Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of the Dragon ❯ Another Odd Day ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten: Another Odd Day

Allen picked up the limp form of Van's body, not knowing what to do. They were too far away from the royal residence and Hitomi couldn't carry the woman that had been transported back with them to Gaea.

Hitomi pushed back a bunch of the rags, inspecting the older woman. She still looked young, surprisingly. She had no idea what Varie had gone through, nor how she had gotten to Earth. Her suspicions about whether or not she had been a vision or real in the Mystic Valley were confirmed. She had been a vision. There was no way that she had been real if she had been on Earth. Or was there?

"Allen, what do we do? Van's unconscious and so is his mother. What should we do?"

Allen looked around, wondering where they were. They must be in the woods that were a few miles away from Fanelia's palace. It was starting to get dark, the setting sun turning the sky wonderful pinks and reds.

"Can you stay here while I go back for help? It's the only thing we can do." Hitomi agreed and Allen set off, soon disappearing into the darkening woods.

She didn't feel scared at first, but when all of the noises from the night animals started, she got terrified. She pulled Van's warm body closer to hers and Varie's. She felt something slide across her foot in the dark and almost screamed, but choked it back. More noises came out and she could hear things moving around in the darkness. She wished she had some sort of magical powers so she could light a fire instantly or scare off the animals somehow.

She didn't know how many hours Allen had been gone but she heaved a big sigh of relief when she saw some men come up to them, torches in their hands and a few leading horses.

She heard a man say to her, "Your highness! What happened? Where have you been?! All of Fanelia was panicking because you and his highness had disappeared along with Allen. Lady Merle was stressed out over the running of the palace because everyone comes to her when his majesty is gone. She hid in her room most of the time." He paused when he saw the bundle of rags next to her. "What's that?"

"Don't worry about it. Just get us back to the palace. We are extremely tired and I'm scared to death."

One of Allen's men picked her up and set her on a horse. She panicked because she had never been on one by herself and Allen's man gave her a weird look. Allen mounted the horse behind her and held onto her. She relaxed after she made sure Van was all right and along with Varie. They were still passed out. Hitomi had almost passed out herself when she had seen Van get the biggest shock of his life and fall to the ground in a helpless pile, Varie next to him. She had taken the pendant out from around her neck and wished that they were back on Gaea. They got there almost as soon as she had wished, Varie along with them.

Allen knew that she was thinking furiously, wondering about everything that was going on. He held onto her tighter when his horse stumbled on a root in the dark. The men with the torches were in the back with Van and Varie. He could hear them talking and muttering about the pile of rags. He frowned and he ordered the pace quickened. They got there in about two hours, everyone in Fanelia awake and awaiting their king and queen. Van's men pushed the small crowd back into place when they came up and started pulling on the men on the horses, trying to take Van and Hitomi like a mob. What was their problem? Couldn't they live a day without them?

They sealed the palace doors and brought the king and queen to safety away from the swarming city people. Allen carried Van up to his room, Hitomi following him, wringing her hands, wondering why he had been passed out so long. She ordered that Varie be put in the room next to theirs and closed the door in the servants' faces that had been following her and asking if she wanted anything, if she wanted them to do anything, and on and on and on.

Merle came all but crashing into the room a short time later, acting like Van and everyone had been almost killed or injured seriously. When she saw Allen stand up from the bed, she ran into his arms, complaining about how awful everything had been when he had left.

Allen didn't want to feel anything for her and wanted to push her away. He had too many uncontrollable and storming feelings going through his body from his sister turning into Dilandau, to Van being passed out and his mother Varie, and to his feelings for her. He gave her a brief kiss on her forehead and pushed her away to tend to Van.

Merle was overwhelmed at first that Allen had kissed her forehead and pushed her away right after it, but she didn't say anything. She heard Hitomi ask for some water and she went back to the door, knowing that the herd of servants were still standing outside the door. She asked for some water and some cloths and all of the servants ran down the stairs like crazy maniacs. She waited outside the door until they came back with a pitcher of water, a bowl, and some cloths. She thanked them and closed the door. She brought the things over to the bed and Hitomi took it away from her, soaking a cloth in the water and wringing it out to wash Van's face.

