A/n: dear god. Chapter 12. What will I ever do? Okay, you people know Escaflowne. I'm skipping straight over the big woo, power of Atlantis' thing to the battle, okay?

Disclaimer: no, no, no. If I owned Escaflowne I'd be a hundred thousand times richer than I am right now.


TWELVE

Hitomi sat in her guymelef, breathing heavily and looking around the battlefield.

Where are you? she asked quietly, looking around, seeing her mother's pendant swinging before her eyes. Suddenly, it sopped and swung directly to the front. Hitomi plunged the sword of Escaflowne dead front and center, and felt it collide with good, hard metal. There was a loud scream, and Hitomi smiled to herself. She suddenly felt a searing pain on her leg- she had been sliced back! With a growl, she began to slice angrily at the air, always watching the pendant, envisioning it in her minds eyes. She felt large, metal bodies fall all around her, but she felt more metal bodies make cuts at her, swiping and slicing. Hitomi let out an unearthly scream, her mind under stress from having completely bonded with Escaflowne. She began to slice and attack more furiously than before, and then all went quiet. A cheer arose from the Zaibach side as the king fell, holding his sword in midair.

whispered Hitomi. The battle was over. They had lost. She made her way back to the crusade, realizing that she was bleeding terribly within the cockpit. She felt woozy from the blood loss, and parked her guymelef securely in the hangar of Allen's airship. She passed out, the last thing she remembered being Merle standing below the chamber and screaming.

.*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

Merle said, skidding to a halt in front of the boy from the mystic moon who had been staring dreamily out the window.

he asked, a silly smile playing across his features as he dreamt of an ill-tempered warrior.

It's Hitomi! There's blood dripping form the cabin! I don't know what's wrong with her, but she wouldn't respond. Van's head jerked up, and his eyes widened.



I've checked the damage on her guymelef, said Allen, stepping in. There's nothing wrong with the cockpit, but Hitomi won't respond. There's blood coming from the camber and she won't respond to any of us.

cursed Van, hopping up Merle grabbed his hand and dragged him down the hallways of the air ship, stopping in the hanger directly in front of Escaflowne. There was a large puddle of blood directly below the cabin, and there were several streams of blood running down Escaflowne's shining armor.

Van called. Hitomi! Please, come out! Suddenly, the visor burst open and Hitomi came tumbling through, unconscious and bleeding. Van caught her deftly in his arms, cradling her bloodied body to his.

Get Millerna! Quick! he barked to Allen, who hurried away. Van carried Hitomi to her chamber, Merle scampering worriedly along behind, fretting obnoxiously.

Oh, Lady Hitomi, what happened to you? she asked, glancing down at the trail of blood that she was leaving on the floor.

Merle, open the door, Van commanded. She hastily complied, and gently laid Hitomi on her bed, ignoring the blood soaking her sheets.

What is it? asked Millerna, coming in. She then spotted Hitomi. Oh my. Van, Allen, I must ask you to leave.

asked Allen, but Merle pushed them out of the room.

Because Millerna has to remove Hitomi's. ah. Garments, blushed Van. Allen gave Van a weird look, and then flushed red as well.

he said. Oddly enough, Van and Allen had both shard a bit of a man bond,' probably from so much Hitomi Chasing.

But, then again, I would know, said Allen, clearing his throat. Not about Hitomi, but

said Van. Allen nodded.

Illegitimate child, he said.

replied Van, and both stood in silence, staring at Hitomi's door, both wondering if the young queen would be all right.

You can come in now, said Merle, opening the door. Van and Allen stepped in, and stopped. Hitomi was wearing nothing but a simple, mostly string halter top that was soaked red with her blood and cut off just below her breasts, and a pair of tiny shorts. Van rushed to her side and took her hand, noticing that she was still bleeding.

You couldn't to anything? Allen asked, nodding at the blood soaked bandages across Hitomi's arms, legs, and middle. Millerna shook her head sadly. Suddenly, Van remembered Hitomi saying something about bonding her mind with Escaflowne to fight better. He jumped up.

