Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ For the love of a Dragon ❯ Chapters 6-10 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 6:A New Goal

Van stayed by Hitomi's side the whole night and Allen stayed by Yukari's side the whole night as well. Allen wanted to make sure that Yukari was alright was all right. When morning came, Hitomi awoke to see Van laying beside her. She blushed, she had never slept that close to a boy, no, man ever. Van then slowly awoke and the two gazed into each other's eyes. To Van, Hitomi's eye's sparked like emeralds and to Hitomi, Van's eye's still gave her the warm and comforting feel. Van then slowly made his way out of the bed, kissed her on the forehead and told her to rest and that he'll have breakfast brought to her room so she could rest.

"So, how's Hitomi doing?" Millerna asked as Van entered the dinning hall. He took a seat to Dryden's left and sat across from Millerna who sat to Dryden's right.

"She's just resting right now." he sighed. The room was quiet.

"Um, Van, who was that girl that was with you and Allen last night?" Millerna asked sipping her juice. Van cleared his throat.

"Oh, that was Hitomi's friend Yukari. I met her on the Mystic Moon. She's pretty much normal" Allen then entered the room with Yukari standing not too far behind.

"Well, good morning Allen." Millerna said with a grin across her face. She saw a girl with long maroon hair and wearing what she considered the most unusual clothing, a pair short sky blue skirt and an orange colours top that had no back to it.

"Good morning your highnesses." he cleared his throat and introduced Yukari to Millerna and Dryden. Yukari couldn't believe that she was eating breakfast with a queen, two kings and a knight. She didn't say much, she thought that if she said something wrong, she would get in some sort of trouble. After breakfast Millerna approached Yukari. She just looked at her clothes and shook her head.

"Those clothes just will not do." she sighed. Yukari felt offended.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" she snarled.

"Well, if you're seen wearing something like that, you'll get some very unusual attention. So come with me, I'm sure I'll have some dresses in your size that you can wear for the time being." Millerna said as she gestured for Yukari to follow her. She showed her many different dresses to wear and had a handmaiden take the dresses to Yukari's room. She suddenly remembered about her friend.

"Um, Millerna, where is Hitomi?" she asked with much concern.

"Oh, she's resting in her room. Handmaiden, before you take the dresses to Lady Yukari's room, could you show her to Lady Hitomi's room." Millerna told the handmaiden. Once at her friend's room, she slowly entered the room and walked over to her friend's beside. Hitomi slowly opened her eyes and stared at her friend. She thought she was dreaming and laughed.

"What's so funny Hitomi?"she asked. She blinked. Yukari was really there. She quickly sat up and tried to hug her friend.

"Oh my God Hitomi. What happened to you?" Yukari asked as she saw the bruises and whip marks all over her body.

"I was brought to the world of nightmares." she answered as she laid back down on her side facing her friend.

"The world of nightmares?" Yukari asked as she lifted an eye brow.

"Yes, the world of nightmares where whatever happens to you there, happens to you in reality."

"What did they do to you?" Yukari asked wiping away her tears of sorrow.

"First they put me in a cage hanging from a high ceiling, then strapped me to a wall where they whip and caned me, and then a large man grabbed me by my neck and held me up against the wall. I seriously thought I was gonna die. But then Van suddenly appeared. I was the only one who could see him. He held out his hand towards me. With the strength I had left, I touched his hand and that's when that horrible nightmare ended." she let out a deep sigh. "So, what are you doing here? How did you even get here?"

"Well, that guy Allen showed up and then the three of us were surround by this pillar of light and the next thing I knew we were near some sort of castle." Yukari answered. "Oh and Hitomi, you were right. Allen is a total hottie!" she blurted out. Hitomi laughed softly and dozed off to sleep. Millerna entered the dark bedroom. Yukari made her way out of the room when Millerna had said she needed to see how Hitomi wounds were healing.

"This is not fair!" Siren yelled as she stormed into her room in her fortress. "What did I do wrong?!" she yelled.

"My dear daughter. . ." a woman's voice sounded from a very large mirror on the wall.