Hitomi was still worried about him being passed out for so long and knew something had to be wrong. Was it that big a shock?

Allen and Merle left after a while and Hitomi stayed there, wiping his face with the cool cloth, hoping he would wake soon. She fell asleep a little while later, her hand with the cloth in it resting over his heart, her body curled up against him.

She woke up every few hours and checked on him. He was either dozing or still passed out. She went back to sleep, throwing the damp cloth across the room.

Van woke up and felt immediately enraged. He had passed out like some silly girl, falling into a heap at his own wife's feet. He could have beat himself...and then do it again and again. He decided against getting out of bed and raging on everyone in his territory when he felt and saw Hitomi sleeping peacefully at his side.

Her face was relaxed in the morning's soft light and she looked happy, pure, and innocent. It was a total turn on. He knew that underneath her innocent exterior laid a passionate vixen that drove him crazy and had him under her complete control. He would do anything for her, give her anything. And she knew it, but she didn't take advantage of it. Because she loved him.

He kissed her lightly and his hand drifted down her shirt, lifting it up. She didn't have the contraption on that women on earth wore and he smiled. He took it off carefully and chucked it across the room. He took a soft pink nipple into his mouth and it hardened. She moved, moaning a little. He could just imagine the dream she was having. His hands roved slowly down her body, caressing every inch. He reached her pants and it took him a moment to figure out how to undo them. He smiled when he saw the black lacy lingerie underwear that she was wearing.

She opened her eyes when she felt someone pull down her pants. She blinked away the most erotic dream she had ever had and said, "Van?"

He raised himself up over her and kissed her roughly. She was tentative at first because she was still drowsy, but she got more fervent when he threw her pants and underwear over her head along with his pants he had torn off in under five seconds. The contact of familiar territory had her reeling and she moaned into his mouth.

He flipped them around, Hitomi on top. Her eyes gleamed and she rested her hands on his chest for support. He lifted her up and lowered her onto him, ramming her down hard. She sucked in her breath and dug her nails into his shoulders.

Hitomi soon realized that she could drive him crazy with lust. She pushed him close to the edge but stopped, pulling him back. She was making him suffer, and he looked at her, his eyes pleading. She bent down and kissed him softly, nibbling on his lips. She threw back her head and moaned when his hands found her breasts and he nuzzled them, his tongue tracing the outline of her nipple. He watched her eyes go blank and he went with her, feeling like he had almost died. He sighed. He continued not to believe it.

Hitomi slumped forward overtop him. She moaned softly, saying, "Wanna do that again?"

His laugh was pained.

She rested her head beside his on the pillow and kissed his ear. "I feel dirty." Van turned his head in her direction and stared her straight in the eyes. "Why?"

She shrugged and the movement of her breasts against his chest made him instantly hard again. She giggled when he flipped her back over.

"Something wrong, Van?"

"If we continue like we are, you are going to be pregnant in no time."

She giggled a second time and stroked his back. "Don't you want an heir?"

"Aren't we a little young?"

She studied his face in the soft morning light and traced his facial features with her fingertips. "It's surprising to hear someone of royal decent say something like that. Half the time they get married very young and have as many children as possible or until the wife dies from too many birthings." She paused and added, "Anyway, your advisors wanted you married when I knew you four years ago. You were only fifteen. By this time you should already have children hanging all over you."

He pulled away from her and concentrated on calming down. He had too many things to do. He smiled, realizing then that Hitomi would be taking over half of the chores and daily duties he had.

"What are we going to do about your mother, Van?"

Van closed his eyes, remembering how he had passed out like a stupid girl when his mother had collapsed in his arms. "What did you do with her?"

"She is in the room next to us. In other words, my room."