Hang on, he said, and dashed out of the room and to the hangar. He studied Escaflowne- it had gashes across the metal in all the same places.

We need to fix Escaflowne, he said to Allen, who had followed him. And fast.

I might be able to help with that, said Dryden, walking in, followed by Cinderella. She gave Van a smile, glared at Allen, and then followed her brother to the guymelef.

Cinderella, could you get in the cockpit, please? Dryden asked his sister. She nodded and hoisted herself in, not noticing the blood Hitomi left inside soaking her clothes.

Look for a little green button, and push it, said Dryden. Cinderella swiveled about, obviously slightly confused and then spotted it.

she cried, and pressed it. A loud rumbling sound filled the air, and Van looked around, panicking.

What did you just do? Allen demanded.

Called the ispano ship for repairs, of course.

.:*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

Van was still mortified by the massive sum that Dryden had agreed to spend on fixing up Escaflowne. It was a lot... too much. But then again, if it was for his Hitomi.

Wait,' Van thought to himself. Since when is she my Hitomi?' Van looked down on her face, pale from the loss of blood, and idly pushed a strand of hair aside. The Ispanos would be starting repairs any minute now, and Van had no intention of leaving Hitomi.

said Cinderella, plopping down next to Van.

said Van, raising his eyes to meet hers or just a second, and then looking back down at Hitomi.

You're worried, Cinderella noted. Van nodded.

She'll be fine, Cinderella replied. My brother loves spending or money, and I'm sure a six sum doctor's bill is what he always wanted. Van looked up, his mouth slightly open. Cinderella making a joke? Not something that happened every day. Cinderella looked almost nervously down at Hitomi.

You're worried, replied Van to Cinderella.

Because, when they start to fix the guymelef, she'll feel it, Cinderella replied. You'll know why in just a few minutes. Van looked back down at Hitomi's bandage covered body, blood already seeping through the fresh wrappings.

She'll make it through this, he said simply. Cinderella nodded, and stood up.

You can stay here while they do the repairs, if you want, she said. But it won't be pretty.

Won't be pretty? Van asked himself quietly as Cinderella walked away. Van wondered at the girl's strange behavior, but shook it off and grabbed Hitomi's hand.

Hitomi, you're going to be okay, he said, doing his best not to doubt. You'll be fine. Pushing his pessimism aside, he stroked the soft skin near her wrist with his thumb. Cinderella came bustling back in with Millerna, Allen, Dryden, and Merle with her.

They're about to start the repairs, Van, Merle warned. Are you going to stay

said Van with determination. He wondered what Allen and Cinderella were doing- Allen pried Hitomi's hand out of Vans and pinned both her arms over her head, while Cinderella grabbed Hitomi's ankles and held them to the table.

Millerna? Merle? Are you sure you want to watch, she asked. Both girls nodded, and Dryden pulled the two women and Van a safe distance away from the table. Van couldn't help the fear and dread rising in him all of a sudden, when the Ispanos moved to make their repairs. The first ispano moved forward and began working, smoothing out the surface on the leg. Hitomi began to scream and thrash, and Van was sure that the sound of her in pain alone would kill him. Allen and Cinderella held Hitomi steady to the table she was on, both obviously hating every minute of it. Sparks flew from Escaflowne as the many Ispanos began to work. Hitomi thrashed right and left, and then arched her back upwards so high that Van was sure it would break. Just before it would have snapped she banged her entire body down against the table, slamming it down again and again, then thrashing right and left, all the while screaming. Screaming as though she were being slowly chopped up, piece-by-piece. For hours, Van watched Hitomi in horrified silence, each scream killing him slowly from the inside. Allen leant over to wipe some sweat from his brow (Millerna and Merle had long since left, and Dryden had taken his sister's place,) and Van tore his eyes away from Hitomi for the first time since the repairs had begun.

