Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ There's Not A Thing I Would Change ❯ Something Old and Something New ( Chapter 15 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

~*~Well, you all know how much I love your comments. Time to see what happens to these fabulous characters you all know and love.~*~

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Chapter Fifteen: Something Old and Something New

Married. Married. Hitomi was getting married. To someone that wasn't him. In less than twenty four hours, Van's life went from hopeful to destroyed all over again. Married. His Hitomi was getting married to some other guy. It almost didn't seem real, just a trick his mind had played on him. If it wasn't for the expression Maaya sent him every time he walked by, he could convince himself it was all but some horrible dream. But it wasn't, and that fact alone killed another piece of him every time.

Why did he say he was happy for her? Why didn't he tell her she still held his heart, his entire being? It was too late now. That one moment years ago was the deciding point that dictated his life, and he had chose wrongly. She had every right to move on with her life. Maybe after this, he could truly move on as well and find some shred of happiness. Even as he thought that, Van knew better. This was his choice and he had to live with it, no matter how painful. Why couldn't he see what everyone else had?

What she had said though was probably the worst…

~Flashback~

Hitomi squirmed a bit in her seat, waiting for him to say something about her engagement. It took his entire being to respond. “I… I'm happy for you, Tomi. You deserve to be happy.”

Nodding her head, she reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I know this is probably asking too much, but do you think it's possible to be friends again? Obviously it won't be the same as before, but I really miss that. Do you think we can return to what we were when we first met? I understand completely if you say no.”

How could she ask that of him? She just waltzed back into his life, dropped a bomb shell on him, and then asked this? This had to take some carefully thinking. However, Hitomi took his silence in a negative sense. With a slow nod of her head, she started to get up. “I understand. It's too much to ask. I'll just go. Sorry.”

As she was about to walk away, her wrist was captured by his hand, causing her to turn and look at him. The look in his eyes was hard to describe, almost like a mixture of panic, pain and desperation. “No.” Confused, she just stood there looking at him, waiting for him to go on. “After so many years of knowing each other, there's no way I can go back to square one. However-” He finally looked up and gave her a small smile, one she knew to be forced. “I'll be more than willing to go back to what it was before that whole… thing, if you'll let me. I want my best friend back.”

A soft smile grew on her lips, somehow understanding how hard it was for him. “You know it can never be the same, but I miss my best friend too. And if you think you can, will you come to my wedding?”

Pain flashed in his eyes, but Van kept that smile. “Of course. I want nothing more than to see you happy, `Tomi.”

He knew that made her happy, even before she gave him a hug to show this. What he also knew was that there was no hope left, and the Hitomi he knew and loved was lost to him forever.

~End Flashback~

Everyone in the office could tell something went horribly wrong. He wasn't acting himself at all. Even his work was reflecting his currently state of mind. If it wasn't for Maaya interfering, Folken would have been down there yelling at him for the crappy work. She had told his brother the news, however, so instead the silver haired man gave his some slack. Not too long after that, his family received the invitations as well. At first, Merle insisted she would not attend after what Hitomi had done to him. It took a lot of persuasion, but Van finally convinced her to go.

Now the question was could he handle going to her wedding. Van still wasn't sure what to do. A huge part of him said he had to go to support his best friend. But there was still a part of him that screamed the wedding was a mistake. Well, at least the groom part.

A sigh escaped his lips as he shook his head. Hitomi made her choice and he would be happy for her. Did this Bryan guy know just how lucky he was to have Hitomi in his life, let alone as his wife? Wife. Hitomi would be this guy's wife for the rest of her life. This wasn't just some guy that would just come and go. This was the one for her, and it wasn't him. Hitomi Caliburn, not Fanel. Even Van had to admit the name had a pleasant sound to it, but he'd be damned before he would say that out loud.

A knock on the door called his attention away from his self pity. “Come in.” When the person walked in, even Van had to be surprised. “Since when do you come all the way down here?”

The person smiled as they walked into the office, shutting the door behind them. “Since I received an invitation to a certain wedding. I had to come see for myself if you were kicking your ass all over again.”

A sad little chuckle escaped his lips as Van rose from his seat to greet the visitor. “You know me a little too well. Please, have a seat, or is this one of those say hi and run type of meetings?”

