Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ The Promise ❯ The morning after, and the forgotten engagement ( Chapter 4 )

::Disclaimer::

*looks at the last time she updated and does a double take*

CvR: Three months! Oh me Gosh! Am so sorry!

*Crowd of angry reviewers storm into the hallway above*

CvR: Eeep!Don't hurt me!
Angry Reviewer: CvR, you have been found guilty of slackerism, and are here by sentenced to be executed at this time. Do you have anything you would like to say in your defense?

CvR: Well I- I…I SAID I WAS SORRY!

Angry Reviewer: Apology noted, take her away!

CvR: Eeek! Kissy do something!

Kissy_Moonlight: Sorry babe, I got my own problems * points to the angry hanyou coming towards her*

Kissy_moonlight: Oh! Hehe…Hey Inuyasha! When did you get here? *Inuyasha glares down at her and shakes a threatening fist in her direction before grabbing her arm * …Well now wait a second, lets not be hasty! She only sat you twice! I left out the third time! Have mercy!

*Kissy the fiendish editor is dragged off to her computer by a very angry dog demon*

CvR: Kissy! You can't just leave me like this! Inuyasha you mutt, let my fiendish editor go!
*CvR has been dragged before the firing squad and is offered a blindfold*

Angry Reviewer: Do you have any last words?

*Glares at retreating form of her best friend*

CvR: *sigh* I don't own Escaflowne…*sniffle*

Angry Reviewer: You may fire when ready…

The Promise

Chapter 4

(The morning after, and a forgotten engagement)

Hitomi groaned as a warm light from the window caressed her face. Stretching herself slightly she paused as she felt a heavy weight shift over her waist. A warm breath ruffled her hair and she blinked the sleep from her eyes. She was so warm, some one's arms held her safe. 'Safe?' she thought, 'isn't this where I begin to panic?' She waited for a moment for fear to take root but she felt none, only warmth and a lingering feeling of contentment.

Rubbing her eyes with the heel of her hands, she opened them more fully and glanced up at the familiar face beside her own. 'So it wasn't all a dream' she thought, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips. Van slept peacefully unaware of her scrutiny under the soft morning light. She raised her hand to gently brush away a stray lock of hair, bringing his handsome face into view.

As she watched him sleep one thought played over and over in her mind, 'he came back.'

Hitomi allowed her fingers to trace over his brow before bringing them down to lightly brush against his lips. His warm breath tickled her fingers as he sighed sleepily and settled his face more deeply into her pillow.

Happiness consumed her and she struggled to hold back the bubble of laughter that threatened to spill forth at any moment. Suddenly full of energy she pulled back from his arms and slowly began to rise from the bed. Hitomi grinned when she met with some resistance and gently untangled herself from his sleepy embrace.

Looking down she thought she might burst at the emotions that churned within her as she gazed upon the man who slept. So many years had passed she thought, and she wondered what it was that had kept him away for so long. 'Why after all these years has he returned?'

Hitomi rubbed her arms hoping to bring back the warmth that had suddenly left her as the troubling thoughts of the previous night began to return. Lost in thought she turned and made her way over to the doorway. Hitomi stopped and looked back when she heard him shift restlessly in his sleep. As if he some how knew she no longer lay beside him, his hand shifted on the bed beside him.

Hitomi let out her breath slowly when she realized that he had once again settled back into sleep. Quietly, she began to make her way to the door. Hitomi had so many questions for him that she didn't even know where to begin. She wasn't even sure if she was ready to hear the answers to them. Hitomi had felt like such a coward when she had watched him restlessly shift in his sleep, holding her breath, hoping he would not wake up in that moment.

Her life had become a tangled mess with her desperate engagement, and now this, Vans return.

Hitomi wrapped her arms around her midriff and tried to block the depressing thoughts that continually tried to surface. Drawing in a breath she tried to calm her wavering emotions, knowing that right now she wasn't ready to face whatever it was that had brought Van back to her. All she wanted was to enjoy the time they had before he would leave her again. Later, when she had the courage, she would ask him all the questions that had been left unanswered for so long.

Turning for one last glance behind her, she jerked to a halt as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror beside her. A horrified gasp left her mouth before she had a chance to smack her hand over her lips. Hitomi threw a quick glance over to the bed to make sure that Van had not been awakened by her startled reaction. Seeing that he still slept peacefully she turned her gaze back to her reflection

She couldn't believe just how retched she looked. What a mess! She looked like the bride of Frankenstein! There was no way she was going to let Van see here like this! Her blouse, and trousers where wrinkled, her hair was tangled, and her waterproof mascara had given her raccoon eyes. Hitomi turned and swiftly made her way to the bathroom. Once inside she closed the door softly behind her and began to remove her clothes in a frenzy. Thank God she had woken up before he had a chance to look over and see the raccoon that slept beside him. Grumbling in frustration as she tripped on her pant leg, she bit out a few choice curses as she hopped over to the shower.

Leaning in she started the water running and hoped against hope that it wouldn't take too long to heat up. Finally out of her pants she flung it into the clothes hamper and made her way over to the vanity. 'Urgh…what a mess!' Hitomi regarded her reflection a second longer before she started scrubbing her face free of make-up. Her hand brushed over her lips and she felt their sensitivity bringing to mind the kiss they had shared last night.

Never in her wildest dreams would she have imaged how kissing Van would make her feel. His taste was indescribable. She thought back on the only other kiss she had shared and compared the two in her mind. While Allen's kiss had been pleasant, it had not set her blood to boiling. Allen had been gentle and courteous, but his kiss had not held the heat or the need that Vans kisses had held.

She shivered as she thought back on the feel of his body pressed against hers. Hitomi's eyes closed as she recalled the feel of his hands brushing over her body. Nothing had ever prepared her for all that he would make her feel. Just a look from him, with those eyes…Hitomi knew that if she lived a thousand years without ever seeing their color, she would never forget them. They would always send her heart racing.