I'll hold her wrists, if you want, Van offered. Allen glanced up at Escaflowne, who was still undergoing repairs, and then to Hitomi, who was now screaming silently since she had long since lost her voice.

said Allen. Van quickly placed his hands over Hitomi's wrist, hoping and wishing with all his heart to find a way to ease her pain. The blood from some wounds on Hitomi's body had already been sealed, but others bled more ferociously than before.

Come on, Hitomi, Van said. If anyone can make it through this, you can. Hitomi only let out another high-pitched scream and thrashed about some more. Van cringed as the warm blood from her wrists soaked into the skin on the palms of his hands. Dryden gave Van a sympathetic look and then turned back to his duties of restraining the queen, who was crying tears of blood.

.:*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

The bandages unraveled, falling from Hitomi's slim yet powerful figure. She examined her arms, legs, torso anywhere there had been a wound, with awe. Van sat next to her with a silly grin.

I'm better, she said, mystified, clenching and unclenching her fist. She then looked up to Van, her face still bewildered.

When you bonded to Escaflowne, said Van in what he obviously thought was a very intelligent and professional manner, it's wounds became your wounds.

said Hitomi, and then shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

It hurt, she said quietly. More than anything. Van put a comforting arm around her, and then realized that all she was wearing was a pair of skimpy green shorts and a VERY ripped up halter top, and he jumped back as though he had been electrified.

I should go now, Van said, his face beet red, looking down. Let you change

asked Hitomi in bewilderment, and then looked down at her attire. She too turned pink, and then began to scream hentai hentai hentai! Get out! Van dodged a randomly flying book and dashed out the door, peeking in once and sticking his tongue out before he slammed the door shut in order to avoid a flying book. Hitomi sighed and pulled on her favorite green tunic and her black pants. She tightened her corset and buckled her sword around her waist, hopping into her boots and slipping on the gauntlet.

boy She grumbled, her face pink. Merle burst into the room with a loud screeching meow.

Lady Hitooomiiiii, she squawked, throwing her arms around Hitomi's waist and squeezing.

Please let go, she choked out, and Merle stepped back, looking ashamed.

The ispanos want to talk to you, she said, her tail swaying about in the air. Not sure why.

Hitomi said with a sigh, following the little cat girl down the halls. Merle bounded energetically into the room where the ispanos were, stopped, turned around and edged behind Hitomi. Van stood next to Cinderella, talking animatedly to her. She laughed at something he said, and Hitomi glared at her, jealousy stirring in her bowels.

said Ispano. The room got quiet, and Hitomi faced the little. Whatever it was. You use half-blood. Ispano cannot guarantee. Hitomi felt the inquisitive glances of the others upon her, and her cheeks turned pink.

Fighters come, continued the Ispano. Ispano no get involved.

Hitomi asked, and then smacked her head.

breathed Allen.

.:*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

You will give us Escaflowne, came Dilandau's crazed cackle through the intercom on the crusade, or I will be forced to use extreme measures. And while you're at it, give us the idiot from the mystic moon.

I'm not an idiot! yelled Van, stepping out into the hangar and glaring up at Dilandau. Hitomi smacked herself in the middle of the forehead.

Too easy, she heard Dilandau mutter. He swooped in to take Van, but before he could Hitomi had hopped catlike into the cockpit and zoomed after Van. She caught him and transformed Escaflowne into a dragon. Hitomi began to pull away from the Crusade, but before she could fully launch into the air Merle had hopped up behind her.

You don't think I'm leaving you two alone, do you? she hissed as Van shot her a glare. Hitomi ignored them as they began to bicker and instead concentrated on outrunning the Zaibach guymelefs. It was not easy, especially considering the random bursts of flame from Dilandau's guymelef which were randomly shooting past. But, maybe it was because Hitomi had now merged with Escaflowne, or possibly because she was protecting the two people that she loved most in her world, but she managed to outrun them.

Just barely.

We lost them, I think, said Van.

Of course we lost them, you dope, said Merle. Lady Hitomi can outrun any old guymelef.

