[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Behind Enemy Lines
By: rainjewel
Chapter Thirteen: Coincidentally…Lost and Found
A/N: Hmm…well it's October 10, 2001 when I'm writing this. This story has been floating around in my otherwise air-filled noggin since the beginning of June. Production began around…mid-June, I'd say (Previously I had been busy with "Lost and Found: The Alternate Ending" ß That's what we call shameless self-promotion). Just thought you'd like to know that I have no life whatsoever. Pathetic, isn't it? Well, I hope you are all very appreciative.
~*~
Dilandau lay in his bed, sleeping a dreamless sleep. He never dreamed anymore. However he was glad for it; someone who goes to bed at 11:30 p.m. and has to get up at 4:00 a.m. needs as much sleep as he or she can get.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Dilandau instantly awoke and rolled over, trying to ignore the noise.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Damn it," he mumbled. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He glanced around his room, looking for the cause of the sound.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Dilandau swung his head around immediately. The sound was coming from the window. He threw off his covers and walked to the window. With an angry jerk of his hand he ripped the curtains open.
Yellow eyes met his angry red stare. Pressed against the window was a large gray owl. Its heavy beak rapped against the glass, creating the tapping noise Dilandau had awakened too.
"Go away," Dilandau said, his voice irritated. He felt extremely grumpy.
"Hoot," said the owl. It rapped again on the glass.
"Stop that," he commanded. Dilandau raised a hand and pounded on the glass. The owl wasn't fazed.
"Hoot," it said again.
Dilandau stopped being nice. He opened up the window and punched the bird with his right hand. It tumbled off the windowsill, but then righted itself and flew through the open window. Dilandau tried to shut it before the owl got through, but he didn't quite make it. The gray bird perched atop a bedpost.
"You little devil," Dilandau said looking at the owl. Its yellow eyes were wide and smug.
Dilandau slowly came forward, his eyes locked on the bird. Suddenly he jumped forward, grabbing for the owl. The bird flew upwards and out of Dilandau's reach. He landed on his feet, rocking back and forth for balance. The owl landed back on the bedpost.
Gritting his teeth, Dilandau took another dive. The bird flew up again. Dilandau jumped at the bird for a third time, but leaped higher and caught the owl as it flew upwards. He quickly wrapped his hands around the bird's feet to escape a mauling by the razor-sharp talons. The two crashed to the ground. The owl flapped about madly and Dilandau swung it around twice, dizzying the creature. He then flipped the owl upside down, stunning it.
"Well," Dilandau said, breathing hard, "That was fun."
"Hoot," said the owl. It flapped its wings ferociously and brought its head up to bite him on the hand. Dilandau dropped the owl out of pain. The bird flew up and perched on the bedpost, scratching his shoulder with its talons as it went.
"Bastard!" Dilandau cried, bringing a hand up to feel the slash on his shoulder blade. With a horrid fury he dived at the bird again, bent on killing the feathered creature. However, the bird avoided every blow he threw at it. Blood began to run down in rivers from his shoulder and Dilandau knew that he had to treat it eventually. He glared at the bird and then marched into the bathroom. After a bit of rummaging he managed to locate some gauze and tape and bandaged up his arm.
"Fine then," he said to the owl, returning to his bedroom, "You can sit up there and rot for all I care. But I swear to the Gods, if you shit on my bed or anywhere in this room I will take my flame-thrower to your stupid feathered ass."
Dilandau flung the window open, thinking the owl would undoubtedly leave the room if he stopped pestering it. He then jumped on the bed in a huff and lay down on his good shoulder. For a minute or two he was too angry to even think about sleep. The gash on his shoulder was going to make training harder for a couple of days. He fumed about his handicap, but finally he cooled down and fell asleep once more.
In the morning, the owl was still there.
Dilandau opened his eyes to find his new companion sitting patiently on his bedpost. Grumbling insults, he rolled out of bed and marched into the bathroom. He showered, still grumbling. When he walked out of the bathroom, the owl was still there.
Dilandau started laughing.
"Stupid bird," he cackled.
"Hoooooot," the owl said. It actually sounded hurt.