“Well, I didn't expect for you to actually have time for little old me, but I guess I can stay for a little bit.” As the person who has yet to be identified sat in the chair offered, the man we know as Van Fanel returned to his chair as well. He waited until his friend was ready to speak. “So, what do we know about the guy?”

Sighing and running a hand threw his raven locks, the maroon eyed man struggled with the words. “For what I hear, he's a really nice guy. A history teacher at a middle school in Basram.”

“Long way from good old Gaia, isn't it?”

“Well, it is a drive. Anyway, I haven't met him.”

That caused the person to sit up. “Why not?”

Raising one eyebrow, he questioned his friend's response. “Isn't it a little obvious?”

A sigh escaped the mysterious person's lips. “Van Fanel, are you still that dense? You have to meet him.”

“And what would be persuading me to do this?”

“One word: Hitomi.”

Pausing for a moment, he asked, “Explain?”

“Well, obviously she wants you to be at the wedding, meaning you are still important to her, if only as a friend. Now, how would you feel if your very best friend in the entire world refused to meet the one you're going to marry?”

Grasping what the person was implying, he slowly responded, “Like crap because it means they already don't like her.”

“Exactly. So, be a good boy and call her to arrange a meeting between the three of you. I warn you though, it will definitely be weird, but do try to not look for all the bad things. Hitomi chose him for a reason. No offense.”

“None taken.” Letting out yet another sigh, Van shrugged and reached for the phone. “Better sooner than later, right?”

Nodding, the person stood up. “I'll leave you to your thoughts.”

“Oh wait. How are things with you and-”

“Good, really good. We're both still alive, so that has to be a plus.”

“And what else have you been up to? I haven't seen you in awhile.”

A smile grew on the visitor's face. “I've been writing a book.”

Surprise entered his features, but soon a smile appeared on his lips as well. “Fantastic. You always did love to write. Let me know if I can help you out in anyway.”

Chuckling softly, the stranger nodded. “You've already helped me more than you know.” Not waiting for a response, the visitor walked out of the office. “Catch you later, Vannie.”

Shaking his head, Van picked up the phone and dialed the number Hitomi had given him that night at the diner. After about four rings or so, her voice message picked up, giving him a chance to hear her lovely voice.

“Hi, this is Hitomi's cell. Sorry I couldn't answer your call. I probably couldn't hear it, wasn't in the room, or knew you were calling and chose not to answer. Just leave a message and I'll get back to you. Bye!”

Waiting for that popular beep, Van left his message. “Hey `Tomi. It's me…. Van. Umm, I was thinking… maybe I should meet this fiancé of yours. You know, make sure he won't murder you in the middle of the night. There's this place called Draconian not too far from here. Let me know what time works best for you and him. Okay. Talk to you later. Bye.”

Hanging up the phone, Van sat back and stared at the ceiling as if it held the answers to the mysteries of life. Meeting him would make this all real, no chance of this being a dream. Meeting him would mean saying goodbye to her.

Taking a deep breath, Van gave himself a silent pep talk. `Okay, must be supportive. It's just a meeting. I'm just meeting the guy… who happened to steal Hitomi's heart. Okay, bad train of thought. Get yourself together, Fanel. Here goes.'

With that all sorted out, he pushed open the door and was greeted by woman with long blue hair. “Oh, nice to see you again, Mr. Fanel.”

A small chuckle came from him. “Kaname, we've known each other since high school. It's okay to call me by my first name. How is Sousuke? Still doing the military thing?”

She nodded. “That boy was born to be military. He has no common sense or real mind of his own, so it's perfect. And I have to call you by last name, Mr. Fanel. It's part of the job.”

“Alright, Mrs. Sagara. That's so weird to say. I never thought he'd live long enough for him to ask you to marry him.”

At that, she out right laughed. “He had it coming every time. Now, are you alone this time or do we have someone special? Oh, what ever happened to you and Hitomi? I could have sworn you two would have gotten married by now.”

Though it was an innocent question, the pain still hit him as he faked a smile. “That's who I'm meeting now. Well, her and her fiancé.”