"Mother. . ." she began. "What do you want?" she asked as she held her nose up high.

"Only to help my dear darling daughter get what she wants." Siren began to laugh.

"Since when do you want to help me?" she asked with a stubborn look on her face.

"Since the day I was imprisoned in the world of mirrors. Only being able to look out on to the world from these stupid mirrors. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is?" she huffed

"What's the catch? I know you would never help me without wanting something in return." Siren asked as she sat down in a large chair.

"First you must help me out of this world, then I will help you get that young king."

"And how will I get you out of there?"

"Simple. All you need is the pendent and this book." an image of a red pendent on a golden chain and a large crimson red book with the word "Magik" written on it in English. "If you find these, you can help me get out of here." It seemed like a good deal to Siren at the time. She would get the love of her life and all she had to do is get the silly pendent and book.

Chapter 7: Burning Passions

The following week, Hitomi was back to normal. Most of her wounds and bruises had healed. Yukari had quickly grown accustomed to life on Gaea. She was actually enjoying being there rather than on Earth. One afternoon, Hitomi, Merle, and Yukari we sitting in one of the many garden's in the Asterian Castle. "Hey, Hitomi, what happened when you came here?" Yukari asked as she braided Merle's hair.

"I all ready told you." she answered as she laid back on the hammock.

"No, I mean when you came here the second time."

"Oh, well, um. I ran into Allen then fainted. When I awoke, I had forgotten I was on Gaea until I saw Merle. Then she said Van was outside so Merle and I went to see him but he was with some girl named Princess Siren and said that he was gonna marry her because his chances of seeing me again were one in a million. I then went to my room and cried my eye's out. Then I fell asleep and found myself in the world of nightmares." Hitomi just let herself relax as the wind made the hammock sway. "So, Yukari, how did you get here?"

"Well, Van showed up at our dorm and the following day, we were gonna go out for breakfast and when we got to that little café that we always go to, you showed up with this really hot guy named Ricardo. Van got mad and ran off, I slapped you across the face and chased after him. We ended up at the university track where this guy named Allen showed up." Yukari began to blush a bright red. "And said something was wrong with you and then we were all surrounded by this pillar of light and then we were here." Yukari took and deep breath and sighed.

"So, are you two gonna stay here or are you gonna leave?" Merle asked while plucking the pedals from the bright orange flower she was holding. Hitomi smiled softly.

"Merle, I don't think I could ever leave Gaea again. I don't think I could stand the separation again." Merle was more than happy to hear that. Even though she despised Hitomi those six years ago, she now liked having her around. To Merle, she was like the older sister she never had. She felt like she could tell her anything.

"So, what about you um, Yukari?" Merle asked plucking more pedals from the flower. Yukari just sat and thought about it. "So. . .?" Merle asked.

"Um, well. . ." she wanted to stay because of Hitomi and Allen but she also wanted to get her university diploma on Earth. "I guess . . .I'll be . . .staying."

"Yukari are you sure?" Hitomi asked as she sat up.

"Ya, I'm sure Hitomi."

"I thought you wanted to get that diploma-" Yukari cut her off.

"I do, but, I could never go back with out you Hitomi. It wouldn't be the same."

"Yukari you don't have to stay just because of me." Hitomi felt in a way guilty. She didn't want to make her friend stay because of her.

"Well, that's partially true. I don't want to leave because." she paused as a red blush creep to her cheeks. Merle looked at her in a suspicious way.

"Because . . .?" Merle asked. Yukari's blush reddened and she avoided eye contact with her friend and Merle.

"Yukari, you're blushing." Hitomi giggled.

"Well, um . . ." she began

"You've fallen for Allen haven't you." Hitomi teased.

"Well, ya." Yukari answered quietly.

"I knew it!" Merle shouted. Merle and Hitomi continued to tease Yukari. Allen just leaned against a near by tree and tried to stop himself from laughing at the sight. Hitomi heard someone and turned her head to see Allen just standing there watching them. Yukari saw him and wondered how long he had been there. She quickly got up and left. She had never felt more embarrassed in her life. She wondered if he felt the same way.

