Hitomi couldn't help but tap the utensil they provided her with her meals rhythmically against the small desk she sat at. Her frustrations were growing and she knew it wasn't helping with her isolation from everything. So many thoughts of what was happening outside of this room played through her head.

She grew sick of her own tapping and launched the metical spork appearing utensil cross the room, colliding against the wall it splitting into smaller pieces. She stared at it; it seemed heavy and more durable than what it seemed to be. It wasn't quite plastic, or metal either she presumed at this point. Picking up a small piece that pointed - the idea of picking locks brought a smile to her face.

She gathered the other few pieces that once formed the spork and ran over to her cot, immediately evaluating the chain and ankle clasp. She start trying to fit the pieces into the small hole that she could only assume was where the key went, but none of the pieces would fit. Disappointment rushed her, as that was the first part of her plan she wished would come true. Without the ankle clasp she would be able to summon her powers, that she didn't know much about, but could probably make a viable escape.

Her efforts didn't stop, she moved to the oval lock that held the chain and ankle clasp together, and to her relief the splinted pieces of the utensil fit in. She dug around, shifting different pieces in and out, trying to find the mechanism to unlatch. She had seen plenty of action movies, but it wasn't as simple as she hoped.

After many failed efforts, and breaks, she was on the verge of just crying in frustration when a small click swelled her hopes back. She sat there as the chain fell at the side of her foot and a sigh of relief was all she could muster. It took her a moment to get over her wonderful since of accomplishment before she realized she had probably another hour before the servant returned with a new meal, taking the contents of her previous meal.

She quickly headed to the door, and in a new thought, wasn't sure if the door was locked or not. Picking a door too she hoped it wasn't true. She grabbed the latch and held her breath pushing down, it softly clicked and she pulled, surprised that it came forward with her. They wouldn't need to lock it if I was chained she thought in satisfaction of being under estimated. How simpleshe scolded herself for not trying sooner, giving up way to soon. She had to learn to gain better survival instincts instead of waiting for someone to rescue her. If it wasn't Van, it was Allen, and if it wasn't them it had been Sertasin and Grato.

She pulled her head through the door and looked down the hallway that ran to stairs either way. Now where do I goshe thought? She presumed they were either on a flying fortress, or on a levi ship, knowing Dilandau, so she would first have to find Sertansin.

She decided to head left and head up the stairs. She twisted through a few corridors, hiding in other rooms as guards passed. As she twisted her way through the halls a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"I will head there immediately; we should arrive in three days Zeyran." Dilandau muffled but legible came from the other side of the door to her right.

Hitomi contemplated going ahead but stayed, wanting to know what Dilandau was planning; it might be beneficial to her.

"She's here, with the King, she played the role very well. Rentra is preparing to send word to his armies to invade." A woman's voice that seemed so familiar but muffled. Whos Zeyran she thought quietly.

"This could be interesting. What are his plans with Seiz?" If Dilandau was talking to someone in the room, how did he know about the woman in Fanelia already?

Hitomi slowly pulled the latch down and quietly prayed as she pushed the door in, hoping to catch a look at who was in the room. Her heart raced as the thought of being caught and a million other things following coursed through her mind.

"He plans to kidnap her when his armies invade. Ive seen the bracelets." Hitomi peered her head into the room.

Dilandau's back faced her and he appeared to be leaning over a table. There was no one else in the room. There were no telephones or Internet in Gaea, so how in the world could he be communicating with someone?

"Good, what are you plans Zeyran?"

"Dohn will take Rentra's identity tonight, I will have the bracelets, dispatch orders for his armies, and we will make way to Cimedian, we still need the Orb Dilandau." The woman's voice seemed to hold warning.

Hitomi's memory pulled to a blue orb that plagued her horrible memories of a girl she was, but wasn't. It called to her, and she thought it might be best if she settled with Dilandau until he gets her to this orb, this might help her figure out things.

Hitomi slunk away from the door and looked back down the hallway. Im so close to being free but she had a duty. She felt confident enough to know she needed to get to that orb; hopefully she could solve this on her own. Hopefully no one else would lose their lives, and she could keep everyone she held close safe. Van she thought conflicted with love and sadness You promise, you're never going to be alone Van.

She rushed back down the hall as Dilandau seemed to be finishing his conversation with whomever he was speaking with. It seemed less time to get back to her room than getting to where she was before. She scurried in; the room was still the way she had left it.

She gathered the pieces of her utensil and hid them beneath her small pillow, gathering the chain and lock; she placed them back together, restricting her to the room again. Van hold on just a little longer she thought with a new sense of courage forming in her. This time she would not need to be rescued, but she would save Gaea on her own, without putting anyone in harm's way.