There was no mistaking the shock that appeared on her face. “Oh. Guess she came in when Rebecca was working up front. Sorry. Let me take you to them.” With no more small talk, Kaname grabbed a menu and lead Van to his table.

Every step they took, Van made a silent prayer to not make of fool of himself and of Hitomi in the process. He also prayed for some self control so he wouldn't murder this guy for stealing the woman of his dreams. Then again, is it really stealing if you never knew you possessed something so grand?

“Van!”

The said male came out of his thoughts and smiled when he saw her. Hitomi got up from her seat and walked over to greet him, throwing her arms around him in a friendly hug. How did he not know the difference between a friendly hug and one where the two people desperately loved each other? He did now, for he could feel the difference in the way Hitomi had wrapped her arms around him. She was more distant than before, much more distant than he could ever imagine. `So, this is it. Goodbye, my love.' Forcing a fake smile, he held her for an all too brief moment before letting her go. “Good to see you, Hitomi.” Turning his head towards the table, he saw a man with brown eyes and raven hair rising from his seat. Nodding his head, Van extended his hand. “You must be the lucky man.”

Taking his hand and shaking, the man nodded. “Bryan Caliburn. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Please, let's take our seats. Have you both ordered yet?”

As Hitomi sat, Bryan waiting until she had, she answered, “We only order drinks. I took the liberty of ordering a coke no ice for you. Is that alright?”

Smiling, he replied, “Of course. I haven't changed that much. Besides, I do have to get back to work after this.”

“Oh? And where is it that you work, Mr. Fanel?” Bryan took the liberty of asking.

“Please, just Van. Mr. Fanel makes me sound old. I'm the head of EscaFlowne.”

“Isn't that a new company? What exactly does it do?”

Sitting up straighter and pretending to fix his jacket, Van replied, “Well, I'm not one to brag…”

Hitomi couldn't help but laugh. “Since when?”

Pretending to think for a moment, the maroon eyed man nodded. “True. Alright then. Esca does numerous projects, depending on what floor you're on. Our two most successful areas are advertising and book publishing.”

Apparently very interested, Bryan interjected. “I heard you used to work at Astoria and ended up stealing almost all of their employees right out from under them. Is that true?”

“Well, it didn't take much persuasion. Astoria didn't treat their workers properly. In fact, Hitomi's mom works as the head of the advertising at Esca now. She's doing very well too.”

“Oh, she loves it there, Van. She's always telling me how much friendlier and more competent the place is.” Hitomi smiled at him, and then turned to Bryan. “My mom had been working at Astoria for a long time, but was never promoted because of some jackass there. Van gave her the position she deserved.”

Waving his hand in dismissal, Van decided it was time to change the subject slightly. “So Hitomi tells me you're a history teacher?”

Nodding, the brown eyed male responded, “That's right.”

“Now, is this a broad topic, like history of the world, or rather a concentration?”

“Well, I'm particularly fond of the Greeks, but I am capable of teaching about the history of the world.”

“That's good to know, considering you were Chid's teacher.” Leaning her head on Bryan's shoulder, Hitomi smiled up at him while he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Van did his best not to react. “Any interest in philosophy then?”

Bryan took his attention away from the woman in his arms to answer, “They just started to offer that in the high school, but not in the middle school. I have studied Socrates and other Greek philosophers though.”

“Great! I had this paper focusing on Thales and some others that I'm still working on.”

Laughter came from the couple. “I had a feeling you didn't finish that paper. Slacker.”

Shrugging, Van brushed it off. “What can I say? It wasn't my forte.”

The other male argued. “It's not an easy subject to take on. Even the so called experts still puzzle over interpreting the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, to name only two.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat caused everyone at the table to look up at the waiter. Van couldn't help but laugh at who it was. “Wow, quite a fall from Allen's pet. How goes it, Dilandau?”

The white haired man simply glared and gruffly asked, “Are you ready to order?”

Hitomi bit her tongue to keep from laughing, but found the composure to order. “I'll have the teriyaki chicken please.”

Van motioned for Bryan to order before him. “I'll have the non-fried sesame chicken with white rice, please.”

After writing that down, Dilandau turned a sour face to the maroon eyed man. “I'll have the grilled chicken, please. Thank you, Dilly.” Handing him the menus, Van tried not to laugh as the albino grumbled as he marched away. “I guess the phrase karma's a bitch is true.”