He grinned and stopped toweling his hair dry. He took the wet cloth and snapped the bird with it. It made a satisfying thwack against the owl. Gray feathers flew everywhere and owl growled menacingly at him. Dilandau felt a weird affection growing for the creature.
"Yeah? Well so's your mother," he replied, getting dressed. As he strapped on the large metal plates that served as shoulder guards, the owl flew down from the bedpost and perched on his shoulder.
"OUCH!" Dilandau yelled. The bird landed precisely on his cut. He punched at the owl, which flew up and landed on his other shoulder. It rubbed its downy head against his cheek, purring. Wincing, he rolled his shoulder about a couple of times, feeling the wound stretch unmercifully.
"Well, that undid any preliminary healing," Dilandau mumbled. He turned and looked into the mirror. "So," he said, slipping his golden diadem on, "You think that you can just waltz in here and assume the role of being my pet? What makes you think that you're qualified for such a position?"
"Hoot!" said the owl, puffing up his breast. Dilandau grinned. He couldn't help but be amused with this feathered creature. Something about it had a wonderfully familiar creature.
"Hmph. I suppose you can stay, provided you follow my every order," he said, strapping on his sword belt. "But what shall I call you?"
The owl pulled its head into its shoulders, making it seem as if something had stepped on it. Dilandau took that for a shrug. He thought for a moment, trying to think of what could possibly be a good name for an owl. Then suddenly a word skittered across his patched mind.
"Natal," he whispered. The owl's head shot straight up and it hooted loudly. Dilandau nodded. "Natal it is."
And for some reason he thought of yellow.
~*~
What was the absolute worst possible punishment for disturbing a king? Did it matter on what he was doing at the time? What if it was something like walking in during an important meeting or simply interrupting his morning tea? Did they even have morning tea in Fanelia?
Hitomi pondered these things as she wandered aimlessly through the hallways of the Fanelian castle. Now that she was well again, Hitomi found herself becoming increasingly bored with each passing day. Van was forever wrapped up in meetings, overseeing the training of the Fanelian military, and doing other kingly duties. At night he would meet with her for dinner and chat with her for an hour or so before he retired to his own chambers (or wherever he was going now since she was technically in his) to get a restful night's sleep before running off again the next day.
He was such a stranger to her now. Hitomi felt that the special connection she had shared with Van during the war was gone. Hadn't she admitted her love to him and he to her? It seemed like the thought had never crossed his mind. They were like old friends being reunited after twenty years. Hitomi decided that she would simply have to find that connection once again, and love Van more than ever.
Well, whenever she could find him, that is. And that was saying a lot.
Hitomi at least tried to find something to do to occupy her time. Her hands were still weak and healing from the accident, so she could only use them for a limited amount of time. She had sat and watched Celena mull about the garden (the girl was planting flowers now instead of picking them. Merle supervised with obvious apprehension). Merle rarely spoke a word to Hitomi, except to insult her in a not-so-playful manner.
Everyone from the Great War was gone. Hitomi was saddened by the mysterious disappearance of Allen and Gaddes and hoped that they were having a jolly good time wherever they were. Dryden was rumored to be rebuilding his fleet in a remote location (far away from Asturia), so Hitomi couldn't talk to him either. And then there was Millerna, who suddenly sounded interesting.
Hitomi sighed and leaned against the wall. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't going to go and disturb Van and it was raining outside. Merle was inside her room reading over some medical textbook, and Celena was nowhere to be found. Though, Hitomi had never actually conversed with Celena; she'd only been up on her feet for little less then a week and the two girls had only exchanged pleasantries. Hitomi was also a little wary of the girl. After all, she had spent two-thirds of her life as Dilandau. And Hitomi could have sworn that on that day, that day of days, she had seen-
"No," Hitomi said aloud. Hallucinating. I was undoubtedly hallucinating.
Still, something didn't sit right. Hitomi pushed off the wall and began walking again. As she passed through the training wing, she stopped. A metallic whoosh could be heard from a small room on her right. She tiptoed closer and peeked through the partially open door.
