Title: Intruder Alert 3: Transition

Author: Frostmourne

Disclaimer: I don't own Vision of Escaflowne so don't sue me… and the song belongs to its respective owner (the song's performer is the Calling)

Chapter Dedication: Faraday, Night of the Raven, Jounin, the original esca chick, Magicman/Smokegirl, dilly-sammas luver, dreamingofflyingaway, megami04, one_mean_rabbit, mel_88, Dark-Dreams-69, koneri, Feathers of Snow: Honeypot, Kat-Tastrophe, princess neptune, blue ice 2, rach, Fuzzie, Dark Keeper, angelized, Diesty-chan, Catelina,                 (my always anonymous reviewer), roselle, Michey, Mad Meg Askevron, Blue Demon, bebopin'-dreamer, windsoffortune, Izzy, prima, L 0 K I, steves-girl, Kagome, Deaths Demon, Dilanda, Anthius  and Luna Pluto

Summary: Hitomi Kanzaki and Dilandau Albatou were forced on a roller coaster ride of bad impressions, an unwanted engagement, and a weird friendship others do not take too kindly on. When they stepped out of the ride and went back to how they originally wanted everything – having nothing to do with each other – they're up for another roller coaster ride. This time, it's a ride they both need to decide the right way to pursue.

Author's Note: This is a special season ender coz it's well, a song-fic type of chapter. Anyhow, this is the last chapter of season three. I may be doing a part four but for some who wants it ended here, I guess this is it. For others who want to continue, well I've got something in stored for you though I still have to organize the events I have in mind. It's been a long way and I want to thank all of those who gave me reviews throughout the entire story. Without those feedbacks, I wouldn't have continued writing. Thank you so much for everything.

            On another issue, I am going to have a new fiction while I'm still organizing the events of IA 4: Chances. The other fic is (no surprise about it) a DH. It's entitled Against All Odds. I have the entire storyline figured out but I'm still writing the chapters. I hope you'd also support it like you did the IA Series. I'd really appreciate it and it will add to my enthusiasm in writing ^^,

By the way, I registered my penname in friendster. I hope you'd add me up so we can have an even more concrete contact with each other. I invited those who are in my mailing list But it seems that friendster invite thingie only invited four in those e-mails I invited and I'm not even sure who among those e-adds are not there. For others who I don't have the e-mail addresses, my e-mail add is hazyz_mind@yahoo.co.uk

            Once again thank you. ^^, Hope you all like this one.

Special Season Ender

Chapter 10: Wherever You Will Go

Hitomi was going back to America and nothing would change that fact. But he couldn't seem to accept it even after she came to him a week ago and they had talked.

Having her in his life had been one of the best things that happened to him and when he realized that she meant so much to him, she had to leave. He couldn't get it at all why his life always seemed to plunge down whenever he'd think that everything was going to be alright.

When he had started to notice his gradual change around Hitomi, he just shrugged it off as if it was nothing. Even with Celena, Van and his other friends' constant comments on it, he didn't give a second thought about it. It was nothing, he had thought. But when he was gradually accepting it through much mental and emotional struggles, everything was plunging down so fast. And he couldn't do anything at all.

Another chance came but it ended up much like everything. He couldn't have her and it was eating him up inside.

They had made such a good team even if they didn't start out as friends. And for him, it had reached a point where he couldn't help but wonder if she could find someone… someone who'd change everything just for her… just because he loved her.

So lately, been wondering

Who will be there to take my place

When I'm gone you'll need love

To light the shadows on your face

So much in such a short time…

They had been through so many trials and when he looked at it, they've changed so much from the original teenagers who wanted nothing more than just to annoy each other. They had become so different from what they were.

He had wanted to break her spirit at first. But whenever he had seen glimpses of her broken self, he was affected in a different way. Instead of feeling triumphant, he felt so helpless… helpless at not knowing what to do to ease her pain. It had been painful for him to see her hurting and he wanted nothing more than just take her vulnerability and make it his own… to shield her from what would hurt her.

