Hello everyone! This is my first real fic. It probably sucks and it probably has mistakes. BUT... that doesn't mean you can flame. I worked hard on this and if you glean a little enjoyment from it then it has fulfilled its purpose. So PLEASE REVIEW.
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. If I did Van would be mine. But he's not.
The bus rattled along the winding dirt road that led up the mountain. The road was no longer the red brown clay that it was supposed to be, it was white with snow and ice.
On the passenger hand side lay a cliff. The side rails were a good few feet away from the road so everyone was comfortable an unafraid of falling off.
All the students were returning from a track meet across the mountains. Overall there were ten people. It had been an invitational and they had done very well.
Hitomi watched the valley pass her by. The pure white of the snow like a piece of paper for her to lay her thoughts on.
It had been three years. Three years since she had seen her love. She was almost sure it was a dream. But in the back of her mind she knew the truth. King Van of Fanelia had been real. So had everyone else, Allen, Merle, Millerna, Chid, and Dryden.
She sighed and reached for a chain at her neck, only to realize that it wasn't there. She had given it to Van when she left. She still remembered the feel of it. It was such an ingrained habit to feel for her necklace for comfort that she could not stop.
'Van' whispered the deepest recesses of her mind 'I was a fool to leave you; I just want to get back. I want to come back to Gaea...but no matter how hard I try I can't.'
Tears came unbidden to her eyes. 'I have wished so hard to come back. But without the pendant I don't think I have the strength'. She didn't even know if Van wanted her back. They only talked that one time. Then the link was severed. She didn't even want to imagine why.
"Hey Hitomi!" came a perky voice from over the seat. Yukari's head popped up only to see Hitomi holding back tears. Over the last few years Yukari had seen Hitomi like this all the time.
She knew something was wrong. She just couldn't figure out what. Hitomi never told her about it, but whatever it was she was sure that it had something to do with the trip Hitomi had taken with that boy three years ago.
What Yukari couldn't figure out if it was a bad thing that happened to her or a good thing? One thing she knew for sure is that Hitomi was not the same. Amano had realized it too.
They had differing feeling over it. Yukari thought it was an event that had changed Hitomi. Amano thought it was love.
Hitomi had changed on the outside too. It wasn't much but her figure had changed. She was no longer as scrawny as when she had some back. She had filled out and her muscles were extremely well toned. She had thrown herself into track and running as soon as she got back. She was excellent and had many offers for scholarships involving the 100 meter dash and long jump. In the three years her hair had grown to about shoulder length so that she could put it in a ponytail. But other then that she was still the same beauty that had journeyed to Gaea three years ago.
After seeing Yukari Hitomi fought back the tears and sat up higher in her seat. "Hey Yukari did you need something?" she asked.
"Well actually I don't need anything per say, but Amano and I did want to know if you wanted to play cards or talk or something?" Hitomi smiled. She had such good friends.
"Sure" was her reply. She climbed out of her seat and walked the small way down the isle to where Yukari and Amano were sitting. 'Such a cute couple' Hitomi thought. She didn't begrudge Yukari at all. She had eyes for only one man no matter how far the distance.
'That's what love is. A trial and if I can overcome it I know my love is true and that I am worthy of Van's love in return.' Hitomi sat down and picked up the cards.
"Whose dealing" she asked the couple. "Ummm, you can Hitomi; we were gonna play Dai hin min you ok with that" The amber haired girl smiled "Sure I love that game."
The three sat contentedly in their seats playing the game not noticing how bad of a storm was brewing outside the window, and how precariously close they were to the edge of the cliff.
"I WIN" shouted Hitomi smiling happily. "Take that you...." She was cut short as the bus lurched. People started screaming as the bus started slipping over the side of the mountain. (a/n bet you didn't see that comin) there was one last big movement until the bus fell.
'Oh please god, oh please don't let us die.' Hitomi thought furiously. 'Oh just take us to Gaea where we will be safe' she thought in her panic. The last thing she had time to do before they hit the ground was yell one word. "VAN."
Miraculously a white light engulfed her and she began the journey to what she knew was on Gaea.
King Van of Fanelia sat on a chair in the quarters of his ship. He was returning home from an ambassadorial mission to the Dutchy of Freid.