While walking down one of the many long hallways, someone grabbed her and pulled her into a dark room. She tried to scream, but who ever it was, covered her mouth. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed it was Allen who had grabbed her. He slowly removed his hand from her mouth and replaced it with his lips. Yukari was overwhelmed by what was occurring. Allen ran his fingers through her silky hair. He then felt like he was moving too fast and slowly broke the kiss. Yukari didn't want it to end and forced him back. He was very surprised by her reaction. Yukari just got carried away and moved her hands to his belt and took off hi sword. What is she doing? Allen thought and then he just let her do whatever she wanted. He too began to get a little carried away and he undid the buttons of her dress. She removed his shirt to reveal his very well built body. She then began to undo his pants as he slide off her dress. They both made their way to the bed never letting their lips part. As they made their way to the bed, passion and lust took over their bodies.

Merle and Hitomi were still outside waiting for Yukari to come back. Almost an hour had passed and there was no sign of Yukari so they both decided to go and look for her. They asked a handmaiden who said that she had seen her got to Sir Allen's room. They made their way to his room and knocked softly on the door. When no one answered, they opened it and to their shock, they found Allen and Yukari's clothes spread all over the floor and a the two sleep in bed together. Needless to say, they were speechless and quickly left the room and shut the door. They quickly walked down the hall not knowing where they were going. Hitomi than literally walked into Van and fell backwards onto the ground.

"Oh Van, I'm so sorry." she said with a blush.

"It's okay Hitomi. It wasn't your fault." he said as he helped her stand up. "Do you two know where Allen is? I've been looking all over the castle for him." he asked the two girls who began to blush. They just simply looked away, not wanting to make eye contact. He sensed they knew where he was but didn't want to tell.

"We have no clue Van-sama." Merle said with a laugh as she and Hitomi slowly began to walk away. Van grabbed Hitomi's arm and asked her again. She couldn't bear to lie to him.

"He's sleeping and I don't think he wants to be disturbed."

"Sleeping? In the middle of the day? Hm, well I guess I'll have to wake him up then." he said as he began to head off to Allen's room.

"You can't go Van." Hitomi said as she stood in front of him.

"And why not?" he asked suspiciously. She looked at Merle who didn't know what to say.

"Because . . ."she began. "Uh . . . you just can't. So, why don't we just go for a walk." Hitomi suggested as she linked her arm with Van's. He decided he would go and see Allen later. That was close, Merle thought.

Yukari awoke and noticed she wasn't in her room and she felt someone's arm around her waist. She turn and saw it was Allen. She felt embarrassed, shocked and happy at the same time. She slowly got herself loose of his grip. She walked around the room looking for her clothes and dressed herself trying to make as little noise. Once she was finished, she wanted to stay but she knew Hitomi would soon get suspicious. She peeked her head out the door to make sure no one was around. She then quickly got out of his room and hurried down the hallway. She bumped into Hitomi who had a grin across her face, as if she knew where Yukari had been.

"Hi Yukari. Where were you? We have been looking all over for you." Hitomi asked in a sarcastic way. Yukari blushed a bright red.

"Um, well I was uh . . ."She didn't know what to say, should she lie to her friend? Or be honest? She grabbed Hitomi's arm and led her to her bedroom.

"So, where were you?" Hitomi asked.

"Okay, you gotta promise you wont speak a word of this to anyone okay." she told her friend in a very serious tone. Hitomi nodded. She had always kept her friend's secrets.

"I was with Allen . . ." she began.

"And . . .?"Hitomi asked.

"And, we, um, kinda got a little intimate if ya know what I mean." she said blushing madly.

"Oh my God Yukari!" Hitomi yelled.

"Shhh . . .be quiet" Yukari whispered.

"Sorry," she apologized. "But, oh my God! I get believe you lost your virginity."

Chapter 8: revealed emotions

Hitomi had so many questions to ask her now experienced friend. They walked around the castle quietly discussing what Yukari had just done with Allen. They felt like they were in high school again.

