired by Evanescene Bring me to Life – I guess I use a lot of music to help scene play out in my head.

Orinia watched with awe as Van climbed to the clouds with the Ispano Gymeluf from her balcony. Her hands folded together pressed tightly to her chest as her hear raced faster with his accelerating altitude. What am I supposed to do? When did her life become this confusing, and conflicted? She thought she would never wish this for the rest of her life, but she missed home.

Orinia turned, looking around the large impressive bedroom, wondering why her heart chose him. She was never so humbled to take this position as Advisor to the King of Fanelia, she actually felt like she was living her own life. No more restraints of her upbringing to pull the strings to her like a puppet.

She was from a small country beyond Merina, very closed off from the rest of the large nations. When the war was happening 5 years ago she only got to experience through the tales of the scarce traveling merchants. She would sit in awe and hear about this Heroic young king and his legendary Gymeluf – and as the stories went on speculation it was mention he was a draconian. A girl, not even from her Gaea but the mystic moon saving Gaea! It was like a story from a book, one her father scolded her not to listen to – it wasn't proper for her to be traveling into the markets to sit in the Taverns and socialize with the strangers or mingle with commoners as if they were on her social level.

She was the oldest of three sisters, her father was sorely disappointed that he had no boy to carry on his name. Orinia never felt content or belonged to her family. She liked the villagers' fine, had made friends with many of them – awed their free way of life – to choose the path they wanted to take, and make their dreams come true.

She was educated, groomed, and mannered to point of pure perfection. Six year olds would be playing in the court yard and she was in reading her books, begin scrutinized by her father at her misplaced attention. He said he would make a queen out of her, and she would bring their family to new social status, and that was her duty to her family.

"Your're going to Fanelia Orinia." Her father didn't even glance her way.

"May I ask why father?" Her heart leapt unsure of how to feel just yet – her father's reasons for instructing her to take action and be a part of something always was to benefit solely "her family".

"Lord Desher commanded the nobles to find a suitable individual with representation to our country to bring goods to Fanelia, we received word from Austria they are seeking aid in its reconstruction. Lord Desher's wife happens to be related to the cousin of high standing to the new king. Her influence on his decision might be ridiculous – but they are to be abided by daughter" His tone wasn't approving – he was against this, it was comfort to Orinia that her father could only act out his plans to an extent. It reminded her of why her father wanted to exceed to a high status, he wasn't a follower.

"I was chosen father or did you recommend me?" She wanted to know – it was one thing to know that the council thought highly of Orinia to give her this responsibility, but for her father to throw her to the wolves for his own popular gain would make her despise her purpose.

"What does it matter Orinia – how ever your duty came to be isn't relevant, just that it is your duty." His hand waved her away and his glance never met hers.

"I will prepare my things father." She bowed out of the room and once out of his sight she let the smile free. Even though she wanted to know she didn't care – she was leaving.

Orinia sighed, she wasn't sure anymore if she would rather be under her father's bearing rule, or having her current situation. When she came here – her mind was so clear – her purpose was simple. She was told to deliver the goods that her country had brought to aide Fanelia, make her introduction, and leave. Nothing more – however the sight of a country rebuilding itself from the destruction of the war 8 months ago was heart wrenching. She felt compelled to stay, Fanelia was in a good amount of ruin, everywhere she turned faces of people with determination for their country were living in unimaginable conditions until their home was rebuilt. The stories from the travelers she had heard, didn't fit her expectations at all, it was heartbreaking not exciting in the least.

She was proud of herself, even with the knowledge no one else within her blood might share this feeling, she had spent her months in sweat, dirt, and no comfort helping these people of Fanelia rebuild. Commoners her father would say – but when she seen them – they looked back at her with determination like hers. She didn't feel different from them, she felt a sense of approval she hadn't realized she spent the last 18 years of her life trying to find.

Van wasn't the heroic king she had imagined either – he was incredibly flawed in her opinion. His manners, his communication skills, and his grammar were some of the first things she seen. He was a king, a young king yes, but by the age of twelve she had been rigorously schooled in all of these faults he had. However, she found herself not holding those to him when she seen his motivation to his people – his heart wasn't flawed. Their interaction together increased as time passed, she became to know the young king. He helped her find a way to take her life in, and not keep it away while she humbly observed it.

