*Sitting alone Indian style on the floor, hands on lap* Konnichi wa minna-sama. You're probably thinking "Nani, where's Zakyra and Van?" Well, it seems people don't really like her so she's not here. People are complaining that she's getting annoying, though I don't understand how it's annoying. It's not like she threatens anyone or anything.

Well, here's the sequel I promised. I hope you all enjoy it.

One note though: In the fic I gave Hitomi a certain but I don't really know anything about so if you know what it's all about, then please tell me. All help will be greatly appreciated.

The New Kid: The Sequel

Disclaimer: I don't own the Escaflowne playground. Shoji Kawamori owns it. I just play on the swings. Please don't feed the trolls. They can get grumpy ^^

~**~

Many years passed since Van and Hitomi met in High school. Those years were filled with many good times, times that neither of them ever imagined they would have. In those years, Van and Hitomi were given two children who they loved with all their hearts. There was their son Vanyel, who looked like his dad in everything except the eyes. He had inherited that from his mom. Then there was their daughter Tiffany who had inherited her father's looks but her mother's personality, though little streaks of gold streamed through her locks.

Now, 6 years after living in the same place with their children, Van and Hitomi were forced to move to another part of Tokyo because of Hitomi's job. She specialized in international affairs and was moved to another office. The move didn't bother Van since he became a writer and didn't really have to be anywhere except in front of his laptop. It didn't really bother Tiffany either since she wasn't the sociable type and didn't have friends, but it bothered Vanyel, who was the captain of the basketball team and president of his class. He was the most popular guy in school but he wasn't conceited about it.

"I don't get why we have to move," Vanyel fumed as he stood in the kitchen while his mom cut some vegetables for the soup. He was seriously angry about all this. He didn't want to leave his friends, or the girl he had a crush on.

Her name was Akiha Setsuna (last name first, first name last). Setsuna was popular as well, but she WAS snobbish about it. She was always complimenting herself and she usually tried her best to get her looks as the top subject. Boyfriends were another story with her. She liked to get boyfriends and treat them like they were her dogs. She usually liked acting like they were on a leash and she always sucked them dry whenever they received their paycheck. As soon as she learned that her boyfriend had earned his month's pay, she was usually there to ask him to take her places until he ran out of money. And the boys, being so stupid, they let her suck them dry. So absorbed were they in her looks that they didn't even complain.

Tiffany was in the kitchen also, sitting at the table, helping her mom cut up some chicken for the soup. She was listening the whole time to the conversation and frowning about her brother's complaints. She knew the main reason he wanted to stay and it angered her. She always thought that boys who were influenced by a girl's good looks were stupid.

Hitomi, with her hair still boy-short because she still ran track, turned around and faced her son. She didn't appear mad. Instead she appeared calm. She had anticipated her son's reaction. "Vanyel, I'm sorry about this but we have to move. My job—"

"Save it mom," Vanyel said as he held up a hand to stop her. Rather than say anything further, he simply left the kitchen to go sulk.

Hitomi sighed and leaned on the edge of the counter. She turned to look at Tiffany. "Do you think I did the right thing?" Perhaps she hadn't…

"Mom," Tiffany began firmly, giving her mom one of those looks, like she shouldn't have even asked. "The only reason he doesn't want to move is because of that dumb Setsuna girl who he has a crush on."

"Not true!" came a reply from the living room. Both of the girls' eyes widened. They hadn't known he'd heard. Tiffany decided to whisper. "It's true about Setsuna. I've seen the way he looks at her and how all of sudden he seems to change his attitude when she comes by."

Hitomi looked up at the ceiling as she moved a finger to her lips in ponder. Setsuna? Did she know that girl? Vanyel always made sure she knew all of his friends by bringing them over. She supposed that what Tiffany was saying was true because boys never brought their crushes over to meet their parent's. "You could be right." She looked at Tiffany and smiled. "I guess your father will have a talk with him."

Tiffany returned the smile and went back to cutting the chicken.

~**~

Vanyel sulked in the living room, totally angry about moving to another part of Tokyo and starting a whole new school. He knew he was acting like a 5 year-old again but he didn't care. If acting like a 5 year-old was going to change her mind, then so be it. He had heard his sister's comment about him being angry because of Setsuna and that also caused him to be angry at her for two reasons. One, how did she know? Was she always watching whom he went out with? And if yes, why? Two, how dare she just tell their mom! She had no right! That was his own private secret.

Because he was sulking, so deep and lost in thought that he didn't notice it when his dad arrived. He had gone to the store to pick up a few things from the store that Hitomi still needed in order to make dinner. He paused when he saw the look of total disgust on his son's face. He set the bags down on the floor and went over to the couch. "What's wrong son?" Van asked as he sat down next to him.

Vanyel looked at his dad like he had just appeared out of nowhere. "Dad," he began. "When did you get here?"

