Title: Fates Reunited pt. 4/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: Same as always!

Warnings: Just angsty stuff!

Pairings: Eeee….hehe I’m claiming ignorance

Rating: PG-13

Note: ooo ooo ooo almost done with the series… Enjoy and please review!

‘thoughts’

In a brief time of peace, the group of travelers and royalty took sanctuary within Asturia. News of Nasia’s, princess of Fanelia, return spread quickly and Millerna as well as her sister, Eries, and Merle set to work in showing Nasia the role of being a princess. Much to her annoyance. But her other time was spent renewing the bond with her twin and they grew closer with each day. Time was also spent between Nasia and Hitomi, catching up and basically relearning the other in the new aspects.

But, another announcement was spreading as well. “Eh?! You’re getting married tomorrow?!” Hitomi cried incredulously as they gazed at Dryden in shock.

“Hai. We decided to give in,” Dryden replied with a wry smile as he winked at Hitomi.

“Dryden and Millerna were already engaged. This is just making it formal,” Princess Eries’ soft voice stated behind them and they turned to her. She came in farther, looking in accusation at Allen as she entered. “And we are going to overlook the crimes done by Allen,” she added softly.

“Crimes?!” Van demanded in shock as they stared at her.

“Hai…abandoning his country as well as taking Millerna into such a dangerous situation! She could have been killed! Our father was so worried that he fell ill from his worry!” Eries declared almost angrily as she glared at Allen.

“That’s enough, oneesama,” Millerna’s soft voice ordered behind them as she came into the room. “I chose to go,” she explained as she stood before them, smiling serenely.

She smiled up at Allen as he faced her, then knelt before her and kissed her hand gracefully. He stopped though and stood as they all looked over to the door. Nasia came in shyly, smiling at them as she stood before them, dressed in a long white dress that had black, green, and gold vestments over it. Millerna turned to Van and asked, “Is it all right that I have your sister represent your kingdom at my wedding? I find that she has quickly picked up the role of being a princess and I would like to have our ally represented well.” She smiled as Van blinked.

“Uh, hai…I’m fine with it as long as she is,” Van replied almost dumbly then grinned as Nasia giggled. “Oh hush, you imp. Of course it’s all right. Our kingdom will be well represented,” he stated fondly as he wrapped an arm around her waist as she came over by his side. Nasia smiled at him before her eyes trailed over to Hitomi and Allen, both who were staring at her dumbstruck.

“Ne, Hitomi, will you be there as well then? I would love to have you there. And I could lend you a dress…” Millerna’s voice became distant as she took Hitomi’s arm and dragged her off to discuss the ‘dress selection’.

Nasia giggled, then looked at her brother. “Ne, aniki…let’s go talk. I wanted to ask you something,” she said sweetly and he smiled at her, nodding before leading the way out. But her gaze caught and held with Allen’s as they walked past, both gazes soft with warmth. 

Walking amiably together after Merle ran off to explore, the twins enjoyed the sunny day. But, finally, Nasia broke the silence. “Ne, aniki….what are your feelings for Hitomi?” she asked as she cast a sly glance at her brother.

She was rewarded with a blush as he mumbled, “I don’t know what you mean, imouto.” He glanced at her irritably as she giggled softly. “Nani?”

“Aniki…you can’t fool your twin, baka. You always have this look in your eyes when you look at her! And I noticed that you have a connection with her,” she commented slyly as she poked him.

Growling slightly as he glared good-naturedly at her, Van rolled his eyes.  He gazed ahead then, his face sad. “It doesn’t mean anything since she cares more for Allen then me. I’m not surprised…he is quite charming,” he murmured softly, defeated.

Nasia elbowed her brother as they walked. “Aniki…you’re being a baka again. Yes, Allen is quite the charmer…but it’s you she has the strong connection with. Demo, I bet she’s just as confused on her feelings for you. Here’s a suggestion. Why don’t you tell her your feelings?” she asked with a grin as they stopped by a tree near the court. He looked at her skeptically and she waved her hand, smiling. “Come on, aniki….it won’t hurt! It will just…clear things up!” she said with a giggle.

“Imouto…you are an imp,” Van stated with a grin as he hugged her tightly. He smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder. “Arigato, imouto…I will think on it,” he promised with a soft smile.

She looked up and smiled impishly at him. “Well…think fast on it, aniki,” she ordered slyly before running slightly ahead. “Hitomiiiii!!” she called out as she ran towards where Hitomi was sitting near a fountain. Van rubbed his forehead as he followed his twin, wondering if she had planned this.