Leaning closer to the sink, she washed away the soap and turned to see the steam rising from behind the curtain. Rushing to get under the warm spray she removed the last of her clothing and stepped inside the shower.

The image of warm chocolate still lingered in her mind, and she found herself wondering what it would feel like to be loved with the intensity she saw burning deep inside them. Would making love to Van consume her, just as a few of his kisses had?

Hitomi raised her face to the warm spray and ran a shaky hand through her knotted hair trying to work the tangles out with little success. Letting the warmth of the shower lull her she pondered the overwhelming sensations of the night before.

It frightened her to find that she could lose all sense of herself, at the touch of another human being. No, not just any one could make her feel that way, it was only him…Only Van could make her feel. Hitomi was unprepared for just how much she would feel, at the touch of his lips, the brush of his hand…the look in his eyes. Beneath the warmth of the water she shivered.

The emotion too much for her she had had no choice but to pull away from him last night. Being kissed by Van was a lot like falling off a cliff. You knew the ground rushed up to meet you, to shatter you…but there was nothing you could do to stop it. The only thing left to do was to wait and hope…hope that in the end you survive the fall, knowing all along that even if you survived, the cost would be high.

She knew that she had lost her heart to him a long time ago, so now the only questions was, how much more could losing herself in him hurt at this point. Smiling sadly, she relaxed under the heat of the water and let it wash away her fears.

~~ 0 ~~

Van shifted on the bed and flung his arm out to his side looking for the warm body that had been there only moments before. His hand met with a pillow but nothing more. Quickly opening his eyes he shot up in bed and searched the room for a sign of Hitomi.

Mind still fuzzy with sleep he glanced around the room and found that all was still how they had left it last night. Standing, he swiftly made his way out into the living room, dread beginning to work its way into his system. Running an agitated hand through his hair he headed for the apartment door only to stop when he heard a muffled curse come from the door beside him.

Letting out a sigh of relief Van closed his eyes and slumped against the wall. He thought she had left. After all that had happened last night he thought that he had scared her away. Van knew that his passion had frightened her, he had sensed that when she had pulled away from him. Van had tried to hold back, but when their lips meet it was as if a dam had broken free, and nothing could stop the flood of emotions from spilling over. He had waited too long to come to her, that his hold over his control had snapped. The feel of her in his arms…nothing had felt so right, and for the life of him, he hadn't been able to hold back.

He brought his hands up to rub the sleep from his face. Pushing away from the wall he made his way over to a small wooden table that stood next to what looked like a cooking space.

Settling himself in a wooden chair he leaned back and began to think.

Hitomi's situation on the mystic moon was not what he had expected. Deep down he knew that she would have settled here, but he had not expected that by asking her to come back, he would be taking her away from so much. The previous day as he had followed her, he could see that she had made a life for herself. But seeing this he had to wonder…was there any room in her life for him?

He knew she cared for him, she had said she loved him. But five years was a long time, and he had no way of knowing if her feelings had changed. It was this thought, more than anything, which held him back. Regardless of her life here, if she loved him he knew she would return with him.

'Did she still love him?' He wondered once again.

Hitomi had seemed happy enough to see him once she had gotten over her initial shock, but still…

The plan had been to have her return to Gaia with him, so they could be wed, but what if she didn't want to come back to Gaia? Was he really willing to give up his crown and spend the rest of his life in her world? And if he did would she want him by her side?

Van brought his head forward wearily, to rest his forehead on the heel of his hand.

When he had arrived at her apartment last night he had been ready to ask her, ask her to be his queen, but then…Van's face screwed up in a grimace as he thought of the man he had seen with Hitomi last night. The bastard had been all over her, and it had taken all of his self-control to stand back in the shadows and just watch. Did she belong to him? What gives him the right to put his arms around Hitomi.

Granted, she had been the one to initially embrace him, so what did that mean! Did she wish to be with that man? In the time that he had been gone, had she promised herself to another? Panic was beginning too build inside of him as he thought of the possibility that he had waited to long to come back.

'No! That can't be right! That wouldn't make any sense; she would never had responded to his advances if she was promised to another man.' A small smile made its way onto his lips as he remembered the feel of her in his arms. Her lips had been warm and sweet. She had been so responsive. A slow heat made its way through his veins as he recalled the feel of her body pressed against his. He didn't know where he had found the strength to stop.

'No, she would not have allowed me to touch her if she loved another…Would she?'

Van snorted in disgust as he ran his hands through his thick black hair. If she had promise herself to another, then he had only himself to blame. If he had been strong enough to come see her with out giving into the urge to take her back with him before his promise was fulfilled, then he would not be having this argument with himself. Doubts still crowding his head, Van grimaced as his thoughts returned to the man from the night before once again. 'Who was that bastard anyway?'

~~ 0 ~~

Stepping out of the shower Hitomi hurriedly dried off, and wrapped herself in a towel. She headed towards the vanity her mind preoccupied as she proceeded to dry her shoulder length hair. Picking up her brush she roughly ran it through her hair, hoping that Van hadn't woken up while she was gone. Looking at her reflection she frowned and pinched her cheeks a bit. No good, she still looked too pale, 'Oh why couldn't he have shown up when I had that nice tan a few months back!' Reaching into her top drawer she pulled out a soft cherry gloss and applied it to her lips. Noting the difference a little color could make she smiled. Feeling confident that she could now face Van, she turned to grab her clothes.

'Clothes! Argh…I knew I forgot something!' Growling in frustration she turned to look around the room for something to wear. 'Oh great! I can't just walk out there in a towel, what would Van think?!' and when she thought of the alternative, she blushed to the roots of her hair.

An image of her walking naked into the bedroom to meet Van played through her mind. A lazy heat began to pool in her stomach, as she pictured Van taking her into his arms. Drawing a deep breath she struggled to bring her raging hormones back under control while she continued to look around for something to wear. 'This is no time to be thinking about that sort of thing! Pull yourself together! Think! You can't just walk out there half naked!' Hitomi growled in frustration as her imagination once again took hold.