He got out of bed and walked to the bathing room. She didn't understand why Van could walk around naked in broad daylight and not be embarrassed. She waited for him to leave the room and as soon as she had gotten out of bed, she had wrapped a towel around her. She shook her head smiling. Just like she had said before, males have no modesty.

By the time she went into the bathing room, Van was already washing his overly long hair. "Are you ever going to cut that mop?"

He grinned and scrubbed harder. "Don't you like it? You seem to always have your hands in it."

Hitomi blushed and released the towel. He stared and the soap slipped out of his fingers. She just smiled and swam over to him, pulling him into her arms. To make him feel better about his wonderful hair, she buried her fingers in it and they got immediately soapy.

"See, I told you that you can't keep your fingers out of it."

"I have a mind to shave you bald in the middle of the night. I would enjoy the shriek that would come out of your mouth when you looked in the mirror."

Van laughed and kissed her forehead. "Ah, but then you couldn't run your fingers through it and you would be lonely."

Van turned suddenly when he heard a door open. His eyes widened when he saw his mother come through. He hurried and pulled Hitomi closer to him and wrapped his arms around her to preserve her modesty and his, even though she said he didn't have any. Her fingers stayed in his hair.

"Oh, I am so sorry...I didn't mean to intrude on anyone. I will leave now," his mother said in a soft voice and went back to the door.

"No, wait," Van pleaded. He couldn't very well get out naked and talk to his mother so he stayed locked to his wife. He saw her turn around and stare at him with large eyes.

"Is it really you? After all these years...is it really you, Van?"

Van nodded slowly and he could see the tears come to his mother's eyes. He could see how much different she looked because of everything she had gone through. She still looked young, but the rags she was wearing made her have an older air about her.

Varie felt humiliated that she had walked in on her son and whoever the woman was with him. She tried to keep her eyes averted, although it wasn't like she could see much. The woman he was with looked so familiar, but she couldn't place it. Was she his lover? Or what? If she was, how could he bring her to the palace and have his relations with her here? Hadn't someone taught him that it is wrong to do such as that?

Van could tell she was confused about everything. She nodded as if confirming something and left the room, leaving him and his wife alone. He looked at her and they both hurried as fast as they could to wash, get dried, and clothed. Hitomi was flustered because her clothes were in his mother's room and he knocked on the door, opening it slowly. He opened it more when he didn't see anyone. Where had his mother gone? He went over to Hitomi's dressers and pulled out a bunch of stuff, not knowing what it was he was taking. He looked for a gown in her armoire and pulled out a soft, almost turquoise one. His arms were full when he came back into his room.

Hitomi giggled and he dropped it in a pile on the floor. He still had his towel around his waist and he didn't help her get dressed or they wouldn't get anywhere. Instead, he got dressed himself.

They both walked out of the room, hand in hand, and searched for his mother. They found Merle shortly after in the formal breakfast room, eating. They sat down next to her and ate themselves. They were all silent until Merle said with a slight tremor in her voice, "Where...where did you find her?"

Van blinked at the sudden question, but answered smoothly, trying to keep Merle calm when he knew how much Varie meant to her. "We found her by a hospital and she collapsed into my arms." He didn't add he had fainted. The whole palace probably already knew, but he wasn't the one to spread it around. "Do you know where she is? Me and Hitomi couldn't find her."

"She is taking a much needed bath."

"Where? She wasn't using mine and Hitomi's bathing room."

"She is using mine."

Van nodded and stuffed more food into his mouth. Although they had been gone for a day or so, he had missed Fanelian food.

Hitomi and Merle finished fast and left Van, Hitomi leaving him with a soft kiss on his lips. They went to her room and opened the side door to her own bathing room and saw Van's mother swathed in about twenty towels. She looked clean, her hair was no longer a rat's nest and her skin wasn't a dirty brown, it was a soft tan color. She stood up when she saw them and flushed, her appearance not what she would have wanted.