Even when he tried to fight the change that was happening to him, he couldn't. It was a futile fight… a very futile one. She was always there, in his head… in his heart… in him. He couldn't win against her and it had him confused. He had to struggle hard to understand what was happening and then his torturous struggling had had an answer during their talk last week.

He was falling for her…

He had fallen for her…

And he is still falling deeper for her…

But that didn't change anything.

Even with their tussle on their problems together, she would still leave. Even when they had been in one heck of a roller coaster ride of their lives together, they would have to part ways.

He had been so used to her presence even in such a short time. Maybe it was because they spent so much time together… hating and annoying each other, enjoying each other's presence, helping each other understand the other and even themselves. Even when she always got him in trouble and in so many fights, it still made everything bad they felt for each other change… just being together made every difference.

It was almost hard for him to imagine how he would be without her… how she'd be without him.

If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all

Then between the sand and stone

Could you make it on your own

He wanted to make her stay even when she said that she had to go. He'd ask his father to send him to America to study… but there was still Allen. The guy would always be there. Between him and Allen, Hitomi would choose the blonde not him. And that was another blow.

Hitomi had said what he was to her last week. She didn't want him to be hurt because he was her friend. Just a friend…

If Hitomi would stay, he'd change everything he could for her. If he had to be one of the school outcasts just to be with her, he'd willingly lose his popularity. If he could change her status in school, he'd do it even if he'd need to get himself in trouble. If he had to be a pathetically sappy guy, he'd be one even if it kills him.

But nothing he could do would change anything at all. Even if he followed her to the ends of the world, she'd still never choose him.

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

He found it both funny and irritating that things take on a new meaning through the eyes of someone who's in love. If Hitomi had been just a friend, he wouldn't really feel the pain of her leaving… he wouldn't look at this as a big problem.

It was a mistake to fall for her but then, she was his favorite mistake if there was such thing at all.

What was it that made him fall for her? She wasn't that pretty. Clover was more than her, physically speaking and still he had chosen Hitomi. She wasn't that nice either and she would, without second thoughts, attack him when she was pissed off. She didn't even have the perfect figure since she was so thin that she looked like she'd break any moment.

He could list so many things about her that wasn't so impressive but still, he couldn't convince himself not to love her. When he held her the last time, he held on as if he didn't want her to go. She did, too but in the end, she still had to go.

But even when she had to go, he was still hoping that there was this chance that he could keep her, maybe not now but someday.

There was this pain pounding him at the thought that he wouldn't be around anymore to comfort her when she's hurt, when she's crying… when she's alone.

He had been around her whenever she'd reach her limit… when he was asking her to the dance… when the rumors of her cheating and changing grades started… when she cried in the closet because she missed her friends… when her relationship with Allen fell apart…

He wanted to be there for her all the time. And if he can't keep her now, maybe he could try someday. When the chance comes, he'd never let it go because he had something to fulfill to himself and to Hitomi… he'd be there for her.

And maybe, I'll find out

A way to make it back someday

To watch you, to guide you

Through the darkest of your days

"Dilandau?"

He looked up from the shape-casting lamp he was staring at and noticed that Celena was standing beside him.

"Aren't you going to see Hitomi off?"

He shrugged. "I don't think I can watch her go."

"You talked to her."

"It doesn't change anything. She made me understand but it's not enough. So what if this is part of growing up? We've been through much more things."

"That's the point. So you should know that this isn't the end."

"I'm not going to see her again."

"Don't say that. The world is small. And maybe she knows someone who knows someone who knows you or something. Maybe on some party, that someone would bring her around and then you two will see each other. Come on. There are a lot of possibilities."

'I hope so,' he thought silently.

If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all

Then I hope there's someone out there

Who can bring me back to you

"Tell me honestly… do you---"

He laughed bitterly. "Do you remember that she always wanted to slap me?"

"…yeah…"

"And I always said that the day I allow her would be the day that… Isn't it funny? I do… I do love her and I just have to realize it too late."