Standing there, sword raised and eyes serious, was Celena Schezar. She was wearing familiar blue pants with the cuffs rolled up and belted tightly around her waist. Her shirt was white and two or three sizes to large, but she'd knotted the bottom so it came down to just above her naval. She was breathing heavily and beads of sweat were coursing down her face and neck. Celena drew back, raising the blade high above her head. Her arm tensed to deliver a blow to her imaginary opponent, but suddenly she dropped the sword.
"Hello there!" Celena said brightly, turning to the doorway. Hitomi felt herself blush.
'Hi," she replied, stepping inside the room. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Nah, I'm just practicing," Celena said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Oh…I didn't know that you studied sword fighting," Hitomi said. She felt uneasy.
Celena smiled mischievously. "Not many people do. It's a secret. Do you want to learn?"
"Uh…I can't. Not in this," Hitomi said, motioning to her dress. It was a little green summer dress Merle had grudgingly lent her. Needless to say, it was a little small.
"That's true. These things are my brother's," Celena said. She pointed to her own outfit. Her face looked sad.
Hitomi stepped closer. "Do you have any idea where he could be?"
"No," Celena said, shaking her head. "I don't remember when he left. There's a hole in my brain." She smiled and sighed. Her slender hand fingered her sword.
"Do you mind if I watch?" Hitomi asked. Celena nodded enthusiastically, sending a spray of golden curls. Hitomi stepped back against the wall and Celena raised her sword once again.
Without a sound the blonde girl lunged forward, charging at her enemy. Her left arm was held at a delicate arc while her right twisted and turned with the fluid grace of a cat, causing the sword to dance through the air.
Celena jumped back suddenly, on the defensive. Quickly she brought her other arm up to hold the sword, spinning the blade in a gleaming circle to block any attack. Her feet crossed and uncrossed as she shimmied from side to side. Then she surged forward once more and another series of breath-taking motions were painted in the air.
Hitomi watched spellbound as Celena went through her repetitions. She couldn't believe the beauty in which the girl carried the blade. Hitomi didn't know very much about swordplay itself, but she knew a good swordsman-swordswoman-when she saw one.
Celena stopped and turned to look at Hitomi. Her shoulders were heaving with each breath she took and her eyes were pinched with fatigue, but she was positively glowing with happiness.
"My god," Hitomi breathed, "You're a prodigy! Did Allen teach you that?" Her awe of the girl was incredible
"Dilandau-chan taught me," Celena replied, hanging the blade upon a far wall.
Hitomi blanched. "Who?"
"Dilandau-chan," Celena repeated. She ran her fingers through her hair.
"When? How?" Hitomi asked. She'd never heard anything about Dilandau.
"Well, he did it before we were torn apart, but I don't know how," Celena frowned, "But when he came here he trained me in this room when he had time."
"Torn apart?" Hitomi asked. Fear was rising in her chest.
"He called it 'separation,'" Celena said. "I don't remember how it went, but I remember it hurt. A lot."
"I'll bet," Hitomi replied. Her brain processed the information slowly. "Wait! You said he came here, to Fanelia?"
"Yeah," Celena said. "Why?"
"Where is he now?" Hitomi asked, her voice urgent.
Celena shrugged. "He left. He never said where he went. Van had to tell me that he had gone."
"Van?" Hitomi asked. "Um…excuse me!" She turned and ran out of the room, leaving Celena in complete puzzlement.
Hitomi ran down the hallways, her anger and confusion growing by the minute. Why would Van allow such a monster to reside here in Fanelia? Dilandau had always wanted to kill Van, so how could…? Why hadn't anyone told her about this little fiasco?
Hitomi didn't even slow down as she came to Van's chambers. Two guards turned a little too late as Hitomi slammed against the door, flinging it open with a demon's force.
Van was bent over the shoulder of some black-haired woman sitting at a desk. In her hand was a parchment with a huge jumble of numbers. The two looked up at the furious girl with obvious shock.
Hastily Van stood up. "Hitomi…nice to see you. Verdi, we'll look over those figures at another time."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the black-haired woman mumbled. She rose and left without a word, taking a huge amount of paper with her as she went.
"Who was that?" Hitomi asked, her voice loud and high with indignation. She walked to the front of desk and stared across at Van.
"My financial advisor. Probably the best advisor I have for that matter. Why?" Van asked, looking at Hitomi with utter confusion.