Hitomi walked up to Varie and stuck out her hand to shake it. Varie took hold of it and smiled. "I'm sorry for judging you the way I did. I thought that you had been some loose woman with my son. But Merle told me you were his wife. I wish I had been there for his wedding."

Hitomi smiled back at her and let go of her now clean hand. She said, "The first thing we are going to do is get you clothed properly."

Varie frowned and said, "I could just use my old clothes, couldn't I? They are probably still in my room."

Hitomi looked at Merle, confused. "You didn't know?"

"Know what?"

"That the palace was destroyed four years ago. Van had it rebuilt along with all of Fanelia."

Varie's expression turned horrified. "I had known Gaea was at war, but I didn't know Fanelia had been destroyed."

"Yes, most of the cities were. Fanelia is still under construction, but it is just as powerful as ever. Van is a very respected person and so is Fanelia. We're a growing power, in other words. I still don't know everything myself because I was just married to him, but I can guess you understand."

Varie nodded sadly, but perked up when Merle and Hitomi brought her into Merle's room. Merle gave her a soft silk robe to put on so they could go down to the seamstresses and get her clothed. Merle suggested everyone get some more and they walked down.

Two hours later, Varie was the proud possessor of seven new gowns, one evening gown, nightgowns, underthings, slippers, and other things that had everyone bewildered. She had two gowns finished as soon as they were measured so she would have something to wear.

She got dressed in a side room and came out wearing a light blue silk that shimmered with every movement she made. You could tell that she was a very modest person by how far up the neckline went. She looked fresh and happy, her long black hair falling down past her hips in flowing waves. There wasn't any white or gray laced through it and she remarked how surprised she was about it.

They all walked down chatting about how her life had been since she left to look for Folken. She explained how she got to Earth and everything that had happened in between. Hitomi and Merle were absolutely astounded about her story and they walked to the palace gardens for peace and quiet.

Merle kept hugging her, for she was her orphan mother. She hadn't seen her in so many years that she hardly remembered her. Varie asked her how her life was and how it had been growing up without her and Gaou. She looked depressed at first and then explained how attached she had become to Van and how they had gotten through it together.

Van saw them sitting by the fountain in the palace gardens on some of the wooden benches. The air smelled good and he inhaled deeply. He remembered how nasty Earth's air had been. He saw his beautiful mother sitting proudly next to his wife and Merle talking about nonsense as far as he could tell.

He walked over quietly and stood in front of his mother. She stood up, staring at him for a minute before she flung herself into his arms, crying. He held onto her tightly, his own tears coming to his eyes. He didn't want to cry, but he hadn't seen his mother for almost fifteen years.

Hitomi saw the one lone tear fall down his cheek and felt so much love for him at that moment she almost cried herself. Merle stood up and went into their circle, hugging both Varie and Van. Hitomi sat by herself until Van motioned her over. She hesitated but he waved her over again and she went into his arms. He kissed her temple and everyone laughed at how happy they were.

Allen came out and saw everyone hugging and laughing. He felt intense jealousy go through him and started to walk away, his head down and his hair wafting around his head in the growing breeze.

Merle spied Allen walking away, his head down. She said that she would be right back and left their circle. She laid her hand on his shoulder and he looked up, a sad look in his eyes. She felt her happiness die and she hugged him. He held onto her tightly, wishing his own loneliness would disappear and stay gone forever. He had nothing now that his sister was gone. He doubted that she would ever be the same if they could change her back into Celena.

He didn't cry, he just held onto her. He jolted when she pressed her agile and pliant body against him. He tried to get away from her, but she grabbed onto his hair and jerked him down, her lips meeting his. He lifted his lips and stared down at her. There was a glimmer in her eyes that couldn't be mistaken for anything but passion. He lowered his head. Slowly and carefully he kissed her, and she kissed him back. Merle's knees went weak, and she was grateful for Allen's strong arms around her. He deepened the kiss, and she allowed him, letting her love warm his cold spirit. She pressed herself against him, never wanting to let go. His hand went down to her breasts and he caressed them through her dress. She stiffened at first but relaxed when he kissed her harder.