She didn't fall for him instantly, she could remember a time not having these feelings. Being able to look at him without her heart secretly racing and her body becoming a whole 3 degrees hotter would be her preferred choice if she could control her heart. Once she discovered what was happening she told herself, tried to train herself, to think differently but it was so useless. She knew his heart belonged to someone, at first it was woman's intuition, and she had always wished he would share that with her – before she felt this way. He did share with her, but she didn't want to know anymore at that point– it was painful to hear like unrequited love was.

His pain as so clear in his eyes, and his words. The way he looked when he spoke of her, and the sound of her name coming from him with such love. He loved her, he loved her and there would be no one else for him – she could plainly see that. His pain was so clear – if he didn't have a country to run she was sure he would waste his days away staring at the mystic moon for her. After he told her – opened up to her – Orinia couldn't be sure if it was her own pain she felt for knowing she would never have him or the pain he was going through now; as she could relate.

She hoped her love would reside after his confession so long ago – but they never waned. She was finding more and more to do with her time, which involved staying away from him. Storius had suggested learning the sword, or Tu'Laten The Dance of Blades, he referred to it as. She wasn't sure, but she was desperate to do anything more than talk politics with Van and council, then dwell on her sorrow in the spare time. She took to the feel quickly, it exerted her, and released her frustrations, pooled it into energy. She felt powerful, in control, control she thought she had lost since she knew she had fallen for Van.

Storius was surprisingly deeper that a puddle of water, and she gave him more credit for his intelligence was actually refreshing. He was more than the stern military advisor that spent his spare time wooing women to his bed. He was surprisingly witty and charming in a soft way. She still regretted ever telling him about her feelings for Van, but at that time she felt as if she had a friendship with Storius. He was quickly to relay on her confession to anyone with ears, she was bitter with him for awhile, but slowly she came back around to him, more accepting the truth he had given her about who he told her confession to.

Now who was she going to share her thoughts with? Storius was gone with Van, Mellerna was already probably docked on her levi ship with Dryden, and Merle was not someone she would share anything she held secret. Rentra had filled her head with options, ones that seemed to be for the better of everyone. Hitomi wasn't the savior of Gaea, she would be the destruction if Rentra couldn't find her. She was sure Van wouldn't accept the truth of his love from Rentra, Orinia didn't want to believe it either.

"Orinia, I wanted to tell you some truths that Im afraid now knowing Van's situation, you might be open to hearing. I have explained everything to him the way I am with you. His decision wasn't one of reason and understanding I now know." Rentra pulled some old parchments from a chest near his bed.

"You have my attention Sire, but I cannot say that my opinion would differ from Vans." She shifted in her seat uncomfortably, what did he mean, he now knew why Van didn't take what Rentra said to heart.

"I know he is in love with the Tsuni Lady Orinia, Im aware of that fact now. That made me rethink about finding a way to make your King see the situation for what it is, not through his emotions that have clouded his judgment." Rentra unfold a parchment and sat it examining it on his lap.

"I don't know what you know about Tsuni, other than what your scholar here, little as he does know, has told you. Let me correctly inform you. Our nation has always had a Tsuni ruling with the King with the exception of the last 60 years." He gave her a look to see if she was following was he was saying.

"We control the Tsuni, because they can't control themselves. The power they hold is too great to leave free without the help of us. It is written in these parchments about 400 years ago, what happened to Gaea when a Tsuni went uncontrolled out into the world. Almost destroying Gaea, Orinia, her power wasn't controllable and she shook Gaea, nearly having the surface swallowed into depths of Gaea to where no life would remain." He handed the parchment to Orinia.

"The power bestowed upon the Tsuni, or Hitomi for this matter, is too great for her to control what did you purpose Van do?" She said skeptical.

"We have a pair of ancient artifacts, which are unique; one is worn by the King of Cimedian and the other the Tsuni. It grants the king of Cimedian to give her the will power to control herself through the link of these twin bracelets." He handed her another parchment.

She glanced at him, doubtful. "So you want to bind yourself to this Tsuni so she can be under your control?" No wonder Van would throw out such an outrageous idea.