"So, what was it like?" Hitomi eagerly asked. Yukari blushed.

"Well, at first it really hurt but after that, all I can say is that it was the best thing ever! I've never experienced something so incredible." Hitomi's eyes widened. She wondered when would it be her first time? She still felt that Van didn't love her because of her dreams and what that gypsy had told her.

Merle was walking around the castle looking for Hitomi or Yukari. She didn't really like talking to Millerna, probably because Millerna was too royal and proper, not the type to go out and have fun like Hitomi and her friend. She was getting frustrated looking for the two. She came across Allen in the hallway and asked if he had seen either of the girls. He began to blush at the mention of Yukari's name. He had never felt this way about any woman before. Everything about her made him lust for her. Just thinking about her, made him fell like he needed her.

"So, have you seen them?" Merle impatiently asked Allen.

"Oh, um, no Merle, sorry, I have not seen either of them today except for when you were outside earlier." Merle knew he was lying to her. Not only did she already know what they had done together, but she could see right through Allen.

"Sure Allen, I bet you haven't seen Yukari." Allen soon caught on that she knew.

"You know?" Allen asked. He wondered how she found out. She simply nodded with a smirk across her face. "But how?" he asked.

"Oh, well, me and Hitomi were looking for Yukari and one of the maids said she saw her go into your room, so we peeked in and saw you two laying naked in bed together." Allen had never felt more embarrassed in all his life.

"Merle, please don't tell anyone of it okay." Merle just stood there and thought about it. Should I keep it to myself? She thought. She knew she could easily turn Allen into her servant with this sort of information, but she didn't want to be mean.

"Don't worry, I wont say anything Allen, but you should find Hitomi and Yukari and tell them not to say a word." Merle said as she walked passed Allen. He then began to desperately search for the two young women. He had to find them before they told anyone. After a long and tiring search, he finally found them. He placed his hand on Yukari's shoulder. She was startled and quickly turned and looked at Allen straight in the eye. She couldn't stop the red colour from creeping to her checks.

"Um, Yukari and Hitomi, I need to ask you a favour. Please don't speak a word of what happened this afternoon to anyone."

"Oh, that's okay Allen, I would never tell anyone." Hitomi answered with a little giggle.

"Don't worry Allen, I wont speak a word of it." Yukari said as she stared deep into his royal blue eyes. She couldn't hide her feelings for him any longer. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and forced his lips to hers. They kissed each other passionately. Hitomi just turned around and walked away. There was no way she could part the two. It's impossible to separate two people in love. she thought to herself as she walked away. She wondered if she would ever have that sort of relationship with Van.

Later that evening, Hitomi sat alone in her bedroom staring up at the night sky. Even though she knew that her dream of Van not loving her anymore was not true, she still had a feeling lingering deep down inside that he didn't love her.

Van stood at the entrance to her room admiring how beautiful she had become. All he wanted was her. He felt that if he couldn't have her, he would surely die. He then slowly made his way over towards her.

Hitomi heard someone in her room. She instantly turned around to see Van. She blush as he smiled at her. He's changed so much, she thought and for the better. . . she forgot about her dream and what that gypsy had told her. She wasn't going to let anything stop her from having him. She stood up and slowly approached him. They embraced. Their lust for each other over came them. They first exchanged small kisses which then turned into long and deep passionate ones. They made their way to her bed never letting their lips part. With shaky hands he pulled the strings loose from her gown, it slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor with a whisper. Her breath caught in her throat as the chilly night air breezed threw the opened window brushing against her bare skin.

Vans eyes widened as the firelight flickered a pale gold against her skin. He had never seen any thing so beautiful before in his life. With eager fingers Van pulled free of his breeches and tunic, revealing his muscular chest. "I love you" He whispered brush her long locks from her curvy shoulders.

Hitomi shivered as a fire like feeling ran threw her body as Van's strong hands cupped her shoulders and pulled her against his warm body. Their lips met in a soft embrace, neither one sure of where to start they climbed into the bed.