Well, yeah, as long as you're not around.

What? Why I oughta....

SHUT UP! Hitomi roared at the top of her lungs. Van and Merle stopped their bickering immediatley.

The next one of you that speaks, I will tie up, gag, and drop off of a very, very high cliff. Am I understood? she asked. Both Van and Merle nodded silently, their eyes wide, in fear of further aggravating the queen by breaking the no-speaking rule. Hitomi brought Escaflowne down to a soft landing in the woods and hopped off, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

Merle, get a camp set up. Van, help me find firewood, Hitomi instructed. Both nodded, again, and Hitomi would have found the situation quite comical had not their plight been quite so serious. Merle began to bustle around the clearing, and Van and Hitomi walked off into the woods in silence, side by side. Once they were out of earshot of Merle, Hitomi sighed.

You can talk now, she said. Van grinned.

Were you really serious about dropping me off a cliff? he asked, stooping to pick up a log. Hitomi snorted, her eyes twinkling.

It depends on whether or not it's a good thing, Hitomi laughed, loading several logs into her arms.

If it's a bad thing, she continued, gently detangling herself from some thorns, then yes. If it's a good thing, then no. Van looked confused.

Wait. If it's a bad thing that you were really going to drop me off a cliff, then you would have done it? And if it was a good thing that you were going to drop me off a cliff then you wouldn't do it? Hitomi only laughed. Aren't we the contrary one, he chuckled. Hitomi sighed and looked at the large pile of firewood she and Van had accumulated. They staggered back into camp, talking and laughing, and dumped it next to the small fire Merle had started in their absence.

That was fast, she said as Hitomi fed a log to the fire. It quickly rose to be a roaring, crackling inferno. The queen was slightly worried that it might attract a certain pyromaniac albino who had an obsession with fire, but shrugged it off and began to roast the insects Merle had caught for eating. Van looked at it in disgust as Hitomi bit in.

Is that a caterpillar? he asked, looking as though he were about to hurl.

They're not half as bad as they look, offered Hitomi, tactfully avoiding answering Van's question. In reply he turned and ran into the woods, and the sound of him puking up his insides both concerned Hitomi and rid the young queen of her appetite.

I think I'm done for now, she said, gagging. Merle smirked at her and stole her skewer, munching happily on the insects. Hitomi shook her head and headed off to a nearby grove to practice with her sword and clear her mind.

.:*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

Hitomi heard Van's soft steps as he walked into the clearing where she was practicing, but she paid him no mind. Instead, she concentrated on her master, Balgus' words.

Clear your mind. There is only you and your enemy. Life and death. Glory or defeat. You must focus your whole upon both of these, for each goes hand in hand and you cannot touch one without altering the other.' Hitomi pressed one hand against the sword blade and closed her eyes, inhaling deeply through her nose and then exhaling through her lips. Suddenly, her eyes popped open and she began her dance with the air, her imaginary foe which she was anxious to kill. She parried, struck, ducked, swung, and finally, she dug her blade vertically into the ground. She collapsed upon the hilt, panting, sweat rolling down her cheeks. Van clapped and Hitomi looked up sharply. She had forgotten he was there.

That was really good, he said, giving Hitomi a hand up.

Funny,' Hitomi thought to herself as she grasped Van's hand, a month ago I would have ignored him. I wonder what changed.' Van hauled her to her feet, grinning devilishly. He ran a hand through his messy raven locks, and Hitomi resisted the urge to reach up, grab him around the neck, and....

no,' she thought to herself sternly. He will make you weak.' Having decided upon that, Hitomi tossed her hair out of her eyes and peered up at Van. He's gotten taller.'

So, Van, is there any reason why you came by to irritate me? she asked good humoredly. Van shrugged.

Merle was digging through my stuff earlier, but she's... out, I should say. Hitomi grinned.

What, did you ram her skull into a tree? she asked.

Something along those lines, Van muttered, looking at his feet with pink cheeks. Hitomi laughed.