Van lifted an eyebrow at him, giving him a skeptical look. "Were you so lost in thought that you didn't notice it when I just stepped through the door?" He knew his son and this was a rare event when he didn't even notice anyone. Usually he was like a dog with all his senses alert.

Vanyel looked away and the look of disgust appeared again on his face. "I was just thinking." He wasn't about to tell his dad what was bothering him. This was something he felt that even his dad couldn't help him with.

Van wasn't going to give up. "But even thinking you usually notice when someone enters. This must be serious."

"It is," a voice said.

Both of them looked up and saw Hitomi standing in the doorway, her hands cupped together and resting in front of her. "Van, Vanyel is mad about the move."

"Ah," Van said knowingly. "I should have guessed it was about that." He looked back at Vanyel and his faced showed no expression. "But why are you angry? You know that no matter where you go you'll just make yourself popular and then be like a leader to everyone."

Vanyel snorted, something he usually did when he didn't want to talk about it, though he had to admit that his dad was right. He was too easy-going and brave to not participate in anything and make himself popular. Maybe at his new school he could do that too.

Rather than agree or even say anything, he simply stood up from the couch and walked towards the stairs. He needed some time alone to think. In his room with his music blasting was the best place for him to do it.

Hitomi sighed, her eyes closed, and she sat down next to her husband and the love of her life. "Poor Vanyel. This is really hard for him."

Van rolled his eyes at his wife. "Hitomi, this is not hard for him. It's like I said: he can adjust wherever he goes. He'll be fine. And before you know it he'll be telling you he won the election for class president."

Hitomi looked up at Van and smiled. She snuggled up to him and took a deep breath. How much she loved this man who had been with her since they met in High school. Thinking back to those days and seeing that she was almost going to loose him, she wrapped her arms around him just to make sure that the years they had spent together weren't just a dream. "I hope you're right about Vanyel."

He bent down and kissed her forehead. "Of course I am. You just see."

From the entrance of the kitchen was Tiffany, watching her parent's and smiling slightly.

~**~

The next day was the big move. Their stuff had already been packed except for a few things that needed to stay out and that they were just going to take in the car with them. Vanyel still wasn't talking to anyone but from the look on his face, he wasn't sulking anymore. He was just pensive. He even brought along a notebook that he began to write in. Tiffany guessed he was going to begin a journal like she had been doing for years. She liked the idea of her brother having a journal. It meant that now he was going to pay attention to life and—with a smile on her face as she thought of this one—she was also able to read it like he always did with hers.

When all was taken care of, they drove off towards another house in the new part of Tokyo that they had to move to. Tiffany, unlike her brother, was excited with the move because it meant she was given a second chance at becoming like her brother and actually making friends. She had always cared but she made it like she didn't. If people knew that she did care, then they could use it to their advantage and she would end up getting hurt. That was something she definitely wanted to avoid.

It took them a few hours to get there, but at least it wasn't like those moves that were out of town and took days. They were all grateful for that. (^_^)

As soon as they got out of the car, a girl who had been in front of her house walked up a little shyly. She had shoulder length strawberry-blonde hair and clear green eyes. Her hair was curled at the ends and it blew with the wind as she ran. She was wearing khaki shorts and a sky blue tank with a little rainbow on it.

"Hi," she greeted with a small, shy smile. She was looking at Tiffany and she held out her hand. "My name is Hoshino Yari. You're the new neighbors right?"

Tiffany stared at Yari, dumbfounded, before she decided to take her hand. "Yeah. We just moved in today." This was definitely something. She had never expected to make friends this fast. She thought she was going to have to work for it by doing what her brother did.

Yari took her hand back. "If you want I can show you around the school tomorrow." Her face contorted into one of question as she thought of something. "Are you going to the local High school?"

"Bengaku (A/N: Pursuit of Knowledge) High school?" she wondered, rather hoping that it was that one.

Yari smiled even wider than she had done before. "That's the one! Yay! You're going to the same High school as me!"

Tiffany smiled and even laughed, though a little nervously. This girl was just bursting with energy, something Tiffany lacked. But she was glad either way that she had made a friend, and so quickly.

Yari turned her gaze towards the floor and started fidgeting with her fingers as she said nervously, "D-Do you think…I could help unpack?"

Hitomi giggled, Van looked at her with kindness, while Vanyel just rolled his eyes. Hitomi was the one who spoke. "Sure. We could use the help. Thank you so much for asking."

Yari smiled up at them and between the five of them, they began to get to work. Tomorrow was school, as well as the promise of a new day…

To be continued…

Alright! First part done! How did you like it? Was it good? Please tell me! I'd love to know that this lived up to "The New Kid" as well as your expectations.

Like mentioned, tomorrow…school…and that's when the whole love triangle stuff goes into play. Hitomi also starts her job and she meets a guy who'll make Van jealous.

So I hope you like this and please review! I'd love to hear from you! Please make my day! See ya in part 2!