He slowly ended the kiss, savoring her in every way he knew how. He gazed into her eyes. His one free hand stroked her hair and he suddenly jerked his head in the direction he heard a low growl in. He saw Van standing there, his hands fisted at his sides. Hitomi was standing a few feet behind him, her hand covering her mouth. Merle tried to step away from him but he wouldn't let her. They hadn't really done anything wrong. He dropped his hand that was covering her breast and looked away.

"What is this, Merle? You're so worried about men raping you and here is Allen, all over you!!" He turned to Allen and stared him down. "How dare you?! Do you know what the punishment is for doing something like this?"

Allen let Merle go. She went over to Van and touched his shoulder, trying to explain. "Don't even try it, Merle!! Do you know what has to be done?!"

"Van! Are you crazy?! You can't kill him for just kissing me!!"

Van frowned furiously at her. "No, my dear, that's not what I meant. What I meant was..." he brought her close and whispered the rest into her ear. She stepped away from him, almost stumbling. Her eyes were wide. A beyond fierce look came on her face and she slapped him as hard as she could.

Van's hand came up to his face, his fingers smearing the small trickle blood that had come oozing out of the three tiny slashes on his cheek. His eyes darkened in the slight pain and anger. He turned away, Hitomi rushing to him and ripping a piece of her dress off to dab the blood off his face.

Merle ran away, grabbing Allen's hand and forcing him to come with her. He looked back and he saw Varie come up to Hitomi and Van, wondering why his face was cut and bleeding.

Seibu took his hand and gripped it hard when the doctor set her leg. She didn't enjoy the pain as she normally did because she was staring at Dilandau. He was so profoundly beautiful she could have screamed it to the world. She wondered what he felt for her. She knew he thought her gloriously psychotic and that she was exquisite, but did he feel anything? Even physical?

Dilandau shoved the pathetically small ugly man out of the tent when he set her leg and braced it. He heard a yell outside and knew it was his small army training for the take over of Fanelia. He rubbed the scar on the side of his face and felt the familiar wanting to kill Van feelings.

"What are we going to do today, besides look for more men for our army?"

He loved how she thought pain was a wonderful feeling just like him. She flinched and smiled when she brought her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

A twisted smile appeared on his face when he saw the two hundred or so men training. Seibu had insisted that women should be allowed to train also and he had just shrugged, not caring if they died while training how to fight. He would enjoy watching them suffering. He escorted her out of the tent and sat her on the log that was positioned outside of their tent. He had no idea where Seibu had gotten the tent, but he didn't care.

Seibu spotted seven women out of her eight Angelslayers. Dilandau had loved the name and had suggested that she take up her own since he was reviving his own Dragonslayers. She was upset that she wasn't training with them because of her leg. It shouldn't be too long that she'd have to wait because she was taking a special tonic that would make her leg heal very fast. While she waited for that time, she would make Dilandau fall in love with her. She sat and planned what she should do. Maybe she would trap him against a wall and do something to him. She shivered, picturing how he would touch her. She looked over and saw him stroking his long jagged scar on the side of his face.

"Why don't we start a fire?" he asked and stood up, his eyes racing around for some fire wood.

Seibu knew about his obsession with fire and was fascinated by it. He walked away and grabbed a man's collar, dragging him along with him to find some wood for a fire.

She walked away back into the tent and undressed, waiting for him to return. She would surprise him but good.

Van flung away the cup of water Hitomi had given him. "Damn it! You don't understand!"

"What don't I understand!?!! All I can tell is that your acting like a bastard!!"

Van snarled and threw open the glass balcony door. Hitomi caught it before it hit the wall and broke into a thousand pieces. "Stop acting like a jerk, Van! Maybe they feel something for each other! You never know! Merle might be the closest thing in the world to a princess and right below me, but she has rights too! If she falls in love with him, then she does!! Let it go!"