"No, I have provided you with documents that would shed more light on my shorter description of the situation. Read those Lady Orinia, then come to me and we can discuss further once you have learned all the details." Rentra closed the chest.

Orinia tucked the parchments under her arm, standing she bowed and made her way to the door.

"Even if I do find the information in these documents to alter my opinion of what should be done, does not mean I have the means to control my King, it is not as simple as binding bracelets to him to bend to my will." She gave him a dangerous look.

"Read that which I have given you Lady Orinia before you make any decisions, if you do understand the severity of the situation, we can cross that bridge when we get there." Rentra nodded slightly.

Orinia left him, not saying another word. If she was in agreement with him – she felt as if he already has his course of action planned. She felt the puppet strings returning and she wasn't sure if she could cut them this time if it had to do with saving lives, saving Van from his own clouded choices.

She had re-read the parchments a hundred times since she was given them, even took them to Kelta to make sure they were authentic. He hadn't gotten back to her yet, so she felt as if she should go and see him. She needed something to do, and she came back to the conclusion everyone was gone. She made her way down the hall to Kelta's villa. Likely he would be there engrossed in the project she had recently given him, he did look a little to excited to be testing scrolls for their life span.

"Kelta?" she said opening his door with a slight knock.

"Come in Orinia!" Kelta was in his study from the sound of it.

"Did you find out anything?" Orinia came into the study – there were documents everywhere, scattered about on the desks, floors, and even sitting chairs.

"Orinia, I found out so much! Do you know 400 years ago, from these documents Rentra provided me, I cross referenced and it was true the Delarn Canyons were created 400 years ago! And the peaks of the ____ Mountains, were said to have been aged 400 years as well. Gaea's land masses shifted that day too, did you know-"

"Wait Kelta, I asked for you to test the pages for authenticity, and you are digging through more books to find out history you never had." She remained calm and composed waiting for him to answer her.

"Oh Orinia I did test them, they are indeed original and just as old as he said. Once I did that I began to find out the truth behind the words in the documents. Orinia I must say these Tsuni are powerful, the last documented time of uncontrolled Tsuni resulted in Gaea becoming shifted, nearly destroyed."

"So he was right…" Orinia's unnerving glance met Keltas.

"He was, the bracelets were created by three Quartz, the mythed sorceresses that were hunted long ago for being known as selling their souls for dark magic. These documents say the bracelets were created to let the Tsuni take the will of whoever wore the twin. It would help her control her powers but at the expense of never having her own emotions. She would feel only what the twin felt. They are very perceptive to emotion, the bracelets block off and other interference from emotion with the exception of the twin. There was talk of a single head band to be made, but it doesn't provide if it was or not." Kelta shuffled through more papers.

"So she wears the bracelet she won't destroy Gaea and in return she doesn't have her own emotions, but the Kings instead? " She was repeating it back to Kelta the way she understood it.

"For the most part yes, it is a bit more detailed than that in some aspects, other clauses I guess you could say. But the intentions of it being created weren't wrong, Tsuni are powerful Orinia, like able to end the world powerful on the wrong day. I'm not sure Van made the right decision Orinia; if she isn't controlled we could be in a lot of trouble. Remember the prophecy." Kelta sat down, he looked defeated.

Orinia had never been in such a position before. There was always ways to solve a problem another way; however the problems she dealt with weren't as dire as this. How was she going to help Rentra with Hitomi when she knew Van heard Rentra's plan and turned it down. Van's judgment would be clouded, as every possible solution meant Hitomi had to go with Rentra, and couldn't stay with Van and she would be emotionally bound to Rentra.

"Van could use the bracelets?" It was a fleeting thought – a thought that pained her, but wasn't pain that should hinder her judgment he didn't love her.

"I… I don't know Orinia I never thought of that." Kelta gave her a blank look. "Even if he could Orinia, I don't know anything about these bracelets making more than what I told you, Its Quartz magic – there is never anything made with them that doesn't have a price attached to it."

Orinia could ask Rentra but she was confident enough to know that he wouldn't be answering her truthfully. He was defiantly out for himself and obtaining Hitomi. To ask him to release the bracelets to her, she already knew the answer.

"Kelta, we need to find Merle." Orinia grab his armed and pulled him with her – he was now in this with her because she was afraid her own judgment surrounding this whole situation would end up with her own selfish call. She needed another's opinion and Kelta's would have to do.