The history teacher turned to Hitomi. “Do you guys know the waiter?”

The emerald eyed woman looked at her fiancé and patted his hand. “He's just a bad man that finally got what he deserves. Just leave it at that.”

A moment passed in silence before Van asked the question that startled both of them. “So, how did you do it?”

Raising one eyebrow, Bryan spoke, “Pardon? Do what?”

“Propose, of course. I may have to take notes for future reference.”

A soft smile broke on Hitomi's face as she examined her ring. However, she left the retelling of the event to Bryan. “We were at the park in town…”

~Flashback~

The three of them, including Chid, were sitting underneath a large tree in the park having a picnic. The day was perfect, sun shining and the weather very comfortable. At some point, Chid and Bryan went off to play some game while Hitomi packed up the food and began grading some papers for school. Things were going very well for the emerald eyed female. Her job was fantastic, Chid was doing well in his second year of high school and her relationship with Bryan was going into its third year. Never did she imagine she'd be so happy. After so long, Hitomi was happy being with someone who loved her.

Suddenly, Bryan fell down beside her, placing his head on her shoulder. “I thought we agreed to have a stress-free day of fun.”

She smiled softly as she continued to read. “It's only a few papers. I like getting them back to them quickly. Where's Chid?”

“Some friends of his from school were in the park, so he went off with them for a bit.” Slowly, he wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing the teacher closer to him. They stayed like that for awhile until Bryan's question broke her away from the world of Japan. “Hitomi, are you happy?”

She put her papers aside and looked at him square in the eye. “What's lead you to ask this?”

The history teacher didn't look at her, but rather to the side. “A guy needs a little reassurance now and then. That's all. But, are you? Are you happy, being with me?”

A smile grew on her face as Hitomi leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. “Of course I am. I'm kind of fond of you, kid.”

Leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, “You have no idea how much that means to me.” Before she could say anything more, Bryan shifted so that he was now on one knee gazing into her emerald eyes. Confusion was written all over her face, but he would not give her a chance to speak. He took her hands in his and spoke. “I have never felt this way about anyone before. Being with you has been the happiest time in my life. Being with you and seeing your beautiful smile gives me the feeling that I can do anything. My world was just a shadow until you came and made it worth so much more. Hitomi, I love you more than words could possibly say. And you would make me the luckiest man alive if you would answer this one question.” At that moment, Bryan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Hitomi gasped as he opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. “Hitomi Kanzaki, will you marry me?”

Eyes wide in surprise, it took her a moment to register what just happened. “Bryan, I… Are you sure? I mean, I have so much baggage in my past and I get violent and…”

Smiling softly, he took her hand and kissed it. “I know, and I love every bit of it. Every moment with you is an adventure, Hitomi, and I look forward to that for the rest of my life. That is, if you'll have me.”

Tears started to fall from her eyes as she looked at him. This man before her loved her so much that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He chose her over every other woman in the world to be with. As he dried her eyes with his thumb, she nodded her head. “Yes,” she whispered softly.

Pausing, Bryan leaned in to hear her. “What?”

Nodding her head, she repeated a little louder, “Yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Bryan Caliburn.”

A large smile broke out on his face as he immediately captured her lips with his own. When they finally parted for air, Bryan took her left hand and slipped the ring on her ring finger. “You have just made me the happiest man alive. I love you so much.”

Soon after, Chid rejoined the couple and was ecstatic to learn his family was now complete.

~End Flashback~

Van sat back in his seat and let his fork fall onto the plate. Their food had come during the story. “Wow. Can't get any better than that. Congratulations.”

Hitomi blushed a bit while Bryan smiled. “When she said yes, I felt like I was walking on air. And now, in about two months, we'll be married.”

Nodding his head, Van gave a small smile. “I'm happy for you two. It's hard to find that special someone now a days. I wish you the best.” His eyes drifted to hers as he said, “I mean it. Nothing but the best.”

Putting her fork down as well, Hitomi put her napkin on the table. “I'm just going to the restroom. Be right back.” Both men stood as she left the table, leaving them alone to converse.