"But I can't," he complained.

"Do you want me to smack your other cheek?!"

"I hope I don't get scarred."

"You won't, stupid. Are you that vain?"

Van scowled and jerked her against him. She looked scared and he immediately lessened his grip on her arms. "I want to get away from here. Just fly away."

Hitomi's eyes lit up. "Why not? You have the wings to do it."

Van smiled but shrugged. "I can't now, it's light out. Maybe when it's darker."

"Why does it matter?"

"I don't know. Someone would probably shoot us down."

There was a knock on their door and Van left Hitomi standing on the balcony, looking at Fanelia.

"Yes?" Van asked the large man standing in front of him.

"It appears that the Lady Merle and the knight Allen Schezar have disappeared."

Van smacked his forehead. "I should have known Merle would pull something like that off. Hitomi, get over here."

She came up next to him and peaked over his shoulder. "Yes, your all powerful, most glorious highness?"

Van smiled at what she said and told her what had happened. She rolled her eyes. "If I know Merle, she will be back soon. She's more than likely sulking in some dark corner with Allen trying to make her feel better."

"I hope you're right, Hitomi. Let's send out a small search party just in case."

The man nodded and left. Van raked his fingers through his hair. "I have too many things on my mind."

"Van, did you ever consider that it was Merle who made the advances on Allen? Doesn't he seem like he would try to get away from her? He has practically sworn to protect her. Why would he do something like that?"

Van snorted. "That's funny, Hitomi. Every time a woman is having a problem, she is sensitive. He takes quick advantage of it. Didn't he take advantage of you?"

"No."

Van quirked an eyebrow at her, but didn't say anything. He remembered how much pain he had felt when he had saw them kissing. "I need...help and relief."

"And what kind of "help and relief" do you need?"

"Mental? Physical? You? I don't know. I just need something to make me forget about the impending situations. There is too many things happening at once. Dilandau and Seibu, Merle and Allen, my mother...you and me. I just need something."

"Well, figure out want you want and come to me when you decide."

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "I don't need you at the moment."

"Oh? That will be rare. Enjoy it while you can."

"I could force myself on you if you want."

"Maybe I don't want."

He smiled and let go of her. "If I was in the mood, you would already be on the bed."

Hitomi sighed and put her hand on her forehead, saying dramatically, "Oh, I quiver with fear and anticipation. Someone save me before I faint." She let her legs fall out from underneath her and he caught her easily.

"You would be a good actress."

Hitomi just smiled and pulled away from him. She walked back over to the balcony and let the warm breeze whisk through her hair and calm her down. She didn't know what she was worried about, but she was about something. Her arms leaned against the rail and she watched the activity from Fanelia below. It was such a beautiful city, all of the new white buildings standing organized together, the people bustling in the hot sun in the marketplace for things they needed or wanted. She looked over to the north side of the city and saw men working on the construction of even more new buildings. She felt Van's presence and she didn't jump when he wrapped his arms around her front. They stood there watching Fanelia for a long time, just enjoying each other's silent company. Neither of them saw or heard Merle and Allen come in and stand next to them. Every once and a while he would kiss her ear or her cheek and she would smile up at him and go back to watching their city.

"Amazing how fast you rebuilt Fanelia, Van," Allen said, holding Merle just like he was Hitomi.

Van didn't acknowledge him but he knew he was there. He just ignored him, trying to keep himself from jumping on him and kicking his ass. He had no right to touch Merle. He didn't like the thought of any male touching her, even if it was Allen. He stiffened when he realized that that had been the reason he had flipped out so much on them. He felt overly protective of Merle. He closed his eyes remembering the harsh words he had whispered to her and when she had slapped him, her long cat nails slashing across his face. He realized also that he hadn't shaved in almost three days. He must look a sight.