"Hmph. That all?" Hitomi asked.
Van frowned. "Of course. What's wrong with you?"
"Why didn't you tell me about Dilandau?" Hitomi asked pointedly.
"Dilandau?" Van asked. Hitomi saw him tense.
"Yes, Dilandau. I just had a exceedingly eye-opening conversation with Celena. Care to share some information with me?" she asked. Hitomi shot daggers with her look.
"I…uh…yeah," Van floundered. "Dilandau was here."
"No shit? Hey try something new Van. How about telling me the truth?" Hitomi put her hands on her hips, then winced.
"Okay, just calm down. Here, sit," Van said, motioning to a chair on to her left. Hitomi sat down and Van stepped around the desk and pulled up another chair to face her.
"All right. Shoot," Hitomi said, folding her arms carefully.
"What?" Van asked, looking confused.
"Never mind," Hitomi said impatiently. "Just tell me about Dilandau. I would like to know what in the world possessed you to harbor a murderer."
Van flinched. "It wasn't like that. After Celena and Dilandau separated-"
"When did they do that?" Hitomi interrupted.
"The day I arrived at the Schezar Manor. Allen and Gaddes were…gone," Van said. "That night Celena went into her room and, to put it bluntly, Dilandau came out of it. Obviously they had separated. Dilandau promptly ran off and Celena was hurt. I cleaned her up, went and captured the maniac, and returned to the Manor to find Merle taking care of Celena. Within a day or two I sent Celena and Merle back here and…well…took care of things with Dilandau."
"What do you mean by that?" Hitomi asked.
Van sighed. "I sorted things out, and got him to see my point of view. And I was perfectly-okay, not perfectly-non-violent about the whole thing. After a couple of days we traveled back over here."
Hitomi reached out traced the light scar on the right side of Van's face. "Did he give you this?"
"Yes. Fortunately it didn't scar quite as well as he wanted," he replied.
"I'll bet. Was he the reason that the Schezar Manor was burned to the ground?" Hitomi asked, already knowing the answer.
"How'd you guess?" Van asked with a rueful smile.
"So you're trying to tell me that Dilandau Albatou magically turned over a new leaf because of something you said?" Hitomi mused.
"Look, I know it sounds ludicrous. Believe it or not, Dilandau has a good side," Van said.
"I'm leaning towards the not," Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, why would I lie to you?" Van said.
"Well, you have been doing a lot of it recently," she retorted.
Van held up his hands as if surrendering. "I suppose I deserved that."
Hitomi looked out the window and waited a few minutes before speaking. "You know, I saw him that day. He was with you when you rescued me."
Van's eyes suddenly went wet. He said nothing. Hitomi softened herself.
"You two got along pretty well, didn't you?" she said.
"Yeah," Van replied. He shook his head as if ridding himself of a bad thought.
"Where's he now?" Hitomi asked.
"Zaibach. He traded himself for you," Van replied, leaning back in his chair. "Don't you remember?"
Hitomi was shocked. "N-no. Really? He did that?"
Van nodded. "Yes."
"But…what about those sorcerers? Oh my god," Hitomi said, realizing what had transpired. With a jolt she felt a wave of sympathy for Dilandau wash over her. "Do you think he's alright?"
"He's fine," Van said. "We're talking about Dilandau here. He's totally fine."
Hitomi lifted her eyebrows. "Who are you trying to convince?"
"Anyway," Van said suddenly, standing up. "I'll find out soon. I have to go to Zaibach and arrange an alliance with them."
"Why?" Hitomi asked. "They're an incredibly militaristic country. Why do you need an alliance with them in a time of peace?"
"To show unity among all of Gaea. It was Chid's idea," Van mumbled. He bent over the desk and began sorting through papers.
"How long will you be gone?" Hitomi asked, standing up.
"A day or two. I'll leave tomorrow morning," Van replied. He let out a long breath.
"You know what you need?" Hitomi said, boldly slipping up behind Van and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"A secretary?" Van whispered. His body was tense.
Hitomi laughed. "Well that too. I think you should go and take a nap, and I'll pack your suitcase."
"I can't do that. I'm the king. Kings don't nap," Van said, still whispering.