Shrugging, Van sat back down and began to pick at his food again. “Women. I thought they always had to go in pairs.”

Bryan took a moment before speaking. “You know, Hitomi has told me all about you and her.”

“I'm not surprised. We were best friends since high school after all.”

Shaking his head, he pressed on. “No, I mean everything.” That caused the maroon eyed man to place his fork down once again and listen to the historian across the table. “I'm not going to lie. It's very… difficult sitting here with you, as I'm sure it is for you.”

Sighing, Van leaned back in his seat. “I'll make this easy. Don't hurt her. She's been through too much as it is, most of it at my own foolish doing. Don't make the same mistake I did. She deserves much better than that.”

“I would never hurt her.”

“If you did, I'd have to kill you in the most painful way possible.”

A sad smile appeared on Bryan's face. “Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be standing alone at the alter? You're not going to whisk her away from me on our wedding day, are you? Do I need to worry about you and what you might do?”

Van had to pause for a moment. This was unexpected, but he knew what to say. “Hitomi picked you. I only want her to be happy.”

Nodding his head, the brown eyed male smiled again. “I can see how much you love her, Van.”

“You have no need to worry, Bryan. I will not interfere. After all-” at that, Hitomi was spotted walking back toward the table, towards the man she chose to marry. “I've already let her go.”

The door slowly opened as a man with brown eyes looked into the office. Raising one eyebrow in confusion, he walked over to the desk and poked the raven haired man in the head. The head, of course, was on the desk, causing the confusion. “Why do I get the feeling you banged your head against this desk so many times you eventually forgot why you were doing it and proceeded to take a nap instead? How do you have time to have nap time while running such a huge company anyway?”

The head slowly lifted as raven eyes looked at the man in a confused way. “What are you doing here, Gaddess?”

“Bringing you some files.”

“Why?”

“Because I was told to bring up what I was working on.”

The head lifted a bit more as it tilted to the side. “You work here? Since when?”

Blinking a few times, the man answered, “Since you kidnapped me from Astoria four years ago. I've been working here since the beginning.”

“Really?” Confusion set in even more. “How did I not know that?”

“Van, I was the second person you asked to join up. I helped build your graphic design area. You even made me the head of the department.”

The man continued to simply blink for a bit. “How did I not know you work here?”

*Sweatdrop*

Gaddess simply sighed. “I think you hit your head a little too hard there. You lost too many brain cells already.”

“Oh yeah. That reminds me…” And with that, Van smacked his head against the desk again, letting it sit there as a combo sigh whimper escaped his mouth.

“Should I even ask what that's about?” A muffled sound was what Gaddess heard, causing him to lean forward a bit. “Pardon? My incomprehensible grunt is a little rusty. Try English.”

Van barely lifted his head as he repeated what he had said. “I can't hate him and it sucks.”

“Hate who?”

“Bryan Caliburn, the lucky bastard.” Immediately, his head connected with the desk yet again.

Thinking for a moment, the light bulb went off in the graphic designer's head. “Oh, you mean Hitomi's fiancé. So you've met him. What's he like?” At this point, the man took a seat across from his friend.

Another sigh escaped his lips as Van forced himself to sit up. “He's perfect for her. Smart, nice, funny and completely devoted to her. Just looking at him says how much he loves her. He's her equal in every way. He's even sarcastic! The evil bastard! Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go back to smacking my head into the desk to remind myself how dumb I am.”

Before that could happen, Gaddess slid his report across the desk, which then landed right where Van placed his head. “Unfortunately, I can't have you beat yourself into a coma. Those paychecks are rather nice after all.”

Van looked up and shook his head in the most pitiful way. “Just let me get it out. It's the last part I have to do.”

“Last part?”

“The last thing I have to do before I can completely let her go for good.”

Realization hit him then as his features turned sympathetic. “Van, are you sure about this?”

A sad smile grew on the maroon eyed man's lips. “She has found her happy ending. I can't love her anymore. If I do, I can never move on and find my own ending. Also, whether you can see it or not, she needs to know I'll be alright without her before she can take her vows.”

“But you're not.”

His eyes closed and looked like he was great pain. “She deserves to be happy. I won't take that away from her. After the wedding, I will disappear from her life for good. It's the only thing I can do for her now.” Cracking one eye open, he gazed at his friend. “You would do the same, wouldn't you?”