Hitomi closed her eyes and focused on brutally cutting off the fantasies that had taken root in her mind. Willing her thoughts under control she gripped the counter behind her and forced herself to focus. Ignoring the burning heat that made its way through her veins, she gained command of her emotions and continued her search.

Hitomi's eyes fell on a silk robe hanging to the side of the bathroom door. She stepped towards it and slowly ran her hand over the pale yellow material, admiring the cool feel of it against her flushed skin. She had bought the robe on a whim a while back. She had fallen in love with its beauty, but up until now had never found a reason to use it, as she had just traveled from bathroom to bedroom draped only in a towel.

The robe had stayed beside the door for so long that it had begun to look more like a decoration than a piece of clothing but now…now she had a reason to wear it. Hitomi only hoped the reason was still in bed. Dropping the towel Hitomi quickly wrapped herself in the cool fabric, a mischievous grin making its way onto her face as she reached for the door.

Looking down at herself Hitomi failed to notice Van as he sat at her dinning room table regarding her with a somewhat stunned expression. The robe skimmed over her form and clung to her in all the right places, leaving his mind in total chaos. So much so that he didn't even have the presence of mind to call out to her as she loosened the robe to readjust it, leaving him with a fair glimpse of smooth pale skin.

He swallowed convulsively as his eyes wandered over her form, and that slow heat that had begun last night now turned into a raging fire. His eyes followed her as she made her way over to the bedroom. His whole body ached with a need to get up and follow her, but he fought the urge as he knew that if he once again gave into the emotions only she could invoke in him, he would not be able to stop. A soft moan made it past his lips as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Standing quickly he turned his back on her temptation, and went to stand before the sliding glass doors just behind him.

He stared out the glass door to the courtyard below without really seeing it. His mind still centered on the image of Hitomi wrapped in nothing but a pale silk robe. His mind conjured up images of what might have happened if he had not stopped himself from following her into the bedroom.

Van's stomach clenched at the fantasies that raced through his head. Biting back a groan he closed his eyes and brought his forehead to rest against the cool glass. Willing himself under control, he drew in a deep breath, and began to recite the ancient laws of his land, and all the amendments listed under them.

~~0~~

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Hitomi had quietly made her way over to the closet and now held a pair of dark jeans and a soft green shirt she knew would make her eyes a clearer shade of green.

'Now for underwear' Hitomi thought as she glanced over at the bed to see if Van still slept.

Hitomi drew in a sharp breath and her heart skipped a beat as she took in the rumbled bedspread of her now empty bed. Stepping forward she caught sight of Van's things just on the opposite side of the room and let out a sigh of relief.

'He wouldn't have left without his things! But then, where was he?'

A sense of dread began to build in her as she slowly turned to the door and made her way back into the living room. 'Could he be…Oh no…' Hitmoi's heart began to race as she stared at Van's back just across the room.

He stood just behind her small dinning room table facing away from her; his eyes focused on the courtyard below. A blush worked its ways up into her cheeks as she thought 'Did he see?? Was he watching, when I came out of the bathroom?'

She franticly thought back on just how much she had shown when she readjusted her robe.

'Oh God, I walked right past him! Why didn't he say anything?! Maybe he was trying not to embarrass me? Oh! It's too late for that!! Will you stop arguing with yourself it's driving me crazy! Oh God, I am crazy!' Her mind screamed.

Thoughts in a jumble she moved foreword swiftly only to have her toe meet with the hard edge of the side table in front of her. Before she could stop herself she let out a growl of frustration, her toes curling as the pain shot through her foot.

"Hitomi?…Are you ok?"

With out looking up she reached down to rub her aching toe, unable to meet his eyes just yet she frowned over at the side table and clenched her teeth against the curses that threatened to spill from her mouth.

Hitomi took another minute to gather her courage; glaring at the side table a moment longer she raised her eyes to meet his. A blush began to gather in her cheeks as she meet warm chocolate, and she knew. 'He had seen her.' She quickly lowered her eyes to the floor. Hitomi forced a cheerful smile to her lips as she tried to shake the cowardice that kept her from meeting the warmth in his eyes.

"I - its nothing." She said finally raising her eyes to meet his. Hitomi had nothing to fear though, as his eyes where occupied elsewhere.

At that moment Van's eyes traveled a slow path down her silk clad body, not realizing that she watched him. He had hoped not to be confronted with the temptation that stood before him again, but fate was not that kind. Van fought a losing battle with the urges inside of him. The urge to touch, to taste, and to hold where all threatening to break free of his shaky control.

In a last ditch effort to gain control he clenched his hands behind his back and forced his eyes back up to her face. Heated chocolate met startled forest and held. Van could not hide the emotions raging in him from Hitomi, and he watched carefully as several emotions flickered across her expressive face.

Hitomi's mind was in utter chaos. She was confronted with the knowledge in his eyes, and the burning intensity that lay just beneath their surface. Her heartbeat quickened, and she was trapped by his gaze.

Van took the risk of losing control and stepped closer to her. He watched her eyes widened, and saw the anticipation shinning in their depth. Kneeling before her he gave into the urge to touch, and let his hand skim down her calf before cupping her injured foot with his fingers. Vans eyes never left hers, as his other hand came to rest above her foot, now cradled in his palm. Carefully, he observed her, catching every fleeting emotion that flared to life in her expressive eyes. His fingers ran over soft skin, coming to rest on the small toe that was now turning an angry shade of red.

"Does it hurt?" He asked, his voice low and deep.

So lost was she in the depth of his eyes, that it took Hitomi a moment to realize that Van had spoken. A blush began to creep up into her cheeks once again as she scrambled to remember what he had said. Hitomi's cheek reddened even more as she failed to recall his words, for the tone was all she had heard. She could see that he watched her closely, waiting for her answer no doubt, but along with the power of thought, his eyes had stolen from her the power of speech as well.