It wasn't a very taxing mission because he was on such good terms with the young ruler there but it still brought back memories.
Everything brought back memories to Van. Usually it was the memory of one beautiful woman. Her green eyes and short amber hair. Her soft smiles and warm laughs.
Van remembered Hitomi. The one woman that was right for him had slipped right through his fingers. It wasn't fair. Any unmarried woman in Fanelia would gladly give herself to Van. Princesses from neighboring countries came to sue for marriage and he was the fantasy of almost every girl on Gaea. But the one he wanted would never come to him.
He was alone now. Merle had met and married a wonderful man a year ago. She wasn't as childish as people seemed to think. She was after all an adult. She just acted like a child because that was all she was taught. When Hitomi showed up she had been 16. She was now 18. Cat woman grew slowly but when they hit maturity they grow up very fast in body and maturity.
She and her husband now lived happily in the palace, but Merle didn't see him as much anymore she had a kitten on the way and a husband to take care of.
He wasn't sure he should have let her marry at 18 but her mind was made up.
He had a day or so before he arrived at the capital of Fanelia, and a being left alone with his thoughts did not sound good to him. He got up and headed out the door to where he knew Allen would be.
The man knew of his pain and was a very good listener when Van needed him to be but he could never bring himself to talk of Hitomi around him or anyone for that matter.
The only thing that Van wished is that Hitomi would come back. But that wish in an of itself was a confusing matter. What if she had forgotten him what if she fell in love with someone else. He had seen her once after she returned home. But after that he couldn't do it. It wasn't as if he didn't want to. He wanted to very much. He couldn't figure out why he couldn't. It just wasn't working.
For all he knew it meant that Hitomi didn't want to talk. He couldn't bear this train of thought. He walked faster to go find Allen.
If he would have stayed on deck just a little longer and looked out toward the direction of his home country he would have seen the bright white light shoot down from the sky and then disappear.
Hitomi woke up groggily and looked around. What she saw almost made her heart stop. All around her lay members of the track team. Passed out and sprawled on the ground.
She immediately looked up into the sky. There hung the earth and the moon. Tears of relief and joy came pouring out of her eyes. Not only had she saved all of them but she was here on Gaea, the same world as her beloved Van.
She also knew right where she was. This was the field they first landed in. All around her came the moans of the waking track team members. The first thing that happened was the scream. Hitomi knew it would come. She herself had been a little upset when she was sucked from her world to another.
She waited for the screams to subside. Now most of them were crying or hysterical she waited for this to pass also. When it didn't look like that was going to happen she stood up and yelled. "Everyone listen to me."
She took a deep breath. She never told anyone about Gaea because she didn't want anyone to think her crazy but now it was different. They were here to.
"I know where we are." People started quieting down and listening to her. "I've been here before and I know some people on this world. But now is not the time to explain. Gaea is dangerous at night so we need to head off this way towards the castle."
With that she started walking. She knew it would be a long trek. Before she had been on the back of and animal and it had taken a few hours. Walking with a group would be long and tiresome. But they didn't have a choice and the only thing on her mind was to start walking to the place where she knew Van would be.
She thought as she walked. What had brought her back to Gaea? Was there another problem or was it that her wish had been strong enough to save them. Or maybe it was the near death situation that had allowed her to come back. Either way she was happy.
Van found Allen in the engine room where he and Gaddes were working to correct a minor problem.
When Allen saw Van he immediately left all the work to Gaddes. Van motioned for Allen to follow him out onto the deck. Allen watched the retreating back of the young man.
Van just hadn't been the same since Hitomi left. It was as if he shut his heart out to the world. He told Allen everything. His problems, his hopes, and his emotions. But he didn't show them. He kept everything bottled up.
Allen prayed every day that Hitomi would come back and help Van but after three years he didn't believe it would happen.
Van had grown up. At least more so then when she had left. In appearance he was more muscular and he was taller. His hair stayed the same but his shoulders had become broader. All and all he looked much like he did except more manly (a/n not that he isn't COMPLETELY manly as he already is. But for this story I need to change him just a little bit.)
On the inside though, he held no more childish dreams that the world could live peacefully without war. He had seen it happen to other countries and he saw it happen everyday people can not get along to long without fighting. But Van still held his ideals. He would not use Escaflowne no matter how hard the situation.