"Whatever. You're the king for crying out loud. You can take a nap," Hitomi said. He still didn't relax in her arms. Reluctantly she let go and backed off.
"Thank you," Van called out, as she was walking towards the door.
"You're welcome," Hitomi replied, not knowing if he was talking about her packing, or her letting him go. With stiff legs she walked to Van's room, dragged out a suitcase, and packed his clothes with her tears.
~*~
Van leaned his head on his hand, bored out of his mind. Actually, he was wondering if one could be bored and anxious at the same time. He supposed one could if they waited for something for a very long time, so long that they grew bored with it. An interesting an idea, he thought. Usually he wasn't a very philosophical individual ("To be or not to be" never struck him as a deep thought; couldn't he just, "be?" Or was that simply too easy?).
Currently he was sitting in some private meeting room in the Zaibach Capitol. Adelphos was supposed to be meeting with him "right away," according to a guard, but Van was growing increasingly suspicious of that man's IQ. Especially after the idiot had called him "King Bong." Hmm…
Merle (of course) was with him, along with a few other advisors and a newly appointed general named Natsu. The guy was an old friend of Folken's and the nephew of Fanelia's dearly departed General Yurizen. The man wasn't the smartest person on the planet, but he was an effective and gifted soldier. Van thought he would do well. Today however, Van had told him to not say too much; alliances were usually created through debates between kings and their advisors. But it was always a good move to bring a high-ranking army official along with you simply for intimidation.
Though Van believed that Zaibach had won the intimidation factor hands down. It was the reason he was so nervous. He was going to see Dilandau again. He didn't know what the reunion would be like; Dilandau might be acting like his older, definitely more violent self. Then again, Dilandau was never one to be pushed around.
"Here we go," Merle whispered in Van's ear as the door to the room suddenly opened. Van smiled at her, watching Adelphos march into the room, followed by a handful of sorcerers (Van inwardly blanched…they were so young. Obviously Zaibach hadn't wasted any time promoting the students) and bringing up the rear was a lovely fox-woman dressed blue.
Van popped a few knuckles. Come on, where is he?
"Greetings Fanelia," Adelphos said, sitting down. Suddenly, just as the door was closing, Dilandau stormed into the room. Much to Van's surprise, Natal was sitting straight and proud on the boy's right shoulder. Adelphos and the fox-woman looked at Dilandau with obvious displeasure, the Madoushi simply looked nervous. Dilandau smirked and sat down on at the edge of the table.
Van's heart skipped. Merle poked him, claws out.
"Uh…greetings, Zaibach," Van said, reluctantly turning back to the matter at hand.
"I apologize for the tardiness of my general, Dilandau Albatou," Adelphos said, "Let me introduce my other advisors. This is Jun, Ratin, and Genma. And this lovely lady here is Rose." The fox-woman grinned, flashing her sharp white teeth.
Van nodded. "Nice to meet you. This is Merle, Natsu, Wesser, and Verdi."
"So you want to make an alliance," Adelphos began. Dilandau lifted an eyebrow and withdrew an apple from…his sleeve? Van wasn't sure where it came from.
"Yes. Fanelia wishes to make Zaibach an ally. We believe that all of Gaea should be united. To remain isolated is not a reputable thing to do in these times," Van said pointedly. He flitted his eyes to Dilandau, who now had a rather large dagger in his hand. He was carving the apple, feeding the discarded bits to Natal.
"I can see your point, but why would Zaibach benefit from an alliance with Fanelia?" said Rose the fox-woman.
Merle sprang into action. "Your country has been drained by the cost of the Great War. Supplies, I believe, are needed, along with money. Fanelia is completely rebuilt and prospering. In its weakened state, vengeful countries could easily invade Zaibach. If the county has allies, that problem is solved."
"We have a very capable defense system," argued a sorcerer.
"I doubt-" Natsu began, but Van cut him off, seeing Dilandau perk up.
"I'm sure you do. But still, what do you really have to lose by creating an alliance? I hope you're not thinking along more…imperialistic lines," Van said subtly.
Adelphos nodded. "You're right. Let us discuss alliance terms and not the reason for the act itself."