Seiz fluttered her eyes open. The room was slightly dark, with rays of light trying to seep in where the curtains were partially drawn. She moved her hand from under the man that slumped over the bed, sleeping in the chair beside her. The King of Fanelia she thought as she recognized the crest symbol on the back of his cloak that draped on the side of the chair.

She remembered arriving in Fanelia, she played unconscious, and as the healers worked her over, stitching the couple of wounds she had, she fell asleep. The waystones had taken more of her energy than she thought, but at least she felt rested now.

She looked over her arms, and noticed the bruises were already a deep purple. If I heal to fast the will notice but hopefully she would be gone by the second day or her fully healed body would bring much suspicion to mind.

She grinned at her own accomplishment, and at the clueless king that must have stayed by her night all night long. Love was such a despicable thing, and she never understood it. To value someone's life more than your own was weak. She never did grasp how her sister found the idea of toying with love and lust so appealing. Seiz had not been completely objected to relations with men, but no more than just the act itself in obtaining the pleasure of this act. Her sister always described it as sensual, soft, and needing. Her experience was something of more for her in aggressive passion. Zeyran told her it was another way to do the act of intercourse, not one that she preferred.

Zeyran did teach her a lot about seduction, it was rather powering to be honest. To be able to control ones will by simply using your body language was astounding to her. She wasn't at all as good as her sister, but she could manage with this love sick King at least she did however hold the image of his heart.

Seiz placed her hand on his head, running her fingers through his course jet black hair. He groaned slightly; bring Seiz to smirk as he responded to her touch, awakening slowly.

"Hitomi…" He breathed slightly as his eyes opened slowly meeting Seiz's. It felt awkward, to be looking in the reflection of this man's deep red eyes and not see hers, but this plain green eyed girl.

"Van…" She said softly as he pulled himself from the chair and sat on the bed next to her. His eyes were so deep; it made her unfamiliar body tingle slightly to be looked at that way.

Van looked over her arms again, and to her revealing skin that was exposed through the thin gown she wore. It was bruised and some gashes stitched. He quivered in fury and slowly pushed her back against the bed, kissing each bruise softly.

Seiz felt uneasy, she wasn't expecting this so soon, but she then again didn't know the passion this King felt for the taken girl's identity she now played. She wiggled under him as his concentration was working its way past her collar bone to her other wounds on her left arm.

After he gained some composure over himself Van sat up, hovering over her, looking at her. Her eyes seemed confused, he wasn't sure. She placed a smile on her face that made him feel the need to smile back. She's been through a lot and you weren't there he echoed putting his growing concerns in the back of his mind. She's here now; you didn't lose her he assured himself. Van couldn't shake the feeling of strangeness that seemed to come from Hitomi's body.

"How are you feeling?" He pushed her stray hairs from her face, rubbing her cheek softly.

"Considering, I feel fine, better than I did yesterday." Seiz batted her eyes shyly, she really had to pull of this innocent part, and she could see Van evaluating her.

"Are you hungry?" Van turned and pulled a tray of food that had been brought in only an hour prior to her wakening.

"I am actually." She said sitting up and taking the tray of food that Van offered.

They sat there in a silence, she felts Van gaze watching her with every bite, she would have to get his attention elsewhere if she was going to pull this off, or at least find a way to be away from him before he asked or suspected too much. Zeyran warned me he loved her, but this is suffocating!

There was a knock at the door and after Van allowed them entrance, did the door open revealing a dashing man in regal armored attire. Standing firm and tall her seemed so orderly as he informed Van the council was meeting, and he would escort Van to the meeting.

"Storius tell Orinia to take my place." Van sighed

"With all due respect your majesty, the situation at hand has changed, this requires your attention." Storius bowed and seemed defiant on not letting Van stay, which was a relief to Seiz.

Van stood and looked at Seiz with an apologetic smile.

"I will be back Hitomi." Van leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly as Seiz finished chewing the muffin that she was so eager to finish.

Van pulled his cloak from his chair when Hitomi smiled and nodded. Something's not right he thought quietly. She seemed distant, and he didn't understand it. She had a long journeyhe reminded himself but it didn't make him feel any better as he followed Storius to the council room.

Seiz didn't wait long when she heard the door click to jump from the bed and shuffle through the room looking for something to wear. She had to see her sister, she wasn't sure this was going to go so well after all. It wasn't like her to panic, but she never seen such doubt on a face before, and she couldn't explain it but Van was seeing right through her and it was only a matter of time before he did know.