Good job, She looked up at the mystic moon, and sighed, sitting down next to Escaflowne. I wonder if I'll ever be able to get you back there, she said. Van looked upwards, too, and smiled. Hitomi turned to face him as he drank in the moonlight, and noticed he looked completely at peace.

It's a nice place, he said, but as nice as it is, that doesn't mean I'll want to go back when the time comes. There are people there who love me, he said quietly, but I think that the people here love me more. Up on the mystic moon, all I have is Yukari. But she has her family. She has Amono. She'll get over me. But the people here love me more. Van turned to Hitomi, and looked her straight in the eyes.

My mother died when I was very young. My father remarried, but died in a freak accident a year later. I've been living with my stepmother since then, and she hates me, Van said. Hitomi choked up, sad that someone as nice as Van could live a life so terrible.

What about you? he asked, looking to her through the moonlight.

When I was very young, my father died. My brother, Folken, went to complete the rite of dragon slaying when he was fifteen- I was five. He disappeared, and all that was found of him was an arm. My mother wasted away after that, leaving me all alone, Hitomi said bitterly. I believed that Folken was dead, even though rumors flew through the village. But, he lives. He is the strategos of Zaibach. Van looked sadly at Hitomi as she flopped back on the grass.

It doesn't matter, she said. I will find him and kill him for betraying his country. He destroyed his homeland. I will do everything in my power to see that he is dead.

How can you say that? Van asked angrily. Hitomi sat up. How can you talk about killing your brother? His flesh is your flesh. Your blood is his blood.

You're wrong, Hitomi fumed in response. Merle's ear twitched for a moment, and Hitomi turned to face her as she spoke, choosing to avoid Van's eyes. Folken is not my brother. We are different.

You are the same! cried Van in reply. Your parents are the same. You hearts beat in time!

How can he be my brother, yelled Hitomi, standing up and glaring at Van, when he allowed- no, instructed his homeland to be destroyed? We were raised to learn that death was better than betraying one's country, and yet, he fled. He allowed our mother to die pining for him. He allowed me to grow up lonely. Hitomi's voice softened, and her vision blurred, the image of the sleeping Merle turning to splotches of pink and orange. She was the only one I had through my life. Merle was always there for me. We are of different parenting, but we are sisters. Folken and I are of the same parents, but we are not related. We are mortal enemies, Hitomi's voice began to quake, and I must kill him in order to compensate for the sin I am forced to bear for him. I will make him atone for his crimes... Hitomi's voice and her willpower failed her at that moment, and she burst out in huge, un controllable sobs. She felt a pair of warm arms encircle her, and she cried into Van's shoulder. And so stood the queen of destiny and the seer from the mystic moon, cloaked with the light of the two moons shining down upon them, gently embracing in their sadness. The sounds of the nighttime forest sang a lullaby to Hitomi, and before she knew what had happened she had cried herself dry on Van's shoulder and was fast asleep.


.:*:.~.:*:.~.:*:.

A/N: FINALLY! I GOT THE MUCH DREADED CHAPTER 12 FINISHED! So, I'm going to reply to everybody that was patient and gave me a helping hand:

Dariel: Thanks for another insanely long review. Loved, loved, loved the review, really brightened my day. And Cinderella's constant interruption actually does serve a purpose, believe it or not.... (^.^ it keeps the writer from going nuts and overloading all the poor readers with fluff.) ... and don't untie Allen from the tree. I want to see if he can make it into the Guinness book of world records. *cackle* aaaand.... I'M OFFICIALLY UNGROUNDED!! Thanks for the little helpfulness with the pendant and the guymelefs and crap.... really very cheering.

CinderellaxVan: Yes, you get to flirt with Van. I'm sorry there wasn't much of the shoes or elmo.... T.T FORGIVE ME!