Nasia grinned as she watched her brother and Hitomi walk off towards where Escaflowne was being kept. She had feigned previous engagements so that they could speak alone. Fortunately, she had also ignored the glare from her brother by running off cheerfully. Ever since she had come to this world, she had felt a sense of completeness and joy filling her. Even though there was a war going on, she still felt like she’d come home.

Her thoughts on her brother and Hitomi as well as her other family so occupied her that she failed to look where she was going and ran straight into someone as she turned a corner. “Gomen ne!” she cried in dismay as she stepped back, startled. She smiled brightly as she saw that it was Allen she had run into. “Allen-san! Gomen! I wasn’t looking where I was going!” she apologized cheerfully.

Laughing softly, Allen took her hand and kissed it, smiling softly at her. “Daijoubou, Nasia-oujo…I didn’t mind at all running into you,” he stated softly as they gazed at each other.

Nasia’s eyes grew sad as she spoke softly. “Princess? After what we’d been through, must that barrier come up?” she asked softly as she held his hand tightly.

Eyes softening as he stepped closer, Allen smiled softly. “No…it shouldn’t…Nasia,” he murmured softly as he brushed his hand against her cheek. He smiled as she did then leaned in, kissing her cheek before leaning back. “I’m going for a walk. Would you join me?” he asked as he extended his elbow to her.

Smiling her special smile for him, Nasia nodded as she placed her arm delicately onto his. “Where are we going?” she queried as they walked outside of the city.

“To visit my hahaoya,” Allen responded softly, his face somewhat sad as they came upon the graveyard. He blinked as Nasia stepped away from him and watched her in confusion. “Nasia…nani?” he asked softly.

“When visiting the ones gone, it’s always best to have a gift, ne?” Nasia answered as she went over to some flowers that were growing along the side. She slipped her hand down to under her skirt and pulled out a jeweled dagger and began to cut off some flowers. She smiled as she stood up, holding out the bouquet for his inspection.

His face soft with gratitude and warmth, Allen clasped the hand holding the bouquet with his own. “Arigato, Nasia. Demo…where did you get that dagger?” he asked as she sheathed it under her skirt again before taking his elbow once more.

“Ah, my aniki gave it to me. He said that he wanted me to stay safe if he wasn’t there. He also said it was chichioya’s. So, in honor of chichioya, I will bear it. Besides, I’m a pretty good swords-woman, ne?” she asked impishly as she looked up at him, her eyes twinkling.

“Aa…we shall see. I shall have to have a sparring match with you sometime,” Allen said with a smile as he looked down at her. He blinked as she started, then brought a hand up to her cheek. He saw in concern that it was reddening, as if slapped. “Nasia? Daijoubu?” he asked gently as they stopped.

Nasia sighed and rolled her eyes. “Hai…aniki’s just a baka. Oi, when I get through with him…” she stated as she sighed in exasperation before smiling brightly up at him. “I told him to talk to Hitomi about his feelings. He botched it up. Typical aniki,” she explained with a giggle.

“Sou ka…feelings, huh? Yes, Van has a way of avoiding them, ne?” Allen agreed with a grin before they resumed their walk.  They came to a gravestone and Nasia gently placed the bouquet down.  She clasped her hands silently, praying over the gravestone.

Allen watched her silently, his heart warm and amazed at the young woman before him. He’d been somewhat upset when he had heard about Millerna’s marriage, but it had dissipated as soon as he had seen Nasia. He didn’t know what to make of her or his growing feelings for her. He knew he also loved Hitomi, but he found that even those feelings were dimming towards the ones that were growing within him for the princess of Fanelia. ‘Feelings….Van isn’t the only one having problems with confronting his feelings. Demo…I don’t know what to do,’ he thought to himself as he watched Nasia stand and face him.

“Allen-san…I’m going to go into town. I’ll meet you there?” Nasia suggested sweetly as she smiled up at him. He smiled back at her, nodding. She leaned up and kissed him softly on the cheek, then walked off, heading for the city.

He heard her talking with someone and saw that she was speaking with Princess Eries. He smiled again as he saw her wave cheerfully as she ran off.  ‘Yes…I must clear my feelings,’ he thought firmly to himself.

*~~**~~*

“Ara ara…why did I get caught in the rain?” Nasia mumbled in exasperation as she looked up at the storm clouds. “So much for meeting either Allen or aniki…” she pouted as she sighed. She stopped and blinked, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding. ‘Nani? What is this feeling? And why do I sense it’s around Hitomi and Allen?’ she wondered worriedly as she stared ahead at the ground. Biting her lip, she went out into the rain to search for her cousin and her friend. The rain stopped soon after as she came around a corner, heading for one of the bridges. She gasped softly in shock as she saw Allen and Hitomi on the bridge, kissing.