Hitomi felt him go rigid and wondered at it. She leaned more heavily on him and looked up. He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose, supporting her easily. He let go of her a few moments later and asked Merle if she would talk to him. It was more an order than a request and Merle immediately obeyed him, walking into the room with her head down. She left Allen and Hitomi and Van closed the door, his arm around Merle.

"So where were you?"

Allen looked over to Hitomi. "We went back to the garden in some dark area that Merle wailed and whimpered like the sensitive cat she is. I just held her and told her it would be ok. She doesn't understand what everyone is going through and she is just trying to comfort them, me included."

Hitomi raised her eyebrow just like Van and Allen felt the intense urge to ruffle her hair. He did just so.

"Hey! What was that for?!"

"I got the craving to do it. You cocked your eyebrow just like Van and whenever he does that I ruffle his hair just like a little kid. He gets really mad when I do that."

Hitomi shook her head, smiling. "You two have too much testosterone."

A confused look appeared on his face. "How do I describe that word...male sexuality? What makes them act the way they do? How 'manly' they act? I don't know."

Allen laughed so hard that he had to sit down on the balcony and laugh some more. He wiped the tears from his eyes and sighed, still suffering from occasional bursts of laughter.

"Male sexuality? I don't know if it is just funny, if it's just weird hearing you say it, or if it's funny because you are so right."

Hitomi grinned and said, "Male sexuality."

He started laughing again and he grabbed a hold of his stomach. "Man, my stomach is killing me." He paused and smiled. "Say it again."

"You and Van have too much male sexuality."

He laughed even more and forced himself to stop. "Don't say it again or I will die."

"I will say it later, sometime when you are feeling grim."

He rested his head on the wooden post holding up the railing. His hair floated back behind him from the wind and curled around his face. He was still smiling and Hitomi shook her head.

"Merle...will you forgive me?" Van asked, all but begging her.

Merle already had forgiven him a thousand times to herself, but she wanted to make him suffer for what he had said to her. She still wasn't over it. 'I hope you enjoy having sex with him as much as you like him touching you when you're married.' He had been overly harsh and it had really hurt her feelings. She had felt something break inside her that she wondered could ever be repaired. She had felt their bond shatter into a zillion pieces, each and every one pulled away, every one imitating a silent scream of pain in her heart.

"Van, I have already forgiven you a thousand times. It's just that...will you forgive me? I was the one who started this and I should be the one forgiving you, not the other way around."

"But-"

"No. I know what you are thinking. Please just forgive me, Van. I will never go near him again if that's what you wish, if that's what you want."

"I forgive you."

She felt some of the pieces come back together and she smiled. She hugged him hard, but didn't lick his face. She had gotten over that a long time ago.

"I don't know what's going on between you and him and I wish I knew," he said and hugged her back.

"I...think I love him."

"Really? But you're so young...doesn't he seem old to you? I mean, he's how many years older than you? It's over a decade."

Merle shrugged. "I don't know what to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know if he loves me back. I think he just pities me or something like that. It would break my heart if he did."

"Merle, he has broken more hearts than you will ever be able to comprehend."

"I know. I don't know how to find out if he feels anything for me. I mean, I was the one who approached him in the garden."

"So you really did start it."

"Technically, yes."

"My advice to you Merle, is to ignore him. He would be so confused that he will search you out himself. He's just that kind of man."

"But I don't think I can ignore him."

Van let go of her and messed her hair up. She scowled at him at first and then smiled. The pieces came back together in her heart and she felt intense joy go through her. Maybe everything would be alright now.

He kissed her cheek softly. "Thank you for everything, Merle."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe someday you'll figure it out."

She gave him another brief hug and they walked back onto the balcony. Allen was sitting on the floor, his hair flying wildly around him, a smile on his face. Hitomi was gazing out over Fanelia and watching some white doves fly through the air. Van hooked his arm around her waist and whispered something into her ear. She smiled and nodded.