Hitomi laid down on the soft sheets, her glories hair speared out over the pillow. "Are you sure?" he asked holding her tightly in his arms.

Her mouth curved into a smiled and she pushed his back against the bed. With swiftness Van never new she possessed, Hitomi straddled him. She bent her head close to his and took possession of his lips her mouth parted with a soft moan letting Van's tongue explore her soft mouth. His hand instinctively wrapped around her small waist and rolled her under him. She wrapped her long legs around his waist and he thrusted in to her. Pain rushed through her abdomen and she bit down on her lip. Van resisted the temptation to go further in to her. "Are you alright" He whispered his voice husky with lust.

She mumbled something against his neck and urged him on. With another quick thrust the pain vanished into something more. Hitomi cried out clenching the bed cover with a fist. He with drew fully and thrusted hard into a wave of unbelievable pleasure coursed through her body and

his. They clung to each other longing for release but wanting the feeling of fullness to last forever. Van's thrusts grew stronger and quicker as there bodies slicked together with

perpetration. Hitomi cried out, as her body was shaken with a giant wave of pleaser. Her nails dug into his back as the wave subsided into a tingle. She hugged him close as he pumped into her. His body tensed and he let out a low animal like moan. "Are you okay" Van mumbled rolling off of her.

"I'm fine" Hitomi whispered as he pulled her into his arms.

Siren paced back and forth in her bedroom chambers. How am I going to find this book and pendent? She wondered. Suddenly it hit her, she had the perfect plan to get them. She walked over to her vanity and picked up her black and gold hand mirror. She concentrated hard on it as colours in it began to swirl and change. The colours finally took on the form of a man wearing a hooded black cloak that hide his face.

"You called my queen," he spoke in a deep voice.

"Yes Jijico, I want you to send out your Shape-Shifters to find this book and pendent." she ordered the man she called Jijico. An image of the book and pendent appeared before him in his mirror.

"As you wish your highness," he said as his image disappeared in Siren's mirror. She walked out of her room and on to a large balcony. She looked out onto the dark deserted land before her. She smiled with satisfaction. It wont be long till I have my love, Van Slanzar de Fanel all to myself. She thought with an evil grin.

The man Jijico, turned away from the mirror and grinned. He walked down a long corridor till he came to a large gathering hall. The room was poorly lit and all that could be seen were the outlines of beings wearing black hooded cloaks. Jijico walked up to the podium and the room fell silent.

"Shifters," he began. "Your new orders are to find this pendent." he held his arm high above his head and an image of the pendent appeared as did an image of the book. "And this book!" the beings looked on at them in awe. The two images then disappeared. "Now go!" he commanded. The beings slowly made their way out of the hall and as they did, they began to change their shape.

Chapter 9:Evil is Let Loose

The following week Van, Hitomi, Merle and Yukari went to Fanelia. Allen was unable to go, had to go to his fortress and help Gaddess train the new recruits. Yukari begged Allen allow her to go with him but he said it wouldn't be long and that once he was finished he would visit her in Fanelia. Yukari sat alone in her new room in the Fanelian castle. She watched the rain slide down the window as she let out a sigh. She missed seeing Allen's face in the morning. A knock sounded from the door.

"Come in," she answered. Hitomi walked over to her friend.

"Yukari, he'll come back so don't worry." she reassured her friend and gave her a hug.

"Thanks Hitomi. I needed that." she said smiling. The thought of him returning to her lit up her day. "Hey Hitomi, how come you're not with Van? Usually you're with him." she asked as she got up from her seat and sat down on the large bed.

"Well his advisors demanded to have a meeting with him. I asked if I could go but he said they forbid women from going." she explained as she took a sat beside Yukari on the bed.

"Your majesty, you are twenty one years of age and not married. Most kings of your age already have a child." the tall scrawny man informed Van in strict tone.

"Yes I know Ferdinand." Van said with annoyance. "And let me guess, you want me to marry some princess. Some girl I don't even know or love am I right?" they all adverted their eyes from him.