"How does it feel your Majesty?" Storius's eyes glued to the white Gymeluf that towered above the encampment the two moons cascading light that made the armor glint and dance with the shadows that passed by the moons slowly.

"At times painful, others powerful, almost invisible." Van sat by the fire staring at the fire as it danced and popped, slowly fading out as the wood had ran its course.

Storius turned and sat across from Van – his gaze looking down the hill to the large encampment of Fanelian soldiers. Sounding of laughter and songs from the other fires set the mood. It was refreshing to know his men held good spirits. Storius wasn't sure what to talk to Van about he had been very quiet the last 3 days. Of course they had a battle in the near future, but the King wasn't making matters any easier to help Storius in planning a course of action once they reached Austria in 4 days. They had made excellent time, shaving a day off their travel – he received word earlier this morning Chid was in Asturia – Fried was almost evacuated, and they were reinforcing Austria's defense while the anticipated Fanelia's arrival.

"Your Majesty, you've been usually quiet." He finally felt as if another day of this and he might have to shake Van to wake him up from his coma.

"I know Storius, I am sorry." Van looked at him – still not offering any explanation. Storius rose to his feet not wanting to pursue the matter anymore.

"Im going to scout with the men this shift sire." He bowed and headed down the hill leaving Van to his thoughts.

Van didn't want to sleep. When he slept dreams of her taunted him, pulling him in - he desperately wanted to be real. It was torture, he was dreaming of her in ways he needed her while she was at the hands of Dilandau. Van could remember the bloodthirsty actions of his 5 years ago, the insane look in his eyes, no reasoning just madness. His gut twisted at the thought of Hitomi with him. His dreams were perfect but his thoughts were precisely the opposite.

He clutched the pendant around his neck, thinking of her, her eyes, her short boyish hair framing the perfect oval face of hers. Hitomi, are you okay? He thought. He waited, waited for a response but none came. It added to his fears that she wasn't okay his mind couldn't even pacify him.

The ground was charred, everything around her flaming – it was so hot – she couldn't breathe all she could taste was ash. She ran between the two crumbling burning building into a more open area. There was screaming, distant. She could hear it but she couldn't place the direction it came from – the flames blazed and crackled, drowning out any other noises.

"Helloo!" She screamed and started to run forward, the smoke didn't seem as thick ahead, and she was feeling faint. She had to get air, the smoke was suffocating her.

She ran through the buildings and slowly the fire and heat was behind her, though there was no flames, there was a thick dust in the air, from the ruined building and rock that littered the streets. Something was happening she could head the shouting and yelling ahead, sounds of metal hitting together. The ground quaked and sounds of loud explosions came from all around. She looked to the sky – there was nothing there, just dust, smoke, and red tint from the flames throughout this city.

She ran and ran closer to all the yelling and shouting. It was becoming clearer – she could hear orders being shouted

"Reinforce the front lines!"

"Send the second way of Gymelufs in!"

She ran faster, the air wasn't thick with dust, it wasn't filled with smoke anymore, but the sounds of explosions and ground quaking was closer. She was nearing the battle.

"Drive them back!"

She saw the metal armor over the tops of the crumbling buildings ahead of her. They were on the other side of these buildings, the noise was so loud. She looked around for a way through the ruins; a large pile of rumble seemed to be her best bet from one of the destroyed buildings. She ran to it and started to climb up it.

She choked back the scream as she saw Escanflowne knelt down surrounded by fighting men and machines. She tried to scream his name but the noise of the battle took away her voice. Men slaughtering one another below, Gymeluf's battling and falling all around. Fortress floated from above, from them came more flying Gymeluf.

Escaflowne stumbled to gain back its footing, obviously injured, it lurched forward again with renewed swiftness. Escaflowne's blade met with another, a sleek black Gymeluf. It's appearance sleek, with features resembling closely to Escanflowne. It didn't appear to be injured in the manner Escaflowne was, evading all of Escaflowne's attacks with ease. She felt the rage, it burned her. She clawed at her chest watching with tears flowing from her eyes – she tried to scream – it hurt. Every sound of clashing metal felt like she was being torn into by the sharpest blade. They battled; the large black Gymeluf swiftly avoided the oncoming attacks, and to Hitomi's shock got the upper hand. Escaflowne lurched forward and the Gymeluf spun around his back raising his blade and bringing it down.