Trying to ignore her glowing cheeks she looked back down at his hands. His fingers made slow circles on her flesh just below her ankle that caused a tingling sensation to shoot up her leg.

Hitomi cleared her throat and gave him a vague nod, hoping that would be answer enough to his question.

Risking a glance she meet the amusement in his eyes and quickly looked away again. She forced a smile to her lips, and shifted uncomfortably under his warm gaze. Hitomi began to step away from him, hoping that the distance would restore some wits to her addled mind.

She had forgetting that van still held her foot captive, and began to lose her balance at her rash movement. Reacting on instinct she pushed herself forward and caught herself on Vans strong shoulders. Her foot was now free, as Vans had reached up to catch her around the waist, but instead of putting a much-needed distance between them, she had inadvertently brought them closer together.

Van caught his breath as his hands clasped around Hitomi's slender waist. He could feel the warmth of her skin just below the fabric of her robe and was reminded that she wore nothing beneath it. Letting out a shaky breath he looked up to find her now watching his reaction to their closeness.

It was now his turn to lose himself in her gaze, and the little self-control he had left, slipped. His hands tightened around her waist in an effort to keep them from roaming. In her eyes he could see the heat of her passion gather, making them darken in reaction. She shifted forward slightly and the movement of pale silk caught his eye.

Hitomi held her breath as she watched him look upon the skin now exposed due to her careless movements. Her blood quickened as she watched him bring his face closer to the sensitive skin that lay between her breasts.

Van stopped, his lips inches from the pale skin before him. He breathed in deeply, captivated by the scent that was only Hitomi. She was the forest in Fanelia after a summer rain, she was the pure sweet air high up in the sky, a place only his wings could take him. She smelled of home, and of heaven.

He closed his eyes and breathed her in, the feel of her soft form beneath his hands, a drug that lured him ever closer to her warmth. Van held his breath a second longer before letting it out slowly.

Hitomi shivered in response as his warm breath caressed her sensitive skin. She shifted her hand to tangle in soft black hair at the base of his neck, aching to pull him forward that final inch. In an instance of revelation, Hitomi new she would give anything, sacrifice everything, just to feel the touch of his lips on her skin in this moment.

As if he knew her very thoughts he leaned closer and brushed her skin with the warmth of his soft lips. The touch was no more than a butterflies kiss, but she felt it to the depth of her soul. Her head fell back and her eyes closed as she clenched his hair in her fist.

'No one Van. There is no one, who can make me feel the way you do.' Hitomi felt her eyes begin to sting and she thought 'But will you stay…or will you leave me?'

Her hand relaxed its hold and she pulled him closer so that his cheek now rested where only moments before his lips had kissed her. She lowered her head and brought her other arm up to embrace him gently. Her clothing slipped free from her hands and landed with a soft thud to the floor below.

The world that had fallen away from them, let them embrace a minute longer before intruding on them once more. Slowly coming back to himself Van allowed himself to hold her a second longer.

Reluctantly, he loosened his hold and swallowed the lump that had formed somewhere in his throat. Raising his head, he gazed up at the woman above him and struggled to find his voice. She smiled softly down at him just as he began to recover, causing him to lose his voice all over again.

"I- thank you Van…for catching me." Hitomi smiled gently down at him knowing that he would never know the truth behind her words. Recalled her earlier thoughts in the shower, Hitomi's smile widened. She had willingly flung herself from the cliff, and she had not shattered…She had soared, with him.

Finding his voice again he regarded her curiously, feeling as if there was more to what she said then what he could see.

"Hitomi I- …Are you ok?" He asked leaning back on his heels.

Now that the moment had passed, Hitomi could feel her old shyness returning to her again. She could see that he regarded her curiously, as if there was something that puzzled him about her. Feeling nervous under his regard she stepped back, and pulled her robe closed hoping that her actions would explain why she could not meet his eyes. 'For heavens sake Hitomi, you all but threw yourself at him, and now your going to be shy?'

"I'm fine…I- I just stubbed my toe." She smiled and with her eyes still lowered she thought 'That's right Hitomi, state the obvious.'

Hitomi continued to avoid looking at Van, in an effort to gain control of her raging emotions. But the silence was deafening, causing Hitomi's nervousness to increase.

She wanted to say something, anything! The problem was that she didn't know what to say to him. Not after the way she kept throwing herself at him. Granted, she had tripped the last time causing her to fall into him, but that didn't excuse her actions after. Bending down she reached for her fallen clothing, and fleetingly she thought of her fiancé. A pang of guilt took root some where in her stomach. Hitomi knew she was betraying him, every time she allowed herself to get swept away by Van, but somehow it didn't seem wrong. Being with Van just felt so right.

Hitomi felt her stomach clench with guilt at her thoughts. Van had yet to speak and his silence was causing her to linger on the guilt she felt towards Alex. Hitomi stood and held her clothing tightly against her chest as she franticly searched for something to say.

'Oh for God's sake! You're a grown woman, you do know how to speak so say something!!' Desperate now to fill the silence she searched the room for inspiration, a moment before they came to rest on the glass doors behind him.

Van stood, watching in confusion as she fidgeted with the ties of her robe, looking at everything but him. He felt a bit uneasy as he thought 'Did I do something to offend her? Why is she trying to avoid looking at me?'

When she bent down to retrieve the clothing that had fallen from her hands when she had lost her balance, he quickly looked down to make sure that there was nothing wrong with his appearance that would explain her nervousness.

Nothing was out of place so maybe she was still suffering for the nervousness that caused her to faint when he had appeared last night? Either that or I am making her uncomfortable. The thought did not sit well with him so he decided to do the only thing he could think of.

"Hitomi, I'm…"

"How did you like the view?" Hitomi spoke quickly as she rushed to fill the silence.

Her eyes locked with his as they both started to speak, only to fall silent when she realized what she had just said. Van's eyes widened, he wondered if he had heard her correctly.

"The…View?" A slow blush started to make its way up into his cheeks as he regarded her carefully. Mentally slapping herself, Hitomi cringed as she took in the astonished look on his face. 'Why did I say that?!'