"Well not necessarily your majesty." Van's head shot up at the short stubby advisor's remark. "We want you to marry the Lady Hitomi." Van couldn't believe his ears. His own advisors would had been trying to set him up with numerous princesses and women of noble birth telling him to marry a woman from the Mystic Moon. "Is something the matter my Lord?" the same short stubby advisor asked.

"No, nothing's wrong. I just a little shocked that's all." the advisors all inwardly grinned. They knew how much Van loved the Lady Hitomi and they knew he would marry her. They didn't where she was from just as long as Fanelia got an heir.

"Well, meeting adjourned." Ferdinand stated as he rose from his seat at the round table.

Dryden sat in his library reading over numerous books like he always did on rainy days. He let out a tired sigh. He had read every book in the library at least once. He sat up from the desk and walked out of the library and headed out of the castle. He was stopped by his wife Millerna.

"Dryden, where are going in this weather?" she asked as he grabbed a cloak.

"I'm going out to buy some new books." Millerna rolled her eyes.

"You and your books." she muttered as she walked away.

Good, the coast is clear. A servant thought as he walked into the library making sure no one was in there. He locked the door and began to search the library for a certain book. Right when he was ready to give up, he found the book he was looking for. "Yes!" He said to himself quietly. He wrapped the red leather book in a brown cloth and hid it under his clothing. He left the library making sure he wasn't being followed. Once out side of the castle he stole a black horse and rode off. He rode all day till late afternoon when he arrived at a large, black and towering fortress. He was escorted by two guards to the large throne room where a young woman sat on her large throne chair. He bowed down to her.

"Why are you here Shifter?" she asked calmly as she slipped some red wine from a small golden chalice.

"I have found the book." he hissed. Her eye filled with joy.

"Bring it here." she commanded. He took the book out from under his clothing, unwrapped it and handed it to her. A large grin formed on her face.

"Very good my humble servant. You'll be rewarded for this." she said and snapped her fingers. A guard walked over to her holding a small bag. "Here is 500 golds. Take it and go." she said handing him the bag. He took it and left as she had said. Now all I need is the pendent then he'll be mine! All mine! She thought with a large grin.

The following afternoon Van, Hitomi, Yukari and Merle sat in on of the courtyards enjoying the wonderful weather. It was a clear sunny day with a soft, refreshing breeze. Van practised his archery skills and the tree young women watched him carefully. Merle insisted they do so. She knew it annoyed Van when he was being watched.

"Why are you three watching me?" he asked calmly as he aimed his arrow at the target.

"It's just so amazing to see Van-sama." Merle purred.

"Well I can't concentrate while you watch me." he said letting go of the arrow. The arrow flew across the courtyard and missed the target. "You see." he said with annoyance.

"Well fine then Van, we'll just have to find some other guy to look at then." Hitomi said as she and the other two girls stood up. Van could feel jealousy slowly over coming him.

"Fine, you can watch." he sighed with defeat. Hitomi smiled with victory. She knew he would get jealous.

Excellent, they're all outside. One of the handmaidens thought to herself. She slowly crept into Van's bedroom. She searched all of his draws. Damn it! Where is that stupid thing?! She wondered with anger. She walked over to the bed and lifted one of the pillows and found nothing. She continued to check under every pillow on his bed. Yes! I found it! She picked up a golden neckless with a red gem attached to it. She quickly stuffed it into a pocket and made sure the room was in complete order. She left and headed to the stables where a black horse stood waiting for her return. She jumped onto it and galloped away. As the horse left she began to change her shape, she was now a being wearing a long dark cloak. The being rode it's horse till it came to a large black fortress. It walked into the throne room.

"Your highness, I have to item you have asked for." he said holding out the neckless in his black hand. She looked at one of her guards who then immediately walked over to the being and took the neckless then placing a brown leather bag in the out stretched hand.

"In there is 500 golds. That is your reward. Now leave." she said as the guard handed her the neckless. She got up from her throne and walked down a maze of corridors to come to two large oak doors. She opened them with little effort and shut them immediately. "Mother!" she hollered at the large mirror on her wall.

"What is my dear darling daughter?" she asked as her image appeared in the mirror.

