Ghosts of Yesterday

Chapter One

Hitomi sighed as she drummed her fingers across the desktop. She was bored! At first, being back in school after a long summer seemed to occupy her attention completely, but then, after the first days had come and gone, boredom set in.

"I actually miss it! I actually miss the feeling of traipsing across unknown territory with Van and the rest! I'd rather do it all again, than sit here listening to some history professor drone on and on about something that happened centuries ago!" Hitomi thought, before a pencil jabbed her in the arm and she turned to look at the culprit. Yukari, no surprise there.

"What?" Hitomi asked, whispering so she wouldn't be heard.

"You look bored." Yukari replied, in kind.

"Hai. This may be the last class of the day, but it sure is slow going." Hitomi muttered, going silent when the teacher looked back at the class for a moment, then turned to the chalkboard again.

"Hey, why don't we go and get a milkshake after school lets out? We can go to that parlor you seemed to like so much." Yukari suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea. Sure seems better than going home and being completely bored for the rest of the night." Hitomi said, sighing with relief when the teacher finally announced the end of class.

"Then it's settled. Let's go." Yukari said, as the bell finally rung and they started making their way to the door.

"All right." Hitomi said, relieved with the break in schedule. She knew she could always count on Yukari for that.

"Ne! Hitomi-san! Yukari-san!" a male voice called over the din of students rushing for their lockers.

"Quatre-san! And Duo-san too! It's been a while!" Yukari said, greeting the two boys enthusiastically.

"Hey! Yeah, long time, no see! Can't believe we weren't in the same homeroom this year!" Duo said, grinning as he pushed his chestnut braid back.

"Got that right, but, then again, the last time we were in the same homeroom, you threw a paper airplane into the teacher's toupee and both it and the airplane went out the window." Hitomi said, smirking at the fond memory.

"Well, that guy deserved it! No one messes with Shinigami!" Duo retorted, as Quatre rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Right…………… Care to join us for some milkshakes?" Yukari asked.

"Sure!" Duo said, his eyes lighting up at the mention of something sweet.

"As though you need to be any more hyper than you already are." Quatre muttered, getting a dirty look from Duo for a response. Hitomi giggled; she loved watching these two boys interact. She had known them since grade school; one was an orphan who lived in the Catholic Church about a block from where she lived. The other was the son of a politician who had died in the World Trade Center almost a year before.

"Aw, c'mon, Quatre! You're always raining on my parade! Have some fun for once!" Duo said, teasingly. Quatre arched an eyebrow.

"Come on, you two, before a fight breaks out." Hitomi said, as she gently pulled them apart from one another. With a nodded agreement, the two boys followed Hitomi and Yukari's lead to the parlor Hitomi liked visiting. When they got there, some of the usual patrons were already there. One ditzy blond was whining to a handsome young man about someone being mean to her, and he merely sighed and endured it. Hitomi had to laugh at the dark haired man's expressions, especially when he was with his immature girlfriend. After ordering some milkshakes, they all sat down and started talking about old times. Hitomi enjoyed times like these; it was a time to reflect on what had been, while talking about what the future held in store for them.

"So, Hitomi-san, do you still read your tarot cards?" Quatre asked, conversationally.

"No, not anymore. I learned that those things could really get one into trouble." Hitomi said, noting the slight look of relief on Quatre's face as she said so.

"Why'd you give 'em up? You seemed to be really good at it!" Duo said, looking up as the waitress returned with the milkshakes. Hitomi shrugged.

"Something happened that made me see otherwise." Hitomi replied, simply.

"Such as?" Duo asked, curious to know what had happened.

"It's really none of your business, Duo." Hitomi said, with a bit of snap in her voice. Duo recoiled and put his hands before him in a placating gesture.

"Eesh! Sorry, Hitomi-chan! Didn't mean to get personal! No need to chew me out!" Duo said, defensively.

"I'm sorry, Duo. I didn't mean for it to sound that way." Hitomi said, honestly apologetic about it.

"No prob." Duo said, brushing it off, then starting another conversation. As they continued to reminisce, Hitomi found that her attention was drifting to someone that stood beside the counter. She gasped when recognition set in; she knew who it was! The long, flowing, golden blond hair, crystal blue eyes and calm grace all matched a certain Astorian knight!

"Ne, Hitomi-chan! What're you lookin' at?" Duo asked, when he'd noticed that Hitomi was no longer paying attention to the conversation.

"Huh? What?! Oh, Duo! Sorry, you were saying?" Hitomi asked, as the ghostly image faded and she turned her attention back to her friends.

"What were you looking at just now? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Quatre said, with concern in his own blue eyes.

"It's nothing, Quatre-san. Don't worry." Hitomi said, with a smile. Quatre didn't look convinced, but he didn't say anything more about it. As they were leaving the parlor, Hitomi saw the mysterious 'ghost' again, but this time he looked different. He looked tired and looked almost as though he'd been traveling a great distance.

"Man! Look at that guy! He looks almost like a hobo!" Duo said, with a laugh, as he pointed out the figure.

"You can see him too?!" Hitomi asked, startled by this.

"Who couldn't? Look at him! He looks awful!" Duo commented, as he again pointed at the figure. It was apparent that Yukari and Quatre could see him too, since they were staring in shock at him. Suddenly, a brilliant light came between them and the ghostly figure, then surrounded them.

"What the…………..?!" Duo yelped, as other yelps of shock were heard from Quatre, Hitomi and Yukari. Seconds later, the street was deserted. A new adventure had just begun………….

Author's Note!

This is somewhat of a Gundam Wing/ Escaflowne crossover, but just wait and see who Hitomi ends up with! ^ ^

Enjoy!

Gemini