Van shifted uncomfortably as he watched her struggle with her embarrassment. 'I guess she knows.' He thought, cursing himself for not speaking up earlier.

Laughing nervously Hitomi ran a hand through her hair causing a lock to fall over her left

eye.

"The view of the courtyard that is, I mean- Its beautiful, don't you think?" She said hoping to cover up her earlier mistake. 'Ok, that didn't exactly help you Hitomi. Now he knows you where talking about something else!' She mentally cursed her run away tongue as she gazed down at him shyly, hoping he wouldn't catch onto her mistake.

Van smiled and stood, giving in to the need to touch her, he swept the strand of hair behind her ear. Inside he laughed softly at their situation, knowing that if Hitomi could read his thoughts, she would be even redder than she already was.

"I'm sorry Hitomi. I know all of this is a bit overwhelming, and well I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night." He said lowering his hand back to his side.

Hitomi smile froze and her mind began to race at his words. 'He was sorry? For what happened last night? Was he apologizing for kissing me?' Hitomi tried to think back on the events of last, looking for anything else that might cause him to apologize, but there was only that kiss.

'Didn't he want to kiss me?' She thought, her smile fading slowly with disappointment. He looked at her expectantly, and she scrambled to come up with a reply.

Van watched in confusion as her smile began to fade. He thought he caught a hint of disappointment in her eyes and wondered what he had said to cause it.

"I…No! You have nothing to apologize for, these things just happen sometimes, and I know I didn't help any by jumping on you like that, and I should really be the one to apologies for kissing you last night and I…" Hitomi stopped in the middle of her rant and laughed nervously, her mind screaming 'SHUT UP!'

A bit stunned Van regarded her in confusion. 'She thought I was apologizing for kissing her?' Van brought his hand up and scratched the back of his head in thought.

"I- Hitomi, I didn't…I mean…I wasn't apologizing for kissing you." He frowned the thought 'Should I be?' crossed his mind moments before but he had dismissed it as he began to understand her disappointment. 'So that's what it was.'

Hitomi glanced up and meet his eyes in surprise.

"You-…I-…Oh! I just thought…"

Trapped in their intense regard, she lost track of her thoughts and had to will herself to focus once again. 'So he wasn't apologizing for kissing her?' Hitomi grimaced as she thought of what a fool she must have seemed a few seconds back. But still…her embarrassment aside, she still could not understand what prompted him to apologize.

Hitomi looked at him in confusion now, and tried to recall anything that might have happened last night that would cause him to apologize, but could find nothing.

"I don't understand. What are you apologizing for?" She asked, wondering if she had missed something important.

Van gazed at her, wondering what was going through her head at that moment. The look of confusion was clear to see, but there seemed to be another underlying emotion just beneath the surface.

"Well…I was apologizing for frightening you last night." He said, still contemplating the emotion still hidden behind the forest of her eyes.

"Oh! I- you don't need to apologize for that, you didn't frighten me. I was just so surprised to see you standing in front of me. I had always hoped that you would come back but…" She stopped and began to blush as she realized just how much she had revealed to him with a few simple words.

Van watched as she shyly lowered her eyes and felt his heart beat a little faster. She had been waiting for him? A seed of hope took root deep within his heart and he smiled. So she had not forgotten him. Maybe her feelings had not changed in the time that he had been gone. But still, there was a question of the man he had seen her with last night. Who was he? What did he mean to her? And did he have to hold her so long? Van frowned at the last thought and felt anger take hold of him. Hitomi looked as if she was very familiar with him, and yet he still could not completely believe that there had been more to her embrace than what he saw.

Another thing that was bothering him was that the blonde man was some how very familiar to him, even though he could not recall just where he had seen him before.

A frown took the place of his smile as he continued to think about the man from the night before. Yes, there was something familiar about him…Come to think of it he sort of reminded Van of Allen, which only made his frown increase. Back on Gaia, Hitomi had been infatuated with Allen, and even though she had admitted her love to him, he still couldn't help but think that maybe her feelings for Allen had not really died.

Van began to work his fist reflectively as he thought about all the times she had chosen Allen over him in the past. He hadn't been good enough for her then. There had just been so many things he had needed to resolve before he could tell her how he felt. Van knew that his inability to tell her what he really felt was what drove her to seek Allen.

When Van had come across them on the bridge that day, he thought that he had lost her completely. The pain had dulled considerably since then but it was still there. It was still there because even now when he was free to tell her how he felt, he could not find the courage to do so.

Perhaps history was repeating itself. He had not been able to be there when she needed him. In his absence, could she have turned to the man that reminded him so much of Allen, for comfort?

The thought shook him, and the hope that had taken root inside his heart began to wither. Was he too late again?

Several minutes had passed without a word spoken by either one, and Hitomi's nervousness began to return to her. Fidgeting with the tie of her robe Hitomi glanced up to find Van staring at her with a fierce frown on his face. Surprised at first, she didn't immediately realize that he was not looking at her, so much as he was looking through her.

A little hesitantly she stepped foreword and place a hand on his chest.

"Van? I- are you ok?" she asked looking up at him with concern. Van snapped out of his black thoughts to find Hitomi just inches from him, her hand resting on his chest just above his beating heart. He looked down at her seeing the worry that marred her face, and felt shammed at his earlier thoughts.

"Wha- No I'm fine. Just got lost in thought for a second." Van smiled and placed his hand over hers, holding her to him. His heart leapt as he felt her thumb slightly brush the skin just inside his shirt.

Hitomi smiled as she felt it jump beneath her hand, and looked up to find him gazing down at her with an arrested look on his face. Blushing slightly she looked away before taking a reluctant step back.

Looking down she noticed the clothing still clutched in her left hand. Bringing her free hand up she swept her hair behind her ear.

"I guess I should go put these on." She said laughing a little nervously.

Van smiled as he admired the color that rose in her cheeks after every encounter they had.