She saw a rather elegant dress on the chair at the end of the bed and pulled her gown from over her head. Between lacing the corset her self and slipping into the dress, mumbling cursing as she went she wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it did feel like at least 30 minutes.

She opened the door and walked past the two stationed guards outside her door who gave each other a strange glance as she left. She was pretty sure Van placed them there with the direct order to not let anyone in, but was never told if she could be let out. Of course he didn't think she would be roaming the castle, he was fool to think she would stay in bed awaiting his return.

She took a deep breath and focused in her mind trying to feel her other half somewhere in this castle. It wasn't something she learned she could do until after becoming Quartz. She and her sister were identical, blood and genes, all the same, so of course she could amplify the bond when her powers came into play.

West wing she thought as she raced through the halls, only slowing when she heard foots steps of a stranger; normally a servant of the palace would pass her with a strange confused gaze but continue on as she did. She stopped in front of a rather large door, and not knocking she slipped in, to avoid other eyes.

"You fool!" Zeyran hissed low striking her face the minute she latched the door. Seiz blink as the numbness faded, it should have stung but for Seiz nothing was there.

"He's not a fool! Hes noticing already! I don't know what to do!" Seiz bit back.

Zeyran straightened; she eyed her foolish sister carefully. If she was this Hitomi she would have that King on his back never second guessing his love for the mount that would be straddling him, but of course her sister was and dull and clueless as a teenager. Fumbling in her seductive ways, she was never experienced like her.

Zeyran pondered for a minute. Love was such a fickle thing that she didn't understand. How can someone recognize the depths of you under such conditions? Seiz didn't look any different from Hitomi, yet this Van still had his suspicions. She was sure Van wouldn't leave Hitomi's side unless made, and considering he was the King here there was nothing that could order him to do so. The knight her mind pulled in so many devious directions.

She recalled overhearing the blonde haired man talking to another man in the court yard late last night. Her ears fell upon some interesting new information that would help this situation more. I couldnt have planned it better myself and her grin seemed to reach ear to ear as she met her sisters strange new eyes. She could find him easily enough and work her way to get him to the garden, she seen his kind before, she knew how to play the right tune.

"Be glad I thought further ahead for you. Seems there's a Knight – Allen, he has long blonde hair and blue eyes Seiz, and he seems to have wants with this Hitomi too. His are more lustful – find him, put him in a trap and let Van see you with him." Zeyran straightened Seiz's hair.

"How will that help then I will be having two men figuring me out!" Seiz rolled her eyes, sometimes her sister needed to put sex out of her head long enough to think straight.

"Havent I taught you anything!" Zeyran hissed pulling Seiz across the room to her bowl.

"If two men want the same woman, and they know they both have to pine over your affections, they will be too distracted with each other to notice you." She pulled her finger from the water, and the King whom she had just seen was fighting with the man she just heard her sister describe.

"Play both sides of the fence, stay undecided, and helpless." Zeyran smirked.

Zeyran caught her wrist and pulled her back to the door "Be at the garden after lunch, I will send Allen your way, and then Van to follow up. Find a way to part with him from there, which is your only task!" Zeyran looked both ways down the hall and shoved Seiz out into it

"Now get back to your room!" Zeyran hissed, Seiz pulled her dress and ran to her room as quickly as possible. They would be here until tonight and there had to be attention elsewhere than on her, because tonight she was fleeing with Seiz, and if the two men were too busy to notice Seiz, that was the perfect opportunity. This was going much better than she could have hoped for.

Seiz made it back to her room as easily as she had leaving it. The morning seemed pretty quiet so there wasn't anyone to complicate things for her. She was grateful when she returned to the large bed, and began finishing the breakfast that had grown cold.

It was about another hour before the servants came in drawing her a bath and assisting her. It wasn't long after that that the king of Fanelia had returned to his room, pacing for her while she bathed. She could see his form pass through the shadows and it made her sigh in annoyance. He really is a love sick fool isn't heSeiz didn't like this Hitomi's life as much as she had a moment ago when the maid was scrubbing her callused feet to perfect soft skin again.

"How was your morning?" Van called into the bathing room, obviously no longer patient. Seiz grumbled as she motioned for the maid to grab her towel, she obviously wasn't going to enjoy a soak any longer before she had to spend this day with this man.

"Im coming out, just a moment." She responded a sweet as she could rolling her eyes as she did so, this was so unlike her.