Merle remembered Van's words of advice to her and stood away from Allen. He cocked his head to the side in question when she didn't come next to him and he stood up, moving next to her. He smoothed the hair away from her ear and kissed it. She acted like he wasn't even there. He was ready to take another step but Van and Hitomi were standing only a foot or so away. They weren't even paying attention, they were engulfed in each other.

He rested his hands on her belly for a minute and moved his hands slowly upward. He stood behind her and pressed his length against her back. She molded against his body so perfectly he almost groaned in front of Van and Hitomi.

She smacked his hands when they went too far up, but he didn't stay away from her. He skimmed the side of her breasts and then curved them in. He was surprised at how they overflowed his hands and he kissed the side of her mouth softly, letting his lips linger.

Merle couldn't believe Allen was doing these things to her and right in front of Van and Hitomi. She felt a shudder go through her body and heat spread to the tips of her limbs, making everything sensitized. She knew he could feel everything she was feeling and she felt embarrassed. She tried to concentrate on what Van had said and looked blankly ahead of her, refusing to feel anything.

Allen stopped when he realized she didn't want what he was doing to her. It was if she had resigned herself to concentrating on not feeling anything. He felt baffled, but he neglected what he was feeling. He kissed her cheek and left her, walking off the balcony and leaving the room.

Van watched him leave and felt no more anger toward him. He had tried to pretend he hadn't seen what he had been doing to Merle. He felt proud of her for ignoring what Allen had been doing to her. Hell, if he had been doing it to Hitomi, she would have willingly melted like butter in his arms. He loved the way she responded to him, and he barely even had to touch her. A smile, a caress, and he was done. He was bragging to himself and he smiled. He hoped things would always be like they were now between them. He felt himself being affected by just what he was thinking.

Hitomi elbowed him in the stomach when he pushed himself against her. She attempted to turn around but he held her in place. She whispered, "We are not alone, stupid."

"So? Didn't you see what they were doing? This is nothing. She more than likely can't even see anything because of your wonderful gown. I vow I love these things when I'm not trying to rip it off you."

"Control yourself."

"I don't have to if I don't want to."

"I will...never respond to you again."

Van laughed and Merle looked over, wondering what they were talking about. "I think I'll leave now."

Hitomi was going to ask her to stay just to torture Van, but he covered her mouth with his hand. She went to bite him, but he took his hand away too fast.

"Vicious one, aren't you?"

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

"How would you know!?!"

"Because you love me," Van whispered back to her.

"Useless and vain man," Hitomi muttered.

Van let go of her and walked into the room. He had a mind to ignore Hitomi just like Merle was ignoring Allen. It would drive her crazy.

"Are you sick?"

"Why would I be sick?" he asked and plopped down on the bed, his head resting in his arms. Hitomi was already wanting to kill him, he could tell.

"Just a second ago you were all over me and now your all 'I'm a big manly man and I can keep myself away from my wife'." The last part she had deepened her voice and sauntered over to Van like a man, flexing her arms to emphasize the point. Her hands were on her hips and she stared down at Van from beside his side of the bed. He was grinning at her as if nothing was wrong.

"Uh!! You are so frustrating!!"

His white toothed grinned turned into a laugh. She stomped her foot. "It's not fair!!!"

He calmed down just enough to ask, "What isn't?"

"I can't...rape you!!!!"

"Did I ever rape you?"

"Practically!!!"

He laughed all the harder and rolled onto his stomach, laughing some more. "How could you rape me when I would be a willing participant?"

"Exactly!!"

Van got more reasonable and lifted his arms in invitation. "Rape me then."

Hitomi lifted her chin high in the air. She wondered if she should say no and walk out of the room or rip off her clothes and jump on him. She decided on the latter one and lacerated her clothes to pieces trying to get them off.

Van had no idea what was happening and by the time he did know, she was on him. He laughed, his eyes wide with astonishment that she had actually torn off her clothes and was going to supposedly rape him. A satisfied male smile plastered on his face, he let Hitomi have her way with him.