"I got what you wanted." she stated holding the book and pendent. A large smile grew on her young looking face.

"Open the book and turn to the page where it says in large words 'Freeing'" she searched the book and found the page.

"Now what?" she asked holding the book in her left arm and the pendent in her right hand.

"Read the spell and hold the pendent towards me." she said with excitement. Finally I'll be free! Free to create havoc! She thought with a large grin. Siren did as her mother told her and read the spell to the best of her ability. A the pendent began to glow a bright pink colour. Then a pink beam of light shot out from the pendent and straight towards the large mirror. The force of the beam caused it to shatter into a million pieces.

"Oh no!" Siren yelled. The pink beam disappeared. "I must have read the wrong spell! Shit!" she continued to yell in frustration. She tossed the book and pendent onto her bed and began to leave her room. As she did she could faintly hear her mother's evil laughter. She stoped and looked back at the shards of broken mirror on the ground. A black mist rose from the pile and began to take on the form of a woman wear a long dress. The mist disappeared leaving a woman standing their. She wore a long black gown and a black corset. Stitched on her corset were two swords crossed to look like an X with blood dripping off of them. She also wore a golden taira with a large oval black jewel in it. She looked much like Siren, her daughter. Siren was shocked it had worked. "Mother, now it's your turn to hold up your end of the bargain." She said seriously.

"Oh yes, now hand me that book and pendent." Siren did as her mother asked. She walked over to a large oak desk and flipped though the book. Siren stood there waiting impatiently. Her mother took a piece of parchment, a dish of ink and a feather and began to scribble a few things down. "Here, have your men find these. I need them to conquer." she said handing the piece of parchment to Siren.

"Conquer?" she asked puzzled. Oh shit! Why did I have to say that!? Siren's mother thought to herself. Now I need an excuse...

"To conquer the heart of this young boy you fancy." Siren nodded and left. That was close, a little too close.

Chapter 10: The Heart Ache

Late that night Van and Hitomi retired to his room. Van removed his red sleeveless tunic and unbuckled his belt. Hitomi fiddled with the strings of her corset. Damn, why do this things have to be so complicated? She wondered with anger. "Van, can you help me with this stupid thing." she asked him still struggling with the stings. Van couldn't help but laugh. "You think this is funny?! Van, you help me now or I'll sleep in the guest room tonight." she threatened. Van then quickly walked over and helped her out of it. "Now was that so hard?" she asked sarcastically.

"No," he muttered. Hitomi slipped out of her gown and changed into a white, silk night dress and slipped into bed awaiting Van to join her. He then got into bed and placed his hand under his pillow and noticed something wasn't right. He sat up and check under all the other pillows.

"Van, what's the matter?" Hitomi asked puzzled at his behaviour.

"The pendent, it's missing." he answered quickly.

"What?!" she exclaimed and joined him in his search. "Where do you usually keep it?" she asked.

"Under this pillow." he said pointing to the pillow he had been resting on.

"May be you miss placed it." she suggested. Both checked under every pillow and all around the room.

"Do you think someone might have stole it?" Hitomi wondered.

"That's a good possibility but who?" his mind was full of anger. Van didn't sleep at all that night his anger had kept him awake. The following morning he had his servants check everywhere in the place, courtyards and gardens. Van felt that the reason the pendent had gone missing was his fault. The one time I decide to not where it, it disappears, he thought as he paced back and forth in his thrown room.

How much longer will I have to wait for them to return? Siren wondered impatiently. A small blue bird flew in through the window and perched itself on the small table beside her large, red, velvet chair that she sat upon. It hopped towards her open hand. She then grabbed it with her right hand and began to squeeze it to death. A small grin formed on her face. She threw the lifeless body out the window. I feel better now. A knock sounded from the door and in walked one of her servants.

"Your highness, your mother Lady Nefra was wondering how much longer will it be till your men have returned." Siren sat up. Now I see where I get my impatience from.

"I don't fucking know! Tell her they'll be here when they get here!" the nervous young female servant quickly left the room as Siren threw a bottle of red wine at the wall. Not too long after the servant had left another knock sounded from the door.