Turning her head slightly as she saw some movement, she watched with growing horror as Van stared at the scene in shock. She felt like she had been punched in the stomach as her eyes were drawn inexorably to the two on the bridge as they drew apart. Silence fell over them all, as time seemed to stop, focusing on the four within. Seeing Van, Hitomi reached for him slightly before he ran off, calling his name. Allen watched as well, then looked over. His heart stopped as he saw Nasia, her face filled with sorrow and betrayal before she ran off. He looked down at the water going under the bridge, finally realizing what had just happened….and how it had not been what either of them had wanted.

*~~**~~*

Nasia ran to her room, biting her lip to stave off the tears and sobs that threatened to break free. She flung herself onto her bed, sobbing softly as she shivered, trying to get the images she had seen from her mind. ‘He was never mine…why is this hurting so much?’ she asked herself as she sobbed. Eventually, she fell asleep, her mind soothed by dreamless sleep.

*~~**~~*

The next day brought sunshine and gentle weather, perfect for the wedding that all of Asturia was looking forward to. Nasia felt her heart lighten as she walked in the courtyard, gazing at all of the preparations going on around her. She had visited with her brother earlier, saying nothing as she had held him close, both having found comfort within each other’s arms over what had happened. She then had gone out for a walk, too troubled in her own mind to really help her aniki. She knew she should feel happy for Hitomi, but she also knew in her heart that Allen was not the right one. She knew that her brother and Hitomi belonged together.

‘And what about Allen? What are my feelings for him, I wonder,’ she thought to herself as she walked along the courtyard. Fate must have been directing her for she suddenly found herself running into someone once again. “Gomen nasai! I didn’t…see…” Her apology trailed off as she looked up into the eyes of a startled Allen. “Allen-san…” she whispered as she stepped back, paling.

“Nasia…onegai. Listen just a second,” Allen pleaded softly as he reached for her hand. “What happened yesterday…”

“Is…none of my concern, Allen-san. I am happy that you found your heart in Hitomi,” Nasia replied softly as she stepped away, keeping her gaze down. “Ano, I must go and get ready for the wedding. Gomen ne,” she whispered before turning away and going back the way she had come.

“Nasia…” Allen whispered sadly, his heart breaking at what had happened. He couldn’t think on it long as he got ready for the wedding himself.

The wedding went very well, all tension seeming to be gone from the bride Millerna as she gracefully gave and accepted the vows of marriage. But, just as Dryden and Millerna were about to kiss, a troubled Hitomi ran out, begging them to not kiss as she ran. Too late, she watched as they sealed their vows with a kiss.

Celebration rang around the courtyard as the peoples of Asturia rejoiced in the marriage, but it was suddenly silenced as a dark shadow fell over them and the sun. Gasps, soft screams of fear, and shouts of concern rang in place of the celebratory sounds as lightening shot out and hit the tower, sending debris crashing down to the courtyard as the sun was eclipsed by the two moons. 

A bright light shot out and revealed a floating fortress as the two catlike Guymelefs flew towards Palas. The soldiers scrambled to bring out their Melef troops. But, to their shock and dismay, all of the machines began malfunctioning as soon as they were brought out or prepared. Nasia gasped as she saw Escaflowne flying towards the two attacking Melefs. “Aniki!!” she cried out as she ran away from the soldiers that had been protecting her. She ran over as Escaflowne crashed down and was subdued by the two attackers. “ANIKI!!” she screamed as she ran over.

“Nasia!! Stay away!!” Van cried out from Escaflowne’s area as he saw the two catlike Guymelefs turn towards his sister.

“Aneki…did you hear that?” Eriya questioned softly to her sister.

“Hai…if we get both Hitomi Kanzaki and Folken-sama’s sister…we would surely make him happier,” Naria responded with a soft grin as Folken’s voice began making his announcement for Hitomi’s surrender.

Nasia ran over to Van’s side as he stood up, listening to the message. She stared at him as he said softly, “Aniue.”

“Aniue? We…have an older brother?” she whispered, shocked.

Van gazed at her grimly. “Hai…Folken…a betrayer of Fanelia,” he stated in a hard voice. Nasia gazed at him sadly before looking up as they both heard Hitomi’s surrender being demanded for.

Hitomi ran up to the Guymelefs and shouted out, “I’m Kanzaki Hitomi!! I’m the girl from the Mystic Moon! I surrender myself!”

“No!! Hitomi!!” Van and Allen cried out at the same time as the golden haired Guymelef grabbed her in its claws. Van leapt to the attack as he worked to free Hitomi. “HITOMI!!”