Allen followed Van until they came to the stern of the levi-ship. "I miss her" were the first words out of his mouth. "I know" said Allen. "I'm not sure if I should give up on her or not. I can't contact her. And after all she did leave." On the outside Allen looked calm. But on the inside he was surprised. Van rarely talked about Hitomi. That was one emotion he did not share. But all of his friends knew it was there.
"Don't give up on her yet Van. Wait just a little longer." The rest of the night was spent reminiscing about old times and forgotten memories.
After hours of walking Hitomi and the group ended up outside the closed palace walls. Three guards quickly came to the top of the wall.
"Who goes there" said the first.
"We are friends of King Vans" Hitomi yelled back. "Let us in we are tired and hungry."
The guards started laughing. "A commoner like you a friend of our king? I think not. Any way the king isn't here. We only let those with special permission in when the king isn't here and he doesn't get back until tomorrow. So sorry little girl you'll have to come back some other day."
Hitomi was furious. They were mocking her. "Fine" She shouted. "We'll be back tomorrow. You'll see" With that she turned around and left with a bewildered group behind her and a couple of guards laughing d their heads off.
"Come on everyone I know were to go." She called out. She headed to the one place where comfort was for her now on Gaea.
The grave of Folken and Escaflowne.
When the got to the grave Hitomi Immediately went to the Escaflowne. It brought back so many memories. She was lost in her thoughts when Yukari came to her.
"Hitomi I think you owe us an explanation." Hitomi sighed. She knew this was coming. "Ok everyone sit down somewhere because this will take a while." And Hitomi told all of it. After so three years she finally told everyone what happened. And it felt good.
At sunrise King Van of Fanelia landed. It was good the be home. (A/n lol really short Van point of view here. But his doesn't need to be long here.)
Everyone listened to her story with rapt attention. When she was done she closed her eyes. Afraid to see the reaction of everyone. She was surprised by a hug.
Yukari was holding her best friend tightly. "Hitomi I never knew. I understand now why you have been so different. I am here for you." Hitomi hugged Yukari back and then stood up. She started walking toward the castle. She would see him on way or another. That's when it hit her
Van lifted the spoon to his lips, and then ate the contents. He went rigid. Then fell over. All the members of court dining with him rushed to his side. But it was too late it he was dead.
Hitomi snapped out of it. And then rushed off towards the castle she had to get there before something terrible happened to Van. She soon got to the gates and yelled. "Let us in."
A different person looked over the side of the wall this time. She knew this person. It was Gaddes. He looked down in shock "Lady Hitomi is that you?"
"Gaddes let me in quickly" she screamed. He did as he was told. "Where is Van?" she asked slightly out of breath from running.
"He will soon be sitting down to dine with some ambassadors from Austuria" Gaddes replied.
"NO" yelled Hitomi "Gaddes I have to get there if I don't Van will be poisoned." Gaddes didn't take her lightly after all he had seen her visions come true one to many times. He immediately got her a mount and sent her up to the main castle.
When Hitomi got there she immediately jumped off the horse and ran inside. She ignored the protests of the guards and ran with all her might to where Gaddes told her the dining hall would be.
All of the sudden an intense pain ripped into her left shoulder and in her side. She was being shot at by soldiers. She couldn't give in though. Van was in danger.
There was the door Hitomi burst in just as Van was raising the soup to his lips. And shouted "NO Van don't do it." Van recognized the voice. He dropped the spoon and turned.
Just in time to see Hitomi collapse onto the floor of the room heavily bleeding from two arrow wounds. And the guards rush in behind her swords drawn and looking fit to kill.
One of them raised his sword but just in time Van shouted "NO" the guard stopped.
"But sire this woman ran in here without permission. She could be here to kill you." A small voice from the ground said "the soup is poisoned. Don't eat it Van"
Hitomi then passed out. Van was too scared for her safety to be happy about her return.
"Get a doctor" he shouted to the nearest guard who ran to do so.
"You check the soup and then find the person who poisoned it." The other guard rushed to do so. He went to Hitomi's side ready to stay with her until she got better if she made it through.
Ok there it is done. Please review and tell me how I did. I take constructive criticism and no flames. Thank you in advance I know you wont disappoint me.