Van faced the desk, giving her a moment to dress. The maids scurried quickly as the fastened the white gown to the corset to hold it up. It was strapless with arms the pulled separate up to her elbows hiding he delicate hands in the lacy finishing of the fabric. All the lining along the dress was in a deep red, and the fabric seemed more intricately designed with folds and laces with every trace of red that made the dress. It was even a dress worthy of a complement from Seiz.

Van stared at the desk, trying to push back this cold feeling he kept feeling. Maybe Hitomi wasn't glad to see him, she sure did act less compelled to talk to him, which was fine, but it just didn't seem as if it was attributed to lack of sleep or the journey she had just had. He wanted to know if something had happen to her, he was going to ask her, it had course through his mind during the meeting and was even bugging him now.

"Is something –" Van turned to see her as he heard the maids scurry from the room. She so beautiful and she was. The dress was stunning and the maids had woven her hair into many different ways on top her head, leaving only a few curling playful strands dancing on the side of her face. He looked at her neck line, as it was bare, and the low cut of her dress made his heart lurch. Where's her necklace Van thought and he completely forgot his first question and proceeded with this one.

"Where is your necklace?" He approached her slowly, placing his hand on her sides.

"Dilandau took it from me." She looked up at him, widening her eyes and slightly pushing her lips together Innocent she thought without missing a beat on his question.

Van leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek, trying to get closer into her, as she was very stiff, and seemed distant from him. Not like that night his memories pulled at that night but he pushed them away, trying to focus on now.

Oh god just give him what he wantsSeiz thought pushing herself on her toes, and meeting his lips. He seemed to tense for a moment, unexpected but his eyes closed and he pulled her closer into him. It was a funny feeling, feeling his body respond to her kiss and touch. His skin quivering with goose bumps, Seiz was almost flattered. Not for me she thought wishing he would hold her tighter and then dismissing the thought as quickly as it came.

The kiss slowly broke and she looked at him sincerely. It was really close to the time that she was to meet this Allen in the garden, she had about an hour, what in the world was she going to do to break away from Van he did seem hellbent on staying close to here. He's going to start asking about my escapeshe thought further, making her feel more urgent to be away from him. She pulled herself away from his kiss abruptly and it wasn't until she looked at his quizzical stare that she knew she should of been more sutle about it. How does Zeyran do this she growled, this whole display of affection seemed pointless for the most part.

"I think I would like to go on a walk.." she said quietly pulling away from his gaze.

Van smiled slightly and placed his hand to the side of her face bringing her gaze back to him. "As you wish, let me get my -"

"No! I mean, I would like some time to myself..." She tried to play off her sudden outburst

Van gave her a stern look What is the matter he thought wanting to ask the question. She want soft, and sincere as she once seemed. Maybe I just never noticed he thought trying to pull together his emotions and not let them affect now. I haven't really got to know he againhe thought quietly. It was sudden when they were together before Austria, and a majority of their interaction had been psychical, he didn't notice anything like this. What if she doesnt feel for me anymorehe thought suddenly. He tried to dismiss the thought, he never was the kind to be insecure about himself, but when it came to this he was so open.

"Please Van, Ive just had a long week thats all, just a walk." Her eyes glistened Beg she thought pouting out her lip again slightly.

Van sighed, he was just being insecure, she probably had been through a large ordeal and for him to push himself on her was wrong. Everyone needs a space, and he wasn't any different at time. Van nodded and turned, leaving her in the room. Time to himself might be good too, he wasn't thinking right as he noticed. He almost stopped and turned around to give her another kiss, as he felt like he needed it, but continued on Stop being so needy he reminded himself.

When the door clicked Seiz relaxed and sighed. Why did it have to be this damn complicated. Sure she had been psychical with men before, but not in a soft sensual way by any means. Zeyran always called her that hard lover, and she never did understand it really until she did experience a "softer" way to intercourse, which she didn't enjoy at all. He would definatly notice I bet Seiz thought as she entertained the thought of being with Van. He was very good looking, tone, and darker complected. It did take some restrain to not throw him to the sheets and have her ways with him she defiantly had the upper hand being this Hitomi.

Sighing she decided to make her way to the garden, where she was to be shortly. Hopefully this worksbecause she wasn't sure how much more of this she was going to be able to play off before he started becoming suspicious in a way that would start asing questions.

Van shut the door and made his way down the corridors to the one spot he could at least get some thoughts to himself. Escaflowne might not be resting there anymore, but he was able to reflect so well there, and get the right perspective on things.

"LORD VAN!" Her shrill voice echoed through the corridor and she pounced quickly to him.