Shaking his head, Gaddess stood up and made his way for the door. “I don't know, Van. If it was me, I would fight to be by her side, to let her know how much she means to me. After all, she at least has the right to know what I would be willing to give up for her happiness.” With one hand on the door knob, he turned back. “Does Hitomi know?” A small shake of the head was all the reply he received. “I can't tell you what to do, Van. In the end, it's all up to you and Hitomi. Do what you feel is right.” With that, Gaddess returned to the outside world, leaving his employer to his troubled thoughts.

“You have reached Van Fanel's cell phone. I cannot answer the phone at the present time. Please leave your name, number and a brief message after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you.”

Beep

“Wow. I didn't realize how boring you've become. Whatever happened to those random and funny messages you had? Anyway, if you don't know who this is, I'm sad for you. I just wanted to know if you had some free time tonight so we could chat. Let me know, okay? Bye!”

Beep

“Hey, `Tomi. It's me. I just got your message now, at two in the morning. Sorry for calling so late, but I figured you'd have your phone turned off. Anyway, maybe we could reschedule that chat time. Let me know what your schedule is like. Bye.”

Beep

“Okay, I think we're playing phone tag, not too sure. Well, I have a few things to get set for the wedding, but I thought we could try for tomorrow night? Let me know! Bye!

Beep

“I am so sorry. I have meetings all this week that I cannot avoid. How's next week sound? Oh, and tag.”

Beep

“Okay, this is just getting sad. We've never had these kinds of problems with phone calls before. I have to go to Basram on Monday for a few things, but I should be back by Thursday. How does Thursday night sound? Tag.”

Beep

“You are probably either on the road right now, or still asleep. I don't know your sleeping schedule anymore, but it is noon. Thursday I have to meet a client, Friday is an engagement I cannot get out of and Saturday is devoted to Folken's project. Sunday? Tag.”

Beep

“I was definitely sleeping. Sunday's no good. I have to meet the minister, go over a ton of details and meet Bryan for dinner. Monday? Tag.”

Beep

“Tag, you're it. I think we're just too busy right now. I'll keep trying though. What about Saturday? This is not working too well, is it?”

“Tell me, are you in the habit of lying?”

Van looked over at him as he placed the phone back in its cradle. “What do you mean?”

Shaking his head, the male took a seat across from him. “Everything is under control here. The place is not swamped with work as you are implying. Why are you avoiding her?”

Sighing, Van leaned back in his chair. “It's not what you think, Folken.”

The silver haired male sat up a bit. “Oh, it's probably exactly what I think. You're avoiding her so you don't have to face your issues.”

Shaking his head, the maroon eyed man gave a small smile. “Like I said, it isn't want you think.”

“Regardless, you're being a fool.”

“You wouldn't be the only one to think so. Why can't you guys see my reasons?”

“Because you're a fool.”

A small laugh came from his lips. “That's not a good argument.”

Folken stood up and began pacing around the office. “Van Slanzar de Fanel, you are the biggest moron I've ever seen. You're just going to sit back and watch as the woman you love gets married to someone else?” He paused a moment before adding, “I can't even think of a word to describe how incredibly idiotic you are.”

Van simply held up a hand to quiet his older brother. “Save your rant and limited vocabulary. I know what I'm doing.”

“Do you now? Because it's obvious to everyone around you that you're making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“I already made that mistake and I have to live with that. I'm moving on, Folken. I'm letting her go for good.”

He paused his pacing to stare at his brother. “Did you ever think about what Hitomi wanted?”

“She wants Bryan.”

“Did you give her another choice?”

That caused him to think. “What do you mean? Bryan is who she wants.”

“You never told her. How does she know he's who she wants if she doesn't know how you feel?” Folken began his pacing again. Apparently, his brother truly was a moron among morons. “Van, do you love her?”

Standing up at this point, Van glared at his brother. “Of course I do. That's why I'm doing this. You think I like the fact she's with some other guy that's pretty much perfect for her, who loves her without reservations? It's killing me. However, I was the one who didn't see what was right in front of me, I was the one who screwed everything up, and I was the one that didn't figure things out until too late. I will not be selfish and keep her from a happy ending. It's the least I can do for her now. So get off my back!”