Van nodded respectfully, sitting back in his chair. Now was the time when Merle and the others presented their terms and Zaibach theirs. All Van had to do was monitor. He liked this part, even if it did make him feel a bit lawyer-ish. This was politics at its best.
So instead of making statements and arguing (Merle and the sorcerer Ratin were having a bit of tiff, it seemed), Van watched Dilandau, waiting for a sign. The general meticulously continued carving the apple and flipping the unwanted bits into the air for Natal to catch. Gradually the red fruit grew to be the shape of a man. He never looked at Van once.
Finally, as the loose ends were tied up (Merle and Ratin had at least come to an agreement; they agreed to disagree), Dilandau spoke.
"There's one thing you missed," he said, still not looking at anyone, "You never said what the repercussions would be if someone broke the alliance."
Of course he would say that, Van thought. Adelphos looked furious, but didn't quite have to courage glare at Dilandau.
Merle growled. "What do you mean by that?" she spat.
"As in is it worth my time?" Dilandau asked, looking straight at her. He brought up his hand and squashed his apple-man with a fist.
"Fanelia may be a supporter of pacifism, but don't think for a minute that we wouldn't retaliate with force if the need arises," Merle said warningly. Then she added, "But…it would depend on the severity of the deed."
"That's nice," Dilandau said. With a flash he drew his hand back and flicked his wrist, throwing his dagger straight at Van's head. Van ducked immediately and the blade pierced the wall instead of his skull. Dilandau smirked. "How severe was that?"
For a second there was dead silence, then everyone began yelling.
Merle's cries alternated between asking Van if he was all right and threatening Dilandau's life. Natsu had lunged across Merle's lap to save his monarch a little too late and was bellowing some heroic nonsense. Adelphos was profusely apologizing and trying to reprimand Dilandau. The only people smiling were Dilandau and (suprisingly) the Madoushi.
Van was stunned. He knew a deathblow when he saw one. Gods, he thought Dilandau…he thought that he…Van couldn't believe it. That wasn't acting. It didn't matter if Dilandau was doing all this for show; that was a very real attempt on Van's life. Suddenly he remembered the look on Dilandau's face when the Zaibach soldiers had taken him away. It had been as cold as ice. Perhaps, Van thought, not wanting to believe it, perhaps this is what Dilandau has wanted all along. Perhaps it was all an act with me as well. Just look at that smirk. Could it be?
With great composure, Van waved a hand to silence everyone and pried Natsu off his body. He reached up and pulled the dagger out of wall. The knife had been thrown with great force. The blade was completely imbedded into the wall. Only the handle was visible.
"I'm fine," Van said, sitting up. "Don't worry. Adelphos, I will not take this to show the feelings of Zaibach as a whole." He turned to face Dilandau. "I see your point, General." He threw the dagger as hard as he could to Dilandau's left. Dilandau, quick as lightening, reached up and caught it before the blade touched the wall.
Someone in the room gasped. Van's eyes widened. He's been training.
Unfazed, Dilandau flicked his fingers and the knife disappeared. "The punishments will be fierce."
"Very," replied Van and Merle simultaneously. Absently Van wondered if this conversation had a hidden meaning that he just didn't understand.
"Well, it's good to see you two getting along," Adelphos laughed nervously, "I suggest we adjourn this meeting before anyone dies."
Tactful. That was reallytactful.
"Agreed," he replied.
"I look forward to working with Fanelia in the future," Adelphos said, rising. Van stood up as well, and the two kings bowed to one another. Then Adelphos turned and left the room, followed by his advisors. Merle stood up and all but ran after one of the Madoushi, renewing some debate.
Dilandau lazily rose to his feet, his eyes burning. Natal flapped his wings to regain his balance. The general flashed one cunning grin at Van and Natsu, then disappeared out the door. Van leaped towards the door, walking as fast as he could, but when he entered the hallway Dilandau was already gone.
~*~
Dilandau couldn't believe his luck. The moron was standing on the balcony totally alone and oblivious to the world. Gods, he wished he could laugh. But that would give away his position and then all his fun would be ruined.
And we couldn't have that, could we?