She bit her lower lip. "Well, love can work out at times… but when it doesn't and it just hurts you…"

"I should let go. She pretty much said the same thing, although it was in terms of friendship."

It was obvious to Celena. Her brother was faking things again. He wasn't really calm inside like he was on the outside. She knew it.

"She came to you when you least expected her to, and she's now leaving you just as unexpectedly. So maybe quite unexpectedly, she'd also come back."

He shook his head. "The first time I fell in love, I got hurt. The first time I dreamed of being with someone, I failed at making that dream a reality. How pathetic can I be?"

"You're not pathetic, Dilandau."

He scoffed. "You're just saying that because you're my sister. Tell me, Celena, why is it that the love you can't have is always the strongest to survive and to hurt? And why is it that no matter how hard or how strong you love someone, they can't seem to feel even just a part of that love you feel for them?"

"You can't dictate on your feelings or anyone's feelings for that matter. All you can do is just be true."

"It hurts being true."

"Not all the time."

They fell silent then. Celena was frustrated beyond belief. Hitomi was going to leave soon and Dilandau looked as if he was planning on not seeing her even for the last time.

"Do you want to be with her at all?" She asked finally.

He looked at her with a surprised expression. "What kind of question is that? Do I look like I'm enjoying the fact that she's leaving?"

"Well you're not doing anything but just brood! Even for the last time, do you want to be with her or not?"

Staring at his sister, he began to see her point.

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

"Well?" She asked impatiently.

He nodded.

"What is she to you then?"

"Everything."

"If she leaves?"

"She leaves with a part of me."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"I can't see her walk away."

"I'm not asking you to see her walk away."

"Then what?"

She rolled her eyes. "Frankly, Hiko's right. You're so blind. And to think you're my brother. Let's go over something again. If she leaves… what?"

He frowned and didn't answer.

"Dilandau! Stop being so stubborn and just play along until it hits you! Now… if she leaves… what?"

With an exasperated sigh, he answered. "She leaves with a part of me."

"So if she leaves with a part of you…"

He looked at her blankly.

She huffed angrily. "Then it's just right that she returns that part of you someday even as just friends! But the point is, she's bound to be back and until that time, she'll be keeping a part of you with her. So…"

Dilandau rolled his eyes. "Celena, go play your games with someone else. I'm not in the mood to play that game and I never will be."

Like an upset little girl, she stomped her foot irately. "Stupid! Why don't you say goodbye to that part she'll be carrying with her until she brings it back to you one day?!"

He looked at her sharply. "Because she'll never be back!"

Run away with my heart

Run away with my hope

Run away with my love

"How can you be so sure?"

"How can YOU be so sure?" Dilandau countered back.

"Doesn't it mean anything at all that she came here to talk to you and make you understand even when you're just plain friends? If you'll say that she's just being nice, think again. Does Hitomi play nice when she's blamed for something she's not really at fault at? It wasn't her fault that she's going to be sent back and yet she came here to pacify you when it's clearly not her obligation to!"

"It doesn't mean anything!"

"It does! She left you with something like a clue!"

He suddenly forgot what he was going to retort to his nagging twin. And his hand reached for the pendant on his chest. Lifting it up, he looked at it closely. It was a pink stone-like crystal that seemed to glow with an inner light.

When he had woken up the morning after they had talked a week ago, he found it with a letter on the place where she had been on his bed.

Hello old man.

I had this since I was in grade school. I saw it in a jewelry shop and everyday I always go to that shop to see it. I liked it so much more each day that I spent all my savings and five months of my allowance just to have it. It's very important to me and you must be wondering why it's with you.

I want you to keep it until I come back for it and fulfill my promise. If I don't… then you'll always have a part of me that you know I treasure so much. Every time you see it then, you'll be reminded that even if I broke my promise of not leaving you… I never really did break it… because I left you with a very important part of me to stay with you all the time.

In a week, I will leave for America and I might never see you again. I know you wouldn't want to come see me off so I'll understand. I just hope that even when the pendant looks girly, you'll wear it when we meet someday… because it would mean that you have forgiven me for leaving.