Folken simply sighed, turned and headed for the door. “I cannot even look at you right now. You're making the biggest mistake of your life. You had a second chance and you won't even bother to acknowledge it. I just-” Instead of finishing his thoughts, the elder Fanel shook his head and left, leaving his brother with his solitude.

“You think she'd mind if I wore all black to the wedding?”

Robin nearly choked on her sweet tea as she glanced across the table at her partner in crime. “It might cause you to stand out, just a tad, especially since you're a bride's maid and the color is a very pale green.”

The blond sat back and sighed. “You and I both know this wedding is wrong.”

The shorter female with glasses sighed. “Nothing we can do about it. Hitomi made her choice and Van's a moron. Was he this dumb when you two dated?”

Danielle laughed and took a sip of her coke. “If he was, I didn't notice. Then again, he was already in love with Hitomi, so I must have given him a lot of leeway.”

“That must be it.” Stuffing a fry in her mouth, Robin thought things over for a bit. “Have you met the guy?”

Instantly there was squirming. “Kind of…”

Raising one eyebrow, the dark haired woman questioned. “What do you know about him?”

“Well, I actually went to high school with the guy.”

“So he's our age?”

“No. He's two years older.”

“Go on.”

A sigh escaped her lips. “Bryan Caliburn, the most desired male in my whole school. Very smart, funny, sarcastic, athletic, able to calm down the most hysterical or pissed off person…”

“Ah, so you two had a thing?”

Eyes flew wide open as Danielle nearly choked on air, which takes some skill. “No! Well, we thought about it, but by the time we admitted to liking each other, he was in college and I had no intention of having that kind of long distant relationship. Besides, I had my eyes set on Palas University by then. Kind of far from Fried College after all.”

“So there's a chance he might still have feelings for you?”

A small laugh was heard before she answered, “Doubtful. It wouldn't matter anyway. I have Gaddess now and there's no one else I'd rather have.”

Robin laughed. “So you two are done fighting?”

“We don't fight. We have disagreements that results in me avoiding him for a certain length of time.”

“Same difference.”

It was at this point a fry magically flew through the air and landed on Robin's forehead, magically, of course. She simply picked it up and popped it into her mouth.

“You know, now that I think about it, a lot of people from the past are popping out of no where.”

Raising one eyebrow, the shorter one questioned, “What do you mean?”

“Well, Lin of course. Then Eriol and now Bryan.”

“You knew Eriol too?”

“Of course. He was Bryan's roommate and best friend in college after all.”

Robin shook her head. “This is getting complicated. So you're telling me Bryan knew Hitomi before she knew him?”

“From what I remember, Eriol was very interested in Hitomi from the beginning. I do believe they went out a few times, but I'm not sure. Bryan did say he was attracted to her, but because of Eriol, he avoided the girl. He didn't know her name or anything though. He didn't want to because that would lead to him wanting her more. Rule number seven: don't touch your friend's interest, or something like that. That's what Mila always said.”

“How is Mila?”

“Very good. Using the Good Word to help people.”

“Which is exactly what she wanted to do.”

“Anyway, so Bryan was crushing on Hitomi while Eriol was going out with her. When Hitomi broke up with Eriol because she, quote on quote, had feelings for someone else, who we all know, Bryan rarely saw her again. He did graduate before her and everything too.”

Holding her head in her hands, Robin sighed. “So Bryan fell for Hitomi in college, lost her, then found her all over again?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Sounds like a fairy tale.”

“It's something alright. Don't get me wrong. I like the guy. He's really a great person. He just fell for the wrong girl. Van and Hitomi belong together, not Bryan and Hitomi.”

Suddenly, Robin burst out laughing, leaving the blond more than slightly confused. Finally, she calmed down and explained. “So, you and Bryan were a couple, broke up and hooked up with a broken up couple?”

“We were never a couple.”

“You two have more in common now. Maybe you should rethink that whole Bryan thing. Maybe you two are the ones that should be together. Perhaps this is really your story of unrequited love that took so long to finally come together.”

Blinking a few times, Danielle reached over and tapped her on the forehead. “You're a sick sick child.”