Luckily that damn owl wasn't anywhere to be found. Dilandau wasn't sure where he went, but he didn't really care. And the Dragonslayers had the day off (when your commander is gone for the day for some damn pointless meetings, what's the point?) so there wouldn't be any disturbances. Although, Dilandau didn't have a clue as to when one of Van's ridiculous advisors or that annoying cat child would poke their noses in, but that made the entire thing more interesting. Gave it a dangerous spin.
Though, isn't it dangerous enough that you have to jump down a story to get to the bastard?
Dilandau smiled to himself. Quickly he shrugged off his armor (can't fall properly with this stuff, can we?). With a few quick steps he launched himself off of the edge of his balcony to drop down a story to land directly behind Van. He still had his armored boots on so he made a soft metallic clink as his feet hit the ground.
Van turned around with a start. He smiled warmly when he recognized Dilandau. "You needn't be so dramatic."
Well, that certainly wasn't the response Dilandau had been planning on. The guy looked happy to see him. Dilandau didn't make people happy, for gods' sakes. So Dilandau did the first thing that came to mind; he grabbed Van by the shirt and slammed him up against the wall.
"I wouldn't suggest you mock me," Dilandau hissed. "I could kill you right now and no one would know."
Van did another astonishing thing. He rolled his eyes. "There's no one here, you can drop the act."
Dilandau took a step back and then shoved Van against the wall again. "Does this look like Community Theatre to you? How dare you suggest such a thing?"
"Are you okay?" Van asked, wincing. He looked up and down Dilandau. "They didn't do anything to you did they?"
"What in the hell are you talking about?" Dilandau asked. The jerk had ruined the game. Why couldn't he just beg and plead like he was supposed too?
"Come on Dilandau, stop it. It's not funny anymore," Van said.
"This situation is far from humorous," Dilandau said. He whipped out a dagger from his boot and held it under Van's chin.
Van looked at him oddly. "Just give it up, okay? And what in the hell were you thinking when you threw the dagger at my head today? I know you have to put on a show and everything, but wasn't that a little much?"
"A show?" Dilandau seethed. He slashed a line across Van's chest, right across his heart. "Does that feel like a show to you!"
Van brought up a foot and kicked him squarely in the stomach. Dilandau groaned and dropped him, taking a few steps back. Then he recovered and squared his feet defensively. The other boy however, made no move to attack. His eyes were wide and feverish.
"No!" Van shouted, shaking with rage. Dilandau, curious at this sudden mood swing, folded his arms and waited. Van raised his finger and shook it like an angry mother. "No! I refuse to believe this! I will not believe this!"
Dilandau scratched his head with the tip of his dagger. "What are you blabbering about? Stop it and fight back for crying out loud. I'll even give you a free shot."
"No!" Van shook his head. "You are not going to sit there and pretend like nothing happened. Dilandau, I will not let you pull this one over. What about me? What about Celena? How could you come back here after what they did to you?"
"You're insane," Dilandau whispered.
"Said Dilandau Albatou," Van retorted. Dilandau charged him at that comment. One-handed, he grabbed Van by the shirt and shoved him against the wall, this time pressing his whole body against him so that the boy couldn't kick him. He held the dagger right at Van's ear.
"Now you listen here," he said with his voice low and furious, "I will not sit around and be insulted by a madman. Now you better snap out of whatever insanity you've succumbed too, because I don't like killing crazy psychotic fools as much as I like killing competent sane ones."
"I don't get it," Van whispered. "I don't get it. I could handle it if you simply decided to play me for a fool, but for you act as if you don't remember those couple of colors…" he stopped talking and a tear slipped down his cheek.
Dilandau felt his temper flare up.
"Don't you even try that! I thought a moron like you went in for all that honor crap. Fine, it's true I don't remember anything that happened ever since you and your goddamn Escaflowne took down my unit outside Freid…but don't you think for one second that you're going to use that against me. I've been training, Van. I'm not going to let those colors spent in a coma affect my fighting. You better not think that for one goddamn second." Dilandau spat the words at him. He felt shaken.
"Stop it!" Van screamed. "You don't have to put a story to it!"
"It's not a fucking story!" Dilandau screamed back.