Do you know that I sound like I treat you so much more than a friend? Well, I don't care because I just know you're important to me just like that pendant I'm leaving in your care. You'll always have a special place in me, Dilandau. And I hope that I have in you, too.

The barbaric ogre.

"S***!" He exclaimed so loudly and so suddenly that Celena was startled. "I'm wearing it and I'm not even showing that I do mean wearing it."

"What?" Celena asked, looking at her brother like he grew another head.

"I don't want her to go but I have to. All I have left is a chance to show her I understand and that I still trust and believe in her and I'm here feeling sorry for everything!"

"Huh?"

He looked at his sister seriously. "Do I still have time to see her?"

"Uh, yeah," she answered, still puzzled at the way her brother was acting.

"Are you coming?"

"Where?"

Dilandau rolled his eyes. "Never mind."

He walked towards his desk and grabbed his keys before walking out the door.

"Where are you going?" Celena asked before he can completely leave the room.

He looked back and smiled for the first time in many days. "To see Hitomi off until she comes back."

With that he was gone, leaving his twin looking puzzled at what happened.

I know now, just quite how

My life and love might still go on

In your heart, in your mind

I'll stay with you for all of time

He had been lucky that when he arrived, he saw Hiko walking towards him.

"It took you long enough," Hiko commented. "I knew you'd come. I've been scouting the main entrance since an hour ago."

Dilandau smirked. "It seems to me you're on my side."

Hiko grinned and then shrugged. "Hey, I'm just being true. Well, prince charming, let the wise wizard take you to the ogre."

They both laughed.

"Shouldn't it be a princess or something?" Dilandau asked, still amused.

"Nah. I think she suits being an ogre more than a princess." Hiko then stopped. "There she is," he said as he pointed to a place a few meters away from them where Hitomi stood hugging her parents in goodbye. "Come on. Her flight is almost up. For a prince charming, you sure are a late comer."

Dilandau just shook his head. Hiko was dead frank.

When they neared, Hitomi looked both surprised and happy to see Dilandau.

"You came," she said as she, without any qualms, threw herself to Dilandau.

Mr. Kanzaki coughed. Hitomi and Dilandau were sure strange. They didn't look a bit like they hate each other. In fact, they almost looked as if they were in love.

"Dear, let's give them the rest of the little time left," Mrs. Kanzaki suggested as she pulled her husband away.

Hiko was grinning widely as he looked at Dilandau hugging Hitomi back. With a shake of his head, he followed his parents.

"I thought…" Hitomi mumbled as she drew away and then saw the pink pendant on Dilandau's chest. She looked up questioningly at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Of course I forgive you, ogre."

They stood there so near each other for some time, just simply enjoying their last time together.

"So this is it then," Dilandau said quietly after a while.

She smiled. "I guess so."

They stood silently for a few more minutes, neither noticing anyone but each other. At length, Hitomi's flight was called over the speakers. She debated for a while before leaning up to him and giving him a quick feather-light kiss on his lips.

He was shocked and he couldn't move even when she walked away, other people obscuring her away from him. But then something in him told him that he needed to say something very important to her… that somehow it's worth a shot. So he ran, pushing through throngs of people.

She had just entered the area he wasn't allowed to be in and he almost lost hope. But he couldn't. Not now at least.

"Hitomi!" He shouted.

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

She stopped and turned back.

If he had just quit being stubborn in denying his feelings, then maybe he could have had Hitomi. But dwelling on what could have been would not help him now. He had to just make use of what he had… hope… hope for another chance… even if it was a chance in a million.

"Maybe someday?" He yelled his question, ignoring the attention that people were giving them.

Hitomi smiled. And before she turned and walked away for good, he knew very well what the words her mouth formed in a whispered answer to his heart…

If I could turn back time

I'll go wherever you will go

If I could make you mine

I'll go wherever you will go

"Maybe someday."

I'll go wherever you will go