An: HI peoples!!! this is my first fanfic for Escaflowne so please read and review, but be gentle. it takes place in Hitomi’s bedroom, the night before Millerna’s and Dryden’s wedding. Don’t worry it’s not sick! I think it’s cute. * giggles* Any way, on with the fic!!!

Hitomi lay awake in bed. She couldn’t sleep at all. Her mind raced thinking about all the things that had happened. Earlier that day, she had slapped Van. He said he wanted to use her power to defeat Zaibach, use her like a tool. This had enraged her, which led to her slapping him in square in the face. Immediately after, she stormed out of the windmill, wanting to be alone. Soon it began to rain, and she found herself walking through the abandoned streets of Asturia. She was lost. She didn’t know where she was going, not that she thought anyone would care. Eventually she came upon a wooden bridge, that arched over a stream. Standing at the top of the bridge, she looked sadly at the Mystic Moon high in the sky, longing for the ones she had left behind. Then, a noise from the other side of the bridge caught her attention. It was Allen. He walked somberly up to her, clothes drenched with rain water. The next couple of minutes were a blur to her. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t remember how it happened. She did know that Allen had kissed her. It was nice, for her first kiss. Though, she knew that Allen wasn’t the one for her. It had felt sort of awkward, even a little weird. When they broke the kiss, she had pulled away from him awkwardly and turned around, not knowing what to say. She remembered him saying her name from behind her, his voice full of love. Still lost for words, she looked up slowly only to see Van standing a few feet away from the bridge. He was staring at her, wide-eyed. He was soaking wet from the storm, his red shirt clinging to his chest. His eyes were what had made her gasped. She could still see them now, so full of pain. Quickly, Van pivoted and ran. She had called after him, but Allen’s hands descended on her shoulders from behind, hindering any efforts she might have made to go after him. For awhile, she and Allen stood on the bridge, silently watching the stars form in the sky. Being the “gentleman” that he is, Allen had walked her to her room in the palace before retiring to his own. Now here she lay, three hours later, still wide awake and somewhat confused. ‘Why was there so much pain in Van’s eyes?’ Hitomi kept asking herself. That was the one thing she couldn’t understand. ‘ It’s not like he cares for me. He only wants to use me like a tool!.
Sighing, she slowly sat up. “ Are you happy?” A voice questioned her from the shadows. She turned her head quickly to see Van leaning against her door. His facial expression was unreadable, but there was a slight tremor in his voice. “ Oh, Van,” she sighed in relief. “ What are you doing in here?” “ Are you happy?” he asked again. Hitomi looked at the boy-king oddly. ‘What is he talking about?’ “ What?” He slowly began to approach her. “ Are you happy?” The tremor in his voice became more evident with each word. “ Van, what are you talking about?” Now he was at the side of her bed. “ Are you happy?” he repeated himself again. “ Now that Allen kissed you?” She looked away from him. “ I thought I would be.” she whispered, thinking he wouldn’t hear. ‘ Why does he care anyway? I don’t mean anything to him, right?’ “ So, you’re not happy with Allen?” Van questioned, a hint of joy in his voice, though Hitomi didn’t notice. “ Why does it matter to you anyway?!” she retorted angrily. “ It’s not like you care!” “ Says who?” he stated gently. She turned her head to him, her eyes wide. “ What?” she asked, curious and somewhat confused. ( AN I would be too, I mean come on, this is Van we’re talking about! ) “ Who said I don’t care?” he smiled gently. Lifting his hand, he gently brushed the tips of his fingers over her cheek. “ Whoever told you that was lying. I do care....” he paused hesitantly, “....about you.” With that, Van eased his face closer to Hitomi’s and softly pressed his lips to hers. Warning! Warning! a voice called from somewhere inside her. For a moment she was tense and unmoving. Slowly, she let her eyes flutter shut and kissed him back. Then she felt it. That something that was missing when Allen had kissed her. She felt love. Van reluctantly pulled away from her and looked deep into her jade green eyes, his own no longer filled with pain, but with love. “ I love you Hitomi.” he whispered softly. “ I love you too, Van.” she replied without thinking, shocked that she actually did love him. ‘ I always thought it was Allen I loved when really it was Van.’ Gently kissing her forehead, he whispered “ Goodnight, my love.” and turned to walk out the door. “ Goodnight,” she said as she watched him leave. Hitomi laid back down, happy and clearminded, she began to drift off to sleep.