 

“No stay away, Van!!” Hitomi cried out in dismay as she watched him. She trembled as Van persisted, avoiding the attack as he leapt to her aid.

“HITOMI!!” Van cried out as he reached for her.

“VAN!!” Hitomi cried out as she reached for him desperately. She gasped as Van was hit away by the silver haired Guymelef.

“Aniki!!” Nasia cried out as she ran to him. She and Van watched in shock as things suddenly changed. The sun came out, shining brightly down on them as the two Guymelefs trembled with the distress that the two pilots were experiencing.

Hitomi suddenly found herself falling as the grip on her was released, then found herself just as suddenly caught in Allen’s arms. They watched the two Guymelefs in shock and concern as they struggled.

“Naria…Eriya…that’s enough. Retreat,” Folken’s voice ordered softly to his two faithful servants.

“Folken-sama…gomen ne,” Eriya whispered softly. They turned to take off, but her gaze was drawn back to Nasia. ‘I won’t go back without something to make him happy,’ she thought fiercely as she brought her hand up in determination.

Nasia watched as if in slow motion as the claws shot out and wrapped around her waist. She was suddenly flying through the air, screaming for Van to help her before they took off and disappeared. Her brother’s screams of rage and anguish followed them out as they flew off and she felt tears roll down her cheeks. She watched helplessly as the other Guymelef malfunctioned and fell to the city below, the anguish from the other pilot evident even though she continued on.

They soon came to the floating fortress and landed, albeit shakily, and Nasia found herself lowered slowly and gently to the ground by the pilot. She looked around nervously at all of the guards, biting her lip as she trembled in fear. She jumped as a gentle hand came to her shoulder and she looked over and locked gazes with the cat woman that had come from the Guymelef. The woman smiled gently at her, though she was in pain, then looked over as a cloaked man came towards them, his face unreadable.

Bowing her head, the cat woman said softly, “Folken-sama…forgive me for failing to bring Kanzaki Hitomi, yet I bring a far more precious gift for you.” She smiled as she looked up, then gently pushed Nasia forward.

The two gazed at each other, one’s eyes scared and wary while the other’s was filled with disbelief and warmth. Breaking the gaze briefly as the cat woman sank to the ground, Folken smiled softly at Eriya. “Eriya…arigato. Now let them take care of you,” he ordered gently as he came to her side, aware of the eyes that matched his own watching him.

“Folken-sama,” Eriya whispered softly, her face alight with love and dedication as she let herself be lifted onto a stretcher. She looked over at Nasia and smiled gently. “Don’t worry…Folken-sama loves you and wanted to see you. All family…should be together,” she explained gently to the other young woman before she was carried away.

Folken brought his gaze back to Nasia and found his face softening with a smile. He noticed her trembling and sighed softly, saddened. ‘She is so afraid…Van, what did you say about me?’ he wondered sadly as he stood up, facing her. “Are you afraid of me?” he asked softly as they watched each other. The hangar had been cleared of soldiers, leaving just the two siblings alone together.

Nasia gazed at him steadily, then smiled slightly. “No…I’m not. I’m scared of the new surroundings and how I came to be here. Demo…” She came closer to him, looking into his eyes the whole time. “Demo…I know you wouldn’t hurt me….aniue,” she stated softly as she brought her hand up and gently clasped his metal hand.

His eyes widening with surprise, Folken gazed down at her hand on his own. “You would trust someone you don’t even know?” he asked softly as he brought his gaze back up to hers.

Nodding, Nasia smiled softly. “I feel it…the warmth and love within you. You are a gentle man, wanting to make this world a better place. And you are my…our…aniue. Family…should be together, ne?” she asked softly, repeating what Eriya had just stated as she tilted her head.

Feeling a warmth within him that he thought had died when he had come into Dornkirk’s service build, Folken gently pulled his newly found sister to him in a gentle hug, feeling tears come to his eyes when she trustingly wrapped her arms around him and held tightly to him in a return hug. ‘Such gentle love and trust…the fates must have guided you back to us,’ he thought in joy as he held her tightly. “I’m so glad you are back, imouto…we have…much to catch up on,” he said softly as he pulled back and looked down at her.

Smiling brightly back, Nasia nodded. “Hai! I want you to tell me everything! And leave nothing out…I didn’t let Van get out of it either,” she stated as she grinned impishly.

Laughing softly, Folken shook his head. “You are an imp, imouto,” he declared fondly.

She winked. “So aniki tells me…ah well, that is what joy does to one when they find what they had been missing,” she said with a sigh, and then took his arm as he held it out to her. They left the hangar, heading for his rooms to talk and catch up on each other’s lives.

TBC

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