"Come in!" she yelled and in walked the two men she sent out to find the items her mother needed. All of her anger washed away and her face lit up.

"We have the items your highness," the said holding out two small black leather bags each.

"Excellent! Now take them to my mother's lab." she ordered them. Both left the room quietly as Siren sat back down on her chair. Victory at last will be mine! She thought with an evil laughter that echoed through the halls.

Nefra created the potion for her daughter as fast as she could. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can put my plan into action. Ha that foolish daughter of mine, if only she knew what I had planed for her. She poured a green translucent liquid and four crushed dried leaves into a large steaming cauldron. It began to bubble and a blue smoke which began to rise and dance in the wind. She turned to the open book on the table and began to read the spell in silence to herself. The potion began to smoke even more the more she read. After she read the last word on the spell, there was a loud explosion. She walked over to the cauldron and grabbed the small red silk pouch which sat on the bottom on the cauldron. She walked out of the lab and up the stone stairs. Her black velvet cape dragged along the floor looking like a shadow following her. The pink pendent around her neck was the only on her of a bright colour. Her gown was a midnight blue and her corset, a dark purple. She walked into her daughter's thrown room.

"Here's you're stupid love dust." she said throwing the small pouch at her. "Toss some of that dust on the man you want to love you." Siren opened the pouch and looked at the gold and silver dust with awe. She rose from her seat and left the room. At she walked down the hallway, she murmured a spell to herself and her appearance changed. She had long wavy blond hair, icy blue eyes and full ruby red lips. She wore a sky blue dress with a midnight blue hooded cape. She walked out the stables and mounted a pure white horse and headed for Fanelia.

Hitomi went to sleep alone in Van's bed. He was to angry to sleep. She wanted to stay up with him but her tired body wouldn't allow her to. Van sat alone in his thrown room trying to stay awake. His mind didn't want to sleep but his body wanted it. He finally dozed off to sleep as he sat on his thrown room chair.

As if she were a ghost, Siren snuck into the Fanelian castle unnoticed. Quietly and carefully she opened the door to the thrown room. She walked over to the sleeping king and sprinkled the dust over his head and kissed him softly on the lips.

Hitomi awoke the following morning refreshed. She grabbed her long, silk, forest green house coat which matched her night gown. As she walked down the hallway towards the thrown room to check up on Van she put on the coat. She quietly opened the door just in case if he had fallen asleep. She peered in and had her heart completely broken. There stood the man she loved the most in the entire universe holding some woman she had never seen. He lowered his head to her's and place a kiss on her lush lips. Quietly she shut the door and ran off to one of the guest rooms. She laid on the bed crying. How could he? She wondered between sobs. After I gave myself to him he-he goes and finds someone else! Not only did she feel upset and angry but also used. Yukari and Merle walked by the guest rooms and heard small cries. Both went in to investigate.

"Oh Hitomi, what's the matter?" Yukari asked as she sat down on the edge on the bed beside her friend.

"Van . . . that's what the matter is . . ."she managed herself to say as she cried into the pillow.

"Did he hit you?" Yukari asked with deep concern.

"No . . . he did something far worse . . . go to the thrown room and you'll see." she told the two girls. Both went wondering what he could have done to upset Hitomi so much. The peered into the room and saw what Hitomi had seen. Van holding some blond girl and kissing her deeply and passionately.

"Van-sama! What are you doing?!" Merle yelled full of anger. He lifted his head up from the woman's lips and looked at Merle.

"What does it look like you nosey cat. I'm kissing my wife to be." his voice sounded different to Merle, it sounded cold and not like the warm, caring Van she knew and grew up with.

"Wife? But what about Hitomi?" Merle asked confused and even more angry. He laughed at her question.

"Who's Hitomi? Is she you're little imaginary friend?" Yukari was even shocked with his behaviour. Both girls left the room full of anger. Everything is going perfectly, Van has forgotten about that stupid bitch from the Mystic Moon, the blond woman thought with and evil grin.