Hitomi shot up screaming, holding her throat. She breathed heavy – air she could feel air – her body throbbed as if the pain was residing but still there. She looked around, the battle, Escaflowne, Van it was all a vision. It was a vision – a future – she could feel the pain, anger, and rage all caused her body with so much pain, she wanted it gone.

She looked around while her body stopped throbbing. Serantisan stood gazing at her with concern. Grato was knelt behind her, his thin cold fingers on her shoulder.

"It not real." He whispered to her.

"Not yet Grato, not yet." She shook her head and her body quivered with the new found relief from the over bearing pain she felt moment before.

"Hide" Grato hissed.

"Over here, we heard a scream!" A distant voice yelled. There was someone out there! Her terrified gaze met Serantisan's.

She growled and placed herself over Hitomi, they were close, and she could hear the cracking of twigs from their footsteps on the forest floor.

Dilandau had caught up to them – they had traveled for days once she left Allen – trying to head to Fanelia but they had been resting here for longer than they should have been unsure of where to go.

Four men came into view, fully armed, when their eyes met the sight of the giant dragon they paused. Serantisan bellowed loudly spreading her wings and tearing the ground with her claws. The soldiers backed away frightened, and disappeared in back into the forest – the way they came. Hitomi listened as they became further away – to a point she could no longer hear them.

"We gotta go!" Hitomi threw loose dirt over the fire and started to gather the things they had accumulated over the past couple of days. Quickly pushing it into her satchel she paused and the ground vibrated once, twice, and with each vibration they seemed to increase in feel.

She looked around, the sound was clear to her, A Gymeluf. She jumped to her feet and ran to Serantisan scrambling onto her back; Grato pushed her up and followed her. She didn't care about the remaining items the vibrations were shaking the ground with force, it was close. Serantisan lifted into the air not waiting to see what would come into their view. Hitomi glanced down and saw the giant Gymeluf break through the dense forest and with instant reaction to their escape, immediately pulled Serantisan's tailed.

She roared as the giant metal armor pulled her back with force that sent her back digging into the earth. Hitomi pushed her self off before she landed under Serantisan hitting the ground with a force that took away her breath – seeing the actions before her in a daze. Grato must have landed safely as he was quickly at Hitomi's side pulling her up against him and pulling her back into the brush.

Serantisan struggled to her feet snapping warning's at the approaching Gymeluf. She was cratered into the ground struggling to dig out of the crater that her massive body had made; the Gymeluf drew his sword and advanced on Serantisan. Hitomi wanted to scream but she was still witnessing and not moving, trying to move, but nothing would work, she was fighting consciousness as she watched Serantisan struggle.

She felt the ground vibrating more, and she couldn't tell if it was the actions before her, or another Gymeluf coming to support this one. Serantisan continued to try and free herself using her tail to ward off the Gymeluf, his advances blocked by the massive tail. One swipe from her tail and the damage could be crippling for the Gymeluf, but he seemed to just be keeping her occupied with the pressure, he wasn't using his efforts to an offensive stance.

Hitomi could feel herself moving; pulling herself up slowly, Grato assisted her. She blinked and the ground shook harder, three more Gymeluf's emerged from the forest into their small clearing. She was surrounded, and though her size was undoubtedly larger she was pinned by the earth and her only defense was her tail. She swung it around, warding off the four Gymelufs but they were prepared and now advancing. The first Gymeluf advanced towards her dodging the swipe with only inches to spare, running towards her blade drawn. Her teeth met his blade and she held it firmly in her mouth, blood dripping from her mouth. The other three dove in closer, her arms and legs in range to help her defense.

Her tail caught one of the Gymelufs throwing it back into the ground, causing the earth to quake as it landed. She was holding the blade, causing large gashes in her mouth as the Gymeluf tried to wrench it free. Hitomi screamed in pain, she could feel her mouth tearing and she couldn't stop it.

She ran into the clearing, despite the hold Grato had on her she wrenched free. Serantisan thrusted her hind leg into the third Gymeluf as he rose his blade up to impale her, leaving himself open, landing into the Gymeluf she had force away with her tail. They both collided back to the ground.