He grinned as Merle met him with force that could have taken him to the ground if he wasn't ready for her.

"She's really here! where is she!" Merle flicked her tail quickly, and her eyes were lit up with anticipation.

"She needed some time to herself Merle, why don't you accompany me to Allah." He put his arm under hers.

Van had called his private sanctuary Allah, his mother would tell him of a garden she visited many times called Allah, it was her second favorite place next to Fanelia. He felt it only appropriate to name it, as he had a statue crafted with her to be placed in this sanctuary for him.

"Is she okay Van?" Merle finally asked, she couldnt help but feel an odd feeling about Hitomi dismissing Van for some time to herself, it didnt seem right.

Van sat on the bench and met Merle's gaze, so badly did he want to play cool and not let her in on the things that coursed through his mind, but that would make it worse. Merle could read him so well, that she would let him get away with not telling her. Frankly she would probably be insulted and a listening Merle was better than a aggravated Merle.

"She's different Merle. I mean I thought she was the same, before Austria, but..." Van was trying to find the way to put it into words without letting Merle know to much, she would have his hid for his interaction with Hitomi, regardless if he regretted it or not.

"Van it has been five years." Merle thought simply, sure, she was a woman now, she had grown and he had grown, they hadnt grown and learned about each other together. He would have to give it time.

"No Merle, she couldn't have been more of the woman I have desired for these last five years. Everything about her Merle, she told me she loved me." He admitted not letting Merle tell him that time changed them, it couldn't be true, he wouldn't accept it. It seemed time couldn't have done better for them She does love me I felt it he was so positive.

"If today was your last day day, could you say goodbye to tomorrow?" Hitomi pulled her head from his chest.

"What do you mean?" Van looked at her wrapping his arms tighter around her naked form that was providing him with more than warmth. His body never felt so alive than this moment.

"I feel like I wont see tomorrow Van, something is telling me, each new day might be my last, and I cant accept saying goodbye to tomorrow because it means being without you." She pulled her gaze from his.

His body tensed at how much she believe her own statement. He pulled her face to meet his again.

"There will be a tomorrow for you Hitomi, I will make sure of it." Van pushed his lips to hers and passionately kissed her not able to control it, he had no will when it came to her.

"Van promised me, if I don't have a tomorrow with you, you will remember me, live for me." She ran her fingers through his hair looking at him sternly, she was so convinced at this that even the thought of it brought a pain over him that he didn't think he could experience in this moment.

"Hitomi I.." He wanted to argue the fact, he wanted to tell her he wouldn't let anything happen to her, but everything beyond this moment was so unfamiliar.

"No Van, you're never going to be alone, from this moment on, even if Im not here. If you feel like letting go Van, I wont let you I will be there to catch you." Her eyes danced with something that put the belief that if it did happen what she said was true.

"We all hope is gone, Ill hold you until the hurt is gone Van, believe me I will be there, but please...promise me, you'll live for me." Hitomi pressed her forehead to him.

He felt a sense of courage was over him. He met her lips again, and drank her in. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and his wings folded closer, not wanting to let go.

"I will Hitomi..." He whispered in her ear.

Van looked at Merle who was just staring blankly at him, she had asked him something but he didn't here it thinking back to their night together.

"Merle, no she didn't change, she was here, but now its like shes not." His sense of truth to that statement confused him even as he said it. She was here now, he saw the proof, he touched her, kissed her, but it wasn't the same as then. Times goes so fast, you will regret not spending all of it with her.. he thought, remembering his promise. He stood quickly at the urgency of that statement.

"Im sorry Merle I have to find Hitomi." He turned but Merle grabbed his arm.

"She wanted space Van remember you said..." Merle looked at him confused.

"I have to let Hitomi know, shes never going to be alone, I have to tell her, I think I know why shes different." She doesnt want to hurt mehe thought, of course she was distancing herself from him. He couldn't of seen it any other way, there was no other explanation.

He pulled his arm from Merle and gave her an apologetic look to Merle as he dashed into the palace in search of Hitomi. I wont let you loose hope Hitomi he thought.

Okay guys!

Sorry to end the chapter here I didnt want to as I had so much more to fit in it haha Well Chapter 21 you can see it :)

Hope you enjoy this one

Um songs of influence NickelBack (WHO I will be seeing FRONT row and CENTER! April 24th! Darkhorse tour OMG love them SOOOO much)

NickelBack Never gonna be alone

Was a big influence here

So Whatca think so far!

Well hope you guys enjoy it Please R/R

And HUGE thank you to the followers and regular reviewers your input makes me want to write more ^.^ And better!