“You have to admit. On some level, it's funny.”

“Only on your level, sicko.”

“It's still a level.”

Rolling her eyes, the taller one picked up the check and went to pay while the shorter one continued to chuckle. The world really was a lot smaller than they thought.

A sigh escaped his lips as he took a sip of the drink in his hand. His mind just could not grasp what was going on in the lives surrounding him. Disgusted, he took another sip. `People are stupid.'

Two arms twisted around his back. “You look deep in thought.”

A small smile came on his lips as he rested his arms on top of hers. “I've been doing a lot of that lately. Sorry.”

Lips were pressed against the side of his neck before she spoke, “if I didn't like your deep thinking, I wouldn't have married you. Thinking of Van again?”

Folken sighed. “Nothing gets past you. What would you suggest, Naria?”

The said woman walked around to face her husband. “If I had gotten this is a letter, I might have strangled myself. What is he doing now that is causing your over thinking rampage?”

“Avoiding her.”

Thinking for a moment, she nodded. “I can see why. He believes he is helping both himself and her. If she doesn't know how he feels, she won't have to face her past and compare it to what she has with this Bryan guy. In a way, it's as if he refuses to have her relive what he did to her. It's a sweet, though idealistic, point of view.”

Folken sighed once again. “But he loves her still. This is his second chance and he refuses to even think on it.”

“Ah, but he isn't thinking of himself right now. He's thinking of Hitomi.”

“Wouldn't that cause him to do something?”

“He is doing something by not doing anything.” Seeing that he didn't understand, the advice columnist sat down and motioned for him to do the same. “By not doing what everyone is telling him to do, Van's giving Hitomi what she has wanted. She gets her fairy tale happy ending despite all that has happened. He loves her enough to let her go be happy without him. It's a very brave and painful experience. He's being selfless, putting her before himself. If that's not love, I don't know what is. Also, if you think about it, is that not what Hitomi has done for years? It's like he's putting himself in her shoes, seeing how she has felt all these years by keeping quiet. Do you understand?”

Nodding slightly, he leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. “Now I know why you get the big bucks.”

Laughing, Naria smacked him lightly on the arm. “Yay college. I have to say, even though I understand why, I don't know if that is the path I would advise. In the end, it's in his hands. Be a good big brother and help him with his choice.”

“Do I have to?”

“If you don't, it will just be so much harder for him. Help him by being a good boy.”

Folken thought this over for a bit before taking another sip of his drink. “I'll do what I can. That's all I can promise. Excuse me.” With that, Folken got up and left the room to ponder some more, leaving Naria to stare after him. A frown made its way onto her face as she sighed. `Poor Van.'

It was late. Why was he still awake? Probably because the bed he was using wasn't the most comfortable in the world. It was too bad he couldn't stay with his fiancée, but that was alright. They would soon have the rest of their lives to be together. That thought alone put a huge smile on his face.

The knock on the door startled him. Who would be by at this time of night? Hearing the person knock again told him they weren't going away any time soon. Sighing, he threw off the covers and made his way over to the door. Without bothering with the peep hole, he opened the door and made his eyes adjust to the new light.

“Hello Bryan.”

He knew that voice. He knew the person who owned that voice. “What are you doing here?”

“What? Aren't you going to let me in? That's a bit rude.”

With a sigh, he opened the door a bit more, inviting the person in. After they entered, he looked up and down the hallway before closing the door and disappearing into his room with the strange new guest.

~*~Sorry it's so choppy and for the long wait. It was hard enough to get this out as it was. I do believe the next chapter is the last, unless you want an epilogue or something. Not too sure yet. It will take awhile, of course. Blame college for that. In fact, I worked on this instead of working on papers. So be grateful!!! lol

I do have a forum now, so if you have any questions, you can ask me in there. I will check it now and then and answer what I can without giving anything away.

The story's almost over! Will Van snap out of it and fight for Hitomi? Will Hitomi marry Bryan? Who was this new stranger that's now in Bryan's room? Who the heck is the mysterious writer? Will I ever get a chapter out without a five month wait? Find out next time on the final episode of There's Not A Thing I Would Change. Same bat time, same bat channel! (Sorry, I had caffeine.) Ja ne!~*~