Hitomi ran at the foot of the fourth Gymeluf who was raising his blade towards her chest. Hitomi screamed at Serantisan and wanted her to grab the large metal armor's arm to hold him in at bay. The action was going, but Serantisan missed the grab instead hitting his arm, causing his blade to fall from his grasp and landing in Serantisan's wing. She roared in pain, the blade wretched free from her mouth, and the Gymeluf stepped back gaining his footing again. Hitomi hit the ground, her back felt sharp stinging, digging into her back, as if her muscles were begin ripped apart.

Serantisan grabbed at the Gymeluf whose blade she knocked free, using him as a pillar she pulled him in, giving her enough force to pull herself out of the deep crater her body was firmly held in. She landed on him, her jaws immediately locking onto his helmet while her claws dug into his chest. The weight of her was causing him to sink into the ground, as she furiously burrow her sharp claws to the driver.

Hitomi felt another sharp pain in her leg, fire and her skin separating, she screamed with Serantisan's bellow of pain. Her tail knocked back the Gymeluf whose blade wrenched in her hind leg. She reached back and pulled the blade from her body with her teeth, flinching in pain as she advanced to the Gymeluf who was faltering backwards from her tail swipe.

Hitomi lay crippled on the ground, she couldn't move, she could only feel. She grabbed at the earth to pull herself up, try and regain her strength. She was feeling every ache with ever muscle that Serantisan moved in her struggle against the three remaining Gymelufs. She was losing consciousness; she couldn't keep her eyes open. She was slipping.

The sounds of a dragon filled the night air, its bellows of anger and pain cause Van to jump to his feet. He looked down the hill, towards the source of the sound and saw the encampment coming to life. They were scrambling into their Gymelufs and men were grabbing their weapons and heading west into the forest. Van turned and headed to Escaflowne, he didn't know what was going on but he was aiming to find out.

He jumped into the waiting cock pit and instantly the armor responded. The pit closed and he headed down the hill approaching soldiers in their Gymelufs.

"What is going on!" Van yelled at the solider climbing up into his cockpit.

"Your Majesty, a dragon, the dragon reported to have destroyed Sir Allen's ship is in the forest!" The solider saluted, but Van headed towards the noise that was coming just beyond the trees.

He approached quickly the sound becoming clearer, he pushed through the trees quickly halting as a Gymeluf came crashing through to his feet. He drew his blade and advanced in, coming upon the battle. Indeed the dragon was double his size, never had he seen such a large creature. He scanned the scene quickly, two Gymelufs were regaining their footing, two were bloodied and shredded, and the one behind him now, who he could not hear any movement from. This dragon was a beast, blooded and injured but wasn't appearing affecting by the gaping wounds it has sustained.

The dragon arched it's back spreading its wings in a threatened manner. It didn't pace around, it stood firm on its position. Its jaws blooded snapped glaring at Van with pure hatred; the white monster crouched slightly to the ground and lurched forward coming at Van. Van spun out of the way, barley missing the graze of it claws, and ducking under its tail as he rounded the back of the dragon. He turned back to face the turning dragon who was quickly upon him again, its hold catching his arm he dropped his blade and grabbed at the throat holding the sharp fangs at bay.

He pushed; he felt his hold slipping as the dragon writhed in his hold. Trying to break free, if he let go he would surely be done for. He heard movement from behind, and he took a chance. He pushed with his last force against the dragon, releasing his hold and turned back as his blade was thrown to him by the Gymeluf who was regaining footing when he had appeared. He swung back around and saw the dragon advancing in. He held his blade ready to maneuver under quickly preparing for his move.

He heard a scream, he thought it was his name, but over the dragon's roaring he couldn't tell. He stood fast, but the dragon stopped, and didn't move. It head lowered, as if admitting defeat. Van wasn't sure of what to do; he stood waiting for the dragon to regain its rage and advance. The Gymeluf behind the large white dragon advanced after taking in the idea he had the upper hand, Van was stopped from telling him to stand down when a blinding blue light appeared from his right.