"Once I'm dressed we can see about getting some breakfast." Edging back she smiled and turned to head into the bedroom.

Smiling, Van held a hand over his stomach. "Great, I haven't had much to eat since yesterday." He watched as she retreated back behind the door of her bedroom, before popping her head back out to say, "Ok, then after breakfast I'll show you how to use the shower. Be right back!" She called out just before closing the door behind her.

In the bedroom Hitomi rushed to get dressed. Stopping before the floor length mirror she gave herself a once over. Giving her hair a final fluff, she turned to exit the room but stopped when she noticed her things on the floor. Thinking to straighten the room before she went back out, she bent to scoop up her purse and discovered the small black box with the engagement ring beneath it. Hitomi opened the box and looked at the grim reminder that reality was not as perfect as she wished it to be. Guilt began to take root, as she recalled the kiss she shared with Van last night, and the embrace they shared this morning. Hitomi couldn't find the will to regret it, but still felt guilty for betraying Alex.

Alex was a good man, and had been there for her for the past three years. Hitomi always knew he felt more for her than she could for him, but she had never dreamed that she would one day accept his proposal. Hitomi knew she didn't love him, but she did care for him, and now looking at his ring she knew that she would have to tell Van about her engagement.

Hitomi still didn't know why Van had come back, and why he hadn't returned until now. All she knew was that he was here with her now and he deserved to know the truth. If she was honest with herself she could admit that she had acted hastily in accepting Alex's proposal. But that still didn't change the fact that she had accepted, and going back on her promise to him now wouldn't solve anything.

Van never said he had returned just for her, there might have been a reason for his sudden appearance that had nothing to do with her. 'But then why did he kiss you?'

Hitomi let out a frustrated breath as she snapped the box closed and placed it on the nightstand in front of her. Quickly she gathered up the rest of her things and straightened the bed before leaving the room.

Hitomi made her way over to the kitchen, passing Van as he stood leaning against the balcony doors once again. Smiling, she stopped in front of the fridge and opened it. She grimaced as she took in the contents of her fridge. A half eaten jar of pickles was the most appetizing thing to be seen. Sighing, she ducked her head to see if she had any edible produce toward the bottom of the fridge.

"Hmm…I don't have much, I haven't had a chance to go shopping." Biting her lip she mentally cataloged all the food she had in her apartment and came up empty. She stood back up and closed the fridge. Frowning, she tried to think of somewhere they could go for a good meal.

"I know! There's a great diner just down the road. They serve the best pancakes!" Turning, she smiled over at him and rubbed her hands in excitement.

"Pancakes…?" He mumbled.

"Then after that we could make a day of it, and just do a little exploring." Hitomi's smile faltered, remembering that she didn't know the reason for him being there. What if he couldn't take the day off to do a little exploring?

"I- I mean if you don't have anything planned, then I would be happy to show you around."

Van looked at her strangely for a moment before returning her smile and excepting her invitation.

"Great let me get you a towel, then I'll show you how to use the shower." She said already headed towards the linen closet beside the bathroom door. Smiling happily Hitomi turned to see that Van had followed her out of the kitchen.

"Here let me show you the shower." She said as she handed him his towel.

Making her way into the bathroom she glanced back at Van as she explained how everything worked. Leaning into the shower she started the water and turned back to find that Van had already removed his shirt.

Hitomi's mouth dried up as she gazed at the smooth muscles that rippled with his every movement. 'Years of training and hard work has done a body good' she thought as her gaze roamed over the flat firm stomach and a well-defined chest.

While well muscled, he didn't carry the bulk of a body builder. But there was great strength beneath his sleek form. He had filled out quit nicely she thought and swallowed convulsively.

Her heart ached at the many scars she had begun to notice once the initial shock of seeing him shirtless had faded. Her hand itched to run over the worst of the scars that marred his chest and stomach, and continued on down past his waistline.

Hitomi wanted to cry, as she could only guess at the pain that many of them had caused him. She had raised her hand to her mouth to cover the faint gasp that had nearly escape at the sight of his beautiful body, but she now lowered it and brought her gaze up to meet his.

Van had been watching her reaction intently, and had grinned at the look of fascination that had initially passed over her features. He could see her obvious admiration, and her lack of disgust at the many scars that marred his body. Relief had swept through him at the latter; as he had been unsure of how she would react upon seeing his imperfect body.

But the relief was quick to fade as he saw her countenance change, from that of admiration to something else. Van could not tell if it was horror or disgust, but it made his heart jump right into his throat. He did not know what he would do if she could not accept him. He steeled himself for what ever her reaction would be, but was not prepared for the emotion he saw lurking in her eyes. It was sadness…It was sadness for him. 'Did she pity me?' That would be worse than her disdain he thought as he forced himself to hold her gaze.

Hitomi was caught of guard at the vulnerability she saw lurking behind his eyes. 'What was he thinking?' She wondered, as she continued to gaze deep into his eyes.

"Do they offend you?" he asked, his voice low and hesitant.

"I- what?" Snapped out of her contemplation she suddenly realized that while she had searched for the answers in his eyes, she had inadvertently been staring at him for a number of minutes.

"I-I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I didn't mean to stare." She stammered once again feeling the heat of a blush race up into her cheeks.

"You didn't make me uncomfortable. I just wandered if you found my scars offensive."

"I- No of course not what made you think that?" she asked a puzzled frown making its way onto her face.

"Not many ladies of my acquaintance, aside from Merle, could hide their…distress at the sight of my body." He said his expression bland but Hitomi could hear in that simple statement how much there lack of acceptance had hurt him. Hitomi felt a strong anger begin to build deep inside her.

'How dare they!' She could see how much it had hurt him to know that his body could offend someone. 'And after all he had been through…'

Hitomi step towards him, her mind focused only on easing the pain she saw hidden deep inside.

"And your people Van, what do they think of this?" She traced the path of the most prominent scar till its end just above the waist if his pants. He jerked in reaction to her touch but his eyes never left hers.

