----------------------------------------CHAPTER ONE-----------------------------------------

-------------------------------------Memories of a Feather-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hitomi walked hurriedly down the school hallway. As she turned the corner a fellow student collided with her, sending her books flying and leaving Hitomi on the floor. Hitomi squinted as the pain shot up her back. She looked up at the girl with watery eyes.

"Hey be more careful alright?" The girl said and curtly kept walking, her red hair blowing beautifully behind her.

Thank God school is finished today. I'll graduate tonight and be done with it. She said to herself. It had been three years since she had returned to Earth alone. Since her return everything had changed. Her former best friend Yukari avoided her like the plague; furthermore everyone else in the school doesn't even remember her. Hitomi had spent the last three years alone. When she returned, she moved out on her own, not feeling right living at home anymore. Her mother understood and let her go quietly. However, Hitomi rarely got into contact with her mother anymore either.

Hitomi made it down the steps of her high school quietly, keeping her head low as always. She had shoved all of her books into her bag, the same bag she had taken to Gaia. Now it was old looking, and falling apart at the straps but she never got rid of it. She couldn't; it seemed to be her only connection to Gaia, to Fanelia, to him...

And just like that she found herself thinking about him.

Van...

She climbed onto the subway and sat quietly in the back, clutching her bag to her chest. She tried to suppress the thoughts of him, it had been three years and still he was on her mind. She wondered if he thought of her too. Of course not, he's a king. He's got enough to worry about without thinking of you. He has probably forgotten all about you. Hitomi closed her eyes to block the tears that threatened her. She felt so alone, as if no one could save her but him, but that was impossible now. He was gone, and he was never coming back. She had to face the reality of it. He is never coming back.

She sat in silence until she reached her stop. She climbed out of the subway, walked up the steps and back into daylight. She shielded her eyes as she watched the sky. She smiled to herself. The sky always made her happy. Looking out into space, and knowing that he was out there. Just then a man shoved by her, which brought her back to life. She continued on her way.

Opening the door to her empty apartment, she looked around like she did everyday. Nothing had changed, everything was the same. She was still alone. She walked through the living room and into her bedroom where she put her bag on the bed. She glanced at the closet, and saw her graduation gown. She frowned. She really didn't want to go. She would rather just sit at home. However, she promised herself she would do this last thing before she left high school.

She walked out into her living room and stopped dead in her tracks. There on the middle of her coffee table was a long white feather. Hitomi ran forward and looked in the kitchen, then ran back into her bedroom, her bathroom. Nothing. It was still just as empty as it was before.

Hitomi had gotten so worked up, that when she realized he still wasn't there, she couldn't do anything but lean against the wall and cry. She pushed her back up against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. She closed her eyes and cried loudly without shame. When she reopened her eyes, they were greeted by dark brown eyes. Hitomi stared at these beautiful, familiar eyes, and then took in the full image. The tousled brown hair, the dark eyes, the tanned skin, the playful mouth. But beyond all of that, she smelled that old familiar smell. Burning wood, grass, fresh air. Everything she had lived without for the past few years. It was him; he had come to save her.

"Hitomi…"

"It's you." She breathed. "It's really you…"

He touched her face and wiped away her tears. "Hitomi, why didn't you call to me? Why didn't you tell me you needed me?" He held her face in his hands and looked nothing but concerned.

"Van, I… I thought you had forgotten about me. I thought…"

"Never Hitomi, I could never forget about you."

Hitomi let tears roll down her face. She did not sob; she was too shocked to sob. Van was here. He was finally here. To save her. "Van… I'm sorry."

"It's alright now Hitomi. I've come to take you back. I've come to take you home. You'll never have to be alone or afraid ever again. I promise. I'll protect you with my life. You know that right?"

Hitomi nodded numbly. He stood up and reached his hand out to her. "Where are we…?"

"Home Hitomi... To Fanelia, with me. Everyone is waiting for you Hitomi." She grabbed his hand and he pulled her to his side. He walked her to her bedroom. "Are you ready Hitomi?"

Hitomi grabbed her bag, threw a few clothes into it, and nodded.

"Then let's go home." He pulled her to his side and wrapped his right arm around her. She felt his fingers tighten around her arm, just before she saw the burst of light.

Hitomi wasn't aware of anything. She didn't know what was happening. She closed her eyes in fear, only did she open them when she smelt stone. Wet stone. She opened her eyes and saw that she was on a balcony of the castle. Van's castle. She looked out over the view; she could see the entire kingdom from there. She looked down at all the lights from the city, and it was then that she realized it was nighttime here. She looked behind her, and saw Van leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. He had a small smile on his face, and it was as though his eyes were shining in the moonlight. His dark hair fell across his face as it always had, and she smiled. She was home.

"Things have changed here Hitomi. There's no more turmoil, there's no more trouble. You can be safe here for as long as you want. If ever you need to return home, just let me know."

"Why would I ever want to go back?" Hitomi said boldly, and then blushed. She looked at the floor.

Van picked up on her embarrassment and walked towards her. He gripped both of her shoulders and brought her to him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held onto her firmly. "I'll never let you go again Hitomi."

"… Promise? …"

"I promise."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second chapter will be much longer!

Comments please!