Escaflowne jolted, Van felt himself kneeling, he couldn't make Escaflowne stop. He strained against the position cursing at the trickery, he looked out the cockpit and the others were doing the same. He continued to struggle but couldn't move, his cock pit opened and with that he jumped out, not waiting to see what other controlling this beast would do to his Gymeluf.

The blue light slowly waned and resided into forming a woman. His eyes adjusted and he saw Hitomi, standing there, with eyes full of tears. His heart stopped, he wanted to move but he couldn't.

She was beautiful. He could see her features were older her body more curved to the dress she was wearing. Her hair surprisingly longer flowing down her face over her shoulders like a silk shawl, and her emerald green eyes locked with his. Her skin was still fair in complexion, but was unblemished, she was naturally beautiful.

He took a step towards her, unsure of if he should move; the world around him was a blur. He could hear the muffled sounds of people around him shouting and yelling, but nothing came through, he just saw her. He took another step, she was closer, still too far, but she wasn't disappearing she was becoming closer to him as he moved forward.

"Van…" He heard his name, her voice was soft, and it sent a wave of tingling throughout his body, he stepped forward again swallowing.

"Hitomi…" He was in arms length of her, he slowly raised his hand reaching for the side of her face, if he could feel her, then she must be real.

A soft smile spread across her face and her eyes glistened with the forming tears. He touched her skin, so softly, outlining her face as he gazed at her. Her hand touched his, pressing his hand against her face and he took a deep breath. She was there, standing before him, he pulled his arm around her neck and brought her lips to his wanting to feel her more.

Her lips were softer than his dreams had let him feel, her taste was like the sweetest sensation he had ever felt. It course thought him and his he drank her in more. She whimpered against him and he pulled her in further, running his hands down her back.

Her arms stretch up and folded across his neck as she pulled him down towards her more, pushing back gently in her kiss to drink him in just the same. He moaned lightly and became more passionate in his kiss. She could feel the world spinning around her; never wanting to breathe if it would mean the heat flowing through her body from his lips would disappear.

His kiss became softer regaining some composer and pulled his lips from hers, letting them wander over her perfect unblemished skin. His lips slowly trailed along her jaw line and to her ear, back down her neck, nibbling wanting to mark her skin possessively. He realized the taste, smell, and feel of her was bringing his body to a response which he started to consciously think wouldn't be appropriate.

He placed his lips softly against hers one last time before pulling back to look at her. He kept her in his hold, firmly against him, letting her smell play with his senses, more feelings that he couldn't identify coursing through his veins. He wanted her, now, and he wasn't sure he couldn't come to terms with anything else if he didn't get his way.

"Hitomi, you're here…" It was all he could say, and he couldn't help the huskily way he sounded; he was keeping his inner needs at bay.

"I am Van, I am." She pulled her one arm free from around his neck and placed it against the side of his face, traced his face lightly with her fingers.

Van pulled his head into her hair taking a deep breath letting her smell take him away.

"Save me…from the dark…" It was softer than a whisper. He felt her go limp, and he pulled away to look at her. Her head was against his chest, and her body limply fell in his arms. Van felt a knot form in his throated as he gazed over her body for noticeable wounds.

"Hitomi! Hitomi!" He said lightly shaking her.

"She use much power." The voice was rasped and he heard blades draw; he turned his glance to be looking at the source of it.

A tall cloaked figure stood, motionless, as Vans soldier's pointed their blade at the mysterious figure.

"Who are you?" Van gritted his teeth, he wasn't sure if this was friend or foe, but he wasn't in the mood to be playing around.

"I Tsuni keeper." His arm lifted and a skinny long finger pulled from the cloak and pointed to his fainted love in his arms.

"You're with Hitomi?" His tone relieved a little.

"He is her keeper, and I am her protector." Van turned his head to the white dragon that was bleeding and limping towards him. She halted as the newly arrived soldiers drew their blades and pointed them at her threateningly.

"Stand down!" Van spat angrily, he should haven't been they were just protecting their King but he was disgusted with the situation.

"We have been looking for you Van Fanel." Serantisan dipped her head in an obvious display of respect.

Van looked down at the fragile woman in his arms and he could feel his skin prickle with the need to protect her. He pushed her hair from her face, and his eyes widen at the symbol that was inked on her forehead – it was true. Hitomi was this Tsuni.