"Hitomi, it doesn't matter. None of it matters…" '…Now that I know, you will not turn away from me.' Van captured her hand hoping to stop the torment that her touch evoked in him.

Anger flashed in the depths of her eyes, reminding Van of a green fire he had once seen a wandering magician summon. Back then he had not noticed just how beautiful the color really was.

"Why on earth would anyone, much less a Fanelien find your scars offensive. You acquired those scars fighting for the life of your people, and your country! What gives them the right to look at you, or your beautiful body with anything but admiration!" Still stewing in her outrage she failed to notice the beautiful smile the made its way onto his lips.

Van felt warmth spread through him, and he suddenly realized that he had just fallen in love with Hitomi all over again. Not since him mother had any one ever told him he was beautiful. His cursed Draconian blood kept most people at a distance, for since that day on the battlefield, all had known of his heritage. Since then he had gained their respect, but the curse of his blood had also gained him their fear. Only his mother, and Hitomi ever made him feel as if somehow, they where wrong. His people's reaction was not based solely on his terrible scars, it was also his blood, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to tell her this.

He found that he enjoyed being defended so fiercely, by a woman such as Hitomi.

Van watched her now, her eyes sparkled with outrage, and he couldn't help himself.

Hitomi felt warm arms surround her, a second before a warm breath stirred her hair.

"Hitomi, your priceless." Van held her only for a brief second before he stepped back to grin down at her.

"Only you could ever say such a thing." He raised his hand to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He looked into her startled eyes, and knew that she would never understand why others would have such a fear of what he was. 'No, only Hitomi could be that brave.'

Hitomi felt her cheeks heat up yet again. Going over what she had just said to him she mentally cursed her run away temper.

"I…umm…sorry. I became angry at their lack of respect towards you. You have sacrificed so much to protect your country and your people. The thought of any of them thinking less of you, just seemed so wrong and well, I guess I got a little carried away." Looking away shyly, she glanced over at the mirror and noticed that the shower had been running now for several minutes.

"Oh look the water is ready, and I am still here talking!" Laughing nervously she made her way over to the open doorway but stopped when she heard him call her name.

"Never apologize to me for who you are. I…am pleased that you find me beautiful" Without turning around she nodded her head with a jerk and quietly closed the door behind her.

Alone in the living room she wiped the moisture from her eyes and headed towards the kitchen.

Grabbing a pen and pad from her kitchen drawer she made her way over to the dinning room table and began to write a list of all the things she was missing. Looking at the growing list, she frowned and sat back in her chair. It would be easier to make a list of the things she didn't need.

'Mustard and Pickles…Check….Ok mental note need everything!' She ripped the list from the notepad and moved over to the wastebasket. Just then the phone began to ring. Quickly throwing the paper away she hurried over to answer it. She reached it just as it began to ring a third time, slightly out of breath she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi honey its mom."

"Hey mom, how are you?" Hitomi replied as she walked back over to sit at the table with the cordless.

"Fine, fine…I was just calling to see if you were still coming to dinner tonight? I know you said you'd be here but your father insisted I call and make sure. Apparently he has a surprise or something for all of us tonight and he wants you to be here."

Hitomi blanched as she recalled her previous conversation with her mother a few days ago. With her work, and all the daily problems she had to deal with, she had had little time to see her parents. So when her mother had called her a few nights back, she had agreed to go over for dinner that Sunday. Heaving a sigh she looked towards the bathroom door, and franticly thought of her options.

"Oh wow…I completely forgot all about it! Sorry mom, I have just been a little distracted lately but I- sure I will be there." Hitomi heard the shower stop as she listened to her mother's happy response.

"Hey mom, the only thing is I need to bring someone with me if that's ok? I know its last minute but I don't know what else to do, and I don't want to leave him by himself."

"Him?? Who is 'him' Hitomi? Hmmm do you have a boyfriend I haven't heard about?" Her mother teased.

"I- No! Mom! Stop teasing, its well…its someone you know about.. I told you about him a long time ago."

"Well refresh my memory honey, who is it?" Hitomi felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach as she thought of just who they where discussing. Her mother had held her many times as she had cried for him. She did not know what her mother's reaction to him would be, but she had no choice but to tell her.

"Its Van mom."

"Van? You mean Van! The one from Gaia! Why that's wonderful Hitomi. I'm sure you must be so happy! Yes, of course bring him with you! I would love to meet the boy that stole your heart."

Hitomi groaned into the phone as her mother continued to tease her about princes and long lost loves. She should have expected nothing less from her mother, the eternal optimist.

"Oh honey don't be so silly, what is a mother for if not to tease you. Uh-Oh I hear your father calling. He's there in that garage again fiddling with that old car of his. He's been working on that thing for how many years and he still can't get it to start." Hitomi laughed at her mother's exasperated rant when she looked up to find Van standing in the bathroom door looking at her oddly.

"Who are you talking to?" He asked looking around the room for the source of her amusement.

Hitomi's breath caught in her throat at the site of him dressed in nothing but a towel. His hair still damp from the shower was slicked back leaving Hitomi at the mercy of the full force of his intense gaze.

"I- No one…I mean my mother, she's on the phone." She said her mind a tangled knot of naughty thoughts. Just then her mothers voice sounded in her ear.

"Hitomi? Are you still there?"

"Yeah mom! Sorry, look I have to go now but I'll see you later tonight ok…Is seven o'clock ok with you?" She asked standing up from her seat.

"Seven is fine I'll let your father know, take care honey." Hitomi watched as Van turned to make his way back into the bathroom a droplet of water slowly tracing a path down his broad back.

"I-I will thanks mom." She said hanging up automatically, her attention fully focused on the water droplets downward path.

Van closed the bathroom door, blocking the droplets progress from her, and snapping Hitomi back to her senses.

"Hey mom I- Oh…I guess I hung up already." Hitomi blinked trying to bring her mind back into focus. Clearing her thoughts she drew a breath and headed to the bedroom for her purse and coat.

