She opened her eyes slowly. She squinted, as the sun from the window caught her eyes. She looked around, disoriented as always whenever she wakes up in the morning. Something's different. She looked around again, that's it! She's not in her room! She immediately sat up. One more time she looked around.

"Where am I?" she asked herself. Then everything came rushing in. * This is Vans' room….* She slowly stood up, looking at the side of the bed where Van had been. * Where is he? * She thought. She walked on to the adjoining door to her bed. She slowly opened her door and looked inside. She saw Yukari sitting by the bed.

" Hitomi! I'm so glad you're awake. What happened? I was so worried! I asked Van where you are and he said you're still sleeping. I wanted to ask him about last night but I couldn't. Tell me, Hitomi. Tell me what happened." Yukari stood up and rushed to her

"Where is he?" Hitomi asked.

"He's standing outside. And he said you should get ready after you eaten your breakfast."

"Get ready?" she asked.

"Have you forgotten, your training starts today?"

"Really?" Hitomi couldn't believe what Yukari said.

"Yes. I believe he intends to take you by the lake. But before that, tell me first what happened last night. Did you, I mean, did you both do…I mean did you."

"No we didn't." Hitomi answered as she walked towards the door, where Van is supposed to be.

"You mean you didn't…."

"We didn't, Yukari." She answered as she opened the door. She saw Van standing across the door, leaning at the wall. She stared at him. She tried to talk but couldn't, she just stare at him.

"Dress something comfortable after you eat, I'll take you by the lake, bring your sword." He said his voice as always, hard and cold. The teasing Van last night is gone. She slowly closed the door and leaned against it.

* He's so complicated. Where does the teasing Van go when the cold one replace it?* She closed her eyes and remembered the kiss and embrace that they shared yesterday.

They stood face to face by the lake. She wore a simple gown with no laces anywhere. It's rather sturdy and easily managed. * What is he thinking?* She thought as she continued to look at him.

"Let's begin." He said and then ran towards her with his sword drawn up. * What!?! * She dodged, moving away from him.

"Wait!" she screamed as she pulled her sword up.

"Wait, dammit!" she cursed as Van continued to attack her. She blocked his sword, each blow vibrating through her body.

"I said wait!" then she slammed her sword against his.

"You said you're going to train me! We both know you're a lot stronger, no need to prove it again!" she said as she slammed her sword again against his.

"You should remember to close your mouth and concentrate." He said. He took hold of her sword and pushed it aside and slammed his fist against her stomach. She doubled. She looked up.

"Damn you!" she cursed.

"Remember to shut your mouth while fighting. It tends to get in the way."

"But do you really have to hit me that hard!" she straightened.

"Your enemy will hit you as hard as they could, Princess. I'm here to train you, if you don't like my way find someone else." He said sheathing his sword and started to walk away.

"Wait! You're right. I want you." She stopped and stared. * I want you. What does that mean? * She turned red.

"I mean…I want you to…. to train me." She blushed as she looked away from him.

"Now, let's begin."

They fought for hours, with Van stating pointers as they go. She could feel every part of her body aching. Her hands trembled while holding her sword, that's when Van called for a halt. She sat down and slowly lay down against the ground. She tried to slow her breathing as she lay there.

"Tomorrow will do this again." Van said as he sat down against a tree. Then all of a sudden Van stood up with his sword drawn up. He walked towards her and turned his back on her. She slowly stood up.

"What's wrong?" she asked worried.

"Someone's coming." He said tensed and ready for a fight.

"Maybe it's Yukari."

"No. Far too loud and big..."

"But I can't see anyone." She said as she looked around.

"The sound of footsteps. Stay behind me." He said. Then she heard people talking and their footsteps. Then three men emerged from the forest.

"Allen!" she gasped.

"Hitomi!" the man with long blond hair said. He walked towards Hitomi but was intervened by Van with his sword pointing at him.

"Who are you?" Van asked.

"I'm Allen Schezar of Asturia and who might you be and what do you think you're doing with Princess Hitomi?"

"That… is my business." Van answered.

"Van listen, this is Allen he's a friend of father." Hitomi answered. She tried to move away from Van.

"That is something we need to confirm with your father. But at this point, Princess, you'll stay behind me." He hissed at her.

"Who is he, Princess?" Allen asked.

"He's Van Fanel, my personal guard."

"I see. So it's true that your father hired a man to protect you."

"Yes, Allen. I think we should go and see father." She said.

"Yes, Princess, and I'll gladly escort you there." Allen offered and took a step forward.

"If you step closer, your men will have to carry your head separated from your body." Van threatened. Everyone tensed as Van took a step forward. Hitomi took hold of his shirt.

"Van! Stop it. He's a friend."

"I'm doing my duty, Princess."

"Fine! Allen you go ahead will follow you." She told Allen and his men.

"As you wish, Princess. By the way, it's nice to see you again. You've grown. You're more beautiful than the last time I saw you." Allen smiled and left. She couldn't help but blushed over that comment.

"Women." Van muttered, as he turned and looked at the blushing Hitomi.

"Will you stop that?" Van said as he walked towards the castle with Hitomi trailing behind him.

"Stop what?" she asked puzzled.

"Giggling and blushing."

"I'm not giggling!"

"But you're blushing." He said.

"So what if I am! It's my right to blush whenever I fell like it!"

"Women." He muttered again.

"Who is he?" he asked.

"He's a friend of father. Actually, Allens' father is the friend of father. He's a knight of Asturia. He visits us often and brings news about other countries." She explained.

"So you like him." He said.

"That is a matter of me and Allen, not yours!" He laughed.

"What's funny!" he turned and pulled her close to him.

"What do you think will Knight Allen would say if I told him about last night?" he pushed her against a tree.

"You wouldn't dare!" she said. But all she could think about is the way he kissed.

"Why not?" He gently pushed away her hair from her face. He looked at her straight in the eyes. He'd grown serious and slowly his head descends towards her.

"We can't do this…." She whispered but she was already leaning towards him. He chuckled and slowly pressed his lips against hers. The same hot kissed they shared yesterday. She could feel her hearth beat race again. Feel the same urgent feeling last night. They kissed and time seemed to have stopped. After a few wonderful moments he pulled away.

"What do you think will Allen say if I told him about this?" he said.