Esca chick: Dude! Crock hunter is funny! I'm glad you liked the chapter, yay. *waves pom poms* hahaha! And as for Cinderella and Allen... they're not getting together just yet... *cackle*

Feye Morgan: Yay! I'm glad you think so highly of it, and as for the dumbing down of Sesame Street, I agree. Muahahahaha. Merle doesn't know... yet. *cackle* And thanks for the support in my time of trouble... GO FRED! *pulls out a GO FRED' banner*

antha: thanks for your review. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to update as soon as I would have liked, but... things... came up. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. ^.^

fireangel: o_O I think you're one of my most gung-ho reviewers. Anyway, I updated. Yay! Now, please, get them away from me... *glares at cheering squad*

pink cherry blossom: ^______^ updated. And plenty of ouch and angst and fluff in this chapter. Yay. I hope you liked it!!

Aeka-himme: ^.^ hurrah! I'm glad the humor moments helped to cheer you up, LOL! Anywhoo, I'm expecting an update from you too, since your stories all kick sooo much ass And Cinderella? You'll just have to wait and see about her.... *evil Dilandau cackle*

sakura: lol! I was too lazy to write in the interrogation -________- myeh. And Van and Hitomi will get together... eventually. And I'm ungrounded, so, yeah. Yay!

Princess Neptune: I'm writing. Yay me! I'm glad this was amusing... I do try ^.^;; And thanks for the cheer-up message. It really lifted my spirits!

naria: I'm back! I hope this was a pleasant early birthday gift! I'll try and have another chapter out by your day of joy and cake and presents, but I can't make any promises...

Starzie Chick: Lol! I'm ungrounded now... new chapters. Hurrah! Rejoice and... such! Yay!

Rina: I'm not grounded any more, yay! And I think the punishment was a little harsh, but it's all good! Hurrah! And, as you can see, I'm still alive.... *stands up and shows off emaciated figure and tattered clothes* er... at least... mostly. *cackle* heh heh. And it's okay you didn't review the first chapter. No big! And it would completely rock if we went to Gaia... let's go hijack a shuttle from NASA and go!! And thank you for all the lovely reviews! Pillow fights are fun! And I'm glad you liked the baseball and forks thing... a little something my psycho friends and I have been thinking of trying out. LOL! It's also nice to know you enjoyed the birthday party and the clown suit and such. ^_^ burning things is fun. And tell your aunt I send my congrats. Is it a boy or a girl (or both? o_O;;)

youjibaracuda: hey, all that matters is that I actually managed to get this chapter out 6 days before expected. Yay! It's all good. And chicken soup can cure anything! Have faith in the chickens, and.... such.

maboroshitsuki: thanks for the incredibly long reviews! And I'm sorry that the first two chapters got switched around.... *glares at FF.net* that actually wasn't supposed to happen. I'm glad you liked my twisted Van moments,' as they were very fun to write but maybe not that fun to read.... . I dunno. And, yeah. Van and Yukari are pretty funny... my friends and I do that sometime but I always worm my way out of punishment (hee hee!)


FINAL A/N: Sorry people, no Van update. But I finally got done replying to all those reviews.... It took me forever! But I love hearing from you people, so keep the reviews coming! Also.... I'M UN GROUNDED! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! I managed to bring my algebra average up by 26 points! Yes! I'm only 3 points away from a *does a little dance* yess! Go me, go me, go me.... And I'll try to have another chapter out by the 20th but I'll probably be really busy for a while. My cousin's birthday is tomorrow, on the 18th I have dress rehearsal all day for a recital I'm having on the 20th, my dad's birthday is the 19th, and my best friend's birthday is... oh, guess what day... the 20th! So, I've got a lot of work, but it's okay, since next month is april. AND MY BIRTHDAY IS IN APRIL!! *throws a party* and, lessee, what else? hmmmmm.... oh, yeah. After april comes May, the last month of school, and on June 1 I go to disney world with the school orchestra to perform at epcot! Yess! But I have tryouts in 2 weeks and I'm kinda nervous... oh well.... Anyway, review! I'll write if you review, okay? .... please?