"Van, I need to go to my parents house for dinner tonight." She called while rummaging through her purse for her keys. Turning slightly she caught view of the black box on her nightstand and quickly shoved it into her purse. Whether Van would understand the signifigence of the ring she didn't know. All she knew was that she did not want him to find out that way, he deserved better than that.

"Hitomi?" He called from the doorway. Van, who was now dressed much to Hitomi relief and disappointment, was rubbing a towel vigorously over his wet locks.

"I was just saying that I have to go to my parents tonight for dinner." She turned slightly as she slipped into her jacket. "Would you like to come with me? I know my mother would like to meet you very much."

Van watched her shirt cling to her breast, and felt his stomach tighten. His mouth dried up and his mind began to wander.

"Van?" Hitomi stood before him looking slightly worried at his dazed reaction.

"Uh…Y-yes dinner tonight at your parents? Sure, I would be honored." He struggled to get his body back under control as he quickly ran a hand through his hair trying to get it out of his eyes. He breathed a sigh of relief when she smiled and turned to grab her purse.

"After breakfast we can make our way over to a clothing store. We can get you something to help you blend in a little more." She said casually, hoping she would not be offending him.

"My clothes are unacceptable?" He asked a bewildered look on his face.

"No! It's not that, its just that…well they look a bit foreign, and I thought you might feel a little more comfortable in clothes that are more common here." Hitomi bit her lip and looked at him a little helplessly.

"I didn't mean to offend you Van there really is nothing unacceptable about you, I just wanted to help you fit in a bit more, honestly." Van smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Hitomi, I wasn't offended I just wondered if my clothing would suit us enough in order to get to the store." Hitomi breathed a sigh of relief and shot him an amused smile.

"Sure they will, I just think you will be a little cold without a coat."

"I have one right here." Hitomi watched as he pulled out a dark trench coat from beneath the bed and slid his arms into it. 'Wow, he gorgeous' she thought taking in his dark good looks. Running her tongue nervously across her lips she gave a tentative smile and began to head for the doorway.

"Hope you don't mind walking. My car's in the shop, but where not too far from town." She called over her shoulder as she opened the door to her apartment complex.

"That's fine." Van said stepping out behind her, wondering what a car was.

He waited for her to lock the door, before turning to her and formally offering her an arm.

Hitomi blushed a little and graciously slipped her arm under his. He smiled down at her and settled his hand protectively over her own.

Hitomi felt a sharp pang as she looked up into his smiling eyes. She had missed him so much, and to be with him now was almost more than she could take. She smiled, as she thought back on his gallant gesture, and thought to herself that he had changed.

He had always been polite before, but now there was a polish, where before there had only been a forced manner. Van had definitely grown up, and he had become a magnificent man. She would give anything to spend her life with a man like him…No not a man like him, with him.

"The diner is just down the road so we won't have far to go for a hot meal. I often go there to meet up with friends."

As they continued out into the courtyard just outside her apartment, Hitomi began to tell him small details of her life, and Van listened in rapt attention. He had known that he had missed much while he had stayed away from her these long years, but he never realized just how much until that very moment. Everything he had done since she had left, had been with one purpose in mind. Make it a world that Hitomi would want to stay in with him. He had seen how much she had hated all the fighting and wars. So he had strived along with many others to bring about peace in the chaos that had erupted from the aftermath of the war. When he wasn't negotiating peace, he had spent the rest of his time rebuilding his country. And he had succeeded, a new Fanelia awaited the return of its King, and he hoped that he would be able to share it with the only woman he could ever love, Hitomi.

Van now looked around her world and found it so foreign. He could not see much that he would make him want to stay, but did Hitomi feel the same way? Would she even want to go back to Gaia with him he wondered.

"Here we are!" Hitomi called stopping before a small building with many flashing signs decorating its windows, the largest of which read 'Eddie's Diner.'

Hitomi watched Van as he looked up at the small diner and grinned.

"Well, you going to stand out here all day? I thought you were hungry?" She teased as she looked back, opening the door. Listening for the familiar jingles she passed through the door and ran straight into a hard chest. Her head snapped around an apology already flying from her mouth.

"Oh I'm…" Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up into a familiar face and cringed.

"Hitomi, what a surprise!" The man said smiling down at her. She stood still paralyzed in his arms. 'Oh damn, of all the people to run into!' She thought as she slowly untangled herself from his arms. Stepping back she again encountered a hard chest, and she glanced up to see Van looking over her shoulder at the man smiling back at them, a dangerous look in his eye. 'Ok this is definitely going to be awkward' she thought, and prepared herself for introductions.

* * * * * * *

::Author Notes::

Well wow it has been a long time! I hope I didn't lose to many of my readers with my absence!

My life has been pretty crazy ever since the holidays and that is pretty much all the excuse I can offer you lol. The good news is that I know exactly where this story is headed! The bad news is trying to find the time to actually write it up…But hey! No worries guys I promise you I will continue with it, even if it does take me a bit to post some new chapters (hopefully that not the case).

Ok well my last chapter got 10 whole reviews! So I am not going to sit down and write individual notes to all of you who did write in…Instead I am just gonna send out a Big Ol' Bear Hug to all of you, and you know who you are!

I need to send out a special thank you to my fiendish editor Kissy_Moonlight, for not beating me senseless at my horrible grammar…hehe Love ya babe!

I also need to shout out a special thanx to KagomeResurrected, who took it upon herself to write me at my email address and bitch my ass out! HAHA…without her nagging I would have never finished this chapter, which I have now dubbed the chapter that never ends *sigh*.

I am a glutton for praise so feel free to heap it on me! Heheh ok ok…If you didn't like it I want to know as well. Which means there is only one thing to do!…..REVIEW!

As always, all views are welcome! You can also feel free to contact me directly through my email, which you can find under my profile page…Lots of Love ya'll! Hope you enjoyed it!!

Till next time my friends, this is CvR signing out…