Van straightened up. "Isn't it? Than what about Celena, huh? If you were in a coma than how do you explain what happened? Where'd she go?"
"You know about Celena?" Dilandau exclaimed, "That's it, now I have to kill you." He raised the dagger but Van grabbed his hand before it could strike.
"Dilandau, you can't just forget her! She's at the castle for goodness sake," Van said.
"I'm going to kill you!" Dilandau cried out. With a surge of energy he broke from Van's hold and brought the dagger down. Van pushed off the wall and leaped out of reach. He was stronger than Dilandau remembered.
"So this is how it's going to be, is it?" Van said as Dilandau recovered and began circling him. "Well you know what? I don't need you."
"What?" Dilandau stopped in mid-step. What in the hell is he talking about? He was so shocked he dropped the dagger.
Van folded his arms. "That's right. In fact, I never needed you. Hitomi is the one I love. Not you, Dilandau. I never loved you!"
"You're sick,' Dilandau said, "I know I'm good-looking, but don't you start incorporating me into your twisted sexual fantasies."
Van took a few steps forward, marching with a purpose. Suddenly Dilandau felt very uncomfortable.
"I don't need you!" Van screamed. He charged Dilandau, who moved to the side but not quite fast enough. Van slammed into him, pinning him against the glass door. The glass cracked and began to spiderweb.
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't break Zaibach property," Dilandau said. "Now get off me before I kill you."
"I don't need you Dilandau," Van reiterated.
"Don't tell me that, you disgusting barbarian," Dilandau replied.
Van ignored him. "I'm not ever going to need you again. But you…you're going to need me."
Dilandau smirked, though he felt very awkward. He'd never fought a lunatic that acted with such sanity. "Oh, and do tell me how I'm ever going to need your sorry ass."
"To put it bluntly, you're going to need this," Van said. Dilandau had half a second to figure out what was going to happen, and then Van leaned in and kissed him on the mouth. For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He'd never been kissed before in his life. Actually, it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.
And then reality hit.
Dilandau pushed against Van, bringing his elbow up just enough so he could slam it into the door. The glass shattered instantaneously, and the two boys went crashing to the ground.
He was on his feet like lightening. "What in the hell was that about?"
"As if you don't know. You're so full of bullshit," said Van, wincing as he felt all the minute cuts on his skin. He stood up. "But you still taste the same."
"You shut the fuck up," Dilandau said, wiping his mouth with his forearm. "You just shut the fuck up."
Van looked at him with anger born of hurt and said nothing. Off in the distance Dilandau heard the pounding of metal feet…or was that his heart? A sudden rap on the door made the decision for him.
"Your Majesty, is everything all right in there?" Dilandau recognized Leitken's voice. He took a step towards the door and swung it open.
"Leitken, why do you care?" Dilandau asked.
"Uh…Dilandau-sama!" Leitken dropped to his knees. "I heard glass breaking and seeing as we were ordered to protect the king and all..."
Dilandau cocked an eyebrow. "Who gave you those orders?"
"I don't know, sir. I'm not the one who received the message," the curly-haired boy replied.
"Leitken, your orders come directly from me and only from me. I don't care if a Gaean God comes down from the Heavens and gives you an order. You only follow what I tell you, is that clear?" Dilandau said.
Leitken nodded. "Yes sir!"
"Good. Get out of here and enjoy the rest of your day off. Training begins early tomorrow," Dilandau said. The boy jumped up and saluted, but paused.
"Dilandau-sama?" he asked timidly.
"What?" Dilandau spat.
"You're bleeding quite…uh…badly," Leitken said, motioning to Dilandau's arm.
"As you will be if you don't get your purple-headed ass out of my sight, got it?" Dilandau yelled, smacking the boy upside the head. Leitken ran off immediately.
He turned back around to Van, trying to hide his trembling. "The only reason you're still alive is because I want to kill you and your beloved Mystic Moon bitch. And then perhaps I'll take over your whole fucking country. Watch your step, Van Fanel."
And with that Dilandau turned and walked out the door.
"Dilandau!" Van called out. He paused. "Allen had an owl named Natal. Don't tell me you don't remember Allen Schezar? Your big brother?"
Dilandau turned around and slammed the door in his face.
~*~
